2/9/14 - A man who allegedly fled from police and rammed a patrol car faces multiple charges. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Dept. put out a âbe on the lookoutâ for a Ford pickup truck, âjacked âupâ and with extra-large tires after the driver fled from deputies at a traffic stop. Police say the driver was later spotted by a state trooper in the area of Fisher and Curdy roads in Oceola Township. The trooper stopped the vehicle, but the pickup truck driver began backing up to get away. The driver was ordered to get out of the vehicle, and responded by ramming the patrol car. However, the officer was able to pin the truck in a snow bank. Still, the man continued to resist attempts to arrest him, and the trooper had to call for backup help from officers. The suspect was taken to the Livingston County Jail on pending charges of drunk driving, resisting arrest, fleeing and eluding, driving on a suspended license and other charges, pending arraignment in 53rd District Court in Howell. (TT)
Man Faces Charges After Ramming MSP Patrol CarMan Faces Charges After Ramming MSP Patrol Car
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Fowlerville Man Sentenced for Threatening Churchgoers w/ KnifeFowlerville Man Sentenced for Threatening Churchgoers w/ Knife
2/10/14 - A Fowlerville man charged with pulling a knife on four members of a local church who confronted him about an alleged fraud has been sentenced. 24-year-old Craig Wampler was ordered to spend 60 days in the Livingston County Jail and given credit for 28 days already served. He was also ordered to serve two years of probation. Wampler was originally charged with four counts of felonious assault after police say he threatened four people from Fowlervilleâs United Brethren in Christ Church. He ended up pleading guilty to one of the charges in exchange for the other three being dismissed by prosecutors. Police say four people from the church went to Wamplerâs home on September 20th to confront him about allegedly lying about his girlfriendâs pregnancy in order to receive donations. He was accused of threatening them with a knife and the victims said they feared for their safety. No one involved was injured. (JK)
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Green Oak Township Couple Honored by Livingston Area Pet PantryGreen Oak Township Couple Honored by Livingston Area Pet Pantry
2/10/14 - A local organization dedicated to helping provide pet food to families facing financial hardship says 2013 was a record year with more than double the amount distributed, and a local family that has embraced the cause since its inception was a part of it. The Livingston Area Pet Pantry is a program under the Humane Society of Livingston County that was started in 2011 and partners with Gleaners Shared Harvest Pantry to provide food to pet families in need. The non-profit relies on donations and supporters like John and Sue Masek of Green Oak Township, who organize a collection drive every holiday season. It's become tradition and this past year marked their third and most successful endeavor, with more than $2,100 in cash and over 700 pounds of pet food collected. Their motivation is personal as Sue explained to WHMI and was prompted by the death of their golden retriever Annie after she was diagnosed with cancer. John says they started by passing out flyers primarily in their subdivision in 2011 but everything snowballed from there and they now hold several different events and fundraisers. He tells WHMI itâs a great cause and a great fit for them personally. The Maseks say as long as the Livingston Area Pet Pantry is around and the need in the community is there, theyâll continue to help. LAPP Spokeswoman Christine Blair says they always encourage businesses and individuals to donate so that as a community, they can continue to help fill the needs of pet families. She says they have a continual need for dog and cat food year round. While dry food is preferable, she says theyâll accept any donations to make sure they keep pets in the local community well fed and food available on the shelves at Gleaners. More information about the Livingston Area Pet Pantry can be found through the link below. (JM)
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Early Childhood Education Focus of Kindergarten SummitEarly Childhood Education Focus of Kindergarten Summit
2/10/14 - It may seem basic to some, but Great Start Livingston takes preparing for kindergarten very seriously, and an event tomorrow aims to teach residents how to help their children thrive in the new environment. The annual Kindergarten Readiness Summit will be held for parents, teachers, school staff, and caregivers of young children tomorrow beginning at 9:30am. It will focus on how to impart on children the mental, physical, emotional, and communication skills they will need to enter kindergarten, including the ability to easily separate from their caregiver, follow directions, and control their impulses. Great Start Coordinator Robin Schutz says Livingston County school districts have excellent kindergarten programs, but children need these skills to thrive in that environment. She says Great Start is planning to increase its focus on the role parents play in providing these skills, and will even start a Parenting University next month with the help of the University of Michigan. Tomorrow's Kindergarten Readiness Summit will feature Judy Darling, a licensed early childhood specialist, who will discuss social and emotional approaches for children to learn new skills and be successful in their schooling. For more information on the summit, click on the link below. (TD)
