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| Rivian will bring 100 new jobs to the $4.6 million service center planned for Plymouth Township. |
The new center will be located in Plymouth Township and is expected to bring 100 high-wage jobs to the area, according to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Whitmer joined officials from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation last week to announce the new facility which will be supported by the Michigan Strategic Fund.
Romulus residents can hear directly from the candidates appearing on the Nov. 2 ballot tonight during a Meet the Candidates Night set for 5 until 8 p.m. at the Romulus Athletic Center.
Candidates will each have a table with information and be available to talk with and answer questions in a casual and neutral environment, organizers said. The chamber has been hosting Meet the Candidate Nights similar to this one for decades.
“This is an important opportunity to speak with candidates on local issues and be an informed voter for the November election,” said Jazmine Danci, executive director of the Greater Romulus Chamber of Commerce. “We hope residents take advantage of it.”
8th Annual Fall Festival set for next weekend at Maybury Farm
The festival will take place from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Oct. 9 and 10 at the working farm located on Eight Mile Road in Northville.
Organizers said the Great Fall Festival is the most popular event of the fall at the farm and will feature a wide variety of activities including fall-themed games, pumpkin decorating, beeswax candle making, face painting, live music, food trucks, BBQ, and more. In addition to the many games and activities, guests can also enjoy visiting the farm animals, watching educational and animal demonstrations on the second stage, and roasting S'mores around the bonfire.
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| John Danci |
Danci, a Romulus resident, will officially begin his new duties next Monday, Oct. 4. He will replace former DPW Director Kenneth Kunka who resigned from the position in June. Danci will leave his current position with the City of Romulus where he is a water/sewer crew leader. He has worked for the city in various capacities since 2015. He earned his bachelor of science degree in biomechanics, exercise physiology and motor control from the University of Michigan. He currently has both S1 and F5 water operator licenses from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy.
A Taylor man is facing first degree murder charges following a fatal shooting at a Romulus liquor store last month.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Lajohn Esten Washington, 24, of Taylor, in connection with the fatal shooting of Chevron Lawrence, 28, of Detroit, and the non-fatal shooting of another 18-year-old Taylor man.
The charges resulted from an incident which occurred at about 11:02 p.m. Aug. 23 when Romulus police officers were called to a liquor store in the 27420 block of Eureka Road in the city. Prosecutors allege that Washington fatally shot Lawrence and then attempted to shoot the 18-year-old victim before fleeing the scene.
The Northville Chamber of Commerce is seeking a new director.
Jody Humphries resigned the position after 17 years at the helm of the nonprofit which represents 300-400 member businesses in Northville and surrounding communities. Humphries has accepted a new job as director of the Washtenaw Contractors Association in Ann Arbor.
Long-time chamber employee and Associate Director Lindsey Butzen will lead the chamber while a search for a permanent replacement for Humphries is under way, a task most agree will be daunting with her record of success leading the group.
One of the most popular and eagerly awaited attractions of autumn is now open weekends at Maybury Farm in Northville.
The annual Corn Maze at the farm will continue to welcome visitors every weekend through Oct. 24 to the 9-acre maze newly-designed by the Ford Volunteer Corp. This year, the attraction also includes a scavenger hunt, and there is a 1-acre Mini Maze for those less adventurous members of the family.
Walking the entire 10-acre maze should take about an hour, Maybury officials said, while the mini maze can be completed in about 20 minutes.
Rocker Alice Cooper visits new ‘Eloise Asylum’
The visit, to help publicize the opening of the Eloise Asylum tomorrow, also marked the renaming of a section of road as Alice Cooper Court. Cooper's celebrity brought out city officials and radio hosts from WCSX to mark the dedication of the road and the opening of the $1.2 million Halloween creep show.
The asylum, set in the 30,000 square-foot former Kay Beard Building on the grounds of the former psychiatric hospital, features what is described as “innovative high tech horror.” Jay Kays, director of operations, said owners hope it will become the “Disney of haunted attractions.”
Wayne Police officers’ performance awarded
Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong presented awards to several members of the department for their exemplary and outstanding service earlier this month.
