12/5/13 - A decision by the Linden City Council will extend the term length for its members and eliminate odd-year elections in the city. Legislation passed by the state allowed the city to change its election schedule before January 1st. On November 29th, the council voted 6-to-1 to approve the changes. According to the Tri-County Times, supporters said the off-year elections cost about $6,000 apiece and the issues on them could be merged onto the gubernatorial and presidential elections, which have a higher turnout. They also say extending the council member terms from two years to four years would make sure the council had experience and accountability in office, as well as reduce âsingle issueâ candidates. Councilman Charles Ross cast the dissenting vote, saying he disagreed with the longer terms. At the meeting, one member of the public said eliminating the elections did not provide significant savings in the cityâs $1.5 million annual budget. The mayorâs term will remain at two years. (TD)
Linden Eliminates Odd-Year Elections, Extends Council TermsLinden Eliminates Odd-Year Elections, Extends Council Terms
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Howell DDA To Begin Search For New DirectorHowell DDA To Begin Search For New Director
12/5/13 - The director of the Howell Main Street Downtown Development Authority is leaving for another job opportunity, and the DDA will begin advertising for a replacement Friday. Director Diane Larkin is leaving at the end of the year for a similar job in Grand Haven, near Muskegon, where she will receive better compensation and be closer to family. Wednesday night, the DDA Board decided to begin an aggressive schedule to find her replacement. The position will be advertised beginning Friday and candidates will be gathered for at least two weeks. An ad hoc personnel committee has been formed to conduct the search, and after a formal review process a new director should be hired in January or February. The DDA Board made changes to the job description at the meeting, such as increasing the pay, eliminating redundant responsibilities, and offering greater flexibility in hours. Those changes arose largely from the exit interview with Larkin and are meant to improve the attractiveness of the job and the longevity of the next director. Larkin says she will miss Howell and plans to return for visits in the future. (TD)
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Employment Situation Improving in Livingston CountyEmployment Situation Improving in Livingston County
12/5/13 - The job front is looking good in Livingston County with prospects for growth in a number of sectors in 2014. That's according to Livingston County Michigan Works Director Bill Sleight who says one bit of encouraging news is that the number of people employed in the county has increased by over 2,000 in the last year. He says theyâre seeing more people entering the labor market now that the economy is improving and the unemployment rate has held fairly steady in Livingston County over the year. He says itâs tracking a little higher than the national rate but still lower than the state rate, although all appear to be headed in the same direction. He says data shows the county has regained most jobs lost during the recession, and done so a little faster than some surrounding counties, marking gradual but noticeable improvement. Since many people that reside in Livingston County actually work outside of it, Sleight says they take a much broader regional look at the labor market. The largest number of local job openings are in the retail sector but he says thereâs been growth in the advanced manufacturing field, which has been strong in all of southeast Michigan. He says the healthcare sector has held steady and is actually one of the few economic clusters that never stopped growing, even during the downturn. Information Technology jobs have been growing locally but more so regionally and Sleight says theyâre just beginning to see some change in construction and building trades, which has been a lagging industry for a number of years. He says theyâll be monitoring that over the next year but feels it will be the next real growth sector in the county. Sleight adds that Michigan Works has really shifted gears from a few years ago when the economy was weak to now focus training only where there are jobs and careers with immediate demand and guide people into those. Sleight says heâs very positive about prospects for 2014 and feels it will be a strong year for Livingston County. (JM)
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Heart Of Howell Expects Late Opening Due To Construction WoesHeart Of Howell Expects Late Opening Due To Construction Woes
12/5/13 - The Heart of Howell development has been given more time to open its doors following unforeseen construction problems. The development is renovating the Spag's, Thistledown, and Swann buildings into active offices and commercial businesses. Howell Downtown Development Authority gave the project a grant of more than $50,000 to improve the facades of the three buildings all the way around the complex. Last night, the DDA Board approved extending the completion deadline for that grant from the end of the calendar year to mid-March. Parker tells WHMI what builders first thought a problem with one wall of the Spag's building on the top two floors actually went all the way down to the foundation, which he says lacked footings completely and had to be painstakingly corrected. Parker says he is grateful for the extension, but opening by March is still a very optimistic goal. The development was originally supposed to have opened earlier this year. (TD)
