12/11/13 - A local agency that works to warm the hearts and homes of area families facing heat-related emergencies has received an unexpected boost in donations from an area church. The 2/42 Community Church presented The Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency with a $10,000 donation toward its Homelessness Campaign, which OLHSA and several other agencies are part of. OLHSAâs Director of Livingston County Services Ericka Karfonta tearfully accepted the check, and a video has since been posted on You Tube. In it, a 2/42 official notes the importance of the work OLHSA does; saying sometimes people get caught up in their day-to-day routines and perhaps might not realize some of the things happening in their own communities. Meanwhile, OLHSA's Walk for Warmth will take place February 22nd at the Hartland Educational Support Service Center and teams of walkers are encouraged to sign up and start fundraising. Details about the homelessness campaign and Walk for Warmth can be found through the link and flyer below. (JM)
Church Donates $10,000 to OLHSA in Heartwarming Video
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Woodland Lake Residents Speak Out Against DevelopmentWoodland Lake Residents Speak Out Against Development
12/11/13 - A proposed development near Woodland Lake prompted dozens of residents to voice their concerns at the most recent meeting of the Brighton Township Planning Commission. The development would create about 50 single-family homes on 42.8 acres just north of the lake. At least 30 residents spoke at the planning commission Monday with concerns including traffic from the construction, the use of a private road by the development, and impacts to the quality of water in Woodland Lake resulting from runoff. Resident Bob Potocki says the biggest concern was whether the development would get water and sewer from the city, and whether nearby residents would be forced to connect as well. He says the area includes woods, wetlands, and steep hills deposited by glaciers thousands of years ago, so many residents had environmental concerns such as the loss of habitat and destruction of unique natural features. No action was taken by the planning commission on Monday, and its members will work to learn and distribute information related to the residents' concerns. The planning commission will likely discuss the issue at their January meeting, but no action is expected until February. (TD)
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Sheriff Hopes Photo of Female Inmates Spurs Action to Expand Jail Sheriff Hopes Photo of Female Inmates Spurs Action to Expand Jail
12/11/13 - With talks of expanding the Livingston County Jail having gone nowhere for nearly a decade, Sheriff Bob Bezotte says he felt it was appropriate to release a photo showing the overcrowding situation firsthand. The image shows eight female inmates crowded together in unsanitary conditions in the holding/intake area, which is where anyone arrested is first held until theyâre arraigned or released on bond. Sheriff Bob Bezotte says he knew there would be some repercussions when he released the photo to County Commissioners but felt it was the right thing to do because the public has a right to know whatâs going on and theyâre still no closer to a jail expansion than they were ten years ago, which is where his frustration lies. Bezotte says he was really upset by the photo and as Sheriff, heâs responsible for the care and wellbeing of all jail inmates. He says the intake area was not built for the increase in the different populations theyâre seeing now, which must be segregated by law and require separate intake cells. While this type of situation mostly occurs over long holiday weekends, he says the image clearly shows a pressing need to expand jail facilities. Commission Chairwoman Carol Griffith tells WHMI everyone needs to work together on this and the County has taken immediate steps to reduce risks and corrective actions now that theyâre aware of the current jail situation as presented by Bezotte. She says the rough costs of a jail expansion has essentially been completed while a financial study for operations commenced three months ago and a presentation on the findings will be forthcoming at Mondayâs meeting. Her complete statement is posted below. The photo is now also garnering attention from the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan. Deputy Director Rana Elmir tells WHMI the image is certainly disturbing and they will also be contacting jail personnel and investigating. She says this is not the first time the ACLU has dealt with conditions at the Livingston County Jail and hopes it wonât take another lawsuit to address the issues, referring to class action lawsuit centered on the privacy rights of female inmates that was settled in 2004 for $850,000. (JM)
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Brighton Residents Mainly Satisfied with City ServicesBrighton Residents Mainly Satisfied with City Services
12/11/13 - The city of Brighton recently conducted a survey to find out how its citizens feel about their local government, its services and the general quality of life the city of Brighton offers its residents. The city performs the questionnaire every two years and in the past actually mailed the detailed survey to each individual address. But in order to save money this year, postcards were sent out directing recipients to the city's website where they could fill out the survey online. Paper surveys were also available for pickup at city hall. Officials say while the city saved several thousand dollars by not mailing the survey out, only 7% of residents responded this year. Despite that, City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI the small percentage is statistically valid, and the majority of those who responded say they are satisfied with city services. The survey indicates 74% of respondents think that, overall, city services are either "very good" or "good,â with essentially the same ranking for water and sewer services. Only about 4% regard them as "poor." A combined 81% rated police and public safety services as either "excellent" or "very good," with just 2% saying they were âpoor.â When asked to rate the word or phrase that most describes Brighton, the highest numbers went to "a place I enjoy living in," followed by a "safe" community and then "a place I would recommend to other people to live." The complete results are available through the link or document posted below. (TT/JK)
