Fraser - Clinton Township Chronicle

Published December 16, 2015

Township aims to better address concerns related to alcohol-serving establishments

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — As beer kegs continue to get tapped and liquor continues to be distilled, establishments that produce and serve alcohol are being welcomed to Clinton Township with open arms.

The only provisions revolve around the details of such establishments and whether they follow a certain set of guidelines, or a process, that will ultimately be the new standard among similar business ventures.

Published December 16, 2015

School on brief lockdown due to home invasion

FRASER — The Fraser Department of Public Safety and Eisenhower Elementary took extra precautions Dec. 10 after a home invasion near the school.

Fraser Lt. Dan Kolke said the DPS received a call from a resident concerning some odd behavior in one neighborhood.

“Some neighbors called on Rainbow (Road) and said that they witnessed two males in the backyard of the house,” Kolke said. “When (the concerned neighbor) went to confront them it wasn’t the neighbors.

Published December 14, 2015

Police searching for vehicle involved in deadly hit-and-run

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Police are currently investigating a hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of one individual.

The incident occurred around 2:05 a.m. on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 10, at Garfield Road near Eleanor Street.

Lt. Anthony Greene said a man died as a result of being struck by two separate vehicles.

Published December 9, 2015

Township assigns contract with Great Lakes Water Authority

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Clinton Township is officially aligned with the Great Lakes Water Authority.

On Nov. 16, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to assign a wholesale customer service contract in accordance with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department and the Great Lakes Water Authority, or GLWA.

Published December 9, 2015

Township Treasurer Sowerby announces run for House seat

MACOMB COUNTY — After serving as Clinton Township treasurer for 19 years and county commissioner for eight years, Bill Sowerby has decided that now is the time to make changes at the state level.

On Dec. 3, the current township treasurer officially announced his candidacy for the Michigan House of Representatives in District 31.

Marilyn Lane currently holds the position, which expires Jan. 1, 2017.

Published December 9, 2015

Club receives donations for McKinley Barrier-Free Park

FRASER — The Fraser First Booster Club recently received three donations to aid McKinley Barrier-Free Park.

One $1,500 check was from Mayor Pro Tem Michael Carnagie on behalf of United Paint, his place of employment. The second check — a $1,500 donation — was from the Fraser Honor Guard. The third check, which Fraser First Booster Club President Vania Apps called a “blot of joy,” was for $3,000 from the Fraser Paid On-Call Firefighters.

Published December 9, 2015

County conducts first behavioral health risk survey since 2009

MACOMB COUNTY — Health demographics are always changing, with different issues becoming progressively better or worse.

In an effort to keep services readily available to address different health concerns, the Macomb County Health Department is conducting a countywide behavioral health risk survey of 1,200 households.

The voluntary survey — which takes about 20-30 minutes — began in November and is currently underway, possibly continuing into January 2016 if the desired resident number has not been reached.

Published December 3, 2015

Hackel gives fifth State of County address

MACOMB COUNTY — Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel filled the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts with positive vibes as he presented his fifth State of the County address on Dec. 2.

Hackel, standing in front of a large video screen that flashed photos, videos and impressive stats throughout the 45-minute address, delved into the county’s achievements in recent years and its thrilling future.

Published December 2, 2015

Keep your home and body safe when clearing the snow

METRO DETROIT — The winter blast has already arrived in metro Detroit, one month before the actual season commences, and where there’s snow, there’s an individual trying to do away with the mess.

Many experts seem to agree on one thing: As long as you rid your property of snow, it doesn’t really matter how you do it.

Published December 1, 2015

Township offers tips to combat winter hazards

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The winter flurries have already arrived and local officials are doing their best to educate the public on the perils of the season.

The National Weather Service has predicted a slightly warmer winter when compared to last year, with the same amount or less snowfall. However, more wet snow is expected.

