12/18/13 - There may be some increased security on Friday, but officials say rumors of a shooting threat to Fowlerville High School are completely unfounded. Superintendent Wayne Roedel says there have been rumors that a certain student would arrive at the school on Friday and âshoot it up.â Roedel says the rumor is completely false, and is based on a conversation students had four years ago, when the student at the center was in eighth grade. He says there is no indication that the student has made any threats recently, and he does not believe that student is responsible for the recent rumors. Roedel says the district has been looking into the rumors for three weeks now, and many students were interviewed in the process. A message was sent to parents this week to inform them about the rumor and assure them that there was nothing to be concerned about. Regardless, Roedel says the district takes all threats to student safety seriously, and security at Fowlerville High will be stepped up on Friday as a precaution. Roedel says this is a learning opportunity for students, and he hopes adults will speak with them about how to handle situations like this and the importance of bringing any potential threats to the attention of the district. (TD)
Fowlerville School Officials Say There's No Shooting Threat At FHSFowlerville School Officials Say There's No Shooting Threat At FHS
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Local Democrats Highlight Brighton Chamber in Abortion DebateLocal Democrats Highlight Brighton Chamber in Abortion Debate
12/19/13 - Local Democrats say GOP interference with private health care plans is being felt in Livingston County. The Republican-controlled Michigan legislature recently passed a law banning insurance companies from covering abortions as part of most public and private plans, unless a separate rider is purchased. Itâs been referred to as ârape insuranceâ, since a woman would not be able to buy the rider after getting pregnant by any means, including rape or incest. All three Livingston County legislators voted in favor of the law. The Chamber has long endorsed a group program through Blue Cross Blue Shield, which includes a rider for voluntary abortion. After learning that choice would be taken away, the Livingston County Democratic Party issued a press release pointing out that fact and saying it was unfortunate that freedom of choice was being taken away from employers and women. However, that didnât sit very well with Chamber President/CEO Pam McConeghy, who says they have nothing to do with individual policies and viewed it as a personal attack. McConeghy told WHMI it came as a surprise and a huge disappointment because the Chamber is not overly political and prefers to remain more neutral, recognizing people have their own beliefs. Daubenmier says thereâs been much controversy about interference with private health care plans by lawmakers in Lansing, and perhaps local lawmakers should have asked how those in Livingston County who already had this type of plan felt about it. Daubenmier says since Livingston is said to be such a conservative county, it was interesting the coverage was offered and the release was never intended as an attack. Governor Rick Snyder vetoed a similar bill last year but didnât have the power to do so this time after the anti-abortion group Right to Life led a successful petition drive forcing it back to the legislature, which approved it. (JM)
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Cleary University Looking to Consolidate Campus Locations Cleary University Looking to Consolidate Campus Locations
12/19/13 - It appears as though a local business university is consolidating operations and looking to possibly downsize or sell one of its campus locations. Cleary Universityâs Livingston Campus is on Cleary Drive in Genoa Township, with its Washtenaw Campus on Plymouth Road in Ann Arbor. WHMI has learned that a memo from President Tom Sullivan was sent out to all staff last Thursday, stating that the Washtenaw campus has been dramatically under-utilized since it was acquired. As a result, the Board of Trustees has asked that options be explored to better utilize the asset, including âthe potential lease or sale of portions or all of the facilityâ. The Boardâs Executive Committee indicated that it intends to maintain a presence in Washtenaw County although operations will be scaled down, with many functions and employees being asked to re-locate to the Livingston Campus. The process is already underway and expected to take several months. Sullivan goes on to say in the email that as a business school, itâs especially important they practice what they teach and make sound business decisions for the long term sustainability of the institution. Employees from the Washtenaw campus were invited to a meeting this past Monday for further discussion, with another planned for Livingston campus-based employees this Friday. (JM)
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Green Oak Police Chief Retires, Replacement AppointedGreen Oak Police Chief Retires, Replacement Appointed
