According to township records, representatives of Northville Downs submitted a check for $5,600 for four application fees and another check for $9,100 to be placed in escrow as plans for the $25 million project are reviewed by members of the planning commission. Approval by the planning commission would send the project to the township board of trustees for consideration.
Just ahead of the official opening of the 41st Annual Plymouth Ice Festival, Miracle League of Plymouth will host a Preview Party in Kellogg Park for special needs families. The sensory-friendly event will take place from 6:30 until 8 p.m. Feb. 2, the evening before the official opening of the event set for Feb. 3.
Michigan Magician Jeff Wawrzaszek will be performing magic tricks as he walks between the ice sculptures open for viewing and One Spot Theater will perform. Also planned are winter-themed arts and crafts along with games offering prizes for participants. Ice blocks will be available to touch and other ice-related fun is planned, organizers said, along with warm refreshments.
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| Mayor Michael Londeau |
Londeau, the president pro tem of the Westland City Council, was selected by his fellow council members to serve as mayor until November, when voters will choose a candidate to complete the remaining two years of former Mayor William R. Wild's term of office.
Westland resident and current State Rep. Kevin Coleman has announced that he will seek the mayoral term for a second time. He was defeated in his last bid for the office which pays $126,281 annually by Wild.
An Ypsilanti woman is facing a felony charge in the hit-and-run incident that critically injured a 15-year-old Westland girl.
Gianna Mariah Harris was arraigned on a felony count of failure to stop at the scene of a serious injury accident on Dec. 9 in Wayne County Circuit Court. A not guilty plea was entered on her behalf.
The incident took place at about 6:45 a.m. Dec. 8 near Newburgh and Marquette. According to a witness statement, a truck had passed through a red light at the intersection when an SUV also drove through the red light. The witness, stopped at the light in the northbound lane, told police she heard a thud and then saw the child laying in the street. The witness said she attempted to help the girl as did the driver of a Wayne Westland district school bus who was stopped on Marquette.
Darrell Stamper has been named Chief of the Westland Fire Department. Stamper began his career in 2000 as a firefighter and was promoted to battalion chief, deputy chief and was promoted to the position of fire chief last week. City officials said that Stamper has gained the knowledge and experience to lead the department through his rise through the ranks and congratulated him on his promotion.
Westland Fire Department Sgt./Engineer Anthony Pizzini has officially retired from the department, serving his final shift last week.
Members of Firefighters Local 1279 posted congratulations and best wishes for a “long, healthy and happy retirement” to Pizzini on the official department Facebook page.
“Local 1279 appreciates your hard work and dedication to our local and the citizens of Westland.
“Now go enjoy that retirement,” the union members posted.
Public safety vs. personal privacy is expected to be the topic of discussion at a Town Hall meeting in Canton Township.
Members of the board of trustees have scheduled the discussion for 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at township hall when police officials will explain the benefits and resources of installing license plate readers at Michigan Avenue and Beck Road, a high traffic retail location in the township. The Canton Police Department received a $40,710 grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance which would cover the cost and installation of the four devices proposed.
Residents warned of dangerous coyotes
According to a recent bulletin from one local veterinarian, the next four to six weeks is mating season for coyotes who are prevalent in the area.
The animal experts cautioned local owners that there is a danger in allowing pets, particularly smaller dogs, outside alone. A usual scenario is the coyote tempting a dog to chase him as the pack of awaits out of sight to attack.
The Plymouth District Library is offering a lot more than books these days.
Community residents can reserve a free COVID-19 antigen self-test kit by simply calling the library at (734) 453-750 and selecting option four. Once reserved, library officials said, the kits must be picked up the same day from the library hold shelf.
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| Michael Anthony Elinski |
Investigators were actively seeking Michael Anthony Elinski, 59, in connection to the shooting and described him as armed and dangerous. He was found Jan. 20 deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Clare, police said.
