‘Credible threat’ forces rescheduling of homecoming events

The Romulus High School homecoming dance has been rescheduled for this Saturday, Oct. 17, following threats of a shooting at the event originally set for last week.

Romulus Community Schools officials postponed the celebration after receiving what they determined to be credible information about a possible shooting and a coordinated intention to incite violence at the events previously set for last Friday, Oct. 9.

While the homecoming dance has been rescheduled, a new date for the football game, which was to be played against Dearborn Heights Annapolis, has not been announced. When it is played, attendance will be limited to players and their parents, Romulus Superintendent of Schools Benjamin Edmondson said.

Edmondson said he learned of the threat around 1:30 p.m. last Friday in a call from the Romulus High School principal Dr. Kyron Harvell. A student had reported the concern, which involved alleged gang activity, Edmondson said.

“Immediately, you think about safety. That’s what I’m here to do,” Edmondson said. “You can’t redo if something happens and you didn’t take it seriously.”

The district is working with the Romulus Police Department, which is investigating the threats, according to school leaders. In a statement on the district Facebook page, Edmonson said ensuring community safety and acting decisively on any threat of violence is his core responsibility.

Edmondson praised the students who came forward, saying they reported the threat promptly to the appropriate authorities.

“We can take a lesson from the integrity of these students,” he said, urging families and staff to be equally diligent in reporting potential harm.

He also urged parents to talk with their children about the seriousness of making threats. He apologized to families affected by the cancellation and said he hopes area businesses will help cover security and other costs once the events are rescheduled.

School board President Porsche Laster said she believes the district made the right decision.

“We’re making sure safety and security is the first priority,” Laster said. “Everyone is home and safe with their families.”

Parents said the postponement was disappointing but necessary. Tanise Jones, whose son is a senior and whose daughter is a junior cheerleader at the school, said she supports the move even though it is especially hard on seniors graduating in 2027.

“Do the right thing. Protect the children,” Jones said.

Jones said her daughter was involved in a shooting incident during a game in the past, which made the latest threat especially traumatic for her. She said she hopes the district will continue to improve security at future events.

“I need to know what’s going to be in place to prevent anything else from happening,” Jones told area media.

Long-time Plymouth Bode’s Corned Beef resold in less than 1 year

Bode’s Corned Beef House has been sold again, less than a year after new owners assumed the operation.

The building on North Main Street that houses the restaurant remains on the market, according to a spokesman from the CMP Real Estate, the firm handling the sale.

The operating business, one of the oldest and best-known businesses in the city, will continue to operate, a source close to the sale said, although no details were available as the sale was covered by a non-disclosure agreement. The property at 280 N. Main St. was pitched as a freestanding restaurant that has operated since 1959 and sits at the entrance to downtown Plymouth. Marketing materials say extensive interior and exterior renovations have been completed, so the building could work as a turnkey restaurant while keeping some of the historic character. The materials also claim the restaurant location draws customers from Plymouth, Plymouth Township and Canton Township.

The real estate listing for the 3488 square foot building on .20 acres notes the asking price for the building and the business at $1.5 million while the purchase price for the business only was set at $300,000.

The Realtor was precluded from revealing the name of the purchaser or the price due to the non-disclosure agreement covering all details of the sale.

The listing follows a turbulent stretch for the restaurant. Last fall, Bode’s owners said the business had to close because the building owner had sold to a new company. The last day of those operators was Dec. 19, with a staff fundraiser organized earlier that month. The restaurant operators had said the closure was not something they would have chosen. The business itself had also changed hands before: at least twice in the past 12 years, in 2013 and again in 2019.

The building owner said notice of that pending sale had been provided to the operators and denied claims that the sale was sudden or a surprise.

The closure did not last. Bode’s reopened under new ownership after renovations were completed during the closure. A family member of the new owners said they bought Bode’s because they saw how much the community loved it and wanted to keep its name and legacy alive. The restaurant Facebook page currently describes it as under new ownership, with a refreshed menu that keeps the famous Wigley’s corned beef sandwiches.

For many Plymouth residents, the restaurant is part of the city’s identity. When it reopened, one customer told reporters that part of Plymouth would have died if Bode’s had. Another had voiced worry during the closure about losing yet another piece of the city.

