Area recovering from massive storm destruction

Communities across western Wayne County spent last weekend clearing downed trees, waiting on power restoration and tallying damage after two rounds of severe thunderstorms tore through southeast Michigan on Sept. 2 and 3, prompting tornado warnings, a confirmed tornado and widespread outages that at one point left more than 350,000 DTE customers in the dark.
Severe storms were first reported on Wednesday evening. The National Weather Service later confirmed a brief tornado touched down near Marysville in St. Clair County that night. The more serious disruption occurred Thursday afternoon, Sept. 3, when a second line of storms swept southeast across the state, prompting a tornado warning for the area.
Communities across the Canton Township, Romulus, Westland, Wayne, Sumpter Township and Plymouth corridor — all named in the Thursday tornado warning or the broader severe thunderstorm watches that followed — reported downed trees, damaged power lines and scattered structural damage, echoing the pattern seen elsewhere in the county. Local officials repeatedly urged residents to treat any dark traffic signal as a four-way stop and to steer clear of any downed lines, reporting them directly to DTE rather than assuming they were dead.
DTE Energy reported more than 110,000 customers without power by Thursday afternoon, a number that grew past 350,000 as the evening storms rolled through, with outages later climbing toward 280,000 overnight. Wayne County was among the hardest hit counties in the region. DTE said it deployed more than 3,700 crew members, including out-of-state line workers, with several hundred additional linemen brought in through the weekend to speed up restoration.

Canton, where there had been localized flooding earlier in the week, saw additional wind and tree damage from the Thursday storms. Public Works Division staff worked through the weekend clearing main roads of fallen limbs and debris before moving into subdivision streets, and asked residents with trees down on private property to coordinate removal through their homeowners' associations or private landscapers. Residents without power were directed to report outages straight to DTE, since the township only manages water and sewer service. Canton officials also encouraged residents with storm-related damage to fill out the township online damage-assessment survey, which is part of the broader effort to determine whether federal disaster assistance may eventually be warranted.
Romulus, anchored by Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, sat directly in the path of the storm cell as it moved northeast through the area. The open terrain in the community has funneled strong wind gusts through neighborhoods along the Ecorse Road, Van Born Road and Wayne Road corridors, and this round of storms was no exception, with crews responding to downed trees and lines in the hours after the warning expired. Flights were cancelled or delayed and flooding reportedly made interstate roadways leading to the airport impassable.

Westland and the city of Wayne were both named in the expanding severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings Thursday afternoon as the storm line pushed southeast, and both saw the kind of tree damage and scattered outages reported across the rest of western Wayne County. Sumpter Township, on the southwestern edge of the county, fell within the same warnings and outage footprint, with residents there also encouraged to report damage and outages through the county storm-recovery channels.
The National Weather Service specifically listed Plymouth among the communities where trees or power lines came down Thursday. Interstate roads through the area were underwater for a brief period as the heavy rain continued. Cleanup in the city and surrounding Plymouth Township continued into the weekend as crews worked through scattered outages and debris.
Residents in Canton, Romulus, Westland, Wayne, Sumpter Township and Plymouth are encouraged to report ongoing outages directly to DTE Energy at 800-477-4747 or through the utility's online outage map, and to route any storm-damage reports through their local township or city hall so the totals can be included in county and state damage assessments.
Romulus Mayor Robert McCraight urged residents to practice all safety measures. He also urged residents to check on elderly neighbors, individuals with disabilities, and anyone who may depend on electrically powered medical equipment.
“City crews, first responders, utility workers, and our public-service partners are actively assessing damage and responding to hazardous conditions. Please give emergency and cleanup crews plenty of room to work, and do not enter areas that have been closed or barricaded,” McCraight advised.

“Recovery will take time, and your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated. Please continue monitoring official city of Romulus communications for updates. “Stay alert, stay safe, and please look out for one another,” McCraight posted on social media.

Chicken Sunday
Traditional Rotary Chicken BBQ set for Sunday during Fall Festival

Todd Raska, Doug Willett and Bari Livsey are expecting about 8,000 folks for dinner Sunday afternoon during the annual Plymouth Fall Festival.
No pressure.
The three members of the Chicken Barbeque Committee of the Plymouth Noon Rotary Club have taken on the tasks usually performed by twice their number as they prepare for one of the largest and most labor-intensive activities during the festival. Raska said they are all taking the responsibility very seriously as they prepare for the decades old traditional barbecue in the community.

The Fall Festival Chicken Barbeque is one of the largest fundraisers the Rotary Club hosts each year, and the funds raised by the more than 700 volunteers who help prepare the dinners will be used to fund scholarships for local students, educational efforts, community projects, beautification efforts and even some world-wide efforts.
“Everything we do, the end is charity and donation,” Raska said. He added that one of the efforts he is especially proud of is donations to the Cass Homeless Shelter in Detroit. “We donate any leftover chicken dinners to them,” Raska said. “These people feed 450 meals a day, three times a day. The food cost at the shelter is about $14,000 a week to help people who are really in need,” Raska said.
He added that every year, the barbeque committee tries to ensure that there are meals left over to donate to various charities and shelters. The Cass group, he said, is one that does a great deal of good.
“When we donate a chicken dinner to them, they get five meals from that food. They make chicken soup, take the corn from the cob and use it in various soups. One of our chicken dinners goes a long way,” he said

“Last year was quite an experience,” Raska said about his work last year on the Rotary Barbeque Committee. There are usually six committee members but circumstances this year doubled the number of tasks for the volunteers while reducing the group by half.
Raska agreed it is a huge task but since the group has been hosting the dinners for nearly seven decades, there are procedures and longstanding methods in place to ensure the event is successful. It remains however, he said, a tremendous challenge to ensure all the details and efforts that take place behind the scene are accomplished as needed and on time.
“It does take some time to coordinate the volunteers and people volunteering, ensuring the borrowed equipment is in place and supplies ordered.”