In addition to the naming of Nicholas Boruta as Officer of the Year, Awards Committee members recommended several other honors. Ofc. Michael Bolton was presented with a Chief's Award based on the seizure of illegal narcotics during a driving under influence arrest; Ofc. Chad Colwell was presented with a Chief's Award based on the seizure of an illegal handgun; Ofc. Kyle Talmadge was presented with a commendation and Sgt. Abraham Hughes and Ofc. Chad Colwell were each presented with a Chief's Award based on the safe and professional resolution to a mental health emergency.
A 15-year-old Inkster resident is facing criminal charges after allegedly taking a gun to school and threatening a school security guard.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged the teen in connection with threats made against a Taylor High School security guard. He will be prosecuted as a juvenile respondent.
The charges claim that at approximately 8:56 a.m. Sept. 22, City of Taylor police officers responded to the high school on Beech Daly Road in response to a call about a disorderly student. When the officers arrived at the scene, they located the juvenile in question outside the school building. When asked to return to the school, officers conducted a search and found a semi-automatic handgun in his possession, according to police reports.
The Edwards Twins to appear in Canton
Anthony and Eddie Edwards use state-of-the-art make-up to look and sound like the superstars of today and yesterday. Favorite legendary superstars come alive in this special performance. USA Today said, “The best you will ever see.” Celine Dion praised, “I am their number one fan.” NBC Today Show called them, “Extraordinary.” Michael Douglas enthused, “These guys are the real deal.” Carol Burnett raved, “The best I have ever seen.” The Boston Globe called them “A must-see show!”
Canton Township has been named the new home to AGP E-Glass Co., a subsidiary of AGP Group, a Belgium-based manufacturer of glass products for the automotive, marine and security markets.
AGP provides high-tech glazing solutions for more than 20 automotive brands that are shaping the future of mobility through electrification and autonomous driving.
AGP E-Glass will be establishing a North American Tech Center in Canton, where the company will develop and exhibit the latest technologies for clients, partners, suppliers and university officials to see the products in use.
The Michigan Philharmonic will begins its 76th season presenting a live concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2 with the “Birthday Bash” concert led by Conductor and Music Director Nan Washburn, now in her 23rd season. The Philharmonic opening night concert will feature the stylings of internationally-renowned c Rizikov, who first played with the Philharmonic when she was 12 years old, will perform “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op.18” by Sergei Rachmaninoff
The 22-year-old Rizikov has dazzled the international arena as a child prodigy since she was seven, when she walked onto the stage of the Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra in a pink fluffy dress and huge pigtails tied with pink bows, sat down to the piano barely reaching the pedals, and played with a precision and maturity that transcended her age.
Construction on Harvey Street in downtown Plymouth continues with the scheduled installation of a new water main installed below the cement enclosed portion of the Tonquish Creek, which runs underneath the roadway.
Some interruptions in water service are possible as the new main is connected, officials said. Those affected will be notified by letter.
The first reading of plans for a new, multi-million dollar trade center were approved by members of the Romulus City Council this month.
The new, 171-acre development is planned along the south side of Smith Road, the east side of Vining Road and north of Wick Road and is the second proposal for the site proposed to city officials by NorthPoint Development.
The initial plans presented months ago by the developer were rejected by council members prompting a video apology from NorthPoint owner and founder Brent Miles during the meeting Sept. 13. Miles said the new proposal was a “long journey over several months” with the city and that the plan “didn't start off in the best manner.”
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| Jewell Jones |
Attorney Ali Hammound, who had represented Jones during drunk driving, resisting arrest and contempt of court charges since April, withdrew as counsel Friday morning. He told Livingston County Chief Judge Michael Hatty that his withdrawal was “due to a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship” and his withdrawal was in the best interest of both Jones and himself.
Nolan requested the mental health evaluation which was granted by Hatty who ordered Jones to remain in custody pending the findings of that examination.
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| Canton Township will celebrate the end of summer with a band tomorrow night. Plans include food, live music and fireworks at the Canton Township Picnic in the Park set for 5 until 9 p.m. Sept. 24 in Heritage Park. |
Visitors can enjoy food choices from area restaurants and food trucks, popular music artists performing on two stages leading up to the fireworks extravaganza scheduled to begin at dusk.
