2/5/14 - Earlier snowfall and slippery conditions led to a number of accidents and road run-offs throughout Livingston County. This afternoon, southbound US-23 was shut down at Center Road due to an accident involving a semi. Back-ups also resulted today on westbound I-96 in the Burkhart Road area due to a semi that was stuck. Earlier this morning around 7am, Hamburg Township Police responded to a rollover accident that involved a single vehicle on Winans Lake Road, east of Hamburg Road. The department says the vehicle was traveling westbound when the driver lost control, went into right shoulder and rolled over. The road was closed for almost an hour and the man was transported to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital with what were described as non-life threatening injuries. Road run-offs were also reported throughout the City of South Lyon, where a snow emergency remains in effect until 2am so that crews can properly clear the streets. Meanwhile, a number of area school districts canceled afternoon and evening activities due to the winter storm and poor road conditions. Howell High School, Highlander Way Middle School and Parker Middle School were also dismissed ten minutes early today to ensure enough time for buses to safely run the high school and middle school routes and then return for elementary school pick-ups at the regularly scheduled time. (JM)
Winter Storm Leads to Poor Road Conditions & Accidents Winter Storm Leads to Poor Road Conditions & Accidents
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Runway Repurposed Adds Melissa Gilbert to Judging PanelRunway Repurposed Adds Melissa Gilbert to Judging Panel
2/6/14 - The 6th annual Runway Repurposed fashion show next weekend will serve as the first major public appearance for new Howell resident, actress Melissa Gilbert. Gilbert, who moved to the area last summer with her husband, actor Timothy Busfield, will serve as a judge for the show, which is a major fundraiser for the Livingston Arts Council, the organization that owns and runs The Howell Opera House. Gilbert, best known for her role on the 1970âs TV hit âLittle House on the Prairieâ is also an author who recently published a childrenâs book and is working on a cook book for the future. In addition to Gilbert, the judging panel for Runway Repurposed will also include past winner Maddie May Kroll, Mary Ann McCray from Le Boutique Upscale Resale, local artist Dave Perry, Barbara Binkley from Cooper & Binkley Jewelers, Rozi Fodor of Alterations by Rozi, Teresa Balogh of Mi Amore Event and Mallory Hoggard an Interior Designer with State Street Studio. They will judge 38 competitors who have signed up to combine the art of fashion design with the use of clothing and fabric donated by local businesses to create their original outfits. Runway Repurposed will be held on Sunday, February 16th at 2pm at Cleary Universityâs Johnson Center. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door and include appetizers. Ticket information is available online through the link below. (JK)
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Parent Presentation Has Added Meaning After Teen's DeathParent Presentation Has Added Meaning After Teen's Death
2/6/14 - A presentation tonight at Howell High School for area parents has taken on added meaning following the tragic loss of a Pinckney High School student earlier this week. 14-year-old Pinckney Community High School freshman Anthony Dirette (pictured) took his life Monday at home, leaving the community stunned. A memorial service for Dirette was held last night at Shalom Lutheran Church in Pinckney. Meanwhile, Jim Tuman, a nationally renowned youth speaker will be the guest speaker for a parent night tonight at Howell High School. Tuman, who was previously scheduled to talk with students and parents this week, is a youth speaker who has visited more than 2,000 schools worldwide and recently published his first book âThe Magic of Living in the Moment.â Tonightâs presentation by Tuman is entitled, âTaking the Fear out of Parentingâ and focuses on how parents can better communicate with their children. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to the presentation as Tuman works with both groups to exchange concerns and develop solutions to communication problems. The presentation will begin at 7pm in the Howell High School auditorium and parents and students from the Pinckney community are encouraged to attend. (JK)
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Snyder's Education Budget Draws Out Critics & SupportersSnyder's Education Budget Draws Out Critics & Supporters
