11/26/13 - A Howell City Councilman made sure that his personal opinions were known despite a pending privileged conversation about a federal ruling that could prove to be far reaching and impact municipalities across the state. The ordinance that was struck down required property owners to maintain the areas between sidewalks and city-owned streets. The lawsuit was filed by former resident David Shoemaker in November of 2011 after he refused to cut the grass. It was eventually mowed by the cityâs contractor per ordinance, and the cost placed on his tax bill. A federal judge ruled property owners cannot be forced to maintain municipal property. Staff has since stopped enforcement but council unanimously approved appealing the decision after a closed session Monday night. It also approved a formal request to the Michigan Municipal League Legal Defense fund for support of the appeal. Councilman Doug Heins attempted to recuse himself from participating in that closed session discussion because he wanted to express his full opinions on the ruling. He stated the city has no due process or neutral party, and also needs a written procedure to appeal. He said heâs experienced the âheavy hand of the city with due process when it comes to the care of right-of-ways.â Heins has been at odds with the city since before he was elected about maintaining swales, which were installed as part of the street improvement project to collect and retain storm water to prevent flooding. Although Heins tried to recuse himself, he ultimately voted to go into closed session, as well as for both of the motions that followed in open session. City attorney Dennis Perkins noted Heins was free to assert his opinions but was prohibited from talking about any items or strategies discussed behind closed doors. Heins had also raised questions about why a special session wasnât called to discuss the impact of the ruling. It was clarified that the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Association handles the cityâs liability insurance and under their policy agreement, it has the right to proceed with appeal without city approval and had already put city on notice that it would be appealing. (JM)
Howell Appealing Federal Ruling; Councilman Voices Opinions Howell Appealing Federal Ruling; Councilman Voices Opinions
↧
↧
Brighton Fire Authority Urges Cooking Caution This Thanksgiving Brighton Fire Authority Urges Cooking Caution This Thanksgiving
11/26/13 - With the biggest cooking day of the year just days away, the Brighton Area Fire Department is encouraging residents to be vigilant against cooking fires. On its website, the department is citing a report released this week by the National Fire Protection Association stating that cooking is the cause of 40% of house fires and the number one cause of home fire injuries. Thanksgiving is the top day for cooking fires every year, with three times the incidents of a typical day, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. The study also found that ranges cause the majority of cooking fires and deaths, and that electric ranges are more dangerous than those that use gas. Residents are encouraged to properly attend their food and make sure their smoke alarms are in working order. Like many local departments, the Brighton Area Fire Department offers free smoke alarms to residents, as well as inspection and installation services. (TD)
↧
Rezoning Approval & Tax Abatement Commitment for New FacilityRezoning Approval & Tax Abatement Commitment for New Facility
11/26/13 - The Howell Township Board may have committed to reducing the taxes for a new development on M-59, but the real benefit for the municipality is still intact. Rex Materials is planning to build a new facility at the northeast corner of Brewer Road and M-59 containing business offices along with a laboratory for materials development and testing. Requests for an industrial development district and a conditional rezoning for the site were approved by the Howell Township Board last night. Those changes will be necessary for Rex Materials to get a tax abatement from the township. The board also approved a motion committing to an 11-year, 50% tax abatement for when Rex applies for it in the early part of next year. According to Clerk Carolyn Eaton the township would only get about 2% of the taxes from the facility even without the abatement. Most of the tax money from the facility would go to the school district, which will be reimbursed for the abated amount by the state. The real motivation for the township to encourage the facility to locate there is to increase the usage on the township water and sewer system. The township still has about $20 million in unpaid water bonds left behind by developers that abandoned projects in the recession, and greater usage of the water system helps pay off those bonds. (TD)
↧
White Lake Man Jailed on Child Sex Abuse & Pornography ChargesWhite Lake Man Jailed on Child Sex Abuse & Pornography Charges
