Thank you, Huron Township. It’s been an unforgettable ride.

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Scott Bolthouse is the editor and owner of The Huron Hub

Posted by The Huron Hub | Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 | 12:30 PM EST

Dear readers:

As a writer, I’ve never been fond of using clichés, but as the saying goes, “all good things must come to an end.”

Over ten years ago, I set out to build a news and events website in Huron Township — a community I had just moved into and I thought desperately needed its own news source or independently run media. Information out here was scarce and not centrally located in any one spot, and this was part of my motivation for launching The Huron Hub.

I wanted simply to inform people like you.

My goal was always to be unbiased and ethical in my reporting and in the way I ran “The Hub,” as well as be responsive to the community, social media comments, and my readers. I truly hope you have witnessed this over the years.

As of today, The Huron Hub will officially cease operations. I am moving on to a different role in life. Something new and fresh that I plan to dive head-first into and devote all of my time.

This means it is time to close this chapter.

Over the years, I have learned so much about this township and have bettered my skills as a journalist, because of readers like you. Some of you have supported, donated, and said nice things about my publication, both in-person and via the internet. Thank you.

So many of you, over the last ten years, have invited me to your events and happenings, and have sent me regular information to publish on my channels. Thank you.

In addition, I owe a debt of gratitude to the various organizations and groups who have trusted me to disseminate their information. Thank you.

I also can’t forget those of you who were quick to react when I spelled something wrong, or made a mistake. I’ve surely done that many times over the years. Your feedback was always appreciated.

I am proud of what I did here, and will always be grateful for those of you who helped me build this website and social media, through either sharing my articles, reaching out to me, or saying “hello,” to me, when I’m out in the community. I am not leaving Huron Township, just The Huron Hub.

The Huron Hub website and social media pages will stay active for a while down the road, but from this point forward, I will not be updating the content on this website, or on my social media accounts, besides the occasional sharing of a post from some local organizations. Still, all past published information will remain here, for the time being, so my work stays “on the record.”

I wish nothing but the best for you, your family, and Huron Township.

Sincerely,

Scott Bolthouse
Editor, reporter, and founder
The Huron Hub

Huron Public Safety responds to 2,302 calls in September

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Posted by The Huron Hub | Oct. 12, 2023

The Huron Township Department of Public Safety responded to a total of 2,302 calls for service during the month of September. Of these calls, 1,957 were classified as police runs and 161 as rescue runs. The police department completed a total of 184 crime reports. The fire department had an average response time of 8.54 minutes.

Huron Township police conducted a random liquor inspection on all businesses located within the township. The only violation noted was that some businesses did not have their signs properly posted. When they were advised, the businesses corrected the issues. We would like to thank all our local businesses for properly following these guidelines.

  • Sept. 8: Officers responded to the 30000 block of Huron River Drive for a possible domestic violence in progress. A female stated she was assaulted by her fiancé. After an investigation, it was determined that the male (a 25-year-old resident) assaulted her, and he was arrested for domestic violence.
  • Sept. 16: Officers responded to the 27000 block of Dupre for a possible domestic violence call for service. The original caller stated they could hear a male screaming on Moulon Rouge, but officers located the male on Dupre. The investigation revealed that a 45-year-old male hit his 25-year-old daughter in the face. A 45-year-old resident was arrested for domestic violence.
  • Sept. 17: Officers were in the area of Waltz and S. Huron Road when an officer observed a vehicle traveling 63 mph in a posted 45 mph zone. When the officer turned around to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle accelerated attempting to flee from the officer. The vehicle’s speeds reached up to 90 mph but slowed down when the driver saw another officer waiting in the area of Waltz and Felt. The vehicle came to a complete stop in the area of Waltz and Elizabeth Lane where a 17-year-old male was taken into custody for fleeing and eluding.
  • Sept. 20: Officers responded to the 38000 block of Elk Run for shots fired complaint. Dispatched received a 911 call from a female stating there was someone outside her home, and they had a gun. The caller proceeded to tell dispatch that someone just got shot. While officers were enroute, the suspect left the residence in a vehicle. Sumpter Township located the suspect vehicle and was able to conduct a traffic stop on that vehicle. An investigation determined that a verbal altercation started over a child custody dispute. After the verbal altercation, a 41-year-old Ypsilanti resident shot at a 36-year-old Huron resident over a verbal altercation. The 36-year-old female was not hit. The male alleged shooter was arrested.
  • Sept. 21: While an officer was conducting traffic enforcement in the area of Inkster and King Road, they observed a vehicle traveling 58 mph in a posted 45 mph zone. When the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle accelerated and turned into Huron Estates. The vehicle stopped on Dupre, and the driver exited the vehicle. The driver then started running in between the houses. Officers were able to locate the male inside a residence on Dupre Street. Officers were able to make phone contact with the male driver who came outside to be taken into custody. The 28-year-old Westland resident was taken into custody for fleeing and eluding along with multiple other warrants for his arrest with multiple area police agencies.