Previous Barbeque Chairman Eric Joy “left some big shoes to fill,” Raska concluded.
The famous chicken dinners are available beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday and will be served at The Gathering, across from Kellogg Park where tables will be installed. There is drive through pick-up service available at West Middle School at Sheldon and Ann Arbor Trail.

The dinners are priced at $17 presale and $20 if purchased on the day of the barbeque.

Roundabout planned at Palmer and Sheldon intersection

Roundabout next year, motorists attempting to navigate the intersection of Palmer and Sheldon roads in Canton Township will experience a new traffic control installation.

The four-way stop at the intersection will be replaced with a $2.5 million roundabout, similar to those recently constructed in Northville. The intersection has been called one of the most congested in the area by traffic officials prompting the decision to construct the roundabout which will improve safety and efficiency at the site, according to officials.

The new traffic flow system will be funded by a grant, according to Canton Township Engineering Services Manager Charles Larocque. He said the decision to install the roundabout was prompted by current traffic volumes, travel patterns and future use of the two roadways involved. He said an extensive traffic study was completed prior to application for grant funding.
Larocque said roundabout intersections eliminate T-bone collisions, left-turn conflicts and head-on collisions. He said accidents in roundabouts are usually limited to collisions when one vehicle fails to yield to another resulting in a side-swipe incident. Those he said are usually at about 15 mph, a much lower speed and less potentially damaging outcome.

Construction at the site is expected to begin next spring and conclude prior to the beginning of the 2027 school year. Bidding on the project will begin early next year, officials said.

Romulus Fire Department celebrates promotion, new marshal

The Romulus Fire Department is celebrating two significant milestones, promoting a longtime lieutenant to the rank of captain and formally welcoming a newly sworn-in fire marshal to the ranks.

Neal Allgood has been promoted from lieutenant to captain, department leaders said, citing Allgood’s sustained leadership, dedication, and service on the fire line. In his new role, Allgood will take on expanded responsibility for leading crews and overseeing operations, continuing a career built on hands-on emergency response experience.

"Captain Allgood has continually demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and unwavering service on the line," the department said in the prepared statement. "We are excited to see him step into this new role and continue to lead our crews with excellence."

The promotion adds to the department command structure at a time when the agency has been working to maintain staffing levels and strengthen leadership ranks. The Romulus Fire Department currently operates with roughly two dozen career firefighters, supplemented by part-time and paid-on-call personnel, working out of two stations — Fire Headquarters on Eureka Road and Fire Station 2 on Middlebelt Road. Firefighters are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 4126.

The department also officially welcomed Dan Wright as the new city fire marshal. Wright was recently hired and sworn in, taking on responsibility for fire prevention, code enforcement, and fire-safety education throughout the city.

"His expertise and commitment to fire safety, code enforcement, and prevention will be an incredible asset to the department and the citizens we serve," department officials said.

The fire marshal's office plays a central role in inspecting commercial and residential properties for code compliance, investigating fire causes, and educating residents and businesses on prevention — duties that carry added weight in Romulus given the unique city geography. The community covers about 36 square miles, roughly a third of which is occupied by Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, adding a layer of complexity to fire prevention and code enforcement work not found in many neighboring municipalities.

The Romulus Fire Department traces its origins back more than 80 years. It was formally organized in 1940 after a fire destroyed the Romulus Gray Iron Foundry, prompting township leaders under Elmer Johnson to recruit a dozen men to serve under the first fire chief, Joe Crova. The department's first fire truck, a Ford, was purchased in 1941 and initially housed at the local Grange Hall before moving to a garage on Goddard Road in 1943.

Since those early days, the department has grown substantially, now responding to more than 5,000 calls for service each year. It provides all-hazards emergency response along with Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency medical services, operating multiple state-licensed ALS ambulances. The department is also an active participant in the Western Wayne County Mutual Aid Association, allowing it to share resources with neighboring agencies during larger incidents.

Over the decades, the department has adapted to changing demands, including a 2012 upgrade to the state's 800 MHz communications system and the pursuit of federal FEMA grant funding in recent years to help maintain front-line firefighter staffing.

With Allgood stepping into a broadened leadership role and Wright bringing new expertise to fire prevention efforts, department officials say both additions reflect the agency's ongoing commitment to serving the Romulus community safely and effectively.

"Please join us in congratulating Captain Allgood on his promotion and giving a warm welcome to Fire Marshal Wright," department officials said. "Thank you both for your dedication to keeping our city safe."

