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August 5 – 11, 2021 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 31 www .associatednewspapers.net

THE BELLEVILLE Ford to open $100 million battery plant in Romulus
ENTERPRISE
ENTERPRISE
Romulus will become the
Vol. 136, No. 31 home of the new, $100 million ” helping establish Ford Ion Park
in Romulus,” said Sankaran.
Wayne County Commi- Ford Motor Co. global battery Ford's investment in battery research Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also
ssioner Al Haidous told research and development cen- and development in Romulus praised the new Romulus plant
Sumpter Township officials ter, Ford Ion Park. location.
that joint contracts were the The decision to move to will support hundreds of good-paying jobs... “Ford's investment in battery
answer to better service in Romulus was announced by research and development in
the community. Ford officials last week and Romulus will support hundreds
See page 6. characterized as an accelera- ing five years of the designation “Ford already is delivering of good-paying jobs, attract
tion of the automaker's is estimated to total about $1 on our plan to lead the electric innovative talent to Michigan,
“research and development of million in tax abatements. revolution with strong new and help us continue leading
battery and battery cell technol- The A123 Systems plant was vehicles including Mustang the world in advanced mobility
THE CANTON ogy.” The former A123 Systems one of the largest electrode bat- Mach-E, 2022 E-Transit avail- and manufacturing,” she said in
EAGLE 270,000 square-foot facility tery plants in North America able late 2021 and the 2022 F- a statement. “Ford is an
EAGLE
Vol. 74, No. 31 located at 38100 Ecorse Road and the building already fea- 150 Lightning available from American icon that has left its
will be refurbished by Ford and tures a complete anode/cathode spring next year,” said Anand mark on the world over a centu-
Canton Police Sgt. Eric take advantage of the remain- processing line with material Sankaran, Ford Ion Park direc- ry, and with the research that
Kolke has retired from the ing five years of tax abatement mixing, roll slitting, coating, tor. “The new lab will help Ford will take place at Ford Ion Park,
department after a 25-year under the Renaissance Zone drying, packaging, and solvent speed up the battery develop- they will shape the next century
career with the township. designation. A123 Systems was recovery systems, according to ment process to deliver even while reducing emissions and
See page 2. granted approval of a 15-year the A123 Systems website. more capable, affordable bat- accelerating electrification.”
renaissance zone by the The Ford facility will bring teries and is part of Ford's The project represents $100
Michigan Economic about 200 engineering, research renewed commitment to mak- million of a total $185 million
THE INKSTER Development Corp. in 2010. and other jobs to Romulus, ing Michigan a centerpiece of investment Ford Motor Co. offi-
LEDGER STAR
LEDGER STAR That designation allows compa- according to a statement from its focus on EVs. cials pledged earlier this year
the company and renovations
for the development, testing
nies to operate free of all state
“We are thankful for the sup-
Vol. 74, No. 31 and local taxes during the term should be complete in about 18 port of the MEDC and the and manufacture of battery
of the agreement. The remain- months. Michigan Strategic Fund in cells and cell arrays.
The first “Lift Zone” offer-
ing free robust WiFi from
Comcast designed to help
students access the internet Blues, Brews and BBQ
is now open in Inkster.
Annual city festival returns with headline entertainment, fireworks
See page 4.
They are already firing up the grills in
THE NORTHVILLE preparation for the 10th Annual Blues,
EAGLE
EAGLE Brews and BBQ event which will return
to Westland this weekend, Aug. 6 and 7.
Vol. 210, No. 31 The event will feature talented musi-
cians, all American barbecue and a selec-
An Eagle Scout organized tion of Michigan craft beers at Thomas H.
and funded the building of a Brown Central City Park.
new six-obstacle canine Showing off their grill skills will be pro-
agility training course at the fessional pit-masters Hill Billy Bone BBQ,
Northville Township Dog Heaven on a Roll, Old Dads BBQ, The
Park. Grill Father, and Smokehouse 52 BBQ, all
See page 5.
serving on-site, slow cooked, authentic
BBQ. Also set to offer their wares are
Harvest Kettle Corn, Detroit Mini Donut,
THE PLYMOUTH Big Dog Hot Dogs, and Redd Ventures.
EAGLE be treated to Monsieur Guillaume and
EAGLE
Tomorrow night, Aug. 6, attendees will
Vol. 21, No. 31 His Zydeco Hepcats kicking it off at 5 p.m.
Taking the stage next will be The Boa
Preparation of the tradi-
tional beloved chicken din- Constrictors, performing from 6:30 p.m. to
8:30 p.m. and then the headline act,
ners at the Plymouth Rotary Broken Arrow Blues, will finish the night
Club Chicken Barbecue this from 9 until 11 p.m. on site during the event. “In addition to being a perfect way to
year will include safety pre- The fun rolls right into Saturday, Aug. 7 Closing the event on Saturday will be spend a summer weekend, proceeds ben-
cautions. with Family Fun Time starting at the park the much-anticipated All American efit a number of Westland charities.
See page 3.
at 2 p.m. The Joe Stanley Trio will begin Firework Celebration which includes a Proceeds from this event benefit local
playing at 4 p.m. and from 5:30 until 7:30 special tribute drone show to honor the civic organizations to support their chari-
p.m. Drew Schultz & the Broken Habits 55th anniversary of Westland as a city. table work locally in Westland. To date,
THE ROMULUS will take the stage. Renown Blues artist “It has been truly incredible to watch this event has raised and given back to
ROMAN
ROMAN Thornetta Davis will perform from 8:30 this event grow for the past 10 years and the community nearly $250,000,” Wild
until 10 p.m.
we are so excited to bring it back to the
said.
Vol. 136, No. 31 Members of the Westland Fire community just in time to celebrate the Official hours for the event are 5 until
New Romulus police offi- Department have partnered with Kroger city's 55th anniversary,” commented
cer James Paquette was offi- in order to distribute COVID-19 vaccines Mayor William R. Wild. See BBQ, page 5
cially welcomed to the force
recently by city officials.
See page 3. Area legislator’s campaign finance report prompts questions

