7/24/25 Macomb Township Chronicle

‘Epically failed’

Township board puts Priority Waste on notice

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — After more than a year of continuous service issues, Macomb Township joins a growing number of southeastern Michigan communities seeking answers and alternatives to Priority Waste’s residential garbage collection.

The Macomb Township Board of Trustees — by a unanimous, five-member vote lacking Township Clerk Kristi Pozzi and Trustee Peter Lucido III — decided it would issue a notice of default and give the Clinton Township-based sanitation company a public hearing at its Wednesday, Aug. 13 meeting. The notice and hearing open the door to further action from the township.

“I have, thus far in my four-and-a-half years as township supervisor, successfully worked through a lot of issues with a lot of different township contractors and vendors,” Township Supervisor Frank Viviano said. “I have treated them all like a partner. I am honest with them, and one

At its July 9 meeting, the Macomb Township Board of Trustees approved a cross-connection agreement between the Department of Public Works and HydroCorp, and an updated fee schedule.

Board OKs cross-connections, buys batting cages

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — The Macomb Township Board of Trustees tackled a series of items at its first meeting of the month on July 9.

The board, which lacked Township Clerk Kristi Pozzi and Trustee Peter Lucido III, unanimously approved a nonresidential cross-connection program between the Department of Public Works and Troy-based utility consultant Hydro-

See TRUSTEES on page 13A

SECOND FRONT PAGE

‘I NEVER FORGOT HIM’

Vietnam Army Ranger killed in combat remembered decades later

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

EASTPOINTE — It has been more than 50 years since Lon Michael Holupko was killed in the Vietnam war, but Michaelene Buczak still thinks about him.

They were classmates at Detroit’s Grant Junior High and Osborn High School, where he was known as “Lonnie.”

“He was very tall, very handsome and very quiet. He had a lovely twinkle in his eye. When you passed in the hall, he’d say hello and use your name, too. He was very popular,” Buczak recalled. “He was a very nice guy. I never forgot him. You don’t forget your grade school, junior high and high school friends.”

Buczak honored his memory at the Eastpointe Memorial Day parade May 26. She decorated her car with photos and tributes about her former classmate and drove in the parade with the other participants.

“I chose him specifically. Memorial Day is for

See VETERAN on page 16A

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

DETROIT — While growing up, Vito Chirco and his brother Dominic bonded with their dad, Jerome, through sports, especially softball and baseball.

They spent many days at Tiger Stadium and Comerica Park rooting for the Detroit Tigers or playing baseball themselves as youngsters.

ABOVE: Eastpointe resident Michaelene Buczak wanted to honor someone during the Memorial Day parade May 26, and she chose Lon Michael Holupko. The two attended junior high and high school together.

Chirco, center, the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Chirco & Company, has organized his eighth annual charity softball game set for Aug. 2. Proceeds will benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. Chirco’s dad, Jerome, right, has acute kidney failure and receives dialysis three times a week. Also pictured is Chirco’s mom, Liz, left.

Macomb County accepting Community Mental Health Board applications

MOUNT CLEMENS — The Macomb County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications to fill one seat on the Macomb County Community Mental Health Board for a partial term that will run through March 31, 2027.

The board oversees Macomb County Community Mental Health and is charged with providing a comprehensive array of mental health services appropriate to the needs of the individuals within its service area, regardless of the ability to pay. By statute, the members are representatives of providers of mental health services, recipients of mental health services, agencies and occupations having a working involvement with mental health services and the general public. Applicants should have an awareness of the need for the provision of mental health services in Macomb County, knowledge of the evolving mental health landscape and basic understanding of Medicaid regulations in the state of Michigan, as well as the mental health code in the area the services are provided. Applicants also must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of Macomb County and cannot be employed by state or county health agencies. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Applicants are expected to attend the Government Operations Committee meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 3 p.m. for a public interview. Appointments will take place at the Thursday, Aug. 21 meeting of the full county board.

For more information or to apply, go to bocmacomb.org, contact the commission’s office at (586) 469-5125 or email bocadmin@ macombgov.org. Additional information regarding MCCMH can be found at mccmh.net.

AUTOS FOR AUTISM CRUISES INTO TOWN

CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP — Stahls Motors and Music Experience, located at 56516 North Bay Drive, will hold the annual Autos for Autism fundraiser to benefit the Ted Lindsay Foundation July 25-26.

The July 25 date includes a charity cruise beginning at 8:30 a.m. to Port Sanilac and back and dinner with automotive designers from 5-10 p.m. The July 26 date from noon to 3 p.m. includes a car show, live music, bounce houses, lawn games, face painting, food trucks, raffles, 50-50 and more.

The mission of the family-founded Ted Lindsay Foundation nonprofit is to support research and educational programs focusing on the cause and management of autism spectrum disorder. Lindsay, who died in 2019, was a hockey legend who played in the National Hockey League for 17 years with the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Black Hawks.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit stahlsauto.com/afa2025.

Township receives SEMCOG funding

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On June 11, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments announced awards totaling $496,500 in Planning Assistance Program funding for communities throughout southeastern Michigan.

Of the over $496,000 awarded, $35,000 is going to Macomb Township to develop a plan for nonmotorized and multimodal transportation. The plan is to be focused on establishing pathways, trails and safety infrastructure as well as identifying key trail connections, supporting walking and biking access to local schools and parks and exploring opportunities to connect to nearby regional trail systems.

“Macomb Township is thrilled to work with SEMCOG on the development of our first non-motorized transportation plan,” Frank Viviano, Macomb Township supervisor, said via press release. “Township residents are always looking for more pathways, sidewalks, and trails for recreation, physical activity, and transportation and this plan will help identify the early priorities for us to focus on. Additionally, we see this plan supporting our new Town Center along future Broughton Road, fostering nonmotorized connections to the heart of the Township.”

CMPL hosting events in August

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — As summer begins to wind down, so does the Clinton-Macomb Public Library’s summer reading program.

To celebrate the end of the summer, adults are invited to the Main Library on Friday, Aug. 8 for the Summer Reading Soiree at 6 p.m. Participants will play book bingo, make a mug, a bookmark, get book recommendations, have light refreshments and more.

More events will be held at each of the CMPL’s branches throughout August. On Thursday, Aug. 14 at 2 p.m., teens in grades 6-12 are invited to the South Branch to make edible terrariums. Terrariums will be made out of a variety of delicious materials with a base of cookie crumble dirt cups.

On Thursday, Aug. 21 at 4:30 p.m., teens in grades 6-12 are invited to the North Branch for the “Let it Flow” art session. A variety of art materials will be provided for attendees to freely express their creativity.

For the full list of events at all CMPL locations, go to cmpl. org.

CRIME WATCH

Swiped cards

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — One July 6 at around 1:10 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the 45000 block of Chateau Thierry for a larceny report.

Deputies spoke with a 36-year-old Macomb Township woman who said her credit cards, debit cards and driver’s license were stolen from her car overnight. She did not lock her car after parking at around 7 p.m. the prior night.