2/6/14 - A local lawmaker says the difficult decisions made over the past four years are helping boost education and the future of the state. Governor Rick Snyderâs proposed 2015 budget calls for putting $609.3 million more into education programs ranging from early childhood to college. State Representative Bill Rogers is the Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on K-12 Education. The Genoa Township Republican says heâs pleased to see across-the-board increases in education funding. "I think it's very good news because we have set a pattern of increasing funding for education. We want accountability and transparency and we've followed through with that path." But with Governor Snyder facing re-election this year, he's been criticized over past education spending decisions. Democrats and others say the reality is that millions were previously slashed from education, with students and teachers suffering the consequences. Democratic gubernatorial challenger Mark Schauer criticized Snyderâs budget as being stingy on classroom funding especially in light of an expected billion dollar budget surplus. A 6% funding boost is proposed for public universities while recommendations would increase the minimum foundation allowance for K-12 schools and result in an average per-pupil increase of about $100 per student. The payments would range between $83 and $111 per pupil as poorer districts get a larger share of the increase. AP Photo-Al Goldis (JK)
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Potential Fracking Operation Proposed in Green Oak Potential Fracking Operation Proposed in Green Oak
2/6/14 - The issue of fracking has come to Livingston County in Conway Township, but the next focus of the discussion may turn out to be Green Oak Township. Hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking,' is a process to extract oil and natural gas from rocks deep underground by breaking them apart with high-pressure water, sand, and chemicals. It is controversial because opponents believe the chemicals it leaves in the ground could seep into the local water supply and damage the health of the community. Green Oak Township Supervisor Mark St. Charles says he has received a forwarded message from the county clerk informing him that a company was proposing a drilling operation, apparently in the vicinity of Grand River and Pleasant Valley Road. Depending on the placement of the operation, it could be less than 1,000 feet from the wells used by the Island Briggs Water Authority. St. Charles has gone to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, but it had not yet received an application for the project. St. Charles tells WHMI it is still too early to presume this is meant to be a fracking project, and that it could just as easily be a traditional drill. New drilling operation applications with the MDEQ do not have public hearings, but there will be a period for public comment, and St. Charles expects that no matter what kind of operation is proposed for the county, officials and residents will make themselves heard on the issue. Meanwhile, Conway Township officials have teamed up with a Traverse City environmental organization known as FLOW, or For Love Of Water, to host a public gathering tonight at 6:30pm at the Alverson Performing Arts Auditorium in Fowlerville. The presentation will focus on the environmental concerns surrounding fracking. (TD/JK)
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Hartland Announces Goals For Year After "Very Successful" 2013Hartland Announces Goals For Year After "Very Successful" 2013
2/6/14 - Calling 2013 a very successful year, officials in Hartland Township are now turning their attention to what should be accomplished in the next 12 months. The township has released its 2014 Strategic Plan along with the 2013 Year in Review. An improved credit rating, the opening of two new parks, and the launching of the Safer Roads and Pathways Task Force were all identified as key achievements in 2013. For the coming year, the township has created three categories in its strategic plan: Quality of Life, Sustainability, and Community Development. Goals for this year include completing and implementing the Safer Roads and Pathways Plan, Updating the Parks Master Plan, promoting volunteerism, conducting a follow-up citizen survey to help with decision making, and developing and implementing a community marketing plan. Both the Year in Review and the 2014 Strategic Plan can be viewed at the townshipâs website by clicking on the link below. (TD)
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Horses Removed From Cohoctah Township Woman's Farm Again Horses Removed From Cohoctah Township Woman's Farm Again
2/6/14 - Horses suspected of neglect have again been removed from a Cohoctah Township farm while a new animal cruelty case proceeds against the owner. 71-year-old Velva Jean Wainscott was charged after an investigation into the death of a horse found lying on its paddock on her Byron Road property January 12th. She was ordered not to possess any horses while the criminal case is pending, and The Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition and two partner rescue groups aided Livingston County Animal Control in removing all of the horses from the farm. Coalition Rescue Coordinator Jodi Louth tells WHMI the nine horses that were removed were visibly thin, and did not have food or water when they arrived this morning. Eight were transported to Starry Skies Equine Rescue in Ann Arbor and one to Horsesâ Haven in Howell for rehabilitation. Wainscott's horses were previously seized by Animal Control in November of 2012 after she was accused of abandoning or cruelty to 10 or more horses. Those charges were dismissed with prejudice and the animals were returned. In the latest criminal case, Wainscott is charged with abandoning/cruelty to one animal resulting in death and a second count of abandoning/cruelty to 2 or 3 animals. She is scheduled to appear in 53rd District Court for a hearing Monday. Photo courtesy of Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition. (JM)
