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August 31 – September 6, 2023 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 35 www .associatednewspapers.net

State of emergency declared in Canton Township

Vol. 138, No. 35 The severe weather last announced his plan to declare
A move to a third-party week collapsed three park a state of emergency during a
service for preparation of pavilions, felled nearly 50 trees press conference Aug. 25 at the
water bills has been pro- and damaged the recently Canton administration build-
posed in Sumpter Township reopened splash pad at ing. Congresswoman Debbie
by Township Manager Heritage Park in Canton Dingell and Graham-Hudak
Anthony Burdick. Township. In response to the attended Evans' meeting and
See page 2. emergency conditions, Canton addressed the impact of the
Township Supervisor Anne severe rain, flooding, and
Marie Graham-Hudak excessive wind damage report-
declared a state of emergency ed. The City of Inkster and the
on Thursday, Aug. 24. Graham- Northville and Plymouth com-
Hudak also called on the gov- munities also reported dam-
Vol. 76, No. 35 ernor to declare an emergency age from the storm and the
Police are continuing to situation and petition federal storm conditions closed Metro
investigate the death of a 28- authorities for assistance, so Airport in Romulus where
year-old Westland man that state and federal roads and interstates were
found on the shoulder of I- resources might be made under water.
275 in Canton Township ear- available to the Canton com- Under the state of emer-
lier this month. munity. gency, Wayne County hopes to
See page 2. The tornado was confirmed expedite additional resources
by the National Weather to provide aid for residents in
Service to have touched down the hardest-hit communities.
at just after 10 p.m. last week Members of the Canton
northwest of Pheasant Run Township Community
Golf course. The twister trav- Emergency Response Team
eled across Summit Parkway (CERT) and township staff
Vol. 76, No. 35 and Canton Center Road, members began a door-to-door
The investigation into the dropping a tree onto a house damage assessment of residen- Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, below at
podium, declared a state of emergency last week in response to
shooting of an Inkster youth near Sheldon Road. The torna- tial structures in that commu- the severe weather damage following a confirmed tornado in the
Aug 6 is continuing, accord- do winds in Canton were esti- nity on Saturday. The informa- community. During a press conference the next day, Wayne County
ing to police. mated at 80 mph. At 10:23, tion collected will be provided Executive Warren Evans, at podium above, said he planned to
See page 3. another tornado struck to the Emergency declare all of Wayne County as a disaster area.
Belleville, uprooting trees and Management and Homeland
damaging Mobile Manor Trail Security Division of the
Park. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Michigan State Police, officials
issued the emergency disaster said.
declaration for both Wayne These assessments are a
Vol. 23, No. 35 and Monroe counties on necessary step in evaluating
Members of the Saturday. the impact of the recent storm
Northville Township Police “Unprecedented rains have damage and tornadic activity
Department hosted a pair of caused significant flooding and that has affected several areas
college-bound interns this extensive damage throughout in the Canton community, they
summer who were interest- large sections of the Canton added.
ed in better understanding community,” Graham-Hudak “The purpose of these visits
law enforcement. said during a press conference is to solely conduct damage
See page 6. last week. “With so much storm assessments on behalf of
damage, the township is look- Canton Township to assist with
ing to this state of emergency providing the total damage
designation to help us supple- assessment numbers to the
ment our local response and State of Michigan,” Hayes said.
recovery efforts.” “All of this information will
Vol. 23, No. 35 Canton Township help recovery efforts as we
Preparations for the 67th Emergency Manager William continue to concentrate on
Plymouth Fall Festival will Hayes was designated to coor- clean-up measures that result-
begin next Thursday after- dinate with state and federal ed from a barrage of recent
noon when trucks hauling authorities for assistance relat- storm fronts that brought
the huge amusement rides ed to the emergency. heavy rain and high winds
start to arrive in downtown Wayne County Executive
Plymouth. Officer Warren C. Evans See Tornado, page 2
See page 4.
Opportunity Park is officially dedicated in Romulus

It was an 'opportunity' of the Romulus Athletic Center cutting officially opening the and the Ralph C. Wilson
Romulus officials couldn't pass (RAC). While a walking path was park, members of the Romulus Foundation through the Play
Vol. 138, No. 35 up. installed during the construction, Rotary Club were on hand to pro- Everywhere Challenge, for
An unwelcome guest was Recently, the city celebrated the park was relatively secluded, vide their famous grilled hot improvements to what they
forcibly removed from a the grand opening of nearly hidden by an abundance dogs and refreshments to the named Opportunity Park. The
Romulus homeowner's prop- Opportunity Park on Northline of trees and overgrown brush, audience. brush and overgrowth along the
erty by police last week Road. The park was created from bushes and weeds, a spokesman City of Romulus officials entrance of the park was cleared
when police responded to a an underutilized piece of land explained. applied for and were awarded a to create a more open, safe, and
call about an alligator on the established during construction During the celebratory ribbon $70,000 grant from Kaboom! (SIC) inviting space with improved site
patio. lines. The wooden bridge that
See page 5. crosses the entrance to the park
was reconstructed. Gordon
Components, a Romulus compa-
ny, donated the labor to help
build and install playground
equipment and StoryWalk nature
Vol. 76, No. 35 themed interpretive signage was
The sudden resignation of also installed.
Wayne City Manager Lisa Romulus Recreation
Nocerini last week was an Commission member Leah
apparent surprise to several Cholette, and her granddaugh-
members of the city council. ters, helped paint a nature
See page 3. themed activity circuit along the
walking path, making the area
inviting, officials said.
The city Tax Increment
Finance Authority (TIFA) provid-
ed funding to clear additional
Vol. 76, No. 35 trees and overgrowth inside the
The Battle of the Badges park which was not covered by
softball game last Sunday in the grant funds. The repair and
Jaycee Park in Westland saw upgrading of lighting around the
the game trophy go the walking path to LED fixtures was
Westland Fire and Rescue also funded by TIFA funds.
team, beating the police Romulus city officials and recreation commission members proudly cut the ribbon opening the new The park is located at 35765
department players. Opportunity Park on Northline Road in the community. The park is located next to the Romulus Athletic Northline Road, on the east side
See page 4. Center. of the RAC parking lot.

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