3/6/14 - It may not be warm outside yet and weâll be losing an hour of sleep but it will be lighter out, later since itâs time to spring forward this weekend. Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, with area residents reminded to set their clocks ahead by one hour at 2am. Many devices such as cell phones and computers update and sync automatically with the spring time change but it also marks an easy way to remember to replace or at least check the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Howell Fire Marshal Les Rodwell says smoke alarms slowly start to wear out like everything else and should be replaced every ten years to make sure they respond properly and in a timely manner. Carbon monoxide detectors should also be replaced every seven years but both alarms should always be located near sleeping areas. He says this weekend is a good time to not only actually test smoke alarms but make sure you have an escape plan in case of a fire and practice it. Rodwell adds that a number of local departments including Howell have programs in which firefighters will come out and check smoke alarms to make sure theyâre in proper working order and help replace them or install new batteries. (JM)
Livingston County Residents Reminded to Spring Forward Sunday Livingston County Residents Reminded to Spring Forward Sunday
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Mass Training Exercise Starts Next Week at Old Latson ElementaryMass Training Exercise Starts Next Week at Old Latson Elementary
3/6/14 - A collaborative training exercise involving public safety agencies from across Livingston County will get underway next week and thereâs a pretty good chance the public will notice it. The training is being hosted by Howell Public Schools at the old Latson Road elementary school building, which will be demolished this spring. Thatâs also where some local public safety officials held a media briefing Thursday morning. They explained that once the training does get underway, there will be a large number of emergency vehicles at the school and the sound of gunshots is also possible but there is no need for public alarm. Signs will also be out next week in front of the school to remind the public that the training is in progress Wednesday through Saturday from roughly 8am until 7pm each day. The purpose of the exercise is to put into action the simultaneous responses of police, fire and medical agencies in an active shooter situation and strengthen their ability to coordinate a mass casualty scene. The training exercise next week will have a different focus than one conducted back in 2010 at Parker Middle School and instead focus more on rapid extraction of victims, assessment and treatment during different scenarios. (JM)
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Deadline Nearing to Submit Projects for 2014 Labor of Love Deadline Nearing to Submit Projects for 2014 Labor of Love
3/7/14 - Thereâs less than a month left to nominate projects for a large community project later this spring that involves hundreds of volunteers. Nominations are currently being sought for the 2014 Labor of Love Project Day on Saturday, May 3rd when volunteers will spread out across pre-arranged sites to perform home repairs, small jobs, safety inspections, cleaning and yard work. Labor of Love originated at Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church but is now affiliated with Love INC, a network of more than 50 local churches that have joined together to serve the community. It helps Livingston Countyâs elderly, disabled and financially challenged with the maintenance, cleaning, and repair of their homes as well as families of those serving overseas. Nominations for major repair projects will be closed on March 20th while nominations for minor repairs, cleaning and yard clean ups will be closed on April 3rd. Officials say the process to submit a project is fast and easy and can be done through the link below. (JM)
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Acclaimed Dance Company Prepares for Scholarship Show
3/7/14 - Dancing may have gone mainstream with the success of TV shows like Dancing With the Stars, but for about 50 young dancers in a Livingston County company, itâs a passion and an art form. On a recent weeknight, members of the Performing Arts Dance Theater in Howell were working through a routine as they prepare for an upcoming show. Many consider the troupe a local hidden gem, providing top quality dance instruction for those dedicated to the craft. Among them is Howell High School Senior Kathleen Laituri, who is in her 9th year with the company and planning on studying dance at Pace University in Manhattan in the fall. "Dance is my entire life. It's my outlet...it's basically my form of therapy." Most of the company members have been dancing since they were young children. Howell Senior Bella Nalepa started when she was three, and is preparing to tackle pre-med at MSU. She says the lessons sheâs learned from her dance career have been life lessons as well. "Definitely the dedication from it. You come to dance everyday and you do it everyday. I think the time management its taught me will really help in school." The performance the company was preparing for is called "Walk With You" and will be held March 15th and 16th at Howell High School. The award-winning dance company has nurtured and trained hundreds of top dancers over the past 20 years, garnering national acclaim at various performances through the years, while remaining relatively unknown locally. But for the dancers who put their heart and soul, and the numerous hours, into their art, public acclaim isnât the