4/2/14 - A gathering in Genoa Township last night encouraged residents to open up and talk about the issue of suicide in young people. About 70 people, including several students, gathered at the 2|42 Community Church last night for the discussion, entitled Breaking the Silence. The event featured three speakers, starting with Jeff Edwards, the chairman for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's board of directors in Detroit. He discussed his own son, Chase, who took his own life in 2003 at the age of 12. He said kids who might commit suicide usually do not fit the stereotypical image of the depressed teenager, and he encouraged parents to learn the symptoms of depression so they could spot them in their own children. He was followed by Livingston County Community Mental Health Social Worker Leslie Hall, who discussed the behaviors that are and are not typical for children at different ages so parents could more easily spot the unusual behaviors that might indicate mental illnesses tied to suicide. The last speaker was Nancy Buyle, a school safety and student assistance consultant for Macomb Intermediate School District, who discussed the link between bullying and suicide. She said while bullying can be a risk factor for suicidal children, parents should not assume it is a warning sign in itself, since many children experience bullying without considering suicide. She says adults need to be ready to listen to their children about their stresses and problems. Organizers said a second meeting may be scheduled in the future, but right now there are no firm plans in place. (TD)
Experts And Residents Discuss Youth SuicideExperts And Residents Discuss Youth Suicide
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Events Nationally & Locally Highlight Autsim AwarenessEvents Nationally & Locally Highlight Autsim Awareness
4/2/14 - If you see blue lights up on area homes and businesses today, itâs likely not a case of procrastinating getting down the holiday lights, but instead a way to show awareness of a disorder that is increasingly affecting more and more children. Today is World Autism Awareness Day, and many Michiganders will use blue lights to mark the occasion. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 68 U.S. kids now has autism, a 30 percent increase from just two years ago. Those who are working to raise awareness of the disorder in Michigan say now is the time for action from Washington. Kaitlin Hart, senior coordinator for field development with the Michigan chapter of Autism Speaks, said autism is a national health issue that requires a national strategy. Now, she said, even an event such as a job transfer to another state can send a family dealing with autism into a tailspin. "Insurance is different in every state, so they might have lost that awesome coverage - or they might go from a state with little to no coverage to a state that has amazing coverage." While the state has made big strides when it comes to awareness and support, Hart said she hopes World Autism Day will help more Michiganders truly understand what it's like to live with autism spectrum disorders. Michigan is one of 34 states to pass autism insurance reform legislation, helping to cover the high cost of therapy for kids on the spectrum. More information is available online at AutismSpeaks.org. There will also be an event later this month to help raise awareness of the disorder. Boxing Autism, a local nonprofit that supports autism families will join with the Arc of Livingston on Wednesday, April 30th to host Alex Kimmel at the 2|42 Community Church in Genoa Township. Kimmel, who is nonverbal because of his autism, will use a communication device to speak on disability acceptance and self-determination. The event is made possible through a grant from the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council. Youâll find a link below for details. (JK)
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Bishop Announces Candidacy to Succeed Mike RogersBishop Announces Candidacy to Succeed Mike Rogers
4/2/14 - With the impending retirement of Congressman Mike Rogers at the end of the year, the list of possible replacements keeps growing. Republican Mike Bishop made it official today and announced that he's running for Rogers' 8th District Congressional seat. Bishop, from Rochester, was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1999 and then the State Senate in 2003, where he served until term limits forced him out in 2010. He joins Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett, who began his campaign Tuesday with the endorsement of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. Bishop said heâs joining the race because heâs concerned about the economy and national debt and deficit. Meanwhile, State Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Township says heâs still considering a run for the seat, but has yet to announce a decision either way. On the Democratic side, former State Demographer Ken Darga and Central Michigan University associate professor Susan Grettenberger had already announced their candidacies. But with Rogers' announcement last week that he was retiring to pursue a career in talk radio, other Democrats have stepped forward. Among them is Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum, who is in Washington this week consulting with party leaders. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has also said he was considering joining the race. The deadline to file at least 1,000 valid petition signatures to become a candidate is April 22nd. (JK)
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Volunteers Sought for Local Projects on MSU Global Day of Service Volunteers Sought for Local Projects on MSU Global Day of Service
