U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters said that the U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding the funding, along with $116,859 to Willow Run Airport, to be used toward costs related to operations, personnel, cleaning, sanitization, janitorial services, and combating the spread of pathogens at the airports.
Fishermen rescue doe stranded in freezing river
Don Howard, Staff Writer
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| Plymouth Township resident Mike Kafila with the doe he and Steve Rauser saved from drowning. |
While Walleye fishing in the Detroit River they encountered what they at first thought was a log. As Kafila motored their boat closer it became apparent that the “log with two eyes” was a yearling doe struggling for her life in the frigid 39-degree waters off Horse Island.
Horse Island is a small peninsular island in the downriver area of the Detroit River, south of Gibraltar, a mile west of the southern tip of Grosse Ile.
After starting their day at sun-up, Kalila and Rauser, who love to fish for Walleye at what they claim is one of the best spots for miles around, had finished lunch and were ready to turn back in their 17-foot rig at about noon when they spotted the deer.
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| Shailesh Patel |
Shailesh Patel, 53, is accused of abusing children from the ages of 5 through 12, who were known to him, according to court pleadings, from the temple they all attended. Two female victims, now both in their 20s, described the abuse during interviews with agents of the FBI and local police during the investigation of the allegations.
Patel owned a Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins franchise and would drive children from the temple to the businesses to buy them treats.
Westland Mayor William R. Wild presented a $70 million balanced budget proposal for fiscal year 2021-22 to members of the city council last week for approval.
The proposed budget adds approximately $157,000 to the General Fund unassigned balance, preserving a “rainy day” fund balance at approximately $6.6 million.
Highlights of proposed budget include an overall taxable value increase of 3.30 percent; a provision to continue the city match for 13 federally-funded SAFER grant firefighters; an addition of a full-time Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) director as well as funding to research converting the vacant Marshall Middle School into a community recreation center. Funds are also allocated to create the first dog park and Pickle Ball courts in the city.
City K-9 officers don donated vests
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| Westland Ofc. Odin |
Canine officers Odin and Rio of the Westland Police Department K9 unit will receive bullet and stab protective vests funded by a donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
The vests for the German shepherd officers are being funded by Sharon Peters of Grosse Pointe Shores, and will be embroidered with the sentiment "In memory of Det. Lt. Richard J. Scott." Delivery of the safety equipment is expected within 6 to 8 weeks, officials said.
Bella, who came to Westland fully trained from Texas, is a certified arson detection canine and the first arson dog in Western Wayne County. For more than three years, she and Stobbe have helped area fire investigators locate trace evidence that reduces the time and duration of fire investigations and minimizes the potential for oversights.
Bella received multiple good wishes on the Facebook post celebrating her special day.
A joint effort of the Westland Public Service and Neighborhood Services Department has been launched with Operation: Clean Sweep program to address the trash which has accumulated in the city during the winter months.
Mayor William R. Wild said the city would be divided into five sections and employees from both departments will pick up trash along the major and local roads, city parks and any vacant commercial properties.
The Canton Farmers Market will return with a special off-season market at the Summit on the Park community recreation center this Sunday.
COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place at the market which will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18, in the banquet center.
A variety of local food growers and producers have signed on to participate in the market including: Pick Michigan - featuring produce, eggs, and tortillas; Kapnick Orchards - featuring apples, apple cider, and baked goods; Simply Gourmet Fresh - featuring salsa, chips, and gourmet butter; The Cheese People of Grand Rapids - featuring cheese; Boblin Honey- featuring honey;
State Rep. Matt Koleszar, vice-chair of the House Elections and Ethics Committee, right, visited the office of Northville Township Clerk Roger Lundberg last week to discuss the election process with Lundberg and Deputy Clerk Katie Anderson.
The Transpire Nights program at the B.L.O.C.K. Youth and Teen Center in Canton recently received a $5,000 donation from the Masco Corp.
Transpire Nights, which takes place monthly at the center, provides support, education, and advocacy for area LBGTQ+ and ally students, and provide them with a place to engage in discussions, plan activities, and build community with their peers. Funds donated by Masco will be used to provide certified therapists as discussion leaders for upcoming sessions.
Canton Township Director of Police Services Chadwick Baugh has been reappointed to the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Baugh's reappointment is for a term expiring March 1, 2023. He will represent the interests of law enforcement and his nomination was submitted by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police.
