Fatal crash takes lives of father and son

    A Go-Fund-Me account has been established to help the survivors of a horrific car crash that occurred last weekend, claiming the lives of a Plymouth father, his youngest son and critically injuring his wife.

    According to the latest posted information, Dan and Anna Hordov of Plymouth and their two children, were returning from a Grand Rapids soccer tournament on Sunday, Aug. 18 when the accident occurred.
    According to multiple reports, Hordov and his son, Wyatt, succumbed to their injuries while his wife, Anna, sustained a serious spinal injury and remains hospitalized. Their oldest son, Zachary, has been released from the hospital after being treated for minor injuries. He is reportedly with family members.
    Zachary is a member of the Plymouth Reign Soccer Club which regularly plays at Edward Hines Parkway, the fields of Robert Bosch and Lake Pointe Soccer Park.
    Dan Hordov, 44, was a member of the Plymouth Noon Rotary Club where he led the
    Interact program at the high school campus. He was employed as an insurance agent- broker with the Kennedy Nemier Insurance Agency of Plymouth. Members of the Rotary Club have expressed their shock and sorrow at the incident, noting what an active member of the club Mr. Hordov had been and how well regarded he was. Rotary Club members have pledged to aid the family as soon as more details are available.
    Currently, donations are being collected for the family at a Go-Fund-Me account under the family name.
    Monday morning more than $96,000 had been donated to help the family.

Helping hands

 68th Annual Plymouth Fall Festival to begin next week

    The 68 Annual Plymouth Fall Festival will fill the downtown streets with more than 85,000 visitors next weekend, as crowds enjoy free stage entertainment, Bingo, a car show and a craft show on the streets. In addition, the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast is set for Saturday morning, along with the pet show which includes both a parade and a dog training lesson this year.

    The Sept. 6, .7 and 8 festival in Plymouth is an effort to support all local civic and charity groups in the community. Every exhibitor, booth or participant must be there and registered to support a civic or school group.
    “It’s the one time of year every group comes together and works together to help everyone,” said Festival President Andrea Gerber. She noted that the festival had the best year ever last year with increased participation at the carnival and at the booths and shows. “We’re hoping to match that this year,” she said. “We just need good weather.”
    “There really is a close-knit core group of prominent people, volunteers, public officials, business leaders and members of service clubs that keep this festival going,” Gerber said. She added that many civic leaders and officials can be found quietly volunteering at various jobs throughout the festival events. “You never know who you might see,” she added.
    The Plymouth Canton Vietnam Veterans will be grilling spareribs Friday afternoon and the Plymouth-Canton Little League sponsors the popular Bingo event on Friday evening. On Saturday, the morning Rotary Club members serve their renowned Spaghetti Dinner and of course, the Rotary Club Chicken Barbeque takes over Kellogg Park most of the day on Sunday.
    This year, according to Barbeque President Eric Joy, the club will prepare more than 8,500 chicken dinners, grilled on the huge charcoal pits the club members construct the night before in the parking lot behind The Gathering on Penn Avenue.

    To accomplish the effort, more than 700 volunteers man the pits which are lit as early at 7 a.m. When the coals are “just right” the seasoned chickens are on the grills until perfect, then boxed along with chips, an ear of corn, a bottle of water, a roll and butter and a cookie. The menu hasn’t changed for many years, and crowds continue to fill the park all afternoon picnicking, although the drive-through take out location at West Middle School is almost as popular, Joy said.
    The Party Tent behind E.G. Nick’s restaurant on Forest Avenue is the site of both the Rotary Spaghetti Dinner and the Vietnam Veterans barbeque spareribs. After those event, the popular tent hosts live music from popular bands along with beer and wine service. In addition, Chef Frank Agostini from the restaurant, advises both groups and, as a long-time Rotary Club member, helps oversee the chicken barbeque.
    “We started doing the tent as a way to add something to the festival, to have fun. It has now grown to add the veterans and the Rotary spaghetti. We donate the space to the groups as a way to give back to the community,” Agostini said. “We do it because it is fun, everybody has a great time and it’s a way to help out so many people,” Agostini said.
    His sentiments were echoed by James Gietzen of JAG entertainment who produces the event and works with the charity groups to help plan the event. “This is one of my favorites,” Gietzen said. “It really is an event that helps the entire community.”

A complete guide to the Plymouth Fall Festival can be found at Associatednewspapers.net.

Westland man charged with murder in stabbing

    A local man is facing murder charges in the stabbing death of a Westland resident Aug. 18.