Elinski was suspected in the death of Andrea Grant, 50, whose body was discovered by police in her car at about 9:10 a.m. Jan 19. Officers from the Pittsfield Township Police Department discovered Grant's body riddled with multiple gunshot wounds in a parked car in the 3700 block of Plaza Drive, according to police reports of the incident.
Sheena Barnes, also known as Sheena Devina Green, 62, appeared for arraignment before Judge Brian Oakley in 34th District Court Jan. 12 on charges of malicious use of the telephone.
Barnes, of Sumpter Township, was required by the court to provide a $1,000 personal bond and another court hearing on the charges was to be scheduled. Barnes who posted the bond, appeared in person for the arraignment although she refused to speak with an MIDC (Michigan Indigent Defense Commission) attorney, according to court records.
With the departure of former library director Betty Smith for a job in West Fargo, ND last April, the library board of directors is continuing to search for a new library leader.
The new Leanna Hicks Public Library building opened in March 2021 and serves a population of approximately 25,000 funded primarily through a dedicated 2 mill tax levy.
New Hope Center for Grief Support received a grant of $50,000 from The Margaret Dunning Foundation. The grant, to be paid over two years. will be used to support New Hope's First Steps program for those in the early stages of grief following the loss of a loved one.
“We couldn't accomplish all we want to do in our community without the generosity of The Margaret Dunning Foundation,” said New Hope Executive Director Jennifer Frush.
First Steps provides the first in-person contact for grievers offering them a safe place to share their story and understand more about grief, Frush explained. “The program provides an opportunity for grievers to connect with one of our facilitators that is close in age and has experienced a similar loss, learn about all New Hope's bereavement services; find their place at one of the New Hope workshops and get connected to one of New Hope's age- and loss-specific peer support groups,” she said.
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| Former Curling Royale players enjoy the game at Mary Ann Banks Park. The event this year is set for Feb. 11. |
This year the event is a charity fundraiser for the Great Lakes Burn Camp For Kids and team registration is already under way for the event which will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at Mary Ann Banks Park in the city.
There has to be ice at the park pond for the event and if Mother Nature hasn't provided cold enough temperatures, the event will be moved to Feb. 18 at the same time and location, organizers said. Because of the growing popularity of the sport, there are limited spots available and pre-registration is strongly suggested, organizers said. Sign up is available at (734) 942-7571 and no experience is necessary.
Westland event celebrates longest serving mayor’s departure
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| Mayor William R. Wild addresses the crowd during his final State of the City address last week. Wild was lauded with state and county awards including congratulations from County Commissioner Al Haidous, and support from his wife, Sherri. |
Congresswoman Debbie Stabenow and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer were among the elected officials, dignitaries, friends and family members who offered best wishes and congratulations during the event, praising Wild for the many accomplishments and successes during his mayoral tenure. Wild was the guiding hand in the construction of the award-winning new city hall, reclaiming and renovating a former big-box store. Wild helped create the city police transparency website and during his terms of office oversaw more than $60 million in road reconstruction and repair in the community. During his address, he also proudly mentioned the Westland Shop and Dine district and the popular farmers market. Wild said that thousands of Westland residents were vaccinated against COVID-19 as part of a city effort. He also proudly displayed images of the new playscape and splash pad at Tattan Park in the city.
Canton Township resident marks 100th birthday with family
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| Jean Hayward |
Hayward, the former owner of Hayward's Party Store in Belleville where she and her husband lived for many years, celebrated the milestone at Waltonwood Cherry Hill in Canton Township where she currently resides. The party included a dessert bar and a special reading about her life by Logan Winston, her assisted living life enrichment manager. Her daughter, Connee Morris, was among the four generations of family members on hand to help her and her many friends celebrate.
Born in Denton, she and her husband sold the party store they had owned where, she said, she loved doing the books. Following a divorce, she moved to Carleton in 1984 and worked in the oil/gas station business. She moved to Waltonwood Cherry Hill about 4.5 years ago, she said.