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Area Residents Recall The Beatles Appearance 50 Years LaterArea Residents Recall The Beatles Appearance 50 Years Later
2/10/14 - They were five words that changed everything; "Ladies & Gentleman, The Beatles." When television host Ed Sullivan uttered that phrase 50 years ago last night, it ushered in a new era not only in music, but in the culture itself. The celebrations surrounding the milestone have stirred the memories of many of our listeners, including a young Renee Chodkowski, known to most in Howell as The Great Foodini. She says it riled the emotions of more than just the kids of her generation. "My mom worked night so my grandpa would watch us and I would always watch TV with him and watch Ed Sullivan. I remember so distinctly when The Beatles came on, and grandpa didn't get around too well, but the next thing I know he's getting up, walking over to the TV and kind of growling, he turns on Lawrence Welk and says, 'Hoodlums! Now this is real music.'" Bonnie Slanker lived in Pinckney on February 9th, 1964 and says that moment was like no other. "I could hardly catch my breath, my heart was beating so fast. He said 'The Beatles' and you just couldn't breath...It changed the world. It changed me forever, made me a little more rebellious." Madonna Waltz of Brighton recalls her parents reaction. "I begged my parents to let me stay up late and watch them. They did and I remember watching them on our black and white TV and saying 'Mom, that Paul McCartney is dreamy.' and my parents laughed and laughed." And while her parents may have laughed that night, it was The Beatles who had the last laugh as they went on to change not only the music industry, but fashion, politics and culture as well. (AP Photo)
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Rezoning Plan for Woodland Lake Development Up for VoteRezoning Plan for Woodland Lake Development Up for Vote
2/10/14 - A proposed development near Woodland Lake will be the topic of discussion at a meeting tonight of the Brighton Township Planning Commission. Dozens of residents have already voiced their concerns about the development that would create 49 single-family homes on 42.8 acres just north of the lake. The owners of the property are seeking to rezone it from residential to a planned-unit development. Among the issues that have been debated are traffic from the construction, the use of a private road by the development and the impact to the quality of water in Woodland Lake resulting from runoff. The biggest concern for many is whether the development would get water and sewer from the city, and whether nearby residents would then be forced to also connect. Several residents say that their concerns are environmental as well, pointing out that the area includes woods, wetlands, and steep hills deposited by glaciers thousands of years ago, and they worry about the loss of habitat and destruction of unique natural features. Once the townshipâs planning commission votes on the proposal, it will go to the Livingston County Planning Commission for review and then return to the Brighton Township board for final approval. Tonightâs meeting will start at 7pm at the township hall on Buno Road. (JK)
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Brighton Man Honored for Longtime Community ServiceBrighton Man Honored for Longtime Community Service
2/10/14 - A long-time public servant in Brighton was honored at last week's City Council meeting with a citation presented by Mayor Jim Muzzin. John Wells, who has served on one city board or another for the past 43 years, was present with his wife and family to receive the honor and was given a standing ovation. In 1971, Wells accepted an appointment to the city's Zoning Board of Appeals, a body on which he served until 2002. That same year, he was appointed to the city's Planning Commission, on which he served â most recently as its secretary â until January, when he stepped down. Wells tells WHMI he can't name a specific accomplishment that stands out in his mind while he was serving the city in one capacity or another. Rather, he cites being faithful to the course laid out by past city planners and mayors, such as the late Karl Greimel and Jim Winchel, as the work for which he is most proud. Wells retired from a hospital career in 1997 but still works part-time at the Howell Nature Center, where he is involved in the Accepting Responsibility is Mandatory, or "ARM" program, a strategy for convicted drunk drivers. He is married to Nancy Wells and the couple has two grown daughters and four grandchildren. (JK)
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Former Fowlerville Woman Enters Plea in Custody CaseFormer Fowlerville Woman Enters Plea in Custody Case
