Romulus school board

Five candidates will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot for four open seats on the Romulus Community Schools Board of Education, including three current board members seeking new terms.

Nonpartisan candidates on the ballot for the four-year terms are Darcel C. Davis, Antoine D. Jackson, Porsche A. Laster, Ursula L. Rogers and Nychole Smith, all Romulus residents. Voters can choose up to four.

Laster and Jackson currently serve on the district seven-member board. Laster serves as board president, while Jackson is a trustee, according to the district website. Rogers serves as the board secretary according to the school district website.

Davis, Laster, Rogers and board member Paris McCarthy hold seats with terms ending this year. McCarthy does not appear on the county candidate list. Jackson and Smith would be newcomers to the board.

The board members oversee district policy and operations and play a role in superintendent oversight. Members’ decisions affect students, families, teachers and staff throughout the Romulus school system. Voters can find election notices and sample-ballot information through the City of Romulus election information page.

Sumpter police millage

Voters in Sumpter Township will decide next Tuesday whether to fund the continued level of police service in the community.

Members of the township board are hoping clearer language on the ballot will encourage residents to approve the question which will increase the police tax by two mills, three months after voters rejected the same request. Township officials fear that a second “no” could force deep cuts or even the end of the police department.

The proposal would raise the police levy from three mills to five. Officials estimate it would bring in more than $2.4 million in the first year. Police Chief Eric Luke said it would cost the average homeowner an estimated $250 a year.

Voters rejected the proposal in the Aug. 4 primary, 57 percent to 43 percent with 1,284 voting no and 982 voting yes. The township board members then voted unanimously to approve revised ballot language and send the request back to voters in November.

Because the August measure also covered renewal of existing millages, its defeat meant the department lost all millage funding. Luke said that amounts to a 41 percent cut to the department operating budget. For about 15 years, the department has been funded mainly by Carleton Farms Landfill royalties and the three-mill police levy. Those royalties have sharply declined and residents have been levied costs for recent county drain improvements. Trustee Tim Rush said the department is fully funded through the end of this year

“Everything’s on the table, up to and including closing the doors,” Luke said. Rush made a similar warning, saying a police department cannot operate with only partial staffing.

Luke has argued that demand on the department has grown. He said calls for service have nearly doubled in five years, while the township population has grown by about 25 percent during the past few years. The department serves about 12,500 residents. Luke also reminded voters that the township had not sought a new police millage in 15 years.

Luke said he does not read the August result as a rejection of the police department.  He attributed the defeat to voters’ tax fatigue, being asked for too many millages in too short a time. One trustee said low turnout played a major role, and officials are counting on a larger voter turnout next week. Township officials estimated that turnout in August was about 24 percent to 25 percent.

Ballot and polling information is available at the township clerk’s office at 734-461-6201.

Romulus School millage

Romulus voters will decide next Tuesday whether to renew a property tax that has helped pay for school operations for decades, a levy the district reports as totaling about $745,000 a year. District officials stressed this is not a new tax or new levy, but renewal of existing funding to support schools.

The proposal would renew the Romulus Community Schools “hold harmless” millage for 10 years, from 2027 through 2036. The current authorization runs through the 2026 tax collection, according to district reports. If voters approve, the district estimates the millage will raise about $745,254 in 2027.

The proposal authorizes up to 2.5 mills, the maximum allowed by law, but the district said it would levy only the legally restricted amount, currently 1.3115 mills. One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value, which differs from market value. By that math, a property with a taxable value of $50,000 would owe about $65.58 a year at the current rate.

Questions can be directed to the district at (734) 532-1600.

Proposals determine state future

Michigan voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to call the state’s first constitutional convention in more than six decades and whether to bar regulated utilities and big state contractors from political spending.

The two statewide questions: Proposal 1, on convening a constitutional convention, and Proposal 2, on limiting political donations from some utilities and large government contractors.

If Proposal 1 is approved, constitutional convention delegate elections would begin within months. If it fails, the constitution stays as it is until the question returns in 2042.

If Proposal 2 is approved, the changes would take effect as a statute prohibiting regulated utilities and government contractors’ political spending.

