New senior living community proposed in Canton

    Plans for a senior living community for those 55 and older need several more approvals before construction begins in Canton Township. Approved by members of the township planning commission during the April 7 meeting, the 180-unit independent living complex would include a pool and pickleball courts for residents, along with a dog park.

    Developers proposed the new complex for 17-acres of property at the southwest corner of Ford and Gorman roads, between Canton Center and Beck roads. Monarch Grove had previously proposed a 225-united senior community at the site that was never constructed. This proposal, by Avenue Development, includes 140 independent living units in a three-story building with 40 attached cottages. The units would be one or two-bedroom and rents would start at about $1,700 a month.
    Developers said no assisted living or memory care would be offered the complex called Viva Bene. Avenue Development representatives told planning commissioners Viva Bene would be “a forward-thinking concept focused on wellness, community and affordability.”
    “We are pioneering and redefining what it means to live in senior living,” said Matt Kwapis, ’s senior vice president of development with Avenue Development. “We’ve realized that there really isn’t a senior living option focused on proactively keeping you healthy and proactively keeping you as a productive aging member of your community.”
    Kwapis said starting rents would be affordable to nearly 70 percent of senior or 55 and older residents with 5 miles of the planned development.
    Benefits to the township from the proposal include the paving of Gorman Road from Ford Road to the site entrance; the installation of both northbound and southbound right-turn signals at Ford and Canton Center to improve traffic flow; a new right-in/right-out driveway on Gorman to ease site traffic and a sidewalk installed along the south side of Ford Road from Gorman to Kroger to enhance pedestrian access.
    Commissioners expressed concern regarding the timing of construction at the site which could interfere with the MDOT boulevard project on Ford Road. Developers said the Viva Bene complex would be complete in 2027 and the state project on Ford Road not set to begin until 2028.
    After discussion and comments from neighboring residents who were not in favor of the project, commission members approved the preliminary Planned Development District (PDD) which will now go to members of the township board of trustees for consideration.

Westland police investigating apparent murder suicide

    An apparent murder suicide last week in Westland remains under police investigation.
    Joseph King, 52, and Melissa Hattar, 46, both of Westland, were found dead by police officers responding to a 911 call last week. According to police reports, the 911 call was received at 7:20 p.m. April 15. During the call, a man told the dispatcher he had just shot his girlfriend and that he was going to shoot himself. While on the call, the dispatcher heard what sounded like a gunshot, police said.
    The call went silent following the sound.
    Westland police officers were immediately dispatched to the home located on the 1400 block of Surrey Heights just west of Palmer and John Hix roads in the city. Believing there to be an emergency situation, officers forced entry into the residence. Upon entering the home, officers located two subjects who appeared to have suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Both King and Hattar resided at the Surrey Heights address, police said.
    The Westland Fire Department responded immediately after the scene was secure, but responders were unable to render physical aid as both subjects were deceased upon their arrival, police said.

A different time

 Plymouth Historical Museum offers tours of Wilcox House

    A bit of romance and a hint of scandal will be included along with 124 years of history during the upcoming tour of a landmark home in Plymouth.

