9/15/13 - A former Howell businesswoman and artist will be remembered by friends and family at a service Monday. Nancy Lee Anderson, the one-time owner of Eclectic Twyst in downtown Howell, died Thursday at her home after a long battle with cancer. She was 57. A memorial service for Anderson is planned for 2pm Monday at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Lamb Chapel in Howell. Anderson is survived by her husband, Robin, and daughter, Emma. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for memorial contributions for future designation. (JK)
Memorial Service Set For Howell Artist & Businesswoman Memorial Service Set For Howell Artist & Businesswoman
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City Breaks Ground on Downtown Sculpture GardenCity Breaks Ground on Downtown Sculpture Garden
9/16/13 - A Brighton garden that will bloom with art began to take shape today. A groundbreaking ceremony was held this morning for the Brighton Arts & Culture Commission sculpture garden, located off of East Main Street. The parcel was purchased by the Downtown Development Authority in 1999 as a potential redevelopment site, but nothing appropriate ever materialized. Over time, however, the site has become home to a series of large sculptures affiliated with the cityâs Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit. Brighton City Council member Claudia Roblee, who chairs the Brighton Arts & Culture Commission, said the Sculpture Garden will provide a welcoming first impression for downtown Brighton: âAs you descend the hill on Main Street, coming into downtown Brighton the first thing you will see is a statement of culture and beauty which is where I believe we are headed with many of our projects. The collaboration between the DDA, BACC and now the Brighton Garden Club has created the front door of our downtown, welcoming and inviting. Now, instead of just driving by, residents and visitors alike will be able to stop, sit and spend time in and enjoy the sculptures and gardens." The improvements, which are funded by the DDA as part of its overall downtown marketing strategy, include raised planting beds, a paver pathway, and sitting areas with the four existing concrete sculpture pads. An in-ground irrigation system will also be included in the garden as well as electrical conduits for future installation of lights. (JK)
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Community Alliance Offers Mini-Grants For Anti-Drug ProjectsCommunity Alliance Offers Mini-Grants For Anti-Drug Projects
9/17/13 - The Livingston County Community Alliance is encouraging local groups to get involved in the fight against drugs by offering $500 mini-grants. The grants have been released as a way to help reduce substance abuse among local adolescents, including the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, prescription drugs, inhalants, and narcotics. Projects must involve local youths in their planning and implementation in order to be considered for the grant money. Applications are due by October 3rd at 5pm. Recipients will be notified by October 9th and must also volunteer for the LCCA's Run Against Drugs in May to get the money. More information and application forms can be found on the Community Alliance's website, a link for which is posted below. (TD)
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Brighton Nazarene Church Moves Forward With ExpansionBrighton Nazarene Church Moves Forward With Expansion
9/17/13 - Site plans for the Brighton Nazarene Church were approved at the Genoa Township Board of Trustees meeting last night. Brent LaVanway with Boss Engineering and Gary Anscombe, member and construction manager with the church, proposed the improvements to the board, which are expected to be put into action shortly. Anscombe, the owner of Kingsland Building Systems, tells WHMI they had to adhere to a list of conditions put in place by the Development Director including a security guard on the evenings that the church's skate park is open, trash pickup after 8 am and maintenance of the underground retention system. Anscombe says they will also be planting several trees in order to minimize the impact construction will have on the surrounding environment. The playground currently in place will be moved forward and reduced in size, with landscaping done to the East and West property lines. LaVanway and Anscombe assured the board that construction will not interfere with elections which are usually held at the church. The proposed gymnasium is expected to be 16,120 square feet. (DK)
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Howell Area Fire Authority Firefighter Mike Hough Passes AwayHowell Area Fire Authority Firefighter Mike Hough Passes Away
