C&G Newspapers

Thomas Franz

Published February 14, 2017

C&G Newspapers

Loan approved for sewer collapse repairs

MOUNT CLEMENS — Macomb County officials have approved a $20 million loan that will help fund repairs related to the 15 Mile Road sinkhole.

The funds are specifically earmarked for the Macomb Interceptor Drainage District, or MIDD, and will come from a combination of the county’s general fund and delinquent tax revolving fund.

The MIDD will pull funds from the loan when needed and will pay back the loan within four months through a bond issue. The district will pay a 0.55 percent annual interest rate.

Published February 13, 2017

Fraser - Clinton Township Chronicle

Loan approved for sewer collapse repairs

MOUNT CLEMENS — Macomb County officials have approved a $20 million loan that will help fund repairs related to the 15 Mile Road sinkhole.

The funds are specifically earmarked for the Macomb Interceptor Drainage District, or MIDD, and will come from a combination of the county’s general fund and delinquent tax revolving fund.

The MIDD will pull funds from the loan when needed, and will pay back the loan within four months through a bond issue. The district will pay a 0.55 percent annual interest rate.

Published February 8, 2017

C&G Newspapers

Chippewa Valley Schools highlights career education courses

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — With February designated as the month to celebrate career and technical education, or CTE, Chippewa Valley Schools officials are touting their work in developing programs that provide students with hands-on work experience while in high school.

Claire Brisson, the district’s CTE director, said Chippewa Valley Schools offers 15 programs for more than 2,000 students each year.

The programs include construction trades, a medical academy, a teacher cadet program, graphic design and several more.

Published February 7, 2017

Macomb Township Chronicle

Mail carrier indicted in federal court

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — A mail carrier with a route in Macomb Township has been indicted by a grand jury on a charge of theft of mail by a postal employee.

Shawn Hoover was indicted Jan. 31 as the first step in a federal case against him after a complaint was filed Jan. 12 alleging that he stole nearly $70,000 worth of cash, debit cards, gift cards and checks from pieces of mail he was entrusted to deliver to homes in Macomb Township.

Published February 7, 2017

Macomb Township Chronicle

Impacts of road widening outlined

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Future construction on 23 Mile Road in Macomb Township was again a focus of conversation during a Jan. 25 township board meeting.

The board discussed several impacts of widening the road to five lanes, most notably the need for moving water and sewer lines.

As a result, the board approved a preliminary study for the township’s Engineering and Water and Sewer departments to analyze what work will be needed.

Published February 7, 2017

Fraser - Clinton Township Chronicle

Chippewa Valley Schools opposes DeVos confirmation

CLINTON TOWNSHIP/MACOMB TOWNSHIP — The Board of Education of Chippewa Valley Schools has passed a resolution that opposes the confirmation of Betsy DeVos, who, at press time, was a nominee to be the country’s next education secretary.

The resolution has similar language to ones passed by East Lansing Public Schools and Ann Arbor Public Schools. It opposes her confirmation, urges senators to vote against her confirmation and urges President Donald Trump to nominate an individual who possesses the skills and experience required to act as education secretary.

Published February 7, 2017

Macomb Township Chronicle

Attorney wants to exhume body of homicide victim

MOUNT CLEMENS — The defense attorney of a Macomb Township man charged with killing his father has made a request to exhume the father’s body for further examination.

Gregory Nieman, 56, of Macomb Township, faces a charge of first-degree murder after the Dec. 27, 2015, death of his father. Nieman and his father, Donald, 89, were living in the same residence at the time of the killing.

The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office reported that Nieman called 911 at approximately 10:30 a.m. Dec. 27 to report that his father was not breathing and cold to the touch.

Published February 1, 2017

Macomb Township Chronicle

Man pleads no contest to murder charge

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — A Macomb Township man has pleaded no contest to a pair of charges related to the fatal stabbing of his boyfriend Feb. 14, 2016.

Jerald Boozer-Brown Jr., 28, entered the plea Jan. 31 at Macomb County Circuit Court before Judge Jennifer Faunce. He pleaded no contest to a count of second-degree murder and a separate count of interfering with a crime report.

The plea deal could allow Boozer-Brown to be eligible for parole in as few as 10 years, as opposed to the typical 12-20 year guideline. Official sentencing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. March 14.

Published February 1, 2017

C&G Newspapers

Chippewa Valley teacher battling lung cancer

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Nichole Wouters considers herself to be a planner.

What she has gone through to start 2017, and what she is about to experience, was never in her plans.

Wouters, 27, spent much of her summer exercising and getting back into shape. As the summer progressed, however, she noticed that she began getting short of breath.

As summer turned to fall, that shortness of breath progressed into a consistent cough, and she was diagnosed with pneumonia around Thanksgiving.

Published January 31, 2017

C&G Newspapers

Commissioners seek answers from senior services agency

METRO DETROIT — County commissioners are requesting a response from a local senior services agency after commissioners weren’t allowed to attend a special meeting in early January.

The Area Agency on Aging 1-B informed commissioners Dec. 30 that due to a technicality in its bylaws, they would not be allowed to attend a special meeting called for Jan. 3.

Published January 31, 2017

Macomb Township Chronicle

Township residents urged to restrict water usage

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Due to recent developments within the Fraser sinkhole situation, Macomb Township residents continue to be urged to restrict water usage until otherwise told.

Officials announced Jan. 26 that shifting sediment had greatly reduced the amount of sewage able to flow through the damaged line along 15 Mile Road in Fraser and that existing bypass lines installed along the sinkhole route are only able to handle dry weather sewage flows.

Published January 31, 2017

Macomb Township Chronicle

Preliminary plans for new fire station beginning

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — A combination of several factors may soon lead to the construction of a joint fire and police station building, just east of the 23 Mile Road and Romeo Plank intersection.

The location of the building would be on the same lot that currently houses Macomb Township’s Fire Station No. 1, a Macomb County Sheriff’s office substation, a communications tower and a senior center.

Published January 25, 2017

Macomb Township Chronicle

Township attorney named HR director

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Macomb Township has a new human resources director, and it is a familiar face to the Board of Trustees.

The position, which has been vacant since May 2015, has been filled by Tom Esordi, who will also take over the position of in-house legal counsel.

Esordi, previously a township attorney from O’Reilly Rancilio Law Firm in Sterling Heights, has unofficially been acting as the township’s HR director since it became vacant.

Esordi will be paid $150,000 annually, which makes him the highest paid township employee.

Published January 25, 2017

Macomb Township Chronicle

Dakota musical going to new ‘Heights’

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Hip hop on Broadway is one way Dakota High School students are describing their upcoming winter performances of “In the Heights.”

Cast members said they weren’t initially familiar with the show when they were introduced to it, but after learning about the modern touches of the show, they are more eager than ever to put their own spin on the production.

Published January 25, 2017

Macomb Township Chronicle

Dakota hosts MLK Day celebration

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — More than 600 people attended the 30th annual Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Holiday Celebration of Macomb County, hosted by the Interfaith Center for Racial Justice.

Government, school, cultural and religious leaders from throughout the county visited Dakota High School for the Jan. 16 event that shared a common message of continuing the hard work necessary to create justice for all.