Coming in FIRST

Championship robotics team honored for accomplishments, awards, community service

A group of Plymouth-Canton students who started building robots together in middle school is rolling into a new competitive season with a state championship berth, two engineering awards and a long list of community service projects behind them.

FIRST Tech Challenge Team 21482, known as the Robo Challengers, will begin the 2026-27 season after a 2025-26 campaign that took the students from the Michigan State Championship to the halls of the state Capitol.

The team was founded in 2022 by students from East Middle School in Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. Last season, the team earned a spot at the state championship, won two Think Awards for its detailed engineering documentation, and ranked among the top 10 percent of youth robotics teams worldwide.

FIRST Tech Challenge is an international program in which middle and high school students design, build, program and operate robots to solve game challenges under real-world engineering constraints.

The students’ work reached well beyond the competition floor. The team traveled to the Michigan State Capitol and the Cora Anderson House Office Building in Lansing, where members met with state lawmakers, including state Sen. Rosemary Bayer, to advocate for more public-school STEM funding.

Closer to home, the team demonstrated robots for the Plymouth City Commission and received a commendation from Mayor Linda Filipczak. The Canton Township Board of Trustees, led by Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, also issued an official proclamation honoring the group.

Summer brought the team to Plymouth Kellogg Park, where members hosted interactive exhibits at Art in the Park and Robots in the Park. They introduced hundreds of local families, along with U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, to youth robotics and raised more than $1,100 for local STEM programming.

The students also led weekend workshops at the Plymouth District Library, guiding more than 50 elementary and middle school students through hands-on coding and mechanical assembly.

Team members volunteered 25 hours with Open Door Ministry, packaging more than 1,200 pounds of emergency groceries that helped more than 150 local families.

“Our mission has never been limited to building a robot for a tournament, because we want to help develop thoughtful technical leaders who actively give back to our hometown,” the student leadership team said in a joint statement. “Whether we are addressing municipal leaders at township hall, teaching elementary schoolers how to write code, or packaging emergency food for our neighbors, everything we do is grounded in our commitment to Plymouth and Canton.”

The Robo Challengers are now building new mechanical systems for the coming season. As a community-supported student organization, the team relies on sponsorships, grants and tax-deductible donations to cover tournament registration fees, machining tools, raw materials and travel costs.

Local businesses, civic groups and engineering mentors can support the team through financial sponsorships, machining mentorship or by inviting the students to present at community events. For more information, email robo.challengers12@gmail.com.

Sumpter officials set interviews for township manager candidates

Members of the Sumpter Township Board of Trustees continue the process of selecting a new township manager, setting out a scoring system to decide which of seven applicants will be interviewed.

At a special meeting Sept. 30, trustees agreed that each board member would complete an evaluation survey for every candidate, giving each a score of 1 to 20 in several categories. The categories include municipal government background, grant writing experience, personnel and human resources management, career tenure and overall professionalism of the completed application.

Township Treasurer Bart Patterson said he preferred the 20-point scale to the previous 1-to-5 model because the wider range allows for more nuanced scoring.

Trustees were asked to submit their completed scorecards to Township Administrative Coordinator Karen Armatis by the end of the day Oct. 5. The board members then met again last week to review the results and select top scoring candidates for personal interviews.

The township has been without a permanent manager since Ken Martens, who also appears in some records as Ken Marten, left the job. The board approved a $5,600 final payout to Martens at the July 14 regular meeting. Meeting records describe the payment as compensation for accrued paid time off and vacation. The reasons for his departure have not been publicly detailed in open board sessions.

Martens’ exit came during a period of friction on the board, including public disagreements over the appointment of a deputy supervisor and a temporary freeze on department spending. Under the restrictions, out-of-budget or non-routine expenditures must be approved by the elected board rather than cleared by individual departments. The measures came amid budget tensions and ongoing structural deficits in the township budget following a failed public safety millage, which will appear again on the Nov. 3 ballot with language trustees believe is clearer and more understandable to voters. Trustees said the August ballot language confused some voters into believing the approval would be a significant millage increase while the actual question is for only an additional 2 mills more than the current millages which are expiring.

The township has made progress in other staffing areas. At the Sept. 8 regular meeting, the board hired Lisa Stanfield as finance director, ending a vacancy that dated to the spring, when the township went through a series of short-tenured directors. Stanfield previously worked as a deputy clerk and accounting clerk for Ypsilanti Township. Her base salary is $90,000 a year, and she is eligible for standard staff benefits and a defined contribution pension.

