A FA
Y PAN
NED MICHIGAN C Y-OW OM MIL
candgnews.com MAY 1, 2025 Vol. 21, No. 10
3A
teachers, students to rock out for a cause
13723 23 Mile Rd.
(Located In Deer Creek Plaza, Next To Pancake Factory)
Downtown Rochester Farmers’ Market to open May 3 in a new location
63 W. Auburn Rd.
(SW Corner Of Rochester & Auburn Rd., In The Starbucks Plaza)
Tollway text message scam on the rise BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER — Saturdays in Rochester will be bustling once again as the 26th season of the Downtown Rochester Farmers’ Market comes to town. Kicking off May 3, the market will bring fresh fruit, plants and vegetables to the city this season, in a new, temporary location. This year, the market is relocating to make room for the construction of The Market + The Graham — the city’s year-round farmers market. The reimagined space will include a performance stage, expanded indoor/ outdoor market spaces, ADA accessibility, restrooms, seating and landscaping. Construction will begin this spring and will be completed this year. “We are pursuing our Market + The Graham project currently, so we are — in the near See MARKET on page 13A
See SCAM on page 20A
BY MARY BETH ALMOND
Photos provided by the Rochester Downtown Development Authority
ROCHESTER — Michiganders are warned to be on the lookout for text messages requesting overdue toll payments. The messages, according to officials, are one of the latest attempts to steal personal information. The scam involves criminals mimicking the Michigan Department of Transportation website and sending text messages to unsuspecting drivers soliciting payment for traveling certain roads. The Michigan Department of Transportation doesn’t operate toll roads, according to State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich, so any messages requesting payment should raise a red flag. “Please be assured this is a scam and the texts are not coming from the MDOT or another State of Michigan agency,” Wieferich said in a statement. “MDOT does not operate any toll roads. Some stateowned bridges are tolled but not through license plate capture. You would not receive a bill through text or email.” While toll scams aren’t new, local police say this one is quickly becoming more prevalent in the metro Detroit area. “It’s very common, and actually, I think it’s going around nationally,” Rochester Police Department Chief George Rouhib said. The message says it’s a final reminder and threatens legal action if immediate payment isn’t made, with a deceptive link designed to resemble the official
malmond@candgnews.com
The Downtown Rochester Farmers’ Market will open May 3. The market will feature over 50 vendors.
HOURS: MON-SAT 8:30AM – 8PM, SUN 10AM – 6PM
0374-2518
DETROIT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
SUMMER PROGRAMS
A SUMMER OF LEARNING, CREATIVITY, & LEADERSHIP GRADES PK-12 II WWW.DCDS.EDU/SUMMER
REGISTER NOW! 0229-2518