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National Weather Service Confirms Tornado in Brighton Area

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8/29/13 - The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado did touch down in Brighton early Wednesday morning. The White Lake Township Office surveyed the damage and determined that an EF0 tornado touched down and traveled across the Brighton area. Meteorologist Steve Considine tells WHMI the tornado packed maximum winds of an estimated 80 mph and touched down at 12:50am. It started at Brighton Road between Timber Bend Drive and Bauer Road, traveling southeast for 2.8 miles before ending between Wells and Hamburg Roads. Trees were uprooted and homes and some vehicles were damaged in a neighborhood located off of Brighton Road on Washakie Trail, Sundance and Cunningham Lake Roads. Homeowners there were busy dealing with insurance companies and getting estimates from tree removal companies and it’s likely that clean-up efforts will stretch into the weekend. (JM)

Fenton Library Getting New Exterior Paint Fenton Library Getting New Exterior Paint

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8/29/13 - A new paint job is in store for The Fenton Jack R. Winegarden Library, the first part of larger renovations to upgrade the aging building. The Fenton City Council voted unanimously to accept the single bid received for the job from a Fenton business with experience in lead paint removal at $12,150 according to the Tri-County Times. Officials say they’re excited to see work getting started on the building as Council authorized a feasibility study earlier this year that laid out a variety of issues that will need to be addressed at the library, both in the short term and the future. It was originally built in 1940 but remodeled in 1986 to be used as the library. The study helped identify existing issues with the building and will guide long term plans. A total of $200,000 over two years has been budgeted for the library renovations, which The Downtown Development Authority is working with the city to provide. A specialty firm based in Plymouth that deals exclusively with libraries is helping to guide the project. Plans call for replacing carpeting, repairs to the leaky roof, an upgrade of mechanical and electrical systems and work to improve the building's exterior, the first of which will be the new paint job, which also includes repainting the library’s stairwells and trim. (JM)

Medical Emergency Leads To Police ChaseMedical Emergency Leads To Police Chase

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8/29/13 - A police chase through Putnam and Unadilla Townships on Monday was caused by a medical emergency. At about 3:30pm, Unadilla Police received a report of a car driving erratically along M-36 in Putnam Township. Police found the vehicle by Barton Road and gave chase when the vehicle did not stop for lights and sirens. The vehicle drove westbound, weaving all over the road and into oncoming traffic. Police say the driver failed to negotiate a turn at Livermore Road, causing him to collide with a small traffic island and a stop sign before coming to a stop on the front yard of a residence. Police then confronted the driver and discovered his erratic driving was the result of a “medical event.” He was treated by paramedics at the scene and transported home by Pinckney Police. Due to safety concerns, the police requested that the Secretary of State perform a driver reexamination for the man. (TD)

Two New Updates Approved For Howell Fireworks OrdinanceTwo New Updates Approved For Howell Fireworks Ordinance

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8/29/13 - The City of Howell approved some ordinance amendments this week updating its fireworks ordinance to more closely reflect state law. The state had originally planned to allow larger fireworks to be used 24 hours a day during the days before, of, and following certain holidays. A large number of complaints from residents and municipalities about the late-night noise prompted the state to backpedal by allowing local governments to ban fireworks use between 1:00 and 8:00am, even on holidays. The ordinance amendments approved by the city will make it illegal to shoot fireworks during those hours on any day of the year. They also update the fines that will be levied for violations to reflect similar changes to state law. The state changed the law in late June, so the city did not have enough time to change local laws before the July 4th holiday. The changes will take effect upon publication, which will take place before the next fireworks-sanctioned holiday on Labor Day. (TD)

AAA Michigan Says 1.2 Million Traveling This Holiday Weekend AAA Michigan Says 1.2 Million Traveling This Holiday Weekend

