11/8/12 - An 84-year-old Unadilla Township man charged with causing a fatal motorcycle accident has avoided jail time in the case. Robert Denome was sentenced to two years of probation after previously pleading guilty to a moving violation causing death in 53rd District Court. He had faced up to one year in jail on the charge but Judge Theresa Brennan instead ordered Denome to undergo a psychological evaluation and pay more than $14,000 in restitution. Unadilla Township Police say the crash occurred the afternoon of May 6th when Denome, who was driving a 2003 Ford minivan northbound on M-36, attempted to turn left onto Dexter Trail. Authorities say in the process, Denome pulled into the path of a 1967 Triumph motorcycle operated by Thomas Gonzales, a 64-year-old Pittsfield Township man. Gonzales struck the front of the van and was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS officials. (JK)
Unadilla Man Avoids Jail Time in Fatal CrashUnadilla Man Avoids Jail Time in Fatal Crash
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United Way Wish Booklets Now AvailableUnited Way Wish Booklets Now Available
11/8/12 - The Livingston County United Wayâs 19th annual holiday wish booklet is now available. Featuring 28 local non-profit organizations, the United Way publishes the book in hopes that area businesses, groups and residents will consider helping fulfill the âwishesâ, or needs, that are featured. In some cases, âgentlyâ used items can be donated such as office equipment, furniture or supplies. Other items included in the booklet are office supply items and services that can generally be purchased at a reasonable cost. For individuals and businesses needing year-end tax deductions, receipts can be given for contributed items. The booklets are available at the Howell, Brighton and Hartland chambers of commerce, as well as the Howell, Brighton, Cromaine, Fowlerville, Pinckney and Hamburg libraries. Log onto lcunitedway.org for more information. (JK)
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Hamburg Officer Injured in Pursuit CrashHamburg Officer Injured in Pursuit Crash
11/8/12 - A Hamburg Police officer was injured in a crash involving a motorcycle following a high-speed chase through Dexter yesterday. At about 12:30pm, the officer attempted to stop a Yamaha motorcycle for speeding on Shehan Road in Hamburg. The driver of the motorcycle sped off down Shehan and turned southbound on McGregor Road. The chase continued down Dexter-Pinckney Road at speeds in excess of 115 miles per hour. The driver of the motorcycle turned north onto a circular street off of Island Lake Road in Dexter and circled back south as the police car was turning north to follow, resulting in a front-end crash. Both vehicles suffered significant damage and the police officer sustained minor injuries to his arms from the collision and the deployment of the airbag. The driver of the motorcycle, a 21-year-old Hamburg resident, refused treatment at the scene and was arrested without further incident. He is now lodged at the Livingston County Jail awaiting charges, including felony fleeing and eluding. (JK)
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Three Fires Elementary To Be Recognized As Reward School FridayThree Fires Elementary To Be Recognized As Reward School Friday
11/8/12 - A local elementary school will be formally recognized as a Reward School tomorrow. The Howell Public Schools district says Three Fires Elementary School will be recognized as a Reward School during the fall 2012 School Improvement Conference in Lansing. Three Fires is one of 344 Reward Schools designated by the Michigan Department of Education. They consist of schools making Adequate Yearly Progress and are identified as either being in the top 5% of schools on the top-to-bottom list; the top 5% of schools making the greatest gains in achievement or âBeating the Oddsâ. Those schools are recognized for overcoming traditional barriers to student achievements and are outperforming schools with similar risk factors and demographic makeup. Principal Kari Naghtin and Three Fires School Improvement Chair Sarah Davis are to attend the recognition luncheon and conference this Friday, which allows Reward School representatives to meet and discuss ways to learn from each otherâs success. (JM)
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Green Oak Company Receives Tax AbatementGreen Oak Company Receives Tax Abatement
11/8/12 - A Green Oak Township company received a tax abatement last night from the board. Brighton NC Machine requested the abatement for their personal property taxes after agreeing to install over 2 million dollarsâ worth of equipment into their facility. Mark St. Charles, Green Oak Township supervisor, tells WHMI the fabricating and machining company has held steadfast despite economic troubles. Also discussed last night was Tuesdayâs approval by voters of a millage that is set to re-engineer a list of roads in the area. Changes to the roads include re-paving, graveling, wider shoulders and possibly bike paths on the side of the roads. St. Charles says the majority of the cost will be mobilization but with incoming money, it wonât be long before the re-construction begins. With the talk of fixing the roads, St. Charles says there are already residents approaching him about speed limit reductions. Unless the State Police decide otherwise, and the Michigan Department of Transportation concurs, those will remain the same. (DK/JK)