11/26/13 - A White Lake Township man is in federal custody on first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges after authorities allege he shared explicit videos of himself and a toddler. 34-year-old John Millmine came under suspicion after the Homeland Security Investigations office in Detroit received information that an e-mail address linked to Millmine had received child pornography. A separate investigation then revealed that similar material was also sent out from that same address to a recipient in Ireland. When agents arrested Millmine November 11th on outstanding warrants for failing to pay child support and misdemeanor marijuana possession, they confiscated a smartphone that then linked him to numerous other female children from newborn babies up to 12 years old. If convicted, Millmine faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. Heâs due back in court next week for a preliminary exam, but remains in custody. Officials are using the heinous nature of the allegations to encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form through the link below. (JK)
↧
Traffic Patterns Tracked at Latson Road & Grand River Intersection Traffic Patterns Tracked at Latson Road & Grand River Intersection
11/26/13 - The new Latson Road and Grand River intersection will continue to see increased traffic with its soon-to-open interchange. Mike Craine, Managing Director of the Livingston County Road Commission, says the board is continuing to monitor traffic through the intersection to determine timing for the newly installed traffic lights. Craine tells WHMI the intersection is working well with extra turning lanes, but once the freeway interchange opens on December 2nd, the traffic patterns are sure to change and they'll be monitoring that situation as it develops and then adjust accordingly. Craine says it is nice to be able to turn Latson and Grand River back to its customers early. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Monday at 11:30 am to officially make the new junction available for cars to use. (DK)
↧
↧
Hartland Township Family Safe but Displaced After Morning Fire Hartland Township Family Safe but Displaced After Morning Fire
11/26/13 - Tragedy struck at a Hartland Township home early this morning, leaving a local family displaced. The Livingston County Chapter American Red Cross responded a fire at a home on Remsing Road in Hartland Township at around 5:30 this morning. Two adults and four children were inside when the fire broke out and managed to get out safely but some pets perished. The Red Cross says the home is not able to be occupied and it has provided comfort kits, blankets, some items of clothing to the family. Livingston County Chapter Executive Renee Wyatt says the biggest disaster threat to families isnât floods, hurricanes or tornadoes but fire. She says home fires are a common and deadly threat because they happen so quickly and they urge everyone to develop a fire escape plan, eliminate potential hazards and make sure they have working smoke alarms. (JM)
↧
Short Jail Stint & Probation Ordered for Brighton Library FlasherShort Jail Stint & Probation Ordered for Brighton Library Flasher
11/27/13 - A Brighton man accused of exposing himself in a public library has been sentenced to jail time and probation. 23-year-old Robert Matthew Iafano was sentenced to 15 days in jail with credit for 1 day already served yesterday. He was also sentenced to probation with conditions including weekly sex offender therapy, no drugs or alcohol, and no entering libraries. Iafano pleaded guilty to indecent exposure following an August 13th incident at the Brighton District Library in which police say a 14-year-old girl reported that a man exposed himself. Authorities say Iafano returned to the library a week later but was recognized by staff, who called 911. Brighton Police say they suspected Iafano was involved in numerous similar incidents throughout the Brighton, Green Oak Township and Novi areas. He is also facing indecent exposure charges for an incident that took place October 19th when police say he exposed himself to a gas station clerk. (JK)
↧
Brighton H. S. Marching Band in Detroit Thanksgiving Day ParadeBrighton H. S. Marching Band in Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade
11/27/13 - The Director of the Brighton High School Marching Band says the group is fired up about performing in the Thanksgiving Day parade through downtown Detroit. Brighton last performed in the turkey day parade in 2002. Band Director Gabriella Hoffman says they learned in August that the band had been invited to play and it started practicing as soon as school started in September. The 247 members have been practicing two musical numbers that it will be performing during the parade: "We Need a Little Christmas" and "American Christmas." The marching band is so large that it's composed of four separate groups which perform separately at band competitions. The band is set to depart from Brighton High School for Detroit at 6am on Thanksgiving Day in five buses, plus a trailer to carry their instruments and equipment. The parade will be broadcast live and the BHS Marching Band can be seen at around 11am on WDIV Channel 4. (TT/JM)
↧
Cancer Survivors Winners in Charity Hockey GameCancer Survivors Winners in Charity Hockey Game
