1/10/14 - Under some difficult circumstances, firefighters from multiple departments battled a blaze in Hamburg Township this morning. The two-story home on Hill Pointe Drive near Caldwell was fully involved when firefighters arrived shortly before 7am. There were no injuries and the homeowners were out of state, but Hamburg Township Fire Chief Mark Hogrebe tells WHMI firefighters did an incredible job working in very difficult conditions and also cited great team work between the neighboring departments. The Brighton, Green Oak, Howell, Northfield and Putnam Township fire departments all assisted at the scene, along with the Disaster Action Response Team or DART. Hogrebe says the larger response was needed mainly because of the location of the home and narrow streets, as well as ice and slushy conditions due to roughly 12 to 18 inches of snow surrounding the entire structure. Hogrebe says there were also no hydrants in the area so the Tanker Task Force was brought in and supplied roughly 50,000 gallons of water and at no time did they run out. The 2,000-sqaure-foot home is a total loss, with at least $200,000 estimated in damage at the bare minimum. Frozen pipes may have been a factor but the cause remains under investigation. (JM)
Hamburg Township Home Destroyed by Morning Fire Hamburg Township Home Destroyed by Morning Fire
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Barnstormer Complex Facing Foreclosure Due to Back TaxesBarnstormer Complex Facing Foreclosure Due to Back Taxes
1/10/14 - The Barnstormer Entertainment Complex in Green Oak Township is facing foreclosure. Back taxes for real and personal property are owed from 2010 through 2012, which must be paid in order to avoid foreclosure. Technically, the 2013 taxes are not late as they are not due until February 28th. The building remains closed due to local court orders issued as part of ongoing litigation between Green Oak Township and Owner Rob Cortis. He was ordered to remove certain sections of the building that were constructed without permits, and others violating fire and building codes, as well as municipal ordinances. If he failed to do so, an order already authorizes the township to tear off those sections but it has not elected to do so. Green Oak Supervisor Mark St. Charles says there's no point in doing that right now since the building is closed and therefore, not posing a public safety threat, which has always been their main concern. St. Charles says Cortis has been in contact with architects and itâs his understanding that a set of plans might be coming in. Cortis has long maintained that he wants to address any violations and intends to pay his taxes. Approximately $54,000 is owed by the end of March to avoid foreclosure. Cortis tells WHMI he is in the process of creating workable plans to ultimately re-open and is also still exploring possible joint business ventures. (JM)
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Pinckney School Board Elects New PresidentPinckney School Board Elects New President
1/11/14 - The annual election of officers led to a bit of a change-up on the Pinckney Community Schools Board of Education on Thursday. After years of serving as the board's president, Anne Colone voluntarily gave up that post at the beginning of the elections. She instead nominated her vice chair Michelle Crampo to be president, who was voted into the post unanimously. Colone said with Rick Todd taking over the position of Superintendent after the departure of Dan Danosky, it was an appropriate time to institute a change in the board leadership. Crampo tells WHMI it was nice to receive such a vote of confidence from her fellow board members, and she anticipates that she will need to continue focusing on finances and students in 2014. Colone was nominated and unanimously voted into Crampo's old post of vice chair. The treasurer and secretary posts remained unchanged. (TD/JK)
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Residents Encouraged To Test Homes For Radon in JanuaryResidents Encouraged To Test Homes For Radon in January
1/11/14 - The Livingston County Department of Public Health is urging residents to get their homes tested for radon gas during the month of January. Because people spend more time indoors during the winter months, January has been named Radon Action Month across the country to encourage people to test their homes for the dangerous gas. Radon is a tasteless, odorless, colorless gas that produces no symptoms in the short-term. However, it is also radioactive and the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon is produced by uranium in the soil and can enter buildings through cracks or sump openings in basements, where it can build up to dangerous levels. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality estimates that 40% of Livingston County homes contain elevated levels of radon. The health department is offering free short-term test kits through the 31st. The test kits can be picked up for free from the Department of Public Heath office on Grand River in Howell. They are also available for purchase at many hardware stores and other retailers. (TD)
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Man Accused Of Assaulting Girlfriend Bound Over For TrialMan Accused Of Assaulting Girlfriend Bound Over For Trial