At least one small purchase with a stolen card had been made earlier that morning.

Abandoned dog

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — One July 5 at around 1 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies on patrol spotted two men in the Mohawk Elementary School parking lot.

The men in the lot were trying to get a dog, which appeared to be some kind of pit bull mix, into their car. The men told the deputies that the dog had been left there earlier by someone in a black truck.

Deputies were able to get the dog into their patrol car, taking it to a nearby veterinary hospital.

Canceled theft

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On July 4 at around 6:20 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the 22000 block of Wilshire Circle for a breaking and entering report.

The callers, a pair of Macomb Township residents, told deputies their Dodge Challenger had been broken into through a passenger-side window around 4 a.m. that morning.

Security camera footage showed a man attempting to enter the car around 4 a.m. before leaving the vehicle about 10 minutes later.

Nothing of value was stolen from the car.

Fraudulent winnings

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On July 3 at around 6 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to speak with a 32-year-old Macomb Township woman for a fraud report.

The woman said she received a tax statement for a gambling app indicating she had $3,000 in unclaimed winnings. The woman does not have an account for the app and believed her identity was stolen.

The woman wished to press charges if an identity theft suspect was found.

Questionable credit check

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On July 3 at around 9:50 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the residence of a 32-year-old Macomb Township woman for a fraud report.

The woman received notice of a “hard inquiry” credit report check in late June. After contacting the credit reporting agency, the woman learned an unknown person in Sterling Heights had attempted to open a credit card in her name. The card was not issued.

Hall Road hit-and-run

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On July 3 at around midnight, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the Marathon gas station on Hall Road for a hit and run report.

Deputies spoke with a 20-year-old Macomb Township man who said his BMW sedan was struck by a Chevrolet crossover that drove off. The man was changing lanes on Hall Road to enter the gas station when the Chevrolet struck the left side of his BMW as he attempted to merge. While the BMW driver expected to exchange details with the Chevrolet driver at the gas station, the Chevrolet driver continued on along Hall Road. — Dean Vaglia

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Real Estate Advertising: Paula Kaspor | (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle • Farmington Press • Fraser-Clinton Township Chronicle • Grosse Pointe Times • Macomb Township Chronicle Madison-Park News • Mount Clemens-Clinton-Harrison Township Journal • Novi Note • Rochester Post Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider Royal Oak Review • Shelby-Utica News • Southfield Sun • St. Clair Shores Sentinel • Sterling Heights Sentry Troy Times • Warren Weekly West Bloomfield Beacon • Woodward Talk • C & G Special Edition (Grosse Pointe/Macomb Co.) • C & G Special Edition (Oakland Co.)

NURSES, SUPPORT STAFF STRIKE AT MCLAREN HOSPITAL

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

MOUNT CLEMENS — Ongoing labor disputes between staff and management at McLaren Macomb Hospital took a turn in early July as nurses and support staff went on strike.

Members of Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 40 took to the sidewalk along Harrington Street outside of the hospital from June 7-10, holding signs and chanting in response to working conditions and claims of unfair labor practices filed against the Grand Blanc-based hospital network.

“The service group itself has six unfair labor practices; the RNs have seven,” said Dina Carlisle, a nurse and OPEIU 40’s president. “As they occurred, we filed them. For the RNs it’s been a yearlong (process) leading up to seven (claims). For the service group it’s been two years that six unfair labor practices have been filed.”

Carlisle says the staffing conditions at the hospital see nurses regularly having to care for up to six patients at once. For com-

parison, intensive care unit nurses care for up to two patients at a time. The union says this workload leads to burnout, violates the agreed upon staffing matrix and creates potentially harmful conditions for patients.

“For the RNs, this is not about money. This is about staffing safely and being able to take the best care of our patients as we can,”

Carlisle said.

The support staff group is seeking to increase its pay, which currently starts at $11.46 per hour and is below Michigan’s current minimum wage of $12.48. McLaren’s “last, best and final offer,” according to an OPEIU 40 statement, was a raise in 2026 that would increase the starting wage to $11.69. The union said that is still about 12% under the state minimum wage of $13.29 after the minimum wage increases again on Feb. 21, 2026.

Both the nursing and support groups have filed unfair labor practices against McLaren dating back to 2023. The claims involve direct dealing over wages and the firing of 11 members of the support staff.

During the strike, while passersby honked in support of the hospital workers

and food and water were donated to those on the picket line, McLaren informed the union that 176 out-of-state strikebreakers had been called in to replace the over 400 nurses on strike. McLaren also prevented the union nurses from returning to work until the morning of July 12. OPEIU 40 has called upon Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido and Macomb County Sheriff

Anthony Wickersham to investigate McLaren for violations of the 1962 Solicitation of Strikebreakers Act.

“In an update to us, it said that they brought in 176 — they name that number,” Carlisle said. “There are almost over 480 nurses here, and they did that for five days paying them $104 an hour. I found it fascinating that they would be silly enough See STRIKE on page 13A

is full of ups and downs. But together, we can overcome any obstacle. Rise to any challenge. And fght any battle.

Someone, somewhere, reading this right now is thinking you wrote this for me. And you’re right, we did. You’re the one who just can’t bring yourself to pick up the phone. It doesn’t matter if you’re a woman, a man, a black belt in karate, or 90 lbs. soaking wet. You’re scared, embarrassed and just overwhelmed. We can help, we’re positive we can. We know the pain you experienced wasn’t just “in your head.” We will not lecture you and most certainly won’t make you feel “bad” about whatever is going on. No blame, no lectures, just the rst step on getting back your smile and health.

SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS

ABOVE: Chris Harris, fourth from right, and his daughter next to him, help carry on the family business of Midas Auto Service and Tires that Chris’ dad, Gil, started in 1990 with encouragement from Gil’s wife, Patricia.

Photo provided

LEFT: Randy Booden, right, opened B&B Collision in Royal Oak with his dad Bill Booden July 1, 1977. One year later, Randy Booden’s sister Wendy Tomassi, center, joined the family business and keeps the operation running smoothly as office manager. Although not a family member, Randy Booden credits manager Nick Olsowy, left, for “making his life so much better.”

Photo by Liz Carnegie

Family ties drive local auto repair shops

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

When Bill Griffin, who owns Griffin’s Neighborhood Auto Clinic in Farmington Hills, injured his back in 2009, he was unable to work for a period of time.

The shop had only been open for two years, so his younger brother, Tom Griffin, stepped in to handle the business until Griffin got back on his feet.

“Had it not been for my brother the shop would have failed,” Griffin said.

Griffin’s Neighborhood Auto Clinic, located at 23905 Freeway Park Dr., offers many services. Talented staff members offer auto repair; suspension, steering and alignment; cooling system and engine repair; brake services and more on everyday cars as well as classic cars and hot rods.

Family ties are a main reason why Griffin’s Neighborhood Auto Clinic has been a success. Along with his brother’s help, Griffin’s two daughters, Kelsey and Hannah, worked at the front counter of the shop after school. Doing clerical work and running for parts were among their many responsibilities. They also had to remember working with their dad came with boundaries.

