1/8/14 - A list of goals has been outlined for Hartland Township to accomplish in 2014, and accomplishing those objectives will be a big priority for the township manager. Several goals were discussed and incorporated into the township strategic plan at last night's meeting of the board of trustees. They are divided into three categories: quality of life, which includes goals like park development and road improvements; sustainability, which includes looking at police service, water and sewer, and fiscal health; and community development, which focuses on new commercial or residential proposals. While the township as a whole will work to accomplish these goals, Supervisor Bill Fountain tells WHMI that Manager James Wickman is also personally responsible for making sure progress is made. He says when the township hired Wickman a few years back, the board needed a way to evaluate his yearly performance. They decided to have the manager provide a list of objectives at the beginning of each year, which would be incorporated into that year's strategic plan. At the end of each year, he is evaluated on how he pursues and accomplishes those goals. Wickman's 2013 evaluation will take place at the board's next meeting later this month. (TD)
Goals For Hartland Township Government And Manager OutlinedGoals For Hartland Township Government And Manager Outlined
↧
↧
Milford Village Manager Finalists Down to Three; Clerk in Running Milford Village Manager Finalists Down to Three; Clerk in Running
1/8/14 - The Milford Village Council has narrowed the list from five to three candidates looking to fill its vacant manager position. 39 candidates applied for the position originally, which became vacant with the abrupt resignation of former manager Brent Morgan. The list was narrowed down over time and the Milford Village Council interviewed five finalists last weekend. Despite the snow, members met this past Monday night to pass a motion, although it wasnât unanimous, to interview three of those five again on Saturday. They include Milford Village Clerk Deborah Frazer, who has been serving as interim manager; Christian Wuerth, who works as an assistant to the Birmingham City Manager; and Jonathan Greene, the economic development director for the City of Jackson. The selected candidates were approved in a 5-2 vote, with members Jerry Aubry and James Kovach opposed. Saturdayâs interviews will begin at 9am and its possible that Council could make a decision about who will become Village Manager at its next meeting in January. (JM)
↧
Howell Man Sentenced For Complicated Stalking SchemeHowell Man Sentenced For Complicated Stalking Scheme
1/8/14 - After he allegedly executed a complex plan to get close to his stalking victim, a Howell man has been sentenced. 24-year-old Jesse Clayton Bartsch pleaded guilty to aggravated stalking and impersonating a police officer. A count of perjury was dismissed. On January 2nd, he was sentenced to 30 days in jail with credit for 10 already served. He was also sentenced to 5 years of probation, but he will be allowed to petition the court for early release from that after 18 months. According to police, Bartsch used the name of a real Livingston County Sheriffâs detective to set up an email account last summer and befriend a woman he had been stalking. The woman had filed a personal protection order against him, but Bartsch allegedly got the order dropped by changing the documents she received from the court and keeping her from being notified. Investigators say Bartsch used the persona of the Sheriffâs Department detective to get close to the woman, even sending her a nude photograph of another man, while encouraging her to reach out to Bartsch in real life. The woman eventually showed evidence of the relationship to her attorney, who knew the detective in question and was able to identify the account as fake. (TD)
↧
Repairs Being Made Following Water Main Break In City of Brighton Repairs Being Made Following Water Main Break In City of Brighton
1/8/14 - Repairs are being made following another water main break in the City of Brighton. The break occurred this afternoon on Brighton Lake Road, near Northern Ridge. City Manager Dana Foster says repairs and related excavation work is taking place but some residents living along parts of Brighton Lake Road will have their water service interrupted during the repair process. Temporary water shutoff notices have been delivered to the individual affected residences. A detour is in place to redirect traffic around the repair location on Brighton Lake Road, in the area of Fairway Trails and Northern Ridge. The City anticipates having the repairs completed by 9:00 tonight. Anyone with questions or concerns is asked to contact the Brighton Department of Public Service at 810-225-8001. This marks the second water main break in the City in as many days. Brighton City Hall was closed yesterday after a break was discovered late Monday night in the cityâs municipal complex. (JM)
↧
Frozen Pipes Lead to Flooding at Brighton District Library Frozen Pipes Lead to Flooding at Brighton District Library
1/8/14 - Frozen pipes led to flooding at the Brighton District Library today. The Library remains closed due to the water issues, which Brighton Area Fire Authority Chief Mike OâBrian tells WHMI are not associated with a separate water main break in the City. He says some pipes inside of the building froze and cracked plumbing equipment, resulting in water damage in the office area. OâBrian says their fire crews helped vacuum up water while a contractor and restoration company were brought in to dry out the carpet and remove any moisture from walls to get appliances back up and running. (JM)
↧
↧
Celebration of Diversity Spotlights Youth in Livingston County Celebration of Diversity Spotlights Youth in Livingston County
1/9/14 - A local organization working to embrace and advocate the virtues of diversity in Livingston County will host its annual community celebration this month.