1/11/14 - A New York man who police say attacked and sexually assaulted his girlfriend while staying at a hotel in Howell has been bound over for trial. 30-year-old Michael Joseph Turner was arraigned in Livingston County Circuit Court on Tuesday. He is being charged with unlawful imprisonment, assault by strangulation, and assault with intent to commit sexual penetration. Those charges stem from an incident on December 12th, when Howell Police say they were called to the Kensington Inn for reports of a woman banging on doors and shouting for help. Officers say they found the woman badly injured, and learned that she was visiting from New York with her boyfriend. She claims that earlier that night he accused her of cheating on him, which she denied. Police say the argument led to a domestic incident, and that Turner choked the woman, threw her against a mirror, struck her repeatedly, and forced himself on her. Police say they found Turner visiting friends at another nearby hotel and arrested him. He is being held in the Livingston County Jail on a $500,000 bond. (TD)
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Deadline Looms to File Claims in Fungal Meningitis OutbreakDeadline Looms to File Claims in Fungal Meningitis Outbreak
1/11/14 - Victims and families affected by the fungal meningitis outbreak related to tainted steroids have until next week to file claims through a special compensation fund. The now-defunct Massachusetts company, New England Compounding Center, distributed tainted injections of a steroid to clinics throughout the country, including Michigan Pain Specialists in Brighton. The contaminated injections were later linked to an outbreak that sickened hundreds of people in 20 states and led to some deaths in Livingston County. Victims and their families are eligible to file claims and secure funds from a $100 (m) million Victim Compensation Fund that was created in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Massachusetts. The deadline to file is Wednesday, January 15th and the amount of payments will be determined by the number of valid claims filed. Authorities in Michigan and Massachusetts have coordinated their criminal probes of the pharmacy, which remain ongoing at this time, and a grand jury was empaneled last April to investigate the outbreak in Genesee, Livingston, Macomb, and Grand Traverse Counties. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says the fund could be an option to help victims and families rebuild, and encourages them to consult with a private attorney to determine whether filing a claim is appropriate for their situation. Claim forms must be received by 4pm. Only hard-copy submissions sent by USPS or courier services will be accepted as electronic submissions are not available. Additional information and claim forms may be found through the link below. (JM)
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Local Pizza Shop Holds Fundraiser For Youth Anti-Drug Group TripLocal Pizza Shop Holds Fundraiser For Youth Anti-Drug Group Trip
1/12/14 - A fundraiser organized by a pizza franchise is hoping to help send members of a local youth group to a national conference on preventing substance abuse. The group SRSLY was founded in 2008 and is made up of both students and adults as an anti-drug coalition. The Chelsea Standard reports every Wednesday this month, the Jetâs Pizza in Chelsea will donate a portion of its dine-in sales to SRSLY to attend the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of Americaâs Mid-Year Training Institute. The five-day meeting in July will take place in Orlando and give anti-drug organizations from around the country a chance to network while they learn about the latest research into drug abuse, evidence-based prevention strategies, and coalition-building strategies. Representatives from SRSLY have attended the conference every year since 2012. (TD)
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Brighton "Polar Plunge" Raises Funds For Special OlympicsBrighton "Polar Plunge" Raises Funds For Special Olympics
1/12/14 - Over 100 fundraisers took on icy waters Saturday afternoon to raise proceeds and awareness for Michigan Athletes competing in the Special Olympics. The 2014 Brighton Polar Plunge, one of 29 Polar Plunges throughout Michigan this year, took place at Brighton High School. The fundraising teams took a jump in the frozen pond behind the high school, with medics and emergency services standing by. Kerry Hincka, a volunteer and the Polar Plunge Coordinator, is also a parent of two athletes for Special Olympics Livingston. Hincka tells WHMI this event has been near to her heart for many years because her daughter Molly has been a long-time participant. The event included a silent auction, games and a parade of costumes through Brighton High Schoolâs gym before the freezing main event. Among returning volunteers to the Polar Plunge included Deputy Dave Loar for the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department. Loar tells WHMI he is in charge of gathering the dive team, EMS and Fire Department, along with taking the plunge himself. This yearâs Brighton High School Polar Plunge raised over $15,000 in funds for Special Olympics Livingston. Special Olympics Michigan is a year round program that offers those with intellectual disabilities a chance to participate in sports. (DK)
