BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — On Jan. 12, the Clinton Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance restricting the sale of kratom to people under 21.
Brought to the board by Trustee Shannon King, the ordinance follows the language of state-level kratom regulation and
age restriction bill currently working its way through the legislature House Bill 4969.
“I want to take an opportunity to recognize Denise Mentzer, who cosponsored the kratom (bill) at the state level, so I want to say thank you to her,” King said. “And state Representative Joe Aragona I know has helped steer this through committee as a chairman, so I want to say thank you to him … However, I do understand that there’s lots of priorities at the state level and
that bill may not get passed and we don’t know when it’s going to get passed. In that meantime, I think it’s important for us to do what we can to protect our residents, especially protecting the residents that are most vulnerable among us.”
The ordinance requires retailers to post signage stating they cannot sell kratom to anyone under 21. Violation of the ordinance is a municipal civil infraction punish-
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
FRASER — At its meeting on Jan. 8, the Fraser City Council considered and approved allocations for the city’s Community Development Block Grant money, which helps many nonprofits that provide services in the community.
The determined allocations passed in a 6-0 vote. Mayor Pro Tem Patrick O’Dell was excused from the meeting.
According to documents attached to the agenda, Fraser received $7,750 in public service funds and each allocation was required to be at least $2,000.
The organizations which sought funds from Fraser included Care House, Hearts 4 Homes, Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, MCREST and Turning Point.
City Manager Elaine Leven ex-
LEFT: The painting “When You’re Back” by Aimee Tomlinson is one of the nearly 40 works from local artists featured in the Anton Art Center exhibition “Heartwork.”
BOTTOM LEFT: The painting “Healing Hands” by Ashlee Royster is one of over 50 works from Michigan artists featured in the Anton Art Center’s Michigan Annual LIII exhibition.
BOTTOM RIGHT: The fiber work “Monks at the Beach” by Marge Sumner is also featured in the Michigan Annual LIII exhibition. Images provided by Anton Art Center
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MOUNT CLEMENS — Local talent takes center stage at the Anton Art Center this winter as two exhibits show off top works from the metro area and across the state.
From Saturday, Jan. 31 until Saturday, Feb. 28, the Michigan Annual LIII will run in the First Floor Gallery featuring over 50 works from 35 artists from across the Great Lakes State.
This year’s Michigan Annual, the 53rd edition of the center’s tent pole fine arts exhibition, continues a recent tradition of the show receiving more entrants than the year before. With 390 works having been submitted, the Michigan Annual LIII is the most competitive the exhibition has ever been.
“We’re excited to see this show continue to grow,” said Matt Mathews, Anton Art Center executive director. “It’s a testament to the work that Stephanie (Hazzard, exhibitions manager at the Anton Art Center) is doing and the work that we’re doing to attract new artists and returning artists to the show. It’s a reflection of the work that the team does to curate beautiful exhibitions.”
Jurying the Michigan Annual LIII is Grace Serra, who curates art at Wayne State UniSee ART on page 23A
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Those who regularly scour the Clinton-Macomb Public Library’s events schedule might notice that the library’s 1-2-3 program is missing. But the curious at heart have nothing to fear.
“Get to Know Your Neighbor” is the CMPL’s new “big issue” initiative, delving into the stories and subjects that pop up around holidays, events and other observances of note.
“It is to highlight different events, holidays and traditions that our community might be a part of by providing reading resources, some programs and maybe some materials to help flesh out these lesser known events and holidays that people might want to know more information about,” CMPL Associate Director Jamie Morris said.
For those who see similarities between “Get to Know Your Neighbor” and the CMPL’s old 1-2-3 program, there’s a good reason for that.
“We don’t think of it as a replacement of 1-2-3 as much as we think of it as an evolution,” said Amy Young, head of adult services at the CMPL. “In the 1-2-3 program, we chose very specific topics that we focused on for the first four months of the year and then we moved onto the next year and the next topic. We think ‘Get to Know Your Neighbor’ provides us a way to be more broad in the topics we’re exposing the community to.”
Under the “Neighbor” model, multiple subjects will be covered over the course of a month. In January, the subjects included Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and Braille Literacy Month, with the following months through April set to cover Black History Month, Ramadan/Eid al-Fitr, Lunar New Year, Women’s History Month,
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MOUNT CLEMENS — When driving into Mount Clemens from the south, the first thing visitors are greeted by is the oxidizing “Bonior Tree.” Soon later they will find horses galloping around Shadyside Park, a garden of butterflies and hexagonal bookshelves, a giant red flower-shaped windmill and much more the further north one goes.
Is Mount Clemens some place of whimsy and wonder, where nature and development blend in harmony? Not quite, despite the sights along Northbound Gratiot Avenue, but it might sometimes seem that way all thanks to the Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership’s sculpture initiative.
Free and open to the public, the sculpture initiative has been running for eight year-long seasons since 2018. What originally began as a collection of eight sculptures has grown to over 50 running from the border with Clinton Township up to downtown Mount Clemens and even a few beyond.
“Dash”
Photos by Patrica O’Blenes
ABOVE: “Fire Bush” by Robert Garcia sits outside of the Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership’s 92 Northbound Gratiot Ave. office, marking the start of the MCEP’s Sculpture Walk. RIGHT: “Dash” by James Oleson brings equine energy to Mount Clemens’ Shadyside Park as part of the Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership’s sculpture walk.
The MCEP owns and commissions a number of the sculptures along Gratiot corridor, such as those that make up its Pollinator Park, though it is through the work of donors and sponsors that the program has been able to grow. Some sponsors provide space for placing the sculptures, while others help the MCEP rent sculptures through the Midwest Sculpture Initiative.
“(The MSI) is a collection of sculptors who you choose (sculptures) from,” MCEP Secretary and Treasurer Ed Bruley said. “They are cataloged and can rent (sculptures) for a one-year period to show off in your community.”
BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
DETROIT — Federal and state leaders took to the stage at the Detroit Auto Show to talk about policy whiplash creating instability for manufacturers, stalling innovation and risking job losses as debate continues over how much government should shape the auto market.
In a fireside chat held at the auto show Jan. 14, former Democratic Party presidential candidate and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said rapidly changing federal policy is causing a potential setback to the industry.
“The other thing that I saw and heard speaking to each of the manufacturers who were displaying their incredible products was how much industry has had to contend with this whiplash from the policy side,” he said.
While every administration will have its own priorities, the changes in policy and how the industry has reacted to it has been a setback, he said, in particular referencing how administrations have handled electric vehicles.
“When you have a technology that is ultimately more advanced, policymakers cannot just put the toothpaste back into the tube,” he said. “There is no question about whether this technology will be the future of the sector.”
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, who appeared via prerecorded responses during a panel Jan. 15, stated that policy uncertainty is creating problems for the industry. Things remained consistent until the Biden administration tried to make a push toward electric vehicles, he said.
BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
DETROIT — Automobiles built by top suppliers weren’t the only things on display at the Detroit Auto Show.
In a media event held Jan. 15, the U.S. Army unveiled the M1E3 Abrams battle tank, a prototype of what the Army is calling its next generation of tanks.
The tank features a hybrid diesel drivetrain
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — A few minutes of freezing cold will help hundreds through the Macomb County Polar Plunge this winter at Macray Harbor.
Kayla Kubik, Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run coordinator, said the plunge starts with check-in at 10 a.m. on Feb. 21. Eventgoers will start plunging in groups at 11 a.m. A “Frozen 5K” prior to the plunge starts with check-in at 8 a.m. Both events start at Macray Harbor located at 30675 North River Road in Harrison Township.
