WESTLAND — Police continue to seek the public’s help in finding the person or persons who vandalized five houses of worship and schools over the past two months Leaders at least two of the institutions are praying for those responsible for the acts of graffiti “We are sorry that we have people in our city who are hurting and in pain over events and what is going on in our world and that the way they think is appropriate to bring attention to issues is harming other people’s property "But we are a haven for people for what is going on in the world and we hope they are brought to justice because this is not an appropriate way to deal with problems.”Our Savior Lutheran Church tagged sometime during Palm Sunday weekend was marred when someone used white spray paint to put anarchist symbols on the roof’s brick smokestack and on the side of the building as well as write “Tax the rich or burn in hell” on shingles and “coward.” which he noted refers to money as the root of all evil and those being hungry for money have wandered from the faith Westland Deputy Police Chief Robert Wilkie said similar messages and graffiti were found on the former St Simon and Jude Church at 32500 Palmer Road around Feb 27-28; First Baptist Church of Westland at 1033 S “We are actively investigating these incidents and we encourage the public to come forward with any information that they may have,” Wilkie said “We are unable to share further details at this time as this is an active investigation.” invites whoever left graffiti with a plea to help the poor and “no love” painted on a stained glass window “We are praying for them with ever struggles they have with the church the government and the need to be seen,” Burk said Anyone with information regarding these incidents can call the Westland Police Department at 734-722-9600 More: Here’s who’s running for Westland City Council More: The tie that binds: Howell couple cherishes tender memory of meeting Pope Francis More: Pirates, mysteries and more treasure to uncover at Bookstock in Livonia, now through May 4 Contact reporter Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com Police are investigating what they said appears to have been a murder-suicide Tuesday at a Westland home Westland police dispatchers received a 911 call at about 7:20 p.m from a man who said he shot his girlfriend and that he was going to take his own life a dispatcher heard what sounded like a gunshot followed by silence located in the 1400 block of Surrey Heights Street near John Hix and Palmer roads They arrived and forced entry into the home because they believed there was an emergency inside Officers found two people in the home with gunshot wounds Medics entered the home after police secured the scene but both wounded people were dead when they arrived Investigators identified the man as Joseph King Officials said the investigation is in the early stages and is ongoing The incident is the latest murder-suicide in Metro Detroit Last week, Dearborn Heights police said a man fatally shot his girlfriend at his house before he took his own life Last month Auburn Hills police said they believe a Vassar man fatally shot a Saginaw woman at a hotel and before taking his own life In November, Harper Woods police said a man and woman were found dead in a home after a shooting and investigators determined their deaths stemmed from a domestic violence incident The month before, Warren police said a 26-year-old man was fatally shot by his mother WESTLAND – A man is facing federal charges after allegedly stealing from a jewelry store in Westland and trying to pawn a necklace he stole the same day Police responded to a jewelry store on Warren Road in Westland on April 15 Victims described the suspect as a man in his 50s or 60s wearing a blue shirt Court documents said the suspect is seen on surveillance footage entering the store multiple times throughout the day he identified himself under a fake name and inquired about lab-created diamonds while making small talk with employees John Talerico faces two federal charges—Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. At around 2 p.m., the suspect told employees he was interested in buying two lab-created rings and said his name was John Alerino, residing in Texas. The man briefly left the store and came back with a black handgun with a silver slide and pointed it at an employee. He allegedly told the employee to place ten gold lab-created rings and three Cuban necklace chains into his Xfinity bag. He reportedly threatened to “blast” the employee if he triggered an alarm. The man led two employees to a back room and demanded money from the safe, but they said there was no money in the safe. He then told them to open a register, where he took about $200. He then allegedly pepper-sprayed the employees, shut them in the back room, and left the store. Westland police said surveillance footage from nearby stores showed a black sedan driving in the parking lot near the jewelry store at 10:39 a.m. The car does not park in view of the camera. At 10:46 a.m., the suspect walks westbound through the parking lot and enters the Westland Mall entrance. At 2:25 p.m., the suspect runs southbound from the mall entrance into the parking lot. Using Flock cameras, police found that a black Buick sedan drove past Warren and Newburgh roads in Westland at 10:26 a.m. on April 15, which was about 1.3 miles from the jewelry store. Flock cameras also showed the same car traveling past Ford and Wayne roads at 2:35 p.m., which is about 1.4 miles from the store. According to a Law Enforcement Information Network, the license plate on the car was registered to John Talerico from Westland. Court documents said Talerico committed a string of robberies in Maryland and other states in 2011. In August 2013, Talerico was sentenced to 108 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release in Maryland. Police said Talerico’s driver’s license photo closely matched the description of the suspect seen on surveillance video. Court documents said law enforcement databases show that Talerico pawned a men’s rope yellow gold necklace at a pawn shop in Detroit on April 15, 2025, at around 3:30 p.m. At the pawn shop, he presented his Michigan driver’s license to an employee when he pawned the necklace. Police recovered the necklace and presented it to the jewelry store’s employees. They confirmed that the necklace had been stolen from them earlier that day. Surveillance footage showed Talerico driving a pickup truck to the pawn shop. That truck was registered under his name. On April 18, 2025, police conducted surveillance at his home in Westland and saw both the black sedan and the pickup truck in front of his house. 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 You must be 21 or over to enter this website then you're not old enough to read Breaking Bourbon Mashbill: Undisclosed blend of Washington Select Pale Malt Official Website Press Release Milk chocolate | Burnt marshmallow | Light cinnamon Cocoa | Clove | Toasted oak | Graham cracker | Almond | Walnut | Earthy undertone | Rich Clove | Allspice | Dry dark chocolate | Slight leather | Lingering nuttiness & chocolate An American single malt that focuses heavily on chocolate Garryana Edition 9 is a complex American single malt with flavors driven by various types of malted barley and the variation of casks used to age the whiskey The flavor profile builds on a foundation of chocolate Though a range of other flavors mingles in to form a complex whiskey those who enjoy those particular flavors will find a lot to love with Garryana Edition 9 BC/Territories of the Coast Salish (Kwantlen 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westland Insurance is proud to announce the launch of its new benefits brand This launch marks a significant milestone in Westland’s continued growth uniting its acquired benefits firms under one powerful national brand to better serve businesses across Canada Westland Benefits combines the personalized service and deep expertise of a boutique advisory firm with the scale and market influence of one of Canada’s largest insurance brokerages – offering employers of all sizes tailored Westland Insurance has appointed Matt Mann as the President of Westland Benefits With extensive expertise in the benefits space and proven leadership in the insurance industry Mann will oversee the growth and expansion of Westland Benefits across Canada “We’re excited to introduce Westland Benefits to BC,” said Jamie Lyons we've made significant investments to strengthen our Employee Benefits offerings including acquiring several high-performing advisory firms Bringing these capabilities together under one unified brand – led by Matt – allows us to better serve our clients The launch of Westland Benefits positions Westland to deliver a broader suite of benefits solutions – including group life and disability insurance and holistic wellness programs – to employers across most geographies in Canada With plans to expand the Westland Benefits brand nationally the company is poised to become a recognized leader in the Canadian benefits space “Launching Westland Benefits brand in BC is just the beginning – we’re at a breakthrough stage in terms of developing our national platform,” says Matt Mann "I’m excited to lead this next chapter as we expand our operations across Canada we’re uniquely positioned to help businesses of all sizes build competitive and high impact benefits programs.”  Westland Benefits will bring together the existing operations of Dupuis Langen and Montridge Advisory Group two highly regarded benefits firms that have played a key role in shaping the company’s success in the space Clients can expect the same dedicated service and expertise they’ve always received The introduction of Westland Benefits reinforces Westland Insurance’s commitment to helping Canadian businesses navigate the complex benefits landscape — ensuring organizations have access to innovative people-focused solutions that drive employee well-being and business success For more information about Westland Benefits, visit our website Michigan’s Domestic Violence Hotline is free anonymous and available 24/7 by calling 866-864-2338 or texting 877-861-0222 Police said they received a 911 call just before 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, from a man who said he had shot his girlfriend and was going to shoot himself. During the 911 call, the dispatcher reportedly heard a gunshot and then silence on the open line afterward. First responders rushed to the home, located on Surrey Heights Street, just west of the Palmer and John Hix roads intersection and forced their way inside. Police said they found two bodies inside, 52-year-old Joseph King and 46-year-old Melissa Hattar. They both had been shot to death. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Westland Police Department at 734-722-9600. Dane Kelly is an Oreo enthusiast and producer who has spent the last seven years covering Michigan news and stories. repeat violations and unlabeled chemicals are only some of the violations found in Westland between February and April according to Wayne County Health Department inspection reports Many of the violations have been corrected The presence of violations in a past inspection does not necessarily mean the establishment has the same violations today Inspection reports can be found at swordsolutions.com/inspections/ Below is a list of violations found at some restaurants in Westland an inspector noted several problems at Biggby Coffee spray bottles of cleaner were observed on counters in the front area next to the handsink Toxic materials must be stored below and away from food and utensils so they cannot become contaminated — Unlabeled spray bottles of cleaner were observed in the front area next to the handsink and food prep station All containers of toxic materials must be labeled at least with the common name — A choking poster could not be located at time of inspection Any food establishment serving solid foods should have a poster showing anti-choking techniques for reference somewhere in the facility A choking poster was provided by inspector a box of single-use cups was stored on the floor between shelving Food equipment and utensils should be stored in a protected manner Store utensils and equipment in a protected manner — A mop was observed on the floor in the mop sink Mops should be hung up or inverted to allow for air drying between uses a small reach-in cooler used for doughnuts was observed with water puddling on the bottom of the unit Person in charge stated it has been looked at but they do not know what is causing the issue Another small reach in cooler is out of order in the same area and is not in use Equipment should be maintained in good repair and function according to manufacturer specifications Suite 13During a routine inspection on Feb an inspector noted several problems at Glass House Kitchen — The mop sink faucet has a built-in bell-style vacuum breaker with a 2-way shut-off valve splitter installed between the faucet and a hose Atmospheric vacuum breakers are not designed to be under pressure Shut-off valves must not be installed downstream of a vacuum breaker most items measured about 48-50F including in-house made sauces potentially hazardous food must be kept below 41F raw burger patties were observed on a shelf above sauce bottles and other ready-to-eat foods raw kebabs were stored on top of raw chopped vegetables Food must be protected from cross-contamination by separating different types such as storing raw animal foods below and away from ready-to-eat foods or by being otherwise covered and protected person in charge was observed handling parsley intended for use in salads with bare hands Exposed ready-to-eat foods may not be touched with bare hands or other utensils to prevent bare-hand contact with foods not requiring further cooking Person in charge agreed to stop handling foods with bare hands and began using gloves — An unlabeled spray bottle identified as degreaser was observed at the 3-compartment sink it was determined that a sanitizer test kit is not used regularly on the dishwasher or 3-compartment sink A test kit must be used to verify sanitizer concentrations Use a test kit to routinely check concentrations of sanitizer every day — A chlorine sanitizer test kit could not be located at time of inspection Chlorine is used for the dishwashing machine and 3-compartment sink A full test kit must be available for all types of sanitizer used Provide chlorine test kit (purple color key) and wall mounted dispensers are installed but are not used currently — Only last year's food license could be located during inspection The current food license (expires in April 2025) should be posted in a location conspicuous to consumers within the facility several floor tiles were observed loose or cracked Physical facilities should be maintained in good repair there was an accumulation of ice on and around the condenser fan unit bags of carrots were observed stored on the floor Stacks of boxes were on the floor in the walk-in freezer as well Food should be stored to protect it from contamination Keep foods off the floor and stored in a protected manner an inspector noted several problems at Tasty Kabob the dishwashing machine tested about 10ppm Cl or below The supply line had fallen out of the container and was not dispensing properly Sanitizers must be used at concentrations specified by their label Repair/adjust dishwasher to dispense sanitizer at proper concentrations — An employee was observed re-packaging pita bread into individual bags using bare hands Exposed ready to eat foods may not be touched with bare hands or other utensils to prevent barehand contact with foods not requiring further cooking and barehand contact rules were reviewed with everyone some floor tiles around the edges of the room are loose or cracked Person in charge stated that they are planning a renovation of the dining area and it may include some work on tiles and coving in the kitchen there are signs of water and corrosion on some of the walls and supports — During inspection a filter section of the cook line hood system was not installed Person in charge stated it was down for cleaning yesterday and had not been re-installed Ventilation systems should be properly designed and installed so that they do not become a source of contamination or a fire hazard leaks were observed on drains coming from the dishwashing area and a vertical pipe coming from the sump pump in front of the stairs sprays from the connecting pipes when under pressure Plumbing systems should be maintained in good repair — Behind the dishwasher there was some debris observed on the wall and lines which wasn't fully mopped out during cleaning Physical facilities should be maintained clean and the ice cream chest freezer near the back door were observed with ice built up on the sides or shelves Nonfood contact equipment surfaces should be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues an inspector noted several problems at Tim Hortons — The following was observed: -An employee was observed using their phone and then proceeded to put on gloves and transfer sausage from a pan to the hot plate -An employee was observed using their phone to call their manager to let them know the inspector was there and was then observed preparing customer orders Both employees were reminded of proper hand-washing procedures and asked to wash their hands at the time of inspection A follow-up will occur to ensure long-term compliance therefore the person in charge was given an additional risk control plan that is to be completed and returned to the inspector within the next 5 business days — There was a bag of shredded lettuce observed on the cook line with a best by date of 3/6/25 The expired lettuce was discarded at the time of inspection — The following was observed: -The hand-washing sink by the entrance to the kitchen along the back wall was observed being blocked off by employee personal items -The hand-washing sink by the walk-in freezer was observed being blocked off by a stack of cardboard boxes -The hand-washing sink closest to the drive-thru window was observed with iced cappuccino dumped in the basin Hand-washing sinks were made easily accessible at the time of inspection and the staff was reminded of proper hand washing sink usage and was asked to discontinue the use of the hand-washing sink for culinary purposes — The thermometers on the kick plate of the ware washing machine was observed sitting at 130F although the machine got up to 180F during the rinse cycle Repair the thermometers on the kick plate of the ware washing machine to be able to monitor if the ware washing machine is reaching the proper temperatures throughout use — There was a leak observed underneath the hand-washing sink by the walk-in freezer — Also observed was the ware washing machine dripping water outside of the unit itself — The ventilation system by the drive-through window and the vents throughout the front kitchen area were observed to be soiled and filled with dust — Also observed was the oven ventilation system to be encrusted with grease and dust During a routine inspection on February 24 an inspector noted several problems at Golden Chopstick — A dichlorvos pest strip was observed hanging on a shelf in the kitchen area Toxic materials such as pesticides must be used according to the manufacturer's label that states it may be used in a food establishment and do not keep restricted use chemicals in the facility Person in charge discarded the strip during inspection — In the reach-in cooler against the wall in the prep area toward the front of the building a bag of lettuce was observed stored in a grocery bag Grocery bags can transfer material such as ink into foods and are not meant to be a food contact surface for storage Use containers or bags intended for use with foods — Employee transferred the cabbage into a colander for storage instead of the bag Enforcement action may occur for ongoing violations a bag of chopped cabbage was observed stored in a grocery bag Employee transferred the cabbage into a colander for storage instead of the bag — The handsink in the dishwashing area was blocked with stacked pots and pans and buckets Person in charge moved the stack of buckets to make the sink accessible All handsinks must be maintained easily accessible and not used for any purpose other than washing hands — The ice machine was observed with significant accumulation of debris on the upper components above the ice bin from which water/debris can drop into the ice Food contact surfaces must be kept clean to sight and touch a large colander of rice was observed wrapped in plastic wrap Potentially hazardous foods must be cooled rapidly by methods such as: Using shallow pans the same as the cooked chicken and other hot foods — The hood vent system above the cook line was observed