4/15/14 - Today marks the one-year anniversary of the attacks on the finish line of the Boston Marathon but thatâs not stopping 36,000 runners who will take to the streets this year in a tribute to victims and survivors but also as a show of resilience. One of them will be 51-year-old Rochelle Jones of Fenton. She serves as the membership director for the Fenton Regional Chamber of Commerce and will be running the marathon with her friend Kathleen McGowan, who sheâs been training with since December. Jones told WHMI the best part about the Boston Marathon is how supportive the crowds are from start to finish - with people lining the streets and cheering for everyone running. She says sheâs glad theyâre making a big deal to remember what happened last year, adding that sheâs not nervous or worried about safety. "In my opinion, they have taken so many steps for security this year. Runners are very resilient. There's not much that gets a runner down." Jones and McGowan leave Saturday, April 19th and plan to take in the sights Sunday because first thing Monday morning, all of the runners are bussed out to a location where theyâll take off from and run into downtown Boston. Jones says she and McGowan have been utilizing special training methods that can get pretty intense and are averaging about 60 miles a week right now after a lot of hard work to build up their endurance over the course of months. (JK)
Fenton Woman to Run Boston Marathon as TributeFenton Woman to Run Boston Marathon as Tribute
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Illegal Traffic Stop Claims Lead to Civil Suit in Federal Court Illegal Traffic Stop Claims Lead to Civil Suit in Federal Court
4/15/14 - A civil rights lawsuit is moving forward in federal court involving a man challenging a traffic stop in the City of Howell. The case is being heard in U.S. District Court in Ann Arbor, with Judge John Corbett OâMeara presiding. Christopher Bailey of Canton Township alleges his rights were violated by Howell Police Officer Luke Lorenz during a September 2011 traffic stop. The civil suit seeks $500,000 in damages and also names the City of Howell and Police Chief George Basar as defendants. Bailey, formerly of Fowlerville, alleges Lorenz wrongfully stopped his vehicle when he left a high school reunion and arrested him but also claims illegal search and seizure, denial of due process and malicious prosecution surrounding his refusal to submit to a chemical test. The City sought to dismiss the lawsuit but that motion was denied. It defends the officer had probable cause to stop, detain and arrest Bailey and is further entitled to the cloak of Qualified Immunity. The City maintains that Baileyâs having entered a plea to expired license plates, no proof of insurance and careless driving is virtually an admission of probable cause. Initial disclosures were due Tuesday and the federal suit remains in the discovery phase, which is expected to conclude in July. (JM)
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Odor Prompts Fire Dept. to Briefly Evacuate Pinckney Post OfficeOdor Prompts Fire Dept. to Briefly Evacuate Pinckney Post Office
4/15/14 - A strong odor that turned out to be a false alarm on Tax Day led to employees and customers being evacuated for a short time from a local post office. The Putnam Township Fire Department was called out late this morning to investigate a possible gas leak at the Pinckney Post Office after an unusual odor was reported both inside and outside of the building. The Pinckney Post Office is located on East M-36 and all of the commotion attracted a lot of attention as there were a number of fire trucks on scene but firefighters could also be seen walking on the roof and around the back of the building. Fire Chief Greg Amburgey tells WHMI they evacuated the building for about half an hour to investigate and after determining that the odor in the air was actually coming from a nearby business where a truck was pumping sludge oil, the building was cleared and re-opened for business. (JM)
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Meet And Greet Held For New Howell DDA Director Cathleen Edgerly Meet And Greet Held For New Howell DDA Director Cathleen Edgerly
4/16/14 - It was standing room only Tuesday night at Moeâs BarBar Shop when the Howell Downtown Development Authority introduced its new director, Cathleen Edgerly. Edgerly, who joined the DDA from Lansingâs downtown commercial district, told WHMI Lansing and Howell are not that different. "Every downtown community has similarities. People will always talk about parking challenges. What I look for are passionate people, a core group volunteers who love their community and are willing to give their time and talents to insure the community continues to be successful," Edgerly said. Edgerly, who is in her first week as the Director of the Howell DDA, is already turning heads with her fresh outlook. Heart of Howell Developer Joe Parker mentioned Edgerlyâs fresh eyes and wider viewpoint "could get people acting like a community not just talking like one.â Mike Tipton, a Howell Township Trustee who worked with Edgerly at the Capital Area Transportation Authority in Lansing said, âEdgerly is full of energy and will get the communication process going between the Mayor, business owners, and community members.â Edgerly stated her first order of business is to walk the streets of Howell, getting to know its business owners, workers and citizens face to face. (LR)
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Brighton DDA Survey Supports Proposed Theater Brighton DDA Survey Supports Proposed Theater