"We're hoping friends and neighbors grab their big blankets and head over Heritage Park, where they'll be able to pick a spot for their picnic and watch our live music performances, choose from a variety of great local eats and drinks, and then sit back and enjoy some amazing fireworks," stated Jon LaFever, Canton Leisure Services deputy director.
Romulus Councilwoman Virginia Williams expressed her frustration last week with the current procedures in place regarding the public comment portion of the council meeting agendas.
During the public comment section of the meeting, long-time city resident Sharon Walker asked about the status of the veterans' memorial.
“The court is done, the parking lot is done, what is happening with the memorial?” she said. She said she was unaware of any meetings about the memorial or plans to have it reinstalled near city hall.
Donations fund fire safety equipment services for city businesses
Nearly 50 small business owners in Westland got some unexpected help from the city fire department where funds are now available to pay for the servicing of fire safety equipment.
The Westland Fire Administration Public Awareness Committee officially announced the funding for the program last month. The nonprofit group members hosted a summer raffle and generated $10,000 to be used to service 49 businesses in the city.
The businesses are those selected through the Westland CARES program, a city fund to assist struggling business owners and their employees. Grants to the 49 local businesses ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, officials said.
Sumpter Township residents may soon be able to enjoy a kayak or canoe ride in Sherwood Pond at Banotai Park, pending an opinion from the township insurance carrier.
During a meeting of the members of the township board of trustees last month, trustees agreed to allow the non-motorized watercraft pending approval of current insurance coverage. Township attorney Rob Young said he would send the ordinance allowing the kayaks and canoes to the insurance carrier and report back to the board members if there were any objections or if any other coverage might be needed.
The former Rite Aid building on the corner of Wayne and Ford roads in Westland will soon see some new blood.
Octapharma, a plasma donation center, will remodel and renovate the building as part of a consent judgment reached with the city in Wayne County Circuit Court. The proposed facility was rejected by a vote of city council members last September.
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| Former Detroit Pistons star Chauncey Billups speaks to the large crowd outside Inkster City Hall last week during the announcement of plans for high-speed, internet in the city. |
Plans were announced last week to increase internet access and speed in the city with the installation of a new $20 million fiber optic infrastructure.
Flagstar Bank officials said the company is contributing the first $1 million to Detroit-based Strategic Alliance Community Development Corp. to create the new fiber-optic infrastructure and provide high-speed broadband internet in Inkster. Ground-breaking for the project and training for workforce development will occur later this year, officials said and the project, named Smart City, is scheduled to be complete by mid-2023.
The annual Corn Maze at the farm will continue to welcome visitors every weekend through Oct. 24 to the 9-acre maze newly-designed by the Ford Volunteer Corp. this year, the attraction also includes a scavenger hunt, and there is a 1-acre Mini Maze for those less adventurous members of the family.
Walking the entire 10-acre maze should take about an hour, Maybury officials said, while the mini maze can be completed in about 20 minutes.
For those seeking more of a challenge, the maze will remain open until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with the last wagon-ride leaving an hour before closing. That allows the bravest to attempt to traverse the maze in the dark. The maze is open until 7 p.m. on Sundays with the last wagon leaving at 6 p.m.
The Plymouth Community Arts Council (PCAC) recently chose the winners of the 2021 Savage Studio Art Awards.
Established in 2021 by Plymouth artist Leonardo Savage, these talent-based art awards and scholarships are for students in the 5th-9th grades. They are awarded to encourage the creative artistic pursuits of the young people as they move through the "middle grades" into high school. These students were nominated by their Plymouth Community Arts Council summer art camp instructors based on talent, dedication to their art, and creative expression.
Members of the Country Garden Club of Northville have changed their meeting location. The meetings will now take place at Plymouth First United Methodist Church 45201 North Territorial Road in Plymouth.
Meetings take place from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month. The Oct. 6 speaker will be Ken Breven whose topic will be Dahlias and on Nov. 3, speaker Allen Chartier will discuss Hummingbirds. The Holiday Luncheon of the group is planned for Dec. 1.
Speakers begin their one-hour presentations at 11:30 a.m. and a brief business meeting follows.