with an accumulation of grease Air exhaust systems should be maintained clean so they do not become a source of contamination or a fire hazard Increase cleaning frequency of the hood system — Under the cook line equipment there was an accumulation of food debris in hard-to-reach spaces Increase cleaning frequency in the facility several bulk containers such as flour or rice were observed with cups used as scoops or with scoops with their handles buried in the product In-use utensils used with non-potentially hazardous food should be stored in a protected manner on a clean surface or in the container with the handle not touching the food stacks of food boxes and bins were observed on the floor — Next to the handsink outside the walk-in cooler door a bag of onions and another of cabbages were stored on the floor where they could get splashed on from the sink Food should be stored to protect it from contamination such as splashing or dust WESTLAND — Police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide that took two lives Tuesday night were pronounced dead when first responders arrived at their Surrey Heights Street residence after a 7:20 p.m Deputy Police Chief Robert Wilkie said in a press release King had told a 911 dispatcher he had just shot his girlfriend and was going to shoot himself the dispatcher heard what sounded like a gunshot and then silence on the open line afterward," Wilkie said in the release Police immediately responded to the home in the 1400 block of Surrey Heights - south of Cherry Hill Road between Lotz and South John Hix roads - and forced entry into the residence Westland Fire Department responded once the scene was secure but both King and Hattar were deceased upon the firefighters' arrival Contact Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com Age: NAS (Company website states aged at least 4 years) Press Release Orange zest | Milk chocolate | Floral | Green tea Citrus upfront | Malted milk balls | Fresh oak | Ginger | Herbal undertone Allspice | Cedar | Milk chocolate | Lingering herbal essence Unique flavors collide with this regionally-inspired peated whiskey from one of the country’s most experienced single malt whiskey makers Westland Distillery was founded in 2010 and acquired by Remy-Cointreau in 2017 Westland’s Solum releases are part of their Outpost Range series Solum was the third pillar of the Outpost Range the series focuses on Pacific Northwest regional peat Westland fermented for 96-144 hours and then aged the whiskey in second-fill Cooper’s Reserve American Oak (68% of the blend) and new American oak (32% of the blend).Solum is an exploration of unique flavors coming together Peated stateside whiskeys tend to be more herbal than their European counterparts It begins with prominent scents of orange zest and milk chocolate A swirl of the glass reveals a hint of green tea Citrus and malted milk balls on the palate are joined by fresh oak and ginger with a quickly developing herbal undertone A splash of allspice meets cedar and milk chocolate in the finish which leaves a lingering herbal essence behind American single malts bring a wide range of flavors to the whiskey space and herbal flavors are all elements found in them but rarely do I find them together in one whiskey with such intensity Westland delivers on satisfying their concept of exploration with this edition of Solum A total of 5,700 bottles were produced for this release WESTLAND — Voters here will see on the Aug 5 primary ballot 12 candidates vying for four full-term as well as 10 of these same candidates vying for two partial term seats Mayor Kevin Coleman is unchallenged in his bid for reelection The full-term seats are for four and two years The partial council terms will cover only a roughly six-week period Filing by the April 22 primary deadline for the four full-term seats three of which will be for four years and one of which will be two years all of these candidates are also vying for the two partial-term seats The top eight vote getters for the full-term seats will move on to the Nov where the three who receive the most votes will win 4-year terms and the candidate placing fourth will win a 2-year term The top four vote getters for the partial-term seats in the primary will advance to the Nov where voters will elect the top two to fill seats Contact reporter Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com or 517-281-2412 – There has been a heavy police presence in a Westland neighborhood near Palmer and John Hix roads Update: Westland dispatcher hears gunshot during murder-suicide 911 call This activity has been ongoing for several hours as of Tuesday, April 15. Local 4 has observed several police and emergency vehicles on the scene, and part of the neighborhood has been taped off. Authorities have indicated that they will not release any information at this time, but the incident remains active. This is a breaking news story, and updates will be posted as they become available. 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. A man is facing federal charges after allegedly stealing from a jewelry store in Westland and trying to pawn a necklace he stole the same day Read more here. Friends and family are trying their best to cope with the loss of London Thomas after her body was found over the weekend The 17-year-old was last seen on April 5 when she was dropped off at her boyfriend’s house on Carlysle Street in Inkster Read more here. A popular restaurant in Ann Arbor is closing its doors this week Red Hawk Bar & Grill posted on social media saying that “after much consideration we have come to the difficult decision to close our doors after 33 years of business.” Read more here. The weeks since President Donald Trump returned to office have been a whirlwind of activity to show Americans that his administration is relentlessly pursuing his promises With a compliant Republican-controlled Congress Trump has had a free hand to begin overhauling the federal government and upending foreign policy Read more here. After a beautiful end to the weekend with sunshine and seasonable temperatures, we will continue with the dry weather looking ahead into the start of the week. The sunshine will continue looking ahead into the start of the week on Monday, and with a southerly flow kicking in, temperatures will continue to get even warmer. High temperatures heading for the lower 70s by Monday afternoon. Copyright 2023 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. Matthew Lutheran Church and School came to school Friday to see a very unpleasant surprise plastered on the side of the church Extended interview: 'We are praying for you.' Principal talks about graffiti discovered on church side of the school and stained glass windows were phrases like 'tax the rich or burn in hell' He said that because he gets to the school before the sun comes up he didn't even notice the graffiti until it was brought to his attention by a parent and student “We are not sure who would do it or why they would do it but definitely someone who wants to be heard,” said Burk Matthew isn't the only church that was defaced First Baptist Church of Westland was also hit by the vandal who left a symbol for anarchy on each church I also found evidence of vandalism on several other churches in the Westland area I reached out to the Westland police to see if they had heard of anything (WXYZ) — Westland residents and businesses are frustrated with the county over bridge construction being done on N The bridge has been closed since the beginning of this month for pavement resurfacing and reconstruction told me they have already seen their bottom lines start to suffer due to the lack of traffic passing through “We want people to know that we’re still open and that the roads are not completely closed off,” said Samar Business owners are also blaming sign placement by the county for part of the reason business has been stark owner and cake artist at Homestead Kitchen and Bakery the signage posted almost a mile ahead of the construction is causing confusion among customers “It is a little frustrating that the sign is out so far away from the bridge because few people are going to actually come down into this area,” said Catrina and residents like Clarence Wardell told me that a large portion of the frustration can be attributed to the added drive time “They used to take like 2-3 minutes from down the street While Clarence agrees his drive time has increased we have to put up with the road closure," he says "Now that I kinda measure out the different mileage it doesn’t make a whole lot of difference.” I reached out to the county to find out when the construction will be done and if there is anything the county could do to help these business owners who have been impacted A representative with Wayne County sent me back a statement saying: Where Your Voice Matters A Michigan Lottery player who purchased a Mega Millions ticket in Westland is $1 million richer The ticket matched the five white balls drawn Tuesday — 2, 24, 25, 52 and 58. It was purchased at Wayne Med Mart, located at 417 S. Wayne Road in Westland, according to the Michigan Lottery More: Mega Millions numbers for Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024: Michigan ticket wins $1 million Mega Millions prizes must be claimed within one year from the date of the drawing The winner should contact the Lottery’s Player Relations division at 844-917-6325 to claim the prize 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 A Westland woman and her husband recently kept their big Powerball win a secret from their family for three months Catherine Martin, 63, got a call from her husband while she was at work Sept. 5. He told her had checked one of her Powerball tickets and it had won $1 million, according to the Michigan Lottery "I was stunned and had a hard time believing him," she told the Michigan Lottery Her ticket matched the winning numbers drawn Sept "I play Powerball every week and use a special set of numbers," she said She purchased the ticket at MD Westland LLC located at 32919 Cherry Hill Road in Westland More: Michigan's largest Powerball prize ever was won in 2024 Martin and her husband decided to keep the win a secret and surprise their family on Christmas She recently claimed her prize and plans to invest and save for retirement and her grandchildren's' college funds By Rob Smith December 12 Seattle may have another defining characteristic For the second consecutive