In this episode of The Detroit Evening Report, we cover Detroit parks national ranking, Sister Pie temporarily closing, community milestones, and hepatitis screening and vaccines.

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Detroit climbs to 58th in national park ranking, praised for access and equity

Detroit parks ranked 58 on the Trust for Public Land’s 2025 Parkscore Index. That’s up from the 65 spot the city held last year. The ranking is based on five categories: acreage, access, amenities, investment, and equity. Detroit received high marks for park access, with 84 percent of Detroiters living within a 10-minute walking distance of a park. The city also scored well in equity and park amenities. Detroit has more than 300 parks, with 14 regional parks of at least 50 acres, including Belle Isle and Palmer Park. 

Sister Pie to temporarily close as owner plans a period of rest and reinvention

Detroit Baker Sister Pie is temporarily closing after experiencing some financial struggles. Owner Lisa Ludwinski announced on the company’s Instagram the business will close and  “enter a period of rest and radical reconfiguration, of exploration and experimentation.” Sister Pie will still host occasional pop-up events and continue with special orders and classes. Sister Pie opened in 2015 in West Village. Ludwinski released a cookbook in 2018 that topped the New York Times best baking books of the year. 

Windsor park honors Mary E. Bibb with new gateway arch

The Mary E. Bibb Park in Windsor, Ontario unveiled a gateway arch honoring the journalist. She and her husband, Henry, launched the first black newspaper in Canada called the Voice of the Fugitive in 1851. The publication was the first antislavery newspaper published in Canada by people of African descent. Bibb was also an abolitionist, educator, artist, and seamstress. A request was made in 2020 by the Friends of the Court-Mackenzie Hall which is adjacent to the park to rename it in Bibb’s honor. The Friends of the Court commissioned the design, fabrication and installation of the gateway arch, with financial support from the Gordie Howe International Bridge’s community organization investment fund.  

Feast of Resistance celebrates Asian comfort food and community milestones this Saturday

The nonprofit, Rising Voices, is hosting their annual Feast of Resistance this Saturday at the ACA Community Center in Madison Heights. The community potluck is a tribute to Asian and Asian American comfort foods. This year is the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian American refugees immigrating to Michigan, the 20th anniversary of the ACA Community Center, and the fifth anniversary of Rising Voices. The event is free to attend. Potluck dishes are encouraged but not required. It starts at 5:30 p.m. at 32585 Concord Drive in Madison Heights. 

Michigan health officials urge testing and vaccination during Hepatitis Awareness Month

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging residents to get tested and vaccinated. Viral hepatitis can cause inflammation to the liver and liver cancer. People who have the virus can go many years without feeling sick, and wont be alerted until advance stages of the disease. Getting tested is the only way to know if you have the virus. The health department recommends vaccination against hepatitis for people of all ages, including children and infants. 

A recent survey from a Detroit researcher has revealed that Black women disproportionately experience evictions in the city.

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Dr. Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson, a social epidemiologist at Ohio State University — and native Detroiter — surveyed nearly 1,500 Black women in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties for the Social Epidemiology to Combat Unjust Residential Evictions (SECURE) Study. She found that more than half of the women who said they experienced eviction were forced out of their homes illegally.

A quarter of the participants said they were evicted during childhood. She also says the number of children a woman has increases their chances of eviction. 

“Eviction is not just a housing issue — it’s a public health crisis. It disrupts families and communities and causes intergenerational trauma,” Sealy-Jefferson wrote.

Other headlines for Thursday, May 22, 2025:

• Entrepreneurs looking to open a small business in Detroit may soon see less red tape. Two ordinances will be presented to city council this week aimed at streamlining business licensing in Detroit. The reforms will include eliminating the business licenses for restaurants and extending the permits to two years for other businesses.
• Many families are struggling to meet their basic needs in Wayne County, according to the latest ALICE Report from the Michigan Association of United Ways. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed. The organization found that just over half of households in Wayne County experienced financial instability in 2023. The rates were 38% in Macomb County and 31% in Oakland County.
• The Department of Insurance and Financial Services is warning residents to be wary of people offering services for repairs after a storm. Scammers often appear after disasters, promising quick repairs and asking for cash up front or refusing to give ID.
• The Belle Isle Conservancy shared plans for a public square at the park with the City Council this week. The conservancy and the state are wrapping up a preliminary design this month for the Belle Isle Commons.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Belle Isle’s James Scott Memorial Fountain will undergo an 18-month, $6 million renovation beginning this weekend. 

