a popular slider spot among generations of diners is temporarily closed as it works to clean up from a kitchen fire on April 29 at 3 a.m who is a daughter and granddaughter of the owners The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation Smith said the business already ordered a new grill and that it expects to reopen as soon as it comes in and the fire department reinspects the restaurant The business also reinstalled locks broken through firefighting and filed an insurance claim today More: 16 classic burger joints in metro Detroit Other damages included plastic silverware sitting out and smoke damage to the walls though store employees had already started cleaning the store Smith said she appreciates members of the community and local businesses who have shown up and offered their support and services “Thanks to the firefighters who rushed to put out the fire, and we’re so glad no one was hurt,” Bates Hamburgers posted on Facebook “The material items are replaceable and we can’t wait to get open and back in business.” Livonia Fire and Rescue Deputy Fire Chief Wade Clay confirmed that someone who drove by the scene called about the fire early Tuesday morning after seeing smoke and hearing the fire alarm “It was a small fire contained to the griddle area,” Clay said The post by Bates Hamburgers said its restaurant in Farmington Hills at the 9 Mile and Middlebelt intersection will remain open Updates about the status of the Livonia location “We appreciate your support and look forward to reopening soon,” Smith said LIVONIA — Voters here will see a $150 million bond proposal on the Aug The “Livonia Built” bond proposal would fund a new police station as well as pathways through the Civic Center Campus that would link to existing parks is expected to cost the average homeowner in the city $12 per month The city council unanimously approved putting the measure on the August ballot during its April 28 meeting “This is an exciting night,” Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan told the council “This is our chance to come together to advance a community-driven solution to two problems that are going to challenge our city over the next 10 to 20 years.”The problems the city is seeking to address are outdated municipal buildings no longer meeting the needs of residents and city employees as well as a decreasing and aging population Councilman Rob Donovic said he was voting yes on the measure “We’re already spending countless tax dollars on old buildings that are falling apart that are too big and were not built to today’s standards,” he said “I want to invest in adequate facilities for our community.” More: Pirates, mysteries and more treasure to uncover at Bookstock in Livonia, now through May 4 A lot of us are living paycheck to paycheck We can't afford to have our taxes raised." The bond proposal is the third phase of a four-phase plan to transform the city center at the corner of 5 Mile and Farmington roads and the sole phase to require taxpayer contributions.City officials have clarified that the current construction of a new senior wellness center adjacent to the Kirksey Recreation Center is paid for by grants and existing city funds will be achieved through reduced spending by the city of approximately $2.4 million per year.Only after all public facilities are built do city officials say a fourth phase would complete the city center overhaul with restaurants This final phase would be funded by the developer and is separate from the bond proposal For more information on the bond proposal, visit livoniabuilt.org. More: 20 candidates running for Livonia City Council Contact reporter Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions Search autocomplete is currently not responding Following the extensive damage to two of our pavilions at Rotary Park in June (shown in photo) Livonia Parks and Recreation has been hard at work trying to get those spaces back online We have received proposals back from architectural firms and are awa.. We encourage you to schedule an in-home assessment to determine what type of service line you have Visit CheckYourPipesLivonia.org to schedule a 4 hour window or call (734) 466-2019.  To self identify your service line pipe material, please take our Water Service Line Material Survey The City of Livonia is required by the Michigan Department of Environment and Energy (EGLE) to create an inventory of residential water serv.. The City of Livonia conducts annual testing of tap water in homes for lead and copper we collected samples from 30 of the 67 homes known to have lead service lines Four of the homes were found to exceed the acceptable level of lead Livonia residents will be receiving new voter ID cards in the mail over the next few days No action or follow-up is required by residents but the new cards are a direct result of a permanent consolidation of our precincts from 44 to 26 The City of Livonia is excited to announce the construction on the new Senior Wellness Center has begun The Kirksey Recreation Center will also undergo renovations along with the wellness center In response to many extended power outages in Livonia in 2023 Mayor Brosnan and Livonia officials have been meeting with DTE Energy executives since last summer sharing frustration and looking for ways to improve service for our residents at Schoolcraft College Manufacturing & Engineering Center Learn about careers at Livonia Police Department and Livonia Fire & Rescue Homeowners may conduct open burning with the following stipulations Don't miss out on a variety of upcoming Livonia Parks and Recreation special events There's something for all ages and some programs are also FREE to attend 33000 Civic Center DriveLivonia, MI 48154Phone: (734) 466-2200 Report a Concern LIVONIA, Mich. – A popular burger joint in Livonia is closed Tuesday following an early morning fire. According to Bates’ Burgers on Facebook, a fire broke out at 3 a.m. on April 29, causing the grill to burn and fill the place up with smoke. “We thank the quick response from the Livonia firefighters and the bystander that called in the fire,” said Bate’s Burgers on Facebook. “We will update you as soon as we assess the damage.” The owner told Local 4 that the restaurant is closed on Tuesday. It’s possible that they will reopen to serve coneys and shakes, but they will not have burgers until the flat top is fixed or replaced. The owner is waiting to hear from insurance to determine how long they will be closed. Bates’ is a family-owned business with locations in Livonia and Farmington Hills that’s been operating since 1959. Our Livonia location will be temporarily closed for the day. A fire broke out at 3am taking out our grill and filling... Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. Samantha Sayles is an Oakland University alumna who’s been writing Michigan news since 2022. Before joining the ClickOnDetroit team, she wrote stories for WILX in Lansing and WEYI in Flint. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us Careers at WDIV Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group Our Livonia location will be temporarily closed for the day A fire broke out at 3am taking out our grill and filling.. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page city center plaza and renovations to the western Wayne County suburb's five fire stations after the City Council this week approved a $150 million bond proposal to go on the ballot The bond debt would be repaid over 25 years through a 1.43-mill property tax the millage would cost a homeowner $1.43 per $1,000 of their property's taxable value who chairs the council's Capital Outlay and Infrastructure Committee believes it's more financially responsible for Livonia to invest in new buildings rather than continue to put money into outdated and aging facilities "Over 100,000 people a year go through some of these municipal buildings there and we're spending a lot of good taxpayer money on these buildings," Donovic told The Detroit News City officials have told The News their public safety facilities are cramped and don't meet the modern needs of the fire and police departments fire trucks are taller and longer than they were when the stations were built in the 1960s leaving little clearance in the garages for the current trucks equipped with ladders to pull in A police captain told The News during a previous tour that the department needs more space for meetings Donovic said Livonia's library has strong programming but it lacks amenities a modern library needs such as sufficient outlets for patrons to plug laptop computers into and adequate wireless internet access The ballot proposal also includes funding for a plaza at the city center with a connected loop for walking and biking linking to existing parks The plaza could potentially include a splash pad amphitheater or other amenities depending on resident input Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan has made the city's need to reverse the trend of its aging and declining population by making Livonia more attractive to young people a key part of her public pitch for the ballot measure “This investment would upgrade police and fire facilities and create new spaces where our children can learn and play," she said in a statement "The goal is to build the infrastructure that keeps our residents and attracts young families.” Voters can pick up absentee ballots in person at the city clerk's office starting June 26 Chin’s Restaurant was a