11/18/13 - A raise of 5% is expected for employees of Lyon Township next year, the second compensation increase since the economic downturn. Township Supervisor Lannie Young plans to ask for the raise for all employees at the township board's regular meeting in December. The South Lyon Herald reports that Young describes the employees as happy and hard-working. Last year they received a pay increase of 1.7%, their first in four years due to budget issues brought on by the economic downturn. With a total payroll of about $1 million, the township would have to pay an extra $50,000 to give the raise to the 13 township employees and 30 firefighters. A budget study session for the township is planned for tomorrow morning at 9am, and the budget will be passed at the board's December 2nd meeting. (TD)
Pay Raise To Be Considered For Lyon Township Employees
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Local Couple Gets Lifetime Award for MusicianshipLocal Couple Gets Lifetime Award for Musicianship
11/18/13 - A local couple has been honored for their musical talents. The Country Dance and Song Society on Saturday honored Howell Opera House Contra Dance caller Glen Morningstar and his piano playing wife Judi with their Lifetime Award. In honoring the couple at a ceremony in Lansing, the society said they had played and written music, called and written dances, taught music and dance, published music and dance books, led international music and dance exchanges, and facilitated leadership workshops in the music and dance community. Contra dancing involves couples dancing in two facing lines or a square. The Morningstarâs will be honored locally this Wednesday at the monthly Contra Dance at The Howell Opera House, starting with an introductory workshop for novice dancers at 6:30, and then the regular dance from 7-9 PM. Live music will be provided by the Meredith Memorial String Band, featuring the Morningstars and Michigan 's Troubadour Neil Woodward. (JK)
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19,000 Livingston County DTE Customers Still w/o Power19,000 Livingston County DTE Customers Still w/o Power
11/18/13 - A severe storm with strong gusty winds have left approximately 270,000 DTE customers without power in Southeast Michigan, at least 19,000 of them in Livingston County. Consumers Energy reports about 2,200 of its customers in Livingston County have also lost power. Strong wind and rain from a Midwestern storm slammed into Michigan Sunday afternoon, downing trees, causing damage to many structures and knocking out power to thousands. A tornado watch was posted until about 7:30 for most of the Lower Peninsula with conditions that were favorable for a tornado. Although none were spotted, the damage from downed power lines has left many people in the dark this morning, with some estimates for restoration being late Tuesday night. However, Randi Berris of DTE tells WHMI that many of those estimates will be revised once crews can get a complete damage assessment at first light this morning. While the outages in Livingston County are widespread, they are mainly clustered in the Howell and Brighton areas. Trees were also reported down across the area in Howell, Brighton, Fowlerville as well as Milford and Highland Township in Oakland County. Berris reminds residents to stay at least 20 feet from all downed power lines and anything they are in contract with, especially metal fences. DTE Energy is encouraging residents to call 1-800-477-4747 to report power outages and downed lines. They can also visit dteenergy.com or use the free DTE Energy Outage Center application available for Android and iPhone. Stay tuned to WHMI for the updates on the power outage situation as well as updates on traffic and weather. (JK)
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Gleaners Donations Doubled Today via Ford Motor CompanyGleaners Donations Doubled Today via Ford Motor Company
11/18/13 - Local officials have estimated there will be approximately 1,000 families in the Livingston County area that need help to put a holiday meal on the table. The Gleaners Community Food Bank and WHMI have teamed up to help fill that gap by encouraging residents to donate $20, the approximate cost of a holiday meal for a family of four, from now until Thanksgiving in our annual 12 Days of Gleaners. But today of all days may be the best to make donation because the Ford Motor Company is matching dollar for dollar all donations made to Gleaners today. Ann Schenk is Gleaners Vice President of Marketing and Communications and tells WHMI that because of their ability to buy food in bulk, the very best to help is through monetary donations, although food donations are also welcome at their Genoa Township pantry location at 5924 Sterling Drive, off of Dorr Road. You can find details and donation options through the link below. (JK)
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Fundraiser Set Thursday for Longtime Lyon Township Fire Chief Fundraiser Set Thursday for Longtime Lyon Township Fire Chief
