A jury trial is underway in Wayne County for a Detroit felon accused of murdering a Farmington Hills man four and a half years ago.

It’s the second trial for the case against 54-year-old Robert Lee Bailey, Jr., charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, armed robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, and four counts of second-degree felony firearm in connection with the death of Darius Whiting. A trial late last year ended in mistrial.

Prosecutors allege Whiting was killed on Sept. 22, 2020 during an armed robbery in Dearborn. Police officers dispatched the next day to an alley on Schlaff Street, near Michigan Avenue and Schaefer Road, found Whiting’s body in a car.

It was subsequently determined Whiting died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. He was 49 years old.

Bailey was arrested five months after the slaying. His criminal history includes a prior conviction for second-degree murder; he was released from prison in June of 2020 and on parole at the time Whiting was killed.

Judge Mark Slavens of Wayne County’s third judicial circuit is presiding over the trial.

Motorists in Michigan preparing to travel during Memorial Day Weekend are hoping gas prices continue to decrease.

This weekend motorists were paying an average of $3.06 per gallon, which was 6 cents less than this time last month.

“Michigan drivers are seeing lower prices at the pump this week,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson, AAA-The Auto Club Group in Monday’s report. “If demand stays low, alongside increasing gasoline stocks, motorists could continue to see gas prices decline.”

This price is 6 cents less than this time last month and 59 cents less than this time last year.

Across the state motorists were paying an average of $45 for a full 15-gallon tank of gasoline; a discount of about $12 from 2024’s highest price last July.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased from 9.09 million barrels of oil per day to 8.71. Total domestic gasoline supply slightly increased from 225.5 million barrels to 225.7. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.7 million barrels per day.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell $1.02 to settle at $58.07 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 2 million barrels from the previous week. At 438.4 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 7% below the five-year average for this time of year.

A weekly comparison of prices showed Metro Detroit’s average daily gas price decreased. Metro Detroit’s current average is $3.09 per gallon, about 8 cents less than last week’s average and 51 cents less than this same time last year.

AAA report on state and metro gas averaged showed:

• Most expensive gas price averages:  Ann Arbor ($3.11), Marquette ($3.10), Metro Detroit ($3.09)• Least expensive gas price averages: Traverse City ($2.94), Jackson ($2.95), Flint ($2.98)

Find local gas prices

According to AAA’s report, daily national, state, and metro gas price averages can be found at Gasprices.aaa.com Motorists can find the lowest gas prices on their smartphone or tablet with the free AAA Mobile app. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance.

Tips to save on gas

• Limit driving time by combining errands.• Use the apps and shop around for best gas prices in your community before you venture onto the roads.• Some retailers charge more per gallon when using a credit card, so consider paying cash. .• Remove excess weight in your vehicle.• Keep to the speed limit. Aggressive acceleration and speeding reduces fuel economy.• Find a savings program. AAA Members who enroll in Shell’s Fuel Rewards program can save 5 cents per gallon when they fill up at Shell.

For more information visit acg.aaa.com/.

Pontiac’s former building official, Bruce Eck, has sued the city for wrongful discharge. He was fired in March after a dispute with his supervisor. The lawsuit asks for a jury trial and seeks a minimum award of $25,000.

“Due to our policy, we don’t comment on pending litigation,” said Pontiac spokeswoman Paula Bridges.

Eck’s attorneys, Deborah Gordon and Morry Hutton, said Eck was scapegoated by the city in the wake of three abandoned children’s rescue from an unregistered rental home on Lydia Lane in Pontiac’s Stonegate Pointe neighborhood.

“It’s unfortunate that the city of Pontiac has now lost an invaluable public servant and extremely experienced building officials with excellent credentials,” Gordon said. “He was fired because he refused to go along with what he believed to be an illegal directive.”

City records show an April 2020 blight ticket for Lydia Lane and an unregistered rental complaint. Inspectors visited the home four times in 2020 without resolving the rental complaint. Inspectors returned in February 2022 and April 2022. The owner had not registered the rental. No progress check was scheduled or made, which could have saved the children earlier, Eck told The Oakland Press in March.

The children were rescued in February after a maintenance worker went to see if the occupants had moved after not paying rent for several months. The children’s mother is in Oakland County Jail, facing multiple charges.

Eck was hired in November 2023 and had been archiving old and expired records in the city database that tracks taxes, assessments, code enforcement visits and tickets as well as construction permits. He and his deputy, Dennis Szymanski, deleted 7,000 long-expired permits from the city’s database.

Eck wanted to create reports on active issues so they could be tracked and addressed.

But his boss, Community Development Director Rachel Loughrin, told him to reactivate the old permits and require inspections. Eck asked a city attorney for a legal opinion on the order.

On March 3, Loughrin claimed in a disciplinary action form that Eck pursued personal legal advice from the city attorney. Eck said he made the request in his official capacity. He refused to sign the document and was fired.

Eck, a certified building official, building plan reviewer, and building inspector, worked as West Bloomfield Township’s building director for 19 years and Dearborn’s safety official for a decade. He is a board member for the Southeast Michigan Building Officials and Inspectors Association, which sets professional standards for and trains building officials and code inspectors. He told The Oakland Press he has never been fired or disciplined in his career.

Gordon and Hutton said they don’t believe Loughrin knew the proper way to address the invalid permits.

Defendants in the lawsuit include the city and Loughrin, in her personal and official capacities. They have 28 days to respond to the lawsuit, which was assigned to Sixth Circuit Court Judge Nanci Grant.

A report released this week by Oakland University shows its economic impact on the state has reached almost $2 billion dollars.

The report from the Anderson Economic Group for fiscal year 2024 shows OU generated more than $1.9 billion in new economic impact and supported nearly 6,500 jobs in Michigan.

The final figure represents direct and indirect economic activity and employment.

Direct impacts are driven by investments from the university, while indirect impacts reflect how spending circulates through the economy.

“At Oakland (University) we are making a profound difference in the lives of our students and in the enterprises of businesses,” said OU President Ora Pescovitz. “Small business, medium-size business and large businesses and in our communities from urban to suburban to rural.”

For comparison, a study done by Anderson  at Central Michigan University for fiscal year 2016, its economic impact on Michigan contributed $1.2 billion and created nearly 12,000 jobs.

And a 2018 report done on economic impacts at Western Michigan University showed a $1.6 billion of economic output in the Kalamazoo 3-county region of Kalamazoo, Van Buren, and Calhoun counties and economic activity supporting 16,690 jobs.

The OU jobs figure includes 3,569 new faculty and staff positions directly employed by OU and 2,848 indirectly generated jobs in other industries in the state due to expenditures by university faculty, staff and students.

“This is just our baseline, our vision is that by 2030 we are going to markedly increase these statistics,” said Pescovitz. “I am proud of these numbers, but frankly they are nowhere near enough.”

The report compiled in 2019 showed OU generated an economic impact of $957 with $51 million in state appropriations through the State School Aid Act. The new AEG report shows $1.9 billion with $72.8 million in state appropriations.

OU ranks 8th out of 15 state public universities in annual appropriations.

In 2024, Oakland University had 98,093 alumni living in Michigan and collectively they earned nearly $5.8 billion.

“A greater percent of our graduates remain in Michigan than from any other public university,” said Pescovitz.

The university also generated $76 million dollars from $37.3 million local, state and federal funds invested in research.

“The analysis shows that OU is a driver of regional economic activity, with alumni contributions and earnings extending their positive influence across Michigan,” said Patrick Anderson, CEO of AEG.

By Candice Williams, The Detroit News

As Michigan prepares for another warm-weather travel season, one thing is increasingly clear: President Donald Trump’s tariffs are sparking backlash that could reduce international visits to the United States — and deepening concerns that the levies may cause domestic travelers to adjust their plans.