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

City-wide Garage Sale planned

The free fall city-wide yard sale will take place in Romulus Sept. 24 through Sept. 27. Registrations received by Friday, Sept. 18, will be included in a list of participating addresses published in The Eagle newspaper. Contact the clerk's office at (734) 942-7540, clerk@romulusgov.com for more information. Applications are available at: https://www.romulusgov.com/.../Spring-Fall-Citywide...

Firefighters broil chicken

The Sumpter Township Fire Department and MAFF 343 will host the annual Chicken Broil from noon until 5 p.m. Sept. 13. This is the return of the event since it was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.
Dinners, priced at $15, include a half, chicken, corn on the cob, Cole slaw, roll and beverage.
The dinners will be served at the Fire Station, 20550 Sumpter Road in Belleville.
 
ARToberfest is Sept. 26

The Fourth Annual ARToberfest Family Fall Festival, a one-day artisan and vendor fair will take place from noon until 4 p.m. Sept. 26 in Cherry Hill Village, as well as at the Arts Warehouse.
Additional festivities of this  free family-friendly event include an artisan marketplace, live music, and food trucks.  The Cherry Hill Potters Guild will also be hosting the fall exhibition and pottery sale at the Arts Warehouse located at located at 50755 Cherry Hill Road.

Farmers Markets are open

The Northville Farmers Market will open from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. each Thursday through Oct. 29.
The market takes place at 550 Seven Mile Road.
The Canton Farmers Market is open Sundays, offering weekly access to fresh food, local goods and family-friendly activities at Preservation Park. Located at 500 N. Ridge Road, the market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on most Sundays through Oct. 11, rain or shine.
The Plymouth Market, located in The Gathering across from Kellogg Park is open from 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

Westland hosts a Farmers Market from 3 until 7 p.m. on Thursday at 1901 N. Carlson, Westland.

Sumpter Township police thwart armed home invasion

Police have arrested all four suspects in an armed home invasion that occurred Thursday night in the 44000 block of Wear Road, according to the Sumpter Township Police Department.

Sumpter Township Police officials said a call was received at about 10:24 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27 reporting a home invasion in progress. The caller was not a resident of the home but a friend of the victims who was on a FaceTime video call with them when she witnessed them being ambushed and assaulted, police said. The call was disconnected during the attack.

Investigators said four armed men — carrying rifles and handguns — had staked out the residence before stealthily approaching the home and confronting the people inside. Officers said one resident was pistol-whipped and handcuffed while the suspects demanded money, firearms and other valuables.

The assault was interrupted when officers arrived at the scene, police said, and the four suspects fled into a heavily wooded area nearby.

Multiple agencies joined the search using drones, K-9 units and a Michigan State Police aviation unit. Three suspects were taken into custody during the initial search, police said.

The fourth suspect remained at large for about 11 hours. Police said a resident called in a tip after seeing a man leave the wooded area along Wear Road and get into a waiting vehicle. Officers took the man into custody around 9:30 a.m. Friday, according to police reports.

Long-time Sumpter Township Trustee Tim Rush said police reports indicated officers were on the scene within 3 minutes of the initial report and in about 2 minutes when the call about the fourth suspect was received. Rush said he was told that none of the suspects spoke English and an interpreter had to be called from another department following the arrests. He said his information was that all four suspects were illegal immigrants.

“Our police department proved how professional and efficient these officers are,” Rush said. “This is such a safe community because of them.”

Police said the victims' dog, named Chip, went missing during the chaos of the home invasion, but was later found and returned home.

The Sumpter Township Police Department credited assisting agencies, including the Huron Township, Van Buren, Pittsfield Township, Milan and Monroe police departments, the Huron-Clinton Metropark Police, the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office, and Michigan State Police canine, aviation and emergency services units.

Anthony Carlo Marquez, 39, Einer Eloy Altamirano Barbosa, 24, and Gilbert David Machado Gonzalez, 20, all of Detroit, along with Jesus D. Blanco Amador, 34, of Cornelia, Georgia, have been arraigned on charges of one count of armed robbery, one count of first-degree home invasion, one count of felonious assault, two counts of unlawful imprisonment and four counts of felony firearm - pneumatic gun.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Sumpter Township Police Department Detective Bureau at (734) 461-4833, ext. 4.

Serving a purpose

Rotary A.M. spaghetti dinners support community groups, students

The large canvas tote bags loaded with an authentic Italian dinner prepared by members of the Rotary Club of Plymouth A.M. during the Fall Festival are much more than a welcome convenience.

The bags are a symbol of support for a long list of community projects and services the club supports.

The Rotary Club of Plymouth A.M. celebrated the 30^th anniversary of the club this year, noted charter member Kate Rosevear.

Rosevear, who remains active with the club, which was founded in 1996, said the morning club members are still “doing a lot of good” in the Plymouth Community and throughout the world. “The club is small, but mighty,” she added.

Proceeds from this 18^th annual spaghetti dinner set for Saturday, Sept. 12 will be used to provide scholarships for Plymouth-Canton area students who have overcome significant challenges in completing classes to graduate from high school; to help fund the Plymouth Champions Program at Starkweather Academy; to provide complete Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas household essential items to 20 Plymouth families; to maintain two eco-friendly rain gardens and three Little Libraries in Plymouth; to support the Plymouth Canton Community Schools Mental Health and Well Being Fair; to provide financial and other assistance to the autistic and differently-abled members of the community through ParcLifeNow; and to continue to produce and provide the “Waving the Flag for Veterans” program through the streets of Plymouth in May and November. 

