8/21/25 Rochester Post

2025 OAA FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW 24A

Clinton River Trail to be repaired in Rochester thanks to grant funding

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

ROCHESTER — The Clinton River Trail will soon be restored in Rochester after torrential downpours last year caused washouts in two separate sections. The city of Rochester has secured more than $1.7 million in grant funding to restore two major washouts on the Clinton River Trail. The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation awarded the city a leading gift of $1.2 million to support the effort and an additional $521,000 from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trail Maintenance

See TRAIL on page 26A

Oakland

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — Oakland Township voters passed two library millages Aug. 5.

Approximately 4,239 voters — or nearly 78% — opted to renew a four-year, 0.1134 millage, while 946 people voted against the measure.

Township residents pass library millage renewal, increase

Voters also approved a five-year, 0.1412 mill tax, with 2,570 yes votes to 1,668 no votes.

Rochester Hills Public Library Director Juliane Morian said the passage of the renewal and the new millage ensures the continuation of Oakland Township residents’ library services.

“At RHPL we are so pleased that the majority of voters in Oakland Township definitively voted to support in part-

nership with the Rochester Hills Public Library,” she said. “The modest increase in taxes will result in more books, movies and music; more programming for kids and adults alike; more study spaces for students and remote workers; and more online resources that anyone can enjoy without ever leaving their home.”

As a result of the millage increase, officials said, a home

See MILLAGE on page 8A

Garden Mums:

Dozens

of

Colors

and

Sizes

CornStalks•Pumpkins•Gourds•Andmore! COMING SOON! Enormous perennial, hosta, tree & shrub selection: Fall is a great time to plant!

Two local municipalities among winners of history grants

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP/ROCHESTER — The America250MI Committee has awarded two local municipalities history grants to help preserve Michigan’s history for future generations.

The grant program, officials said, represents a key element of the state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Locally, Oakland Township and Rochester are two of 50-plus communities and organizations that will share in Round 1 funds in the America250MI History Grant Program, which is dedicated to sharing how history is connected to physical places.

“This funding will empower these communities to elevate and share their local stories, which is vital to the understanding and preservation of our state’s rich history,” said Sandra Clark, the director of the Michigan History Center, which shares management of the America250MI Committee with the Historical Society of Michigan.

Under the first round of the grants, the Oakland

See GRANTS on page 8A

Arts, Beats & Eats announces legendary music lineup FESTIVAL

BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com

TO RUN AUG. 29 TO SEPT. 1

ROYAL OAK — Michigan Lottery Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Flagstar Bank recently announced the musical lineup for the Aug. 29-Sept. 1 festival.

The Arts, Beats & Eats team also revealed the festival’s new logo, which they said pays tribute to the history and urban lifestyle of metro Detroit.

The artist, Nick Pizaña, said that the design, created

with his signature cartoon style of vibrant colors, “harnesses the passion, creativity and community that merge together at Michigan Lottery Arts, Beats & Eats. Its vintage feel reminds us not only of this year’s coming event, but of the festival’s 28-year legacy and the memories and experiences it has created for Royal Oak and Southeast Michigan,” Pizaña said in a prepared statement.

Event Producer Jon Witz said that the music lineup for the weekend was chosen based on 600 submissions, and only

See FESTIVAL on page 7A

West Nile virus confirmed in Oakland County

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

OAKLAND COUNTY — Michigan health officials are urging residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites due to the threat of West Nile virus.

The first West Nile virus activity in the state was confirmed in a resident of Livingston County in August, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

On Aug. 18, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that an Oakland County resident, who did not report recent travels, was sickened by the West Nile virus.

“This is an important reminder that West Nile Virus is present in our community,” Kate Guzman, the health officer for the Oakland County Health Division, said in a release. “We strongly encourage residents to protect themselves from mosquitoes until the first hard frost of the year.”

Oakland County officials did not release identifying information of the resident for health privacy reasons.

The risk for mosquito-borne illness rises throughout the state over the course of the mosquito season, peaking in August and September, until the first major frost occurs.

West Nile virus is transmitted to people by mosquitos that have fed on birds infected with the virus.

Although the risk of illness is low for most people, there is a greater risk for seniors, very young children and anyone with a weak immune system. About 1 in 5 people will develop flu-like symptoms — including a high fever, confusion, muscle weakness, a severe headache or a faint rash — becoming sick three to 15 days after exposure. But in rare cases — less than 1% of those infected, according to the CDC — serious and potentially life threatening symptoms of West Nile virus can develop, including neurological illnesses, such as meningitis and encephalitis.

The best way to prevent West Nile virus or any other mosquito-borne illness, according to health officials, is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to guard against mosquito bites.

“It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness. Use in-

sect repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors during times when mosquitoes are active,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS’s chief medical executive, said in a statement. “These precautions are especially important during peak mosquito-biting hours, which are from dusk to dawn.”

The CDC recommends using an insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, or paramenthane-diol, which they say have shown a high degree of effectiveness in warding off mosquito bites. Health officials also suggest that people wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors, limit outdoor activities from dusk to dawn, avoid areas where mosquitoes may be present, maintain window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of homes and buildings, and empty water from mosquito breeding sites — such as flower pots, pet bowls, clogged rain gutters, swimming pool covers, discarded tires, buckets, barrels, cans and similar items where mosquitoes can lay eggs.

Health officials said the virus has also been found in mosquitoes collected this year from Bay, Kalamazoo, Kent, Macomb, Midland, Saginaw, Tuscola and Wayne counties.

For more information on West Nile virus, call (800) 848-5533 or visit www.oakgov.com/health.

Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.

NEWS & NOTES

6A/ ROCHESTER POST • AUGUST 21, 2025

Orion Road reopens after flood repairs

ROCHESTER HILLS/OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — The Road Commission for Oakland County has reopened Orion Road, at Dutton Road, on the Rochester Hills/ Oakland Township border following emergency repairs after part of the road was washed away in flooding July 16.

The Road Commission previously expected to be able to open the road the week of Aug. 4 when it completed road repairs, but Consumers Energy ran into challenges repairing its service damaged in the flooding, so the road could not safely be opened until Monday, Aug. 18, once that work was done.

The Road Commission repaired a culvert under the road and backfilled the area washed away by the flooding. The washed-out section was repaved, new guardrail was installed and new pavement markings were placed.

Officials said the Road Commission does not control the scheduling of utility company work, and the road was reopened as soon as the utility work and minor road repairs — the result of utility cuts in the pavement necessary for the work — were completed.

“We appreciate the public’s patience as we worked to make emergency repairs to this road following the unexpected flooding,” Road Commission Managing Director Dennis Kolar said in a statement. “We know this was an inconvenience and we and the utility companies did everything we could to get the work done as quickly as possible.”

LIBRARY HOSTS AUTHORS IN APRIL KICKOFF EVENT

ROCHESTER HILLS — The Authors in April program, which brings renowned authors to Rochester schools, will kick off with an event at the Rochester Hills Public Library at 7 p.m. Sept. 3. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the library’s multipurpose room and will feature the announcement of the visiting author for grades four and five. The library is located at 5009 Olde Towne Road in Rochester.

TIME TO ‘SPARKLE’

METRO DETROIT — The Sparkle Network will again hold its Dress Into A Dream homecoming dress sale for high school students by providing new and gently-used homecoming dresses for $10 each.

There are dresses of all sizes and lengths for homecoming dances and special occasions. For the first time this year, the organization will have separate pants, tops and skirts in limited sizes for $5 each. All proceeds will benefit the Prom Closet Project Tour 2026, which provides prom dresses to local high school students.