2/10/14 - A plea was entered last week in a custody case by a former Fowlerville woman facing separate criminal charges in the overdose death last year of a child. 22-year-old Chelsie Lenee Marme pleaded no contest on Friday in a neglect/abuse case after authorities say she failed to help the 4-year-old niece of her boyfriend after she swallowed his prescription opiate medication and later died. The case in Livingston County Family Court concerns the future custody of her infant son, who is now in foster care. Meanwhile, Marme and the childâs father, 24-year-old Jared Kyle Brock, remain charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse in Livingston County District Court. A preliminary exam will be held February 28th to determine if thereâs enough evidence to send their criminal case to trial. Authorities say the pair were babysitting Brockâs niece August 31st at his motherâs home in Handy Township when the child is believed to have swallowed a Suboxone pill that belonged to Brock. The synthetic opiate is normally used for treatment of opiate dependence. Authorities say Brock and Marme were twice told to take the child to the hospital, first by friends they had called and then Poison Control, but failed to do so. They also didnât tell the childâs paternal grandmother about the pill before leaving the home that afternoon. The child died later that night. Brock and Marme initially denied knowledge of the pill, but later admitted the child had swallowed it. Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt tells WHMI that while they have agreed not to seek the termination of Marmeâs parental rights at this time, they have reserved the right to do so upon conclusion of the criminal case. The termination of Brockâs parental rights, however, is proceeding in March. (JK)
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Worker Hits Gas Line Behind Heart of Howell Development Worker Hits Gas Line Behind Heart of Howell Development
2/10/14 - Some streets were closed to traffic in the City of Howell after a gas line was hit today. City officials tell WHMI no evacuations were deemed necessary while the repairs were being made this afternoon. A DTE contractor accidentally clipped a gas line in the alley while in the process running power to the Heart of Howell development at around 1pm. Walnut Street between Clinton Street and Grand River and the alley behind the development were closed to traffic while the repairs were made. (JM)
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Pedestrian Killed by Van in Howell TownshipPedestrian Killed by Van in Howell Township
2/10/14 - A Washtenaw County man is dead after being hit by a van over the weekend in Howell Township. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department says they dispatched deputies about 1:15 Saturday morning to Burkhart Road, South of West Grand River, for a vehicle versus pedestrian fatal accident. A preliminary investigation indicates that a 2003 Buick Rendezvous van operated by 27-year-old Christopher Juarez of Howell was southbound on Burkhart Road, when he struck 28-year- old Hugh Miller, of Saline, who was walking in the roadway. Miller was fatally injured during the crash and pronounced dead at the scene. Juarez was uninjured. Alcohol and speed do not appear to be factors involving the driver of the vehicle. Blood tests will determine if alcohol and/or drugs were present in Miller. Toxicology reports will be available within 6 to 8 weeks. Deputies from the Livingston County Sheriffsâ Department were assisted on scene by personnel from Livingston County EMS. Burkhart Road was closed for approximately 3 ½ hours while they investigated the accident, which remains under investigation by the departmentâs Traffic Safety Bureau. (JK)
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Alcohol Suspected Factor in Fatal I-96 Crash Alcohol Suspected Factor in Fatal I-96 Crash
2/10/14 - Alcohol is a suspected factor in a rollover crash late Saturday that killed a 32-year-old Howell man. Michigan State Police Sgt. Mark Thompson of the Brighton post said Derek Allen Schneider was partially ejected from his vehicle, which overturned âseveral timesâ around 10pm on I-96 east of D-19 in Genoa Township. Thompson says an initial investigation indicates the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee hit the guardrail, overturned and landed on its side at the base of a steep embankment. The Howell Area Fire Department and Livingston County EMS extricated Schneider from the wreckage, before he was transported to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, where he died several hours later. Two passengers, including the victimâs brother, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. While all of the victims were wearing their seat belts, Sgt. Thompson says alcohol is a suspected factor in the crash. Their investigation is continuing with the assistance of an accident investigator from the Jackson post. (JM)
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Brighton Twp. Man Found Frozen to Death w/ Dog Beside HimBrighton Twp. Man Found Frozen to Death w/ Dog Beside Him