Again, this year the dinners will include a large portion of Mama Mucci’s spaghetti with an authentic Italian marinara sauce topped with two generous-sized meatballs. The meatballs can be excluded for vegetarians, organizers noted. Also included is a special Italian Coleslaw salad, champagne-garlic bread from The Whitney in Detroit, a Jimmy John’s colossal chocolate chip cookie, a bottle of spring water, and specialty coffees provided by Alwadi Café.

Pre-event tickets for dinners are $12.50 per adult while tickets purchased at the dinner or on Saturday are priced at $15 per adult. As has been traditional, dinners for children 5 and younger are free with the purchase of an adult meal, on a one-to-one basis. Tickets can be purchased in advance from any member of the morning Rotary Club; by credit card online at www.plymouthamrotary.org; or by cash or check at Travel Leaders, 44623 Five Mile Road at Sheldon Road, (734) 455-5810. Tickets can also be purchased at the bar at E.G. Nick’s, the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, or at the Fall Fest Dinner Ticket booth at Penniman and Main Street, Friday night or Saturday until noon during the Fall Festival.

The popular drive-through carry-out service will be available from 3 until 7 p.m. Saturday, or until the dinners are sold out.

The Rotary Club of Plymouth A.M. members meet for breakfast early Tuesday mornings and have guest speakers twice a month, Rosevear said.  Meetings take place from 7 until 8:15 a.m. at the Plymouth Arts & Recreation Complex, Door 15. Individuals who subscribe to a “Service Above Self” attitude are invited to come “try us on.” No reservations are needed.

Visit www.plymouthamrotary.org for more information.

New trustee appointed to serve on Plymouth Township Board

The Plymouth Township Board of Trustees voted 6-0 Aug. 25 to appoint Joe Reilly to the board, filling a seat left vacant when Trustee Mark Clinton submitted his resignation.

Township Clerk Kim Gaedeke swore Reilly into office during the regular meeting. He will serve the remainder of Clinton's term, which expires in 2028.

"I want to thank the members of the board," Reilly said after the vote. "I look forward to serving the township."

Reilly, 31, has lived in the township for seven years and is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University. He has served for about a year and a half on the township Zoning Board of Appeals, where he is currently vice chairman.

Township Supervisor Chuck Curmi said seven people applied for the seat and trustees interviewed four finalists individually before selecting Reilly. Board members pointed to the "generational representation" Reilly could bring given his age.

Reilly described more than a decade of experience in operations, financial accountability and high-stakes negotiations, including work as an operations director in the automotive industry, where he oversaw teams nationwide and led contract negotiations with the United Auto Workers. He said that background prepared him to handle high-pressure situations, listen carefully and protect long-term interests of the township.

The term was vacant following Clinton’s July resignation, citing what he called his exclusion from the process that led to the appointment of William Ickes, a member of the Plymouth Planning Commission as Trustee Jennifer Buckley's replacement earlier that month. Clinton said he was not told a candidate had already been selected before the July 21 vote of the board members confirming that appointment.

In his resignation letter, Clinton said elected trustees should be included in major decisions and that residents deserve an open, transparent and collaborative process.

Reilly's appointment is the latest development in months of turnover on the seven-member board.

Buckley resigned earlier this year after buying a home outside the township. Former Clerk Jerry Vorva resigned effective March 13, and after weeks of public disagreement among board members, trustees appointed Kim Gaedeke — former head of the University of Michigan's Opioid Research Institute — as clerk on May 12. Curmi pushed for a unanimous vote on Gaedeke's appointment, calling the preceding weeks "a very low point in the history of Plymouth Township."

Treasurer Bob Doroshewitz told the board at a June 23 meeting that he plans to resign later this year or in early 2027, though he said the decision was unrelated to the internal conflicts of the board members.

A lawsuit stemming from the turmoil remains pending: Vorva has sued Trustee John Stewart, alleging Stewart lunged at him during a closed-session meeting and created a “hostile working environment.” Stewart has denied the allegation.

Suspect faces felony charges in dollar store stabbing

A 22-year-old Inkster man is facing multiple felony charges in the stabbing of a 63-year-old woman at a local dollar store.

Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Stephen Patrick Ross, Jr., in connection with the non-fatal stabbing of a Phyllis Robinson of Westland.

Inkster Police were dispatched to a dollar store at about 2:49 p.m. Aug. 24 in response to a reported stabbing, according to a statement from Worthy’s office.

When officers arrived at the store located in the 100 block of Inkster Road, they observed the victim inside the store, suffering from multiple stab wounds to her head, back, and arms. Medics arrived on the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment, where she was reported in critical condition due to her injuries.

It is alleged that Ross used a knife that was for sale in the store to stab the victim multiple times. The defendant and the victim did not know each other, according to police reports.

Ross has been charged with one count of assault with intent to murder, one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, and one count of felonious assault. He was arraigned in 22^nd District Court before Judge Sabrina Johnson and remanded to jail.