“When you’re here, I’m your boss and not your dad,” he reminded them.

His daughters are now married with their own families and careers and no longer work at the shop. Their presence is missed, and their hard work over the years added to the growth of the family business.

“They did bring a good element to the shop and a little more of a draw. They played an integral role in building the company,” Griffin said. “We were one big family working here.”

His ex-wife also was heavily involved in the family business and Griffin said she deserves much of the credit for helping to build Griffin’s Neighborhood Auto Clinic. For many years, Griffin, an Automotive Service Excellence master certified technician, worked for other people and used that experience to open up his own garage. He likes the variety the business brings.

“Every day is a different day,” Griffin said. “You never know what you’re going to do from day to day.”

‘I’d do it again in a heartbeat’

Family bonds also added strength at B&B Collision, located at 919 South Main St., in Royal Oak.

On July 1, 1977, Randy Booden and his father, Bill Booden, went into business together. They had both been working for different car dealerships and when Bill asked his son if he wanted to start a family business, Booden told him, “You bet.” They took their passion for cars and created B&B Collision, a family-owned auto repair facility offering a number of services including collision repair. Nearly 50 years ago, Royal Oak looked a lot different than it does today.

“It was a ghost town,” Booden said.

But the Boodens settled on Main Street because of the other auto-related businesses they neighbored with, including a transmission shop and a radiator store. B & B Collision employs a number of experienced and highly-trained certified technicians. The state-of-the-art repair facility, managed by Nick Olsowy, uses high-tech equipment.

One year after B&B Collision opened for business, they recruited Booden’s sister, Wendy Tomassi, to work as the office manager. Even on their busiest days, they are able to separate the work they do from their personal lives. Depending on each person’s strengths, the family members took on different roles.

“I guess just being familiar with the other person, you know how to work with them,” Booden said. “We knew how to leave the shop and leave the work here. Outside the shop, we didn’t talk about business. What we talked about was family.”

But working with family also brought challenges.

“We have our differences of opinion. We were able to work it out,” Booden said. “We can put everything out on the table, sit there and yell at each other, and 10 minutes later we’re fine. You can move forward.”

The trio worked together for many

DRIVERS SCHOOL BUS NOW HIRING

years until Bill retired. He passed away in 2008, and Booden and Tomassi carry on his legacy.

“He’s the one who taught me to be the person I am today,” Booden said. “I love it. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

Family bonds

Gil Harris opened up a family business when he found himself unemployed in 1990. He and his wife, Patricia, attended a franchise show and a new career was born when Gil opened Midas Auto Service and Tires at Eight Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue in Warren 35 years ago.

“I didn’t know anything about the automotive world,” Gil said. “I knew how to deal with people.”

He worked 60- to 70-hour weeks, determined to make sure the business was profitable. Patricia encouraged her husband all along.

“She was confident in me. She was all for it. I was scared to death,” Gil remembered. “You put every ounce of your money and security into others’ lives and hope and pray like hell that it works.”

The gamble paid off because the family, including their son, Chris, was able to open four different Midas locations over the years with several highly skilled staff mem-

bers. That first year, Gil was named National Rookie of the Year for Midas.

With support from Patricia and Chris, Gil eventually sold two of the shops and continues to operate two locations: 2995 E. Big Beaver Road in Troy, and 41300 Garfield Road in Clinton Township.

“I actually enjoy what I do,” Gil said. “It was a learning process. The franchise (representatives) helped. I know how to hire people that have anything to do with cars, oil changes to air conditioners, changing engines. I had to be able to provide security in their jobs. That’s what we do. My wife did the financial part, and I operated the hiring. I’m very happy.”

Currently, Chris is the general manager of the family franchise. He got his start running the Detroit location and fit right in with the automotive world. Gil is “mostly retired” and Patricia is “fully retired.” They are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this year. Working together proved positive for the Harris family, including Chris’ children.

“We always got along. We got along very well,” Gil said. “That doesn’t mean we don’t have some issues along the way. We sit down and work through the issues and come to an agreement on what needs to be done. It’s not always easy. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Everyone has to find common ground.”

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Advancing Macomb awards grants to nonprofits

MOUNT CLEMENS — Nonprofit Advancing Macomb announced on July 8 that it awarded $45,000 in grants to 13 nonprofits through its new capacity building grant program.

Designed to strengthen small and growing nonprofits serving low-to-moderate-income communities in Macomb County, the program provides one-time grants of up to $5,000 to help build internal capacity and foster long-term sustainability. A total of 39 applications were submitted, requesting nearly $185,000 in funding.

“We’re proud to support this group of dedicated nonprofits that are making a meaningful impact in Macomb County,” said Phil Gilchrist, executive director of Advancing Macomb, via press release. “These grants are an investment in their long-term success, helping them grow stronger from the inside out, whether it’s improving infrastructure, building leadership capacity or enhancing outreach.”

The Advancing Macomb grant recipients include:

• Bravo Programs of America: The grant will support professional development and strategic marketing initiatives.

• DRIVE One: The grant will help expand the organization’s training facility, including the construction of space to house an additional vehicle.

• Dutton Farm: The grant will support leadership development through training

programs, executive coaching and participation in sector-specific conferences.

• The Ellington Grace Foundation: The grant will strengthen internal infrastructure through strategic planning, financial upgrades and communication improvements.

• Elms Family & Community Services: The grant will support organizational growth through strategic planning, staff development, technology enhancements and marketing efforts.

• Leadership Macomb: The grant will cover staff participation at a national leadership conference.

• Macomb County Habitat for Humanity: The grant will be used to implement a new data management system to streamline operations.

• Macomb Food Program: The grant will support a communications overhaul, including website improvements and social media updates.

• Macomb Immigrant Service Center: The grant will support the purchase of desktop computers for administrative use.

• Michigan Notary Association: The grant will build foundational infrastructure, including financial systems and educational resources.

• MyCare Health Center: The grant will support the development of a comprehensive fundraising plan.

• Single Family Living: The grant will enhance the organization’s K–12 tutoring program through technology upgrades and program evaluation tools.

• Trinity Community Care: The grant will cover a formal financial review conducted by an external accounting firm.

— Dean Vaglia

Trustees

Corp for around $146,510. The move comes after the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy required the township to improve its cross-connection program.

