Sterling Heights Sentry

Published July 26, 2017

Judge stays local detainees’ deportation orders

A local Chaldean organization in Sterling Heights is continuing to seek out help for recently detained Iraqi nationals, many of them Chaldeans, after a judicial ruling stayed those detainees’ deportation orders, at least temporarily.

In June, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency conducted raids on Iraqi nationals in the metro Detroit area, including in Sterling Heights. The government said these detainees had already been ordered to be deported to Iraq, though they had previously been released subject to supervision and regular reporting.

Published July 26, 2017

City expands lawsuit over interceptor, repair costs

Sterling Heights expanded its lawsuit against Macomb County pertaining to blame over a regional drain collapse and sinkhole, but the county has called the city’s legal pursuits a distraction.

City officials said county officials made it clear in 2010 that the county and the Macomb County Wastewater Disposal District were responsible for making sure the sewer interceptor along 15 Mile Road in Fraser was maintained correctly.

Published July 19, 2017

Fire departments unite to quench dealership blaze

A four-alarm fire that caused major damage to a Sterling Heights auto dealership July 18 required the assistance of multiple fire departments to put it out, according to the Sterling Heights Fire Department.

The city reported that evening that firefighters were summoned to Buff Whelan Chevrolet, 40445 Van Dyke Ave. Thick black smoke could be seen from miles away.

Published July 19, 2017

Perspectives from Detroit: Summer 1967

A riot. A rebellion. Violent civil unrest. Whatever you choose to call it, the chaos that erupted at 12th and Clairmount in July 1967 and ravaged Detroit for the next five days changed the city forever.

The experience echoes in the memories of those who were there, and 50 years later they recall in vivid detail the sights and sounds of their city as it was turned into a war zone.

Published July 19, 2017

City to discuss aggressive driving after Utica Road crash

STERLING HEIGHTS — A public commenter’s question over a recent fatal traffic accident led officials at a July 5 Sterling Heights City Council meeting to discuss what the city could do to address aggressive driving.

Resident Dennis White asked whether the city has a plan to solve the problem so that drivers don’t have to “feel like they’re going to be run over by people driving aggressively when they’re trying on a daily basis to go from point A to point B.”

He addressed a recent fatal accident on Utica Road.

Published July 19, 2017

Council approves raise for city manager

STERLING HEIGHTS — After having a steady salary for a few years, City Manager Mark Vanderpool recently received a raise.

After city officials cited a list of Vanderpool’s accomplishments, the Sterling Heights City Council approved a revised employment agreement at a July 5 meeting. The new deal became effective July 6. It is not for any specific term of years.

Published July 19, 2017

Sterling introduces proposals to regulate banquet facilities

STERLING HEIGHTS — Sterling Heights City Council members served up the unanimous introduction of two related proposals July 5 to change the city’s rules on banquet facilities, as well as buildings with accessory banquet-like uses.

Published July 19, 2017

Sterlingfest to be nothin’ but a good time with Bret Michaels

STERLING HEIGHTS — Music fans will get a fresh slate of culinary options and musical acts, including rocker Bret Michaels from Poison, at the upcoming Sterlingfest Art and Music Fair this month.

Sterling Heights officials say Sterlingfest is the city’s largest annual event, as it typically boasts a turnout of tens of thousands of visitors. This year, Sterlingfest will run July 27-29 in the area surrounding the intersection of Utica Road and Dodge Park Road.

Published July 19, 2017

‘I just hope it raises more awareness’

METRO DETROIT — Budget cuts across the board have been a constant in recent years for Michigan’s public schools.

Educators and lawmakers have been at odds over the way schools are funded, and some Michiganders are worried that public funding will be used for private or for-profit institutions.

In an effort to bring the funding issue to the forefront, local residents Erica Foondle and Sara Scott have organized the March for Public Education from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 22 at Clark Park in southwest Detroit.

Published July 19, 2017

Inspect equipment, surroundings before firing up the grill

METRO DETROIT — Summertime brings with it outdoor cookouts and giving in to your barbecue cravings.

Barbecue season also means it is a good time to review the hazards of firing up a grill, and how to avoid them. Flare-ups and grease fires are both outcomes that can occur from operator error and a lack of knowledge when grilling.