11/19/13 - Organizers of a fundraiser say itâs time that the greater Lyon Township community come together in support of retired Fire Chief Les Cash as he did for them over the course of decades. A fundraiser is planned at Leo's Coney Island in New Hudson from 4 to 9pm this Thursday, November 21st for Cash, whose home caught fire this past Saturday. Multiple departments responded to the blaze, which also encompassed an attached garage. Organizers say Cashâs health has been declining and being that he spent the past 40 years serving the community, they feel itâs time to show the former Chief that his community is there to support him. Anyone who canât attend Thursdayâs fundraiser is able to donate through the âChief Les Cash Support Fundâ that has also been set up. Donations should be made out to the âChief Les Cash Support Fundâ and can be mailed to P.O. Box 363 New Hudson, MI 48165. An event flyer is attached below. (JM)
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Water Main Installation Begins for Cornerstone Building in Fenton Water Main Installation Begins for Cornerstone Building in Fenton
11/18/13 - The installation of a water main on Leroy Street near Silver Lake Road has begun in the City of Fenton. The water main installation for the Cornerstone building and testing should take about two weeks weather permitting, and provided crews donât come across any unseen issues. The City says the previous schedule was to begin the work in December but schedules changed so the contractor could mobilize sooner. Leroy Street is expected to remain open during the work with traffic control devices being placed to help guide the vehicles through the area. The City says there might be a short time when the contractor will need to make the connections into the existing water mains that could cause traffic delays or detours. There is also a small portion of sanitary sewer that will be run from the middle of Silver Lake Road to the east side of the Cornerstone property, which should take about a day to complete. Restoration will be minimal to make the work area safe and passable. The street areas will receive gravel and cold patch for the winter while the parking areas will most likely receive only gravel. Final restoration will take place in the spring. Anyone with questions is asked to contact the Cityâs Department of Public Works at 810-629-2261. (JM)
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Pedestrian Fatality Involving County Ambulance Under Investigation Pedestrian Fatality Involving County Ambulance Under Investigation
11/18/13 - Local authorities are investigating a fatal crash that involved a pedestrian and a county ambulance early Monday morning in Genoa Township. Few details have been released about the fatal crash, which occurred at around 2am on Grand River Avenue near the Burger King restaurant. Troopers from the Michigan State Police Brighton Post have been requested by the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department to handle the investigation of what at this time appears to be a pedestrian crash involving a Livingston County EMS vehicle. More information is expected to be made available sometime Tuesday, and MSP Sergeant Mark Thompson says investigators including an MSP crash re-constructionist will be meeting at the Brighton Post. (JM)
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State Reps Discuss Hot Livingston County TopicsState Reps Discuss Hot Livingston County Topics
11/19/13 - Members of the November Good Morning Livingston program had the chance to question state representatives at a luncheon Monday afternoon. State Representatives Cindy Denby and Bill Rogers discussed hot topics with Carol Griffith, chair of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners. The speakers addressed road funding, elimination of personal property tax and state and county business environments in Livingston County. State representative Bill Rogers tells WHMI he believes opportunities like this are beneficial to a countiesâ growth. Rogers and State Representative Cindy Denby agreed that one of the main issues Livingston County is continuing to face are road conditions and the funding for them. Carol Griffith, chair of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners, says that collaborative projects such as the Latson Road interchange however, are a stepping stone to tackling road problems. The guest speakers all complimented Livingston County on its diligence in maintaining a well balanced budget, which they all believe should be rewarded. Livingston County was also applauded on its completion of collaborative projects that have been finalized in recent months, along with its campaign of tourism, which Michigan is in the forefront for. Although the goal was to discuss what issues are at hand, the luncheon also served as a way to applaud Livingston County for its hard work. While Michigan still struggles with unemployment, Rogers says about the county and state as a whole âthat there is still a lot of great opportunity hereâ. (DK)
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New Technology & Security Improvements in Brighton SchoolsNew Technology & Security Improvements in Brighton Schools