“This incident is a disturbing act of violence, and we want our residents to know that violence of this nature will not be tolerated in the city of Inkster. Every person should be able to shop, work, and live in our community without fear of becoming the victim of a random act of violence,” said Inkster Police Chief Tamika L. Jenkins in a statement.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family as she receives medical treatment. We also commend the responding officers for their professionalism and swift response in addressing this incident,” she added. “Our primary concern remains the well-being of Ms. Robinson. We ask our community to keep her and her family, and everyone affected by this incident in your thoughts as we hope for her continued recovery,” the chief concluded.

Registration for Romulus Pumpkin Festival 5K run available

The 28th annual Pumpkin Festival will gather the community at Romulus Historical Park Sept. 18, 19 and 20 for a weekend including live music, food, crafts, and games for all ages.

The event begins with the traditional Rotary Club Parade of Lights, where everything is aglow, from bicycles to cement trucks. Thousands of people line Goddard Road to view the fun-filled lighted parade exhibits. Questions about this event should be directed to the Romulus Rotary Facebook Information is available on the Romulus Rotary webpage or by email at romulus.rotary@gmail.com. There is no fee to enter the parade, but a $10 donation is usually requested. The only requirement for entry is that the float or vehicle be completely lighted, the more lights the better, organizers said.

More information about the festival is available at pumpkinfestival@romulusgov.com 

Registration for Punkie's 5k Run Walk/Ride will be accepted until Aug. 29. Punkie’s 5K, is a family-friendly run/walk/bike through the heart of the historic city, organizers said. It is suitable for both seasoned runners chasing a personal best or those just looking for a fun way to stay active.
The Pumpkin Pub will be open Friday and Saturday at the park and the Romulus Fire Department will host a Pancake Breakfast at the Park Pavilion from 8 until 11 a.m. Saturday. Live entertainment will continue throughout the weekend at the Freight House Stage, the Gazebo Patio and the Main Stage in the park. The Pumpkin Painting Tent will be open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Inflatable Bounce Houses will be on site, and Bingo will be sponsored by the Greater Romulus Chamber of Commerce from 11 a.m. until 8 on Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The unique and popular Pumpkin Chuckin’ competition is set for 4 until 5 p.m. on Saturday and the traditional Romulus Got Talent Competition will close the festival from 4 until 6 p.m. Sunday.

Community calendar

City-wide Garage Sale planned

 The free fall city-wide yard sale will take place in Romulus Sept. 24 through Sept. 27.

Registrations received by Friday, Sept. 18, will be included in a list of participating addresses published in The Eagle newspaper.

Contact the clerk's office at (734) 942-7540, clerk@romulusgov.com for more information.

Applications are available at: https://www.romulusgov.com/.../Spring-Fall-Citywide...

 

Firefighters broil chicken

The Sumpter Township Fire Department and MAFF 343 will host the annual Chicken Broil from noon until 5 p.m. Sept. 13. This is the return of the event since it was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.

Dinners, priced at $15, include a half, chicken, corn on the cob, Cole slaw, roll, and beverage.

The dinners will be served at the fire station, 20550 Sumpter Road in Belleville.

 

Plymouth Fall Festival nears

The 69^th Annual Plymouth Fall Festival and Rotary Chicken Barbeque is set for Sept. 11, 12 and 13 this year.

Tickets for the famous Sunday Chicken Barbeque are priced at $17 presale and $20 the day of the event.

Organizers said the traditional event, which is a fundraiser for charities, civic organizations and school events will include the popular attractions and some new features.

 

17^th Annual Blues, Brats and Bands returning to Canton

The 17th annual Canton Brews, Brats, and Bands will take place at Preservation Park from 6 until 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. The event offers craft beer enthusiasts and attendees aged 21 and older a variety of drinks, bratwurst,  live music, and other attractions.

Tickets are $45 plus a per-ticket service charge and can only be purchased online at Beerfests.com by searching Canton, MI. Designated driver tickets are just $15, plus a per-ticket service charge

For more information on Brews, Brats, and Bands, visit www.cantonfun.org. 

2 officers, suspect injured in gunfire exchange

A shooting in Romulus last week left two Dearborn police officers wounded and a suspect hospitalized in critical condition.
The shootings occurred at about 2:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21 near Inkster and Van Born roads in Romulus as Dearborn officers attempted to arrest a Detroit man. Twelve police agencies including Romulus and Michigan State Police responded to the scene of the shootings. The Dearborn officers’ injuries were non-life -threatening, according to police while the suspect was arrested at the scene and immediately hospitalized. Police said the suspect remained in critical condition at press time.