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Author's Debut Novel Addresses Alcoholism For Young ReadersAuthor's Debut Novel Addresses Alcoholism For Young Readers
9/8/12 - A local author says her debut novel uses her experiences growing up in a family with alcoholism as a vehicle to address the sensitive topic with younger readers. Whitmore Lake resident Jody Lambâs novel âEaster Ann Petersâ Operation Coolâ hit the shelves on Tuesday. The book, which is aimed at an audience between the ages of 8 and 13, is about a 12-year-old girl in a small lakeside town who tries to reinvent herself at school while dealing with her motherâs alcoholism and depression at home. Lamb says she grew up in a large family that had problems with alcoholism and believed the issue was unique, but when she became an adult she was shocked to see how common alcohol abuse was. She was inspired to write her novel when she could not find any childrenâs books covering the issue of alcoholism. Lamb will be holding a reading and book signing event at the Barnes and Noble in Green Oak Village Place at 1:00pm this Sunday. Tune in to 93.5 on Sunday morning to hear Lambâs full interview on WHMIâs Viewpoint program. (TD)
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Weekend Lane Closures On I-96 In Howell; Delays Expected Weekend Lane Closures On I-96 In Howell; Delays Expected
11/8/12 - More lane closures and traffic delays are expected on I-96 in Livingston County this weekend. The Michigan Department of Transportation says there will be lane closures in each direction on I-96 between Chilson Road and Grand River or Exit 141 in the Howell area, which are needed for concrete pavement patching. M-DOT says there will be a double lane closure on eastbound I-96 this Friday between 10am and 1pm. Then on Saturday between 2am and 10am, a double lane closure is planned in each direction on I-96. Finally after 10am on Saturday, M-DOT says a single lane closure will be put into effect in each direction on I-96 that will last until 6pm on Sunday. (JM)
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More Charges Could Be Announced Against Alleged Shooter Friday More Charges Could Be Announced Against Alleged Shooter Friday
11/8/12 - More charges are expected to be announced Friday against a Wixom man arrested in a four-county shooting spree along the I-96 corridor. Authorities in Oakland County said today that no charges or arraignment will be announced for 43-year-old Raulie Casteel until Friday, likely for incidents reported in the Wixom area. Investigators said it was one of the 2,800 tips received that led to Casteel's arrest Monday at his Wixom residence. He was arraigned Wednesday in Livingston County on six weapons-related charges including carrying a weapon with unlawful intent and intentionally discharging a weapon from a motor vehicle, identified as a 9mm pistol. Those charges were issued specifically for an October 18th incident on I-96 in Howell Township. Defense lawyer Charles Groh did not comment when contacted about the charges against Casteel. Doug Mullkoff also represents Casteel and said during his hearing in 53rd District Court in Howell that his client is a college graduate who has been married for 11 years and has no criminal history. (JM)
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12 Horses Seized From Cohoctah Township Farm for Neglect12 Horses Seized From Cohoctah Township Farm for Neglect
11/8/12 - A Cohoctah Township womanâs horses were seized this morning as the Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition assisted Livingston County Animal Control officials in removing 12 horses from a farm off Byron Road at Chase Lake Road due to neglect. Animal Control Director Debbie Oberle tells WHMI that the decision to seize the animals comes after months of investigations and repeated attempts by county officials to work with the owner in terms of properly caring for her horses. "We've been getting ongoing complaints from this address for at least...two years (and) the neglect on the horses is becoming more and more apparent. Today there was no food and there was no water when we arrived here and that's a concern, because horses do obviously require water, food and hay on an ongoing basis and there was none out for the horses at all. The water trough has probably six inches of very dirty water in it." The horseâs owner, 70-year-old Velva Jean Wainscott, was charged Wednesday with felony animal neglect, but disputes the animals are not being taken care of, including having access to clean water. "Less than a few inches of water in that tank is over 200 gallons and it's not stagnant." Wainscott said she fully expects to be vindicated and attributed the seizure to an overly-zealous Animal Control department. However, court records indicate Wainscott pleaded guilty in 2003 to a misdemeanor count of allowing animals to be at large as part of a plea agreement. She was initially charged with animal abandonment and cruelty. A jury trial on the original charges ended with a hung jury. But the next year she was found guilty of violating her probation after authorities said she had failed to seek proper care of a horse with a broken leg. The horses were loaded onto trailers and moved to the Chase Lake Equine Center in Fowlerville. Theyâll receive further evaluation there before being turned over to various animal rescue groups who will continue to rehabilitate the horses until a forfeiture hearing takes place later in the month. Wainscott, meanwhile, is due back in court next week for an exam conference on the neglect charges. (JK)
