Trail to link Dinosaur Hill, Scott Street Park and Rochester Municipal Park
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER — A trail is in the works that will soon connect Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, Scott Street Park, the Paint Creek Trail and Rochester Municipal Park.
The $150,000 project is funded by Dinosaur Hill thanks to an endowment from the Horter Trust Fund, from longtime Rochester resident Alice G. Horter.
“When she passed away, she left funds to Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve for the nature trail, which is very important, because these are strictly designated funds, so they could not spend the money on anything else,” said Rochester City Councilwoman Marilyn Trent, who serves on the board of directors at Dinosaur Hill.
The funds will allow Dinosaur Hill to resurface and extend its current natural trail around the Rochester community garden and the mini forest, and through the sugar maple grove in Scott Street Park, and provides a new connector trail
See TRAIL on page 16A
Discover Glen Arbor
BY GREG TASKER
GLEN ARBOR — If you’re looking for a classic summer vacation in Michigan — the kind where water, woods and whatever are available at your will on any given day — look no further than Glen Arbor on the Leelanau Peninsula.
While this town of about 700 year-round residents swells in the summer, Glen Arbor still manages to invite relaxation. No wonder. Glen Arbor is surrounded by the woods and hills of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and lies on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan — so there’s ample opportunity for beach time, hiking and
biking, and kaying and stand up paddle boarding. And much, much more.
Wander along M-22 through Glen Arbor and you’ll discover boutiques, T-shirt shops, art galleries, outdoor
on page 8A
See GLEN ARBOR
LEFT: Glen Arbor Wines, located on Lake Street, is a popular place to sample wine varieties. BELOW: Up North brand — M22 — has a big presence in Glen Arbor.
Photos by Greg Tasker
ROCHESTER HILLS LANDS IN
TOP 10 OF U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT’S BEST PLACES TO LIVE
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — Rochester Hills is one the best places to live in the United States, according to U.S. News and World Report.
“This recognition is a testament to the strong sense of community, outstanding quality of life, and commitment to excellence that define Rochester Hills,” Mayor Bryan Barnett said in an email. “We are incredibly proud to be honored as one of the preeminent places in the nation to live, work, and raise a family.”
This year, U.S. News & World Report evaluated more than 850 cities and published the top 250 places to live. Analysts asked 3,000 people across the country what mattered most to them when determining where to live, and they used those factors — value, desirability, job market and quality of life — to make the list. The data is weighted based on what people think is most important.
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER — Patricia Kane, of Rochester, has been recognized by the National Wildlife Federation for having a Certified Wildlife Habitat for 30 years as of June 9. Kane was first granted the award on June 9, 1995, for her residential property in the 800 block of West Fourth Street in downtown Rochester.
The designation as a Certified Wildlife Habitat recognizes yards that provide resources for local wildlife — including food, water, cover, and places for animals to raise their young — while also employing a minimum goal of 70% native plants, and are free of neonicotinoids and other pesticides or herbicides. Organizations like the National Wildlife Federation offer certification programs, awarding a sign to
Rochester Hills was recently ranked as the ninth best place to live in the U.S.
Photo provided by the city of Rochester Hills
Photo provided
Patricia Kane, of Rochester, has been recognized by the National Wildlife Federation for having a Certified Wildlife Habitat for 30 years as of June 9.
Residents build gardens and make their lawns more attractive to pollinators
BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — For many years, people around the U.S. have been working together to provide safe ecosystems for bugs, birds and other pollinators right in their backyards, and they continue to encourage others to do the same.
Whether it is dedicating one’s whole lawn to the movement or creating a pollinator garden in one part of the yard, the process can be fulfilling and doable for everyone.
Royal Oak beekeeper and honey business owner Anne Marie Nadolski said to let go of the marketing of perfect lawns.
“Let’s change the narrative, let’s change the framework and how we look at grass,” Nadolski said.
Nadolski recalled a time when dandelions, Dutch clovers, and other native
plants were more plentiful.
“I think we have to dial it back to when, when I was a kid, everybody had some Dutch clover in their lawn, they had dandelions, those little violets. We were all the same up and down the blocks,” she said. “Roly pollies were plentiful. Ladybugs, lighting bugs, butterflies. All of the food for our pollinators, the stuff that we are walking on and eradicating, is taking away their food source.”
There are a few options when it comes to creating a more eco-friendly lawn to help pollinators thrive. Nadolski, for example, doesn’t completely abandon keeping her lawn neat; she instead seeds her grass with Dutch clover.
“When I was a new homeowner in my 20s, I worked hard to eradicate Dutch clover. I bought all of the chemicals, I tried
See POLLINATORS on page 5A
LEFT: Nadolski has a pollinatorfriendly lawn that includes her Royal Bee Honey business sign. TOP RIGHT:
A bee lands on a white Dutch clover in Nadolski’s yard. BOTTOM RIGHT: A bee pollinates a crabapple tree.
Photos provided by Anne Marie Nadolski
my best to get it out of my yard,” she said. “Now I crack myself up because not only do I have clover, I paid money to buy clover and reintroduce it.”
Having clover in the lawn means she can mow when she likes to, but the clovers will continue to grow back and feed the pollinators.
“I don’t care to have a putting green for a lawn, and actually, my lawn looks pretty good,” she said. “But I let that Dutch clover there for the bees and the butterflies, because that’s a great source of nectar and pollen. If you want to look at a perfect lawn, go golfing. A perfect lawn to me is one that provides food, pollen and nectar.”
There is also an option to completely change your current lawn and plant “Fleur de Lawn,” a lawn that features perennial pink and white English daisies and strawberry and Dutch white clover. The clovers naturally feed the lawn with nitrogen, eliminating the need for fertilizer.
Nadolski said that alternatives like clovers or Fleur de Lawn can also help save a few dollars on water and gas, because these types of lawns do not need to be watered or mowed as often.
Another suggestion would be to pick out a space in the yard specifically for pollinators, called a pollinator garden. Pollinator gardens are designed to attract and support pollinators. It is usually planted with a variety of wildflowers, trees and shrubs that provide pollen and nectar.
“It’s important to have plants and shrubs and trees that are native to our local ecosystem,” Royal Oak resident Ann Bueche
said. “So, there is a lot of confusion, or this has been a tradition in the gardening industry for 100 years or so, where you have ornamental plants that go by temperature and location and by zones, but the vast majority of what’s sold commercially is either from Asia or Europe. And so little by little, our pollinator-friendly areas have been chipped away over the decades.”