“The DPW would like to start with

CALENDAR

JULY 26

Yoga at the Hill: Presented by Macomb County Board of Commissioners and Bodhi Seed Yoga & Wellness, includes childrens yoga and basic yoga from 9-9:50 a.m., raffle from 9:50-10 a.m., and chair yoga and intermediate yoga from 10-10:50 a.m., pavilions at Freedom Hill County Park, 14900 Metropolitan Parkway in Sterling Heights, free but register for 10th anniversary shirt and gift at bocmacomb.org/events/ yoga-at-the-hill

See ‘The Prince of Spanish Guitar’: Benise celebrating 25 years of world music and dance, 7:30 p.m. (VIP experience at 5 p.m.), Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 286-2222, macombcenter.com

JULY 28

Learn about last Great Lakes lightship: Historian Andrew Kercher discusses HURON LV-103, 6:30 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - North Branch, 54100 Broughton Road in Macomb Township, register at (586) 226-5082 or cmpl.libnet.info/events

JULY 29

Rosco on the Run: Series with Rosco the Clown wraps up with “Water Fun and Games” theme, also ineractive games and inflatables (with area for toddlers), pizza available for purchase (can bring own lunch), 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Macomb Corners Park, 19449 25 Mile Road, (586) 992-2900, www.macomb-mi.gov/470/ roscos-picnic-palooza-series

AUG. 8

Movie Under the Stars: Free event includes kids-only yard sale at 6:30 p.m., meet-and-greet with Moana from 7:30-8:30 p.m. and screening of “Moana 2” at 8:30 p.m., also play area with inflatables, games and toys, concessions (can bring own food), Hawaiian leis, beach balls and glow necklaces (for first 500 kids), and bug spray station and glow bracelets at dusk, bring chair or blanket, Macomb Corners Park, 19449 25 Mile Road in Macomb Township, macomb-mi. gov/472/movie-under-the-stars

AUG. 14 & 21

Macomb Ballet Company auditions: Expand training through rehearsals and perform in classical productions while continuing at primary studio, 4:30-6:15

the nonresidential portion of this program and have HydroCorp help draft the updated program that is due to EGLE on Aug. 30, as well as have HydroCorp perform all the inspections for this program,” Macomb Township DPW Director Kevin Johnson said.

The five-year contract will begin with the development of commercial cross-connections, with residential cross-corrections to be developed later.

p.m. (ages 13-19 as of Jan. 1, 2026), 6:30-7:45 p.m. (12 and older) and 6:30-7:30 p.m. (7-11), 51504 Danview Technology Court in Shelby Township, macombballet.org/auditions

AUG. 16

Golf fundraiser: Supports Motor City Wheelz (wheelchair basketball team comprising youth with physical disabilities in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties), 12:30 p.m. registration and 1:30 p.m. shotgun start, Sycamore Hills Golf Club, 48787 North Ave. in Macomb Township, register by Aug. 5, motorcitywheelz. org/golf-outing

Health and Wellness Fair: Free event features nearly 70 vendors, therapy dogs, vibroacoustic harp therapy and meditation sessions, massages, yoga and expressive art station, face painting, appearance by Detroit Pistons mascot Hooper, health screenings, interactive activities and more, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Macomb Intermediate School District, 44001 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, facebook.com/wearemccmh

Watch baseball, support food pantry: $10 of every $25 ticket to game at Jimmy John’s Field goes to St. Paul of Tarsus Catholic Church in Clinton Township, purchase includes grandstand seat, hot dog, chips and pop or water, 5:30 p.m., 7171 Auburn Road in Utica, must use QR code on flyer at spotcatholic.org

AUG. 23

Golf outing: Charlie Brown Memorial for Care House 2025 presented by Odd Fellows Eastwood Lodge #496, registration from 12:30-1:30 p.m. with shotgun start at 2 p.m., Cracklewood Golf Club, 18215 24 Mile Road in Macomb Township, call Tom at (810) 343-1098 or Dan at (734) 260-0554

ONGOING

Music in the Park: Hear The Jerry Ross Band July 24 and 50 Amp Fuse July 31, also inflatables, organized games, toys and more, plus concessions for purchase (can bring own food), bring chair or blanket, 7-8:30 p.m., Macomb Corners Park, 19449 25 Mile Road in Macomb Township, (586) 992-2900, macomb-mi. gov/471/music-in-the-park

Summer Sounds: Free concerts from 5-8 p.m. FridaysSaturdays and 3-6 p.m. Sundays until Aug. 31, also 3-6 p.m. Sept. 1 (Labor Day), Center Court at The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Road in Clinton Township, see lineup at shoppartridgecreek.com/events

Trustees also approved the DPW’s fee schedule for services not related to water and sewer. Those fees are for the installation and inspection of meters, reading devices, pipes and other equipment.

Batting cages

Trustees also approved the purchase of six batting cages from Connecticut-based Jaypro Sports for around $45,100.

Strike

from page 6A

to send that (update). They sent it to everyone. It wasn’t just us. They were trying to, I think, assure the community that the hospital was safely staffed, and I thought, ‘How did they figure that?’”

Despite the lockouts, strikebreakers and other unfair practice claims, Carlisle says the hospital reached out to the union by the morning of July 10 to resume negotiations. The union and the hospital planned to return to the bargaining table on Wednesday, July 23 and Monday, Aug. 4 to discuss the nursing and support groups, respectively.

“We are bargaining in good faith, and I am hopeful that we can resolve these issues,” Carlisle said. “It will be really unfortunate if the hospital does not seem receptive to safe staffing.”

On July 9, McLaren spokesperson Dave Jones issued a statement regarding the strike, stating the hospital brought in “licensed, credentialed temporary professionals” to support full-time staff during the strike.

“We’ve bargained in good faith for the past two years for the service unit and RNs, investing extensive time and resources to reach an agreement that honors our team members and ensures the long-term stability of our hospital — especially considering recently passed federal legislation that significantly reduces Medicaid reimburse-

“There will be one batting cage associated with each ball diamond at the park,” Parks and Recreation Director Sal DiCaro said.

The purchasing cost only covers the cages themselves, with DiCaro telling trustees he would be back in “the next few weeks” to seek approval for installation costs. DiCaro intends to have the cages installed by fall but was still in talks with installers and could not give trustees an exact timeline.

ments and threatens financial sustainability for health care providers across the country,” Jones’ statement said. “Despite those challenges, McLaren has presented a proposal that goes above and beyond what’s being seen in our region and even nationally. We believe all employees and our community deserve the full picture, and we’re confident if presented with the facts, many would view our offer as more than fair.”

McLaren’s offer for nurses as of the July 9 statement includes a 15.84% to 40.14% pay increase over three years, time-and-a-half pay for working over 36 hours in a week, annual tenure-based retention bonuses up to $1,000 and a nearly 16% pay increase if a unit is short staffed. Nurse staffing ratios would be at one nurse to 4.44-5.88 patients (1:4.44 to 1:5.88) for medical and surgical units, 1:1.76 for the ICU and 1:1.41 for obstetrics and gynecology units.

McLaren’s offer for support staff as of the July 9 statement includes “three-year agreement with equity increases of up to 15% based on years of service to recognize long-term dedication,” 2% annual salary increases and maintaining benefits.

McLaren has also filed its own unfair labor practice claims against OPEIU 40, citing a failure to bargain in good faith, surface and regressive bargaining, coercing and intimidating employees and deliberately delaying negotiations.

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Do you own a vehicle with an interesting history?

Contact Staff Writer Maria Allard at allard@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1045, and you could be featured in an upcoming Behind the Wheel. For more stories, visit candgnews.com/news/auto or use the QR code.

Travel back to the late 1970s in a Volkswagen Westfalia

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

Setting up camp inside Dawn Bols’ Volkswagen Westfalia camper bus T-2 is like entering a time machine that dates back to 1979.