year, Seattle’s Westland Distillery has achieved international acclaim. Whiskey Advocated named Westland’s Wine Cask Finish American Single Malt Whiskey No 20 on its prestigious Top 20 Whiskeys of 2024 list Westland is the only Seattle distillery ever featured on the list Westland Managing Director Jason Moore says the rankings prove that Seattle and Westland are becoming a leading force on the global whiskey landscape “This award is a tribute to our passionate team and the rich agricultural bounty of our region,” he says “We are thrilled to share this exceptional whiskey with the world.” syrah and red blend producers sourced from Washington wineries in crafting the single malt whiskey featuring Westland says the whiskey “seamlessly marries the elegance of wine with the complexity of single malt.” A 2022 report from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States found that the industry supports almost 34,000 jobs across Washington state Tutta Bella ramps up production after deal with Kroger Seattle’s Tutta Bella pizza has signed a deal with Kroger and will now serve its Neopolitan-style pies in 1,200 stores in 40 states Kroger’s first order of 85,000 pizzas generated more than $1 million in sales “We didn’t set out to become a national food manufacturer — it happened organically who grew up California’s Central Valley and traces his family roots to Mexico going back more than a century says it’s a futile exercise to search for “real” Mexican cuisine in Seattle “I don’t bother much with authenticity,” says Garcia Remember when hot honey burst onto the dining scene last year But if the temperature has turned down a bit for you on this trendy condiment let Queen Bee’s Hot Honey — made and served up with Caribbean… Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City Seattle is a special place to eat — you know it we know it — so it’s not exactly a surprise when local culinary talent makes the headlines it’s always worth throwing a little more shine to the spotlight — take a peek to find out which star gained some national acclaim this week,… Sign up and get Seattle's best events delivered to your inbox every week Learn how to describe the purpose of the image (opens in a new tab) Leave empty if the image is purely decorative (WXYZ) — Wayne-Westland Community Schools is starting to see a semblance of normalcy after a districtwide cyberattack that shut down internet and phone access and teachers at David Hick's Elementary were visibly grateful “Teachers are resilient we’ve been through much worse,” said teacher Malarie Wludyka Administration and teachers started their day Tuesday with the surprise news that they would have to adjust lesson plans "It was one of those where buses were already rolling and then you find out that the internet has gone down so kids were already on the way,” said interim superintendent Jenny Curry But that decision was met with some frustration for parents who spoke out to WXYZ Thursday RELATED STORY: Tech troubles raising safety questions for parents in Wayne-Westland school district Curry says she felt they made the right choice "I think that we as a core team really truly felt that the moves that we’re making and that we continue to make are the right ones with students' and staff's interest in mind there’s always gonna be people that question us there's always going to be people that feel that we are not doing the right thing Curry added that despite parents' concerns We knew that we have one of the best staffs around We're still able to give students breakfast and lunch while they're here," said Curry She also feels the district communicated well with parents through email and the ClassDoJo app Tuesday was also when David Hicks experienced a soft lockdown because of a nearby police incident outside the school Principal Matthew Furca says it was over in less than 40 minutes and taken as a precautionary measure a high school in the district received a possible threat that closed the school Wednesday so we just made that decision," said Curry Furca said they were able to communicate with teachers with cell phones using hot spots and opening the doors manually throughout the week It was a tiny inconvenience in the grand scheme of themes," said Furca "I think sometimes people worry because it's their kids but know that I'm here to make sure your kids are safe." Executive Director of Technology and Innovation Daryl Bebee said the investigation of what happened and why is still ongoing Executive Director of Technology and Innovation They are still working to completely restore phones – A 32-year-old Wayne County woman will spend at least a decade behind bars for the death of her newborn baby The investigation began in December 2023, when Westland police responded to a hospital on a report of an infant death Police believe Trisha Lempea had given birth one week prior at her home did nothing else and the infant died inside the home Police said no medical attention had been requested In January 2024, Lempea was charged with felony murder, first-degree child abuse and concealing the death of an infant child. She was denied bond and remanded back to jail. Lempea was sentenced Friday, March 21, to 10-20 years in prison for second-degree murder. The child abuse and concealing death charges were dropped. She was given credit for 444 days of time already served. WESTLAND, Mich. – A Wayne County man had to have his family double-check his lottery ticket after discovering he won $25,000 a year for life. James Daniel, 69, of Redford won playing the Michigan Lottery’s Lucky For Life game and matched the five white balls drawn on Dec. 13, 2024: 03-15-32-34-37. He purchased the winning ticket at Jerry’s Party Store at 28940 Warren Road in Westland. “I had some change leftover after buying some groceries, so I decided to buy some Lucky For Life tickets,” Daniel told the lottery. “I checked my numbers that night, and my eyes about popped out of my head when I got to the third line and say I had matched five numbers! I asked my wife and son to look at my ticket to be sure I was seeing it right. This is the largest prize I have ever won, and it is just unbelievable!” The lucky player decided to claim his prize as a one-time payment of $390,000, rather than annuity payments of $25,000 a year for 20 years or life, whichever is greater. Lucky For Life is $2 per play and gives players the chance to win prizes from $3 up to a lifetime of cash. Drawings are held each night at 10:38 p.m. Sara Powers joined WDIV as a digital content producer in Oct. 2024 and has been covering Metro Detroit news since 2021. (WXYZ) — It's been a week of frustration for some parents of kids attending Wayne-Westland Community Schools after a lockdown school closure and districtwide cyberattack disrupting phone and internet service Parent Lanisha Streeter pulled her kids out of school early on Thursday because of it "I have no clue what’s going on right now,” Streeter said it's been like six to seven parents coming to get their children So I think all of the parents are following suit.” Streeter is among a group of parents that did not receive the emails from the district explaining what happened and heardsecond hand from other parents They visited the administration building where they received printed out copies of about three mass emailed notices that were also posted online under district news page "My kids will be at home until further information,“ Streeter said The district sent 7 News Detroit the following statement: Because of the cyberattack combined with the fact that her son attends the school that received the "possible threat" being investigated by Wayne police Bernadine Wellday kept her kids and grandkids at her house on Thursday After the two threats and then them having no backup services I don’t feel like walk talkies and room to room is enough for that many students," said Wellday She also has a grandson who relies on his tablet to learn He uses the internet for his lessons and there’s really nothing for him to do if he went to school," Wellday said Mya Clinkscales did send her child and plans to continue so gotta send them with cellphones and pray,” Clinkscales said The district told 7 News Detroit the school is safe secure using alternative methods and plans to share more details on Friday Potential back pain aside, part of the mountain of paperwork Lutheran Westland girls basketball coach Keith Brown stores in folders and binders in his backpack pertains exclusively to the Warriors' history on the hardwood The seventh-year coach has it all in there loss and final score the team has recorded since the school opened its doors in 1986 to top-10 lists of every individual statistic you could keep track of Thanks to the success the Warriors enjoyed this past winter and his number crunching and record keeping have been even more time-consuming than they have been in recent years The program has 39 new entries in the school record book including setting milestones for most consecutive wins (17) and most wins in a single season (20) plenty of school records are bound to be broken "It blows my mind," Brown told Hometown Life last week "I don't know if we'll ever see those kinds of numbers again When I counted them (the school records) all up over the past couple of weeks it's just unheard of to see 39 total entries as a team or individually Not even the 2020 team had that many entries."  Indeed, his 2020 team set 26 school records And that season might go down as the most important in program history because that senior class established a foundation of excellence and a winning culture under Brown's leadership Those players set the standard for what is expected of each graduating class not from a win/loss or record-breaking standpoint but from how the team practices leads and carries itself in challenging moments That's why it wasn't surprising to see this year's senior class accomplish what it has over the past four months They actually struggled as freshmen, winning only four games. But season by season, they've improved by following the same game plan left behind by the 2020 class That included them winning 10 games as sophomores and 16 as juniors last year they upset Whitmore Lake to win their first district championship since 2012 it's no wonder that they won 20 games and set so many records "I've coached the girls for seven years now and all seven teams have built great culture and we know if we have the culture in place that the talent would come," Brown said "We knew they'd produce more wins and awards I just didn't ever think the bar would be raised this high That's what is so impressive about this."  