Finding native plants to Michigan is a part of this process. Some native plants include: purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, wild bergamot, swamp milkweed and wild lupine.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, online at fws.gov, suggests choosing a sunny location for a pollinator garden and checking the soil to see what kind of plants will thrive there.
Bueche said she is in no way a master gardener, but she learned through research, community resources, and trial and error while she was creating her pollinator garden.
“I’m a curious gardener, and a continual practitioner,” she said. “The first tip I would give to a new pollinator gardener is to decrease or discontinue using chemicals; if you are not willing to do that, you are not going to have any success with pollinators. The second thing would be to find a good source for native plants, either through wild ones or a local nursery that specializes in native plants and native genotypes, not just what they sell to commercial garden centers, and then start small and go from there so you can learn more about native plants.”
For more information on how to build a pollinator garden, visit fws.org, homegrownnationalpark.org or pollinator.org.
Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.
NEWS & NOTES
7A/ ROCHESTER POST • JUNE 26, 2025
Church to hold mobile food pantry event near Freedge
ROCHESTER — St. John Lutheran Church will hold a mobile food pantry event 10 a.m.-noon every other Thursday June 12-Aug. 28 across from the Freedge at the Rochester Municipal building. The event provides non-perishable food to those in need.
100 Women Who Care Greater Rochester awards funding to Take Root
SHERIFF’S OFFICE, ROCHESTER HILLS FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVE NATIONAL AWARD FOR LIFESAVING EFFORTS
ROCHESTER HILLS — The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Rochester Hills Fire Department, received a national award for the emergency medical care provided to victims seriously injured during a random shooting a year ago at a community splash pad in Rochester Hills.
The agencies were honored with the Captain Frank Butler Casualty Care Award for outstanding medical efforts during the June 15, 2024, shooting at the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad. Butler is a medical doctor and a U.S. Navy SEAL who is recognized as the father of tactical combat casualty care.
The award was given during the eighth annual North American Active Assailant Conference in Troy.
“I am incredibly proud of our team members and partners with the Rochester Hills Fire Department,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement. “Their actions, in my opinion, saved lives on that fateful day. We hope and pray to never experience such tragic events, but in our line of work, that is not a viable strategy; preparation is our strategy. In this instance, it proved its worth.”
ROCHESTER — At the second quarterly meeting of 2025, 100 Women Who Care Greater Rochester selected Take Root as the recipient of their collective donation.
Take Root will use the funds to expand their community-based programs that serve children and individuals living with Parkinson’s disease through arts education.
Take Root, a professional dance company and nonprofit, uses the arts to foster healing, growth, and connection. Their Arts Education Impact Program provides free creative movement classes for children in communities like Pontiac, promoting self-expression, leadership, and communication. Their Dance for Parkinson’s Disease program helps improve mobility, confidence, and joy for individuals living with Parkinson’s.
“We believe that movement can transform lives,” Ali Woerner, founder and artistic director of Take Root, said in a press release. “Support from 100 Women Who Care will help us expand our reach and deepen our impact — especially in communities that are often underserved. We’re honored and grateful for this partnership.”
Founded in 2013 by Amy Whipple, Barbara Donohoe and Linda Chayka, the Greater Rochester chapter continues its mission of empowering women to create local impact by pooling resources to support nonprofits in southeast Michigan. To date, the group has raised and donated over $1 million to 45-plus local nonprofits, fueled by the simple yet powerful idea — over 100 women donating $100 each per quarter.
“Take Root beautifully exemplifies how art can heal, connect, and uplift,” Whipple said in a press release. “Their holistic approach to well-being for both youth and adults aligns perfectly with our values of empowerment, inclusion, and impact.”
100 Women Who Care Greater Rochester members represent a number of communities across southeast Michigan, including Rochester, Troy, Lake Orion, Birmingham and Oxford. The chapter currently has 150 active members and is committed to expanding its impact in the years to come.
The next 100 Women Who Care Greater Rochester meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the downtown Rochester Fire Station, 277 E. 2nd Street in Rochester.
The award noted that there were five tourniquets applied to victims during the emergency response to the shooting — four by Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Joe Ashley. Three children were among the victims.
The gunman, a 42-year-old Shelby Township resident, took his own life shortly after the shooting.
The conference is the largest event in the world dedicated to improving emergency response to active violence. Its format features firsthand debriefings of past tragedies by representatives of the lead public safety agencies involved. More than 1,500 people attended the conference. Bouchard was among the featured speakers.
Downtown Rochester recognized during county’s Main Event celebration
ROCHESTER — Downtown Rochester was recently recognized during the 25th anniversary Main Event celebration of Main Street Oakland County at the Roxy Theatre in downtown Rochester. The event honored outstanding achievements in downtown revitalization.
“For 25 years, Main Street Oakland County has been a shining example of progress and partnership between the county and its thriving communities,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said in a statement.
Several communities and individuals were honored for their achievements in categories ranging from business innovation and placemaking to historic preservation and volunteerism.
The Home Bakery in Rochester was recognized with the business innovation and entrepreneurship award for its Detroit Lions Cake.
Downtown Rochester’s Kris Kringle Market expansion received the community event of the year award, and Rochester’s Ben Giovanelli was named volunteer of the year.
More than 225 community leaders, volunteers and stakeholders attended the celebration.
Glen Arbor
outfitters, and welcoming cafes and restaurants.
Like any resort town, businesses come and go. And then there are those like Art’s Tavern that become part of the landscape and evoke memories for generations of families who summer in Glen Arbor.
Art’s Tavern has been around for some 90 years and is throwback to another era, welcoming tourists and locals alike, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner almost every day of the year. Staples like burgers and tater tots and a rotating selection of Michigan craft beer and other ales keep customers coming back.
The dining room is pretty much as it has always been: college sports pennants blanket the ceiling, old photos line the walls, and a streamlined jukebox awaits to play your favorite tunes. It’s an anomaly — cash or check only — in an era of Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Glen Arbor is the home of Cherry Republic, the purveyor of all things cherry in Northern Michigan and beyond. It’s well worth a visit to its small, tidy campus, where you can shop for chocolate-covered cherries, jams and salsa or sit outside and sip a cherryinfused beer or eat a slice of heavenly cherry pie.
Another iconic Up North brand — M22 — has a presence in Glen Arbor as well. You’ll find T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, bags and other branded items at this location on its namesake road. Unlike the company’s other stores in Traverse City and Suttons Bay, the Glen Arbor location boasts a wine
tasting bar. You can sit outside on the patio for a glass of locally made red or white wine or step inside the store for a flight.