4/3/14 - Helping hands, whether green or not, are being sought to volunteer as part of an upcoming service day and help make a difference in the local community. Saturday, April 12th marks the 2nd annual Michigan State University Alumni Association Global Day of Service. The MSU Alumni Club of Livingston County is coordinating two community service projects this year according to Linda Purchase, who serves on the Board of Directors. She says theyâre in search of volunteers to work at the homes of seniors and disabled citizens who need assistance with outdoor spring cleanup projects, with referrals provided by the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency. Purchase says the other project involves indoor and outdoor projects as well as light duty work at the Salvation Army of Livingston Countyâs offices in Howell. Purchase says itâs not necessary to be a Spartan to participate in either project and they encourage all interested parties to sign up for the opportunity to enhance the local community. Anyone wanting to take part in either project is asked to register by April 4th. Details about volunteer shifts can be found on the MSU Alumni Club of Livingston Countyâs website. A link is posted below. (JM)
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Milford Unlucky In Wastewater Treatment Grant LotteryMilford Unlucky In Wastewater Treatment Grant Lottery
4/3/14 - The odds were not in Milfordâs favor when the municipality was pulled near dead-last in a lottery to determine which communities would be getting grants for their wastewater treatment plants. Milfordâs wastewater treatment plant is wearing out and becoming obsolete, although it is still capable of operating within state standards according to the Milford Times. The village applied for grant money to upgrade it late last year through the Michigan Department of Environmental Qualityâs Stormwater, Asset Management, and Wastewater Program, called SAW. A lottery determined which applicants for the grant would be awarded, and Milford was pulled 555th out of 579 projects. A total of 92 projects will receive funding in 2014, totaling about $97 million. Projects in Lyon Township and Livonia were successful in getting projects funded this year. Milford officials are still hopeful that the village could end up getting some grant money, since the SAW grants will continue for another four years and provide a total of $450 million. If Milford does end up receiving the grants, officials say it will be used to help pay for building new equalization basins, sludge storage, and various other improvements. (TD)
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Parole Hearing Delays Local Courts In Hartland Huffing CaseParole Hearing Delays Local Courts In Hartland Huffing Case
4/3/14 - A man who police say admitted to huffing air duster after crashing his vehicle into a fire hydrant last year in Hartland Township has been arraigned. 24-year-old Nicholas Perry has been charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana for the incident last summer. On August 22nd of 2013, Troopers with the State Police Brighton Post were called out on a crash investigation to the Kroger parking lot on M-59 in Hartland Township. Once there they found a car driven by Perry had collided with a fire hydrant. Perry, who was on parole for a previous home invasion conviction, said he passed out while inhaling an air duster product as he drove in the parking lot. Troopers discovered approximately eighteen cans of compressed gas duster, as well as open and unopened alcohol containers and intoxicants, multiple over the counter narcotics, and suspected illegal narcotics. After a lengthy delay awaiting toxicology reports, Perry was finally charged on March 20th with an arraignment scheduled for less than a week later. But that was delayed when the Michigan Department of Corrections took him back to the Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center in Jackson. His attorney asked that Perryâs exam conference be delayed for investigation and to find out the outcome of the parole hearing. The exam is now set for April 15th. (JK)
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Howell DDA Getting Financing Plan In Place Ahead Of LegislationHowell DDA Getting Financing Plan In Place Ahead Of Legislation
4/3/14 - Citizens and officials from the Howell Downtown Development Authority are in the process of updating a plan that outlines future projects before changes at the state level can impact the organization's funding. The DDA met with its Development Area Citizens' Council last night to discuss proposed updates to the Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, Plan. It is a financial document outlining all of the DDA's project spending for the next 20 years, laying out revenue projections, and making sure the planned projects are on firm financial footing. Last night's meeting was required by Michigan law before the DDA Board could recommend approval of the TIF plan to the City Council. The last time the TIF Plan was updated was in 2008. Community Development Director Erin Perdu tells WHMI the DDA was not required to update the TIF Plan at this time, but had incentive to do so since legislation currently under consideration could negatively impact the DDAâs funding. Predu says the new legislation would allow other taxing entities, like the school district, library, and county government, to opt out of the tax capture that provides funding to the DDA. If passed, that change would take effect the next time a DDA updates its TIF plan, so by updating now Howell will put that possibility off as long as possible. Perdu adds that the TIF Plan is also in need of updating even without the possible legislation, since the tax base and financial projections have changed drastically since 2008. (TD)
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Plea Set For White Lake Man Charged With Child PornographyPlea Set For White Lake Man Charged With Child Pornography