Fire Investigations:

  • Sept. 10: The Huron Township Fire Department responded to the 22000 block of Dickinson for a shed fire. The Huron Township Fire Department was able to extinguish the shed fire.
  • Sept. 20: The Huron Township Fire Department responded to the 27000 block of Moulon Rouge for a possible residential fire. The caller called 911 stating his front bedroom is on fire. The caller was using candles for lighting, and when he went outside to let his dog out, he noticed smoke coming from inside. The Huron Township Fire Department responded and was able to extinguish the fire.

Huron Township Applefest set for Oct. 7-8

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The late Alice Sheats — better known as Apple Annie — rides as grand marshal in the Applefest parade during a past festival. (Archive photo by Scott Bolthouse — The Huron Hub)

By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub | ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Posted Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023

Applefest in Huron Township is set for the first weekend in October.

The festival, held Oct. 7 and 8 this year in downtown New Boston, is the most popular event held annually in the township.

The family-friendly event features a long list of venders, crafters, activities, and a carnival.

Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The Applefest parade begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, starting at the entrance of Huron Metropark on Waltz Road and continuing over the bridge into downtown New Boston.

For more information, including a vender lineup and full list of activities, visit the Applefest website.

FEMA, FCC plan nationwide emergency alert test for Wednesday

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A sample of what the message may look like.
Image: FEMA

Posted by The Huron Hub | Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023

FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall.

The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones. This will be the third nationwide test, but the second test to all cellular devices. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.

The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test.

FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers and other stakeholders in preparation for this national test to minimize confusion and to maximize the public safety value of the test.

The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. In case the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11. 

The WEA portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a centralized internet-based system administered by FEMA that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks. The WEA test will be administered via a code sent to cell phones. 

This year the EAS message will be disseminated as a Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) message via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System-Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN).

All wireless phones should receive the message only once. The following can be expected from the nationwide WEA test:

  • Beginning at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message. 
  • For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
  • Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”

WEA alerts are created and sent by authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies through IPAWS to participating wireless providers, which deliver the alerts to compatible handsets in geo-targeted areas. To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration. 

Important information about the EAS test:

  • The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers.
  • The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.

Bomb threat causes evacuation at Huron High School in New Boston

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Huron Hub file photo

By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Posted Sept. 29, 2023 | 10:35 AM EST

A bomb threat caused an evacuation of Huron High School in New Boston on Friday morning.

According to a statement from Donovan Rowe, superintendent of Huron School District, prior to the start of the school day Friday, a teacher at the high school received a bomb threat that caused concern.

Rowe said administrators immediately contacted Huron Township police, and emergency protocols were implemented.

The building was placed into a secure mode, and law enforcement and administrators searched the premises, Rowe said.

“Due to the nature of the threat, and out of an abundance of caution, the high school staff and students engaged in a controlled evacuation, moving students and staff to an alternate location. We are continuing to follow all of our safety protocols closely, while working with the HTPD to ensure student safety. All staff and students are safe and secure, and there is no active concern at this time. Thank you for your patience and understanding related to this matter. More information will follow as the situation develops,” Rowe said.