Speaking of wine, be sure to check out Glen Arbor Wines on Lake Street, just a block from Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Bay. The tree-shaded patio is an inviting spot to chill and sample wines made especially for the business by a private winemaker. A bocce court and lawn games make it all too easy to linger.
Lissa Edwards Martin, who opened the wine store and art gallery several years ago after a decades-long career in journalism, has a long family history in Glen Arbor. Her parents purchased the property decades ago and her grandparents once ran a restaurant around the corner on M-22. She spent her childhood summers here — swimming in the bay, floating in a tube on the Crystal River and hiking the dunes.
“I remember Glen Arbor as a dusty town back in the 1960s,” says Martin, who walks the block to the beach nearly every day to marvel at the water’s ever-changing colors. “It’s mostly a tourist town now but I’m happy to share Glen Arbor with people who appreciate it. It’s truly a magical place.”
At the town’s northern end, The Mill, a landmark along the meandering Crystal River, is creating its own magic. Shuttered as a grist mill some 80 years ago, the recently renovated 19th century structure now serves as a cafe, restaurant and gathering spot. The eateries offer seasonal and regionally sourced fare and freshly baked pastries. Guest rooms are available in the adjacent Queen-Anne style miller’s house.
Step inside for coffee or to look around and you’re likely to run into Corey Smith,
See GLEN ARBOR on page 9A
Glen Arbor
from page 8A
the general manager, who encounters the curious nearly every day. “So many people have either been traveling to the area for generations or haven’t been for decades. These people are surely curious to see The Mill after our restoration,” he says.
Most people are delighted. Don’t be surprised if the great room, with its exposed post and beams and variety of comfortable sofas, chairs and tables, entices you to stay awhile, play board games and cards or chat with locals and visitors.
“The work completed here is a feat of its own caliber. Not only has our team been thoughtful of the historical preservation, but also we have created a space that the local community is able to interact with on a daily basis,” Smith says.
Although Glen Arbor is spread along M-22 and side streets, it’s easy to walk around. If you prefer two wheels, pop into The Cyclery, Glen Arbor’s only full-service bike shop, for a rental. You can venture farther afield, cruise scenic roads or make your way to the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, one of the region’s premier bike trails. The
paved, multi-use trail passes through the national park, stretching 22 miles from Empire to Bohemia Road to the north, running parallel to the lakeshore.
The Crystal River snakes through Glen Arbor on its way from Glen Lake to Lake Michigan. Need to cool off? Rent a kayak or stand up paddle board at Crystal River Outfitters and slip in the river for a leisurely two- to three-hour paddle. The river is slowmoving and shallow, which makes it accessible to the whole family.
Or save exercise for another day and check out the River Club Glen Arbor, which opened just a year ago. The well-manicured three-acre park offers mini golf and plenty of outdoor seating for food and drinks and live music. River Club serves a variety of Michigan craft beer, cider and wine, as well as margaritas and cocktails.
On a recent afternoon, I met some friends there for drinks. We lounged in chairs along a bend in the river, watching kayakers and stand up paddlers mosey by. With Bob Seger songs playing in the background and Michigan wine and beer in hand, it felt like a classic summer day in Michigan.
Greg Tasker is a Traverse City-based freelance writer.
The 2025-2026 rankings also include U.S. News & World Report’s Best States data on economy and infrastructure.
Erika Giovanetti, a consumer lending analyst at U.S. News & World Report, said the expansion of the 2025-2026 Best Places to Live rankings gives consumers “a more detailed view into what it’s like to live somewhere at the community level, enabling them to consider more options for potential places to settle down.”
“While quality of life remains the top priority for many Americans — and has the heaviest weight in determining the Best Places to Live rankings — U.S. News slightly adjusted its weights to increase priority for a location’s job market amid heightened economic uncertainty,” Giovanetti said in a statement.
Overall, nine Michigan communities made the list, including two Oakland County communities that were ranked among the 10 best.
Rochester Hills was ranked as the ninth best place to live in the U.S., outperforming in quality of life factors.
According to the rankings, “Rochester Hills outperforms in quality of life, led by its position as the No. 22 city for college readiness. Rochester Hills is the fifth-safest city in our rankings, per our crime index, which is paramount to its high spot on our rankings.”
Around 75,425 people live in Rochester Hills, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Of that population, 23% are under age 20, 11% are 25-34 years old, 14% are 35-44, 26% are 45-65, and about 20% are over age 65.
According to the report, Rochester Hills “offers a better value than similarly sized cities when you compare housing costs to median household income.” The median home value in Rochester Hills is $377,213, compared to the national average of $370,489, while the median household income in Rochester Hills is $116,432, compared with the national average of $79,466. The job market in Rochester Hills is better than the national average, while unemployment in Rochester Hills is lower than the national average of 4.5%.
Barnett said the city plans to celebrate this accomplishment throughout the year and at a variety of community events.
Other ranked Michigan cities include: Troy at No. 10; Midland at No. 32; Novi at
No. 34; Livonia at No. 88; Sterling Heights at No. 196; Wyoming at No. 197; and Traverse City at No. 250.
Others in the top 10 include: Johns Creek, Georgia, at No. 1; Carmel, Indiana, at No. 2; Pearland, Texas, at No. 3; Fishers, Indiana, at No. 4; Cary, North Carolina, at No. 5; League City, Texas, at No. 6; Apex, North Carolina, No. 7; and Leander, Texas, at No. 8.
The 859 cities analyzed for the 20252026 reveal were then ranked within statespecific rankings.
At the statewide level, U.S. News & World Report ranked Rochester Hills as the best place to live in Michigan.
“This year’s release celebrates the top 250 places that meet consumer needs best, but also offers the ability to view top-ranked cities in states of their choice,” Giovanetti said in a statement.
For more information about the U.S. News & World Report rankings, visit www. usnews.com.
Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
SENIOR LIVING
LIVING WILLS TAKE GUESSWORK OUT OF MEDICAL CARE
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — While everyone hopes for the best of health, legal experts say that crafting a “living will” — and deciding who has the medical power of attorney to act on it — is a plan worth having.
Elizabeth Vincent has been a practicing attorney for 13 years and has specialized in estate planning her entire legal career. Her current practice focuses exclusively on the subject.
She explained that a living will is different from a last will and testament in that a living will states the signer’s desires regarding life-sustaining medical treatments.
A last will and testament, meanwhile, provides guidance to the signer’s family regarding the distribution of the signer’s estate through the probate court.
She noted that living wills are utilized in medical cases where the signer cannot communicate their wishes regarding treatment.