Wayne woman arrested in Plymouth armed robbery

A 35-year-old Wayne woman was arrested after an armed robbery at a Plymouth Township gas station, and police say evidence found during the investigation suggests she may be responsible for other serious crimes in the Metro Detroit area.

Plymouth Township police received a 911 call Sunday from the Shell station at 47373 Five Mile Road reporting an armed robbery that had just occurred. An 18-year-old woman told officers a female suspect armed with a black semi-automatic pistol took her wallet and cellphone at gunpoint, then fled in a black Jeep SUV, police said.

Investigators located the suspect and the vehicle in Dearborn. Working with the Dearborn Police Department, they took the woman into custody in the parking lot of a Dearborn gas station.

Police said they recovered the victim’s belongings and the suspected firearm. Detectives also found evidence indicating the woman may be linked to numerous other serious crimes in the region, authorities said.

“Investigators moved quickly utilizing technology and other investigative techniques to identify the suspect vehicle and suspect,” Plymouth Township Police Chief James H. Knittel said in a statement. “A coordinated effort with the Dearborn Police Department resulted with the arrest of this dangerous suspect on an active crime spree.”

The investigation is ongoing. Police said information will be presented to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, which will decide on charges.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Det. Sgt. Hayes at 734-354-3234.

 Plymouth Pumpkin Palooza is Saturday

Area residents are getting costumes ready for the 15^th Annual Pumpkin Palooza set for 11:30 until 2:30 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 18 in downtown Plymouth.

The traditional Halloween celebration includes live street entertainment from local talent, a wide range of costume styles and fashions, treats-on-the-streets and “surprises around every corner,” according to organizers. Dress to impress, they advised.

Pumpkin Palooza is free and no pre-registration is required.

More than 100 local businesses and organizations are set to fill downtown Plymouth streets waiting to entertain and distribute treats to families and pets, organizers promised. Costume Contest registration and judging for children and family contests are planned from 12:30 until 1:15 p.m. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m. at the intersection of Ann Arbor Trail and Main Street.

Always a popular event, the Pet Costume Contest will take place on Forest Avenue, in front of Three Dog Bakery beginning at 11:30 a.m. The Pet Costume Contest is co-hosted and judged with support from Trust & Obey Pawsitive Dog Training, Dr. Eberly Pet Alliance, and Pamela McCormick Photography.

The event usually draws huge crowds to downtown Plymouth where streets are closed for the afternoon celebration.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Church hosts Rummage Sale

First United Methodist Church in Plymouth will host a two-day rummage sale this month.

The sale will continue from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20 with a bag sale from 3 until 5 p.m. On Wednesday, Oct. 21, the sale hours will be 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The church is located at 45201 North Territorial Road, Plymouth

Sale items include clothing, household goods, books, toys, and décor.

For more information, call (734) 453‑5280.

 

Halloween Safety Night set

The Sumpter Township Fire Department and Sumpter Township Police Department will be on hand from 6 until 8 p.m. Oct. 31 to check trick-or-treat candy for safety.

Winter gear previously collected will be distributed during the evening.

The fire station is located at 20550 Sumpter Road in Belleville.

 

Shred Day in Canton

Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union will host a Shred Day event from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 17 at the branch located at 44530 Ford Road in Canton. The public can bring up to five boxes or bags of confidential documents that will be destroyed and recycled securely and efficiently. For more information, visit https://www.msgcu.org/member-appreciation-day

 

 Halloween Stroll planned

The Village Arts Factory, in partnership with Canton Leisure Services is hosting a Halloween Stroll for trick or treaters 12 and younger. The event features games, music, treats and decorations from 4 until 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at The Village Arts Factory, 50755 Cherry Hill Road in Canton. Participants decked out in their costumes will visit kid-friendly stations throughout the facility, as well as several Cherry Hill businesses. Cost is $5 per child with ticketed entry time. Pre-registration is required at Cantonfun.org.

 

Spookiest Yard Contest set

The City of Romulus is seeking the spookiest Halloween yard display in the city.

