11/14/12 - An Ohio man will serve jail time for a hit-and-run crash that left a local police officer seriously injured and fighting for his life. 54-year-old Gary Fury was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison Tuesday in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, which was the maximum sentence he could have received. Fury previously pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated vehicular assault and failure to stop after an injury accident. He fled the scene after hitting Pinckney Reserve Officer Robert Bielak, who was off-duty and heading to Vermont on a motorcycle but had pulled over along I-71 to look at a map after missing an exit. Police say Fury originally stopped after hitting Bielak but then sped off when another vehicle pulled behind him. Officer Bielak lost his leg in the crash and was hospitalized in Cleveland for more than three weeks following the September 4th incident. He suffered complications from surgery and had been in critical condition at one point but was eventually transported to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor to receive follow-up care after his above-the-knee amputation. (JM)
Man Sentenced in Hit & Run Crash That Injured Pinckney OfficerMan Sentenced in Hit & Run Crash That Injured Pinckney Officer
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Brighton Fire Authority Recognized For Smoke Alarm Campaign Brighton Fire Authority Recognized For Smoke Alarm Campaign
11/14/12 - The Brighton Area Fire Authority was presented with a safety award for its smoke alarm campaign during a ceremony Tuesday night. The University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center presented the 2012 Leland Gayheart Fire Safety and Prevention Award in recognition of the authorityâs program launched in late 2011 that aims to make sure all residents in Brighton have working smoke alarms in their homes. Deputy Chief Fire Mike Evans says theyâre making progress but there is still a lot of work to do and they intend to continue until every home has a working smoke alarm. The award is given in honor of a 23-year-old firefighter from Lake Orion who died from burns sustained in an accident. His family came together with U of M to provide funding as an endowment that recognizes firefighters in communities across the state for injury prevention efforts. Lieutenant Lauren Brookins says it all started with the department wanting to make sure every home had a working smoke alarm but the program gradually grew with crews checking alarms and even knocking on doors in neighborhoods after fires to help individuals understand the importance of them. Brookins tells WHMI it has now morphed into model program for the state. Members of the Brighton Area Fire Authority stressed the importance of having working smoke alarms even more so at the ceremony following a pair of tragedies on Tuesday, noting that a 2-year-old Howell Township girl died from burns sustained in an overnight fire at a mobile home and a 73-year-old Livonia woman was killed in a house fire after helping her teenage grandsons escape. Evans and Brookins are pictured at left. In addition to a plaque, the Authority will receive $500 to continue education efforts and will go toward the purchase of more batteries and smoke alarms, which should be replaced every ten years. (JM)
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Rogers: FDA Failed To Act On Issues At Pharmacy Tied To OutbreakRogers: FDA Failed To Act On Issues At Pharmacy Tied To Outbreak
11/14/12 - Howell Congressman Mike Rogers says a committeeâs bi-partisan investigation into the national meningitis outbreak has revealed serious missteps by the Food and Drug Administration. The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing Wednesday regarding its investigation into the deadly outbreak. Victimsâ families, representatives from the facility in question, and an FDA Commissioner testified. Republican Representative Mike Rogers issued a statement saying he was disappointed to learn the FDA inspected the facility that produced the tainted steroids and identified contamination in its products more than 10 years ago yet the agency did not act to protect patients. Rogers says after observing multiple safety violations at the facility that led to a 2006 warning letter, the FDA never conducted a single follow-up inspection to ensure the safety issues were resolved. Rogers says because of the companyâs egregious behavior and the FDAâs failure to address the contamination issues, the country is now faced with a tragedy that has impacted hundreds of families and he hopes the committee will take swift action to clarify and strengthen the FDAâs authority regarding compounding pharmacies. He called on the FDA to cooperate fully with congressional investigators so they can quickly determine why the mistakes were made and how they can be prevented in the future.â The contaminated steroids have been linked to a national wave of fungal meningitis cases, some of which have resulted in death including a Howell Township woman in September who received tainted steroids administered by a Brighton clinic. (JM)
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Competency Exams Ordered For Alleged I-96 Shooter Wednesday Competency Exams Ordered For Alleged I-96 Shooter Wednesday
