A popular pastime for shoppers 75 cents WINNERS OF STATE AND NATIONAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE www.hometownlife.com BY DARRELL CLEM "I'd be more concerned about getting in my "That's a discussion we're going to have involving groundwater and methane — findings STAFF WRITER car and driving to church on Sunday than wor­ to have with Wayne County and the city of they said need further analysis. rying about this being a risk to my life," he said. Westland," Sygo said. Soil borings also revealed three samples of People who live or work near Central City Sygo's remarks came after the Observer, in For now, the park that was once considered underground PCBs and just one of mercury that Park are not likely at risk despite new test conversations with city workers, was asked Westland's recreation jewel will remain closed exceeded acceptable residential standards, but results that show widespread contamination, whether people are likely safe in Taylor Towers, indefinitely after state officials said new test state officials said the tests didn't indicate any mostly from lead, a state official said Friday. a high-rise senior complex near the park's south results show widespread contamination, mostly evidence of industrial dumping. Based on what is now known, residents and end, and in city buildings to the north, such as from lead. "There's not any widespread plume of poisons workers also aren't likely to be threatened by the Bailey Recreation Center, Westland 18th Beth Vens, project manager with the we didn't know about," Vens said. "For a park findings of contaminated groundwater or meth­ District Court and City Hall. Michigan Department of Environmental user, in general there aren't any new issues. It's, ane, a gas common to landfills, said Jim Sygp, Workers also asked the Observer whether soil Quality, estimated that three-fourths of the just that the area that needs to be addressed is deputy director for the Michigan Department of borings for lead and other contaminants should park has contaminants, and officials also said Environmental Quality. be conducted beyond the park. the latest results also found potential issues Please see PARK, A3 Police seek info about carjacking BY DARRELL CLEM "He was lying in wait between cars STAFF WRITER and approached the victim as he was walking to the store," Benson said. "He A carjacking suspect remains at pulled out a handgun, took the guy's large after a 32-year-old man's vehicle wallet and car keys, and he took off was taken at gunpoint Monday night with his car." outside the Kroger at Michigan Avenue The stolen car, a 1992 Mercury and Merriman Road, police said. Grand Marquis, hadn't been found as The victim also was struck by anoth­ of Friday. er car, possibly driven by an accomplice "After the victim gave up his keys who wanted to stall him from going and wallet, he fan toward the store, at inside the store to seek help, police Sgt. which time a white Chrysler Sebring Chris Benson said. The victim wasn't or (Dodge) Neon pulled out of a park­ seriously injured during the incident, ing space and struck the victim before which happened about 10:30 p.m. fleeing the parking lot as well," Benson "A guy was going into the store and said. was ambushed by somebody who was Authorities believe the gunman and waiting in the parking lot," Benson said. the man driving the white car were The victim told police he was working together. Anyone who has approached by a suspect described as information about the incident is urged Tammy and John Henderson stand in front of the lawn sign, asking for donations of a black male, 5-foot-U to 6-foot-l, 175- to call the Westland Police Department returnable bottle and cans. Tammy's Heart Italian Dinner 190 pounds willi a medium build. The at (734) 721-6311 or (734) 722-9600. fund-raiser will be 6-11 p.m. assailant wore a black mask over his Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Wayne- face. [email protected] I (734) 953-2110 Ford Civic League, 1645 N. Wayne Mending he Road, Westland. Dinner will be served 7-8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for adults BY SUE MASON STAFF WRITER and $15 for children 12 years and under for salad, mostac- t first blush, it's hard to believe Tammy cioli, vegetable, roll, dessert and Henderson is a hair's breath away from beverage. being on the heart transplant list. She There also will be a disc jockey, doesn't look frail, she doesn't look sickly. But cash bar and raffles 9-10 p.m. underneath the good exterior beats a heart BY DARRELL CLEM In court Thursday, Among the raffie items