Photos or short video entries will be accepted through Oct. 27 using direct message on Facebook (@DowntownRomulus) or email cbradley@romulusgov.com with entrant’s name, phone number, and address to be featured in the community voting event

 

Pumpkin Palooza planned

The annual downtown Plymouth Pumpkin Palooza will take place from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. Families are invited to dress up and enjoy trick-or-treating at participating downtown businesses, along with fun activities and entertainment throughout the event.

Sumpter Township absentee ballots to be re-issued

Absentee voters in Sumpter Township will receive replacement ballots for the Nov. 3 election. The new ballots were necessitated when a printing error was found on those already mailed to registered voters, township officials said.

Representatives from the Wayne County Elections office notified Sumpter, Van Buren Township and Belleville on Sept. 28 that the ballots omitted correct information for the Belleville Area District Library Board race. The error affects all absentee voters in the three communities, and the faulty ballots are considered void, officials said.

The original absentee ballots were mailed beginning Sept. 24. In Michigan, absentee ballots must be sent out 40 days before the election.

Michelle Bellingham, interim Belleville City Clerk, said the problem involved the length of one of the terms on the library board ballot. "One of the terms was supposed to be a partial term and not full," she said.

Corrected ballots will be mailed to Sumpter Township voters as soon as they are printed. The township has not been able to confirm an exact date for the re-issue, officials said. Voters who receive a new ballot should look for additional instructions included with the mailing.

An official from the Sumpter Township Clerk's office said they are working to make sure residents have the information they need and will release more details regarding the replacement ballots as they become available. Residents can check the township website and social media pages for updates.

Voters with questions or who need help can call the Sumpter Township Clerk's office at (734) 461-6201. Voters in Belleville and Van Buren Township should contact their local clerk’s office for updated information.

Parents of toddler who had gun at daycare facing charges

The parents of a 3-year-old toddler who was found last week with a loaded gun at a daycare center have both been arraigned on misdemeanor charges before Judge Joe Barone of the 35^th District Court in Plymouth.

The father, Brandon John Ely, 28, a Detroit police officer, was charged with one count of fourth-degree child abuse, a misdemeanor punishable by a year in jail. The mother, Rabab Ibrahim Al Zayad, 27, was charged with one count of unsafe storage of a firearm, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail. Both entered not guilty pleas to the charges.

The family resides in Canton Township.

It is alleged the defendants’ 3-year-old son found and removed a loaded, holstered handgun from his backpack while in a daycare classroom Sept. 28. A teacher at the Children’s World Early Learning Center observed the child displaying the handgun to other children and immediately intervened, secured the weapon and notified Canton police.

Police described the incident, which was captured on video surveillance cameras, as shocking. Investigators said the toddler removed the gun from his backpack which had been stored in the daycare building. The child found the firearm and was showing it to other children. A daycare teacher can be seen on video surveillance tapes immediately intervening and securing the firearm as police were called. The firearm, a Glock pistol, is reportedly registered to Al Zayad, the child’s mother.

“It is very unsettling to think about what may have happened in this case,” Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy said in a statement last week. “We are thankful that there was no loss of life at this day care center.”

Barone set bond for each defendant at $10,000 Unsecured Personal and each was ordered to surrender all firearms in their possession to the Canton Police Department while the case is pending.

“While this incident was unintentional, the responsibility for the safe and secure storage of firearms rests unequivocally with the firearm owner,” said Canton Township Director of Police Services Joseph Bialy. “Fortunately, this incident concluded without physical injury; however, it was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for all parties involved. This incident serves as an important reminder of the serious consequences that can result from an unsecured firearm.”

Childrens World Early Learning Center said in a statement that it was working closely with the police and had introduced new security measures, including backpack checks.

“At Childrens World, there is nothing we take more seriously than the safety, security and well-being of the children entrusted to our care. We understand the concerns this event has caused our families, and as educators and parents ourselves, we fully share those feelings.”

The Detroit Police Department said in a statement that Ely had been placed on administrative duty, without access to his gun, while the episode was under review. “If it is determined that the officer violated department policy or the law, that individual will be held accountable,” the statement concluded.

In addition to offering free gun safety locks, the Canton Police Department has additional firearm safety information available at www.cantonmi.gov/329 including a link to various locations around that state that provide free gun safety locks.

Scary stuff

Dr. Frank N. Furter scarecrow to remain in Kellogg Park Halloween display

The Dr. Frank N Furter model will remain, as is, on display among the nearly 100 scarecrows currently on exhibit in Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth.