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| Connor Rhoades as Seymour Krelborn and Jeff Powers as the voice of Audrey II prepare their roles in the Spotlight Players production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Village Theater. |
Presented by Spotlight Players, performances of the popular musical are set for Sept. 24, 25 and 26.
The plot introduces audiences to meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn as he stumbles across a new breed of plant that he names “Audrey II” - after a coworker on whom he has a crush. The foul-mouthed, singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to down-and-out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it blood.
Growth Works, which helps at-risk youth, recently honored area police officers for their efforts.
The Growth Works Juvenile Advisory Council lauded Canton Police for their outstanding work and partnership with youth and families. The late Ofc. Ed Jagst, who was killed in a domestic dispute, was among the officers honored.
Jagst’s widow accepted the award during the Sept. 14 Canton Board of Trustees meeting. “I know he would be honored, as I am,” she said.
State Rep. Ranjeev Puri, D-Canton, presented a proclamation recognizing the work of the township police department during the meeting.
Members of the Canton Township Planning Commission have approved plans for a BJ's Wholesale Club at the former JC Penney store on Ford Road.
Commissioners recommended approval of the planned alterations to the building at 43690 Ford Road which has been vacant for several months. The current zoning allows for retail superstores and the alterations requested for BJ’s included only a reduction in the number of parking spaces to allow the installation of cart corrals and a tire center to be installed inside the building.
The Canton Historical Society, a volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation of local historical information and resources, is currently accepting letters of interest to fill three board member positions.
The Canton Historical Society offers valuable opportunities for individuals interested in helping keep the history of the township alive, officials said. Once appointed, these volunteer board members will begin a three-year term starting in January 2022.
The company also agreed to pay two $375,000 fines - one to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and another to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
The three-day event traditionally begins the third Friday in September with Parade of Lights, where everything is aglow, from bicycles to cement trucks. The street festival offers music, food, crafts, and games for all ages, explained Merrie Dryor, director of activities and TIFA for the Romulus downtown Development Authority
Events include:
Friday, Sept. 17
Beer Tent "Pumpkin Pub" (6 p.m. - 12 a.m.) at the Romulus Historical Park Pavilion Food Trucks (6 p.m. - 10 p.m.) on Hunt Street
Romulus Rotary "Parade of Lights" (8 p.m. - 10 p.m.) on Goddard Road between Moore and Five Points
The smaller festival, organized by the Northville Chamber of Commerce, will take place this weekend, starting tomorrow, Sept. 17.
The traditional Victorian Parade will begin the Heritage Festival at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow. The celebration will continue with some of the most popular festival features throughout the weekend. Currently planned is the inclusion of community nonprofit booths, live and street entertainment, crafters, Painting with Paws, History Hike, Lions Kid Sight Trailer, Petting Farm, Vintage Baseball, Mill Race Village Grounds and the Annual Duck Race.
The schedule of Heritage Festival activities will be available on the Heritage Festival website at https://www.northville.org/northville-heritage-festival soon and will continue to be updated as events are secured.
Plymouth residents currently registered on the permanent absent voter application list have already been receiving applications for ballots in the mail for the Nov. 2, General Election, according to the office of the city clerk.
Voters who are not on the list can obtain an application at Plymouth City Hall or complete an application online at MVIC https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/AVApplication.
Applications for absentee ballots can be returned by mail or dropped off at Plymouth City Hall using one of three available drop boxes. The 24-hour drop boxes are located in the Church Street entrance to city hall and at the Plymouth District Library drive-up book drop area, with a third drop box located in the main lobby of city hall. That box is open to the public during regular city hall business hours.
Plymouth City Hall is located at 201 S. Main, Plymouth.
Like the sprawling facilities in neighboring Plymouth and Romulus, Amazon is planning to open a 183,000 square-foot delivery center in Canton Township.
The Canton facility will be located on Michigan Avenue between Beck and Denton roads and will employ about 100 people, according to an announcement from Amazon. The delivery station is expected to open sometime next year, officials said.
Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak said the township welcomed the new operation and that officials were excited to have been chosen for the facility.
The offices of the Northville Parks and Recreation Department are returning to the Recreation Center at Hillside Middle School.