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Multiple Departments Battle Morning Blaze & Cold Temperatures Multiple Departments Battle Morning Blaze & Cold Temperatures
2/6/14 - Although the ability of multiple fire departments to fight an early morning blaze in Unadilla Township was never hampered, crews did have to deal with cold temperatures and a live power line. The Unadilla Township and Putnam Township Fire Departments were dispatched at around 4:15am to a home on Patterson Lake Drive. Unadilla Fire Chief Mark Schroeder says upon arrival, they found roughly a 2,000-square-foot family dwelling with an attached garage that was about 80% involved in fire. He says there was no interior attack made as it was all defensive operations from the outside. The cause is unknown at this time and remains under investigation. Schroeder says there were no injuries and it appeared that the home had not been lived in for some time, maybe as far back as 2005 although it did still have gas and electric utility service. Schroeder says they were able to get the fire under control within roughly an hour and a half but their biggest problem this morning was the cold temperatures that resulted in some valves freezing up on the truck. He says thatâs somewhat typical with it being as cold as it was but it did not impact efforts in fighting the fire. He says there was also a live electrical line from the home that they had to safely work around. The Hamburg Township and Dexter Fire Departments assisted at the scene along with the Stockbridge Area Emergency Services Authority, Livingston County EMS and the Disaster Action Response Team or DART. (JM)
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Food Drive Saturday to Benefit Salvation Army of Livingston CountyFood Drive Saturday to Benefit Salvation Army of Livingston County
2/7/14 - After learning of the emergency food shortage at it's pantry, members of the community are coming together to collect donations for a local non-profit that helps others every day. The Salvation Army of Livingston County issued a challenge earlier this week to help restock the bare shelves of its food pantry during the entire month of February. The community is already stepping up and Brighton Ford has organized an emergency food drive, Fill-A-Ford, at the Brighton VGâs this Saturday. Flyers will be passed out to customers and donations of non-perishable food will be collected from 9am until 3pm. Officials at the local Salvation Army say the drop in donations is attributed to the cold winter and more people staying inside, resulting in fewer donations to its food pantry. In addition to Saturdayâs food drive, donations can be dropped off at the Salvation Armyâs 503 Lake Street offices in Howell. More information can be found on the Salvation Army of Livingston Countyâs Facebook page. A link is also posted below. (JM)
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Brighton Council OKs Final Northridge Condo Phase Brighton Council OKs Final Northridge Condo Phase
2/7/14 - The Brighton City Council approved an amended, conditional site plan for the Northridge Woods condominium development at its meeting Thursday night. Developer Steve Davis, who owns Advance Craft Home Builders of Brighton, is building 67 deluxe condo units after having previously received approval for 132 units. He says he is reducing the number of condos in order to accommodate the three-car garages preferred by the older demographic he is now going after. Council approved the site plan, but Davis must follow certain conditions, including constructing a sidewalk along Black Walnut Street. The city also wants Davis to haul away the bulk of the dirt that accumulates from his land balancing activities by the end of this summer. Northridge Woods is located on the far southwest side of Brighton, just north of Lee Road. Council Member Jim Bohn, who lives in one of the Northridge condos, says he is concerned about more noise, dirt and construction activity in the development as a result of the latest expansion. He says homeowners have been putting up with the noise ever since they moved in and want some peace and quiet. However, Davis assures council that the 67-unit expansion he is constructing is the last phase of Northridge and will use up the remaining undeveloped acreage. Davis says all of the condos will be over 1,600 square feet in size, will have high-efficiency furnaces, and ceilings will have an âRâ factor of 50. Over the last 14 years Davis has built about 600 condominiums and single-family homes in several phases at his Northridge development. (TT)
