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October 20 – 26, 2022 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 11 www .associatednewspapers.net

Priest found guilty of raping 7-year-old

Vol. 137, No. 11 Father Joseph “Jack” Baker, Parish in Waterford Township in
An obscenity-laden 60, has been convicted of sexual- ” 2011. Baker studied at Michigan
recording of a phone call ly assaulting a 7-year-old boy in Prosecutors alleged Technological University and
made to Sumpter Township 2004 while he was serving as the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in
Supervisor Tim Bowman by priest at St. Mary Parish in that Baker raped Detroit. He was ordained in 1993.
a current candidate for Wayne. Baker became the pastor the boy in a He was the associate pastor of
treasurer has been posted on of St. Mary Parish in Wayne in St. Hugo of the Hills Parish in
public websites. 1997 and held that position until church sacristy Bloomfield Hills from 1993-1996
See page 3. 2008. During that time, Baker when the and of Sacred Heart Parish in
was also an administrator at Dearborn from 1996-1997.
Kevin and Norbert Parish in child was a Baker was also the campus
Inkster from 2003-2004 and Holy second-grade student. minister at the Wayne State
Family Parish in Inkster from Medical School Campus Ministry
2003-2008. from 1996-1997.
Vol. 75, No. 11 Prosecutors alleged that “I want victims of abuse to
Canton Township is ready Baker raped the boy in a church Baker is facing a minimum know they have an advocate in Father Joseph “Jack” Baker
for Halloween with several sacristy when the child was a sentence of 25 years in prison the Attorney General's office,”
activities to help even the second-grade student. Baker was and will remain in custody in the said Michigan Attorney General and abuse. Today's verdict is
youngest members of the found guilty of first-degree sexu- Wayne County Jail until his sen- Dana Nessel, who charged Baker long-awaited justice,” Nessel
family celebrate the season. al conduct including sexual pen- tencing hearing, scheduled for in 2019. said in a prepared statement.
See page 4. etration with a person under 13 Nov. 5. State law required the “We are committed to ensur- The charge came after
in Wayne County Circuit Court revocation of his bail due to the ing that every case of sexual Nessel's office received a tip
last Thursday by a Wayne County age of the victim at the time of abuse and assault is thoroughly from the Archdiocese of Detroit,
jury before Judge Bridget the incident. His attorney, reviewed and that whenever we which received the original
Hathaway. The victim, now 26, Patrick Bagley, indicated that are able to pursue justice for a report and immediately reported
testified that he didn't tell anyone Baker would appeal the verdict. victim, we do so aggressively and it to Nessel's clergy abuse office.
about the incident at the time Baker had been a pastor at St. relentlessly. The Archdiocese said there
Vol. 75, No. 11
because Baker told him after- Perpetua Parish in Waterford “We must all commit to break- would be no comment on the
One of the most revered ward that the sexual assault was since 2008. He was also an ing down the walls of silence that issue until the case is “fully
former residents of the “his own sin.” administrator at St. Benedict so often surround sexual assault resolved.”
Inkster community, Leanna
Hicks, died Oct. 9 at the age
of 102 in Westland.
See page 3. ‘Reel’ deal

Local filmmaker seeks

funding for feature film
Vol. 22, No. 11
One of the most popular
holiday events in the area, Anyone who has ever want- and will be available until Nov.
the Holiday Home Tour ed to be in the movie business 4, he said. Kickstarter works
organized by the Northville now has the chance to help by having the public pledge
Community Foundation, will support a feature-length film money toward the goal, but
return to a live format this set to begin shooting in March. credit cards will only be
year. Lifelong Romulus resident charged once (and if) the cam-
See page 6. Jesse McAnally, who has paign goal is reached. There
already completed more than are various rewards and extra
10 short films and won more add-ons "backers" can choose
than 30 awards for his work, is for different donation levels.
looking for help funding his lat- Supporters might be able to get
est project - his first feature- stickers or buttons, their name
Vol. 22, No. 11 length film. His campaign to in the credits, access to behind-
help finance his latest project the-scenes photos and videos, ters must work together, lead- historic home and was hon-
The annual Pumpkin is now active on Kickstarter or even receive a prop used in ing to a confrontation with ored with the Detroit Trinity
Palooza is planned from the film, McAnally explained. their past. International Film Festival
11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. this "A feature film is longer and McAnally, who graduated award for Best Short Film and
Sunday, Oct. 23 throughout more complex than the short from Romulus High School in the Adrian International Film
downtown Plymouth. films I have made thus far," 2014, earned a bachelor's Festival award for Best
See page 6. McAnally said. "The goal is to degree in media arts from Student Film. His connection
raise at least $20,000 in order Wayne State University and to the community is deep and
to start production this coming produces promotional videos he has a long family history in
March." and event photography as well the city. His grandmother,
The film, The Daughters of as his short films. He created a Beverly McAnally, was the first
the Domino, follows Nina documentary film, Romulus woman ever elected to the
Vol. 137, No. 11 Rose, a detective who became and Me, in 2018. Romulus City Council and she
an overnight sensation for All McAnally's film produc- also served as the first woman
Again this year, area resi- arresting her serial killer tions to date prominently fea- mayor of the city from 1983
dents are invited to make a father, "The Domino". Years ture the City of Romulus and until 1995.
difference in the community later, Nina's relationship with the historic Bird House in the To learn more about his
that can last decades by her combative sister Laura has community is a location in campaign or make a donation,
helping plant 15 trees on never recovered. Now a new nearly every one of McAnally's visit daughtersofthedomino
Saturday morning. killer is in town and Laura's film projects. His film, After .com or email McAnally at fos-
See page 3. Jesse McAnally daughter is missing. The sis- Ashes, featured aspects of the cafeatures@gmail.com.

Write on

Vol. 75, No. 11 The first Plymouth-Canton Bookfest
at Plymouth Arts and Recreation
The Nov. 8 ballot in Wayne Complex last week was a tremen-
will ask voters to choose three dous success as hundreds of avid
city council members to serve readers visited to shop and listened
2-year terms. to some of their favorite authors.
See page 5. More than 100 vendors were on site
and authors including Mia Odeh,
author of “Mia's Odyssey,” Bill
Morrison, legendary artist, author,
and integral part of 'The Simpsons'
franchise, Mark Clague, author of “O
Say Can You Hear? A cultural biog-
Vol. 75, No. 11 raphy of The Star- Spangled
Members of the Wayne- Banner," Ken Fischer, author of
Westland Community "Everybody In, Nobody Out.
Schools Board of Education Inspiring Community at Michigan's
have approved a sinking University Musical Society" spoke to
fund millage question on the the crowds. The event was spon-
Nov. 8 ballot. sored by Community Financial and
the Plymouth Rotary Club.
See page 5.

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