    Police arrested Richard Waltiere, Jr., 48, also of Westland at about 4 a.m. Aug. 19 after an investigation of the incident. Westland police officers were called to the area of Grand Traverse and Missaukee Court at about 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18 following a report of a man down.

    When officers arrived on the scene, they found 58-year-old Donald Soulliere of Westland lying on the ground unconscious but breathing, according to police reports. Officers determined that Soulliere had been stabbed and immediately began life saving attempts. The Westland Fire Department arrived and transported Soulliere to Beaumont Annapolis Hospital where he eventually succumbed to his injuries.
    Westland police began an immediate investigation and were quickly able to establish a suspect’s name and description, police reports said. Officers who were actively searching the location for the suspect, Waltiere, were able to locate him and place him under arrest at approximately 4 a.m. a.m. Monday, Aug. 19.
    Police said Waltiere was taken into custody without incident. The suspect was arraigned in the 18th District Court Aug. 21 in front of Magistrate David Wiacek on one count of homicide – murder- second degree. Waltiere was issued a bond of $1,000,000 cash or surety and ordered to reappear for his Probable Cause Conference at the 18th District Court on Aug. 29.

Grant to help fund renaming of school mascot

    The Plymouth-Canton Community Schools district will receive $145,894.40 from the Native American Heritage Fund to help fund the change of team names and mascot at Canton High School.
    The mascot and team names will be changed from the Chiefs to the Cobras. The longstanding Chiefs identity was considered defamatory by some students who advocated a change, approved by members of the school board amidst controversy and complaints from alumni. Canton High School students conducted surveys of potential new names, before a majority of students voted for the Cobras designation in November. Officials said the rebranding initiative is within the district policies.
    The Native American Heritage Fund is a Michigan public body that distributes grants to schools, colleges and universities, and local governments to support initiatives to improve curricula and resources related to Native American issues, and mascot or imagery revisions. Funding from the grant will be used to support the estimated cost of updating uniforms, logos and other paraphernalia related to the mascot rebrand.
    “Plymouth-Canton Community Schools is grateful to the Native American Heritage Fund for its generous support as we prepare to launch an exciting new phase for Canton High School that builds toward the future,” said Plymouth Canton Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Monica L. Merritt.
    The grant was approved by the board members of NAHF along with grants to 10 state entities, the largest award to Plymouth Canton schools.
    “Over the past several years, we have helped 15 schools retire and rebrand their mascots,” said NAHF chairperson Dori Rios, who is also the tribal council chairperson of the Nottawaseppi Huron band of the Potawatomi. “In 2018 we started with six R-word (redskins) mascots. After this year, will have zero in Michigan.”

Legacy Park water tower could help lower water rates

    The new Northville Township water tower in Legacy Park is now fully operational and is providing critical data to officials regarding water use in the township.

    The data will be used to determine the rate paid to Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), the water provider for the community. In addition to redundancy and pressure stability, the 500,000-gallon water tower lowers the water demands during peak-use periods, normally in the morning and evening. Officials said the demand is reduced by filling the water tower at night — or off peak — particularly during the high-demand summer season. It takes approximately five hours to fill the tank.
    “By showing GWLA that we did lower our demand during peak-use times, hopefully we can negotiate a better water rate after the proving period is complete,” explained Public Services Director Bob Belair.
    He explained that following the township irrigation restrictions when using the public water system is an important factor. The extra effort by system users also helps reduce the demands during peak times. Township residents may only water their lawn between midnight to 6 a.m. on odd or even dates, which coordinate with their odd or even number address.
    “By watering at night, we all work together to keep our peak usage in check and that will keep water rates from rising more quickly than necessary,” Belair said.
    The total cost to build the tower was $8 million. Officials said that cost is expected to be recouped within the next five to seven years because of the stabilization of demands and lower wholesale rates.
    “This project has been in the planning stages for many years, so it’s great to see it operating so well, helping our residents out,” Belair said.