11/19/13 - Staff and parents are getting used to new security systems and procedures at a number of buildings in the Brighton Area Schools district. A new fingerprint reader has been installed that allows parents and legal guardians to enter the Miller Inter-Generational Center, which houses the Tot Spot daycare program, and pick up children or students. District Director of Operations Matt Marino tells WHMI the fingerprint reader is only at the Miller building and they're still working to get all parents fingerprinted in order for the system to be fully functional. He says the fingerprint reader was the most convenient and efficient way to check parents in and out, especially with the amount of traffic at the building. Meanwhile, all schools now have security cameras, intercom systems and door access control through the use of security vestibules. All parents and visitors are required to be first buzzed in, and then funneled to the office to be signed in. Staff is now using ID badges that are swiped instead of keys. Marino says that will save the district money in the long run because should a staff member lose a card, they can just take that card out of the system instead of re-cutting a key or having to re-key a door. All of the security upgrades are funded through a voter approved bond. Marino says there will be a learning curve for parents and staff but the changes were needed and overall the response has been positive. He says the district will continue to improve security as itâs ever-evolving but adds that a safe school committee meets monthly to review whatâs happening in different buildings and implement corrective actions to keep Brighton schools and students safe. (JM)
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M-DOT Planning Major Work Along US-23 Corridor in 2016 M-DOT Planning Major Work Along US-23 Corridor in 2016
11/19/13 - A new type of traffic management system will be used in Michigan for the first time as part of a major construction project planned along the US-23 corridor in 2016. The Michigan Department of Transportation is looking to make improvements along US-23 that extend south from the M-36 exit closer to Ann Arbor and along M-14. M-DOT Spokeswoman Kari Arend tells WHMI theyâre looking at using a new kind of traffic management system with a variety of other fixes such as bridge and road improvements, and ramp extensions to help manage peak hour congestions. She says since those are only occurring at certain times, economically it doesnât make sense to add a third full lane on US-23. Arend says anyone who travels that route on a regular basis knows southbound US-23 is congested during the morning but then they start to see the heavier peaks on northbound in the afternoon. She says the new system will allow for the inside median shoulder to be paved on US-23 and then widened slightly, so that the shoulder can be opened up and used like a lane at key times to help move more traffic through. Arend says M-DOT is looking do as much as possible to only disrupt motorists during one or two construction seasons while improving safety and mobility through the corridor. She says M-DOT is currently looking at establishing all of the needed funding for the project and beginning the design stages of all the different aspects but thereâs a lot involved. An open house style meeting has been scheduled on December 12th at the Northfield Township Hall on Main Street to introduce the public to the project and the new traffic management system. It will run from 3:30 until 7pm with formal presentations at 4 and 6pm but Arend says people can show up at their leisure. M-DOT is also in the process of developing a project website and more information will be made available as plans progress and the start of the project nears. (JM)
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Cohoctah Cemetery Vandalized AgainCohoctah Cemetery Vandalized Again
11/19/13 - Authorities say a cemetery in Livingston County has been targeted repeatedly by vandals. The latest vandalism at Boutell Cemetery in Cohoctah Township likely happened around Halloween. The damage wasn't discovered until a few weeks after it happened. Cemetery sexton Karen Thurner says about 15 headstones were damaged in the most recent vandalism. Investigators with the Livingston County sheriff's department are seeking tips from the public. There has been vandalism at the cemetery in recent years. Boy Scout troops in Livingston County restored many of the headstones in 1998 and 1999, and township volunteers Ron Woodworth and Troy Schumacher also spent time repairing damaged headstones. (JK)
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Brighton Man in Medically-Induced Coma After CrashBrighton Man in Medically-Induced Coma After Crash
11/19/13 - The family of a Brighton man is hoping for the best after doctors put him in a medically-induced coma following a car crash earlier this month. 24-year-old Tomas Orndorf was critically injured in the November 9th crash that authorities say happened as he was driving at a high rate of speed on Brighton Road around 3am and lost control of his car, veered off the roadway and hit several trees. After Orndorf was extricated from the wreckage by Brighton firefighters, he was transported by helicopter to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor. Doctors have since placed him in a drug-induced coma in an attempt to help his brain heal. The family says while they are encouraged by incremental improvements, theyâve also created a donation page after being contacted by friends and family wanting to know how they could help. The link to that page is posted below. (JK)