No Romulus officers were injured in the gunfire.
The incident began when Dearborn officers were dispatched to the Pantheion Club on Michigan Avenue at about 2:15 a.m. following a report of a man brandishing a gun during an argument on the premises.
When uniformed officers responded to the scene the suspect refused to cooperate and fled the parking lot in a white flatbed tow truck, according to reports from Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin. The officers pursued the vehicle but intentionally terminated the pursuit to prevent a high-speed chase which could have endangered area residents, Shahin said.
Two undercover officers from the Dearborn Special Investigations Team assumed the pursuit of the man and followed him to the Romulus Citgo gas station undetected. The gas station is near the four-corners border of Romulus, Westland, Dearborn Heights and Taylor.
According to police reports, the officers identified themselves at the scene in an effort to make an arrest. The suspect fired a handgun at the two officers and attempted to flee, according to police reports. Patrol officers from multiple surrounding communities allegedly responded to the scene of the gunfire. One Dearborn officer sustained gunshots to his stomach and arm, and the other was shot in his shoulder, according to police. The suspect sustained critical injuries, police said.
Both officers were treated for their injuries and have been released from the hospital, Shahin said, and are currently on paid leave from the department. Each is a 10-year veteran of the force, the chief noted.
The wounded suspect was identified as a 32-year-old Detroit resident who had a “violent criminal history” according to police. The man was released on parole in 2021. His name has not been released pending arraignment.
“This could have easily been a fatal encounter for my officers,” Shahin said, adding that a bulletproof vest may have saved at least one of the injured officer’s life. “I’m extremely grateful that our officers have been released from the hospital and are recovering at home.”

The incident remains under investigation by Michigan State Police.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR
 
Duck Race tickets now on sale
The Annual Lucky Ducky Rubber Duck Race sponsored by the Belleville Rotary Club is set for 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20 on Belleville Lake at Horizon Park. Tickets, limited to 1,100, are now available from any Rotary member.
For more information, visit the Belleville Rotary Club Facebook page.
 
City-wide Garage Sale planned
 The free fall city-wide yard sale will take place in Romulus Sept. 24 through Sept. 27.
Registrations received by Friday, Sept. 18,  will be included in a list of participating addresses published in The Eagle newspaper.
Contact the clerk's office at (734) 942-7540, clerk@romulusgov.com for more information.
Applications are available at: https://www.romulusgov.com/.../Spring-Fall-Citywide...
 
Plymouth Fall Festival nears
The 70^th Annual Plymouth Fall Festival and Rotary Chicken Barbeque is set for Sept. 11, 12 and 13 this year.
Tickets for the famous Sunday Chicken Barbeque are priced at $17 presale and $20 the day of the event.
Organizers said the traditional event, which is a fundraiser for charities, civic organizations and school events will include the popular attractions and some new features.
 
17^th Annual Blues, Brats and Bands returning to Canton
The 17th annual Canton Brews, Brats, and Bands will take place at Preservation Park from 6 until 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. The event offers craft beer enthusiasts and attendees aged 21 and older a variety of drinks, bratwurst,  live music, and other attractions.
Tickets are $45 plus a per-ticket service charge and can only be purchased online at Beerfests.com by searching Canton, MI. Designated driver tickets are just $15, plus a per-ticket service charge
For more information on Brews, Brats, and Bands, visit www.cantonfun.org. 

A tradition of service
Plymouth Fall Festival is united fundraiser for community groups

A tradition of community service and giving will continue in the Plymouth community this year when local service clubs, civic and school groups, along with local non-profits join in a single weekend of fundraising Sept. 11, 12 and 13.
Fall Festival President Andrea Gerber noted that many people are unaware of the underlying historical purpose of the annual event. Every booth, every food truck, every amusement ride is a fundraiser for a local service club, student group or non-profit organization in the community, she stressed.
The festival began as a fundraiser for the Rotary Club who hosted a chicken barbeque in 1956 to buy some playground equipment for a local park.
Those first Rotary Club Chicken Barbeques, always dedicated to funding a local playground or civic project, evolved into the first official Fall Festival when 3,500or so folks attended the event and the Rotary club members served about 2,800 dinners. The event grew and evolved over the following years into the three-day weekend festival attended by an estimated 20,000 people last year.
One rule has remained in place during the decades-long growth and expansion of the event: to be a part of the Fall Festival, a booth, display or vendor must be sponsored by a local service or non-profit community group. No exceptions. Every vendor at the event is there to benefit the community by generating funds to be donated to a civic or school group. The wide-ranging success of those volunteer efforts can be seen throughout the community with local scholarships and multiple amenities and programs funded by civic groups.
Gerber is in her third year as president of the enormous undertaking that produces the expanded Plymouth Fall Festival. She explained that while the non-profits have their own teams managing their individual booths or events which “are now a well-oiled machine” the growth and constant expansion of the event does take real commitment. “It’s really a small group of people who know what they are doing,” she added.
The event is produced each year by JAG Entertainment, and company owner James Gietzen takes a hands-one approach to this special event. Gietzen, a member of the Plymouth Noon Rotary Club, is “a real blessing” Gerber said. “He does such a great job. We are so lucky to have him.” Gietzen helps schedule the stage performances and books bands and other entertainment during the event and, as Gerber says, “just does whatever is needed.”

While the entire event continues to expand each year, Gerber said she is particularly impressed with the success and popularity of the Friday night Bingo games which fund the area Little League program. “Bingo is so popular, people love it,” she said. “It just continues to grow.”

Gerber said she and Fall Festival Vice Chairman Pam Batcho have never lost site of the real purpose of the event. “We’re all here for the community,” she said. “With everything going on, all the booths and the entertainment, there really is something for everyone here.”