11/27/13 - The only clear winners at a charity hockey game Tuesday night were the cancer survivors who will benefit from the fundraising event. The Hockey Fights Cancer match-up between the Howell and Hartland varsity hockey teams took place for a full house at the Grand Oaks Ice Arena. Despite the best efforts of both teams, and a few fights on the ice, the game ended with the score tied at 4. However, the real winners at the event were local cancer survivors. Ticket sales, food sales, a 50-50 raffle, chuck-a-puck contest, and a silent auction featuring sports memorabilia were all held at the event to raise money for the St. Joseph Brighton Cancer Center for Patient Supportive Care. Several hockey games between the two communities to benefit cancer have been held in previous years, but this was the first between the varsity teams. Last year's event brought in about $3,000, but with the excellent attendance at this year's varsity game the expected total before gate receipts is about $5,500. Next year's game will be in Hartland, where players will try to break the tie. Donations to the cause are still being accepted, and can be mailed or turned in at the Grand Oaks Ice Arena. Checks should be made payable to the Howell Hockey Boosters. (TD)
↧
↧
Online Effort Seeks to Preserve Meaning of ThanksgivingOnline Effort Seeks to Preserve Meaning of Thanksgiving
11/27/13 - There was a time that Thanksgiving was a day reserved exclusively for family, food and football, but that time is quickly disappearing as many retailers have turned Thanksgiving into a day of sales and shopping. But some Michiganders are determined to return the holiday to its roots. One of them is Ann Arbor-based author Annie Zirkel who was outraged when she learned that the Black Friday shopping frenzy would be moved ahead to Thursday this year as national retailers, including Macy's, JCPenney, Kmart, and Target plan to open their doors on Thanksgiving Day. That prompted Zirkel to launch a rapidly-growing Facebook page called "Save Thanksgiving" which asks people to pledge not to shop on Thanksgiving Day. "We only designate one day, just one day of the year, for us to just take that pause as a community, as a society, and really as a country. But I feel like the pledge is about me saying 'But I care.' That's really all we can do is to look at ourselves and just try to think about, 'What do I want this day to be?'â Zirkel stresses that she's not anti-shopping: she simply believes that "Thanksgiving" and "stuff-getting" shouldnât take place on the same day that was meant as an opportunity for pause and reflection on all that we already have. Retailers say they are simply responding to consumer demand for an earlier start to the holiday shopping season. Those wishing to take the no-shopping-on-Thanksgiving promise can visit Zirkelâs âSave Thanksgivingâ Facebook page through the link below. (JK)
↧
AAA Says Plan Extra Time to Avoid Turkey Day Travel TroubleAAA Says Plan Extra Time to Avoid Turkey Day Travel Trouble
11/27/13 - Thanksgiving is a time when many come together with family and friends to give thanks. Unfortunately, many will also have to brave congested roads and busy airports to do it. AAA Michigan is projecting that 1.3 million residents will be traveling this Thanksgiving holiday period, which officially starts Wednesday and lasts through Sunday. The number of those traveling is on par with last year but AAA Spokeswoman Nancy Cain says its best to pencil in some extra time to get wherever youâre going. Cain says bad weather across different parts of the country could impact flights so those heading to the airport or others with a flight to catch should check schedules or call ahead to make sure nothing has been delayed or canceled. She says it's also a good idea to be organized and travel as light as possible. Cain says as always, out on the road is where the bulk of travelers will be this Thanksgiving holiday. She says the good news is that gas prices are about where they were a month ago, and about a quarter less than a year ago. Cain reminds those who will be hitting the road to be alert, buckle up, avoid alcohol and other distractions.(JM)
↧
District Sets MRSA Guidelines for Athletic Practice RoomsDistrict Sets MRSA Guidelines for Athletic Practice Rooms
11/27/13 - The Brighton High School wrestling room has been the source of a virulent health-related problem the last couple of years, and the Brighton Board of Education is doing something about it. A superbug known as MRSA, or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, is a skin infection caused by a strain of staph bacteria that has become resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat it due to their overuse. Brighton school board President Miles Vieau says that several wrestlers who use the wrestling room for training exercises have been afflicted by MRSA and other health problems, such as ringworm. High school wrestlers are among the groups most likely to contract MRSA and other staph infections because the sport involves a lot of direct skin-to-skin contact. Cheerleading, with its often tricky lifting and acrobatic routines, is another sport where MRSA has become a problem. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that the board has directed him to establish guidelines for the high school wrestling and cheerleading rooms. Access to those rooms will be limited largely to team members and coaches, and anyone with access to the rooms will have to follow the prescribed guidelines. Although floor mats and other equipment used in the training rooms are already sprayed and kept as clean as possible, the district will purchase special cleaning supplies and more closely monitor the situation in the future. (TT/JK)
↧
