By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Police wants area businesses to be aware of a con artist who asks a cashier for change, then confuses the cashier into leaving him richer. Photos of the man, taken from store surveillance video from Dollar Depot, 18550 Allen Road, were supplied to police for distribution. The man, described as Arabic, wore a gold suit jacket. At 2:40 p.m. Oct. 9 the man asked the cashier to exchange two $100 bills for 20s. He then asked for 10s, and then 5s. He changed his request several … [Read more...] about Police looking for change con artist
Melvindale
Coat drive hopes to wrap community in warmth
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – As unseasonably sunny weather lulls Michiganders into false complacency, one local group feels a chill in the air, and hopes for a strong showing during its second annual coat drive. The group, The Greatest of These is Love, was formed as a non-profit organization to help address unmet community needs, and is based out of Coogan Terrace, a low income senior and disabled public housing facility at 3501 Oakwood Blvd. “We began to observe children walking to school in the … [Read more...] about Coat drive hopes to wrap community in warmth
Safety Commission appoints Allen permanent police chief
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Interim Police Chief John Allen became the permanent chief Oct. 11 following a unanimous vote by Public Safety Commissioners. Commissioners Jeff Bolton, Kevin McIsaac and Martha McDaniel approved Allen; Commissioners Patty Hall and Jason Ortiz were not in attendance. Bolton congratulated Allen, and offered him the full cooperation of the commission. “I think that you are going to bring organizational skills to the department that we perhaps have been lacking,” Bolton said. … [Read more...] about Safety Commission appoints Allen permanent police chief
Family, friends gather to remember Amanda Benton
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Friends and family gathered Sunday afternoon to remember Amanda Benton, 29, of Melvindale, whose body was found Friday in an abandoned house in southwest Detroit following her Sept. 26 disappearance. Mourners met at Vernor and Ferris in Detroit, where Benton's empty purse was found by a homeless man, and walked several blocks to Pitt and Norman, where the car she was driving, a 1995 green Dodge Neon, was found late Sept. 26. Benton, who has four sons, was five-and-a-half … [Read more...] about Family, friends gather to remember Amanda Benton
Trunk or Treat Harvest Fest offers hayrides, pumpkin raffle
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – The ninth annual Harvest Fest Trunk or Treat, with hayrides and a pumpkin raffle, offers family fun 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 16 at Kessey Fieldhouse, 4300 S. Dearborn St. Participants are encouraged to decorate cars and pass out candy, with a prize for the best decorated car. To register a car, contact Parks and Recreation Co-Chairwoman Kelly Borden at 313-304-0149. The event offers free cider and doughnut holes, with beef hot dogs, chips and bottled water available for … [Read more...] about Trunk or Treat Harvest Fest offers hayrides, pumpkin raffle
Fire station open house excites children
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Fire trucks still inspire wonder, but aiming a pulsating fire hose at a target was a favorite activity during the Oct. 1 fire station open house at 3160 Oakwood Blvd. Dearborn Fire Inspector Jennifer Wenzel, who was helping children don fire turnout gear and aim a real fire hose at a target, said she hopes the children appreciate some of the challenges firefighters face, like heavy protective gear and the skill and stamina required to handle a fire hose. “I just want the … [Read more...] about Fire station open house excites children
Little Free Library ready to feed minds
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Food for the mind is now available at Cardinal Park, home of the Farmer's Market, through the Downtown Development Authority's installation of the city's first Little Free Library. The hinged box, mounted on a pole, likened to a bird feeder, allows people to borrow books and return them at will, and to donate books as well. The informal, worldwide moment is meant to encourage easier access to reading materials. For more information, go to littlefreelibrary.org. The white … [Read more...] about Little Free Library ready to feed minds
Melvindale Police Lt. suspended without pay
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Police Lt. Michael Welch was suspended without pay for 30 days following a nearly two-hour closed session during the Sept. 13 Public Safety Commission meeting. City Attorney Lawrence Coogan did not give a reason for the 30-day suspension, and said Welch agreed not to file any grievances regarding the issue, and will render truthful testimony if called upon to do so regarding former Police Chief Chad Hayse. Coogan said the agreement stated that upon notice of Welch's … [Read more...] about Melvindale Police Lt. suspended without pay
Bond debt and aging infrastructure adds up to high water bills
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Bond debt and aging infrastructure contribute to high residential water bills, and finding relief presents a challenge, Mayor Stacy Striz told residents at an Aug. 27 meeting at City Hall. Striz explained the components of a quarterly residential water bill, which, in addition to household water usage, includes bond payments, which some cities add to property taxes, and water lost through pipe leakage and main breaks throughout the city. A minimum water bill for three … [Read more...] about Bond debt and aging infrastructure adds up to high water bills
Federal grant to fund home smoke detectors
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Deputy Fire Chief Joey Thorington announced to the City Council Sept. 7 that an Assistance to Firefighters Grant will provide $168,077 to install smoke detectors in Melvindale and Dearborn houses. Last year a similar U.S. Department of Homeland Security AFG grant let the Fire Department install 2,000 smoke alarms for area residents. “As soon as the detectors are in, we will be starting that program back up for the residents,” Thorington said. “We have interns to install … [Read more...] about Federal grant to fund home smoke detectors