1/28/26 Journal

12A SPOTLIGHT ON LEARNING

Trustees move to restrict kratom sales

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 statelevel 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 un-

See KRATOM on page 18A

SCULPTURE PROGRAM AIMS TO BRING CONNECTION TO GRATIOT CORRIDOR

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

See SCULPTURE on page 16A

FAR 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.”

NEAR 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.

RIGHT: The fiber work “Monks at the Beach” by Marge Sumner is one of over 50 works from Michigan artists featured in the Anton Art Center’s Michigan Annual LIII exhibition.

LOCAL ARTISTS SHINE IN ART CENTER SHOWS

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, exhibi-

tions 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

SECOND FRONT PAGE

ABOVE: In November 2025, David Rubello, right, was elected to another term on the

RIGHT: Longtime C & G Newspapers Advertising Sales Representative David Rubello retired in December after 40 years with the company. After his retirement, he vacationed in Key West, Florida, with his wife Greta Guest, right, and their daughter Sasha, not shown.

FULL RUN

DAVID RUBELLO RETIRES FROM C & G NEWSPAPERS

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

Polar plungers take a dive to

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Every time C & G Newspapers advertising sales representative David Rubello stepped inside Uncle Harry’s Deli Restaurant, it wasn’t just to hustle a sale.

“He’s more like a friend than he is a salesman,” owner Rick Meltzer said. “When he stopped by here, it was more like a visit than a sale.”

He’d sometimes pick up lunch, too, usually a corned beef sandwich with plenty of Russian dressing. It was that type of approach that helped Rubello become a successful salesperson at the St. Clair Shores Sentinel newspaper. After zipping around town selling advertisements for the past four decades — occasionally while wearing blue suede shoes — Rubello retired in December. He’s had a “full run,” which at C & G Newspapers refers to an advertiser running its ads in all of the company’s newspapers for one week.

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

help Special Olympics Michigan

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.

Sparkle Network hosting comedy show at Emerald Theater

MOUNT CLEMENS — The Sparkle Network is hosting its 13th edition of its “Heartbreakers” comedy show at the Emerald Theater on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.

Comedians performing include Justin Pedick, Justin Divozzo and Sparkle Network President and founder Moe Lietz. Proceeds from the event will support the Paint Creek Center for the Arts, Great Lakes Burn Camp, Meadowbrook Center for Learning, Susie Q’s Kids and the Dream, Believe & Do Scholarship.

For more information go to sparklenetwork.org.

Clintondale Community Schools selects new chief academic officer

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.”

CMPL FEBRUARY EVENTS

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Clinton-Macomb Public Library continues its march of programming with a slate of events across its branches this February.

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.

HUNGRY HOWIE’S OPENS IN MOUNT CLEMENS

MOUNT CLEMENS — Pizza lovers, rejoice. As of the new year, Hungry Howie’s has opened up in downtown Mount Clemens.

“We’ve started to do a bit of catering,” said Harold Norris, co-owner of the Hungry Howie’s at 75 North Main St. “It’s been going good. Good reviews and we’ve started working with the community a little bit. It’s going to be a good store, I feel.”

Originally from Macomb County and already co-owner of two other Hungry Howie’s locations with his brother, Chris, Harold said recent redevelopment in Mount Clemens made the city an attractive place to open their third franchise with the Madison Heights-based pizza company.

“I wanted to get in here and be part of that,” Harold said. “I saw what they were doing in the downtown area, and there’s no other pizzeria franchises down there.”

Harold began working with Hungry Howie’s in 1987 as a delivery driver and remained with the company for four decades. Having opened locations in Harrison Township and Texas with his brother, Harold is keeping family close with the first-ever Hungry Howie’s in Mount Clemens; Justin Norris, the son of Chris, is one of the managers of the Mount Clemens location.

With the opening weeks in the books and the first year of operations ahead, Harold is interested in working with schools, churches and other parts of the Mount Clemens community.

While the Mount Clemens location goes through a series of openings — first opening on Dec. 30, then holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Macomb County Chamber on Jan. 14 and having a scheduled grand opening over the week of Jan. 26 — Hungry Howie’s is in the process of expanding. Two other locations have opened in metro Detroit — one at 25249 Plymouth Road in Redford Township, and another at 6247 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield — and another location is set to open in the city of Detroit at 5231 Anthony Wayne Drive.