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Another Flashing Charge Ends With Guilty Plea From Brighton ManAnother Flashing Charge Ends With Guilty Plea From Brighton Man
12/11/13 - A Brighton man has pleaded guilty to another flashing incident, this time to a gas station clerk. 23-year-old Robert Matthew Iafano pleaded guilty to one count of indecent exposure in 53rd District Court yesterday. He will be sentenced on January 22nd. He had previously pleaded guilty to charges that he exposed himself to a 14-year-old girl in the Brighton District Library in August. In that case he was sentenced to 15 days in jail with credit for 1 day already served. He was also sentenced to probation with conditions including weekly sex offender therapy, no drugs or alcohol, and no entering libraries. Last June, Iafano pleaded guilty in a separate indecent exposure case stemming from an incident at the Brighton Mall. (TD)
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Local Anti-Drug Groups Join Forces To Develop County-Wide PlanLocal Anti-Drug Groups Join Forces To Develop County-Wide Plan
12/11/13 - The first steps in a coordinated plan to fight substance abuse across the county were taken at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital last night. Representatives from local anti-drug organizations including the Livingston County Community Alliance, the Pinckney Coalition, the Hartland Coalition, and LACASA gathered for the first in a series of four meetings put on by the Livingston Community Prevention Project. The goal of the meetings is to put together a plan that would allow for the coordinated implementation of model programs across the county to fight the causes of substance abuse. Prevention Coordinator Karen Bergbower says those programs would be taken from a list of scientifically-verified methods provided by the federal administration that deals with substance abuse and mental health, and they would be implemented by the various organizations depending on their particular strengths. The four-part series is meant to bring together representatives from the organizations, get their feedback, and prepare a strategy for implementing programs. They would add to existing programs in the county, like the Big Red Barrel, It Stops With Students, LACASA's parenting prevention class, and school-based prevention efforts. The second meeting in the series, when the strategic plan will begin to take shape, will take place on February 27th at St. Mary's Church in Pinckney. (TD)
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Two Students Sustain Minor Injuries in School Bus Crash Two Students Sustain Minor Injuries in School Bus Crash
12/11/13 - An accident involving a school bus and a utility van resulted in some minor injuries to one of the drivers and two students this morning. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department responded to the accident shortly after 7am on Allen Road, east of Oak Grove Road in the borderline area of Howell and Cohoctah Townships. Sheriff Bob Bezotte says the investigation showed that a Sears utility van was traveling way too fast, lost control and veered to the center before it struck a Howell Public Schools bus in the left front side carrying 20 to 25 students. The driver of the 2012 Chevy Express van was transported by ground ambulance to St. Joesph Mercy Livingston Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries and released. Bezotte says two younger students sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene. Bezotte says alcohol was not a factor and both drivers were wearing seatbelts, adding itâs fortunate the accident wasnât worse. He says the driver of the Sears utility vehicle, a 29-year-old Howell man, was issued a ticket for careless driving while the driver of the school bus, a Linden man, was not injured. Bezotte says the Sears van sustained most of the damage and after their investigation was complete, the bus proceeded to drop off the rest of students at school and all parents were notified immediately of the accident. (JM)
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Brighton Big Boy Closed Due to Lack of ElectricityBrighton Big Boy Closed Due to Lack of Electricity
12/12/13 - A lack of electricity has shut the doors of the Big Boy restaurant in Brighton, but that closure may only be temporary. Right now the restaurant is dark, with a sign on the front entrance saying a power outage has temporarily closed the business. Randy McGarry, a former manager and 18-year employee of the restaurant who remains an avid customer, says employees were surprised to find the business closed on Monday. He also says he heard from some managerial employees that the power was cut due to non-payment of electric bills. Inquiries have been placed by WHMI at the restaurant's corporate and local offices for confirmation. McGarry tells WHMI the owner of the franchise could get the power back on as early as today, but with the heating off there could be frozen pipes and other damage that prevent business from resuming immediately. McGarry also says some of the employees have already begun looking for other employment. Officials from the city had no information to add on the issue.