place where couples got engaged families gathered and regulars ordered without a menu It was also the last surviving outpost of a metro Detroit restaurant empire built by engineer-turned-restaurateur Marvin Chin the restaurant at 28205 Plymouth Road is closing its doors for good who has run the restaurant solo since his mother Kitty Chin passed away last year at 91 I guess everyone's getting their last meal in – they always talk about my egg rolls.” The old family recipe has been a crowd pleaser for decades who describes himself as “camera shy” and politely declined a request for a photo – three or four requests actually – inherited the business after his mother’s death Kitty Chin worked nearly every day well into her 90s answering phones and preparing carryout orders The restaurant closed its dining room during the Covid-19 crisis and has offered carryout-only dining since Chin said the restaurant first opened in 1953 a Ford Motor Company engineer with a passion for design built the first location nearby and later moved the restaurant to its current spot around 1970 designing and building the restaurant’s interior himself Chin’s in Livonia was just one chapter in the family’s culinary legacy and the famed Chin Tiki in downtown Detroit – a sprawling Polynesian-themed palace that drew celebrities and concertgoers alike Chin Tiki even earned a cameo in the film “8 Mile,” where a young Eminem performed in a club scene Marlin Chin said he appears briefly on screen walking behind Eminem during one of the shots You can see me for two seconds if you pause the movie.” many sharing memories of engagements and events with family and friends - and ordering up their favorite dishes one last time “I should have brought a book out for people to sign and have them write down their memories,” Chin said and with no family members interested in taking over The restaurant will remain closed after the final ingredients run out – likely by the end of the month – and Chin has no immediate plans to sell the building “Unless someone makes me an offer,” he said “I just hope everyone enjoyed themselves and a wonderful time coming here all these years,” he said Contact reporter Laura Colvin at lcolvin@hometownlife.com the long-time Livonia eatery known for its quirky midcentury tiki-style decor and tasty Chinese food is planning to cease operations this month an employee confirmed with the Free Press Sunday The restaurant opened in 1955 on Plymouth Road in Livonia Located across the street from a sprawling automotive plant the business served Chinese and American specialties to autoworkers and metro Detroiters alike for seven decades Castle suit: Detroit police assists cleanup at 'castle' complex, hopes to resolve land bank lawsuit Slows Bar BQ: Downtown Berkley getting a location Chin's is owned and operated by Marlin Chin — son of Chin's founder Chin's last day of business is not set in stone They will keep their doors open until they run out of stock but they will no longer be serving food as they have since 1955 Contact Liam Rappleye: LRappleye@freepress.com Livonia Public Schools has accepted an invitation for its three high schools — Churchill Franklin and Stevenson — to join the Lakes Valley Conference for all athletic activities beginning during the 2026-27 school year The district's three schools were founding members of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association in 2008 and have most recently competed in the KLAA-East alongside Belleville Leadership from the LVC will meet later this week to vote on LPS's acceptance into the league as a formality "Livonia Public Schools is pleased to announce its formal acceptance of an invitation to join the Lakes Valley Conference on July 1 2026," the district said in a statement to Hometown Life on Sunday evening "We'd like to acknowledge our long-standing positive relationship that we've shared with the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Livonia Public Schools firmly believes its affiliation with the Lakes Valley Conference will foster a spirit of camaraderie competition and growth both on and off the field The district looks forward to contributing toward the tradition of excellence and sportsmanship the conference prides itself on The LVC's dedication to promoting high standards in academics educational athletics and extracurricular activities resonates deeply with our values."  The opportunity to swap conferences comes after Waterford Kettering and Waterford Mott elected to leave the LVC for the Oakland Activities Association following the 2025 fall sports season Waterford School District's departure allowed the LVC to add LPS a district thrilled about joining a league with other likeminded schools "We are excited to join a conference in which a shared vision of school culture activities and educational athletics exist," said Kevin Etue LPS director of secondary programs and district services "Our board of education superintendent (Andrea) Oquist district leadership and school stakeholders have expressed enthusiasm and support for this opportunity recognizing the positive impact it will have on our athletic programs activity endeavors and overall educational development."  The move helps LPS schools compete against teams of similar size every current football team in the LVC competes in Division 2 except for D-3 Walled Lake Western Churchill and Franklin are also D-2 programs The majority of the current KLAA members are D-1 "We feel that the collection of schools in the LVC are a good fit for Livonia Public Schools when it comes to size and enrollment but also equity in competition with all districts having multiple schools," said Franklin athletic director Dusty Hall who helped spearhead the district's move to the new league "The disparity in enrollment (in the KLAA) continues to create a significant gap in competition in athletic offerings at the varsity and sub-varsity levels so we feel this move is the best fit for us." Hall said LPS schools will continue to schedule non-conference games against KLAA teams and couldn't imagine not playing against schools from the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park and Wayne-Westland Community Schools He likened the situation to the first time the KLAA faced mass exodus Walled Lake Northern and Western left the KLAA in 2017 to form the LVC but the LPS schools continued scheduling their former league mates "We have been very happy in the KLAA and have a longstanding partnership with the member schools in both the KLAA and Lakes Valley Conference," Hall said "We were partnered with these schools from the LVC dating back to the first years of the KLAA We play them in just about everything already and we'll continue to hopefully do so in the KLAA-East and West It's important to us that we keep that connection with the KLAA and keep scheduling with them." Brandon Folsom covers high school sports in metro Detroit for Hometown Life. Follow him on Twitter at @folsombrandonj Lila’s Pierogi has been a staple in Livonia flash-frozen pierogi that reminded customers of home-cooked meals from their childhood "The easiest reason is...I'm moving to Tennesse," said Connie Calimazzo who co-owns the business with her husband Antonio Calimazzo and his mother – the business namesake – Waleria “Lila” Orlowska But rising costs and shifting customer habits also played a role in the decision so the cost to make (pierogi) is high," Calimazzo said "And customers aren’t coming as in much as they used to It’s more of an after-they-buy-their-grocery kind of thing the move is a practical one for her family With her mother-in-law planning to move in the family was looking at new homes anyway let’s just do something big and move to Tennessee.” Although there are no family ties drawing the family south “We were actually talking about maybe moving to Kentucky or something like that," she said it just ended up being the Lord sent us to Tennessee.” founded the business in 2004 as the tradition of making pierogi for friends and family turned into a full-fledged business and here we are 21 years later,” Calimazzo said the shop developed a devoted customer base with some stopping by only for holiday meals Calimazzo said while no firm closing date has been set Once the current stock of supplies runs out predicting it will take about three weeks if sales continue at the usual pace Email reporter Laura Colvin at lcolvin@hometownlife.com LIVONIA - A medical services company said it will establish its headquarters here with the assistance of a $3.45 million grant from the state resulting in an influx of nearly 600 new high-paying jobs in the city which provides medical services to patients across the nation was awarded the performance-based Michigan Business Development Program grant The company expects to invest $10.5 million and create 579 new jobs at a facility which will serve as a technology hub and training center for the company’s Care Managers The jobs associated with the project will range from $24 an hour up to $55 an hour “Pulse Primary Care is a growing Michigan company," said Maureen Donohue Krauss Detroit Regional Partnership president and CEO their decision to build a headquarters here is significant It demonstrates to companies around the country that we can also attract the talent they need because the Detroit Region is not only great for business Belal Abdallah said the company's vision to expand nationwide starts with establishing its headquarters in Michigan "a strategic decision that reflects our commitment to excellence and growth." we look forward to welcoming over 500 Michigan-based skilled healthcare professionals to join our dedicated team," Abdallah continued we will shape the future of healthcare and make a lasting impact on communities across the country." The company’s long-term goals include developing new technologies that improve lives and building a workforce trained to address current healthcare staffing shortages at all levels by creating employment opportunities and career advancement for individuals enrolled in skill development certificate programs associate degrees at community colleges and advanced degrees For more information on career opportunities, visit the company’s website.  