“At 8:30 (a.m.), walkers will be picked up at Macray, and they will be taken to Freedom Trail for an untimed 5K,” Kubik said. Kubik also said most walkers get done and shuttled back to Macray Harbor at around 10 a.m. According to the Macomb County Polar Plunge website, the Frozen 5K walk begins and ends at 16 Mile Road which is the Crocker Boulevard entrance to Freedom Trail.
Groups and individuals fundraise for the Special Olympics prior to the event. Kubik said plungers who raise $100 will receive a Polar Plunge sweatshirt and a provided lunch after they take the plunge.
Kubik said Macomb raised $74,400 to help pay for transportation, meals, uniforms and more for Special Olympics athletes last year. In 2025, participants raised $70,700,
and in 2024, they raised $88,000. The Macomb County event started in 2019.
Though dressing up in costumes is not required, Kubik said it is encouraged.
“It’s fun to see people get creative,” Kubik said.
She said there is an award for the best costume at the plunge.
“It’s a great community event, it brings everyone together, it creates awareness for Special Olympics, and we love to become a household name,” Kubik said. “Yeah, we love to get the community together.”
Safety personnel from the Michigan State Police Dive team will be in the water to help plungers get in and out of the water safely.
Kubik tells first-time plungers it is a minute of cold for a huge impact for the athletes.
“Dress up, bring your friends with you,” Kubik said. “It becomes a fun tradition to do year after year.”
“(The) Special Olympics is a great organization. I have volunteered in the past as a judge. I admire those who are willing to participate, as well as the rescue divers who keep everyone safe. I would be willing to do a ‘Solar’ Plunge in July, but not the Polar Plunge!” Harrison Township Supervisor Kenneth Verkest said in an email.
Preregistration for both events is open at plungemi.org.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Face Addiction Now announced on Jan. 21 that it has appointed Jeffrey Filzek as its new senior advisor of law enforcement engagement and training.
“I am excited to join FAN and begin the next chapter of my life,” Filzek said in a press release. “I am blessed to have the opportunity to further their mission with the experience from my law enforcement career. FAN is a progressive, exciting organization that I always wanted to join after retiring from law enforcement. I look forward to belonging to this team, and I believe in the programs they have to offer law enforcement and the communities they serve.”
Filzek is the former deputy chief of police of Madison Heights and longtime resident of Macomb County. He holds degrees in criminal justice and business from Macomb Community College and is a graduate of the Oakland Police Academy and the Staff and Command School at Northwestern University. Filzek served in a range of leadership and frontline roles, including accident investigator, evidence technician and field training supervisor. He was recognized as Command Officer of the Year in 2020, served on the Police Officers Association union board, and led key units including the Field Training Unit, Recruitment Unit and the Face Addiction Now Quick Response Team.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — On Jan. 13, Clintondale Community Schools announced the hiring of Shauna Hemler as the district’s new chief academic officer. Hemler’s hiring was approved unanimously by the district’s Board of Education on Jan. 12.
“Dr. Hemler is an exceptional instructional leader who understands our students, our staff and our community,” Superintendent Kenneth Janczarek said in a press release. “Her experience and commitment to academic excellence make her the right choice to lead teaching and learning across our district.”
Hemler will fill the vacancy created by the December retirement of the district’s former Chief Academic Officer Heather Halpin. Hemler has served in the district for over 20 years, working in every Clintondale school in different capacities, most recently as principal of McGlinnen Elementary School. Hemler earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Oakland University, a master’s degree in education/principalship from Saginaw Valley State University and a doctorate in executive leadership from the University of Charleston.
“The Board is confident that Dr. Hemler’s leadership will ensure continuity while also advancing our academic needs,” Board President Jared Maynard said in the release. “Her selection reflects our commitment to stability, innovation and student success.”
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Clinton-Macomb Public Library continues its march of programming with a slate of events across its branches this February.
“With the growth of our law enforcement partnerships, we recognized the need for focused leadership dedicated specifically to engagement and training,” Linda Davis, Executive Director of Face Addiction Now, said in a press release. “This role fills a critical gap in our organization and strengthens our ability to build consistency, alignment, and long-term collaboration. Jeffrey’s experience and collaborative approach make him the ideal person to lead this next phase of our work.”
In his new position, Filzek will work directly with law enforcement agencies across Michigan to support those efforts by deepening relationships, expanding training opportunities, and advancing collaborative response models that connect individuals to treatment and services rather than relying solely on enforcement. His work will help advance FAN programs such as the Quick Response Team and Hope Not Handcuffs, which bring together police, clinicians, and peer support specialists to provide compassionate, real-time pathways to recovery.
The annual Fan Art Contest begins again on Monday, Feb. 2. Participants of all ages are invited to make and submit art representing their love for a favorite TV show, movie, comic book or any other popular culture media. Submission forms will be available starting Monday, Feb. 2 on the library’s website. Forms and art submissions are due by March 31. Voting will take place online and at the Main Library in Clinton Township from April 6-30. Winners will be announced in a small ceremony on Saturday, May 2, during the library’s Free Comic Book Day event.
As part of the Get to Know Your Neighbor program, children ages 6-12 are invited to a book tasting on Monday, Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. at South Branch in Clinton Township. Librarians will offer children samples of a variety of children’s books written by Black authors.
Another Get to Know Your Neighbor program is a screening of “Cool Runnings” at the North Branch in Macomb Township on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.
For the full list of events at all CMPL locations, go to cmpl.org.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union is accepting applications for its annual scholarship programs.
The William Cayen Skilled Trades Scholarship will award two $2,500 scholarships for students pursuing certification in various skilled trades.
Fifteen $2,500 Rudolph Heino People Helping People Scholarship awards will be distributed to high school seniors heading to college with a demonstrated commitment to helping others. New this year, one recipient will be designated, “In Memory of Taylor Jade DeRosa.”
MSGCU will offer four Larry Swantek Educational Studies Scholarships in the amount of $2,500 to high school seniors and current college students planning to become teachers. There will be four $2,500 Milo Perreault Educator Advancement Scholarships to help certified teachers and administrators continue their education. MSGCU will present 18 $2,500 awards through the High School Excellence Scholarship for high school seniors with plans to attend college.
A total of 22 Stephen Thomas First Responder Scholarships will be awarded at $2,000 each to benefit first responders enrolled in police, fire, and/or paramedic academies at local colleges. Nonmembers are welcome to apply for an MSGCU scholarship and must become a member if selected as a scholarship recipient.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 27. Visit msgcu.org/scholarships to apply.
My approach, using advanced treatments, personalized care, and a commitment to saving limbs and lives, offers a new horizon for those afflicted with chronic foot wounds. If you or someone you know is navigating the challenges of foot wound care, the opportunity to transform this struggle into a story of healing and hope is within reach. Call me for an appointment today.
BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
DETROIT — Potholes are rarely a selling point, but in Detroit, they’ve become part of what makes the city’s IndyCar race one of the most demanding stops on the circuit.
“(The track) is bumpy. It’s just bumpy, it’s potholes, it’s a lot going on,” said David Malukas, who will be racing in the No. 12 Team Penske car.
Drivers and organizers appeared at the Detroit Auto Show’s Racing Day Jan. 20 to talk about the challenges they face each year during the Detroit Grand Prix, as well as their hopes for this year’s race.
Despite the challenge added by potholes, Malukas said the technicality of the course — being a road course, versus the tracks normally raced on — makes the Detroit Grand Prix one of the best events in the series.
from page 4A
“Nobody needs to be pro or against electric vehicles. The consumer is ultimately going to be the judge and jury on that. They make millions of decisions with their pocketbooks that drive car companies to decide what kind of vehicles to make. That was our mantra for a long time,” he said.