The impact of tariffs amid a trade war is already showing up in travel from Canada to Michigan. The number of people crossing into the Great Lakes State from Canada fell 11% in both February and March, with vehicle crossings down 15% in February and 18% in March. Last fiscal year, 14.4 million travelers crossed the Canadian border into Michigan, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Tim Hygh, CEO of Mackinac Island Tourism, said he has heard of several cancellations from one day-trip tour operator based in Canada. Even though tariff-related cancellations may not impact the island’s overnight-stay business, there is concern that it could affect daytime traffic.

“You never want to see an interruption in business or any kind of a loss, especially when you’re only open six months out of the year,” he said. “So there are concerns. It won’t make or break us, but any loss is a concern.”

Dana Orlando, vice president of sales and marketing for Grand Hotel, said overall guest bookings are continuing as usual but the landmark property’s Canadian business has slowed. The hotel continues to focus on catering to a wide demographic, including multi-generational families.

“They love those traditions, and we stay true to those traditions,” she said. “So we’re trying to reach everyone.”

Tourism officials across the state are hoping for a busy summer, despite reduced air travel between the two North American neighbors and economic uncertainty threatening to cloud the outlook for hotels, restaurants and retailers up north. So far, operators say they are cautiously optimistic.

Trevor Tkach, president of Traverse City Tourism, expects more last-minute and budget-conscious travelers this summer, as many people scale back from long-distance or international trips. He described it as “a tale of two travelers” — those who are more conservative but still traveling and more affluent travelers who opt for closer destinations instead of going as far as they have in the past.

“It’s kind of reminding me of COVID, honestly,” he said. “It’s weird to say that. When we couldn’t travel as far, people still wanted to go somewhere. So we saw growth in affluent travelers then, too. Traverse City tends to find a customer one way, whether times are up or down. We end up being a pretty good landing spot because we’re a sought-after destination. We’re lucky in that way.”

Business owners like Bob Sutherland, owner of retailer Cherry Republic, are counting on people continuing their traditional summer trips to northern Michigan. The retailer has several stores in Michigan, including Traverse City, Charlevoix and Glen Arbor, with a new one opening this month in Mackinaw City.

“I think for Cherry Republic, in this time of uncertainty, we are going to be as rock solid, true to our brand, and certain and consistent,” he said. “For our customers coming north … they want that piece of peaceful, beautiful northern Michigan.”

On Mackinac Island, bookings are on par with last year so far, Hygh said. Early May is when many of the businesses at the popular tourist destination reopen to welcome tourists after a winter break.

“When I do a survey of our hotels almost weekly now, especially with the market turbulence at this point, their phone calls are steady,” Hygh said. “So at this point, it looks like it could be a good season, and we’re just grateful that all indications are good so far.”

Brian Bailey, general manager at Chippewa Hotel Waterfront, said Mackinac Island is fairly insulated from upheaval as people seek regional travel.

“People will travel shorter distances and go to a place that they know they can count on and they love,” he said.

Todd Callewaert, president of Island House Hotel, said bookings are up about 4% from the same time last year: “I’m sort of surprised at that. They’re coming in pretty strong. So I’m looking for a pretty good year.”

Canadian tourists are a small part of the hotel’s business, Callewaert said, booking about 60 nights total last year. As of early May, the hotel had booked 35 nights for Canadian residents.

“We’re going to do just fine with Canadians,” he said. “We’ll probably do the same, if not more.”

Staffing up

While some hotels say they are on pace with their summer bookings, most also report being fully or nearly fully staffed to accommodate guests.

Detroit-based immigration attorney Bob Birach estimates that about 20% of workers who staff businesses on Mackinac Island are foreign workers in the country through work visas, such as J1 and H2B.

Hygh on Mackinac Island said he doesn’t anticipate any changes to the J1 or H2B programs.

“Everything was laid in place with the last administration and the current administration has not changed anything, nor have they made any plans into the future,” Hygh said. “So no effect at this point.”

At the Grand Hotel, Orlando said the hotel is fully staffed with more than 700 employees during the peak of the season. About 80% are temporary employees, including foreign workers employed through the H2B program.

“It’s a big workforce for us,” she said. “We have to work with the government every year in order to get those. And you just never know what the number will be. And we’ve been thankful that this year we have everyone that we need.”

Mission Point expects to have all of its workers in place soon, said Leah Anderson, senior marketing and content manager. She said the hotel requests around 150 H2B work visas each year, but due to the nature of the program, there are delays. As of early May, the hotel had 68 H2B workers, she said.

“We expect the remainder to arrive by the end of May, but this does create significant challenges for us in the beginning of the season,” she said.

Promoting a ‘coolcation’

The Upper Peninsula saw $1.6 billion in total visitor spending — 5.5% of Michigan’s total visitor economy — in 2023, according to an economic impact analysis released last week by the Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association. Mackinac County, which includes Mackinac Island, led with $309.4 million in visitor spending.

Visitors returning to Mackinac Island will notice some improvements this year. The Grand Hotel has completed renovations, including a new Mackinac Market and the Dorothy Draper Home shop. The Inn at Stonecliffe has updated its kitchen facilities, while Mackinac State Historic Parks is preparing a series of events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Mackinac National Park.

New transportation options could also help boost visitation. Starting in May, United Express will begin daily direct flights from Chicago O’Hare to both Chippewa County International Airport and Pellston Airport.

Officials say ferry service to the island has improved as well. Hygh, CEO of Mackinac Island Tourism, said service is back on track following fleet issues last year, and the schedule has increased by 10%. The Arnold Transit brand has returned after a 12-year absence.

Hygh said cooler summer temperatures — 10 to 15 degrees lower than many Southern locations — are being used to promote the island as a “coolcation” destination.

“Mackinac Island is cool,” Hygh said. “Take that any way you want. The St Louises of the world, the Memphises of the world, the high heat, high humidity. We’re really trying to reach out and tell them, don’t go south, come north and get a break. Get out of the heat.”

Mission Point Resort completed a redesign of its fine dining restaurant, Chianti, and added a new Lilac Lounge. “Brighter colors, along the water,” said Mark Ware, CEO of Mission Point. “Really exquisite food.”

Liz Ware, co-owner of Mission Point, said the hotel is seeing a mix of travel behaviors, with some guests making weather-dependent, last-minute plans and others booking early. October and May travel is on the rise, she said, as guests seek more affordable shoulder-season trips.

“Summer is peak season and everyone wants to come to the island,” she said. “It’s going to be a strong season for us. And I think the other thing that people want is the experience. And Mackinac, you get this really great feeling of being able to disconnect and then reconnect with your family and your friends.”

Jeri-Lynn Bailey, spokesperson for Arnold Transit Company, said the company, previously known as Mackinac Island Ferry Company, rebranded back to Arnold Transit after a difficult 2024 that saw major fleet issues. The company invested $6 million in repairs and is now focused on dependable, no-frills service.

“We stripped it down,” Bailey said. “We’re a ferry boat company again — no gimmicks.”

A new ticketless boarding system is launching June 1, and a slower, scenic “classic service” from St. Ignace will offer rides as low as $22.50, $11.50 below a regular adult round-trip.

“It’s like you step back to the pace of Mackinac before you even step on the island,” she said.

The new season starts as Mackinac Island and the ferry companies are in a dispute over ferry operations. Shepler’s Inc. filed a complaint earlier this year alleging the city has overstepped its authority in regulating the company’s fares and schedules for ferries, prices for parking and its business operations.

Mackinac Island has filed a countersuit, saying that it has the right to regulate fees for parking and fares for Shepler’s Inc. and Arnold Transit Company, claiming that the companies’ common ownership, Hoffmann Marine, created a monopoly and eliminated competition.