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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is working quickly to use the remaining American Rescue Plan Act funding allocated to the park to replace the bowl of the fountain. 

DNR spokesperson Tim Bissett said this year marks the centennial anniversary for the iconic fountain. 

“It’s unfortunate that we can’t run it during that anniversary,” he said. “But obviously the time constraints to be able to do that preclude us from being able to run it this year and then wait, we have that very strict guideline and that timeline that we have to stick by in order to get the project done.” 

The DNR is replacing the bowl and foundation beams of the fountain. 

The department expects the renovations to be completed by the end of next year, with plans to restart the fountain in 2027. 

Other headlines for Tuesday, May 13, 2025: 

• Free enrollment for Pre-K is now open for all families across Michigan, regardless of income for the 2025-26 school year.
• Michigan State Rep. Joe Tate (D-Detroit) launched his campaign for U.S. Senate on Sunday.
• The Detroit Public Library is hosting free estate planning workshops through the spring and summer seasons, with the first one taking place on May 17. The workshop will cover planning tools such as wills, deeds, and trust agreements.
• The Coleman A. Young Recreation Center reopened over the weekend after an $11 million renovation and a five-year closure. Improvements include parking lot repairs, EV charging stations, new exterior windows, gym floor refinishing, pool system enhancements and updated HVAC and electrical systems.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

May is Military Appreciation Month, and one nonprofit organization working to support veterans will be celebrating their 10-year anniversary.

Stack Up is a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans’ mental health and wellbeing through video gaming. Stephen Machuga — the group’s founder and a veteran himself — served eight years in the army.

Machuga says he’s been a gamer all his life, and found the hobby really helped him unwind while he was in the army.

“Whenever I would come back in from patrol or get off of work while I was overseas, gaming was the thing I escaped with,” Machuga said.

Because of this, Machuga started sending video game consoles to units overseas to provide the same reprieve to someone else. Ten years later, the organization connects veterans and civilian supporters through gaming.

Stack Up primarily supports post-9/11 veterans — many of whom grew up with consoles and handhelds and are now navigating civilian life with those same devices in hand.

Machuga says video games offer a kind of “recreational therapy,” similar to programs like equine therapy or wilderness retreats.

“Happy veterans don’t kill themselves,” he said bluntly. “If we can disrupt that cycle — keep someone company overnight while playing Fortnite or just remind them they’re not alone — that’s what we’re here to do.”

A new survey conducted by the Entertainment Software Association shows that 77% of veterans believe that video games have positive impact on their lives, with 86% saying video games help relieve stress and anxiety.

Stack Up offers multiple programs including supply crates for troops, game nights, and a 24/7 crisis intervention service known as the Stack Up Overwatch Program (StOP).

As for concerns that military shooters like Call of Duty might be triggering, Machuga says most service members aren’t phased.

“Ninety-nine percent of the military isn’t out there kicking doors,” he said. “But for those who are triggered — there are hundreds of other games. You don’t have to shoot anyone to play video games.”

Enforcement for the Real ID Act starts on May 7. State issued driver’s licenses and IDs that are not Real ID compliant will no longer be accepted at checkpoints at the airport.

A Real ID in Michigan will have either a gold circle with star design or a Michigan silhouette with star.

The Real ID Act was passed in 2005 as an effort to create a national standard for obtaining an identification card.

You can still convert your ID to a REAL ID after the deadline at a Secretary of State.

When do I need a REAL ID?

• When boarding a domestic flight in the U.S.
• When entering a military base or nuclear power plant
• When visiting certain federal buildings

How Is the REAL ID different from my Enhanced ID?

An Enhanced ID allows for border and sea crossings — for example: you can enter Canada by land or sea, but you cannot fly into the country. You cannot use an Enhanced ID in place of a passport. An Enhanced ID is an acceptable form of identification for domestic flights.