Brews, Brats and Bands will move to Heritage Park this year

    Only the location of the annual Brews, Brats, and Bands will change this year while the popular features will remain the same.
    The event, is set for 6 until 9 p.m. Sept. 14 at the new location in the Heritage Park amphitheater, located behind the Canton Administration Building. This year, Brews, Brats, and Bands will be hosted by Canton Leisure Services and the Village Arts Factory. Sponsors are Schoolcraft College, Provision Senior Living Communities and Beerfests.com.
    “Any event involving drinking craft beers, eating brats, and listening to music with friends and family is bound to be a good time,” said Kevin Ryan, Village Arts Factory program director. “It’s important to note that with construction taking place in our usual location of Preservation Park, we are temporarily relocating this popular fall event to Heritage Park, which is the only change to this annual event that will feature over 50 specialty beers, ciders, and seltzers in one location.”
    Proceeds from the event will benefit the Village Arts Factory, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves as a nexus for the arts, culture, music, and community engagement, as well as the Canton Cares Fund, which supports the Canton community by providing financial assistance to disaster relief, therapeutic recreation, youth, and senior programs.
    Admission includes seven tasting tokens each good for beer, cider, or seltzer tasting samples, as well as two grilled brats with fixings (vegetarian option available), a snack from the pretzel necklace-making station, water, chili cook-off tastings, and a commemorative mug. The brats will be provided by Maraschinos Pub. Musical entertainment will be provided throughout the evening by Atomic Radio, billed as “Detroit’s Premier Cover Band.”
    Tickets are $45 online at Beerfests.com (search Canton, MI) or at the door (cash only). Designated Driver tickets are also available for $15. Pre-purchasing tickets is highly recommended, as there are a limited number of tickets available for purchase onsite at the event. Additional beer-tasting tickets are available on-site for purchase; receive four additional tickets for $5. Limited chairs and tables will be provided, so attendees are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs.
    For more information, visit: www.cantonmi.gov/678.

Northville resident loses $300,000 in Bitcoin scam

    One Northville Township resident lost nearly $300,000 in a Bitcoin scam operation recently, prompting a warning from police authorities.Residents are being cautioned following a recent surge in fraudulent scams targeting unsuspecting individuals involving Bitcoin and even gold bricks, according to a prepared statement from police.
    In these scams, perpetrators falsely represent themselves as law enforcement officials to intimidate victims into making immediate payments under false pretenses, police said. Victims usually receive calls from unknown individuals claiming to be police officers. These callers inform victims that they are under investigation for alleged crimes or have warrants for their arrest.
    Victims are coerced into staying on the phone and are instructed not to disclose the situation to anyone. The caller often exerts pressure and demands immediate payment, typically requested as bitcoin or cash transfers.
    In the recent Northville Township resident, suspects made contact with the victim multiple times, obtained nearly $300,000 in cash, Bitcoin and ultimately came to the victim’s home and retrieved where gold bricks, police said.
    Email phishing cases are also on the rise during which victims receive an email and are misled into believing they have overpaid their PayPal or similar account. The victims are directed to provide immediate access to their accounts to rectify the supposed overpayment. In July, a resident became a victim to one of these emails phishing scams, resulting in the loss of $50,000 in cash and an additional $50,000 in Bitcoin.
    In this case, too, the suspects came to the resident’s home to collect the payment then fled the area. Northville Township investigators utilized License Plate Reader (LPR) technology and the suspects were apprehended in Ohio and $50,000 recovered.
    “We want to remind our residents that law enforcement agencies do not request payments over the phone, especially in the form of Bitcoin. If you receive a call or email claiming you are under investigation or have warrants, and the only way to resolve the issue is by making an immediate payment, it is undoubtedly a scam,” cautioned Northville Township Deputy Police Chief Matthew MacKenzie.
    To safeguard against these fraudulent schemes, residents are cautioned to verify callers and remember that law enforcement agencies do not demand payments over the phone. Residents should cautious of unsolicited calls claiming legal issues requiring urgent payment and never grant remote access to your computer to unknown individuals.
    If instructed to stay on the phone and not disclose the situation while making a payment, it is likely a scam, officials warned. Genuine entities do not pressure for immediate payments via unconventional methods such as Bitcoin or gift cards, they added. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious communications to local authorities promptly.
    For further information or to report a potential scam, contact the Northville Township Police Department at (248) 349-9400.

A step in time

 Polish National Association dancers mark 44th year at Plymouth Fall Festival

    It’s about tradition and heritage and when the Polish National Association Centennial Dancers (PNA) take to the Kellogg Park stage during Fall Festival this year, they bring centuries of history with them.
    The twirling skirts and festive ribbons that adorn the bright costumes are symbols of a treasured ethnic heritage being passed from generation to generation through dance.

    Marie Boyle, director of the group, noted that the 44-year long history of the PNA dancers at the Fall Festival has been helpful in allowing the group to continue to preserve their heritage.
    The PNA Centennial Dancers are a children’s Polish folk-dance ensemble serving the Polish American communities in Wayne, Oakland and Livingston counties. Formed in 1980 by the Polish National Alliance (PNA) Lodge 53, formerly PNA Lodge 3240, the dance ensemble has been educating students, ages 3-18, and sharing Polish heritage and culture through music and dance for four decades.
    Boyle, who has been involved with the group for 32 years, danced with the troupe herself from the age of 3 until she was 18 and now her daughter Gabriella, 5, has joined the dancers. Her tiny costume includes the same traditional skirt Boyle wore when she danced on the Kellogg Park stage. Boyle said many families in the group even pass down the costumes which are authentic to their Polish heritage. She added that her youngest daughter, Hannah, who is 2, is eager to start dancing with the group this year.