Jenny Gezella, president of Hoffmann Marine, said she couldn’t discuss the ongoing litigation between the ferry companies and the city. However, she noted the $6 million investment in what is now known as the Arnold Transit ferry fleet. Shepler’s picked up the slack while Arnold Transit’s fleet was out of service.

“Shepler’s … it was hard on their equipment last year,” she said.

Regarding the rebranding of Arnold Transit, Gezella said, “You’re gonna see a whole different look and feel … the yellow star is gone. It’s back to that traditional brand of that green and red, and so lots of enhancements you’re gonna see.”

‘Maximizing our potential’

Tkach of Traverse City Tourism said the city has had ongoing development, a sign of investor confidence. Several new hotels are opening this year, including a Residence Inn on the East Bay side, plus Home2 Suites and Fairfield Inn on U.S. 31 south of the city. The old Fairfield Inn on U.S. 31 just south of the city is being converted into a Spark hotel that is scheduled to open in June. Short-term rental inventory continues to expand, and new downtown condos offer visitors a more urban option.

Traverse City is leaning heavily on its food and wine scene, he added: “As a destination, there’s some strategizing going on, so I think you’ll see more opportunities, maybe just more strategic alignment between growers, the farmers and the vendors. Being a little more deliberate to make sure we’re maximizing our potential with the consumer.”

In several northern Michigan communities, including Traverse City and Glen Arbor, Cherry Republic is fully staffed for the season, Sutherland said. The company — which does about half of its annual business between June and September — will carry 20 new products this summer. Cherry Republic has developed a balanced staffing model that includes J1 visa holders, H2B workers, college students and retirees.

“We provide spaces in an RV park so that we can have camp workers — people that own RVs and drive up here for the summer,” he said. “Usually semi-retired, and they’re terrific workers.”

Sutherland believes the workforce improvements are paying off in customer service. “We’re excited to have enough employees and fresh employees and really rock-solid people to serve our customers,” he said. “It makes a huge difference … to not have an exhausted employee whose lips are too tired to smile.”

In Grand Rapids, a year-round destination, 2025 is pacing ahead of last year in terms of visitors, said Janet Korn, senior vice president with Experience Grand Rapids.

“Through the end of March, (we’re) about 3.4% ahead of last year,” she said. “So currently we’re ahead of what we hope to be for the end of the year. So that’s a ray of optimism.”

Korn said June and July are shaping up to be “really strong” with group business. “That might hold true, because people that are planning to go to their meeting and convention at this point are likely coming,” she said. “Of course, there is all this uncertainty, but we have many reasons to believe that people who are traveling to visit their friends and relatives and coming to the Grand Rapids-Kent County area for tourism are going to come here.”

Korn noted the city’s proximity to major Midwest markets as another advantage: “We’re in this wonderful three-hour drive from Chicago, which is a large market. We’re only a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Indianapolis. And we’re only two, two-and-a-half hours from Metro Detroit,” she said. “We do get a lot of visitors coming from there.”

Royal Oak school officials will begin in-person interviews with a pool of candidates for the superintendent position this week.

During a special meeting Friday, the Board of Education reviewed a pool of 25 applicants and selected four candidates to advance to the first round of interviews. The board is working in partnership with the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB), with Rodney Green serving as the search consultant.

First-round interviews will be held in person at the Board Meeting Room located at 800 DeVillen Street. Interviews will take place over two evenings, beginning at 5:30 p.m. each night and are open to the public. Candidates include:

Tuesday, May 13

5:30 p.m. – Catherine Kochanski, MA, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Walled Lake Public Schools. According to information provided by Royal Oak school officials, she is a former principal in Rochester and Brandon who spent 15 years teaching in Troy.

6:45 p.m. – Meghan Ashkanani, Ed.S., Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Technology, Berkley School District. She is a former principal in Berkley who spent 17 years teaching in Novi.

Wednesday, May 14

5:30 p.m. – John Tafelski, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Allen Park Public Schools. He is a former high school principal and business teacher in Dearborn Heights.

6:45 p.m. – Joseph Youanes, Ed.D. Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction. He has Royal Oak ties, having worked as principal at Addams Elementary as well as an assistant principal at Royal Oak Middle School. He is a former teacher in Troy.

Following the initial interviews, an open house will be held for finalists on Thursday, May 16 at 3:30 p.m., with second-round interviews taking place later that evening.

The Royal Oak board expects to appoint a new superintendent by July 1.

“This selection marks a pivotal moment in shaping the future of Royal Oak Schools and upholding the district’s vision of a Community of Excellence and its mission to nurture growth-minded, adaptable students in a safe, inclusive, and student-first environment,” a district release announcing the candidates stated.

Superintendent Mary Beth Fitzpatrick announced her retirement effective July 31. The board accepted her letter during a March 13 meeting.

For updates and more information, visit royaloakschools.org.

Ferndale voters delivered two victories on Tuesday. Proposals before Clawson and Lamphere Schools’ voters failed.

Ferndale voters’ ballot included a city millage and school bond proposal. The city asked for a 10-year, 5.4 millage to restore money lost through the Headlee Act rollbacks. Of the 4,230 voters who cast ballots, 2,455 voted yes and 1,775 voted no. The city will receive an estimated $5.4 million starting in 2026.

Voters approved Ferndale Public Schools’ request for a 30-year, $114.8 million bond with 3,665 voting yes and 1,563 voting no.
The district will move ahead with renovations and additions to the middle/high school buildings, upgrading fine art spaces and athletic fields and purchasing new equipment, furniture, and technology.

Clawson residents affirmed a commitment to the city charter approved in 2023 by a nearly 70% majority. Proposal 1 would have kept the city council at four members, while the new charter allows six members. cast 888 yes to limit the board and 1,573 voting no on Proposal 1. as stated in the city charter approved in 2023.Proposal 2, would have set council terms to four years with elections every  two years. Only 907 voted yes while 1,549 voted no. Now, the three candidates with the most votes win 4-year terms and the candidate with the fourth-highest vote wins a 2-year term of office.

Lamphere Schools’ 30-year, $85 million bond request didn’t fare well. While 1,066 voted yes, 1,449 voted no.

The district had planned a new gym for the high school, new equipment for the middle-school robotics program, along with remodeling facilities, upgrading playgrounds and athletic fields. Some of the money would have been used to buy new technology, equipment, furniture and for new secure entrances at the school buildings.

The next election, the Aug. 5 primary, includes mayoral, council and library races in Pontiac and Southfield‘s mayoral race. Voters in Novi will decide a $120 million public-safety bond question.

Oakland Township voters will be asked to renew the 4-year, 0.1134 millage that expires this year and add a 5-year, 0.14 millage. The township’s library millage supports the Rochester Hills Public Library. If the existing millage is renewed, it would provide an estimated $235,000 and the new millage would add an estimated $289,000.

Northville Public Schools will ask voters to renew a 10-year, 0.9357 millage for its building and site sinking fund. The district serves communities in Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. If approved the district would receive an estimated $4.1 million starting in 2026. The money is meant for building construction or repair, security improvements, buying or upgrading technology and other items as allowed by law.

Learn more at https://www.oakgov.com/government/clerk-register-of-deeds/elections-voting.

In July, 32 communities will begin paying more for county assessments, which are used to calculate property taxes.

The rates will rise each year on July 1 over three years. By 2028, those cities and townships could be paying more than double the current rate for county assessment services.

The county commission approved the increase during an unusually contentious meeting last week.

The county has provided assessment services for more than 50 years at varying rates. The commission vote standardizes rates for contracts.

Nearly half of the county’s 62 cities, villages and townships have their own assessing departments. The 19 cities and 13 townships with county contracts pay a per-parcel rate, which ranges from $15.88 in Royal Oak Township to $28.64 in the City of Orchard Lake Village. By 2028 all 32 communities with assessment contracts will pay $41.55 per parcel.

