Macomb Township Chronicle

Published July 27, 2016

Interim clerk prepares for election season

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Interim Township Clerk Ed Carey hasn’t had much time to settle into his new role within Macomb Township before preparing for a busy election season.

Carey was appointed by the Board of Trustees June 22 to become the interim clerk following the retirement of Michael Koehs in early June. Carey picked Mickey Todd to be his deputy clerk.

Published July 20, 2016

County boasts largest workforce since 2001

MACOMB COUNTY — Macomb County officials recently reported that according to the latest jobs update from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a recent surge in employment numbers has the county holding its strongest workforce numbers in 15 years.

Officials said the county gained nearly 25,000 jobs from January 2015 to May 2016, including 10,000 in just the past three months, to bring the total number of jobs in the county to 408,217.

The county’s high point for workforce came in May 1999, with 437,251 jobs and 2.7 percent unemployment.

Published July 14, 2016

Macomb County woman dies of meningitis

The Macomb County Health Department confirmed July 16 the death of a Macomb County woman who recently contracted bacterial meningitis.

Kristy Malter, 21, a junior at Central Michigan University and a Notre Dame Prepratory School alumna, recently served as a day camp instructor at Life Time Fitness in Rochester Hills, working with children between the ages of 5 and 12.

Published July 8, 2016

Suicidal gunman sparks park evacuation

A despondent gunman caused the evacuation of Heritage Park and a barricade of the surrounding area just before noon July 8. Farmington Hills Assistant Police Chief David Stasch said that the situation is under control and it appears that a man has committed suicide.

Police barricaded the area and evacuated families and children from the park, located in the area of Farmington Road and 11 Mile, after a call came in about a despondent man in a vehicle in the park.

Published July 6, 2016

Oakland County mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus

Officials from the Oakland County Health Division are reminding residents to take proper precautions against West Nile virus this summer, as a pool of mosquitoes recently tested positive for the disease.

“We have traps set in Oakland County, and we routinely go through and check the traps for mosquitoes and test them for West Nile,” Kathy Forzley, manager of the Oakland County Health Division, said. “We had our first positive.”

Published July 6, 2016

Local author publishes political novel

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Michael Cal Brooks had an idea in the back of his head for a novel for about 20 years, but he didn’t know how to go about accomplishing that.

A career contractor, Brooks decided to go back to school in 2008 when business slowed due to the economic recession.

The Macomb Township resident enrolled primarily in history and literature courses and wound up graduating from Wayne State University in 2013.

“As years went by, I had stories in my head, but I didn’t know how to write,” Brooks said.

Published July 5, 2016

Grabow pleads no contest to election law violation

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Court officials confirmed June 27 that Mark Grabow, a candidate for Macomb Township supervisor, pleaded no contest to a charge of election law, failure to perform duty.

Under Michigan statute 771.1, Grabow was placed on probation for 90 days, and the charge will be dismissed. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the typical penalty for the offense is a $500 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail.

The plea took place at Shelby Township 41-A District Court.

Published July 1, 2016

Communities urge caution, ban fireworks, burning

Michigan’s dry. It’s no surprise.

Although no statewide fireworks ban has been instituted, many local communities are restricting burning and fireworks until further notice.

In just one week, Michigan has more than doubled the area considered dry. During the week of June 21, 13.02 percent of the state was abnormally dry, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center. When the state was monitored on June 28, that increased to 31.47 percent.

Published June 29, 2016

New township clerk appointed

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — A new township clerk and deputy clerk were appointed during the Macomb Township Board of Trustees meeting June 22.

The vacancies were created by the recent retirement of former Clerk Michael Koehs, and his deputy clerk, Jim Gelios.

Edward Carey, a 14-year veteran of the Macomb Township Clerk’s Office, was appointed by the board to become the new clerk.

“I’m merely going to keep this seat warm for the next clerk who will be elected in the next few months by the people of this township,” Carey said during the meeting.

Published June 29, 2016

Sports complex rejected for rezoning

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — A request for a conditional rezoning for a 55-acre sports complex in Macomb Township was rejected by the Macomb Township Board of Trustees during a June 22 meeting.

The township’s Planning Commission recommended denial of the request during a June 7 planning meeting when the petitioner, Elite Sport Ventures, presented its project.