12/19/13 - In a single meeting, the Green Oak Township Board accepted the resignation of its police chief and appointed his successor last night. Earlier this month, Chief Bob Brookins submitted his retirement papers to the township after more than 20 years with the department. His wife, who is the township planning and zoning administrator, also informed the township that she would be retiring. The couple will leave the municipality's employment effective February 15th. The township board accepted their retirement notices last night, and at the same meeting appointed Deputy Chief Jason Pless as the next police chief. Clerk Mike Sedlak says the township has been grooming Pless for the job since 2006, and that he now has earned respect in the department, around the county, and across the state. Sedlak says Brookins has provided the township with outstanding service as its chief, and he expects Pless to build upon that legacy. (TD)
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Fenton Fire Hall Opens Its Doors For BusinessFenton Fire Hall Opens Its Doors For Business
12/19/13 - The Fenton Fire Hall is finally serving food after months of complications and delays. The restaurant opened for dinner at 4pm Tuesday, and will continue to do so for the next couple of weeks. The Detroit Free Press reports the Fire Hall will begin opening at 11am on December 30th. There are still no signs advertising the business, and its windows are reportedly still covered by paper. The old fire hall was purchased by Clarkston Union owner Curt Catallo in June of 2012 with the goal of holding a grand opening in April. However, the construction has been plagued by bad weather and complications in renovating the old building, and the opening has been delayed several times. The latest was in October, when the Fenton Downtown Development Authority gave Catallo permission to push the completion date back to January, although he expected to open by the end of the year. (TD)
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Possible Hints at Fracking Spur Green Oak to Protect Water SupplyPossible Hints at Fracking Spur Green Oak to Protect Water Supply
12/19/13 - Green Oak Township officials want to bring issues of water quality preservation to the attention of state officials before a fracking operation comes to the municipality. Conway Township saw the first fracking operation in Livingston County begin operations this fall. Fracking, short for hydraulic fracturing, involves drilling deep underground to rocks containing oil and natural gas, then pumping in water, sand, and chemicals at high pressures to break the rocks and free up the resources. The process is controversial due to the many unknown chemicals it leaves in the earth, which some say can pollute groundwater. While no fracking operation has been given permission to begin work in Green Oak Township, Supervisor Mark St. Charles tells WHMI someone has purchased the mineral rights beneath the Island Lake Recreation Area. The state-owned land is very near several important sources of water for local residents, including the Huron River, the Fonda Island Briggs protection land, and the Livingston Community Water Authority. The FIB Joint Water Authority Board suggested to the township board last night that they place a moratorium on new fracking operations until changes could be made to the master plan and township ordinances protecting the water sources. The township board did not follow that recommendation, but St. Charles tells WHMI that research on the issue is being done. He says the board had consensus on the need to create a resolution outlining the dangers posed by a theoretical fracking operation at Island Lake. That resolution will raise the issue of local water quality with the Department of Environmental Quality, the state legislature, and other pertinent organizations. (TD)
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Howell Man Falls to Death From Upper Level of Joe Louis Garage Howell Man Falls to Death From Upper Level of Joe Louis Garage
12/19/13 - Police say a local man fell to his death from the fourth floor of a Detroit parking garage earlier this week. Officer Dan Donakowski with the Detroit Police Department tells WHMI the incident happened shortly after 9:30pm on Tuesday night. He says the 58-year-old Howell man was sitting on a fourth floor railing at the Joe Louis Arena parking garage, when he lost his balance and fell to his death. Further information and the manâs identity were not released. (JM)
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Military Homecoming Offers Sweet Surprise at Holiday Concert Military Homecoming Offers Sweet Surprise at Holiday Concert
12/19/13 - An Army Sergeantâs surprise return marked a heartwarming reunion during an annual choir performance last night. Howell High School Choir students hosted their annual Fanfare for the Holidays concert Wednesday evening, with performances dedicated to those serving in the Armed Forces who have to spend the holidays away from their families and loved ones. Morgan Holt is a member of the Womenâs Varsity Choir. She was invited down to the front of the stage under the guise of recording a video holiday greeting to send to her brother, Army Sergeant Justin Holt, whom she hasnât seen since November of 2012. As Morgan finished her greeting, she was surprised by Justin who was carrying a bouquet of roses and those in the audience offered a standing ovation as the siblings hugged onstage. Sergeant Holt is a 2006 Howell graduate who recently completed his fourth tour of duty in Iraq. He returned to his station in Fort Campbell, Kentucky a few weeks ago, which was where his sister believed he would be staying for the holidays. He surprised his father after arriving in town with his fiancée Tuesday, which quickly led to plot involving Morgan being hatched with the help of Choir Director Rod Bushey.