What do I need to get a REAL ID?

Visit a Secretary of State office and bring:

• Your current state-issued ID
• A valid, unexpired U.S. passport, birth certificate, or qualifying immigration document such as an I-551 Permanent Resident Card or foreign passport with a U.S. visa. If you have specific questions about documents that qualify, please contact the Department of State Information Center at (888) SOS-MICH (767-6424)
• A certified legal name-change document, if your name is different from what is on your birth certificate

There’s no added charge for converting to REAL ID if you do so at the time of renewing or replacing your license or ID. Otherwise, there is a correction fee ($9 for license; $10 for ID) to convert to REAL ID.

I don’t have a REAL ID. Can I still fly domestically?

Yes, but expect longer wait times and additional screening at checkpoints.

Other forms of acceptable ID for domestic flights include:

• State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Do I need a REAL ID to vote?

All state-issued identification cards will be accepted at voting polls. Voters who do not have valid state-issued identification or another accepted identity document may sign an Affidavit of Identity.

Can non-US citizens apply for a REAL ID?

If you are a lawfully present non-U.S. citizen, including permanent and non-permanent residents, you are eligible to apply for a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card or turn your current Michigan driver’s license or state ID into a REAL ID. In either case, you’ll need to schedule an office visit at a Michigan Secretary of State branch office and bring the required legal presence document. It’s important to note that some documents already in the possession of non-US citizens qualify as REAL ID and will be acceptable for flying domestically when the law goes into effect on May 7, 2025. These include:  

• Permanent resident card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766) 

Church Space, the startup known as the “Airbnb for churches,” is establishing a new headquarters in Detroit.

Church Space helps congregations unlock underused real estate — fellowship halls, gymnasiums, commercial kitchens and more.

“We’re all about community, all about local neighborhoods, and we basically help churches unlock their unused space so that people in their local community can use it,” said Day Edwards, co-founder of Church Space. “When you think of baby showers, community gathering, weddings, those sort of things, that’s really where church space comes in.”

Co-founder Emmanuel Brown said the idea of sharing church facilities with the community isn’t new.

“The challenge is, most churches just didn’t have the bandwidth and capacity to support and a clear way to be able to get the word out to the community that their space is actually available to be shared,” Brown said.  “And so our platform helps churches to think through things like pricing and photography, insurance, liability, cleaning, to streamline the process so that sharing their available space with the community is easy.”

Although both founders are not from Detroit, they see a unique opportunity in the city.

“Detroit has the most churches per square mile in America,” Edwards said. “There’s so much vibrancy that starts with the faith-based community here.”

The company says it has already helped churches in other cities earn up to $100,000 annually through space-sharing. In Detroit, they hope to replicate that success while exploring new uses for vacant or underutilized church buildings — including micro-fulfillment centers — to improve last-mile delivery in underserved communities.

As for why churches were chosen for this model, Edwards pointed to affordability and community connection.

Brown says both he and Edwards are pastor’s kids. And they’ve seen firsthand the burden of maintaining church property.

“And so, our heart for the church is really to see church leaders be able to thrive and to lead well and to impact and influence their community in greater ways, without having to worry about a financial deficit as a barrier to that process,” Brown said.

The company is hosting an event in July titled “From Pulpits to Possibility,” where church leaders in southeast Michigan can learn more about the platform. RSVPs are available on Eventbrite.

Experts say nearly half of all child injury deaths happen during the summer months. 

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That statistic earned the phenomenon the nickname “the 100 deadliest days of summer” or “summer trauma season.” 

This month, the nonprofit Safe Kids Worldwide  is teaming up with safety advocates across the country to launch the second annual Safe Kids Month.

Sadiqa Kendi, chief medical officer for Safe Kids Worldwide, says the most common injuries affecting youngsters come from motor vehicle crashes. 

“We know that a child, if they don’t fit the seat belt well — and many times, they won’t until they’re between eight and 12 years old, and sometimes older — they really need to be in a booster or seat for that seat belt to work effectively,” she said.

