John Milkovich Jr., helped found Detroit Dragway, located on the corner of Sibley and Dix roads in Brownstown Township, died at the age of 87 on Jan. 28. The raceway closed for good in 1998.

Mr. Milkovich, the longtime owner of Mt. Clemens Marine Center on South River Road, served on the Mount Clemens City Commission from 2004-2008, where he was involved in several squabbles involving his personal life that spilled over into his public role as a commissioner.

The Pennsylvania native found himself in the media spotlight in 2004 when he was overheard at a commission meeting describing a Black minister as that “colored fellow.” He later said he didn’t realize the term “colored” could be offensive to anyone.

Earlier in the year, while questioning a hefty lawyer applying for the city attorney job, Mr. Milkovich asked the lawyer if he intended to lose any weight should he get the position. The little “joke” resulted in a lawsuit.

In another episode, Mr. Milkovich said his insurance company threatened to cancel his coverage because the city placed a lock on a fire hydrant on the property of Mt. Clemens Marine Center. The lock was placed on the hydrant following allegations he may have been using municipal water from the fire hydrant to wash boats at his facility.

The marine center serviced millions of dollars’ worth of boating vessels every year and also had a large amount of flammable materials on the grounds in fuel and other chemicals.

“I never stole one drop of the city’s water,” he said at the time.

Barb Dempsey, a former Mount Clemens mayor and city commissioner who served with Malkovich, recalled him as a “good man, and he lived a colorful life.”

“During the time that John was on the city commission, he definitely kept us all on our toes,” she said. “He came across as a tough person who definitely didn’t have a filter and would say what he felt.

“But there was another side to him that many people may not have seen. He was kind and would give the shirt off his back to anyone who that needed it. There’s so many people that he helped, even his critics.”

In an obituary notice, family members said he lived “an extraordinary life defined by service, craftsmanship, competition, and unwavering patriotism.” They said he was a champion Corvette racer and made mention that he helped build the former Detroit Dragway in Brownstown Township.

In the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, he helped deliver cargo to Ground Zero at the World Trade Center as part of the Mount Clemens Convoy, his family said.

He is survived by his two daughters, a grandson, and two brothers.

A funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. today at Kraatz Funeral Directors, 226 Crocker Boulevard, Mount Clemens. Visitors will be received 1-8 p.m. today.

The number was part of the DEA’s 2025 seizure statistics, which the government said reflects “significant enforcement efforts aimed at dismantling drug trafficking organizations and protecting” communities in the Detroit field division, which includes Michigan, Ohio and northern Kentucky.”

In addition to the deadly fentanyl powder and pills, seizures included thousands of pounds of other drugs, firearms, cash, and made close to 1,000 arrests.

Throughout 2025, the DEA Detroit Field Division seized:

•  147 kilograms (295 pounds) of fentanyl
• 432 kilograms (864 pounds) of counterfeit pills
• 1,658 kilograms (3,316 pounds) of cocaine
• 1,054 kilograms (2,108 pounds) of methamphetamine
• 324 firearms
• More than $17 million in cash and assets
• And made 950 arrests

“Every kilogram of fentanyl we seize represents lives saved,” Joseph Dixon, special agent in charge of the DEA Detroit Field Division, said in the release. “These enforcement actions are about protecting American families, disrupting the criminal networks that profit from addiction, and advancing our mission of a fentanyl-free America.”

Because the district covers three states, it was not immediately clear how much of that fentanyl came from Michigan and how much came from the other states.

Nationally, the number of fentanyl confiscations peaked in 2023 and have been on the decline since. That year, the Detroit Field Division confiscated 1,168 pounds of fentanyl, a 70% increase from the previous year.

Two milligrams of fentanyl is considered a potentially lethal dose.

Authorities said fentanyl overdoses are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45.

As part of its efforts to combat the crisis, the DEA continues to form community partnerships and raise public awareness, the statement said. For more information about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills, visit dea.gov/fentanylfree

“It’s going to be well below normal temperatures for the next few days,” said Alex Mannion, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service office in Oakland County’s White Lake Township.

Macomb County communities recorded the highest snowfall accumulation amounts Wednesday for the Southeast Michigan region.

While most cities and townships reported 1.5 to 3 inches, Mannion said there were reports of 3.5 inches of snow in Shelby Township and 4 inches in Macomb Township.

Warren Mayor Lori Stone declared a snow emergency for Macomb County’s largest city that went into effect at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 meaning all vehicles must be removed from city streets to allow plows and salt trucks to access roads.

