Sterling Heights Sentry

Published May 9, 2016

City, foundation congratulate scholarship winners

STERLING HEIGHTS — When it comes to paying for higher education, more than 30 local students recently added to their financial foundation thanks to the Sterling Heights Community Foundation’s annual scholarship program.

Published May 9, 2016

City plans Memorial Day parade lineup

Construction work will not deter the city of Sterling Heights from paying its respects to fallen members of the armed forces this Memorial Day.

According to city officials, this year’s Memorial Day Parade will be the city’s 37th annual one. Memorial Day falls on May 30 this year, and the parade activities will start at 10 a.m. that day.

Officials say residents can expect to see Mayor Michael Taylor at a 9 a.m. pre-parade ceremony event that will take place near City Hall.

Published May 9, 2016

Motorcyclists get ready to ride

With winter well in the past, the bikers are back on Michigan’s roads, and more people are looking to shop for a motorcycle, according to motorcycle dealers.

Frank Blowers, customer and community manager from Wolverine Harley-Davidson in Clinton Township, said his store had good business during the winter months, but he called April’s customer traffic “incredible.” He said customers on average tend to be buying two new motorcycles for every used one.

Published May 4, 2016

Microplastics a growing threat to waterways

METRO DETROIT — Tiny pieces of plastic are able to cause a huge headache in the Great Lakes, and they primarily are coming from discarded litter found on the street.

Microplastics are remnants of larger pieces of plastic — like bags, utensils and bottles — that have degraded due to environmental factors into smaller and smaller pieces, according to International Joint Commission Commissioner Dereth Glance.

Published May 4, 2016

Music, festivities to mark another Freedom Hill summer

STERLING HEIGHTS — A Macomb County park that hosts Sterling Heights’ largest musical venue plans to sustain its reputation for entertainment over the next few months.

Freedom Hill Amphitheatre, located at Freedom Hill County Park in Sterling Heights, has announced a host of performances as part of its 2016 schedule. The amphitheater — which is run through a recently minted agreement between Palace Sports & Entertainment and Luna Entertainment — holds an audience capacity of around 7,200 people, according to the venue’s website.

Published May 4, 2016

WCS bond issue passes

WARREN/STERLING HEIGHTS/TROY — Improved security, updated technology, interior and exterior door replacements, improvements to heating and cooling systems, new school buses, and parking lot and sidewalk replacement are among the projects on the horizon for Warren Consolidated Schools after voters approved a bond issue during the May 3 general election.

Published May 3, 2016

Changing Michigan climate brings public health hazards

METRO DETROIT — Climate models and existing data suggest that Michigan will be getting warmer in the coming years, with more frequent major storms and humid, stagnant air. A new report suggests that this would bring along a rash of public health concerns for residents as well.

Published May 3, 2016

City presents schedule of May cleanup activities

STERLING HEIGHTS — Sterling Heights officials and volunteers hope that May flowers will be accompanied by May followers of a monthlong campaign to make the city’s outdoor beauty shine.

At an April 19 Sterling Heights City Council meeting, City Manager Mark Vanderpool introduced a presentation on the full schedule of May activities for what is now called Pride and Shine Month, or Sterling Pride Month. The council approved the activities unanimously in a resolution.

Published May 3, 2016

City discusses business development news, objectives

STERLING HEIGHTS — Sterling Heights city officials recently touted strides and successes in economic development, but some are asking the city to pursue more data so the city can market itself as an attractive spot to the business community.

At an April 19 City Council meeting, City Development Director Denice Gerstenberg revealed some of the new businesses that are making Sterling Heights their home.

Published May 2, 2016

WCS community to decide on bond for technology, security, facility upgrades

WARREN/STERLING HEIGHTS/TROY — Warren Consolidated Schools residents will head to the polls May 3 to vote on the district’s $134.5 million bond issue.

If the bond issue passes, it will fund a number of updates throughout the district, including technology, security, and facility upgrades.

“We’re optimistic,” Acting Superintendent Sharon Irvine said. “We certainly have been appreciative of the level of support from the community.”