Huron Township police said in a Facebook post that a K-9 unit is on scene, as well as Huron Township fire units.

Check back with The Huron Hub for updates on this story

Downtown Development Authority asking residents to take survey on downtown improvements

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Huron Hub file photo

Posted by The Huron Hub | Sept. 27, 2023

Huron Township’s Downtown Development Authority is conducting a survey to get feedback from the community on what they can do to improve the downtown area.

The committee’s purpose is to help the revitalization and improvement of downtown New Boston. The survey will help identify what projects should take priority.

You can take the survey at this link.

Police seeking driver of pickup truck who nearly hit student at bus stop Friday morning

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By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Posted Sept. 15, 2023 — 4:05 PM EST

Huron Township police are seeking the driver of a pickup truck who nearly hit a student at a bus stop Friday morning.

The driver of the white truck failed to stop for a bus that was stopped with red flashing lights near Waltz and Felt Road at 7:11 a.m.

The parents of the student shared footage of the incident with police that was captured via home surveillance camera.

You can see the bus come to a stop, and the student start to walk across the street. That’s when the white truck enters the frame and never slows down as it almost hits the student. In the video, you can also hear the bus driver laying on the horn to warn the student.

Here is video footage:

Video courtesy Huron Township Department of Public Safety
The moment a driver of a white pickup truck nearly hits a student at a bus stop in Huron Township on Friday morning. Police are seeking the driver of the truck.

“This is one of the most egregious things I’ve seen,” said Everette Robbins, Huron Township director of public safety. “That bus driver, by laying on the horn, definitely saved that student’s life.”

Robbins said that police are reviewing surveillance footage both from the school bus and in the area, and that it would be best if the driver turned themself in.

“This driver should turn themself in. We are looking at all the footage and are attempting to identify a license plate number,” he said.

Earlier this week, a semi truck and two other drivers were cited for failing to stop for school buses.

Police have been taking the matter very seriously by adding extra patrols to the bus routes.

Police nab gravel hauler, other motorists illegally passing school buses in Huron Township

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A screen shot of police dash cam footage shows a gravel hauler passing a school bus on the morning of Sept. 8 on Sibley Road in Huron Township.

By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Posted Sept. 14, 2023

Since the start of the new school year, police in Huron Township have been following the local bus routes, watching for motorists who illegally pass school buses with flashing red lights.

So far this school year, police have nabbed a gravel hauler and two other motorists passing school buses that are stopped.

On Sept. 8 at 6:44 a.m., police caught the driver of a gravel hauler on Sibley Road passing a school bus with its red lights engaged.

Here is police dash cam footage of the truck passing the bus:

Video courtesy of Huron Township Department of Public Safety

A special proactive detail on Sept. 13 included several unmarked police vehicles following multiple buses, and fully marked patrol vehicles assigned to initiate traffic stops on offenders.

High School, middle school, and elementary bus routes were targeted and enforced.

During the patrols, police caught two more motorists passing buses.

One instance occurred at Sibley Road and Lawrence Lane, and another at Huron River Drive and Harvest Lane.

The dangerous trend of drivers passing stopped buses has been occurring more frequently over the last few years, and Huron police have responded by keeping a close eye on the routes.

“While we conducted an organized proactive detail yesterday, it is important to note that we have followed buses every day since the school year started. We will continue to be proactive. Hopefully, parents present at the bus stops have noticed our continued presence and have confidence in us knowing we take the safety of their children seriously,” said Everette Robbins, Huron Township director of public safety.

All of the drivers pulled over by police were cited.

Robbins listed some tips for parents in the morning to help keep their kids safe at the bus stop:

•Parents and kids should wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and for the red lights to be engaged before approaching the bus. •Many drivers were observed to stop for the yellow lights, but not all. Many kids began to cross the street while the yellow yield lights were flashing, which could cause them to get struck by a vehicle.
•Multiple bus stops on busy roads had elementary age children at the stop without an adult present. This was especially dangerous with wet road conditions and kids too close to the road.
•Multiple parents were observed at the stop with their hands full. This included cell phones, coffee, etc. This could make it difficult for a parent to pull their child to safety in the event of an emergency.