4/15/14 - A study has determined that there is a market for a theater in downtown Brighton that would serve as a venue for live performances. A presentation was made to the Brighton Downtown Development Authority today on a just-completed study of live performance venues in a 50-mile radius of Brighton. City intern Adam Kokenakes says the marketing study determined there is a ânicheâ for a multi-purpose theater such as the one envisioned for downtown Brighton. The study included such aspects as the physical buildings, type of seating, ticket prices, and whether food was available on site. Kokenakes, a graduate student at the University of Michigan in the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, tells WHMI the theater in Brighton would be for music shows, live theater productions, lectures, and childrenâs programs. The building, costing an estimated $2.3 million, would be constructed on property next to the Ciao Amici Restaurant. Kokenakes says the competition for such a theater would come from cities like Ann Arbor, which has Hill Auditorium, the Power Center, and smaller venues such as The Ark. Competition would also come from Chelsea, which has movie actor Jeff Danielsâ Purple Rose Theater. However, the Purple Rose is much smaller than the one proposed for Brighton, with a capacity of less than 170 seats, compared to about 300 for Brighton's. DDA Director Matt Modrack says Brightonâs theater would have retractable seats which could be quickly stacked next to the back wall for special events requiring more floor space, such as childrenâs shows. Modrack says having a theater in downtown Brighton would further enhance Brightonâs growing reputation as a regional destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. He says it would also support local businesses and promote the performing arts and culture in the Brighton area. Modrack says one issue that will have to be resolved beforehand is parking. He says the new parking lot scheduled to be built this year just west of the CSX railroad tracks will help, but more parking is needed closer to the proposed theater. (TT)
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Judge Orders County Jail to Deliver ACLU Mail to Inmates Judge Orders County Jail to Deliver ACLU Mail to Inmates
4/16/14 - Saying that correspondence from an attorney is the very essence of âlegal mailâ, a federal judge has ordered that mail be delivered to inmates at the Livingston County Jail. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a civil complaint in U.S. District Court in late March challenging the constitutionality of the Livingston County Jailâs "postcard onlyâ mail policy, which restricts all incoming and outgoing mail to postcards, although inmates are allowed to have books and magazines if they request and pay for them. The suit names Livingston County, Sheriff Bob Bezotte and Jail Administrator Tom Cremonte. Legal mail is considered exempt from the policy but the ACLU claims the defendants are not delivering mail sent by their attorneys to specifically named inmates, and furthermore published at least one letter to the public intended for a specific inmate. Federal Judge Denise Hood recently granted a motion filed by the ACLU, ordering that the mail sent by the ACLU to the inmates noted in the complaint must be delivered and the document is attached below. Another hearing is scheduled May 12th and the latest complaint is also now a companion case to a separate lawsuit filed against the county and Bezotte in 2011 by Prison Legal News. It also claims that itâs free-speech rights were being violated because authorities wouldn't distribute the publication and other correspondence to inmates. County authorities previously said that in many cases the publication was being sent to inmates without first being requested. Additional hearings in that case have also been scheduled before Judge Hood later this month and in May. (JM)
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Salary Issues Among Reasons for Superintendent's Job SearchSalary Issues Among Reasons for Superintendent's Job Search
4/16/14 - Support for Howell Schools Superintendent Ron Wilson has become vocal as the district works on changes to the contract and he contemplates leaving for another district. Wilson is among the final applicants being considered for a superintendent's position with the Muskegon Intermediate School District. He has previously expressed frustration with the board due to a unique combination of factors that allowed a minority of board members to shoot down a teachers' union contract he had recommended, leading to months of conflict and difficult negotiations. He previously applied to take over as superintendent of the Livingston Educational Service Agency, but that job went to Pinckney Superintendent Dan Danosky. The district is now discussing Wilson's contract renewal, and while they plan to offer him a raise, School Board President Mike Witt says what the superintendent is asking for is 2-3 times larger than what they are prepared to offer. Howell High School Choir Director Rod Bushey has written a letter endorsing Wilson's performance at the district and encouraging the school board to do whatever it can to keep the superintendent at the district. A similar letter was also written by Don Cortez, president of the Howell Education Foundation. He also owns First Impression Printing and Marketing, which does online work for the district, including Wilson's Facebook page. He says the superintendent's excellent performance and the strength of the district have improved the attractiveness and business climate of Howell as a whole. (TD/JK)
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National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Set Next SaturdayNational Prescription Drug Take Back Day Set Next Saturday
