By CHARITY B. SMITH Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE — Superheros are fighting a daily battle against germs in Melvindale, by washing their hands and coughing into their arm. Local children ages 4 to 6 were taught the importance of rules and safety issues during the 19th annual Safety Town which concluded its two-week-long program Friday "We talked about things like how to wash your hands and why it's important," said Mary DePalma, who has been teaching Safety Town, for 15 years. The program covered rules crossing … [Read more...] about Melvindale a ‘Safety Town’
Melvindale
Melvindale police to take over McDonalds for fundraiser
By CHARITY B. SMITH Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE — Police are planning on taking over McDonalds, 4001 Oakwood Blvd. for a fundraiser 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 10. Police officers will be taking orders, both at the counter and the drive-through, flipping burgers and dropping fries. "So anybody that likes to yell at cops or fast food workers can kill two birds with one stone," Lt. John Bajorek joked. A percentage of the sales during event will go toward the police Shop with a Cop program, which is held annually during the … [Read more...] about Melvindale police to take over McDonalds for fundraiser
Child porn producer sentenced to 50 years on federal charges
By CHARITY B. SMITH Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE — Charles Miller, found guilty of operating a child porn studio out of his house, was sentenced Aug. 6 to 50 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland. "I can't imagine a more heinous way this offense could be perpetrated," Cleland told Miller upon sentencing. This sentence is to be imposed consecutively with the 20- to 30-year sentence he received for state charges on June 10. This essentially means that Miller, 59, will live out the rest of his life … [Read more...] about Child porn producer sentenced to 50 years on federal charges
Reward offered in pipe bomb case
By CHARITY B. SMITH Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE — A cash reward of up to $1,000 has officially been offered by Crime Stoppers of Michigan for any information that leads police to a suspect in the May 30 BP/Kelly’s Mini Mart pipe bomb case. An active pipe bomb was found behind the market at 18060 Allen Road at 11:20 am May 30 by an employee who was cleaning the alley. Melvindale police contacted the Michigan State Police and used its bomb squad to deactivate the device. The bomb was constructed from a metal pipe with … [Read more...] about Reward offered in pipe bomb case
Terminally ill man kills himself and autistic son
By CHARITY B. SMITH Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE — A Melvindale man believed to have a fatal illness killed his autistic son and then himself June 12 because he didn’t want to burden his family, police said. John Richett, 58, and his son Nicholas Richett, 20, were found dead in their house in the 3600 block of Caryn Street shortly after 7 a.m. Police said a note found in the house said that John Richett sufferered from an unconfirmed illness usually deemed fatal and that he did not want to burden his family with the care … [Read more...] about Terminally ill man kills himself and autistic son
Man sentenced to 20-30 years for child pornography
By CHARITY B. SMITH Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE — Charles Miller, who pleaded guilty last week to criminal sexual conduct second degree in Wayne County Circuit Court for a running child pornography studio out of his Melvindale house, was sentenced today to serve 20 to 30 years at the Michigan Department of Corrections. When and if Miller, 59, should happen to get out, he is subject to lifetime electronic monitoring and registering himself as a sex offender. Upon bestowing Miller’s sentence Judge Mark Slavens said, … [Read more...] about Man sentenced to 20-30 years for child pornography
Pocket park possible through cleanup funding from DCC
By SUE SUCHYTA Times-Herald Newspapers MELVINDALE – The city will soon have a pocket park at Oakwood and Prospect because of cleanup funding from the Downriver Community Conference and park construction funding from the Downtown Development Authority. Mayor Stacy Striz said a gas station was once on the land, and the possible cost of cleaning up the contaminated soil may have discouraged private purchasers. City administrator and finance director Richard Ortiz said the DCC provided a $150,000 grant for the environmental … [Read more...] about Pocket park possible through cleanup funding from DCC
Rain doesn’t dampen spirits at Melvindale Memorial Day remembrance
By SUE SUCHYTA Times-Herald Newspapers MELVINDALE – Drizzling rain didn't dampen the spirits of those gathered at Veterans Memorial Pool May 25 to honor city veterans who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. With the U.S. Navy League Cadets and American Legion Post 472 officiating, post chaplain Chuck Noel delivered the keynote speech. Veterans John Grissom and Laurence D. Sams were honored at the event, which featured John Sokol of Buglers Across America playing taps. Joelle Zarazua opened with “The Star Spangled … [Read more...] about Rain doesn’t dampen spirits at Melvindale Memorial Day remembrance
Melvindale hosting first Coffee with a Cop
By TEREASA NIMS Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – The police chief, deputies, ordinance officer and uniformed officers will be at the Chapatwala McDonald’s from 9 to 11 a.m. March 26 for the department’s first Coffee with a Cop. “This gives us a chance to go out a little more casual,” Police Chief Chad Hayse said. Hayse said the event been in the planning for three weeks and he talked to the Allen Park Police Department, which does the event monthly, to get some ideas. “This gives residents to talk and we can see what … [Read more...] about Melvindale hosting first Coffee with a Cop
Investigators sifting through store blaze ashes
By TEREASA NIMS Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Fire investigators are hoping that some of the samples sent to the Michigan State Police crime lab will help yield the cause of the Feb. 23 fire at Melvindale Market Liquor. “It was a very suspicious fire,” said someone close to the investigation. “Many things don’t add up.” Assistant Fire Chief Steve Densmore was not available to comment on the status of the investigation. Dearborn Fire and Downriver Task Force agents are investigating the blaze that started just … [Read more...] about Investigators sifting through store blaze ashes