Drunk Driving Patrols To Increase Over Holiday WeekendDrunk Driving Patrols To Increase Over Holiday Weekend
11/27/13 - Local law enforcement officers are urging residents to be safe when traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday. Both the sheriffâs department and the Michigan State Police are planning increased patrols this weekend to be on the lookout for drunk drivers. The days surrounding Thanksgiving tend have some of the highest rates of drunk driving of the entire year, and the increased patrols are an annual effort by law enforcement to keep it at a minimum. Sheriff Bob Bezotte tells WHMI his department is putting out the patrols without any extra funding from the state. Every year his officers arrest about half a dozen drunk drivers during the increased enforcement, but he says just letting residents know about the patrols is meant to be a deterrent against driving while intoxicated. Bezotte also cautions drivers to be cautious in the event of snow or ice while they travel. During the first real snowfall of the season on Saturday, 30 accidents occurred around the county. Drivers should give themselves extra time to reach their destinations and slow down during slippery conditions. (TD)
↧
↧
Judge Declines to Reinstate South Lyon Pharmacy's License Judge Declines to Reinstate South Lyon Pharmacy's License
11/27/13 - The license suspension stands until at least January for a South Lyon pharmacy accused of mass-producing drugs for hospitals and clinics in violation of its license. The hearing was held yesterday before Administrative Law Judge David Cohen in Detroit, who ruled that the license suspensions of Specialty Medicine Compounding Pharmacy and its owner, Kenny Walkup Jr., will remain in place until at least January when a full hearing will take place. Attorney General Bill Schuette ordered the suspension after several of the pharmacyâs products at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit were found to contain fungus. Tuesdayâs hearing went late into the evening and hours of testimony centered on the whether or not the facility was sterile and whether Walkup and the pharmacy were licensed to mix products in bulk. The Detroit Free Press reports that inspectors for the state and the FDA testified that the pharmacy was not following proper procedures to ensure products were sterile. Walkup is said to have been acting as a drug manufacturer by distributing large amounts of medication to various hospitals and clinics even though the pharmacy is currently only licensed to fill individual prescriptions. He had applied for a license to manufacture drugs in October 2012, but that application was denied. Walkupâs attorney maintains that regulations allow pharmacists with that type of license to provide the service if it is less than 5% of the pharmacyâs business. A final decision will be made by the Michigan Pharmacy Disciplinary Subcommittee, which will be based on the judgeâs recommendation. (JM)
↧
Master Plan Guides Flexible Future Development in Genoa Twp.Master Plan Guides Flexible Future Development in Genoa Twp.
11/27/13 - Genoa Township is moving forward with a plan designed to allow for flexibility with future development in whatâs expected to become a viable economic area. The Genoa Township Planning Commission held a public hearing on the communityâs Master Plan and Future Land Use Map at its meeting Monday night. The document serves as a guide for municipal decision making when it comes to carrying out the vision for overall development. Considerable time has been spent on the updates and Commissioner John McManus said he was pleased with the flexibility built into the plan. It includes the entire township although a number of revisions focus on the future of the area surrounding the new I-96 interchange at Latson Road and South Latson Road corridor development. One resident addressed the Commission to say he felt there was reasonable planning for the Nixon Road corridor but the overall plan prohibited big development and he felt a greater transition area was needed toward Crooked Lake Road. He further commented that water services should not stop at the transition zone and limitations on space prohibited a large-scale growth operation. Officials noted that there is currently no pipe in the ground and itâs impossible to predict any ancillary uses at this point. Meanwhile, other residents inquired about how quickly things could move if a big developer was interested in property and they were assured that the Township is prepared should something be brought forward. The Planning Commission ultimately voted to adopt the updated mater plan and land use map, which now goes to the Township Board. (JM)
↧
Shoppers Encouraged to Keep it Local This Holiday Season Shoppers Encouraged to Keep it Local This Holiday Season