“It’s something that many think their family members can just figure out in the moment, but I feel it’s unfair to place that burden on loved ones when we’re talking about something as personalized as medical care,” Vincent said.
Living wills are often drafted in conjunction with a designated medical power of attorney — the decision-maker who can act on the signer’s behalf. Both are included in an estate plan, providing guidance to family members making decisions.
The goal is to eliminate guesswork during what is already a stressful situation.
“A living will, however, is not a legally enforceable document, unlike a medical power of attorney,” Vincent cautioned, noting it can only advise loved ones on how to proceed.
At River Oaks Senior Living, you can enjoy the type of lifestyle you desire.
With art and music classes available, seminars with guest lecturers, and opportunities to have a night on the town with your friends and family, we provide endless opportunities to celebrate life and enjoy yourself.
Live life on your terms, enjoying what you want when you want at River Oaks Senior Living. OUR COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS AT RIVER OAKS SENIOR LIVING
• Located in downtown Rochester, MI, a few blocks from Main Street and adjacent to the classic Royal Park Hotel
• Our full slate of programs and activities is designed with our residents’ interests and goals in mind
• Residents access on-site services from visiting providers as well as an on-site Rehabilitation Program
• Overlooks Paint Creek stream and Paint Creek Trail
• Convenient to all downtown amenities, including dining, shopping, a public library, and the post o ce
• Minutes from Crittenton Hospital Medical Center and Troy Beaumont Hospital
WUJEK-CALCATERRA & SONS: Round-the-Clock Compassion since 1913
With 15 licensed funeral directors, totaling 350 years of combined experience, Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons is uniquely qualifed to bring peace and comfort to grieving families in their time of need. And these aren’t ordinary funeral directors. Each one was specifcally sought out by the Wujek and Calcaterra families based on their individual talents and expertise.
Licensed funeral director Dominick Astorino, managing director at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, is honored to be a part of this exceptional team. “My colleagues and I are career professionals,” stated Astorino. “Most of us have been with Wujek-Calcaterra for over 20 years. We are dedicated to our career in a long-standing way.
“We also have an excellent collection of younger funeral directors. As the embalming professor at Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science, I have taught many of them. I see their potential from the frst day I meet them and watch them develop.”
Tese devoted individuals represent a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds. Tey have formed enduring relationships with local families and the community. Tey are familiar with the neighborhood churches and have worked alongside their pastors. Tis allows them to connect with all types of families, putting them at
ease at a most difcult and overwhelming time.
Furthermore, their compassion isn’t strictly confned to business hours. Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons is one of the few funeral homes in the area where there is someone present 24/7.
According to Astorino, “We have never taken a day of since opening our original location in Detroit back in 1913. Christmas, holidays, brownouts, the worst snow storms – there has always been someone here to pick up the phone. We treat our families the way we would like to be treated. Tey never have to talk to an answering machine, and they know their loved one is never lef unattended.”
In addition to the 15 funeral directors, there is a support staf of 35 capable and compassionate individuals to complete the team at Wujek-Cacaterra & Sons. “We can serve all of our families, giving them everything they need – much like a personalized concierge.”
From preplanning to afercare services, Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons is available seven days a week, 365 days a year. Tey ofer two welcoming locations: 36900 Schoenherr Road in Sterling Heights, phone (586) 588-9117; and 54880 Van Dyke Avenue in Shelby Township, phone (586) 217-3316. For more information, visit wujekcalcaterra.com or follow Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons on Facebook.
Still, that guidance can make a world of difference. The document lists specific directives with the signer’s preferences — for example, whether they would accept using a ventilator and for how long. Other preferences could be about types of pain relief, the use of feeding tubes, or even when or whether to terminate life support.
As for organ donation, that is decided by the person with medical power of attorney, Vincent said, and not included in a living will.
“In my practice, when medical powers of attorney are discussed and life-sustaining procedures are addressed, we go through a prepared estate planning homework to discuss the client’s wishes,” Vincent said. “We charge a flat fee for estate planning, which varies based on the client’s goals and overall needs. A case-by-case assessment is done in an initial consultation with each client.”
She said the medical power of attorney is an equally important decision.
“The biggest consideration I advise my clients to make is to appoint the correct person to make these decisions for them, and to
ensure that the person whom they appoint is someone who will follow through on their wishes, regardless of their personal feelings,” Vincent said.
“Withholding life-sustaining care is a difficult call to make, whether you have someone’s wishes or not, and appointing an individual who cannot come to terms with a family member’s decisions can result in unnecessary delays,” she said.
It’s an uncomfortable scenario to imagine, but she said there’s comfort in having a guide for others to follow, should things take a turn for the worse.
“One of the best gifts a person can give their family is to have a comprehensive estate plan prepared with an experienced estate planning attorney,” Vincent said.
Troy-based attorney Ren Nushaj agreed, saying that a living will and designated medical power of attorney brings “immense peace of mind” to the signer and their family.
“It removes uncertainty during moments of great difficulty and ensures that medical decisions reflect the patient’s own values and wishes,” Nushaj said in an email. “For loved ones, it eliminates the burden of making agonizing choices in the dark and allows them to focus on supporting the person they care about with clarity and confidence.”
Troy woman dies, three children injured in head-on crash
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER HILLS/TROY — A woman is dead and three children are injured following a head-on collision on Father’s Day in Rochester Hills.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said the crash happened on Rochester Road, near Hickory Lawn Street, shortly after 4 p.m. June 15.
A 77-year-old woman from Troy was driving a 2024 Chevrolet Trax southbound on Rochester Road at the time of the incident.
A 31-year-old man from Lincoln Park was driving a 2006 Toyota Highlander northbound, but crossed the center line and struck the Chevrolet, authorities said.
Rochester Hills Fire Department per-
sonnel extricated the woman from the vehicle, and she was transported to the hospital. She died from her injuries June 18.
Her 15-year-old granddaughter, a resident of Minnetonka, Minnesota, was a passenger in the front seat. She was treated for a broken ankle and was released from the hospital June 18.
The driver of the Toyota was not injured. However, two children riding in the backseat, ages 7 and 9, were taken to the hospital for treatment. Their conditions were unknown at press time.
Police said drugs and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit is investigating.
Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
Your child’s education is vitally important. That education should go well beyond just reading, writing and arithmetic. SALT preschool offers a spiritual foundation to our program in a world where the need to develop a moral compass is so desperate, yet often ignored on the school level. The results from the lack of this development ll news headlines on an almost daily basis.