The Livonia Stevenson hockey team's choice for a new coach is a familiar face with deep ties to the program The Spartans have hired Northville assistant Jay Thompson to replace longtime coach David Mitchell Thompson met with players and spoke to the team after school on Wednesday Athletic director Arnie Muscat announced the hiring on social media shortly afterward "We got our guy," Muscat said during a phone interview Tuesday night "He has everything we want when it comes to culture and keeping our program intact." Thompson coached under Mitchell from 2010-2021 helping the Spartans win the Division 2 state championship in 2013 and become state runners-up in 2015 and 2016 Mitchell revealed last week that he's retiring from teaching and coaching this school year He plans to leave the state to coach the sport at a different level That includes their 3-2 overtime loss to Flint Powers Catholic in last month's D-2 state championship "It's a true honor to be their next coach," Thompson told Hometown Life "There is no other program I'd rather be the head coach of than Livonia Stevenson The hockey community here is just incredible."  Thompson hopes to retain Mitchell's coaching staff including top assistants Derek Puishes and Jacob Cox Both assistants gave a vote of confidence for Thompson when Muscat asked for their opinion about the hire "The recommendations and support from the community the coaching staff here and everyone else around the area has been tremendous," Muscat said "He has everything we want regarding culture and keeping the performance intact Our program returns 14 players from a team that made the state finals so to have someone who knows our culture and what Stevenson is all about is a big deal and should help us get back there again." More: No. 1 Livonia Stevenson hockey will win games by trusting the process Thompson graduated from Garden City in 1991 He won several national titles at the youth level before playing college hockey at Western Michigan University He's coached at the high school level for 15 years including the past three seasons as Northville's defensive coach But he also brought more to the Mustangs than simply strategy and organization but he's a far better person," Northville coach Ryan Ossenmacher said "He's an absolute rock when relating to the kids and parents He's a guy all the kids really like because they understand he has their best interests in mind He'll push them because he wants what's best for them."  Ossenmacher is happy to see Thompson become a head coach but he's sad to see his close friend leave because of what he's done for the Mustangs Thompson has been someone their players have leaned on for advice plus he never hesitates to offer honest feedback Ossenmacher said Thompson has helped many players improve the trajectory of their lives "He's just a good human," Ossenmacher said "A lot of coaches get into it from a wins-and-losses sake He understands that wins come from doing things the right way through building relationships with kids and focusing on the details That's why I think Stevenson won't skip a beat Jay will step in there and the product will continue at Stevenson."  More: Fast start, better finish for Livonia Stevenson hockey in state semis even during the 15 seasons he coached at Salem before taking over Northville But he realizes that upsetting the Spartans won't get easier because Mitchell is gone "But Stevenson isn't going anywhere because Jay is familiar with the tradition there and they're still going to be quite familiar-looking." The Spartans' roster will be familiar-looking as well who signed with the Aberdeen Wings in the North American Hockey League on Tuesday night But they expect to return 14 players with experience next season even with them going to a state final last season," Thompson said "Mitchell left a great team for me to step in and coach I can feel there is some unfinished business to handle here." More: PHOTOS: Livonia Stevenson hockey vs. Northville Thompson expects to meet with its leaders and learn more about the program but he's been away long enough that he isn't familiar with their current players he did coach some of their older brothers in the past "I'm just going to keep my foot on the gas," Thompson added "These kids are used to giving everything they have in the classroom They build the best possible program they can year after year so the real goal here is to maintain that high level of culture and develop young men to their best potential." Thompson expects the Spartans to return to the weight room immediately He wants to host spring skates and implement a summer program focused on strengthening the team's culture and fostering a competitive spirit amongst the players "I want to say thanks to my wife and family for allowing me to pursue my passion to mentor young men," Thompson said "I also want to thank Arnie and (Stevenson principal) Pete Mazzoni for their support and David Mitchell who has built something really special that doesn't need to be overhauled All the standards and traditions are in place It's up to me to maintain them and build upon them in any way that I can." Brandon Folsom covers high school sports in metro Detroit for Hometown Life. Follow him on Twitter at @folsombrandonj (WXYZ) — Livonia residents made their voices heard during a city council meeting The topic: a 24-hour Sheetz Gas Station and convenience store Livonia City Council denied a zoning change for the proposed Sheetz at the corner of Eight Mile and Newburgh Some people at the meeting supported the zoning change we don't need something that is going to bring high traffic," one fed-up resident said brings up the value of the gas stations in your community our gas stations are going to have to come up to their standards," another resident said "Where they are going to be turning in and coming out is directly aligned with my bedroom window," one frustrated resident pointed out The proposed location was the site of an old Rite Aid Livonia residents who attended the meeting were passionate even with some tense moments during last night's meeting There were mixed reaction from residents and elected officials about allowing Sheetz to come It would've rep[laced two small local businesses and a vacated building Sheetz plans to open 50-60 locations in Southeast Michigan over the next six years. They say 13 communities have already said yes, including Romulus, which became Michigan's first location last August WATCH: First-ever Sheetz location in Michigan opens in Romulus But now, Livonia joins Farmington Hills, which voted against a proposed Sheetzat 12 Mile and Middlebelt earlier this month WATCH: 'We don't need this here': residents make passionate comments as Farmington Hills rejects proposed Sheetz Here's more reaction from last night's meeting "This is not bad for the people of Livonia," said Councilman Scott Morgan but people thought the Speedway going up at 7 Mile and Newburgh was a bad thing and it's not." I think the density is too much," said Pea Gee I can’t wait to get to one because I know I can get a good meal late at night “I think you need to be concerned about the crime problems that do follow that do follow the Sheetz business," said Marsha McLean Sheetz says they certainly knew there was going to be push back from some communities and while they're pushing forward with their expansion the gas station proposal is dead here in Livonia “We are extremely disappointed by last night's narrow vote especially given the number of supporters who spoke on our behalf at the hearing We will be evaluating all available options at this location moving forward we look forward to working closely with other Detroit-area municipalities to bring growth new jobs and an innovative new restaurant and convenience store to their communities — a place where families can enjoy a meal residents can refuel or charge their vehicles and where those who serve our community around the clock Our Romulus location has received overwhelming support from customers and elected officials We have nine other Detroit-area stores that have been approved by their municipalities and we look forward to bringing that success and sense of community to those locations soon.” The Livonia Franklin girls basketball team has waited all season to smile and celebrate in the locker room The Patriots are still rebuilding under second-year coach Colleen Flaherty They had only 10 players on the roster a year ago, and seven pulled double-duty as part-time JV players meaning they'd play a full game on varsity and at least one quarter at the lower level so the program could field both teams The numbers have improved this winter while two of their five underclassmen — Vick Hairston and Callie Bates — have become integral contributors in important games among three or four others who will likely play in college playing in the East means facing City rivals Churchill and Stevenson twice a year it's not the league you want to be playing in while undergoing a complete rebuild of your program as a six-win team there's a lot of frustration because we have had those tough battles," Flaherty said and their faces showed we had good fight out there Playing elite competition all season might not have helped their win-loss record but it prepared them to pick up their first postseason victory under Flaherty as Sammy Carignan scored a career-high 23 points while they used an explosive second quarter to earn a 46-39 comeback win over Farmington during Monday's Division 1 district opener "It says 'GRIT' on the front of our (warm-up) shirts and we lived up to that today and did some of the things I've seen from them in moments since last summer," Flaherty added that lightbulb just clicked probably two weeks ago seeing their growth and that team-driven mentality they play with."  