Dr. Frank caused a stir recently when representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual fall array of sculpted scarecrows, suggested artisan and creator Patrick Cox cover his costume up with a medical white coat.

Nope, Cox said. Frank is modeled as a tribute to the famous character portrayed by recently deceased actor Tim Curry in the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The  film released in 1975 is still shown in various theaters, especially around Halloween to huge and dedicated audiences who talk back and scream at the screen, often dressed in costumes replicating those in the movie.

Cox has refused to cover Frank up noting the fun display is not wearing lingerie but a crop-top on which he and his fellow artisans glued beads.

Cox said the designers went “above and beyond” to make sure the humorous scarecrow was not offensive. He said the builders bought a mannequin head and painted the famous Dr. Frank N. Furter face on it.

The Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, however, was not amused after receiving some complaints from park visitors and suggested Cox cover up the doctor, perhaps with a surgical gown.

Laurie Mayers, president of Plymouth Canton PFLAG, an LGBTQ advocacy group and the organization credited with creating and installing the iconic Halloween film icon, said that while the chamber representatives suggested the cover up after hearing complaints, the final decision was left to the creators. They decided to leave the doc just as they installed him.

Meyers said group members discussed the reactions to the scarecrow and while some were negative, a majority of supporters in the community fondly regarded the symbol of the spooky holiday and memories of the cult film.

Cox added his thanks to the supporters and said he hopes the display is interpreted as a positive tribute to the movie and the late Tim Curry.

"The majority of the responses have been positive,” he said, “and that's what fills me with positivity," Cox said.

Dr. Frank-N-Furter and the other fantasy, cartoon and Halloween scarecrows will remain in the park through Nov. 2.

Suspects charged in armed robbery of Canton Wingstop

Two men are facing federal charges in the Sept. 29 armed robbery of a Canton Township Wingstop store, with investigators saying a GPS tether, surveillance footage and discarded clothing helped them identify the suspects within hours.

Martell Laron Franklin, 33, and Devonte Jaier Ross, 32, are charged with Hobbs Act robbery and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, according to a criminal complaint filed Oct. 2 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

In the criminal complaint, a Canton police officer assigned to the FBI Detroit Violent Crimes Task Force said that officers were called to the Wingstop on Ford Road at about 1:40 a.m. Sept. 29 for an armed robbery in progress. Dispatchers described the suspects as two Black men wearing masks and dark clothing and armed with firearms.

According to the complaint, surveillance video shows one suspect alleged to be Ross entering the restaurant first, pointing a handgun at employees and following them toward the kitchen as they ran. One or more employees tripped while trying to get away.

The second suspect, alleged to be Franklin, then entered and walked "purposefully toward the back of the restaurant," according to the complaint. Ross is accused of holding one employee at gunpoint while another opened the safe. Franklin is accused of retrieving a bag from a storage area and helping fill it with cash and other items.

Investigators said that as officers surrounded the restaurant and apartment complex, they saw a silver Buick LeSabre with two people inside leaving the area. Officers did not stop the car because they had no information connecting it to the robbery, according to court documents. Police later learned the car was registered to Franklin's brother.

Investigators used tether data from Michigan Department of Corrections which showed Franklin at the Wingstop address. Franklin is on a lifetime tether following previous criminal convictions according to authorities. Investigators said a search of Flock license plate cameras showed the location and time of the Buick at Wingstop matching Franklin’s tether data.

Around noon Sept. 29, officers said they found a gray sweatshirt with a blue logo and a blue hat in a wooded area near the restaurant, matching clothing the suspect wore in the video. Inside the hat were gloves and two face masks, the complaint says.

Franklin's tether data also placed him near Elmhurst and Cloverdale, where police said they found black latex gloves and two Huntington Bank deposit envelopes. The envelopes held Wingstop receipts, dated two days before the robbery, that listed employees' names, according to the complaint.

Franklin was arrested shortly after 1:15 p.m. Sept. 29 near the Buick.

Investigators said they then used Franklin's tether data to trace his movements before the robbery. The data report and eyewitness identification placed the suspects together at a Detroit transitional housing facility prior to the Canton robbery. Ross, who is on parole for armed robbery, felony firearm and carjacking convictions, was arrested just before 11 p.m. Sept. 29.