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State Announces Funding For Local Road Improvements State Announces Funding For Local Road Improvements
12/19/13 - Special legislative funding will result in improvements on roads in Livingston County and surrounding areas. Grand River from Hacker Road to I-96 and D-19, from south of Wright Road to the Howell City limit, will both see improvements in the next year thanks to $2 million in grants. Republican State Representatives Bill Rogers of Genoa Township and Cindy Denby of Handy Township helped announce the Livingston County projects today, which are two of many that will take place across the state through the $115 (m) million Roads and Risk Reserve Fund. Funds will also go toward two other road projects in areas nearby. In Oakland County, eastbound I-96 only will undergo mill and overlay work from Novi Road to the Livingston County line. In Genesee Countyâs Argentine Township, McClasin Lake Road will be reconstructed. As part of the fiscal year 2014 state budget, the Legislature created the special fund using $230 million in existing state revenue. This funding is in addition to $121.3 million from the state General Fund used to fully match available federal transportation funds. (JM)
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Flasher Sentenced to Time Served, Probation & CounselingFlasher Sentenced to Time Served, Probation & Counseling
12/20/13 - A Hamburg Township man has been sentenced after police say he exposed himself to strangers while driving nude. 23-year-old Jared Hoskins pleaded guilty to charges of indecent exposure in Livingston County District Court last month in connection with incidents in August and September. Per an agreement with prosecutors, he was sentenced time served, plus two years of probation as well as fines. Then on Thursday, he was also sentenced to time served for three counts of aggravated indecent exposure in Livingston County Circuit Court. That deal requires that Hoskins serve five years of probation with no early discharge, and successfully complete deviant sex counseling. Police say Hoskins, who was completely nude, would typically pull alongside another vehicle at an intersection before exposing and fondling himself. The incident occurred between August 21st and September 14th. (TD/JK)
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Pinckney Vies For Grant To Inspect Village Sewer LinesPinckney Vies For Grant To Inspect Village Sewer Lines
12/20/13 - The state is giving away millions of dollars in sewer grants, and the village of Pinckney is trying to get a piece of the pie. Last night, the village council held a special meeting to approve an application for a $330,000 SAW grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The money would be used to send television cameras through the village's 2.1 miles of sewer lines to spot deterioration, failing pipes, invading roots, or other problems that require attention. A special meeting had to be called to apply for the grant because the DEQ began accepting grant applications on December 2nd, which the village was not expecting, and many other communities were submitting applications in this round of grants. The DEQ has more than $400 million to give away, and the winners will be chosen by lottery sometime in January. If the village is selected, it will have to supply about $30,000 to the project as a 10% funding match. (TD)
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Quint Pic Earns Howell Photographer AwardQuint Pic Earns Howell Photographer Award
12/20/13 - Most photographers might find it difficult to snap that perfect picture of one baby, but a local woman has been honored for doing it with five. Christina Kafkakis of Howell was recently named Decemberâs Best Newborn Photographer by Photography Magazine. The award was based on her picture of quintuplets born to Robert and Jessica Hicks of Tyrone Township on September 5th. The photo shows the five babies asleep, side-by-wide, swaddled in individual blankets and each wearing a colorful knit cap. Kafkakis told the Flint Journal that the shot was planned weeks ahead of time after meeting Jessica Hicks through a club for the mothers of twins. She showed up at the familyâs home with an assistant and a team of photographers, essentially one person per baby. Hicks said she loves the photo is looking forward to getting the prints to hang on her wall at home. Photo credit: Christina Marie Photo and Design (JK)
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Brighton OKs Consent Agreement on Davis CenterBrighton OKs Consent Agreement on Davis Center