    The Queen Ann style showplace facing Kellogg Park in Plymouth was built in 1901 by William F. Markham, president of the King Air Rifle Company. His company was the first of many small manufacturers producing toy guns which made turn-of-the-century Plymouth the “Air Rifle Capital of the World”.
    Mr. Markham built the 17-room residence, not for his wife, Carrie, and two children, but for a his 19-year-old mistress, Blanche Shortman, a secretary he had hired shortly after her graduation from high school.
    Mr. Markham spared no expense at the home. Originally, in the side yard, a continuously flowing fountain spilled over into a large reflection pool. A pergola, deer a gazebo and statuary were focal points on the extensively landscaped grounds. The grounds also proudly displayed exotic plants, unusual trees and rare shrubs that Mr. Markham imported from around the world, including Amabilis Peonies, and Ginkgo, Black Magnolia and Copper Beech trees.
    Mr. Markham lived in the home quite openly with his mistress for nine years, as his wife would not agree to a divorce, due, she claimed, to her strong Christian beliefs. He built the huge house facing the town square in clear sight of his former family home and following his wife’s death, he married his mistress. Townspeople shunned and insulted the couple, according to historical reports which claim that local mothers would instruct their children to turn their backs to “that hussy” when they encountered her on the streets. She became the target of rocks thrown by local children and mistreatment. The shutters on the second floor of the front porch were installed to provide privacy because passersby would point their fingers and hiss when they saw her relaxing in her porch swing.
    The cruel treatment of his wife by his former neighbors, and reported diminishing business profits, prompted Mr. Markham to sell the house in 1911 and move to California where he purchased land which later became Hollywood. Upon his death in the late 1920s, Mr. Markham was estimated to be worth about $25 million in today’s valuation.
    George and Harriet Wilcox bought the home from Mr. Markham in 1911. According to historical reports, on the first day in his new home, George Wilcox took a hammer to the wrought iron “M” (for Markham) in the grill work over the front gate, removed it, and reinstalled it as a “W” (for Wilcox) where it identified many subsequent years of ownership by the Wilcox family. George and Harriet raised three children in the house, Julia, Katherine and Johnston (Jack). The family owned the home for nearly 90 years. The “W” remains in the front gate today.
    During World War II, the home was leased to the federal government as a residence for war workers. The interior was converted into apartments and most of the special millwork and extensive landscaping was removed. When Jack Wilcox returned from Navy duty after the war, he bought back the lease from the government and continued to operate the apartments. He did most of the extensive maintenance work himself and was able to acquire nearby real estate with the eye to eventual consolidation and development of the downtown location.
    In 1985, after consulting several different developers, Wilcox chose a group to build a condominium project. That venture failed to acquire financing and was finally settled by litigation. Mr. Wilcox re-acquired clear ownership of the landmark home again in 1989. Wilcox then entered into another agreement with a separate local builder to develop the condominium project. The exterior of the house was redone and a new roof was installed, new redwood siding was applied (6 linear miles at 40 cents a foot), new front pillars were handmade and attached, Thermopane windows were installed, and the original 10-foot stained-glass window was reinstalled along with many new pieces of wood trim copied from the originals.
    Before his death in 2000, Mr. Wilcox had a vision that his estate should be invested in the Plymouth community. He established the Wilcox Charitable Trust in 1980, later becoming The Wilcox Foundation, which currently funds multiple civic projects and provides seed money for charities in the community.
    The Plymouth Historic Museum will host a guided tour of the historic Wilcox House June 1. The tour will be guided by Frank Cozza, who will portray William “Phil” Markham. Samantha Joseph will portray Blanche Shortman during the tours set for 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Tickets are priced at $20 and sold for the individual time slots. The tours last about one hour.
    Tickets for the tour are priced at $20 and are now on sale to the public. Organizers cautioned that the event is expected to sell out quickly.
    The tour is sponsored by Ernie Hughes and First Financial Strategies.
    The Wilcox House is located at 676 Penniman Ave. in downtown Plymouth. Tickets are available at Plymouth Historical Museum, 155 S. Main St., Plymouth, MI 48170.
    For more information, call (734) 455-8940 or email secretary@plymouthhistory.org

Canton Township Fire Department names new inspector

    Canton Township Firefighter Thomas Agocs has been promoted to Fire Inspector.
    Agocs began his career as a firefighter/medic in 2007 and he has steadily advanced in his field, taking on various roles and responsibilities, according to a prepared statement. Since 2013, he has held the position of Union Board Secretary, working to represent his colleagues and promote their interests within the department. In 2020, he became an instructor coordinator, contributing to the training and development of the Suppression Division.
    He became a CPR instruction and joined the department peer support team in 2021. He has been a member of the bike team since 2022, providing specialized support during community events. In addition to the special units, he has earned his Fire Officer I and II certifications.
    In his new position as a fire inspector, he will be tasked with overseeing a wide range of responsibilities aimed at enhancing fire safety and ensuring compliance with fire prevention laws and ordinances. A significant aspect of his duties will involve conducting detailed inspections of commercial and industrial facilities, to ensure that they adhere to established fire safety standards, according to the department. As a fire inspector, he will be responsible for installing residential smoke alarms and conducting fire safety home inspections, all with the goal of improving fire prevention efforts. His work will not only focus on identifying potential hazards but also on promoting best practices for fire prevention, officials said.
    In addition to his inspection duties, he will play a critical part in assisting with fire investigations. This aspect of his position will be essential in identifying the origin and cause of fires, helping to prevent future incidents. Through these efforts, he will contribute to minimizing fire hazards and enhancing the safety of the community, officials said in a prepared statement.

Spinning for safety

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and the Canton Police Department worked with Kids-TALKChildren’s Advocacy Center last week to plant symbolic pinwheels on the grounds at township hall and the police station. Each pinwheel planted is a reminder that every child deserves a safe and carefree childhood, organizers said. The display is open to the public and signs near the pinwheels can be scanned for more information. Police said anyone affected by abuse who needs help should contact the Canton Police Department where numerous resources to provide help are available.