A Hobbs Act robbery conviction carries up to 20 years in federal prison per count. A separate federal firearm charge carries a mandatory prison term that must be served in addition to any other sentence.

Romulus police captain retires 

Romulus Police Department Capt. Roger Salwa has retired from the force after a quarter century of service to the community.

In a prepared statement, a department spokesman said, “Capt. Salwa was a dedicated professional, and someone who was known for his ability to "get things done." There wasn't an area of the department he wasn't in charge of over the course of his career.

“What he will most be remembered for is that whether working the streets or rising through the ranks, he consistently held himself and those he led to the highest standards. He set the example through his work ethic, integrity and commitment.

“We are grateful for his efforts and his contributions to the department and the City of Romulus will have a lasting impact,” the official statement concluded.

Baby girl injured in mobile home shooting recovering from injuries

A 1-year-old girl remains in stable condition at an area hospital suffering from wounds inflicted when several armed men opened fire on a mobile home in Canton Township, police said.

Officers were called to the mobile home park near Old Michigan Avenue and I-275 at about 12:30 a.m. Oct. 1 following reports of shots fired at a home in the 41000 block of Old Michigan, police said.

"Officers arrived on scene, provided medical treatment before turning the child over to the Canton Fire Department who transported her to a local hospital for additional treatment," police said in a prepared statement.

The girl's grandfather, who lives at the home in the West Point Manor / Academy Point mobile home community, told reporters that the child suffered an injury to her foot and leg. He said he was holding her when several people walked up outside the home and began shooting. At last report, he said doctors were deciding whether the child would require surgery.

Video from the scene showed at least 25 bullet holes in the mobile home. The grandfather said he counted holes from about 50 high caliber rounds, most of them near the bedrooms. According to reports, the home and neighboring properties suffered extensive damage.

According to family members, the attack appeared to be targeted toward a relative inside the home due to a personal dispute ("beefing"). Reports at press time showed no suspects in custody. Canton Police Department Detective Bureau is actively investigating the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Canton Police Department (734) 394-5420.

Annual Corn Maze at Northville Maybury Farm celebrates season

The annual corn maze at Maybury Farm in Northville is open Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 1, offering a 9-acre maze, a smaller maze for young children and a tractor-drawn wagon ride.

The maze, a traditional fall activity for families throughout the area is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays at the farm, 50165 Eight Mile Road. The last wagon to the maze leaves an hour before closing. Wagons run to and from the maze every 30 minutes.

The full maze takes about an hour to complete, farm officials said. The mini-maze, about 1 acre, takes about 20 minutes and includes a story walk for children. A new maze design is planned each year, and the maze includes a scavenger hunt.

Tickets are $14 at the gate and $12 per person when purchased online at least 48 hours before the visit. Members of the farm pay $6 and must show a membership card or enter their membership number online. Children younger than 2 are admitted free and must ride on a lap in the wagon. Tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Admission includes the wagon ride and a visit to the farm animals. The barn is open until 7 p.m. Cider, donuts and snacks are sold at the farm's general store.

A private wagon ride is available Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays for $350 for up to 25 people. It does not include use of the pavilion or a bonfire.

The farm is run by the Northville Community Foundation. Information is available at mayburyfarm.org or 248-374-0200.

Rotary grant  funds fire safety equipment

Sumpter Township firefighters and residents will be safer during emergency situations thanks to the Cozzad Grant Program of the Belleville Rotary Club. The grant program recently funded the purchase of new safety equipment for the Sumpter Township Fire Department including two Blackline Safety G8 gas monitors and two MSA RIT Packs.

The gas monitors will help firefighters quickly detect dangerous gases during gas leak and carbon monoxide calls, fire department officials said. The devices will also monitor hydrogen cyanide (HCN), a toxic gas that can be present after a fire, helping keep firefighters safe during overhaul operations.

The new RIT Packs provide an emergency air supply for firefighters if they experience an air pack problem while working inside a hazardous environment.