Franklin trailed by four points early in the second quarter but went on an 11-2 run to grab the lead once and for all That included Carignan scoring six points and making two of her nine field goals "She overcame having an off day (to close out the regular season) against Canton and South Lyon She just stuck her head down and got to business Flaherty definitely means growth in play — not growth in height Carignan is only 5-foot-1 and is usually the smallest player on the floor But she's become integral to what the Patriots do Athletic director Dusty Hall calls her the team's "sparkplug," and that might be underselling it Her speed and athleticism allow her to jump passing lanes and take steals the distance for layups she's always ready to knock down catch-and-shoot 3-pointers when the ball gets whipped around the arc — she made two shots from downtown vs More: Livonia Franklin girls basketball's rebuild is worth celebrating whether it's a timeout or while someone is shooting a free throw Carignan is coaching up one of her teammates but she's been huge to the team's turnaround "Being a basketball player while being really short has been tough but I've learned to push through it," Carignan said and I think we work well together as a team and we have been putting the work into practice and prepping for this game I think we've been playing a lot more team basketball lately."  one of the KLAA's most athletic true post players we played really well team basketball," added Carignan I wouldn't have scored this many points without my teammates."  More: Livonia Franklin girls basketball has the most interesting roster in the KLAA And the Patriots wouldn't have picked up their first postseason victory in two seasons without Carignan's junior class sticking it out after last year's fifth-quarter season on both JV and varsity It's why they finally got to smile and laugh in the locker room after beating Farmington and it means a lot because this is our first playoff win with me," Flaherty said and after having a tough season with only five wins So that locker room after today's game felt a lot different and we're going to get back to business tomorrow."  LIVONIA — A full slate of new developments – from restaurants retail and gourmet groceries to apartments townhomes and hotels – are on the horizon for the city in 2025 mixed-use developments will also include apartments and townhomes which will fill a need for more varied housing options Livonia City Council President Brandon McCullough said "Any kind of extra housing that's different… provides a layer that we are missing in the city," he said noting the need to cater to different age groups from downsizing seniors to young professionals seeking a vibrant community McCullough also noted the need for a diverse mix of retail and dining options to support economic revitalization "We have to be innovative with what we do," he said reflecting on a post-COVID world where office spaces and big-box stores are no longer as viable "We need to be picking the right development for these spaces and working collaboratively to create good amenities for the residents of the city and make sure it's the right fit for the right place." Projects currently in the works for Livonia include: McCullough said he hopes the company will sell the property sometime soon “We’ve really got to attack that corner and make sure we can have the right development going in for the long-term,” he said noting he’d like to see the city use its overlay zoning district provision to create a new housing district Livonia Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan said development planned for 2025 will complement the future City Center project "Livonia is becoming an even more dynamic hub for growth attracting high-quality retailers and restaurants that will enhance our vibrant community," she said "We work hard to foster an environment where businesses thrive These projects continue to strengthen our image as a prime destination and build our tax base." ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WXYZ) — A Livonia man was killed after getting trapped under the gravel hauler he was operating in Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Police Department said with police being dispatched to Pauline Boulevard bear Hutchins avenue underneath the tractor trailer of the hauler Investigators say that the man was in the process of re-connecting the front trailer to the rear trailer when he got stuck underneath the vehicle Authorities say this happened after the driver dropped off loads of sand to a nearby construction site Michigan State Police and Hazard Vulnerability Analysis assisting LIVONIA, Mich. – The Sheetz expansion into Metro Detroit hit another roadblock as the Livonia City Council voted down a rezoning ordinance for a new location which would have been on 8 Mile and Newburgh roads where the former Rite Aid once stood Residents who lived nearby and independent gas station owners drew concerns about the potential Sheetz expansion “What we noticed is it’s cannibalizing from existing gas station owners,” said a woman “The Livona residence refers to it as a truck stop even though it’s not a truck stop because of the size and because of the way it’s being implemented; they refer to it as the truck stop that they don’t want in their neighborhood.” The proposed location was only about eight miles away from another proposed Sheetz location in Farmington Hills which their city council rejected earlier this month --> Farmington Hills City Council rejects Sheetz proposal at 12 Mile, Middlebelt roads over traffic concerns “I just think your proposal at this time is not compatible to our location,” said a city council member. Residents spoke during the public comment section, citing concerns about noise, pollution, and possible crime the 24-hour location might bring. “What I prefer a Sheetz to do is go up north to where some of our rural Michiganders are because they need economic development, and they need jobs up there,” said a resident. Livonia City Council seemed to agree and voted down the proposal. If they had agreed for the Sheetz gas station, the area in question near the Whispering Willows Golf Course, it would have ended the city’s plan to dedicate the area to parks and recreation. Sheetz released an official statement to Local 4 Tuesday morning regarding the vote: “We are extremely disappointed by last night’s narrow vote, especially given the number of supporters who spoke on our behalf at the hearing. We will be evaluating all available options at this location moving forward. While this decision is disappointing, we look forward to working closely with other Detroit-area municipalities to bring growth, new jobs and an innovative new restaurant and convenience store to their communities — a place where families can enjoy a meal, residents can refuel or charge their vehicles, and where those who serve our community around the clock, like EMS, medical staff, firefighters and police officers, can grab a cup of coffee, 24/7. Our Romulus location has received overwhelming support from customers and elected officials. We have nine other Detroit-area stores that have been approved by their municipalities, and we look forward to bringing that success and sense of community to those locations soon.” Brandon Carr is a digital content producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with WDIV Local 4 since November 2021. Brandon is the 2015 Solomon Kinloch Humanitarian award recipient for Community Service. Livonia — Livonia plans to put a $150 million bond issue before voters in August to build a new police station renovate the city's five fire stations and hopefully pave the way to create a downtown in the city The Livonia City Council is set to weigh ballot language later this month for a 1.43 millage that voters would decide on during the Aug The measure would cost a homeowner $1.43 per $1,000 of taxable value of property City officials say their public safety facilities need to be updated and don't meet the modern needs of both agencies Tours of Livonia's current police and fire headquarters Fire trucks are taller and longer than they were when the stations were built leaving about an inch of clearance in the garages for the current trucks equipped with ladders to pull in "We have just been trying to pack more and more and more into the space that we've had for 50 60 years," said