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Howell Connection Emerges in Discussion of Detroit Gun TheftsHowell Connection Emerges in Discussion of Detroit Gun Thefts
12/5/13 - A Livingston County connection became a key talking point in a conversation about gun thefts in Detroit. The issue of rising gun thefts was raised at a recent Detroit police meeting, where command staff analyzed crime trends and discussed possible solutions. A theme of the meeting was getting illegal firearms off the street. One officer at the meeting said a Howell woman reported her car stolen outside a Greektown flower shop and that a shotgun and handgun were in the trunk. Others at the meeting noted four thefts of firearms from vehicles over a one week period. Police say thieves are targeting guns left in vehicles in downtown Detroit in part because weapons aren't allowed in nightclubs, Ford Field and other venues that bring in people from across the region. Police Chief James Craig, who was hired in May, said he wasn't previously aware of the thefts. The woman from Howell whose guns were stolen was not identified. Photo credit - AP/David McFadden (JK)
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Movie Night in Hartland to Support 6-Year-Old Mitchell's Mission Movie Night in Hartland to Support 6-Year-Old Mitchell's Mission
12/5/13 - The Hartland community continues to come together to help a little boy battling a form of childhood cancer. Mitchell Dybalski has been battling Stage 4 Neuroblastoma since spring of 2012. His remission was being celebrated when his parents received news that he had relapsed and tests showed a tumor in his brain, throughout the spine and near his left kidney. A relapse of this kind has a poor prognosis, with less than a 5% chance of survival. Mitchell is still undergoing cancer treatments but attends school when possible and Village Elementary Principal Bill Cain tells WHMI thereâs been a huge outpouring of support for him and he just turned 6-years-old today. Cain says Mitchellâs parents have been doing everything they can for him, including taking leaves of absence from work, so the school and community have been coming together for different things to raise funds for the family. The family movie âSnow Buddiesâ will be shown at 6:30pm this Friday at Village Elementary, where donations will be accepted to help support Mitchellâs Mission. Mitchell should be well enough to make an appearance but Hartland Fire Marshal Mike Bernardin took it a step further after learning Mitchell idolizes the Military and first responders. Bernardin will be driving Mitchell to the school in a Hartland fire truck, which will also be escorted by a Livingston County Sheriff Deputy, a Michigan State Trooper, and an Armored Humvee of the Michigan National Guard. Details can be found through the Mitchellâs Mission Facebook page below while the link to the full interview with Cain may be heard here. (JM)
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Meeting to Detail Massive US-23 & M-14 Corridor Project Meeting to Detail Massive US-23 & M-14 Corridor Project
12/5/13 - Massive improvements on a well-traveled corridor in Livingston and Washtenaw Counties will be detailed during a public information meeting next week. The Michigan Department of Transportation is hosting the public meeting regarding proposed improvements to US-23 and M-14, north of Ann Arbor that are estimated at over $60 (m) million in the preliminary phase. Upgrades would include pavement repairs, bridge replacement and ramp improvements according to Spokeswoman Kari Arend. She says M-DOT is also looking at installing a new type of system that would help manage congestion along the corridor. Arend says theyâre calling it an active traffic management system, which has been used successfully in other states but never Michigan. Interested residents, businesses and commuters are encouraged to attend the meeting next Thursday at the Northfield Township Hall on Main Street. There will be formal presentations made at both 4pm and 6pm but the remainder of the meeting will be in open house-style format. More information and proposed project plans can be found in the attachments below. (JM)
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Jail Time Handed Down For Man Charged After Police RaidJail Time Handed Down For Man Charged After Police Raid
12/6/13 - A Pinckney man facing charges after police raided an apartment in the village has been sentenced. 18-year-old Dayton Lee Taylor pleaded guilty to two counts of larceny from a vehicle and a charge of breaking and entering a vehicle to steal property. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a separate count of receiving and concealing stolen property over $1,000. Taylor was sentenced to seven months in jail, with credit for 102 days already served, as well as 12 months of probation. He was sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which will erase his criminal record upon successful completion of probation. Police raided an apartment on West Hamburg Street September 1st and recovered various items thought to be stolen. Police said while the arrest closed four cases, they believed Taylor could be responsible for over 20 similar incidents in the Pinckney, Putnam Township and Hamburg Township areas. (TD)