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Tractor Driver Enters Plea in Milford Hayride Accident Tractor Driver Enters Plea in Milford Hayride Accident
2/7/14 - The driver of a hayride tractor whose wagon overturned and sent nine passengers to hospitals has entered a plea to a reduced charge. The accident happened last October at Camp Dearborn off General Motors Road in Milford Township. 28-year-old Adam Forehand of Highland Township pleaded no contest to an impaired driving charge yesterday in Novi District Court. He was originally charged with reckless driving and the plea deal calls for Forehand to have a restricted driver's license for 90 days. Milford Police say Forehand had a blood-alcohol level of 0.06% at the time of the incident. In Michigan, the legal limit to operate a motor vehicle is 0.08%. Forehand reportedly told police he had a few drinks prior to his shift while celebrating his birthday. He also told police that the riders had shifted to one side despite his warnings to remain seated so they could throw hay at a passing wagon. However, the passengers disputed that claim. (JM)
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Anti-Fracking Group Holds Meeting on Conway Twp. OperationAnti-Fracking Group Holds Meeting on Conway Twp. Operation
2/7/14 - The first meeting regarding fracking between Conway Township and Traverse City-based environmental group For Love of Water, or FLOW, took place last night. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure deep underground to create cracks in rocks that contain oil and natural gas, allowing the fuels to be harvested. It is controversial because some groups, including FLOW, say the process pollutes the surrounding area and can lead to dangerous chemicals contaminating local water supplies. The first fracking operation in Livingston County opened in Conway Township last year, and since then officials and residents have been researching the industry and what they can do to prevent it from continuing to spread into their community. The township has contracted with FLOW at a cost of $5,000 to get information and consulting on how to resist fracking in the future. Last night was the first meeting resulting from that contract, designed to educate residents and officials about the options available to them. Executive Director Lynn Kirkwood tells WHMI that FLOW will review local ordinances and identify ways to make fracking more transparent and easier to regulate. More than 100 people attended the meeting, including residents of Conway, representatives from the county government, and officials from several local townships. While most in the audience appreciated the discussion, there were a couple of dissenting voices in the crowd who said fracking has been done in Michigan without harmful effect for decades and was part of the country's strategically-important oil production efforts. Kirkwood says the high-volume fracking currently spreading around the state has only been going on for about four years, and it has been proven to pollute the local environment. (TD)
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Man Accused Of Robbing Gas Station Three Times Bound OverMan Accused Of Robbing Gas Station Three Times Bound Over
2/7/14 - The man believed to have robbed the same Lyon Township gas station at gunpoint on three separate occasions has been bound over for trial. 25-year-old Douglas Duane Austin is charged with three counts of armed robbery for a string of incidents at the Kensington Mobil gas station on Grand River â two last December and the most recent January 12th. On Wednesday he was bound over to Oakland County Circuit Court for trial. He is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on February 18th. Following the robberies, Austin was identified by Oakland County Sheriffâs Deputy Matt Snider, who had responded to an injury accident on January 23rd and noticed that the passenger in the vehicle matched the description of the suspect and surveillance photos previously made public. Austin was arrested on a narcotics warrant out of Flint Township at the scene but then positively identified by one of the robbery victims through a photo line-up. Austin allegedly implicated himself in all three robberies during a subsequent interview, although authorities say the gun and facemask used had been disposed of by the suspect. The Sheriffâs Office says Austinâs criminal background includes fraud, assault, explosives, malicious destruction of property, and drug charges. He remains held in the Oakland County Jail on a $250,000cash bond. (TD)
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Man Enters Plea in 2011 Wrong Way Police Chase on I-96Man Enters Plea in 2011 Wrong Way Police Chase on I-96
