NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e p S
AUGUST 21, 2024 candgnews.com
Oakland County papers
A deputy from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office approaches a vehicle during a traffic stop. Photo provided by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office
LOCAL POLICE SEE INCREASE IN DRUGGED DRIVING IMPAIRED DRIVING CRASHES RISE STATEWIDE
Photo by Erin Sanchez
ABOVE: Patrons enjoy food and drinks at the bar at Troy’s Sedona Taphouse location at 198 E Big Beaver Road Aug. 12. RIGHT: A ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court will increase the state’s minimum wage. The current minimum wage is $10.33 and $3.93 for tipped workers.
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com Photo provided by
Chris Johnston
gradually reaching $12 in 2029. The final amounts will be determined by the state’s treasurer. The current minimum wage is $10.33 and $3.93 for tipped workers. All employees, including part-time and temporary workers, are entitled to paid sick leave. Every 30 hours an employee works generates one hour of paid sick leave. Employees get 72 hours paid sick time a year at large companies. However,
OAKLAND COUNTY — Impaired driving crashes across Michigan are on the rise, a troubling statistic released in a study from Bridge Michigan, which also found that police across the state are not making as many arrests for drunk driving as they have in the past. The study found fatal alcohol and drug-related crashes have risen by 40% across Michigan, with alcohol-and-drug related fatalities up statewide and in many counties — including Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne. Over the last five years, Nick Soley, of the Bloomfield Township Police Department, said the township has seen an increase in “drugged driving.” “That’s twofold. It’s illicit drugs and also prescription drugs, which is, obviously, just as dangerous as drunk driving,” he said. “The driving pattern may be erratic and may be similar to what we see with drunk driving, when we talk about swerving and speeds and things like that, and even being passed out behind the wheel.” Now that marijuana is legal in Michigan, Solely said, many people have forgotten the ramifications of marijuana, adding that many others have been caught on the road abusing prescription drugs. “How many prescription bottles do we see that say don’t operate a motor vehicle or heavy machinery? I think several people have the notion that if I’m using them as they are prescribed by my doctor, I’m good to go. That’s not the case. I always use the common example of Ambien. It’s a sleeping
See RULING on page 6A
See IMPAIRED on page 4A
Court’s ruling on wages, sick time reverberates across region WORKERS, BUSINESSES, ASSOCIATIONS REACT TO DIVIDED MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT DECISION BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — A recent 4-3 ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court affecting the state’s laws governing minimum wage and sick time is sending shockwaves through many businesses, including the restaurant industry. All workers will receive a pay bump to more than $12 an hour in 2025 with tipped workers