John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, who appeared with Moreno, said the government should support innovation, safety, emissions reduction and mobility, but not dictate consumer choices.
“That’s a very different government ambition and partnership with industry than having the government tell customers what they can and cannot buy,” he said.
Bozzella said that a degree of certainty and clarity is also needed.
“One person’s clarity could be another person’s EV mandate,” he said.
Regulations need to be able to outlast changes in presidential administrations, he said. While the president is entitled to appoint cabinet secretaries to make market adjustments, “there’s a difference between making adjustments based on market conditions, the state of technology, the cost of those types of things and tearing the entire playbook up and starting off again,” he said.
These kinds of changes are what create a problem across the industry, he said.
Additionally, Bozzella said regulation around electric vehicles needs to stay at the same pace as the demand for the vehicles to help keep investments from becoming “stranded,” he said. While there is still a demand for EVs, it’s moving at a “more realistic” pace, he said.
“Those policies are important for the development of the market over time, but we are where we are right now,” he said. “So, I think you’ll see continued investment, but it’s going to be a slower pace.”
Call Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 291-7637.
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — There is an urgent need for blood donations.
On Jan. 20, the American Red Cross held a virtual news briefing via Zoom to announce blood supplies are down 35% nationally, which is about 40,000 units.
The distribution of blood products to hospitals has exceeded the blood supply, and Red Cross representatives are working closely with its hospital partners to meet their needs. The medical team members who spoke during the briefing also encouraged the public to consider donating blood. One unit of blood can help up to three people.
Blood transfusions are given to patients for a wide range of reasons, including serious injuries, burns, automobile crashes, surgeries, childbirth, anemia, blood disorders, cancer treatments and heart issues. Plasma transfusions are used for patients with liver failure, severe infections and serious burns.
“The only way that we’re able to prevent blood shortages, like the one we are facing now, is for members who are eligible across communities to roll up their sleeves and go to a blood drive and give that life-saving blood,” King said. “Giving blood is a truly selfless act. You walk away feeling a real sense of accomplishment knowing that you helped to save a life. Every donation can be a lifeline for a patient who isn’t able to hold off on critical care.”
The procedure to donate blood takes 45 minutes to one hour. During the process, donors are given a mini physical and provide a health history to Red Cross staff. The actual blood donation only takes eight to 10 minutes.
See BLOOD on page 20A
“The Red Cross is doing everything we can do to minimize any impact on hospital patients. As a national network, the Red Cross has a unique responsibility to meet the demands for blood,” said Kelly King, regional CEO of the American Red Cross Michigan Region. “There’s an expectation that if you show up at the hospital and there’s an emergency and you need life-saving blood, it’s going to be available.”
BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — The winter months of the year often get gloomy with the lack of sun and greenery outside, which leads people to sprucing up the insides of their homes to make them lively.
One way homeowners do this is by purchasing house plants, but for those who are new to taking care of plants, they might be wondering what kinds are the best fit for inside their houses and how to take care of them.
Michigan State University Extension Consumer Horticulture Educator Melanie Fuhrmann said that most house plants can survive indoors through the winter season, but that it depends on if they’re being taken care of properly.
finger into the soil,” he said. “And if you feel any moisture, you walk away. And I personally am not a big fan of moisture meters. … Some people will buy one and learn to live with it, and it works great, but most people put too much faith in them and then they kill plants by over watering.”
Fuhrmann suggested supplementing with some type of light for the plants, such as a full spectrum light to give them just a little extra light to live.
As for where to put the plants in the home, Fuhrmann said it depends on the layout, as she would be cautious about putting them in south-facing windows or light because they could get too warm or hot for these types of spruces, but they still can go anywhere.
Fuhrmann said plants that need low light often are the best to have inside the home, such as snake plants, ZZ plants, pothos, philodendrons, peace lilies and spider plants.
“A lot of those are plants you also will see in an office, and that’s because they can tolerate some low light,” she said. “They can tolerate some kind of avoidance if you forget about them for a little while. They’ll be OK and they’ll survive.”
Telly’s Greenhouse & Garden Center owner George Papadelis also stated that pachira, hoya and monstera plants would be good house plants as well.
On how to water the plants, Papadelis said to water them when the top of the soil feels dry.
“Not when you think it’s dry, not when it looks dry, not when you’ve got to dig your
Green Lantern Pizza opens new location
Papadelis concurred, adding that low-light plants would be good on the north side of the house and away from a window in any other part of the house.
“If you have brighter light, like up right in front of a south or a west window, maybe even an east window, then you could consider some other types of plants, including succulents and cacti, which should be watered even more sparingly,” he said. “Like, you got to wait till the soil is dry pretty much all the way down to the bottom of the pot.”
House plants also live best in homes with higher humidity, so both Papadelis and Fuhrmann cautioned to have some humidity in the house for these plants to survive.
“So many people have humidifiers in the winter, but our house plants are tropical plants, and so they can also go through stress if they have really low humidity,” Fuhrmann said. “If you don’t have a humidifier, you can
See HOUSE PLANTS on page 21A
Attention all pizza lovers, Green Lantern Pizza in St. Clair Shores is now officially open for business. The new location is about a half mile north of 12 Mile Road off Harper Road. This is the local pizza chain’s 17th location that offers a full carryout menu for pickup or easy, fast delivery. Playing off the flagship original location in Madison Heights, Green Lantern Pizza is known for its mouth-watering, thick-cut, grease-filled pepperonis; cheesy lantern bread; and original famous Italian sub. Call (586) 238-3800 or place an order online at greenlanternpizza.com and experience the “King of Pepperoni” yourself.
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
When it comes to educating your children, there are a multitude of options to consider before choosing the right fit.
The key, experts say, is finding a suitable learning environment for your child — whether it be at a traditional public, charter, private, home, virtual or other school.
According to a Bridge Michigan analysis of the state’s latest enrollment data, one in four Michigan K-12 students attend school at a charter or in a Schools of Choice district.
Michigan’s Schools of Choice provisions in Section 105 and 105c of the State School Aid Act allow local school districts to enroll nonresident students and count them in membership without having to obtain approval from the district of residence.
While a few dozen public school districts in the state — including Rochester Community Schools and Grosse Pointe — do not accept most students from other districts, the majority of Michigan’s 532 public school districts welcome choice.
The Troy School District, for example, offers a limited School of Choice program, al-
See SCHOOLS on page 16A
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Families across St. Claire Shores and Macomb County will soon have a new opportunity to give their youngest children the strongest start possible. Lake Shore Public Schools is preparing to open its new Early Childhood Center, a warm, student-centered space designed to support infants through preschool age learners. The program is open to Lake Shore residents as well as all families from surrounding communities, and enrollment is oficially underway.
The Lake Shore Early Childhood Center will welcome children ages two months to four years old and provide year-round care and learning. Families can choose from infant, toddler, or preschool options, each grounded in age-appropriate experiences that encourage curiosity, independence, and early skill development. The center emphasizes play as the foundation of learning, helping students build confidence, communication, and readiness for kindergarten and beyond.
Conveniently located on Harper Avenue between 11 and 12 Mile, the new center ofers quick access to the I-94 corridor and sits within minutes of nearby communities — a
benefit for busy parents and caregivers. The modern facility features 18 classrooms, flexible indoor spaces, and outdoor areas designed for exploration, movement, and imaginative play.
Lisa Bonett, Director of the Early Childhood Education for Lake Shore Public Schools and Child Care Coordinator Kelly Biondo to lead the opening of an 18-classroom, state-ofthe-art facility later this year. Bonett praised the Lake Shore Early Childhood Center team, saying, “Every day, they bring laughter, energy, and expertise to provide high-quality childcare and exceptional early childhood programs,” and shared her excitement to support creative, play-based learning while partnering with families and the community to prepare Lake Shore’s youngest learners for success.
