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DECEMBER 17, 2025 • Vol. 34, No. 29
Alleged MS-13 gang member arrested in Shelby Township BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
Photo provided by SEMCOG
within the 25 Mile Road corridor between Van Dyke Avenue and M-53. “For as long as we’ve been setting our township’s annual top 10 priorities, sidewalk connectivity has stood near the top of the list,” Stathakis said. Trustee Lisa Casali and her fellow members of the Shelby Township Sidewalk Committee have worked on the project over the past few years. “This bridge, over the middle branch (of the) Clinton River, will serve to connect many residential neighborhoods, businesses, EisenSee BRIDGE on page 23A
See ARREST on page 15A
Shelby Township to build new pedestrian bridge, sidewalk BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A new pedestrian bridge and sidewalk will expand access to schools, businesses and neighborhoods south of 25 Mile Road in Shelby Township. Township officials are planning to build a pedestrian bridge over the middle branch of the Clinton River and construct a 7-foot-wide sidewalk along the 25 Mile Road frontage of nearby parcels. The project, according to Shelby Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis, will fill a key gap
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The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments awarded $817,980 in Transportation Alternatives Program funding to Shelby Township for a pedestrian bridge over the Middle Branch of the Clinton River. From left, Shelby Township Clerk Stanley T. Grot; Treasurer James Carabelli; Supervisor Rick Stathakis; Trustee Lucia Di Cicco; Trustee Lisa Casali; SEMCOG Planning Director Kevin Vettraino; Lisa Brown, community director for U.S. Rep. John James; Kyle Johnson, regional manager, Macomb and Thumb, for U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin; Trustee John Vermeulen; and Alec Hughes, regional coordinator for U.S. Sen. Gary Peters.
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A man who authorities suspect to be an MS13 gang member was arrested in Shelby Township earlier this month. An officer from the Shelby Township Police Department arrested Walter Ceron Linares during a traffic stop at around 12:13 p.m. Dec. 5 near Utica and Dequindre roads. Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide said the driver presented officers with an identification card from El Salvador. A records check reportedly identified the driver, Linares, as a possible member of a terrorist organization and said that authorities should contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation. When contacted by Shelby Township police, the FBI reportedly confirmed that Linares was a suspected MS-13 gang member on the agency’s terrorist watch list. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, MS-13 is the common name for
SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025
2A
LEFT: Tulloch launched his premium coffee and signed autographs at the Kroger on 23 Mile Road in Shelby Township Dec. 13, then was scheduled to do the same later that day at the Kroger on 12 Mile Road in Royal Oak. BELOW: Each bag of coffee sold will help The Stephen Tulloch Foundation, which provides resources, mentorship and educational opportunities to young people.
Lions fans perk up for Stephen TulLoch LEFT: Crista Mattison, of Macomb Township, takes a picture with former Detroit Lions linebacker and founder of Circle House Coffee Stephen Tulloch at a Shelby Township Kroger Dec. 13. Mattison purchased a bag of Tulloch’s new premium coffee line, and he autographed the bag. Photos by Erin Sanchez
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LEFT: Utica Mayor Gus Calandrino gives the key to the city to Santa Claus at the Downtown Utica Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration in Memorial Park Dec. 13. BELOW: Attendees enjoy the fireworks. The Utica Fire Department collected toys during the event for its Stuff an Ambulance charitable initiative.
3A/ SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
Utica community celebrates holiday season with tree lighting event BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
UTICA — Utica community members came together for the Downtown Utica Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration on Dec. 13. The event started at 7 p.m. at Memorial Park, down the road from Jimmy John’s Field. Attendees could enjoy a bake sale, as well as visits with Santa, at the Utica Public Library on top of visits from Jack Skellington and Sally from ‘A Nightmare Before Christmas’ and Buddy the Elf from ‘Elf.’ Organizers also encouraged attendees to visit the various bars and restaurants in the downtown area. See LIGHTING on page 13A
Utica Community Schools senior gives insight on AI at international symposium UTICA — Dron Datta, a senior at Stevenson High School and the Utica Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology, published and presented his research based around Artificial Intelligence at a workshop at the IEEE International Conference on Data Mining in Washington, D.C., last month. Datta currently works as a software engineer and writes code for a company in Novi. His research is based on how the rise of artificial intelligence could affect computer science
jobs, and his paper is titled “Evaluating the Code Generation Capabilities of Popular Large Language Models for FrontEnd Web Development using Neighborhood Pixel Similarity.” Front-end web development is the development of the graphical user interface — the part of a website that a user sees and interacts with. His interest in the topic started at the University of Michigan, while he was studying through a generative artificial intelligence program in 2024. “I listened to a panel of Computer Science professors, where a question was asked about the concern about how arSee DATTA on page 18A
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Dron Datta, a senior at Stevenson High School and the Utica Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology, considers the effects of AI — as it pertains to the computer science career path — in his research that was recently published and presented at the IEEE International Conference on Data Mining in Washington, D.C.
4A
Man arrested for allegedly assaulting wife
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Officers responded to the area of 26 Mile and Mound roads for a possible domestic assault at 4:37 p.m. Dec. 11. Upon arrival, police said, a resident told them that he and his wife were having an argument about finances when he got upset and struck her on her arm. The officers spoke with the woman, who reportedly said that while having an argument, her husband struck her with a closed fist on her arm, causing a red mark. The man was placed under arrest for domestic assault. He was transported and lodged at Macomb County Jail
Catalytic convertor stolen from truck
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — An officer responded to the 5700 block of 25 Mile Road, west of Mound Road, for a larceny from auto complaint at 9:45 a.m. Dec. 10. The victim said he went to move his 2003 Ford Super Duty truck into the garage, and when he started it up, the truck sounded very loud. The owner looked under the vehicle and noticed that the catalytic converter had been removed. Police recovered Ring camera footage and were looking for a suspect.
Wife arrested after allegedly hitting husband in the mouth
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Officers were dispatched to the area of 22 Mile and Van Dyke Avenue for a domestic assault complaint at 11:50 p.m. Dec. 6. Upon officers’ arrival, they met with a man who was holding a paper towel to his wife’s lip. The man stated that he got into a verbal argu-
Woman arrested after allegedly stealing from Target
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SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Officers were dispatched to Target, 8200 26 Mile Road, for a retail fraud at 5 p.m. Dec. 6. Upon arrival, officers met with the store’s loss prevention officer who was in the office with the female suspect. The loss prevention officer reportedly said the woman was caught stealing merchandise that day, but the store had a report of her stealing on several other days. The loss prevention officer said the woman entered the store that day and placed several items in her cart. The woman then walked down another aisle, selected an item from the shelf, took it out of the package and placed it in her pocket. The woman then paid for the items in her cart, but not the item in her pocket. The woman exited the store without offering payment for the item she had concealed, according to the police report. The loss prevention officer turned over all videos that showed the woman had taken several items over the past few weeks, police said. Police said the woman would be charged with retail fraud and banned from Target.
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ment with his wife, and when he got upset, he bit down on his own lip, causing it to bleed, according to police. The officers then spoke with the woman, who said that during the argument, her husband got in her face and she struck him in the mouth, according to police. The officer spoke with the husband again, and he reportedly admitted to his wife striking him in the face. The officers arrested the woman, and she was transported and lodged at Macomb County Jail.
SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025
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5A/ SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025
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Joe Neussendorfer appointed to Shelby Township Historical Committee
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Township Board of Trustees appointed Joe Neussendorfer to a threeyear term on the Historical Committee during the board’s meeting on Dec. 9. Officials said Neussendorfer brings a wealth of experience to the committee, having dedicated over five decades to documenting the histories of Michigan’s construction, engineering, architecture and planning professions. His background includes affiliations such as being a member of the College of Fellows at The Engineering Society of Detroit, an Affiliate Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a member of the Construction History Society of America. In recognition of his contributions to the field of construction journalism, Neussendorfer was honored in 1976 with the Robert Boger Award for Outstanding Construction Journalism in the United States. This award is named after the publisher of Engineering News-Record magazine. “As a long-time advocate for the importance of preserving our local history, I am excited to bring my experience and passion to the Shelby Township Historical Committee,” Neussendorfer said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to collaborating with fellow committee members to enhance our understanding of the township’s rich heritage.” The Historical Committee preserves S\elby Township’s history through various initiatives, including events, educational programs and maintaining historical records.
Shelby business shines at BBB Torch Awards for Ethics
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Better Business Bureau of Michigan recently honored what it called “the state’s most ethical businesses” during the 2025 Torch Awards for Ethics luncheon at Schoolcraft College’s Vistatech Center in Livonia. The awards ceremony drew business leaders from across Michigan to celebrate companies “that exemplify integrity, trust, and excellence in their communities,” according to organizers. After review by an independent panel of judges, a Shelby Township company, Kerner’s Auto Service, was named a winner of the 2025 Torch Awards for Ethics for businesses between 4 and 15 employees. For more information about the Torch Awards for Ethics or BBB’s initiatives, visit bbb.org/miprograms.
Art Exhibition on display at the DIA
SHELBY GARDNERS CLUB DECORATES POTS IN HERITAGE GARDEN
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Gardeners Club decorated festively the pots in Heritage Garden for the greater Shelby community to enjoy. The works of art will be on display through the holidays. Snowmen decorations will remain for all to view through the winter months. The club members are excited about the upcoming 2026 winter/spring talks, which include: “Evolution of a Gardener, Knowledge Gained by Experience” Feb. 12; “Trimming” March 12; and “Healthy Lawn Care Program for Watershed Protection” April 9. All presentations will be at the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, 4101 River Bends Drive. The Shelby Gardeners Club appreciates a $5 payment to help support its ongoing educational events.
DETROIT — Detroit Institute of Arts’ 17th Annual Community Group Art Exhibition opened Dec. 12 and will run until Jan. 11, 2026. Members of nine tri-county community groups are participating in this year’s exhibition and will display over 100 artworks. Over the past year, DIA studio instructors worked with the Tri-County Community Group Program at the DIA artmaking studio as well as locations throughout the tri-county area. Projects included assemblage, individual paintings and group murals, photo collage, self-portraits, printmaking, clay masks and tiles, multi-media baskets, wood sculpture, and more. The projects will be on view in the Learning Center at the DIA, adjacent to the DIA’s art-making studio, where most of the work was made. This year’s participating groups are: Macomb County Community Mental Health, pictured; ACCESS Hope House; CARE of Southeastern Michigan; Detroit Recovery Project; Hannan Center; the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center; Mariners Inn; Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency’s Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program; and Soul Center (a division of Friendship Circle). The DIA is located at 5200 Woodward Ave. The museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. General admission is always free for residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. For more information, go to dia.org.
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6A/DECEMBER 17, 2025 SHELBY-UTICA NEWS
‘I FEEL IT HAS EXTRA LOVE IN IT’ BAKING CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
ABOVE LEFT: Amilia Galba, who is now 9, rolled out Christmas cookie dough a few years ago. Amilia, her brother Ben, mom Kristina, and Aunt Raychel Galba have a family tradition of baking holiday cookies every season.