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| Jewell Jones |
He was arrested by Michigan State Police last Tuesday, April 6, and released on Wednesday afternoon, officials said, “pending further investigation” while lab tests are completed, they said.
Jones represents the 11th District which includes Garden City and Inkster, and portions of Dearborn Heights, Livonia and Westland.
According to Michigan State Police, a 25-year-old Inkster man was arrested following a crash on I-96 late Tuesday night in Livingston County. While state police did not identify Jones, a video recording of a Chevrolet Tahoe driving on the shoulder of I-96 and then erratically swerving while traveling at about 50 to 55 mph was submitted by a witness to police.
Members of the Sumpter Township Board of Trustees agreed to enter into a contract for Human Resources and Payroll Services through ADP during their regular meeting earlier this month.
The $55,000 annual services contract is expected to save the township about $68,000 annually, according to estimates from officials. In addition to the $55,000 fee, the township will pay a one-time implementation fee to Foster Thomas, a contractor used by ADP to help install and set up the computerized system.
Those looking for a career in law enforcement have an opportunity with the City of Wayne where applications to join the police department are now being accepted.
The department has posted a job opening and distributed flyers seeking candidates to join the 21 sworn officers, 10 police service aides and six support staff department.
"Our police department has earned a reputation of excellence among the law enforcement community and the respect of the city we serve. All of our officers are highly trained professionals that are committed to the core values of integrity, fairness, respect, honesty, courage and compassion," said Chief Ryan Strong on the official Wayne Police Department web page.
When a group of Romulus Middle School students buried a time capsule back in 1995, they did a really good job.
So good, in fact, that as the same Romulus High School Class of 2000 class members get ready to celebrate their delayed 20th class reunion, they can't find it.
Romulus Councilwoman Kathy Abdo asked the members of the council during a recent meeting to use their personal resources to see if they might know of anyone who might remember where the time capsule was buried.
Romulus will save $16,000 in cost to move court equipment
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| Equipment and furniture will be moved into the new 34th District Court building in Romulus. |
That silver lining is going to save the city about $16,000 in costs to relocate the 34th District Court equipment from the former building into the new courthouse, located in the city hall and library complex.
During a recent Zoom meeting, Mayor LeRoy Burcroff asked members of the council to approve the waiving of the bidding process and award a contract in the amount of $15,964 for the moving of furniture, files and other items from one court building to the other.
Yankee Air Museum names restored B-25 bomber plane
The historic B-25 Bomber at Yankee Air Museum has officially been christened Rosie's Reply and the new name is now painted on the nose of the refurbished World War II fighter plane.
Officials from the museum said the new name is part of the continuing mission to inspire America through honoring the accomplishments of the women collectively known as Rosie the Riveter. The World War II B-25, formerly known as Yankee Warrior, was repainted in December courtesy of Kalitta Air to the exact color specifications it wore flying eight combat missions from Corsica in 1944.
“After the attack on Pearl Harbor, American men left industry in huge numbers to enter the military, creating a severe labor shortage,” said Museum President Kevin Walsh. “To answer this aggression and arm the military, manufacturing in all sectors had to increase. A call for workers went out and women answered that call.”
All three floors of the Plymouth District Library are now open for browsing, including the youth floor. The area was opened last week to coincide with the first day of National Library Week. The theme of the week-long celebration this year “Welcome to Your Library” celebrates both the ways in which libraries extend far beyond the walls of the building and that all are welcome to use their services.
“The Plymouth District Library is proud of the ways we continued to serve our community during the recent lockdown, and we are so happy to be welcoming back our youngest patrons to the unique pleasure of browsing,” said Library Director Carol Souchock.
Compost/yard waste curbside pickup began April 5 in the City of Plymouth.
Compost must be placed in a brown Kraft lawn refuse bag or a can marked for compost, officials said. Compost can may be marked with an “X” or identified with a “compost” sticker available at the Municipal Services office, located at 1231 Goldsmith. Compost includes grass clippings, leaves, branches, and yard debris but does not include sod, dirt, rocks, dog excrement, or potted plants.
A Community Risk Reduction Program was unanimously approved by members of the Sumpter Township Board of Trustees during their meeting March 23.
In addition to offering free smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, along with assistance in installing the devices for all residents, the program is designed to prepare and educate both public safety first responders and families with special needs members in advance of an emergency situation.