Published June 28, 2016

Macomb Township man arrested for fourth OWI offense

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — A Macomb Township man was arrested for his fourth operating while intoxicated offense after initially trying to flee from firefighters and sheriff’s personnel around 5:30 p.m. June 21.

The man, Mariusz Jaruntowski, 45, was spotted slumped over the wheel of his 2004 Jeep by Fire Department personnel in the parking lot of the Kroger’s located at 26 Mile Road and Romeo Plank.

Jaruntowski reportedly refused to roll down his car window for the firefighters, and he raced away as firefighters tried to intervene.

Published June 22, 2016

Past tragedy motivates one of Chippewa’s top graduates

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — “They really lived every day like it was their last.”

When Ella Lafata was 11 years old, she saw both of her parents die nine months apart from each other.

The attitudes that each of her parents had toward their illnesses left a lasting mark on Lafata, and that helped make her one of Chippewa Valley High School’s top graduates this spring.

“Both of my parents were the most full-of-life people ever,” Lafata said. “I have nothing but great memories for both of them.”

Published June 15, 2016

Chippewa Valley students receive local scholarships

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Two local high school seniors were recently honored for their academic successes.

Chippewa Valley High School students Tara Kaszubowski and Alexis Tober each received a $1,000 scholarship from the Clinton Township Friends of the Senior Center.

The scholarship program is in its second year and was established as a means to “pay it forward” and encourage members of the community to help students excel to greatness.

Published June 15, 2016

Fire Department to explore adding more personnel

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Based on the recent findings of a committee to explore staffing needs for the Macomb Township Fire Department, additional personnel may be coming to the department soon.

The Board of Trustees appointed a five-person committee during a May 25 meeting to review the department’s staffing needs.

On June 8, Fire Chief Robert Phillips provided the results of the committee’s discussions to the board.

Published June 15, 2016

Group wants to bring sports complex to Macomb Township

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Public discussions began at a June 7 Macomb Township Planning Commission meeting for a possible 55-acre sports complex that would be located at the intersection of 23 Mile Road and Romeo Plank.

Elite Sport Ventures, a group that operates Elite Indoor Sports off of Hayes Road in Shelby Township, petitioned the commission for a conditional rezoning request as the first step in the development of the project.

Published June 15, 2016

Local students heading to service academies recognized

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — The application process to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point formally began in May of 2015 for Dakota High School graduating senior Jacob Lemlin, but in reality, it began the moment he started his freshman year of high school.

Lemlin has always aspired to go to West Point, and on Jan. 21 of this year, he received his acceptance letter.

Inspired by his uncle’s career in the Army, Lemlin wanted to follow in his footsteps.

Published June 13, 2016

Lutheran North’s Sparks wins second golf state title

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Macomb Lutheran North senior golfer Scotty Sparks won a state title as a sophomore. He took sixth in the 2015 state finals, and was not pleased with his performance.

Sparks, a four-time regional champion, rebounded at this year’s Division 3 state finals, shooting a two-day 141 to win his second state championship.

The D-3 finals took place June 10-11 at Michigan State University.

Published June 7, 2016

Organizers gearing up for Run the Plank

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — The fifth annual Run the Plank 5K event is set to return to Macomb Township on Saturday, June 25.

The number of participants in the event has grown each year since its 2012 inception, although rain dampened turnout a bit last year.

The course remains the same from previous editions, as runners will begin in front of Immanuel Lutheran Church on Romeo Plank Road just north of 21 Mile Road, and finish at St. Peter Luteran Church at Romeo Plank and 24 Mile Road.

Published June 4, 2016

Stay safe on Michigan’s waterways this boating season

METRO DETROIT — While there’s plenty of fun to be had on Michigan’s abundance of lakes and rivers this summer, there are also many potential dangers that can be easily avoided.

Local emergency personnel say that by following the rules of the water, all can enjoy a safe boating season this year.

“It comes down to common sense,” said Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham. “Be aware of your surroundings.”

Published June 1, 2016

Parks and Rec ready for summer

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — With warmer weather seemingly here for good, the Macomb Township Parks and Recreation Department is set to unveil several new recreational programs while hosting its annual 10 free township events.

The first of the department’s 10 free events is scheduled for this upcoming Saturday, June 4, as Tons O’ Trucks returns to St. John’s Medical Center on 23 Mile Road.