Published May 2, 2016

Pay your respects to funeral procession road rules

When funeral participants take to the road to pay their final respects to the dead, special driving rules and etiquette are in place to minimize risk to other people’s lives.

David Temrowski, a director of D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home in Warren, said some drivers get confused around funeral processions — some cars will pull over, and others will try to cut in or cut through.

Published April 26, 2016

UCS art show provides framework to honor talent

Some of the finest of fine art that Utica Community Schools students have produced was on display April 18-22 during the school district’s annual K-12 Fine Arts Festival.

Karen Borbolla, Morgan Elementary art teacher and UCS K-12 art department chair, said the week’s festivities were held at the old Ewell Elementary School building in Shelby Township.

She said they expected to reach an attendance target range between 10,000 and 11,000 people, including students, families, school administrators and community members.

Published April 26, 2016

The Parade Company offers exclusive tours for Mother’s Day

METRO DETROIT — Even though it’s spring, you can treat your mom to a winter wonderland this Mother’s Day.

The Parade Company Studio in Detroit is opening its doors Mother’s Day weekend, May 6-7, for private, behind-the-scenes tours of its 200,000-square-foot warehouse, which is home to floats, costumes and props used in the annual America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van.

Published April 26, 2016

Seven candidates file for House District 30 race

The April 19 filing deadline has passed, and now Macomb County has an official list of Democratic and Republican candidates for the state’s 30th House District race.

Seven candidates are vying to fill the state House seat, which will have no incumbent candidate running. State Rep. Jeff Farrington, R-Utica, is the current occupant, but he is term-limited.

Published April 26, 2016

Summer programs await kids

STERLING HEIGHTS — With April winding down, it won’t be long before parents connect their kids to a bevy of summer programming available from the Sterling Heights Parks and Recreation Department and Velocity Jr.

For parents who wish to immerse their children in science, robotics, computers and more, the Velocity Jr. summer camps are coming back.

During the April 5 City Council meeting, Sterling Heights City Manager Mark Vanderpool offered a brief preview of the program.

Published April 26, 2016

Council approves Berg as police chief

STERLING HEIGHTS — Sterling Heights Police Capt. John Berg — who has served as interim police chief for several months — was formally approved to become Chief Berg for the long haul at the April 19 Sterling Heights City Council meeting.

In a unanimous vote, the council approved City Manager Mark Vanderpool’s recommendation that Berg be selected from among three top job candidates to replace former Police Chief Michael Reese, who retired from the position in December.

Published April 25, 2016

Shoppers study graduate car deals

Family members seeking to congratulate their graduates with a vehicle purchase or lease can score some top-grade deals this time of year, according to some local dealerships.

Fernando Mendez, sales manager for Serra Kia in Washington Township, said his dealership sees some of the graduation crowd walk through its doors around this time of year.

Published April 22, 2016

Officials talk about precautions in wake of coyote reports

Sterling Heights police and city officials said a recent report of a coyote sighting in the city is no cause for alarm, but they encouraged residents to cut off possible food supplies and to keep pets secure.

According to reports, someone spotted a coyote in a neighborhood near 15 Mile and Dodge Park roads April 19.

In a statement, Sterling Heights Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Langlois said coyotes are “not uncommon” to the area due to the city’s large amount of wooded parkland.

Published April 20, 2016

New chamber leader announced

The Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently looked within its namesake city to find Melanie Davis, its newest president and CEO.

Davis, 45, from Sterling Heights, will take over the job from Wayne Oehmke, 74, from Macomb Township. Oehmke plans to retire from the leadership spot next month.

Published April 19, 2016

Church, new treatment center strive to fight drug abuse

In unrelated campaigns, a church and a new outpatient drug treatment center are focusing on preventing and treating drug addiction this month.

St. Michael Catholic Community in Sterling Heights will participate in a National Drug Take Back Day event 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 30. The church is encouraging people to bring their unused prescription drugs — but not needles — to the church so that qualified officials can properly dispose of them. The church is conducting the initiative in conjunction with Operation Rx in Macomb County.