Macomb Township Chronicle

Published June 29, 2016

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.

Published June 1, 2016

Lemonade stand returns to support education, military

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — In its sixth year, there are some big changes coming to Emily’s Happy Day Lemonade Stand event June 4.

Emily Broadbridge, a fifth-grader at Cherokee Elementary, is bringing on board her brother Michael, a kindergartner, to help run the lemonade stand to raise funds for the Homeless Education Project.

Because of Michael’s addition to the team, the event is now called Emily and Michael’s Happy Day Lemonade Stand.

Published June 1, 2016

Census update shows township still growing at fast clip

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Macomb Township remains one of Michigan’s fastest-growing townships or cities, according to new census data.

Since 2010, the township has grown from 79,674 residents to 86,973, which is an increase of 9.2 percent. Last year, the township grew by 1,366 residents.

Several of the other fast-growing municipalities are located around Grand Rapids.

Published May 31, 2016

Alleged teenage home invaders arrested

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies arrested a pair of teens who were allegedly trying to break into a home around 12:15 p.m. May 24 on Valerie Drive, which is near 21 Mile Road and Hayes Road.

Deputies were dispatched to the area after a caller claimed to be witnessing a male wearing a hooded sweatshirt walking around a neighbor’s house and banging on a screen door.

After the subject was seen by the caller, he entered a nearby vehicle that was occupied by another male, and the two drove away from the homes.

Published May 31, 2016

Truck strikes condo after head-on collision

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — A head-on collision led to a truck also striking a condominium building near Hayes Road and Hall Road around 8 a.m. May 26.

The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crash, which involved a 61-year-old Shelby Township man who was driving southbound on Hayes. As the man approached stopped traffic heading toward Hall Road, he was unable to stop in time and turned into oncoming traffic.

Published May 25, 2016

Sculptures coming to township

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Residents will notice something different appearing in Macomb Corners Park and the Township Hall building starting May 31.

Through a partnership with the Midwest Sculpture Initiative, Macomb Township will receive eight sculptures to place in outdoor gathering spaces.

“We are very lucky. We are the first city or township in Macomb County to have anything of this type, so we’re very excited about it,” said Macomb Township Supervisor Janet Dunn.

Published May 25, 2016

Exciting elementary economics

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Shawnee Elementary third-grade teacher Julie Galasso was watching the ABC show “Shark Tank” with her family when she thought of a new program for her students.

On Friday, May 27, she and 43 students from Shawnee will be hosting their own version of “Shark Tank” as the school holds its first Market Day event.

“This is something that kids can step it up a notch a little bit, and take and apply what they’ve been learning in class about economics and put it into action,” Galasso said.

Published May 25, 2016

Political newcomer eyes House seat

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Macomb Township resident Charles Karafa has been a politician for just a little more than a month, but he has his eyes set on Lansing for this fall.

Karafa, a Republican candidate for the 33rd District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives this August, is hoping to bring an extensive background in technology and job services to the state Legislature.

Published May 24, 2016

Food drive nets 500,000 pounds of food

MACOMB COUNTY — The Macomb Food Program recently received more than 300,000 pounds of food thanks to the 24th annual National Association of Letter Carriers and U.S. Postal Service Food Drive.

The May 14 countywide drive netted a total of 500,000 pounds of food. The food helps feed families, seniors, veterans, children and the homeless throughout the county.