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8/29/13 - AAA Michigan reports that more than 1.2 million Michiganians have Labor Day travel plans and are heading out to enjoy “summer’s last hurrah”. AAA says the holiday weekend is typically viewed as the end of summer and their last chance to travel, hit the beach and fire up the grill. An estimated 91% of travelers will go by vehicle with campgrounds, resort areas, and lakes among the favorite destinations according to AAA Spokeswoman Nancy Cain. AAA is estimating Labor Day travel will be up across the state but not by much thanks to an increasingly positive economic outlook. Median spending is expected to grow to $804, compared to $749 last year. Cain tells WHMI gas prices are also much cheaper than this time last year and not many people have the traditional two week summer vacation anymore, so a lot try to squeeze in shorter summer vacations plans and just one or two day getaways. The majority of holiday travelers plan to depart this Friday with Monday, Labor Day, being the most popular date of return. However, Cain says road trippers can avoid the busiest travel by staying an extra day or leaving early to avoid congestion out on the roads. (JM)

Sentencing Delayed for Howell Man Convicted of Embezzlement Sentencing Delayed for Howell Man Convicted of Embezzlement

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8/29/13 - A Howell man will learn his fate next week in an embezzlement scheme involving stolen equipment from local General Motors warehouses. 38-year-old Jeffrey Eastom, the said ring-leader of the group, was convicted by a local jury of embezzling more than $100,000. He was scheduled to be sentenced Thursday but that has now been adjourned out one week. Eastom worked as a supervisor for Ideal Setech in Howell, which housed property for General Motors at a time when it was closing plants. Prosecutors maintained that Eastom would manipulate inventory lists of machinery, tools and metal materials between March of 2008 and January of 2010, which were then sold for scrap. Four co-defendants were charged in the case and have all now been sentenced to jail time on embezzlement charges, as well as ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $471,369. Two received lesser sentences after reaching plea deals with prosecutors and testifying against Eastom during his trial. (JM)

Ceremony Set to Name Stretch of Old US-23 After Slain OfficerCeremony Set to Name Stretch of Old US-23 After Slain Officer

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8/30/13 - Plans have been formalized for a dedication ceremony of a Livingston County Highway being named in honor of a fallen officer from Tyrone Township. A portion of Old US-23 will be renamed “The Sgt. Patrick O 'Rourke Memorial Highway” on September 13th. The West Bloomfield Police Sergeant died on September 9th, 2012 when he was shot by a barricaded gunman in that community. The father of four lived with his wife Amy in Tyrone Township. State Representative Cindy Denby began the dedication process with the assistance of Managing Director of the Livingston County Road Commission Mike Craine. Private funding for the sign was arranged by Denby as well as State Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Township. Denby says Sgt. O'Rourke was a dedicated officer and she’s happy his legacy is being honored. She says the sign will serve as a visual reminder of his service to everyone who passes as well as all of the other law enforcement officers that put their lives on the line every day. The sign will be unveiled with Sgt. O'Rourke's family on Friday, September 13th at 9am on Old US-23, just south of Center Street. There will be another sign placed visible to those traveling north on Old 23, just north of M-59. (JM)

Unadilla Firefighters Prevent Complete Loss Of Home To FireUnadilla Firefighters Prevent Complete Loss Of Home To Fire

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8/30/13 - Firefighters managed to extinguish a fire at a home in Unadilla Township this week before the structure was completely destroyed. The Unadilla Township Fire Department was dispatched to the fire at about 11:45 Tuesday night. They found a two-story, balloon-construction home with a perpendicular addition. Balloon-constructed structures have vertical gaps in the walls that allow fire to spread rapidly, and when crews arrived the fire was deep-seated in both stories of the addition. As they fought to contain it the fire spread to the main building. However, firefighters from Unadilla, Putnam, Hamburg, and Stockbridge fought from defensive positions and were able to prevent the home from becoming a total loss. This was the second major house fire in Unadilla in less than a week. (TD)

Police Plan Labor Day Drunk Driving PatrolsPolice Plan Labor Day Drunk Driving Patrols