Our program, that primarily serves 3 to 4-year-olds, is structured within a low student/teacher ratio environment which promotes the personal attention that is often missing in programs with a higher ratio. Your child doesn’t get lost in the crowd here. Flexible scheduling allows for the most freedom possible to accommodate your needs. Please check us out at our website under the “Preschool” tab, email us, or call for further information. We look forward to hearing from you.
www.saltchurch.net staugps@yahoo.com
Trail
from page 1A
to Rochester Municipal Park.
“It’s a vital step toward connecting the preserve to the municipal park,” Trent said.
The trail expansion, Trent explained, not only honors Horter’s vision, but it also enhances accessibility, sustainability and community connection, she said. The project will define a clear path and will complete a connector from Paint Creek Trail through Scott Street Park and through to Municipal Park.
“Ms. Horter’s legacy lives on in every visitor who walks these trails she helped preserve,” Trent said. “Her support reflects a profound belief in the value of nature and learning, and we are proud to bring her vision forward and together. These acts of generosity and stewardship are helping to grow something truly special, linking people, plants and place for generations to come.”
Rochester Director of Public Works Nicholas Schaefer said the work will begin sometime after July 1.
Once work is complete, officials said, a ribbon-cutting will be held and a plaque honoring Horter and Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve will be on display
Habitat
from page 3A
display once a habitat is approved.
“I am proud of this for what it does for the environment, for health and for the protections of natural resources,” Kane said of the achievement in an email. “Many friends and neighbors compliment, ask questions and applaud the effort and now some are applying for their own certification.”
for sale to the public through the Rochester Pollinators,” Kane said.
Rochester City Manager Nik Banda, who is also a forester and serves on the city’s Tree Committee, has helped Kane with decisions on trees to champion.
“Trees are necessary for all the multiple benefits they give us. He is helping to keep our city green, which benefits everyone and nature,” Kane said in an email.
“This will really activate this space where we’ve been doing the sugar maple forest and the micro forest — we love our forests,” said Rochester Mayor Nancy Salvia.
“I hope as we all walk the trails, we all say ‘thank you, Alice.’ She should be honored and recognized,” Salvia added.
For more information, call Dinosaur Hills Nature Preserve, located at 333 N. Hill Circle, at (248) 656-0999.
Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
The certification, Kane said, “by no means means you have a zoo or really, any animal even living on your property. All wildlife has the right to roam in Michigan unharmed and un harassed or killed. Every city already has wildlife in it roaming.”
Kane said she has been able to expand her backyard wildlife habitat over the years with help from Marilyn Trent, a Rochester City Council member who founded the Rochester Pollinators.
“I have many of the native plants, free from chemicals, planted because of her ability to provide them
Rochester Fire Chief John Cieslick, who spearheads the city’s Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Release program, has also been of service.
“He gives his time to educate, steer and advocate for the humane care and treatment of homeless cats, to assure their health and safety without suffering and cruelty,” added Kane.
Kane said she is proud to have her pocket-sized habitat and proud to be advancing it.
“I blend native trees, plants, flowers with Michigan art and I need not ever have to cut grass — I love the benefits and the joy it brings,” she said in an email.
Chart provided by the city of Rochester
A new project will define a clear path and will complete a connector from Paint Creek Trail through Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve and Scott Street Park, through to Municipal Park.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
18A/ ROCHESTER POST • JUNE 26, 2025
Do
ALASKAN ADVENTURE
Three friends drove an AMC Gremlin to the Last Frontier in 1973
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
ABOVE: In 1973, Grosse Pointe City resident Rufus McGaugh was living in Warren with his parents when he and two friends, Allen Thomas and Dave King, traveled to Alaska in his 1972 AMC Gremlin.
Photo provided
RIGHT: Retired Grosse Pointe Public School System teacher Rufus McGaugh chronicled his travels in two books, “Drowning in All Seven Continents” and “Travels, Treasures and Tales of a Nomad.”
Photo by Maria Allard
METRO DETROIT — The year was 1972 and Rufus McGaugh was living in Warren after serving two years in the military, including several months in Vietnam.
The U.S. Marine Corps veteran was soon off on another adventure with two friends he knew from St. Leonard’s Catholic Grade School in Warren. The trio piled into a Pontiac Firebird on a quest to visit Alaska. But they only made it to Montana before they headed back home.
A year later, in 1973, McGaugh made the Alaskan excursion again, this time in his two-door 1972 AMC Gremlin with one of his St. Leonard’s buddies, Allen Thomas, and a friend from Wayne State University, Dave King. They ventured through several states, including South Dakota and North Dakota, before hitting the Alaska Highway in northwestern Canada.
“Back then zero of it was paved and it was considered to be the worst road in North America. It was a military road to begin with back in World War II,” McGaugh said. “You cut through the Northwest Territories and (the) Yukon (Terri-
tory) and get into Alaska. To cut across Canada, that was the only way to go. When you’re young, it’s an adventure.”
The brown Gremlin had a stick shift and four bald tires. As a precaution, McGaugh bought two extra spare tires for the trip.
“But they were bald tires also because that’s all I could afford,” the Grosse Pointe City resident laughed.
It took the guys at least two weeks to get to Alaska finding their way with maps. Along the way, they took in the views of any national forests they came across. Back then, it was recommended to drive 25 mph on the Alaska Highway due to the unpaved gravel and what McGaugh described as “pothole after pothole.”
“I understand since it has been paved,” the 1967 East Detroit High School graduate said. “We had to do our own navigating. We ended up with four, five, six flat (tires). Every time it happened, the station attendants said, ‘We can’t plug this. We’ll do our best.’ By golly, they got us through.”
The adventure-seekers traveled lightly with a small tent and Coleman stove. They took minimum clothing and “raided our moms’ pantries with everything we
See GREMLIN on page 19A
“Drowning in All Seven Conti-
Gremlin
could — cereal, peanut butter, anything that was canned.” Each night, they pulled off the side of the road to set up camp and relax with a meal.
“We’d set up the tent, get the Coleman stove out, see what was left of our dwindling supply,” McGaugh said. “We ate some strange meals — things you normally eat for dinner for breakfast and vice versa.”
They generally drove 16 hours a day. When en route, they rarely saw other drivers on the road.
“You’re so spread out, there were very few vehicles and most of those were big semis carrying fuel from the lower 48 (state) to Alaska, or supplies,” McGaugh said.