9/17/13 - The Howell Area Fire Authority is mourning one of its own after the passing of Firefighter Mike Hough this weekend. Fire Chief Andy Pless tells WHMI his department was called to Hough's home on Saturday night for a reported cardiac arrest. Emergency crews were unable to revive Hough. There was no apparent cause for the cardiac arrest, and an autopsy is investigating the death. Pless says Hough was a great guy and an excellent firefighter who will be missed. Hough was a father of three and had been with the Howell Area Fire Authority for seven years this month. He operated out of the authority's Cohoctah fire station. Visitation is scheduled from 2 to 8pm at Borek-Jennings Funeral Home on Wednesday. The funeral will take place at 11am Thursday at Centerpoint Church (formerly Howell Nazarene) 415 McCarthy St. in Howell. (TD/JK)
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State Police Arrest Man For Suspected Ties to Local Heroin DeathState Police Arrest Man For Suspected Ties to Local Heroin Death
9/17/13 - A Detroit man suspected of selling drugs to a Brighton Township woman shortly before she fatally overdosed has been arrested and is awaiting arraignment. The 2nd District Michigan State Police Fugitive Team arrested 30-year-old Sofronzo Eric Horne at his Detroit residence without incident yesterday morning. He was wanted for delivering a controlled substance causing death. The charge stems from the July 4th death of 28-year-old Deidre Alvis in Genoa Township. MSP Detective Sergeant Scott Singleton tells WHMI she died of drug intoxication after using heroin, and that the State Police investigation into her death revealed that she had purchased heroin from Horne. The State Police arrested Horne on July 9th as well, and that arrest had turned up contraband including heroin and a shotgun. No contraband was found during yesterday's arrest. Horn is currently being held in the Livingston County Jail awaiting arraignment, which is expected to happen today. (TD)
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Despite Dissent, Commissioners Implement New Finance SystemDespite Dissent, Commissioners Implement New Finance System
9/17/13 - The County Board of Commissioners made policy changes to accommodate a new financial system last night, but two board members were against the changes. The county government's various departments are currently adopting the Enterprise Resource Planning system for their finances. Proponents, including Commission Chairwoman Carol Griffith, say the new system will eliminate redundancies, save the county money, and allow the departments to work together more closely. She also says the changes are due since the county's financial system has not been updated in about 15 years. The changes approved last night include an increase in the size of the grants department heads can apply for without approval from the county commission from $10,000 to $25,000. Department heads will also be allowed to move funding from one line item of their budget to another if necessary as long as the bottom line of the budget remains the same. Two commissioners, Dave Domas and Don Parker, voted against the changes. Domas tells WHMI the changes take power away from the elected board and put it in the hands of unelected officials. He says this reduces the ability of the board to provide financial oversight and makes it easier for department heads to potentially abuse their power. The majority of the board was in favor of the new policies and approved them. (TD)
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Hune & Taiwanese Delegation Visit Local Farm, Sign DealHune & Taiwanese Delegation Visit Local Farm, Sign Deal
9/17/13 - Following a visit to a local farm, officials have signed an agreement aimed at expanding exports of corn and soybean produced in Michigan to Taiwan. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on Monday hosted the Agriculture Trade Goodwill Mission from Taiwan in Lansing. That followed a tour of the Van Gilder Farm in Howell Township, which was facilitated by State Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Township. Hune chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee. The delegation's visit was part of an effort to learn more about Michigan soybean and corn production. Officials say the agreement signed during the visit involves the Michigan Corn Marketing Program and the Taiwan Feed Industry Association, as well as the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee and the Taiwan Vegetable Oil Manufacturers Association. The agreement comes as Michigan works to boost agriculture exports and encourage job-creation in the food industry. The Taiwan Vegetable Oil Manufacturers Association anticipates the purchase of nearly $1.68 billion of U.S. soybeans in 2014 and 2015. (JK)
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Fenton Receives 25 Year Award Of Excellence Fenton Receives 25 Year Award Of Excellence
9/17/13 -The City of Fenton set itself apart this year by receiving an award for Excellence in their Financial Reporting. Fenton has consecutively made this achievement for 25 years, an award that only 5% of local government units receive. Mayor Sue Osborn tells WHMI the people who contribute to the meticulous process of their budgeting helped achieve the award, which was presented to the council board last week by Jack Smith, the Executive Director of the Michigan Government Finance Officers Association. The goal of the award is to encourage and assist governments to prepare financial reports of the highest quality. Osborn tells WHMI that Fenton is a rarity in this achievement. The city had to substantially conform to the programâs demanding criteria and hopes to serve as an example and encouragement to other cities. (DK/JK)