The Lake Shore Early Childhood Center participates in PreK for All and accepts DHS and other subsidies, ensuring early childhood programs remain accessible and afordable for families.
To learn more or register, contact Mrs. Lisa Bonett, at 586-285-8570 or visit https://lakeshoreecc.lakeshoreschools.org/
and add your child’s name and contact information to our call list.
•Serving
•Open year round!
•Participates in Free PreK for all
•18 Welcoming Classrooms
•Safe, Secure + Dependable Environment
•Certified Early Childhood Educators
• Age-appropriate play and hands on learning experiences
•Indoor/Outdoor Learning
•School Readiness Curriculum
•Caring and Professional Staf
•We Accept DHS and Other Subsidies
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lowing students from specific areas to enroll, with priority for siblings of current Schools of Choice students.
“Troy is really known for its strong academics, enrichment, athletics, and performing arts and has always been in the top three in the state for many things. Because of that reputation, that helps Troy immensely,” said Kendra Montante, director of communications and strategic initiatives for the Troy School District. “We also have a very diverse community, which is amazing, so that is a draw as well.”
Schools of Choice, Montante explained, helps maintain district enrollment while providing educational opportunities, with specific seat numbers announced annually.
“Over the years, School of Choice programs have changed based on things like enrollment needs, so for the last eight or nine years, we have not done a significant amount of Schools of Choice. We have done a little bit of it because our goal was to right size the district a little bit and determine where we were at with our student population and our schools. That’s not uncommon. Many districts do that.”
More recently, as many districts across the state face declining student enrollment, Montante said the Troy School District polled families and received feedback supporting further opening up its Schools of Choice program rather than potentially closing schools with lower student enrollment.
“For the 2026-27 school year, we opened it up a little bit more for grades kindergarten, first grade, sixth, seventh and eighth grade,” Montante said.
A popular educational approach that differs from traditional public and private schools’ teacher-led, age-segregated, curriculum-focused option is the Montessori method.
Tanya Dallo, who owns Country Hills Montessori in Farmington Hills, said the Montessori method — established by Dr. Maria Montessori in the 1890s — is based on the philosophy that students learn best by self-directed activities and observing the world around them.
Country Hills Montessori, which serves children ages 14 months to 9 years in mixedage classes, offers a more individual approach to education, Dallo says, with different selfdirected experiences for every child.
“A Montessori education is designed to develop the full child, so it’s not just the
academics, we focus on their social and emotional growth, too, to set them up to be lifelong learners,” she said.
To foster independence, children can choose the subjects they want to study, depending on their interests — things like art, music, foreign language, gardening, science, math, geography, and reading skills — and they are encouraged to reason, cooperate, negotiate and understand along the way.
Dallo, who has been providing Montessori education for 32 years, says the method works.
“I’ve seen kids graduate, go through med school to become doctors, we have lawyers, we have a student who is a sheriff,” she said. “It’s so rewarding and it’s wonderful to see.”
The Avondale School District launched its GATE, or Gifted And Talented Education program during the 2017-2018 school year, enrolling approximately 31 students in two multiage third and fourth grade classrooms at Woodland Elementary School.
At that time, Superintendent James Schwarz said the idea was that it would be a self-contained magnet program to service truly gifted students, being that there was not one in this area — a public school that services students to that end, in a program specific for that ability.
In 2019, the program more than doubled — with 74 students enrolled in four multiage classrooms: two second-and thirdgrade split classes, and two fourth-and fifthgrade split classes.
To meet the increasing demand for enrollment, the GATE program moved into a dedicated building, the Avondale Meadows Learning Center in Rochester Hills, with students in second through eighth grades eligible to be part of the program. Today, the school has grown to serve over 400 students.
Upon reaching eighth grade, Schwarz said GATE students then go to high school, where they can differentiate into a wide variety of honors choices, Advanced Placement, dual enrollment and early college. GATE students can complete their high school requirements in half the time, which allows them to take AP or dual enrollment courses.
The GATE program is open to students in second through eighth grades within the Avondale School District and those outside the district through Schools of Choice, as space allows. Applications for students within the district are typically due in the fall, and Schools of Choice applications are typically due in February.
Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
The sheer number of sculptures along Gratiot this year allows for the initiative to better highlight itself as a “sculpture trail,” a path around the city that gives people interesting goals to walk, ride and talk around.
“What we’ve tried to do is create density,” Bruley said. “People don’t want to walk, which, for health reasons, we want to encourage people to walk. But you need to have goals in your walking, and I think now … the trail gives you enough density to be able to go out in an afternoon and really engage with a lot of the sculptures in a close proximity to each other. On Main Street, for example, it’s a wonderful street to walk and there’s enough sculptures close to each other that I think you’ll be intrigued to go see the different kinds done by different people with different themes.”
Alongside the trail itself, a lynchpin of the initiative is the Pollinator Park located at 17 Gratiot Avenue, hugging the northbound section between Inches and Kibbie streets. This 2024 addition to the project features several pollinator-shaped sculptures from Battle Creek-based metal artist Kyle Burnett, three concrete planters 3D-printed by Citizen Robotics of Detroit and a honeycomb-shaped library sculpture by Detroit-based artists and brothers Israel and Erik Nordin. The Nordin sculpture (one of two projects of theirs on the trail) has a rotating selection of books and operates similarly to a Little Free Library. Native plants grow in the park seasonally.
As the sculpture initiative grows, it has begun to move further south into Clinton Township. The 2025-26 season is bookended by the Bonior Tree and Jonathan Bowling’s “Golf Birds” (both along Welling Crescent at its northbound and southbound Gratiot intersections, respectively), though efforts are being made to move the project into the neighboring community.
“We are looking for people who will sponsor a site to put a sculpture on or to actually sponsor a sculpture,” MCEP President and Clinton Township Trustee Julie Matuzak said. “That involves going business to busi-
ness, door to door down the Gratiot corridor to try to find places willing to host a sculpture or willing to contribute financially to have a sculpture. We would like to do more of that, but it’s a matter of finding folks willing to participate … It’s slower-going. Some businesses don’t want a sculpture in front of their place. They think it’s somehow distracting. For the last couple of years, we’ve been trying to expand into Clinton Township.”
Ultimately the MCEP’s goal with the sculpture project is to reconnect and build community in an area that has been divided by Gratiot Avenue.
“We are trying to weave together neighborhoods,” Bruley said. “North and Southbound Gratiot was part of the 1960s ‘urban renewal,’ which I think separated us. It made fast-going streets that separated people rather than bring people together. We’ve tried to take an area of separation and tried to make it an area of coming together. We want to bring neighborhoods, businesses and community more together. Give them a point to meet, to talk, to have an opinion, a way of commonality. We want to increase connectivity. It’s bringing art (and) nature to connect us better as a community.”
With the sculpture project receiving no government funding outside of a few sculptures directly sponsored by the Clinton Township and Mount Clemens downtown development authorities, funding relies on the generosity of sponsors and a series of take-out meal fundraisers. The next such fundraiser will be with Louie’s Ham & Corned Beef in Mount Clemens on Saturday, March 14.
“We do this because we love to build up the community,” Matuzak said. “We think there’s a real economic development portion of this. We’d love to have Mount Clemens and Clinton Township become known for its art.”