METRO DETROIT — The smell of Christmas cookies baking in the oven is a childhood memory for many who gather around kitchen counters with rolling pins, measuring cups and cooling racks to make their favorite holiday treats. While growing up, Raychel Galba spent many Christmas seasons with her sister, Kristina, and cousins baking homemade cookies for the
Photo provided by Raychel Galba
See BAKING on page 16A
ABOVE CENTER: In a photo from a few years ago, Patty Giorlando with three of her six grandchildren — Ben, to her left; Addy, next to Ben; and Liam — make Christmas cookies. “I love to bake and spend time with the grandkids,” Giorlando said. “It’s building memories, but it also teaches them how to bake, how to have fun and how to be creative.” ABOVE RIGHT: Ben, left, and Addy Giorlando use different cutouts to create Christmas cookies during a past baking session. The kids are older now but still bake every season. Photos provided by Ken Giorlando
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SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025
Shelby Township Giving Tree program supports Samaritan House food pantry BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
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teraction with clients as well as sorting and packing of food. Mike Magnoli, from Michaelangelo Construction, is helping spearhead this project. We are very excited.” Samaritan House is located at 62324 Van Dyke Ave. in Washington Township. The nonprofit program operates as a local food pantry serving northwest Macomb County. The brainchild of the Township Supervisor’s Office and Human Resources Department, the Giving Tree invites individuals to place items from the Samaritan House wish list under the Christmas tree in Township Hall. Township staff members deliver items
to Samaritan House in January to restock its shelves. This year’s wish list from the Samaritan House includes soup, coffee, crackers, condiments, pasta, rice, salad dressing, tomato sauce, canned beans, tea bags, jelly, canned tomatoes, tissues, toilet paper, dish soap, paper towel, laundry soap and liquid hand soap. The Samaritan House staff requested items not be donated in glass jars. People also can support the Giving Tree and Samaritan House through the Amazon Wishlist linked at shelbytwp.org/Christmas. “We launched the Amazon list when access to Township Hall was restricted during
the pandemic, and it’s become very popular,” Stathakis said in a press release. “In that first year with the online option, donations totaled more than 10,000 items for the Samaritan House. Now, anyone with an Amazon account can log in, purchase items, and ship them directly to Township Hall. We place them under the Giving Tree until our mass delivery to Samaritan House in January.” Residents can participate in the Giving Tree program by visiting Shelby Township Hall, 52700 Van Dyke Ave. The deadline for Giving Tree donations is Dec. 23. Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
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SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Shelby Township is celebrating the 11th anniversary of its annual Giving Tree program, an initiative to spread holiday joy to those in need. “The Giving Tree reflects the generosity of our residents and employees,” Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said in a press release. “It’s inspiring to see the support, as each donated item helps support local families facing challenges.” The Giving Tree program, a tradition in the township to support the Samaritan House food pantry, has garnered widespread support from residents and businesses alike. Since its inception in 2015, the community has donated more than 23,000 items to Samaritan House through the Shelby Township Giving Tree. In 2024, the township collected more than 2,900 nonperishable food items, household goods and personal care products. “Since 2015, the residents and employees of Shelby Township have never ceased to amaze me with their generosity,” Samaritan House Executive Director Kathy Wojcik said in a press release. “Samaritan House assists 127 families in Shelby Township on a monthly basis primarily with groceries, which include dairy, meat, fresh fruit and vegetables as well as personal hygiene and cleaning supplies. The items collected go a long way in helping us help those right here in our community.” Samaritan House is expanding next year. “Each month we spend at least $12,000 to stock our shelves, refrigerators, and freezers,” Wojcik said in a press release. “We are pleased to announce that next spring we will be breaking ground on a 2,000-square-foot building at the rear of our property. This will free up much-needed space in our current building, enabling us to streamline our in-
Shelby Township is collecting items for Samaritan House through its annual Giving Tree program.
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS
8A/DECEMBER 17, 2025 SHELBY-UTICA NEWS
CUSTOMER SERVICE, EMPLOYEE TREATMENT KEYS TO BUSINESS SUCCESS LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS TALK ABOUT LONGEVITY AND ITS SECRETS BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Customer service and treatment of employees are the keys to success, according to the owners of two local businesses that have flourished for decades. “I think we have built a company based on a certain ethical standard and we’ve treated our customers the right way, and we’ve acted with integrity and trust, and we’ve treated our team members the right way who in turn have really put in that additional effort and loyalty to help us grow,” said Mark Tapper, CEO of Tapper’s Jewelry. Tapper said his father, Howard Tapper, founded the company in 1977 because he believed many other jewelry businesses at the time were not focused on customer service. “He believed many jewelry stores were not operated in a customer-centric way. So, there were silly policies that were considered the norm in 1977 that today we would think were kind of crazy, but he didn’t like how those businesses operated,” Tapper said. According to Tapper, some of the customer-service policies that his father was very innovative in changing included giving customers cash refunds and offering them a vast selection of complimentary gift wrapping for their purchases. “He was very value oriented. He wanted to make sure that the customer got tremendous value for the price that they were paying. So, he had a very large selection of merchandise, and he really tried to give the very, very best prices in metropolitan Detroit,” Tapper said. The first Tapper’s Jewelry store opened at 12 Mile Road
and Northwestern Highway in front of a racquet club. Tapper said his dad chose that location due to the popularity of the sport at the time; he thought that customers would come in and look at jewelry on their way to or from the racquet club. That idea didn’t work out as well as his father hoped it would, but he said his dad maintained a positive attitude. He said his father sold $1,100 worth of merchandise on that first day, and with rent being $1,000 his dad knew his business would survive another month. Today, Tapper’s Jewelry has four locations, including its headquarters in West Bloomfield; Novi, which opened in 2022; and two locations that recently expanded inside Somerset Mall in Troy. “For us it’s all about the customer — giving the very, very best customer experience possible,” Tapper said. “One of our core values is about spreading joy to our guests, and it’s just really, really important to us. As soon as a guest walks into one of our stores, it’s my expectation that they really get treated as if they were a guest in your own home. “We offer beverages, we try to make it a nice, warm and welcoming environment for everyone that comes in. Whether you are buying a $50 baptism gift or a $50,000 diamond, or selling us $200 in gold, our expectation is that everyone gets the same level of high service when they come in,” said Tapper. “So, I really think that is what has differentiated us throughout the years, as well as a reputation of being one of Michigan’s most trusted businesses.” Ryan McInerney, executive manager of Star Lincoln in Southfield, grew up in the car business. He said he started See BUSINESS on page 12A
Mark Tapper (left in the color photo), Howard Tapper, and Steve Tapper (left in the black-and-white photo) stand together in photos taken decades apart at Tapper’s Jewelry. The company was founded in 1977. Photos provided by Tapper’s Jewelry
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SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025
CDs offer CCCU members ways to save, grow money
Stuffing surplus cash in your mattress — or even into a traditional low-interest savings account — isn’t the safest or best option for most people. The financial experts at Community Choice Credit Union said certificates of deposit, currently available with terms of five, 15 and 25 months, offer a bigger interest-earning potential with a locked-in rate that consumers can feel comfortable with. “Essentially, they are risk-free. They are insured by the National Credit Union Association,” said Shadonna Rawls, the Member Center Manager at CCCU’s Farmington Hills location on West 12 Mile Road. “It’s a higher interest rate that’s guaranteed — typically higher than a regular savings account, and you don’t have
to worry about market fluctuations once you lock in.” While a traditional savings account may offer a mere 0.01% annual return on funds deposited into it, a five-month CD through CCCU offers a 4% annual percentage yield. For those who will not need access to the deposited funds for longer periods of time, locking in rates for 15 or 25 months comes with slightly lower yields, but they are still much more attractive than those of traditional savings accounts. “It’s available to anyone,” Rawls said. “Our minimum starting balance is only $500. Anyone that is looking to save without risk or is looking to put money away without touching it, we always recommend the CD option.” Security through insurance and guaranteed rates should give savers peace of
mind, Rawls said. “With the market there are fluctuations. There is volatility. You don’t have control over what’s actually going to happen,” she said. “With a CD, with it being locked in, those rates
“If you’re one of those investors who likes to stay on the safe side, the CD is the option to go with,” Rawls said. To set up a consultation about CDs or any other banking needs, call Raw-
are guaranteed. There is no risk at all with them.” CCCU even allows early withdrawals from CDs that penalize patrons only on the amount withdrawn, which should provide additional assurance in the event of a financial emergency.
ls at (877) 243-2528 ext. 4501. Her member center is located at 37600 W. 12 Mile Road, in Farmington Hills. For more about Community Choice Credit Union, go to communitychoicecu.com. 0008-2551
SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025
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Business from page 8A
with the company at the age of 16 as a porter. His grandfather founded the company in 1970, one of approximately 30 dealerships around the country that Hoot McInerney owned. McInerney said that he believes the successful outcome of any business, including his, is determined by the people who work there. “From a baby onward, I was always around car people, and I always heard about how to treat customers, how to treat your employees, and, you know, doing business the right way,” said McInerney. “And really, I believe it’s all about relationships that you build with the employees, with whoever the corporate people are that you’ve got to deal with (from Ford Motor Co., in the case of Star Lincoln). You’ve got to treat people with kindness and respect, and I think that goes a really long way.” McInerney said they have also hired a very diversified staff that is in tune with the latest technology and brings a wide range of cultural knowledge and experiences. He said that their current staff ranges in age from 18 to 80-plus. “I think that has really helped us at adapting to new technology and just really doing things the right way. But I really believe it’s about how you treat your employees and how you treat your customers, and that’s something that my grandfather instilled in all of us in the car business, and I really believe that,” McInerney said. McInerney and Tapper both emphasized treating people like family and being involved with the community in many ways, including donating to various charities. Tapper said that they once brought in a strategic business planner who asked them all a question about which comes first, family or business, and all of them answered in-
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dependently — family. Therefore, they run their business as a family-centered operation. “It goes with community involvement, aligned with your marketing, aligned with business functions that you put on for your employees. Everything is kind of aligned, and I think that’s what’s really making things work for us, especially with the new business climate and the new world we’re in post-COVID,” Tapper said. Call Staff Writer Charity Meier at (586) 498-1092.
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SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025
Lighting from page 3A
“This is our hometown,” Utica Council member Thom Dionne said. “I know I’ve said this a lot of times, but we have a small footprint of 1.7 square miles here in Utica where we cast a large shadow. … They like us so much here in Macomb County, they put our names on the side of all the buses. Our Utica school teachers are 1,800 strong, and 28,000 students come off right here — this is where it originated from. So, again, thanks for coming downtown to Utica. It’s our pleasure to have you.” Attendees were entertained by multiple Christmas song performances from Vanessa Carr prior to the official tree lighting. Carr is a singer and dancer from Michigan who attended Utica High School. She performs in various music genres including Broadway show tunes, the music of the Great American Songbook, opera, international favorites and soulful standards. Carr has sung the national anthem at Detroit Lions and Tigers games and performed on the Detroit Free Press Marathon course and during the holiday season at Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Inn, among other events around and outside the metro Detroit area. During the tree lighting celebration, Carr sang Christmas favorites such as “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “A Marshmallow World,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” and “Feliz Navidad” as well as other songs. She also performed with members of the Dance Class Youth Troupe during her set. “I’m so happy to see you here tonight,” Carr said. “You are an amazing crowd for braving this cold weather. It’s so good to have you here today. We’re going to have some fun.” The Utica High School marching band was also scheduled to perform at the event but had to cancel due to the cold. While these performances were happening, the Utica Fire Department con-
ABOVE: Vanessa Carr performs Christmas songs at the Utica Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration Dec. 13. LEFT: Jack Skellington and Sally from “A Nightmare Before Christmas” attend the celebration. Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
tinued to collect donations for its Stuff an Ambulance and Battle of the Bars challenge. New, unwrapped toys were stuffed into one of Utica’s ambulances while Battle of the Bars invites local bars and restaurants to compete by collecting the most toys and monetary donations with the highest combined total winning the traveling trophy at the tree lighting ceremony. This year, Al’s Hideaway Bar & Grill at 43126 Van Dyke Ave. took first place. “We want to thank them for providing all the toys, cash donations as well as cash donations . . . from many businesses across the city,” Utica Fire Department representative Mike Ryan said. “We take all those cash donations, we take one of our local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops and we take them shopping, and they were a part of stuffing and actually decorating the ambulance. So, I want to thank local (Cub Scout) Pack 252 and our Girl Scout troops for coming out and decorating our ambulance as well.” The event came to a close with the official tree lighting and fireworks.For more information, visit cityofutica.org.
Peace on Earth, good will towards all
The Wujek and Calcaterra families wish you a peaceful new year filled with happiness and surrounded by loved ones. Thank you to the wonderful families in this community who have chosen us to serve them. We are humbled by your trust, and will continue to care for all families with the same compassion we would want for our own.
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SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025
s r e t n i W y z Co Start Here!
Arrest from page 1A
Call Today!