The town of Fairbanks was the first hint of civilization once they reached Alaska. They also visited Anchorage and couldn’t take their eyes off Mount McKinley peaking from the distance. There was time for two days of canoeing in a moose refuge and the chance to see elk, bald eagles and more out in the wild. Alaska reminded McGaugh of “Michigan on steroids.”
“A big overgrown Michigan with mountains,” McGaugh said. “There were a lot of
similarities between it and my own state. It was summer and warm. Beautiful. Lots of forests like Michigan. I liked it very much. I certainly liked what they had to offer in the outdoors.”
McGaugh’s buddy, Thomas, however, didn’t stay in the Last Frontier state very long. As soon as he could make travel arrangements, he flew back home.
Alaska was the 49th state McGaugh visited. The last state to see was Kansas, so after leaving Alaska, he made sure to drive to Kansas with King. When they came upon the “Welcome to Kansas” sign, McGaugh signified the moment by writing “No. 50” in mustard on a piece of cardboard and King got a snapshot.
With a cracked windshield and blown engine, the Gremlin barely made it home to Warren.
“That car was just beat to hell,” McGaugh said. “I was living with my parents at the time and it died in my parents’ driveway.”
Despite the shape of the car, “It’s got a lot of fond memories,” McGaugh said.
A few months later, a cousin helped the traveler install a new motor. Traveling to all 50 U.S. states was just the tip of the iceberg for McGaugh. The world traveler said he has visited all the countries and territories in the world.
McGaugh shared his travel experiences when he taught social studies at Brownell Middle School in the Grosse Pointe Public School System. The now-retired educator also taught at the district’s Pierce Middle School. He still travels sometimes alone and sometimes with his wife, Monica, and sons, Eric and Jason.
The accomplished author also chroni-
cled his travels in two books, “Drowning in All Seven Continents” and “Travels, Treasures and Tales of a Nomad,” which are available on amazon.com. He has written other books as well.
“My whole life of travel has been out there to see what there is to see,” McGaugh said. “The big, the important, the beautiful, the spectacular.”
CRIME WATCH
Vehicle catches fire following three-car crash
ROCHESTER HILLS — Police responded to a three-car crash at Rochester Road and Avon at 1 p.m. June 16.
An 83-year-old driver of a green Ford hit a stopped vehicle in front of her, which forced that vehicle into a third vehicle. The green Ford caught fire, but police said the driver was out of the car when it started to burn. The 83-year-old driver, a woman from Rochester Hills, was transported to the hospital for evaluation. No other injuries were reported. Police said the 83-year-old driver will have her drivers license reviewed.
Two
women wanted for stealing clothes from
Lululemon
ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were dispatched to Lululemon, 252 N. Adams Road, for a retail fraud at 6:58 p.m. May 31. A store employee stated two women entered the store, started grabbing as much clothing as they could carry, and ran out of the store.
The store employee saw the two enter a blue 2020 Ford Escape. The store employee obtained the license plate information. The suspect vehicle fled in an unknown direction. Deputies searched the area with negative results. Deputies requested store video footage and a statement of loss.
One suspect was described as a Black woman, 5 feet, 7 inches, approximately 150 pounds, with long orange/blond braided hair pulled into a long, past-the-waist ponytail. She was described as 18-25 years old and was wearing all black.
The second suspect was described as a Black woman, 5 feet, 4 inches tall, approximately 120 pounds, with shorter black hair pulled into a short ponytail. She was described as 18-25 years old and was wear-
ing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt and black athletic pants.
Women wanted for stealing from grocery store
ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were dispatched to Meijer, 3610 Market Place Circle, for a retail fraud at 5:41 p.m. June 2.
The store loss prevention officer stated that two women had entered the store, obtained a store scooter and began visiting numerous departments in the store, selecting multiple items and then placing them in the basket attached to the scooter.
Once the cart was full, the women went to the women’s bathroom, grabbed unpaid items from the scooter’s basket and their backpacks, making several trips back and forth between the bathroom and the scooter’s basket. They exited the bathroom with full backpacks and they re-entered the retail area of the business. A store employee confirmed that many discarded packages were left in the garbage can. The women made no attempt to pay for the merchandise and exited the business.
Loss prevention officers contacted the women and had them respond to the Asset Protection Office. They refused to go inside, surrendered the stolen merchandise, and walked out of the business toward 2500 S. Adams, through neighboring business parking lots. They were not identified, and no vehicle was seen. Deputies searched the area with negative results and requested store video footage and a statement of loss.
Suspect one was described as a Black woman between 18 and 25 years old, with a slender build, red braids and a head scarf. She was reported as being between 5 feet, 3 inches and 5 feet, 9 inches tall. She was wearing a jean jacket, a grey dress and a black backpack.
The other suspect was described as a Black woman between 18 and 25 years old with a large build, and pink-and-brown hair. She was reported as being between 5 foot, 3 inches and 5 foot, 9 inches tall and was wearing a red tank top, a black hoodie and a blue backpack.
Men arrested after allegedly stealing car, fleeing from police
ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were advised that officers from the Auburn Hills Police Department were taking a report of a freshly stolen Jeep Wagoneer from the 800 block of Sheffield in Auburn Hills at 4:30 a.m. June 4. It was reported the vehicle was being remotely tracked by the caller. Deputies were originally advised the stolen vehicle was on Adams, near South Boulevard, entering
Rochester Hills. As deputies made their way to the area, information was updated that the vehicle’s last known location was on Square Lake Road, near Crooks Road.
Deputies located the vehicle southbound on Crooks Road, near Tower Drive, in Troy, at which time they attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle refused to stop, accelerated away and fled from deputies through several streets within Troy. The suspects stopped on Coolidge Highway, near Babcock, at which time they fled on foot. The passenger, a 20-year-old man from Detroit, was quickly apprehended. The driver, a 25-year-old man from Detroit, was apprehended a short time later with the assistance of a Bloomfield Township Police K-9 unit. Officers from the Auburn Hills Police Department arrived and took custody of both suspects and the vehicle. Police will be seeking charges for unlawful driving away of an automobile and fleeing and eluding.
Driver arrested for operating while intoxicated
ROCHESTER — Officers were dispatched to the area of University and Great Oaks for a single car accident with airbag deployment at approximately 2 p.m. June 13. An officer arrived and observed a gray SUV
with air bag deployment and damage to the front.
The driver refused sobriety evaluations and was medically cleared by the Rochester Fire Department. The driver submitted to a preliminary breath test, which resulted in a blood alcohol content of 0.31%. The driver was placed under arrest and was transported to the Rochester Police Department. The driver was administered a chemical breath test, which resulted in a 0.325% blood alcohol content. The driver was lodged until sober and was released pending a later court date.