For more information about the sculpture walk or for fundraising and volunteering opportunities, call (586) 783-6008 or email mcep99@gmail.com.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
and a remote-controlled turret created with the ability to be outfitted with a slew of different weaponry, including anti-drone weapons. It is also outfitted with an autoloader for its main 120 mm cannon, which allows all crewmen to remain inside the vehicle as well as reduces the number of crew in the tank from four to three.
“(Autoloaders) have been around for a long time. It’s not new. You just want to make sure they’re reliable,” U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Troy Denomy said. “Bringing in an autoloader allows us to take the humans out of the turret, which allows us to make the turret smaller and vehicle more survivable.”
According to U.S. Army Col. Ryan Howell, while many aspects of the tank will remain unchanged — such as the armor and location of the weapons — the tank will be built around a digital backbone that will allow systems to be integrated faster as challenges and threats change.
Howell said the tank is based on lessons learned from other conflicts and is designed
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able by a $500 fine per violation. The Clinton Township Police Department is tasked with enforcing the ordinance.
Kratom typically refers to either the natural substance derived from leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree or the synthetic, more concentrated substance known as 7-OH. According to CARE of Southeastern Michigan, 7-OH is 13 times more potent than morphine and 46 times more potent than the natural form of kratom.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns against the use and harms of synthetic kratom.
“It’s mind-blowing to me that you can walk into a store and buy it legally, and this is coming from someone who witnesses people who are struggling to get off of this substance,” Judge Carrie Lynn Fuca of the 41B District Court said during public comment. “It is extremely addicting. We had one young man end up in the ICU after overdosing on kratom … It’s scary to me that it’s accessible to anyone, much less young people under the age of 21.”
At least 30 stores in the township sell kratom alongside other age-restricted substances, with only two of the retailers being age-restricted to enter. Kratom products are typically sold as drinks or capsules with bright-colored packaging.
Fuca hoped Clinton Township would “lead the charge” on local kratom regulation,
for a generation of soldiers who haven’t even been recruited yet.
“The advances around optics, and how the crew interacts with it, and then the young generation, what are the tools that they need, because we’re not building the tank for myself. … We’re building it for a younger generation that hasn’t even necessarily been recruited,” he said.
Denomy said the crew compartment of the tank will look like a race car.
The prototype, which was created by Warren-based Roush Defense, is one of four planned to be produced and put into the hands of soldiers, Howell said.
“The tank behind us is the first prototype to get that soldier feedback,” he said. “The challenge that we have going forward is there’s not really any good models, and there’s no other way to do theory and modeling of how do these three tank crew members, with interoperable screens and gaming controls, fight this tank on a battlefield.”
Howell said the reduced cost of manufacturing the tank — which is expected to be less than it costs to manufacture the current models — will help to drive down the cost of sustaining the tanks as well.
which was made clear as soon as she stepped away from the podium. Mount Clemens City Commissioner Spencer Calhoun voiced his support for the ordinance and said the city is working on its own kratom regulation ordinance.
“At our last work session, we mentioned this and discussed this, and we are looking at creating an ordinance that is very similar to the one you’re creating this evening,” Calhoun said. “What good is an ordinance here if someone can just drive or walk right over to Mount Clemens and buy it there?”
The ordinance will have its second reading at the Monday, Feb. 9 Board of Trustees meeting.
On Jan. 12, trustees approved the site plan for the new Meijer store and gas station at the 15 Mile and Gratiot Avenue shopping center.
The plan submitted for approval featured no variances from the township’s code. The 76,175-square-foot grocery-only store will replace Big Lots in the mall. The store will feature curbside pickup, a pharmacy and a 3,650-square-foot gas station along Gratiot Avenue with 12 pumps.
Despite the board’s best efforts, Meijer representatives would not give a definitive project timeline. The closest timeline provided by Matt Levitt, a Meijer real estate manager, would give credence to a 12-16 month project outline for the demolition and construction of the location.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
Using the diesel-hybrid drivetrain system will reduce the cost of fuel, as well as the weight of the tank, he said.
Alex Miller, chief technical officer for the U.S. Army, said it took less than a year for the prototype to be built.
“I cannot stress enough that this tank that is here, drove in here. This was not towed. … This is a real tank,” he said. “This is going to go to safety and gunnery. You’re going to put this in the hands of soldiers. They’re going to fight this tank. We did it in a year. So, rather than the 15-year development cycle and maybe somebody sees it within their career, this team actually did the thing.”
Miller said the tank represents the Army’s drive to put robots in front of soldiers.
“This is your Army actually putting steady conditions so that we can make sure that America’s next first battle, as unfortunate as it will be when it gets here, and it will come, that we are putting robots in front of soldiers, that we are trading blood for steel,” he said.
According to a press release from the Army, initial operational capability of the tank is expected in the early 2030s.
The Detroit Auto Show was open to the public Jan. 17-25 at Huntington Place.
Call Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 291-7637.
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plained how each year the city receives funding through Macomb County for the grants.
“This is federal funding that passes through the county to the city,” Leven said.
Leven said the public hearing at the meeting was a way for the public service organizations to make its requests.
The first representative who spoke was RhaShandra Haigler, senior director of residential services for Turning Point. The nonprofit provides services to those experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking. Haigler said the organization has been helping families fleeing violence since 1990 and that it has served 18 Fraser residents through its programs.
“Turning Point’s emergency shelter program is a safe haven for survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence and it provides immediate safety, crisis intervention and resources to families trying to establish basic safety,” Haigler said.
She said the organization employs a multifaceted approach to ending violence for families. Turning Point requested $2,000 from the city.
Nicole King, executive director of Care House, spoke for that nonprofit. Care House offers services to children who are victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse and those who have witnessed a violent act.
“Our goal is to minimize the trauma to child victims and provide coping skills, advocacy and case management for the family,” King said.
She said the nonprofit works with all law enforcement jurisdictions in Macomb County as well as the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, Children’s Protective Services and mental health services. King requested $2,000 for the nonprofit.
Cher Warnock, volunteer coordinator at Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, spoke on behalf of that nonprofit. She said the organization has been offering free assistance to older adults for 30 years.
“This assistance helps with transportation, chores, respite breaks, errands, reducing loneliness and these opportunities provide fulfilling experiences for those who wish to volunteer as well as the support for those who need it,” Warnock said.
She said they are requesting funding to grow the number of people they can help each year. They requested $2,880 in funding.
Christa Carpenter, executive director of Hearts 4 Homes, said the organization helps children and their working families find or keep sustainable housing in the county.
“With our assistance, we can help with a portion of the security deposit when moving into a new place, and in some cities in the county we can help with eviction prevention when they’re getting behind in their rent,” Carpenter said.
She said the organization helped 45 families last year. It asked the city of Fraser for $1,000.
A lot of the nonprofits have connections to Fraser by providing their services to residents in the area.
Councilwoman Patrice Schornak asked whether they were required to break the funding into $2,000 increments. City At-
torney Donald DeNault said a lot of communities are allocating a lot less and that it doesn’t make sense because the city doesn’t have an even amount of money to give out. He doesn’t believe it to be a minimum of $2,000.
“The language in the packet from the county is pretty clear to me,” DeNault said. “It’s as long as they get $2,000 from everybody they ask, then they’ve got enough to go forward with the funding.”
Council members discussed the amount of money they should allot to the nonprofits and ultimately awarded $2,000 to Care House, $2,500 to Turning Point, $2,250 to Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers and $1,000 to Hearts 4 Homes.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
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King said that people not eligible to donate blood can still help by organizing a blood drive within their own community and encouraging eligible individuals to donate. Donated blood has a shelf life of 42 days.
Scot Dinsmor, a blood account manager for the American Red Cross Michigan Region, said there are two key factors that caused the blood shortage.