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Improvements at I-96 & US-23 Focus of Public Meeting TuesdayImprovements at I-96 & US-23 Focus of Public Meeting Tuesday
1/13/14 - Another public information meeting is planned this week to discuss upcoming improvements that will be made this year and the next at I-96 and US-23 in Livingston County. The Michigan Department of Transportation is hosting the open house style meeting Tuesday at the Brighton Township Hall to help bring the public up to date on the project schedule but also take input on the bridge aesthetic concepts included in plans. Work includes constructing new through lanes on I-96 between the current eastbound and westbound lanes of the highway, along with building three new bridges over US-23 and over Old US-23. In addition, the existing bridges over US-23 and Old US-23 will be rebuilt. The existing lanes of I-96 will become collector-distributor or CD lanes as a way to improve safety at the interchange. Local officials, interested residents and commuters are encouraged to attend the meeting. It will take place from 4 to 7pm at the Brighton Township Hall on Buno Road. A link to more information regarding the project and the meeting can be found on MDOTâs website. The link is below. (JM)
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Putnam Board & Pinckney Library Negotiating Over Old LibraryPutnam Board & Pinckney Library Negotiating Over Old Library
1/13/14 - Putnam Township is looking for a new home for its senior center, and the old Pinckney library building might be just what they need. Treasurer Pat Carney says the current senior center building is too small for the attendance and functions it houses. The township is seeking a new venue for the senior center, and the old library building on Mower Street is currently their first choice. It is three times the size of the current senior center building, and has been for sale ever since the Pinckney Library moved into the former village education center about a year ago. The township originally offered $199,000, but an inspection turned up problems including a faulty roof and an old furnace that will have to be addressed if the old library is to be used as a senior center. A revised offer was then made that library officials say is less than what their minimum asking price was. They have since made a counter-offer, although the amount is not being released. That offer is expected to be discussed during a closed session of the Putnam board this week. (TD/JK)
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Rogers Says Estimated Surplus Indication of Michigan's TurnaroundRogers Says Estimated Surplus Indication of Michigan's Turnaround
1/13/14 - A local lawmaker says the stateâs winter revenue estimating conference brought good news, but others maintain it came at a cost to many of Michiganâs most vulnerable. Legislators met Friday to get an update on the economy and an estimate of how much more tax revenue is coming in before they work on the next state budget. State Representative Bill Roger, a Genoa Township Republican chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on K-12 Education, says word that state revenues will increase by around $1 billion over earlier projections is a reflection of improving economic times in Michigan. "We went from a lost decade in which we lost population, the only state in the United States, and now we've ticked up. It may not be totally discernible, but we have moved up and we have jobs coming back." However, Republican Governor Rick Snyderâs Democratic challenger, Mark Schauer, said the surplus was, "...directly attributable to Gov. Snyderâs deep cuts to education, and higher taxes on seniors, middle class families and the working poor.â He called for more money for schools and restoration of the Earned Income Tax Credit and the child tax credit, which was also eliminated in setting the budget for the 2012 fiscal year.(JK)
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Howell Middle School Students to Learn About Cyber Safety Howell Middle School Students to Learn About Cyber Safety
1/13/14 - With increasing threats of cyber-bullying, Internet predators, and identity theft, a program next week aims to teach local middle school students how to stay safe while online. Students at Highlander Way Middle School in Howell will take part in The Michigan Cyber Safety Initiative next Tuesday, January 21st, which is a customized Internet safety presentation. The middle school theme is âStanding Up for Student Safetyâ and students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade at Highlander Way will attend the program. Theyâll learn about various topics related to cyber safety such as the dangers of posting personal information online, the potentially devastating consequences of cyber bullying and how online activity can impact a studentâs future. The program is offered through the Michigan Attorney Generalâs Office and was launched in 2007. Program details can be found through the link below. (JM)
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1st Annual Defeat Hunger Bowl Underway in Livingston County 1st Annual Defeat Hunger Bowl Underway in Livingston County