    “Each year our dancers learn both regional and national dances of Poland as well as Polish American polkas. Our co-choreographers are Pani Paulina Kowalczyk and Pani Natalia Jackson, together they choreograph nearly 15 dance numbers a year and teach them to our more than 60 dancers. We also offer beginner Polish language classes for children ages 6 and older which are taught by Pani Ania Doman,” Boyle explained. She added that this year the dancers are a mix of both girls and boys.
    “The boys have their own traditional unique steps in the dances,” she said, “Authentic Polish dances are partner dances, so it’s good to have the boys.”
    In addition to the colorfully clad dancers performing on stage at the Fall Festival every year, the group hosts the famous Polish Kitchen, usually at the corner of Main Street and Penniman, where genuine Polish recipes are available for sale. The families all volunteer at the booth which is the main fundraiser of the year and supports the group’s operating budget and ability to buy and create new costumes for the dancers. Boyle said her husband, Andrew would be manning the booth with the other volunteers.
    “It’s critical for us, so we are very grateful for the ways the community comes out to support us each year,” Boyle said. “I also would be remiss to not thank our food supplier, Srodek’s Quality Polish Food. They have been a wonderful partner with our organization for many years,” she added.
    “We are so grateful to the Fall Festival,” Boyle said. “We love being there.” She added that some of her happiest childhood memories are of performing on the Kellogg Park stage.
    “There are several families in the group who have passed down the traditions,” she said. “We have a corps of alumni families like my father, John Stawasz and Ron and Barb Martin, who have been mainstays of the group for years. They play such a critical role in our group, but now they are trying to pass the responsibilities on to the next generation,” she said.
    The dancers will appear on the Kellogg Park stage at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept.7 during the three-day Plymouth Fall Festival which begins Friday, Sept. 6.

Luxury condominiums proposed for Canton Township farmland

    Members of the Canton Township Planning Commission unanimously recommended a request to rezone an 11-acre farm near the intersection of Cherry Hill and Beck Road to accommodate construction of luxury condominiums.

    Pulte Homes plans a 68-unit detached single family condominium development on 34.68 acres of property, which is among the last property zoned as farmland in the township. The planning commissioners found that the rezoning request presented last week by Mike Noles, a spokesman for the The Umlor Group, met the 10 requirements for rezoning.
    The proposed condominiums will range in price from $400,000 to upwards of $500,000, Noles said. He suggested that members of the homeowner’s association in the new condominiums would pay about $1,800 for snow removal and landscaping maintenance.
    The project will now go to the Canton Board of Trustees for consideration. If approved by the board, the developer will prepare a site plan for the project which includes another two parcels of land abutting the farmland already zoned for residential use. As presented, exit and entry would be from both Beck and Cherry Hill roads, a concern of some commission members aware of traffic on Beck Road.
    Noles said if the site plan process was approved, construction at the site could begin in approximately one year.

Plans for first Northville traffic roundabout discussed

    Plans for the proposed planned traffic roundabout at Seven Mile and Sheldon roads in downtown Northville were presented at a recent open house meeting at the city Community Center.

    Northville Department of Public Works Director Mike Domine and representatives from OHM Advisors discussed the new traffic feature, one of the first in Wayne County, during the public meeting Aug. 12.
    The roundabout was approved by members of the city council July 15 following a presentation by engineer John Katers landscape architect Stacy Tober from the design and engineering firm OHM Advisors. The plans presented included landscaping, crosswalks, costs and scheduling. The cost of the roundabout is estimated at $2.55 million with $2.17 million to be funded by federal grants and a grant match of $375,000 to be paid by the city.
    Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2025 and be complete in three months, according to officials. The proposed roundabout will create a well-defined, one-way circular intersection, according to city officials. The planned configuration will address concerns with the existing intersection and benefit the city, they said.
    Among the benefits addressed by officials were the lower speed limits of 15 to 25 m.p.h. due to curb lines and curvature of the roundabout. Safety for pedestrians is also a feature of the new installation, officials said, as currently a pedestrian must traverse 75 feet of pavement while exposed to right and left-turning vehicles.
    With the proposed roundabout, the crossing distance is reduced to 13 to 18 feet with only one direction of traffic to watch at each crossing.
    The roundabout will include a dedicated space for bicyclists that will either tie-in to paved shoulders or provide a shared travel/bicycle lane. Bicyclists will have the option to ride with traffic or use entrance and exit ramps to navigate the roundabout, according to current plans.
    Engineers believe the roundabout will reduce the number of locations where vehicle and pedestrian paths cross since opposing traffic is separated and circulates in a one-way direction, officials said. In comparison, the current condition includes several vehicle turning paths, especially at the pedestrian crossings.
    The roundabout is expected to provide an additional benefit of less vehicle idling, reducing air pollution, and reduced noise, according to consultants.
    For more information submit questions by Sept. 3 at the OHM website. Questions will be compiled into a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page and posted on the city website.