The Mount Clemens Hungry Howie’s is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

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CMPL begins new educational program series

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, 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 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.

City Commission votes on budget amendments, art center lease

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

MOUNT CLEMENS — The Mount Clemens City Commission approved a slate of amendments to the 2025-26 budget at its Jan. 20 meeting.

Held on the Tuesday after the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, city commissioners approved millions of dollars in changes to reflect the city’s financial standing over the course of the fiscal year. The amendments affect the general, major streets and local streets funds.

“The city was awarded multiple grants for projects that began during fiscal year 2025 and were expected to extend into fiscal year 2026,” City Manager Gregg Shipman said. “In order to prevent budget overruns, the entire expected revenue and expenditure for those projects was budgeted in fiscal year 2025, with an expected ‘rollover amendment’ in fiscal year 2026. Included in this amendment are the rollover amendments for the riverfront revitalization project state grant allocation in the amount of $2 million, as well as federal and ice arena proceeds revenue to fund the downtown revitalization project in the amount of $4,194,808.”

Along with the nearly $6.2 million added to the general fund in grants and ice arena proceeds, $180,000 was added to collected property tax revenues, and $100,000 was added to building permit and rental inspec-

tion revenues. However, the nearly $6.2 million was then added to the expenditures for the associated projects along with $55,200 added for Mount Clemens Fire Department wages and salaries in light of the recently approved collective bargaining agreement. The amendments change the general fund’s budget surplus to $156,600.

Just under $1.4 million was added to the major streets fund’s expenditures, while the local streets fund added $535,328 from the ice arena bond fund along with an additional $1 million in expenditures for summer concrete patching projects.

Along with the $535,328 sent to the local streets fund, over $1.3 million from

University 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.

“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.

Multiple choice:

EDUCATION OPTIONS ABOUND FOR FAMILIES

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — 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.

Schools of Choice

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, allowing

See SCHOOLS on page 13A

Schools

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.

The Montessori method

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

Let Your Child’s Learning Begin with Us

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

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.”

GATE programs an option for some

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.

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/

list.

the ice arena bond fund was allocated to the general fund to help with grant matches for the downtown revitalization project.

Commissioners voted 6-1 to approve the amendments with Commissioner Roxanne Brown being the lone vote against. While Brown said she was fine with many of the amendments, she said she was uncertain about the $2 million being used for the riverfront project.

Brown said by email after the meeting that as a new commissioner, she is still looking at documents and reviewing past meetings to get herself up to speed.

“I see a lot of mention of Mount Clemens ‘Riverfront Revitalization’ but no specific plan is available,” Brown said. “The relocation of city hall and the fire department are just that, ‘relocation,’ and do not constitute ‘revitalization.’ I am concerned that $2 million dollars in the budget amendments was earmarked for an initiative for which I have not seen any real plans. I could not in

good conscience say yes to that particular amendment.”

Anton Art Center lease

Trustees voted unanimously to amend the city’s lease agreement with the Anton Art Center at the former library at 125 Macomb Place — and with a rather steep increase.

The Art Center’s $1 per year lease remains intact from its original 2008 lease. But with the city stepping up to pay to replace the Art Center’s broken elevator, the gallery and art instruction nonprofit now has to pay the city back $156,600 within the next 24 months. The cost covers the elevator repair along with an additional 2% fee to the city.

“If you’ve ever gone into the Anton from the Roskop parking lot, you know that you can’t get to any floor without going up or down stairs,” City Commissioner Laura Fournier said.

Fournier also serves as the Anton Art Center’s accountant and sits on the center’s board of trustees.

“Especially to get to the galleries, it’s a climb, folks, It’s difficult. We’ve been nursing

this elevator along and it just makes sense at this point not to put any more money into it, but to replace it,” Fournier said.

Despite her ties to the center, Fourier was allowed to vote on the lease because she does not have a direct financial stake in the decision.

Anton Art Center Executive Director Matt Mathews said he expects the new elevator to be installed around May or June.