1/13/14 - While much has been done to remedy local hunger, thereâs always more work to be done. Defeating hunger in local communities is the goal behind a different type of bowl game underway across Livingston County. Local United Way Executive Director Nancy Rosso says thereâs lots of good work being done through the Livingston County Hunger Council, which has teamed up with Wal-Mart for the first annual Defeat Hunger Bowl. With a football and Superbowl theme, Rosso tells WHMI itâs designed to bring awareness to the hunger issue and the first time it's being done in Michigan. She says they invite community members to join in the fight and local work to keep hunger at bay. Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off in boxes located inside of Wal-Mart locations in Howell, Hartland, and Fowlerville through February 2nd. Individuals are also able to purchase a $5 pre-paid donation bag of food. Rosso says all donations will go to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Livingston County as well as a large network of other local food panties. (JM)
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Police Seek Same Suspect in Third Armed Robbery at Gas StationPolice Seek Same Suspect in Third Armed Robbery at Gas Station
1/13/14 - Sunday marked another armed robbery at a Lyon Township gas station and authorities believe the same suspect wanted in two others is responsible. Deputies with the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office Lyon Township substation were called out at 8:20pm Sunday for an armed robbery complaint at the Kensington Mobil Gas Station on Grand River. Police say this marks the 3rd robbery committed by the same suspect on December 20th and December 28th at the station. Heâs described as a white male standing about 6â0â tall, wearing a black hooded jacket, black boots and a camouflage bandana covering part of his face. In this latest incident, the suspect entered the gas station with what the victim states was a black pellet gun or handgun, and then fled the scene on foot after receiving approximately $270. A K9 unit was able to establish a track from the station towards the Kensington Place Mobile Home Park before the scent was lost and Deputies canvassed the park for any witnesses and the suspect but with no success. Detectives believe the suspect may live in or near the mobile home park and are asking for the publicâs assistance in locating him. A $1,000 cash reward is being offered through Crime Stoppers for information that leads to an arrest and conviction by calling 1-800-SPEAK-UP or Sheriffâs Dispatch at 248-858-4911. (JM)
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Jury Selection Set to Begin Tuesday in I-96 Shooter CaseJury Selection Set to Begin Tuesday in I-96 Shooter Case
1/13/14 - Jury selection is set to begin tomorrow in Howell for the man accused of a shooting spree along the I-96 corridor. 44-year-old Raulie Casteel of Wixom is accused of randomly firing his pistol from a car at other passing vehicles during a two-week period in October of 2012. A pre-trial hearing was held this morning with Livingston County Circuit Court Judge David Reader, who is hearing the case being prosecuted by the Michigan Attorney Generalâs Office. Attorneys for Mr. Casteel and the AGâs office met behind closed doors for two hours, working out witness lists and exhibits to be used in the trial. Jury selection is expected to begin tomorrow on the charges, which include terrorism, a count that could land Casteel in prison for the rest of his life. Authorities have speculated the trial could last up to three weeks, although they are working to get it done in two. Casteel was also charged with 60 separate counts in Oakland County, including assault with intent to murder. But he earlier reached a deal in which he pleaded no contest but mentally ill to 12 counts, including six counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, in exchange for the rest of the charges being dropped. Heâll be sentenced there January 30th. (JK)
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Trial Set For Woman Accused Of Kidnapping Her Own ChildrenTrial Set For Woman Accused Of Kidnapping Her Own Children
1/14/14 - A trial date has been set for a woman arrested after police say she fled the state with her two young children. Following her divorce in Livingston County, 33-year-old Christie Hope-Erwin Clancy of Westland was arrested in New York last month for failing to return her children to their father in August. Because the divorce was handled in Livingston County, the warrant was issued and her trial is being handled locally. Clancy has been bound over to circuit court on a misdemeanor count of unlawful retention of a child by a parent, and her trial has been scheduled for April 7th. She is being held on a $20,000 bond. The childrenâs father, who resides in Texas, has legal custody of the children, a 4-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy. However, the day before she was due to return them to their father, Clancy was seen packing her van with personal items. A tip later led police to Saranac Lake in upstate New York, where they located Clancy and the children, who were returned to their father. (TD)
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New Zoning Considered for South Michigan Ave Corridor in HowellNew Zoning Considered for South Michigan Ave Corridor in Howell