Village Arts Factory to host Art in Bloom market this Saturday

    Art in Bloom, an annual spring artisan market presented by the Village Arts Factory and The Village Grocery, is set to take place from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. this Saturday, April 26, as well as outside on the grounds of the arts facility, located at 50755 Cherry Hill Road in Canton Township.
    The special event, supported by Blink Eye Care, Jacob Matthew Jewelers, Merrill Mueting Lyczak Group, and The Village Doctor at Cherry Hill, will showcase resident studio artists of the Village Arts Factory, as well as other local food and artisan vendors selling an array of fine arts, crafts, handmade gifts, jewelry, pottery, ceramics, apparel, accessories, and home goods. In addition, the annual Cherry Hill Potters Guild Spring Pottery Sale will also take place during Art in Bloom from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    “We are excited to connect the community with artisans and makers who are exceptional in their creative fields during our special market in Cherry Hill Village that celebrates the return of spring,” stated Kevin Ryan, community program director. “The entire family will be able to enjoy this special event that is jampacked with so much more than a unique shopping experience.”
    Additional highlights include live music, children’s activities, face painting and more. In addition, refreshments and coffee will also be available for purchase from onsite food and coffee trucks. Guests can avoid the stress of finding parking by taking advantage of the shuttle that will run continuously to and from Workman Elementary School, located at 250 N. Denton Road, to the Village Arts Factory.
    The Village Arts Factory is a multi-purpose studio space, where artists, designers, teachers, and community leaders can gather to collaborate, create, and display their works.
    For additional information about the Village Arts Factory’s ‘Art in Bloom’ event, 

visit www.cantonmi.gov/678 or call 734/394-5460.

Restoration of tornado damage at park celebrated

    A ribbon-cutting and tree planting ceremony at Heritage Park in Canton Township will mark the reopening of pavilions destroyed by a 2023 tornado.

    Officials from the National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-0 tornado touched down in Canton Township at 10:19 Aug 24, 2024 and produced 80 mph winds. The tornado touched down just north of the Pheasant Run Golf Club, then tracked southeast and crossed numerous roads. It dissipated just north of the Lower River Rouge.
    The tornado is estimated to have traveled a path of 1.7 miles and a maximum width of 200 yards.
    Dozens of trees were downed and uprooted and the popular splash pad in Heritage Park damaged. The facility has been closed for repairs since the damage occurred.
    The reopening event is planned for 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 and will mark the official reopening of the three pavilions destroyed during the tornado. The ceremony is open to the public and Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak along with members of the board of trustees and other officials will be on hand to celebrate the completion of the final tornado restoration project. New trees, new picnic tables, trash receptacles and repairs to the splash playground were among the repairs and replacements accomplished during the restoration effort.

    “Canton is grateful to finally be able to fully restore all of our Heritage Park amenities that were affected by severe weather that occurred back in August 2023,” stated Greg Hohenberger, Canton Leisure Services director. “Heritage Park remains one of our most popular community parks that welcomes over 300,000 visitors each year and we’re excited to have these pavilions available for our 2025 rental season.”
    In the spirit of Earth Day, a native Michigan tree will be planted near the Heritage Park South Pavilions, that can be found on Veterans Way behind the Canton Administration Building, located at 1150 S. Canton Center Road. This year marks the 55th Anniversary of Earth Day and its theme of: Our Power, Our Planet. Earth Day is celebrated on April 22, around the globe in more than 193 countries.
    In addition to the splash pad and pavilions, the 105-acre Heritage Park offers several playscapes, a gazebo, large scenic ponds, 1.5 miles of walking paths, an amphitheater, baseball/softball fields, soccer fields, a sand volleyball court, fishing pier, and much more, officials said.
    For more information, visit www.cantonmi.gov or call (734) 394-5360.
    Heritage Park is located just west of the Canton Administration Building at 1150 S. Canton Center, Road.