Published December 1, 2015

Local potter uses history to impact her own imagination

FRASER — As Sue Bertolini-Fox continues to work in her fourth decade of making pottery, there seems to be no end in sight.

The Fraser resident became in tune with her craft in the early 1980s while attending Oakland Community College, when her children were still relatively young.

Published November 30, 2015

Wreaths to be laid on hallowed ground Dec.12

METRO DETROIT — About 20 members of the Osak family, their friends and supporters packed into vans and headed to the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly last December.

They went to honor Edward John Osak Sr., the family’s patriarch, a Warren resident who had served honorably as an infantryman in the U.S. Army during World War II. Osak had remained as sharp as a tack through the years. He’d kept his wit, was spry enough to bowl and continued to be an ardent supporter of veterans until his death, just days after his 90th birthday in September 2014.

Published November 24, 2015

Ceremony honors vets around the holidays

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Christmastime is as good as any to recognize those who have permanently left families and friends.

Wreaths Across America is inviting the public to share in the remembrance of veterans for the sixth straight year at Resurrection Cemetery, in Clinton Township.

Published November 24, 2015

Fraser High band to perform at college football bowl game

FRASER — For the second time in nearly a decade, the Fraser High School marching band will perform at halftime during a college football bowl game.

The Ramblers will join other marching bands from around the country by performing at the Russell Athletic Bowl, which is held in Orlando, Florida.

The band last performed in 2006 during the Chic-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia, and has also participated in America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade five times.

Published November 24, 2015

New Fraser council members sworn in

FRASER — A new era in Fraser politics is officially underway.

On Nov. 16, Mayor Joe Nichols and the newly elected members of the Fraser City Council — Michael Lesich, Patrice Schornak, Yvette Foster and Kathy Blanke — were sworn in by three local judges.

The special meeting at City Hall began with an introduction by the Fraser Honor Guard.

Nichols’ swearing-in took place first, and was conducted by 39th District Court Judge Marco Santia.

Published November 24, 2015

Potters Market returns to Southfield

SOUTHFIELD — It won’t be long before the Potters Market opens its doors for business.

Now in its 40th year, the Potters Market will feature around 35,000 pieces by 140 potters. They’re made to the show’s exacting standards, including many in the $5-$30 price range. It’s an event where you never know what you’ll see next, since the selection changes as items are sold and new items take their place.

Published November 18, 2015

Legislator’s resolution calls for Election Day to be a holiday

LANSING — During the Nov. 3 election that included races for many city, village and township decision-makers’ seats in Oakland and Macomb counties, only about 20 percent of registered voters cast their ballots across both counties, according to the respective county clerks’ offices.

Hoping to get a better turnout at the polls on election days, state Rep. Robert Wittenberg, D-Oak Park, introduced a resolution Nov. 3 that asks the U.S. Congress to make Election Day a national holiday. Such a move would give voters the day off from work and school.

Published November 16, 2015

ACT results, new school accountability standards presented

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The scores for Chippewa Valley Schools students on the ACT are on the rise, according to a presentation during a Board of Education meeting earlier this month provided by Ed Skiba, director of secondary education for the district.

Across the district, 1,285 ACT exams were taken by CVS students in 2015, with an average score of 21.1, which is higher than the state average of 20.1

Published November 16, 2015

Macomb County officials present communications enhancement project

MACOMB COUNTY — A 2014 training exercise at Romeo High School showed the need for greater communications improvements for Macomb County emergency service teams, and at a press conference on Nov. 12, county leaders revealed plans to address those issues in the near future.

Published November 13, 2015

Automotive museum honors veterans

CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP —Hundreds of veterans came out to take a stroll through history — and to be recognized for their contributions to it — during a Veterans Day event at Stahls Automotive Museum in Chesterfield Township.

Veterans of the U.S. armed forces, accompanied by family members, friends and supporters, toured the museum on Nov. 11 during special hours set aside to honor those who served their country in times of conflict and peace.