4/4/14 - The Brighton City Council Thursday night voted to proceed to the next step in a process that many downtown merchants hope will lead to additional revenue for the Principal Shopping District. The PSD was created in 2006 to promote downtown Brighton as a place to shop and dine. The PSD was given $100,000 in âseedâ money that first year by the City Council, and for the next three years operated on funding it gained via a special assessment district. After the SAD dried up, there was little interest in renewing it because of a poor economy, so the Downtown Development Authority funded the PSD beginning in 2010. But this year the DDA has a tight budget and has reduced its 2014-15 year PSD funding from $40,000 to $10,000. Thus the PSD Board is again looking at an SAD â this time one that would generate $90,000 per year for three years. Although the majority of retailers seem to support it, many businesses along West Grand River do not. Among those are Kate and Larry Lawrence, owners of Lawrence Auto Body. Kate Lawrence, a former Brighton mayor, told council those businesses receive no direct benefits from the PSD. Eight people in the audience commented, with five in support of, and three opposed to, the SAD. Council, on a 3-2 vote with two members absent, voted to approve a tentative resolution of necessity for a PSD special assessment district. City Manager Dana Foster says that sets the stage for a public hearing to be held on May 1st followed by a council vote on whether to confirm the SAD. Proponents of the SAD say that if approved, the PSD will bring its advertising and marketing campaign into Oakland and Washtenaw Counties and increase its promotion of special events like Ladies Night Out. But some on council say before they would support the SAD, the assessment paid by businesses along the east side of Grand River depicted in blue on the color-coded map would have to be reduced or eliminated. (TT)
Brighton Council OKs Preliminary Step for PSD FundingBrighton Council OKs Preliminary Step for PSD Funding
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Single-Vehicle Accident Claims Milford Man In Brighton TownshipSingle-Vehicle Accident Claims Milford Man In Brighton Township
4/4/14 - A fatal crash took the life of a Milford man in Brighton Township early this morning. At about 3:45am, troopers from the Michigan State Police Brighton Post were called out to the crash on Kensington Road north of Spencer. Once there, they found that a grey 2012 Ford F-150 pickup had gone off the road and struck a tree. Sergeant Mark Thompson says the driver, 26-year-old Kristopher Juncaj, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. He was extricated by the Brighton Area Fire Department and declared dead at the scene. Thompson says it appears Juncaj was not wearing a seat belt, and that speed was a major factor in the crash. An investigation by the MSP Brighton Post and the Accident Reconstruction Unit is ongoing, and will determine whether alcohol or drugs were involved. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department and EMS also assisted at the scene. (TD)
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South Lyon Boy Wins State Geography BeeSouth Lyon Boy Wins State Geography Bee
4/5/14 - A local boy has won the Michigan Geographic Bee and will represent the state at the national contest in Washington. It will be the second trip for Philip Huang of South Lyon, who is an eighth-grader educated at home. He won the state competition in 2012. Huang says he studied a lot, especially in the last two weeks. The contest was held Friday at Western Michigan University. Seventh-grader Matthew Failor of Traverse City East Middle School finished second and will receive $75. Another seventh-grader, Neha Middela of Detroit Country Day School, finished third and gets $50. Middela won the Michigan contest last year. The National Geographic Bee will be held on May 19. The winner gets a $50,000 college scholarship. (JK)
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DDA Disburses Facade Improvement Funds To Heart Of HowellDDA Disburses Facade Improvement Funds To Heart Of Howell
4/5/14 - With work nearing completion on the Heart of Howell project, the Downtown Development Authority has authorized assistance grant money to the owner. Previously the Spag's Thistledown, and Swann's buildings, the Heart of Howell is now a single complex that aims to bring office and retail space into the downtown area. When the project was first getting underway, Owner and Developer Joe Parker says grant money was afforded to through the DDA to help pay for the facade of the new building in the amount of $57,500. That money was disbursed to Parker on Wednesday night. Over the course of rebuilding the facade, Parker says they have rebuilt the exterior on all sides, removed dozens of coats of paint, repaired and replaced brickwork, put in new windows and awnings, and done various other improvements to the exterior. The work to rebuild the outside of the the three buildings actually cost closer to $370,000, but this was far more than originally expected and the DDA will only be covering a fraction of that through this grant. Parker says the remaining work on the building interior is expected to take about six weeks, though it may run longer. He will now be seeking a CRP grant from the state to get further support for the restoration project. (TD)