The program, a product of research Fire Department Lt. Jaime Goode completed during his classes at Fire Staff and Command School, has received widespread attention and acclaim for being pro-active with special needs families in the community. It is being adopted in multiple communities throughout the state and at the federal level.
One of the lawsuits, filed by attorney Anthony Bologna representing MHS Westland, resulted in the issuance of a temporary restraining order by Wayne County Circuit Court Judge John Gilllis, preventing the licensing process from proceeding. Bologna also filed a similar lawsuit on behalf of another client seeking a marijuana license in the city, Harper Ventures, LLC.
The 5-2 vote of council members took place during the March 15 meeting and granted licenses to seven retail marijuana operations in the city. Council members determined which applicants would receive permission to proceed using a scoring system which awarded points for various aspects of the proposed businesses, including the remediation and or clean up of sites in disrepair in the city.
Dads and daughters got their “boogie” on in Romulus recently and didn't let the pandemic interfere with the annual Daddy-Daughter dance in the area. Recreation planners in the city moved the event to the city parking lot where the couples could show off their dance moves during the Daddy-Daughter Parking Lot Disco event.
Members of the Noon Rotary Club in Plymouth demonstrated their commitment to the well being of the community recently with a donation of up to $10,000 to help local businesses survive during the ongoing pandemic.
The club, in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), sponsored the successful Shamrock on the Shelf scavenger hunt through downtown Plymouth last month. The Rotary club bought $25 gift cards from participating businesses that posted the colorful Shamrocks for the scavenger hunt. With more than 350 participants, the result was the purchase of $300 in gift cards purchased directly from 30 participating businesses that were given away.
The COVID-19 pandemic is threatening yet another entity in the City of Wayne.
Wayne Main Street, a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization which works to improve the retail and environment of the downtown area, is feeling the impact of the lack of donations during the past year.
“All of our operating costs, including the required salary of our director, are raised through donations from the public, corporate sponsorships and fundraising events,” noted Juan Bradford, president of Wayne Main Street in a recent communication to members and the general public.
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| Donald Morgan |
Mr. Morgan was born in Detroit to Nancy Crane Morgan on Sept. 17, 1940. He attended Lakewood High School, and after becoming president of the senior class, finally got a date with Judy Munro, his wife of 58 years.
Like his mother, Mr. Morgan attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), and made many lifelong friends. After graduating in 1962, he often returned there with his wife, most recently for his 55th graduating class reunion.
Another Westland project has been honored as an outstanding civic improvement.
Last week, the Shuman Sidewalk project in the city was named as the winner of the American Public Works Association (APWA) 2020 Michigan Project of the Year Award in the category of “Quality of Life Projects less than $1 Million.” Construction for the project was completed in August 2020 at a cost of $208,000. Funding for the project was provided by a SEMCOG grant through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), which aims to support intermodal forms of transportation, according to City of Westland officials.
Wayne Main Street is partnering with members of the Rotary Club of Wayne and the Friends of the Rouge to conduct a city-wide cleanup of the roads and paths bordering the Rouge River.
The clean up event, Community and Rouge Rive Clean-Up Day, is planned for 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, April 24.
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| Chief Eric Luke |
The dissenting votes were cast by Trustee Peggy Morgan and Treasurer James Clark. Morgan had expressed her concerns about the contract during the study session which preceded the March 23 meeting.
“I do not feel the police chief should oversee the fire department nor the fire department oversee the police,” she said during the discussion of the contract.
Trustee Matt Oddy responded that he had seen only positive reaction to the current structure in the public safety department and had not heard any negative comments regarding the situation.
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| Mayor LeRoy Burcroff |
Mayor LeRoy Burcroff said that the meeting was recommended by city attorney Steve Hitchcock to allow the city to conduct meetings electronically through June 30. Hitchcock explained that Elizabeth Hertel, director of the state department of Health and Human Services recently suggested that due to the increase in the number of daily cases of COVID-19 in the state, health precautions be continued through April 29. Hitchcock said that Hertel had also cited the number of hospitalizations that were increasing throughout the state and that she had recommended keeping the 25-person limit on public gatherings in place.
“Well obviously, we can't have a public meeting limited to 25 people. We have no idea how many people might want to attend,” Hitchcock said.