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Unadilla Man Sentenced in Maryland Pot BustUnadilla Man Sentenced in Maryland Pot Bust
12/12/13 - A Livingston County resident likely faces deportation after being sentenced on felony drug charges in Maryland. 53-year-old Stewart Robert Deerr of Unadilla Township was arrested in May by police in Frederick County, Maryland after a traffic stop revealed 39 bricks of marijuana in a drum case in the back of the minivan he was driving. He recently pleaded no contest to charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and cocaine. In exchange, five other counts were dismissed. Deerr, who legally emigrated from Jamaica, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but only ordered to serve 18 months before facing likely deportation. If he isnât deported, the judge ordered him to serve an additional five years of probation. Deerrâs attorney says his client still maintains the drugs were not his, but agreed to the deal so he can eventually see his ill mother. (JK)
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Demolition Permit Pulled For Office Complex In BrightonDemolition Permit Pulled For Office Complex In Brighton
12/12/13 - Plans to demolish a deteriorating office building just off of Grand River in Brighton are now underway. County Building Official Jim Rowell says the City of Brighton has begun enforcing maintenance of the Davis Office Center, located north of Orndorf Drive, which has become somewhat run-down. The owners of the building have since decided that demolishing the building would be a better option than renovating it, and permits for the demolition have been pulled. Rowell says the building has a little bit of asbestos, which was expected, but it will not interfere greatly with the demolition process and the work could begin very soon. The complex currently contains four different buildings. After the demolition, the bare property will likely be put on the market. (TD)
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MDOT Hosts Public Meeting Today on US-23/M-14 ProjectMDOT Hosts Public Meeting Today on US-23/M-14 Project
12/12/13 - State officials are hoping to hear from the public later today about proposed improvements along two busy corridors in the Ann Arbor and Brighton areas. The Michigan Department of Transportation is looking to upgrade US-23 and M-14, north of Ann Arbor. Spokeswoman Kari Arend tells WHMI theyâre seeking overall input on the proposed project hope to hear comments from the public. Todayâs meeting is scheduled from 4â7pm at the Northfield Township Hall on Main Street. The project is estimated at over $60 (m) million in the preliminary phase and would involve pavement repairs, bridge replacement and ramp improvements. MDOT is also considering installing a new type of traffic management system that would serve as a short term solution to help alleviate peak-hour congestion along the corridor. The system would allow traffic to utilize upgraded median shoulders from essentially M-14 to M-36 on US-23 when traffic volumes are higher during the morning or evening rush or if thereâs an emergency incident. Interested residents, businesses, commuters and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend and will be able to meet MDOT staff, view displays and learn more about the plans. 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 about the project plans and public meeting can be found in the attachments below. (JM)
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Livingston County Talent Tour Highlights Local Students
12/12/13 - Local companies got a chance to see first-hand potential high-skill employees of the future right in their own backyard. The Livingston County Talent Tour offered manufacturing companies a chance to visit local high schools Wednesday morning to observe the programs students are involved in. Tim Jackson, Director of Career and Technical Education at the Livingston Educational Service Agency, believes such âfield tripsâ for employers are beneficial to students and the community. Jackson tells WHMI making the connection from employer to student will ensure local quality employees. Employers had the opportunity to tour Pinckney and Howell High School classrooms that specialized in engineering, robotics and machine technology. They were also encouraged to reach out to students to get a better grasp of the extent of a particular studentâs knowledge, as well as offer potential internships and job positions. Joe Merryman, a manufacturing manager at Novi Precision Products Incorporated, says he specifically came on the tour looking for younger talent. Merryman tells WHMI his company is reaching out to students who want to learn the machine shop trade. Sean Hickman, Robotics Instructor at Pinckney High School, told visiting employers that his studentâs technical content is going to be very high. Hickmanâs goal is to send kids into either 2 or 4 year programs or right into the workforce. Among trade skills and career planning, Hickman says one of the things he focuses on is the importance of being on time. Howell School Board Secretary Kim Witt, who serves on the district's 21st Century Technology Committee and School District Improvement Team, says these system integrative classes affect studentâs timeliness, attendance and overall interest in school. Plans for future Talent Tours are in the works, reaching out to other fields such as health careers. (DK/JK)