The following Dress Into A Dream dates and locations have been confirmed: Aug. 22-23 at American House East 1, 17255 Common Road in Roseville. Time: 3-7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Aug. 24 at Front Door Housekeeping, 11255 Hall Road Unit #104 in Utica. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Aug. 29 Meadowbrook Center for Learning Differences, 811 Oakwood Drive, Suite 303, in Rochester. Time 3-7 p.m.

Aug. 30-31 T-Tech Solutions, 1172 E. Big Beaver Road in Troy. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Sept. 3 at Romeo High School, 62300 Jewell Road in Romeo. Time: 4-8 p.m. Students do not have to go to Romeo to participate.

Everyone who signs up for a dress must fill out an application ahead of time by going to sparklenetwork.org and clicking the Dress Into A Dream icon.

VENDORS WANTED FOR DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER KRIS KRINGLE MARKET

ROCHESTER — Registration is open for Downtown Rochester’s Kris Kringle Market – now in its 18th year. The market is scheduled for 4-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and noon-10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, on West Fourth Street.

The Rochester Downtown Development Authority is seeking vendors that have product lines appropriate for the holiday season, including gifts, specialty foods, décor and hand-crafted items. The event committee aims to provide a unique and diverse market for the holiday season.

“We’re thrilled to invite vendors from all around to be a part of this magical event,” Marketing Coordinator Taylor Knuth said in a statement. “The Kris Kringle Market is not just a shopping destination; it’s an experience that evokes the warmth and joy of the holiday season. We encourage vendors to apply and showcase their one-of-a-kind products to the enthusiastic attendees who look forward to this event every year.”

Vendor spaces cost $450 for a 10-by-10-foot space. Applications can be found online on Downtownrochestermi.com. The deadline to register is Friday, Sept. 6, and vendors will be notified if they have been selected by Sept. 12. When submitting vendor applications, vendors are required to provide three images of vendor artwork and one image of the vendor’s booth display.

To apply, visit downtownrochestermi.com.

the top 150 were picked to perform.

“I think we’ve got some great original bands that are headlining across many music genres. We are excited about the Neon Trees, Randy Howser, Sugar Ray and you know, I Love the 90s Tour,” Witz said. “We think it’s going to be an amazingly fun time to close the show on Monday with Vanilla Ice and many others.”

Joining Vanilla Ice with the I Love the 90s Tour to close the festival will be Rob Base, Young MC and C+C Music Factory.

Witz said that along with the headliners, audiences can expect to hear more moving performances from cover bands and trib-

ute acts.

“I will say the tribute acts that we have, one or more each night, will be playing some of the best-sounding music of the weekend,” Witz said. “They really do the bands of the music they play justice.”

R&B singer turned rock star Terri Shü said that she is debuting her new sound of rock music with her band “Shü” at Arts, Beats & Eats. Shu’s grandfather was Motown great William Guest, of Gladys Knight and the Pips.

Shü’s career took off as an R&B singer, which was the music she previously performed at Arts Beats & Eats, but as of early 2024, she is now in a rock band.

“I usually didn’t do rock music back in the day with the circumstances of my grandfather being in a Motown group, Gladys

Knight and the Pips, so they automatically categorized me in R&B for a while, and I recently branched back into alternative,” she said.

Shü said she started singing alternative music when she was in high school and wanted to get back to her alternative roots instead of continuing in the R&B genre.

“I guess the reason why I made that big switch, well, I guess it was a big switch to everybody else, is basically me getting back to my roots, rather than sticking with something that I wasn’t 100% in it in my heart,” she said. “Alternative is truly who I am.”

Through her band’s performance of covers and original music at Arts, Beats & Eats, Shü hopes her band can bring a carefree experience to the audience.

“I want to portray a carefree, I-don’t-

give-a-heck environment, and that Black people can love rock too. I don’t like the stigma of Black people not listening to rock music, because a lot of us do,” she said. “I want to portray the freedom of loving music, and being carefree. I want to make the audience know it’s OK to do things outside of the box, and be a little crazy sometimes.” Arts, Beats & Eats will be open 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, through Sunday, Aug. 31, and 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1. Tickets will be sold for $7 in advance. Admission is free before 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, and $12 after 5 p.m. Every other day, admission costs $10 before 3 p.m. and $12 after 3 p.m. Cash and credit card transactions will be accepted at gate entrances. For more information, visit artsbeatseats. com.

Millage

from page 1A

with a market value of $500,000 and a taxable value of $250,000 would pay about $35 more each year in taxes.

Despite the increase, Oakland Township Library Board President Jim Kiefer said the township still has “one of the lowest total library millage rates of surrounding communities” — including Rochester Hills, with a rate of 1.12 mills; Orion Township, at 1.31 mills; Auburn Hills, with 1 mill; and Washington Township, at 1.05 mills, according to the Friends of Oakland Township group.

Grants

from page 3A

Township Historic District Commission received $4,955 for its project, “Celebrating Patriotism of our Settlers.”

Township Historic Preservation Planner Barbara Barber said the project involves researching the Revolutionary War soldier’s families, among others, and supplying cemeteries with special Revolutionary grave markers and flagpoles. One of the goals of the project, she said, is to share a presentation about the first settlements, effects of the wars, prosperity, and the town hall meetings to establish order and take care of one another.

“What better way than to start with our historic cemeteries tied to our first settlers?” she said.

The city of Rochester received a $9,486 America250MI History Grant for its “Revolutionary Hero Cemetery Preservation and Awareness” project.

Rochester Director of Project Manage-

The library serves the residents of Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. While all three municipalities pay tax money to operate the library, Morian said the communities of Rochester and Oakland Township do not have a vote on the library board, according to the charter, since they contract with the library for services. The contracts mean the three communities receive equal access to library services and materials, even though the actual amount paid by each municipality varies. Oakland Township and Rochester pay for services only. They do not pay for capital infrastructure.

Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.

ment Jason Warner said the intent of the project is to preserve and restore the headstones of at least three Revolutionary War soldiers in the Mt. Avon Cemetery.

“The city feels that it’s important to preserve our history and to preserve the headstones of those that are buried there,” he said. “We are also planning to put some type of bronze markers at the headstones that will have a QR code that visitors can scan with their phone and that will link to the city’s cemetery section on the city’s website, which will have information and background on the soldiers that are buried there.”

The city, Warner added, is also working with the Daughters of the American Revolution, Stony Creek Chapter, to order and install an America 250 bronze marker during an America 250 celebration event planned for May 16, 2026.

In all, 50-plus grant recipients across the state will share nearly $1 million in America250MI funding, which will be awarded in three grant rounds.

Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.

C & G Newspapers publishes 21 papers in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties:

Reporter: Mary Beth Almond | (586) 498-1060 | malmond@candgnews.com

Sports: Scott Bentley | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com

Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com

Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100 For retail ad rates: Kim Lowe | (586) 498-1034 | klowe@candgnews.com Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099

Automotive Advertising: Jeannine Bender | (586) 246-8114 | jbender@candgnews.com 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.)

SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS

ABOVE: Tom Petzold and members of his family manage a portfolio of neighborhood shopping centers. The business manages the Tech Plaza at 12 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue in Warren as well as other centers in Detroit and Dearborn, among other locations.

LEFT: The Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce works with major retail centers in its area, including the Adams Square Shopping Center on South Adams Road, south of Maple Road and east of Woodward Avenue. The plaza features a combination of local retail stores, restaurants and chain stores.