Following completion of a renovation as part of the new school facility construction project, the recreation center opened for programming Sept. 7.
Visitors now will have access to more convenient parking, a dedicated entrance and interior improvements like family changing rooms and an observation window into the gym, explained Northville Parks and Recreation Director Mark Gasche.
While several Wayne residents suffered long-term power outages following the recent heavy rains an inclement weather, Wayne officials have issued an official update regarding the situation.
“The City of Wayne has been in contact daily with DTE Energy about the unacceptable amount of power outages throughout areas of the city whether there was storm or not. With your help contacting the Michigan Public Service Commission, we are making strides towards getting DTE to make the necessary changes to the infrastructure so that this does not continue to happen,” an official posted on the city administration Facebook page.
According to the posting, city officials met with the DTE regional manager and several DTE Engineers last week and were given specifics regarding the outages.
The DTE engineers told city officials that Wayne, like most communities, is not on a single circuit and most of the circuits are on the borders of the community and impact other cities as well when the power goes out, engineers explained.
“We're so excited to open our doors once again,” said museum Director Katie Dallos. “We have missed you all and can't wait to see everyone back at the Belleville Area Museum and at our fall events.”
Hours at the museum are noon until 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, although those may change in December, due to the holidays, Dallos said.
Current displays included a Women's Suffrage and Vintage Department Store Room which includes a 19th Amendment flag along with hats and costumes to try on.
“We're extremely excited to be offering free costumes to area children. We're asking that everyone goes home and pulls out a few gently-used costumes from their Halloween bins or better yet buy a few new costumes to donate to our event,” said Recreation Director Jennifer Zaenglein.
Members of the award-winning Belleville Community Chorus have begun rehearsals for the holiday season. This will be the 15th year for the holiday concert of the group which meets at Open Arms Lutheran Church, 7865 Belleville Road.
Membership in the chorus, directed by Racheal Paar, is open to "all who love music and singing".
Singers from 16 to 96 are being sought to join the choral group, whether an experienced signer or a performance veteran who has sung with the chorus previously. All vocal ranges are welcome, whether soprano, alto, tenor, bass, or not sure, organizers said.
State Rep. Jewell Jones, D-Inkster, was remanded to jail by Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty on Tuesday for repeated positive alcohol consumption readings on his court-ordered monitor and his attempt to tamper with the electronic device.
Jones, who entered a guilty plea to the bond violations, will remain in the Livingston County Jail until at least tomorrow when a motion hearing is scheduled. Jones has been free on bond while awaiting trial on four counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer; four misdemeanors, operating a motor vehicle with a high blood alcohol content, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, possession of a weapon while under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving.
The boil-water advisory for Inkster residents has been lifted and the water is now safe for drinking, cooking and bathing, according to city officials.
The recent loss of water system pressure within the southwest quadrant of the city have been resolved, a city spokesman said and the system is back to normal pressures. The system has been flushed and consecutive bacteriological samples have been taken per the State of Michigan requirements and show no signs of bacteria, he added.
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| Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Westland Mayor William Wild celebrate the opening of the new Westland Community Health Center. |
The new facility, operated by Garden City Hospital, a member of Prime Healthcare is located at located at 35700 Warren Road in Westland, very near Westland City Hall. .
Following remarks by the governor, members of the hospital staff guided visitors on tours of the new health care center.
The new facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art free-standing emergency department which offers access to quality care, close to home, for area residents. With more than $10 million invested, the center features a spacious, open floor plan emergency room with 14 private rooms, two state-of-the-art trauma bays, CT Scans, digital x-rays, and a full-service lab. The free-standing emergency department will be operated by experienced and knowledgeable staff that has brought Garden City Hospital local and national recognition for clinical expertise and patient safety.
Plymouth Fall Festival president to retire after 12 years at helm of event
Joy, who has served as president of the civic event for 12 years, has announced that he is leaving the volunteer position to move on to other things in his changing life.
“It is just time,” he said. “I think it is time to give someone else a chance. Maybe they will have new ideas,” he said.
Joy, who comes from a family dedicated to community service, has been involved with the Fall Festival for much longer than he has been president. He worked the event for many years as a volunteer under other leaders, eventually agreeing to take on the full responsibility for the event.