Verbal dispute ends in neighbor’s fatal shooting

    A neighborhood dispute in Canton Township left one man dead and another facing first-degree murder charges.

    Devereaux Christopher Johnson, 47, has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of his neighbor Nathan Morris, 25, during an altercation Aug. 10. According to police reports, officers were called to the 250 block of Cornell Street near Cherry Hill and Sheldon in response to a report of a shooting. When officers arrived on the scene at about 11:48 a.m. last Saturday, they found Mr. Morris lying in the street in front of the home suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Canton firefighter/medics arrived and transported the victim to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
    Witnesses told police that the shooting followed a confrontation between the two men which apparently began when Mr. Morris and his family were walking in the neighborhood. The verbal altercation may have been prompted by one of Mr. Morris’ young daughters playing with mulch in Johnson’s yard, according to early reports of the incident. Witnesses said Johnson threatened the family prompting Mr. Morris to send his wife and daughters home. He was reportedly attempting to ameliorate the situation when Johnson produced a handgun and began firing at the victim. Mr. Morris, who was unarmed, was struck several times, according to police reports.
    Immediately following the shooting, the suspect barricaded himself inside his home. After issuing multiple commands, officers successfully engaged the suspect who ultimately surrendered to police custody, according to police reports.
    Johnson has been charged by the Wayne County prosecutor with first-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm, and two counts of felony firearm.
    “This was a senseless act of violence toward the victim,” said Canton Police Chief Chad Baugh. “The Canton Police Department sends our deepest condolences to the victim’s family, and to the neighbors who may have witnessed this tragic event.”
    Mr. Morris was an engineer who earned his degree at Michigan Technological University. He is survived by his wife and two young daughters. He served as the secretary for the Michigan 6th Congressional District Republican Party. An online fundraising effort for the family has been established.
    “Mr. Nathan Morris was a family man, first and foremost,” the online fundraising effort reads. “He will be missed by the hundreds of people who knew him, loved him, and enjoyed his can-do spirit and strong focus on the work and responsibilities, which he took on at the cost of precious family time, especially reading to his children at bedtime.”

Dream job

New Maybury State Park director has deep Northville roots

    Kale Leftwich feels right at home in his new position as Maybury State Park supervisor.

    Leftwich, who was named to the position following the retirement of former supervisor Traci Sincock early this year, grew up across the street from the park near Napier and Eight Mile. His family moved to the home when he was 10 years old and the nearby park became his playground with a magical forest to explore. He and his wife and children now live in a home they built on a portion of the land owned by his parents.
    A 2001 graduate of Northville High School, he said he and his teen friends spent a lot of time riding the mountain bike trails in the 944-acre park which includes woodlands, meadows, a fishing pond and walking/running, bicycling and horseback trails. After studying industrial technology management for two years at Central Michigan University and working in commercial construction for 10 years, Leftwich said he decided to follow his heart and pursue a career in park work. He began his career at Maybury in 2010 doing summer work. Three years later, he became a ranger at Seven Lakes State Park in Holly. Park rangers are commissioned park officers, who can make arrests and write tickets. In 2017, he served as head ranger at Brighton Recreation Area. While there, he was interviewed by the Rose Lake District supervisor panel and landed his dream job at Maybury.
    Leftwich is now responsible for park financials and operations and reports directly to the Rose Lake District supervisor. He works closely with Friends of Maybury, Northville Parks & Recreation and other agencies on programming, fundraising and applying for grants for park projects. Major infrastructure planning and funding for Maybury starts at the state
    “The park is wild without being intimidating,” Leftwich said. When it became a park in 1975, Maybury was at the far edge of development; now it is surrounded by neighborhoods of luxury homes.
    “This place becomes more relevant with the development around it,” Leftwich said.
    The park will mark the 50th anniversary of the facility next year and marked 801,447 annual visits in 2023.
    The park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Leftwich said night visitors light their way and continue riding bikes, walking or running along the pathway or trails and also come to look at the night sky, which is one of the darkest places in the area for celestial viewing.