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Authorities Investigate Suspected Oceola Twp. Murder/Suicide Authorities Investigate Suspected Oceola Twp. Murder/Suicide
11/19/13 - Authorities are investigating what appears to be a case of murder-suicide in Oceola Township yesterday. Livingston County Undersheriff Mike Murphy says deputies were called out to a home on Hill Top Lane in the Lake Pointe subdivision at approximately 2:30 Monday afternoon for a welfare check after being called by the workplace of the homeowner when they became concerned that she did not show up for work. Upon arrival, deputies forced entry into the residence and observed a 51 year old woman to be deceased. She appeared to have died from blunt force trauma, but confirmation is awaiting the completion of an autopsy. While detectives were processing the home for evidence, they were contacted by the Monroe County Sheriffâs Office, who advised that the 49 year old male live-in-boyfriend of the victim had been involved in a fatal car crash in their jurisdiction, and was deceased. Murphy says that preliminarily, the evidence points to this being a murder-suicide as they believe the 49 year old man murdered the 51 year old woman, fled the scene, and intentionally crashed his vehicle head-on into a semi, killing himself. He stressed there was much work to do to bring the case to a close with many questions remaining. Thus the incident remains under investigation by the Livingston County Sheriffâs Detective Bureau. The names of the victim and alleged assailant aren't expected to be released until tomorrow. Murphy confirmed that both of them had children, although not together. (JK)
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LCCA Launches New Subcommittee For Parents To Fight DrugsLCCA Launches New Subcommittee For Parents To Fight Drugs
11/19/13 - A new Livingston County Community Alliance subcommittee focusing on getting parents to help fight drugs in the community will hold its first meeting tomorrow. Parents as Partners in Prevention, or P3, was formerly part of a standalone coalition but was recently integrated into the LCCA. It will focus on skills that parents should develop and what they should be doing to keep their children drug-free. However, it is open to any adult that wants to help fight youth drug addiction, not just those with children. LCCA Coordinator Kaitlin Fink tells WHMI this is because while the subcommittee will instruct its members in how to prevent drug abuse in their children, it will have a strong focus on being active in the community. Its members will be involved in planning campaigns and seminars, raising awareness, and other efforts to encourage a drug-free community. The first meeting of the new subcommittee will take place tomorrow at 6:30pm at Livingston County Catholic Charities in Howell. Those interested in more information can call Kaitlin Fink at (517) 545-5944. (TD)
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Local Officials To Take Part In Cloud Computing Press ConferenceLocal Officials To Take Part In Cloud Computing Press Conference
11/19/13 - The impact of cloud computing will be the subject of a press conference in Oakland County this week that will include representatives from Livingston County. IT Director Rich Malewiczitz and County Commission Chair Carol Griffith will attend the press conference along with officials from Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, and Genesee Counties. Together, they will highlight the impact that cloud computing has had on their efforts to provide services to their residents by increasing access to resources, reducing development costs, and saving taxpayer dollars. Earlier this year, Livingston County introduced a new website with improved user friendliness and transaction capabilities. It was developed with help from Oakland County using cloud computing, and Griffith says the county board is proud of how they were able to save taxpayers money by sharing resources. The press conference will take place in Waterford tomorrow starting at 2pm. (TD)
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Man Sentenced to Prison for Pocketing Millions From Non-Profit Man Sentenced to Prison for Pocketing Millions From Non-Profit
11/20/13 - A former CEO who was aided by a bookkeeper in embezzling millions of dollars from a non-profit corporation for more than a decade has been sentenced. 67-year-old Jerry Stage of New Hudson, the former CEO of the Compensation Advisory Organization of Michigan or CAOM, is said to have embezzled approximately $2.6 million during an eleven-year period while 55-year-old George Bauer of Commerce Township, the companyâs bookkeeper, covered up his tracks. Stage was sentenced this week in Wayne County Circuit Court and ordered to serve 3 to 20 years in prison. He earlier pleaded guilty to felony charges of embezzling more than $100,000 and conspiracy to do so. Bauer was previously sentenced to five years of probation and pleaded guilty to felony count of conspiracy to embezzle. The men must repay $2.6 million per a joint restitution order as part of the plea agreement. An investigation conducted by the Michigan Attorney Generalâs Office revealed that Stage submitted false or inflated reports for personal expenses as well as his own pay raises and bonuses before retiring in July of 2012. The office says Stage paid Bauer to help him cut checks to himself, and for Bauerâs continued silence. A number of financial reporting irregularities were discovered after Stage retired, and an audit later revealed the embezzlement. (JM)