The new equipment will be housed on the two frontline fire engines, fire department officials said and will be used to help protect firefighters, Sumpter Township residents and mutual aid partners.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Sumpter Fire Department plans annual family Open House

The Sumpter Township Fire Department will host the annual Open House from noon until 4 p.m. this Sunday, Oct. 11. During the family event, the firefighters are collecting new and gently used winter coats, hats, gloves, boots, and other winter gear for local children and families who may need a helping hand this winter. The day includes a children’s fun zone and games and fire truck tours. The fire station is located at 20550 Sumpter Road in Belleville.

 

Church hosts Rummage Sale

First United Methodist Church in Plymouth will host a two-day rummage sale this month.

The sale will continue from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20 with a bag sale from 3 until 5 p.m. On Wednesday, Oct. 21, the sale hours will be 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The church is located at 45201 North Territorial Road, Plymouth

Sale items include clothing, household goods, books, toys, and décor.

For more information, call (734) 453‑5280.

 

Halloween Safety Night set

The Sumpter Township Fire Department and Sumpter Township Police Department will be on hand from 6 until 8 p.m. Oct. 31 to check trick-or-treat candy for safety.

Winter gear collected will be distributed during the evening.

The fire station is located at 20550 Sumpter Road in Belleville.

 

Fire Department Open House set before trick or treating

The Canton Fire Department will host an Open House at Fire Station No. 1 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Oct. 10. Fire trucks and equipment will be on display and the Fire Safety House will be open along with other family friendly activities.

The Heritage Park Trick or Treat Story Trail located behind the fire station will be open from 1 until 4 p.m. and fire crews will be distributing treats to visitors. Registration is required for the Trick or Treat Story Trail. Visit cantonfun.org for more information and to register.

 

Shred Day in Canton

Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union will host a Shred Day event from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 17 at the branch located at 44530 Ford Road in Canton. The public can bring up to five boxes or bags of confidential documents that will be destroyed and recycled securely and efficiently. For more information, visit https://www.msgcu.org/member-appreciation-day

 

Pumpkin Palooza planned

The annual downtown Plymouth Pumpkin Palooza will take place from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18.

Families are invited to dress up and enjoy trick-or-treating at participating downtown businesses, along with fun activities and entertainment throughout the event.

City, county authorities visit homeless encampment

Despite efforts of both City of Westland and Wayne County officials, a long-time and growing homeless encampment remains entrenched in a wooded area behind the Kroger store on Michigan Avenue and Merriman Road in the city.

The camp is located on county-owned land and has been of concern to multiple agencies.  Westland police, behavioral health clinicians, and substance abuse disorder specialists have visited the site offering health and safety services including rides to shelters, clothing, sleeping bags and other resources. Most services and help been refused by the campers, noted Westland Mayor Kevin Coleman. He said the city is very aware of the situation and noted that since the property is owned by the county, city control is limited.

“Because it’s government property, people can kind of go on there, and unless they’re asked to leave, they stay. Certainly, some people are struggling and want to find housing. But also, for some people, it’s a choice to kind of live outdoors,” Coleman told local news media.

He said he is seeking state and federal funding in an effort to address the homeless in the city.

Westland Police Department Deputy Chief Robert Wilkie said officers have repeatedly visited the area, despite county ownership. He said officers, a department Behavioral Health Clinician and Substance Use Disorder Specialist have visited the area and spoken with people living there. Most services and aid were declined Wilkie said. That hasn’t halted department efforts, he added, and during winter months, officers and clinicians have distributed coats that convert to sleeping bags, winter clothing, and snacks.

In a statement, Wilkie said Wayne County Parks was recently on-site addressing the situation and that the department would continue working with other agencies toward a resolution.

“The Westland Police Department recognizes the public has concerns involving this situation and will continue its proactive work to offer both assistance and services to the homeless while also working toward resolving this situation with the other agencies involved,” Wilkie said.

Wayne County Communications Director Matt Allen said Wayne County Parks has addressed the encampment twice since the end of July and planned another assessment visit.

“Our approach is to treat all persons with dignity as we seek a holistic approach to solving this problem going forward,” Allen said. Currently, resources available to homeless individuals is available at Wayne County Family Center: 30600 Michigan Ave, Westland, MI 48186 | (734) 721-0590 (Emergency shelter for families); Wayne Metro CAA Westland: 32150 Dorsey St Suite 16, Westland, MI 48186 | (734) 284-6999 (Housing stability and assistance) and The Salvation Army Wayne-Westland Corps: 2300 S Venoy Road, Westland, MI 48186.