The sage-green van also is a reminder of the Michigan camping trips that Bols took as a child with her family, often to Wilderness State Park near Mackinaw City.

“It was like heaven to me playing with the kids on the beach,” the Harrison Township resident said. “It was so fun.”

Many of those family vacations were spent traveling in one of her dad’s Volkswagen vehicles. The first Volkswagen was not a camper bus, but the family still traveled in it and camped in tents.

Bols’ dad, Brian Bukantis, was always a fan of the Volkswagen bus and also owned a T-3 model in which the family did camp. The camping trips eventually stopped, but they still traveled up north via Volkswagen to a chalet in Houghton Lake, even in the wintertime.

“We used to freeze in the back,” Bols said. “My brother used to hog the little air vent in the back.” And it was a tradition for Dad to play music from Frank Zappa during every ride.

“It’s always a fond memory for sure,” Bols said. When Bols was 15, her dad took a break from driving Volkswagen buses. He eventually got back into the Westfalia’s driver’s seat. After Bols’ mom, Betty, died, Dad purchased the sage-green 1979 Volkswagen Westfalia camper bus T-2. He often cruised with his buddies at different local events, including the Woodward Dream Cruise and the Shorewood Kiwanis Club of St. Clair Shores Harper Charity Cruise. Bols is now the owner of the Volkswagen Westfalia camper bus T-2.

See VOLKSWAGEN on page 18A

Kidney

Chirco, of Clinton Township, will channel that energy Aug. 2 with his annual Chirco & Company charity softball game at Buysse Ballpark on the campus of University of Detroit Mercy, located at 4001 W. McNichols Road in Detroit. Gates open at 1 p.m., and the first pitch is set for 2:15 p.m.

Event proceeds will benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, which offers programs and provides resources and services to prevent kidney disease and improve the quality of life for those living with it. Chirco, the alumni director at De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren, has recruited local sponsors and volunteer athletes who will step up to the plate for the game.

“It’s competitive but fun. People know it’s for a good cause,” Chirco said. “It’s a good atmosphere for the game. The guys enjoy it and look forward to it.”

Raising money for the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan hits close to home for the Chirco family, which includes mom, Liz Chirco.

Jerome Chirco, 67, is living with acute kidney failure. He does dialysis three times a week.

“He’s doing pretty well. He’s hanging in there. Hopefully he’ll continue to make progress,” Chirco said. “It does take a physical toll on him. He’s a tough cookie. He’s a warrior.”

Dialysis is a procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly. Jerome is on medication for the disease and on a donor list for a kidney transplant.

“You hope and pray we can find a match for him. He’ll be more healthy and it will enhance his quality of life,” Chirco said. “We love him dearly. We owe him the world.”

Chirco already has two teams ready to play. The athletes pay $40 each to participate. The admission fee for spectators is $35 per person; children 12 and younger are free. Food will be provided free of charge by 2941 Mediterranean Street Food. Hot dogs and water also are complimentary, and everyone receives a shirt.

This year’s local celebrity players include Detroit Lions on SI reporter/Detroit Sports Podcast host John Maakaron; local morning show anchor Jason Colthorp; Olympic medalist swimmer Peter Vanderkaay; Detroit City FC/Oakland University men’s basketball play-by-play voice and Woodward Sports host Neal Ruhl; former Carolina Hurricanes

right wing and Stanley Cup champion Chad LaRose; and local sportswriter Tony Paul.

Chirco appreciates the sponsors that got behind the charity game: Prosthetic Specialties, the Detroit Sports Podcast, and the Salvati Insurance Group. Chris Fett and his family, of Clinton Township, are one of the team sponsors. Fett’s daughter is a student at Regina High School in Warren, and his son attends De La Salle.

“For me it’s just a way to give back. Hopefully my kids in time will learn to do that. It doesn’t always have to be a business that represents,” Fett said. “I’m just inspired by Vito and his ability to do these things. Whatever Vito goes after, I’ll support.”

Fett’s two children and wife will be good sports and play in the game. In past years, Fett has played many positions, including

left field and shortstop. The competition is friendly and serious at the same time.

“We definitely keep score,” Fett said. “You want to win but at the end of the day it’s for a fundraiser. Vito gets us all together.”

Fett also knows the trials of living with a kidney disease. His dad lost a kidney after falling ill during the Korean War.

In past years, the Chirco & Company annual softball games raised money for different charities, including Make-A-Wish Michigan and the Pope Francis Center.

For more information and tickets for the Chirco & Company charity softball game, email chircoandcompany@gmail. com. Donations also are accepted via Venmo at @Chircoand-Company.

Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.

the soldiers that were killed in service, in the war,” the Eastpointe resident said. ‘That’s what it’s all about. It’s about people who didn’t survive the service.”

Holupko was of the 1st Cavalry Division, 75th Infantry Ranger, H Company. Buczak’s display caught the attention of spectators.

“It was fantastic,” she said. “I was so happy I did it.”

When cars lined up before the parade began, one veteran asked about the lineup.

“After I told him Lonnie’s story, he then walked to Lonnie’s poster, bowed his head, and crossed himself with the sign of the cross three times,” she said.

Holupko, 20, was killed during a mission July 10, 1969, in the province of Tay Ninh, South Vietnam. This week marks the 56th anniversary of the young man’s death. Buczak remembers the shock when neighborhood friends heard he made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

“The funeral home was packed,” Buczak said.

Holupko is among the tens of thousands of veterans whose names are etched

into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Loved ones who knew him have left messages on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund website at vvmf.org.

During their school days, there was a rumor going around that Holupko had a crush on Buczak and on another girl.

“Someone mentioned he started liking me. He may have been one of the first crushes I had on a guy back then. I wasn’t ready for that,” Buczak said. So she encouraged the other classmate to date him, telling her, “I think you guys would be a real cute couple.”

‘He felt like it was his duty’

Holupko dropped out of business school to enlist in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict.

“He didn’t discuss it with Mom and Dad. He went ahead and did it,” said Holupko’s sister, Charlene (Holupko) Cancelosa. “He felt like it was his duty. That was the mood in the late ’60s and early ’70s, that you were doing the right thing, serving your country, protecting your family.”

The Army Ranger trained to do reconnaissance missions.

“He jumped out of helicopters at night into jungles to see where the enemy was, what supplies they had and what they would be up against,” Cancelosa said.

Lon Michael Holupko, of Detroit, left, relaxes with his comrades while serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war. The 20-year-old was killed during a mission July 10, 1969, in the province of Tay Ninh, South Vietnam.

Holupko was 2 1/2 years younger than Cancelosa. Brother Corey, who recently passed away, was 10 years younger than Holupko. Corey had two sons and he named one of them Lon after his big brother. While he was overseas, their parents, Charles and Virginia Holupko, moved from Detroit to Sterling Heights. Cancelosa and Holupko always got along.