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Deerfield Man Enters Plea in Strangulation CaseDeerfield Man Enters Plea in Strangulation Case
4/5/14 - A Deerfield Township man has entered into a plea deal in the assault on his former girlfriend. 26-year-old Alan Dean March Jr. on Friday pleaded guilty to one count of assault by strangulation and one count of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop an aggravated assault charge and a count of interfering with electronic communications. They also agreed to recommend a 28 month cap at his sentencing, which is set for May 1st. The charges stem from an incident in May of 2013 when police say March told his former girlfriend he planned to attack another man she liked if she did not come to his home on Cohoctah Road. The woman told authorities she went to the home in an effort to calm March, but was instead attacked and choked by him. The victim said March also took her cell phone so she could not call authorities but she was eventually able to escape and call 911. When police arrived March had fled the area, but he was taken into custody two days later. (JK)
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Howell Schools Adds Two Days in June as Snow Make-UpsHowell Schools Adds Two Days in June as Snow Make-Ups
4/5/14 - Administration and the teachersâ union at Howell Public Schools have come to an agreement for how to make up the time lost to snow days this winter. The unusually high snowfall and bitterly cold temperatures experienced this season have caused the district to exceed the six calendar days âforgivenâ by the state for weather conditions each year. This left Howell Schools with 9.5 hours of instruction left to make up. Officials held meetings with the Howell Education Association to determine the best options, and the two groups have decided to add two instructional days to the end of the current school calendar. The last day of instruction for Howell students will now be Tuesday, June 10th. Superintendent Ron Wilson says the district is aware that many families schedule vacations during the summer, and administrators looked at several options to try and minimize the impact of the lost days. Brighton Area Schools cancelled several off days that had been previously scheduled to avoid adding instructional days at the end of the calendar. Fowlerville students will need to stay in class for an extra four days at the end of the year, pushing the end of classes there to June 12th. (JK)
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Plea Deal Will Keep Brighton Man's VA Benefits IntactPlea Deal Will Keep Brighton Man's VA Benefits Intact
4/6/14 - A Brighton man charged with assault and unlawful imprisonment has agreed to a plea deal. 46-year-old Daniel Robert Phillips had been charged with one count each of unlawful imprisonment and assault with a deadly weapon, plus two charges of felony firearms. But on Friday, he pleaded no contest to the unlawful imprisonment charge in exchange for the remaining counts being dropped. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but is considered as such at sentencing. The charges stem from an incident in August of 2013 involving a woman that police say Phillips assaulted at a residence on Kensington Road in Brighton Township. She said he confronted her about money he believed she owed him. Thatâs when she says he threatened her with a gun and tied her to a chair, then later released her. Under cross-examination, the woman admitted that Phillips had given her money for pills and that her failure to deliver them was the reason for Phillips actions. If convicted on the original charges, he had faced up to 15 years in prison. But under the terms of the plea deal, if jail time is handed down when he is sentenced on May 8th, heâll serve that time in 59 day blocks in order to maintain his veteran benefits. (JK)
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South Lyon Officer Joins Drug Task ForceSouth Lyon Officer Joins Drug Task Force
4/6/14 - An officer from the South Lyon Police will be joining a task force aimed at combating organized prescription drug fraud and abuse. One officer from South Lyon will spend at least two years as part of the Tactical Diversion Squad Task Force, formed by the Drug Enforcement Agency in January. The unit was formed in response to the growing role that prescription drugs, particularly opiates, are playing in modern substance abuse. It will target activities such as forgery and 'doctor shopping,' where multiple physicians are visited to get repeat medication for the same ailment. The South Lyon Herald reports the DEA will cover some of the expenses for the South Lyon officer, including his vehicle and fuel as well as up to 25% of his hourly overtime. However, the city will still be responsible for his salary. Municipalities that lend officers to the ask force will each receive a portion of the forfeiture money generated by its activities, and South Lyon officials say they expect their share to more than cover the salary of their full-time officer. They say their officer will join the task force as soon as everything is in order. (TD)