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Howell Reaching Higher Class Holds Graduation CeremonyHowell Reaching Higher Class Holds Graduation Ceremony
12/6/13 - Some Howell High School students graduated from a unique leadership class at the district administration building last night. The students were part of Reaching Higher, a class offered by a Brighton-based nonprofit organization of the same name that focuses on improving self-esteem, academic performance, conflict resolution, and ability to handle high-pressure situations. It is taught in high schools around Southeast Michigan, including Brighton and Howell, as well as some middle schools. Howell's class of 25 students was taught by faculty instructors as well as student mentors. graduation ceremony for the Howell Reaching Higher students was held last night. Most of them were recommended for the class by teachers and guidance counselors, although some were invited after chance encounters with Reaching Higher instructors. Some may be having personal or academic difficulties, while others are selected simply because they would get the most benefit out of the class. The students of the class say they learned how to more effectively communicate and interact with others, and highly recommend the class to anyone who wants to participate. Reaching Higher graduation ceremonies will be held in nine other schools around southeastern Michigan this month. (TD)
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Christmas In The Ville Returns To Downtown Fowlerville SaturdayChristmas In The Ville Returns To Downtown Fowlerville Saturday
12/6/13 - Dozens of hot air balloonists and thousands of people will flock to downtown Fowlerville this weekend for the 6th annual Christmas in the Ville. Organizers say last year, 12,000 people invaded Fowlerville for Christmas in the Ville and were able to see 26 balloon crews taking off or firing their burners into the air for the crowds at the parade. Balloon pilot Wes Dickerson says balloonists come from as far away as Ohio and Indiana to participate in the event, with no compensation from the village other than propane for their balloons. The celebration will take place on Saturday beginning with a balloon launch scheduled for 8am, weather permitting, and culminate with a parade through downtown at 6pm. Activities will take place around the village during the day, including a holiday bash at Fowlerville Junior High School, pictures with Santa, chili from the fire department, hay rides, and a pet parade. If the weather permits, a second balloon launch will take place at 2pm. The event concludes with a parade through the downtown at 6pm, with balloon crews firing their burners into the air for the crowds and Santa on hand for the official tree lighting. More information and a complete schedule of events can be found by following the link below. (TD)
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Jail Time Ordered for US-23 Driver Who Waived GunJail Time Ordered for US-23 Driver Who Waived Gun
12/6/13 - More than a year later, a man who waived a gun at a motorist on US-23 in Hartland Township last year has been sentenced to jail time. 68-year-old Clarence Leroy Murphy Jr. of Flint was ordered Thursday to serve six months in jail and three years of probation for his no contest plea to a single count of felonious assault. Murphy was arrested after a motorist told police she and her 12-year-old daughter were driving northbound on US-23 on October 29th of 2012 when a minivan driven by Murphy tried to pass her near Crouse Road. She said the minivan pulled alongside at which point he waived a handgun while laughing. Murphy was later pulled over by police in Genesee County and taken into custody. A subsequent search of his vehicle turned up a starter pistol, a semi-automatic handgun and a loaded revolver. Murphy also pleaded guilty to a previous charge in Genesee County of assault and battery for an incident in September, 2012 in Flint Township that involved a gun. He was subsequently sentenced to 93 days of jail time already served. (JK)
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Downsizing Imminent for Brighton District Court Downsizing Imminent for Brighton District Court
12/6/13 - After the arrival of the new year on January 1, the Brighton District Court will be but a shadow of its current self. At Thursday nightâs City Council meeting, Livingston County District Court Administrator Debra Kubitskey provided council with a rundown on the changes that will take place. She says originally the plan was to eliminate the magistrate and all except civil cases, and consolidate all court procedures at 53rd District Court in Howell. However, there was a change in plans at the last minute and the result is that Magistrate Jay Drick will hear traffic cases in Brighton on Wednesday afternoons, the same as he does now. Judge Theresa Brennan, who was also present at the meeting, told council that as of Jan. 1 she will only hear civil cases in the Brighton District Court, and the criminal cases she is assigned will be heard at 53rd District Court in Howell, the county seat. The Brighton court will also lose its three-person clerical staff, which will be reassigned to the Howell court. Some council members objected to the changes, saying they could envision no cost savings for the county, adding that