Walter Ceron Linares
Photo provided by the Shelby Township Police Department
ers will find no place to operate in Shelby Township,” he said in a statement. No further details about Linares’ case were released at press time. Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
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an international criminal gang also known as Mara Salvatrucha. Linares was taken into custody without incident and turned over to agents from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Detroit Sector for federal processing. In a social media post, Chief Patrol Agent John R. Morris said Linares would be processed for deportation. Shelide said the top priority of the Shelby Township Police Department is keeping Shelby Township safe. “We work every day to identify and stop individuals involved in violent crime, organized criminal activity, or any threat of terrorism before it reaches our community. Through proactive policing, strong partnerships with state and federal agencies, and constant vigilance, we remain committed to ensuring that those who intend to harm oth-
35618 Jefferson Ave. Harrison Twp. MI 48045
SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025
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Baking from page 6A
holidays. Their aunt, Tami Galba, started the tradition, where the cousins not only produced gooey and delicious treats of all kinds, but also a lifetime of memories that could fill a stocking from here to the North Pole. “It’s been more than 30 years and my sister and I have kept it going. The older you are, you get nostalgic,” said Galba, of Shelby Township. “Normally we do it before our family Christmas party, which is the Saturday before Christmas.” Galba and Kristina, along with Kristina’s children, Ben, 20, and Amilia, 9, will be “baking” spirits bright when they make about 15 dozen homemade cookies this month to give as gifts to family and friends. “My mom puts them in tins,” Galba, 43, said. “Everyone loves the homemade cookies. It puts a smile on their faces. I feel it has extra love in it.” One holiday staple for the Galbas are the sugar cookies they roll out, cut and decorate into different shapes of Santa Claus, Christmas trees and more. In recent years, the foursome added snickerdoodles and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies to their recipe collection. “We do Almond Joys with coconut, and Christmas bark,” Galba said. “We change it up. We do varieties, dark chocolate and peppermint, graham crackers and milk chocolate. Sometimes I do a s’mores one.” Galba’s all-time favorite Christmas treats are the Corn Flakes wreaths that melt in your mouth. The family puts on Christmas music while baking. The playlist usually starts with Elvis Presley, followed by traditional holiday tunes that fill the house with melodies. It can take the crew up to seven hours baking, decorating and visiting. The freshly baked cookies are made all in one day. Across town, in Eastpointe, Patty Giorlando, her husband, Ken, and their six grandchildren will again bake batches of Christmas cookies this year. It’s a tradition they started with their own four children that has carried over to a third generation. “We pick a weekend and a day for them to come over,” Giorlando said. Giorlando, 60, said she gets the refrigerated dough ready ahead of time. The kids then roll out the dough and make stars, angels, snowmen, trees, gingerbread figures, a Christmas bell and a holly leaf. They put their own finishing touches on the sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles of green and red. Melting Hershey’s Kisses onto pretzels, snowballs and peanut butter blossoms
are other family traditions. “It’s fun to shop for the different candies and the different decorations. Sometimes we make Rice Krispies Treats and use cookie cutters to cut those. We go until they get bored and tired,” Giorlando said. “I love to bake and spend time with the grandkids. It’s building memories, but it also teaches them how to bake, how to have fun and how to be creative.” The family listens to the sounds of the seasons as the cookies bake in the oven. Ken is usually in charge of the Christmas playlist with music that includes everything from country music to old-world music to the classics like Frank Sinatra and Ray Conniff. “‘Alvin and the Chipmunks’ is one we play for sure,” Giorlando said. “Some songs they know and they sing along.” The Giorlandos have another food tradition that occurs before Thanksgiving. They get together with relatives to make cannoli shells from scratch. Giorlando’s sisterin-law, Sharon Litz, made aprons for everyone to wear while in the kitchen. Spending time together is something they treasure. Some students in James Ford’s culinary classes at Macomb Community College will bake holiday treats at home this season. One student is even making Grinch cookies that Ford can take to an event. “In the classes I teach, the most popular cookies seem to be what Grandma and Mom used to make. The recipes were passed down from family,” he said. “Peppermint is a popular flavor this time of year.” Ford, a certified pastry chef and culinary professor at MCC, offered a number of tips to help bakers while whipping up treats. “The main thing is to keep your kitchen organized. Have everything in its place,” he said. “I would prepare stuff ahead of time. It helps you be efficient.” One recommended baking practice is placing the ingredients on a quarter-pan-size tray so they stay in one place. Ford advises keeping ingredients at room temperature unless something needs to be chilled. He also reminds bakers to check on how the butter needs to be for the recipe. “Where butter is involved you have to watch the method: cold, melted or softened,” he said. Wait for the cookies to cool to begin frosting them, and stay near the stove while baking so the cookies don’t burn. “A lot of time, people get distracted at home,” he said. “Have someone back you up.” Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.
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Taste it. Feel it. Live it: The Rich Roots Behind Raíces Mexican Cantina When Maria Aldana chose the name Raíces, or roots in English, she wanted a word that explained the story behind her Mexican cantina and the deep traditions that guide every dish. She has spent nearly two decades in the restaurant business, learning to cook on the job and growing from one small operation to several locations. During the pandemic, she opened a Mexican grill and later sold it, only to discover that she missed the kitchen and the creative work behind it. So she opened Raíces in May 2024. “Mexican gastronomy is a beautiful process that comes from our seasonings, our herbs and the vegetables we serve,” Aldana explained, adding that many of her peppers and spices are sourced from Mexico, where drying, roasting and blending methods shape the flavors she wants to highlight. Much of the staff built their culinary paths by drawing from the kitchens they grew up in. “Raíces is surrounded by everything it takes to bring authentic dishes to the table,” Aldana said. Her menu showcases the magnificence of Mexican cuisine, presenting dishes with rustic character yet modern flair. Featured are mole poblano, fajitas, burritos, chimichangas and birria from her father’s recipe from Jalisco. The molcajete arrives sizzling with grilled meats and peppers, and her quesadillas and tacos are prepared with her special seasoning blend. Consistency is key in her kitchen. All ingredients come from the same trusted sources. The bar follows that standard with cocktails made from natural ingredients and no artificial flavors. Frozen margaritas and traditional versions are made to order. Taco Tuesdays, happy hour offers and occasional themed nights add energy to the scene. For Aldana, Raíces is more than a restaurant. It represents her craft, culture and the trust guests place in her food. “I love what I do,” she said. “Knowing customers enjoy it, share it with others and come back is what makes my job meaningful.” Come visit Raíces Mexican Cantina at 44805 Mound Rd. in Sterling Heights. For more information, call (586) 930-1821 or visit raicesmex.com.
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Intersections in Warren, Sterling Heights top ‘most dangerous’ list BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
MACOMB COUNTY — Intersections in Sterling Heights and Warren top an annual list of the most dangerous intersections in Macomb County in 2024. The list, published in November by Michigan Auto Law, used accident reports from the Michigan State Police to determine the 10 most dangerous intersections for the year. “Our list of Macomb County’s most dangerous intersections reflects the latest car accident data available from 2024 on the top 10 interchanges with the highest number of reported car crashes,” the firm said in a statement. Founded in 1969, Michigan Auto Law is a Michigan-based personal injury law firm specializing in auto and truck accident cases. According to the statement published by the firm, the list is provided to help keep Michigan drivers safe by telling them where they need to use extra caution. Topping the list is the intersection of 11 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue in Warren. According to the report, in 2024, the intersection saw 185 total crashes with 26 injuries reported. Warren Police Capt. Paul Houtos, who leads the department’s Patrol Services Bureau, said the reason the intersection tops the list is due to the high volume of traffic. “That intersection sees a heavy combination of commercial vehicles and personally-owned vehicles transitioning from the freeway speeds to slower local speeds,” he
0125-2551
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
The second-most-dangerous intersection on the list, with 162 crashes and 12 injuries, is the intersection at 18 1/2 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue in Sterling Heights.The intersection is a roundabout serving as on and off ramps between Van Dyke Avenue, 18 1/2 Mile Road and the Van Dyke freeway, or M-53.
Van Dyke
15 Mile
said in an email. “Combine that heavy traffic volume with drivers who are in a hurry, distracted or not familiar with the area and this leads to a higher number of rear-end and sideswipe accidents, especially during peak traffic hours.” Drivers on Van Dyke can’t turn left onto the service drives, but some still make illegal left turns into the gas station at the northwest corner to avoid using the “Michigan left,” which has caused multiple crashes when they’re hit by southbound traffic, Houtos said. Other causes, according to Houtos, stem from drivers in the dual right-turn lanes drifting out of their designated lanes and sideswiping other vehicles. To make the intersection safer, Houtos said, would require a “multi-pronged approach,” including having the Michigan Department of Transportation study the engineering of the intersection. “Van Dyke, or M-53, is a state highway so our department has been in contact with MDOT to have them study the engineering of the intersection,” he said. “I believe that better signage or lane marking may help, especially where multiple lanes are allowed to turn from the same direction.” Houtos said the department has also considered using its drone team to record the intersection during peak hours to get information about choke points and what traffic violations are regularly occurring. “The choke points can be resolved through engineering. Common or reoccurring traffic violations can be addressed by See INTERSECTIONS on page 19A
0270-2551
SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025
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Datta from page 3A
tificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to replace fields in computer science, particularly one of the most popular and demanding fields, Software Engineering,” Datta said in an email. “As an avid coder building software-engineering projects like my Google Extension WebBarrier, which is now used in 77 countries worldwide, and a current contracted Software Developer at Michiganbased company Disc Replay, I was very intrigued about the future of the field that I am currently working in.” Datta began his project over a year ago in his Advanced Placement research class. His first step was to look at the research in the field and conduct over 200 tests with six of the most popular large language models — artificial intelligence tools that generate code. The models include ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Claude, Pixtral, and LLaMa.
“My research involves evaluating the code generation capabilities of the six most popular large language models for front-end web development using my new custom algorithm that tests two images’ general similarity called Neighborhood-based Pixel Similarity,” Datta said in an email. “My research question specifically was: Which popular large language model is best capable of replacing front-end web developers based on its performance on overall webpage design translation? After (it was) conducted, I was able to get a ranked list of all six models, using their averaged similarity scores across different experiments and revisions, (and the results) stated that the LLM Claude 3.5-Sonnet was the best with an 84.75% score.” As part of his study, Datta created his own algorithm to evaluate how well LLMs can generate code. “A feat, usually expected by a collegiate researching student with advanced mathematical notations, complex understanding in image processing and in computer science,
SYNOPSIS OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025, IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 52700 VAN DYKE, SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Supervisor Richard Stathakis. The Invocation was led by Pastor Ryan Hakes from Lakeside Assembly of God Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Veterans Event Coordinator Phil Randazzo. AWARDS & PRESENTATIONS Resolution posthumously honoring James V. Hering Mr. Stathakis shared with the Township the passing of Jim Hering, a devoted member of our community who served on the Police and Fire Civil Service Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Board of Review from 2009-2025. A Resolution of Appreciation was read in his honor. MOTION by Casali, second by Grot, to adopt the Resolution of Appreciation, as presented. Roll Call: Ayes – Casali, Grot, Stathakis, Vermeulen, Viviano, Carabelli, Di Cicco, Nays – none Motion carried. 2026 Top 10 Priorities (Requested by Planning and Zoning) Planning Director Ms. Julie Rasawehr, shared that this year the surveys for the Top 10 Priorities ran from 9/22/2025 to 10/02/2025 and gave the Township residents the opportunity to vote. Based on those surveys and discussions from the Board the Top 10 Priorities for the upcoming year were decided. The 2026 Township Priorities are as follows: 1. Participate in Local Road Improvements Funding 2. Continue Blight Enforcement Initiative 3. Continue Pursuit of Sidewalk Connectivity 4. Improve Ryan Road from Auburn Road to 23 Mile Road 5. Widen Schoenherr Road from 25 Mile to 26 Mile 6. Prioritize the Civic center Development Plan for a Farmers Market 7. Provide Additional Recreation Opportunities at Existing Parks & Buildings 8. Develop a Tree Management Plan 9. Prioritize the Civic Center Development Plan for a Band Shell 10. Plan for Long-Term Financial Obligations MOTION by Grot, second by Viviano, to adopt the 2026 Top 10 Priorities, as presented. Motion carried. ROLL CALL Members Present: Richard Stathakis, Stanley Grot, James Carabelli, Lucia Di Cicco, Lisa Casali, John Vermeulen, Vince Viviano Also Present: Rob Huth, Township Attorney APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes: Board Meeting -- October 21, 2025 (Requested by Clerk’s Office) B. Macomb Community College Agreement (Requested by Police Department) C. Resolution to Waive Property Tax Administrative Fee (Requested by Treasurer’s Office) D. Adoption of the 2025–2030 Macomb County Hazard Mitigation Plan (Requested by Fire Department) E. Southeast Michigan Council of Governments Membership (Requested by Supervisor’s Office) F. 2026 Summer Tax Collections (Requested by Treasurer’s Office) G. Acceptance of Proposals for VOIP Phone Services from Clear Rate Business (Requested by Clerk’s Office) H. Cancellation and Rescheduling of the December 2, 2025 Regular Board of Trustees Meeting (Requested by Clerk’s Office) I. Credit Card Purchases in the amount of $26,829.56 (Requested by Treasurer’s Office) J. Bill Run in the Amount of $3,134,454.48. (Requested by Financial Management) MOTION carried to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented. Roll Call: Ayes – Grot, Vermeulen, Viviano, Carabelli, Casali, Di Cicco, Stathakis Nays – none APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Stathakis read the items on the Regular Agenda. MOTION carried to approve the agenda, as presented. PLANNING COMMISSION 1. Introduction for Rezoning Petition #25-29 Ottavio Palazzolo (Requested by Planning and Zoning) MOTION carried to concur with the Planning Commission and introduce Rezoning Petition #25-29 OTTAVIO PALAZZOLO (Affinity Land Holdings, LLC); 49421 Hayes Road, Parcel No. 23-07-24-400-031 & Vacant Parcel No. 23-07-24-400-035, located north of 22 Mile Road, on the west side of Hayes Road; Proposed Rezoning O-1 (Professional Office) to C-2 (Linear Retail Business) based on the following: 1. The C-2, Linear Retail Business zoning classification is an appropriate zoning designation for a systematic development pattern. 2. The change is not out of scale with existing development patterns in this area of the township.