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Genoa Twp. Renews Manager's Employment AgreementGenoa Twp. Renews Manager's Employment Agreement
9/17/13 - Michael Archinal will add another year as the Genoa Township Manager to his resume. Archinal received an extension on his employment agreement with the township at its board meeting last night, which was retroactive as of April. The township manager handles customer service that comes through the building as well as construction and personnel. Archinal tells WHMI a lot of the work he is currently involved in pertains to roadwork and wrapping up construction season. Archinal says he and the board are involved in the progression of the Latson Rd. interchange as well as a trail system to Three Fires Middle school that will go over the 96 interchange. Many improvements have been made to Genoa Township Hall in the past year, including a play structure, soccer fields and walking paths. Archinal says he is happy to see the community enjoying Township Hallâs new additions and is very proud of the renovations. (DK)
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Lawsuit Filed Against Failed Fenton Township DevelopmentLawsuit Filed Against Failed Fenton Township Development
9/17/13 - State officials say Fenton Township wetlands were destroyed and sediment dumped into waterways by an upscale housing development. The office of state Attorney General Bill Schuette filed a lawsuit last month in Genesee Circuit Court on behalf of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality against October Capital Group, owners of the Liberty Shores housing development near Linden. Steve Munkres, head of October Capital Group, says he's aware of the DEQ's concerns but said the collapse of the housing industry forced his company out of business and made it unable to pay for necessary improvements. Munkres says the company "did everything we could." Fenton Township approved the 182-home subdivision in 2005, but Munkres said it went into foreclosure and was sold. The DEQ also said that the development led to sediment being discharged into state waterways, including the Shiawassee River, Tupper Lake and Lake Ponemah. Munkres said steps are being taken to rectify some of the problems involving sediment. (AP Photo/The Flint Journal, Gary Ridley)
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Big Red Barrel Returns to Brighton WalgreensBig Red Barrel Returns to Brighton Walgreens
9/18/13 - A local prescription drug take-back program from the Livingston County Community Alliance will be in Brighton for the second time this weekend. The Big Red Barrel, which is currently located at seven police departments around the county, allows residents to anonymously dispose of prescription drugs in an environmentally safe way. Prescription drugs, especially painkillers, are one of the leading ways for local young people to begin experimenting with substance abuse and can lead to opiate addiction. The Big Red Barrel aims to curb that trend, but placing the barrels at police stations limits their exposure and visibility. Walgreens has become the first corporate sponsor for the Big Red Barrel, with more than 50 pounds of prescription meds collected at locations in Howell, Brighton, and Hartland so far this summer. On Saturday, the Big Red Barrel and an attending police officer will be at the Walgreens on West Grand River in Brighton from 10am to 2pm. The barrelâs last scheduled appearance at a Walgreens store will take place at the Howell location on October 19th. (TD)
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South Lyon Library Seeking Millage Increase South Lyon Library Seeking Millage Increase
9/18/13 - A local library in need of funding is aiming to increase its property tax revenue with a ballot issue. The Salem-South Lyon District Library currently receives about 1.1 mills from residents, which was reduced from 1.25 mills by the Headlee Amendment. Residents of the district are also paying an additional tax of about .36 mills for the library's construction, which will expire in 2015. The South Lyon Herald reports the library is asking the public to support an additional .495 mills to help the facility continue providing its services in the face of declining revenue. If the ballot issue fails, library officials say they will have to reduce operation from six days a week to four at the most, cut staffing, limit access to library computers, and reduce classes and outreach programs. Significant budget cuts have been made since 2008, when revenue began to steadily decline. The library is funding a special election in February for the ballot issue. Click on the link below for the library's information page on the ballot issue. (TD)
