4/27/14 - The investigation into the death of a local man killed when a semi hit a disabled pickup truck on US-23 continues. Authorities are still awaiting toxicology and medical examiner reports in the case of 36-year-old Joseph Michael Logan of Hamburg Township. He was killed April 9th while putting gasoline into a pickup truck on southbound US-23 near Six Mile Road in Northfield Township. State Police from the Brighton Post say a semi-truck veered over to the shoulder, crossed the fog line and hit the back end of the pickup truck, also striking Logan. The pickup truckâs driver, Jason Bell of Pinckney, was injured in the crash and hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. State Police say they are still investigating why the semi driver, identified as a 56-year-old Pennsylvania man, lost control of his vehicle. Any possible criminal charges are pending the completion of the ongoing investigation. (JM)
Investigation into Death of Hamburg Township Man ContinuesInvestigation into Death of Hamburg Township Man Continues
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Local Robotics Team Learns From Championship Run Local Robotics Team Learns From Championship Run
4/28/14 - A local charter schoolâs robotics team run for the world title is over and while it didnât end on the winnerâs podium, team leaders say it was an incredible journey nonetheless. Team 4362 from the Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy was the only Livingston County team that advanced to both the FIRST Robotics state tournament earlier this month at EMU and then the World Championship this past weekend in St. Louis. FIRST is an acronym which means "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology." The team, nicknamed the Gems, only won two of its ten matches, but team mentor Ron Day says the fact that a team in only its third year of competition made it as far as they did, makes the entire experience a big win. "I don't think anybody is disappointed. I'm sure we all would like to have done better, but it's been a wonderful experience." The winning alliance of four teams did include two teams from Michigan; one from Holland High School and the other from the International Academy High School in Bloomfield Hills. The FIRST World Championship including 399 teams from 80 countries. (JK)
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Trial Delayed Until June for Howell Man Charged in CSC CaseTrial Delayed Until June for Howell Man Charged in CSC Case
4/28/14 - A Howell man charged with ten counts of criminal sexual conduct with minors is now expected to face trial in June. 35-year-old Robert Keith Sohn is charged in two cases in Livingston County Circuit Court and remains held on a half million dollar bond. He faces one count of 1st degree criminal sexual conduct and six counts of 2nd degree CSC, all involving victims under the age of 13. Sohn is also charged with two counts of 3rd degree CSC with a victim between the ages of 13 and 15 along with a separate sexual assault count. The charges stem from alleged incidents involving four minor children that occurred between 2005 and the summer of 2007. The mother of the victims previously told WHMI that Sohn was a family friend who abused the trust they had placed in him. If no plea deal is reached in either case, Sohn is scheduled for trial in early June. (JK)
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Local Governments Support River Gauging as Feds Pull OutLocal Governments Support River Gauging as Feds Pull Out
4/28/14 - Livingston County is getting involved in the effort of local municipalities to keep river gauging stations operational as the federal government pulls out. Budget cuts have forced the U.S. Geological Survey to cancel funding to gauging stations across the country. The devices are placed along rivers and flood zones to measure the height, flow, and characteristics of the water. This gives authorities not only accurate data on where the water level is at any given time, but a picture of the patterns and trends that define river systems over long periods of time. Drain Commissioner Brian Jonckheere says this information is vital to predicting and responding to flood events in Livingston County, particularly the low-lying areas to the south. At its meeting last week, the County Public Safety and Infrastructure and Development Committee approved a resolution authorizing a joint agreement with Green Oak, Hamburg, and the Huron Clinton Metroparks Authority. Those partner units will provide the funding to pick up the slack caused by the U.S. Geological Survey pulling out of the gauging stations. The countyâs part will be to act as a fiduciary for that money since the township governments cannot legally pay for the upkeep of a gauging station outside of their borders. Specifically, the deal will provide funding for the gauging station in Milford, well upstream of the affected communities. (TD)
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Howell Area Fire Authority Lifts Burning BanHowell Area Fire Authority Lifts Burning Ban
4/28/14 - The Howell Area Fire Department has lifted its ban on burning yard waste effective Friday. Burn bans are sometimes instituted after the winter snow melts but before the ground has thawed. During that period, plants are dormant and cannot absorb moisture, leaving them susceptible to fire. Residents inside the departmentâs response area can now burn yard waste as outlined by the City of Howell Burn Ordinance. The department encourages residents to keep burn piles to a minimum size so they can be easily extinguished if necessary and to avoid burning in excessive winds. Burn piles must be attended at all times. (JK)
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South Lyon Council Selects First Female City ManagerSouth Lyon Council Selects First Female City Manager
