3/4/14 - As we come close to surviving the coldest Michigan winter on the books over the last 35 years according to the experts, itâs no wonder everyone has cabin fever. The National Weather Service Office in White Lake Township says Detroit is at its second snowiest winter so far and Flint is at its 4th. Meteorologist Rich Pollman says both sites need another six to nine inches of snowfall to be at their records, which is a good proximity for Livingston County. He expects to come close to the record snowfall seasonal totals this March. Pollman says if we see snow for three more days, which looks to be a lock, there will be a record for the most consecutive days of snow cover in any wintertime. He says that just adds to the feeling of it being a cold, snowy winter because we havenât had any breaks. The National Weather Service keeps track of winter temperature stats for December, January and February but March is considered meteorological spring so Pollman says the story has already been told. Detroit had its 8th coldest winter while Flint had the 5th coldest on the record. As a whole, he says looks like the month of March will have a lot of below normal days and be colder than average but there will be a warming trend, just probably not as fast as most people want. (JM)
Michiganders Surviving Coldest Winter on the Books Since 1970's Michiganders Surviving Coldest Winter on the Books Since 1970's
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Local Agency Helping Laid-Off Employees Get Back to WorkLocal Agency Helping Laid-Off Employees Get Back to Work
3/4/14 - The first of two meetings designed to help the laid-off employees of a Green Oak Township beverage manufacturer get back to work was held Tuesday. Liquid Manufacturing officially closed its doors and dismissed its work force on February 21st - two days after the companyâs assets were sold during a foreclosure auction. Jessica Balden worked in quality control and tells WHMI everything would have been much easier had all of employees been told the truth about what was coming. She says todayâs session at the local Michigan Works! Agency offered a lot of useful information about free services and job training so sheâs hopeful moving forward and planning to take advantage of everything being offered. Livingston County Michigan Works! Director Bill Sleight says their goal is to try and help the former employees get back to work as quickly as possible and while itâs never a good time to be looking for work, the good news is that thereâs a lot of activity going on and a number of companies hiring. Sleight says their agency was contacted by some employers following news of the company closing so theyâve been working to reach out to the former employees of Liquid Manufacturing but itâs been a challenge because they didnât have access to a list. Meanwhile, another meeting is planned Wednesday at 9am where former employees can learn about free services, including career counseling, job-placement assistance, interview and resume preparation, and job training. It will also take place at the Michigan Works! Livingston Service Center located at 1240 Packard Drive, Howell. Details can be found in he link below. (JM)
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Salvation Army Thanks Community for Refilling Food PantrySalvation Army Thanks Community for Refilling Food Pantry
3/5/14 - Livingston County has a track record of helping one another out and The Salvation Army of Livingston County says it has proved that once again by helping to refill its food pantry. In early February, local Corps put out a community call for food and monetary donations to help re-stock the bare shelves of its food pantry. Lt. Tim Perkins says the needs of those they serve is greater than ever and thanked all of the individuals, companies and organizations in the community who gave generously to help with their needs and filling the pantry. A number hosted drives that brought in well over 2,000 pounds of food. According to the Livingston County Hunger Council, there are 23,770 people that are food in-secure. With so many in need, it takes a lot of community collaboration to help and The Salvation Army of Livingston County says it was able to assist more than 2,000 of those food in-secure individuals in 2013. (JM)
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Denby Brewing & Hospitality Industry Bill Voted Out of CommitteeDenby Brewing & Hospitality Industry Bill Voted Out of Committee
3/5/14 - A package of bills has been voted out of committee that allows bars and restaurants freedom to market certain products within their establishments. The Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee voted out a package of bills related to Michiganâs brewing industry on Tuesday. The Michigan Licensed Beverage Association says the bills benefit brewers and the expansion of their industry, and said State Representative Cindy Denby was instrumental in helping the different sides come together. The Handy Township Republican is a member of the Regulatory Reform Committee and a former restaurant owner. Denby says sheâs glad they were able to come to a compromise to ease the restrictions on small business. MLBA Executive Director Scott Ellis says the prohibition was lightened to allow bars and restaurants the use of logoed marketing items within their establishments for the first time. Those include things such as glasses, napkin holders and patio umbrellas that have a primary purpose beyond advertising. The package of bills now moves to the full House. Smaller craft brewers and the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association had wanted to stop larger brewers from using items with their logos as leverage to win a greater presence in restaurants and bars. (JM/JK)