“The first is extreme weather, which forced the cancellation of about 400 Red Cross blood drives nationally, 12 here in the state of Michigan. As a result, thousands of blood donations went uncollected,” he said. “The second is the worst flu season in nearly 20 years. It might be sidelining our donors and slowing our efforts to rebuild the national blood supply.
“Disruptions in the nation’s blood supply make it difficult to overcome any existing shortfall in donations. More donations are needed now to prevent those delays in medical care,” Dinsmor said. “While all blood types are needed, the shortage is especially serious for types O, A-negative and B-negative. The need for blood is constant.
In most states, those 17 years or older can give blood. In Michigan, 16-year-olds can give with parental consent.”
During the virtual news briefing, Howell resident Jennifer Douglas shared her story of receiving life-saving blood during two medical emergencies she endured. She received her first blood transfusion in the summer of 2011.
“I was a mom to two little girls, and I was 20 weeks pregnant with our baby boy,” said Douglas, whose husband is Andy.
She suffered a ruptured aneurysm and was rushed into emergency surgery.
“I lost a massive amount of blood. Because strangers had already donated, I was able to receive 13 units of blood,” she said. “People who never knew me, they saved me. That blood saved my life. It also saved the life of my unborn son.”
Seven weeks later while still recovering, she experienced another medical emergency related to her pregnancy and again underwent surgery.
“During that surgery, I received 25 units of blood and 31 units of plasma and platelets,” she said. “My family lives every day with overwhelming gratitude for blood donors. To us, you’re heroes.”
Douglas said her mother was a lifelong blood donor with the American Red Cross
Fire Chief Keith Jacobs donates blood March 28, 2025, during a blood drive at the Recreation Authority of Roseville and Eastpointe. Earlier this month, the American Red Cross announced there is a blood shortage as donations are down 35% nationwide. and taught her to pay it forward.
“So, the summer after I survived, I hosted my first blood drive,” Douglas said.
“Now I host two every year with a dear friend who has her own story. My kids and my husband volunteer at every drive. At our
most recent drive we collected 30 units of blood, and that means up to 90 lives potentially touched.”
Jensyn Sullivan, M.D., a transfusion medicine and blood bank physician with
See BLOOD on page 23A
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put them into your bathroom like when you’re showering or something like that, and that will also help them with the dry air. It’s a good, easy, cheap fix.”
A major caution, Fuhrmann said, in the winter is putting them directly in a windowsill, because if plant leaves are against the window, they can freeze and get damaged from the cold draft from the window or glass pane being cold.
“If you have a plant stand in front of a window, it’s suggested to pull them out by a foot so that they’re not right against the cold glass and that draft,” she said. “But really, you can put them anywhere as long as they’re getting some form of light and they’re not next to a really cold draft.”
Since these plants are so low maintenance, both Papadelis and Fuhrmann stated that often the biggest mistake homeowners make is they’re doing too much in trying to take care of the plants — providing too much light or overwatering.
“These plants need to be watered when they need it, and as long as they figure out the ‘when they need it’ part, they’re very, very easy to keep alive,” Papadelis said.
“Because they’re not in an actively growing state, in the winter they tend to go a little dormant,” Fuhrmann said. “People tend to overwater them, and so you don’t need to water them very much. So, we actually tell people to decrease the amount they’re watering and really make sure you’re checking the soil to make sure it’s dried out completely before you’re watering them.”
Call Staff Writer Mike Koury at (586) 498-1077.
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“Detroit really does a very good job of having a technical aspect, making it very tough for the drivers, but we’re still having an incredible race,” he said. “There’s a lot of passes going on, a lot of chaos — it’s a good environment for the drivers.”
At the 2025 Detroit Grand Prix, despite qualifying for the second starting position, Malukas finished in 14th place.
Rinus VeeKay, who races with Juncos Hollinger Racing, said racing on an urban track requires more thought to how to set up the car than an oval track.
“It is very urban in a way where a lot of the corners are 90 degrees, just like city corners, and it is pretty bumpy, I have to say, so that’s one of the things you’re always preparing for, just coming to a really bumpy track and setting the car up for that,” he said.
VeeKay said he had seen success at the former track on Belle Isle, but he hasn’t been happy with his performances in Detroit the last few years. Despite showing good pace, last year a mechanical problem early in the race made him finish in 27th after only finishing six laps.
“I’m excited to really (see the track again) this coming season and finally get some redemption around this place,” he said.
Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix President Michael Montri, who was also on-hand during the event, said
the bumpiness of the track is great for fans, but not so much for the drivers.
“It’s terrific for fans and sight lines, but for the drivers, it poses a unique challenge, and maybe not all are in love with it,” he said.
He said that there isn’t a street circuit in the series that’s any smoother or better than Detroit. In addition to city tracks, the series also has ovals and road courses, and to be a champion, a driver needs to be proficient on all three, he said.
Montri said that each year, race organizers get an opportunity to improve things.
“We have a phenomenal venue downtown, where we have a great track and a great section of downtown without really disturbing any businesses. And in addition to that, an international crossing through the tunnel to Windsor, right in the middle of our track that stays open during our whole event,” he said.
Between 150,000 and 155,000 people attend the event each year, Montri said. In addition to having viewing spots available for ticket holders, there will also be viewing platforms set up for people who want to watch the event without spending money, he said. Additionally, this year the event will have more rooftop clubs with enhanced programming, he said, with more details available in the future.
The Detroit Grand Prix will be held May 29-31 in downtown Detroit. For tickets and more information, visit detroitgp.com.
Call Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 291-7637.
22A/ FRASER-CLINTON CHRONICLE • JANUARY 28, 2026
JAN. 28
Spaghetti dinner: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. (or until gone), Lt. Wood-Cpl. Reid VFW Post #6691, 17075 Anita Ave. in Fraser, continues every fourth Wednesday of month from January-October, (586) 899-9883
JAN. 31
Hear Your Generation In Concert: Eight-piece band plays five decades of pop, rock, dance and R&B hits, 7:30 p.m., Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, macombcenter. com, (586) 286-2222
Learn about streaming: Presentation about cutting cord on cable and options to watch TV, 10 a.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - Main Branch, 40700 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, register at (586) 226-5050, cmpl.libnet.info/events
FEB. 1
Hear Tumbao Bravo: Free concert by Cuban rhythm band part of Music at Main series, 2 p.m., ClintonMacomb Public Library - Main Branch, 40700 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, (586) 226-5020, cmpl.libnet.info/events
FEB. 4
Widowed Friends brunch: 11 a.m., Kejsi, 41170 Hayes Road in Clinton Township, RSVP to Esther at (586) 264-1939 by Feb. 1, widowedfriends.com
FEB. 6
The Barricade Boys Broadway Party: Features songs and stories from their time on stage in London, also hear quartet perform pop, rock, swing and Motown hits, 7:30 p.m., Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 2862222, macombcenter.com
FEB. 7
Blue Jean Ball: Presented by Fraser First Booster Club, includes food, basket raffle, silent auction, 5050 and open bar, 5-10 p.m., Vintage House, 31816 Utica Road, fraserfirst.com
Hear The Lovin’ Spoonful: 1960s Canadian-American folk-rock band and 2000 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees features founding member Steve Boone, 7:30 p.m., Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 286-2222, macombcenter.com
FEB. 14
A2 Magic Show: For all ages, 3 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - South Branch, 35679 S. Gratiot Ave. in Clinton Township, register at (586) 226-5073, cmpl. libnet.info/events
FEB. 14-15
Macomb Spring Home Improvement Show: Find hundreds of professionals and event-only discounts, also giveaways and chance to win $500 Lowes gift card, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 14 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 15, Lorenzo Cultural Center on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (248) 524-4868, yourhomeshows.com
FEB. 16
Book tasing: Ages 6-12 can get sampling of children’s books written by Black authors, part of Get to Know Your Neighbor initiative, 3 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - South Branch, 35679 S. Gratiot Ave. in Clinton Township, register at (586) 226-5073, cmpl. libnet.info/events
FEB. 20
After hours hide-and-seek: For those in grades 6-12,
The Board of Review will be holding an organizational meeting at the City of Fraser City Hall, 33000 Garfield Rd, Fraser MI 48026, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 9:00 AM for the purpose of receiving the 2026 Assessment Roll of the City of Fraser, Macomb County, Michigan.