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8/30/13 - The Labor Day weekend is upon us and Livingston County motorists are being warned to drive sober or get pulled over. Police agencies across Livingston County will be stepping up enforcement of drunk driving and seat belt laws all weekend long. Livingston County Undersheriff Mike Murphy tells WHMI they encourage everyone to use some common sense and enjoy the weekend but watch your alcohol intake whether out on the road or the water. Alcohol-related traffic deaths and serious injuries typically increase during the summer months with August being the highest. During the 2012 Labor Day holiday, eight people were killed in traffic crashes. Of those fatalities, four were alcohol related. In 2012, 342 people died in Michigan as a result of alcohol and/or drug-involved traffic crashes, marking a 7.2% increase from 2011. (JM)

Brighton Man Passes Away After Motorcyle Crash in PontiacBrighton Man Passes Away After Motorcyle Crash in Pontiac

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8/30/13 - A Brighton man has passed away after being critically injured in a motorcycle accident last week in Pontiac. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office says its Crash Reconstruction Unit was notified by the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office that 65-year-old Carlyle Scott Cafini died at 2:37pm Tuesday. He had been listed in critical condition at Mclaren Oakland Hospital from injuries sustained in the crash last Wednesday and underwent surgery. The accident happened at the intersection of Huron and State Streets when Cafini and another motorcyclist, a 73-year-old Brighton resident, were out riding together. The two collided at the intersection, causing Cafini to fall off. Deputies found him unconscious and suffering from head trauma at the scene while the other man was not injured. Authorities say both men were wearing helmets and alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation. A funeral for Cafini is planned today at noon at the Brighton Church of the Nazarene. (JM)

Vailliencourt Named to PAAM BoardVailliencourt Named to PAAM Board

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8/30/13 - Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan. Established in 1929, the voluntary association represents all 83 of the state’s Prosecuting Attorneys, the Attorney General, and the U.S. Attorneys serving in Michigan. Its primary purposes are to promote fair, swift and equal justice in enforcing the state’s criminal laws, and the continuing education of Prosecuting Attorneys and other law enforcement officials. Vaillencourt will serve a one-year term through August 2014 and tells WHMI he’s pleased to have been elected to the board. "I'm very honored to have been elected to the board of directors by my colleagues around the state. The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan is an important organization that promotes public safety by providing critical support to Michigan's prosecutors and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to serve." PAAM President, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, says the board has had a lot of turnover in the last year as many members have gone on to become judges or have retired. She says the board is deeply committed to continuing to educate its prosecutors on ever changing criminal law and it is vitally important that they continually commit to ensuring the highest ethical standards under the law. (JK)

Brighton Stadium and New Tech Showcased at CelebrationBrighton Stadium and New Tech Showcased at Celebration

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8/30/13 - A free celebration event took place yesterday to showcase the improvements and purchases made with the Brighton Area School District’s $88 million bond. Voters approved the bond last year, and the district has used the first $30 million of the funding to renovate the Brighton High School athletic stadium and purchase new technology for classrooms. Before the school’s first football game of the season last night, the district held a celebration event to show off the purchases to the community. The Brighton Nation Celebration was free and was set up like a tailgate party, with food vendors, live music and entertainment, train rides, circus performers, games, contests, and prize giveaways. A technology tent was set up to show visitors what new devices would be used in the classroom this year due to grant money. Over a thousand students, parents, and community members took part in the four-hour event. Superintendent Greg Gray said crews worked 12-15 hours a day during the summer to make sure the renovations would be ready in time for the game, and he was very happy with the turnout for the celebration beforehand. The celebration built up to the first football game of the season against Novi, where Brighton emerged victorious with a score of 27 to 10. A laser light show followed the game. Gray says the district will spend the next $58 million in grant money primarily on academic improvements and equipment. (TD)

Downtown Howell Looking to Host Lunar New Year EventDowntown Howell Looking to Host Lunar New Year Event