CDBG public hearing

Representatives from local nonprofits addressed the City Commission in an attempt to secure part of the city’s annual allocation of Community Development Block Grant funding. The city was allocated $12,800 with seven external organizations requesting funds, along with the city’s Recre-

ation Department, which requested the full allocation for its senior programming. Care House requested $6,000 for its child abuse intervention services and had a representative at the meeting. Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan requested $1,200 for its custom wig-making services and intended to have a representative present. Turning Point requested $3,000 for its domestic abuse shelter services and had a representative at the meeting. Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers requested $1,800 for its ‘Safe at Home’ senior assistance program and had a representative at the meeting.

Other groups that requested CDBG grant funds are Hearts 4 Homes ($2,000), Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team ($3,740) and Single Family Living ($3,000).

CRIME WATCH

Bullet in a home

MOUNT CLEMENS — On Jan. 18 at around 2:30 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 50 block of Grand Avenue to investigate suspicious circumstances.

Deputies spoke with a 41-year-old Mount Clemens woman who had a bullet go through her window. A search of the property found shattered glass, a bullet-like object and a small burn where the bullet-like object was found.

The woman told deputies she was a suspect in an narcotics investigation by the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, though did not have a possible suspect in mind.

Hit and run

MOUNT CLEMENS — On Jan. 16 at around 2:50 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the corner of Dickinson and Second streets for a hit and run.

Deputies spoke with a 17-year-old Clinton Township teen, who was a student driver taking a driving test with a Kia Soul. While taking a turn at Dickinson onto Second Street, a red SUV collided with the rear of the Kia and fled the scene.

The Clinton Township boy’s mother was unsure about pressing charges. Deputies provided her with a report number.

Home robbery

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Jan. 9 at around 6:40 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the 39000 block of Prentis Street for a larceny.

Deputies spoke with a 35-year-old Harrison Township man who said his home was robbed while he was at work. His doorbell camera was removed from the front door while $150 and a half-ounce of marijuana were missing.

The man told deputies his ex-girlfriend’s mom stopped by earlier to pick up clothes, but he was unsure if she was responsible.

The man wished to press changes.

— Dean Vaglia

Red Oak Academy K-8 22280 E Price Rd., Clinton Twp, MI (586) 533-4448

https:// www.gee-edu.com/schools/redoak

Charter School open to all Michigan students for a free public education is holding OPEN ENROLLMENT for the 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR. Red Oak Academy is tuition-free Open Enrollment dates: 02/23/26 – 3/9/26

The academy will be open to accept applications Monday - Friday: 8:30am –3:00 pm.

Two Evenings 2/24/26 and 3/5/2026 from 4-5 pm Saturday-3/7/25 12-2:00 pm

Sculpture

from page 1A

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.

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.”

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 inter-

esting 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

NOTICE

To the residents of the Charter Township of Harrison, County of Macomb, Michigan.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Clerk’s Offce for the Charter Township of Harrison will post, for public inspection, the Agenda for Township Board Meetings and a Synopsis of the approved Meeting Minutes at the Clerk’s Offce located at 38151 L’Anse Creuse Road, and to the Rosso Hall bulletin board located at 38255 L’Anse Creuse Rd. The Agenda and a full text of the Minutes will be available on the Township Website, www.harrisontownshipmi.gov and, upon request from the Clerk’s Offce.

Adam Wit, MMC, MiPMC, Clerk Charter Township of Harrison

Published: Journal 01/28/2026

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS

2026

MARCH BOARD OF REVIEW

The Board of Review will be holding an organizational meeting at the Harrison Township Assessor’s Offce, 38144 Townhall, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM, for the purpose of receiving the 2026 Assessment Roll of the Charter Township of Harrison, Macomb County, Michigan.

Matters pertaining to the assessment of property may be brought before the Board of Review BY APPOINTMENT on the following dates:

Monday, March 9, 2026 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM & 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Appointments will be taken until 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, by calling (586) 466-1410. Appeals will also be accepted by letter. All letter appeals must be RECEIVED by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, addressed to: Harrison Township Board of Review 38151 L’Anse Creuse Harrison Township, MI 48045

The 2026 tentative assessment ratios and county equalization factors for the Township of Harrison, as recommended by the Macomb County Equalization Department, are as follows:

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 business, 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.