Three individual single-season program records fell with Mackenzie Bohn grabbing the most rebounds (112) Lillian Fremder tallying the most assists (108) and Becky Reddeman nabbing the most steals (131) with Fremder finishing with the most assists (248) and Reddeman ending with the most steals (35) and games played (87) The program had 26 other entries make it into various top-10 lists — Fremder and Reddeman each accounted for 11 entries alone Other notable milestones included the Warriors winning their 450th game as a program on Feb. 11 against Southfield Christian, them playing in their 800th game during a win on Feb. 20 against next-door rival Westland Hope Christian Academy and them allowing the fewest points in a single game (2) in a win over Melvindale ABT on March 5 They also went a perfect 12-0 in league games to win the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference-Red It took losing to Allen Park Inter-City Baptist in the district tournament for their season to end "It's pretty cool to see all the effort we've put into this and that we actually got something out of it," said Fremder was on that 2020 team and set school records for most 3-pointers made in a career (98) and most in a single season (48) "It's just kind of cool because I've been able to follow in my sister's footsteps and run with it This definitely means a lot and shows how impressive our program has become showing how new athletes can come through and easily bond together and work with our coaches and I think we were all got to do that together here."  More: The party won't stop for Lutheran Westland girls basketball And don't forget: Lutheran is a small school Most of the Warriors are three-sport athletes with other priorities outside of playing sports There are no year-round basketball players in their program also played volleyball and will participate in a spring sport who's signed with Division III Wisconsin Lutheran College "It's incredible because they're getting pulled for other community service events and different things," Brown said They're checking all of the boxes and are stretched in many different directions And they carry through with all of their commitments which makes this all even more impressive."  who suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier in the winter are excited to come back after graduating to see how next year's squad carries on the legacy "All of those winning memories were great," Reddeman said "But that bond we created by the end of the season and the girls and everybody got along so well We came into the gym every day and put in the work and it was a lot of work to rebuild the program from where it was a couple of years ago (with the 2020 team) but it was also a lot of fun bonding together while doing it."  And it was more bonding than anything else Outside of the Warriors playing an occasional prank on Brown work hard and leave the issues at the —," Bohn began to say before stopping herself We didn't actually have any fighting or anything We didn't have a ton of issues this year on the team because that would've been addressed if there were some Having a cohesive group focused on achieving the same goal is generally when you see records fall Except none of the Warriors realized there would be record-breaking "I had the chance to watch these juniors and seniors grow up," Brown said "They'd come to our grade school camps when they were younger I always knew once we got that group together that they'd do great things I just had no idea they would raise the bar to the level that they did this year."  Brandon Folsom covers high school sports in metro Detroit for Hometown Life. Follow him on Twitter at @folsombrandonj Lillian Fremder corralled Thursday's opening tipoff dribbled toward the scorer's table near half court and passed the ball to Gianna Catallo And then the gym erupted in cheers while Catallo's teammates mobbed her with hugs following the turnover "It's the first turnover I've ever been proud about," Lutheran Westland girls basketball coach Keith Brown said The Warriors (16-3) are having one of those dream seasons that come around only a few times per generation sweat and tears their senior class has put in over the past four seasons This group went 4-16 overall as freshmen and has slowly improved since they went 16-7 and even upset Whitmore Lake to win their first district championship since 2012 Almost every game has been a cause for celebration They beat Novi Christian Academy to ensure they'd win the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference-Red outright while also recognizing senior Rebecca Reddeman for breaking the program record for most steals in a career (and she continues to add to that number with her sitting at 323 right now) they took down Division 2 Dearborn Heights Annapolis a Western Wayne Athletic Conference school with 711 students And Thursday was the chef's kiss to an incredible ride Not only did they beat next-door (literally) rival Westland Hope Christian Academy to finish a perfect 12-0 in league play but they got to celebrate senior night and the class that has been foundational in them wracking up all of the accolades they've enjoyed over the past month The senior suffered an ACL injury during Jan 10's hard-fought 32-21 win at Brighton Livingston Christian More: PHOTOS: Lutheran Westland girls basketball vs. Bloomfield Hills Roeper Lutheran has had to battle without her since including them winning five-straight road games in league play She had a full leg brace on when she took the court for the final time of her career "I talked with Gianna and her mom Tuesday and floated the idea by them," said Brown who's in his seventh season leading the girls program "She was hesitant at first because she was only two weeks out of surgery I think I'd like that.' And I'm glad it happened because it's important they have that second on the court It's about being part of the team because she is We've made it our mission to make her part of the team."  A statement like that is why the Warriors have enjoyed so much recent success they've improved on the court every season over the past four years But they've also emphasized developing a team culture where any player can contribute regardless of age or role a Wisconsin Lutheran softball commit and one of the four players the Warriors celebrated on senior night He is always encouraging us to do better and does his best to give us the tools to do our best."  After Brown heard the list of accomplishments his team has had in the last week alone he admitted he hadn't even taken time to process the meaning of it all He said he had been too invested in studying film creating game plans and planning the logistics of senior night so the halftime show operated without a hitch somebody had to ensure the celebratory pink balloons were properly tied down behind their bench that if you build the culture and you love your players," Brown started saying before briefly pausing to hold back tears a player-led team will buy into that culture You focus on the fundamentals and you just work with them over and over and over again but that's been here since I've come to the girls team The sophomores and juniors are watching the seniors and they'll be ready to lead when these ones (graduate)." That's not to say it's been an easy journey The seniors definitely took their lumps as freshmen a season that was likely stunted even more by the fact that forward Mackenzie Bohn missed the entire winter with an injury "I will say that starting my sophomore year was rough because I was trying to get back to where I was," said Bohn "It was definitely difficult to try and prove myself but I was able to do it and get to where I needed to be by the end of my sophomore year and become what I am today."  More: WATCH: Both games of MIAC basketball doubleheader decided at the buzzer that sophomore season saw growing pains for all "What I've seen out of these girls is they've taken adversity and used it as motivation," Brown said "I told them tonight in the pregame for senior night 'That's a gift that you get to have adversity You get to take adversity and use it as motivation.' For these 12 girls to have that experience at this age where they'll get down and be able to get back up That's what it was like like last year at Whitmore Lake (in the district final) and that's what it's been like when we've been down at times this year That's why they're a wonderful group to be with."  it's a small deficit in a road league game Which is what happened last week when the winter storm meant the Warriors were going to go six straight days without a game and force them to play three nights in a row this week But they wouldn't let the exhaustion of playing 96 minutes without rest get in the way of achieving their goals of going undefeated in the MIAC-Red upsetting Annapolis and sending out the seniors with a win over a rival "It means A LOT because we used to be at the bottom (of the MIAC) using being at the bottom as motivation and now being super high so seeing this through for four years has been a lot of fun And Brown is really proud of his players as well That's why he went out of his way to give them a proper sendoff on senior night Brown subbed out each senior so they could receive an ovation from the crowd I feel truly blessed beyond what I deserve," Brown said "I have been fortunate to be part of seven seasons of incredible young ladies Every team presented a challenge with passionate players and coaching "Our team's success started seven years ago by culture building and instilling servant leadership Every girl that's come through our program should celebrate This championship was because they all had a hand in building the program laying the bricks in our foundation that's helped us get to where we are this year."  