Driver caught on the road with suspended license, using cellphone
ROCHESTER — An officer on patrol in the area of Main and University saw the driver of the vehicle next to them using their cellphone while driving at approximately 7:30 p.m. June 19. The officer checked the license plate, which revealed the registered owner’s licence was suspended. The officer conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who was also the registered owner. The driver was arrested, transported to the Rochester Police Department and released with a citation.
— Mary Beth Almond
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
22A/ ROCHESTER POST • JUNE 26, 2025
JUNE 27
Live music: Hear rock artist UC3 acoustic trio, 5-8 p.m., Festival Park, north of Walton Boulevard and east of Adams Road in Rochester Hills, thevorh.com/events
JULY 2 & 9
Bowwow Wednesdays: Therapy dogs, crafts and snacks, 4-6 p.m., Rochester Hills Resiliency Center, 1970 E. Auburn Road, register at rochesterhillsrc.org/events
JULY 8
Detroit Tigers 1984 World Series discussion: Hear former all-star catcher Lance Parrish and sportswriter Tom Gage discuss their book “The Enchanted Season,” 7 p.m., Rochester Hills Public Library, 500 Olde Towne Road in Rochester, register at visit calendar.rhpl.org or (248) 656-2900
JULY 9
Harmony in the Hills concert series: Hear Paul Keller Jazz Trio in garden, 7 p.m., St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 620 Romeo St. in Rochester, series continues with North Star Saxophone Quartet Aug. 20, 7 p.m., (248) 651-9361, stpaulsrochester.org/index.php/ harmony-in-the-hills
JULY 11
Concert & Cuisine: Hear Jumping Jack Flash (The Rolling Stones tribute), 6 p.m., Meadow Brook Theatre
(room 207 in Wilson Hall on campus of Oakland University), 378 Meadow Brook Road in Rochester, event also includes auction (currently live) to support MBT, (248) 377-3300, ticketmaster.com
ONGOING
Downtown Rochester Farmers’ Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays until Oct. 25, new temporary location at East Parking Platform, 415 East St. in Rochester, downtownrochestermi.com/farmers-market
Movies in the Park: Watch “Moana 2” June 27 at North Hill Elementary, “Wild Robot” July 11 at Borden Park, “IF” July 25 at Bloomer Park, “Despicable Me 4” Aug. 8 at Wabash Park (must walk) and “Minecraft” Aug. 22 at Spencer Park, also food trucks, bounce houses and yard games, events run 7-10 p.m. with movies at 8:30 p.m., rararecreation.org
Dutton Farm Market: Purchase of produce, plants, art, and bath and body products from Dutton Farm’s participants supports nonprofit’s mission to empower and support adults with disabilities, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays through September, 2290 Dutton Road in Rochester, facebook.com/duttonfarm
Rochester Grangers Vintage Base Ball Club: Live games feature teams using equipment (or lack thereof), uniforms and rules circa 1870s, 6:30 p.m. July 24 and 1 p.m. Aug. 2 and 16, Rochester Hills
To view more Community Calendar and to submit your own, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise an event, call (586) 498-8000.
Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, rochesterhills.org/musprograms
Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve activities: Story & STEAM(ages 3-5, 10-11 a.m. every second and fourth Fridays of month) and Nature Tales Classic (story, snack and craft, ages 3-5, 10-11 a.m. every third Thursdays of month), 333 N. Hill Circle in Rochester, dinosaurhill.org
Live music: Hear the music of John Williams performed by Detroit Symphony Orchestra July 6, Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms with special guest Spin Doctors July 11, Buddy Guy with special guests Taj Farrant and Mathias July 19, Lord Huron with special guests S.G. Goodman and Jackamo Aug. 9, Alabama Shakes with special guest Sam Evian Sept. 5, and Lee Brice with special guests Jackson Dean and Lewis Brice Sept. 19, Meadow Brook Amphitheatre (on campus of Oakland University), 3554 Walton Blvd. in Rochester Hills, see times at 313presents.com
• Music in the Park includes Acoustic Madness June 26, Marshall Luna Blue (blues power rock) July 3, Sheila Landis Rick Matle Band (Latin jazz) July 10, Hynde Sight (The Pretenders tribute) July 17, Melody Balos Jazz Sextet July 24 and Rochester Symphony Orchestra July 31, all 7-8:30 p.m., bring blanket and chair, plus own food or purchase snacks from Kiwanis Club of Rochester, Rochester Municipal Park, 400
Sixth St., facebook.com/kiwanisclubofrochester
• Hear jazz vocalist Olivia Van Goor July 10, multiinstrumentalist Dave Bennett July 24 and jazz, soul and pop musician Ben Sharkey Aug. 7, all 7-9:30 p.m., Meadow Brook Hall (on campus of Oakland University), 350 Estate Drive in Rochester, (248) 3646200, meadowbrookhall.org
• Bites & Beats by the Paint Creek includes food/ drinks from Rochester Mills Beer Co. for purchase and music by The Half Nelson Band June 26, The Klik July 10, Slow Loris July 24, Weekend Comeback Aug. 16 and Spacecat Aug. 28, all 6:30-8:30 p.m. except 1-4 p.m. Aug. 16, also giveaways, raffles and games, Lions Park Ampitheatre, 400 Water St. in Rochester, rararecreation.org
• Vertical Concert series includes Midwest Dueling Pianos July 17 and Your Generation In Concert Aug. 7, all 7-9 p.m., watch from lawn or terraces of Royal Park Hotel, 600 E. University Drive in Rochester, (248) 652-2600, royalparkhotelmi.com/special-events.htm
• Includes Dueling Pianos at 8 p.m. June 27, Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones tribute) at 8 p.m. July 11, Atomic Radio at 8 p.m. July 12, Devin Scillian & Arizona Son at 7 p.m. July 13 and comedian David Dyer at 8 p.m. July 18, The Roxy, 401 Walton Blvd. in Rochester Hills, (248) 453-5285, theroxyrochester.com/events
20/20 Vision of Rochester Hills collecting used glasses
Donating your unused glasses can transform lives. It is the mission of 20/20 Vision of Rochester Hills to help make that happen.
Eyeglasses submitted as donations are meticulously cleaned, sorted and passed on to those who can’t afford new glasses. These donations help veterans, they help children with their schoolwork and they make it easier for senior citizens to enjoy a good book.
Donated glasses can make a world of difference in the lives of the recipients, but it’s not just a charitable gift. It’s an ecofriendly act that gives your glasses a new lease on life.