West Bloomfield Township Fire Marshal Byron Turnquist said that grills must be kept at least 10 feet away from any structure or combustible item, such as a piece of backyard furniture or litter.

Published July 19, 2017

Concours d’Elegance promises variety, Vipers

Visitors to the 39th Annual Concours d’Elegance of America will have plenty of vehicles to view when the weekend car celebration appears at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth July 28-30.

This year, the Concours d’Elegance promises to showcase around 300 vehicles with origins that span the globe, and many of the models are rare or unique. According to the show’s website, the vehicles’ value is collectively assessed at more than $90 million.

Published July 17, 2017

Wrestlers go to the mat to help family battling cancer

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The financial burden of battling childhood cancer can put a family on the ropes, but the pros at Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling are jumping into the ring to lend a hand.

XICW Bodyslams Childhood Cancer will roll out a slate of matches at The Imperial House in Clinton Township July 30, the proceeds from which will benefit the family of 10-year-old Noah Gochanour, of Sterling Heights, who continues to undergo treatment for metastatic Ewing’s sarcoma.

Published July 14, 2017

Police on lookout for early morning vandals

STERLING HEIGHTS — Vandals who reportedly lob rocks and fireworks, or commit other acts of property destruction, have been on the loose in Sterling Heights, and police say they are looking for help in tracking them down.

Published July 12, 2017

City adopts rules to recoup ALS transport costs

It took some tweaking after criticism, but the City Council recently adopted an ordinance that officials believe will help keep a new Fire Department emergency transport program cost-neutral.

During a June 20 City Council meeting, the council unanimously passed the ordinance, which changes the city code to let the city recover costs for advanced life support transport services, as well as for handling unsafe scenes, such as chemical spills and downed power lines.

The City Council introduced the ordinance at a June 6 council meeting.

Published July 12, 2017

GFL to take over recycling program

Waste Management will be several months early in relinquishing its handling of Sterling Heights’ voluntary curbside recycling program, according to city officials.

During a June 20 Sterling Heights City Council meeting, City Manager Mark Vanderpool announced that Waste Management — the city’s former waste hauler — has decided to end its facilitation of the program at the end of July.

Published July 12, 2017

Bring a little magic to gardening

METRO DETROIT — Fairy gardens combine fantasy, imagination and gardening to create a summertime craft that can be enjoyed by all ages.

Rayna Burkhart, of Romulus, said via Facebook message that she had been collecting fairy sculptures for years before fairy gardening gained popularity a few years ago.

“It opened my eyes to a thousand possibilities. Gardening is the love of my life, and mixing the two together is beautiful and fulfilling,” she said.

Published July 12, 2017

Don’t toss manners, litter out window while driving

METRO DETROIT — Just as it’s important to keep a clean driving record, motorists should also be considerate by not littering — and thus keeping garbage and personal belongings from spilling out into the road, according to Michigan traffic observers.

According to Michigan law, littering of common, nonmedical waste materials is typically a civil infraction with fines that vary depending on the object’s size. However, intentional highway littering in a moving vehicle’s path can be a misdemeanor.

Published July 7, 2017

City offers roadwork preview

Construction crews will soon direct their attention to roads and bridges in Sterling Heights, according to city officials.

During a June 20 Sterling Heights City Council meeting, City Manager Mark Vanderpool warned residents that work crews will soon embark on another round of road construction in Sterling Heights.

“Everyone can enjoy the peace and quiet for now, for a few more weeks,” he said. “But suffice it to say, it’s going to be a very busy summer and fall for road activity.”

Published July 7, 2017

MCC named in federal lawsuit

MACOMB COUNTY/DETROIT — A group of Macomb Community College students who feel their freedom of speech was violated earlier this year are seeking justice through the legal system.

On July 5, attorneys from the nonprofit legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the students to challenge a college policy that they say bans all public expression from anyone, minus labor unions, without a permit from administrators.

Published July 5, 2017

Discover Michigan: Let the stars guide your travels

How can you wish upon a star if the stars are hard to see?

Light pollution in large metropolitan areas such as Detroit can limit what’s visible in the night sky, but luckily for stargazers, better viewing options aren’t far away.

Several Michigan parks now have state-designated dark sky preserves that aim to restrict artificial light, preserve natural darkness and provide spectacular views for visitors.