2/7/14 - Nearly two and a half years after police say he drove the wrong way on I-96 while fleeing from officers, a Lansing man has entered a plea in the case. 21-year-old Juwan Williams pleaded guilty as charged to fleeing and eluding, two counts of resisting police, operating with the presence of a controlled substance and driving on a suspended license. Prosecutors had no objection to a Michigan Department of Corrections boot camp program as part of the agreement and Williams will be sentenced February 27th. Authorities say he deliberately tried to flee from State Police who had pulled the vehicle over on eastbound I-96 just past the Brighton exit on August 3rd of 2011. Police say Williams pushed the carâs driver out of the vehicle and then drove westbound in the eastbound lanes a short distance before crashing into a pickup truck driven by a Howell Township man. The truck rolled down an embankment, trapping the driver inside. He had to be extricated by firefighters and was hospitalized. Williams was also hospitalized after the crash. Although the charges were authorized in August of 2011, Williams wasnât arrested and arraigned until November 27th of last year. The carâs original driver, who was pushed out by Williams, was cited for driving on a suspended license, while the two remaining passengers in the car were not charged. (JM)
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Lunar New Year Celebration Set to Take Over Downtown HowellLunar New Year Celebration Set to Take Over Downtown Howell
2/7/14 - A new festival spotlighting Asian culture is set to take over Howell tomorrow. The first Howell Lunar New Year Festival started earlier this week with an educational event at the Howell Carnegie District Library, but will kick into full gear on Saturday. The Lunar New Year is celebrated in most Asian cultures, and falls sometime in late January and early February. It varies from year to year because itâs based on the Chinese lunar calendar. The Howell Downtown Development Authority is organizing the events, which will include a Dragon Run 5k and 1-mile walk/run at 10am tomorrow, followed by a blessing of the downtown businesses at noon in the Cobb Hall courtyard, with a Lion Dance performance at 1pm in the Opera House. The rest of the dayâs activities will take place there, including a martial arts demonstration and Mah Jong lessons. The evening will wrap up at 7pm with a free performance by the Michigan State Universityâs Silk Road Chinese Orchestra at the Howell Opera House. A full listing and schedule of events can be found through the link below. Officials say the goal behind creating the event was to bring a flavor of that to Howell as part of a cultural awareness and education process, especially since the community is seeing more trade, cultural and business presence from some major Asian countries like China, Thailand and Taiwan. (JK)
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Honors Keep Coming for Howell Boy After Saving Elderly WomanHonors Keep Coming for Howell Boy After Saving Elderly Woman
2/7/14 - The recognition keeps rolling in for a local boy whose persistence paid off and likely saved the life of an 80-year-old Howell woman who nearly froze to death after she slipped and fell in her garage. The woman spent two hours in the cold until 10-year-old Danny DiPietro, who lives nearby, drove by her house with his father and thought it didnât look right that the garage door was open when it normally was closed. With the sub-zero temperatures, he felt something might be wrong, and finally convinced his parents to check into it. The family joined WHMIâs Mike and Jon in the Morning and said once they realized what had happened, they sprang into action. The elderly woman was hospitalized and treated for hypothermia and dehydration but is otherwise okay. Sheâs the mother of local resident Sandy Mitter, who also appeared in studio and said the news of Dannyâs heroic actions continues to spread. The accident happened on Saturday, January 25th and Mitter says hours after the story aired on WHMI that following Monday, all of the local media and Detroit television stations were interviewing everyone involved. Since then, theyâve been fielding calls from Inside Edition, The Steve Harvey Show and CNN among others but Mitter jokingly said theyâre holding out for the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Dannyâs heroic actions have also not gone unnoticed locally. Heâs due to be formally recognized during a lifesaving presentation by the Howell City Council when it meets at 7pm on Monday night. Pictured from left are Tony DiPietro, Danny, Dawn DiPietro and Sandy Mitter in the WHMI studio. (JM)
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New Ratings for Putnam Twp. Fire Department Spell SavingsNew Ratings for Putnam Twp. Fire Department Spell Savings