For Royal Oak Township, that’s a 260% increase. Orchard Lake’s costs will rise by nearly 150%. And Pontiac, which paid $474,171 this year, and will see a 230% increase to more than $1.1 million.

Pleasant Ridge Mayor Bret Scott said cities like his are almost done with their annual budget planning and said the county didn’t follow a responsible process. Pleasant Ridge’s costs will rise by more than 250%, from $22,243 this year to 32,586 starting July 1 and$ $56,963 by July 1, 2028.

“This is like you’re lobbing a grenade at us and asking us not to throw it back at you,” he said, asking the board to slow the annual increases. He praised county assessors and said concerns about the contract costs are no reflection on their work.

Pleasant Ridge City Manager James Breuckman called the timing and the manner in which Oakland County made the change disappointing. He said the city is looking at other assessment options.

A bipartisan group of county commissioners voted to delay a decision until June 11 to give communities more time to negotiate rates. But Commission Chairman Dave Woodward recessed the meeting to lobby for more support.

Commissioner Mike Spisz, an Oxford Republican and the minority caucus chair, said reviving the measure for a second vote during the meeting was an egregious violation of board policies. He and other Republicans said the county risks losing assessment contracts.

Woodward, a Royal Oak Democrat, said the county subsidizes the contracts. The 2025 subsidy was $2.5 million, he said.

Communities are allowed by state law to collect 1% of property taxes to pay for assessment costs, but not all do.

Oxford Township’s treasurer, Joseph Ferrari, was among local officials who asked the commission for a slower transition to higher rates. The township paid $17.97 to assess each of its 8,903 parcels this year, more than $160,000. By 2028, the cost rises by 230% to $369,905.

“Five months of our (fiscal year has) already been burned,” Ferrari said. “It’s gonna be hard for us to come up with that money.”

He later told The Oakland Press the township board hasn’t met to discuss the issue. He said the board will likely use from the general fund or from savings, to cover the cost of the first year.

Ferrari wants to negotiate the next two years’ costs. He objects to the way the county compiled the full cost of the contract, because in addition to a county assessor’s salary and benefits, the contract price includes depreciation for the assessors’ county building.

“Their building will depreciate whether we have a contract or not,” he said. “You don’t eat at a restaurant and get a bill that charges you for using your fork.”

Oxford Township doesn’t charge residents the 1% allowed by the state for assessment costs.

“I’ve never recommended that because it’s a tax to collect a tax,” Ferrari said. But that may be an option for the township, he said, because it could raise an estimated $494,000.

Meanwhile, the township is checking to see what private companies charge for the same services. Ferrari said the county’s assessment work is specialized and the service is excellent.

No one disputed the need for communities to pay the full assessing cost. But many commissioners supported helping the communities adapt to the full prices.

Commissioner Michael Gingell, a Lake Orion Republican, said the unintended consequences of a triple-digit increase would force communities to look for alternative services. County contracts would have to be increased significantly after that for fewer communities or county assessing employees would lose their jobs, he said.

He represents Orion Township, which paid $298,626 for this year’s assessment services and will see increases totaling more than $387,000 over the next three years, from $160,016 this year to $690,325 in 2028.

Gingell’s amendment to slow the increases failed. He said last year’s controversy over sheriff’s contract increases led to an understanding that the county would provide advance notice of rate increases for the sake of timing, communication and fairness.

Democrats Charlie Cavell of Ferndale and Kristen Nelson of Waterford added their support for a slower timeline.

Contracts for law enforcement services from the sheriff’s office are paid by local millages, Cavell said. Assessment costs are paid from a community’s general fund, which is money from property taxes, state revenue sharing and a community’s service fees.

“Your budget is how you state values in a community. It’s spent on potholes and schools, maintaining parks … clean water and making sure sewage doesn’t back up into your basement,” Cavell said.

He said communities may be faced with cutting essential services or jobs to meet the new assessment costs.

“For Huntington Woods to go from paying $40,000 to $82,000 in 60 days is not a small increase. That $40,000 is someone’s annual salary,” he said.

Communities were notified on March 3 about impending increases, Woodward said.

“The county has made the costs as manageable as possible to maintain the highest-quality staff and deliver the highest-quality product and most-accurate rate for communities,” Woodward said, adding that he’s confident communities will not look for services that cost less.

The commission agreed to create an assessment study group, to include representatives from the commission, administration, assessment office and cities, villages and townships with county contracts. The proposal initially failed with three Democrats voting no with Republicans. Woodward asked for the board to reconsider the vote. Smith Charles said she would, adding that the group should have been formed last year to give communities a greater say in the contract rates.

Nelson asked that the group be formed as an ad hoc committee so members would be required to meet open meetings standards. Woodward rejected her suggestion.

The commission’s next scheduled meeting is 6 p.m. Thursday, May 22, in the commission auditorium at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told business leaders Monday the private sector needs to be part of the solution to increase funding for local roads.

Whitmer made the pitch at the annual Governor’s Luncheon staged by the Macomb County Chamber, held this year at The Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township, attended by about 430 people, including a plethora of Macomb County politicians and business leaders.

While Whitmer noted the celebratory mood in the county over securing a new fighter-jet mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base last week, she brought up a renewed focus in the state to increase funding for local roads now that most of the $3.5 billion Rebuilding Michigan Plan for state highways and bridges has been completed.

“As we celebrate the big win of last week, the lesson that’s sticking with me is one that everyone in this room knows very well in Macomb County: The best way to get things done is by doing them together,” she said. “From local government officials to business leaders, the willingness to work across the aisle and across sectors has played a key role in making Macomb County an economic powerhouse.”

Business owners must up their ante and contribute more to fix the roads “that we all drive on every day,” she said.

“We can’t put all this on the backs of hard-working Michiganders,” she said. “Businesses also benefit from strong, reliable roads. And we all need to be part of the solution. It’s a simple equation: Fewer potholes means fewer delays, means safer roads, means more predictability and certainty in a world that feels very uncertain in many ways.”

Business owners and operators must set an example in supporting more road funding because they serve as role models in the community, the govenror said. People view them as “no-nonsense folks who have a finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the community,” she said. “As a swing county, you helped define the direction of our state. You elected me twice as governor, but I need your help once again.

“We can’t afford to risk losing all of the progress we have made here in Macomb. If we compromise, I’m confident we can deliver a strong roads deal and keep winning key manufacturing investments.

A road plan will have to include spending cuts along with “new, fairer sources of revenue,” she said.

“We’ve got to be able to do both,” she added.

In comments after her talk, she said she hopes a new road-funding plan will be passed this year as part of the 2026 budget, hopefully by the end of June.

Also in comments to the media, the governor expressed grave concerns about the potential impact of Medicaid cuts by the Republican-controlled Congress after she was asked whether she supports reviving tax credits to the movie industry. The credits, approved under former Democratic governor Jennifer Granholm, were nixed during the tenure of GOP governor Rick Snyder.

She said when she was a lawmaker she “always supported” credits to the film industry to encourage filmmakers to produce their creations here, but said the timing isn’t right. The possibility of “major cuts” in Medicaid that would close some hospitals “will make it a lot harder to justify any additional spending with the Legislature.

“I’m just being very pragmatic about that,” she said.

Democratic governor called on GOP U.S. Rep. John James, who represents most of the county, to vote against Medicaid cuts, noting the amount of Medicaid spending here represents 40% of the state budget.

“I’m hopeful that congressman James, who is running for my job, understands that that’s 40% of the state budget, devastating the state of Michigan,” she said. “So I’m hoping that he will vote no and I’m hoping a handful of other Republican congress people will as well because it will be absolutely devastating.

“We can’t afford to offset 40% of our budget. That will mean hospitals will close in Michigan, if all of that comes to fruition. There are hospitals that have 70% of their patients (on) Medicaid. They could not survive that. That is a very real possibility.”