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Howell Board Discusses Present And Future Of DistrictHowell Board Discusses Present And Future Of District
3/5/14 - The Howell School Board got to discuss the status and challenges of the district at a special meeting last night. Board President Mike Witt tells WHMI the work session allowed the board to address questions of student achievement and enrollment without violating the Open Meetings Act. The board discussed the current status of the district, including indicators like MEAP scores and the condition of the bus fleet, before moving on to the challenge of declining student enrollment. The district is anticipating that this year's graduating students will outnumber new kindergarten enrollment in the fall by more than 200, adding to the more than 600 students already lost since 2009. Board members put forward goals and ideas to increase school of choice enrollment, including new programs like an Air Force ROTC, fostering a community atmosphere among parents at specific schools, and focusing more on vocational training. Mike Witt told the board he would like to implement a âbalanced calendarâ system within two to four years, reducing summer break to six weeks and spreading small vacations around the school year. He says this would improve achievement among students by reducing the amount of time spent recovering from summer breaks. Last night's meeting comes only a little over a month after the Facilities Committee recommended that the district close Southeast Elementary and merge its student body with that of Three Fires Elementary, laying off several teachers in the process to compensate for the reduced student body. That recommendation was met with opposition from teachers and parents, who spoke against it during last night's meeting. However, while Witt says it is being considered, the board only mentioned the option in passing during the actual discussion. (TD)
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EMS Ends Investigation Into Fatal Collision, Driver Back To WorkEMS Ends Investigation Into Fatal Collision, Driver Back To Work
3/5/14 - An internal investigation has cleared a local EMS driver of any wrongdoing following a fatal collision with a pedestrian in Genoa Township last year. The driver's ambulance struck 49-year-old Thomas Billo in the early morning hours of November 18th. Billo had been lying in the middle of Grand River near Golf Club Road at the time, and driver initially thought he had hit some trash or debris. He came forward to report the incident when he heard Billo's body had been found. An autopsy revealed that Billo died of his injuries, but also had a blood-alcohol content of .24 at the time of his death. The Michigan State Police did the initial criminal investigation into the collision, which ended with the county prosecutor declining to file any charges against the driver. About two weeks ago, EMS began its own investigation into the incident, which Director Jeff Boyd says came to an end on Thursday. He says the incident was found to be an accident, and no further disciplinary action against the driver is needed. He returned to duty on Monday. Boyd describes the investigation process as very cooperative between the State Police, the prosecutor's office, the union, and EMS. The driver was initially put on unpaid administrative leave following the incident, but when it became clear how long the investigation would take that was changed to paid leave. (TD)
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Putnam Township Man Bound Over in Case of Stolen Cigarettes Putnam Township Man Bound Over in Case of Stolen Cigarettes
3/5/14 - A Putnam Township man busted by police who followed a trail of stolen cigarette packs to him from a local party store has been bound over for trial. An exam in 53rd District Court for 27-year-old Matthew Thomas Morrison was waived Tuesday, sending his case over to Livingston County Circuit Court for trial. Heâs charged with breaking and entering a building with intent to steal and his $5,000 bond was also amended to a personal recognizance bond. New court dates were pending. Deputies with the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department responded to an alarm at the Hell Country Store on Patterson Lake Road at around 11pm February 24th. They discovered a broken window and two packs of cigarettes beneath it, as well as fresh footprints in the snow. They followed the footprints to a home on a private road, where police say Morrison confessed that he had used a flashlight to break the window and steal 10 packs of cigarettes. (JM)
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Howell Teen Wins Statewide Piano CompetitionHowell Teen Wins Statewide Piano Competition