4/16/14 - An event next weekend will allow Livingston County residents to rid their homes of potentially dangerous prescription drugs but also help prevent pill abuse and theft.Michigan State Police is again partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement agencies for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day next Saturday, April 26th. All 29 MSP posts including the Brighton location will serve as drop-off points for citizens to discard expired, unused or unwanted prescriptions and medications for destruction. The Brighton City Police Department, the Hamburg Township Police Department and the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department will also be serving as drop-off locations. No liquids, inhalers, patches, or syringes will be accepted and the service is free and anonymous. Officials say the effort addresses a vital public safety and public health issue because medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are also said to be alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to the types of drugs. A link to locate different collection sites is posted below. (JM)
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Man Police Say Huffed Air Duster, Crashed Into Hydrant Bound OverMan Police Say Huffed Air Duster, Crashed Into Hydrant Bound Over
4/16/14 - A trial date will be set for a man police say huffed air duster and crashed his car into a Hartland Township fire hydrant. 24-year-old Nicholas Perry is charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana for the incident last summer. He waived his preliminary exam in court this week, which sends his case to circuit court for trial. 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 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 un-opened alcohol containers and intoxicants, multiple over the counter narcotics, and suspected illegal narcotics. Perry, who was on parole at the time of the incident for a home invasion conviction in Oakland County, remains lodged with the Michigan Department of Corrections at the Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center in Jackson. (JM)
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County Sets Deal With US Marshals To Help Fund Jail ExpansionCounty Sets Deal With US Marshals To Help Fund Jail Expansion
4/16/14 - A new source of revenue for the jail was approved by the County Board of Commissioners last night, although one commissioner felt the need to refute claims about his role in the project made by a political rival. The County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to accept a deal with the US Marshals to house inmates at the current jail and, when the upgrade is completed, in the new jail. The deal would allow the jail to house federal inmates, for which the county would be paid $81 per inmate per day plus transportation expenses. County Administrator Belinda Peters tells WHMI this two-year deal could help offset the expected $2.5 million annual increase in the jail's operating cost after the expansion is complete. The deal will begin on May 1st. To address the question of funding the jail expansion's $14 million construction, the county has created the Jail Improvement Committee with Commissioner Don Parker at its head. A press release put out last week by Howell Township Trustee Mike Tipton criticizes Parker for his work in that committee, saying he is supporting and promoting a $14 million jail millage even after he stressed the importance of low taxes in his last county commissioner campaign. Last night, Parker denounced these claims, saying there has been no recommendation for a tax hike and he does not even support such a position. Tipton is the Democratic candidate for Parker's seat on the County Commission, which will be up for election this year. Parker says this is Tipton's motivation for the criticism. Tipton responded by saying a millage has always been mentioned as a possibility and if Parker is now backing away from that, he wonders if the county board will instead cut expenses, and if so, he'd like to know what current service they plan to eliminate. The Jail Improvement Committee will make its recommendations to the board of commissioners by the end of the month. (TD/JK)
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Barnstormer Avoids Foreclosure; Owner Seeks Joint Venture Barnstormer Avoids Foreclosure; Owner Seeks Joint Venture
4/17/14 - The owner of a shuttered entertainment complex in Green Oak Township has avoided foreclosure and is holding out hope to bring the building back to life. The foreclosure process was underway for the Barnstormer Entertainment complex but owner Rob Cortis paid $31,000 in back taxes, avoiding a public tax auction for at least another year. Heâs still looking to enter into a joint business venture or possibly sell the building although thereâs no formal listing or asking price. Cortis says everything is up for negotiation and told WHMI heâs contracted with Realtor Ron Kirk to advertise that the building is available for lease, a potential joint business venture or possible purchase. The building remains closed due to local court orders as part of litigation with Green Oak Township, numerous code violations and public safety hazards. Cortis says the ultimate goal is to remodel and update the facility, bring it up to code and get it back into complete use as soon as possible, adding communication has been continuing with township officials and itâs been positive. (JM)
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Site Plan Approved For New Thai Summit Expansion in HowellSite Plan Approved For New Thai Summit Expansion in Howell