11/28/13 - Whether itâs Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday or all of the above, community members are encouraged to shop small and shop local as we enter another hectic holiday season. The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce says the importance of shopping local cannot be underestimated as it helps both the local economy and community thrive. Chamber President & CEO Pam McConeghy says typically on Black Friday people race to the malls and big box stores. Then on Cyber Monday, some small businesses may participate and benefit, but as a whole, it doesnât drive a local economy. Small Business Saturday has been growing in popularity after being launched in 2010 as a counterpart to the others that feature big box retailers and e-commerce stores. McConeghy says Small Business Saturday is a different story as it encourages holiday shoppers to patronize small and local businesses that do make a big difference because they have a vested interest in their communities. She says Small Business Saturday has become a part of the shopping culture in downtown Brighton and the number of participating retailers has increased, resulting in an uptick in local sales since the campaign was first introduced. McConeghy says a survey of downtown businesses indicated that those most interested in Small Business Saturday were planning specials and other things to entice customers into their stores. (JM)
↧
Volunteers Needed to Place Wreaths on Vets GravesVolunteers Needed to Place Wreaths on Vets Graves
11/28/13 - Hundreds of volunteers are being sought to help remember and honor our fallen veterans this holiday season. Next month, the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly is taking part in Wreaths Across America Day, when volunteers place wreaths on the graves of service men and women across the country. According to the Tri County Times, the holiday was declared by Congress in 2008 to recognize 20 years of work by the Wreaths Across America organization. It will occur on Saturday, December 14th of this year, with a corporate sponsor donating thousands of wreaths for the observance. However, placing those wreaths is not an easy task, and between 750 and 1,000 volunteers are being sought to participate. Those who want to volunteer need only show up at the cemetery on December 14th at 10:45 am. Placing the wreaths should only take about an hour, with a ceremony honoring the branches of the military to follow (TD)
↧
↧
Elderly Highland Man Sentenced for Firing Gun at Wife
11/29/13 - Thereâll be no more jail time for an elderly Highland Township man who police say took a shot at his wife in a dispute over checks he'd written. 88-year-old Homer Miller pleaded guilty last month to misdemeanor charges of reckless discharge of a firearm and domestic violence for the July 13th incident at a home on Woodruff Lake Road. The couple's daughter called police after overhearing her parents arguing about checks her father had signed. She says her 73-year-old mother went to the mailbox to retrieve the checks and returned to find Miller pointing a handgun at her. The daughter says her mother wrestled the gun from him, but he got another handgun and fired at her. Under terms of his sentencing this week, Miller was ordered to serve two years of probation, undergo counseling and live in a nursing home or other lockdown facility. The judge also ordered that no guns be present where he resides. In addition, he can only have supervised visits with his wife. (JK)
↧
Department of Public Health Launches New Facebook PageDepartment of Public Health Launches New Facebook Page
11/20/13 - A new Facebook page will serve as a communication tool between the Livingston County Department of Public Health and the public. The site was launched on November 14th as a way to provide 24/7 communication with the people served by the department. Updates are posted twice daily at noon and 5pm with information on services, advisories, and public health topics. The timing of those posts will be adjusted as the site gathers data on when users view the page. More posts will be added in emergency situations to keep the public advised about things such as sheltering in place, vaccinations, and boiling water. The page will also be updated for special events as well as to announce changes in programming schedules or to correct false rumors about public health. It will be monitored 24 hours a day, making it an alternative way to contact the Department of Public Health, but the department can still be contacted by phone during its normal hours of operation. A link to the new Facebook page can be found at the Department of Public Health's website, or by clicking on the link below. (TD)
↧
LETS Seeks Volunteers & Donations for 18th Annual Stuff the Bus LETS Seeks Volunteers & Donations for 18th Annual Stuff the Bus
11/29/13 - The Livingston Essential Transportation Service is gearing up for its 18th annual Stuff the Bus event in Howell. LETS Operations Manager Katrina Maxwell says the community has come together for this event for nearly two decades and they were able to sponsor dozens of local non-profits and families in need last year, providing them with new clothes, toys and non-perishable food. Maxwell says everything collected this year will be distributed to as many as they can manage. In addition to donations, Maxwell says there are a number of other opportunities and they can always use volunteers for a variety of shifts. Stuff the Bus will take place December 6th and 7th at the Howell Walmart store but items can be dropped off at the LETS building between 7am and 5pm Monday through Friday as well the county buildings. Maxwell says anyone interested in volunteering for Stuff the Bus would also be a big help and should contact her at 517-540-7848. Complete details can be found in the attached event flyer. (JM)
↧
More Pages to Explore .....