Romulus Garden Club to mark Arbor Day with annual Eco Fair

    The city of Romulus annual “Eco-Fair” is set for 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. this Saturday, April 19, at the Romulus Athletic Center (RAC), 35765 Northline Road. This annual event is organized by the Romulus Garden Club.
    The free event – a pre-celebration for Earth Day (April 22nd) – is open to the public and features interesting exhibits, speakers, and take-aways for children and people of all ages. No RAC membership is required to attend the event. More than 25 local and regional environmentally-friendly organizations and vendors will participate. There will be free activities and door prizes.
    Five groups will also hold half-hour informational presentations and question & answer sessions.
    Presentations will be held at 10 a.m. by the Romulus Middle School Space Challenge Club, 10:45 a.m. by the Metroparks, 11:30 a.m. by Wild Ones Native Plants, 12:15 p.m. by Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and at 1 p.m. by Southeast Michigan Butterfly Association. After each speaker, door prizes will be awarded to someone in the audience. There will also be a special children’s story time at 12:30 p.m.
    For more information about the Romulus Eco-Fair, call (734) 634-2812.
    The Romulus Garden Club is a free organization open to residents in the Romulus area. The club mission is “fun, education, outreach, health, and environment.” Members meet at the Romulus Library for an open speaker series once a month and at additional times for planning. All ages and ability levels are welcome. To join or get more information, call (734) 634-3812 or search for “Romulus Garden Club” on Facebook.

State of the community

Northville Township Supervisor Mark J. Abbo far right, Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull, at left, andSuperintendent of Northville Public Schools Dr. RJ Webber shared updates regarding the community
during the annual State of the Community Address last week. The officials reported on major projects, partnerships and progress along with future initiatives to an overflowing crowd. The event, organized by the Northville Chamber of Commerce, was sponsored by Mayflower Towing and Schoolcraft College. Other sponsors included Comcast, Salem Hills Golf Club, DTE Energy, and McKenna.

Long-time Michigan Avenue landmark to be demolished in Wayne

    A landmark along Michigan Avenue in the city of Wayne is being demolished to make way for a new parking lot.
    The City of Wayne has officially closed the downtown public parking structure at 35015 East Michigan Ave. A recent city fire department training exercise exposed structural and safety concerns, officials said, necessitating the closure of the structure as unsafe for use. A $700,000 Community Block Grant will fund the demolition of the aging structure and the construction of a new surface parking lot at the site. place.
    According to a spokesperson from the Wayne Public Library, the demolition work is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
    “This week, the structure was used in a fire department training exercise,” the library posted on a social media site. “After the exercise was completed, it was determined that it was unsafe to reopen the structure, so it is closing permanently a bit sooner than expected.”
    The parking deck, long a landmark in the community, has been used by visitors to the library, city offices, and businesses.
    The closure will temporarily reduce parking availability in the area, officials acknowledged, but the planned surface parking facility will provide improved access and updated infrastructure, they said.

Wayne man to serve 40-60 years for murder in Canton

    The man accused of murdering his former girlfriend while she was at the front desk of the Comfort Suites hotel in Canton Township will serve 40-60 years in prison.

    Joseph Slocum Jr. 24, of Wayne, was sentenced April 4 by Judge Donald Knapp of the 3rd Circuit Court to 40-60 years in prison for the murder of his former girlfriend, 19-year-old Veronica Crain. The incident occurred Feb.16, 2024, while the victim was working the front desk at the Comfort Suites hotel in Canton.
    Police said responding officers called to the hotel found Crain with a gunshot wound to the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
    Investigators said Slocum fled the scene and was arrested after he was involved in an automobile accident on southbound Interstate 275 and Ford Road. He was lying in the road suffering from multiple injuries, according to officials.
    He was later charged and remanded to jail.
    The case was investigated by Det. Jennifer Giannola of the Canton Police Departments Special Victims Unit and prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jonathon Hitz of the Wayne County Prosecutors Office.
    “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Veronica Crain as they continue to bear the profound grief resulting from the unimaginable act of murder,” said Canton Township Police Chief Chad Baugh. “We also thank the responding officers, detectives, and Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s team for their commitment to pursing justice for Veronica,” Baugh added.
    The Canton Police Department continues to stress the seriousness and potential danger of domestic violence, according to a prepared statement from the department. Victims often face immense obstacles when attempting to seek help or leave abusive situations.
    First Step provides confidential, 24/7 support and resources for those affected by domestic violence and can be reached at (734)722-6800.

Meet the winner

 Carl Gerhard, a student at Wayne Westland Schools Stottlemyer Early Childhood Center, was surrounded with good wishes during a recent meeting of the members of the school board. Gerhard received the 2025 Yes I Can! Award for Art from the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children. Gerhard is the youngest student to ever receive the prestigious award, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of children and youth with exceptionalities. He was honored at the MCEC Conference Recognition and Scholarship Reception on Thursday, Feb. 27, at the DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids. In addition to the schoool borad members, district educators and staff members were on hand to congratulate the award winner.