3/5/14 - A statewide music competition recently heard a Howell teen make his mark in the record books. Highlander Middle School eighth grader John Tucker recently won both the 13-year-old Classical Piano Division and the Open Pop Piano Division at the 2014 Michigan Music Association Competition. In the Open Pop Piano Division, Tucker competed against 300 other pianists ranging in ages from five to 18 to become the youngest person to ever win the division. Tucker said he didnât enter the competition to win, but more as a fun experience that would help him grow as a musician. He says when he heard his name called out as the winner, he thought he had misheard it but then realized everyone he knew was cheering. Tucker began practicing the piano at the age of six and currently taking lessons with Peng Hampton of Howell, a graduate of the Trinity College of Music in London. This was Tuckerâs second time competing in the Michigan Music Association Competition. (JK)
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Albion Fires Former Brighton Township Manager Albion Fires Former Brighton Township Manager
3/5/14 - The former manager of a local municipality has been fired from his position in a central Michigan community. The Albion City Council voted 5-2 Monday to terminate the employment of Manager Dan Bishop. Bishop was formerly the Brighton Township manager for just over three years before leaving in June of 2012 for the Albion job. Bishopâs termination followed a closed-door session that was held âregarding a complaint against the city manager.â The Battle Creek Enquirer reports that this isnât the first time Bishop has been let go by a municipality, having been fired as Milan City Manager in October 2008. No reason was ever publicly identified for that termination. The Albion City Councilâs agenda for Mondayâs meeting indicated an executive session was requested by Bishop to consult with the city attorney regarding pending litigation. But a second closed-door session took place after the council voted to discuss Bishopâs job status. Bishop was recently a finalist for the city manager job in Bangor, in southwest Michigan, although that job went to someone else in December. (JK)
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Minister to Camp in Cold to Benefit Relay For LifeMinister to Camp in Cold to Benefit Relay For Life
3/5/14 - A Pinckney church's Relay for Life team will be getting a boost again this year as the minister braves the cold for the cause. This will be the fourth year Reverend Lynn Martin holds her Camp Out for the Cure effort to raise funds for the relay. On March 14th, from 8:00am to midnight, Martin will camp out on the front lawn of the Pinckney Community Congregational United Church of Christ. She says the vigil attracts a lot of attention and sympathy, prompting people to donate to the church's Relay for Life team, PCC Walks the Walk, which in turn gives the money to the relay to support cancer research. Martin says donations came in from sources as far away as California and Ohio last year, totaling about $4,500. Martin says she never sits by herself, and friends, family, or passersby tend to stay with her as she makes smores and tries to keep warm while camping out. The Brighton Relay for Life will be held on May 9th and 10th this year at Brighton High School. To donate to Martin's team or get more information on the event, click on the link below (TD)
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Howell Board President Calls Contract Signing "Ironic"Howell Board President Calls Contract Signing "Ironic"
3/5/14 - There was a moment of irony Tuesday night for Howell School Board President Mike Witt as he signed the recently approved teacher contract. Witt tells WHMI that while he, as the board president, and his wife Kim, as the board's secretary, were both required to sign the deal, neither was allowed to actually cast a vote for it. That's due to previously approved legislation that prevents school board members from voting on measures that would affect members of their family. Kim Wittâs sister is a teacher in the district. Mike Witt says the irony of that situation didnât occur to him until after he had actually signed the document and realized their signatures were the only ones representing the district. The couple has consistently opposed the law, which they allege was written specifically by State Senator Joe Hune to neutralize their ability to cast votes on a teacher contract in Howell. Hune has always denied that, calling it a common-sense measure that protects districts across the state. The contract, which is effective from March 1st of this year through June of 2015, features no salary increases for teachers. (JK)
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Incarcerated Killer Sentenced For Local Probation Violation Incarcerated Killer Sentenced For Local Probation Violation
3/5/14 - A South Lyon man already serving a lengthy prison term for the murder of his ex-girlfriend has now been sentenced for violating his probation in Livingston County when the crime occurred. 31-year-old Eric Frederickson is serving a 35 to 70 year prison sentence after pleading guilty to 2nd degree murder in the stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend, 22-year-old Summer Lynn Faulkner, in her Taylor apartment on July 19th of last year. Faulknerâs younger sister and a friend were home at the time and called police to report the attack. Faulkner was pronounced dead at the scene. Fredericksonâs friends eventually convinced him to turn himself in to Fenton Police, who then turned him over to authorities in Taylor. The pair had broken up and police confirmed that Faulkner was being stalked by Frederickson for months. At the time of the violent murder, Frederickson was already on probation in Livingston County for a 2009 aggravated stalking case. Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty recently exceeded sentencing guidelines in handing down the maximum five years in prison for the probation violation. Frederickson is currently incarcerated at the Saginaw Correctional Facility and his earliest date for possible release is 2048. (JM)