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Brighton Man Waives Exam in Fatal Motorcycle Crash
12/12/13 - The Brighton man charged in connection with a fatal motorcycle crash will stand trial in the case. 26-year-old Nicholas Nathan Gross waived his preliminary exam Wednesday on charges of operating a motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol and causing death. That sends his case to circuit court for trial. The judge also granted a request from Gross to travel to visit family during the Christmas holiday. Police say Gross was driving a 2003 Harley-Davidson northbound on Flint Road in the early morning hours of September 7th when he failed to negotiate a curve and crashed south of Hilton Road in Brighton Township. 26-year-old Amanda Schlarb, who was a passenger, was killed in the crash. While neither Gross nor Schlarb were wearing helmets, police say speed and alcohol were contributing factors in the crash. Gross, who was critically injured but has since been released from the hospital, reportedly had a blood alcohol content of .10, exceeding the stateâs .08% limit. (JK)
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New Bond Issue May Be Offered By Fenton Area Public SchoolsNew Bond Issue May Be Offered By Fenton Area Public Schools
12/12/13 - Fenton Area Public Schools officials are considering whether to ask voters once again to approve a bond for technology and transportation upgrades. A special meeting was held on Monday to give the Board of Education time to discuss the option with Superintendent Timothy Jalkanen. The Tri County Times reports the district has had two bond proposals fail last year, one in May and another in November. This time, the board is looking at a three-series bond that would take place every four years, with the first in 2014 and the last in 2022. The money would primarily be spent on technology upgrades for students and staff, but the board also discussed the possibility of updating the districtâs bus fleet. Those kinds of upgrades cannot be made out of the districtâs sinking fund, and most of the districtâs declining budget is spent on personnel and legacy costs. The board talked about breaking the request into distinct items to make sure one unpopular item does not doom the entire proposal. No action was taken at the special meeting. (TD)
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Professional Laser Tag Tournament Set This Weekend in HowellProfessional Laser Tag Tournament Set This Weekend in Howell
12/12/13 - It wonât be featured at the Winter Olympics in Russia, but a burgeoning sport will make an appearance in Howell this weekend. The first-ever regional Laser-Blast professional laser tag tournament in Michigan will take place Saturday night at the Castaway Play Café. Up to 10 teams of professional laser tag players from across Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Canada will compete for the trophy. If youâre not familiar with laser tag, the activity involves players attempting to score points by tagging targets with a hand-held device that fires an infrared light beam. Teams will be constructed of 6 players who are drafted by designated captains right before the tournament begins. The teams will then compete in a double round robin bracket and the team with the best record at the end will be crowned the champions. Although participation in the tournament is limited to qualifying players, spectators will be allowed in free of charge. The qualifying rounds will begin around 10pm Saturday, with the actual tournament scheduled to begin at midnight and run until all of the games have been finished. (JK)
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Pinckney Board of Education Appoints Deb Reynolds to Empty SeatPinckney Board of Education Appoints Deb Reynolds to Empty Seat
12/12/13 - Familiarity with the district and a background in marketing were the deciding factors as the Pinckney Board of Education appointed its newest member last week. A seat on the board was opened up by the resignation of Laura Burwell, who decided to leave the board for personal reasons last month. The board only had one meeting scheduled between her resignation and the deadline to fill the position, after which the responsibility would fall to the intermediate school district. Last week, the board interviewed all six applicants to the position and unanimously voted to appoint Deb Reynolds to the open seat. Along with being a mother of two elementary students in the district, Reynolds is already involved in activities in several school buildings. Additionally, board members responded positively to her strong background in marketing and advertising. All of the candidates for the position identified the public image of the district as one of the challenges facing the board, and Board President Anne Colone says she believes Reynolds has the kind of expertise they will need to help turn that image around. Reynolds will sit on the board through December 31st of next year, with an election for the next six-year term to be held in November. She will be ceremonially sworn into office at the board's first January meeting. (TD)
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Former South Lyon Mgr. to Interview for Milford Manager's Post Former South Lyon Mgr. to Interview for Milford Manager's Post