PROPOSAL 2:

LIMITING POLITICAL SPENDING

Proposal 2 is an initiated law that would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act. It would restrict direct and indirect contributions from regulated electric and gas utilities, from government contractors receiving more than $250,000 a year, and from people or organizations with “substantial connections” to them.

As drafted, it would apply to monopoly utilities and large state contractors whether or not they are based in Michigan. It would not outright ban dark money spending, but it would require donor disclosure from groups running so-called issue ads before Michigan elections. The measure would also require disclaimers and disclosure on political communications made with artificial intelligence, including internet ads and prerecorded phone messages.

Michiganders for Money Out of Politics submitted an estimated 562,000 signatures on May 27. It needed 356,958 valid signatures to qualify. The measure survived a last-ditch challenge at the Michigan Supreme Court in early September.

The campaign is backed by groups including Voters Not Politicians, Clean Water Action and Michigan United. Co-chair Christy McGillivray said the ban targets donations from regulated utilities such as DTE and Consumers Energy and from state contractors such as Blue Cross Blue Shield. She said the companies are not held in check when they raise utility bills or health care premiums because they help fund the politicians meant to oversee them.

Supporters point to the money flowing to Lansing. In the last legislative session, DTE- or Consumers-affiliated political action committees gave nearly $560,000 over two years to the campaigns or leadership PACs of 120 of 148 legislators. A 2025 Citizens Utility Board of Michigan report found the state had longer power outages in 2023 than any other. Attorney General Dana Nessel has called the link between utility spending and state politics “the worst corruption imaginable.”

Consumers Energy has said it follows the law on compliance and transparency and uses no customer funds for political contributions.

Opponents are organized under the committee Protect MI Free Speech. Spokesperson John Sellek has said the measure would stop ordinary citizens from supporting the candidates of their choice, put nonprofit service organizations at risk of losing funding, and ultimately be found unconstitutional. He also said that people related to or contracting with covered companies would be banned from supporting candidates “simply because of who” they are connected to.

Opponents also say the proposal falls short of its “money out of politics” billing. They say it would not curb spending by out-of-state groups, dark money nonprofits or unions. The campaign has drawn millions of dollars from dark money groups known for left-leaning causes. The Michigan Chamber has said it would silence employers while giving labor unions a “free pass.” A UAW-affiliated PAC spent nearly $800,000 between April 21 and July 20, according to state campaign finance filings. The initiative’s organizers have said there is no need to name unions explicitly. Like corporations, unions are already barred from giving directly to candidates in Michigan

Consumers Energy has said the measure would shift influence from Michigan companies to wealthy national donors and special interests.

PROPOSAL 1

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

Every 16 years, Michigan voters are asked whether the state should hold a convention in which delegates work to overhaul the state constitution. The mechanism, informally called a “Con-Con,” was written into the 1963 constitution. Voters have rejected it by strong margins in 1978, 1994 and 2010.

If voters reject the proposal this year, the question will return automatically in 2042.

The ballot asks whether a convention of elected delegates should be convened in 2027 to draft a general revision of the state constitution for presentation to voters for approval or rejection.

A “yes” vote would not rewrite the constitution by itself. If a majority approves, voters would elect one delegate for each of Michigan’s 110 House districts and 38 Senate districts, 148 in all, on a partisan ballot. That would mean partisan primaries to nominate delegates, followed by a general election by mid-2027. Delegates would convene in Lansing by Oct. 5, 2027, then choose officers, set rules and hire staff. Citizens Research Council of Michigan analyst Lupher believes conflict-of-interest laws would keep current state lawmakers from serving as delegates.

Delegates could make limited changes or rewrite the whole document. Whatever they produce must go to voters, with a vote held no less than 90 days after the convention adjourns. The convention would have no time limit. The last one, which began in 1962, took nearly 10 months.

The proposal has no organized campaign behind it and a broad coalition against it. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Education Association, Business Leaders for Michigan, Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan League of Conservation Voters and League of Women Voters of Michigan are urging a “no” vote. The Chamber warned that a convention risks years of uncertainty and gridlock, and Business Leaders for Michigan said opening the constitution could lead companies to pause major investments. The Small Business Association of Michigan’s Legislative Action Council also voted unanimously to oppose it.