took enormous planning, hours of testing, and multiple accounts of trial and error, but ended with a magnificent research paper,” Datta said in a press release. His teachers are not surprised by his accomplishments, as they’ve noted that Datta is considered a hardworking and dedicated student. “I’ve taught Dron in Honors 10, AP Research, and now in AP European history. Dron holds himself to the highest standards of excellence, and his continued success is a hallmark of his dedication, effort, and abilities,” Stevenson teacher Michael MacLeod said in a press release. Datta said his experiences in UCS have been instrumental in his success, particularly his classes with MacLeod and computer science courses offered at the Utica Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology with Rebecca Watterson. “The experiences I have had in the UCS district have definitely helped inspire my journey with my studies,” Datta said in
a press release. Datta hopes his research project inspires other UCS students. He also believes his algorithm can make a difference by speeding up website development and allowing companies to more effectively evaluate the AI they use for code generation. “I hope my story and achievements in my early computer science career inspires the next generation of students in this district to continue furthering the STEM fields and generating knowledge that advances society,” Datta said in a press release. STEM stands for “science, technology, engineering and math.” He plans to pursue a career in the field of computer science with a goal of becoming a research scientist or professor. “I also plan to work with professors in the future, with more resources and training, to continue on with my study and furthering the field of large language models’ automation in front-end web development,” Datta said in an email. For more information, visit uticak12.org.
3. The change in zoning would provide a more uniform and consistent development pattern. 4. The change in zoning would not adversely impact any abutting development. Roll Call: Ayes – Casali, Vermeulen, Carabelli, Di Cicco, Grot, Stathakis, Viviano Nays – none DEPARTMENTAL & COMMITTEE 2. Extend Term of Litter and Debris Disposal Services (Requested by Building Department) MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Building Director Tim Wood and accept the proposal for litter and debris disposal services from Excel Landscaping LLC for a term ending December 31, 2026. 3. Extend Term of Grass and Weed Cutting Services (Requested by Building Department) MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Building Director Tim Wood and accept the proposal for grass and weed cutting services from Excel Landscaping LLC for a term ending December 31, 2026. 4. Extend Term of Snow and Ice Removal Services (Requested by Building Department) MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Building Director Tim Wood and accept the proposal for snow and ice removal services from Excel Landscaping LLC for a term ending December 31, 2026. 5. Sidewalk Maintenance Program - 2026 (Requested by Building Department) MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Building Director Tim Wood and contract with Anderson, Eckstein and Westrick, Inc. (AEW) to provide Sidewalk Maintenance Program Services as outlined in the proposal dated 10/30/25 at a cost of $82,000.00. Funds are to be taken from Capital Improvement Fund line item 427-446-967-510. 6. Tactical Sustainment Program (Requested by Police Department) MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Police Chief Robert Shelide and approve the request to contract Third Excursion Group for the year 2026 in the amount of $15,000.00. Funds are to be taken from Federal Forfeiture Fund line item 262-303-799-207. 7. Evidence Tech Equipment (Requested by Police Department) MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Police Chief Robert Shelide and approve the request to purchase evidence equipment from L-TRON Corporation in the amount of $7,491.41 and annual licensing in the amount of $7,719.00, for a total cost of $15,210.41. Funds are to be taken from the Police Fund as follows - $7,491.41 from line item 207-301-980-000 and $7,719.00 from line item 207-301-730-300. 8. Interior Painting & Ceiling Repair - Station 1 (Requested by Fire Department) MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Fire Chief Franklyn Pierce and approve the proposal from JR Painting LLC, of Eastpointe, Michigan, for interior painting and ceiling repairs at Fire Station Number 1 in the amount of $16,850.00. Funds are to be taken from Fire Fund line item 206-336-930.100. 9. Sutphen Heavy Duty Custom Rescue Pumper Purchase (Requested by Fire Department) MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Fire Chief Frank Pierce and approve the purchase of one (1) Sutphen Heavy Duty Custom Rescue Pumper, to be delivered in 2028, from Sutphen Corporation, located in Dublin Ohio, in the amount of $1,149,889.84, as detailed in the attached proposal. Funds are to be taken from Capital Improvement Fund line item 427-336-985-000. 10. Fire Engine 3 (#43) Repairs (Requested by Fire Department) MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Fire Chief Frank Pierce and approve the repair cost for Shelby Fire Engine 3 on invoice number 044S114687 from Michigan Kenworth in Clinton Township, MI for $12,892.25. Funds are to be taken from Fire Fund line item 206.336-931.000 11. Meter Purchase (Requested by DPW) MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of the Public Works Director Danielle Allen and authorize the bulk purchase of (500) 5/8” water meters from Ferguson Waterworks at a cost not to exceed $100,490.25. Funds for this purchase are accounted for under Water and Sewer Fund line item 592-106-000. 12. Roadside Ditch Program (Requested by Supervisor’s Office) MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Township Engineer Anderson, Eckstein and Westrick, Inc. (AEW) and authorize the Supervisor to execute the cost share agreement between the Charter Township of Shelby and the Macomb County Department of Roads for the Roadside Ditch Program for portions along 21 Mile Road, 22 Mile Road, 24 Mile Road, Ryan Road, Mound Road, and Suzanne Avenue at an estimated cost of $123,269.00. Funds are to be taken from General Fund line item 101.261-969.600 and amend the budget accordingly. 13. 2026 Cyber Insurance Policy (Requested by Supervisor’s Office) MOTION carried to concur with the recommendation of Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis and contract with CFC Insurance Company to provide cyber insurance coverage from November 22, 2025 - November 22, 2026, at a cost of $70,935.75. Funds are to be taken from various General Fund, Fire Fund, Police Fund, and Water and Sewer Fund line items. 14. CivicPlus Agenda Meeting Management Software (Requested by Clerk’s Office) MOTION carried to authorize the Township Clerk to sign the Statement of Work with CivicPlus for Agenda Meeting Management Software in an amount not to exceed $16,000.00 for the first year, with an automatic one-year renewal term of $12,000.00 and a 5% increase applied in year two. Funds are to be taken from General Fund line item 101-261-730-212. Motion carried. MOTION carried to adjourn at 7:52 p.m. A COMPLETE SET OF MINUTES IS AVAILABLE IN THE CLERK’S OFFICE FOR REVIEW OR AT WWW.SHELBYTWP.ORG.
Stanley Grot Published: Shelby-Utica News 12/17/2025
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SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025
Intersections from page 17A
added enforcement and education,” he said. The second most dangerous intersection on the list, with 162 crashes and 12 injuries, is the intersection at 18 1/2 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue in Sterling Heights. The intersection is a roundabout serving as on and off ramps between Van Dyke, 18 1/2 Mile and the Van Dyke freeway, or M-53. Despite being named on the list, Sterling Heights Police Lt. Aaron Susalla said it has the lowest percentage of crashes with injuries in the area. “This roundabout moves a tremendous amount of traffic throughout the day and almost all of the crashes that occur are sideswipes with the vehicles moving in the same direction,” he said. “This is the reason injury rates from crashes at this intersection are so low.” Susalla said the way the data is collected can be misleading. When the intersections are rated, the data shows the number of crashes that occurred without taking the injuries resulting from the crash into consideration, he said.
“I think the most important information to understand from this data is the fact that though the crash numbers may be high, our roundabout is not dangerous with the proof being a low injury rate on the crashes that occur here,” he said. Despite not considering the intersection dangerous, Susalla said the department is taking steps to reduce the number of crashes, including education. “Many of the drivers on the road did not have roundabout education in their drivers training curriculum, which is now part of that. So, to educate us more mature drivers, we have produced P.S.A. videos and social media posts on how to properly navigate a roundabout,” he said. Most of the crashes that occur at the roundabout are caused by drivers who are unfamiliar with the correct navigation within the roundabout, he said. A video created by the department about roundabout safety can be seen on the city’s YouTube page. Other intersections on the list include 10 Mile Road and Interstate 94 in St. Clair Shores, 11 Mile Road and Hoover Road in Warren, and Hall and Hayes roads in Macomb Township. The entire list can be found at michiganautolaw.com.
NOTICE OF ADOPTION AND SECOND PUBLICATION OF MAP AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY ZONING ORDINANCE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Trustees of the Charter Township of Shelby has adopted the following map amendment to its Zoning Ordinance at its meeting on December 9, 2025: CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY COUNTY OF MACOMB, MICHIGAN ORDINANCE NO. 212.140 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING MAP OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY, MACOMB COUNTY, MICHIGAN THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY ORDAINS: Section 1. That the following properties located in the Charter Township of Shelby, Macomb County, Michigan and described as follows: LEGAL DESCRIPTION LEGAL DESCRIPTION (23-07-24-400-031: L 459A1A 1986 ROW SPLIT T3N R12E SEC 24 COMM AT SE COR SEC 24, TH N 566.40 FT TO POB, TH W 395.20 FT, TH N 0 DEG 5’ E 178.89 FT, TH S 85 DEG 49’ E 396 FT, TH S 150 FT ALG E SEC LINE TO POB, EXC E 60 FT FOR HAYES RD R/W. 1.283 A. LEGAL DESCRIPTION (23-07-24-400-035): 5/98 SPLIT FROM 07-024-051-00 BEG AT SE COR SEC 24, TH S 89 DEG 4’W 396 FT, TH N 0 DEG 5’E 572.86 FT, TH E 395.20 FT, TH S 566.40 FT ALG E SEC LINE TO POB EXC BEG AT SE COR SEC 24, TH ALG S LINE SEC 24 S 88 DEG 15’24”W 396 FT; TH N 00 DEG 3’56”E 451.50 FT; TH N 88 DEG 43’58”E 395.39 FT; TH ALG SAID LINE S 448.20 FT TO POB. EXC E 60 FT FOR HAYES RD ROW. 1.09 AC +/COMMON DESCRIPTION 49421 Hayes Road & Vacant Parcel No. 23-07-24-400-035 (Located north of 22 Mile Road, on the west side of Hayes Road) To be rezoned fromO-1 (Professional Office) to C-2 (Linear Retail Business) with conditions in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance of the Charter Township of Shelby and that the Zoning Ordinance be amended in accordance herewith. Section 2. That all other provisions of the Charter Township of Shelby Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map, except as amended by this ordinance, shall remain in full force and effect. Section 3. is amendment shall become effective, and the above-described property shall be rezoned as provided in Section 1 upon the expiration of seven (7) days after publication of a notice of adoption. __________________________ Stanley T. Grot, Township Clerk Published: Shelby-Utica News 12/17/2025
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
0294-2551
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY
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Notice is hereby given that the Planning Commission for the Charter Township of Shelby, Macomb NOTICE PUBLIC County, Michigan has received a request for OF approval of HEARING a Site Plan Special Land Use: Notice is hereby given that the Planning Commission for the Charter Township of Shelby, Macomb County, Michigan has received a request for approval
APPLICANT: of a Site Plan Special Land Use: APPLICANT:
Michele Sunday
PROPOSED USE:
248.819.0077
PROPOSED USE:
LOCATION: LOCATION:
msunday@candgnews.com
Jesse Kerr
51989 Schoenherr Road Jesse Kerr Shelby Twp, MI 48315 51989 Schoenherr Road Shelby Twp, MI 48315
Give’Em A Brake Sales & Rentals – Outdoor Storage
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51989 Schoenherr Road 51989 Schoenherr Road Located north of 23 Mile Road, onnorth the westof side Schoenherr Roadon the west side of Schoenherr Road Located 23ofMile Road, Site Plan/SLU #25-33Site Plan/SLU #25-33
C & G Newspapers publish 19 local editions reaching over 571,000 homes 13650 11 Mile Road • Warren, MI 48089 0363-2310
SIDWELL NO(s): 23-07-14-400-007 23-07-14-400-007 SIDWELL NO(s): LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
LEGAL L 252A1ADESCRIPTION: T3N R12E SEC 14 COMM AT E 1/4 POST SEC 14, TH S 0 DEG 44’ W 99 FT TO PT BEG, TH S 0 DEG 44’ W 165 FT ALG E LINE SEC 14, OR, L SCHOENHERR 252A1A T3N R12E SEC E N1/4 POST SEC 14, FT, THTHSN089DEG 44' W 99 FT FTTOTO PT BEG, RD, TH S 89 DEG 46’14 23”COMM W 1319.64AT FT, TH 0 DEG 27’ 35” E 165.23 DEG 47’ E 1320.43 PT BEG. 5 A. TH S 0 DEG 44' W 165 FT ALG E LINE SEC 14, OR, SCHOENHERR RD, TH S 89 DEG 46' 23" W 1319.64 FT, TH The Planning Commission will meet on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Shelby Township Municipal Building, Board Room, 52700 Van NDyke 0 DEG 27' 35" E 165.23 FT, TH N 89 DEG 47' E 1320.43 FT TO PT BEG. 5 A. Avenue, Shelby Township, Michigan, 48316; (586-726-7243) for the purpose of holding a public hearing on the Site Plan Special Land Use request.