4/28/14 - The South Lyon City Council on Saturday unanimously selected their choice to be the next city manager. Lynne Ladner was among five candidates who were interviewed by council members, but was called back to city hall shortly after her session and offered the position pending a contract agreement and a successful background check. The city administrator from Hiawatha, Kansas would be South Lyonâs first female city manager. Ladner will replace David Murphy, who was fired by a split council vote last year. The position has been handled since then on an interim basis by former City Manager Rod Cook, who was assisted by South Lyon Police Chief Lloyd Collins. Ladner, who has a Master in Public Administration from Grand Valley State University, is expected to begin in her new position on June 1st. (JK)
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Pinckney Schools Renew Online Class ProgramPinckney Schools Renew Online Class Program
4/28/14 - The Pinckney Board of Education has renewed its virtual learning program for the fall semester. Superintendent Rick Todd tells WHMI Pinckney started contracting with K12 for online courses about three years ago. Through that contract, Pinckneyâs virtual learning program offers courses ranging from math and social studies to music and art for students from Livingston and the contiguous surrounding counties. The district renewed the program on Thursday, and courses will begin alongside traditional classrooms in the fall. Todd says roughly 70 students sign up for the program each year, most from outside the district, and each one provides the school with more than $1,000 in state shared revenue. Although the amount received per student is a fraction of the funding provided for normal in-school students, for the deficit district the extra revenue from the virtual learning program is worth the effort. (TD)
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Prison Ordered for Howell Man in Police Chase, RammingPrison Ordered for Howell Man in Police Chase, Ramming
4/28/14 - After admitting to fleeing from officers and ramming a State Police car, a Howell man will serve time in prison. 37-year-old Brian Lynn Ellsworth was ordered last week to serve a variety of sentences after pleading guilty to charges of fleeing police, resisting police, felonious assault, malicious destruction of police property, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, and driving on a suspended license. The longest of the sentences handed down was 30 months to six years in prison for the assault and malicious destruction of police property counts. He was given credit for 75 days already served in the Livingston County Jail. Ellsworth was arrested February 8th after fleeing from Livingston County Sheriffâs deputies who had stopped to check on his pickup truck, which was stuck in a snow bank on M-59 near Burkhart Road in Howell Township. Authorities say Ellsworth ignored the deputy, freed his truck from the snow bank, and fled east on M-59. He was later spotted by a state trooper in Oceola Township. The trooper attempted to stop Ellsworth but he again fled and hit another snow bank. He began ramming the trooperâs patrol car to try and get away, but the trooper managed to pin his truck into the snow bank. Authorities say backup arrived and helped take him into custody. (JK)
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Afternoon Blaze Destroys Mobile Home in FowlervilleAfternoon Blaze Destroys Mobile Home in Fowlerville
4/28/14 - Firefighters have been busy battling house fires and responding to reports of downed trees due to high winds. A large fire destroyed a mobile home on Hogback Road, south of Grand River in Fowlerville this afternoon. It was fully engulfed in flames at one point and is considered a complete loss. Strong winds caused the fire to spread to some woodpiles nearby but everything was brought under control by the Fowlerville Fire Department before 2pm. Then a short time later this afternoon, the Green Oak Township fire department was called out to a basement fire reported at a home on Rushton Road. High winds this afternoon also led to multiple reports of downed trees, with some that blocked roads in Unadilla and Putnam Townships. Firefighters battled a large fire that destroyed a mobile home in Fowlerville this afternoon. The fire was reported at a home on Hogback Road, south of Grand River. It was fully engulfed in flames at one point but was brought under control by members of the Fowlerville Fire Department before 2pm. The home is believed to be a complete loss. (JM)
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Deadline Wednesday for Online Video Contest
4/28/14 - A Howell High School senior is hoping for more online votes in the final days of a nationwide video contest about the dangers of underage drinking. Howell High School senior Ethan Armstrong is one of 60 finalists named in the 2014 Courageous Persuaders video contest, which will conclude at 5pm this Wednesday, April 30th. High school students were asked to create a 30-second commercial that warns middle school students about the dangers of underage drinking. Armstrongâs video is titled âDecisionsâ and his inspiration came from personal experiences, saying he reflected on some past decisions and how they affected others. Armstrong said the hardest part about creating the commercial was trying to get the entire message into such a short video and itâs exciting to make it this far in the competition. Winners of the contest will be announced in May at the Be Courageous Awards Ceremony. The grand prize winner will received a $3,000 scholarship and have their commercial broadcast on television. A fan favorite award will also be presented at the ceremony to the video that receives the most "likes" on YouTube by the deadline. (JK)
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Winds Spark Green Oak Blaze; Fowlerville Home Destroyed by FireWinds Spark Green Oak Blaze; Fowlerville Home Destroyed by Fire