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Hundreds Attend Charity Dinner For Forgotten Man Jail MinistryHundreds Attend Charity Dinner For Forgotten Man Jail Ministry
11/9/12 - A fundraising dinner for a local jail outreach program attracted more than 600 people to Crystal Gardens last night. The Forgotten Man Ministry is a Christian outreach program founded in 1963 which focuses on providing counseling, education, and evangelism to inmates of the Michigan prison system. Chaplain Allan Reiman tells WHMI that Forgotten Man aims to provide structured and well-trained support for inmates both within the jail system and after they are released. It operates in 36 jails across the state, including the Livingston County Jail. The program is endorsed by Sheriff Bob Bezotte, who spoke at last nightâs fundraiser about the success the ministry has had with counseling and rehabilitating inmates. Last nightâs dinner included testimonials from former inmates of the Livingston County Jail as well as family members who had benefited from Forgotten Manâs services and gone on to become responsible citizens who give back to the community. Speakers also discussed programs being offered by Forgotten Man around the state which they said has been found over the past four years to lower an inmateâs projected recidivism rate from about 80% to less than 30%. The annual dinner typically provides more than half of the organizationâs yearly funds. (TD)
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Parker Library Wins Statewide AwardParker Library Wins Statewide Award
11/9/12 - The 2012 State Librarianâs Excellence Award went to Parker Middle School in Howell this year for its superior customer services. State education officials say it was a thrill to award the honor to a school library, noting that the professionally-trained school librarian and resources the library provides access to are essential to both teachers and students. The annual award includes a trophy and $2,000 to enhance service at one library in the state. Some highlights of what Parker Middle School Library did to earn this yearâs award include the thoughtfulness and work put into moving the library over the summer months and the implementation of a new online catalog; getting a grant for a cart of iPads that can be checked out for classroom use; promotion of reading throughout the summer and the active participation of Librarian Katherine Lester on various school-wide, state-wide and nation-wide committees such as the schoolâs Improvement Team and Positive Behavior System for anti-bullying. Lester said everyone works very hard to ensure the library is a âhubâ for the school while also empowering students to be enthusiastic readers, critical thinkers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information. Lester says she hopes by receiving the award; they can shine some light on the wonderful and necessary work being done by school librarians across the state. (JK)
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Local Mother & Son Displaced By Thursday Morning FireLocal Mother & Son Displaced By Thursday Morning Fire
11/9/12 - A local woman and her 10-year-old son were displaced by a fire early Thursday morning. Brighton Area Fire Authority Deputy Chief Mike Evans tells WHMI they were called out to the blaze at around 7:20am that started in a single-family manufactured home off of Perch Street in the Hacker and Grand River area. Firefighters with the Green Oak Township Fire Department assisted at the scene. Evans says the blaze gutted the home but firefighters were able to prevent it from spreading to the home next door, which was threatened. There were no injuries but Evans says the home was considered a total loss and the woman and her son were being assisted by the Livingston County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Evans says the cause remains under investigation but appears to have been accidental. (JM)
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Felony Charges Dropped Against Conely; Pleads to Traffic ChargeFelony Charges Dropped Against Conely; Pleads to Traffic Charge