Romulus city clean-up set

    The 47th Annual Clean Sweep in the city of Romulus is set for April 26.
    Volunteers will meet at the Romulus Athletic Center, 35765 Northline Road at 9 a.m. April 26. Supplies and assignments will be assigned. Following the clean-up of the city, volunteers will meet at Blue Sky Ice Cream and Hamburgers for refreshments and raffles.
    Volunteers are still needed. Register at: kbasinger@romulusgov.com or call (734) 955-4535

Friends of the Penn awarded state grant for science programming

    The historic Penn Theatre in downtown Plymouth will continue to offer science programming to the community following a grant to the Friends of the Penn from the partnership of Coolidge Corner Theatre of Brookline, MA, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for the Science on Screen® programming. The Science on Screen® program features classic, cult, and documentary films matched with presentations by experts who discuss scientific, technological, or medical issues raised by each film.
    Penn Theatre Executive Director Ellen Elliott said the grant was welcome.
    “We look forward to this new expanded season of Science on Screen. We are so fortunate to be a recipient of this most generous grant that allows us to present these fun and educational programs for free to our community.”
    The 2025 programming includes free admission. Upcoming presentations include Birders: Connecting with Nature and a documentary film, Birders: The Central Park Effect (2012) at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 24. Every Little Thing – Pollinators: Unsung Heroes of Our Human Existence.
    Legacy sponsor Sally Fedus provided additional funding.
    For more information, visit www.penntheatre.org

Plymouth businesses recovering from flood damage

    Mother Nature wreaked havoc at several Plymouth businesses last week when heavy rainfall left floodwater in several downtown businesses.
    Owners of several businesses located on the north side of Ann Arbor Trail west of Main Street near the central parking deck downtown continue efforts to clean up from the damage. Some shops remain closed as efforts to recover from the gushing water entering basements and first levels continue. Estimates of damage at multiple stores and shops were still being totaled, several business owners said.
    One of the most seriously impacted was Kemnitz Fine Candies where water flowed through the rear of the store. Owner Lori Collick said the flood devastated her business where Easter candy sales are her busiest season. Her shop floor was covered in mud, leaves and debris brought in by the rushing rainwater. While she said she does have flood insurance at the 74-year-old shop, she doubts it can cover the loss of nearly 2,400 chocolate Easter bunnies, a mainstay of her business during the holiday season.
    Neighboring business owners were not as fortunate. Home Sweet Home owner Carol Uber was forced to move merchandise to make room for cleaning crews, no small task in her shop which features home décor and vintage items. She said she may have to completely empty the store of the carefully arranged displays of home items to allow for tearing out and replacing the floor. She said she did not have flood insurance at the business.
    Creatopia, a paint-your-own pottery studio, also experienced some minor damage while the offices of the Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce were closed due to damage to the floor of that building. A long-time staple of downtown, Maggie and Me, a women’s clothing store was also closed due to the floodwater damage to the decades-old business.
    Nearby, Carol Uber of Home Sweet Home, a vintage and décor shop, was frantically fielding one phone call after the next from worried customers and friends while also trying to move enormous amounts of merchandise so crews could come in to clean.
    Unlike Collick, Uber said she does not have flood insurance.
    Further down the block, Creatopia, a paint-your-own pottery studio, fared better, but still sustained damage. Across the street, Frameworks escaped serious loss of artwork as owners said most stock and custom framing artwork is kept upstairs.
    Business owners said they were told a nearby underground culvert was unable to control the huge downfall of rain during the storm. City Manager Paul Sincock said the 2 inches of rain in an hour was more that the underground storm sewer could carry. The pipe installed in the 1930s or 1940s is underground and carries water from Sheldon Road to Ann Arbor Road. Sincock said some residential areas also experienced flooding but the water had receded by early morning.
    Plymouth city officials uploaded an online form so residents and business owners could report damage, Sincock told media sources. He added the city officials have contacted Wayne County and other government offices to determine if the damage would qualify for any disaster aid.
    Businesses who escaped serious damage have extended help to Collick who has moved supplies and production to her kitchen facility in Old Village. A website, www.kemnitzfinecandies.com. has been set up and candy can be ordered online and picked up at the neighboring Radiant Jewelry store.