4/3/14 - A disturbing story about a local man involved with child pornography has authorities hoping it will spur the public to action. A White Lake Township man is expected to enter a plea to several federal felony child pornography charges after authorities allege he shared explicit videos of himself and a toddler. 34-year-old John Millmine came under suspicion last fall after the Homeland Security Investigations office in Detroit received information that an e-mail address linked to Millmine had received child pornography. A separate investigation then revealed that similar material was also sent out from that same address to a recipient in Ireland. When agents arrested Millmine November 11th on outstanding warrants for failing to pay child support and misdemeanor marijuana possession, they confiscated a smartphone that then linked him to numerous other female children. Last week, federal prosecutors charged Millmine with two counts of producing child pornography and one count of distributing it. Yesterday, a hearing was scheduled for May 27th at which time Millmine is expected to enter a plea to the charges. He faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, but could receive up to 30 years behind bars and be ordered to pay $250,000 in fines. Officials are using the heinous nature of the allegations to encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form through the link below. (JK)
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Oceola Pursuing Grant For Play Structure Behind Township HallOceola Pursuing Grant For Play Structure Behind Township Hall
4/3/14 - A plan has been adopted and a grant application submitted for a new play structure behind the Oceola Township Hall. At its regular meeting on March 27th, the township board adopted a capital improvement plan, which outlines how the municipality will spend its money on projects over $25,000. The plan outlines road improvements, park upgrades, and one land acquisition, and it is a requirement for the township to apply for a recreation passport grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. If it is awarded, that grant would provide $45,000 toward a project to install a new play structure, pave a parking lot to give access to the structure, and create new handicap-accessible pathways at the township hall. The total project cost is expected to be $127,000. A public hearing was held at the meeting to discuss the grant, but no negative comments from the public were heard, so the board adopted the proposed grant application. Bamber expects to know whether the state will provide the grant in August or September, which would allow construction to begin in spring of 2015. (TD)
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Consortium On Aging To Hold Annual Caregier Fair SaturdayConsortium On Aging To Hold Annual Caregier Fair Saturday
4/3/14 - Residents who care for their loved ones are invited to the Livingston County Consortium on Agingâs sixth annual Caregiver Fair this weekend. The event is held as a way to inform those who look after their aging or ailing friends, family, or neighbors that there are assistance programs available to make that duty easier. The consortium says services such as transportation, nutritional care, financial counseling, home safety, respite and home care are all available locally and will be showcased at the Caregiver Fair on Saturday. It will include expert presentations and more than 60 exhibitors relevant to the needs of caregivers. Admission is free, and complementary transportation is being provided by the Livingston Essential Transportation Service. The fair will run from 9am to 1:30pm on Saturday at the Brighton High School Cafeteria, with speakers scheduled on the hours from 10:00 to 12:00. For more information, follow the link posted below. (TD)
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Webberville Woman Enters Plea to Porch CrashWebberville Woman Enters Plea to Porch Crash
4/3/14 - A plea has been entered by an Ingham County woman who was charged after crashing her jeep into the home of a local deputy fire chief. 41-year-old Heather Ann Belen of Webberville pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and operating a vehicle with no insurance. In exchange, prosecutors dismissed a count that she was driving on a suspended license. Police say Belen was northbound on Veterans Drive the evening of January 12th when her vehicle left the roadway, crossed over Grand River and then a curb, before crashing into the front porch of Deputy Fowlerville Fire Chief Robert Feigâs home. Feig administered first aid to Belen until EMS arrived. She sustained minor facial injuries and was treated from a hospital before being taken into custody. Belen faces up to a year in the county jail when she is sentenced May 7th. (JK)
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Livingston Gets State Funding For Winter Road RepairsLivingston Gets State Funding For Winter Road Repairs
4/3/14 - State funding for winter road maintenance totaling more than $877,000 has been granted to Livingston County communities. The Michigan Department of Transportation said the funding was part of more than $100 million for statewide road maintenance that was set aside as part of the mid-fiscal-year budget appropriation. The majority of the local funding, just over $792,000 will go to the Livingston County Road Commission. The City of Howell will receive more than $35,000, while Brighton will get just under $28,500. The Village of Fowlerville will receive more than $12,500, while Pinckney will get $9,220. How much a county, city or village received depended on several factors, including road mileage and population. Counties, cities and villages receiving funding must use the money for winter maintenance costs, and not for things such as administration, overhead or other indirect costs. MDOT received approximately $39 million in the appropriation for winter maintenance work on expressways and state trunk lines. (JK)
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Local Finance Expert Asks "Is The Stock Market Rigged?"Local Finance Expert Asks "Is The Stock Market Rigged?"