motivation. Holly Borla of Commerce Township is a high school senior who will be studying dance in the fall at Point Park University in Pittsburgh. Sheâs been dancing since she was three years old and says it is far more than just an extra-curricular activity. "A lot of people say dance is an escape from reality, but for me it is my reality...It's a part of who I am. I view myself as an artist and dance is my language." Danyel Boss is a Howell High School Senior and says in some ways the company is like a sports team, but at its core is a very personal experience. "It's a passion, it's honestly a passion. I can come here whenever I'm mad or upset about anything and it helps you get away from it all. It's like another home." Proceeds from the "Walk This Way" performance will help raise college scholarship money for the dancers. Video courtesy of Lindsay Root. (JK)
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Expanded ENA Plant Could Give Brighton 100 New Jobs Expanded ENA Plant Could Give Brighton 100 New Jobs
3/7/14 - A hundred new jobs will be added to the Brighton area employment picture if approval is given by the city and state to plans by a German automotive supplier for a huge expansion of its Brighton facility. Eberspaecher North America wants to build a 191,000-square-foot addition to its plant on Orndorf Drive and is asking for approval of a tax abatement of up to 50% by the city in order to do it. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. has already approved a $4.5 million grant for the project, contingent on the cityâs approval of the abatement. The Brighton City Council Thursday approved setting March 20 as the date for a hearing on a request by ENA for a tax break so the company can build the 191,000-square-foot addition. ENA is a global manufacturer of advanced auto and truck exhaust systems with facilities on six continents. The Brighton plant makes catalytic converters and other exhaust components for large trucks. The current plant â opened in 2003 â is 110,000 square feet in size, but if the plans are approved would mushroom to over 300,000 square feet, making it the largest ENA facility in North America. ENA President Doug Swick tells WHMI it will be the fifth expansion of the Brighton plant. The entire project is expected to cost about $60 million. Even with a potential tax abatement of up to 50%, the additional investment in its Brighton plant is projected to increase the amount of tax revenue the city receives from ENA to $415,000 over the next six years, even if the personal property tax is eliminated by the state legislature. Without elimination of the personal property tax, the city would receive a projected $910,000 in new tax revenue, and other local governments would also benefit Swick says if final approval is granted, he hopes to get started on the expansion in the third or fourth quarter of the year and begin production from the expanded facility by the end of 2015. Foster says in order to do that, Orndorf Drive must be improved with a relocated cul de sac and its intersection with West Grand River reconstructed with mast arm street signs, new traffic lights and other upgrades. Most of the $700,000 street project would be paid for with an expected MDOT grant. (TT)
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Fowlerville Man Sentenced for Injuring Niece During SpankingFowlerville Man Sentenced for Injuring Niece During Spanking
3/7/14 - A local man will not face additional jail time for injuring his young niece. 26-year-old John Drawe of Fowlerville was sentenced to two days in jail on Thursday, but also given credit for two days already served. He also was ordered to spend one year on probation. Drawe was originally charged with 3rd degree child abuse following the November 18th incident, but pleaded guilty to the lesser included charge of 4th degree child abuse. Police say Drawe spanked his 2-year-old niece while babysitting her, leaving bruises and markings on the child. Another child was also in his care but not injured. He told police that he was frustrated with the children and used spanking as a form of discipline. (JK)
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Plans Laid Out For Pinckney's Elementary School RedistrictingPlans Laid Out For Pinckney's Elementary School Redistricting
3/7/14 - The new lines have been drawn between Pinckney's two remaining elementary schools once Lakeland Elementary closes at the end of the school year. The elementary is being closed to save money in response to declining enrollment rates in the district. Last night, Superintendent Rick Todd unveiled the new plan to the Pinckney School Board and explained the various changes that will accompany it. The division between Country and Farley Hill Elementaries will remain largely unchanged, although they will absorb Lakeland former territory. This will leave both schools within 10% of their total capacity in the fall. Additionally, Todd says the district will no longer allow parents to select which of the two schools their children will attend. The only exemptions this fall will be students entering 3rd grade who want to remain at the same school until they move on to Navigator, as well as their younger siblings. Todd says the district is working hard to make sure both schools have the same opportunities for students to minimize the need for intra-district school of choice. Earlier this year, the district was considering making one of the schools preschool through 1st grade, and the other 2nd and 3rd grade only, as a way to make staffing more efficient. There was resistance from parents and teachers to this idea, and in the end Todd says it had to be scrapped due to the opposition as well as the logistics of transporting students from around the 93-square-mile district to both schools. The district will be contacting families that will be affected by the redistricting or the end of intra-district school of choice to explain the new situation. (TD)
