Trenton

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — The trial for a convenience store manager accused of raping a teenage girl in November 2011 was delayed until summer by Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Edward Ewell. Jury selection was scheduled to begin Wednesday in the trial of Rameshkumar Patel, accused of two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a juvenile between the ages of 13 and 15. Ewell’s office said Tuesday that the court was awaiting additional evidence, and a pretrial conference was set for July 6 for a July 30 … [Read more...] about Trial delayed in convenience store rape

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — City officials are satisfied that residents are under, “no threat to safety” after back-to-back incidents at the neighboring Riverview Land Preserve amplified the troublesome odor wafting from the west. Equipment failures at the site resulted in an increase of the methane gas smell that residents have been complaining about recently to Trenton officials. City Administrator Jim Wagner said that he addressed residents concerns at a previous meeting, and thought the matter was … [Read more...] about City responds to landfill questions

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — School Board President Mike Hawkins was aware of the concerns held by some parents, that becoming a limited “School of Choice” district would flood Trenton schools with more problems than solutions. “People say we’ll get undesireable students,” Hawkins said. “I understand their point, but I think they’re off base. At 6 or 7 years old? They’re just looking for a playmate.” As approved during Monday’s regular school board meeting Monday, school-of- choice enrollment for … [Read more...] about Board allows limited school of choice

TRENTON — Motorists will need an alternate route this week as Van Horn Road will be closed at the Conrail tracks near West Jefferson. City Administrator Jim Wagner’s office said that the maintenance project is scheduled to last from 7 a.m. Monday through 7 p.m. Friday, and will be a complete closure of Van Horn Road at the tracks. Motorists are asked to take the alternate route suggested by the Wayne County Road Commission, using West Jefferson, West Road and Allen Road. Wagner said the project involved routine maintenance … [Read more...] about Van Horn closed for week

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — Federal weapons charges against a man prosecutors said planted two explosive devices in Trenton in April 2011 will be heard next month in U.S. District Court. A jury trial for John Robert Kennedy, an Indiana native living in a Flat Rock mobile home, was adjourned last week by Judge John Corbett O’Meara. A tentative trial date of May 15 will begin for six charges faced by Kennedy from a July 2011 grand jury indictment. Kennedy is charged with planting two explosive devices … [Read more...] about Bomb trial delayed until May

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — Police are investigating several recent break-ins by a 20-something bicycle rider believed responsible for home invasions in Trenton, Woodhaven and Brownstown. Trenton Police Sgt. James Smellie said that a Tuesday burglary on Lafayette Street and a March 23 break-in on Lisa Court are believed to be the most recent Trenton break-ins by the “Bicycle Bandit.” Smellie said the alleged “bandit” appears to be a white man in his early 20s, with dark hair and sporting a large tattoo … [Read more...] about Bicyclist sought for burlaries