4/3/14 - Is the stock market rigged? Itâs a question being asked a lot this week after a 60 Minutes interview with author Michael Lewisâ about his new book Flash Boys, which details the role of high-frequency trading. But one local financial expert says the book only highlights what has always been true; investors have to be actively involved in how their portfolio is being handled. High-frequency traders use powerful computers to gain a microsecond advantage at stock exchanges, earning tiny profits on hundreds of thousands of transactions a day. Brighton-based Asset Management Specialist Robert Laura tells WHMI that while such advantages are legal, they undermine the publicâs trust in the markets. In a related article at Forbes.com, Laura writes that he has requested statements from two different trading platforms that he works with on the issue of high frequency trading and if options are available to work with stock exchanges which have developed potential solutions to level the playing field. Laura says that in the final analysis individual investors represent $19 trillion dollars in retirement savings and if the majority takes more active control and demands accountability, reform of the system is likely to follow. You can hear his full interview through the link below. (JK)
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Crime Victim Advocates To Be Honored Next Week
4/4/14 - The Livingston County Prosecutorâs Office will hold an award ceremony next Wednesday to honor local people and organizations as part of National Crime Victimsâ Rights Week. The prosecutorâs office annually honors those who have gone the extra mile in pursuit or defense of the rights of crime victims over the past year with its Above and Beyond Award. This yearâs recipients include the On-Call Response Program at LACASA, which provides 24-hour help and assistance to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Also being honored are Livingston County Sheriffâs Detective/Sgt Gary Childers, Deputy Matt Young, and Deputy William Schuster for their dedication to crime victims as reflected in their investigation of a series of home invasions. The awards will be presented at a ceremony at 11:30am on Wednesday, April 9th at the Judicial Center in Howell. It will be followed by a luncheon for guests. (JK)
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Medicaid Enrollment Specialists Set to Help Livingston ResidentsMedicaid Enrollment Specialists Set to Help Livingston Residents
4/4/14 - Some specialists in determining eligibility and enrolling people in Medicaid will be in Livingston County this month to assist locals who are new to the process. The state government expanded Medicaid to include residents who previously were not covered, and beginning April 1st they can start enrolling in the program. To facilitate those who are unfamiliar with signing up or determining their eligibility, the Livingston County Department of Public Health will be hosting special navigators this month who will provide assistance to new Medicaid recipients free of charge. They will be at the department's offices from 9am to 4pm every Wednesday in April, and both appointments and walk-ins are welcome. Those who wish to take advantage of this service should bring the names, social security numbers, and dates of birth of all household members, proof of income for the past 30 days, and any applicable insurance documents. They must also bring information on any insurance provided by their employer, but this will not affect their eligibility. Livingston County partnered with Washtenaw County to improve the odds of a successful grant application for the service, which was eventually approved. Health Educator Chelsea Moxlow says that strategy also ensured that as many people as possible in both counties will get assistance enrolling for Medicaid. Those who are interested in the service can contact the Department of Public Health at (517) 552-6838. (TD)
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Pinckney Schools Considering Demolition For Vacant Elementaries Pinckney Schools Considering Demolition For Vacant Elementaries
4/4/14 - Despite matching a previous counter-offer by the district, a bid to purchase the vacant Pinckney Elementary property was rejected by the Pinckney School Board last night. With an ongoing debt and a shrinking student population, the district closed Pinckney Elementary last year. The asking price for the property was originally established at $600,000, but the district was flexible and entertained a few bids from Trinity Lutheran Church less than $300,000. Last night, the school board voted to reject an offer of $295,000, which earlier this year had been the school board's counter-offer to a proposal from the church. Superintendent Rick Todd tells WHMI the offer was seriously considered, but the district is now considering demolishing both Pinckney Elementary and the similarly-vacant Hamburg Elementary. He says the district has been seeking prices and estimates, and demolishing one school should cost about $125,000, or about half what they were expecting to pay. He adds that both buildings would need extensive maintenance to be brought up to usable standards, so it may improve the marketability of the land to remove the buildings entirely. This would also greatly reduce the likelihood that a charter school would move into the old buildings, and increase the chances that a developer would bring new homes to the area. (TD)