Safety is main ingredient at Rotary
Club Chicken Barbeque this year
Tickets are already on sale for the traditional Plymouth Noon Rotary Club Barbeque Chicken Dinners, a mainstay of the club.
This year, the festival and the barbeque will have an added concentration on safety and health precautions.
The Romulus Fire Department will host a special ceremony from 5 until 7 p.m. tomorrow to pay tribute to the brave men and women who lost their lives during the attacks on 9/11 and to honor local firefighters and EMS workers.
The Firefighter Appreciation Ceremony will take place at the Romulus Athletic Center.
“One of the most devastating attacks in American history occurred on Sept. 11, 2001. Twenty years later, we remember these heroes by commemorating the tragic events of that day and honoring the sacrifices they made,” said Kevin Krause, director of Fire Services and Emergency Management for Romulus Fire Department. “The bravery of every firefighter called to duty that day is an admirable quality found right here in the City of Romulus. Being a first responder is a lifelong duty of helping others in need and we are thankful every day for the men and women in our community who have dedicated their lives to service.”
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| Eric Luke |
Luke told members of the Township Board of Trustees during a meeting last month that the level of cooperation with the program was exceptional.
“This has been very successful,” he told the trustees. “I was surprised. We are getting a good reaction and feedback from those who need to make changes to structures in the township.”
Luke explained that in February, several of the township departments formed a new committee to “get rid of some hurdles we were facing with blight enforcement.” He said that with several departments in the township cooperating and providing input, the enforcement process was much more effective and streamlined.
Another step out of the shadow of the COVID pandemic is planned in Romulus with the 23rd Annual Pumpkin Festival set for Sept. 17, 18 and 19 this year.
The festival is a three-day event that traditionally begins the third Friday in September with the Rotary Club Parade of Lights, where everything is aglow, from bicycles to cement trucks. Thousands of people line Goddard Road to view the parade, organizers said. This year, as always, there is no registration fee to enter the parade, although preregistration is required. All entries must be decorated with working lights, “the more the better” according to Rotary Club members.
The street festival offers music, food, crafts, and games for all ages, explained Merrie Dryor, director of activities and TIFA for the Romulus Downtown Development Authority. The Pumpkin Festival also includes a Classic Car Show, Craft and Vendor Show and live music, along with other events, games and activities.
Van Buren Township police are seeking witnesses to a traffic accident that took the life of an 11-year-old Ypsilanti Township boy last week.
According to police reports, the incident took place just before 6:20 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31 on Michigan Avenue near Denton Road. Officers were called to the scene following a report of a crash involving a pedestrian.
A preliminary investigation by responding officers indicated that a disabled vehicle was parked partially in the travel lanes of eastbound Michigan Avenue, apparently due to a mechanical failure. Three people were standing outside the disabled vehicle when a 61-year-old Canton Township resident driving a Ford Fusion east on Michigan Avenue crashed into the vehicle.
One of the three individuals standing o
Inkster residents remain under a boil water advisory due to a bacterial contamination, according to a notice from the city.
According to a public notice sent to residents, the city water supply system experienced a drop in pressure Aug. 27, in the area south of Michigan Avenue and west of Inkster Road. An unknown source caused the pressure reduction which, in turn, may have allowed bacterial contamination.
“Bacteria are generally not harmful and are common throughout our environment,” officials said. “Corrective measures are being undertaken to correct the situation.”
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| Jewell Jones |
As cases of the Delta-variant of the virus continue to rise in the state and hospitalizations of children affected by the strain are taxing hospital systems, Jones' posts drew fire from parents, state officials and health experts, along with his political party leaders.
Jones, last week, posted an Instagram meme with actor Jon Hamm's face and verbiage “Stop saying you did your research before you got the injection.You are the research.”
Scarecrow contest entries are now being accepted
The artistic and original creations are constructed by individuals, families and businesses on a pre-made frame. Each scarecrow will wear a placard stating the organization or family named while being displayed on West Michigan Avenue and Wayne Road this year. Entry fees range from $20 to $30.