4/17/14 - Final site plan approval was granted by the Howell City Planning Commission last night for another expansion to the Thai Summit facility. Thai Summit provides engineering, stamping, manufacturing, and assembly services to other companies, such as automobile manufacturers. Boss Engineering Vice President Thom Dumond tells WHMI they are planning to add roughly 150,000 square feet of floor space, split between the primary building and the second, smaller building on the site. Each building will receive an additional press line with the expansion, with the possibility of adding a second to each later on. When it becomes operational, the expansion will create an estimated 235 new local jobs. The roughly $60 million expansion is slated to begin on May 12th and take about a year to complete. Another expansion is being considered to fully connect the two buildings into a single campus. The facility was known as Ogihara until it was acquired by the Bangkok-based Thai Summit. Since then expansions to the exterior and interior of the building have continually increased its capacity to keep up with demand. (TD)
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Aberasturi Drops From 47th House Race as Ring Jumps InAberasturi Drops From 47th House Race as Ring Jumps In
4/17/14 - While one candidate drops out of the race for a local state House seat, another has joined in. Charlie Aberasturi of Hartland Township has announced that he is ending his campaign for the 47th District State House of Representatives. The long-time Hartland Board of Education trustee says he is instead endorsing Handy Township Supervisor Dr. Hank Vaupel for the seat. Aberasturi said he believes Vaupel is the candidate that is most closely aligned with his philosophy, on how to treat people properly and yet maintain a fiscally conservative outlook. Meanwhile, Hartland Township resident Theodore Ring recently filed to join the race for the 47th district. That leaves a total of five candidates in the hunt for the seat, being vacated by Cindy Denby, who is term-limited. In addition to Vaupel and Ring, Howell Mayor Phil Campbell, former Howell School Board Trustee Wendy Day and Howell Township resident Harold Melton are also in the race to win the GOP nomination in the August 5th primary. So far, no Democrat has filed to run for the traditionally Republican seat. (JK)
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Howell Board President; Contract Won't Be Negotiated in MediaHowell Board President; Contract Won't Be Negotiated in Media
4/17/14 - The head of the Howell School Board says a contract offer to try and retain current Superintendent Ron Wilson is in the works, but wonât be negotiated in the media. The statement by Board President Mike Witt follows a public show of support for Wilson to receive increased compensation while he seeks employment in a district in West Michigan. Wilson is scheduled to be interviewed tonight for the superintendentâs position with the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District. Witt says a committee is working on a contract proposal for Wilson, which will be presented at their next regular meeting, which is set for April 28th. Earlier this week, Howell businessman Don Cortez, who also heads up the Howell Education Foundation, expressed frustration that the school board had not yet come to an agreement on a new contract with Wilson, whose total compensation package is $209,000. That places him among the top 13% of superintendents in Michigan in regards to pay, according to a study published last year by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Wilson is asking for his base salary to increase from $155,000 to just under $174,000, which he says would be congruent with what former Superintendent Chuck Breiner was earning in 2008. He is also seeking an annual 3% cost of living increase. He adds that according to a salary survey conducted by Howell Associate Superintendent of Finance Rick Terres, what he has asked for is approximately $10,000 less than what superintendents in similarly sized districts are earning on average. That survey and a copy of Witt's statement are posted below. (JK)
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Blood Donors Needed to Help Give the Gift of Life This Spring Blood Donors Needed to Help Give the Gift of Life This Spring
4/17/14 - The community is being encouraged to put the power of faith into action and help save a life by donating blood this spring. About 44,000 blood donations are needed daily by hospital patients undergoing treatment for serious diseases such as cancer as well as for surgery, trauma and burn care. The American Red Cross says itâs a challenge because the need is constant and doesnât take a break despite the season. The Chilson Hills Church is hosting its annual Good Friday blood drive, where Livingston County Undersheriff Mike Murphy is a member. He tells WHMI one pint of blood can save three lives and encourages the community to consider donating. In addition to the Chilson Hills Church blood drive, which will take place from noon until 5:45pm this Friday, there are a number of other drives scheduled throughout Livingston County this spring. A complete list is attached and appointments can be made through the link below. (JM)
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911 Dispatch Now Training Dispatchers With In-House Academy911 Dispatch Now Training Dispatchers With In-House Academy
4/17/14 - The first two graduates of new training academy for Livingston County 911 Dispatchers have started their life-saving work. Shift leader Joni Stidham at 911 Central Dispatch tells WHMI dispatchers previously were trained outside the county and had to learn the specifics of local dispatch while on the job taking live calls. The in-house training course takes about two weeks to complete. This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and at an awards ceremony for local dispatchers on Monday the first two graduates of the new training academy were honored for their work in joining the team. One of them had her first shift on Friday, while the other began on Monday. The organizers of the academy, including Stidham, were also thanked for the work they did preparing and implementing he new initiative. (TD)