Marshmallow madness

    The sky over Wayne County will be filled with a fluffy surprise this spring as the annual Marshmallow

Drop makes its return next Friday, April 18. Hosted by Wayne County Parks, this free family-friendly event will shower children with 20,000 marshmallows as they rain down from the Easter Bunny’s helicopter. The annual celebration of spring will begin at 11 a.m. at Nankin Mills Recreation Area in Westland, 33275 Hines Dr. Children 12 and younger are invited to bring baskets and collect marshmallows as they fly from the sky. While the marshmallows themselves are not for eating, participants can exchange them for a special treat.
    For more information, call (734() 261-1990 or visit Wayne County Parks https://tinyurl.com/3pratper

Deadline for new REAL-ID identification documents is May 7

    Taking a vacation trip to Cancun, a quick visit to Toronto or a plane trip to visit grandma out of state could become more complicated next month.As the federal deadline approaches May 7, all U.S. airlines will require a REAL ID-compliant document to board a domestic flight, a standard Michigan driver’s license, or ID card no longer will be adequate to board an aircraft for a domestic flight or to enter military bases, nuclear power plants, or certain other federal facilities.
    The federal REAL ID Act of 2005 was enacted in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and requires higher standards for identification.
    Many people have an ID that meets federal REAL ID standards, such as a valid U.S. passport, a Trusted Traveler card, or an enhanced driver’s license. Participation in the program is voluntary but anyone who doesn’t want a REAL ID will be issued a standard license or ID that can’t be used for federal identification purposes.
    When applying for a REAL ID, applicants will need to provide a driver’s license or ID; a certified birth certificate with a raised seal or stamp issued by a governmental agency; a valid, unexpired U.S. passport; or an approved citizenship or legal presence document. Faxes and photocopies won’t be accepted.
    Those whose name does not match that on their birth certificate will need to provide certified documents, such as marriage licenses or court orders, for every time their name has changed.
    Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson encouraged residents who do not have a REAL ID but may need one to apply soon, as it will take weeks to arrive by mail.
    “Michigan is well above the national average in compliance with the REAL ID standard. If your license or ID has the star, you are REAL ID ready,” Benson said. “We want to ensure Michiganders are aware of the approaching deadline and can take the steps needed to avoid possible inconvenience and delays. The Michigan Department of State is ready and available to help Michigan residents easily convert their driver’s license to a REAL ID ahead of this deadline.”
    Those who provide proper documentation will be issued a license or ID in a new state design, which features a REAL ID star indicator in the gold shape of Michigan. Older blue and green licenses and IDs that have the REAL ID star in a gold circle on them are also compliant.
    Upgrading a standard license or ID to a REAL ID is free if done during the normal renewal period. Otherwise, a card correction fee of $9 for a driver’s license or $10 for an ID is charged. State residents can obtain a REAL ID, which is a license or ID marked by a star, by going to Michigan.gov/REALID to schedule an appointment at any Secretary of State office. The scheduling system will walk them through documents they will need to bring.
    As of March 21, 73.5 percent of Michigan driver’s licenses and state ID cards are REAL ID-compliant. That includes enhanced driver’s licenses and IDs, which are REAL ID-compliant and can be used to cross the border into the United States from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean by land or sea. The indicator for an enhanced license or ID in Michigan is a U.S. flag icon.
    The Michigan Department of State has been working with airports in Michigan for years to provide signage and other reminders to travelers about the upcoming deadline. The department also includes reminders about REAL ID on driver’s license and ID renewal notices and has completed several marketing campaigns about REAL ID over the past six years. More information is available at Michigan.gov/REALID.

Off duty

Northville Township Fire Department Battalion Chief retires

  

  Six days after watching the Twin Towers fall on Sept. 11, Brad Neuhart joined the Northville Township Fire Department. He was the first full-time firefighter hired for the department outside the paid on-call members. He’s continued to make history ever since.

