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Gratiot Cruise has off year due to construction and rain
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The 20th anniversary of the Gratiot Cruise may not be one for the history books. The Aug. 6 running of the Clinton Township cruise was hampered by construction and unfavorable weather.
“MDOT is currently doing a $26 million rebuild of Gratiot between 14 Mile and Wellington Crescent, so that in turn had the road down to two lanes of traffic only,” said Paul Silvestri, director of media and public relations for the cruise. “A lot of people that would’ve come out and cruised didn’t because of the traffic, and then in terms of weather, it rained, so that kept some people from coming out.”
Despite the conditions, cruisers and onlookers still came out to the thoroughfare and made the most of the situation.
“Where people gathered, there was a lot of traffic,” Silvestri said. “16 Mile and Gratiot, at our headquarters and family fun zone, had a lot of traffic. There were also people gathered (and) parked down at 15 Mile and Gratiot at the regional shopping center; there was a makeshift car show down there that had a couple hundred cars parked. Overall, there were a lot of people gathering, having a good time.”
Turnout was lower than usual, but Silvestri believes things will be back to normal for the 21st Gratiot Cruise on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
Clinton Township police investigating fatal car crash
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Clinton Township Police Department is investigating a fatal car crash that occurred around 5:20 p.m. on Aug. 15 at the corner of North Groesbeck Highway and North Avenue.
Preliminary investigation findings show a gray 2019 Chevrolet Suburban traveling south on Groesbeck had to veer into the northbound lane to “make an evasive maneuver,” according to police, colliding head-on into a tan 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. A fire was caused by the crash but was put out by another driver rendering aid.
The Suburban was driven by a 51-year-old Macomb Township woman with her 8-year-old-daughter. The Nautilus was driven by a 50-year-old Macomb Township woman. The occupants of both vehicles were extracted by the Clinton Township Fire Department and transported to McLaren Macomb Hospital by Medstar ambulance. The 50-year-old woman was pronounced dead, while the 51-year-old woman and 8-year-old girl were in critical condition.
Police are investigating the crash and requesting any witnesses or anyone with relevant information to contact the traffic office at (586) 493-7935 or the front desk at (586) 493-7802.
Rabies detected in Clinton, Macomb Township skunks
MACOMB COUNTY — Three skunks in Macomb and Clinton townships containing the rabies virus were caught, euthanized and tested in June after attacking family pets.
Residents of the townships are advised to watch out for skunks and take caution for themselves and pets due to the possibility of localized transmission. Sightings of possible rabies-infected skunks can be called in to Macomb County Animal Control at (586) 469-5115.
While the only way to be certain an animal has rabies is through laboratory testing, animals with rabies tend to act strangely, drool excessively and are more aggressive toward humans and other humans.
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