12/12/13 - The Milford Village Council has chosen five candidates to interview in early January for its vacant manager position, with some familiar faces in the running. 39 candidates originally applied for the position, which became vacant with the abrupt resignation of former manager Brent Morgan. A subcommittee narrowed those down to eight, which Council discussed before deciding on the five it wanted to interview. One of the candidates is Village Clerk Deborah Frazer, who has been appointed acting interim manager in the absence of one over the past year and a half - first when longtime manager Arthur Shufflebarger passed away and then again in August when Morgan left. The other candidates to be interviewed include former South Lyon City Manager David Murphy (pictured), City of Jackson Economic Development Director Jonathan Greene, Village of Franklin Administrator Amy Sullivan and the Birmingham City Managerâs Assistant Christian Wuerth. Frazer tells WHMI Council has not identified any formal timeline to make a decision but Milford is a small, close community and Council has expressed a desire for candidates with education and experience who are willing to get involved and be committed. The five selected will be interviewed in alphabetical order during a special meeting on Saturday, January 4th that's open to the public. Interviews start at 8am and will be conducted throughout the day in the Milford Civic Center building that houses the municipal offices. (JM)
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County Asks Judge to Dismiss Lawsuit Filed by Former InmatesCounty Asks Judge to Dismiss Lawsuit Filed by Former Inmates
12/12/13 - A federal judge will decide if a lawsuit filed by former female inmates of the Livingston County Jail should be dismissed. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit by five female plaintiffs against Livingston County and former road patrol Deputy Randy Boos. It alleges the defendantâs failure to provide proper training or supervision allowed the 2008 assaults by Boos as he transported them from the jail to various court facilities. Records show that a jury trial remains scheduled in early March but a ruling has yet to be made on a motion filed by attorneys for Livingston County last week seeking summary judgment and asking that the case be dismissed. Boos, who served three years and seven months in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct, asserted in a deposition that he didnât know his actions were criminal because he believed the sexual acts were consensual, and that he never received training on proper conduct when transporting detainees. Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte calls it a frivolous lawsuit and tells WHMI when they learned what was going on, immediate action was taken to suspend Boos while State Police investigated. He says there was never any knowledge of Boosâ illegal conduct or crimes being committed and the county is prepared to go to trial. (JM/JK)
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High Court Hears Arguments in Legal Battle Over Brighton Homes High Court Hears Arguments in Legal Battle Over Brighton Homes
12/12/13 - Arguments have been made to the stateâs highest court in the ongoing legal battle between an elderly Northville couple and the City of Brighton. The Michigan Supreme Court heard an appeal filed on behalf of the City regarding Leon and Marilyn Bonner, who own two historic homes on North Street that the City ordered demolished in January of 2009 based on its ordinance pertaining to public health and safety. The Michigan Court of Appeals determined portions of that ordinance violated substantive and procedural due process, prompting the City to appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court. The seven-member high court heard from attorneys representing both the City and the Bonners today, with each party making a presentation before answering questions. No decision was made but an opinion will eventually be issued in the legal battle that is now nearing five years. The City says the homes are not safe and wants them demolished. The Bonners have been fighting for the right to repair the homes and maintain the Cityâs ordinance is unconstitutional. (JM)
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Plea Withdrawn in Hit & Run Case
12/13/13 - A Brighton woman charged with running over and injuring her former boyfriend has withdrawn her no-contest plea in the case. 50-year-old Tamara Smith is charged with failing to stop after an accident with serious injuries or impairment as well as operating under the influence causing incapacitating injuries. She pleaded no contest to both counts, which is not an admission of guilt but will be treated as such for sentencing purposes. She was sentenced on December 12th, but was unhappy with the sentence handed down and withdrew her no-contest plea. She is now scheduled for trial in January. Her ex-boyfriend previously testified that Smith ran him over with her vehicle after he broke up with her on September 1st, 2012. He further testified that Smith kicked him after the alleged incident, went inside to get an alcoholic drink and then drove away. He was found by neighbors who called police and was later treated for a back fracture. When questioned by Smithâs defense attorney, the man acknowledged leaving profane messages on her phone and sticky notes saying he would damage a vehicle and blow up her phones if she did not call back. (JK)
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