The Planning Commission will meet on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Shelby Township The application for the Site Plan Special Land Use52700 may be examined at the Planning and Zoning Department in the Municipal Building,48316; Monday through Municipal Building, Board Room, Van Dyke Avenue, Shelby Township, Michigan, (586Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Written comments may be submitted to the Planning Commission at the above address prior to the hearing. Oral 726-7243) for the purpose of holding a public hearing on the Site Plan Special Land Use request. 0084-2550
www.candgnews.com
comments will be heard during the public hearing.
This application notice is provided for pursuant the requirements of Michigan PublicUse Act 110 of 2006, amended. The theto Site Plan Special Land may beasexamined at the Planning and Zoning Department in the Municipal Building, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.COMMISSION Written SHELBY TOWNSHIP PLANNING comments may be submitted to the Planning Commission at the above address prior to the hearing. JEROME MOFFITT, CHAIR Oral comments will be heard during the public hearing. RAQUEL MOORE, SECRETARY Published: Shelby-Utica News 12/17/2025
0339-2551
This notice is provided pursuant to the requirements of Michigan Public Act 110 of 2006, as amended.
SHELBY TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION JEROME MOFFITT, CHAIR RAQUEL MOORE, SECRETARY
SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025 CITY OF UTICA RESIDENTS
20A CITY OF UTICA PUBLIC NOTICE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 187
At 7:00 p.m. on January 13, 2026 at the City of Utica Council Chambers, 7550 Auburn Road, Utica, Michigan, a public hearing will be held to obtain the views of citizens concerning community development and housing needs, as required by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.
The undersigned, being the duly qualified and acting Clerk of the City of Utica, Michigan, does hereby certify that
City of Utica will be receiving $3,140 in Community Development Block Grant funds for FY 2026 from the Macomb “Urban County” Program.
ORDINANCE 187, an amendment to Sec. 62-77 Nuisance snow, ice, and rubbish and to provide for repealer, severability and effective date, was adopted by the City Council of the City of Utica at a regular meeting on the 9th of December 2025. A complete copy of the revised ordinance is available for review at the office of the City Clerk at City Hall, 7550 Auburn Road, 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday -Thursday and 8:30am to 11:30 am Friday Lori Cooke City Clerk
Federal guidelines require that maximum priority be given to activities which primarily benefit low- or moderate-income families or which aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight. A variety of projects are eligible for community development funding. These include: Property acquisition Code enforcement Planning and Administration Homebuyer Assistance
Handicapped Barrier Removal Rehabilitation of Buildings Housing Rehabilitation
Public Facilities Public Infrastructure Public Services
Citizens residing in blighted areas or lower-income persons are encouraged to participate. If you cannot attend this meeting and want your views known, please write or call Lori Cooke, City Clerk, City of Utica, 7550 Auburn Road, Utica, MI 48317, telephone number 586-739-1600.
Published: Shelby-Utica News 12/17/2025
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY MACOMB, MICHIGAN ORDINANCE NO. 306 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 6 ARTICLE I, II AND IV OF THE SHELBY TOWNSHIP CODE OF ORDINANCES BY REPEALING IT IN IT’S ENTIRETY AND INCORPORATING ANIMAL CONTROL BEST PRACTICES IN MACOMB COUNTY MICHIGAN AND PROVIDE FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, PENALTIES AND EFFECTIVE DATE. IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED BY THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY: Section 1. PREAMBLE An Ordinance regulating standards of care and treatment of animals to help insure the safety and wellbeing of animals as well as the community; establishing licensing requirements; providing for the collection of stray animals; providing regulations for the operation of dog kennels; requiring the immediate collection and disposal of animal waste; defining and prohibiting nuisance behavior by animals; requiring animals to be quarantined in specified circumstances; requiring the humane treatment of animals; prohibiting cruelty to animals; prohibiting tethering of dogs; prohibiting the harboring of a dangerous animal; prohibiting the sale, purchase or ownership of wild and exotic animals; providing penalties for the violation of this Ordinance, and repealing all Ordinances in conflict therewith. Section 2. Chapter 6, Article I, II and Article IV of the Charter Township of Shelby Code of Ordinances is repealed in its entirety and replaced as follows: ARTICLE I.-DEFINITIONS SECTION 6-1. Definitions The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Chapter shall have the following meanings ascribed to them, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
0317-2551 At Large shall mean the condition wherein an animal is off the premises of its owner and is not under secure restraint by a substantial leash, not to exceed six (6) feet in length, or is not otherwise under the charge and control of a person competent to keep such animal under effective charge and control. Cat shall mean an animal of the Felidae family or the order Carnivora. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection shall mean an official document issued by an USDA-accredited veterinarian certifying that the animal(s) identified on the document have been inspected and were found to satisfy federal and state requirements for moving animals from one state to another. Community Cat shall mean an unowned, free roaming cat that lives outdoors; a community cat may or may not be feral. Community Cat Caregiver shall mean a person who provides care, including food, shelter or medical care to a community cat and is actively listed as a Community Cat Caregiver with the Macomb County Animal Control’s Trap -Neuter-Return program. Dangerous Animal shall mean either of the following: (1) A dog or another animal that bites or attacks a person; (2) A dog or animal that bites or attacks and causes serious injury or death to another dog or another animal while on public or private property where the injured person or other animal is legally entitled to be, including the property of the dog’s or animal’s owner or custodian. (3) An animal that is intentionally trained or conditioned to fight or guard, except for animals trained for law enforcement or service purposes while engaged in the activities for which they were trained, shall be considered a dangerous animal. (4) An animal that has repeatedly attacked, chased, provoked, or menaced any person or animal. (5) An animal that has been bitten by any animal known to have been afflicted with rabies. Under this article, a dangerous animal does not include:
Abandon shall mean to desert, forsake, or give up an animal without having secured another owner or custodian for the animal or having transferred the animal to an Animal Protection Shelter, Macomb County Animal Control, Veterinary Agency or properly licensed rescue organization.
(1) An animal that bites or attacks a person who is knowingly trespassing on the property of the animal’s owner; or
Adequate care shall mean the provision of sufficient food, water, shelter, sanitary conditions, exercise, and veterinary medical attention to maintain an animal in a state of good health and to prevent suffering, impairment of health, or the treatment of illness or injury.
(3) An animal that has bitten or attacked a person or any animal attacking its owner or its owner’s family.
Adequate Shelter shall mean provision of and access to shelter that is suitable for the species, age, condition, size, and type of each animal; provides adequate space for each animal; is safe and protects each animal from injury, rain, sleet, snow, hail, direct sunlight, the adverse effects of heat or cold, physical suffering, and impairment of health; is properly lighted; is properly cleaned; enables each animal to be clean and dry, except when detrimental to the species; during hot weather, is properly shaded and does not readily conduct heat; during cold weather, has a windbreak at its entrance and provides a quantity of bedding material consisting of straw, wood shavings, or the equivalent that is sufficient to protect the animal from cold and promote the retention of body heat; and, for dogs and cats, provides a solid surface, resting platform, pad, floor mat, or similar device that is large enough for the animal to lie on in a normal manner and can be maintained in a sanitary manner. Shelters whose wire, grid, or slat floors permit the animals’ feet to pass through the openings, sag under the animals’ weight, or otherwise do not protect the animals’ feet or toes from injury, are not adequate shelter. Animal shall mean any living vertebrate creature, wild or domestic, except humans. Animal Breeder shall mean any person, firm or corporation who is engaged in the operation of breeding and raising animals for the purpose of selling, trading, bartering, giving away, or otherwise transferring same. Animal Control Officer shall mean any employee who is certified by the Michigan Department of Agriculture to perform animal control duties under the direction of the Director. Animal Protection Shelter shall mean a facility operated by a person, humane society, a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or another nonprofit organization for the care of homeless animals. Animal Shelter shall mean the animal kenneling facility operated by Macomb County to house stray or unwanted animals.
(2) An animal that bites or attacks a person who knowingly provokes or torments the animals or its young; or
Department shall mean the Macomb County Animal Control Division. Director/ Chief Animal Control Deputy shall mean the Director or Chief Animal Control Deputy of the Macomb County Animal Control Division, and his/her designee. Dog shall mean an animal of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. Dog License shall mean the registration of a Rabies vaccinated dog that is 4 or more months old, residing within the township, as mandated by the MCL 287.266 Dog Kennel shall mean any establishment that keeps, harbors or boards more than the township limit whether for breeding, sale, animal rescue\ protection or sporting purposes pursuant to Section 4.58 of the Charter Township of Shelby Zoning Ordinance. Domesticated Animal shall mean any animal which is accustomed to living in an environment managed by humans and is suitable for the purpose of human companionship or service. Ear-tipping shall mean the removal of the ¼ inch tip of a community cat’s left ear, performed while the cat is under anesthesia, in compliance with any applicable federal or state law, and under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, designed to be the universal identification that the community cat is sterilized and lawfully vaccinated for Rabies at least once. Exotic Animal shall mean and includes any mammal, reptile or fowl which is not naturally tame or gentle, but is of such nature or disposition, and which, because of its size, vicious nature or other characteristics, would constitute a danger to human life or property. Exotic animals include, but are not limited to: (1) reptiles, insects, or arachnids which are venomous, and which are not indigenous to Macomb County; or any reptile not indigenous to Macomb County which weighs forty (40) pounds or more, whether venomous or not. (2) non-human primate;
Published: Shelby-Utica News 12/17/2025
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(3) animals covered under Michigan Wolf-Dog Cross Act as per MCL 287.1001- 287.1023.
dog should not be vaccinated for medical reasons and indicates when/if the dog can be vaccinated.
(4) animals covered under Michigan Large Carnivore Act as per MLC 287.1101 - 287.1123.
Section 6-43 . Wearing of License Tag.
Health Certificate shall mean a valid Health Certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian after examining the pet and determining that it is free of infectious diseases. Health Certificates are valid for 30 days from the date of examination. Impound shall mean an animal confined, kept, and maintained by the Macomb County Animal Control Division. Livestock shall mean cattle, elk, reindeer, bison, horses, deer, sheep, goats, swine, poultry (including egg- production poultry), fowl, llamas, alpacas, live fish, crawfish, and any other animals that are part of a foundation herd (including producing dairy cattle) or offspring. Neglect shall mean failing to sufficiently and properly care for an animal to the extent that the animal’s health is jeopardized. Neuter/Castration shall mean professional sterilization procedure performed by a veterinarian that renders a male animal incapable of reproducing. Nuisance shall mean to unreasonably interfere with the use and/or enjoyment of the property of another. Owner shall mean: any person (1) having a right of property in an animal; or an authorized agent of the person having a right of property in an animal; (2) keeping or harboring an animal or has an animal in his or her care, custody or control; (3) having control or purporting to have control over an animal; (4) named in the licensing records of any animal as the owner; (5) occupying the premises where the animal is usually kept if such premises are other than the premises of the owner as shown on the licensing records; (6) The parent or guardian of an owner under 18 years of age shall be deemed the owner as defined in this section. If an animal has more than one owner, all such persons are jointly and severally liable for the acts or omissions of an owner. Person shall mean an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, trust, or any association of persons or other legal entity. Rabbit shall mean a long-eared short-tailed lagomorph mammal with long hind legs of the Leporidae family. Spay shall mean professional sterilization procedure performed by a veterinarian that renders a female dog or cat incapable of reproducing. Stray Animal shall mean any animal running loose on public or private property without restraint; without being under direct human supervision and/or control. Tethering shall mean the restraint and confinement of an animal by use of a chain, rope or similar device. Trap-Neuter-Return shall mean the process of humanely trapping, sterilizing, vaccinating for Rabies, ear-tipping, and returning community cats to their original location. Wild Animal shall mean any animal which is now or historically has been found in the wild, or in the wild state, within the boundaries of the United States, its territories, or possessions. This term includes, but is not limited to, animals such as: deer, skunk, opossum, raccoon, mink, armadillo, coyote, squirrel, fox, wolf, etc. ARTICLE II -LICENSING OF DOGS Section 6-41. Licensing Required. All dogs shall be licensed by the Department in accordance with State law (MCL 287.266) except: (1) A dog under four months of age; (2) A dog licensed by another state in which the dog and owner reside, if the owner will be present in the Township for thirty days or less. Section 6-42 . Rabies Vaccination. All dogs shall be protected by a rabies vaccine at the time of license issuance from the Department. Such vaccine shall be administered by a veterinarian except when a veterinarian states annually in writing that the
Dogs are required to wear valid license tags. It is prohibited and a violation of this Chapter for a dog to be off owner’s property without wearing a valid license tag. Section 6-44 . Failure to Show License. It is a violation of this Chapter for a person upon whom a demand is made, to fail or refuse to exhibit the dog certificate of vaccination or its license tag when requested by a person authorized to enforce this Chapter. ARTICLE III-COLLECTION OF STRAY ANIMALS Section 6-55.