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Pinckney Girls Aim To Help District Debt With Student Day SpaPinckney Girls Aim To Help District Debt With Student Day Spa
4/6/14 - After they heard about the district's debt problems, a pair of 3rd graders from Country Elementary School in Pinckney opened a day spa to raise some money for the district. Haley Hendricks and Grace Ankenbrand, both 9 years old, became aware of the Pinckney school district's efforts to combat the ongoing debt through news stories on the radio. They decided to create the Ooh La La Day Spa, where they and 11 of their friends worked giving manicures, hand massages, facials, and neck and shoulder massages to their fellow students to raise money. Principal Carrie Fosselman assisted the pair as they made arrangements, created tee shirts for the staff, promoted the day spa with business cards, and held the spa on March 12th. They ended up raising about $106, which they say is a great success. The girls presented their earnings to a very moved and grateful Pinckney Board of Education on April 3rd. The girls say they are now considering holding a second spa day for teachers to help them relax at the end of the school year. (TD)
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Woman Enters Plea to Running Over BoyfriendWoman Enters Plea to Running Over Boyfriend
4/7/14 - A Brighton woman charged with running over and injuring her former boyfriend has entered a plea in the case. 51-year-old Tamara Smith previously pleaded no contest to one count of failing to stop after an accident with serious injuries or impairment as well as a charge of operating under the influence causing incapacitating injuries. In November, she pleaded no contest to both counts, but withdrew the plea at her sentencing in December. But on Friday, Smith agreed to plead guilty to the charges in exchange for no additional jail time being imposed. The charges were filed after police say Smith ran over her ex-boyfriend with her vehicle after he broke up with her in September of 2012. He said Smith kicked him afterwards and then went inside to get a drink before driving away. The boyfriend, who was found by neighbors, suffered a back fracture. When questioned by Smithâs defense attorney at a previous hearing, the man acknowledged leaving profane messages on her phone and sticky notes saying he would damage a vehicle and blow up her phones if she did not call back. Smith, who is free on bond, will be sentenced on Thursday. (JK)
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Navigator Principal Leaving In June For New Post In VermontNavigator Principal Leaving In June For New Post In Vermont
4/7/14 - Stacey Urbin will be stepping down as the principal of Navigator Upper Elementary School at the end of this school year Urbin is the first and only person so far to have been principal at Navigator, having taken part in its creation 16 years ago. She has been with the district for 19 years, but she has recently accepted a job offer with another school in Vermont. Her daughter will be attending the University of Vermont this fall, and Urbin would prefer to be two hours away from her rather than 12 hours. The Pinckney Board of Education thanked Urbin for her motivation and expertise in guiding Navigator all these years before regretfully accepting her resignation last week. Urbin tells WHMI that she definitely did not choose to leave because of some problem with the district, which she thanked for always putting students first and supporting the growth of administrators. Navigator Assistant Principal Aaron Currier will take over Urbin's office following her resignation, and Urbin takes this as a sign that the school board has faith in the mission and vision that the school and its staff have been pursuing. Pinckney High Assistant Principal April Wood will take over Currier's position. (TD)
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Schuette & Land to Headline GOP Lincoln Day DinnerSchuette & Land to Headline GOP Lincoln Day Dinner
4/7/14 - Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and U.S. Senate candidate Terri Lynn Land will be co-speakers at the Livingston County Republican Partyâs Lincoln Day Dinner later this week. The 54th annual event will take place Friday night at Crystal Gardens in Genoa Township. Schuette was elected in 2010 as the stateâs Attorney General, receiving over 68% of the vote in Livingston County. Heâs been at the forefront of Michiganâs attempts to keep in place a voter-approved ban on gay marriage declared unconstitutional by a federal judge last month. Land is a former two term Secretary of State, also receiving over 68% in Livingston County in 2002 and 2006. Tickets for Fridayâs dinner are $50 each or a table of 10 for $400. Doors will open at 5pm, with the dinner and program starting at 6:30. There will also be a paid pre-dinner VIP reception with statewide elected officials and candidates. Those interested in attending must RSVP today and can do so by calling 517-518-1118 or online through the link below. (JK)