12/20/13 - After meeting in executive session Thursday night, the Brighton City Council approved a consent judgment with Citation Investments, the owner of the Davis Office Center at West Grand River and Best Buy Drive. The city recently took Citation to court for safety violations and that resulted in the consent agreement by attorneys for the two sides. City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI that the consent agreement now only has to be signed by a circuit court judge to make it official. Foster says under terms of the agreement, the Davis Office Center site is to be fully demolished by early spring. Davis owner Tom Dukes has said that all of the tenants are now out of the four-building office complex. The Brighton Downtown Development Authority this week approved the offer of a $50,000 loan at 2% interest to Citation Investments and will be approaching the company with the offer in order to help with the demolition process. County Building Official Jim Rowell says that permits have been pulled for the demolition process to begin. Although there is a small amount of asbestos in the buildings, Rowell doesnât expect that to seriously delay the demolition process. (TT)
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SCHOOL CLOSINGS - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20SCHOOL CLOSINGS - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20
The following districts have canceled classes;
Brighton Area Schools
Byron Area Schools
Charyl Stockwell District
Fowlerville Community Schools
Hartland Consolidated Schools
Holly Area Schools
Howell Public Schools
Linden Community Schools
Livingston Educational Service Agency
Pinckney Community Schools
Stockbridge Community Schools
Webberville Community Schools
Williamston Community Schools
Also closed;
Cornerstone Christian School
Holy Spirit Catholic School
Kensington Woods High School
Mapletree Montessori
Our Savior Lutheran School
Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran School
St. Joseph Catholic School
Livingston Christian Schools - Open at 10am
LETS buses - Main Roads Only
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Prison Time Ordered for Howell Man on Heroin ChargePrison Time Ordered for Howell Man on Heroin Charge
12/20/13 - A Howell man will serve prison time for his conviction of delivering heroin to an undercover officer. 37-year-old Nathaniel Paul Mosteller admitted that he purchased heroin in Detroit on three occasions in late August and early September and then sold it to an undercover officer in Marion Township. He also admitted to possessing a small amount of heroin when officers stopped his vehicle September 30th. He was sentenced as a habitual offender this week and ordered to spend 10 months to 40 years in prison for three counts of delivery of less than 50 grams of heroin. He was also given the maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on the possession charge. Mostellerâs criminal history includes convictions in Livingston County for felonious assault, marijuana possession, uttering and publishing and unlawful use of a vehicle. (JK)
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Local Lawmakers Rack Up Perfect Voting Record in 2013Local Lawmakers Rack Up Perfect Voting Record in 2013
12/20/13 - Three local lawmakers are among those in Lansing who managed a perfect voting record during the just-finished legislative session. Republican State Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Township was one of nine members in that chamber with zero votes missed during the total 665 roll-call votes taken. That was up from just two senators last year that voted every time, one of which was also Hune. Meanwhile, more than 70 members of the 110-member House of Representatives had perfect voting records for the last session, including both of those who represent Livingston County; Republicans Bill Rogers of Genoa Township and Cindy Denby of Handy Township. That increased from 50 representatives with perfect records in 2012. The website, MichiganVotes.org, which tracks state legislative voting, pointed out that while the number of missed votes this year was substantially lower than last, on a percentage basis it was actually a bit higher since nearly twice as many total votes were taken in 2012. (JK)
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Brighton Township Board Votes Against Spencer Road SidewalksBrighton Township Board Votes Against Spencer Road Sidewalks