Resident seriously injured as car careens into driveway

    The driver of a car that repeatedly smashed into several vehicles and seriously injured a man who became trapped under his own parked car has been charged with multiple felonies in the incident.
    Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged April Marie Graves, 43, of Westland with multiple felonies in connection to the incident that took place at about 7:17 p.m. last Saturday, Aug. 10.

    Westland police officers were dispatched to the area of Wildwood and Florence in response to reports of a serious car crash. When officers arrived at the scene Graves was sitting in her car after having collided with several other vehicles, causing major damage and severely injuring 32-year-old Luke Vinsko who became pinned underneath vehicles parked in his driveway. Members of the Westland Fire Department arrived on the scene and removed the victim from under the vehicle before transporting him to a local hospital for treatment. Police reports said alcohol and drugs appear to have been a factor in the incident.
    Vinsko and his wife, Hailey, were reportedly unloading items from their vehicles when Graves rammed her car into their driveway at a high rate of speed, trapping Vinsko between the two parked cars. Hailey Vinsko was also injured in the incident. Witnesses told police Graves appeared to be deliberately driving into other vehicles along the street.
    Graves has been charged with two counts of assault with intent to murder, two counts to assault with intent to do great bodily harm, one count of operating while intoxicated causing serious bodily impairment, one count of reckless driving causing serious bodily injury, two counts of felonious assault, two counts of malicious destruction of property over $1,000, two counts of malicious destruction of personal property over $1,000, and one count of open alcohol in a motor vehicle.
    “I cannot think of a more stunning example of alleged criminal behavior of a driver behind the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The result is severe injuries to two Wayne County citizens that will be with them for their lifetimes,” said Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
    Graves was arraigned on all the charges Tuesday before Judge Sandra Cicirelli at 18th District Court in Westland. She was given an $850,000 bond and remanded to police custody. She collapsed and fell to the floor during the proceedings and had to be helped from the courtroom. An online GoFundMe page established by Matthew V. Tacia, a friend of the Vinsko family, said that the couple had just returned from their first “date night” following the birth of their 2-month-old twin sons when the incident occurred.
    Vinsko remained in the intensive care unit at the hospital following an emergency amputation of part of one leg. Both his legs were severely damaged in the crash, according to the social media page established to help the couple with medical and ongoing expenses.
        Hailey Vinsko told reporters that she and her husband did not know Graves and had no connection to the woman.

Volunteers work wonders in Banotai park

    Volunteers made significant improvements at Banotai Park in Sumpter Township recently.
    Anita Honey Dunbar noted the volunteers worked tirelessly to spread mulch throughout the playscape. The efforts were so successful, the group used all the mulch on hand and more has been ordered to complete the task, Dunbar said.

    “This effort not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the park but also promotes the health of its green spaces,” she posted on Facebook.
    During the volunteer effort, new swings were installed to ensure children’s safety and several playground features underwent repairs and received fresh coats of paint.
    Volunteers and supporters of the efforts included Township Manager Anthony Burdick, Trustee Don Laporte, John Honey, Trustee Matt Oddy, Trustee Tim Rush, Erica Campbell, Dave Behrendt and Treasurer Bart Patterson. Dunbar noted that the commitment and dedication of the volunteers “exemplifies the spirit of community and demonstrates the power of collective action in making positive changes.” Dunbar also thanked Faras at Littletown Pizzeria for providing pizza to the volunteers.
    “I am incredibly grateful for the support of volunteers and the ongoing contributions of our community members. Together, we are making Banotai Park a better place for everyone,” Dunbar posted.
    “My hope is that sharing our story will inspire others to get involved and contribute to the enhancement of public spaces in Sumpter Township. Together, we can continue to make a meaningful difference in our community's recreational areas and strengthen our sense of unity and pride,” she concluded.

Plymouth voters choose new township supervisor

    Plymouth Township voters chose long-time board trustee Charles J. Curmi as the Republican candidate for supervisor besting incumbent Supervisor Kurt Heise.