2/8/14 - Homeowners in Putnam Township and the Village of Pinckney are being reminded to give their insurance companies a ring about new ratings that could result in lower rates and savings. The Insurance Service office or ISO is an organization that provides statistical information on risk and its ratings impact most fire departments. ISO collects information on a communityâs public fire protection and a departmentâs capability to respond to fires before analyzing the data. It then assigns a rating classifying a communityâs ability to suppress fires from 1 to 10. Class 1 represents the best public protection while 10 is no recognized protection. The Putnam Township rating dropped from a 9/10 rating down to 7, while the Village of Pinckney rating went from a 5/6 to a 4. Putnam Township Fire Chief Greg Amburgey tells WHMI the ratings are the result a two year study and work with ISO, adding they are working hard to help save residents money during these tough times. Almost every aspect of a municipality and its fire department is evaluated in determining the ISO rating, with points given for everything from the training aids a fire department owns to the distance between fire hydrants. While ISO does notify insurance companies of the ratings, homeowners are advised to contact their providers directly and inform them of the change. (JM)
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Auto Industry Expert to Speak at Howell Chamber EventAuto Industry Expert to Speak at Howell Chamber Event
2/8/14 - A program next week will focus on the future of the auto industry and the challenges of technology. Technological advances in the auto industry are described as dizzying with crash-avoidance systems and cars that park themselves. Technology is said to be upending the auto industry, requiring leaders with a skill set unlike those necessary just a decade ago. âThe Auto Future: Fast and Furiousâ will be the featured Good Morning Livingston program this coming Tuesday and will feature David E. Cole. Heâs currently the chairman emeritus of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) in Ann Arbor, and chairman of Auto Harvest, a new organization being developed to facilitate the flow of intellectual property in and out of the auto industry. Coleâs recent research has focused on strategic issues related to the restructuring of the international auto industry and trends in globalization, technology, market factors, and human resource requirements. The chamber breakfast event will take place at Cleary Universityâs Johnson Center. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Howell Chamber or click on the link below. (JM)
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Woman Charged After Crashing Jeep Into Deputy Fire Chief's Home Woman Charged After Crashing Jeep Into Deputy Fire Chief's Home
2/8/14 - A woman jailed after crashing her jeep into the home of a local deputy fire chief has been formally charged. Court records show that charges of operating while intoxicated, driving on a suspended license and another for having no insurance have been filed against 41-year-old Heather Ann Belen of Webberville. She is set to be arraigned in 53rd District Court Wednesday. The charges were authorized following an incident the night of January 12th. Belen is accused of crashing her Jeep into the porch area of Deputy Fowlerville Fire Chief Robert Feigâs home on West Grand River. The Fowlerville Police Department reported that Belen was traveling north on Veterans Drive when her vehicle left the roadway, crossed over Grand River and then a curb before crashing into the front porch area of Feigâs home. Feig and his wife were both home but not injured and Feig administered first aid to the woman until authorities and EMS arrived. She was said to be conscious but sustained some facial injuries and was treated and released from a hospital before being lodged in the Livingston County Jail. (JM)
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Howell High School Students Go Bald For Cancer Research
2/8/14- Several Howell High School students are donning a brave new hairstyle to support cancer research. Seven students, two Howell Public Schools board members along with a staff member and their spouse allowed their heads to be shaved Friday afternoon by volunteer barbers to raise money for the St. Baldrickâs Foundation. The volunteer based charity funds research towards finding a cure for childhood cancer. The scene, electric with student energy, had an emotional undertone. Many shavees whose lives have been touched in some way by cancer, smiled through tears, watching their locks of hair tumble to the ground. Senior Britney Winters told WHMI that cutting her hair for the cause came from a personal inspiration as she's had several family members who have battled cancer, including her grandfather who recently passed away. Andrew Bossio was another student who participate and said he did so because everyone knows someone who has suffered from cancer and he wanted to do his part to make a difference. Students are striving to raise $10,000 in order to beat last yearâs number of just over $9,000. They currently have raised around $6,000 and will continue to collect donations until February 18th when Aubreeâs Pizzeria in Howell will donate a portion of the proceeds from sales that day towards the fundraiser. Anyone who wishes to contribute can also send a check to: Howell Interact Club, c/o Howell High School, 1200 W. Grand River Ave., Howell, MI 48843. Include St. Baldrickâs on the memo line. (DK/JK)
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