Diversity viewed through the eyes of local youth is the theme of the January 30th meeting at the Hartland Music Hall, when the Livingston Diversity Council will hold its annual membership meeting. The family friendly celebration of diversity will honor various individuals, including local filmmaker Buddy Moorehouse and his documentary-producing partner, Brian Kruger. They and Brighton resident Genna Urbain will be recognized for their special contributions to the advancement of diversity. Moorehouse and Kruger produced the documentary âBlack and Blue: The Story of Gerald Ford, Willis Ward and the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech Football Game,â nominated for Best Historical Documentary in the Michigan Emmy contest. After seeing the movie, Urbain, a 3rd-grader at the time, lobbied both the U of M Regents and the Michigan Legislature to honor Ward. Vocal entertainment at the gathering will be provided by the Hartland High School Choir. The public is welcome to attend and details can be found through the link below. (JM/JK)
↧
Brighton Polar Plunge To Test Courage Of Locals This WeekendBrighton Polar Plunge To Test Courage Of Locals This Weekend
1/9/14 - While the artic-like below-zero temperatures will be gone, it will still take some bravado for participants taking part Saturday in the annual Brighton Polar Plunge. The event raises funds for the roughly 300 Special Olympics athletes who live in Livingston County, helping them pay for things like gym space, uniforms, and traveling expenses so they can train and compete. The Michigan State Police Dive Team, local fire departments, and Livingston County EMS will be on standby to assist the participants as they jump into the icy waters of the lake behind Brighton High School. The forecast Saturday indicates temperatures will peak around 40 degrees, although the water will be still be plenty frigid from the recent deep-freeze. Participants are encouraged to dress in costumes before jumping, so long as they do wear shoes and do not wear wetsuits. Prizes will be given out for those who have the best costumes or the best form while plunging. To brave those icy waters, adults must give a minimum donation of $75 and students must give $50, and many divers choose to raise much more in sponsorships. Prizes are offered to those who raise certain dollar amounts in donations, including shirts, bags, and jackets supporting the cause. More information about the plunge and registration can be found by clicking the link below. (TD)
↧
Committee Approves Funding For Preliminary Jail Expansion WorkCommittee Approves Funding For Preliminary Jail Expansion Work
1/9/14 - Funding for the first part of the planned expansion of the Livingston County Jail was approved by the county Finance Committee Wednesday. The committee approved spending $850,000 on preliminary work for the project, including ground and soil work for the site, preparatory costs, and finding a firm to undertake the project. Committee Chair Dennis Dolan says the price tag of the work is appropriate given the $14 million price tag expected for the jail expansion, which would increase the capacity from 254 inmates to 442. The jail has been plagued by overcrowding for years, and the new expansion will address that with additional living space and better tools for keeping different populations separate in the jailhouse. This is especially important for female inmates, which is a growing population within the jail. If the funding is approved by the County Board of Commissioners, the preliminary work should be finished by the end of April. Dolan says if everything goes well construction could wrap up in the later part of this year, although the project might last until 2015. (TD)
↧
License Trial Set for South Lyon Pharmacist & PharmacyLicense Trial Set for South Lyon Pharmacist & Pharmacy
1/9/14 - A judge will determine later this month whether to recommend revoking the license for a South Lyon pharmacy accused of illegally mass-producing drugs for hospitals and clinics. A trial is set January 27th in Detroit concerning the license suspensions of Specialty Medicine Compounding Pharmacy and its owner, Kenny Walkup Jr. Attorney General Bill Schuette ordered the suspension in October after several of the pharmacyâs products at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit were found to contain fungus. Previous testimony from inspectors for the state and the FDA indicated the pharmacy was not following proper procedures to ensure products were sterile. Walkup is alleged 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 previously maintained 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, but will largely be based on the judgeâs recommendation. (JK)