    Battalion Chief Neuhart, 45, is retiring from the fire service after 24 years helping Northville residents and one year – his rookie year – with Van Buren Township, marking a quarter century as a first responder. His final shift was March 23.
    While Neuhart begam his career as a firefighter, he soon became a paramedic and was in the first group of staff to be promoted to a lieutenant in 2010. He continued the “firsts” path and was in the initial group promoted to the role of battalion chief in 2017.
    “It’s time for me to go,” Neuhart said. “You have younger guys here that are real superstars who are ready to continue to advance and build this organization. I also want to spend more time with my family. We have a business outside of here that’s also gotten extremely busy, so I decided it was time to go. I’m looking for more balance.”
    Neuhart owns Brad Neuhart Auctioneers, a full-service auction company he began in 1999, conducting live and online farm sales, business liquidations, toy sales and more.
    The two careers have overlapped, Neuhart said, as he has performed CPR to multiple auction patrons. In 2018, a year after his company invested in an automated external defibrillator (AED), he first used it on a regular customer who lost consciousness. Neuhart performed CPR and shocked the man’s chest once, reviving him..
    Neuhart said he first thought of becoming a firefighter at about age 5. He’d forgotten that dream until adulthood when a buddy he was roofing a building for said he’d make a good one. That friend, who was a fire lieutenant in Ann Arbor, had amassed a crew of firefighters to help with the job.
    Soon after, he joined the Van Buren Township Fire Department.
    Neuhart said he will miss the relationships he’s built in the past 24 years the most.
    The Fire Department will miss him as well. “Brad has assisted in the development of our department over the past 25 years,” said Fire Chief Brent Siegel. “He has a lot of technical and operational experience, and his shoes will be hard to fill.”
    “I appreciate everything that Northville Township has done for me,” he said. “It’s provided me a living to be able to raise my family, and the opportunity to go back and earn my bachelor’s degree (at Sienna Heights), successfully complete (Eastern Michigan University) Staff and Command and attend a host of other trainings. Working here has been a real, real pleasure.”

Stalker of city official, state attorney facing new charges

    The man found incompetent to face trial for two charges of stalking Plymouth City Commissioner Alanna Maguire and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in 2024 has been charged with again

stalking the couple while he has been under the jurisdiction of the court.
    Wayne Country Prosecutor Kym Worthy has again charged Christopher Dean Baldwin, 42, of Flushing, MI with two counts of stalking the couple.
    Prosecutors allege that while under the jurisdiction of Wayne County Third Circuit Court Probate Division and housed in a secure facility, Baldwin, on Feb. 27, used the address of Maguire and Nessel’s home and Nessel’s phone number without permission to secure documents from 12th District Court in Jackson County.
    Baldwin was found incompetent to face trial in connection with an incident that occurred on March 7, 2024. In that incident, he was charged with two counts of misdemeanor stalking when Plymouth police arrested him sitting on the porch of the victims’ Plymouth home at about 8:34 a.m. In a second incident, Baldwin attended a March 4, 2024 Plymouth City Commission meeting where Maguire was present. According to police reports, Baldwin had also attempted contact with Nessel on a previous occasion.

    Baldwin was arrested in the 2024 incident and charged with two counts of misdemeanor stalking, charges that were transferred from criminal court to probate court when he was found incompetent to face trial.
    In the latest incident, he has again been charged with two counts of aggravated stalking.
    “We are alleging once again that the defendant in this case continues to harass our State Attorney General and her wife. This is criminal behavior and cannot be tolerated,” Worthy said in a prepared statement.
    Baldwin was arraigned on March 27 in 35th District Court and given a $200,000 cash/surety bond, with a tether ordered if he is released. His Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for tomorrow, April 4, before Judge James Plakas, and a Preliminary Examination is scheduled for April 11, before Judge Carl Barone.

Top cops

State Reps. Reggie Miller, Jim DeSana and Dylan Wegela attended the Romulus City Council meeting recently to personally honor the Romulus Police Department annual award winners. The officers received congressional “Special Tributes” for their performance on behalf of the residents of Romulus in 2024 from the state officials. Award winners this year included, third from left to right, Officer of the Year Mark Salazar, Command Officer of the Year Andrew Carriger, Rookie of the Year Jared Bundy and Detective of the Year Travis Rice.

City of Romulus mayor will seek reelection to second term

    City of Romulus Mayor Robert McCraight will seek election for a second term.
    McCraight announced his candidacy for reelection following his presentation during the Romulus Chamber of Commerce Monthly Business Luncheon in February.

    “I am extremely proud of the progress that our team has accomplished over the last three years, but there is still much more work to be done. I look forward to continuing the positive momentum as I kick off my campaign to seek a second term as mayor for the City of Romulus,” said McCraight. McCraight is currently in the midst of his first term after being elected as mayor in November of 2021.
    Before announcing his campaign, McCraight shared the city’s economic development efforts in downtown Romulus including property redevelopment, small business grants, place making, and programming. He expressed his excitement for the city’s trajectory and his anticipation of a strong second term.
    Representatives from the POLC – Romulus Command Officers Association, the IAFF Local #4126, and the AFSME Local #1917-36 were on hand during the luncheon, as well as City Treasurer Stacy Paige, to pledge their support with official endorsements of a second term for McCraight. City Clerk Ellen Craig-Bragg, who was unable to attend the luncheon has also given her endorsement.