Opposition crosses party lines. Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee and former Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette have both urged a “no” vote. Schuette said a convention “would just be a circus.” Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall has reportedly voiced support for a convention.

Supporters of a convention argue that a deliberative body of directly elected delegates could update a document that is more than 60 years old. One constitutional expert said neither party can be sure of controlling a convention, because delegates are elected directly, and that delegates would know voters could reject anything too far-reaching.

Romulus rejects TIFA probe

Members of the Romulus City Council on Monday rejected a proposal to open a formal investigation into how the city Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) approved a contract for Flock Safety license plate cameras.

The proposal came after resident James Lee questioned a gap between the dollar figure on a TIFA agenda and the contract that followed. An April 8 TIFA agenda listed a Flock contract “not to exceed” $47,500, according to an advisory Lee issued. An agreement signed the next day calls for $90,000 a year over a 36-month initial term, or $270,000 in total.

Lee said the TIFA board held no public engagement on the deal. He also has asked whether TIFA money, rather than the city’s public safety millage, paid for the cameras. Millage proceeds are voter-approved for a specific purpose, while TIFA funds are legally limited to development-related uses.

Mayor Robert McCraight told national news sources that a clerical typo explained the lower figure and that the contract is for $90,000 a year. He said the city’s legal team is reviewing the agreement.

Councilwoman Kathy Abdo, who supported the investigation, said the issue was not about removing cameras but about getting accountability and answers.

Councilman Mark Wilhide defended the technology, saying that if cameras helped recover a missing child, skeptics would change their minds.

Several council members and the mayor said they will examine who can access data collected by the city’s cameras and consider regulations. McCraight said the city would cancel the contract if outside influences violated its terms.

McCraight said the police department requested the cameras, which he said will help officers handle heavy traffic tied to Detroit Metro Airport. He also said the city is struggling to recruit police officers.

Lee’s advisory claims the questions have also been sent to the Michigan Department of Treasury. It was not confirmed that Treasury has accepted the submission or opened a review.

Flock cameras photograph passing vehicles and log license plates into searchable databases, which agencies often share. The systems have drawn scrutiny in other U.S. cities.

Un’fur’gettable

Whiskey Joe has another adventure

 

Plymouth children’s author Jill Andra Young will celebrate the release of two new additions to her Adventures of Whiskey Joe series with a book launch from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at EG Nick’s in downtown Plymouth.

The event will mark the debut of “
Whiskey Joe Goes to the Library” and the “Adventures of Whiskey Joe Coloring Book.” Suzanne LaCroix, a local author, will also introduce her new book, “Maple’s Winter Walkabout.”

In “Whiskey Joe Goes to the Library,” the series’ title character, a Basenji, follows his curiosity to the library, where he looks for books about Africa, the breed’s homeland. Along the way, he meets fascinating animals and gets closer to them than he expected.

The coloring book features scenes from both “Whiskey Joe Goes to the Library” and Young’s first book, “Whiskey Joe Gets Lost.” It also includes images of the real Whiskey Joe for children to color.

“We’re excited to celebrate these new books and share more adventures with readers,” Young said. “Whiskey Joe has a big personality and an even bigger sense of adventure, and I hope children enjoy following him wherever his curiosity takes him.”

The series grew out of a real-life escape. Young’s retired show dog wriggled out of his harness one morning and was gone for several hours before returning home safely. Young, who lives in Plymouth, couldn’t stop wondering where he had gone.

“It bothered me,” she said. “I wondered what he did while he was gone.”

That question became “Whiskey Joe Gets Lost,” in which a mischievous dog makes his way through neighborhoods, playgrounds and city streets. He spots a fountain much like the one in Kellogg Park, then heads to the police station, where his microchip helps reunite him with his owner. Young said the moral is simple: “Always have your pets microchipped so they can get home.”

Young never planned to become an author. A Plymouth resident since 1982, she studied at the Center for Creative Studies and ran a commercial photography business in downtown Plymouth for 25 years, specializing in pet portraits. She began the project by making a photo book for herself to work out what might have happened during Whiskey Joe’s outing.