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Lansing's Mayor Not Running for Congressman Rogers' SeatLansing's Mayor Not Running for Congressman Rogers' Seat
4/4/14 - The field of Democrats has narrowed who are hoping to take advantage of the surprise announcement by Congressman Mike Rogers that he will not run for re-election. On Thursday, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero withdrew his name as a possible Democratic candidate to replace Rogers, who is leaving Congress at the end of the year to be a radio talk show host. Bernero said that despite believing âmuch is broken about Washington,â he will remain Lansingâs mayor and focus on improving the city he has led since he was elected in 2005. Bernero joins State Rep. Sam Singh and former state Rep. Mark Meadows, both East Lansing Democrats, who earlier said they would not run. Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum, whose mother, former state Rep. Dianne Byrum, lost by fewer than 200 votes when she ran against Rogers in 2000, says she is still mulling over a possible run for the seat and will make a decision by next week. The deadline to file is April 22nd. Former Michigan demographer Ken Darga and Central Michigan University professor Susan Grettenberger, both Lansing Democrats, previously announced they were running. On the GOP side, Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett and former Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop of Rochester have joined the race, while State Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Township is still considering whether or not to make a run. (JK)
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Packaging Company Breaks Ground on New Howell Township HQPackaging Company Breaks Ground on New Howell Township HQ
4/4/14 - A Howell Township facility formerly used to print a local newspaper is being converted to the new headquarters for a metal-packaging company. Armor Protective Packaging is constructing new office space and adding 8,000 square feet to the facility on North Burkhart Road that once housed the printing plant for the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus. The newspaper closed the plant in July 2012 and moved printing operations to Ann Arbor. Armor Packaging officials say the $1.6 million project will use adjacent land for a truck driveway and future expansion. The company makes corrosion-inhibiting metal packaging products that protect metals during shipping. It works primarily in the automotive industry. (JK)
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Hartland Twp. Still Gathering Input Before Decision on Road MillageHartland Twp. Still Gathering Input Before Decision on Road Millage
4/4/14 - What to do about the condition of roads within Hartland Township is a decision yet to be made and officials say theyâre still working to gather input from residents. Hartland Township is continuing discussions with residents and the community at large to garner input about how to address roads and pathways. The Safer Roads and Pathways Citizens Task Force was convened in response to residentsâ concerns regarding the condition of roads within Hartland Township and ultimately recommended a millage for improvements. The plan calls for addressing seven portions of paved road and intervention for four gravel roads but the task force also recommended creating or extending four pathways. Before the board of trustees takes action to finalize any type of plan, Township Manager James Wickman tells WHMI theyâre soliciting input from residents through a variety of means and are conducting phone surveys but also plan to host public meetings starting in May and throughout early summer. Wickman says it likely wouldnât be until August before any formal decision about pursuing a millage is made. If that is how the board decides to go, it would appear on the November ballot. In the meantime, Wickman says the municipality will continue to engage in discussions with the community. The plan from the task force would involve placing a 1.5-mill, 10-year question on the November ballot. That would equate to $150 per year for the average Hartland Township homeowner. A link to more information can be found through the link below. (JM)
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Green Oak Crash Leaves Two Men Seriously InjuredGreen Oak Crash Leaves Two Men Seriously Injured
4/4/14 - Two men were injured in a single-vehicle crash in Green Oak Township just after midnight on Friday. At 12:01am, Green Oak Township Police were called out to M-36 west of Lemen Road for a report of an unknown injury crash. They found a red 1997 Chevy pickup that they believe had been traveling westbound before sliding into the eastbound lanes, hitting a ditch, and rolling over. It came to a rest upright on the eastbound shoulder. The driver, a 20-year-old Whitmore Lake man, was ejected during the rollover, while the passenger, a 20-year-old Gregory man, remained inside the cab. Police believe neither one was wearing a seatbelt, and they were taken by Livingston County EMS to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. Their injuries were described as serious, but not life-threatening. The investigation is ongoing, but excessive speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in the crash. (TD)
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