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Probable Cause Hearing Set in Gun Range DeathProbable Cause Hearing Set in Gun Range Death
9/18/13 - A Howell man charged with open murder following a fatal shooting at a Brighton Township gun range last year will be back in court next week. A September 27th probable cause hearing is scheduled for 20-year-old Jessce Lincon Stearn of Howell Township, who is being held without bond in the June 2012 death of 21-year-old Charles Kimball at the Livingston Conservation and Sports Association gun range. Earlier this month, a state forensic exam found him competent to stand trial. Stearn, who also faces a felony firearms count, originally told authorities his replica AK-47 had jammed and that when he tried to clear it, it misfired and hit Kimball in the head, killing him instantly. Afterward, authorities said they were unable to reproduce the weapon malfunction and that witness statements contradicted the claim that it was an accident. Stearn had pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge originally filed by prosecutors because there was not enough evidence to prove he intended to kill Kimball. However, that changed after prosecutors say they learned of statements Stearn made to fellow inmates in the Livingston County Jail that he had intentionally killed Kimball over an unpaid debt. They then filed the current charge of open murder. (JK)
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"An Evening with Mark Twain" Coming to COBACH Building "An Evening with Mark Twain" Coming to COBACH Building
9/18/13 - A one-man show â âAn Evening with Mark Twainâ â will be presented this Friday and Saturday and the weekend of October 4 and 5 at the COBACH building in downtown Brighton. Pat Tucker, a Brighton Township resident who works as an automotive engineer in his day job and as an actor in his spare time, will portray the world-famous 19th century author and humorist. Samuel Clemens, Twainâs real name, was raised in Hannibal, Missouri, along the Mississippi River. Tucker, in his best Mark Twain voice, tells WHMI that Twain incorporated his own experiences and the rich Mississippi River culture that existed in that era and used that in his writings and public performances. Twain was the author of two great American classics â âThe Adventures of Tom Sawyerâ and âThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finnâ. As a humorist, Twain had his own personal observations about everything from politics to religion and philosophy. Tucker, who wrote the one-man play himself, borrows from Twain quotes liberally in his presentation. âAn Evening with Mark Twainâ is the first in a series of intimate productions titled âHistory Aliveâ at the COBACH building and presented by the Livingston Players. Tickets for âAn Evening with Mark Twainâ are available at the COBACH building â the former Brighton town hall - at St. Paul and Main streets and at the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce during regular business hours. For ticket information call 810-229-2784 or go to the website livplayers.org. (TT)
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Hartland Orders Blighted Home's Owner to Wreck or RestoreHartland Orders Blighted Home's Owner to Wreck or Restore
9/18/13 - A local property owner has until December 15th to begin work on either rehabilitating or demolishing a house that Hartland Township officials have determined to be unsafe. The Read Road home was left empty when its owner moved to Alabama during the recession in search of work. It has since become blighted, and despite efforts by the ownerâs family, township officials have declared it to be a dangerous building. Last night, the owner of the property spoke with the township board through an Internet connection during the boardâs dangerous building hearing. He said the house was secure and that he planned to return in about ten years to repair and retire in the building. However, the board decided to go along with the determination of the building inspector that it was dangerous. It gave the owner until December 15th to pull permits to either demolish or restore the building, and choosing either course would give the owner twelve months to actually demolish the building or obtain a certificate of occupancy. Both the owner and the township have been working to contact the mortgage holder during the proceedings, and the township expects to start a dialogue within a week. The property owner said during the hearing that he would be willing to consider demolishing the home if the mortgage holder says it would be acceptable to do so and maintain the mortgage note on the property. Wickman says it is also important to keep the mortgage holder informed of the proceedings that could affect it. (TD)
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United Way Campaign Takes Flight at Airport Open HouseUnited Way Campaign Takes Flight at Airport Open House