are that has been battered by treatments for STAFF WRITER Cicirelli refused to for stem cell Hodgkin's lymphoma, a massive coronary a gift certificate for exterior lower a $1 million bond attack and two surgeries to install a heart detailing by Ziebart, a $20 gift A Westland man will face trial amid that has kept Pniewski treatment pump and repair the mitral valve. certificate from Angelo Brothers allegations he drugged two 12-year-old in jail. "Even the doctors say I look good, but my Restaurant, two large pizzas twin girls, molested them while they According to police, doctor says you can have a shot engine, but a (eat-in only) at Rogala's Bar & slept and videotaped it. Pniewski performed beautiful car," said Henderson, who grew up Grill, six free oil changes with Raymond Fniewski Jr., 52, faces trial various acts on the girls in Westland and now lives in Garden City. after he waived his preliminary hear­ Pniewski and made videotapes tire rotation and balancing from Henderson has managed to avoid the heart ing Thursday in front of Westland 18th that police seized from transplant by taking CoQlO, a supplement Belle Tire, free haircut and 13 District Judge Sandra Ference CicireUi. his house, along with a camcorder and that has helped her heart beat faster, but free eyebrow waxings from His decision averted pretrial tes­ pictures. Authorities have said he has she wants to do something more. She wants Fouad's Styling Station and six timony as he awaits trial in Wayne admitted molesting the girls. '" to have Vescell Adult Stem Cell Therapy, in bottles of wine from One Stop County Circuit Court on six counts of Pniewski was arrested July 27, one day which her own immature stem cells would be Liquor. first-degree criminal sexual conduct and after one of the girls woke up while he used to try to repair the damaged portion of three counts of child sexually abusive was allegedly trying to put more sleeping Tickets are available in advance her heart. activity. medication in her mouth, Mathews has The only thing holding her back is the by calling (734) 788-8690 or Pniewski is accused of giving the girls said. The girl went to her mother, who $50,000 cost. The treatment isn't covered (734) 765-0771. They also are prescription sleeping pills and molest­ took her to a hospital that reported the by insurance nor is it available in the United available at the door. ing them while they lived at his house incident to police. States. Henderson has to travel to Bangkok, Organizers will be collecting with their mother, who was once his The mother and daughters had moved Thailand, to get it. empty returnable bottles and ' girlfriend, police Sgt. Debra Mathews to Pniewski's house more than two years A sign on the front lawn is a testament to cans at the event. has said. ago because they needed a place to live, the lengths her family has gone to get the People who are unable to The defendant is accused of molest­ Mathews said. The mother and Pniewski money to send her to Thailand. It's the sixth ing the girls numerous times between once had a relationship but more recent­ attend, but would like to make a Kelly Moyer is hoping a Sept. one they've put out asking for donations of Dec. 1,2005, and Jury 26 of this year at ly had only been friends, the detective 8 dinner fund-raiser will raise returnable bottles and cans. donation, can send it to Tammy his home in the 7300 block of Mohawk, said. Pniewski has known the girls most enough money to send her People stop by to drop off returnables. Henderson, P.O. Box 1584, Garden near Warren and Wayne. If convicted, of their lives, Mathews said sister to Thailand for the stem City, Ml 48135. he could face penalties ranging up to life cell therapy. Please see HEART, A3 in prison. [email protected] I (734) 953-2110 . ©The Observer & Eccentric INDEX Coming Thursday For Home Newspapers APARTMENTS E4 Delivery call: AUTOMOTIVE E6 in Filler Volume 43 CLASSIFIED D1-F4 (866) 887-2737 Number 22 CROSSWORD PUZZLE E2 HEALTH CIO Thousands of car buffs will visit HOMETOWNUFE CI Woodward Avenue to swoon over JOBS D1 classic machines showcased NEW HOMES El along Detroit's main artery. www.j3FioHtyecu.eom OBITUARIES C4 & PERSPECTIVES All REAL ESTATE E2 Look inside for details and to learn how you're eligible to join PCCU SPORTS B1 Observer S Eccentric | Sunday, August 12,2007 A2 (W) www.hometownlife.com AROUND WtSTLAND Opposing slavery with LeBlanc and discuss issues St John's Episcopal Church's and/or concerns. The local cof­ youth group will sponsor a"Not fee hour takes place on the third Editor's note: Like the parents.