James, who represents the 10th District, has announced he is running for governor to succeed the term-limited Whitmer.

James responded with a written statement: “Republicans are working with President Trump to protect Social Security and Medicaid from insolvency to ensure those who’ve rightfully paid into their benefits and our most vulnerable can access these essential programs. Meanwhile, Democrats continue to sow fear and mass hysteria and confusion to hide from the fact that they’ve spent years burdening a system that will allow for its collapse. My first bill in Congress sought to protect these vital benefits. Republicans WILL ALWAYS protect Social Security and Medicaid.”

Last month, Whitmer signed an executive order directing the state Department of Health and Human Services to study and report on “potential scenarios related to the impact” of Medicaid cuts.

Some 2.6 million people in Michigan are enrolled in Medicaid following its 2014 expansion, including one million children, 300,000 people living with disabilities and 168,000 senior citizens, according to the state.

Also while speaking to reporters, Whitmer addressed criticism she received for meeting with the divisive Republican president particulary in the Oval Office when she covered her face during a surprise press conference on actions she opposed, something she said she regrets doing. In addition to arguing for Selfridge’s additional mission, she lobbied for a federal emergency declaration for the late-March ice storm that caused severe damage across a swath of northern Michigan.

“I was there for the people of northern Michigan because we don’t yet have a federal declaration,” she said. “I am continuing to try to get the Trump Administration to give us federal dollars for the recovery from the ice storm in northern Michigan. Those are the two items I was there on. I can mark one of them off of my list but trust that I am going to add more things to my list. I am gong to keep working on that.”

Whitmer said the state has been granted an extension to submit its request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency that was requested April 21.

Farmington Public Schools is accepting applications for an anticipated board opening.

David Turner, who was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Zach Rich after he moved out of the district, agreed to serve through June 2025.

The individual selected will serve the remainder of his term through December 2026.

“We encourage all individuals with a passion for children and a commitment to community service to apply,” said Terri Weems, board president. “In addition, this applicant pool may be considered for any other vacancies that may arise through the end of 2025, allowing the board to act swiftly in identifying successors if needed due to life events or other transitions.”

Applications will be accepted until Friday, May 16.

Application link: https://bit.ly/BoardApplication2025

Interviews are expected to take place between June 2-16, with the exact schedule announced following the close of the application window.

“Thank you for your interest in serving our community and supporting the future of our students,” added Weems.

All inquiries regarding the process should be directed to Weems at terri.weems@fpsk12.net .

Early voting ends Sunday in Oakland County for three communities — Clawson, Ferndale and Madison Heights — with special elections on Tuesday.

Early voting hours on Saturday and Sunday are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be no county-run central voting site for this election at Waterford Oaks County Park.

Voters can cast ballots early at municipal sites, by absentee ballot at their city clerk’s office or in person on Election Day, Tuesday, May 6, when polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

All absentee ballots must be returned to the municipal clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on election day.

Clawson

Voters will decide two city charter amendments.

Proposal 1, if approved, would maintain the city council at four members plus the mayor. If the proposal is defeated, the council will expand to six seats plus the mayor, as stated in the city charter approved in 2023.

Proposal 2, if approved, would set terms of office for the city council members to four years, with elections every two years. If defeated, the three candidates with the most votes win 4-year terms and the candidate with the fourth highest vote wins a 2-year term of office.

Early voters can cast their ballots at the Troy Community Center, (use the east entrance), 3179 Livernois Road in Troy.

On Tuesday, voters will find an information booth outside City Hall, 425 N. Main St. hosted by a group called Clawson Votes Matter. Sam Paulus of the Paulus Group said the main effort of Clawson Votes Matter is to get the city council to pass a cannabis ordinance and create a process for retailers to set up shop.

Voters approved legalizing marijuana sales with 3,826 yes votes and 3,270 no votes. The yes votes represent just under 54% of those who cast ballots.

Paulus said the council’s delay is a form of ignoring the voters’ wishes. He said the same was true for Tuesday’s ballot proposals aimed at reversing a charter amendment approved by voters in 2023.

City officials did not respond to questions from The Oakland Press.

Ferndale

City voters will be asked to approve a 10-year, 5.4 millage to replace money lost through the Headlee Act rollbacks. If approved, the city would receive nearly $5.4 million starting in 2026.

Taxes on a property with a state-equalized value of $150,000 would increase by $174 a year, or $14.52 each month.

Voters in the Ferndale public school district will decide a 30-year, $114.8 million bond question. The money would be used to pay for additions and renovations to Ferndale’s middle/high school buildings as well as for new equipment, furniture and upgrading fine art spaces and athletic fields and improved technology.

The district serves Ferndale, Oak Park Precinct 9 and Precinct 10, Pleasant Ridge, and Royal Oak Township Precinct 1.

Early voters can cast their ballots at the Hazel Park Community Center, 620 W. Woodward Heights Blvd. in Hazel Park or Oak Park Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Blvd. in Oak Park.

Madison Heights

Voters in Madison Heights’ Lamphere school district – those living in Precincts 5 through 9 – will decide a 30-year, $85 million bond proposal.

If approved, the bond will increase property taxes on a home with a state-equalized value of $200,000 by $415 a year or $34.58 each month.

The district will use the money for remodeling facilities, buying new equipment and furniture, upgrading playgrounds, athletic fields and adding secure entrances at school buildings. A gym will be added to the high school and district technology will be upgraded, including equipment for the middle-school robotics program.

Early voters can cast their ballots at the Leo Mahany/Harold Meininger Senior Community Center, 3500 Marais Ave. in Royal Oak.

Learn more at https://www.oakgov.com/government/clerk-register-of-deeds/elections-voting/voter-information or contact your municipal clerk’s office.

By Julia Cardi, The Detroit News

The first of three men charged in connection with the killing of an Oakland County sheriff’s deputy in 2024 will spend between five and 20 years in prison after his sentencing in a Detroit courtroom Friday.

Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Charise Anderson ordered Karim Moore, 19, to spend at least five years in prison after he pleaded guilty in March to conducting a criminal enterprise, receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle, and felony firearm in connection with Deputy Brad Reckling’s death.

Recking, 30, was killed June 22, 2024 while he and other members of a cross-jurisdictional task force investigated a Chevrolet Equinox stolen from an Oakland County waterpark. Reckling allegedly was shot three times while tailing the car in Detroit, working undercover.

The Wayne County prosecutor’s office charged three people, including Moore, in connection with Reckling’s death. Anderson sentenced Moore to two years for the felony firearm count and between three and 20 years for the criminal enterprise count. Those two sentences will run consecutively, which brings the minimum time Moore will spend in prison to five years. Anderson sentenced Moore to one to five years for the stolen motor vehicle charge.

Prosecutor Matthew Penney said in court he hoped Friday’s sentencing would be the first step in allowing Reckling’s family to “turn the page” in their lives after his killing. He acknowledged they still have a long road ahead of them, with the cases of two other people charged in connection with Reckling’s death still yet to reach resolutions.

“This is just the first step in a much longer process that this poor family has been enduring for the last 11 months,” Penney said.

More than a dozen supporters of Reckling sat on one side of the courtroom, including his widow, Jacqueline. The couple had three small children and a fourth on the way when Reckling died.

Wearing a white dress shirt, bow tie, sneakers and ankle monitor, Moore did not make a statement to the court. He appeared with his defense attorney, Adam Clements, who characterized Moore as someone who has accepted accountability for what he did and has been cooperative in showing up to court. He has not posed an ongoing danger to his community and even found a job, Clements told the court.

“This young man will have an opportunity, when he gets out, to try to turn his life around.”

Clements had requested Moore be sentenced under a law targeted at young defendants that would have made him eligible for release after three years.

“He’s accepted accountability for his actions. He was wrong, and he embraced that,” Clements told The News in an interview after the sentencing.