11/9/12 - A Brighton-area businessman who had been facing felony criminal charges, jail time and the possibility of having to resign his seat on the Brighton school board, has instead paid a $200 fine and ended the case against him. John Conely was originally charged last year with felonious assault and reckless driving following a dispute centered around the repossession of a 2009 Chevy Avalanche on August 26th, 2011 from the lot of his Genoa Township auto dealership. Conely, who also serves as a trustee on the Brighton Area schools Board of Education, was accused of intentionally ramming the tow truck sent by Shaheen Chevrolet of Lansing to take back the vehicle. But in court today, he pleaded guilty to a traffic offense of drag racing in exchange for prosecutors dismissing the felony counts. The case has been through numerous court hearings with allegations made by Conelyâs attorney that State Police had altered evidence in the case, a charge officials staunchly denied. Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty had also previously ordered that the defense be provided copies of the state police investigation and interrogation reports, along with photos and any audio, video or computer communications between the Brighton Post and State Police patrol cars from the incident. But todayâs plea deal ends the legal case against Conely, who would likely have been forced to resign from the school board if convicted of a felony charge. (JK)
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Suspected I-96 Shooter Arraigned On 60 Charges In Oakland CountySuspected I-96 Shooter Arraigned On 60 Charges In Oakland County
11/9/12 - The suspected I-96 corridor shooter has been arraigned on dozens of charges stemming from an alleged crime spree in October. Raulie Casteel is facing 60 criminal counts in three separate cases filed in Oakland County's 52nd District Court. He appeared by video from the Livingston County Jail and did not talk about the charges. Not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf, which is a typical practice at arraignments. The charges read during the hearing include assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon and discharging a weapon from a motor vehicle. Police told a judge Friday that bullet fragments recovered from vehicles have been directly linked to Casteel's 9mm handgun. Police also found shell casings near the windshield wiper of Casteel's Chevy Malibu. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard tells WHMI the 60 counts were filed for incidents in the Wixom and Commerce Township areas and all of the cases charged to date have physical, corroborative evidence that his crime lab has utilized. No motive has been disclosed and Bouchard says Casteel has not been particularly cooperative. Family members have said Casteel may suffer from mental illness. His wife, father and stepmother declined to comment after the court hearing. The 43-year-old was arrested Monday at his home in Wixom and remains jailed on a $2 million bond after being charged Wednesday with six felonies. Those charges were filed in connection with an October 18th shooting of the car belonging to a Genesee County woman as she drove on I-96 in Howell Township. (JM)
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Hartland Teen Arrested In Connection With Alleged Joyride
11/10/12 - A Hartland teenager was arrested after an incident involving a stolen car and two smashed mailboxes. Brighton Patch reports that police say they received a call from a Hartland woman November 5th saying her purse, including her car keys, had been taken from her kitchen and her 2007 GMC Acadia had been stolen. On their way to her house, police found the car parked near the curb and showing signs of damage to the front end. The purse was inside, but $95 was missing. Police say they received a tip from a 13-year-old girl who had received text messages from a 14-year-old boy between 7:00 and 8:00am saying he had broken into a house and stolen an expensive vehicle. Police say the messages also indicated the suspect had been smoking and drinking the night before, had hit two mailboxes with the vehicle, and gave the location where he had left it at about 4:00am. Police say they now believe the suspect entered the house through an unlocked sliding door, took the car, picked up two friends and drove through local subdivisions. When they picked up the suspect they say he directed them to the two damaged mailboxes and admitted to smoking marijuana the previous night. He was arrested for breaking and entering and unlawfully driving away an automobile. He was subsequently transported to the Livingston County Probation Office. (TD)
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Public Invited To Bid On Orginal Art In Downtown HowellPublic Invited To Bid On Orginal Art In Downtown Howell
11/11/12- The public is being invited to bid on public art currently on display in downtown Howell. The Howell Downtown Development Authority and the Howell Main Street Design Committee are seeking bids from the public on original art and unique reproductions that were submitted as part of its 1st Annual Public Arts Initiative. Seven reproductions of original artwork, voted as category winners comprise an outdoor art exhibit throughout downtown Howell. Two pieces are currently on display in the Main Street DDA office located at 122 State Street. The pieces are reproduced on aluminum panels and are weather-resistant â which officials say make them ideal for display on a porch or patio or inside a home or office. Sealed bids are being accepted at the Howell Main Street DDA office no later than 4pm on November 15th. Complete details can be found in the attachment below. (JM)