    With no Democratic opponent, Curmi will be unopposed on the Nov. 5 ballot.
    Curmi received 2,609 votes or 56.63 percent of the votes cast while Heise was the choice of 1,995 voters with 43.30 percent of the vote
    The four-year term as supervisor pays $130,000 annually along with a 15-percent contribution to a retirement plan.
    Voters also chose incumbent clerk Jerry Vorva over challenger Andrew Miller.
    Vorva, who received a total 2,411 votes, will now face Democratic Party challenger Nancy Conzelman on the Nov. 5 general election ballot. Miller was the choice of 1,942 or 44.59 percent of voters. The township clerk is paid $120,000 annually along with a 15 percent contribution to a retirement fund.
    Voters also selected incumbent treasurer Bob Doroshewitz as the Republican candidate on the Nov. 5 ballot. Doroshewitz received 2,594 votes or 59.24 percent of the total votes while his challenger, Janai Stepp received a total of 1,783 votes, or 40.72 percent of the Republican votes.
    With no Democratic challenger on the general election ballot, Doroshewitz will remain in the position which pays $120,000 annually, along with a 15 percent retirement plan contribution.
    Democratic candidates for the office of trustee were unopposed during the election Tuesday. Bob Miller, Angela Nolan and Michael Westra will face incumbent Republican candidates incumbent John Stewart, the top voter choice who received 2,232 or 15.07 percent of the votes and Mark Clinton who received 13.60 percent or 2,013 votes.
    Sandy Groth who received 1,920 votes or 12.97 percent of the total will move on to the November ballot as will incumbent Jen Buckley who received 2006 votes or 13.55 percent of the total cast in the Republican primary Tuesday.
    Candidate Daniel E. Callahan received 1,823 votes or 12.31 percent; Audrey Monaghan received 1,781 votes or 12.03 percent; Paul Schulz received 1,672 votes or 11.29 percent of the votes while Gregory Bill received 1,354 votes or 9.14 percent of the votes cast.
    The top four Republican finishers, Stewart, Clinton, Growth and Buckley will move on to the November election.
    Plymouth Township trustees attend an average of two board meetings per month and earn $13,200 annually.

Canton incumbents are top choices in primary vote

    Voters in the primary election in Canton Township selected eight trustee candidates from a field of 11 to appear on the general election ballot Nov. 5.
    Of the six Democratic candidates on the ballot, three incumbents were the top choices of voters.
    Incumbent trustee Sommer N. Foster was the top vote getter with 8,209 or 22 percent of the votes; incumbent Tania Ganguly received 8,097 or 22 percent of the votes. Incumbent Kate Borninski was the choice of 8,090 voters with 21 percent of the vote and newcomer Ammara Ansara garnered 6,562 or 17 percent of the votes.
    David Harris received 4,727 vote or 13 percent of the total while Syed Infran Jafry was the choice of 1,973 or 5 percent of the voters.
    On the Republican side of the ballot candidate Jeff Graunke received 3,681 votes as the top choice with 24 percent of the votes cast. Former born members John Anthony received 3,454 votes or 22 percent of the total while Tyler Grable was the choice of 3,289 voters or 21 percent of the total. Marko Kozina received 2,856 or 18 percent of votes cast.
    Leander Richmond received 2,363 votes or 15 percent of the total.
    The top four Democrats, Forster, Ganguly, Borninski and Ansari will face the four Republican candidates, Graunke, Anthony, Grable and Kozina on the Nov. 5 ballot for the four open four-year terms on the board of trustees. Canton Township trustees are paid $1,150.41 monthly
    Also on the Nov. 5 ballot is the contest between incumbent Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak and Republican challenger, former Canton supervisor Pat Williams.
    Williams, 63, served as supervisor from 2016-2020. He is currently working as a real estate agent.
    Graham-Hudak, 62, a Democrat with a background in electrical engineering, challenged Williams in 2020 and received more than 55 percent of the vote.
    Canton Township Clerk Michael Siegrist and Treasurer Dian Slavens, both Democrats, are unopposed in their bids for reelection.

Hot deal

 State budget includes funding for new $1.5 million Northville fire truck

    Northville Township Manager Todd L. Mutchler wasted no time in ordering a new fire truck which will be primarily funded by a state grant.

    The $1.5 million was secured for the Northville Township Fire Department by State Rep. Matt Koleszar, who visited the township last week to discuss the funding, earmarked for public safety. The new $1,572,515 fire truck will be assigned to the second township fire station, set to open next spring. The budget appropriation will fund 95 percent of the cost.
    “This was actually a very difficult budget year,” said Koleszar. “Because of that, we had to fight extra hard, and this was my No. 1 ask in the budget — to get funds for another fire truck. I'm really excited that I was able to get it because it's for the betterment of the community. It's for public safety.”
    “We feel safer already,” said Northville Township Supervisor Mark J. Abbo. “Rep Koleszar has worked effectively on behalf of Northville Township since he took office in 2018, and we appreciate his

willingness to champion our public safety needs. This fire truck will help reduce response times, provide better service to our residents, and make us a safer community” Northville Township is opening a second fire station in 2025 as part of the new Essential Services Complex (ESC) being built on Seven Mile Road at Traditions Drive. The 96,000-square-foot public services building creates a cornerstone for public safety. In addition to the second fire station, the ESC will have a new police station and Public Safety Headquarters, a new Department of Public Works Headquarters and a Trailhead Building to Legacy Park. Because of its specialized equipment, the build-to-delivery time for the new truck is 44- 48 months.
    “This is a rewarding day, but the real reward will be when the new fire truck is here in the garage and it's ready to go,” Koleszar said during his visit to the township fire department.