Reckling’s family did not speak at the sentencing or to reporters afterward.

A separate case against Moore accusing him of resisting arrest has been dismissed.

Deputies escorted him out of the courtroom to begin his sentence. He was not handcuffed.

Ramon DeBose, 18, of Clinton Township is accused of killing Reckling. Marquis Goins, 18, of Detroit, also faces charges as an accessory. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said DeBose drove the SUV, and Goins and Moore rode as passengers at the time of the shooting.

Judge Shawn Jacque in Detroit’s 36th District Court ordered DeBose in March to stand trial. DeBose faces life in prison if convicted.

jcardi@detroitnews.com

©2025 The Detroit News. Visit detroitnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Sheetz, the popular gas station and eatery moving into southeastern Michigan, has gained approval from Orion Township for a new location on Lapeer Road.

Last August, the township’s Planning Commission approved the special land use and site plan for a 24-hour gas station and restaurant with a drive-through window.

Sheetz, though, is still working to meet the conditions of the approval and will need a formal engineering review, said Tammy Girling, the township’s director of planning and zoning.

The property at 4160 S. Lapeer Road is on a busy stretch of M-24, south of Silverbell Road. It has been vacant for years, Girling said.

Sheetz’ proposal did not generate opposition, she said.

The company did not say when construction would begin on the Lapeer Road location or when it would open.

Sheetz has encountered opposition from nearby residents in many Oakland County communities where it has tried to locate, including Royal Oak, Wixom, Madison Heights, Rochester Hills and Waterford Township. Residents say they fear additional traffic, noise, crime and light pollution, as Sheetz outlets are open 24 hours.

In Farmington Hills, the City Council rejected a proposed location at 12 Mile and Middlebelt roads. The Planning Commission approved a location at Grand River Avenue and Middlebelt.

Around the tri-county area, Sheetz says it has recently gained approval for locations at 48825 Van Dyke in Shelby Township and at 7565 Haggerty Road in Van Buren Township.

In Roseville, a proposal at a former church has spurned supporters and opponents and even potential legal challenges.

Sheetz plans to open 50 to 60 stores in southeast Michigan in the next five to six years.

Sheetz opened its first Michigan store last August on Wick Road, near Detroit Metro Airport, in Romulus, and has two stores under construction at 29225 Smith Road, Romulus, and in Chesterfield Township on 23 Mile Road east of I-94.

Other Sheetz locations that have been approved:

— 8200 Telegraph Road, Taylor
— 20623 Eureka Road, Taylor
— 45011 Garfield Road, Macomb
— 28030 Gratiot Ave., Roseville
— 31925 Van Dyke Ave., Warren
— 19001 E. Nine Mile Road, Eastpointe
— 2103 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti
— Southwest corner of 14 Mile and Utica roads, Fraser
— 45075 N. Gratiot Avenue, Macomb
— 5970 12 Mile Road, Warren
— 29455 Grand River Ave., Farmington Hills
— 39471 W. 12 Mile Road, Novi.

Later this year, Sheetz will be hiring employees for these future locations, with each store expected to employ about 35 people; most will be employed full time.

The company operates over 750 stores in Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina.

Sheetz plans to open at least 2 Oakland County locations next year

Sheetz breaks ground on second Downriver location

President Donald Trump’s campaign has released details about a rally scheduled for Tuesday in Macomb County to celebrate the 100th day of his second term.

The campaign said in an email the event will be held at 6 p.m. April 29th at the Sports & Expo Center on the South Campus of Macomb Community College on 12 Mile and Hayes roads in Warren.

Tickets for the rally, which is open to the public, are available here.

Doors are set to open at 1:45 p.m. Remarks by various elected officials will begin at 6 p.m. followed by Trump’s comments, according to the campaign.

Last week, the White House announced Trump’s visit to Michigan, his first since being elected president to a second, nonconsecutive term in office. He won the state of Michigan in both the 2016 and 2024 elections, but lost the state and the election in 2020.

Trump to hold rally in Macomb County to celebrate his first 100 days in office

The past three months have seen the president’s whirlwind approach to covering trade, international alliances and a tariffs program that has led to consumer confidence plummeting, stock markets convulsing and investors losing confidence in the credibility of Trump’s policies.

Since taking office for his second term, the president has been looking to overhaul the federal government as he attempts to cut jobs and agencies, end diversity programs, deport immigrants and launch hefty tariffs that have threatened to upend the global economic order but which he says are needed to force fairer trade deals.

In a news release, organizers said the MCC event is intended to be a “celebration of the most successful and monumental first 100 days of any administration in history.”

Macomb County was one of the southeast Michigan communities where voters favored Trump.

In November 2024, he won Michigan’s 15 electoral college votes, flipping the state again in a victory over Democrat Kamala Harris.

In Macomb, voters chose Trump over Harris, 284,660 votes to 214,977 votes, for a nearly 14-percentage point victory margin.

Trump’s favor in Michigan has wavered over the years, but his supporters have kept the vote counts close. He defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by 10,704 Michigan votes in 2016 and then lost to Democratic nominee Joe Biden by 154,188 Michigan votes four years later.

His speech is expected to touch on tariffs and an an update on Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township. He has said in recent weeks that he was working with Michigan leaders to keep the military installation  “open, strong, thriving” and hinted about the possibility of new fighter jets coming.

Earlier this month, Trump made reference to Selfridge as he was meeting with Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in the Oval Office. Whitmer and other Michigan officials have long pushed for a new fighter mission to replace the outgoing A-10 squadron at Selfridge.

Familiar faces expected to join Trump during rally next week at Macomb Community College

Most Americans expect higher prices as a result of Trump’s tariffs, new poll finds

Prevailing thoughts from Lions’ 2025 draft class, and what might come next

Macomb County All-Academic Banquet brings out the best in all

The only thing worse than the need for community food pantries is having a pantry and not being able to store perishable goods.

That’s what makes the food pantry grant for a new refrigeration unit offered by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan in collaboration with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM), Blue Cross Complete of Michigan and the BCBSM Foundation such a blessing.

“Last year we served 75,665 people and because of the refrigeration unit we were able to store milk between pantry days for emergency food,” said Sue Ostosh, executive director of Harvest Time Christian Fellowship Church’s pantry and among the organizations that have received the grant that’s now open for new applicants.

Emergency food as Ostosh explained is a term that pantries use for people who are in a crisis situation.

“They have no food in the house. No food in the cupboards. Their children are hungry and they don’t know what to do,” Ostosh said. “We probably serve three to five families in this situation every week.”

Harvest Time in Warren is one of 179 organizations in 54 counties that have received a grant to help people facing food insecurity, which includes about 14% of people in Michigan or one in seven Michiganders, according to a report by Feeding America. Older adults, seniors over the age of 60, are also at risk with a food insecurity rate of 6.5%.

According to the BCBSM, the situation is even worse for children, with nearly one in six lacking enough to eat and more than 20 counties having 20% or more kids without reliable access to healthy food.

“When families have consistent access to fresh, nutritious foods like milk, cheese and yogurt it supports their health, development and well being,” said Amiee Vondrasek, health and wellness senior manager for the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, in a news release. “Through this grant program, we’re proud to partner with organizations across Michigan to ensure food pantries are equipped to provide the dairy foods their communities want and need, especially for children and seniors facing food insecurity.”

Todd Anderson concurred.

“Access to fresh produce is critically important for growing children and families who are making ends meet with fewer resources,” said the market president for Blue Cross Complete. “Having these basic needs met creates a positive shift in a person’s overall health and wellbeing. It helps bring them out of survival mode, and that ripples out and allows whole communities to thrive.”

The refrigeration units cost $7,000.

In addition to the refrigeration unit, food pantry grantees will also receive personalized technical assistance to enhance pantry operations and $250 in dairy match funding to purchase additional eligible dairy products for their pantry.