Motorists in the Westland area have been detoured around two bridge structures as Wayne County makes improvements to the Merriman Road bridges in both Westland and Garden City.
Wayne County road crews plan to replace the bridges at Merriman Road over the Middle Rouge River and Merriman Road over Hines Drive, along with installation of new guardrails, pavement resurfacing, storm sewer installation, sidewalks, pavement markings, and traffic signal modernization on Merriman Road from south of Warren Road to Hawthorne Drive.
The William Faust Public Library of Westland is closed as materials are moved into temporary housing during renovation of the Central City Parkway building.
Beginning next month, during the ongoing renovation project, the library will offer services from the former Marshall Upper Elementary school building.
Eloise and Other Things will be the topic during a limited presentation by Jeff Koslowski at the Westland Historic Village Park Jan. 26.
The lecture includes an in-depth history of Eloise, organizers said, and will present rare information about the former psychiatric hospital during the 6 until 9 p.m. presentation.
Seating for the event is limited to 100 and tickets for the free event are required to ensure space for everyone.
The show will continue from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Salem High School Cafeteria, and proceeds will benefit the nationally recognized student radio station operated by the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools.
The show will feature special giveaways and door prizes in addition to a wide variety of vendors. 88.1 The Park expects to build on the success of the show last year which had a record attendance of more than 450 people. Much of the success of the show can be tied to the resurgence of interest in vinyl records, organizers said.
Those interested in a career in law enforcement can begin with visit to the Canton Township Career Page at https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/canton/jobs.
The township is currently accepting application for Public Safety Aide (PSA) candidates.
The position works variable house and is a non-sworn, non-certified position designed to provide professional work experiences to individuals interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Candidates hired as a PSA who meet established criteria may qualify for education and training reimbursement as outlined in department policy, according to a prepared announcement from the township.
Demolition at Legacy Park site under way
Since starting in June, the asbestos and hazardous material materials were removed from eight buildings. Six of those buildings were demolished, officials said, while one building will be repurposed for future use. Only four buildings remain to be demolished this year.
While the cold weather temperatures have impacted the remediation process, contractors will begin work when temperatures allow, according to a prepared report from the township offices. Demolition of the standing buildings that have been abated may continue through the winter.
Wayne band to play at Tigers’ game
Wayne Memorial High School students have hit a high note with the recent announcement that the Zebra Marching Band will perform the National Anthem at Comerica Park this spring.
The band will take to the baseball diamond at 6:45 p.m. to perform the anthem just before the game begins and the first pitch is thrown.
Volunteers are needed for a clean-up of Mill Trail in Wayne set for 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21.
Organizers urged volunteer workers to dress warmly as weather conditions could make the trail wet or muddy. All COVID-19 health precautions will be followed during the clean-up effort. Entrance to the clean-up site will be on Second Street just south of the 29th District Court building.
6th Annual Curling Royale Tournament registration set
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| Former Curling Royale players enjoy the game at Mary Ann Banks Park. The event this year is set for Feb. 11. |
The Sixth Annual Curling Royale Tournament has been scheduled in Romulus.
This year, the charity event will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at Mary Ann Banks Park.
While only in the sixth year, the event continues to grow in popularity. Last year, Mayor Robert McCraight, who first brought the sport to the city five years ago, said he was gratified to see the number of teams registered for the event continue to increase. This year, there are limited spots available and pre-registration is strongly suggested before spots fill up, organizers said. Registration is available at (734) 942-7571 and no experience is necessary.
An Inkster man was among 10 people sentenced last week for their roles in family-led drug trafficking violations.
Jason Ledesma, of Inkster and his brother, Jamilie Ledesma of Detroit, led a major drug trafficking organization in Metro Detroit, federal authorities claimed. They were sentenced respectively to 120 months and 155 months in prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine.
Curtis Wood, of Detroit, was sentenced to 150 months in prison for his leadership role in a related drug trafficking conspiracy that involved his brother, Kevin Wood, also of Detroit, who was sentenced to 120 months in prison.