“Once a street has been plowed, vehicles may be parked on the street as necessary,” the city said in a news release.

In neighboring Eastpointe, City Manager Ryan Madis did not issue a snow emergency, but in a social media post he urged residents to begin preparing for one by voluntarily moving their vehicles off the street, especially during overnight hours to allow safe passage for snow removal.

The Macomb County Department of Roads had its rigs out clearing area roads and highways for most of Wednesday, a department spokeswoman said.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service issued an extreme cold watch from late Thursday night through Saturday morning.

The watch means dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero are possible throughout Southeast Michigan.

According to the weather service, an arctic airmass settles over the region Thursday night bringing actual temperatures below zero late Thursday and Friday nights. Wind chills both nights into the following mornings are likely to fall to 15 to 20 degrees below zero.

There is chance feels-like temperatures fall further to 25 degrees below zero, meteorologists predicted, the coldest temps since 2019.

As result, frostbite could set in on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

The weather service offered the following tips for dealing with the cold environment:

• Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside
• Keep pets indoors as much as possible
• Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves
• Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates.

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According to the National Weather Service in White Lake Township, total accumulations of 1-3 inches are in the forecast, with the highest amounts between Interstate 94 and Interstate 69.

The advisory will be in place from 3 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, the weather service said, with the peak snowfall intensity anticipated between 4-10 a.m.

“Plan on slippery road conditions,” the advisory stated Tuesday afternoon. “The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning commute.”

Snowfall totals are expected to reach 2-3 inches, according to the weather service. Accuweather says to expect between 1–2 inches.

In addition, westerly winds may gust to 30-40 mph Wednesday afternoon for a couple hours in the wake of a passing cold front. That will result in blowing and drifting snow, which will further complicate travel conditions.

Wednesday’s high will be near 33 degrees, falling to an overnight low around 20. Look for partly sunny skies, with a high around 26 for Thursday.

Meteorologist say arctic air returns Friday and remains across the area through the weekend. Potential for minimum wind chill to fall below -15 on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

A combination of snow, high winds, and dangerously cold wind chill temperatures are in the region’s forecast.

The National Weather Service said traveling will be tricky Monday as snow and blowing snow will make roads slippery and limit visibility. Total snow accumulations of 1-3 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts possible, meteorologists said.

In addition, there will be winds gusting to 40-45 mph. Wind chills Monday night night and Tuesday morning are projected at 5 to to 15 degrees below zero.

“Persons are urged to stay indoors until conditions improve,” the weather service said in its advisory.

Drivers can expect slippery road conditions and poor visibility for both the Monday morning and evening commutes. Gusty winds may cause localized power outages, the advisory stated.

Motorists are also advised about the likelihood of brief snow squalls, leading to near white out conditions at times. Snow showers and squalls will be more frequent along and south of the I-69 corridor and along and north of the I-94 corridor, according to the weather service.

Additional localized light accumulating snow showers Monday evening and night around the M-59 corridor, south to Interstate 94.

The weather service said dangerously cold wind chills of -10 to -15F can be extpected Monday night/Tuesday morning.

As if that wasn’t enough, another round of accumulating snow on Wednesday is expected to impact the morning drive to work.

The two took part in the christening of the future USNS Lansing on Saturday morning in Mobile, Alabama, as they broke a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow.

McClain, a top House Republican who represents Michigan’s 9th Congressional District, and the Democratic governor are the ship’s sponsors. It’s the first naval vessel named for Michigan’s capital city.

“Having Lansing’s name sail the seas in service to our country is a powerful reminder that Michigan will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the men and women who defend our freedom,” said McClain, who serves as House Republican Conference chairwoman.

The naming honors Lansing’s legacy as a manufacturing hub that has produced supplies for the U.S. military since the Civil War.

Whitmer said she was “confident that Lansing’s rich history of innovation, manufacturing, and collaboration will inspire the brave men and women who serve aboard the USNS Lansing. Michigan has a long, proud history of investing in our national defense, so let’s keep working together to build things that keep our country safe.”

According to Navy officials, the ship is a Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport that can serve as a transport vessel, medical platform or both. The Navy lists the ship as under construction and its service date wasn’t immediately available.

The ship will have 31 civilian crew mariners and is capable of embarking up to 155 troops or an Expeditionary Medical Unit as required. It can reach speeds between 35-40 knots and measures about 338 feet in length, according to the Navy.