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Hamburg Twp. Preparing For Likely Flooding Along Huron RiverHamburg Twp. Preparing For Likely Flooding Along Huron River
3/7/14 - As all of the snow starts to melt and spring inches closer, Hamburg Township officials are preparing for likely flooding along the Huron River. Supervisor Pat Hohl says they recently received word today from the National Weather Service White Lake Township Office that thereâs an estimated five inches of equivalent water in the snow packs along the Huron River and minor flooding is virtually 100% certain. Hohl says theyâre receiving tremendous support from neighboring townships and are working to put together a formal action plan with the police and fire departments, the county and the state. Hohl tells WHMI theyâre just hoping to be as prepared as possible for every potential scenario but everything is dependent on nature. Hohl says itâs important for residents to be aware of the possibility of minor flooding but thereâs no need to over-react. He says they ask people survey their personal property including garages and sheds to make sure there are not a lot of things that could prove hazardous on the ground. During the massive flooding events in 2004, Hohl says public safety workers dealt with oil slicks and gasoline from gas cans, as well as fertilizer and pesticides that were left sitting on garage floors and caused serious problems. (JM)
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New LACASA Parenting Class To Begin This MonthNew LACASA Parenting Class To Begin This Month
3/8/14 - LACASA will offer a new 12-week parenting course starting later this month. The class, entitled âStrengthening Families,â is aimed at families with children ages 5 through 11 years old. Both parents and children will participate in the sessions, and child care will be provided during the parents-only portions. Participants will learn about effective communication styles, problem-solving techniques, and skills for managing stress. The classes will be held on Mondays beginning March 31st and running through June 16th. They will take place at the LACASA Center on Grand River west of downtown Howell from 5:15 to 8:00pm. The cost is $100 per family, which includes all course materials and a light dinner at each meeting. Space is limited and registration is required. For information or to sign up, follow the link posted below. A different parenting class aimed at the parents of children from birth through age 11 will come to an end next month. (TD)
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Village of Pinckney Hoping to Attract Michigan Brewers to DowntownVillage of Pinckney Hoping to Attract Michigan Brewers to Downtown
3/8/14 - Craft beer is becoming big business in Michigan, and officials want to know if the Village of Pinckney should market itself to the industry. The state ranks fifth in the nation in the number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs. The Village conducted an earlier un-official Facebook poll to gauge what residents would like to see and a large number indicated they wanted a place to relax and have a drink. In an effort to determine if marketing space to registered micro-breweries in the state would be something to pursue, the Village started an online petition to bring a brewpub with the goal of gathering 1,000 signatures. It states that the traditional downtown and compliment of municipal services and staff offer a good opportunity for a Michigan brew pub to grow its business - noting the dinner theatre, restaurants, and mom and pop shops as additional draws. The petition notes the Village âthe gateway to playâ tagline and emphasizes a desire for a relaxed location to stop in and taste seasonal ale with locals and visitors alike. If the petition garners enough support, itâs likely the Village would likely work with Ann Arbor SPARK and the Pinckney Downtown Development Authority to potentially market available space. A link to the petition can be found below. (JM)
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Fowlerville Schools Seeking Millage Renewal In AugustFowlerville Schools Seeking Millage Renewal In August
3/8/14 - The Fowlerville School District will be asking voters to renew its non-homestead property tax during the August election. Superintendent Wayne Roedel says the decades-old tax provides the district with about $2.2 million per year, about a tenth of its budget, and that the state assumes it will be approved by voters when Fowlerville's state shared revenue is calculated. The millage will be put on the August 5th primary ballot rather than included in the general election in November, which Roedel says is to make sure the vital issue does not get lost in the large number of other ballot issues that tend to be included in the fall election. The district has also decided this year's renewal will be for a term of four years, keeping the millage renewal in sync with the four-year terms of school board members. Roedel says the millage has generally been renewed by a wide margin in previous elections, but the district will not take that for granted. The millage is a non-homestead tax, applying to businesses and rental properties but not primary residences. (TD)
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Man Sentenced After Leading Police on Wrong Way Chase Along I-96Man Sentenced After Leading Police on Wrong Way Chase Along I-96