Huron police respond to 21 domestic violence calls, had 55 arrests in August

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HURON HUB FILE PHOTO

Posted by The Huron Hub | Sept. 6, 2023

The Huron Township Department of Public Safety responded to a total of 2,560 calls for service during the month of August. Of these calls, 2,352 were classified as police runs and 167 as rescue runs. The police department completed a total of 167 crime reports. The fire department had an average response time of 8.33 minutes.

During the month of August, the Huron Township Department of Public Safety handled 21 domestic violence complaints and had 55 arrests.

  • Aug. 1: Officers responded to the 22000 block of Cheville for a possible domestic violence in progress. The 911 caller stated a female was chasing a male with a baseball bat, and the caller observed the female punch the male. After an investigation, it was determined that the female (a 25-year-old resident) assaulted her boyfriend, and she was arrested for domestic violence.
  • Aug. 3: Officers responded to the 27000 block of Dupre for a fight in progress. The caller stated that another male assaulted his son and left in a vehicle. Officers were able pull the suspect vehicle over on Inkster Road. After an investigation was conducted, it was revealed that the incident started over a road rage incident that led to the caller’s son and suspect to physical fight in the street. After fighting, the suspect hit the caller’s wife with his vehicle prior to leaving. The male (a 23-year-old Romulus resident) was arrested for felonious assault.
  • Aug. 3: Officers responded to the 29000 block of Pine Drive for a domestic violence complaint. The caller stated he was choked by his father. The investigation revealed that a 26-year-old resident hit his mother with an ice pack. After hitting his mother with an ice pack, he kicked her and pushed his father. The 26-year-old male was arrested for felonious assault.
  • Aug. 4: Officers were dispatched to the Romulus Police Department for a criminal sexual conduct complaint. A 22-year-old Ohio resident stated she was sexually assaulted the night before. After the investigation was complete, a 50-year-old resident was arrested for criminal sexual conduct.
  • Aug. 8: While officers were on routine patrol in the 20000 block of Inkster Road, they located a 60-year-old Brownstown resident sleeping at the wheel while the vehicle was still running. The vehicle was locked, and the 60-year-old male would not respond to officers. After numerous attempts to get into the vehicle, officers had to break the window of the vehicle. The 60-year-old male was medically evaluated and ultimately arrested for operating while intoxicated.
  • Aug. 10: Officers were dispatched to the area of Charlemagne and Inkster Road for a found child. The caller located a 4-year-old Huron Township resident walking down the street by themselves and called the police. Officers spoke to the 4-year-old and noticed the child was non-verbal due to Autism. Officers were able to locate the parents and turned the child over to them without incident.
  • Aug. 17: Officers were dispatched to the 27000 block of Moulon Rouge for a domestic violence that was in progress. The caller called 911 stating her boyfriend was hitting her. An investigation revealed that a 57-year-old resident grabbed his girlfriend’s hair and pinned her to the couch. The 57-year-old male was arrested for domestic violence.
  • Aug. 22: Officers were dispatched to the area of King and Vining Road for a report of a reckless driver. When officers arrived on scene, they observed the suspect vehicle in a ditch. Witnesses stated the vehicle was swerving all over the roadway and going into on coming traffic. After an investigation was complete, the driver (32-year-old Trenton resident) was arrested for operating under the influence of drugs.
  • Aug. 31: Officers were running stationary radar in the area of Southbound I-275 when they attempted to initiate a traffic stop for a vehicle traveling 89 mph in a posted 70 mph zone. The suspect vehicle crashed while attempting to flee from officers. The driver was arrested and treated for injuries.

Fire Investigations:

  • Aug. 27: The Huron Township Fire Department responded to the 18000 block of Huron River Drive for a possible residential fire. The caller called 911 stating her stove and refrigerator was on fire. The Huron Township Fire Department responded and was able to extinguish the fire.