Environment

A September 2018 photo from inside a Macomb County shows the fatberg. Now, researchers at Wayne State University are utilizing a state grant to further study such phenomena.

Published February 4, 2019

Wayne State University researchers to study fatbergs

METRO DETROIT — Macomb County residents may recall how a “fatberg” was discovered and was subsequently removed at the Clintondale Pump Station in September 2018. Now, local college professors are studying how to prevent such entities from backing up drains in the future.

Published February 4, 2019

Shelby - Utica News

Succulents spruce up the garden, spread color

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Township Gardeners Club will be bringing back memories of warmer weather ahead of the spring season with a presentation on a trendy and colorful plant that is simple to care for.

Published February 4, 2019

Shelby - Utica News

Plans for natural gas pipeline to pass through 3 communities

SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA — The construction of a new steel natural gas line is quickly approaching for Shelby Township and Utica — as soon as May.

Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller and Chapaton Retention Basin assistant manager Kris Benda stand in the testing lab at the Chapaton Retention Basin in St. Clair Shores.

Published February 1, 2019

C&G Newspapers

Public Works uses caution when frozen ground, snow melt and rain collide

MACOMB COUNTY — Macomb County Public Works employees at the Chapaton and Martin retention basins prevented more than 30 million gallons of combined sewer overflow from spilling into Lake St. Clair Jan. 24 after rain and snow melt combined to fill the basin.

Published February 1, 2019

Madison - Park News

Nature Initiative pitches new approach to yards

HAZEL PARK — The well-manicured grass turf lawn is a staple of suburban communities — but it’s not the only approach one can take with their yard. In fact, there are alternatives that are better for the ecosystem yet still straightforward to maintain and pleasing to the eye. The Hazel Park Nature Initiative is a new program that seeks to educate the public on these options while working on local ordinances that will enhance the city’s natural landscape.

Published January 29, 2019

Royal Oak Review

Royal Oak to restructure stormwater utility billing

ROYAL OAK — A $2 million settlement reached in a class-action lawsuit against the city of Royal Oak required the city to change how it bills residents for the debt service on the Oakland County Water Resources Commission’s George W. Kuhn Drain.

Published January 29, 2019

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Beverly Hills tests water

BEVERLY HILLS — A series of water testing is almost complete, according to village officials. The water testing was mandated by the state after it was discovered that one Beverly Hills village home had an abnormally high reading for lead.

Published January 28, 2019

C&G Newspapers

DTE must bolster downed wire response, state says

LANSING — After two record-setting windstorms and at least one death, the Michigan Public Service Commission went to work to review DTE Energy’s response to downed electric lines.

Published January 18, 2019

C&G Newspapers

Grant money to aid in battle against invasive species

MACOMB COUNTY — The Six Rivers Land Conservancy was recently awarded two grants totaling $120,000 from the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program for ongoing efforts to address invasive species.

An oily sheen is seen at the Plumbrook Drain in Sterling Heights.

Published January 17, 2019

Sterling Heights Sentry

Officials investigate Plumbrook Drain oil report

Macomb County workers took action Jan. 17 after receiving a tip about oil spilling into the Plumbrook Drain, near 19 Mile Road, west of Ryan Road.

A garbage can awaits emptying earlier this year in the 24000 block of Estelle Street.

Published January 16, 2019

Southfield Sun

Southfield City Council, GFL address more trash complaints

SOUTHFIELD — At a recent meeting, Southfield officials discussed the ongoing issues with the city’s waste hauler.

Published January 16, 2019

C&G Newspapers

Stonefly search on tap throughout Rouge communities

METRO DETROIT — Sally Petrella, volunteer monitoring program manager for the Friends of the Rouge, knows the reaction all too well.

Published January 15, 2019

C&G Newspapers

Stonefly search to help shed light on river health

METRO DETROIT — Those who aren’t afraid to make a splash in local waterways can help the Clinton River Watershed Council search for stonefly larvae next weekend. “It’s a great event that allows volunteers to get out and about in the watershed in the middle of winter … and stay connected with the river during these winter months,” CRWC ecologist Eric Diesing said.

Published January 8, 2019

Farmington Press

Former Farmington Hills naturalist dedicates his backyard to wildlife

FARMINGTON HILLS — On a blustery, bright winter afternoon at Farmington Hills resident Joe Derek’s property Jan. 3, the butterflies, hummingbirds and moths were nowhere to be seen.

This grassy area in the parking lot of the Macomb Township Senior Center is one of three sites that are under consideration for the installation of a rain garden.

Published January 8, 2019

Macomb Township Chronicle

Board hears presentation on green infrastructure for Macomb Township

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — The mission of the Clinton River Watershed Council, or CRWC, is to protect, enhance and celebrate the Clinton River, its watershed and Lake St. Clair.

Published January 4, 2019

C&G Newspapers

Plan to reduce sewer overflows gets state funding

ST. CLAIR SHORES/EASTPOINTE — A plan to eliminate three-quarters of the combined sewer overflows into Lake St. Clair from the Chapaton Retention Basin is one step closer to becoming reality with a grant from the state of Michigan.

Published December 18, 2018

C&G Newspapers

Air quality ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups,’ MDEQ warns

METRO DETROIT — Did you notice, last week, when the weather app on your phone warned that the air quality in metro Detroit was poor, and maybe even dangerous for at-risk groups? You weren’t alone. The air quality in many areas of southeastern Michigan has been rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” periodically since late November.

Published December 12, 2018

Southfield Sun

Tamarack Creek slated for restoration project

SOUTHFIELD — A portion of the Rouge River in Southfield recently received a grant that will help to improve water quality and its surrounding habitat.

The Johnson Nature Center in Bloomfield Township has wetlands and wildlife.

Published December 11, 2018

C&G Newspapers

Proposed wetlands bill would cause environmental ‘degradation,’ groups warn

METRO DETROIT — A bill recently introduced to the Michigan Senate Natural Resources Committee is causing concern about potential threats to local wetlands, lakes and streams.

At the Dec. 5 Macomb Township Board of Trustees meeting, a motion passed to postpone consideration of hosting electronic recycling events indefinitely. It was previously requested for Macomb Township to participate in electronic recycling with Shelby and Washington townships.

Published December 11, 2018

Macomb Township Chronicle

Motion carries to postpone consideration of recycling event indefinitely

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — At the Dec. 5 Macomb Township Board of Trustees meeting, a motion passed to postpone consideration of hosting electronic recycling events indefinitely.