Members of the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education have decided against placing a Sinking Fund millage on the Nov. 2 ballot. Despite a previous request from Superintendent of Schools Pete Kudlack, the issue did not come to a vote of board members following a discussion of the proposal.
The current Sinking Fund millage, set at .4917 of a mill, generates about $873,000 in tax revenue annually which can only be used for site improvements and building renovations. It will expire in 2022.
While the district currently has building repair and improvement plans for the next three years, the anticipated Sinking Fund millage revenue will fall short of the funding needed for the third year, explained Rob Kakoczki of Plante Moran CRESA during the meeting of the board members last month.
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| Mark Tulik |
Mark Tulik, 49, was arraigned in 16th District Court last week on charges related to the March 15 break-in of a Livonia restaurant, according to court records. He was charged with breaking and entering a building with intent to commit a crime, two counts of fleeing and eluding police, two counts of resisting arrest and a count of possessing a burglar's tools.
He is also facing charges in 17th District Court in relation to break-ins at two Redford Township restaurants, including two counts of breaking and entering, two counts of fleeing police, two counts of resisting arrest and count of possessing a burglar's tools.
Inkster officials detail rules for pick-up of residential trash, compost
As residents throughout the area begin traditional spring cleaning, the Inkster Department of Public Service has a few cautions for those preparing to dispose of debris accumulated during the winter months.
Trash pick-up will continue on the regular weekly schedule, officials said, although specific holidays usually delay pick-up by one day. Those changes are clearly marked on the city calendar, available of the City of Inkster website.
Hegira Health, Inc. is placing an embedded social worker with the Canton Police Department, a one-year pilot program.
Members of the township board of trustees discussed the program during their March 23 meeting, with Canton Township Director of Public Safety Chad Baugh who explained that many calls to police involve mental health issues, including substance abuse.
“I see it more navigating this world we live in,” Baugh said in response to a question from Trustee Sommer Foster.
Proposals came from Hegira Health, Growth Works, and Services to Enhance Potential. Baugh noted his department doesn't have a relationship with the latter, but has worked for years with Growth Works on the youth diversion program.
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| Timothy Eugene Moore Shandon Ray Groom Shane Lamar Evans |
Timothy Eugene Moore, 34, of Toledo, OH, Shandon Ray Groom, 28, also of Toledo, OH, and Shane Lamar Evans, 31, of Sumpter Township were bound over for trial last Thursday by 34th District Court Judge Tina Brooks Green.
Moore is charged with one count each of first degree murder, felony murder, home invasion first degree, and four counts of felony firearm. Groom was bound over on one count each of first degree murder, felony murder, home invasion first degree, and three counts of felony firearm.
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| Christopher Sanders |
Sanders is charged with filing a false report of a felony, conspiracy to commit false report of a felony and attempted false report of a felony in connection wtih a 911 call concerning a road rage incident on Oct. 17 of 2017. Through his attorney, John Cahalan, Sanders rejected both proposed plea deals which offered him two years of probation, no jail time, and no personal or third-party contact with Wayne City Manager Lisa Nocerini, the alleged victim in the incident.
The rejected plea deals required Sanders, 52, to plead guilty to conspiring in a false felony report or pleading guilty to attempting a false felony report along with one count of false report of a misdemeanor.
Voters in the City of Northville and Northville Township will be asked to renew a non-homestead operating millage for the Northville Public Schools on a May 4 ballot.
The ballot question would renew the current millage rate of 19.2383 mills on all non-homestead property for five years, from 2022 to 2026. This millage applies only to non-homestead property such as businesses, rental properties, and second homes. Even though owners of primary residences are not affected, state law requires a district-wide election to approve the operating millage, district officials said.
The Northville High School IB Art Exhibition is a culmination of the annual International Baccalaureate Art program at Northville High School. In the program, students explore skills, techniques, processes, and vocabulary which they use to pursue an in-depth investigation of art and this self-curated group exhibition, an art house spokesman said. In the exhibition, 19 students are displaying their best work along with a written rationale at the Northville Art House.
Members of the Country Garden Club of Northville will be meeting via Zoom at 11 a.m. April 7.
The speaker will be Rachel Hagen from the Living and Learning Enrichment Center.
For information on participating in the meeting or the club, call (734) 751-1156 or e-mail BQSturtz@comcast.net.
with high school, college for training
Aspiring fire fighters can expect some hands-on training while still in high school at the Schoolcraft College Fire Training Institute where the Romulus Fire Department is a partner in their professional education.