Romulus residents have until Feb. 6 to find at least half of the 12 snowflakes hidden at downtown locations to be registered in a city-sponsored raffle.
Clues are available to help find the snowflakes and write down the identifying number in the box on corresponding entry form to prove they have been found.
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| Matt Koleszar |
“As a teacher, I worked through an ever-changing and increasingly challenging landscape that the Legislature created for our public schools,” said Koleszar. “From the budget cuts during the Snyder administration to counterproductive standardized testing requirements to the security risks our students face within the classroom, I chose to run for state representative to end the downward spiral non-educators created. There is a lot of work ahead of us, and it is an honor and a privilege to be entrusted with this great responsibility.
To combat this trend, dozens of municipal, county and Michigan State Police law enforcement agencies across Michigan will conduct overtime speed enforcement through Feb. 28.
In 2021, there were 237 speed-related fatalities on Michigan roads, an increase of 18.5 percent from 2020, when 200 people died. Nationally in 2020, 11,258 fatalities involved crashes in which one or more drivers were speeding, an 18 percent increase from the 9,478 fatalities in 2019, according to state police reports.
An 89-year-old Sumpter Township man was killed last Wednesday, Jan. 11, when a train struck the vehicle which he was driving. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police reports.
The accident took place as the man was driving on Rawsonville Road south of Bemis, according to official reports of the incident.
That loud, piercing shriek now being blasted from Sumpter Township emergency siren number nine is music to the ears of many local residents.
The siren had been inoperable since last August, caused primarily by supply chain delays in receiving replacement parts necessary for repair of the alarm. The siren, located at Sherwood and Arkona, is now repaired and back online, officials said.
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| Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington, Aug. 28, 1963. |
The idea of Martin Luther King Day 2023 as a holiday was promoted soon after his assassination in 1968. Following Dr. King's death, United States Representative, John Conyers, a democrat, and United State Senator Edward Brooke, a republican, introduced a bill in Congress to make Dr. King's birthday a national holiday.
The bill first came to a vote in the United States House of Representatives in 1979 and fell five votes short of the number needed. There were two main arguments mentioned by opponents, the first being that a paid holiday for federal employees would be too expensive and, secondly, that a holiday to honor the birth of a private citizen who had never held public office) would be contrary to the longstanding tradition.
Winter coats, gloves, socks, hats and cold weather accessories will be collected from participants following the march to Romulus High School Jan. 16.
Items will be collected and provided to the less fortunate in the community, noted Rachel Funderburg. For more information, contact her at annualcoatandmittens@gmail.com.
Library will mark century of service to community
The library will mark 100 years in the community this year and multiple celebrations and programs are planning to mark the anniversary, according to Library Director Patty Braden.
The Romulus Library Center opened on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 1923 and was initially housed inside O.H. Raether's Confectionery store in downtown Romulus. The library opened with a collection of only 204 books, Braden said.
Romulus residents have until Feb. 6 to find at least half of the 12 snowflakes hidden at downtown locations to be registered in a city-sponsored raffle.
Clues are available to help find the snowflakes and write down the identifying number in the box on the corresponding entry form to prove they have been found. Those who submit at least half the numbers will be entered into the raffle. Three winners will be chosen on Feb. 8, officials said.
Works of members of the Ann Arbor Camera Club will be on display at The Gallery at the Cherry Hill through Jan. 29.
The collaborative exhibit, entitled "Collective Expressions in Photography," is an open-topic exhibit representing the photographic artistry of several members of the Ann Arbor Camera Club and provides a variety of work regularly produced by their members. Ann Arbor Camera Club members believe that "photography is great art with opportunities for realism, experimentation, drama and simplistic form," according to a prepared release.
Exhibit artists include: Terrance Alexander, Gerri Barr, Howard Bond, Raul Campos, Regina Carriere, Pat Conner, Tom Egel, Lori Franzen, Larry Hoxey, Tim Kellman, John Lloyd, Keith Matz, Ann O'Hagan, David Patria, William Serrell, Scott Strodtman, James Whiteside, and Mary Whiteside.