Photos by Erin Sanchez

HUMAN ELEMENT CONSIDERED A BENEFIT AT LOCAL SHOPPING PLAZAS

BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — For those who have active roles in various business spaces in the metro Detroit area, shopping plazas can provide some benefits for in-person shopping as opposed to buying online.

A survey conducted by the International Council of Shopping Centers notes that there are around 115,000 shopping centers in the U.S. with nearly 90% being small, neighborhood and convenience store centers. Also, about 83% of Americans visit a shopping center at least once a week and 20% go to a shopping center more than 10

In the historic Village of Oxford, BeeHive Homes provides assisted living and memory care in a warm, residential environment tailored to each resident’s needs. Its smaller size allows for more personal, individualized attention than larger facilities, fostering a higher quality of care.

“Our size is intentional,” said Matthew Kopmeyer, who, along with his wife and co-owner, Marie, has built the facility around a shared commitment to genuine, attentive care. “It allows us to get to know every resident, understand their preferences and needs—and adjust our care accordingly.”

“Our focus is on more than just care,” Kopmeyer continued. “It’s about building strong relationships, fostering independence and creating a community where residents feel truly at home. For families, this provides genuine peace of mind, knowing their loved one is receiving exceptional care.”

Private rooms with ADA-accessible bathrooms o er a personal retreat, while the entire home serves as the living space. Furnishings are available for those who need them, but personal décor is encouraged to create a familiar, comfortable environment.

BeeHive’s 24-hour sta ng provides reassurance for residents and their families. “ ere is always someone close by to help if needed,” Kopmeyer said. “ at presence o ers peace of mind and supports safety for everyone here.”

All meals are home-cooked and approved by a dietitian for avor and nutrition. In the dining area, residents gather to savor the meal and each other’s company.

Activities are designed to keep residents engaged physically and mentally. Housekeeping and laundry services are included, along with cable TV and whole-house Wi-Fi.

On-site services can be arranged for residents, including visits from primary care physicians or nurse practitioners, geriatric psychiatry, and physical, occupational and speech therapy. Wound care and nursing support are also available.

“Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for each person who lives here,” Kopmeyer said. “ at means more than meeting care. It’s about building relationships, supporting independence and creating a place where residents feel truly at home.”

BeeHive Homes is located at 73 BeeHive Dr. in Oxford. To learn more about its personalized approach to assisted living and memory care, or to schedule a visit, call (248) 783-6288 or go to BeeHiveOxford.com.

times a week.

According to statistics compiled by CapitalOne Shopping, American consumers spent $5.927 trillion in retail stores and $1.337 trillion online in 2024, though this value does not account for seasonal adjustments.

The Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce works with major retail centers around the Maple Road/Telegraph Road, Telegraph Road/Square Lake Road, and 13 Mile Road/Southfield Road intersections, around both east and west ends, as well as the Adams Square Shopping Center. The plazas feature a combination of local re-

See PLAZAS on page 19A

USED

•WELL

•WATER

•BACKFLOW

•TOILETS

•TANKLESS

•SUMP

•GAS

•FAUCETS

•GARBAGE

•JETTING

•CAMERA

•SEWER

•DIAGNOSTICS

Briarwood Heating & Cooling, a family-first business.

Founded in 1998, Briarwood Heating & Cooling has always been a family- rst kind of business. We’re Lee and Renee Deel, and we started Briarwood with a simple mission: do right by people, x what needs xing, and treat every customer like they’re our neighbor.

We’re proud to serve customers all over Oakland and Macomb counties, from Rochester Hills to Shelby Township to Royal Oak and beyond. Whether we’re xing a furnace in Birmingham or installing an AC system in Clinton Township, our team of licensed, NATE-certi ed technicians are known for showing up on time, solving the problem right, and standing by our work.

We o er a full range of services: AC and furnace repair, maintenance and installation, boiler service, water heater installs, air quality solutions, and smart thermostat installs. We serve both residential and commercial customers, and we’re proud to be a Trane Comfort Specialist and multiple-time Top Performance Dealer award winner.

But what truly sets us apart? Our people. We have a phenomenal team of techs and installers, as well as an administrative team who care deeply about our customers and each other. When

something goes wrong, we make it right — fast. We don’t cut corners, and we don’t walk away from tough jobs.

A er more than 27 years, we’re still proudly family-owned and operated. We believe in doing the right thing, treating people fairly, and making sure your home stays safe, comfortable, and energy-e cient.

With winter fast approaching, we recommend scheduling a furnace clean and check for the season. is ensures lters are clean, the unit is safe, without carbon monoxide leaks, and running e ciently so it’s not increasing your energy costs for the season. For $69.95, the service also covers checking both the humidi er and water heater. We are also one of the few licensed companies in the area specializing in boilers, and o er boiler clean and check services for $79.95.

We’d be honored to serve your home or business — and we’re always just a call away.

Briarwood Heating & Cooling is located at 46851 Dequindre Rd. in Rochester Hills.

To schedule or get more information, call (248) 299-8126 or visit briarwoodheatingandcooling.com

Whether it’s a design-build plan for new construction or “landscape rejuvenation” of an existing yard, The Landscaping Authority brings vision, expertise and a dedication to positively transforming properties to each and every job. “Our passion is to change things for the better, to improve the curb appeal of someone’s place,” said Jason Iras, the owner of The Landscaping Authority, based in Shelby Township. “We love to do before-and-afters. It motivates us to do an amazing job. To see something that’s down and drab, and turn it into something that’s very photogenic and very pretty to look at, that’s what we love.”

Serving metro Detroit’s northern suburbs, The Landscaping Authority works on new or preexisting projects. “We’re a design-build and maintenance company. We’ll design new construction landscape. We can do everything from sprinklers, sod, hardscape, brick pavers and retaining walls, all that stuff. We can pull weeds, remove stumps and put in trees to give a property a fresh look,” Iras said. A designer by trade, Iras said a project starts with a free consultation where goals and a plan are discussed. “We implement that by taking a look at the property, seeing what they have, what’s available, and seeing what we can reuse to beautify the property,” Iras said. Creating borders and lines to complement the existing architecture, incorporating desired colors and maximizing their impact is all part of the plan.

“We do annuals and perennials, fall mums and tulip bulbs. We do outdoor kitchens and living spaces,” Iras said. “It adds tremendous value to someone’s home when we can increase that curb appeal.”

When the winter winds blow and the yard goes to sleep for the year, The Landscaping Authority’s team transitions to commercial snow and ice management. “That’s a very big part of our business, making sure we keep our clients and customers and employees safe from the hazards of Michigan winters,” Iras said.

879-5947 or go to thelandscapingauthority.com.

To set up a consultation or for more information, call

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.

Back to School on a Budget

As families prepare for the new school year, two Rochester resale businesses are helping shoppers stretch their budgets without sacrificing quality or style. Clothes Mentor and The Funky Frog, Children’s Resale Boutique cater to different age groups but share a commitment to value, sustainability and customer service.

After more than 25 years in corporate America, Southfield native Carolyn Webb opened Clothes Mentor with three goals: build a business legacy for her family, reduce environmental impact and empower women. “We partner with our customers to decrease waste in landfills one bag at a time,” Webb said. “Sustainable fashion is part of the environmental endeavor here.”

The store offers previously owned brand-name apparel, shoes and accessories with brands ranging from Old Navy and Loft to Ann Taylor, Lilly Pulitzer and Gucci. Sizes range from zero to 26, and prices are roughly a third of original retail. A T-shirt might be $5 instead of $40, a blazer $29 instead of $150. Sellers can receive cash on the spot or store credit for accepted items. Items not chosen will be donated through the store’s partnership with Purple Heart.