Supervisor’s 3^rd attempt to pay son rejected by trustees

Sumpter Township Trustees have not reconsidered their position on the appointment of T.J. Bowman as the assistant supervisor to his father, Supervisor Tim Bowman.
The controversial appointment has been an issue since July 14 when Bowman initially announced his intent to name his son as his assistant at a salary of $8,200 annually. His motion failed by a 3-3 tie vote in the absence of Treasurer Bart Patterson prompting Bowman to abruptly leave the ongoing meeting. The item was again considered at the July 28 meeting when Trustees Matt Oddy and Tim Rush along with Patterson questioned the propriety of the appointment.
During discussion of the proposed hiring during the July 28 meeting several residents, along with Oddy and Patterson questioned the appearance of “nepotism” and stated their opposition to the hiring. Patterson told Bowman and the other board members the hiring was misguided considering the current issues facing the township and that it was in direct conflict with Bowman’s stated promises as he campaigned for election.
In response, Bowman removed the item from the agenda and announced he would arbitrarily appoint his son and have him sworn in without board approval. While Bowman is allowed by the township charter to appoint an assistant supervisor, board members control approval of any payment for the position. Bowman made the appointment and T. J. Bowman was sworn in as assistant supervisor on July 30. In that capacity, the younger Bowman has access to personnel records, legal briefings and closed session meetings of the trustees.
At the Aug. 11 meeting, Patterson said his position on the issue had not changed and a local resident questioned the younger Bowman’s qualifications during the public comment segment of the meeting. Patterson said he did not understand why the issue was back before the board as an agenda item for the third time. Bowman subsequently removed the item from the meeting agenda, avoiding another vote on the question.
This was the third attempt by Bowman to secure township employment for his son. The township did not hire the younger Bowman for a previous part-time position in the township DPW, and he was disqualified as a candidate for the township ordinance officer position following a determination by the township hiring committee that his hiring would be a conflict of interest considering his employment at his father’s construction company which does work for the township.

The salary issue followed the naming of hiring committee members to interview and participate in the hiring selection for three vacant positions in the township: township manager, finance director, and human resources/finance assistant. Following discussion, board trustees named Clerk Don LaPorte, Patterson and Oddy as the hiring committee for the finance and human resources position. The entire board will consider candidates for the township manager and finance director positions.

Annual Canton Brews, Brats and Bands set for Sept. 12

Back for the 17th year, the Canton Brews, Brats, and Bands will take place at Preservation Park from 6 until 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. The event offers craft beer enthusiasts and attendees aged 21 and older a variety of drinks, bratwurst,  live music, and other attractions.
Preparations are well under way for this special event, which will be hosted by Canton Parks, Recreation & Community Services and the Arts Warehouse at Cherry Hill, in Preservation Park, located at 500 N. Ridge Road.  Sponsors of the event include Schoolcraft College, and UBS.  

“This popular fall event provides access to over 75 specialty beers, ciders, seltzers, and now mocktails in one location, which is appealing to both newcomers and seasoned beer aficionados alike,” said Kevin Ryan, Arts Warehouse at Cherry Hill community program director. “Any event involving drinking craft beers, eating brats, and listening to music with friends and family is bound to be a good time. Plus, proceeds from this year's event will benefit the Arts Warehouse at Cherry Hill, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is based in Canton that serves as a nexus for the arts, culture, music, and community engagement, as well as the Canton Cares Fund, which supports the Canton community by providing financial assistance to disaster relief, therapeutic recreation, youth and senior programs."
Admission includes eight tasting tokens, each good for beer, cider, mocktail, or seltzer tasting samples, plus one grilled brat of your choice (vegetarian option available), a bag of chips, a snack from the pretzel necklace-making station, water, chili cook-off tastings, and a commemorative mug. Gameday Social Bar will provide tasty brats. Additionally, musical entertainment will be performed throughout the evening by the Persuasion Band.   

Tickets are $45 plus a per-ticket service charge and can only be purchased online at Beerfests.com by searching Canton, MI. Designated driver tickets are just $15, plus a per-ticket service charge.  Advance ticket sales are encouraged. Only credit cards and debit cards will be accepted at all points of purchase, including limited day-of ticket sales at the door (if still available).  Additional beer tasting tickets are available for purchase; receive four additional tickets for $5.  Since limited chairs and tables will be provided, attendees are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs
For more information on Brews, Brats, and Bands, visit www.cantonfun.org. 

Sumpter police reject Flock traffic cameras

The Sumpter Police Department has cancelled an agreement to install 11 Flock Falcon ALPR cameras along township borders.

Public Safety Director/Police Chief Eric Luke posted a statement on social media announcing the cancellation of an April agreement to install the controversial traffic license plate reader devices. The cameras were to have been installed at no cost to the township for a 60-day test period.  The stated purpose was an effort to alert township police when stolen vehicles or those linked to criminal activity entered Sumpter Township.

“Our goal was to leverage technology to help maintain the highest standards of safety and security for our community,” the social media post stated.

“After careful consideration of public feedback, the department has canceled the agreement with Flock, effective immediately. Since no cameras have been installed, no removal is necessary,” the post continued.

“We place the highest value on the trust our community gives us. While technology can enhance modern law enforcement, true public safety is built on direct relationships, transparency, and shared values with our community,” Luke continued.