said Fire Chief Robert Jennison "And I can't see where we can make it any more efficient that we have which would stay in their current locations but be renovated if the millage is approved also don't have facilities specifically designed to accommodate women firefighters since the department had none until about 17 years ago And there aren't enough showers for a whole crew to use at once meaning some firefighters have to wait to rinse off hazardous materials when they come back from a fire or EMS call who chairs the council's capital outlay and infrastructure Committee said the city intends to build new municipal buildings that will last well into the future He believes the council has worked hard to make the planning process for a new city center transparent and responsible with taxpayer money The buildings "need to do their job," he said "...We need to make sure we're doing a good efficient job on something that's going to last 100 years into our future," he said At the Livonia Police Department at Farmington Road Eric Marcotte with the Livonia Police Department said the department's disjointed layout has been a function of just putting things where they fit as the department has grown The current police department complex is 55,000 square feet It includes one part that originally housed the city's water department and another segment added on to connect it with the original police headquarters Records for major cases are housed in a dingy room in the building's basement with a crumbling ceiling and dangling electrical wires A few of the department's special teams have large lockers to fit their gear including the honor guard members and officers who are part of the regional Western Wayne County SWAT But rank-and-file offices have narrow metal lockers "There just comes a point in time where the men and women that work here deserve better They're out there risking their lives; they're out there for 12 hours a day," said Capt which would be located just east of its current location at Five Mile and Farmington The funding from the bonds for a new police department and the fire station renovations is separate from funding for a new City Hall and the city is considering whether to combine it with the new city hall Donovic supports combining a new library with the city hall for efficient use of space He said the library has strong programs to entice people to use it but it's lacking amenities a modern library needs such as a lot of outlets for people to plug into and adequate Wi-Fi He said the library deserves to be updated so it stays relevant as a beloved civic living room for the city "It became abundantly clear that if we're going to redo this Civic Center campus and we're going to emphasize on the public safety needs and City Hall needs why are we leaving our library to sit there and be an issue for another council 10 years from now The draft millage proposal also currently includes funding for green space including a park plaza at the heart of the city center Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan hopes the construction of a new civic campus will entice private builders to develop housing Livonia has not had a downtown area in its 75-year history But Brosnan said the city needs to make itself more attractive to young people to reverse its current trend of an aging People 65 and older made up 22.2% of the city's population in 2023 At her State of the City address on April 9 Brosnan called the bond proposal "fair and effective" and a step that's crucial to the city's future "It's a bond proposal that's going to allow us to invest not just in building The council will vote on the language for the bond issue at its April 28 meeting (WXYZ) — With the construction of the new senior wellness center underway Livonia is one step closer to the mixed-use development site leaders have worked on for years The completion of the senior center is phase one of four for a walkable and bikeable community area that will eventually have shopping and office space along Five Mile and Farmington Roads in Livonia "A place where our kids can go to and we know that they'll be safe and they've got some great opportunities to have outdoor festivals or music or art installations," explained Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan It's a plan Brosnan says is years in the making that thousands of community members said they wanted in a 2016 survey about the future of the city we own all of the property at Five Mile and Farmington This is where we can create our own destiny," said Brosnan Residents across town say they've heard about the plans and many we spoke to are on board “I think it’s pretty awesome to think about It’s nice to be able to walk around and go to different restaurants,” said Rita Howell I think it would be beneficial to the city to have a downtown area," said Pietraz their downtown areas are a gathering place.” The plan includes demolishing all the buildings currently sitting there and I think that's what's so compelling about this — is that when the City Hall was originally built in the city area it was with the notion that this in fact would be the city center," said Brosnan She says it's not being used as that gathering space it was intended to be The goal is to change that and keep residents in the city “We are seeing a number of communities that have tried this and why they’re trying this is because we’re all as municipalities in the state of Michigan working really hard to keep our talent force here to keep our young people and our own kids here,” said Brosnan The construction on the new Senior Center is fully funded and expected to be finished by the end of the year and they also have the funding for a new City Hall "We're in the process right now of designing that City Hall and that will move east on the campus," said Brosnan The next step will be getting the community to support a property tax millage to pay for demolishing the police station and creating a new one now we do have to turn to residents and we do have to ask for their investment,” said Brosnan The details of the millage proposal are still being worked out and expected to be introduced to the city council in February At that time they will also share the master plan concept for residents to review The proposal could be voted on as early as August Phase One (2025) - New Livonia Senior Wellness Center northeast of Kirksey Recreation Center.Phase Two (2026) - New City Hall east of current City Hall.Phase Three (2028) - New police station creation of a central gathering area/park.Phase Four (2029) - New multi-family residential units retail and restaurants on the site of the southeast corner of Five Mile/Farmington Roads People can expect to see the development come together by 2030 we will have completed construction on a 30,000 square foot senior center by the end of next year we will have completed construction on a new city hall By the following year we will have completed construction on a new police station That is remarkably fast in terms of our ability to clear space,” said Brosnan Friday's home opener should've been an evening to celebrate that success, especially with the Patriots returning all their top contributors from arguably their second-greatest squad since the team played in three state championships from 1985-1990 Players from Franklin and Ann Arbor Pioneer snapped a team photo together near the pitcher's circle A larger-than-normal crowd surrounded the diamond in support including most of Franklin's track and field team And players wore special "Newitt Strong" uniforms the coach responsible for leading the Patriots to all that success a season ago wasn't there Longtime coach Paul Newitt was diagnosed with a rare skin condition during the offseason More: Worth the delay: Livonia Franklin softball beats rival Churchill for 1st time since 2015 Interim coach Sarah Iler has been leading the team while Newitt works to return to full health from home "When we got the text that he wasn't coaching this season we all started crying," said senior catcher Grace Wonfor We won with him because of his attitude and how he never yelled at us More: Livonia Franklin softball erases late deficit, wins 1st district title since 2009 almost California surfer-like demeanor sets him apart from most coaches but he doesn't live and die with every pitch He doesn't erupt in anger when things don't go the Patriots' way doing whatever he can to show them support that's hollering funny sayings like "rocket shot" when a batter is about to hit or cracking jokes with players who need to get out of a slump He gives autonomy to his veterans to get the most out of the team which is why Franklin has no shortage of mature leaders graduating from the program every year "He's probably one of the most energetic coaches I've had," said Mckenna Moore a senior pitcher committed to Madonna University We've just got to do the best we possibly can without our guy." More: How 'Reaching Higher' is keeping Livonia Franklin softball mentally prepared That's been harder for some players because Newitt has been part of their lives for more than just softball played for Newitt on Emerson Middle School's basketball team Others have seen him around town in other roles and as a teacher He's coached just about everything for Livonia Public Schools for the past 29 years including varsity baseball and freshman boys basketball at Franklin boys and girls basketball at Emerson and flag football at Frost Middle