Matters pertaining to the assessment of property may be brought before the Board of Review BY APPOINTMENT on the following dates:
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Thursday, March 12, 2026 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Appointments will be taken until 4:30 PM on Thursday, March 12, 2026, by calling the Assessing Department at (586) 293-3100. Appeals will also be accepted by letter. All letter appeals must be RECEIVED by 4:30 PM on Thursday, March 12, 2026, addressed to:
City of Fraser Board of Review 33000 Garfield Rd Fraser MI 48026
The tentative assessment ratios and county equalization factors for the City of Fraser, as recommended by the Macomb County Equalization Department, are as follows:
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.
6 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - Main Branch, 40700 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, register at (586) 226-5030, cmpl.libnet.info/events
FEB. 22
Motown Spirit Creativity Fair + Open Mic: Free event features local artists, authors, musicians, comedians and spoken-word performers, also vendor tables and raffles, youth encouraged to participate, 1-5 p.m., Lt. Wood-Cpl. Reid VFW Post #6691, 17075 Anita Ave. in Fraser, motownspiritcreativityfair@gmail.com, facebook.com/motownspiritcreativityfair
FEB. 25
1st Michigan Colored Regiment: Learn about state’s first and only African American regiment during Civil War, part of Get to Know Your Neighbor initiative, 6:30 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - Main Branch, 40700 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, register at (586) 226-5040, cmpl.libnet.info/events
FEB. 27-28
‘The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition’: Presented by Pankow Performing Arts, 7 p.m. Feb. 27 and 3 p.m. Feb. 28, John Armstrong Performing Arts Center, 24600
CITY MANAGER
Elaine Leven
CITY CLERK
August Gitschlag
Frederick Pankow Blvd. in Clinton Township, showpass. com/the-wizard-of-oz-youth-edition
ONGOING
Free tax help: For Macomb County residents, services provided by Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27, make appointment and see required documents and locations at macombca. itfrontdesk.com/vita, (586) 463-2537
Metropolitan Detroit Chorale rehearsals: 7 p.m. Tuesdays, choir room at Fraser High School, 34270 Garfield Road, performances scheduled for May 1516, (586) 792-7464, metropolitandetroitchorale.org
Widowed Friends breakfasts: 10:30 a.m. every second Monday of month, Big Boy, 16880 Hall Road in Clinton Township, RSVP to Fran at (586) 946-7624, widowedfriends.com
Lenten fish fries: Also grilled cheese meals, clam chowder soup, desserts and more, dine in and carryout, 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays Feb. 20-March 27, St. Ronald Catholic Church, 17701 15 Mile Road in Clinton Township, stronald.com
City of Fraser CENTENNIAL COMMUNITY
MAYOR
Michael Lesich
MAYOR PRO-TEM
Patrick O’Dell
COUNCIL
Amy Baranski
Crystal Fletcher
George-Michael Higgins
Kenny Perry Jr.
Meetings are held monthly at the times and locations specified in the Meeting Locations & Times section below.
Council Recreation Commission Planning Commission Zoning Board of Appeals Historical Commission
Meeting Locations & Times
• City Council: 6:30 p.m. at City Council Chambers, 33000 Garfield, Fraser, MI 48026
• Recreation Commission 7:00 p.m. at City Council Chambers, 33000 Garfield, Fraser, MI 48026
• Planning Commission: 7:00 p.m. at City Council Chambers, 33000 Garfield, Fraser, MI 48026
• Zoning Board of Appeals: 7:00 p.m. at City Council Chambers, 33000 Garfield, Fraser, MI 48026
• Historical Commission: 7:00 p.m. at Baumgartner House Depot, 18577 Masonic, Fraser, MI 48026
THE CITY OF FRASER WILL PROVIDE NECESSARY REASONABLE AUXILIARY AIDS AND SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AT THE MEETING UPON FOUR DAYS NOTICE TO THE CITY CLERK AT (586) 293-3100. IT IS THE POLICY OF THE CITY OF FRASER THAT NO PERSON, ON THE BASIS OF RACE, CREED, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR ANCESTRY, AGE, SEX, MARITAL STATUS, OR DISABILITY SHALL BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, EXCLUDED FROM PARTICIPATION, DENIED THE BENEFITS OF, OR OTHERWISE SUBJECTED TO DISCRIMINATION IN ANY PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY FOR WHICH IT IS RESPONSIBLE.
Published: Fraser-Clinton Chronicle 01/28/2026
Published: Fraser-Clinton Chronicle 01/28/2026
Artfrom page 2A
versity and the University of Michigan’s North Campus Research Complex. Serra’s art coordination skills have been utilized by the Detroit People Mover, Detroit Receiving Hospital and Children’s Hospital.
The opening reception and awards ceremony for the Michigan Annual LIII will take place at the Anton Art Center’s 125 Macomb Place location on Saturday, Jan. 31 from 1-3 p.m.
Running alongside the Michigan Annual LIII is “Heartwork,” this year’s themed show featuring nearly 40 works from 30 local artists.
“Heartwork” is one of two annual shows the Anton Art Center hosts for the members of five regional artists groups: the Lakeside Palette Club of St. Clair Shores, Mount Clemens Artist Association, Romeo Guild of Art, Shelby Township Fine Art Society and the Warren Tri-County Fine Arts. Artists have taken the theme of “Heartwork” and created an abundance of interpretations upon it.
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Holi, International Transgender Day of Visibility, Deaf History Month, Arab American Heritage Month, Autism Acceptance Month, Passover and Earth Day.
Core to the “Neighbor” program are booklists, which for January focus on recommending books to CMPL patrons focusing on characters and people who are blind and about the braille writing system, as well as books centered around Martin Luther King Jr., the Civil Rights Movement and community service. Relevant items other than books in the CMPL’s collections, such as braille printers, are also highlighted during “Get to Know Your Neighbor.”
Eventgoers are also in luck. Tied to “Get to Know Your Neighbor,” the CMPL hosted a screening and discussion of “In Remembrance of Martin” on Jan. 16 at the Main Library in Clinton Township and a Martin Luther King Jr. craft day for kids on Jan. 17
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Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan’s academic medical center and Lance Wells, M.D., an emergency medicine physician at Hillsdale Hospital, also spoke at the news hearing.
To make a blood donation appoint-
“We let the artists interpret the theme however they like in whatever media that they like for the juror then to review,” Hazzard said. “The artists take the theme and interpret in their own style in their own way … (the show has) a mix of media spanning from two-dimensional to three-dimensional works in ceramics, metal, fiber, photography, oil paint, acrylic and mixed media.”
Jurying “Heartwork” is Darcel Deneau, a 2021 Kresge Arts in Detroit Fellow and a graduate of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. Deneau is a mosaic artist whose work was recently awarded second-place by both the jurors and the public at an international mosaic biennale in Chartres, France. She serves as president of the CCS Alumni Council and is an honorary board member of the Detroit Artists Market.