Kendi says other injury related deaths occur from improper use of safety equipment such as life jackets and helmets. 

She says most of those fatalities are preventable, which is why the organization developed a child safety checklist to cover five key safety areas: car, water, sleep, home and play.

Safe Kids Worldwide’s High Five Child Safety Checklist can be viewed on their website at safekids.org. 

Other headlines for Thursday, May 1, 2025:

• For the first time in the city’s history, Dearborn will not have a primary election in August, the Detroit Free Press reported. The city clerk says there are not enough candidates running to make a primary necessary.
• The city of Detroit is breaking ground on the $28 million Russell Woods Senior Living Community on Friday on Dexter Avenue. Developer Fabiola Fleuranvil promises the units will be “deeply affordable” for residents.
• Detroit has commissioned 43 artists to establish art installations in nine city-sponsored “art alleys” across Detroit. It’s part of the city’s Arts Alleys initiative, an effort to create vibrant community spaces to celebrate local culture and showcase local talents. Installations have begun and muralists will begin painting this month.  

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Ex-Detroit Riverfront Conservancy CFO William Smith was sentenced to 19 years in prison on Thursday for embezzling more than $40 million from the nonprofit over an 11-year period.

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Smith, 52, was employed as the Conservancy’s chief financial officer from 2011 through May 2024. Throughout the majority of his time in the role, Smith orchestrated various schemes to embezzle millions of dollars in funds from the organization, according to court documents.

The Conservancy funds — which are provided to the organization through private donors and public grants — were used by Smith to live a lavish lifestyle, spending enormous amounts of money on luxury items like designer clothing, jewelry, cruises, private jet travel and more.

Smith pleaded guilty in November to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. In addition to the 19-year sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Susan DeClercq ordered Smith to pay back around $48 million in restitution. 

Smith will remain free on bond for now, before reporting to prison at a later date. 

–WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

Other headlines for Thursday, April 24, 2025:

• Detroit will soon be the headquarters for the tech startup Churchspace. Nicknamed the “Airbnb for Churches,” the company provides a platform for churches to rent out their spaces and facilities for supplemental income. Churches interested in learning more can attend Churchspaces’ informational event on May 30. 
• The city of Dearborn unveiled its second inclusive playscape at Ford Woods Park, located at 5700 Greenfield Rd.
• The Detroit Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is hosting their 41st annual Art Auction Benefit “Canvas and Couture” from 3-6 p.m. this Sunday at the Detroit Delta Headquarters, 24760 West Seven Mile Rd., Detroit. The benefit showcases the works of local artists in various mediums.
• Detroit Fashion Revolution Week is wrapping up this weekend with several events.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

The Michigan Immigrants’ Rights Center is raising concern over a new agreement Jackson County Sheriff’s Department has entered with Immigrations Customs and Enforcement.

Known as the Warrant Service Officer program, the contracts allow officers that work in jails to serve and execute administrative warrants for immigrants in their system, and detain them until ICE can come and finish the deportation process.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January that encouraged local law enforcement departments to enter into the special agreement.

Christine Sauve, a spokesperson for the Michigan Immigrants’ Rights Center, says the agreement will decrease public trust and could increase instances of racial profiling.

“Community members of all different immigration statuses are more likely to come forward and report crime or participate in investigations if they know that their local officers are keeping their work separate from that of immigration, customs and enforcement,” Sauve said.

MIRC is also concerned that patrols officers may also be encouraged to make more arrests of immigrant residents for minor infractions as well.

“Officers may only ask people for their immigration status and check if there’s an ICE administrative warrant depending on the color of their skin, or how they speak English with an accent or some other signifier on their clothing,” Sauve said.

The program does not provide any additional funding for the efforts of officers.

Sauve says local tax dollars should only be used to enforce local laws, and federal tax dollars can be used for the work of federal immigration enforcement.

The deer population has increased significantly in southeast Michigan, and as a result, so has the number of deer-related car crashes.

The high population has other negative impacts as well, such as crop damage and forest regeneration issues, leading some local communities to seek options for culling deer populations.