1/14/14 - As the economy improves along with renewed development interests in the certain areas of the City of Howell, the prospect of updating the overall zoning code for the South Michigan Avenue corridor has surfaced again. Council met Monday night and received a presentation from the Cityâs planning consultants comparing traditional zoning to a form-based code approach for the Michigan Avenue corridor, south of the railroad tracks down to I-96. The 2008 South Michigan Avenue Corridor Plan (an artist's rendering of which is pictured here) laid out the basic vision for possibly using form based code for that area. However due to economic conditions, the Cityâs fiscal restraints and decreased development, the code update was deferred. Then about a year ago, City Manager Shea Charles says staff started to see increased inquires and the was economy picking back up so in order to implement the plan, overall code must be updated to develop as envisioned. The contract to develop a form based code was actually awarded last summer and was followed by an initial work session where feedback was gathered from the community, planning commission and Council. Additional research was done leading up to last nightâs presentation. After some discussion, Council decided to proceed with drafting the proposed form based code over the next 30 to 60 days. Some members expressed the City owes it to the community to have an overall plan, noting there have already been zoning challenges in that area. Councilman Doug Heins said he felt it was a radical approach to zoning, and wasnât sold on the concept, noting he still had concerns about the rights of property owners and potentially forcing something on them. It was made clear during the meeting that additional input will be sought from property owners in the area and the public as the process moves forward. (JM)
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HPS Teachers' Union Contract Expected Within A WeekHPS Teachers' Union Contract Expected Within A Week
1/14/14 - After more than nine months of work and negotiations, the Howell board of education expects to have a contract for the district's teachers' union by this time next week. The district has been struggling to get a contract approved since a staff-recommended agreement was shot down by a minority of the board in March of 2013. Without a unified direction from board members, negotiations with the Howell Education Association were suspended in the summer. They were reopened in October after bringing on Tom White as the district's lead negotiator. Last night, without White's presence, the school board went into closed session for more than an hour and a half to discuss contract negotiations. When they returned, Board President Mike Witt announced that he expected a new contract to be finalized by early next week. The district has a negotiating session with the Howell Education Association today, and Witt says the exact details will be finalized in the agreement. A special meeting of the board has been tentatively scheduled for Monday night with the ratification of the new two-year contract as the only action item. (TD)
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Brighton School Board Chooses Fiani as PresidentBrighton School Board Chooses Fiani as President
1/14/14 - The choice of the person who will lead the Brighton Board of Education for the next year was a bit of a surprise to some in attendance Monday night. At the annual organizational meeting, 26-year-old Nick Fiani was chosen to be president for 2014, making him one of the youngest â if not the youngest - person to lead a school board in the state. He beat out the other nominee, outgoing board vice President Bill Anderson, on a split vote. Voted in as vice president to replace Anderson was Bill Trombley; Beth Minert was named secretary and John Conely was chosen to be treasurer. Fiani tells WHMI his top priority in the coming year will be restoring the Brighton school district to fiscal integrity. Fiani notes that it will be a challenging year ahead for the Brighton Board of Education because the contracts of all three major bargaining groups â teachers, support personnel and administration â are all set to expire. In addition to focusing on reducing the deficit, Fiani says he also wants to improve what he says is already one of the best in the state. Fiani says while he doesnât realistically expect the board and administration to completely eliminate the long-term legacy deficit, he expects it will be reduced by $5 million to a figure the district can erase in 2015, that being $3.5 million. (TT)
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City of Brighton Putting Out the Call for Pothole Police City of Brighton Putting Out the Call for Pothole Police
1/14/14 - With the recent thaw and snow melt, pot holes are starting to open up around the City of Brighton but crews are working to address them sooner than later. Brighton Department of Public Service crews have been out pothole-patching and salting due to some black-ice and slippery conditions reported. City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI theyâre asking that potholes on any and all streets whether commercial or residential be reported as well as specific street locations in need of salting or patching. Foster says the City is maintaining a running inventory of potholes so that DPS crews can fill them in and prevent them from becoming larger hazards. Reporting information can be found on the City of Brightonâs website. A link is posted below. (JM)
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