3/8/14 - More than two-and-a-half years after police say he drove the wrong way on I-96 while fleeing from officers, a Lansing man has been sentenced. 21-year-old Juwan Williams ordered to serve 2 to 5 years in prison with credit for 99 days already served. He will be eligible to take part in a Michigan Department of Corrections boot camp program as part of an earlier agreement with prosecutors. He 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. Authorities say Williams 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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United Way to Hold Annual Meeting ThursdayUnited Way to Hold Annual Meeting Thursday
3/9/14 - The Livingston County United Way will take a look back at 2013 and honor its outstanding volunteers at an event next week. The organizationâs Annual Meeting & Volunteer Recognition Breakfast will be held Thursday, March 13th beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Crystal Gardens Banquet Center in Howell. The event will include a celebration of the community partnerships and successes from the past year, recognition of exceptional leadership and volunteers and the introduction of the 2014 Board of Directors. Select individuals and area youth will be also recognized with awards that include the Donald Epley Lifetime Community Service Award, Charles W. Itsell Volunteer of the Year Award and the Randy Rudisill Business of the Year. For ticket information and other details, you can contact the Livingston County United Way at (810) 494-3000 or through the link below. (JK)
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Green Oak Building Department Revenues Rise UnexpectedlyGreen Oak Building Department Revenues Rise Unexpectedly
3/9/14 - Green Oak Township approved its budget for the coming year last week, and the only major changes reflected the improving economy. On Wednesday, the township board approved the 2014-2015 budgets for the general fund, building department, police, and fire department. Supervisor Mark St. Charles says those budgets did not change much, since expenditures are flat and there was only a bit of an uptick in the taxable property values for the area. The township only collects about a tenth of a mill to begin with for the general fund. The voter-approved millages for police and fire in the township will expire at the end of the year, so officials will be putting those up for renewal in August or November. However, St. Charles says the building department was much more active in the past year than expected, bringing $200,000 in revenue more than projected. This is thanks to the increase in building inspections and projects, for which the department collects fees. St. Charles says the budget for that department grew for next year as a result, and a new position may be created to handle the extra workload in the department. (TD)
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Man Sentenced For Trying to Steal Brighton Township Utility TrailerMan Sentenced For Trying to Steal Brighton Township Utility Trailer
3/9/14 - A Hazel Park man has been sentenced after trying to steal a utility trailer in Brighton Township. 55-year-old Jimmie Randall Coleman was ordered to serve 45 days in the Livingston County Jail and once released, heâll spend one year on an electronic tether. He must also complete 18 months of probation and was sentenced as a 4th time habitual offender. Coleman earlier pleaded guilty to possessing burglar tools, breaking and entering a vehicle in exchange for prosecutors dismissing a count of reckless driving. The incident occurred October 28th at a home on Moraine Drive after a resident had woken up, looked out his window, and noticed his motion-activated lights were on. The resident then saw a man coming out of his utility trailer. Coleman fled after realizing he had been spotted. However, troopers from the Michigan State Police Brighton Post on the way to the residence passed a dark-colored SUV traveling at a high rate of speed in the opposite direction and pulled it over. Troopers say Coleman was driving and appeared nervous but also had vegetation stuck to him from hiding in bushes, as had been described by the complainant. Coleman consented to a vehicle search, which turned up two bolt cutters, a pry-bar, a window wedge, channel locks, and seven flashlights. (JM)
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Hundreds Turn Out to Howell For Gilbert Book SigningHundreds Turn Out to Howell For Gilbert Book Signing
3/9/13 - A Downtown Howell business was the center of attention Saturday as more than 600 people waited in line for a chance to have their "Melissa moment." Actress Melissa Gilbert held a book-signing event at Carriage House Designs for her new children's book, "Daisy & Josephine." Anticipating the demand by area residents for a chance to meet Gilbert, Carriage House Designs owner Kim Wilson had patrons pre-purchase books and then return at a designated time. But beginning at 2pm, the store was filled with customers as they made their way to the back of the store and then up the stairs to a second floor area where hors d'oeuvres prepared by Howell-based chef Renee Chodkowski were served to guests. The store's employees all wore pink tutus and tiaras based on a scene from the book. Each person then got a moment with Gilbert as she signed their book. Gilbert told WHMI she was "blown away" by the turnout, which she said exceeded similar events in New York and Los Angeles combined. Gilbert said most of those she spoke with talked about how much they enjoyed the book, but also "Little House on the Prairie," the 1970's television show for which she's best known. One of those who came out was Nancy Tavolacci of Howell, who brought her young daughter Bella. Tavolacci said Gilbert was "sweet" and she was glad to finally have a chance to meet her. Social media was full of comments and pictures from area residents excited about the opportunity to meet Gilbert, who moved to Howell last summer with her husband and fellow-actor Timothy Busfield. (JK)