Animals Running at large.
It shall be unlawful for a person who owns or who has charge, care or custody of an animal to allow the animal to run at large. A person who owns or has custody or control of an animal shall, at any time the animal is off that person’s property, restrain the animal with a lead or leash of a length sufficient to maintain effective control of the animal. Section 6-56 . Capture. An animal may be taken into custody by the Director or Shelby Township Police Department for the following circumstances: (1) Dogs and other domestic animals that are running at large in violation of township ordinances or state laws. (2) Stray, abandoned, or abused animals. (3 Animals maintained contrary to township ordinances or state laws. (4) Any animal that has bitten a person. Section 6-57 . Interference with an Animal Control Deputy; Police Officer. It is a violation of this Chapter for a person to interfere with, oppose, or resist a person who is authorized to enforce this Chapter while he/she is engaged in the performance of any act authorized by this Chapter. Section 6-58 . Stray Livestock. A person who owns or has custody or control of livestock or poultry shall prevent such animals from running at large on public or private property without the consent of the property owner and pursuant to the Township Code of Ordinances and Zoning Ordinance. However, this Section shall not prohibit the leading or driving of livestock, under the owner’s or custodian’s supervision, along a public highway. Section 6-59 . Relinquishing Strays Any person picking up any stray animal or animal found running at large may deliver such animal to the Director by taking it to the Macomb County Animal Control Division. ARTICLE IV- DOG KENNELS Section 6 -70 . Dog Kennels. Kennels and or dog day care uses are permitted uses in certain zoning districts as set forth by the provisions of the Charter Township of Shelby Zoning Ordinance, specifically, but not limited to, sections 4.58. Any person operating a dog kennel shall obtain a kennel license annually in accordance with MCL 287.270 and comply with applicable Township Zoning Ordinance provisions. Section 6-71. Rabies Vaccination. Each dog kept in a kennel shall be up to date on age appropriate vaccinations including but not limited to rabies vaccination. Section 6-72. Display of License. Every person having a kennel license shall keep the license posted in a conspicuous manner at the kennel and obtain individual dog licenses for each qualifying dog over 4 months old. Section 6-73. Conditions of Kennel. (1) Building. Whenever a commercial animal facility is unattended, the name, address and telephone number of the owner of the facility and the person responsible for the care of animals shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the front of the facility. Enclosures that give adequate protection against weather extremes shall be provided. Floors and walls of buildings shall be of an impervious material to enable proper cleaning and disinfecting. The building temperature shall be maintained at a reasonable level and adequate ventilation shall be provided.
21A
SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025 (2) Cages. Cages shall provide enough space to let each dog stand up, lie down, and turnaround without touching the top or sides of the cage. Cages shall be of a material and construction that permits cleaning and sanitizing. Cage floors, unless radiantly heated, shall have either a resting area above the cage floor or some type of bedding. (3) Runs. Dog runs shall be of concrete or pea gravel. Concrete runs shall have adequate slopes for sanitation. If pea gravel is used, droppings must be collected and removed. All runs must be periodically disinfected. (4) Feeding. All food shall be free of contamination, wholesome, palatable, and of sufficient quality and nutritive value to meet the daily requirements determined by the condition and size of the animal. (5) Water. All animals shall have fresh water available at all times. Water vessels shall be mounted or secured in a manner that prevents tipping. ARTICLE V - ANIMAL BEHAVIOR Section 6- 85. Quarantine. Every animal that has bitten a person/animal shall be quarantined for a period of not less than 10 days. Such quarantine may be at the Macomb County Animal Control, a veterinary office, or a place designated by the Director. The owner shall surrender the dog to the Director upon request. Should the owner refuse to cooperate, the Director may seek a court order or warrant to enforce the quarantine. Section 6- 86. Defecation. A person shall immediately collect and properly dispose of all fecal matter deposited by the animal while it is off their property. It shall be unlawful for a person who owns or has custody or control of an animal to allow the animal to defecate on any public or private property without immediate removal of same. Section 6-87. Nuisance or animals causing a nuisance. It shall be unlawful for a person who owns, has custody or control of an animal to allow the animal to be a nuisance or engage in nuisance behavior. Nuisance behavior shall include, but not be limited to: (1) repeated urinating or defecating on property other than that of its owner and/or (2) damaging inanimate personal property; or (3) frequently or for a continued duration howls, barks, whines, yelps, meows, squawks or makes other sounds which shall disturb the peace and quiet of any person or cause an annoyance or disturbance to the neighborhood or to people passing upon the streets of the Township.
Section 6-102. Dog Tethering Prohibitions.
(2) Veterinary clinics treating an ailing animal;
It shall be unlawful for any person to attach chains or tethers, restraints or implements directly to a dog without the proper use of a collar, harness or other device designed for that purpose and made of a material that prevents injury to the animal. In addition, no person shall:
(3) Wildlife sanctuaries, nature centers and nature preserve either acknowledged by the state or permitted by the Township; and
(1) Tether a dog without the continuous presence of an adult on the premises at all times that the dog is restrained; or (2) Tether a dog unless the tether is a coated steel cable specifically designed for restraining dogs and is at least three times the length of the dog as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail and is attached to a harness or non-choke collar specifically designed for tethering, with a swivel attached to both ends, done in such a manner as to not cause injury, strangulation or entanglement of the dog on fences, trees, another tethered dog, or any other manmade or natural objects; or (3) Tether more than one dog to a single tether or tether one dog to a single tether that would allow the dog to come within three (3) feet of another tethered dog or a property line; or (4) Use a tether or any assembly or attachments thereto to tether a dog that shall weigh more than one-eighth of the animal’s body weight, or due to weight, inhibit the free movement for the animal within the area tethered; or (5) Tether a dog on a choke chain or in such a manner as to cause injury, strangulation, or entanglement of the dog on fences, trees, or other man made or natural obstacles; or
(5) Pursuant to a possession permit issued by the state department of natural resources as defined in the Wildlife Conservation Order, in good standing, authorizing temporary noncommercial shelter and/or treatment for an injured or abandoned wild animal until the animal can feasibly be released from captivity. (6) Facilities that have been approved pursuant to zoning approval by the Township to own, breed, purchase, sell offer for purchase or sale, keep wild or exotic animals and have been inspected and certified by the Macomb County Animal Control. Section 6-107. Community Cats The preferred method for controlling the community cat population is through Trap-Neuter-Return (“TNR”). TNR is a method for humanely and effectively managing cat colonies and reducing free-roaming cat populations. The process involves trapping the cats in a colony, having them spayed\neutered, ear-tipped for identification, vaccinating against rabies, then releasing them back into their original territory. A. It is unlawful and a violation of this article for a person to feed, provide care or shelter to a community cat.
Section 6-155. Authority to Enforce
(8) Tether an animal in an area where bare earth is present, and no steps have been taken to prevent the surface from becoming wet and muddy in the event of precipitation.
iii. All community cats may be managed and maintained by a community cat caregiver under the following requirements:
Section 6-104. Cruelty. It shall be unlawful for a person to perform acts of cruelty on an animal, including but not limited to the following:
c. Food must be placed in feeding containers that are maintained and secure.
(1) Feeding. Each animal shall be supplied with sufficient, good, wholesome food and water.
(1) Beating. No person shall beat, kick, hit, bite, burn, or in any manner cause an animal to suffer needlessly.
(2) Cleanliness. All animals and all animal buildings or enclosures shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
(2) Injury. No person shall cause abusive injury to an animal.
(3) Unattended Animals. No animal shall be without attention\ supervision for an unreasonable period of time.
(4) Alcohol. No person shall give an animal any alcoholic beverage or controlled drug unless prescribed by a veterinarian.
(4) Dangerous Surroundings. No condition shall be maintained or permitted that is, or could reasonably be expected to be, injurious to the animal.
(5) Incompatible Animals. No person shall allow animals, which are natural enemies, temperamentally unsuited, or otherwise incompatible, to be quartered together, or so near each other as to cause injury, fear, or torment. Animals shall not be considered enemies if two or more animals are trained so that they can be placed together without attacking each other, or performing, or attempting any hostile act toward each other.
Section 6.-101. Severe Weather Conditions for Dogs. It shall be unlawful for any person to leave any dog outside and unattended during the period in which any severe weather warning has been issued for Macomb County, Michigan by the National or Local Weather Service or for a unreasonable amount of time, if the temperature during such period remains entirely either below 32° F. or above 90° F. “Outside,” for purposes of this section, shall mean any dog that is outdoors subject to the weather and elements, which expressly includes, but is not limited to, a dog in a securely fenced-in yard, a dog in a carrier, or a dog tethered or tied-out. The dog shall be considered “outside” regardless of access to an outdoor doghouse or similar structure, unless such structure is a properly functioning climate-controlled and weather-resistant structure.
ARTICLE VII – ANIMALS ON DISPLAY Section 6-145. Animal Display
ii. All community cats living in colonies shall be cared for on the private property of the community cat caregiver or with the permission of the property owner or property manager.
Every person who owns or who has charge, care or custody of an animal shall comply with each of the following requirements:
(9) Structural Strength. Housing facilities for animals shall be structurally sound and shall be maintained in good repair to protect the animals from injury, contain the animals and restrict the entrance of other animals.
If an animal is believed to have rabies or has been bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies, such animal shall be confined by a leash or chain on the owner’s premises and shall be placed under the observation of a veterinarian at the expense of the owner for a period of ten days. The owner shall notify the Macomb County Animal Shelter of the fact that his/ her animal has been exposed to rabies, the Macomb County Animal Control Officer may seek a warrant to have such animal removed from the owner’s premises to a veterinary hospital and be placed under observation for a period of ten days at the expense of the owner.
(7) Tether a dog in an open area where it can be teased by persons or an open area that does not provide the dog protection from attack by other animals; or
Sec100. Humane Treatment of Animals required.
(8) Shelter. Proper shelter of suitable size and protection from the weather shall be always provided.
Section 6 -109. Rabid animals; reporting; confinement.
i. All community cats shall be sterilized, ear tipped and vaccinated in accordance with the Trap-Neuter-Return process.
B. Exception. Persons who participate in the Macomb County Trap Neuter -Return program and register with the Department as a Community Cat Caregiver may provide food, care and shelter to community cats and must comply with the following regulations:
b. Food shall be provided in the proper quantity for the number of cats being managed and is to be supplied no more than twice per day, for only 30 minutes each feeding time.
(7) Cages. All animal rooms, cages, kennels, and runs shall be of sufficient size to provide adequate and proper accommodation for the animals.
The zoning board of appeals shall have the authority to impose reasonable conditions upon a license for additional dogs or cats provided such conditions are designed to encourage compliance with this article.
(6) Tether a dog without access to shade when sunlight is likely to cause overheating; or appropriate shelter to provide insulation and protection against cold and dampness when the atmospheric temperature falls below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or to tether a dog without securing its water supply so that it cannot be tipped over by the tether; or
It shall be unlawful to leave or confine an animal in an unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of the animal.
(6) Ventilation and Light. Every building or enclosure where animals are maintained shall be constructed of materials that are easy to clean and shall be kept in a sanitary condition. The building shall be properly ventilated to prevent drafts and to remove odors. Heating and cooling shall be provided as required according to the physical needs of the animals with sufficient light to allow observation of the animals.