New $12 million park planned near Westland Mall site

    A 3.9-acre parcel of land near Westland Mall will open as a new city park next year.

    A groundbreaking on the property, located on the land between the Westland Community Health Center, 35700 Warren Road, and the main city fire station at 35701 Central City Parkway, is expected this month, officials said.

    The $12 million project, called Nankin Square, is expected to be complete in September 2025. Officials said the project is an effort to help revitalize Westland Mall and increase public use in the area.
    Westland Chief Business Development Officer Alex Garza said the park could be a catalyst for the mall property. "With that property being what it is, we’re looking for the mall ownership to hopefully redevelop the property,” Garza said."
    The park project will include an amphitheater, play areas for children, a walking path, a grand lawn, space for food trucks and other attractions, according to current plans. Officials expect the park to be used for outdoor fitness events, concerts and other community events.
    Garza told reporters that city officials believe that the installation of a premier park like the one proposed will attract developers of mixed-use projects to the Westland Mall site. Garza said the plan would help in the effort to create a downtown area in the city around Warren Road. He said this park project is “a big part” of that effort and help attract new residents to the city.
    The Westland Tax Increment Finance Authority has dedicated $8 million to the $11.6 million project, and the city has secured grants from the State of Michigan and Wayne County to pay the remainder of the costs, officials said.

‘Peeping Tom” suspect arrested: police seeking other victims

    A 42-year-old man is facing multiple criminal charges in both Canton Township and Van Buren Township, accused of recording up unsuspecting women’s skirts in various stores.

    Police are still seeking possible victims of the man who allegedly used a cellphone to record under the skirts of women shopping at local Walmart stores.
    Willie Eugene Davis, 42, of Van Buren Township, was arraigned July 19 in 35th District Court on charges of using a computer to commit a crime and installing or using a device for eavesdropping, both felonies. He was arrested by Canton police July 17 and is facing charges of using computers to commit a crime and eavesdropping—installing/using device.
    Canton police said confiscated video shows numerous women were targeted, several apparently at the Walmart store on Ford Road.
    “There are many more victims out there that don’t know they were victimized,” police said. Women who suspect they might have been victimized can call Canton Police at (734) 394-5400.
    Davis' bond in the Canton incident was set at $75,000.
    In a separate incident, Van Buren Township police officers was dispatched July 4 to the Walmart store on Belleville Road on a report of a male subject using a camera attached to his shoelaces to look up the skirt of a female customer, according to police reports. The woman told officers she was startled by a man standing very close to her in the store which caused her to drop an item. When she bent to retrieve the item, she saw the camera on the man’s shoe, according to police reports of the incident. She reported the incident to store security personnel, who notified police.
    Following a warrant search at the suspect’s home, Van Buren police reportedly discovered electronic evidence of videos taken up the skirts of multiple women throughout southeastern Michigan. Van Buren officers contacted multiple police agencies regarding the incidents.
    Davis was formally charged by Van Buren with a six-count felony warrant, including
two counts of capturing/distributing images of an unclothed person, a 5-year felony; two counts of eavesdropping-manufacture/possession of a device, a 2-year felony and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime, a 7-year felony.
    Bond in the Van Buren charges was set at $100,000, cash or surety.
    Women in the Van Buren community who suspect they may be victims, are asked to contact Det. Scott Griggs at (734) 699-9289.

5 Northville officers awarded state medal of valor honor

    Five Northville Township police officers have been honored with the prestigious Medal of Valor by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police for their extraordinary bravery and dedication. The officers entered a burning apartment building to ensure the safety of residents last November during a blaze at a local apartment building.
    The Medal of Valor is a testament to their selflessness and commitment to protecting our community under the most challenging circumstances, a spokesman noted. Honored for their exemplary heroism were Lt. Chris Rowley; Sgt. Todd Seipenko; Ofc. Jennifer Johnson; Ofc. Mark Foster and Ofc. Andrew Prieskorn.
    “Their bravery demonstrates the highest standards of law enforcement, and we are incredibly proud to have such exemplary individuals serving our community,” noted a police department spokesman.