Romulus Fire Chief Kevin Krause said the city and the department recognized the need for more firefighters and alternative trade options for high school students some time ago. The Romulus Fire Department partnered with the college and local high schools to dual enroll students in the college Fire Training Institute.
In Michigan, individuals under 18 can only start firefighter training if they are sponsored as a cadet by a fire department. Krause and the Romulus Fire Department stepped up to bring students on board.
Edward Martell, who served as a Romulus Community Schools Board of Education Trustee since 2018, announced his immediate resignation due to a change of residency, effective Monday, March 22.
Superintendent of Romulus Community Schools Dr. Benjamin P. Edmondson said that Martell, who served as president of the school board, was “the epitome of what our board president needed to be” since taking over six months ago.
“He shielded us from nonsense at the board table; he emphasized order; he worked collaboratively with me and the board members; he led with efficiency and not once micromanaged.”
Western Wayne Family Health Centers located in Inkster was recently awarded federal funding to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Inkster center, located on Hamlin Boulevard, will share in the $3,109,250 grant announced by U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters. The funding can be used by health centers for staffing, personal protective equipment, screening, testing, or other needs for fighting the coronavirus pandemic. This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and was included in the American Rescue Plan that was signed into law on March 11, according to a prepared statement from the congress members.
One candidate to become the new city manager in Belleville stood out above the other 20 hopefuls who applied for the job.
Police Chief Dave Robinson who assumed the city manager role as an interim position when Tracey Schultz-Kobylarz left the job about a month ago, is expected to be offered the job while continuing to lead the police department.
Schultz-Kobylarz was hired when former long-time City Manager Diana Kollmeyer retired in February of 2020. During a Zoom meeting earlier this month, members of the city council agreed to establish a committee to explore the possibility of having Robinson, also hired in February of 2020, continue in the city manager position while continuing his current responsibilities as police chief.
Drug counseling program now available through Wayne police
The Wayne Police Department will soon offer the Hope Not Handcuffs program to those who struggle with a substance use disorder and want to find recovery.
Members of Families Against Narcotics (FAN), a nonprofit organization founded in 2007, are teaming up with the Wayne and Garden City police departments to offer the Hope Not Handcuffs” program, which has compassionately assisted nearly 5,400 people statewide since its launch in February of 2017,
Hope Not Handcuffs-which has more than 100 participating police departments statewide-brings law enforcement and community organizations together in an effort to find viable treatment options for individuals seeking help to reduce their dependency on prescription medications, heroin, alcohol, and other drugs.
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| Jennifer Roth |
Members of the Westland Library Board approved the appointment of Jennifer Roth to the position at their March 17 meeting.
Roth had been serving as the interim library director since September of last year and was named as the new director following an interview with the board members March 16. Her new, permanent title, became effective immediately.
Prior to her appointment, Roth served for three years as the head of information services for the Westland library. She has more than 17 years of experience in library services, having formerly worked in libraries in Flint and Hartland. Roth graduated from Wayne State University with a masters degree in Library Information Science (MILS) in 2003. She is a member of the American Library Association as well as the Michigan Library Association, where she serves on the planning committee.
Beginning today, April 1, there will be specific 15-minute parking spaces in downtown Plymouth to accommodate local businesses.
Tony Bruscato, director of the Plymouth Downtown Development Authority (DDA) said that during the past year, city officials and the DDA have “worked together to creatively assist the business community.”
He said that the city has allowed expanding sidewalk patios onto the street using parking spaces as an example of the efforts to help downtown businesses. He said that will continue this year. In addition, he said, city officials approved the striping of Fleet Street to allow for 15-minute parking and both food serving and retail establishments were given the opportunity to request 15-minute on-street parking for curbside takeout service during their hours of operation. Many businesses took advantage of these opportunities when the State of Michigan limited building capacity to 25 percent, he said.
Members of the Plymouth Canton Community Schools Board of Education selected LaRonda Chastang to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Trustee Leonardo Savage last month.
Chastang was among 14 local residents interviewed for the school board position and one of three who were selected for a second interview based on a scoring system completed by current board members.
The mother of three and grandmother of three, Chastang is employed as the vice president of diversity and inclusion for Trinity Health systems based in Livonia.