12/20/13 - The Brighton Township Board of Trustees were caught in a tie vote at a special meeting this morning, resulting in the decision to reject a motion for sidewalks to be installed at the Spencer Road bridge. The Michigan Department of Transportation, at their expense, sought to add a 5 foot sidewalk from off-ramp to off-ramp along Spencer Road in conjunction with improvements being made to the bridge. Township Manager Brian Vick tells WHMI while sidewalks may not be added to Spencer Road specifically; they are a part of the townshipâs pathway plan. Board members who voted against it believe it is unnecessary to commit money towards the sidewalks and instead should move forward with other projects in the current plan. Vick says the board is âabout families and the bedroom communityâ, however those in opposition do not believe Spencer Road will develop into a walking area. Its close relation to Kensington Metro Park, which already has walking and biking pathways, also puts the sidewalks low on the list of priorities. Vick tells WHMI the MDOT project for I-96 and 23 works with Brighton Townshipâs future pathway design. Construction of additional lanes on I-96 will begin next year while improvements to the Spencer Road Bridge are expected for 2015. (DK)
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Man Hospitalized After Fiery Rollover Crash on US-23 in BrightonMan Hospitalized After Fiery Rollover Crash on US-23 in Brighton
12/20/13 - Distracted driving is believed to have led to a fiery rollover crash Thursday night in Brighton Township. It happened at around 10:30pm on southbound US-23, just north of I-96. Michigan State Police at the Brighton Post are investigating and Sergeant Mark Thompson tells WHMI the driver was distracted when his vehicle lost control, left the roadway, struck a tree and rolled over before it eventually caught on fire. The 52-year-old Swartz Creek man was the lone occupant and he was listed in stable condition at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor. Deputy Chief Mike Evans with the Brighton Area Fire Authority tells WHMI the vehicle was pretty much fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene but that the man was able to self-extricate and get to the side of the freeway. Meanwhile, State Police were busy dealing with several accidents and crashes this morning that occurred along the US-23 and I-96 corridors due to icy roads and foggy conditions. (JM)
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State Police Hail Successful Toys For Tots Collection State Police Hail Successful Toys For Tots Collection
12/21/13 - As it has for at least the last decade, the Michigan State Police Brighton Post again served as a collection site for Toys for Tots this holiday season. New, unwrapped toys are collected for local kids and teens in need to ensure that they have something to open up Christmas morning. Sergeant Mark Thompson told WHMI that he has always been impressed by the generosity of Livingston County residents and this year was no different as the Toys for Tots organizers have had to come three times to the post's lobby and remove the donated toys, because they had filled the space. All of the gifts gathered during the collection drive will be distributed through Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army of Livingston County to local children in time for Christmas. (JK)
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Sheriff Offers Holiday Safety Tips to Local Residents Sheriff Offers Holiday Safety Tips to Local Residents
12/21/13 - The holidays bring plenty of gift giving and celebrations but itâs also a time when crime tends to increase. Itâs the final weekend to shop before Christmas - meaning local shops and area malls will be busy with the parking lots packed and Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte tells WHMI crooks love the holiday season. When shopping, Bezotte says donât carry large amounts of cash and try to use a credit or debit card if possible. He says use one card to easily keep track of purchases and spot any red flags, preferably one with a low limit so if you do become a victim of theft or identity fraud, you wonât be faced with thousands of dollars in purchases. Bezotte reminds to park in well-lit areas, have your keys out and always lock your vehicle. He says local residents and businesses need to keep their homes and property secure, and try to have someone keep an eye on things if you wonât be around. He advises keeping lights or music on to give the impression thatâs someoneâs home and finally, try not to give out too much information on social networking sites. Additional holiday safety tips can be found in the attachment below. (JM)
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