School Hometown Life named him its Coach of the Year for baseball in 2005 while the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association picked him as its District Coach of the Year following last year's dream season He's won district and league titles in different sports including a Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship in baseball at Franklin He also helped Southfield Christian win a district in 1995 while finishing as the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference's Baseball Coach of the Year "He's been our coach for five or six years spirits have definitely been down at times," said Galatis a senior shortstop who will play at Schoolcraft next year "But we're all working together and doing it as a team without him The positivity he's exuded over the years has bred plenty of capable leaders who will help the program get through this but once they get used to Newitt not standing at third base and offering his continued support they should be ready to compete for the KLAA-East and try to win another district More: What distractions? Livonia Churchill softball is 'only focused on our business' and we've had our ups and downs," Wonfor said "We're still trying to get through it and figure out what works and what doesn't with us as players and our new coaches and us leaders feel like we have to step up after losing a coach we've loved who has surrounded us with so much happiness We have to step up and surround our teammates with that happiness and not let them get down on themselves." You can help Newitt battle his condition by donating money on Venmo to @clairegalatis18 (WXYZ) — Residents in Livonia are heartbroken over plans to upgrade Greenmead Historical Park the three-acre community garden is at the center of it all the city began the planning process for upgrades to the park The drawings in a master plan show that roughly half of the garden will be replaced with a pavilion But residents are upset with the vast reduction in the garden because not only do these residents use the garden to feed their families a large portion of the produce grown in the community garden is donated to a local food bank to help feed those who need it And I grow vegetables for myself and my wife and my three kids and their families," community gardener Kevin Shonce said "We save a tremendous amount of money because of that." "What they can't eat or can't take home or don't want to take home and it's well-known in the area that whatever's on the table help yourself," Garden Supervisor and community gardener Richard Strzalkowski said Hear more from Richard Strzalkowski in the video below: The city of Livonia released the following statement: But residents told me they haven't been given a hard date on when the garden will be seeing the construction they told me they are remaining hopeful that the plans could change The Livonia Housing Commission is taking applications for its housing choice voucher program waiting list until 5 p.m The commission is expecting at least 5,000 applications by then interim executive director of the Livonia Housing Commission can ease rent costs to just 30% of a person's income but vouchers are limited and wait lists are typically lengthy "We know there's a lack of affordable housing in Michigan and in southeastern Michigan so we do expect a large number of persons to apply," Inglis said More: How Detroit wants to spend $346M in federal disaster recovery aid The wait list is open from Monday at 8 a.m The Livonia Housing Commission opens its waiting list every two to three years Who qualifies?Eligibility is based on criteria set by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For instance, a family's income must fall below 50% of the area median income Applicants must provide household information social security numbers and annual incomes and are limited to one application per household The Livonia Housing Commission's housing choice voucher program is not just for Livonia residents when it comes time to pull names off the wait list for vouchers the commission will give preference to residents those working in Livonia or those who have a verifiable job opportunity in the city To apply online, go to www.waitlistcheck.com/MI2628. For more information, go to bit.ly/LivoniaHousingCommissionHCV Completing the online application does not automatically place a person on the waiting list or guarantee a voucher The commission will conduct a random lottery and pare down the applications to a wait list of 1,500 to 1,800 the commission will notify them via email after Jan It's unclear how many households will be pulled for a housing choice voucher because that's based on the turnover of people currently in the program The commission has a budget provided by HUD that determines how many vouchers go out with the possibility of a 30 day extension there are roughly 850 households receiving the subsidies through the commission Those placed on the waiting list may not be contacted for up to two years Michigan's largest distributor of housing vouchers, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), is still not issuing subsidies or accepting applications some 85,000 people remained on MSHDA’s waitlist for a federal housing choice voucher Rising rents forced agencies that administer waitlists for federal housing subsidies to indefinitely stop issuing vouchers leaving tens of thousands of Michiganders waiting for help as they struggle to find permanent homes Contact Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@freepress.com the City of Livonia Water and Billing Department now offers a NEW e-check payment option This new option adds additional security and is available 24/7 without requiring you to speak to staff during weekday office hours There are no new costs to residents for this new service.In order to enroll in the new e-check option you will need a checking account and routing number You will still be able to pay by EFT ACH with autopay and credit card but we are now able to accept Discover cards alongside the Visa Mastercard and American Express credit cards we had previously been accepting.The new Interactive Voice Response (IVR) software being used to implement this new system also means anyone previously enrolled in credit card autopay prior to Dec 12 and after will be able to pay their water bill due Jan through the new software.Visit LivoniaWater.org to set up or edit your account Existing account login information will not change.If you have any questions please call (833) 548-8992 for IVR troubleshooting or (734) 466-2278 for the Water and Billing Department if you have questions on your account ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you have yet to have your water service line identified this fall please visit CheckYourPipesLivonia.org to schedule a FREE in-home assessment to determine what type of service line you have Additional information is available on the website and you can also call (734) 466-2019 to schedule an assessment Michigan - Ph: (734) 466-220033000 Civic Center Drive LIVONIA, Mich. – Police are investigating after complaints at Glen Eden Memorial Park in Livonia, where 141 bronze grave markers were stolen through an unfenced area of the cemetery. Randy, a grieving son who lost both parents within six months, is one of the visitors who discovered the theft during a recent visit to his father’s grave. “It breaks my heart – it’s hard to even talk about — that someone would’ve even done this,” said Randy. The bronze vases, weighing about 10 pounds each, are valued at roughly $300 apiece. Randy came to place a Christmas wreath and flowers in his father’s vase, which was carefully chosen as a symbol of love and remembrance. “It wasn’t there, and I noticed a lot of people around my father’s as well – their loved ones' vases were missing as well,” Randy said. The thefts are believed to have occurred in late November in at least two separate incidents. Cemetery officials have filed an insurance claim to address the losses and have already started replacing the vases. They said a neighbor spotted a couple of people sneaking around in the middle of the night but did not capture the likely thieves on camera. The vases were taken from two areas of the cemetery: the Ascension section and the Reformation section. If anyone spots the bronze vases being sold or scrapped, they plead for people to report it. “It was just like desecrated, Randy said. “Some of these people’s loved ones have been gone for 30 years, and they won’t even know about this.” Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. Livonia Stevenson's 17-2 softball win at rival Livonia Franklin on April 16 saw the Spartans hit as many home runs as they've held outdoor practices this spring that's great — Stevenson captains Ella Stoops and Brinley Eckerman both smashed balls deep and celebrated their brief jaunts around the bases by wearing the Spartans' new professional-wrestling inspired championship belt Only having two opportunities to practice on an actual field isn't setting up any team to succeed Yet, Stevenson (8-1, 5-0) perseveres and has proved why it's receiving votes in the most recent Division 1 rankings released by the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association. Right now, the Spartans are undefeated in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association-East, earning a much-needed win over the rival Patriots who returned four of the top players in the league and appeared to be a darkhorse favorite to compete for the division title after winning a district championship last season the win gives them the inside track entering next month's City championship tournament at Madonna University it's the second year of no longer letting league play crown the queens of Livonia Churchill and Clarenceville to see who gets bragging rights for the following calendar year And the Spartans got a great look at what the Patriots will bring to the table despite Franklin mucking its hand by electing not to start ace pitcher Mckenna Moore winning six of their nine games via mercy rule and knocking off some tough competition along the way which has a handful of future college players arguably one of the best junior pitchers in the state So it's hard to believe Stevenson still needs to play itself into shape But that's the case when Mother Nature just won't let the Spartans get onto the diamond "We've only been outside for practice twice and one of the times we went out there was because we had to review stuff on the field and it was actually one of those days when it snowed," longtime coach Kevin Hannigan said "So we're a little bit behind on the field and base running aspect we've got to be over 100 hits so far this season because we're spending a lot of time in the cage since we're indoors."   That's the one boon of spending so much time inside The Spartans have practically lived in their batting cage inside the fieldhouse due to the cold temperatures But their bats appear to be in midseason form Even in the one game they lost — a 13-8 loss to No 8 Dearborn Divine Child on April 4 — their hitting kept them in it It was a 6-6 game in the sixth inning before the Falcons finally pulled away More: Livonia Stevenson softball's 8 seniors 'want to go out winning a district again' "Dropping that game to DC was both very good and bad," said Eckerman a Northwood University commit who drove in three runs vs "It really showed us the things we need to work on we can put up eight runs against a D-I pitcher That D-I pitcher Eckerman referred to is Oakland University commit Jessica Nelson another D-I signee headed to Sacred Heart University who was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle on Wednesday "We played some good competition against DC and saw a good pitcher there but that showed we can hit the ball while also showing where we need to improve in the field and pitching-wise so we haven't been able to work on the small things like tweener balls and the different things that you can't really work on without being out on a field." They returned eight of their nine starters from a year ago so almost every player who sees the field is a battle-tested varsity veteran with a wealth of travel experience to draw from They lost only shortstop McKenzie Cook to graduation has varsity experience as a starting right fielder and pinch runner More: Newitt Strong: Livonia Franklin softball following up dream season 'without our guy' so she's not letting the poor weather hinder her job security "That was our big question spot coming into this season and she's reading the plays better more and more And she'll be needed with the schedule coming up for Stevenson which hosts rival Churchill next week and then plays top-ranked Farmington Hills Mercy and Alabama signee Kaitlyn Pallozzi More: Livonia Stevenson softball is sending four seniors to play in college they've hit three times as many homers as they've had practices outdoors and that's just a rough realization for Stevenson almost six weeks into the season "The weather just hasn't been good," Eckerman said so it's been hard to work on certain things when we're inside We really want to work on very specific things that we need to work on things you just can't work on when you're inside." (WXYZ) — After a blatant purse snatching in the middle of the afternoon the victims involved say they are changing their shopping habits as police search for the suspects involved Clinging to her best friend Karol and rescue dog Crystal Patty recalled the terrifying incident that happened leaving the Costco in Livonia on Tuesday around 1:30 p.m "I grabbed Karol's purse and I said go take the cart over to the carousel I put her purse in the car and all of a sudden I felt someone brush up beside me," Patty said "I thought he was being rude and trying to get through the cars and the next thing I know Wasn't quite the superwoman I thought I was going to be but he got detained a little bit," Karol said Police say the suspect pushed both women to the ground before getting away with Patty's purse Patty battled spinal cancer and recently learned how to walk again "This is my worst fear being a senior being on a walker," Patty said They chose to keep their last name private for safety reasons "I got a little bit going on here and I got a big bruise here but I'll be OK and we're thankful it wasn't more," Patty said pointing to her injuries Livonia police are searching for the person responsible and a silver truck they believe is connected to the crime we can get some tips and somebody will be able to give us a hand and tell us where this vehicle may be," Capt As more people are out shopping during the holiday season Yon says it's not the time to let your guard down "It's really about situational awareness: knowing our surroundings Patty and Karol agree and say they don't plan to wear purses while shopping to protect themselves The friends are sharing their story because they want other people to be mindful Patty does not plan on letting the situation keep her inside She's grateful for all the heroes that helped her from police to bystanders to security at Costco Patty wants to find the young woman they're calling her "angel" who got her walker back from the thief "Shame on me that my pepper spray was in my purse said it will evaluate "all available options" after the Livonia City Council this week denied a rezoning request that would've paved the way for a 24-hour station on the site of a former Rite Aid store In a 5-2 vote before a packed chamber on Monday, the council voted to deny a request to rezone a 1.8-acre site at Eight Mile and Newburgh that would've allowed Sheetz to open a 12-pump Several members raised concerns about its 24-hour operations and if such a station was the right fit for the surrounding community But some residents spoke in favor of the rezoning saying they'd rather see Sheetz than an empty storefront in Livonia We will be evaluating all available options at this location moving forward," said Nick Ruffner Livonia is the latest Metro Detroit community to say no to Sheetz Farmington Hills City Council also rejected a proposal earlier this month to convert property with a former restaurant into a 24-hour Sheetz Rochester Hills has also said no to Sheetz Sheetz opened its first Michigan location to much fanfare in August in Romulus. The Pennsylvania-based chain wants to build as many as 60 locations in Michigan within the next five to six years, CEO Travis Sheetz affirmed at the Detroit Policy Conference last week "Our Romulus location has received overwhelming support from customers and elected officials," said Ruffner in a statement "We have nine other Detroit-area stores that have been approved by their municipalities A Livonia couple accused of shady business practices while providing snowplowing and landscaping services under more than a dozen company names over the course of nearly 20 years must now pay both the state and their former customers “This outcome was only made possible by the consumers who filed complaints with my office and I encourage anyone who suspects they have been targeted by illegal or predatory business practices to contact us.” an attorney listed in court records for the Churches could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday evening Businesses owned and operated by the Churches have included formal ones like Metro Mow 'N Snow as well as several informal ones with names including Farmington Mow N Snow  An investigation into unlawful business practices by the Churches was first launched in 2017 and the following year the Churches agreed to cease unfair or deceptive business practices compensate any affected customers; compensate the Attorney General's Office for investigative costs and not create any new same-service entities without notifying the AG's office alleging they had resumed abusing their customers and violating the Michigan Consumer Protection Act through breaches of contract continuing to engage in unfair and deceptive business practices grossly misrepresenting the scope and quality of the work being offered and misleading consumers as to their legal rights to post and publish honest reviews and complaints about the Churches and their businesses Under the consent order annouced by Nessel Wednesday the Churches have agreed to pay the Department $50,000 for its enforcement efforts a portion of which will be distributed among affected consumers adding that failure to make payments will allow the AG's office to reopen the lawsuit The Churches have also agreed to dissolve their business entities and are permanently barred from incorporating or working for any business offering snow removal (WXYZ) — The Patriots community is puzzled as to why a well-respected wrestling coach who has been with the Livonia Public Schools district for 24 years was suddenly fired 19 at 6:45 a.m.: Parents and community members of Franklin High School called for answers at last night's