Stony Creek Metropark reopens with portions closed
8/20/2010 2:42:00 PM

      Stony Creek Metropark reopened at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20, with portions of the park still closed, following a severe storm that ripped through the park Aug. 19.
       Gladeview and Oakgrove picnic areas, the disc golf course, the mountain bike trails and Baypoint Beach remain closed due to downed trees. All other areas of the park are open.
       Restroom facilities on the west side of the park are closed. Restrooms on the east side of the park are open without power. Electricity is not currently restored to any area of the park, including restrooms, the golf course starter building and the nature center.
       At least 100 trees were damaged throughout the park. Park crews are cutting trees, and removing tree limbs and debris.
       A special family rustic camping weekend at Stony Creek Metropark scheduled for Friday, Aug. 20 through Sunday Aug. 22 is cancelled for Friday night. Registered campers are to call the park tomorrow to see if the park is open.
       Park conditions are updated at www.metroparks.com, MetroparksFacebook and www.twitter.com/MIMetroparks
       For more information, contact Stony Creek Metropark at 1-800-477-7756 or (586) 781-4242, or go to www.metroparks.com.

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Macomb County residents without power after storm
8/20/2010

      Thousands of Macomb County residents are without power after a severe thunderstorm hit the area.
       DTE Energy reports about 7,000 residents lost power in Washington Township due to the storm. They are amongst the 66,000 Macomb County customers that are experiencing blackouts. An estimated 82,000 southeast Michigan customers lost power, said DTE Energy spokesperson Scott Simons.
       Simons said DTE Energy has restored power to 10,000 of the 66,000 county customers, and expect the remainder to be restored by tonight and early Saturday.
       The storm created winds up to 75 MPH in the local area that tore down trees and power lines alike.

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Village considers parking meters to raise revenue
8/18/2010

      Every little cent counts, and the Village of Romeo may count on that to get through tough economic times.
       Village officials are considering the use of parking meters for 140 spots in the hopes of generating thousands of dollars in revenue over the next decade.
       Police Chief Greg Paduch warns, though, that the village will have to think about the initial costs and the recovery of that money.
       With revenue declining by $600,000 for the 2010-11 budget, the village is looking for ways of bringing in extra funds to help keep it afloat.
       One of those ideas was presented by Paduch at the Village Council's Aug. 16 meeting. He proposed that the village could gain thousands of dollars through the use of parking meters.
       "I'm not a proponent of parking meters and I'm not an opponent, I can live with them or without them," he said.
       Paduch counted a total of 140 spots in the village that could be metered: 100 spots on Main Street from Washington to Rawles streets and in the southwest lot behind Younger's Irish Tavern, 20 in the southeast lot behind Romeo Cafe and 20 around the Village Park.

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Village Council increases water and sewer rates
8/18/2010

      Romeo residents and businesses can expect higher utility bills in the coming months.
       In an effort to make its water and sewer funds more self-sufficient, the Village Council unanimously agreed to raising its rates by nearly $21 per billing cycle at its Aug. 16 meeting.
       Village President Paul Reiz and Trustee Greg Jacobson were not present for the meeting.
       Following the approval, the water rate will increase from $25 per 10,000 gallons to $30 per 10,000 gallons.
       Meanwhile, the sewer rate was increased from $40 per 10,000 gallons to $55.90 per 10,000 gallons.
       The overall increase will be $20.90 per quarterly billing cycle, meaning it'll be $80.90 for the base water and sewer rate.
       The new rates will begin with the upcoming October bill, which covers June 15 to Sept. 14.

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