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.

Sumpter officials set interviews for township manager candidates

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wayne woman arrested in Plymouth armed robbery

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Plymouth Pumpkin Palooza is Saturday

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

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

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

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

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

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Church hosts Rummage Sale

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

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

The church is located at 45201 North Territorial Road, Plymouth

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

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

 

Halloween Safety Night set

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

Winter gear previously collected will be distributed during the evening.

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

 

Shred Day in Canton

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

 

 Halloween Stroll planned

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

 

Spookiest Yard Contest set

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

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

 

Pumpkin Palooza planned

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

Sumpter Township absentee ballots to be re-issued

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parents of toddler who had gun at daycare facing charges

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

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

The family resides in Canton Township.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scary stuff

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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