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Howell DDA Meeting Offers Information On Building PreservationHowell DDA Meeting Offers Information On Building Preservation
3/6/14 - Owners of historic buildings in downtown Howell can get some free assistance toward façade rehabilitation from the downtown development authority if they attend an upcoming informative meeting. The Howell Main Street DDA will host a âMain Street Building Basicsâ webinar on later this month. The webinar, conducted by State Historic Preservation Office Design Specialist Kelly Larson, will discuss the history of downtowns, how old buildings evolve over time, and the best practices for maintaining historic buildings while keeping them useful in the modern era. The meeting will also be a kickoff point for the DDA Design Committee to select building owners to receive no-cost design services for façade rehabilitation. These will include a schematic drawing of the proposed improvement, paint samples, and other information to assist with the project. Any building owners hoping to take advantage of that assistance must attend the webinar, which will be held at 8:30am on Friday, March 21st at the Frontal Lobe building in downtown Howell. Contact the Howell Main Street DDA for applications and more information on the program. (TD)
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Commissioners Endorse Merrill Rd. Speed Limit ProposalCommissioners Endorse Merrill Rd. Speed Limit Proposal
3/6/14 - An ongoing battle for a speed limit reduction in Hamburg Township has made another step towards achievement. The Hamburg Township Board of Trustees attended the Livingston County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday night to ask for support in their 6th attempt to reduce the speed limit to 45 mph on Merrill Road. The road, which bisects Manley Bennett Park, is currently set at 55 mph. Hamburg Townshipâs board believe the speed is a risk for the numerous athletes who use the park on a daily basis. In response, commissioners passed a resolution recommending a speed reduction along with a traffic study for Merrill Road. While decisions about particular speed limits are set at the state level, Hamburg Township Supervisor Pat Hohl tells WHMI he believes the boardâs support is necessary to make this attempt successful. The speed limit is reduced to 35 mph one time in the year currently, for the parkâs Fatherâs Day Festival. Hohl says previous studies have shown that an indefinite speed reduction to 45 mph would cost an everyday commuter 14 seconds. Hohl says he believes this is âworth itâ and local municipalities support would be greatly appreciated. (JK)
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Brighton Area Womenâs History Roll of Honor Announced Brighton Area Womenâs History Roll of Honor Announced
3/6/14 - Seven women will be honored at a luncheon later this month for their roles in shaping the history of the greater Brighton area. In conjunction with March as National Womenâs History Month, the Brighton Area Womenâs History Roll of Honor Advisory Committee has announced the 2014 class of honorees. They include Shirley Barton, Dr. Jean Becker, Michele Bouhana, Heidi Clausnitzer, Karen Goss, Sheryl Lohmiller, and Cheryl Mayday. Their individual accomplishments are detailed in the attachment below and will be celebrated during the Brighton Rotary Clubâs luncheon meeting on March 18th. The first Brighton area celebration of womenâs accomplishments occurred in March of 2002 when books, photographs, and posters of notable women were displayed in the Brighton Area Schools Board of Education room. In March of 2003, the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce and downtown merchants joined the celebration by displaying pictures and details about various women of achievement in their business establishments. The Womenâs History Advisory Council was formed and seven local women were named to the first Brighton Area Womenâs Roll of Honor. Since 2003, the Roll of Honor has grown to include 66 women and six Brighton High School state championship teams. (JM)
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Vietnam Moving Wall Returning to Hamburg This SummerVietnam Moving Wall Returning to Hamburg This Summer
3/6/14 - The Moving Wall replica of the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. is returning in late summer to Hamburg Township. The wall lists all 58,000-plus American causalities from the war. It also came to Hamburg in 2010, which is pictured here. It left such an impact that volunteers immediately applied to have the memorial return. The traveling exhibit is scheduled to return from Aug. 28 through Sept. 1 in West Bennett Park. Also planned is a Bob Hope USO show, with an impersonator acting as the late comedian. Military displays and vehicles will be part of the weekend's events. Former prisoners of war from the Vietnam War, Korean War and World War II will be honored guests. (JK)
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Green Oak Enacts Another Moratorium On Marijuana DispensariesGreen Oak Enacts Another Moratorium On Marijuana Dispensaries