“When a woman comes in, she might need something for a special occasion or want to overhaul her wardrobe,” Webb said. “We don’t focus on body sizes—we focus on fit and style so she walks out feeling good.”

A few minutes away on Main Street in downtown Rochester, The Funky Frog, Children’s Resale Boutique has been serving families for 16 years. Owner Renee Perkins said the store is especially busy during the weeks leading up to school, when parents are looking to outfit their children for a new year without overspending.

“With prices being what they are, kids’ resale is a way to keep up with growing children without having to chase a sale or a coupon,” Perkins said.

“We add hundreds of items every day, so there’s always something fresh and unique.”

The store carries clothing, shoes, toys, books and baby gear, from everyday playwear by Carter’s and Cat & Jack to mid-range brands such as Gap and DKNY, and boutique labels like Matilda Jane and Lilly Pulitzer. Specialty athletic wear like Ivivva, once considered the children’s

version of Lululemon, is also in stock.

“We go through a lot of effort to review items carefully and curate everything from play clothes to special-occasion outfits,” Perkins said. “Why pay retail when kids will outgrow things so quickly?”

Both stores maintain constantly refreshed inventories. “We’re here to help people save money, find quality pieces and feel good about what they’re buying,” Perkins said.

Clothes Mentor is located at 1180 S. Rochester Rd. For more information, call (248) 341-9446 or visit https://rochesterhillsmi.clothesmentor.com. The Funky Frog, Children’s Resale Boutique is located at 433 S. Main Street. For more information, call (248) 656-1937 or visit thefunkyfrogonline.com.

Plazas

tail stores, restaurants and chain stores.

Chamber President Joe Bauman says the personal service of in-person shopping may be more appealing than the convenience of online shopping.

“There is a much greater chance you are going to be satisfied with your purchase when you can see and feel it before you buy it,” Bauman said in an email. “And if a problem does occur, it is much more likely to be resolved if you have established a relationship with the local retailer.”

“There is no denying the level of competition being brought by these massive, online retailers. But there are still plenty of people who want to deal with another human rather than a computer screen,” Bauman added.

At Petzold Enterprises, Tom Petzold and members of his family manage a portfolio of neighborhood shopping centers. The business manages the Tech Plaza at 12 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue in Warren as well as other centers in Detroit and Dearborn, among other locations. His grandfather started the business in the 1960s.

“We try to focus on being in ... central(ly) located, convenient locations,” Petzold said.

“We are a small family business, and we have shopping centers that we lease out to a combination of tenants, some of whom are small family businesses like us and others are more corporate,” he added.

In terms of the comparison of in-person shopping versus online shopping, Petzold says the positivity of the staff and the environment are really important to the consumer experience.

“When you think about when you’re creating a shopping center, one thing I’ve learned is that one of the constituencies that you’re competing for is the staff that work inside the stores and when I say that I mean you want to make your shopping center attractive, safe, inviting and even a place that someone could be proud to go to work,” Petzold said. “Like, it’s clean and you attract better personnel that work in the stores when you build a better shopping center and that ultimately benefits the customer to have the best people in the stores.”

Scott Marcus owns two locations of a franchise called Restore Hyper Wellness, one of which is located in a strip area at 643 S. Adams Road in Birmingham. The other is

located in Northville. The business offers wellness services like intravenous fluids, cryotherapy, compression therapy, red light therapy and a hyperbaric chamber.

Marcus has had the locations for about four years. He says the Birmingham location is the busiest but that both spots are fairly busy.

“For us it feels like the parking is excellent, so that’s definitely great for us because people come in and out and want ease of access,” Marcus said. “So for us it’s a great spot.”

Because the business offers health services, there is not a huge concern about online business affecting them. The products have to be delivered in person.

“Because most of what we do is therapytype services, so not something you can do online,” Marcus said. “You know, if someone wants to do cryotherapy for instance, that’s a cold chamber for three minutes. They’re not going to be able to buy something on Amazon to do that.”

The Golden Fig Gallery of Fine Arts and Antiques is located in the Adams Square Shopping Plaza in Birmingham, at 725 S Adams Road, No. 170. It is an art gallery that offers a wide variety of artworks and antiquities that has been in business for over 30 years.

“I did shows for contemporary artists, but I didn’t find that was working as a business model for me, so I moved into just vintage art and pretty much everything in the gallery is old and most of the artists have passed away,” owner Ron Povlich said.

Povlich works with a wide variety of older and younger customers. He previously did online sales before but, due to the cost of shipping and other sales factors, he found that it was not profitable.

“This is a very funny market,” Povlich said. “You can’t tell online if something is real. I mean, it can look like a painting but in fact when you get it, it’s either a print, a very good lithograph print laid onto a canvas, embellished with clear paint strokes to make it look like a real painting, whereas people who come in here, they really want to put their hands on it and see it and know what they’re getting.”

Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.

CRIME WATCH

Deputies recover stolen car

ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies responded to Brompton Road for a report of a suspicious circumstance at 10:51 p.m. July 27. The caller, 42, who resides in Lake Orion, received an app alert saying that one of his company vehicles had been removed without his permission and was tracked to Brompton Road. Orion Township deputies responded to the caller’s residence for a report, while Rochester Hills deputies checked the Brompton Road location.

Deputies located the vehicle, which was recovered and stored at Byers Towing. Per further investigation, the caller advised that he suspects an employee may have taken the vehicle due to their personal vehicle needing repairs. Deputies checked the Brompton Road address with negative results. The homeowners had no knowledge of the incident. Deputies attempted to contact the suspected employee with negative results. The investigation is ongoing.

Driver removed from crashed vehicle, refuses medical attention

ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies responded to the area of Mead Road and Little Pine Lane on a report of a personal injury accident at 9:38 p.m. July 28. The caller said a tree fell onto a passing vehicle and the driver was trapped inside. Deputies, along with the Rochester Hills Fire Department, arrived and rendered aid.

The driver, 53, of Rochester Hills, was extricated from the vehicle with minor abrasions and refused medical attention. The driver was transported back to his residence by family. The vehicle was towed and stored at Byers Towing.

Police looking for men suspected of stealing from Home Depot

ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were dispatched to the Home Depot located at 255 W. Avon Road on a report of a retail fraud that had occurred July 11. Deputies spoke with a loss prevention officer, who stated that two unknown males had entered through the front doors, obtained a flat cart and selected and placed four 28-by-54-inch windows on the cart. They then wheeled the cart to the electrical department, where they loaded two boxes of dimmers and wheeled

the cart past all points of purchase and out the main doors without paying for the merchandise. Both suspects loaded the stolen items into a U-Haul truck and left the area in an unknown direction.

Deputies gathered information for the initial report. Home Depot loss prevention officers estimate the value of stolen merchandise at about $1,200. Loss prevention officers conducted their own independent investigation and identified one of the suspects, a 29-year-old man from Detroit. Detectives are investigating.

McDonald employee swindled by caller

ROCHESTER HILLS — A theft reportedly occurred at the McDonald’s located at 2985 Walton Blvd. at 1:30 p.m. July 30. Deputies learned that the store manager had received a phone call on the store’s landline from an individual who identified himself as the owner of the establishment. The caller provided specific information about the store manager that appeared credible and led her to believe he was, in fact, the store’s owner. The caller requested the manager’s personal cellphone number, which she provided. Shortly thereafter, she received a call on her mobile phone from the same individual, who informed her of an impending inspection scheduled for the following day and a forthcoming shipment via FedEx. He stated that funds were required in advance to cover the associated costs. Following this, the caller instructed the manager to travel to two separate locations in Pontiac to deposit the necessary funds.