Priority Waste

thing I expect in return is honest communication back, and that has been a successful recipe to working through problems. The communication between us and Priority, I believe, has broken down, and in my discussion with other community leaders, I think that sentiment is shared.”

Priority has had an eye on hauling Macomb Township’s trash since it attempted to become the township’s hauler during the spring 2023 contract bidding process. Priority had set its base rate for most residents over the five-year contract at $1,123.20, which lost out to GFL Environmental’s $1,098.48 rate. A last-minute attempt to change the trustees’ decision — a dozen Priority representatives attended the decisive meeting on May 10, 2023 — proved fruitless. Priority Waste became the township’s waste hauler about a year later after it bought service contracts from GFL in the summer of 2024.

“We knew that it would be a bumpy

Veteran

from page 16A

“I was like the moody teenage girl and he was always giggling,” said Cancelosa, of Macomb Township.

Cancelosa, who had gotten married and had a baby girl named Jill, always remembers the day Holupko left for the service. He carried his niece through the airport until it was time to say goodbye.

“I can still picture it,” Cancelosa said. “He adored her. It was just a way of being close.”

In Vietnam, Holupko was on a reconnaissance mission when his troop was spotted and a firefight ensued. He was killed in action. Cancelosa’s heart sank when she learned of her brother’s fate.

“It’s something you never recover from. Two officers came to the door. My mom and dad didn’t even have to hear the words. They knew why they were there. They gave us the news,” Cancelosa said. “You knew he was in danger. You knew he was in harm’s way, but you didn’t think it’s going to happen. You feel bad for him. He was cheated on life. I feel bad for my parents to lose a child. It was horrible, just horrible.”

The two officers stayed with the family during the three-day funeral, which included a viewing and 21-gun salute. The Gold Star Purple Heart recipient was laid to rest at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Detroit.

“The task of getting his remains back was not easy,” Cancelosa said. “The Ameri-

transition,” Viviano said. “I made a number of statements to the public to be patient, trying to urge everyone to give (Priority) an opportunity to get their feet underneath them. They effectively ... increased the scope of their business by a factor of 10, maybe more. They took on over 70 communities’ trash service all on the same day last year. I don’t know who thought that was a great idea, but amongst my peers we had strong reservations about anybody’s — not just Priority’s — ability to take on that much business at once.”

The initial months of the transition were notably plagued by various issues across communities, though Viviano noted things had improved by the fall of 2024 despite “their billing (being) a nightmare” and how phone customer service “has always been bad since they took over.” But Viviano says service began to nosedive around May 2025 and the township has noticed issues such as trucks having a single operator and trash routes being left unfinished. Viviano says the township has been bombarded with “over 50

See PRIORITY WASTE on page 18A

can Red Cross helped me get his remains back.”

He served 18 months of a two-year stint. Cancelosa kept the letters he wrote from overseas to their parents and to her. In the letters, he never talked about his missions, just about how much he missed his family.

Mom and Dad dealt with their grief differently.

“My dad went to the cemetery every week and took a rose. He never talked about my brother,” Cancelosa said. “My mom never went to the cemetery, but she talked about him all the time.”

Cancelosa believes her brother would have gone into drafting once he got out of the military. She still carries a photo of him in her wallet and has run into two friends of his by chance. Once at Walgreens in Estero, Florida, she spotted a man standing in line wearing a Vietnam veteran’s hat. She pulled out the picture. While studying it, the man asked, “Did he go to Osborn High?” It turned out he knew Holupko “mostly from football and the old neighborhood with a few friends in common.”

Another time, Cancelosa, son Jeff and his three daughters visited the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in Clinton Township. When she asked a volunteer to help locate her brother’s name, he asked if she was Charlene. According to Cancelosa, the two guys were paperboys and played football together as kids.

Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.

Priority Waste

from page 17A

(calls) a day” about Priority’s service issues and that multiple departments have had to field those calls.

“My staff at the treasurer’s department are used to taking phone calls about taxes and water rates, and now we’re being inundated by calls about garbage pickup, and that’s not what my staff is used to answering,” Macomb Township Treasurer Leon Drolet said. “We have contracts with other vendors in the township … and those people are responsive. I don’t get (inundated with calls) that the lawns are not being mowed in the township parks.”

Promises for better service and new trucks from Priority Waste CEO Todd Stamper have, according to Viviano, gone without the results to back them up. In one instance, Viviano and Pozzi were allegedly misled about the status of incoming equipment around late June. Both officials spoke with Stamper, who told them Priority accepted 50 new trucks that would be rushed into service the next day.

“I said, ‘I need to say that publicly,’ and (Stamper) said, ‘Go ahead,’” Viviano said. “And so I did. And I look like a fool for believing him. I apologize to anybody who took that message at face value. I took the message that was given to me at face value, as I do with all of our partners. However, for whatever reason, that proved not to be the case.”

Around 10 days after the call, Viviano learned via an email from Stamper that the trucks had to be processed and that only 28 of the claimed 50 were delivered. Viviano said he was left unsure how many, if any, would be put into service on Macomb Township routes.

“I delivered false information, and I take full responsibility for taking (Priority) at face value,” Viviano said. “I should know by now to verify it, and I didn’t.”

By sending out the notice of default and setting the public hearing date, the township is beginning the contractually outlined process to allow it to begin issuing “liquidated damages costs. If no improvement to service is noted during the 30-day period and once the public hearing is completed, the township can begin issuing fees to Priority as a penalty for performance failures. This can take the form of a $35-per failure to pick up fee every time a residence has its service skipped — similar to what neighboring Clinton Township has been utilizing for Priority’s service lapses there — or a flat $500 fee for each notice issued. The labor involved in tracking the $35 fee would be sizable, with Viviano saying Clinton Township uses eight department of public works employees for this task.

Talk of getting a new waste hauler on an emergency basis was floated, with Viviano expecting a high cost and a changed level of service. While smaller townships may be able to work with smaller waste haulers —Harrison Township has switched to Tringali Sanitation — Viviano expects only a larger hauler like Waste Management would be capable of replacing Priority.

The board’s unanimous vote came after six residents spoke out against Priority’s service at the first public comment section, and comments from trustees backed up their votes to put the waste hauler on notice.

“It’s sad to see,” Trustee Charlie Oliver said. “We all depended on a company to do something. This company said they were going to do it, and they epically failed. This board … has done everything they could to get this company motivated, but it seems like there’s a lot of things that are very untruthful when you start really diving into it, from what this company tells our supervisor and does not do.”

See PRIORITY WASTE on page 19A

Volkswagen from page 14A

“I got it a couple years ago after my dad passed away,” Bols said.

Bols has taken good care of the vehicle, which has about 130,000 miles on it. The interior — with a warm, checkered decor — is all original. The vehicle has different components, including a comfortable sitting area with a table that swings out for meals. The two front seats swivel around to face the back of the vehicle for conversation. The retro ride is equipped with a sink, a holding tank and can be hooked up to running water.

When camping, the Volkswagen Westfalia can sleep four people. The rear bench seat folds down to make a bed for two. The pop-up roof lifts off to become a two-person bed when opened. But sometimes a little help is needed.

