Shelby-Utica News | Published April 26, 2023
Cornhole event to fight cancer
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — From 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 24, charitable organization 13Forever will have its first “Bag Childhood Cancer” cornhole event at Great Shots Backyard Bar & Games, 36901 Garfield Road in Clinton Township. Local radio and TV personalities will be throwing their support and bean bags for 13Forever, which helps children and families living with cancer. Admission for non-players is free, and the cost is $30 for those who will play cornhole. Find more information and purchase a ticket to play at 13forever.org/events.
Remember to vote in the May 2 election
SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA — Utica Community Schools has two proposals on the ballot in the May 2 election. On the ballot, one is called the School Improvement Bond Proposal and the other is called the Replacement Operating Millage Proposal.
The bond proposal seeks to borrow up to $550 million and issue general obligation unlimited tax bonds, in one or more series, to pay for rebuilding or upgrading facilities and fields, safety enhancements, technology, and more. The school district calls it the “No Tax-Rate Increase Facilities Bond Proposal” and states in the ballot language that the debt millage required to retire all bonds outstanding and proposed is expected to remain at or below 3.5 mills.
The district explains the millage proposal as the “Non-Homestead Operating Replacement Millage.” Its 18 mills will bring in approximately $41.2 million for the 2023-24 school year. The state of Michigan requires all school districts to levy 18 mills on non-homestead property in order to receive their full shares of state aid. The 18 mills are paid on second homes, rental properties, businesses and vacant land. The proposal asks voters to authorize 20 mills, with 18 mills being the maximum amount the district can levy, to offset Headless Amendment rollbacks, which have reduced the amount the district can collect currently to 16.75 mills.
Under Headlee, if the assessed value of a local taxing jurisdiction increases by more than the inflation rate, the maximum property tax millage must be reduced so that the local jurisdiction’s total taxable property brings in the same gross revenue as adjusted for inflation.
UCS has more information about the proposals at uticak12.org/domain/3376.
Read the Shelby-Utica News story on the proposals at candgnews.com by searching for “UCS May 2.”
Attorney general warns consumers about public charging stations
METRO DETROIT — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning consumers about another way that hackers steal personal data.
The FBI calls it “juice jacking,” which can occur whenever an electronic device is plugged into a public charging station like those found in airports or hotel lobbies.
Public charging stations are open to anyone, including those who can secretly install malware into the stations. When unsuspecting consumers plug in their devices, the malware gains access to the device being charged. The malware can lock the device or export personal data and passwords.
“Juice jacking” can happen by plugging a device into a public USB port with your own charging cable or by using an infected cable provided by someone else. The Federal Communications Commission has reported incidents of infected cables being given away as promotional gifts. In some cases, hackers hide a skimming device inside the USB ports of the kiosk.
Nessel provided tips to avoid becoming a victim:
• Avoid using a public USB charging station. Use an AC power outlet instead.
• Bring an AC outlet charger, car chargers and your own USB cables with you when traveling.
• Carry a portable charger or external battery.
• Consider carrying a charging-only cable, which prevents data from sending or receiving while charging, from a trusted supplier.
• If you plug your device into a USB port and a prompt appears asking you to select “share data” or “charge only,” always select “charge only.”
Great Blue Heron Fest to take place May 5
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Shelby Township’s Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center will be hosting its Great Blue Heron Fest from noon to 2 p.m. May 5. Shelby Township is home to a large great blue heron rookery. The event will be held at Holland Ponds, 50385 Ryan Road, to learn about these birds. There will be free, all-ages guided hikes, activities and educational stations. In the event of rain, guided hikes will continue at Holland Ponds on a schedule, and all other activities will take place at the nature center. The event is free.
Utica is seeking Purple Heart recipients
UTICA — The Utica City Council is working on a project and is seeking all Utica, Michigan, recipients of the Purple Heart medal. The council wishes to honor all living and those who have passed. Please send an email to mayor@cityofutica.org.
Candice Miller recognized by Michigan Recreation & Park Association
MACOMB COUNTY — The Michigan Recreation & Park Association has honored Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller with its “Local Elected Official Award” for her years of efforts to improve the quality of life for Michigan residents through parks and recreation promotion.
“This was an unexpected honor, and I’m very grateful,” Miller said in a statement. “Throughout my career in public service, I’ve always tried to think about quality of life and how we can improve the quality of life for everyone. Even though I might be the one getting the award, members of the association deserve awards for all the things they do for the quality of life for our folks throughout Michigan, each and every day.”
Miller’s work toward public parks projects includes securing funds for the Freedom Trail hiking and biking path along Metropolitan Parkway and a focus on improving water quality for boaters and anglers through maintaining and improving sewer infrastructure.
“From my perspective, what is so impressive is Candice’s will and drive to get things accomplished, utilizing all of her available resources to do so,” said Kyle Langlois, Sterling Heights parks and recreation director and chairman of the MParks Public Policy Committee. “Her ability to collaborate with all stakeholders to work together for a common purpose is second to none, and she should be viewed as nothing less than a model for other county public works operations to emulate.”
The Local Elected Official Award was announced recently at the MParks Conference and Trade Show and was presented to Miller at the April 13 meeting of the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority’s Board of Commissioners, held at the Stony Creek Metropark Nature Center.