11/14/12 - Judges in both Livingston and Oakland counties have ordered competency evaluations for a Wixom man accused of shooting at motorists along the I-96 corridor. 43-year-old Raulie Wayne Casteel is facing dozens of charges in connection with shootings reported in Howell Township, Wixom and Commerce Township. Competency and criminal responsibility exams were ordered by both Novi District Court Judge Brian MacKenzie and 53rd District Court Judge Carol Sue Reader in Howell, which will determine if Casteel is fit to stand trial. Casteel first appeared in Novi District Court, where he faces 60 counts for the Oakland County incidents, including multiple counts of assault with intent to murder. The exam was ordered despite objections from Casteelâs defense lawyers and a forensic review and competency hearing has been scheduled for January 2nd before Judge MacKenzie. Casteel later appeared in Livingston County, where he is charged with six counts including felonious assault for an October 18th incident on I-96 in Howell Township. Defense attorneys have described their client as a married, college-educated man with no criminal history. Photo is courtesy of WLNS. (JM)
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Sheriff's Department Standardizes Procedure For Hiring Deputies
11/14/12 - The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department was authorized by the County Commission last night to enter into standardized contracts for its services. Undersheriff Mike Murphy tells WHMI that the idea first came about after Enbridge Energy contracted with the Sheriffâs Department for increased security earlier this year. He says the department had been conducting business using less formal agreements, but when questions were raised about the Enbridge agreement legal counsel told the department to formalize the process. Murphy says the contract will be a simple document outlining the nature and timing of the services to be provided, and it will cover issues such as liability that had not been explicitly stated in the past. The contract can be used by other organizations like local municipalities and subdivisions to request and pay for increased sheriffâs department protection. Contracts would be signed by the contracting party, the sheriff, and the chair of the County Commission. Murphy says the decision will make providing specialized services much easier in the future and described the new system as a good thing for everybody. (TD)
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Man Charged In Gun Range Shooting Bound Over For TrialMan Charged In Gun Range Shooting Bound Over For Trial
11/15/12 - A Howell man charged in connection with a fatal shooting in June at a Brighton Township gun range has been bound over to circuit court. 19-year-old Jessce Lincon Stearn was arraigned in October on manslaughter and felony firearms counts for the June 30th incident at the Livingston Conservation and Sports Association gun range in Brighton. Police say Stearn was holding a replica AK-47 when it discharged and hit Charles Robert Kimball in the head and killed him instantly. Stearn told police the gun discharged while he was cleaning the weapon. Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte says there were concerns with his story from the beginning and witness accounts contradicted his claim, which led to the warrant being issued. Bezotte tells WHMI the weapon has been sent to the Michigan State Police Crime Lab in Lansing for examination and testing but no one there could get it to malfunction. He says that, along with the trajectory of the bullet, gave police cause for concern. Livingston County Prosecutor David Morse told WHMI that while he canât discuss the specifics of this case, a manslaughter charge means the defendant did not intend to kill Mr. Kimball but was deliberately aiming the weapon when it fired. If convicted, Stearn would face up to 15 years in prison on the manslaughter charge and an additional two years on the felony firearm charge. Stearn was ordered held on a $250,000 cash bond. He is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on December 21st. A final settlement conference will be held on February 1st and, if no agreement is reached, he will go to trial on February 11th. (TD)
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Barnstormers Due Back In Court For Motion Hearing Nov. 29Barnstormers Due Back In Court For Motion Hearing Nov. 29
11/15/12 - A motion hearing will be held later this month in the ongoing legal battle between Green Oak Township and the Barnstormer entertainment complex. Green Oak Townshipâs fire department and building officials identified numerous code violations years ago and the facility was closed to the public in March. A lengthy legal battle ensued and a plan for phased improvements to bring the dangerous portions of the building up to fire code and into compliance with building safety standards was ordered by the court. A plan was submitted by owner Rob Cortis but rejected as incomplete. Livingston County Circuit Court Judge David Reader went on to grant summary disposition in favor of the township this past August, affirming the townshipâs ability to bring the facility up to code or demolish any unsafe portions, including tearing down the entire building. Cortis has said he plans to appeal the decision. In October, Reader denied Green Oakâs request for attorney fees and sanctions but granted them costs incurred by the trial. On November 6th the townshipâs attorney sent out an order for the judge to sign ordering Barnstormer to pay $33,408 in costs and giving the township the ability to put a lien on the property for that amount. Cortisâ attorney objected to the order, saying the amount had not been agreed upon by the parties or ordered by the court. He also objected to language allowing the township to put a lien on the property. The parties will be back in court November 29th to discuss the objection. (TD)
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Local Salvation Army Kicks-Off Red Kettle Campaign Local Salvation Army Kicks-Off Red Kettle Campaign