“It was an accident,” she said. After she posted the cover on Facebook, friends and neighbors encouraged her to share the story more widely, and she learned to publish the book through Amazon.

Young adopted Whiskey Joe after losing her previous Basenji, Henry. She has loved the breed since she was a teenager, she said, drawn to its independence, intelligence and the fact that “they don’t bark.”

For more information, contact Young at adventuresofwhiskeyjoe@gmail.com or visit www.adventuresofwhiskeyjoe.space.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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.

 

Make a Difference Day set

On Saturday, Nov. 14, volunteers will help rake leaves and provide light outdoor work for low-income senior citizens and those with disabilities in Plymouth and Canton. Last year, 230 volunteers helped clean up 27 homes during the event.

Volunteers are being sought for the day. Sign in begins at 8:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Plymouth. Volunteer registration deadline is Oct. 31. Contact Brian Pergament at 734-453-6879 ext. 7 or brian.pergament@pcuw.org. for more information, to volunteer or to register a home for help.

Sponsors this year are Family Legacy Wealth Partners, Henry Ford Health, Tooth + Waffles Pediatric Dentistry, Meijer, Consumers Energy, and JTEKT.

 

City tailgate party

Romulus is hosting an afternoon of Detroit football and team spirit at the Historical Park Pavilion from noon until 5 p.m. Nov. 8.

The game will be shown on a big screen beginning with the 1 p.m. kickoff and guests are invited to bring favorite tailgate supplies to share with friends and family.

Bubbies Pizza will be on-site with pizza available for purchase.

Historical Park is located at 36095 Goddard Road.

 

 Whiskey Joe book signing set

Children’s author Jill Andra Young is celebrating the launch of two new additions to her beloved Adventures of Whiskey Joe series with a special book event from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at E.G. Nick’s in downtown Plymouth.

The evening will also feature special guest Suzanne LaCroix, who will be introducing her new book, Maple’s Winter Walkabout.

The Adventures of Whiskey Joe children’s book series features a clever Basenji whose curiosity and determination take him on exciting adventures. The signing is open to the public.

4 arrested, 3 charged in Canton mobile home shooting

Four people have been arrested in connection with an Oct. 1 shooting in which at least 50 bullets struck a mobile home in Canton Township, wounding a 1-year-old, police said. Three of the suspects now face multiple charges.

The toddler was hit twice and taken to a hospital and is recovering from the injuries, according to police reports..

Charged were El-Hadji Doumbouya, 23, of Ypsilanti; Jaylen Jackson, 19, of Canton Township; and Seth Priester, 18, of Canton Township. A fourth suspect, a 19-year-old from Detroit who has not been publicly identified, is awaiting arraignment.

The shooting took place just before 1 a.m. on Old Michigan Avenue, near South Haggerty Road and Michigan Avenue. The child’s family told local media that at least 50 bullets were fired into the home.

Canton Township police said detectives, with help from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, Michigan State Police, Northville Township police, Livonia police and the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, identified four suspects at multiple locations across Southeast Michigan.

On Oct. 15, police executed four search warrants with help from the Western Wayne Special Operations Team, the ATF and state police. The locations included an address on Old Michigan Avenue in Canton Township, the 6000 block of Robindale Drive in Ypsilanti and the 8000 block of Roselawn Street in Detroit. All four suspects were taken into custody, and detectives recovered several firearms, some of which police said were confirmed stolen.

The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office authorized charges on Oct. 17.

Doumbouya faces three conspiracy counts, including conspiracy to commit assault with intent to murder, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. He also faces three counts of using a computer to commit a crime, the most serious of which carries up to 20 years. He was also given a second-offense habitual offender notice, which can lead to enhanced penalties.

Jackson and Priester each face identical charges: assault with intent to murder, conspiracy to commit assault with intent to murder, two other conspiracy counts, discharging a firearm in or at a building causing injury, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of felony firearm and three counts of using a computer to commit a crime.

The three were arraigned Oct. 17 before Judge Joe Barone of the 35th District Court. Each was given a $1 million cash bond and, if released, must wear a GPS tether and remain on home confinement. They are due back in court Oct. 30.

It was not immediately clear whether the defendants have attorneys who could comment on the charges. Police did not release a motive for the shooting.