school board meeting on why the district suddenly fired Patriots wrestling coach David Chiola "Why'd the gentlemen get fired then," said one upset community member The Livonia School district notified Franklin's Wrestling Community of the termination in a letter on November 1 with the school only saying the now former coach's values don't align with the district's vision The now-former coach telling the school board why he thinks he was fired "A letter went home to the parents questioning my character," said David Chiola "The oversight I made was I answered a phone call from the Athletic Director while subbing at Stevenson Some students thought whatever I said must have been too mean spirited and went to the Assistant Principal who went to central office." The student at the center of the call is transgender The school and Chiola both confirmed the student's locker room accommodations were not the topic discussed in that phone call The district also said in a statement that the conversation ad nothing to do with Chiola's termination The school board meeting erupted with chaos with the next speaker We're not going to say what the accusations are But the enraged gallery caused a 20-minute recess scolding the board for letting the speaking continue "Your specificly said any complaints need to be brought before HR this was asinine," said one community member "That should have been shut down from the beginning "This is a public hearin- board meeting so anybody can hear that and rumors are going to spread and you could have stopped that and you decided not to," We'll continue to follow this story as it develops 18: The firing is happening as wrestlers prepare to compete on the mats this season hearing of the firing of Coach Dave Chiola was devastating "Just know that I don't get to finish off my senior year with Coach Chiola," Kwiatkowski said The 17-year-old has been training under Chiola for three seasons He has done so much for the program," Kwiatkowski said including 18 of the past 19 city championships and 17 district titles no complaints from other students," Kwiatkowski said Kwiatkowski's mom Angela says the email made her angry while reading the most upsetting part "They say: 'Coach Chiola continued to fall short of his own accountability and our expectations as a trusted adult for all students Before a leader can hold others accountable for their actions leaders need to be able to model this behavior each and every day.' And I feel like that's a judgment on his character," Angela Kwiatkowski said The letter also reads: "Multiple opportunities were provided to Coach Chiola to learn and grow from past actions "And what is he supposed to be accountable for did your expectations change?" Angela Kwiatkowski said You can read the full letter that was sent to families below: Chiola was informed that he would no longer be part of the team just over a week before the season started "We're separating ways is how it was worded," Chiola said Chiola explained to us what happened from his point of view I was subbing at a rival school and I got a phone call from athletic director and he was talking about a wrestler who was joining the team and some concerns We had 69 kids on the team last year and at this point as he misses practice like that kick-off anyway and some students overheard me and thought I was being mean," Chiola said Chiola says the conversation was about a student-athlete who is transgender had nothing to do with the use of a locker room and that he said nothing derogatory a Livonia Public Schools spokesperson wrote in part: We asked Chiola if he's previously coached students who identified as LGBTQ+ The school also denies that "the call" had anything to do with the coach's termination Chiola and the wrestling community will be putting up a fight at the board meeting asking the school to apologize to the coach BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. – A Livonia man died Monday afternoon after being ejected from a semi-truck in a crash on I-94. First responders were sent to the traffic crash on I-94 near the Indiana state line on March 24, 2025, just before 4:30 p.m. When they arrived, they learned a semi-truck heading eastbound on I-94 crossed the cable barriers and struck another semi-truck traveling westbound. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office said the impact of the crash was so significant that the driver in the semi-trick heading eastbound was ejected along with the driver’s seat. The driver, identified as 45-year-old Jeffrey Oneal from Livonia, was found on the roadway next to the truck unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the semi-truck heading westbound was not injured, authorities said. According to a driver who witnessed the crash, she told authorities she noticed Oneal was experiencing some type of distress and having trouble maintaining his lane while she was passing the truck heading eastbound on I-94. She said when she slowed down to get behind the truck, it abruptly turned left and crossed all three lanes of traffic and the median through the cable barriers. The sheriff’s office said the truck narrowly missed a car heading westbound but hit a semi-truck on westbound I-94. Authorities said the investigation into the crash is ongoing, pending an autopsy to determine any medical issues that led to the crash. Gastropub chain Bar Louie with locations nationwide has abruptly shuttered two metro Detroit locations Bar Louie locations in Livonia at Laurel Park Place and in Auburn Hills at Great Lakes Crossing are now closed It appears that employees were laid off as of Sunday with little notice or warning and Royal Oak as the only two Michigan locations open one staffer arrived at Auburn Hills only to find a note Employees at those two locations were laid off as of Sunday by the Addison An internet search showed both locations listed as “permanently closed,” per its Google listing Also listed as closed are locations in Dearborn and Novi The closures were based on location performance according to an internal memo obtained by WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) More: White Castle just slashed the price for a sack of cheeseburgers by 30%: What to know "The decision to close this location is in no way a reflection of you or the potential of the Bar Louie brand," reads an internal memo "Making the decision to close a location is never easy but focusing our resources on our higher-performing locations was the responsible approach." Bar Louie's menu has a mix of craft burgers the chain announced it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed more than 30 underperforming locations the chain closed its Flint pub and listed eight locations on its website A previous Free Press report said that the Bar Louie in Royal Oak opened in March 2019 and is a franchised location Messages sent to Bar Louie via its website were not returned Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on X. Subscribe to the Free Press (WXYZ) — If you take a walk through Rotary Park in Livonia you can still see the damage that a tornado left behind last year PREVIOUS STORY: Tornado kills toddler in Livonia mother in critical condition after tree crushes home After reaching out to the City of Livonia about what's happening next at the park "I was devastated because we walk here every week and it was just bad to not be able to walk here anymore Trees were everywhere," said Donna Roberts Another resident who lives near the park was also left stunned by the destruction at the park and I was sad because I grew up in this park," Cale Feinberg said the city said crews immediately removed dozens of trees at the site residents said the damaged pavilions were still standing which left them to wonder about their future "It took them so long to just tear it down and this was is still up so I was wondering what they were going to do with them," Feinberg said On the fences outside of the pavilion locations a sign reads that Pavilion One will be replaced and Pavilion Two will be renovated in 2025 One park visitor said she has fond memories of the old pavilions I would have picnics with my family there and different events," said Molly Medellin She's happy to know there are plans to bring them back to the park "As the weather is getting better and warmer out I'm just glad it's getting better now," Medellin said (WXYZ) — A group of residents in Livonia have been fighting to have the city repair the Alfred Noble library building The building was shut down in 2019 due to mold found in the basement there is $20,000 approved unanimously by Livonia City Council waiting to be spent on initiatives related to the 'Alfred Noble Library issues A spokesperson for the City of Livonia said the last estimate they received to repair and renovate the building is in the millions When I reached out to the mayor's office for an interview they sent back a statement on the Mayor's behalf saying: The mayor's spokesperson told me that repairs would cost significantly more than the $20,000 allotted and the building has been decommissioned as a library But the 'Save Alfred Noble' group is still hoping the historic building can be saved and given new life "We would like to see the city repurpose it and make sure it's for the benefit of all of the residents of Livonia so that we have a great asset down here on the south side of Livonia," said Cindy Flemming The mayor is expected to address the matter at the next council meeting on Monday