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8/30/13 - The Howell Downtown Development Authority may institute a new celebration next year aimed at increasing awareness of Asian culture, and it is looking for feedback from residents. The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is celebrated by a number of countries in Asia, and the idea of a local celebration was recently brought to the Howell DDA. Director Diane Larkin says her organization has been looking for something to provide to residents during the winter months following the holiday season. The Lunar New Year is a two-week celebration beginning in late January. The DDA is hoping to have a single-day celebration in early February to provide activities and education about Asian cultures where the Lunar New Year is celebrated. Larkin hopes to partner with the Howell Carnegie District Library and local school districts for the event. She says with increasing local involvement and investment from Thai Summit, it would be appropriate and helpful for local residents to learn more about Asian cultures. Larkin says more dramatic elements of the holiday, including a dragon train and fireworks, could also be a part of the celebration. The DDA is still in the preliminary stages of planning, and is seeking ideas from the community about what kind of New Year traditions from Asian cultures they would like to see included in the event. (TD)

New Michigan State Police Trooper Assigned to Brighton Post New Michigan State Police Trooper Assigned to Brighton Post

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8/30/13 - The Michigan State Police Brighton Post is welcoming a new trooper who will be on patrol in Livingston and Washtenaw Counties. The 124th Trooper Recruit School graduated from the Michigan State Police Training Academy at the end of March. It started out with 114 recruits last October and 22 weeks later, graduated 90 Troopers. Trooper Andrew Urbiel will be assigned to various senior Troopers at the Brighton Post who are Field Training Officers and will be refereed to as a “cub” aka rookie while he continues training for the next 17 weeks. During that time, Trooper Urbiel will utilize his recruit school training and learn to apply it in “real world” conditions. The married 29-year-old hails from Dearborn and is a Second Lieutenant in the Michigan Army National Guard and stationed at the Detroit Armory. He’s also continuing his college education and working towards a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. He was injured prior to his graduation from the Trooper Recruit but continued to work at the Michigan State Police Training Academy until he recovered and completed the required training. Trooper Urbiel says his brother is a police officer in Dearborn and had a large influence on his decision to become a police officer, noting he’s always wanted to serve his community. Another Michigan State Police Recruit School will graduate October 4th and two additional ones are scheduled to begin in January and June next year. Information on how to apply can be found in the press release below. (JM)

Visible Progress Being Made At Mount Brighton Visible Progress Being Made At Mount Brighton

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8/30/13 - As the summer winds down, work continues on some massive renovations at Mount Brighton in Genoa Township. Construction has been ongoing all summer, with visible progress being made. Colorado-based Vail Resorts acquired the property and is investing $10 million on new base area facilities and chairlifts, increased snowmaking capabilities, slope re-grading and a racing hill expansion. That’s in addition to a new children’s center and a complete remodeling of the restaurant and lodge area, which hasn’t had much work done since 1980. While it’s a tight time frame, the goal is to have the work complete in time for the upcoming winter sports season. Vail Resorts also recently announced that it has added eight more mountains in France to its Epic Pass. Season pass holders get free skiing at Vail’s partner resorts around the world, which includes a total of 26 mountains in the US, Switzerland, Austria and France. (JM)

High Interest Rates Postpone Sale of Bonds in BrightonHigh Interest Rates Postpone Sale of Bonds in Brighton

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8/30/13 - Earlier this summer, the Brighton Board of Education was prepared to go ahead with sale of a second series of bonds totaling $38 million. However, an "uptick" in the interest rate for local governments across the state has led the board to postpone putting the bonds on the market. It’s related to the $88 million school bond issue previously approved by voters. Assistant Superintendent of Finance Maria Gistinger told the board at its meeting this past week that municipalities and school districts in Michigan are being adversely affected by the bankruptcy issue in the city of Detroit, which has caused interest rates on the bond markets to rise. Superintendent Greg Gray says eventually the interest rates will settle down so that school districts statewide will no longer be penalized for a problem not of their own making. He tells WHMI the district can easily hold off until next February on the sale of the bonds, without adversely affecting any construction projects. The bond issue construction projects scheduled for next year include renovations at Hilton, Hornung and Spencer schools, a new roof at Hornung and renovations at the Brighton Education and Community Center. Down the line, other projects include additional technology upgrades and more renovation work in school buildings, which will be phased in over the next three years. Elsewhere on the bond scene, the school board agreed to proceed with the refinancing of a series of four previous bond issues in order to save about $300,000 in interest costs. (TT/JM)