11/15/12 - For some, the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year but for others, they can be the toughest and thatâs where the Salvation Army of Livingston County helps to do the most good. The local Corps hosted a kick-off event marking the start of its annual red kettle campaign at the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerceâs new building, where Mayor Jim Muzzin along with Chamber CEO Pam McConeghy made the ceremonial first donations in the red kettle. Salvation Army Captains Aaron and Jenny Ortman talked about the non-profit and how it raises funds for the kettle campaign as well as the many services provided from utilities and food or shelter to emotional and spiritual support. the campaign goal this season is to raise $367,000. $200,000 of that is the target for actual donations placed in red kettles throughout Livingston County and another $167,000 from internet and mail donations. Captain Aaron Ortman says everything is made possible through the generosity of the community and donations and all of the funds raised stay in Livingston County. He says citizens step up every year and they believe that with everyoneâs help they can meet their campaign goal again. The Salvation Army is still looking for bell ringers this season and anyone interested can register online though a link below. Holiday gifts especially for teens are also being sought by the local Corps, along with donations of turkeys to Gleaners Community Food Bank for Thanksgiving. (JM)
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Class Holiday Movie Staged in Black & WhiteClass Holiday Movie Staged in Black & White
11/15/12 - When the curtain goes up on Howell High Schoolâs production of "It's a Wonderful Life" this weekend in the high school auditorium, the audience may just wonder if they need glasses. Thatâs because, just as the 1946 holiday classic movie itâs based on, the high schoolâs production will be using only costumes and props that are black and white. Advanced Drama Instructor Amanda Malo says a black and white set fits the story perfectly. Small-town resident George Bailey is at the end of his rope after being falsely accused of embezzlement and only sees life without color, without hope. But when George, with the help of his guardian angel, realizes the impact of his life, and how fortunate he is, color returns to his lifeâand to their production, which will bloom into vivid color for the final scene. And that final scene will have a bit of Maloâs family history on stage for everyone to see, as the character of Harry Bailey, played by Matt Cain, will be dressed in more than a costume. His Navy dress uniform belonged to her grandfather, Robert W. Pringle, M.D., who was a naval reserve officer, serving from 1943 to 1978. Malo says her grandfather had a wonderful life and that by having their fictional hero wear the uniform worn of a real hero, she honors him. Howell High Schoolâs production of "It's a Wonderful Life" is this Friday and Saturday at 7pm and then a Sunday matinee at 2pm. Advance tickets are $6 for students and seniors and $8 for adults. They are a $1 more at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Howell Parks & Recreation and the HHS main office. (JK)
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Superintendent Of Fowlerville Community Schools RetiringSuperintendent Of Fowlerville Community Schools Retiring
11/15/12 - Fowlerville Community Schools Superintendent Rick Heinrich has announced his retirement. A letter of his intent to retire was formally presented to the Board of Education on Tuesday, although he says it was really more of a formality. He tells WHMI he has been discussing the matter with members over the last few months to let them know he was thinking about it and then more recently when he made a final decision. Heinrich says it has really been a great experience and heâs not burned out or anything - it just felt like the right time. He spent more than 30 years in education in various roles in the Bay City/ Saginaw area, both in the classroom and district administration. He didnât know where Fowlerville was when he interviewed for the position but says the community has really been a pleasant surprise. He says it takes a lot of pride in its schools and the board and staff has made it a tough place to leave. Heinrich says while he will serve in whatever capacity needed, he is intending to leave by July 1st. Board President Mike Brown says the district was well served under Heinrichâs leadership and considering the times schools are in and have been, Heinrich received great evaluations and the district is a better place today because of his service. He tells WHMI theyâre grateful for his leadership and wish him well in retirement, adding that sometimes individual can be reluctant in those types of positions but Heinrich had the courage and courtesy to make the announcement early, giving the board the âgift of timeâ. In the week after Thanksgiving, Brown says the boardâs personnel committee will be meeting to consider future direction. (JM)
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Compentency Exam Ordered for Man Accused In I-96 ShootingsCompentency Exam Ordered for Man Accused In I-96 Shootings