9/18/13 - Hundreds of people turned out to the Spencer J. Hardy Airport yesterday to take part in the Livingston County United Way's annual campaign kickoff event. Every year, the United Way holds a kickoff to bring attention to the efforts planned over the next year. Former County Prosecutor David Morse is one of the co-chairs for this year's campaign, along with Drain Commissioner Brian Jonckheere. Morse says last year's kickoff was held at the local GM proving grounds, which provided a unique experience, but he says yesterday's event was able to match it. In addition to tours of the new airport terminal, visitors were able to watch takeoffs and landings by vintage military aircraft from the Yankee Air Museum. Morse says last year the United Way raised about $1.5 million, which was an increase over the previous year, but the number of people donating declined. He says getting new people to get involved and donate to the United Way will be part of the focus of this year's campaign. The United Way's next major fundraiser will be the Tour de Livingston bicycle event on October 13th. For more information, follow the link below. B-25 photo courtesy of Sandie Cortez. (TD)
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Sentencing Handed Down For Fowlerville B&E CaseSentencing Handed Down For Fowlerville B&E Case
9/18/13 - A man charged with breaking into several businesses in the Village of Fowlerville has been sentenced in the case. 43-year-old Michael Alan Gillespie Jr. of Ann Arbor was sentenced to a minimum of 2 years and 10 days in prison, with a maximum of 20 years and credit for 85 days served. He was also ordered to pay $1,185 in restitution so far. He previously pleaded no contest to three counts each of breaking and entering a building with intent and larceny in a building. A sentencing agreement called for a guideline minimum of 34-months in prison and prosecutors also agreed to not issue a separate charge of safe breaking. Fowlerville Police responded to an alarm at a business on West Grand River shortly before 5am on June 12th and found the front door window broken out. They then discovered that two other businesses had also been broken into. A witness provided a description of a man seen running between the buildings, which helped officers locate and arrest Gillespie in front of another business with visible injuries. (TD)
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Livingston County Connected to Expanded Broadband PlanLivingston County Connected to Expanded Broadband Plan
9/18/13 - Improved broadband access in Livingston County is just one of the goals to be announced tomorrow with the release of a new technology action plan. The annual Livingston County Economic Development meeting will be held Thursday at Cleary University, during which the Livingston County Technology Action Plan will be released, certifying the county as a âConnectedâ community. The plan resulted from an assessment undertaken by Connect Michigan and the Livingston County Broadband Committee, which has more than two dozen members including local officials and representatives of various nonprofit groups. The action plan contains specific recommendations of projects to expand broadband access, increase digital literacy, build awareness for the benefits of broadband, assist businesses with websites and social media, and increase the availability of online public services. One of those helping to make the announcement is Michigan Public Service Commission member Sally Talberg, a Howell high school graduate. Connect Michigan says Livingston County is the 5th community on the state to receive the âConnectedâ designation and 10th nationwide. (JK)
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Forum Highlights Healthcare Reform Changes Thursday NightForum Highlights Healthcare Reform Changes Thursday Night
9/18/13 - Livingston County residents and those with disabilities have the opportunity to get educated about upcoming healthcare reform changes during a free community forum Thursday. A major provision of the Affordable Care Act goes in effect this fall and the new health insurance marketplace launches October 1st, where consumers will be able to compare and select their own insurance plans. The Michigan Consumers for Healthcare and the Brain Injury Association of Michigan are providing the free community forums to help consumers better understand that process. Thursdayâs forum in Livingston County will feature Brett Williams, the mid-Michigan Regional Coordinator for MCH. Williams will discuss how the Act will impact Michigan citizens, small businesses and Medicare beneficiaries but also place specific emphasis on the implications for those managing a pre-existing disability. He will also explain how the healthcare reform will be implemented, how to navigate the new health insurance marketplace as well as the status of the Medicaid expansion. The local forum will take place at Willowbrook Rehab Services on Challis Road in Brighton from 6 to 7:30pm. Details can be found below. (JM)
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