it will be more difficult for Brighton City Police officers to make court dates in Howell, given the fact that Brighton has such a small police department. The Brighton District Court also has jurisdiction over cases in Hamburg, Green Oak and Brighton townships, and the changes will mean more travel time and expense for police officers in those townships. That includes Michigan State Police, whose only Livingston County post is in Brighton Township. Kubitskey told council that the state legislature and court administratorâs office has been urging the local courts to consolidate more to increase efficiency and ideally, to save costs. Council acknowledged there was little or nothing they could do to prevent the court system from severely reducing the procedures that will take place in the Brighton District Court. However, most members said they were not in favor of downsizing the local court, which is located next to city hall. (TT)
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Man Critically Injured in Cohoctah CrashMan Critically Injured in Cohoctah Crash
12/6/13 - A man had to be airlifted to the hospital after sustaining serious injuries in a crash Thursday afternoon in Cohoctah Township. The accident happened just before 3pm on Oak Grove Road. Authorities tell WHMI a man in a pick-up truck crashed head-on into a tree. The man, believed to be in his 20âs, was heavily entrapped and had to be extricated by Howell firefighters. He was then flown by Survival Flight to the University of Michigan Medical Center and last listed in critical condition. (JK)
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Help Sought to Stuff a Bus for Those in Need This WeekendHelp Sought to Stuff a Bus for Those in Need This Weekend
12/6/13 - Community members are being asked to pitch in and help stuff a bus with toys and other items this weekend to help make the season a little brighter for local families and non-profit agencies. Stuff the Bus is now in its 18th year and is organized by the Livingston Essential Transportation Service. New clothes and toys as well as non-perishable food items are being collected during the event at the Howell Wal-Mart store Friday and Saturday and will be stuffed into a LETS bus. LETS Operations Manager Katrina Maxwell says everything collected will then be distributed to local non-profit agencies and families in need. Maxwell says the community has come together for nearly two decades for the Stuff the Bus and volunteers will be passing out lists of needed items at the Howell Wal-Mart. Details can be found below. (JM)
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Plea Entered By Man Charged With Fleeing Police In LyonPlea Entered By Man Charged With Fleeing Police In Lyon
12/7/13 - A local man who led police on a chase through Lyon Township has entered a plea in the case. 32-year-old Tobias Robert Kenyon of Brighton pleaded guilty to charges of fleeing and eluding police in Oakland County Circuit Court on Wednesday. He will be sentenced on January 8th. Deputies with the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office Lyon Township substation attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle driven by Kenyon in the early morning hours of August 12th, but he instead fled to a mobile home park near Kensington Road. Following a brief foot chase and an unsuccessful K-9 track, police say Kenyonâs passenger identified him as the driver and deputies located him at a home near where the car was abandoned. One deputy went to the main door and knocked while a second deputy went to a rear side door in case he attempted to flee again, which he did while carrying a can of beer. (TD)
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Ex-Con Speaks to Inmates at Livingston County JailEx-Con Speaks to Inmates at Livingston County Jail
12/6/13 - A nationally-known comedian, former prison inmate and former drug addict is in the Livingston County and surrounding area this weekend to raise awareness of the problem of drug and alcohol addiction and how it leads to crime. As part of his three-day visit, Mark Lundholm was at the Livingston County Jail Friday, where he gave a talk to about 60 incarcerated men facing various charges, from minor in possession to serious felony offenses. Lundholm spoke at the invitation of the Livingston County Sheriffâs Dept. and jail administration. His appearances locally are sponsored by the Brighton Center for Recovery, formerly Brighton Hospital, one of the nationâs leading centers for treatment of those addicted to drugs and alcohol. During his hour-long talk, Lundholm kept the prisoners riveted as he told of his personal experiences as a criminal and his time at San Quentin Prison in California. He peppered his talk with humor and admonishments to the inmates to stop and think after they get out of jail, before they do something theyâll regret for the rest of their lives. Now a successful stand-up comic, Lundholm tells WHMI he never has a problem with his jail and prison audiences, saying they are the most receptive of all. The Brighton Center for Recovery is hosting Lundholm for six shows this weekend including appearances in Troy, Northville, Dearborn and Hartland. Brighton Center for Recovery Outreach Specialist Scott Masi says Lundholmâs final performance will be on Saturday at the Hartland Performing Arts Center for an âEvening of Comedy with Mark Lundholmâ and a community craft show. For ticket information, go to brightonhospital.org, click on ânews and eventsâ and follow the prompts for information, or to purchase tickets online. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