Complying with the instructions, the manager proceeded to a gas station equipped with a free-standing ATM. There, under the caller’s direction, she entered an account or access number into the machine and deposited $765 in various denominations of U.S. currency. The transaction resulted in a cashto-bitcoin conversion.

Deputies instructed the McDonald’s employee to stop any further contact with the unknown caller. The phone numbers and ATM transaction receipt were seized and included in a report documenting the incident. Detectives are investigating.

Man injured in motorcycle crash

ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies responded to a serious injury vehicle crash at 3:15 p.m. Aug. 4.

A 2025 Kawasaki ZX400, operated by a 19-year-old male, was traveling westbound on M-59, near Crooks Road, at a high rate of speed. According to reports, the driver of the Kawasaki was driving recklessly, cutting in and out of traffic, and struck a 2012 Ford

Transit operated by a 57-year-old man. The collision ejected the driver from the motorcycle, causing him to tumble onto the freeway, sliding over 360 feet.

Rochester Hills Fire Department personnel responded to the scene and transported the driver of the motorcycle to the hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. Police said neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be factors in the crash.

Woman swindled out of $19K in online scam

ROCHESTER HILLS — A 57-yearold woman from Rochester Hills reported that she was the victim of an online scam, resulting in a financial loss of $19,000 Aug. 5.

The woman told police that while she was using her computer, a pop-up message appeared claiming to be from “Windows Defense.” The message contained a phone number, which she called, and she was told her computer had been hacked and used to purchase illegal child pornography. The caller claimed that multiple hackers were involved and that her cellphone had also been compromised.

The individual, still posing as a Windows Defense representative, then allegedly transferred the complainant to what the victim believed was her financial institution. During the call, the impersonator referenced a $19,000 withdrawal and a $2,000 pending charge related to the alleged illicit activity. He then informed her that she would be transferred to the “Federal Reserve” for fur-

ther assistance.

The caller then requested her credit card information under the guise of protecting her accounts. The caller then instructed her to initiate a duplicate transaction of the alleged pending charge to dispute and reverse it. She was subsequently instructed to wire $19,000 to an escrow account supposedly controlled by a Federal Reserve agent.

A bank representative confirmed that she had been the victim of a scam. The complainant was instructed to change her account number and placed security flags on all her credit cards. A fraud packet was issued to her, and she was advised to place security holds on all affected bank and credit card accounts. The investigation is ongoing.

Teens injured in golf cart crash ROCHESTER HILLS —

Deputies were dispatched to the 6500 block of Sheldon Road on the report of a golf cart that flipped over, resulting in multiple injuries, at 9:42 p.m. Aug. 6. Prior to the deputy’s arrival, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was on scene and rendering aid to the victims. Deputies interviewed occupants of the golf cart, who stated the driver over-corrected the vehicle when the pavement changed direction, causing the golf cart to flip. It was determined that there were a total of eight occupants on the golf cart prior to crashing. The Rochester Hills Fire Department rendered aid to the victims and transported two of them, two 14-year-old males, to the

Continued on page 21A

CRIME WATCH

hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said seat belts were not worn at the time of the accident and they do not believe alcohol or drugs to be a factor in the crash.

Woman accidentally drives car into building

ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were dispatched to Grooming by Peggy, 1505 E. Auburn Road, on a report of an elderly woman driving into the front of the business at 9:51 a.m. Aug. 7. Deputies learned that a 74-year-old woman driving a 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan was in the process of parking her vehicle in front of the business when she accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. The vehicle accelerated through the front of the building before coming to rest at the front counter. No one was injured during the event. Neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be factors in the crash, police said.

Dog owner attacked by dogs

ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies and the Rochester Hills Fire Department were dispatched to Frankson Avenue on a report of a woman being attacked by dogs in a backyard at 5 p.m. Aug. 7.

Deputies approached the backyard and observed the victim sitting on the ground, and one dog was biting her. Deputies observed one adult and three children also in the yard. A deputy discharged a firearm at the dog, stopping the attack. The remaining dogs stayed away from the victim, and she made it to the garage and closed the door behind her. The Fire Department rendered aid to her as she had sustained scrapes, cuts, and bite wounds on her face, neck, arms, hands, feet, back, and legs. The victim stated the attack happened after she had taken a lotion bottle away from one of the smaller dogs, which then began to attack her, with some of the other dogs joining in. The residence had a total of seven dogs in the backyard.

Paramedics transported the victim to the hospital for further treatment. Animal Control officers were summoned, and they took possession of two dogs.

— Mary Beth Almond

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Rockin’ Robin

THREEWHEELER GETS LOTS OF ATTENTION ON LOCAL ROADS

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — If you made it out to the Woodward Dream Cruise Aug. 16 in Oakland County, you might have spotted Sami Abu-Soud in his 1997 Reliant Robin.

At press time, he planned to take it to the annual car cruise that brings together car buffs and spectators who spend the day reliving the golden age of the automobile.

Abu-Soud has owned the Reliant Robin for a few years and loves to take it to car shows and cruises. The British car has three wheels, one in the center front and two in the back. The car can fit two people in the front seat, two passengers in the back seat and there is a trunk where Abu-Soud keeps a spare tire and speakers that play his music of choice — electronic.

“The car is something else,” the Royal Oak resident said. “They haven’t changed the car style much since the ’70s and ’80s. This is the van model of it. It’s technically a motorcycle, so I have a motorcycle license.”

Abu-Soud, 38, purchased the three-wheeler directly from England. It traveled the Atlantic Ocean by ship, and all the parts for maintenance are ordered from across the pond. The Reliant has a stick shift, and because the car is British, the steering wheel is on the right side, unlike American cars in which the steering wheels are on the left side. Abu-Soud had no trouble adjusting to driving with the steering wheel on the opposite side.

“It’s actually pretty natural,” he said. “It keeps up with traffic for the most part.”

Abu-Soud has other cars, including a 1998 Dodge Viper, a 2001 Chevrolet Corvette and two Subaru WRXs. But the Reliant is his favorite vehicle to drive in the warmer months around town, visiting downtown Detroit or when running errands.

“I wanted something different. Anytime I don’t have to use the highway,

See RELIANT ROBIN on page 23A

Reliant Robin

from page 22A

I try to drive it as much as possible. It gets a lot of looks. As I’m driving, people take pictures of me all the time,” Abu-Soud said. “Even non-car people stop me and ask me about it.”

Abu-Soud also lets friends and even strangers drive the car, usually in parking lots or around the block. They just have to know how to operate a stick shift.

“I bought it to have fun,” said AbuSoud, who always makes sure to go with guest drivers. “Everyone has been able to drive it, no problem.”

One of Abu-Soud’s neighbors who works in the automotive industry helped him tune up the Reliant Robin.

“It’s pretty solid otherwise,” he said. “I haven’t done too much to it.”

The ’97 model, which has more than 80,000 miles on it, does not have power steering or power brakes.

“Basically, no frills,” Abu-Soud said. “It’s all fiberglass, so it’s really light. The car weighs less than 1,000 pounds.”