Following the example of both Kroger and Amazon, a third company is planning to construct three new warehouse facilities in Plymouth Township.
The warehouse plans include one large building at 670,000 square feet and two at 150,000 square feet on the 190-acre site at the former site of the Detroit House of Corrections (DeHoCo) at Five Mile and Napier roads.
Jones Development presented the plans to members of the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees at a recent meeting.
The property is still owned by the City of Detroit and is included in the Michigan International Technology Center project, , a cooperative effort between Plymouth and Northville townships.
Tipping Point Theatre will present the Michigan premiere of Loy A. Webb's The Light beginning at 8 p.m. Jan. 26.
The production will be under the direction of Carollette Phillips and continues the 15th theatrical season of the Northville theater.
Not every marriage proposal goes as planned. The Light introduces audiences to Rashad and Genesis on what should be one of the happiest days of their lives, but their joy quickly unravels when ground-shifting accusations from the past resurface in this two-character drama. Can their relationship survive the growing divide between them over who-and what-to believe? The Light is a real-time rollercoaster ride of laughter, romance, and reckoning that peels away the layers of truth, doubt, pain, and ultimately the power of love, Philllips said.
Northville residents still have time to suggest traffic improvements or changes to current routes as part of the Northville Pedestrian and Traffic Study.
Residents and interested individuals can access an online, interactive tool developed by the city traffic engineering consultants.
Members of the Country Garden Club of Northville have scheduled meetings through next spring at Plymouth First United Methodist Church in Plymouth.
Meetings will begin at 11 a.m., refreshments will be served and speakers will follow at 11:30 a.m.
The Feb. 1 program will be a workshop about terrariums with speaker Rachel Nisch from Graye's Greenhouse. There is a $10 fee for this meeting only.
A suspect in several homicides was arrested in Wayne by Michigan State Police last Saturday, according to police reports.
The 34-year-old suspect was seen in Inkster on Friday at 7:15 p.m., according to police reports when troopers attempted a traffic stop of the suspect as he was driving a 2017 Chrysler 200. The individual believed to be connected to several homicides failed to stop when ordered to pull over by troopers. That failure escalated into a vehicle pursuit, according to reports, and eventually the suspect ran from his vehicle prompting a foot chase.
Plans for the redevelopment at the former psychiatric hospital have been under way since John Hambrick, managing member of 30712 Michigan Avenue LLC, purchased the site from Wayne County for $1 in 2018. The city of Westland has partnered with Hambrick's development company to redevelop the site as part of a multi-phase project. When complete, according to plans for the development, new commercial establishments, a hotel and a restaurant bar will join the preserved historic buildings and the haunted attraction at the site. Total development costs are estimated at more than $4 million and the first phase of development could be complete in 2026.
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Mayor Robert McCraight |
The final session of the Vision Romulus - Our Community, Our Future visioning process includes a survey which will ask each resident about the future of Romulus and also ask individuals for their opinions and comments on the five strategic pillars of future development. Those five pillars will become a part of the final Romulus Vision Plan. The deadline for the final Vision Survey is Jan. 11, officials said.
The survey is available at: https://www.research.net/r/Romulus2
Like previous surveys, officials said, printed copies are available at city buildings.
Westland mayor to present final State of the City address
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Westland Mayor William R. Wild will leave the city Jan. 16 to spend more time with his wife, Sherri, and three children. He will present his final State of the City Address to the community next Thursday. |
Wild, who is leaving the city to take a job in the private sector, will leave the mayor's office Jan. 16. Speculation continues as to who the members of the city council may appoint to take the leadership position in the community.
Voters will select a candidate to complete the remaining two years of Wild's term in an election later this year.
Members of the council can appoint someone from their ranks to the top job and then fill that council seat with another appointment. The new mayor, however, does not have to come from the current council, one observer noted.