Westland man facing charges in $1.2 million Corvette theft

    Westland resident Deantae Walker, 21, is facing multiple criminal charges in the theft of Corvettes valued at $1.2 million from the GM Bowling Green assembly plant.
    Police allege that Walker was one of nine men involved in the theft of the vehicles from the Kentucky plant on March 22. According to police, Walker has refused to speak to authorities after his arrest, but prior to receiving his Miranda rights, reportedly said, “If I would have made it back to Michigan, I would have been paid big.”

    Walker was arrested after a foot chase through a parking lot, according to police who responded to a 911 call from a transport driver who was hired by two men to transport a 2017 Corvette to Michigan. When he arrived at a parking lot to retrieve the vehicle, he told police, there were three 2025 Corvettes at the location. The transport driver said the men appeared to be in a rush and he called police when the transaction appeared “weird.” Walker was taken into custody at the scene, while two other men left the parking lot in a Jeep with Ohio license plates.
    Police had also previously responded to a 911 call from a local woman who noticed a brand-new red Corvette in the parking lot of her apartment complex. She told police that the car still had the price stickers in the window and that she did not recognize the driver of the vehicle who was dressed completely in black. Warren County Sheriff’s deputies discovered another brand-new Corvette in the apartment complex parking lot and another new Corvette in a lot across the street. Two more new Corvettes were found parked on a nearby street, police said.
    Assembly plant officials confirmed that the vehicles had been stolen from the facility. An inventory review discovered eight missing vehicles, according to police reports. Investigators believe the Corvettes were all stolen at the same time and driven from the plant using a hole cut in the security fence.
No other suspects have been arrested.
    Walker has been charged in Kentucky with third-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor; second-degree criminal mischief, also a misdemeanor; and theft by unlawful taking of a vehicle worth more than $10,000 but less than $1 million, a 5- to 10-year felony.

‘Prison Brides’ reality show participant accused of Amazon thefts

    Several Amazon deliveries missing in the Ridgeline Apartment Complex were recovered last month when Canton Township Police executed a search warrant at the apartment of Emma Barker, 34. Police said 10 to 15 packages addressed to people other than Barker were found in her apartment during the search.
    Barker, a foreign national from England, participated in a reality TV show documenting the lives of women in love with prison inmates. Police said the packages were taken from the apartment complex office or from the doorsteps of other apartments. The police investigation began about a month ago when Barker’s neighbors reported missing packages to police.

    Investigators believe that Barker previously received multiple gifts from fans of the TV show Prison Brides, which dealt with women in love with prison inmates. Her relationship with inmate Curtis Bradford was documented on the show. She would then display gifts from fans on social media.
    As the gifts continued to decrease, she resorted to stealing packages from other apartments, police said, to augment the number of “gifts” from fans she could display to keep up the appearance of popularity and encourage fans to send her more products.
    Barker has been charged with larceny in a building, a felony which carries a penalty of four years in prison, and receiving and concealing stolen property, also a felony, which carries a five-year penalty.
    Following her arraignment last month, Barker was released on a $25,000 bond and must wear a GPS tether.

2 veteran Northville Township Fire Department officers are promoted

    The Northville Township Fire Department has promoted two officers. Greg Ryan has advanced to the rank of captain and Capt. Adm Burton has been promoted to battalion chief.
    Ryan joined the Northville Township Fire Department in 2004. Before beginning his fire service career, Ryan earned a bachelor of Business in Marketing degree from Eastern Michigan University, where he was a three-year starter on the baseball team. His skills on the field led to him being drafted after his junior season and a minor league baseball career. Ultimately, he was inducted into the EMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. He continues his love for the game by coaching young athletes as an assistant coach for Divine Child.
    Ryan has taken on numerous responsibilities beyond emergency response. He has been a dedicated mentor to new firefighters, helping them develop both skills and confidence, and has served on the IAFF Local 3961 Executive Board, advocating for his fellow firefighters, according to a prepared release from the department.
    Burton joined the department in 2006. He was promoted from lieutenant in 2017 to captain in 2023. He has taken on critical roles including as team leader for the Western Wayne County Hazmat Team for more than 10 years. Burton regularly teaches Hazmat response and rescue techniques to both firefighters and industry professionals.
    A former Firefighter of the Year, as voted by his peers, Burton is a graduate of the Eastern Michigan University School of Staff and Command and holds a degree in Public Safety Administration from Siena Heights University.