“It’s not the most comfortable sleeping arrangement,” Bols said. “We usually put an extra mattress down.”

The Westfalia has curtains that can be drawn shut to get a good night’s sleep, and Bols added some special touches to give the van a late 1970s vibe. Her husband gave her a handheld radio to display next to a clock radio. Bols also found a 1978 Coleco Football Electronic Quarterback handheld game, and a friend passed on a handheld Merlin electronic game — first made by Parker Brothers in 1978 — that feel right at home inside the bus.

While cruising and camping are fun, Bols prefers just to take the van to local car shows.

“Because it’s in such good shape, I want to preserve it,” she said.

Another reason is because the vehicle doesn’t gather much speed when on the road. It only drives about 55 mph. To alert other drivers, Bols placed a magnet on the back window that reads “Slow moving vehicle.”

“It’s a stick shift. It’s a smooth ride but

there’s no power steering,” Bols said. “Getting used to driving it is a little bit of a challenge.”

The camper bus draws plenty of attention from onlookers. Many comments about the vintage vehicle come from people in their 20s.

“I always get peace signs out the windows and people honking,” Bols said.

Bols sometimes brings the bus to the monthly car shows from 5 to 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at Sanders Chocolate and Ice Cream Shoppe, 23770 Hall Road in Clinton Township. At the last Sanders car show, the employee pick of the month was the Volkswagen bus.

“I was shocked,” said Bols, adding that she received a bag of candy for the recognition.

She also won an award last month during Eastpointe Cruisin’ Gratiot, a five-day event that ended with a car show and cruise June 14. Again, she was surprised. She didn’t plan to attend the Eastpointe event, but her brother, Doug Bukantis, invited her, and at the last minute she decided to go.

An annual pastime has been heading up to Port Crescent State Park, in Port Austin, during the Halloween season for its annual fall harvest. It’s something the family did with Dad, who got into the spirit of the holiday by becoming “Skull Man.” He’d wear a skull mask and cape to greet trick-or-treaters through a fog machine that he set up. The bus was also decorated with skeletons and spider netting, and the tradition has continued.

According to the website autobarnclassiccars.com, Volkswagen began production of the Type 2 Microbus in 1967. Manufacturing continued through 1979, and there were many configurations of the Type 2 model.

“It was dubbed the Bay-Window Microbus with a one-piece windshield, sliding side door and a total of eight elongated windows for great visibility,” the website stated.

Priority Waste

On July 21, Priority Waste put out the following statement to the Macomb Township Chronicle after speaking with Macomb Township and other communities that had issues with the Priority’s service:

“Priority Waste met with the leadership of Macomb and Clinton Townships, as well as the leadership of the City of Sterling Heights, last week regarding the service delays that have periodically affected the communities throughout June. Fortunately, the delays are subsiding.

“A year ago, Priority communicated to all of our newly acquired service areas from GFL that new trucks were ordered to replace a large portion of their failing fleet. The new trucks are now arriving months earlier than expected. Priority has taken delivery of 50 new service trucks in July to retire the oldest and most battered fleet vehicles that were purchased from GFL, with more on the way.

“The aging trucks showed their true colors during the spring compost season when Macomb County was hit with several severe weather events, a high heat index of 105° for several days in a row, and two holiday service shifts. All of those issues created a synergistic effect on the areas that were hardest hit.

“We appreciate the patience and understanding of those affected by the service delays, and Priority’s hard-working men and women thank the residents for their support as we return to normal service.”

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.

Legal Notices

Crown Castle is proposing to install a 40-foot light pole telecommunications structure with an overall height of 42 feet 9 inches at the following site: 45000 Fairchild Road, Mount Clemens, Macomb County, MI, 48036 [Lat: 42-37-48.28 N, Long: 82-51-51.72 W]. The structure will be in the public right-of-way at the intersection of Fairchild Road and Hall Road. Crown Castle invites comments from any interested party on the impact of the proposed action on any districts, sites, buildings, structures or objects significant in American history, archaeology, engineering or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and/or specific reason the proposed action may have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Specific information regarding the project is available by contacting Arjun Pai, a.pai@trileaf.com, (512) 519-9388 during normal business hours. Comments must be received at 7700 W Hwy. 71, Ste. 200, Austin, TX 78735 within 30 days of this publication. 0434-2530

Crown Castle is proposing to install a 42.8-foot utility wood pole telecommunications structure at the following site: 19753 Webster Street, Clinton Twp, Macomb County, MI 48035 [Lat: 42-32-36.36, Long: -82-55-8.18]. The structure will be in the public right of way on the north side of Webster Street. Crown Castle invites comments from any interested party on the impact of the proposed action on any districts, sites, buildings, structures or objects significant in American history, archaeology, engineering or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and/or specific reason the proposed action may have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Specific information regarding the project is available by contacting Mitra Rahimi, m.rahimi@trileaf.com, (512) 519-9388 during normal business hours. Comments must be received at 7700 W. Hwy 71, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78735 within 30 days of publication of this notice. 0261-2530

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Man arrested outside library

GROSSE POINTE PARK — An 18-year-old Detroit man who reportedly was experiencing suicidal thoughts and was seen outside the Ewald Branch of the Grosse Pointe Public Library at around 2 p.m. June 25 was arrested after an encounter with police. According to a report, the man “became confrontational” with a public safety officer who approached him. Police said the man was found with a stolen handgun in the fanny pack he was wearing. He was arrested and was facing charges for violation of the carrying a concealed weapon law.

Rental vehicle stolen

GROSSE POINTE PARK — An unknown suspect stole a rented 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee while it was parked in the 500 block of Pemberton Road between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. June 27. The Jeep, which had been rented from Avis, reportedly might have had a key fob inside.

Former employee arrested for embezzlement

GROSSE POINTE CITY — A woman who formerly worked for Lululemon in The Village was arrested June 23 after an investigation determined that she allegedly embezzled an estimated $7,000 through fraudulent transactions over the last year, a police report states. Police said the investigation was in progress.

Motorists found in possession of marijuana

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A 19-year-old Harrison Township woman and a 19-year-old Harrison Township man were arrested after a traffic stop during which police found that the vehicle they were operating had multiple containers of marijuana and synthetic equivalents. According to a police report, the vehicle was pulled over in the area of University Place and Mack Avenue at 10:52 p.m. June 30 after police noticed that their driver’s side headlight wasn’t working. During the traffic stop, an officer reportedly saw four jars of marijuana inside a blue duffel bag on the back seat. Police said the female driver and her male passenger claimed that the vehicle belonged to the driver’s mom and the marijuana was hers, but when police called the mother, she didn’t claim ownership of the marijuana.

The suspects said they were picking up a friend in the Pointes and heading to downtown Detroit for the evening. The driver gave police consent to search her vehicle, and police found three small jars and one large jar of marijuana, almost 50 vape cartridges, more than 30 vape pens, a bag of narcotic mushrooms, THC oils, multiple marijuana edibles, a scale, sandwich bags and $450 in cash in the male suspect’s wallet and $90 in cash in the center console, according to the police re-

and therefore not legally allowed to be in possession of marijuana in Michigan, so they were both arrested. It was unknown if they might face additional charges.