“Food pantries play a vital role in providing individuals and families with access to nutritious food and BCBSM and the BCBSM Foundation are proud to offer resources to help expand their reach and impact,” said Tiffany Albert, senior vice president of community relations for BCBSM. “By investing in food pantries, we can address the immediate need of our communities and equip pantries with the necessary resources, tools and support to serve those in need for years to come.”

Ostosh, whose pantry in Warren serves families in Macomb and parts of Oakland and Wayne counties, said she appreciates what BCBSM is doing.

She just wishes more companies were doing it.

“I could use another refrigerator,” she said. “Even a walk-in cooler or freezer would be great.”

Grant applications are due June 22. They must be submitted using the online application.

For more information and to apply visit the Food Pantry Grant Program site at milkmeansmore.org/dairy-in-the-community/food-pantry-grant-program/

Harvest Time Christian Fellowship Church food pantry is 8204 East 9 Mile Rd., in Warren.

The De La Salle Pilots baseball team is having fun.

And why wouldn’t they? After a pair of 15-0 run-rule wins over Avondale on Saturday, the Pilots are 12-2 with 10 of their wins coming against Catholic League rivals Brother Rice, U of D Jesuit, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Detroit Catholic Central.

It’s been a striking difference from last season, when the Pilots finished 17-19.

So what’s changed?

“I think we all bought in this year,” said senior Mason Pilarski. “I mean, we kind of all came together as a group.”

The buy-in has circulated around new head coach Dan Cimini, who took the DLS head coaching job after winning the Division 1 state title last season as the skipper for Northville.

“‘Everything counts’ is his motto,’ Pilarski said.

“He’s instilled what he’s about – winning and everything like that. And he’s really put it there, and we’ve all bought in.”

Cimini is familiar with both De La Salle and the Catholic League – he won five state championships as the head coach at Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, where he dominated the Catholic League and battled against De La Salle annually. He’s also an eastsider with friends who are Pilot grads.

It helps that there’s plenty of talent on the roster.

Pilarski, a Western Michigan commit, is the team’s top pitcher and is a fixture at the top of the lineup. His 17 RBIs are a team-high and he’s yet to allow an earned run in 18.1 innings pitched.

JJ Jurczyk leads off and is a rangy outfielder who is a soccer state champion with DLS.

Vito Zito is an anchor behind the plate, catching most of the team’s games. He’s hit four home runs and nine of his 14 hits have gone for extra bases, good for a 1.166 on-base plus slugging.

“I keep telling these guys, you know, care about the guy next to you,” Cimini said. “Maybe it’s not your day, someone else will pick you up, and that’s what we’re doing, passing the baton to whoever that day is going to be helping us.”

It’s not just the top of the lineup that opponents have to sweat, either. In their second win over Avondale on Saturday, their 7-8-9 hitters – Mason Stempin, Mark Gerardi and Pashk Daka – went 5-for-5 with two doubles, both by Girardi, and a no-doubter home run by Daka.

On the mound, Dylan Leupke’s ERA is a minuscule .545 in 25.2 innings of work with 38 strikeouts. Jurczyk’s is 2.58 with a team-high 45 punchouts in just 21.2 innings.

All of those guys are returners. Clearly, the talent has been there – Cimini is unlocking it. And it starts with belief.

“He (Cimini) instilled confidence on us,” Zito said. “Last year was hard for us, losing a lot of games. We came in here, he kind of set the standard for us, and we’ve just been playing to it now and having fun.

“It’s a great feeling. I mean, since day one he was saying this is a spot we’re going to be in. And I mean, he spoke into existence, great guy. He’s always picking us up.”

The state is taking notice. In the recent MHSBCA statewide poll, the Pilots were ranked as the best of the best, the cream of the crop – the No. 1 team in Division 1 – just a few weeks into the season.

“(I expected it) Maybe not this early, but I mean, we all knew that we had something special here, especially with them coming in,” Pilarski said. “I wasn’t really expecting it this early, but it’s pretty cool.”

De La Salle, Romeo ride strong starts to rise in new Macomb County baseball rankings

An emphasis on “doing the little things” has made waves for the team. It’s not just about hitting the ball hard and throwing strikes – they work counts, go first to third on hits, field the ball cleanly and hammer the details that other teams don’t.

For Cimini, who is one of the most accomplished baseball coaches in Michigan across the last two decades, it’s something he knows sets the good teams apart from the great ones.

Photos from De La Salle baseball’s 15-0 win over Avondale on Saturday

“I just really wanted them to understand that, you know, with hard work and preparation and do the little things that we talk about – the little things are, what win championships and what win games,” Cimini said. “And I don’t know if they did a lot of that stuff last year. I mean, they did some of it, but now they’re doing it all.

“Our goals are (to) win a Catholic League championship, and then, you know, see what we can do in the playoffs and hopefully be at Michigan State again. That’s my goal every single year as a coach, and I think these guys now believe that they can do that same thing, so that’s cool.”

The Pilots last won a state championship in 2016.

By Anne Snabes, The Detroit News

The Rev. Lorn Snow, a Jesuit priest in Detroit, felt a sense of loss for himself and the Catholic Church after hearing the news that Pope Francis had died.

But that sadness later turned to two other feelings, he said.

One was joy, since Francis’ death was amid the Easter season, which is the “highest moment in the life of the church,” said Snow, the pastor of Gesu Catholic Church in Detroit. On Easter, Catholics celebrate the rising of Jesus from the dead after his crucifixion.

“And I just thought it was so beautiful that the Risen Jesus came for Pope Francis in the midst of our Easter season — our resurrection,” he said. “And, you know, he shares in that resurrection now.”

The other feeling was gratitude. Snow said he is thankful for the pope’s years of “shepherding us” and caring for “not only the church, but really in a deep sense, for the world.”

Faith leaders in Metro Detroit are reflecting on Pope Francis’ life and legacy following his death Monday morning from a stroke and heart failure, as well as his Saturday funeral mass. Some Catholic priests remember Francis’ authenticity, his concern for the Earth and the example he set for older adults who are aging.

Some Protestant pastors remarked on his care for the poor and the marginalized, and a local rabbi called him “such a devoted, sincere, humble man.” An imam in Detroit praised Francis’ attention to the Palestinian people in Gaza.

The Rev. Elbert Dulworth, pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Rochester, said he was excited to see a pope who “seemed to kind of bring people together.”

“As someone coming from a Protestant denomination, I felt like he really was a pastoral leader for not just the Catholic Church, but for all of us in the Christian church, kind of calling us together ― a more unifying presence for us,” Dulworth said.

Tens of thousands of people came to St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican to pay their respects to Francis, who lay in state for three days. His funeral Mass was Saturday morning in St. Peter’s Square.

‘In touch with his people to the very end’

The Rev. Terry Kerner, pastor of St. Kateri Catholic Church in Dearborn, noted that on Easter Sunday, Francis ministered to the people in St. Peter’s Square, including blessing babies.

“He was in touch with his people to the very end,” he said.

Francis was “a beautiful example of aging” and how to grow old in “a gracious and faithful way,” Kerner said. His parish has a lot of elderly parishioners, he said.

“I just think his life spoke to them by his example and his writings,” Kerner said.

He said Francis’ message was that the elderly have gifts for the young, and the young have gifts to give to the elderly.

“Nobody is disposable,” Kerner said, adding that seniors are “certainly a gift” to the church and humankind.

He noted that he doesn’t know anyone who disliked Francis.

“They may not have agreed with some of his policies,” Kerner said, “but it was hard to dislike him, because he’s just so authentic and genuine and loving.”

His concern for the environment

In 2015, Pope Francis released an encyclical — which is a letter — on the environment called Laudato Si’. In the letter, Francis called for a global dialogue about how people are influencing the future of the planet through their actions.