“Heartwork” runs until Saturday, Feb. 28 in the Second Floor Gallery.
The Anton Art Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
at the North Branch in Macomb Township.
With the program only starting in January 2026, there has not been enough feedback for CMPL staff to truly gauge the community’s response to the new program. But they have high expectations based on early events and interactions with library patrons.
“It’s just been delightful to see people stop at the display (in the Main Library) and look at the materials and take the materials … We are promoting these (materials) all over the place,” Young said. “We have far more extensive lists on the website of materials people can look at or look for. Anyone is always welcome to come up to a librarian and ask for a suggestion on any topic they desire.”
Those looking for more information about “Get to Know Your Neighbor,” go to cmpl.org/gtkyn_home. To provide feedback and recommend future topics for “Get to Know Your Neighbor,” contact the adult services popular materials desk at info@cmpl. org or call (586) 226-5050.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
ment, use the Red Cross blood donor phone app, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call (800) RED CROSS, which is (800) 733-2767. The website has a list of upcoming blood drives in the tri-county area. All who donate blood between Jan. 26 and Feb. 28 will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.
Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.
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Wanted man arrested after soliciting
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A 23-year-old Eastpointe man was arrested after he was spotted knocking on doors in the 400 block of Moran Road, where he was reportedly going door to door with a snow shovel in search of shoveling work at around 10:45 a.m. Jan. 2. The man reportedly admitted to police he was seeking shoveling customers and said he already shoveled snow for someone in the area. Police told the man that soliciting is against city ordinances.
The man was unable to produce any identification and when asked for his name and address, police said, he gave them a fake name and address. When warned that providing false information could lead to his arrest, police said the man gave them his actual name and address. Police said they then discovered that the suspect was wanted on warrants out of St. Clair Shores, Warren, Hazel Park and Detroit, and Detroit police had requested a homicide warrant against the suspect. The man was arrested on the warrants.
Intoxicated driver fails to yield to ambulance
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Police said they pulled over a 44-year-old Detroit man in the area of Mack and Warren avenues at 9 p.m. Jan. 4 after he failed to pull to the side of the road for an ambulance that was rushing a patient to a nearby hospital with lights and sirens on. Police said the driver — who was in a 2021 Lincoln Nautilus — is said to have stopped in the middle of the intersection at Mack Avenue and Moross Road, nearly causing the ambulance to collide with it. Police said the driver acknowledged his license was revoked, but he was working to have it reinstated. They said the driver smelled strongly of alcohol, although he said he had only consumed a single beer at around 1 p.m. A preliminary breath test showed that the driver had a blood alcohol content of 0.19% — more than twice the legal limit. The driver was arrested for operating while intoxicated. When police inventoried the contents of his vehicle prior to impounding it, they said they found an empty plastic cup in the center console that smelled of alcohol, as well as an empty bottle of Angry Orchard Rose and a large empty bottle of New Amsterdam vodka in a plastic bag on the back seat.
Customer causes disturbance
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Police were called to a store in the 18000 block of Mack Avenue at 7:58 a.m. Jan. 6 after a customer is said to have started yelling and causing a disturbance. According to a police report, the customer — a 30-year-old Detroit woman — wanted to purchase a single bottle of alcohol from a four-pack container and when the store manager said
became irate. The manager told police the customer grabbed the bottle from her and “was verbally harassing her,” the police report states. Police issued the customer a trespassing warning.
Vehicular vandalism caught on video
GROSSE POINTE WOODS — An unknown person was captured on a surveillance camera throwing a ketchup bottle and eggs at a vehicle parked in the driveway of a home in the 500 block of Perrien Place at around 10 p.m. Dec. 29.
Debit card disappears
GROSSE POINTE CITY — A debit card belonging to a patient at Corewell Health Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital was stolen from his room Dec. 18 and used to make a series of fraudulent charges, a police report states. Police said someone made charges totaling about $1,300 before the patient realized the card was missing.
Scam texts
MOUNT CLEMENS — On Jan. 3 at around 4:20 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies spoke with a 72-year-old Mount Clemens woman about a fraud scheme.
While looking for a residence in the city, the woman received a text asking for $850 in Apple gift cards as the security deposit. She bought the cards and sent their information to the number with the expectation of getting the keys on Jan. 3.
When she did not receive the keys on Jan. 3, she realized it was a scam and contacted police.
Stolen car
MOUNT CLEMENS — On Dec. 26 at around 11:20 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the 80 block of Clara Street to speak with a 28-year-old Mount Clemens woman about a stolen car.
The woman told deputies her mom’s Hyundai Sonata was stolen by her ex-boyfriend, a 29-year-old Mount Clemens man. The mom allowed the woman to use the car, and the woman did not know when the car was stolen.
The mom, a 51-year-old Farmington Hills woman, was able to contact the ex-boyfriend and asked for the car to be returned by 4 p.m. When he failed to return the car by that time, she moved to press charges against him.
Gate crasher
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Dec. 23 at around 9:30 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to Selfridge Air National Guard Base after
Deputies noticed heavy damage to the gate upon arrival. They reportedly spoke with a 48-year-old Harrison Township woman who saw a car crash through the gate while driving west on North River Road.
No cameras caught the incident and the suspect remained unknown to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office. Base personnel were given a report number.
Caller impersonating bank employee defrauds resident
EASTPOINTE — At around 1:30 p.m. Jan. 5, Eastpointe police officers were dispatched to Brittany Avenue, in the area of Nine Mile and Kelly roads, to investigate a fraud complaint. The officers were advised that an unknown person had called a resident, pretending to work for her bank. The caller was able to obtain her account information and used it to transfer money from her account.
Con artist poses as probation officer
EASTPOINTE — At around 2:20 p.m. Jan. 5, Eastpointe police officers were dispatched to an address on Nine Mile Road to investigate a fraud complaint. Upon arrival, they learned that the victim had been contacted by someone claiming to be her son’s probation officer.
The con artist told the woman that her son needed a tether to be released from jail, and that the payment had to be made via a bitcoin-based machine using a QR code provided by the suspect.
The woman complied, following the instructions and sending the money. Once the woman arrived at the jail to pick up her son, she was told he was not eligible for release, and she realized that she had been scammed.
Police investigate unruly customer
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A restaurant employee came into the Shelby Township Police Department to report an assault at 9:10 p.m. Dec. 16. While she was working as a host at a restaurant in Shelby Township, she said she was approached by a man who was unhappy with the table that he and his guest were provided. She told police the man yelled in her face and then grabbed her hands. The host explained that it would be difficult to get him and his party a new table and the manager came over, whom the man reportedly grabbed as well. The man was asked to leave. Detectives were investigating.
Men arrested for being in the country illegally
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A police officer patrolling 23 Mile and Hayes roads observed a traffic violation at
on the vehicle and met with the driver and passenger, neither of whom spoke English, according to the report. The driver provided an international driver’s license, and a check on the names that were provided on the document came back with no results. Another officer arrived on the scene and advised that the international license appeared to be fraudulent. The officer was then able to obtain the name of the passenger. The officer contacted the Border Patrol, which arrested the two men and transported them to their facilities.
Man arrested for drunken driving SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Police officers were dispatched to the area of 45537 Mound Road, north of Hall Road, for a private property accident at 9:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Dispatch advised that a Ford F-150 pickup truck had struck another vehicle in the parking lot and left the scene. The vehicle was soon located nearby in the area of Springhill Drive, and officers approached the driver, who reportedly appeared intoxicated. The driver, who admitted to coming from a bar, had urinated on himself, police said. Officers offered the driver a roadside sobriety test,
Sideswipe hit-and-run