Published: Journal 01/28/2026

Rubello

“I loved my job. You couldn’t do something for 40 years unless you loved it. It was a huge part of my life. I met a lot of great people. I worked for a great family,” Rubello, 63, said. “There is still more for me to see and do out there. As you get older, they become more important to do. I know you got to move on.”

At C & G’s offices, Rubello was known for singing in the hallway and talking about his favorite sports teams.

“I’m going to miss some of the people I worked with for a long time. For sure. I’ll miss the Demers Family,” the St. Clair Shores resident said. “I was very lucky to work for somebody like that. They just wanted hard work from you, and I gave it to them. We had a lot of good times. A lot of laughs.”

‘The hard way, the long way is the right way’

Meltzer first met Rubello in January 1986 when Rubello began working for C & G Newspapers and Meltzer’s dad, Harry Meltzer, owned Uncle Harry’s. Meltzer appreciated the originality behind the ads they designed with Rubello’s input.

“We always did creative stuff,” Meltzer said. “We would change things up.”

Meltzer congratulated Rubello on his retirement.

“It’s well-deserved,” Meltzer said.

Rubello was hired when the C & G Newspapers building was located on Nine Mile Road, east of Van Dyke Avenue, in Warren. In 1997, the family-owned business relocated to its current location at 13650 11 Mile Road at Schoenherr Road in Warren. C & G publishes 21 newspapers that cover 46 communities.

Rubello graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in broadcasting and cinematic arts. While looking for a job in his major, the 1980 Lakeview High School graduate asked C & G Newspapers owner Gil Demers about hiring him in the meantime. Rubello’s parents, Frances and Joseph, knew Gil through St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church. Gil hired him, but he had his concerns. If it didn’t work out, how would he fire him?

He didn’t have to worry, as Gil trained Rubello to be the best salesperson possible.

“I made a little money the first year, more than I had ever made before,” Rubello said.

He thought he’d work at C & G for a while, but once he began earning a good living he decided to stay. Rubello always took Gil’s advice to heart. Gil died in 2019.

“Keep out on the streets. Keep calling

people. Be persistent. I remember him distinctively saying that. Stay out in your area. Don’t come back early. Keep calling on people even when they said ‘no.’ Find out what they’re in need of. Ask a lot of questions and don’t talk so much. Let them do the talking,” he said. “We were on-the-road salespeople. You go visit them in person. The hard way, the long way is the right way.”

That was before the days of pagers, cellphones and email. Rubello built a rapport with restaurants, businesses, stores, medical offices and more in St. Clair Shores. He also had a few clients in Harrison Township and Grosse Pointe Woods. At one point during his career, he was so busy the company hired assistant Amy Carlisle to work with him.

“She helped me for over 20 years. I was able to produce as much as I did for having her back at the office,” he said. “She was a great partner.”

‘St. Clair Shores is everything to me’

Rubello said his first-ever ads came from two longtime customers: Emily’s Deli and Fleetwood Collision. He also remembered when Sabby’s Lounge began advertising.

“I can still see Mr. Sabatini cooking back there,” Rubello reminisced while having lunch at Sabby’s Jan. 13. “I walk into places and I can’t help but think about the old faces you used to see in there. You remember certain people that worked there. You think of all these people that have come and gone. You go into some of these buildings and you remember they were different businesses, too.”

Rubello can’t go anywhere in the city without running into somebody he knows. That was proven during his Sabby’s lunch when several people stopped by his table, including Bob MacKenzie, of Real Estate One, and Stanley Lee Jr., of Stan Yee’s Collision in Eastpointe.

Rubello grew up in the community and has remained a staunch cheerleader for the city.

“St. Clair Shores is everything to me. I stayed put. I never wanted to leave.”

C & G Newspapers Sales Manager Jeff Demers recognized Rubello’s work ethic.

“He worked very hard to build his territory. Through his hard work, he was very successful,” Jeff Demers said. “Selling is a combination of things. You have to put in the work. You have to have a likable personality, which Dave definitely does. I think he’s a sincere man. Those are very important. They make a very successful salesperson.”

Rubello proved “invaluable” to the company.

“He’s been a member of the C & G family since ’86. I’m going to miss him.

There’s no doubt about it,” Jeff Demers said. “I wish him the best.”