↧
↧
Customers Reminded to Keep Mailboxes Clear of Snow & IceCustomers Reminded to Keep Mailboxes Clear of Snow & Ice
1/9/14 - In order for customers to receive mail, local carriers must first be able to get to the mailbox and do so safely. Whenever streets and walkways present hazardous conditions for local carriers or if snow is blocking mailboxes, delivery service can be delayed or curtailed. Don Sredvinski is the Manager of Delivery and Supervisor of Customer Service at the Howell Post Office. He says although the snow storms have passed, the clean-up continues and postal carriers have been making every attempt to deliver mail but in order for them to do their job, customers need to do their part too. He says theyâve already had some carriers sustain injuries and broken bones while trying to deliver the mail so keeping mailboxes and approaches clear of snow and ice will only help to ensure everyoneâs safety. In rural areas, the general rule of thumb is that if your vehicle can pull up to the mailbox to put mail in and out, then the carrier will be able to as well. The Howell Post Office has also been fielding calls from customers requesting that their mail be put on hold because their mailboxes havenât been cleared but Sredvinski says they simply donât have the room or facilities to warehouse that much mail. He says the average route has 600 deliveries so if only half of those mailboxes have been cleared, carriers already must bring all of that mail back. He says any holds will just prolong service and lead to longer lines. (JM)
↧
County Road Commission Prepares For Weekend Warm-UpCounty Road Commission Prepares For Weekend Warm-Up
1/9/14 - The recent snow storm has the Livingston County Road Commission working overtime. Managing Director Mike Craine says the ice and snow storms, as well as fallen trees have had employees working nonstop for the past month. While the intense snowfall had the salt trucks up and running, the cold temperatures rendered them unnecessary until recently. Craine tells WHMI the salt begins to lose its effectiveness once temperatures leave the teens and head below 10 degrees. As temperatures are expected to warm up this weekend, potentially reaching 40 degrees, up to an inch of rain is also in the forecast. Craine says ironically, this becomes problematic due to the residual snow that is still tightly packed on many surfaces. Icy roads are the road commissionâs main concern, causing them to focus on removing the hard packed snow before the rain. (DK)
↧
Woman Gets Probation For Letting 9-Year-Old DriveWoman Gets Probation For Letting 9-Year-Old Drive
1/9/14 - A Livingston County woman has been sentenced after she allowed her 9-year-old son to drive around a manufactured home park. 33-year-old Leah Michele Jaglowski of Green Oak Township was sentenced to a year of probation on a charge of allowing an unlicensed minor to drive a vehicle. A second charge of contributing to the delinquency of children was dropped in exchange for a guilty plea. She has also been ordered to attend a victim impact panel and a driving responsibility class. Her case is scheduled for review on January 9th of next year. Green Oak Township Police say they were called out the afternoon of November 2nd to the University Mobile Estates development in Whitmore Lake for a report of a juvenile operating a motor vehicle. Their investigation revealed that Jaglowskiâs 9-year-old son was driving the family sedan with a 5-year-old friend as a passenger. Police say the young driver advised a witness that he was taking out the garbage and that his mother knew what he was doing. The concerned witness then contacted authorities. Police say Jaglowski admitted to officers that she knew her son was driving but did not know he had a passenger with him. (TD)
↧
Fowlerville Ford to Settle Charges for Deceptive Auto AdvertisingFowlerville Ford to Settle Charges for Deceptive Auto Advertising