The four-cylinder Reliant is equipped with an 850 cc engine that produces 40

horsepower. When looking at the rear license plate, it reads “Flipy,” because the cars have a reputation for flipping onto their sides. That has not happened to Abu-Soud, but he saw it on the British Broadcasting Corp. television show “Top Gear.”

The ’97 Reliant Robin owner has always been into cars. Abu-Soud, who now works in real estate, worked as a mechanical engineer for 13 years.

“When I was a little kid, I started tinkering with cars,” he said. “I would fix cars. I try to do all the work myself on all my cars.”

There may be a reason why he is so comfortable driving the British car. AbuSoud was born in England, and his family moved to the U.S. when he was just 1 year old. He also has his own version of a mascot for the car: a tiny stuffed robin he keeps in the front seat. One highlight this past year was displaying the 1997 Reliant Robin at the Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place.

“It was pretty exciting,” Abu-Soud said.

According to reliant.website, which is the official website for the Reliant Motor Club, the Reliant Motor Co. was formed in 1935 when Tom Lawrence Williams built the first prototype vehicle in his garden in the U.K. along with E.S. Thompson. A number of different Reliant styles were built

over the years, including the Scimitar GT, Rialto and Kitten.

According to the website, the Reliant Robin was introduced in November 1973 and replaced the Reliant Regal 3/30. The Robin had different variations: the Standard Robin, the Super Robin, the Robin Estate and the Robin Van.

The Reliant Robin had become one of

the most famous three-wheelers in the U.K. until 1981, when it was replaced by the Reliant Rialto. But in 1989, Reliant brought back the Robin with a new look, including a new fiberglass body attached to a galvanized chassis and a single, central windscreen wiper.

The website states that the company’s last Reliant vehicle was built in February 2001.

Big things, small things, life-changing things, we’re here to make your health better.

SPORTS

2025 OAA football season preview: The best conference in Michigan?

BY SCOTT BENTLEY sbentley@candgnews.com

OAKLAND COUNTY — Summer is coming to a close and that means that high school football teams across Michigan are preparing for the 2025 season.

In 2023, the Oakland Activities Association produced two state champions in Harper Woods at the Division 4 level and Southfield A&T at the Division 1 level. That season, Southfield A&T won the title by defeating a Belleville team at Ford Field that had five-star recruit, and now NIL-recordsetting quarterback, Bryce Underwood under center.

However, 2024 was a different story for the conference. The OAA didn’t have a team in any of the eight state title games last fall, and its two reigning champs took steps back with Harper Woods finishing 9-4 and Southfield A&T going 2-7 with an 0-4 record against OAA White teams.

This season, there is a lot of excitement surrounding what the OAA could be and the amount of talent that is prevalent from top to bottom. Looking at each division, there are plenty of storylines to watch heading into opening night.

OAA-White preseason coaches poll (1st place votes)

1. Harper Woods: 9-4 last season (2).

2. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek: 5-5.

3. Birmingham Groves: 12-1.

4. Rochester: 4-5.

5. Southfield A&T: 2-7.

Harper Woods made the Division 4

state semifinals last year before losing to eventual state champion Goodrich by a score of 28-14. The team will return a whopping 37 players with some sort of varsity playing experience, including a rare four-year starting quarterback in Nate Rocheleau. Harper Woods will also boast one of the best wide receiver rooms in the state with star wideout Dakota Guerrant returning as a junior this year and Deandre Bidden entering his sophomore season. Both already listed as four-star recruits, Guerrant is ranked as the top high school player in the state for the 2027 recruiting class, while Bidden is ranked as the top player in Michigan for the 2028 recruiting class.

This will be year two of Rick Powell leading Stoney Creek’s football team, and there is a lot of potential in Rochester Hills. Not only is last year’s 5-5 team returning 12 total starters, but the reinforcements coming to fill holes in the roster will come from a junior varsity team that went 9-0 last season and an 8-1 freshman team. Jack Fredenberg and Jake Lantzy will be key players on both sides of the ball, and quarterback Brandon Gergics returns as well.

Last year, Birmingham Groves recorded an undefeated regular season and made the Division 2 state semifinal. The Falcons lost the game in overtime by a score of 28-27 against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, and OLSM went on to win the state title by 16 points. Groves is set to have 10 returners starting from last year’s squad (five on each side of the ball) and yet the coaches predict a step back for the team in Brendan Flaherty’s 25th season on the sidelines. Four-star offensive

See FOOTBALL on page 25A

Spotlight on business...

Shish Palace brings the warmth of Mediterranean hospitality to Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills serving authentic Lebanese dishes made fresh to order, with signature garlic dip and hot, freshly baked bread that keeps guests coming back.

Co-founder Moe Gaber said the restaurant’s recipes are rooted in tradition and decades of experience. “Everything is made to order so it’s always healthy and fresh,” he said. “Tat’s what makes us diferent.”

Te menu features classics like creamy hummus, chicken or lamb shawarma, tender shish tawook and kafta skewers. Popular combinations include the Shish Combo with kabob, tawook and kafta served with rice and salad. Vegetarian options like mjadra and falafel platters cater to every palate. “Te bread is phenomenal,” Gaber said. “It comes out hot and soft, and people go crazy for it. Te garlic dip is another favorite—people can’t get enough of it.”

Fresh tabbouli, rice almond salad and Greek salad pair perfectly with entrees. Made-to-order juices and smoothies ofer light, health-focused choices, while main courses like lamb chops, salmon ghallaba, shrimp ghallaba or shish shrimp satisfy heartier appetites. “Tere is truly something for everybody,” Gaber said.

Consistency and customer service are pillars of Shish Palace’s success. Regulars describe the restaurant as warm and inviting, with staf who treat guests like family. Gaber said that’s intentional. “When I’m here, I feel like I’m home,” he said. “Our customers are like family. We take care of them, and they take care of us. Tat’s why we’ve been able to stay strong for more than a dozen years.”

Even as Shish Palace has expanded to several locations, Gaber said the focus remains on quality. “We’re not trying to get too big,” he said. “Te priority is keeping the food and service at a high standard.”

Ofering dine-in, carryout and catering services, Shish Palace continues to serve generations of guests who appreciate its authentic favors and welcoming atmosphere. “It’s more than just running a restaurant,” Gaber said. “I enjoy being with my customers. Tis is our life.”

Shish Palace has two convenient locations: 165 S. Livernois Rd. in Rochester Hills. For more information, call (248) 453-5464 or 2751 University Dr, Auburn Hills, MI

Football

from page 24A

lineman Avery Gach is among the notable losses, as the former top-five recruit in the state is a freshman at the University of Michigan this season.

Erik Vernon enters year 17 as Rochester High School football’s head coach, and the team is optimistic about this season. Bigname senior Marcus Aidem will be a fixture in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and running back Devin Grabke will look to build on his impressive 2024. Matt Dyki returns at quarterback as a sophomore.

After a state title in 2023, head coach Aaron Marshall was hired away from A&T by Brother Rice, spelling a new era for Southfield A&T football. Year two for head coach Keith McKenzie will likely be an uphill battle, but there’s still talent on the roster. The defense will return an athletic secondary with players like Kenny Brooks, Mark Reid, Aden Dyer and Taurean Davis, while the offense that struggled last season will look to take a step forward behind quarterback Jeremy Porter.