Gesu Catholic Church’s Snow said his church is considered a Laudato Si’ parish. Gesu promotes environmental justice and is trying to reduce waste coming from the parish and its grade school.

“It will be his great legacy, I think, as pope — is his care for creation,” Snow said.

At Gesu, students compost in the lunchroom, and the school gives leftover food to local farmers. When the parish provides coffee and donuts to parishioners on Sunday, they don’t use Styrofoam or other plastics.

The parish also has solar panels on its school buildings and electric vehicle charging stations in its parking lots.

“We’re doing everything possible we can,” Snow said. “We don’t use pesticides on our property. … All our landscaping are natural plants that would be here in Michigan, and we don’t utilize any things that would harm the Earth.”

The Rev. Faith Fowler, the lead pastor of Cass Community United Methodist Church and executive director of the nonprofit Cass Community Social Services, said Francis’ stance on the environment resonated with her. She said there should be “a planet for future generations.” Her organization has installed solar panels on its campus, and it harvests rainwater and is replacing grass with native plants.

“I’m a firm believer that although the planet belongs to God, we have the responsibility of being good stewards of what we’ve received, what we’ve been blessed with, and that we should pass it on to future generations as best we can,” Fowler said. “And I think I mirror the pope in that love for the environment and the understanding that we should be good stewards.”

His care for the poor

Fowler said many members of her church are poor, and “they too are feeling diminished” by Francis’ death.

“He was somebody who stood up and stood with and ministered to and was ministered by poor people,” she said. “And that’s not always true in the church ― any church. The higher you climb, the more distant you are from people who are discounted by the larger society. He was a man who stayed connected and stayed caring and reminded the church to be less worried about the things we worry about most of the time.”

She said Cass Community United Methodist Church works with people who need food, shelter and clothing. She said the gestures of Pope Francis’ ministry, including visiting a prison on Holy Thursday last week, were “very inspiring.”

“I really looked up to him,” Fowler said.

Kerner said Francis reminded the Catholic Church of “an incredibly important mission” that it has to the poor and the marginalized.

“We are at our best when we’re serving the poorest and the most vulnerable,” he said.

LGBTQ+ issues

Dulworth, pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, said he was thankful to see Pope Francis take a step in reaching out to the LGBTQ+ community.

Catholic teaching on LGBTQ+ issues didn’t change during Francis’ tenure, including the prohibition on same-sex marriage, but Francis conveyed through his actions and remarks that he wanted the church to be a more welcoming place for LGBTQ+ people.

Fowler said she “sensed the position” that Francis was in, because many churches in Africa are more conservative than churches in the U.S., Germany and other places.

“And yet they were all a part of his church, so how you maintain unity is a tough call,” she said, adding that progressives “probably didn’t get everything they wanted.”

Fowler said she would have loved to have seen Pope Francis allow women to be ordained as priests or deacons. He did, however, appoint women to top Vatican positions, including Sister Simona Brambilla, the prefect of the department responsible for all the Catholic Church’s religious orders.

Muslim and Jewish leaders share their perspectives

Imam Imran Salha of the Islamic Center of Detroit said he offers his condolences to “my Christian brothers and sisters.”

“And I pray that God replaces him with many others to follow in his example of compassion and wisdom and clarity of choice,” he said.

In Pope Francis’ last speech, which Archbishop Diego Ravelli read aloud on Easter Sunday, he called for a ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas militant group in Gaza. He also urged Hamas to release the dozens of Israeli hostages it is holding and condemned growing global antisemitism.

Salha said Francis “always recognized the people of Palestine and their suffering on their occupation.” He said the pope regularly called people in Gaza to check in on them.

Rabbi Asher Lopatin, director of community relations for the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, called Francis “such an incredible man.” He said Francis showed care for immigrants, the weak and the environment, and showed “respect for every human being.”

“These resonated very much with the Jewish community,” he said.

Lopatin, who is the rabbi at Kehillat Etz Chayim in Oak Park, added that the Jewish community appreciated Francis’ denunciation of antisemitism and the love he showed for the hostage families.

“However, I think in the life of the pope, of Pope Francis, all the values that he had could have been reflected in a stronger, more robust support for the Jewish state” and for the struggle that the Jewish state has with “all its enemies,” he said.

He said calls for a ceasefire have to be coupled with a demand for Hamas to release the hostages. Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and killed around 1,200, mostly civilians. Some hostages have been released, some of whom were dead, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Some hostages were rescued by Israeli military forces. The bodies of more than 40 hostages were retrieved by Israeli forces.

Lopatin said he thinks Jews expected Francis to “be more of a voice” for getting the hostages released.

“But … there’s always more to do, and I hope the Catholic Church takes from his teachings and becomes that voice of support for the one Jewish state,” he said.

asnabes@detroitnews.com

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— Macomb Daily staff 

A developer of the proposed mixed-use project on the former Kmart headquarters in Troy hinted this week that the project may be dead.

“I’m a little bit fit to be tied. Maybe we’ll see you again and maybe we won’t,” said Nate Forbes, managing partner of The Forbes Co., after the city’s Planning Commission postponed a decision Tuesday, April 22, that would have moved the project forward.

Through a spokesperson, the company declined further comment.

The commission voted 7-1 to postpone a decision on a concept development plan for the site.

Commission member Toby Buechner cast the dissenting vote.

“I want it to go through, so I’m saying, ‘No,’ ” he said.

The Forbes Co. is partnering with Stuart Frankel Development Co. on the project at the former Kmart Corp. headquarters on Big Beaver Road at Coolidge Highway. The sprawling building was demolished in late 2023 and early 2024 after sitting vacant for 17 years.

Several commission members said the plans as submitted by the partnership, Forbes Frankel Troy Ventures, were not specific enough.

The partnership proposed up to 750 residential units, 500,000 square feet of office and 300,000 square feet of retail space, as well as a 250-room hotel.

“There has to be a little bit more specificity on the uses for us,” said commission Chairwoman Marianna Perakis. “For me, it’s a total free-for-all,” she said of the submitted plans.

She said she wanted to know, at the least, the minimum amount of the development to be dedicated to residential use.

“We don’t have a clear picture” of the entire development, said commission member Jayalakshmi Malalahalli. She said she wanted more assurance that the retail portion would not include uses such as drive-through establishments.

“We’re going to have to have a little bit of faith in each other,” Forbes said, adding that his company owns the Somerset Collection shopping center next to the site, and the new development would follow the same standards on aesthetics and type of uses allowed.

He said the new development would be “very Cranbrook-esque,” with high-quality brick, stone and metal used.

The Forbes Frankel partnership first appeared before the Planning Commission about eight months ago, and made several changes, such as increasing the size of a park on the site, he said.

The Forbes Co. bought the vacant Kmart site in 2009 for $17.5 million. The company has been paying taxes, cutting the grass and providing security on the site since then, and wanted to move forward on the new development, Nate Forbes said at the meeting.

The Forbes Frankel partnership paid for the demolition, according to a release from the city.

The headquarters opened in the early 1970s. It closed in 2006, when Kmart merged with Sears Holdings Corp. and moved most operations in Troy to the Sears headquarters in a Chicago suburb.

The University of Michigan bought about 11 acres of the roughly 40-acre site for a multi-speciality health facility that would provide diagnostic and therapeutic services and ambulatory surgery.

Michigan Medicine, the health arm of UM, said in a release last year that it plans to expand clinical services and increase patient access in Oakland County.

Under the Michigan Constitution, UM is exempt from local zoning ordinances. Its portion of the development can not be reviewed by the  city, but plans do have to abide by state laws governing fire codes and other safety regulations.

University regents recently approved the schematic design. The 224,000-square-foot, four-story building is expected to open in spring 2027, according to a release from Michigan Medicine.

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Oakland County development project receives $131 million brownfield incentive from state