Sunday is Deadline to Apply For Leadership Program Sunday is Deadline to Apply For Leadership Program

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8/31/13 - Sunday is the deadline to enroll in a program designed to develop future local leaders. Leadership Livingston immerses those who take part in all things Livingston while also offering professional development credit. Business, non-profit, and government leaders participate in a nine-month series of day-long sessions on topics such as serving community needs, building economic capacity, making and enforcing laws, facing educational challenges, and strategic thinking. The program has been helping mold leaders since 1992. The deadline to apply is Sunday, September 1st. You’ll find details through the link below. (JK)

Summit Held to Improve Attractiveness of Putnam And PinckneySummit Held to Improve Attractiveness of Putnam And Pinckney

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8/31/13 - About fifteen business owners, elected officials, and stakeholders took part in a brainstorming summit Tuesday night for the Village of Pinckney. The summit, held at the village hall, built upon the work of a two other summits conducted in recent months to increase the attractiveness and marketability of Pinckney and Putnam Township. The previous meetings identified the strengths and weaknesses of the community, then narrowed those down to specific actions that could be accomplished to help bring people into the Pinckney area. The participants at the meeting split into groups to tackle three specific projects. One group made plans to provide Putnam Township with promotional materials so it would be ready to make a presentation to a three-county recreational group called the Big 400 in October. A second group looked at the possibility of hosting open houses showcasing the various aspects of the Pinckney area, including business and recreational opportunities. The third group examined the bag provided by Putnam Township to new residents and how to reduce redundancy in its production. Pinckney Clerk Amy Salowitz was pleased with the turnout at the summit, saying new faces manage to crop up at every new summit in the series. The next summit meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 25th. (TD)

Street Lights Approved by Howell City CouncilStreet Lights Approved by Howell City Council

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9/1/13 - Some new street lights were approved for construction by the Howell City Council last week. City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI the council approved new lights in two different locations; West Sibley between Michigan Avenue and Walnut Street as well as South Michigan Avenue in front of the Sharks Club, just north of the I-96 interchange. There originally were lights on that portion of Sibley Street. The latest round of road construction in the downtown removed them, and this project will restore them. The lights are referred to as “decorative,” but their style will be identical to that of other street lights in the city. There is no official time frame for the construction of the lights, but Charles says it should happen relatively soon. The project's $22,000 price tag will be paid by the Howell Downtown Development Authority. (JK)

Howell DDA Looks to Make City More Bike-FriendlyHowell DDA Looks to Make City More Bike-Friendly

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9/1/13 - The Howell Downtown Development Authority has formed an ad-hoc committee to address the needs of bicyclists in the city's downtown business area. Bicycles and similar wheeled vehicles are currently prohibited on sidewalks in the central business district, where there are reports of near-misses and a perception of danger for pedestrians coming out of businesses. Director Diane Larkin says the DDA wants to help clarify the rules for riding bikes in the downtown, improve the safety for cyclists, and increase access for bicycle riders. A committee to address these issues has been formed, and its members have been given assignments after its first meeting in August. It plans to work with police and schools on an educational component, improve signage to make bicycle rules more easily understood, add symbols to the streets of downtown to make it safer for bicycles to ride in the roads, and increase access to bike racks in the downtown. Larkin says riding on sidewalks is allowed on side streets, so installing more bike racks would allow cyclists to reach the downtown area and lock up their bikes before continuing on foot. The committee may seek grant money for these improvements. Its next meeting will be held in September, with the goal of having a plan to roll out in October. (TD)
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