OAA - Red preseason coaches poll (1st place votes)

1. Clarkston: 7-4 last season (4).

2. Lake Orion: 6-4.

3. West Bloomfield: 5-6.

4. Rochester Adams: 10-3.

5. Oxford: 7-4.

Despite a third-place finish a year ago, Clarkston received the most first-place votes out of any team in the OAA heading into 2025. After a 7-4 finish last year, Clarkston returns 11 starters, including four of the team’s six offensive lineman from last season. Griffin and Lukas Boman will be impact players on both sides of the ball, and quarterback Alex Waszczenko will return as well. Lake Orion sports a 15-4 combined re-

cord over the last two seasons; however, it has lost to Clarkston in the district playoffs in each of those years. This year, the team will look to get over the hump thanks to size and athleticism up front. The group of returning starters is led by senior three-star tight end and Western Michigan commit Ryan Rocheleau.

West Bloomfield had one of the most talented teams in the state in 2023 and made the semifinal before losing to eventual champion Southfield A&T. Last year, the program took a step back after losing a lot of the team’s best players to college, but this year looks to rebound. Three-star recruit seniors Travis Robertson (committed to Bowling Green) and Jeremiah Benson (Committed to Minnesota) are both set to be impact players for a team on the rise. The team will start five players who are three-year starters.

Adams lost in the state semifinal to Hudsonville a year ago and also lost a very talented senior class, including Saginaw Valley State University commit Liam Kania (edge). The team will bring back nine starters total, including playmaker Nolan Farris, but will need the program’s talented youth to step up in 2025.

Oxford finds itself in last in the coaches poll despite its 3-1 OAA Red record leading the team to a division title last year. The team is returning some size up front and impressive three-year starting quarterback Jack Hendrix, which should help the offense stay competitive. The concerns lie in the fact that only three starters on offense and defense from 2024 are set to start in 2025, and right now the team is planning on replacing a whopping 16 starting positions.

OAA - Blue preseason coaches poll (1st place votes)

1. North Farmington: 6-4 last season (3).

2. Birmingham Seaholm: 7-4.

3. Farmington: 7-4.

4. Oak Park: 3-6.

5. Troy Athens: 3-6.

6. Bloomfield Hills: 1-8.

7. Troy: 4-5.

North Farmington won the OAA Blue a year ago despite going winless out of conference, thanks to a 6-0 OAA Blue record. The team will be relatively young and inexperienced, but it still brings back key contributors such as Terrance Jones, Owen Vara, Noah Kornspan and Gabe Jankowski. Head coach Jim DeWald will enter year 14 at Seaholm with a young but hungry team. The program will bring back senior quarterback Patrick Hughes as well as

slotback seniors Conrad Swanson and Casey Goetz. Outside of that, Birmingham only returns two other starters from last year, so a lot of inexperienced players will fill starting roles.

Farmington went from a 2-7 team to a 7-4 team in just one season and will look to keep that momentum going this year. The team returns 13 starters from a team that won a first round playoff game last year before losing to eventual state champion Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.

Since the program’s magical postseason

Football

from page 25A

run in 2020, Oak Park has not returned to postseason play. This year, the hope is to change that behind a group of 15 returning starters, highlighted by William Reed, Jaedan Randolph and Cardelle Carrington.

A 3-6 record may not jump off the page, but Athens started the season 1-5 and ended on a high note. The team looks to carry that over this year behind 10 returning starters. Some of the notable players are Grayson Conrad, Andrew Dunlap, Cainan Hanbury and Nathan Piggott.

One of the biggest storylines in the entire state of Michigan will be how new head coach Scott Merchant will do in year one. Merchant is a Chippewa Valley legend, going 103-53 with a state title over the span of 15 years. He also coached at Lawrence

Tech University a year ago, and will now look to take a rebuilding Bloomfield Hills team back to the top. The team is 2-16 combined over the last two seasons, and according to Merchant, the team is “starting from scratch” with all positions on the field up for grabs.

Troy went 3-3 against OAA Blue competition last year and barely missed a postseason appearance. The uphill battle for the program this season is that it only has six returning starters from last year’s team, and it is filling those holes via a JV team that went 0-9 a year ago. Senior offensive linemen Mike Helinski and Connor Gillespie will look to lead an inexperienced group.

OAA - Gold preseason coaches poll (1st place votes)

1. Ferndale: 6-4 last season (3).

2. Auburn Hills Avondale: 7-4.

3. Berkley: 2-7.

pacted the nearby blue heron rookery.

5.

Ferndale finished last year second in the OAA Gold and played a playoff game after a 6-3 regular season. The big question at Ferndale will be how the team handles the transition to a new head coach, as Ferndale alum Donovan Jackson will take over this year.

Last year’s OAA Gold winners come in as the projected runner-up from the coaches this year. Avondale won a playoff game before losing to Walled Lake Western. The program is also under new coaching as Jim Carlisle will take over on the sidelines this year. This may be a rebuilding season, thanks to an astonishing zero starters from last year returning this season. A new era of Avondale football begins.

Berkley returns a solid number of seniors from last year’s team and will also add more from a solid 4-5 JV squad a year ago.

The depth that the team showcases should help across the board. Key returners include Lucas Schwenn, Eli Khoury, Collin Richardson and Jack Rittenberry.

Royal Oak won two of its last three games to end 2024 and looks to carry that over to 2025. While returners Liam Flemming, Gage Orzel, Caden Scott and Javien Johnson look to impact both sides of the ball again this year, the team does lack size and will have to address that to compete in a difficult OAA.

Pontiac High School has only won more than one game in a season once since the team’s 6-4 2011 season, and that was a 3-6 year in 2023. Last year, the program went back to a 1-8 record and wants to make sure that doesn’t become a trend again. Pontiac will return 10 starters including Deandre Johnson, Bryce Brown and Dionte Jones, but questions surrounding depth will remain.

Endowment at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

The largest damaged area in need of restoration — near the great blue heron rookery west of Dequindre Road — has kept a portion of the trail closed since July 2024, when a storm created a 100-foot-long, 12-footdeep gap in the trail. As a result, a stretch of trail over a mile long has been closed between Rochester Junction — the pathway at the north entrance of Bloomer Park — and Dequindre Road while the city’s engineer assessed the damage and conducted preliminary engineering. A detour route is in place, directing users north on Letica from the trailhead parking lot, east on Parkdale, and south on Dequindre Road to rejoin the trail.

Rochester Director of Project Management Jason Warner said the disruption has not only affected trail access, but has also im-

“I know it has been over a year, but we hope people understand that we are actively working toward a solution. We want to get the trail open as quickly as we can, but we have to follow the proper processes so it’s a lasting repair,” he said.

Warner said construction can’t begin until the state of Michigan approves the final plans and issues the necessary permits. After final engineering plans are completed, he said, the project will be bid, and construction could begin in the late fall or early winter, weather permitting.

East of the Diversion Street Trailhead is another area of the trail in need of repair, this time, due to riverbank erosion caused by heavy currents from the downpours.

“There’s a coned barricade around this washout, but that part is still passable at the moment,” Warner explained.

JJ Tighe, the senior director of parks and trails at the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, said the Clinton River Trail is one of the most

heavily utilized trails in southeast Michigan, adding that this project really shows what’s possible when local leaders, volunteers, funders and nonprofits come together with a shared goal.

“The repairs are a long-term investment in the Clinton River Trail, the communities it connects, and its place in southeast Michigan’s regional trail network,” Tighe said in a statement. “We’re proud to support a solution that protects the Blue Heron nesting habitat and repairs this trail that connects so many people and businesses in the region.”

The grants are being matched by funds from the city of Rochester and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and private donations made to the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester and the Friends of the Clinton River Trail.

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan President and CEO Nicole Sherard-Freeman said this section of trail is “a vital link in a larger trail system that gives

everyone who uses it access to a higher quality of life and the health benefits that come from spending time outdoors.”