11/15/12 - Judges in Oakland and Livingston Counties ordered forensic competency reports yesterday for a man charged in a string of shootings that took place along the I-96 corridor in October. 43-year-old Raulie Casteel is facing more than 60 charges in connection with the shootings, which spanned Oakland, Livingston, Ingham and Shiawassee Counties. A hearing was held before Judge Brian MacKenzie in Novi District Court yesterday, and Casteel was ordered to undergo a forensic competency and criminal responsibility examination. The same order was later given by 53rd District Court Judge Carol Sue Reader in Howell to ensure that local courts were kept in the loop regarding the progress and results of that examination. Livingston County Prosecutor David Morse says competency will likely be a factor for both counties in their cases against Casteel. He says the defense attorneys objected to the competency exam in Oakland, but would not speculate as to why. Reader said new court dates for Casteel would be scheduled within three days of receiving the results of the exam. Casteel is accused of perpetrating at least 24 shootings across Southeast Michigan in October. Oakland County has charged him with 60 different counts in connection with several of the incidents, while the six charges in Livingston courts are related to a single incident on October 18th. Photo is courtesy of WLNS. (TD)
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Fund to Assist Howell Township Family With Funeral ExpensesFund to Assist Howell Township Family With Funeral Expenses
11/15/12 - A fund has been established to help with funeral expenses for the family of a 2-year-old Livingston County girl who died from burns she sustained in a fire. Donations to the Ariana Rosemarie Robinson trust may be made at any PNC Bank branch. Family spokeswoman Adela Piper is with the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency. She says the family needs "healing and shelter," and the agency is assisting along with the Livingston County chapter of the American Red Cross. The fire started about 1:30 Tuesday morning at the Fairlawn Estates Mobile Home Park in Howell Township. Authorities say Ariana's father sustained burns to his hands and arms while trying to rescue his daughter. (JK)
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Ribbon Cutting Celebrates New Hartland Teen Center "Next Door"Ribbon Cutting Celebrates New Hartland Teen Center "Next Door"
11/15/12 - Local teens, community members and officials gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday afternoon at the new Hartland Teen Center called âNext Doorâ. The center is located in the old township hall building off Hartland Road, which has been newly remodeled. Tours of the facility were provided and brief remarks were made to commemorate the occasion. Next Door aims to provide a safe environment for teens and offers social activities and academic support. Itâs open on weekdays and offered free of charge to Hartland students in 7th through 12th grade. The center is a project of the Hartland Enrichment and Recreation Organization or H.E.R.O, a non-profit organization that provides programming and projects aimed at enhancing opportunities for students in Hartland Township. To learn more about the center, click on the link below. (JM)
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100 Women To Present $10,000 To Operation Injured Soldier 100 Women To Present $10,000 To Operation Injured Soldier
11/15/12 - 100 Women Who Care Livingston County will be presenting a hefty check to Operation Injured Soldiers on Monday. The organization embodies the belief that there is strength in numbers and its goal is to have 100 women meet for one hour four times a year and raise $10,000 for one local non-profit organization in Livingston County. Organizer Candy Hinton tells WHMI the funds this quarter are earmarked for use by Operation Injured Soldiers, which provides activities and needed resources for physical and mental rehabilitation for wounded returning heroes. The organization is run entirely by volunteers. The community is invited to attend the check presentation at 9am Monday at The American Spirit Center located on East Grand River, Brighton. To learn more about 100 Women, click on the link below. (JM)
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Mexican Fugitive Heads To Trial For Alleged Unadilla Twp. AssaultMexican Fugitive Heads To Trial For Alleged Unadilla Twp. Assault
11/15/12 - A Mexican fugitive is heading to trial in connection with an alleged sexual assault in Unadilla Township. 31-year-old Varnet Brito was bound over to Livingston County Circuit Court for trial following a hearing this week. He is charged with 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly assaulting an incapacitated victim in Unadilla Township on March 19th of 2008. Brito spent four and a half years on the run before being arrested by the Blackhawk County Sheriff's Department in Iowo for disorderly conduct and public intoxication. He was extradited to the Livingston County Jail, where he remains incarcerated and a deportation detainer has also been placed on him for having illegal immigration status. (JM)
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Trial Date Pushed Back For Man Charged In 2008 Double MurderTrial Date Pushed Back For Man Charged In 2008 Double Murder