Emily Demers, the daughter of C & G Newspapers Editorial Director Gregg Demers, has taken over Rubello’s territory. He took her out on the road for training, just like Gil did with him when he first started.

“I think she’ll do well,” Rubello said.

‘He’s a wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve kind of guy’

Rubello witnessed St. Clair Shores change over the years and even remembers back when people parked on Harper Avenue.

“That would be one of the biggest changes. There was parking where the grass is now. You’d come up the curb,” he said. “The Nautical Mile, that was a huge change when the TIFA district came in to transform Jefferson. The changing of the landscape on Nine Mile and Mack. All changes for the positive.”

Rubello said he has eaten at every restaurant in St. Clair Shores, past and present. The Jefferson Colonnade. The Red Barn. The Athenian. Gaudino’s. Travis Coffee Shop.

“All these little mom-and-pop restaurants and businesses, from brick and motor to office buildings, I’ve been in all of them, rain, sleet or snow,” he said. “When I would be in these people’s places, they would tell me stuff about some of the difficulties they were experiencing from permits to signs to all kinds of stuff from the (city) administration.”

That motivated him to run for public office. He has served on the St. Clair Shores City Council on and off since 2007. He was reelected in November 2025 for another four-year term. Some issues he and the council vote on make front page news.

Always full of energy, Rubello brings his personal touch to the annual Memorial Day parade, volunteers with several local charities, rarely misses a concert at Music on the Lake in the summer, and helped to get the city’s social district off the ground.

Every winter, he seeks volunteers to shovel snow for senior citizens through the “Snow Brigade.” For more information, email dav erubello@netscape.net.

Others noticed his contributions.

“Dave has been a solid force in the city for a long time. He always has St. Clair Shores at the forefront of his thoughts. What you see is what you get. He’s a wear-yourheart-on-your-sleeve kind of guy,” fellow City Councilman Ron Frederick said. “He has an instrumental role in making sure what we do is going to be a positive thing for St. Clair Shores. He’s involved. He tries to help people as much as possible.”

Frederick also knows Rubello on a personal level.

“He’s certainly a very animated character,” he said. “That’s what we love about him.”

Rubello, an avid reader, hopes to travel more in his retirement. He already got started. In late December, Rubello visited Key West, Florida, with his wife, Greta Guest, and their daughter, Sasha.

“I never felt more relaxed in my life,” said the retired salesman, who no longer worries about deadlines and “all the numbers you have to hit.”

Rubello will be a grandfather for the first time this February. His oldest son Nico and wife Rosie are expecting a baby. He also has a son, Adriano, who resides out of state with his wife, Pamela.

Rubello, too, is a music historian who can tell you everything about the Beach Boys, Hall and Oates, Dick Dale and Elvis Presley. He has met many celebrities including Hulk Hogan and Priscilla Presley. Another highlight was getting his picture taken with Henry “Ayyy” Winkler, best known for playing the Fonz on “Happy Days.”

“He was so nice to me. He was so nice to my daughter,” Rubello said. “I thought back to growing up with the Fonz.”

The pair share a common bond: They’re both one of a kind.

Kratom

from page 1A

der 21. Violation of the ordinance is a municipal civil infraction punishable 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, which was made clear as soon as she stepped away from the podium. Mount Cle-

mens 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.

Meijer update

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.

13650

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

19A/ JOURNAL • JANUARY 28, 2026

JAN. 15

Trivia night: Compete in teams of eight or be placed with group, includes unlimited pizza, salad and pop, 6:30-8 p.m., Total Sports, 40501 Production Drive in Harrison Township, tickets must be purchased in advance at Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse St. (Suite A), (586) 329-1261, htlibrary. org/events

Widowed Friends lunch: 1:30 p.m., Copper Kettle, 20658 Hall Road in Clinton Township, RSVP to Vicky at (586) 260-8679, widowedfriends.com

JAN. 16

Winter happy hour: All ages can drop in for snacks, hot cocoa bar, movie, watercolor painting, bracelet making and more, 3-5 p.m., Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse St. (Suite A), (586) 3291261, htlibrary.org/events

Trivia night: Ages 12 and older can test knowledge about Michigan plants, animals and history, work in groups or individually, 6-8 p.m., Lake St. Clair Metropark Nature Center, 31300 Metropolitan Parkway in Harrison Township, register by 4 p.m. Jan. 15, (586) 463-4332, metroparks.com/lake-st-clair-metropark