Luke acknowledged the “passionate views” sparked by national debate over technology in policing—ranging from ALPRs to drones but said that the focus of the township department remains local.

“Our approach is always centered on the unique needs of Sumpter Township’s 36 square miles and, most importantly, on the well-being of our residents,” the post continued.

The camera installations were also removed last month from Westland following public protests and criticism.

Ten cameras primarily located along Ford Road prompted strong public criticism questioning the impact on personal privacy posed by the devices.

Westland Police Chief Kyle Dawley said controversy regarding the devices centered on access to the data collected by federal agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Officials from Flock Safety issued a statement defending the technology arguing that removing systems used to solve violent crimes can slow investigations.

The company said that in 2025 its technology supported more than one million criminal investigations and incidents, contributed to an estimated 20 percent of solved cases in jurisdictions where it is deployed, and helped locate more than 10,000 missing people.

Celebrating community

Plymouth and Romulus welcome fall with traditional family festivals

 

Plymouth Fall Festival

One of the oldest and most beloved community events is set to begin in downtown Plymouth Sept.11, 12 and 13 when The Fall Festival arrives.

The event, focused on supporting local nonprofit organizations, brings more than 25,000 visitors into the community each fall for a weekend of live entertainment, unique displays, food and family-friendly entertainment. In nearly seven decades, the event has not strayed from the core mission to support local nonprofits and bring the community together through a fun, family-focused event.

The now all-encompassing event began with a community family picnic, sponsored by the Plymouth Rotary Club. The picnic was suggested by Don Lightfoot, a member of the Rotary Club Youth Activities Committee. Lightfoot proposed a chicken barbecue to raise funds to fund the purchase of equipment for a playground at the end of Wing Street.

That was in May of 1956, and the event has evolved into a three-day festival which brings all the local service clubs, groups and school activities into a united fundraising weekend.

The first Plymouth Fall Festival took place on Sunday, Sept. 11, 1960, from 12:30 until 6 p.m. a far cry from the current three-day event which includes a dinner prepared by the Vietnam Veterans on Friday evening; the famous Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast on Saturday morning followed by the Optimist Club Pet Show, an all-time favorite in the community. The Plymouth A.M. Rotary Club Spaghetti Dinner is served Saturday evening and the famous Rotary Club Chicken Barbeque takes place beginning at about 11 a.m. Sunday.

There is live entertainment on the stage in Kellogg Park featuring professional entertainers, community and school groups and live music during the weekend. A ‘Party Tent’ in a Forest Street restaurant rear parking lot traditionally offers adult beverages and popular live bands on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The highlight of the weekend remains the Rotary Chicken Barbeque which at the height of popularity served more than 20,000 chicken dinners in one afternoon, all prepared by volunteers from the Rotary club, along with volunteers from area school groups. The barbeque pits, which still use some of the original cinder blocks from decades ago, are set up in military precision Saturday evening and the pits are lit by the club ‘smoke eaters’ beginning at about 6 a.m. to ensure the famous chicken dinners start coming off the grills by 11 a.m.

While many groups have emulated the famous barbeque, none have yet mastered the ‘secret seasonings’ which have made the dinners one of the most popular annual events throughout the area.

Tickets for each of the weekend meal events are now available from various club members. More festival information is available on the Plymouth Fall Festival website.

 

Romulus Pumpkin Festival

The 28th annual Pumpkin Festival will gather the community at Romulus Historical Park the weekend of Sept. 18, 19 and 20 for a weekend including live music, food, crafts, and games for all ages. Attractions include the Classic Car Show, Craft and Vendor Show, and multiple other features. Organizers said, “It is a celebration of friends and family; a harvest celebration that generates an enthusiastic spirit and regenerates our sense of community.”

More information about the event is available at pumpkinfestival@romulusgov.com 

The event begins with the traditional Rotary Club Parade of Lights, where everything is aglow, from bicycles to cement trucks. Thousands of people line Goddard Road to view the fun-filled lighted parade exhibits. Questions about this event should be directed to the Romulus Rotary Facebook Page @RomulusRotary or email romulus.rotary@gmail.com. There is no fee to enter the lighted parade, but a $10 donation is usually requested. The only requirement for entry is that the float or vehicle be completely lighted, the more lights the better, organizers said.

Registration for Punkie's 5k Run Walk/Ride will be accepted until Aug. 29. Punkie’s 5K,  is a family-friendly run/walk/bike through the heart of the historic city, organizers said. It is suitable for both seasoned runners chasing a personal best or those just looking for a fun way to stay active.
The Pumpkin Pub will be open Friday and Saturday at the park and the Romulus Fire Department will host a Pancake Breakfast at the Park Pavilion from 8 until 11 a.m. Saturday. Live entertainment will continue throughout the weekend at the Freight House Stage, the Gazebo Patio and the Main Stage in the park. The Pumpkin Painting Tent will be open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Inflatable Bounce Houses will be on site, and Bingo will be sponsored by the Greater Romulus Chamber of Commerce from 11 a.m. until 8 on Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The unique and popular Pumpkin Chuckin’ competition is set for 4 until 5 p.m. on Saturday and the traditional Romulus Got Talent Competition will close the festival from 4 until 6 p.m. Sunday.