Spooky season

Area communities continue children’s Halloween celebrations

Families across western Wayne County will have opportunities to celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating, costume activities, haunted attractions and seasonal events as communities prepare for Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Events scheduled this week include the Canton Township Scary Hill Village: Kids’ Halloween Stroll, the Northville Streets of Treats and a ghost hunt at Westland Historical Village Park. Other communities are also home to seasonal attractions, although residents should check local calendars for confirmed dates, times and registration requirements.

CANTON TOWNSHIP

In Canton Township, Scary Hill Village will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, in Cherry Hill Village. Children can trick-or-treat along Cherry Hill Road between the Arts Warehouse at Cherry Hill and Saj Bakery/Greenland Market. Activities will include themed stops, photo opportunities, and Halloween-themed experiences inside the Arts Warehouse. Families also can enter a decorated stroller or wagon competition. Organizers say advance registration is required for children collecting treats, and tickets will not be sold at the door.

NORTHVILLE

The annual Streets of Treats family Halloween event in Northville is set for this Saturday, Oct. 24. The downtown celebration gives families an opportunity to visit participating businesses and enjoy Halloween activities. Residents should consult the Northville Chamber of Commerce calendar for the latest schedule and participation details.

PLYMOUTH

The Old Village Halloween Block Party is planned for this Sunday, Oct. 25, from noon to 4 p.m. More information is available on the city official calendar on the City of Plymouth website.

ROMULUS

In Romulus, the VFW will host another trunk-or-treat from 2 to 4 p.m. this Sunday, Oct. 25. The Spookiest Yard Contest in the city continues through Oct. 30. For more information visit the Romulus Parks and Recreation website.

WESTLAND

In Westland, a ghost hunt is scheduled for 6 to 11 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 23, at Westland Historical Village Park, 857 N. Wayne Road. The city is also hosting a Halloween decorating contest through Oct. 31, with categories recognizing autumn displays, spooky decorations, and elaborate displays. Winners are scheduled to be recognized at the Nov. 16 City Council meeting.

For those looking for a more intense Halloween experience, Westland and nearby Romulus offer seasonal haunted attractions, including Hush Haunted Thrill Park in Westland and Deranged Haunt in Romulus. Visitors should check each attraction’s official website for operating dates, admission and age recommendations before traveling.

Organizers recommend checking event websites before leaving home, particularly for registration requirements, weather-related changes and possible capacity limits.

Romulus voters will choose school board members on Nov. 3

Five candidates will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot for four open seats on the Romulus Community Schools Board of Education, including three current board members seeking new terms.

Nonpartisan candidates on the ballot for the four-year terms are Darcel C. Davis, Antoine D. Jackson, Porsche A. Laster, Ursula L. Rogers and Nychole Smith, all Romulus residents. Voters can choose up to four.

Laster and Jackson currently serve on the district seven-member board. Laster serves as board president, while Jackson is a trustee, according to the district website. Rogers serves as the board secretary the website says.

Davis, Laster, Rogers and board member Paris McCarthy hold seats with terms ending this year. McCarthy does not appear on the county candidate list. Jackson and Smith would be newcomers to the board.

The board members oversee district policy and operations and play a role in superintendent oversight. Members’ decisions affect students, families, teachers and staff throughout the Romulus school system. The board oversees district operations and hires and evaluates the superintendent. The district, which has about 2,100 students in eight schools, is led by Superintendent Benjamin Edmondson.

Voters can find election notices and sample-ballot information through the City of Romulus election information page. The city lists early in-person voting from Oct. 24 through Nov. 1 at the Romulus Municipal Annex, 11131 Wayne Road.

Additional information about the Board of Education is available on the Romulus Community Schools website.

The candidate list is unofficial and was compiled after the July filing deadline. Voters can confirm their ballot and polling place through the Michigan Voter Information Center at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Plymouth Township officially seeking replacement treasurer

A posting on the official Plymouth Township website this week lists a job opening for a new township treasurer.

Current Treasurer Bob Doroshewitz, a fixture of local government for more than two decades, plans to leave office, and the township is now seeking a viable replacement although Doroshewitz has not detailed an effective date of his resignation. The employment posting follows a stretch of resigna

tions and public clashes on the Board of Trustees.