“We take our role in this community problem-solving effort very seriously and are proud to help restore this beloved public space for users to enjoy — when it reopens and far into the future,” she said in a statement.

Rochester City Manager Nik Banda said the city has heard the outcry from residents eager to see the trail repaired and reopened. Especially because the closed segment also impacts two cross-state trails, the Great Laketo-Lake Trail Route #1 and the Iron Belle Trail-Biking Route.

“These are massive projects and the expected repair costs are far beyond what the city alone is able to budget,” Banda said in a statement. “Trail users and the city are all thankful for our partners who have stepped forward so quickly to address the need.”

For more information, visit www.clin tonrivertrail.org.

Season Yet Begins

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Suspect steals license plate

from Secretary of State

TROY — Branch employees at the Secretary of State office at 1111 E. Long Lake Road reported that a man came into the office for a new license plate at around 3:30 p.m. July 22.

The suspect, a 58-year-old from Royal Oak, reportedly became upset about the wait time and cost of the new plate. Before the license plate was entered into the system, the man took the plate and fled the location without paying.

The next day, officers located the man at his residence and took him into custody. He was charged with larceny in a building.

Victim scammed over phone call

TROY — A 64-year-old woman from Basswood Drive told police July 25 that she received a phone call from a person claiming to represent a tether company, and the caller claimed that she needed to pay for a tether for her son, who is currently incarcerated.

The victim was told that her son would be released on a tether as soon as the fee was paid. The suspect instructed her to transfer the money via Zelle.

The victim found this suspicious, but the suspect sent her an email that included details from the case, convincing the victim of the caller’s credentials. The victim transferred the money before realizing it was a scam.

Firearm found on suspect during traffic stop

TROY — Officers initiated a traffic stop on the driver of a 2016 Ford Escape near Todd and West Big Beaver roads at around 7:15 p.m. July 23.

The Escape was a suspect vehicle involved in a retail fraud that had recently occurred. Officers spoke with the driver, a 17-year-old from Detroit, and observed several clothing items on the front passenger seat. The items were identified as stolen.

During a search of his vehicle, officers also reportedly located a firearm under the carpet of the front passenger seat.

The teen was arrested and lodged at Children’s Village. A petition was authorized for charges of carrying a concealed weapon and receiving and concealing stolen property.

Drunken driver arrested at police station

TROY — At around 6:10 p.m. July 23, officers spoke to a man in the lobby of the Troy Police Department at 500 W. Big Beaver Road, who advised officers

was in lockup.

While speaking with him, officers noted he was unsteady on his feet and reeked of alcohol. Officers found that he drove to the Police Department.

The man was asked to perform several sobriety tests, which he did, but the officers noted he performed poorly. He submitted to a preliminary breath test with a result of 0.162% blood alcohol content.

The driver, a 43-year-old man from Troy, was arrested at the station. He later agreed to take a chemical breath test, with results of 0.175% and 0.177%. He was issued a citation for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Con artist poses as bank representative

TROY — An 18-year-old man from Northfield Parkway told police that at approximately 7 p.m. on July 16, he received an email from a sender posing as a representative for Flagstar Bank. The email claimed there had been a fraud alert on his checking account.

He then began receiving phone calls from another correspondent who also claimed to represent Flagstar Bank. The correspondent advised the victim that his account had been hacked, and that they needed him to verify his information, including his Social Security number.

The victim was then instructed to transfer $4,800 from his checking account to an Apple Cash account to protect his money.

The victim transferred the money but then became suspicious of the call and hung up. When he checked his accounts, he realized that the money had been transferred to two vendors located in Pakistan.

Police investigate domestic abuse allegation

ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were dispatched to a domestic assault report at 9:59 p.m. July 19. The caller reported an uncle, 34, of Rochester Hills, was drunk and fighting everyone in the house.

Deputies arrived and found multiple people leaving the residence. Deputies located two victims with visible injuries, an 18-year-old male from Rochester Hills and a 17-year-old female from Rochester Hills, who reported their uncle had assaulted them.

It was also alleged that the man had assaulted his wife, who had left the house before deputies arrived. Victims were evaluated by paramedics from the Rochester Hills Fire Department and were cleared at the scene.

The uncle received injuries from victims and witnesses who attempted to subdue him. He was

was medically cleared for incarceration. He was transported to the Oakland County Jail, where he was lodged, pending prosecutor review.

Stolen car recovered

ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were advised of a license plate reader activation on a Flock camera near Adams and Technology roads for a stolen Chrysler 200 from Illinois at 10:18 a.m. July 13. A deputy located the vehicle parked at Walmart on Adams Road. The driver, a 26-year-old man from Alabama, started the vehicle and started driving through the parking lot, at which time a deputy conducted a traffic stop and took the driver into custody.

The driver acknowledged the vehicle was a Turo rental overdue to be returned. The vehicle was confirmed stolen. The driver was arrested and lodged at the Oakland County Jail, pending issuance of warrant. The vehicle was impounded, and the law enforcement agency in Illinois was advised that the vehicle had been recovered.

Home invasion reported

ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were dispatched to the 70 block of Meadow Wood Drive regarding a possible home invasion at 1:56 a.m. July 17. The caller reported she had been on the phone with her daughter, who was staying at the location, when she heard screaming. Deputies arrived and spoke with a female at the scene, who reported she had been in the house with her 1-year-old daughter when she heard a noise. The woman, 22, from Rochester Hills, found her ex-boyfriend, 22, of Detroit, and an unknown male, had gained entry and were coming up the stairs. She confronted the subjects with a knife, at which time they fled the residence on foot westbound. It was determined that the incident occurred approximately 30 minutes before the call to deputies. Deputies found the screen on the front door had been cut. A drone unit and a K-9 unit both responded to assist. An evidence technician responded to process the scene. The investigation was ongoing. Man arrested for disorderly conduct, resisting and obstructing, and assault and battery on a police officer

ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies responded to the Meadow Brook Amphitheater to assist Meadow Brook security with a disorderly person within the venue at 10:41 p.m. July 19. Security said a 48-year-old man from Macomb was being disruptive with other patrons and staff, using profanities, and refusing to comply with the venue rules. The man was located, and staff requested that

became disorderly, refusing to comply with deputies’ requests, and was escorted off the premises. The subject, according to police, then pulled away aggressively and started to actively resist. The subject struck a deputy in the chest, was escorted to the ground and was taken into custody. He was escorted off the premises and was transported to the Oakland County Jail.

Police investigate hit-and-run

ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies responded to the 500 block of West Auburn Road for a personal injury accident that had just occurred at 12:56 a.m. July 20.

Dispatchers were told a person had been run over by a vehicle in the parking lot and suffered a broken leg.

The suspect vehicle fled the scene before a deputy arrived. Using Flock security cameras and the license plate readers placed throughout the city, deputies located the suspect vehicle, a 2018 gray BMW X5, and obtained a license plate number.

Deputies responded to the suspect’s residence and located the suspect, a 29-year-old woman from Bruce Township, and the damaged suspect vehicle. Rochester Hills Fire Department transported the victim, a 38-year-old man from Windsor, Ontario, to the hospital for additional treatment. The investigation was ongoing.

Vehicle in flooded area catches fire FARMINGTON — Officers from the Farmington Public Safety Department were dispatched to the area of Power and 10 Mile roads at 3:48 a.m. July 16 for a vehicle fire.

After the driver had driven the vehicle in a flooded area on the road