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Patching Potholes Priority for MDOTPatching Potholes Priority for MDOT
4/7/14 - While it varies from day to day whether it feels as if spring has sprung across Livingston County, it is pretty safe to say that pothole season has begun. Pothole season generally lasts through the spring but crews with the Michigan Department of Transportation are out addressing potholes all year long as needed. M-DOT spokeswoman Kari Arend tells WHMI although pothole technically started a little bit early this year due to the unusual weather and early spring thaws, this is really just the beginning. She says their priority right now is patching potholes on state trunk lines, such as Grand River Avenue, and they ask that motorists give crews room to work when they see them. Arend adds that thereâs a plethora of information about potholes on the M-DOT website and motorists are able to report them online through the link below, or by calling 888-296-4546. The state legislature recently allocated $100 million for winter road maintenance costs across the state. $39 million went to MDOT for state trunk lines and expressways, while the remainder was divided up among various municipalities. Livingston County received more than $877,000.(JK)
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Newly Formed Local Think Tank Tackles Religious Liberty
4/7/14 - A newly created Livingston County-based think-tank will be holding a seminar next week that will serve as its public introduction. The Gadsden Center was formed by Donna Nakagiri of Hartland Township. Sheâs the wife of Wes Nakagiri, who heads up the RetakeOurGov Tea Party group, but insists the center has no affiliation with any other group or political party. Nakagiri says the center is a 501(c)(4) organization, which means it is tax-exempt based on its public education efforts. The center, which bills itself as a non-partisan public policy research, advocacy and educational organization, will be hosting a seminar next Monday, April 14th at the Howell Opera House entitled âReligious Liberties Under Our State and Federal Constitutions: Are They Under Attack?â Nakagiri says the answer to that question is an emphatic yes and said there are numerous instances, both small and large, that she believes religious liberties are infringed by the government. She cited as one example a Jewish prisoner who is devout, but denied access to Kosher meals. The featured speakers at the event will be Attorney Robert Muise of the American Freedom Law Center and Professor Frank Ravitch of the Michigan State University School of Law. A question-and-answer session will follow the program. Admission is free, but registration is required as seating is limited. (JK)
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Howell Historic Preservation Award Ceremony Planned For MayHowell Historic Preservation Award Ceremony Planned For May
4/7/14 - The nominations are in, and the Howell Downtown Development Authority is preparing for the annual awards program to honor those who preserve the city's historic look. Every year, the Historic Preservation and Design Awards program recognizes those who have made improvements or conducted ongoing maintenance to Howell buildings that preserves the look and integrity of the downtown area's history. This year's presentations will be held on May 15th at the First Presbyterian Church on Grand River.While previous ceremonies have contained several different awards, Tarara says this year's ceremony will include just three: interior design work, exterior work and overall stewardship of historic buildings within the DDA district. The nominations have been collected and the finalists chosen. Invitations will be sent out over the next month, but the winners will not be announced until the actual awards presentation. For more information, log onto the DDA's website. A link is posted below. (TD)
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Howell Twp. Man Sentenced for Domestic ViolenceHowell Twp. Man Sentenced for Domestic Violence
4/7/14 - A prison sentence has been handed down in an incident in which a woman and her children say they were held against their will by a Howell Township man. 40-year-old Edward Joseph Stewart Jr. pleaded guilty last month to domestic violence and 3rd degree child abuse charges. Last week, he was sentenced to serve 30 months to 10 years in prison. Police say Stewart and his 28-year-old girlfriend got into an argument February 13th after she returned from work because she didnât answer his earlier call. She alleges he then began beating her before pulling her daughterâs bedroom door off of its hinges and using it to block the front door. Police say he then slammed her 12-year-old daughterâs hand in the door after she managed to kick it out of the way and they fled the house. The girlfriend then managed to flag down a sheriffâs deputy. A 7-year-old girl was also home at the time.