Following the installation of the scarecrows, photos of each entry will be uploaded on the Wayne Ripple Effect Facebook page. Live voting and the announcement of the winning entries will take place during the official scarecrow reception in Derby's Alley set for Oct. 16.
The Scarecrow registration form includes rules, dates and fees for entry and is available online. As the group no longer has a physical location, a spokesman urged residents to register online using Eventbrite.
Some of the greatest artists of all time have come to visit Westland.
The Detroit Institute of Arts has completed the installation of reproductions of museum masterpieces throughout the city as part of the Inside Out program.
The program, now in the 12th year, has brought six weather-resistant reproductions of masterpieces from DIA collection to the Westland community.
“The City of Westland is proud to accept these six pieces and have chosen community buildings, Westland City Hall and some Westland parks as incredible display locations for this celebration of art,” commented Mayor William R. Wild. “We are thrilled to see this program return to our community.”
There will be festive food, live music and fireworks at the Canton Township Picnic in the Park set for Friday, Sept. 24.
The event will take place from 5 until 9 p.m. in Heritage Park and include food choices from area restaurants and food trucks, popular music artists performing on two stages, before the fireworks extravaganza scheduled to begin at dusk.
“We're hoping friends and neighbors grab their big blankets and head over Heritage Park, where they'll be able to pick a spot for their picnic and watch our live music performances, choose from a variety of great local eats and drinks, and then sit back and enjoy some amazing fireworks,” stated Jon LaFever, Canton Leisure Services deputy director.
Members of the Canton Board of Trustees formally accepted a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant
The grant was awarded to the Canton Township Fire Department in the amount of $129,163.64, with a 10 percent match of $12,916.36 by the department. The total amount of $142,080 will cover enhanced physicals and cancer screenings for firefighters, during a two-year period.
Northville Heritage Festival will fill downtown streets next week
The smaller festival, organized by the Northville Chamber of Commerce, will take place Sept. 17, 18 and 19 with a different location, parade route, event days/times, and several other changes.
"Please be patient as the details unfold. We look forward to bringing a little cheer and normalcy to our Northville community. We hope to bring the festival back in full strength in 2022, but let's enjoy ourselves in 2021," a chamber spokesperson said.
Members of the Country Garden Club of Northville have changed their meeting location. The meetings will now take place at Plymouth First United Methodist Church 45201 North Territorial Road in Plymouth.
Meetings take place from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month. The Oct. 6 speaker will be Ken Breven whose topic will be Dahlias.
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| Ellen Craig-Bragg |
Now, they can prove it.
Romulus City Clerk Ellen Craig-Bragg has been named the City Clerk of the Year by the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks. She was to be honored yesterday at a luncheon during which Michigan Secretary of State Joceyln Benson was scheduled to present her with the award in response to her long list of accomplishments in the Romulus community.
Craig-Bragg said she was “deeply honored” to have been nominated for the prestigious honor.
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| Michael Siegrist |
Siegrist was to be one of the guests of honor at an awards luncheon in Frankenmuth when Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson was expected to present him with the 2021 Township Clerk of the Year award.
“I am truly honored and humbled by both my nomination and election as Township Clerk of the year. We do everything we can for the residents and voters in Canton, and I never expected to win an award for delivering the kind of service they deserve,” Siegrist said.
Siegrist first learned of his selection for the honor last week when he was notified by representatives of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks. He said he was very, very surprised as he is one of the youngest clerks to ever receive the honor.
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| Joseph Hawver |
For the first time in the 187-year history of the township, members of the board of trustees have hired a deputy supervisor to oversee day-to-day municipal operations. Trustees last week, by unanimous vote, approved a contract with Joseph Hawver, currently an administrator in the Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney's office to take on the newly-created position.
Hawver joins the township at a time of nearly unprecedented growth. Last month, reports from the 2020 Census showed a 9-percent population increase in the township, ranking Canton as the ninth largest municipality in the state, surpassing neighboring Livonia and Westland.
Van Buren Township will host a special 9/11 memorial event at Grace Lake Corporate Center from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sept. 11.
“Not only are we honoring the victims and mutual aid first responders of 9/11,” said Van Buren Township Local Development Fire Authority 2nd vice chair and event organizer John Delaney. “We'll also be honoring our current first responders and COVID-19 heroes.”