3/6/14 - The Green Oak Township Board of Trustees has passed yet another moratorium on marijuana dispensaries and commercial growing operations. The township passed a 60-day moratorium on those businesses following the 2008 passage of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, saying the extra time would allow the municipality to adjust its ordinances to compensate for the new industry. The 90-day moratorium passed last night was enacted for similar reasons, with the board citing constant changes in the law at the state level resulting from Supreme Court and Attorney General decisions. The township has already banned commercial medical marijuana operations altogether, but the moratorium will give the board time to react in case some new decision by the state government changes the legality of those businesses. The moratorium does not impact individual patients or caregivers who are acting within their rights under the Medical Marijuana Act. Township Supervisor Mark St. Charles says the law was improperly written and enacted, leading to unnecessary complications and confusion throughout the state. He says even with a ban on dispensaries and commercial growing operations on the books, the township still gets frequent requests to create such businesses within its borders. (TD)
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One Suspect Sentenced in Milford Carjacking; Other Awaits TrialOne Suspect Sentenced in Milford Carjacking; Other Awaits Trial
3/6/14 - One of the two men charged with carjacking a man during a drug deal in Milford has been sentenced. 33-year-old Neal Pollman of Novi (pictured) was charged with armed robbery in the incident, but pleaded guilty to unarmed robbery instead. He was sentenced today to a year in the Oakland County Jail, with credit for 275 days already served. Pollmanâs co-defendant, 23-year-old Nathaniel Ashbrook of Hartland Township, remains jailed awaiting a March 31st trial. Heâs charged with armed robbery as well felony firearms and unlawful driving away of a vehicle. Milford Police say a man entered their station in the early morning hours of June 4th, 2013 and said heâd been carjacked by two men at gunpoint. Further investigation led to the discovery of the stolen car, which they said had been intentionally crashed. Pollman was located in the vicinity and arrested, while Ashbrook was arrested later after further interviews. Police say the alleged victim met Pollman and Ashbrook at a designated location to sell them LSD, but instead of paying him; they stole the car at gunpoint. At todayâs sentencing, Pollman was also ordered to undergo drug and alcohol testing upon his release and work toward receiving a high school diploma or GED. (JK)
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Genoa Township Board Approves Utility Rate Adjustments Genoa Township Board Approves Utility Rate Adjustments
3/6/14 - The Genoa Township Board approved water and sewer rate adjustments for three utility systems at its meeting Monday night. The board approved operating budgets for the Lake Edgewood Sewer System, the Oak Pointe Sewer System and the Oak Pointe Water System for the 2015 fiscal year, as well as some associated budget amendments for 2014. A rate adjustment of 3% per 1,000 gallons was approved for metered customers on The Lake Edgewood Sewer System from $6.43 to $6.62. Flat rates will increase by 8% from $110.87 per quarter to $120 per quarter, effective June 1st, 2014. Metered customers on the Oak Pointe Water System will see a 1.3% rate adjustment per 1,000 gallons from $3.08 to $3.12. The primary reason for that is to increase capital improvement reserve transfers. The current $10 per quarter debt charge will also increase to $15 effective May 1st, which is used to pay back loans for system improvements. Utility Director Greg Tatara provided a history of the different systems and an overall system analysis of each during the meeting. The smaller systems are said to have benefited from consolidated utility operations, resulting in each becoming more financially independent and less volatile with regard to expenses and rate adjustments. A more detailed break-down of the budget and rates for the utility systems can be found in the attachment below. (JM)
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Suspect Sought in Local Home Invasion, Possibly Driving White Van Suspect Sought in Local Home Invasion, Possibly Driving White Van
3/6/14 - The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department is seeking the publicâs assistance in identifying a breaking and entering suspect but also be on the lookout for the vehicle he may be driving. The department released surveillance photos today of a white male suspect believed to be involved in a home invasion that occurred in Genoa Township at approximately 3:30am February 24th. The suspect stole the victimâs wallet and immediately attempted to use his ATM and credit cards in Hamburg Township, followed by multiple attempts in South Lyon. Police say the white van used by the suspect appears to be a Chevy/GMC Astro van type vehicle. It has front end damage to the passenger side front fender but another unique characteristic is that white van has a âtie-downâ strap holding the hood down. Anyone with information about the suspect or the suspectâs vehicle in the case is asked to contact Detective Welch directly at 517-540-7930 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. (JM)
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