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Library Gala Raising Funds for Special Needs ImprovementsLibrary Gala Raising Funds for Special Needs Improvements
3/10/14 - The Brighton District Library will be hosting its third annual fundraising dinner and gala benefit later this month. âBooked for the Eveningâ will feature dinner and drinks, live and silent auctions featuring rare books and other items along with a variety of book-related activities and entertainment. Library officials say that because of the decline in property tax revenue over the past five years, the library has needed to raise additional revenue. Money raised at past galas has helped add to the library's collections, update technology and provided new exterior lighting for the library. Library Director Nancy Johnson says proceeds from this yearâs event will be used to enhance, replace, and renovate universal design resources at the Library to accommodate special needs visitors. âBooked for the Eveningâ will take place on Friday, March 21st at Oak Pointe Country Club at 6:30pm in Brighton. Tickets are $50 per person or $450 for a table of 10. Reservations can be made by stopping in at the Brighton District Library, located at 100 Library Drive, Brighton, calling the Library at 810-229-6571, ext. 211, or visit the Library website through the link below. (JK)
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Putnam Examining Future Road Patrol OptionsPutnam Examining Future Road Patrol Options
3/10/14 - A Putnam Township committee aimed at examining the future of road patrols in that municipality discussed the issue with Undersheriff Mike Murphy last week. Putnam is one of the local townships that contracts with the sheriff's department for dedicated road patrols, paying in the neighborhood of $73,000 per year. The township's current contract expires in the summer of 2015. Murphy says the township received a letter from the sheriff last year indicating that the future of road patrols is uncertain. The county is building a new jail facility, and officials are considering cutting back on non-mandated services, like road patrols, to make sure the new facility has enough staffing and funding to operate. According to Murphy, the township was concerned that the letter might indicate the contract for dedicated patrols was coming to an end. The township formed a Police Protection Committee to address the question of policing the township. Last week, Murphy met with that committee to assure them that the contract will be honored and the option to hire road patrols from the sheriff's department will likely remain unchanged. Murphy says the committee expressed satisfaction with the road patrols as they are currently being offered. (TD)
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Public Safety Training Exercise Starts Wednesday at Closed SchoolPublic Safety Training Exercise Starts Wednesday at Closed School
3/10/14 - The public will notice increased activity and a large number of emergency vehicles around the shuttered Latson Road elementary school starting Wednesday. The county-wide training will simulate a security breach at the school and active shooter situation with increased focus on rapid victim extraction. Safe Schools Coordinator Patrick Sidge says the training helps the district prepare for such an incident and make sure policies and procedures are in place for administrators and staff, as well as what to expect upon the arrival of emergency service providers along with their roles and responsibilities. Sidge tells WHMI the hallways of schools can be complex and confusing so the training will offer an excellent opportunity before the building comes down to prepare for such situations. The public can expect to see many emergency vehicles in the area surrounding the old Latson Road Elementary school as well as mobile command and individuals in uniforms during the course of the training, which will last from Wednesday through Saturday. (JK)
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Brighton's "Uncle Zub" Laid to Rest But Legacy Not Soon ForgottenBrighton's "Uncle Zub" Laid to Rest But Legacy Not Soon Forgotten
3/10/14 - A man known for his love of high school sports was laid to rest this past weekend but had the best seat in the house and was likely cheering from above during the Brighton varsity hockey teamâs recent appearance in the state finals championship game. 51-year-old James Niemi passed away last Wednesday after battling Leukemia. Funeral services were held Saturday at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Howell, where he was a member. Better known to most as âUncle Zubâ, the lifelong Brighton resident was a regular fixture at many Brighton High School hockey and soccer games and an avid supporter of both teams. Those who knew him best say that Zub touched many lives and always focused on the positive. The self-proclaimed bachelor worked at Cor-Met Industries in Brighton for 30 years. Heâs survived by a large family that includes 50 nieces and nephews, a number of whom could be found with him at various games and sporting events or out fishing. The family is asking that any memorial contributions be made to Ann Arbor Hospice. (JM)
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