1/9/14 - The Federal Trade Commission announced today that a Fowlerville auto dealer is among eight others that have agreed to settle deceptive advertising charges in a nationwide sweep focusing on the sale, financing, and leasing of motor vehicles. Complaints say Fowlerville Ford and the other dealers made a variety of misrepresentations in print, on the Internet and in video advertisements that violated the FTC Act, falsely leading consumers to believe they could purchase vehicles for low prices, finance vehicles with low monthly payments, and/or make no upfront payment to lease vehicles. Fowlerville Ford allegedly violated the Act by sending out mailers that deceptively claimed consumers had won a sweepstakes prize, when, in fact, they had not. Some of their ads allegedly violated other regulations by failing to disclose certain credit related terms. Requests for comment have been placed with Fowlerville Ford Owner/Dealer Ken Hagar. The proposed consent orders settling the FTCâs charges are designed to prevent the dealerships from engaging in similar deceptive advertising practices in the future, and prohibit them from misrepresenting the price, sale, financing, or leasing of a vehicle in any advertisement. The proposed consent orders are subject to a 30-day public comment period, after which the Commission will decide whether to make them final. (JM)
↧
↧
One Year In Jail For Brighton Man Charged With Police ChaseOne Year In Jail For Brighton Man Charged With Police Chase
1/9/14 - A local man who led police on a chase through Lyon Township has been sentenced to jail time. 32-year-old Tobias Robert Kenyon of Brighton pleaded guilty to charges of fleeing and eluding police in Oakland County Circuit Court last month. He was sentenced yesterday to one year in Oakland County Jail. He was also sentenced to 58 days already served for violating his parole. 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)
↧
Four Local Recruits in Training to Be State Police TroopersFour Local Recruits in Training to Be State Police Troopers
1/10/13 - Among the 115 men and women taking part in the 126th Michigan State Police Trooper Recruit School, are four Livingston County residents who will spend the next 21 weeks waking-up at 5 a.m. for 17 hour days of training. John Christensen of Brighton, Dennis Hartman of Fowlerville, Joel Perkins of Howell and Brian Poyhonen of Pinckney reported Sunday to the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Lansing where they will learn about everything from firearms to first aid, as well as criminal law, crime scene processing and precision driving. In order to be selected, recruits had to pass a stringent selection process that included a physical fitness test, background investigation and hiring interview. Recruits who successfully complete the training will graduate May 30. Another trooper recruit school is anticipated to begin in June, for which the department is actively recruiting. (JK)
↧
Event Encourages Community to Get Healthy in New YearEvent Encourages Community to Get Healthy in New Year
1/10/14 - A New Year has arrived and for many in Livingston County, that means itâs time to get serious about getting healthy. Since January is a time when many individuals and families are already focused on getting healthy, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System and a number of local partners including WHMI are coming together for the areaâs first Healthy New Year Kick-Off event this Saturday. St. Joes Executive Director of Ambulatory Services Kathy Kasperek-Korelis oversees the Brighton location and says itâs really not that difficult to interject healthy behaviors into various lifestyles. She tells WHMI their goal is to be proactive in trying to keep people healthy and provide a fun way for families and individuals to start learning more about healthy lifestyles - really reinforcing what they already know. Free health screenings such as blood pressure testing, skin cancer and body mass index, mini-fitness checks and information about weight management programs will be offered along with programs geared toward children and families. Teams will also be available to educate attendees about the new Federal Healthcare Exchange. Everything is provided free of charge to the public. The event will run from noon until 3pm Saturday at the St. Joseph Mercy Brighton location on Grand River, where WHMI will also be broadcasting live. (JM)
↧
Big Red Barrel Finishes Its Biggest Drug Collection Year YetBig Red Barrel Finishes Its Biggest Drug Collection Year Yet