2/10/14 - A sad story out of Brighton Township over the weekend. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department reports that 73-year-old Rindle Meredith was discovered frozen to death outside of his Bendix Road home at around 6pm Saturday evening, with his elderly Collie beside him. Sheriff Bob Bezotte tells WHMI Meredith was wearing pajamas and it appears he slipped and fell while trying to lift his elderly dog up the stairs, and had probably tried to let his dog out one last time before going to bed Friday. Bezotte estimates Meredith was outside in the cold for 16 to 20 hours before being found by his son-in law. He added that family members had been checking up on Meredith regularly and due to the distance between homes in that area of Bendix, neighbors would not have easily noticed or heard him. (JM)
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Parker Middle School "Mathletes" Headed to A2 for Competition Parker Middle School "Mathletes" Headed to A2 for Competition
2/11/14 - Some Howell middle school students are headed to Ann Arbor for a math competition that challenges them to solve problems in individual and team events. Ten Parker Middle School students will be competing today in the 2014 Mathcounts competition. The participating âmathletesâ are described as high-achieving and challenge-seeking students that use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to solve a variety of math problems in a competitive setting. The Parker Middle School team has been meeting weekly after school and practicing sample math problems to prepare for the competition. Winners from the more than 500 regional competitions across the nation proceed to their state tournaments where the top four âmathletesâ and top coach earn the right to represent their state at the national level. (JM)
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Jury Acquits Whitmore Lake Man in 2012 BurglaryJury Acquits Whitmore Lake Man in 2012 Burglary
2/11/14 - A jury has found a Whitmore Lake man not guilty in connection with a break-in at a Hamburg Township restaurant. After deliberating through most of the day, the Livingston County Circuit Court Jury came back with a not guilty verdict for 34-year-old Michael Scott Russell. He was charged with breaking and entering, possession of burglary tools and 3rd degree fleeing from officers for a July 9th, 2012 incident in which Hamburg Township Police responded to a burglar alarm at the Hamburg Township Coney Island and found the back door forced open. Officers spotted an SUV speeding away onto M-36 and gave chase before the SUV crashed into a railroad signal west of Island Shore Drive. Officers arrested one man at the scene while Russell and a Whitmore Lake woman fled in a stolen Jeep. They were arrested later that day in an apartment complex in Ypsilanti but the woman was never charged. Russellâs co-defendant, 29-year-old Bryan Hardy, had previously testified that he and Russell used a pry bar to enter the restaurant. Hardy previously entered a plea in the case and was ordered to spend 67 days in jail. Russell, who spent 19 months in jail awaiting trial, had faced life in prison due to his habitual offender status. (JK)
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Woodland Lake Project Rezoning Approved Despite Capacity CrowdWoodland Lake Project Rezoning Approved Despite Capacity Crowd
2/11/14 - At the Brighton Township Planning Commission meeting Monday night, commissioners approved the rezoning of a proposed development on Woodland Lake that is adamantly opposed by its nearest neighbors. Opponents â most of whom live on Woodland Shore Drive - say the proposal is not in harmony with the natural features of the area and would cause a big increase in traffic congestion. The area is currently zoned R-2, but Boss requested that it be changed to a planned unit development. Township planner Kelly Matthews says that making the development a PUD â although allowing for greater housing density â would preserve more of the property as a forested natural area with considerable wildlife. Boss would be developing the area, on the northeast side of Woodland Lake, in conjunction with the NorthRidge Church of Plymouth, which is seeking to expand in the Brighton area. If given final approval by the township board, it would be the sixth development by Dan Boss in the township. Boss tells WHMI his proposed development would involve 33 single-family homes â some of them with lake frontage â and 16 detached condominiums being proposed by the church. All of those in the over 50-person audience spoke out against the project. Now that the township planning commission has approved the proposed development conceptually as a PUD, it goes on to the Livingston County Planning Commission next month for consideration and then to the township board for final approval, as early as April. (TT)
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City Council Recognizes Howell Boy's Lifesaving Efforts MondayCity Council Recognizes Howell Boy's Lifesaving Efforts Monday
2/11/14 - A young hero whose persistence helped save the life of an elderly Howell woman who nearly froze to death after she slipped and fell in her garage has been recognized at the local government level. Without the quick actions of 10-year-old Danny DiPietro of Howell and his family, 80-year-old Kathleen St. Onge might not have lasted much longer in the extreme cold after she slipped and fell in her garage on a Saturday night in January. Danny had noticed something out of the corner of his eye and says something didnât feel right so he finally convinced his parents to check into it, which led them to discover St. Onge in her garage. Danny told WHMI the experience has taught him persistence can pay off and just glad he was able to help. He says all of the awards and events are fun - although he was a little nervous before last nightâs presentation. Mayor Phil Campbell tells WHMI it was a heartwarming story and itâs the good things that stay with us. He says Council was very happy recognize Danny as heroic virtue deserves to be honored publicly. (JM)
