Suspect in phone scam of elderly facing charges

    A third attempt to defraud an elderly Canton Township woman was thwarted by police who arrested a man attempting to collect $25,000 from the victim.

    Police reports said that the woman received a telephone call from a man claiming to be a “senior fraud officer” at her bank investigating activity on her account. The caller used a convincing story to persuade the victim to withdraw large sums of money from her account which would then be retrieved by the caller’s co-worker. The fraud attempt took place, police said, in mid-December and the cash was picked up from the victim at her residence.
    The scam was successful, police said, twice over a four-day period. Prior to the third attempt to entice the victim to withdraw cash, the woman’s family members noticed the unusual bank activity and large withdrawals and contacted the Canton Police Department.
    Just prior to a third attempt, the victim’s family members noticed unusual bank activity and contacted police. When the suspect arrived at the Canton residence on Dec. 17, attempting to pick up the $25,000 in cash, Canton detectives were on the scene and arrested the suspect Li Biao, 30.
    Biao was arraigned on one count of fraudulent false pretenses $20,000-$50,000 a 15-year felony and one count of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer, a 2-year felony.
    Bond was set at $100,0000 cash, with GPS tether by 36th District Magistrate Delphia Burton.
    “This is a tragic example of elder exploitation financial abuse, with the suspects defrauding and stealing from the victim by taking advantage of her vulnerability due to age,” Canton Police Support Services Capt. Joseph Bialy said.
    “We strongly encourage family members, friends and caregivers of the elderly to watch out for warning signs such as a sudden change in financial habits, missing funds, unexplained large withdrawals, new beneficiaries on accounts, or a new individual with excessive control over an elderly person’s finances. Please report any findings to your local police department,” Canton Police Support Services Capt. Joseph Bialy said.
    “This is a tragic example of elder exploitation financial abuse, with the suspects defrauding and stealing from the victim by taking advantage of her vulnerability due to age,” Bialy added.

New Year—New Rules

 2025 brings new laws for employers, schools, sellers and unemployed

    The confetti is vacuumed away, the streamers discarded and the silly Happy New Year hats a thing of the past. Following the celebrations, the reality of some new laws face consumers, schools and employers beginning this year.
    The new laws include a requirement at schools must meet CPR and AED requirements by the end of 2025. Last April, state lawmakers enacted a pair of bills that will require schools to have unlocked and easily accessible automated external defibrillators. In addition, there must be individuals in the building with current certifications for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of AEDs by the 2025-26 school year.
    Employers face new rules including a requirement that sick time is provided for all employees. Beginning in February, employees must earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours. worked.
    Businesses with 10 or more employees will have to allow workers to use up to 72 hours of paid sick leave if accrued. Businesses with fewer than 10 employees will have to allow workers to use up to 40 hours of paid sick leave if accrued, and up to 32 hours of unpaid sick leave.
    Additionally, employers will see two minimum wage increases effective this year.
    The minimum wage increased to $10.56 an hour for adults and $8.98 an hour for minors on Jan. 1. The lower hourly rate paid to workers expected to make up the difference in tips, including servers and bartenders, jumped to $4.01. Under current law, the tipped minimum wage is 38 percent of the standard rate.
    Those rules will only be in place until Feb. 21. On that date, the hourly minimum wage will increase to $12.48 an hour for adults and $10.61 for minors. The tipped minimum wage will increase to $5.99 an hour.
    Benefits for unemployment in the state will increase to 26 weeks from the current 20 weeks.
    The change also will increase the maximum weekly benefit from $362 to $446 this year and then $614 in 2027. It’s the first increase in unemployment compensation since 2003.
    The legislators also approved a one-time income tax credit up to $10,000 off their state income taxes for live organ donations.

    And while eggs have been a contentious political news topic, consumers shopping at Michigan grocery stores will only be able to purchase eggs from “cage free” chickens.
    The law excludes producers with 3,000 or fewer chickens.

Presidential Inauguration could overshadow MLK Day events

    This year, the Presidential Inauguration and the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will overlap throughout the nation.
    Plymouth-Canton Community Schools and Canton Township have recognized this unique overlap and several events to honor Dr. King’s legacy will provide an opportunity for civic engagement and family education, according to a prepared statement.
    School and township leaders suggested activities to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. including applying for a scholarship. Seniors attending Plymouth Canton Community Schools high schools are encouraged to apply for the MLK Essay Scholarship. All entries are due by Jan. 24 and the winner will be awarded a college scholarship sponsored by College Tutors of Canton. The winning writer will have the opportunity to present their essay in front of Canton Township and district officials. More information and the essay prompt can be received from students’ school counselors.
    The Heritage Park Story Trail will feature “When Martin Luther King Jr. Wore Roller Skates” by Mark Weakland all month long in January. This family-friendly story trail is in Heritage Park, located behind the Canton Administration Building, 1150 S. Canton Center Road.
    For those who may want to attend a traditional march, the Plymouth-Canton Interfaith Council will be hosting its annual MLK March on Jan. 20 at the Canton Public Library, located at 1200 S. Canton Center Road in Canton.
    The day is also an opportunity to donate food or clothing to a local organization in celebration of Dr. King’s legacy, officials suggested. “Dr. King showed us shows us that when everyone works together and supports one another, we can make a better world for future generations,” the prepared released noted.
    Information at local libraries and internet searches can provide a wealth of resources to use to learn about the past and can be a great tool to help put things in perspective, the statement continued.
    Officials also suggested watching the famous “I Have a Dream” Speech and experience the iconic words of Dr. King that were delivered 63 years ago online to remember the man who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his dedication to civil rights and social justice.
    For additional information on how to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on MLK Day, visit www.cantonfun.org.

Warm Welcome

The annual Coats for Kids drive in Romulus was successful this year as volunteers sorted and labeled donations of warm coats, hats, gloves and mittens for children in the community. Volunteers said the club was able to present nearly 100 coats to students in need in the community.

Benched

    Michael McNamara, a longtime Westland assistant city attorney and prosecutor has been elected to

serve as judge of the 18th District Court of Westland alongside his former colleague, Judge Mark McConnell.McNamara earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy and began his career as a trial attorney and litigator at a large Michigan firm. As he takes on his new judicial role, McNamara said he is committed to upholding justice and maintaining the highest standards of integrity for the residents of Westland.