The christening ceremony represented the completion of construction and preparation for the ship’s service.

Sponsors participate in a mast-stepping ceremony, when a token of the sponsor’s choice is placed in the ship’s mast step for good luck. For the USNS Lansing, Whitmer chose a key to the city of Lansing gifted by Mayor Andy Schor.

“The future USNS Lansing is one step closer to joining the U.S. fleet and Military Sealift Command to answer the call to action, any ocean, any time,” Under Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao said of the christening.

Parts of the USNS Lansing were made in Michigan, including the main propulsion engines, built in Novi, and the stern ramp, manufactured in Kingsford.

That’s the word from weather authorities as the system is tied to a so-called bomb cyclone, which could bring blizzard conditions and icy travel much of the Great Lakes, weather officials said Sunday morning.

A high wind watch remains in effect for the region from late Sunday night through Monday evening, according to the National Weather Service. The watch means west winds of 25-35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are possible.

“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines,” the weather service said in an alert. “Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”

Although temperatures were on the rise to near 50 degrees Sunday, they were expected to fall rapidly Monday, bringing new problems. Snow and blowing snow are expected, which will reduce visibilities and could make travel hazardous, the weather service said.

The strong winds and blizzard conditions are tied to a bomb cyclone expected to move through Michigan overnight that threatens to interrupt post-holiday travel, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.

“Across the Midwest and Great Lakes between Sunday and Monday, a powerful storm will take shape,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham. “The storm will bring risks for heavy snow, ice, severe thunderstorms, powerful wind gusts and heavy rain.”

The brunt of the storm is expected to hit the state’s northern and western sections harder than the Detroit region, according to Accuweather maps.

For the rest of Sunday, scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. There is a potential for strong storms this evening, between 7 p.m. and midnight, capable of producing wind gusts over 50 mph. Otherwise, widespread rain will pose the risk of minor flooding today.

The weather service said rapidly falling temperatures Monday morning may lead to flash freezing of any water on paved surfaces. There is the potential for snow squalls on Monday. Total snow accumulations are expected to be two inches or less.

The forecast for Sunday calls for rain, with thunderstorms possible after 1 p.m. and a high near 50. There is a 100% chance of precipitation, with new rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Rain is expected to continue overnight before turning to snow. Some thunder is also possible. Breezy conditions move in with a south- southwest wind 6-11 mph, increasing to 13-18 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

Snow showers are likely for Monday, with accumulations of around an inch. Temperature will fall to around 26 by 7a.m. Windy, with a west southwest wind 23-25 mph, with gusts as high as 49 mph.

Conditions will turn blustery Monday night, with 14- 21 mph winds gusting to 46 mph, and a low  around 20.

Expect mostly cloudy skies and a high of 28 for Tuesday, with snow moving in later in the night.

According to the governor’s office, Whitmer made the call Wednesday to wish the men and women a happy Thanksgiving and extend to them the state’s gratitude for their continued service.

Calls were placed to deployed member  of the Michigan Army National Guard and Michigan Air National Guard, saying those in uniform “represent the best of us.”

“Michiganders who serve in uniform represent the best of us,” Whitmer said in a statement.

“As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we must recognize the immense sacrifices they make, so we can feel safe and gather with our loved ones. Right now, many active-duty service members are separated from their families, working hard and stationed far away from Michigan.”

She urged Michigan residents to take a moment to “honor their sacrifice and pray for their safe return home.”

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, also thanked the soldiers and airmen far from their homes.

“Today, more than 900 Michigan National Guard members are serving far from their homes and families,” he said. “Whether they are supporting the NATO-led Kosovo Force mission to help maintain safety and stability in the region or safeguarding our national security interests in the Middle East, their dedication and selfless service during these challenging times deserve our deepest respect.”

The governor addressed members of the 127th Wing Expeditionary Air Base of the Michigan Air National Guard from Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County. She also spoke with the 171st Medical Company Area Support in Ypsilanti, 745th Explosive Ordnance Detachment in Grayling, and the 3-238th General Support Aviation Battalion of Grand Ledge.

The Michigan National Guard service members are serving in Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, and Kosovo in support of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. European Command (EUCOM).

That 1-2-3 punch is what’s in store for Friday and into the weekend, one day after Macomb County and the rest of southeast Michigan were under a wind advisory on Thanksgiving Eve. High winds were expected to continue Thanksgiving after the advisory expired.

Meanwhile, falling temperatures and snow will be the topic of this holiday weekend.