WESTLAND — Henry and Emma Timmermann aren’t sure they’ll watch the Super Bowl on Sunday but it will be a super day for them anyway The couple is celebrating 79 years of marriage Feb as she and Henry relaxed at their home in the Village of Westland “I thought ‘We’ll get old and gray together,’ but I never thought this old and gray.” “A good marriage has to come to you,” chimes in Henry who was born in June 1924 in Germany and migrated to the U.S came from finding a country girl to match his country boy roots The two were raised on farms, giving them a common background and values when they met at a church Halloween party. It was shortly after the end of World War II, during which they were defense workers she as a “Rosie the Riveter” at Stinson Aircraft in Wayne he as a carpenter building the Norwayne housing complex in Westland Henry notes he had wanted to fight for the U.S. who he remembers was “a good-looking woman” as well as a “strange girl.” Emma recalls Henry as “a pretty nice guy.” less than three months after their first date at a drive-in theater Henry asked Emma’s mother if he could marry her daughter but with that being the busy season for Henry’s carpentry work Things got “a little wild,” Emma remembers He was “sicker than a dog” and Emma wasn’t “overjoyed,” but the memory is a source of laughter almost eight decades after the pair were united in marriage at St They settled in for the long haul—first renting a house near a pig farm by Hunter and Wayne roads They “planned” a family as much as a family could be planned in those days They compromised on five— with Harold born in November 1946 They bought property on Manila Street in Westland and he got to work constructing their house It would take 10 years to build the home with four bedrooms and a large playroom as they couldn’t borrow and had to “build as the money came.” They moved in when their youngest child was just a few months old On a December day more than a decade later Henry asked Emma what she wanted for Christmas she came home to find her mother in the crawl space digging the basement with the shovel who shows how she has crocheted plastic grocery bags into a blanket she plans to donate to the homeless She and Henry were never big on giving gifts to each other “We decided being together was present enough.”   Henry worked at the Ford-Wayne plant until he said the Eisenhower depression came along and he was laid off He then moved to the Wixom plant and worked for Ford for 30 years until retirement The couple never had the feeling of an empty nest as they bought a motorhome and began traveling the U.S including a 3-month trip when they drove to Alaska They strongly recommend visiting Chicken and Skagway in that state and Henry said Maine is another favorite Hawaii to celebrate their 60th anniversary courtesy of their children Remembering all these good times and forgetting the bad is the best advice Emma says she has ever received (besides making your bed she laughs) and is the advice she gives for a long-lasting marriage although Elaine reminds Emma of a busy schedule for Super Bowl weekend—including a Rosie the Riveter event and a baby shower for a great-grandchild (one of 25) They also have 18 grandchildren and 15-great-great-grandchildren they will go to brunch with their family to celebrate their 79th anniversary More: Love to last a lifetime: Milford couple celebrates 75 years of wedded bliss More: Farmington Hills' mayor enjoys privilege of marrying residents. Here's why some couples choose city hall ceremony Contact reporter Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com  WATE 6 On Your Side Westland Embassy Vet celebrates one year of serving the community The future of Knox County School's Clothing Center will be voted on during a school board meeting on Thursday This is a program that makes sure Knox County students have the clothing they need A Knox County prosecutors has been fired and a review of all cases he was involved in has been ordered after a Knox News investigation revealed he posted racist and sexist messages on social media an inaugural golf tournament being held by the Knoxville Fire Fighters Association will raise funds to help two nonprofit organizations that benefit young burn victims and individuals with neuromuscular diseases Be careful when scrolling through social media a new scam has surfaced in an East Tennessee Facebook group The post claims to be promoting a food distribution event for families in need Fanboy Expo is set to take place at the Knoxville Convention Center on July 11-13 6 News reported Molly O'Brien breaks down Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 Some Tennessee state laws are being called into question following public outrage over the sentencing of a former Blount County teacher Spam text messages have surged nationally over the last few years There was one month last year in which 19 billion spam texts were received in just 30 days The more common ones we’re seeing in East Tennessee are text alert scams Executives with TVA Credit Union said spoke with Don Dare about the scams they are seeing A new department may be taking over the Knox County Schools Clothing and Resource Center as the Board of Education is set to consider their proposal Road closures impacted McGhee Tyson Airport Update: This story has been updated to add new information regarding a plea agreement between both parents and the prosecutor DETROIT — The parents of a 5-year-old Westland boy who fatally shot himself last fall pleaded guilty to reduced firearms safe storage violations on Friday entered guilty pleas in front of Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Regina Thomas Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Maria Miller said the charges for both Gravel and LeBlanc were reduced to "firearm safe storage violations minor present and injured self," a 5-year felony she said is "five years of reporting probation with the first 12 months in the Wayne County Jail." Additionally and adhere to a psychological evaluation and any recommended treatment along with fines and costs and other terms and conditions set by the court did not immediately return calls for comment Gravel and LeBlanc were originally charged with safe storage violations causing death after police were called to Corewell Wayne Hospital about 8:40 p.m 7 on the report of a 5-year-old shooting victim A subsequent police investigation found that the boy shot himself with an unsecured firearm inside his home in the 33000 block of Alamo Court (WXYZ) — Officials from Wayne County Parks say Middlebelt Hill in Westland is closed to the public People are not able to go up the sledding hill due to concerns for safety “I think that that hill needs to be permanently closed down, I hope that it’s not going to be open again and families should know to stay away from there,” Michele Maley said was injured after she went sledding at Middlebelt Hill “Jessica went down the hill first and tragically went through the woods and hit a tree head-on,” Maley said Wollweber is now in critical condition at the hospital after she suffered a traumatic brain injury She’s does have some permanent brain damage She actually had a stroke as a result of this,” Maley said Related video: 3 people injured on popular Ann Arbor sledding hill; Man who broke arm urges caution an emergency physician at Detroit Medical Center and she told me that head injuries are common during sledding incidents She says there are signs to be on the lookout for if you think someone hit their head while sledding “If a child or a person of any age has a head injury and they're acting abnormally — if there's vomiting if there's anything that's questionable about how they're behaving after an injury to the head — they should be seen in the emergency room,” Kimpson said Wollweber’s crash was one of three that the Westland Fire Department says they have responded to at Middlebelt Hill in the past two weeks Maley says more needs to be done to protect people on the hill if it does reopen “There’s no bales of hay to protect people coming off the hill when the woods are so close,” Maley added The Wayne County Sheriff's Office says if someone goes pass the barricades while the hill is closed Derick Hutchinson fuel at US Capitol on Election DayOfficials said 28-year-old smelled strongly of gasolineShawn Ley WESTLAND, Mich. – A Westland man was caught with a flare gun and fuel at the U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center on Election Day. Austin Martin Olson, 28, of Westland, was detained Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, when police requested to inspect his backpack, which led to the discovery of a flare gun and a torch lighter. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said Olson put his backpack and jacket down for screening, leading officers to see what appeared to be a weapon. Upon inspection, a strong odor of gasoline was also detected from the backpack. According to police reports, Olson traveled from Westland to Washington, D.C., to deliver a political thesis to Congress and intended to start some sort of fire. Olson carried a considerable amount of documents, which he planned to present to members of Congress, according to officials. Authorities are still reviewing the content and origin of these documents. Neighbors who live in Olson‘s Westland apartment complex said he keeps to himself. Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. Derick is the Digital Executive Producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports. – Police are seeking information about a 16-year-old girl who went missing in Westland Grace Thomason left her residence in the 5800 block of Crown Street on Wednesday (Dec It is unknown what clothing Thomason was wearing when she went missing Thomason is believed to have left her home voluntarily and was last seen in Dearborn or Detroit Anyone with information should contact the Westland Police Department at 734-722-9600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak Up All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. Click here to submit a tip online READ: More Missing in Michigan coverage Copyright 2021 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. A lottery ticket purchased in Westland won $25,000 a year for life Friday The Lucky For Life ticket was bought at Jerry's Party Store located at 28940 Warren Road, according to the Michigan Lottery It matched the five white balls drawn Friday — 3 More: Where the biggest Michigan Lottery prizes in November were sold The winner has the option of taking annual $25,000 payments for a minimum of 20 years or life or a one-time lump sum cash payment of $390,000 Lucky For Life tickets are valid from one year from the drawing date The city of Westland hopes to finish a $12 million park and amphitheater project in 2025 — using funds drawn largely from tax increment financing will sit between city hall and Westland Mall It will feature open green space for performances and events