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Crews Hauling Snow Overnight in Downtown Howell Crews Hauling Snow Overnight in Downtown Howell
2/11/14 - DPS crews will once again be working overnight to remove and haul all of the snow that has piled up in downtown Howell. Howell City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI polar course crews will be out until the sun comes up, hauling out the tremendous amount of snow that's collected. He says this is the second time theyâve had to do this and hopefully the last but itâs been one of those winters. Charles says signage and appropriate notification will be going out to remind residents and motorists of the snow hauling effort, which is expected to begin at around 10pm and should not have any significant impact on traffic. Overnight parking is already prohibited in the downtown business district. (JM)
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Stockbridge Man Seeks to Withdraw Plea in Home Invasion Case Stockbridge Man Seeks to Withdraw Plea in Home Invasion Case
2/11/14 - A Stockbridge man currently serving prison time in connection with a home invasion case is now seeking to withdraw his plea. 36-year-old Jason Robert Cavender received a sentence of 6 to 20 years in prison last July after pleading no contest to 1st degree home invasion in Livingston County Circuit Court. In exchange, two other charges of assault with intent to rob while armed and felony firearms were dropped by prosecutors, along with Cavenderâs habitual offender status. The deal was reached after Cavenderâs first trial ended with a hung jury in January of 2013 when the group failed to reach a unanimous verdict. He is now seeking to withdraw that plea and a motion hearing has been scheduled before Judge Michael Hatty Thursday. Police said Cavender entered a home on San Luray Drive on September 27th of 2011, pointed a gun at a female resident and demanded prescription medication. When the victim told him she did not have any, police say he got nervous and fled on foot. A four month investigation by Unadilla Township Police followed and resulted in the charges. (JM)
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County Inks Deal w/ Washtenaw for Medicaid Enrollment HelpCounty Inks Deal w/ Washtenaw for Medicaid Enrollment Help
2/11/14 - Livingston County residents who qualify for Medicaid under the recent expansion will be able to sign up for the service thanks to a new deal with Washtenaw County. More than 300,000 additional Michigan residents will qualify for Medicaid when expanded enrollment opens on April 1st. Livingston County Department of Public Health Director Diane McCormick says there should be about 5,000 local people newly eligible for Medicaid, and they will need help enrolling in the program in the coming months. A deal was approved by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners on February 3rd to allow Medicaid enrollment experts from Washtenaw County's health department to assist residents in the enrollment process. Those experts will come to Livingston County and help them enroll beginning in March, providing their knowledge to those who have little or no experience with Medicaid. The Medicaid expansion will shift costs from the state to the federal government, saving Michigan hundreds of millions of dollars annually. (TD)
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Howell Man Arraigned After Fleeing Police & Ramming Patrol Car Howell Man Arraigned After Fleeing Police & Ramming Patrol Car
2/11/14 - A Howell man has been arraigned on charges he fled from police and then rammed a State Police patrol car. Brian Lynn Ellsworth was charged Monday with felonious assault, resisting police, malicious destruction of police property, operating a vehicle while intoxicated and driving with a suspended license. He was arrested early Saturday morning after he fled from Livingston County Sheriffâs deputies who had stopped to check on his pickup truck, which was stuck in a snow bank on M-59 near Burkhart Road in Howell Township. Ellsworth is alleged to have ignored the deputyâs questions and fled east on M-59 after freeing his truck from the snow bank. He was later spotted by a state trooper in the area of Fisher and Curdy roads in Oceola Township. The trooper attempted to stop Ellsworth, who then backed his pickup truck up to try and get away. After hitting another snow bank, he then began ramming the state police patrol car, but thee trooper managed to pin his truck into the snow bank. Despite that, authorities say Ellsworth continued to resist efforts to take him into custody until backup help arrived and subdued him. Ellsworth is due back in Livingston County District Court February 18th for an exam conference. (JM)
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