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Rogers Endorses Bishop for 8th District GOP NominationRogers Endorses Bishop for 8th District GOP Nomination
4/7/14 - Congressman Mike Rogers has made an endorsement in the race to succeed him in Congress. The Howell Republican, who made the surprise announcement March 30th that he would leave Congress at the end of his current term to become a radio talk show host, announced today that he is endorsing Mike Bishop for the GOP nomination to run for the 8th District. Citing Bishopâs conservative principles, Rogers said he believed Bishop, a former Senate Majority leader from Rochester, was the best choice for voters in the 8th District. Rogers added that Bishop will stand up to, âthe liberal policies of the Obama administration, just like he stood up and fought for us against the liberal policies of the Granholm administration.â The only other confirmed Republican candidate in the race is Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett. State Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Township is still considering whether or not to make a run. On the Democratic side, former Michigan demographer Ken Darga and Central Michigan University professor Susan Grettenberger, both Lansing Democrats, previously announced they were running, while Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum is still mulling over a possible run. The deadline to file is April 22nd. (JK)
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Officials Shocked By Sudden Departure Of County 911 DirectorOfficials Shocked By Sudden Departure Of County 911 Director
4/7/14 - The county government has been shaken by the unexpected resignation of 911 Central Dispatch and Emergency Management Director Don Arbic. County Administrator Belinda Peters sent out an email on Friday announcing that Arbic was no longer a county employee, as well as thanking him for his past service and wishing him the best in his future endeavors. Arbic had been in public safety for nearly 40 years, and had served as 911 director since 2009. EMS Director Jeff Boyd will be taking over Arbicâs duties for the time being. County Commissioner Dave Domas says Arbic had a lot of projects going on and had expressed no interest in retirement before Friday. He says he is shocked by the official description of Arbicâs sudden departure, and he believes there is more going on than meets the eye. He adds that Arbic was one of the most intelligent, reliable, and productive department heads the county has ever had. (TD)
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Howell DDA To Hold Meet And Greet For New DirectorHowell DDA To Hold Meet And Greet For New Director
4/8/14 - The Howell Downtown Development Authority is inviting residents to come out and welcome its new director this month. Cathleen Edgerly spent the past three years serving as communications manager for Lansingâs downtown commercial district, but also brings nine years of experience with public relations and program management. She was hired in February after a two-month search process, prompted by the resignation of former DDA Director Diane Larkin. The city will hold a meet and greet on April 15th for the public to get to know Edgerly. It will take place starting at 6pm at Moeâs BarBar Shop. To RSVP, contact the DDA at (517) 545-4240. (TD)
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Split Vote Approves Church Crosswalk Deal In Genoa TownshipSplit Vote Approves Church Crosswalk Deal In Genoa Township
4/8/14 - In a split vote, the Genoa Township Board approved a motion last night to take part in a collaborative effort to install a new pedestrian walkway across Grand River. The township is undertaking a joint project with the Livingston County Road Commission and the 2|42 Community Church to create a crosswalk and signal between the church and the parking lot of the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital across Grand River. The township will contribute $7,500 toward the construction of the walkway and will also be responsible for repairing incidental or one-time damage to the crosswalk in the future. The Road Commission will be paying for the engineering services, regular maintenance, and power usage of the walkway, and the church will contribute $9,500 for a pedestrian crossing light and a small sidewalk extension. The deal was not without its opponents on the Genoa Township Board, and trustees Jim Mortensen and Linda Rowell voted against its passage. Mortensen says the project could give the image of impropriety, making it look like the township was endorsing a single church by increasing its access to nearby parking lots. McCririe says he understands and respects that argument, but he sees the crosswalk as a public safety opportunity since so many people cross Grand River at that location already. He says the township may have to create similar installations at other gathering places, such as Mt. Brighton. The new crosswalk and signal should be installed by the end of the summer. (TD)
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