The risk of disturbing the peace and quiet of the neighborhood if the request is granted.
Any person (public or private) that displays animals to the public or conducts performances featuring animals must be licensed as an exhibitor in accordance with the USDA Animal Welfare Act 7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq. This licensing requirement does not apply to 4-H or FAA exhibits/ events. No performing animal exhibition, including a circus, shall be permitted in which animals are induced or encouraged to perform through the use of chemical, mechanical, electrical, or manual devices in a manner which will cause, or is likely to cause, physical injury or suffering. All exhibitions must comply with relevant provisions of the Township Zoning Ordinance.
a. Food. Feeding areas may not be located within thirty (30) feet of a primary residential or commercial structure.
(5) Teasing. Every reasonable precaution shall be taken to ensure that animals are not teased, abused, mistreated, annoyed, tormented or made to suffer by any person or means.
The reasons for and circumstances surrounding the request.
(4) Exhibition of exotic and wild animals shall be permitted to organizations and/or entities that are accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AZA).
Section 6-103. Leaving Animal in Unattended Vehicle.
ARTICLE VI - KEEPING OF ANIMALS
Convictions, pending violations and complaints pertaining to this ordinance or its predecessor made against the applicant or any resident of premises where the animals are proposed to be kept.
(3) Teasing. No person shall tease or entice a dog or other animal.
(6) Injurious Tack. No person shall allow the use of any tack, equipment, device, substance or material that is, or could be, injurious or cause unnecessary cruelty to an animal. (7) Proper Exercise. Working animals shall be given exercise proper for the individual animal under the particular conditions. (8) Working Sick Animals. No person shall work or use any animal that is overheated, weakened, exhausted, sick, injured, diseased, lame, or otherwise unfit. (9) Abandonment. No person shall abandon any animal. Section 6-105. Harboring a Dangerous Animal It shall be unlawful to harbor or keep any of the following (1) A dangerous animal (2) An animal that has rabies or an animal that has been bitten by an animal known to have been afflicted with rabies. Section 6-106. Wild and Exotic Animals. (a) It shall be unlawful for any owner or occupant of any premises located within the Township to own, breed, purchase, sell, offer for purchase or sale, keep, maintain or have in possession or under his or her control any dangerous, wild or exotic animal, on or about the premises. This subsection shall not apply to the following: (1) Zoological parks and aquariums that are accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AZA, bona fide scientific, educational, or medical research facilities/institutions, and museums).
d. All feeding stations shall be kept in a clean, sanitary manner. e. Food may only be placed out between the hours of dawn and dusk. No food shall be left out overnight. iv. Water. Supplied water must be clean, potable, and free from debris and algae. v. Shelter. If shelter is provided, it shall be unobtrusive, safe, and of the proper size for the cat(s). Shelters may not be located within thirty (30) feet of a primary residential or commercial structure. vi. Trapping of free-roaming or community cats is permitted only for the purpose of Trap-Neuter-Return unless the community cat is injured, and veterinary care is required. vii. An ear tipped cat received by Animal Control shall be returned to the location where it was trapped with no hold periods, unless veterinary care is required. C. It is a violation of this section for a Community Cat Caregiver to fail to register with the Department or fail to care for the community cats in violation of the provisions of this section. 6-108. Maximum number of dogs and cats. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to keep more than three dogs or three cats total at any one time on a lot or parcel of property within the township, with the exception that a litter of pups or kittens, or a portion of that litter, may be kept for a period of time not exceeding five months from birth, and with the exception of the provisions set forth in section 6-73 regarding kennels and the business premises of a licensed veterinarian. Whenever any person does or desires to possess, harbor, shelter, keep or have custody of more than three dogs or three cats total on the same premises in contravention of this subsection, said person or establishments shall first make written application to the zoning board of appeals in accordance with the procedure set forth in the Township Zoning Ordinance section 7.16. The applicant shall be a resident of the premises where the animals are proposed to be kept. For each hearing on an application, the zoning board of appeals shall request the attendance of the animal control officer and shall follow statutory requirement of notification for a public hearing. The zoning board of appeals shall have the authority to review the application and grant the applicant’s request after consideration of the following criteria: Whether the animal was one of four or more dogs or four or more cats kept on subject premises prior to the effective date of ordinance no. 283. The total number of animals required to be licensed by this article which presently are kept or will be kept on the subject premises.
ARTICLE VIII ENFORCMENT.
The Charter Township of Shelby Police Department, Macomb County Animal Control and its designees, shall have authority to enforce any and all provisions of this chapter. The chief of police may make additional designees through executive order as he or she deems appropriate. Section 6- 156 . Criminal Penalties. A violation of this Ordinance is a misdemeanor as adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction, punishable by imprisonment for not more than ninety (90) days, or a fine of not more than $500.00 or both. Section 2. Chapter 1, Section 1-7(h) of the Charter Township of Shelby Code of Ordinances shall be amended to read and remove as follows It is unlawful and constitutes a municipal civil infraction for any person to violate or fail to comply with the following provisions of this Code: 6
Animals 6-2; 6-5; 6-71
Section 3. Chapter 6, Article II entitled “Birds and Waterfowl” of the Charter Township of Shelby Code of Ordinances shall relocated to read as Article IX and the section numbers reallocated accordingly. Section 4. Chapter 6, Article V entitled” Pigeon Lofts” of the Charter Township of Shelby Code of Ordinances shall be relocated to read as Article X and the section numbers reallocated accordingly. Section 5. SEVERABILITY If any section, subsection, clause, phrase or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct, and independent portion of this Ordinance, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. Section 6. REPEAL All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed. Section 7. EFFECTIVE DATE This Ordinance shall be effective thirty (30) days from the date of publication hereof. CERTIFICATION I hereby certify the foregoing is a true and complete copy of Ordinance No. 306 duly adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Charter Township of Shelby at a Regular Meeting held on December 9, 2025, pursuant to and in full compliance with the Open Meetings Act, being Act 267, Public Acts of Michigan, 1976, as amended, and that the minutes of said meeting were kept and will be made available as required by said Act. __________________________________ STANLEY T. GROT, Clerk Introduction Date: October 21, 2025 First Publication Date: October 29, 2025 Adoption Date: December 9, 2025 Second Publication Date: December 17, 2025 Effective Date: January 16, 2026 Published: Shelby-Utica News 12/17/2025
0313-2551
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
To view more Community Calendar and to submit your own event, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise an event, call (586) 498-8000.
22A/ SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025
DEC. 20
Christmas Bird Count: Presented by Macomb County Audubon Society, get basic information on bird identification and ways to attract and observe winter birds, also hike around park, plus coffee, hot cocoa and doughnuts during free event, bring binoculars, 10 a.m.-noon, Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, 4101 River Bends Drive in Shelby Township, shelbytwp.org/ our-township/christmas Winter Solstice Hike & Bonfire: Celebrate longest and darkest night of year by learning about cultural history, making mini yule wreath and taking luminary lit night hike, also hot cocoa by fire, for ages 12 and older, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, 4101 River Bends Drive in Shelby Township, registration required, shelbytwp.org/our-township/ christmas
JAN. 11
‘The Production Czar of the Arsenal of Democracy’: Presentation by Chris Causley about Donald Nelson, 1-2 p.m., Packard Proving Grounds, 49965 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, Historical Speaker Series continues with “The Polio Vaccine Story” Jan. 25, “Ocean to Ocean in a Model T” Feb. 8 and “The Life of Dr. Bertha Van Hoosen” Feb. 22, (586) 739-4800, packardprovinggrounds.org/all-events/historicalspeaker-series
ONGOING
Shelby Township Fine Art Society meetings: 6:30-9 p.m. every second Wednesday of month through June, Shelby Township Activities Center, 14975 21 Mile Road, (586) 243-2056 Feeding Time: Learn about and see what animals eat, 1-2 p.m. Saturdays, Nature Center at Stony Creek Metropark, 4300 Main Park Road in Shelby Township, metroparks.com/events Tour Packard Proving Grounds: Free for individuals (45-minute sessions) and small or large groups (60 minutes), 49965 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, sign up for time slot at packardprovinggrounds.org/ visit/#tour Shelby Writers’ Group meetings: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Shelby Township Library, 52610 Van Dyke Ave., (586) 739-7414 Monthly book clubs: Evening Book Club meets 6:30 p.m. every second Tuesday, Mystery Book Club meets 10:30 a.m. every second Saturday and Afternoon Book Club meets 1 p.m. every third Thursday, Shelby Township Library, 52610 Van Dyke Ave., also Not Your Parents’ Book Club meets 7 p.m. every last Tuesday, 22nd Street Steakhouse, 48900 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, www.shelbytwp.org/government/ departments/library
• 11 a.m.-noon every first Friday, Utica Public Library, 7530 Auburn Road, uticalibrary.com Open mic nights: Hosted by Shelby Music Society, 7 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.) every second Saturday of month, Shelby Township Activities Center, 14975 21 Mile Road, shelbymusic society@yahoo.com
Confident Communicators Club meetings: Bi-weekly meetups to improve public speaking and leadership skills, 8:15-9:30 a.m. every first and third Wednesdays of month, on Zoom or in person at Shelby Gardens, 50265 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, vpm@ confidentcommunicatorsclub.com, www.confident communicatorsclub.toastmastersclubs.org
Widowed Friends events: Breakfasts at 10:30 a.m. every third Tuesday of month, Pancake Factory, 13693 23 Mile Road in Shelby Township, RSVP to Ellen at (586) 489-2569, widowedfriends.com
Bereaved Parents of Macomb Support Group: Also for grandparents and siblings, meets 7-9 p.m. every first Thursday of month, Washington Senior Center, 57880 Van Dyke Ave. in Washington Township, (248) 953-5970, bpmacombleader@gmail.com
• Cards, games and fellowship every fourth Friday of month, bring snack to share and own beverage, noon3 p.m., St. Therese of Lisieux, 48115 Schoenherr Road in Shelby Township, also lunch/dinner TBD, RSVP to Victoria at (586) 566-7936, widowedfriends.com
Washington Art Guild: Meets 6:30-9 p.m. every first Monday of month, Romeo Community Center, 361 Morton St. in Washington Township, (586) 752-3721, m1jonk@yahoo.com, find group on Facebook
• Games from 1:30-3:30 p.m. every first Thursday of month, bring snack to share, Ss. John and Paul Parish, 7777 W. 28 Mile Road in Washington Township, RSVP to Ellen at (586) 489-2569, widowedfriends.com
Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less: Virtual 15-week program presented by AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services and led by registered dietitian nutritionist, free for first-time participants ages 60 and older, register at (833) 262-2200 or wellnessprograms@ageways. org, tinyurl.com/agewaysworkshops
CITY OF UTICA Notice of Public Hearing Zoning Ordinance Amendment Notice is hereby given that the City of Utica Planning Commission will hold a meeting and public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2026, in the Council Chambers (7550 Auburn Road) to take public comment on the following: Amendment to the City of Utica Zoning Ordinance: Article XXI-Administration and Enforcement by Amending Section 2108 to Permit and Regulate Donation Bins in NonResidential Zoning Districts All interested persons are invited to attend the hearing and be heard. Additional information, including the proposed amended language, may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office, 7550 Auburn Road, during regular business hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Monday - Thursday, and 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM on Friday. Lori Cooke City Clerk
FIDUCIARY ~ FEE-ONLY ~ INDEPENDENT
Published: Shelby-Utica News 12/17/2025
0107-2551
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Conservative and comprehensive guidance for those nearing or recently experiencing the transition to retirement.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDING – FY 2026 RESIDENTS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY A Public Hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 7:00 P.M. in the Shelby Township Municipal Building, 52700 Van Dyke, Shelby Township, Michigan 48316. The purpose of the public hearing is to obtain the views of citizens concerning community development and housing needs, as required by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.
Plan Your Tax-Smart Retirement
The Charter Township of Shelby will be submitting two applications for the competition-based bricks and mortar projects from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 from the Macomb “Urban County” Program.
www.RochesterWealth.com (248) 434-6550
The Township will also consider allocating funds for multiple public service agency requests. Federal guidelines require that maximum priority be given to activities, which will benefit low or moderate-income families, or aid in the prevention of slums or blight. A variety of projects are eligible for community development funding, these include the following: ➣ Property Acquisition
➣ Public Infrastructure
➣ Housing Rehabilitation
➣ Handicapped Barrier Removal
➣ Code Enforcement
➣ Public Services
➣ Public Facilities
➣ Rehabilitation of Buildings
➣ Planning & Administration
Rochester Wealth Strategies, LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser.