1/10/14 - The Livingston County Community Alliance is reporting a very successful year for its main drug-collection program. The Big Red Barrel, which is currently located at seven police departments around the county, allows residents to anonymously dispose of prescription drugs in an environmentally safe way. Organizers say prescription drugs, especially painkillers, are one of the leading ways for local young people to begin experimenting with substance abuse and can lead to opiate addiction. The Alliance has totaled the numbers from 2013 and found that a total of 828 pounds of prescription drugs were collected, a 40% increase over 2012. At least a third of that increase comes from drugs collected during special appearances by the barrel at Walgreens locations in Hartland, Howell, and Brighton over the summer. Since its inception, the Big Red Barrel has collected more than 1,375 pounds of prescription drugs. (TD)
↧
↧
New Recreation Millage Could Be Proposed For Pinckney SchoolsNew Recreation Millage Could Be Proposed For Pinckney Schools
1/10/14 - The Pinckney Community School District is working on a ballot proposal for this spring to create a new recreation millage. Voters will be asked to approve a point-3 mill property tax, which would provide the district with an extra $300,000 per year. The money would be used to pay for the operation, utilities, and maintenance of the recreational facilities provided by the district, including the public pool and sports fields, as well as music programs. Pinckney is a deficit district, and so needs to do whatever it can to save money. Todd says the millage represents a large part of the district's deficit elimination plan. If it is rejected, he says some difficult decisions will have to be made about what programs continue to be offered at the district, or where funding can be found to continue to provide them. The ballot issue must go before the county before it can be put on the May 6th ballot as planned by the district. Some firm ballot language will most likely be brought before the Pinckney School Board at its next meeting later this month. (TD)
↧
New Court Date For Man Accused Of Accosting Girls In Coffee ShopNew Court Date For Man Accused Of Accosting Girls In Coffee Shop
1/10/14 - A Milford man arrested following an incident involving female students at a Starbucks will be back in court in March, but a trial date has not been set. 31-year-old Jordan Kent Walters is facing one count of accosting a child for immoral purposes and one count of failing to register as a sex offender. A pretrial hearing is scheduled in Oakland County Circuit Court for March 4th, but no trial date has been set. The charges stem from an incident on September 16th at the Milford Starbucks. Police Chief Tom Lindberg says three female students in the cafe became uncomfortable with the behavior of a man who they say was acting inappropriately. One of the students texted her grandfather, who came to pick the girls up and reported the incident to the police. Officers recognized the description given to them, and three days later they arrested Walters. The department took the opportunity to work with the Huron Valley School District and inform the community about the need for adults and students, even older ones, to be on the lookout for dangerous strangers. (TD)
↧
Appearance of Deadly H1N1 Virus Prompts Call For Vaccinations Appearance of Deadly H1N1 Virus Prompts Call For Vaccinations
1/10/14 - Public health officials are encouraging residents to prepare themselves for a more serious flu season than usual. The predominant strain of influenza in Livingston County this year is H1N1 Type A, which is linked to a higher rate of death than any other strain. It was responsible for the deadly Swine Flu pandemic in 2009. Livingston County Department of Public Health Medical Director Don Lawrenchuk says many people shrug off suggestions that the flu is dangerous, but it remains the only communicable disease that is among the top ten causes of death for Americans. The Health Department recommends that everyone over the age of six months be inoculated against the disease, which will either prevent infection or reduce the severity of the symptoms. Lawrenchuk says residents can also help protect themselves and others by taking common-sense precautions, like washing their hands after coughing or sneezing, avoiding close contact with the infected, and staying home from school of work if you experience flu-like symptoms. So far, 66 cases of H1N1 Type A from Livingston County have been verified by laboratory tests, though not all cases are reported. The Health Department says this strain disproportionately affects young and middle-aged adults, so even those with healthy immune systems should be vaccinated. (TD)
↧
More Pages to Explore .....