11/15/12 - A local judge has pushed back the trial date for a Warren man charged in the 2008 double-homicide of his brother and sister-in-law so that the defense can provide expert witness information to prosecutors. 66-year-old Jerome Kowalski is charged with two counts of open murder and felony firearms in the shooting deaths of Richard and Brenda Kowalski on May 1st, 2008. Todayâs hearing was part of a set of evidentiary and motion hearings that stemmed from an order by the Michigan Supreme Court, which directed 53rd District Court Judge Theresa Brennan to reconsider her decision to exclude expert testimony pertaining to Kowalskiâs psychological condition. All of the parties reached an earlier agreement to allow testimony pertaining to Kowalskiâs susceptibility to influence from authority, so long as it did not make claims about whether it actually influenced his confession. After lengthy negotiations behind closed doors between prosecutors and the defense today, Judge Brennan felt the only fair thing to do was adjourn the trial date out to give the defense an opportunity to produce to a summary of its proposed forensics expertâs qualifications to prosecutors. Brennan ruled that either a full report by the expert witness explaining the basis of his opinion be provided or a written description about the proposed testimony and the underlying basis of their opinion. All of the information must be provided to prosecutors by December 3rd. Barring any plea deal, the jury trial is scheduled to start the morning of January 7th in Howell. (JM)
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Hartland Teen Tased After Threatening People With Butcher Knife Hartland Teen Tased After Threatening People With Butcher Knife
11/15/12 - A Hartland Township teen is undergoing evaluation after threatening his 11-year-old brother, babysitter and a neighbor with a butcher knife Tuesday evening. Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte says at around 5:30pm, they received a call from a man who lived in the Bergin Road area, east of Hacker Road about a teen who was on his porch and had been threatening him with a knife. He says a 14-year-old apparently got into an argument with his babysitter, left the house with some butcher knives and was threatening to kill anyone he came into contact with. He says the teen got into a neighborâs home, who had his 3-year-old granddaughter inside, but the man was able to force the teen out onto the back porch and called 911. He says deputies and Michigan State Police ended up tasing the teen and taking him into custody after negotiating with him for a while to try and put the knives down. No one was injured but Bezotte says it was pretty tense and they are still trying to determine what happened as this was said to be out of character for the teen. He was subsequently transported to St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital for evaluation. (JM)
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Lane Closures Planned On US-23 This Weekend Lane Closures Planned On US-23 This Weekend
11/16/12 - More lane closures are planned in Livingston County this weekend, this time on US-23. The Michigan Department of Transportation says there will be single lane closures in each direction on US-23 for installation of permanent pavement markings between Silver Lake Road and I-96. A single lane closure on northbound US-23 will be starting at 11pm Saturday and last until 8pm Sunday. Then on southbound US-23, M-DOT says a single lane closure will start at 8pm Saturday until 8pm on Sunday. (JM)
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Brighton Veterans Memorial Opening Pushed Back to 2013Brighton Veterans Memorial Opening Pushed Back to 2013
11/16/12 - The Brighton City Council received an update on the planned Veterans Memorial at its meeting Thursday night. Veterans Memorial Subcommittee Chairman Bryan Bradford told council the committee has $17,000 in the bank toward the project and the group has received tremendous response to its request for in-kind donations and services o the project. Bradford told the council that the group has another $33,000 to raise before the $110,000 project can become a reality. The cost of the project includes a security system and lighting. Plans were originally to have the project completed by Veterans Day this year, but Bradford says due to the slow pace of donations, it has been pushed back to Veterans Day 2013. The memorial will be located on the far side of the Mill Pond. It is planned as one of several improvements listed in the revised Mill Pond master plan. It will replace an existing memorial with a basic design consisting of a boulder with a plaque and flags. Five armed forced will be represented in the memorial; The Army, Navy Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Bradford says the subcommittee has teamed up with the Kiwanis Foundation to make it a 501C3 fund-raising effort, which means donations are tax-deductible. Those wishing to donate can do so on the groupâs website; brightonveteransmemorial,org. Also to raise funds, the veterans subcommittee will be selling memorial bricks at a suggested donation of $100 each. The bricks will be part of a new sidewalk to be installed behind the memorial. (TT/JK)
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ARC Brings Celebrities To Livingston For Annual Fashion Show
11/16/12 - The ARC of Livingston hosted its 19th annual fashion show featuring area celebrities, personalities, and business and civic leaders last night. The ARC of Livingston is an organization that provides training, information, programs, resources, and advocacy for people of all ages with disabilities. About 470 people attended the event at Crystal Gardens last night. Each year the fundraising dinner provides more than half of the annual budget of the ARC and Executive Director Patti Nowak says last yearâs event raised about $100,000. The centerpiece of the event was the fashion show, which featured ARC members alongside celebrities such as rock legend Mitch Ryder, singer Stewart Francke, up-and-coming singer/songwriter Paulina Jayne, and filmmaker Vince Orlando. The event also featured live and silent auctions for donated items and services, many of which originated from Livingston businesses and sold for more than $1,000. (TD)
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