JAN. 17

Hear Revisiting Creedence: Features members of Creedence Clearwater Revisted, 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

Paws & Create: Adults can make no-sew blankets and other crafts for animal shelters, also meet furry friends, 1-3 p.m., Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse St. (Suite A), registration required, (586) 329-1261, htlibrary.org/events

JAN. 18

‘Penguins of Antarctica’: Explore frozen continent with quantitative ecologist Heather Lynch, 3 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

JAN. 19-20

Midterms and pizza: Students in grades 6-12 can study from 4-7 p.m., pizza served at 6 p.m., ClintonMacomb Public Library - Main Branch, 40700 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, register at (586) 226-5030, cmpl.libnet.info/events

JAN. 23-24

‘The SpongeBob Musical’: Presented by L’Anse Creuse High School choirs, 7-9 p.m. Jan. 23 and 3-5 p.m. Jan. 24, John R. Armstrong Performing Arts Center, 24600 Frederick Pankow Blvd. in Clinton Township, showpass.com/the-sponge-bob-musical JAN. 24

Hear Simple Men and Southern Nights: Hear tribute to The Allman Brothers, The Marshall Tucker Band, .38 Special, ZZ Top, Glen Campbell, Georgia Satellites, Molly Hatchett and more during first set, then Lynyrd Skynyrd during second set, 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

Preschool fair: See displays and meet with representatives from dozen-plus local schools, 10 a.m.-noon, Clinton-Macomb Public Library - Main Branch, 40700 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, (586) 2265020, cmpl.libnet.info/events

JAN. 27

‘Paying for College: What’s Changing & What You Can Do’: Workshop about need-based and meritbased financial aid, also learn about college search, selection and admission process, 6 p.m., Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse St. (Suite A), (586) 329-1261, htlibrary.org/events

JAN. 28

Tales with Tails: Children can read to new trained therapy dog Norah II, 5-6 p.m., Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse St. (Suite A), register for 15-minute session, (586) 329-1261, htlibrary.org/events

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. 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

ONGOING

Live entertainment: 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Great Baraboo Brewing Co., 35905 Utica Road in Clinton Township, (586) 792-7397, greatbaraboo.com

• 4 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, Octopus’ Beer Garden, 152 North River Road in Mount Clemens, (586) 221-1531, see band lineup at octopusbeergarden.com

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

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.

Clothing giveaway: 10 a.m.-noon every second Saturday of month, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 37000 Union Lake Road in Harrison Township, free but $1 donation per adult appreciated, (586) 791-3030, bethlehemlutheranelca@gmail.com

Macomb County Quilt Guild meetings: 7 p.m. (fellowship at 6 p.m.) every first Monday of month through June (second Monday if holiday), Trinity Lutheran Church, 38900 Harper Ave. in Clinton Township, macombcountyquiltguild.org

Mount Clemens Optimist Club meetings: 7 p.m. every second Wednesday of month, Mount Clemens Public Library, 150 Cass Ave., (586) 321-2073

Men overcoming loss ofpartner/spouse meetings: 6-7:30 p.m. every third Tuesday of month, virtual and in person, Hospice of Michigan, 39531 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, wlawton@hom.org, (586) 263-8514

Social groups: Find meetups for chair yoga, knitting and crocheting, babies, kids and teens, book clubs and storytime, Lego and more, Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse St. (Suite A), (586) 329-1261, htlibrary.org/events

Take Off Pounds Sensibly: Weight-loss group for ages 7 and older, includes education, ideas, recipes, accountability, support and prizes, confidential weigh-ins at 5:30 p.m. and meetings at 6 p.m. every Tuesday, Tucker Senior Center, 26980 Ballard St. in Harrison Township, contact Barb at (586) 549-2925 or tbreardon@comcast.net

Detroit Auto Show: Public hours run 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Jan. 17-24 and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 25, Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd. in Detroit, detroitautoshow. 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

Health workshops: Hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, corewellhealth.org/classes-events/ southeast-michigan

Lupus support groups: 10 a.m. every second Tuesday of month and 7 p.m. every last Wednesday of month, Zoom, (248) 901-7299, milupus.org/support-groups

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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