Doroshewitz said at a June 23 board meeting that he plans to step down at the end of 2026 or in early 2027, roughly halfway through his four-year term. “It’s just time,” he said.  He said his decision was not tied to contentious board meetings or the work environment. He said he wants to stay long enough to see the township move to cloud-based financial software and to mail winter tax bills.

Doroshewitz was first elected to the board as a trustee in 2004 and was appointed treasurer in 2022 to fill a vacancy. He was elected to the position in 2024. The job pays $120,000 a year, plus a 15 percent contribution to a 457(b)-retirement plan.  The township website listed a notice seeking “interested, qualified residents” to fill the treasurer’s role.

Doroshewitz’s announcement was one of a series of departures. Trustee Jen Buckley, whom the board appointed in 2022 in a combative process to fill the seat Doroshewitz vacated, announced her resignation in a June 24 letter. She said her family was moving outside the township to be closer to their children’s school and sports activities. Like Doroshewitz, Buckley said her departure was unrelated to the board’s contentious nature.

Clerk Jerry Vorva left his role in March, citing a cancer diagnosis and what he described as a “hostile environment” at township offices. Buckley and Trustee Sandy Groth were at the center of the search for a replacement clerk. Both sought the appointment and clashed during public meetings about the handling of the appointment. The board deadlocked on the appointment and eventually chose Kim Gaedeke to fill the position in May. Vorva is currently suing Trustee John Stewart claiming Stewart created a hostile working environment in township hall.

Trustee Mark Clinton then resigned in a July 28 letter, less than halfway through his elected term. He cited the “deceitful nature” of township leaders and said he had seen “little to no meaningful progress” under the current administration during the past two years.

“The majority of the board, once I leave and my position has been replaced, will have been appointed and did not receive a single vote,” Doroshewitz said.

Doroshewitz said he is hoping his replacement will be “community orientated.”

“I kind of circulated the word, circulated an email, and said, ‘If you know anybody, I’m kinda looking for this profile,’” Doroshewitz said.

“You don’t come out for one of these positions unless you’re interested in serving the community, that’s just a given,” Doroshewitz said. “What I would like about it is you can do something for somebody that in the grand scheme of things is small but for them it may be huge. You can really impact people’s lives.

“Hopefully, I have enough respect on the board that my recommendation will carry some weight,” Doroshewitz  added.

Armed robbery suspect is arrested

A 35-year-old Wayne woman is facing felony charges following 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 Oct. 11 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 Diamond Dominique-Marie Jones 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 that Jones 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.”

Jones was arraigned Oct. 13 in 35th District Court before Judge James A. Plakas on one count of armed robbery,  two counts of financial transaction devise, stealing/retaining without consent and three counts of weapons felony firearm, pneumatic gun.

She was given a $50,000 cash/surety bond, no 10 percent.

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

Search for Sumpter Township manager under way

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 for every candidate, giving a score of 1 to 20 in several categories. They include municipal government background, grant writing experience, personnel and human resources management, career tenure and overall professionalism of the completed application.

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 met again earlier this month 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 regarding 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 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 an additional 2 mills more than the current two 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.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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.

 

 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. 24 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 $8 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

 

City tailgate party

Romulus is hosting an afternoon of Detroit football and team spirit at the Historical Park Pavilion from noon until 5 p.m. Nov. 8.

The game will be shown on a big screen beginning with the 1 p.m. kickoff and guests are invited to bring favorite tailgate supplies to share with friends and family.

Bubbies Pizza will be on-site with pizza available for purchase.

Historical Park is located at 36095 Goddard Road.

 

Whiskey Joe book signing set

Children’s author Jill Andra Young is celebrating the launch of two new additions to her beloved Adventures of Whiskey Joe series with a special book event from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at E.G. Nick’s in downtown Plymouth.

The evening will also feature special guest Suzanne LaCroix, who will be introducing her new book, Maple’s Winter Walkabout.

The Adventures of Whiskey Joe children’s book series features a clever Basenji whose curiosity and determination take him on exciting adventures. The signing is open to the public.

‘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.