Chad Fedewa, a deer expert with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said the absence of natural predators in the area creates the perfect conditions for deer to repopulate quickly.

“Fifty to sixty years ago there weren’t many deer in southeast Michigan,” he said. “But over the decades, we’ve done a pretty good job of restoring deer populations in the state, and they have become very accustomed to living in and around people.”

Some people have suggested trapping and moving deer or sterilization, but Fedewa says those methods are more timely, costly, and not effective. Instead, he says, professional shooters are the most effective, practical and humane option for culling deer in urban areas.

“Sharp shooting methods [are] very effective, you can remove a pretty significant number of deer in a small amount of time,” Fedewa said. “And often these programs are done in conjunction with process where those deer do get donated to food banks.”

Regulated hunting and some archery programs have been used in the past to manage deer populations, but aren’t ideal for suburban and urban areas. Fedewa says professional sharp shooters would be optimally suited as they use specialized equipment that minimizes public disturbance.

The cities of East Lansing, Farmington Hills and Ann Arbor are all considering multiple strategies for managing deer population, including sharp shooting.

An independent study by the International Association of Assessing Officers has found that claims of systemic overassessments in Detroit are false, the city reported on Wednesday.

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City Assessment Director Alvin Horhn says the latest study proves those claims to be false.

“The [International Association of Assessing Officers] study shows Detroit residential property assessments at the level (50% of market value) required by State law — a fact which has been annually confirmed by the Wayne County Equalization Department,” he said. “This puts the issue to rest once and for all.” 

Over a two-year period the Coalition of Property Tax Justice has appealed hundreds of properties. But Horhn says most of those appeals were denied.

“I think that’s as telling as anything else,” he said. “They’re making these claims of overassessments, but even the ones that they appeal themselves, they overwhelmingly lose.”

The report will soon be presented to city council.

Other headlines for Thursday, April 17, 2025:

• The Michigan Department of Transportation is reminding drivers that the department does not operate toll roads after a recent text scam regarding unpaid tolls to MDOT.
• The Detroit Institute of Arts is bringing back its Inside|Out  program for its 16th year. The program brings reproductions of the DIA’s collection to outdoor spaces across Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties.
• The DIA is also presenting the 88th Annual Detroit Public Schools Community District Student Art Exhibition April 18 through May 25. The exhibition will feature a diverse array of artwork from paintings to drawings, photography, ceramics, and more.
• The Home Depot Foundation is expanding a former nursery nunnery on Detroit’s west side into a transitional housing facility for women and veterans in need. Updates were made to All Things Women Inc.’s facility on Thursday, with 100 volunteers participating.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Detroit’s General Service Department is looking to increase the tree canopy across the city to improve citizens’ quality of life. The department is accepting requests from residents for tree plantings in their neighborhoods.

The free program is open to residents and small businesses to plant a tree on the berm in front of their property.

Savion Stephens, tree planting program manager for the city of Detroit, says trees can help improve residents’ quality of life.

“And what that looks like is improving air quality over time, conserving water, reducing soil erosion, filtering runoff, reducing flooding, and even things like lowering energy costs and raising property values,” he said.

Trees are also known to trap pollutants such as dirt, ash, pollen and smoke which can help those with asthma.

Stephens says the city plants over 50 different species of tree throughout the city.

“They’re primarily urban tolerant trees for public and private property, including some native species like oak and elm,” he said.

The planting process involves three phases: utility marking, tree location marking, and tree planting. Eligibility for a tree is assessed based on site conditions, including utility lines and soil quality.

The city has planted up to 14,000 trees annually through this program.

Residents who would like to request a tree must fill out this form.

Detroit’s five reasons to plant a tree

1. Clean air. Trees absorb pollutants and improve air quality, reducing respiratory issues.
2. Cooler summer. A single tree can lower temperatures by up to 10°, providing shade and cutting cooling costs.
3. Stronger neighborhoods. Tree-lined streets increase property values and create a more welcoming community.
4. Flood prevention. Trees absorb excess rainwater, reducing the risk of street flooding.
5. Wildlife Habitat. Trees support birds, bees, and other beneficial wildlife, keeping our ecosystem balanced.