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Local Fundraiser Seeks To Provide Education To Liberian VillageLocal Fundraiser Seeks To Provide Education To Liberian Village
4/17/14 - A fundraising effort is underway to send a group of local contractors to the African country of Liberia to construct a new school and clinic. After graduating from Fowlerville High School in 2005, teacher Sara VanderVelde has traveled the world to teach in places ranging from Farmington to Eastern China. Her latest position was in the village of Gbanga, not far from the Libarian capital city, Monrovia. The demand for education there was much greater than she originally thought, so she and her father, Pastor Dan VanderVelde of Fowlerville, created a plan to construct a four-room school in the village that could also function as a clinic. They created the Arise Liberia campaign to raise funds locally that would pay for travel expenses and materials for local contractors to visit the village and build the school. The village is within 45 minutes of a university, but children from the village must get a quality education if they hope to attend and compete with children from the city. Right now, Dan VanderVelde is trying to raise the first $1,000 to supply Liberian workers with bricks to build the foundation of the school. A total of $30,000 is being sought by Arise Liberia for the expenses and materials associated with the school. Local contractors will be visiting the village to construct the school sometime in the last month or so of 2014. To find out more, search for âARISEliberiaâ on Facebook, or to donate, click on the link below. (TD)
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Sheriff's Department Warns of New Fraud Scam Sheriff's Department Warns of New Fraud Scam
4/17/14 - Local authorities are warning the public to be on alert for a new fraud scam after numerous reports of a man impersonating a sheriffâs lieutenant attempting to collect money over the phone for outstanding warrants. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department had received roughly 15 to 20 reports by late afternoon from people that had been contacted by a man claiming to be Lieutenant Jerry Gamble with the warrant division. The perpetrator attempts to solicit funds by claiming they have outstanding warrants but have the opportunity to take care of them over the phone by providing credit card information. In some of the reports, the man claimed a person missed jury duty and a warrant was issued. Lieutenant Scott Domine tells WHMI the Sheriffâs Department does not solicit funds over the phone to take care of outstanding warrants and reminds to never give out personal or credit card information over the phone. Anyone with information or who receives such a call is asked to contact Detective Don Welch with the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department at 517-540-7930. (JM)
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Marion Man Sentenced on Child Abuse & Gun ChargesMarion Man Sentenced on Child Abuse & Gun Charges
4/18/14 - A Marion Township man convicted on multiple felony counts for threatening his wife and step-children with a handgun has been sentenced. 32-year-old Justin Michael Cheff was found guilty last month on four counts of 2nd degree child abuse and four counts of possession of a firearm in commission of a felony. On Thursday, he was ordered to serve four years and two months to ten years in prison on the child abuse counts and a consecutive two year term for the firearm charge, meaning heâll have served a minimum of just over six years behind bars before being eligible for parole. Authorities say Cheff threatened his wife during an incident last May and held her at gunpoint. He then pointed the gun at his step-children and threatened to shoot them. One of the kids later fled and told a neighbor. The countyâs tactical team was called in, leading to a stand-off that ended when the team entered the home and found Cheff passed out, along with two loaded handguns. (JK)
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Meldrum Honored As Brighton Police "Officer of the Year"Meldrum Honored As Brighton Police "Officer of the Year"
4/18/14 - The Brighton Police Departmentâs âOfficer of the Yearâ for 2013 was announced at Thursday nightâs City Council meeting. The recipient is Jim Meldrum, who is also the police liaison officer at Brighton High School. Announcement of the selection was made by Police Chief Tom Wightman. Meldrum received a plaque, and a standing ovation from the audience, for his work as an officer and as the liaison between the high school and the police department. Chief Wightman says Meldrum was recommended for the Officer of the Year honor by his fellow officers and was selected by a special committee. Meldrum started with the Brighton police force in 2006 and has been the liaison officer at the high school since 2010. Wightman says the high school staff, administration and students universally have good things to say about Officer Meldrum. He adds that Meldrum is also active at the school during his off-hours as a soccer coach. Meldrum is an integral part of the Brighton Police Department in other ways, as a member of the Special Response Team, Defensive Tactics instructor and a member of the county-wide youth and school committee. Meldrum, in accepting the honor, thanked the department and his family for allowing him to follow his âpassionâ by becoming an officer later in life after a career in the auto industry. (TT)
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