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Police Say Man May Have Fallen Asleep Before Crashing Truck Police Say Man May Have Fallen Asleep Before Crashing Truck
12/6/13 - Local authorities have identified a man who may have fell asleep at the wheel before crashing his vehicle into a tree Thursday afternoon in Cohoctah Township. Michigan State Police at the Brighton Post identified the man as 20-year-old Richard Johnston of Durand. A witness said Johnstonâs 1989 red Chevy pick-up was traveling northbound on Oak Grove Road at 2:45pm when it gradually crossed the center line, went off the road, hit a driveway and then hit a tree. He was said to be heavily entrapped and Howell firefighters had to extricate Johnston from the truck before he was airlifted to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, where he is listed in good condition. State Police said in a press release that there were no indications of braking or any alcohol use but that Johnston was wearing a seatbelt. Police say Johnston could not remember anything and indications are that he may have fallen asleep. (JM)
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Parade of Police Vehicles in Howell Saturday Part of Shop w/ A CopParade of Police Vehicles in Howell Saturday Part of Shop w/ A Cop
12/6/13 - A parade of cop cars representing all local law enforcement agencies will be making its way down Grand River in Howell this weekend, but itâs for a cause and not a crime. Deputy Anthony Clayton with The Livingston County Sheriff's Department coordinates the âShop with a Copâ program every year, in which underprivileged children in the community are paired up with officers to shop for Christmas gifts. 100 kids will be taking part in Shop with a Cop this Saturday and fundraising efforts will allow each child to spend $125 this year. Everyone will first meet at Southeast Elementary at Grand River and National Street in Howell to be paired up. From there, theyâll leave in patrol cars and slowly travel along Grand River with lights and sirens flashing all the way to the Genoa Township Wal-Mart store between 8:30 and 9am. Since it is a long and loud parade of police vehicles, Clayton reminds the public and area businesses along that stretch that the commotion is part of the event every year, and not any emergency situation. (JM)
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Brighton City Council Places Moratorium on Smoking LoungesBrighton City Council Places Moratorium on Smoking Lounges
12/7/13 - Hookah lounges, smoking bars and other such smoking-related establishments will come under review in order to establish a set of rules and regulations in the City of Brighton. The City Council, in meeting Thursday night, acted at the request of the Planning Commission and city planning department in holding a public hearing on the second reading of a proposed ordinance to establish a moratorium on such businesses. Hookah lounges in particular have become very popular of late as a place where friends or co-workers can sit and have casual conversations while smoking a flavored tobacco from a hookah pipe, or water pipe. Such places generally offer coffee, tea, soft drinks and snacks, although most do not sell alcoholic beverages. Some even have full-service restaurants. City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI council voted to place a six-month moratorium on such establishments until city staff studies the issue and can recommend locations and other parameters governing such businesses in the city. Mayor Jim Muzzin says the moratorium will buy some time for the city to craft the proper language, adding the city could designate a zoning district which would allow for such businesses. Council emphasized that in enacting the moratorium, the city is in no way attempting to prohibit the location of smoking or hookah lounges in the City of Brighton but only wants to regulate them properly. (TT)
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Pinckney Woman Charged in Medicare Fraud SchemePinckney Woman Charged in Medicare Fraud Scheme
12/7/13 - A Livingston County woman is among 20 Detroit-area residents charged in a federal complaint for her alleged role in a multi-million dollar health care fraud scheme involving false billing claims. Physicians, owners and operators of companies, office employees and patient recruiters are accused of submitting more than $34 million in false claims for services that were never rendered and with paying kickbacks to obtain patients to be billed. A criminal complaint that was unsealed last week alleges 54-year-old Michelle Freeman of Pinckney and Elaine Lovett of Wayne County conspired to engage in Medicare fraud and submitted fraudulent claims. The alleged offenses occurred while the pair owned and controlled Oak Park-based ABIX LLC. The complaint alleges they obtained the Medicare numbers of licensed medical service providers in and around Detroit and used the information to bill Medicare for chiropractic and psychotherapy services that were not provided. Freeman appeared in U.S. District Court in Detroit on Thursday and remains free on a $10,000 unsecured bond. A preliminary exam in her case has been set for December 26th. (JM)
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