Shelby-Utica News | Published September 8, 2023
Phragmites treatment begins in early September
MACOMB COUNTY — The Lake St. Clair Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area and the Macomb County Department of Roads will work with a contractor to perform phragmites treatment sprays along Macomb County roads starting after Labor Day.
“This is an important public safety issue as road right of ways often provide conditions and environments for phragmites to grow,” Department of Roads Director Bryan Santo said in a statement. “The presence of the invasive species creates a visual impairment for drivers, reduces drainage, and damages pavement since it has the ability to grow through paved roads.”
Funding for the spraying comes from the Department of Roads and the communities where sprays will take place. Sprays will occur in Clinton Township, Harrison Township, Ray Township, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights and Washington Township. The department sees the invasive species as a threat to both drivers and infrastructure. The plants grow 20 feet in height in ditches and shoulders.
Shelby police among recipients of foundation’s grants
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Four County Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees approved more than $87,000 in third-quarter grant awards, with one of the awards going to the Shelby Township Police Department.
In July, members of Four County Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees met to review and approve grant requests. Nonprofit groups, schools and governmental agencies will use the grant funding to address needs within the community.
Some of the recipients are:
• Mid-Michigan Honor Flight Inc., which will use the money received to support two honor flights that will send local veterans and their guardians to Washington, D.C., to visit sites including the World War II Memorial.
• The Shelby Township Police Department, which will use the grant for a community shred day that will allow residents to shred documents at no cost to prevent potential identity theft.
• DRIVE/R & E Family Foundation, which will purchase food for its elementary school weekend food program. The program serves 250 low-income children in three elementary schools in the Romeo and Utica school districts.
The next deadline for applications is Oct. 1. Find applications and more information about the grant process at www.4ccf.org/grantees.
The Foundation provides grants to eligible, IRS tax-exempt organizations, schools, and governmental agencies operating in the Four County Community Foundation service areas in Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb and Oakland counties. For more information about Four County Community Foundation, visit www.4ccf.org, call (810) 798-0909 or email Executive Director Kathy Dickens at kdickens@4ccf.org.
Utica prepares for homecoming parade
UTICA — Utica High School will be holding its homecoming parade 3-5 p.m. Sept. 15 on Auburn Road and Cass Avenue. Auburn Road and Cass Avenue will be closed to through traffic for the annual parade.
Weekend Unwind winds up its 2023 season
UTICA — The city of Utica will be hosting the last event of its free summer music series, Weekend Unwind, 7-10 p.m. Sept. 8 at Memorial Park, next to the Utica Public Library at 7530 Auburn Road. Detroit Social Club, a new act for Weekend Unwind, will supply the music.
Tucker Carlson coming to Jimmy John’s Field
UTICA — Cable news personality Tucker Carlson will be the keynote speaker of the fourth annual America Safety First Event Sept. 10 at Jimmy John’s Field, 7171 Auburn Road. Organized by the Brighter Michigan Political Action Committee, the event pays tribute to first responders — including honoring three individuals — and awards two scholarships. There will also be live music from Slight Return and a comedian. Tickets start at $50. For more information, visit brightermi.com.
Stuff the Cruiser event collects school supplies
STERLING HEIGHTS — On Aug. 25, the Walmart on Van Dyke Avenue in Sterling Heights hosted an event to kick off a two-day “Stuff the Cruiser” campaign to collect school supplies for students at Frank Jeanette Junior High School, which is part of Utica Community Schools.
During the event, Walmart managers and associates joined with representatives from the Sterling Heights Police Department and the Macomb Family YMCA to rally the community to “Stuff the Cruiser” by donating school supplies for local students.
Walmart also presented grants to the Warren Consolidated School District and the Macomb Family YMCA and donated gift cards to 25 teachers at Frank Jeanette Junior High School to help them get their classrooms ready for the first day of school on Aug. 30.
Time for a bike ride
STERLING HEIGHTS — The Macomb County Board of Commissioners invites residents to its Drop-In Community Bike Ride from 9 a.m. until noon Sept. 16 at Clinton River Park North, located on Riverland Drive, east of Van Dyke Avenue.
The event, hosted by County Commissioner Don VanSyckel of Sterling Heights, is designed to promote health, wellness and community engagement. A bike helmet is required.
Participants can choose from a variety of well-planned routes suitable for riders of all levels. Three routes ranging from approximately 1-3 miles will showcase the park’s natural landscapes.
The event is free. Bathrooms are located at the Nature Center. To preregister or for more information visit bocmacomb.org.