In partnership with local first responders from the City of Belleville, Canton Township, Detroit Metro Airport, Huron Valley Ambulance, Huron-Clinton MetroParks, City of Romulus, Sumpter Township, and Van Buren Township there will be a prayer vigil, bell ringing and a moment of silence beginning at 9:37 a.m., when the first plane struck the Pentagon 20 years ago.
The memorial ceremony will be led by Canton Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, who will be joined by Canton officials and members of the Canton Board of Trustees. The ceremony will also feature the Canton Fire Department Honor Guard, remarks from Canton Public Safety staff members, a musical tribute by Devyn Rae, and a moment of silence.
Northville Township directors attend preparedness classes
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| Todd Mutchler |
All nine township department heads, from Finance to Public Services, successfully completed the Fundamentals of Emergency Management course through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to better prepare for major emergencies and disasters of all types. Township Manager and Public Safety Director Todd Mutchler.
That puts Northville Township in rare company, according to Township Manager and Public Safety Director Todd Mutchler.
“We have informally researched this and we have not heard of any other community that has had all of their directors take this FEMA course to help prepare for an emergency,” he said.
The goal of the course is to prepare department heads for incident management and support activities for any natural, technical or human-related hazard or emergency.
Founded in 1971, the corps members continue to represent the tradition of America across the country with an educational tour of the eastern United States, performing at historic sites. This year, Corps members travelled west for the first time to perform at Mount Rushmore and at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.
This dedicated group of 12-18-year-olds practices Monday evenings at Salem High School beginning in January. They practice marching as a group and in separate sectionals for each instrument - fifes, drums and guard.
The Northville Township Fire Department has been awarded a grant of $71,668 as part the federal Department of Homeland Security program.
“Our firefighters in Southeast Michigan put their lives on the line to protect our families, homes, and communities,” said U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow in announcing the award. “These new resources will help keep the public safe and give our first responders the equipment they need to do their jobs more safely and effectively.”
Romulus residents are being urged by Mayor LeRoy Burcroff and officials to make their opinions known regarding a road construction project planned in the city.
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) officials are seeking public input for a future I-94/Ecorse Road interchange replacement project in the community. Public comments are welcomed at http://metroquestsurvey.com/eh4r4m There is also a more basic version of the survey available at https://www.research.net/r/VV8Z5ML).
The investigation into a fatal shooting last week is continuing, according to Romulus police.
Police are seeking four individuals in connection with a fatal shooting that took place at about 11 p.m. Aug. 23 near the Top Shelf party store at the corner of Eureka and Inkster roads. Officers were dispatched to the scene following a 911 call in which the caller said a man had been shot several times, according to police reports. When officers arrived at the parking lot of the party store, they found the body of a 28-year-old Detroit man who had succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.
Westland joins electric vehicle program
The City of Westland is looking toward a greener future.
While Westland has already begun promoting the shift to greener transportation, having approved the installation of four electric vehicle charging stations on city-owned property in April, officials have now agreed to work with AAW Infrastructure Partners, L3C to launch an innovative program designed to give the city the means to purchase electric vehicles (EVs) and charging stations.
AAW raises funds through “hybrid” advertising-sponsorship arrangements with businesses, organizations and individuals, and applies those funds to energy-efficient projects that save money for cities. In turn, AAW promotes the advertisers-sponsors, encouraging customer traffic and sales.
AAW representatives also encourage advertisers-sponsors to take advantage of complimentary energy assessments from DTE Energy to help businesses reduce their energy costs and save money. The Royal Oak-based AAW Infrastructure Partners, L3C calls its project the EV-Mobility and Economic Stimulus program.
Members of the Westland Rotary Club lived up to the club motto, "Service Above Self" recently when they donated $10,200 toward the displaced residents of the recent fire at Westwood Apartments.
The club members made the donation through the efforts of Westland Fire Administration - Public Awareness campaign. The club allocated $200 for a specific family displaced by the blaze and $10,000 went to the GoFund me page, https://www.gofundme.com/.../displaced-westwood-village... that was established by the Westland Fire and Rescue Department to aid the victims of the blaze.