candgnews.com
0171-2510
MARCH 5, 2025 Vol. 36, No. 5
ON 6A SPOTLIGHT ON FINANCE STARTS
Lakeside Mall demolition lawsuit dismissed BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
STERLING HEIGHTS — Plans to demolish Lakeside Mall remain set to continue as a lawsuit from a property owner was dismissed in mid-February. Lakeside Circle Holdings, owner of the former Sears
at Lakeside Mall, reached an agreement with mall owners Out of the Box Ventures and the city of Sterling Heights on Feb. 12 to dismiss its lawsuit alleging plans to demolish the mall deterred tenants from doing business in the ex-Sears building. Per the dismissal order issued by Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Richard Caretti, Lakeside Circle and Out
of the Box Ventures are to agree on a final site plan and form an agreement “defining their respective rights, which is expected to include an agreed upon construction schedule … an agreement related to demolition, access, utility, drainage, and parking assurances and easements, and common area obligations, all with a desire to create an attractive See LAKESIDE on page 16A
STERLING HEIGHTS GROUP HELPS SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
STERLING HEIGHTS — A form of modern-day slavery, human trafficking ensnares people from all walks of life. Sadly, their hardships aren’t over once they’re free. That’s where groups like True North to Freedom make a difference. The Sterling Heights nonprofit helps survivors rebuild their lives. This can mean overcoming trauma, finding work and shelter, and staying sober — drugs being one way that traffickers control their victims. TNTF helps survivors turn things around by offering counseling and other services, as well as limited financial support. Officials say the odds are stacked against survivors. “There’s a lack of understanding of human trafficking. Not knowing what to look for allows this crime See GROUP on page 18A
Heidi Wilt, the executive director of True North to Freedom, assists survivors of human trafficking with resources like counseling, applying for government assistance, searching for jobs, limited financial and physical support with accountability; and more. Photo provided by True North to Freedom
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