The financial report of State have spent more than $6,400 est and most established gentle- Tahoe which had run into a sign
Rep. Jewell Jones, D-Inkster, has since Jan. 1 at restaurants or mens (sic) club in Michigan,” as and come to rest in a ditch.
THE WAYNE drawn questions from some lounges. He reportedly spent a it is described on social media. According to police reports,
EAGLE local lawmakers. total of $15,926, including $696 charge at Ferraro's Italian Jones became extremely agitat-
EAGLE
Also raising questions was a
In his required financial
$12,057 described as “inciden-
ed at the scene and threatened
Vol. 74, No. 31 fundraising report submitted tal” to his serving in office. Restaurant & Wine Bar in Las to “call the governor” and
The Champions of Wayne last week, Jones, 25, claims to Among his expenses is listed Vegas on March 22. The report repeatedly refused to produce
program at Wayne Memorial a $221 charge at a strip club in described the expense as a “din- identification. Officers also
High School received a pledge Dearborn. The report, which ner meeting with other legisla- observed a loaded handgun in
of $550,000 from the Helppie lists spending from Jan. 1 tors.” According to the report, the front seat of the vehicle.
Family Charitable through July 20, 2021, lists the Jones spent $514 at Jon's Jones' blood alcohol content,
Foundation. cost as a “constituent meeting” Goodtime Bar & Grill in Inkster according to police reports, was
See page 4. to “discuss potential economic for a “Meeting with community 0.19. The legal limit in Michigan
projects.” The financial reports stakeholders on potential proj- is 0.08. He is facing trial on
are required by the state to ects” only a week later, on March charges of resisting arrest, oper-
ensure that candidates and 29. ating while intoxicated, reckless
THE WESTLAND officeholders do not violate state Jones is currently facing driving and possession of a
EAGLE campaign funding or spending criminal charges following an weapon while under the influ-
EAGLE

Vol. 74, No. 31 laws. auto accident April 6 in ence of alcohol.
State officials said that the
Fowlerville when State Police
Jones, when questioned by
Westland officials have reporters about the expense, Troopers responded to 911 calls purchase of meals by legislators
declared war on the invad- claimed he was unsure the from several motorists about a using campaign or officeholder
ing horde of mosquitoes that Pantheion Club was a strip club car driving erratically on funds is not unusual but said
have been plaguing resi- but was a “lounge.” The Interstate 96. Local police and that the totals on Jones' report
dents recently. Pantheion Club is well-known troopers found Jones with a did appear to stretch “the limits
See page 6. Rep. Jewell Jones throughout the state as the “old- female companion in his Chevy of incredulity.”

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