Possibly high driver takes out streetlight

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A 24-year-old Harper

Woods man who police believe was driving under the influence of drugs is said to have crashed into a DTE light pole in the 400 block of Moross Road at around 8:04 p.m. June 27, sheering it off at the base, and then leaving the accident scene.

Police said a neighbor heard a loud noise outside at the approximate time of the crash and when she looked out a window, she saw a tan, mid-size truck heading south on Moross veer into the northbound lane before veering back into the southbound lane. Using the license plate of the vehicle, police were able to track the driver to an address in Harper Woods, where they said they found the driver and the damaged truck.

Police said the driver admitted he had been driving the truck that evening. After they searched the truck, police said they found several empty pill bottles.

Police said the driver had dilated pupils and foam coming from his mouth, and he told them he had gone to a marijuana dispensary after work. The driver told police he had rear-ended a white pickup truck but didn’t remember being in the Farms or crashing into a light pole there. The suspect was found to be in possession of pills concealed in a lip balm case. He was arrested for operating under the influence of drugs. Police said the driver refused medical attention for the crash.

Fraud victim instructed to buy Bitcoin GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A 72-year-old Grosse Pointe Farms woman contacted police June 26 after she was the victim of an apparent fraud June 17. The woman was browsing the internet when she said a popup window appeared on her iPad telling her to contact Microsoft. When she called the phone number provided in the pop-up window, the woman was told she would be contacted by the Federal Trade Commission and her credit union as far as what she needed to do.

The woman said a man who claimed to be “Daniel” from the FTC told her to withdraw $15,000 from her credit union account, saying someone was trying to use her funds to buy illegal internet content. The woman was only allowed to withdraw $5,000 from her credit union; she used the money to make deposits — as directed by “Daniel” — into various Bitcoin ATMs in metro Detroit, ultimately depositing $4,800. The woman then received a text message allegedly from Apple telling her someone was trying to charge $221.99 to her Apple account, as well as a text claiming someone

using her account data. The woman thought about the incident and found the whole ordeal suspicious, which led to her filing a police report. Police said the woman was the victim of an internet/telephone scam.

Vehicle stolen

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of Lennon Street at 6 a.m. June 29 after learning that a vehicle — a Ford F-150 — connected to that address had been used in a crime in Dearborn. When they arrived and spoke with the owner of the vehicle, the owner — who knew nothing about the crime in Dearborn — discovered that his truck had been stolen.

Infotainment system stolen

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — An unknown suspect is said to have stolen an infotainment system from a Ram pickup truck between the late night of June 23 and 12:30 p.m. June 24. A police report states that the suspect broke a rear window on the truck to gain access to the interior.

Operating under the influence of drugs

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Police officers were dispatched to the area of Van Dyke Avenue and 24 Mile Road for a crash June 20. Upon the officers’ arrival, they observed one of the occupants from the crash lying on the ground unconscious. An officer found out the unconscious person was the at-fault driver and might be under the influence. The officer recognized signs that the man might be overdosing and needed Narcan. The officer administered Narcan and the driver started to react to the medication before going unconscious again. The male driver was transported to a local hospital.

While the man was being loaded in the ambulance, police said he was awake long enough to admit to using fentanyl. Officers reportedly located what appeared to be drugs in the driver’s vehicle. An officer went to the hospital and completed a blood test. The at-fault driver was medically discharged from the hospital and taken to the Shelby Township Police Department. The man was released once sober. Charges were pending the results of the blood test.

Stolen car

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A police officer was dispatched to the 45000 block of Revere Drive, near Hall and Schoenherr roads, for a stolen vehicle at 1:30 p.m. June 22. The owner stated he last saw his vehicle the night before, parked in front of his home. The owner advised that he still had both sets of keys to his vehi-

SHIELD’S

by the Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Center BBAC holds annual competition

BIRMINGHAM — The 44th annual Michigan Fine Arts Competition will be taking place at the Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Center through Aug. 14. The competition is juried by Laurie Ann Farrell — a Dallas-based curator, art historian

Police were investigating Larceny from auto SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A police officer was dispatched to River Bends Park for a larceny from auto complaint at 5:30 p.m. June 21. The victim stated she had parked her vehicle, with the windows and doors locked, before heading out for a walk. When she returned, she noticed her window was smashed out and several personal items were taken from within the vehicle. While the officer was on the scene, Utica police were also checking local parks for two male suspects looking into vehicles. Police were investigating.

Man walking dog attacked by another dog

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — An officer was dispatched to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital for a dog bite report at 11:26 a.m. June 19. A man said that while he was walking his dog on a leash in the 11000 block of Conservation Trail, near 22 Mile Road and the Van Dyke Freeway, an unleashed brown pit bull mix started to attack his dog. The man was able to pull his dog to safety, but the dog then started to attack the man and bit him on both hands.

State Supreme Court rules on county charter cases

LANSING — On June 16, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled against Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel in two cases about the powers of the county executive under the Macomb County charter.

First, the court ruled in favor of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, requiring Hackel to grant the commission’s director of legislative affairs real-time, read-only access to the county’s financial management software for budgeting purposes. Access was first requested in 2017 and written into the general appropriations ordinance for fiscal year 2018, though Hackel never granted this access.

Penned by Justice Elizabeth Welch, the court found Hackel must grant the access based on “the plain language” of the fiscal year 2018 budget and remanded the case back to the circuit court.

The court found Hackel must grant the access based on “the plain language” of the fiscal year 2018 budget and remanded the case back to the circuit court.

“We thank the Supreme Court for its thorough opinion and respect its decision,” Board Chair Joe Sabatini said in a press release. “The Supreme Court recognized the Board’s valid ordinance requirement that the Board be provided accurate and timely financial information. With that information, the Board looks forward to working together with the County Executive for the common goal of accountable and efficient government for the citizens of Macomb County.”

The court ruled in favor of Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido regarding his desire to have external counsel. The Macomb County Board of Commissioners appropriated $42,500 to the Prosecutor’s Office in the fiscal year 2024 budget for “contract services,” which Hackel vetoed on Dec. 8, 2023, and the board overrode on Dec. 14, 2023. After attempting to contract with five law firms in January 2024, Lucido began proceedings against Hackel. The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Lucido, and Welch wrote the order concurring with the appellate court on the grounds that the county charter “does not impose any limits on the purpose for which independent legal counsel can be retained using public funds.”

“The Court has again sent Mr. Hackel a clear message that he cannot rule like a king, and his abuse of power must end,” Lucido said in a press release. “These are historic decisions that protect Macomb County taxpayers and the integrity of justice in our county.” Andrew McKinnon, deputy Macomb County executive, said the rulings were a matter of seeking clarification about the executive’s limits in the county charter.

“(The court cases were) an avenue to clarify what the charter means and to give us clear direction on how we move forward with the charter and with our responsibilities and what the board’s responsibilities are,” McKinnon said.