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Unadilla Township Police Seek Tips After Break-In Unadilla Township Police Seek Tips After Break-In
11/10/12 - Unadilla Township Police are investigating a daytime residential break-in that occurred on Friday. Police say the incident occurred on M-36 between Kane and Dutton Roads near the Stockbridge Township line. The suspect or suspects are believed to have broken into the home between 8am and 12:30pm on Friday. Police say forced entry was made, the residence was ransacked and jewelry along with a large amount of loose change was stolen. Police are asking for assistance from anyone who may have observed suspicious persons or vehicles in the area. Anyone with information that might help solve the crime is asked to contact the Unadilla Township Police Department at (734) 498-2325 Ext. 307, by email at police@unadillapolice.org or through Facebook through the link below. Tips can also be made anonymously by calling Crimestoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP, which pays up to $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case. (JM)
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Road Closure Monday & Tuesday In Brighton For Brewery Project Road Closure Monday & Tuesday In Brighton For Brewery Project
11/10/12 - A road closure is planned in downtown Brighton for some work being done in connection with a redevelopment project at a historic site. City officials say North First Street from Main Street to Millpond Lane will be closed Monday and Tuesday, November 12th and 13th. The closure is needed to connect a new microbrewery project to the City of Brightonâs water and sewer system. The brewery will be located in the old Pink Hotel, which was originally the site of the Western House Hotel and built in 1873. The site is also on the National Register of Historic Places. (JM)
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Alleged I-96 Shooter Charged For Wixom/Commerce Area Incidents Alleged I-96 Shooter Charged For Wixom/Commerce Area Incidents
11/10/12 - 60 new criminal charges were filed against a man on Friday in connection with shooting incidents in Oakland County. 43-year-old Raulie Wayne Casteel is accused of an October shooting spree and appeared via video from the Livingston County Jail for his arraignment Friday in Oakland County's 52nd District Court. He faces 60 charges filed in three separate cases that include assault with intent to commit murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle and carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent. There were two dozen reported shootings in four counties on or near I-96 in October that injured one man. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard tells WHMI the additional charges Friday stemmed mostly from incidents in Wixom but also in Commerce Township that are directly linked to the series of shootings. He says they believe all of the incidents are connected to the same suspect but the charges filed to date stem from cases with physical, corroborative evidence. Bouchard says there were a tremendous amount of items taken from Casteelâs Wixom residence during his arrest Monday and one weapon has been linked to the charges levied. Bouchard says while he cannot get too in-depth, bullet fragments recovered from vehicles have been directly linked to Casteelâs 9mm handgun by the crime lab. Bouchard says Casteel has not been particularly cooperative and there is no motive at this point. He says any mental evaluations will be the subject of the court and prosecution process. Casteel remains jailed on a $2 (m) million bond in connection with charges that were first filed for a shooting on I-96 in Howell Township. If convicted on the charges, Casteel could face up to life in prison. (JM)
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Hamburg Man Back in Court for Motorcycle Chase & CrashHamburg Man Back in Court for Motorcycle Chase & Crash
11/12/12 - A Hamburg Township man is due in court this week on charges that were filed following a high-speed chase through Dexter and subsequent crash that involved a motorcycle and injured a police officer. A Hamburg officer attempted to stop 21-year-old Ryan Ronald Roemer for speeding on a Yamaha motorcycle along Shehan Road last Wednesday afternoon but he sped off and turned southbound on McGregor Road. Police say the chase continued down Dexter-Pinckney Road reaching speeds in excess of 115 miles per hour before he turned onto a street off Island Lake Road in Dexter. He circled back south as the police car was turning north to follow, resulting in a front-end crash.
Police say both vehicles suffered significant damage and the officer sustained minor injuries to his arms from the collision and subsequent airbag deployment. Police say Roemer refused treatment at the scene and was arrested without further incident. He was lodged in the Livingston County Jail but has since posted bond. He is scheduled to appear on a felony fleeing and eluding charge in 53rd District Court for an exam conference this Wednesday. (JM)
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