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MADISON HEIGHTS

Have a “blast” with this colorful activity

Whether you want to put your escape room skills to the test, have at it in a rage or smash room, activities at the Madison Heights escape room are pretty cool, and the newest activity is the paint blast. “You get a canvas, a quantity of paint, and some shoe covers, where the paint goes from there is completely up to you. If you want to be an artist and paint on the canvas and make a nice little portrait you can. If you want it to go on the walls, on the person you’re with, you can, there’s no rules.” Keri Kazz, Operations Manager at Madison Heights Escape Room Zone told April Morton. Each paint blast session is at least 20 minutes and can have up to 6 participants at a time, Kazz says things can get really messy, and they welcome the mess. “3, 4, 5 year olds come here and instead of making a mess at home, they make it here, and parents are loving that, Kazz said. Just beyond the paint blast room, visitors can create spin art, using a rotating canvas and paint bottles. You’ll be amazed at what you can do. April Morton tried out both activities.

Eastbound I-696 ramp to Couzens closing Monday for toxic green ooze cleanup

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – The eastbound I-696 ramp to Couzens Avenue in Madison Heights will close at 9 a.m. Monday for the final stages of the cleanup of the toxic green ooze. In December, 2019, hexavalent chromium was found leaking onto I-696. Since then, workers with the EPA and ELGE have been cleaning the site. Authorities said the ramp closure will allow for the removal of concrete to fully clean and remove the known-carcinogen. Madison Heights officials said EGLE and EPA conducted an extensive investigation, installed a treatment system and collected more than 350,000 gallons of contaminated groundwater to be treated.

Video shows high-speed Royal Oak police chase, crash that killed 18-year-old driver

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – An 18-year-old driver was killed overnight when he fled Royal Oak police at high speeds and crashed violently into a pole, according to officials. They terminated the pursuit at the border of Royal Oak, near 11 Mile and John R roads. Royal Oak officers saw the car, which had no license plate, heading west on 11 Mile Road near Stephenson Highway, according to authorities. Officers called Royal Oak firefighters, who used the jaws of life to free the man from the wreckage. Deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and Royal Oak officials are investigating the crash.

Take the best selfies at this colorful shop

Selfie shops are the new trend popping up all over the D. Kila Peeples went to The Selfie Shop in Madison Heights to check out the new rage. The shop was opened by Mika and Steven Vanderheyden after their company, The Band Ayd Events Group, struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic. They transformed their warehouse into a multi-room palace dedicated to taking colorful and fun selfies. Individuals and groups can reserve a time where they can take as many selfies as they want, without having to share with other selfie takers. Watch the video above to see all of the cool rooms you can take your Instagram worthy selfies.

Two 21-year-old men charged after stabbing in Port Huron

PORT HURON, Mich. – Two 21-year-old men have been charged after an argument over a vehicle led to the stabbing of a 37-year-old man in Port Huron, officials said. Port Huron police said a 37-year-old Burtchville Township man arrived at the Lake Huron Medical Center at 8:11 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 24). He told police that he had gotten into an argument with Devin Michael Convery, 21, of Port Huron, in the 1600 block of Jay Street, according to authorities. Convery’s friend, Joshua Davis Schreibman, 21, from Madison Heights, got involved in the argument and stabbed the 37-year-old man multiple times, police said. He was arrested there by officers from the Madison Heights Police Department and transported to the St. Clair County Intervention Center, officials said.

Betty Ross II restaurant in Madison Heights reaches out to community for help to stay afloat during pandemic

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – Bars and restaurants across Metro Detroit have been doing their best to stay afloat amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Betty Ross II in Madison Heights is a small family restaurant on the verge of shutting down. READ: Michigan restaurants and COVID survey results: What our membership thinksMary Mosley and Ramsay are longtime customers of the Betty Ross II. They said they’ll often go to the restaurant in the morning before work, even if there’s snowy weather. With capacity restrictions in place due to COVID-19 and a roof that needs to be replaced, Palevic said she isn’t sure how long the restaurant could last.

New Oakland County human trafficking unit makes arrests in Madison Heights

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Police arrested two people in a human trafficking bust in Oakland County. Two people are in custody and Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald hopes a third suspect will be in custody soon. The bust was the result of several months of work by Madison Heights Police Department, Homeland Security and other organizations. The bust was made by the first ever Oakland County Prosecutor Office Unit which is focused on human and sex trafficking. READ: Human trafficking survivor takes fight for change to Lansing

State police: Driver intentionally crashed into I-696 center median in Madison Heights

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – A driver intentionally crashed a vehicle into the center median along eastbound I-696 near Dequindre Road, blocking traffic for several hours Wednesday morning, Michigan State Police said. Eastbound I-696 had to be shut down at Couzens Avenue after the crash caused a light pole to fall onto the interstate on the eastbound side. A second vehicle struck that pole, police said, and then a third vehicle struck the initial vehicle that crashed. Police said the driver who first crashed intentionally into the median fled the area on foot. However, they were found by police -- officers suspect the driver was operating the vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Eastbound I-696 reopens at Couzens Avenue

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – Eastbound I-696 has reopened at Couzens Avenue, just east of I-75, after it was shut down for several hours Wednesday morning due to a crash. New report: State police say driver intentionally crashed into I-696 center median in Madison HeightsThe crash was reported just before 3 a.m. Wednesday. Cleared Crash on EB I-696Location: EB I-696 at CouzensLanes Blocked: All Lanes @Movingmacomb — MDOT - Metro Detroit (@MDOT_MetroDet) February 3, 2021Check the live traffic map with updates here.

EPA hands over control of toxic ooze site in Madison Heights to state regulators

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – It started with a leak onto Interstate 696 in Madison Heights where green ooze caught the attention of people driving by. Now, more than a year after first descending on the site, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is ready to release the project to the state. All of out analytical is where we want it to be,” said Tricia Edwards with the EPA. Gary Sayers, the owner of the Madison Heights building and property in Detroit, served time in prison related to the matter. Sayers wasn’t interested in talking in November, but has been keeping up his legal fight, still working to stop the demolition of the site.

Madison Heights police seek missing 14-year-old girl from Pennsylvania

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – Police are searching for a missing teen named Keairra Lynn Sumerlin who was last seen Monday around 8 p.m. at the Days Inn on 14 Mile Road in Madison Heights. According to police, the 14-year-old girl was staying at the hotel with her family when she left their room. Sumerlin disappeared wearing a red hoodie sweatshirt featuring characters from the cartoon Tom and Jerry along with green pants. Anyone with information is asked to call Madison Heights police at 248-585-2100. MORE: Missing in Michigan -- missing persons reports