and a multiuse play space that will include a sledding hill for the winter The added space is meant to revitalize Westland’s downtown area The funding breakdown is as follows: $8.5 million from the Westland Tax Increment Finance Authority $2.5 million from a grant from Wayne County under the American Rescue Plan Act grant — a bill signed into law by President Joe Biden — $1 million from a state of Michigan grant according to city of Westland Communications Director Terry Packer The money could have been spent in other ways fiscal policy director at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy “Running property taxes through tax increment financing authorities doesn't stop them from being taxpayer dollars,” Hohman wrote “They should be treated with the same level of scrutiny as others and residents should know that the money being spent on this project could be spent on other city services or left with taxpayers.” The project is making headway and will benefit Westland residents who can gather to create lasting memories Council President Pro-Tem Melissa Sampey told CapCon in an email “By revitalizing the area next to a declining mall this park will not only bring attention and foot traffic to our community but also contribute to local economic development,” Sampey wrote “It will encourage residents to shop and dine locally Considering we do not have a downtown area I see this as somewhat of our anchor for future development.” The city plans for residents to attend live events and exercise on nature trails in the new park Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective Sign up for our daily or weekly emails and get the quarterly print edition mailed to your home Get CapCon emails! Get CapCon print! No thanks, I prefer to visit the CapCon website! Push back on big government “solutions” by becoming a fan of us on Facebook and X Plus you can share free-market news to your network Facebook I already follow CapCon! The best way you can help support our work is to become a donor What do you say — buy our reporters a cup of coffee Already a supporter Keep free-market news flowing with your gift to Michigan Capitol Confidential today Already a supporter Already a supporter Michigan Capitol Confidential is a nonprofit news service published by the Mackinac Center and funded entirely through voluntary support. Please consider a gift today to help shine a light on government through independent journalism A Westland man is facing charges in Kentucky for his role in the theft of eight new Corvettes from the factory last weekend Police said the vehicles are worth about $1.2 million He remains in the Warren County Regional Jail and is scheduled to appear in district court Friday for a preliminary hearing He is being charged with third-degree criminal trespass a misdemeanor; second-degree criminal mischief also a misdemeanor; and theft by unlawful taking of a vehicle worth more than $10,000 but less than $1 million said the alleged crime is not considered a robbery in Kentucky which means a person is on a property without permission or unlawfully Ward said the theft by unlawful taking charge is for the stolen vehicles and the criminal mischief charge covers damage to the property and the vehicles He said Thursday authorities have also added a charge of engaging in organized crime against Walker officials said: "All of the stolen vehicles have been recovered and we will work with affected dealers and customers." Kentucky authorities said Walker's arrest stemmed from a call at about 11:19 a.m Saturday from the Warren County Sheriff's Office about a Corvette sports car that possibly had been stolen from the General Motors Corp Deputies told Bowling Green police a woman called 911 to report a man had pulled into an apartment complex in a new Corvette with the price sticker still on it She said she had never seen the man before walked away from the complex and left the vehicle there Officials said the GM plant's manager arrived at the complex and confirmed the car had been taken from the factory's back lot a deputy informed officers another Corvette had been located near the apartment complex Police said the plant's manager spoke to co-workers who conducted an inventory of the back lot and discovered eight new vehicles were missing Authorities began searching for the other missing Corvettes Police said they were able to quickly find three of the vehicles nearby Detectives had the missing cars' OnStar location system activated police received a call from the owner of a vehicle transport company The business owner told detectives he was scheduled to meet two men to transport a 2017 Corvette to Michigan but when he arrived at the meeting's location there were three 2025 Corvettes to be shipped Police said he told them the men rushed him to load the vehicles ran into a nearby parking lot and was arrested The other suspect got into a Jeep with an Ohio license plate and drove away They said Walker refused to cooperate with investigators as he was being processed at the county jail I would have been paid big," according to police Walker is the latest Michigan man to be accused of stealing vehicles from an automaker's parking lot Earlier this month, a Warren man who police said is part of an auto theft ring that targeted Cadillacs in a carmaker's lot was charged Before that, three Detroit men accused of being part of a ring that stole hundreds of vehicles in southeast Michigan were ordered to stand trial The three and one other defendant allegedly stole cars from new vehicle storage lots Three years ago, a half-dozen vehicles — primarily Dodge Ram TRX pickups — were taken from a lot outside an assembly plant in Macomb County and more than a dozen 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor pickup trucks were swiped from a plant lot in Dearborn Hotel Westland pays homage to its surroundings including the city's rich history from railway to waterway and a signature restaurant - all fueled by an authentic connection to community maintains the integrity and charm of the building's original 1907 roots Named after the original "Westland Building" of the early 1900s, Hotel Westland is architecturally designed to preserve its brick exterior and historic essence by The Miller Hull Partnership a firm that works to create a regenerative and inclusive future through the built environment The deep connection to its roots and place carries through to the hotel's interiors and executed by Curioso—an internationally renowned design studio specializing in the human-centered Curioso was inspired by the city's history and the authentic values of its residents Taking cues from the rhythm and repetition of the railway that runs through the neighborhood and the deep-seated creativity and culture of its residents the design showcases a duality of both nature and city and past and present and organic lines - often leaving the structural elements exposed to create a balance of raw beauty and refined craftsmanship guests will feel the balance of urban-inspired exposed brick and millwork softened by the nature-forward colors and materials of the Pacific Northwest - from the Columbia Basin-inspired first floor to the Olympic Mountain-inspired rooftop guests will be greeted with a sense of calm surrounded by lounge seating and lush vegetation throughout the double-height lobby space The handcrafted detailing aligns with the historic architecture allowing the work of local artisans to take center stage - ranging from smaller touchpoints like the doorhandle carved from soft weathered wood to a showstopping concrete "tapestry" or wall that stretches six stories above the expansive stairwell The sheer wall provides a unique texture to the lobby level as guests ascend to the second-floor restaurant the walls are coated in white clay plaster a nod to Seattle being built on clay itself softer touch in contrast to the timber structure with ruby tones designed to mimic the surrounding Olympic Mountains and vibrant sunsets featuring the familiar charm of timber beams that echo throughout the property newly plastered to add texture and blend past with present Inspired by the natural beauty of the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges and Puget Sound the rooms are adorned with a serene palette of deep greens providing a tranquil retreat from the energy of Pioneer Square Custom wood and leather furniture strikes a balance between classic and contemporary while metal and tinted glass partitions separate the bathroom and sleeping areas creating a sense of openness and connection Curated by esteemed global art production house ARTXIV Hotel Westland features an immersive art collection of 328 original commissions from 35 local and international artists that celebrate the Pacific Northwest's landscapes and creative energy and bring vibrancy to the hotel's guest rooms and communal spaces The captivating works of art were created within the neighboring RailSpur Manufacturers Building a historic space transformed into a hub for artistic production in summer 2024 and offers an immersive journey through themes of identity Dynamic compositions range from luminous landscapes where glowing rivers wind through surreal terrains to intricately layered abstractions inspired by Indigenous design principles Sculptural works transform industrial elements into symbols of craftsmanship and ingenuity while still-life compositions celebrate the region's abundance with exquisite depictions of salmon and wildflowers rendered in breathtaking detail all works in the collection will be available for purchase through ARTXIV with proceeds funding new commissions to expand the collection This ensures the art collection remains an evolving tribute to artistry and innovation continually enriching its connection to the neighborhood and its guests Hotel website A Wayne County man recently claimed a large Lotto 47 jackpot won on a ticket sold in Westland The 57-year-old man, who chose to remain anonymous, purchased his ticket at Maple Drugs located at 1949 Wayne Road, according to the Michigan Lottery 29 and 46 — to win the jackpot worth $1.05 million I checked my Lotto 47 ticket by scanning it on the Lottery app,” the man told the Michigan Lottery “When confetti came up on the screen with the amount of $1.05 million An early Christmas miracle!’ It’s pretty amazing to invest $1 and win $1.05 million The ticket was one of the three Michigan Lottery tickets purchased in Westland worth $1 million or more that were won or claimed in 2024 More: Westland woman, husband kept $1M Powerball win secret for 3 months The man opted to receive the prize as a one-time lump sum payment of about $728,000 instead of annuity payments for the full amount He plans to use the money to help his family and save for retirement Westland’s Class 3 service body upfits completed by Phenix Truck Bodies & Van Equipment Vehicle order fulfilled by Pritchard and includes California HVIP incentives approval on vehicles purchased The Mullen THREE features a tight turning diameter of 38 feet and excellent visibility for superior maneuverability on narrow city streets Its versatile chassis provides a clean top-of-rail for easy upfitting with bodies up to 14 feet long and over 5,800 pounds of payload "Westland Floral’s decision to incorporate the Mullen THREE into their fleet demonstrates the growing recognition of EVs as a cost-effective and sustainable solution," said Ben Hartford "By utilizing California’s HVIP incentives they are not only reducing their operational costs but also making a meaningful commitment to environmental sustainability." CEO and chairman of Mullen Automotive said: “We are very confident our Class 3 trucks will deliver performance and savings providing Westland a clean and efficient option for their fleet It’s also great that Westland was able to take advantage of the California HVIP incentive which is an incredible program and incentive offered to fleets in California.” Mullen’s commercial EV lineup includes the Mullen ONE purpose-built to meet the demands of urban last-mile delivery Both vehicles are available for sale and in full compliance with U.S and the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) certifications denoting strict adherence to clean air emissions standards The Mullen ONE is also eligible for a $3,500 MOR-EV incentive in Massachusetts When combined with the $7,500 Federal Tax Incentive both vehicles offer substantial savings for commercial fleet customers About MullenMullen Automotive (NASDAQ: MULN) is a Southern California-based automotive company building the next generation of commercial electric vehicles (“EVs”) with two United States-based vehicle plants located in Tunica Mullen began commercial vehicle production in Tunica Mullen received IRS approval for federal EV tax credits on its commercial vehicles with a Qualified Manufacturer designation that offers eligible customers up to $7,500 per vehicle are California Air Resource Board (“CARB”) and EPA certified and available for sale in the U.S CARB issued HVIP approval on the Mullen THREE providing up to $45,000 cash voucher at time of vehicle purchase The Company has also recently expanded its commercial dealer network to seven dealers providing sales and service coverage in key West Coast To learn more about the Company, visit www.MullenUSA.com Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements Words such as “continue,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “expected,” “plans,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements many of which are generally outside the control of Mullen and are difficult to predict Examples of such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to whether any additional vehicles will be ordered by Westland Floral or how long local and federal governmental incentives for electric vehicles will be available Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements can be found in the most recent annual report on Form 10-K quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed by Mullen with the Securities and Exchange Commission Mullen anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its plans and it specifically disclaims any intention or obligation Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing Mullen’s plans and expectations as of any subsequent date Contact:Mullen Automotive, Inc.+1 (714) 613-1900www.MullenUSA.com In yet another parental responsibility case involving guns and children in Michigan a Westland mom and dad were charged Tuesday in the death of their 5-year-old son who died at his own hands after finding his parents' gun and accidentally shooting himself with it According to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy the gun was not properly stored when the boy found it in his home last week and fired it now are facing charges under Michigan's new safe storage law which went into effect in February and allows prosecutors to hold parents criminally responsible if their unsecured guns wind up in the hands of minors who then either kill or injure themselves or someone else with the weapon The Westland case tragically resembles the 2021 deadly shooting at Oxford High School in that it also was carried out by a boy who found his parents' unsecured weapon in the house — only that shooter used the gun to kill others Michigan had no safe storage law when that shooting happened made history this year as the first parents in America charged in a mass school shooting carried out by their child The couple were charged and ultimately convicted of failing to properly secure a weapon that wound up costing four students their lives More: Detroit parents accused of beating 8-year-old son to death More: Officials work to ID body that washed ashore at Pictured Rocks pleaded guilty and is serving a life sentence the Westland couple is facing a similar fate as the Crumbleys' over an issue that resonated with the jury — the storage of their weapon “Another young child is dead because adults did not safely store their firearms — yes The death of this child was completely and totally preventable This is the seventh one this year,” Worthy said in a statement announcing the charges at a home in the 33000 block of Alamo Street in Westland where the boy found his parents gun and shot himself with it He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead The boy's parents were arraigned on Monday in 18th District Court Gravel received a $50,000 cash/surety bond; LeBlanc received a $25,000 cash/surety bond The two are scheduled to appear at a probable cause conference on Nov where a judge will determine whether there is enough evidence to send the couple to trial in a case that may test the state's new safe storage law the couple could face up to 15 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine Attorneys for the couple were not readily available for comment Tuesday evening requires individuals to keep unattended weapons unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present on the premises According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, data shows that guns involved in unintentional deaths among children and adolescents often were stored both loaded and unlocked and occurred while the child was playing with or showing the firearm to others If an individual fails to store a firearm as required and a minor obtains the firearm and any of the following occur If the minor possesses or exhibits the firearm in a public place or in the presence of another person in a careless they are guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail or a fine of up to $500 or both.If the minor fires the weapon and injures themselves or another individual — that's a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or both.If the minor discharges the gun and seriously impairs a body function on themselves or another person — that's a felony punishable by up to 10 years in a prison and/or a $7,500 fine.If the minor discharges the gun and kills themselves or another — that's a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.According to MDHHS firearms became the number one cause of death for children in the United States and Michigan surpassing motor vehicle deaths and those caused by other injuries According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention two-thirds (67%) of unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and adolescents occurred when the shooter was playing with a gun or showing it to others firearms used in unintentional injury deaths were often stored unlocked (76%) and most of these unlocked firearms also were loaded (91%) Unlocked firearms were most commonly accessed from a nightstand or other sleeping areas (30%) guns are involved in more than half of suicide deaths in Michigan For more information on gun safety and children Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com WESTLAND- Police are asking for the public's help finding a girl who has been missing for more than two months Westland Deputy Police Chief Robert Wilkie issued a plea for public assistance on Wednesday in locating Grace Thomason a 5-foot 4-inch white female with blond hair and green eyes was last seen at her home in the 5800 block of Crown on Dec It is unknown what type of clothing she was wearing The teenager is believed to have left her home voluntarily and may have gone to Dearborn or Detroit Wilkie asks for anyone who may know where Thomason is or who has information regarding her whereabouts to contact the Westland Police Department at 734-722-9600 WESTLAND — A new PACE center aims to provide an alternative to nursing home care and help local seniors maintain their independence at home or Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in the significantly-expanded former TFC Bank location The 26,000-square-foot Westland Center will offer medical social and community resources for seniors who qualify for nursing home care “This building isn’t just a health care center,” PACE Southeast Michigan President and CEO Mary Naber said This is the place people will come to improve their walking make new friends and feel like they belong with our caring staff I can hear the laughter of friends enjoying lunch together and see the tears of joy that come with a personal breakthrough.” The grand opening event also included remarks from Michigan Lt Governor Garlin Gilchrist and Westland Mayor Kevin Coleman “PACE Southeast Michigan will provide our seniors with all-inclusive care that covers their physical emotional and spiritual needs,” Coleman said “This care helps people remain independent in the community and in the homes they love.” PACE Southeast Michigan serves over 2,000 older adults in Wayne For participants who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid all of PACE Southeast Michigan’s services are offered at no out-of-pocket cost PACE Southeast Michigan also has centers in Clinton Township Contact reporter Laura Colvin at lcolvin@hometownlife.com.