0053-2542 0055-2550
Citizens residing in blighted areas or lower income persons are encouraged to participate. Arrangements to reasonably accommodate special needs, including handicap accessibility or interpreter, will be made upon receiving 72-hour notice. Contact Shelby Township Clerk’s Office at (586) 731-5102 for special services. If you cannot attend this meeting and would like your views known, please contact Julijana Rasawehr in the Planning and Zoning Department at (586) 726-7243. Published: Shelby-Utica News 12/17/2025
0295-2551
23A
SHELBY-UTICA NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 7700 22 Mile Rd. Shelby Twp, MI 48317
December 2025
07 ~ Rev. Henny Grossoehme 14 ~ Rev. Sharon Voelker 21 ~ Rev. Henny Grossoehme
Wed’s Paper Pantry
24 ~ Christmas Eve 4:00 pm Carols 4:30 pm Rev. Sharon Voelker 28 ~ Rev. Jonathan Sams
0033-2548
Sunday Services at 10:00 AM
03, 10, 17, 24, 31 Dec. 10:00-12:00 AM
Photo provided by SEMCOG
Shelby Township Trustee Lisa Casali, seated far right, discusses the impact of the project during a recent Board of Trustees meeting.
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hower High School, Mallow Junior High School and eventually, get your way to the Macomb Orchard Trail connection by Shelby Road,” Casali said. Once completed, the project will fulfill a long-standing goal of the township — establishing a safe, continuous pedestrian route along 25 Mile Road between Jewell Road and Van Dyke Avenue. The majority of the $1.3 million project will be paid for via an $817,980 grant from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments’ Transportation Alternatives Program funding, which is currently funded through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Kevin Vettraino, planning director for
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SEMCOG, said the Transportation Alternatives Program sets aside funding specifically for pedestrian accessibility, safety on roadways and connectivity. “The way we like to think about the program is, how do we more safely get students to school? How do we connect our parks? How do we get families to grocery stores and the places they need to go on foot or by bike?” he said. “We’re building out a regional trail system along with our regional sidewalks and pathway networks. We know there are gaps in the system. These dollars can go a long way in closing those gaps,” Vettraino said. Officials expect construction for the bridge to start in late 2026 or in 2027, and to take around six months. Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
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2B - SHELBY-UTICA NEWS, December 17, 2025
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YEAR-IN-REVIEW ACROSS 1. W.E.B Du Bois’ org. 6. Rascal 9. Ho-hum 13. “Pomp and Circumstance” composer 14. Tropical constrictor 15. Forgo 16. Tequila source 17. + or - atom 18. Reason by deduction 19. *Trade war “weapon,” pl. 21. *2025 MLB World Series winners 23. ____-tzu 24. C&H crop 25. Dunce 28. Western necktie 30. Catch in a snare 35. Ginger cookie 37. Master of his castle 39. Use a razor 40. British slang for donkey 41. Arch and ball locations 43. Winglike 44. March celebrants 46. *Arthur Sze, 2025 ____ Laureate 47. Dam-like structure 48. *BeyoncÈ’s “Cowboy ____,” 2025 Grammy winner 50. King Kong and Curious George, e.g. 52. Like a fox 53. What Pinocchio did 55. *Florida Panthers won this org.’s ‘25 championship 57. *”Wicked: ____ ____” 61. *Late environmentalist and chimpanzee expert 65. German submarine destroyer 66. *2025 Ryder Cup loser 68. Manuscript sheet 69. Brazilian coins 70. Roll-your-own one, for short 71. To the left, on a boat 72. Orpheus’ instrument 73. Geological time period 74. They are cut by Federal Reserve DOWN 1. At room temperature, bar order 2. Algae, sing. 3. Petri dish filler 4. Raise trivial objections 5. Ready to be assembled 6. Avian wader 7. Farm sound 8. China’s goodwill “____ diplomacy”
9. Collision, onomatopoeically speaking 10. *Taylor Swift’s “The ____ of a Showgirl” 11. Affirm solemnly 12. Third-person possessive pronoun 15. Makes broader 20. Why do they fall in love? 22. *Aryna Sabalenka’s seed 24. Auto contents 25. Pertaining to osmium 26. *2025 Academy Awards Best Picture winner 27. Faquir, alt. spelling 29. Pilot’s stunt 31. Spring event 32. Pneumonia symptom, pl. 33. Be of use 34. *Blue Origin’s 2025 singing passenger 36. Boll weevil, e.g. 38. *____Seek 42. Shorthand typist,
for short 45. Serfs 49. 2016 Olympics host, for short 51. Ram’s horn at a synagogue 54. Draw a conclusion 56. Parkinson’s disease drug 57. Roll up 58. Heed
59. Lion sound 60. Dorothy’s last name 61. *Lady of “The Mayhem Ball” 62. Tons (2 words) 63. Lira, pl. 64. Land parcels 67. *Gary Oldman received this honorific in 2025
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4B - SHELBY-UTICA NEWS, December 17, 2025
K E E W E H T F O RIME C • K E E W E F TH O E M I R C • NEWSWORTHY K OF THE WEE INCIDENTS REPORTED TO LOCAL POLICE, AS COMPILED BY C & G REPORTERS
Police complete DoorDash order
GROSSE POINTE SHORES — Officers pulled over a 30-year-old Detroit man in the area of Lake Shore and South Deeplands roads for speeding — traveling 60 mph in a 35 mph zone — at 2:38 p.m. Nov. 15. Because the driver had an expired registration and lacked insurance, police needed to impound his vehicle. The driver — who was in the process of delivering a meal to an address on Sunningdale Drive for DoorDash — asked officers if they would complete the delivery, since he no longer had a vehicle. Officers agreed to bring the meal to the customer, who wasn’t far from the traffic stop, as a courtesy. The driver was cited and released at the scene.
Officers respond to injury accident
GROSSE POINTE SHORES — Police responded to the scene of a personal injury accident in the area of Lake Shore Road and Fontana Lane at around 9:29 a.m. Nov. 5 after a 21-year-old Bloomfield Hills man is said to have driven his vehicle — a Ford Escape — inside a parked landscaping vehicle. Officers said they had to break the man’s passenger-side window to get him out of the vehicle through the window. The driver, who was uninjured but still evaluated on the scene by medics, told officers that he had been taking a video of the lake with his cellphone when he crashed, showing officers the video he recorded. Officers said they recovered orange traffic cones that the landscaping crew had apparently placed around the trailer that the driver pushed into the trailer with his vehicle. No one from the landscaping crew had been inside the trailer or landscaping truck when the accident occurred. The driver was cited for failure to stop within an assured clear distance and distracted driving causing an accident.
Speeder stopped
GROSSE POINTE SHORES — Police said a 77-year-old St. Clair Shores man zipped past a patrol vehicle going about 50 mph in a 35 mph zone in the area of Lake Shore Road and Lake Shore Lane at around 5:43 p.m. Nov. 16. For reference, the public safety officer indicated in a report that he was driving 37 mph. The driver also failed to use his signal when changing lanes, police said. The driver was able to provide police with his license, registration and proof of insurance. He was given a warning, police said.
Larceny suspect sought
GROSSE POINTE PARK — An unknown suspect stole two RedMax leaf blowers worth $500 from a vehicle parked in front of a home in the 1300 block of Berkshire Road at around 12:50 p.m. Nov. 26. The victim witnessed a male suspect leave the scene in a white Ram 1500 Rebel pickup truck.
Broken bike rack
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Nov. 22 at around 10:15 a.m., a 69-year-old Macomb Township woman spoke with Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies about property damage that occurred in Harrison Township. On the prior day, the woman parked her car at the Crocker Boulevard McDonald’s and went on a bike ride. When she returned from the ride, she found the bike rack on her car to be badly damaged. The woman wished to be reimbursed if a suspect could be found.
Food truck scam
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Nov. 17 at around 4:10 p.m., a 49-year-old Harrison Township woman spoke with Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies about a fraud case. The woman runs a food truck and finds vending opportunities online. On Oct. 4, she paid $220 to someone claiming to have a job for her at an event in Ferndale. When she went to the Ferndale job on Nov. 15, she learned she did not have a spot at the event and sent the money to a scammer. The woman wished to press charges.
Hit and run
MOUNT CLEMENS — On Nov. 12 at around 11:50 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were sent to the 80 block of Beyne Street for a hit and run report. Deputies spoke with a 60-year-old Mount Clemens woman who said her Chevrolet Malibu sedan was struck by a passing car. While she was getting bags out of her car, the suspect car drove south from Robertson Street and struck the Malibu’s door, pushing the woman inside of the car. The woman wished to press charges.
12:30 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the corner of North Avenue and Ferrin Place for an incident. Deputies spoke with a 30-year-old Clinton Township woman. The woman had previously been removed from county property due to being belligerent. After being told by the deputies that she could no longer stay on the property, the woman kicked the grill of the Ford Explorer police cruiser. She was arrested and taken to the Macomb County Jail.
ed to the 55000 block of Shelby Road for a fraud complaint at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 2. Upon arrival, the officer met with the victim, who said she was trying to update her YouTube TV subscription and used Google to look up the phone number. The person on the other line ended up being a scammer who talked the woman into providing sensitive banking information that allowed the scammer to scam her out of almost $4,000 from her bank account. Detectives were investigating.
Police seek caffeinated crook
Drunken men arrested for disorderly conduct after fighting in random backyard
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 10:03 a.m. on Nov. 28, a case of larceny was reported in the 22000 block of Amherst Street. The victim, a 69-year-old man, visited the police station and stated a package was missing from his porch. He ordered a coffee machine, and it was reportedly delivered on Nov. 25. When he checked the front porch, however, it was gone. The coffee machine was worth $99.
Man wanted for using counterfeit money
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Police officers were dispatched to the CVS Pharmacy at 46960 Van Dyke Ave. for a counterfeit money complaint at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Upon arrival, they met with a store employee who said that at around 5:30 p.m., a man came in and paid for an item with $220 in counterfeit money. The officer was able to get a vehicle description from video surveillance. Detectives connected the suspect to other counterfeit transactions out of Canton. The investigation was ongoing.
Police arrest drunken driver
MOUNT CLEMENS — On Nov. 12 at around 4:10 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the 30 block of Rosebud Lane for an animal bite incident. Deputies spoke with a 49-year-old Mount Clemens woman. At around 4 p.m., she was walking her brown terrier mix dog when an unknown white dog emerged before her, biting her and her dog. A neighbor helped restrain the dog and helped deputies put the white dog into the patrol car. The dog was brought to Mount Clemens Animal Control.
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — An officer observed a passenger vomiting while hanging out of a vehicle in the area of Mound and 23 Mile roads at 2:40 a.m. Nov. 27. When the light turned green, the driver accelerated at a high rate of speed and had a hard time maintaining the vehicle within the lines of the roadway. The officer conducted a traffic stop and met with the driver and passenger. Upon meeting the driver, the officer could smell a strong odor of intoxicants coming from the vehicle. The driver admitted to having two beers before driving, police said. The driver exited the vehicle to conduct roadside sobriety tests. After a preliminary breath test, the driver was arrested for operating while intoxicated, lodged at the Macomb County Jail and released once sober.
Kicking the cruiser
Woman scammed out of $4,000
Animal bite
MOUNT CLEMENS — On Nov. 12 at around
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A police officer respond-
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Police were dispatched to the 53000 block of Westwood Park, near 24 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue, for two men fighting at 3:10 a.m. Nov. 29. While en route, the caller stated that he did not know the two men fighting in his backyard. Upon arrival, the officer had to break up the fight. Both men had been drinking and showed signs of intoxication. They were both issued disorderly conduct tickets and transported home.
Check fraud
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Nov. 20 at around 1:30 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies spoke with an 84-year-old Macomb Township woman about a case of alleged check fraud. On Nov. 6, the woman wrote a $150 check to a lawn care company. On Nov. 20, a man tried cashing a check at a Warren credit union using her checking details. The check, for around $960, was confiscated as potential fraud.
Phone mailing scam
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Nov. 17 at around 1 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies spoke with a 71-year-old Macomb Township woman about a case of fraud she was reportedly caught in. About a week prior to the report, the woman was contacted by a male caller claiming to be from a telephone company with an offer for a new phone. Per his instructions, the woman purchased a $75 phone the following day and called the man to have it activated. The man told her to send him the phone in order to activate it. When she asked the man on Nov. 13 about when the phone would be returned, the man told her shipping was delayed. It was at that point she realized the scam — buying a phone and sending it to someone — and ended her call.