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Woman Pleads Guilty To Letting 9-Year-Old Son Drive SedanWoman Pleads Guilty To Letting 9-Year-Old Son Drive Sedan
11/20/13 - A Livingston County woman has entered a plea on charges that she allowed her 9-year-old son to drive around a manufactured home park. 33-year-old Leah Michele Jaglowski of Green Oak Township is charged with allowing an unlicensed minor to drive a vehicle and contributing to the delinquency of children. Yesterday she pleaded guilty to allowing a child to drive, and prosecutors dismissed the second charge. She will be sentenced on January 8th. Green Oak Township Police say they were called out the afternoon of November 2nd to the University Mobile Estates development in Whitmore Lake for a report of a juvenile operating a motor vehicle. Their investigation revealed that Jaglowskiâs 9-year-old son was driving the family sedan with a 5-year-old friend as a passenger. Police says the young driver advised a witness that he was taking out the garbage and that his mother knew what he was doing. The concerned witness then contacted authorities. Police say Jaglowski admitted to officers that she knew her son was driving but did not know he had a passenger with him. Both boys were turned over to family members, while Jaglowski was taken into custody. (TD)
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BAS Teacher Named Michigan Elementary Science Teacher of 2014BAS Teacher Named Michigan Elementary Science Teacher of 2014
11/20/13 - A local educator has been named the Michigan Science Teacher of the Year for the elementary school level. Julee Cowher teaches science to her kindergarten class at Spencer Elementary School in Brighton, where she is also the Green School coordinator. She was nominated for the honor by one of her fellow science teachers and selected by the Board of the Michigan Science Teachers Association for her ability to inspire students, use innovative teaching strategies, and show passion for science and teaching. he organization will honor Cowher at an awards ceremony on March 7th, and Brighton Superintendent Greg Gray says the Brighton Board of Education will likely recognize her with a Shining Star Award at an upcoming board meeting. (TD)
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State Police Working to Identify Pedestrian Killed by AmbulanceState Police Working to Identify Pedestrian Killed by Ambulance
11/20/13 - Authorities are still working to identify the pedestrian killed during a crash that involved a Livingston County EMS vehicle early Monday morning. The incident is being investigated by Michigan State Police First District Headquarters at the request of the Livingston County Sheriff Department, which is normal protocol being that a county vehicle was involved. The incident occurred on Grand River near Golf Club Road at around 2am and the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. Detective 1st Lieutenant Sean Furlong tells WHMI theyâre still working to identify the male victim, who was in the road at the time of the incident. He says a bicycle was found at the scene but itâs still unclear if it belonged to the victim or not. Furlong says the investigation is continuing, and autopsy and toxicology reports are pending. He says further information will be released as it becomes available. (JM)
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Public Hearing On Base Line Lake Partying Draws Big CrowdPublic Hearing On Base Line Lake Partying Draws Big Crowd
11/20/13 - It was standing room only at a public hearing to discuss partying on Base Line Lake last night at the Hamburg Township Hall. Residents on the lake have been complaining for years to township officials and police about partying and music on the lakeâs sand bar. A local watercraft control ordinance has been suggested as a possible solution, giving police more power to combat such activities. The Department of Natural Resources would have to give final approval for any such ordinance, so public input was sought at a special meeting before the boardâs regular meeting last night. Well over a hundred people showed up. Residents of the lake said the partying can get offensive and out of control, infringing on the rights of property owners and posing a safety hazard. Other people, including some residents, insisted that the claims were exaggerated and the partying was not overly harmful to residents. Others defended the practice by claiming the sand bar was public land and that people should be free to use it as they please. The township will be taking the input from the residents into account as it considers what to do next. Supervisor Pat Hohl told attendees that in addition to considering the ordinance, the board may look into putting more money toward marine patrols in next yearâs budget. The board will likely take action on the partying issue at its next regular meeting. (TD)
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