Join 20/20 Vision of Rochester Hills in its mission to provide optimal visual health for all. You can drop your glasses off at 3110 Walton Blvd., in Rochester Hills. For more information, call (248) 375-0040.
BRANCH NOW OPEN
Rocheser Road
We recently opened another branch near you! Stop by, meet the team, and see why MSGCU has earned a 97% member satisfaction rating for more than 20 years.
MSGCU now has 23 branches in Southeast Michigan, as well as 30,000 free ATMs and a highly rated mobile app. See what a fnancial champion can do for you.
WEST BLOOMFIELD — An 85-year-old West Bloomfield resident told police May 17 that she believes her son switched the diamond on her ring with a cubic zirconia.
The incident reportedly occurred in early December 2023 at her home while the West Bloomfield resident had a surgical procedure. She had allegedly given the diamond ring to her son for safekeeping before the surgery.
The case was under investigation by the detective bureau.
Caregiver reportedly steals from client WEST BLOOMFIELD — A West Bloomfield resident of Morris Lake Circle told police at around 6:45 p.m. May 18 that his caregiver — a 26-year-old woman — made fraudulent credit card charges totaling $4,400.
The Southfield woman was recently hired to take care of the man while he underwent cancer treatments. According to police, the woman also attempted a fraudulent wire transfer to a 26-year-old man in Detroit, but it was not successful. The investigation was ongoing.
Vehicle theft
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 3:50 a.m. and 4:50 a.m. June 2, an unknown person stole the complainant’s vehicle from a parking lot near Midtown Circle, near 14 Mile and North Campbell roads.
Movie screen damaged
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that at 11:50 p.m. June 4, an unknown person damaged a movie screen at the Emagine theater, 200 N. Main St.
Car stolen
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 2:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. June 5, an unknown person stole the complainant’s vehicle from a parking lot near Gardenia Avenue.
Vehicle stolen from Fox Hills resident
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — On June 8, the Bloomfield Township Police Department took a report of a larceny at the Fox Hills Condominium/Apartment complex.
A white Ford Edge had all of its rims/tires stolen overnight. The case was under investigation.
Dance studio reports fraud
BIRMINGHAM — On June 6 at approximately 9:30 a.m., the owner of a dance studio in the 2200
from the studio’s account were written and cashed between April 22 and the end of May.
The owner believes the checks, which totaled nearly $6,000, were stolen from her studio. An investigation was ongoing.
Bar employee reports stolen purse
BIRMINGHAM — A 22-year-old Grosse Pointe Park woman stated that on May 31, while she was on her night shift at a local bar, her purse was stolen.
She had seen her purse about one hour before it was stolen. Witnesses identified two unknown female suspects stealing the purse. The suspects did not use any cards in the victim’s purse. An investigation was ongoing.
School resource officer investigates assault and battery at high school
ROCHESTER HILLS — The school resource deputy of Rochester High School responded to an assault and battery in the hallway between two students at 1:40 p.m. May 27. When the school resource officer arrived, the suspect, a 14-year-old male from Rochester Hills, was agitated and noncompliant. He was attempting to walk back to the victim, a 15-yearold female from Rochester Hills, and re-engage. The school resource officer handcuffed the suspect.
The Rochester Fire Department responded to check the victim, who received minor injuries to the head from the assault. The victim’s mother arrived at the school and took the victim home for the day. The suspect’s mother arrived at the school, and he was released to her, pending further investigation of the incident. The suspect was advised to remain out of school until notified by school administration.
Man arrested after road rage incident
ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies responded to a Live 911 call near John R and Auburn Road on a report of a road rage incident at 1:47 a.m. May 25.
The caller said the driver of a black Ford pickup was attempting to ram into her vehicle. Deputies checked the area and located the responsible vehicle at Weverton and Auburn Road. Deputies also located the caller at Reuther Middle School.
The caller, a 23-year-old woman from Rochester Hills, stated that the other driver had tailgated, “brake checked and attempted to collide” into her vehicle. Fearing for her safety, the woman said she fled and waited in a driveway until the other driver, a 24-year-old man from Warren, left the area. The man waited, found the woman and continued taunting her until deputies arrived, police said.
The man said the woman tailgated and flashed her bright lights at him.
provided a recorded video of the incident. The man said he had a firearm and a valid concealed pistol license, which were found in his vehicle. The man was arrested and transported to the Oakland County Jail. The recovered firearm was transported and stored. Man prohibited from RCS property after being ‘belligerent’ inside school
ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were dispatched to a school in the 1300 block of Mahaffy Avenue on a report of an irate parent in the building at 4:05 p.m. May 30.
Dispatchers advised that the person responsible, a 52-year-old man from Rochester, was not on scene.
School staff stated the parent had gone through the front entrance and was irate that his daughter’s shirt was possibly stolen. The father, according to reports, was “belligerent and used profanities” while in the school.
On June 2, the school resource officer conducted a follow-up investigation. The father had entered through front doors that were not secured due to school dismissal. Multiple staff members were interviewed and advised that the father used profanity and was irate during the incident. The man admitted to being frustrated. When he exited the building, he pushed the front door aggressively and kicked a U.S. Postal Service tote that was on the ground of the vestibule.
The father was given a verbal no trespassing warning and was advised that he was prohibited from being on Rochester Community Schools property. He was advised that violating the verbal warning would result in criminal trespassing. The school was advised and was going to send a letter to the man advising him of the stipulations of the no-trespassing.
Scam phone call pretends to be victim’s son
TROY — According to a police report, a 78-yearold resident on Abington Drive reported on June 3 that she received a phone call with the caller ID indicating it was her son.
When she answered, the person on the phone reportedly said he was her son and that he had been in a car accident and was in jail. The woman was instructed to call a lawyer at the number he provided and, after calling the number, was told someone would be contacting her to arrange the collection of $8,400 in bond money.
The woman reportedly received another phone call advising her that a man would be coming to her house to pick up the money. The woman provided the cash in an envelope to the man who arrived.
needed to provide $9,200 in additional funds for her son to be released, at which point she realized it was a scam and contacted police.
Woman tricked by pop-up virus warning TROY — According to a police report, on June 3, a 20-year-old resident on Timbercrest Drive reported that she was using her computer when a pop-up notification appeared. The notification reportedly claimed that her computer was infected with a virus and that she needed to contact Microsoft IT for help at the number provided.
The victim reportedly called the number and spoke with a suspect who claimed to be with Microsoft tech support. The suspect advised her that her bank account had been used to purchase pornography and to reverse the