Steve Considine, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Oakland County, said Macomb County residents can expect snow to fall Saturday afternoon into the nighttime hours.

“Our next storm is expected Saturday afternoon and night, and that looks to bring another 1-3 inches by the time it moves out of here,” he said.

Temperatures dropping overnight,  combined with ongoing snow showers, could create icy patches on roads and sidewalks, over the weekend, Considine said.

“We’re in late November to early December, so the snowfall likely won’t stick around as the ground is still to warm,” Considine said.

High winds were believed to be the cause of a set of telecommunication wires to snap on Ryan Road on Wednesday morning, according to a DTE Energy spokesperson. Police have closed the road to traffic from 10 Mile to Frazho roads while work crews assess the damage and remove the fallen lines. The road has since been reopened.

Windy conditions could also make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Motorits are urged to use extra caution while on the road.

The forecast for the next few days calls for:

• Friday — Partly sunny with a high of 36 degrees, falling to an overnight low of 21
• Saturday — Look for partly sunny skies in the day, with a high of 35, with a 90% chance of accumulating snow starting late in the afternoon and into the night
• Sunday — Expect mixed precipitation and a high of 38, dropping to 22 overnight

The FBI’s annual report found the city’s was listed as the safest area with a population over 100,000 in both property and violent crimes for 2024. In addition, the FBI ranked Sterling Heights as the safest overall in the state.

The ongoing success is tied to the city’s proactive law enforcement practices, joint efforts between residents and police, and initiatives to improve local communities.

In a news release issued late Monday, Mayor Michael Taylor called the the honor “evidence of of what we call the Sterling Standard.”

“This distinction is a result of the hard work and professionalism of our police department, as well as the strong partnership they’ve built with our residents,” Taylor said.

“Safety has always been a cornerstone of our community, and we remain committed to ensuring Sterling Heights is not only the safest big city in Michigan, but also one of the best places to live, work and raise a family.”

The data came from from the U.S. Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation – Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program 2024 Crime Data Explorer.

It shows from 2023 to 2024, property crime decreased by 45%.

Macomb County’s second most-populated community also reported the lowest violent crime rate among all Michigan communities over 100,000 population at 305 total violent crimes for the year, which is just under Dearborn, 15% lower than Ann Arbor and 59% lower than Warren.

Sterling Heights also recorded the lowest property crime rate among all Michigan communities over 100,000 population at 1,387 for the year, which is 32% lower than Ann Arbor and 34% lower than Dearborn and Warren.

Sterling Heights is already one of the safest cities in the nation among cities with populations over 100,000. These most recent crime statistics show a continued trend of safety in Sterling Heights, officials said.

Police Chief Andy Satterfield stated the FBI’s findings underscore the department’s collaborative team approach to crime prevention. That includes a team approach between the officers, residents, and businesses.

“Being named safest big city in Michigan is a testament to the men and women of our department who put their lives on the line each day to protect our community,” Satterfield said in a statement. “It also speaks to the trust and cooperation we share with our residents, who play an essential role in helping us keep crime low.”

The city’s most recent resident survey from 2021 revealed 97% of respondents said they feel safe in their neighborhood during the day and 86% are satisfied with the overall quality of police protection in Sterling Heights, which is 16% above the regional average and 23% higher than the national average.

Also, 75% are satisfied with the city’s efforts to prevent crime, and 74% are satisfied with the quality of their interaction with the Sterling Heights Police Department.

Over the past few years, several factors have helped keep a lid on crime, including funding approved by city council in 2021 to hire new seven new officers who engage in community policing efforts through a community services bureau and directed neighborhood patrols.

The police department has also led the way as a pioneer in innovative substance abuse programs like the Comeback Quick Response Team and the Re-Direct drug diversion programs. Officials say the initiatives have been successful in targeting the root cause of most crime, which primarily is substance abuse, and getting addicts into treatment rather than repeating the cycle of incarceration, relapse and additional crime.

City leaders say during the past year, the police department completed a community mental wellness strategic plan that led to the integration of social services into public safety efforts through creation of a crisis intervention team, embedding case workers to address residents with mental health needs and creating a special needs registry to assist officers in responding appropriately to homes with residents who have disabilities.

Those efforts have resulted in a 60% decrease in reported overdoses in Sterling Heights, while overdose deaths have fallen by nearly 50% since their peak in 2021. The police department, in partnership with Face Addiction Now (FAN), has been recognized for its critical work in saving lives and strengthening community health.