4/29/14 - Firefighters were busy battling two house fires this afternoon but also responding to reports of downed trees and power lines due to high winds. The Green Oak Township Fire Department was called out for a report of electrical wires being down in the Rushton Road area. Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Gentry tells WHMI while en route to that; they received a report of a fire at a home nearby on Peer Road. He says electrical lines fell on top of the home, causing a power surge that resulted in a fire in the basement. He says the fire was confined to the area of origin in the basement but there was heavy damage to one room and moderate smoke damage throughout the home. A resident was home at the time and managed to evacuate safely and called 911. Gentry tells WHMI the resident heard a loud, explosive type noise when the power surge came through but then noticed smoke coming from the ceiling and other areas. The incident resulted in some power problems in the area and DTE crews were on scene in the afternoon. There were no injuries and the South Lyon Fire Department assisted at the scene. Meanwhile, a large fire destroyed a mobile home on Hogback Road in Fowlerville this afternoon. It was fully engulfed in flames at one point and is considered a complete loss. Strong winds caused that fire to spread to some woodpiles nearby but everything was brought under control by the Fowlerville Fire Department before 2pm. (JM)
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Another Meeting Set for Proposed Gravel Mine Near Chelsea
4/29/14 - Residents opposed to a planned sand and gravel mine near Chelsea will have a chance next month to again let their voices be heard. McCoig Materials Inc. wants to operate the mine on two adjacent properties in Washtenaw Countyâs Lyndon Township, northwest of Chelsea. The plans need approval from the township planning commission and others. There have already been at least two public meetings that have drawn hundreds of area residents, including Chelseaâs most famous citizen, actor Jeff Daniels, who expressed opposition. Another meeting will be held May 19th by the planning commission which is considering a special land use request for the project. That meeting is set to be a public discussion only as there's no scheduled date yet for a vote on the permit. Company officials say theyâre taking input from the public and planning commission seriously, but are optimistic the mining plan will eventually be approved. Thatâs despite an earlier request by the Chelsea City Council that the permit be denied based on concerns about the amount of truck traffic that would come through the city from the mining operation. In addition, Lyndon Township resident Lee Skyles has received more than 2,800 signatures on an online petition opposing the issuance of the permit. (JK)
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Hamburg Twp. & Officer Dismissed From Lawsuit Filed by Ex-ConHamburg Twp. & Officer Dismissed From Lawsuit Filed by Ex-Con
4/29/14 - Hamburg Township and one of two police officers have been dismissed from a federal lawsuit filed by a former Brighton man who spent more than 15 years in prison for murder. Court documents show that Hamburg Township and former officer Patrick Debottis were terminated from the lawsuit early this month, while former Lt. Eric Calhoun was not. Heâs appealing and filed a motion to stay the proceedings pending a decision on whether or not he has qualified immunity in the case. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit in 2012 by 47-year-old Daniel Albert Newman who was convicted of murder in 1992 for the shooting death of Harvey Chappelear in his Hamburg Township home. Authorities contended that Newman killed Chappelear in the course of a robbery. But in 2008 a federal appeals panel ruled that because there was no eyewitness or direct evidence that could place Newman at the murder scene, there were not sufficient grounds to sustain a conviction. That was despite the fact one of the murder weapons was owned by Newman and that metal and wood shavings from Newmanâs home were connected to a sawed-off shotgun believed to be have been used during the crime. Newman's lawsuit alleges Calhoun and Debottis violated his Constitutional rights when they failed to disclose evidence to the prosecutor's office, including work boots found at his home that were larger than a shoe print found at the murder scene. He also alleges that authorities ignored a failed polygraph exam of another man who was asked about his involvement in the murder. (JM/JK)
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New Contract With 4% Raise Approved For Howell SuperintendentNew Contract With 4% Raise Approved For Howell Superintendent
4/29/14 - The Howell School Board approved a new contract for Superintendent Ron Wilson at its meeting last night. A committee consisting of board members Mike Yenshaw and Mike Moloney worked to analyze superintendent compensation around the state and develop a proposal for the board to approve. Last night, Moloney made the motion to increase Wilsonâs annual salary from $155,000 to $161,200, which represents a raise of about 4%. The board unanimously approved that new figure, and Wilson has 10 days to sign the agreement. It falls short of Wilsonâs earlier request for a 12% raise plus a 3% annual cost of living increase, but he says he is happy the district saw fit to offer him this raise and he will likely sign the contract. Wilsonâs total compensation package was $209,000 this year, and will increase by more than $7,000 as a result of this increase. The board said negotiating Wilsonâs contract is more difficult than other contracts because it must be done in open session, whereas others can be discussed behind closed doors. Teachers in Howell will not receive a raise this year or next year. After approving his contract, the school board went into closed session to discuss his performance evaluation. Board President Mike Witt says the district is very happy with Wilson, who was rated as âeffective.â In accordance with new state law, Wilsonâs evaluations will now take place in July to give school boards time to gather student performance data from the previous school year. (TD)
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County to Issue $14.2 Million in Bonds for Jail ExpansionCounty to Issue $14.2 Million in Bonds for Jail Expansion
4/29/14 - A project to expand the Livingston County Jail is a done deal following Mondayâs meeting of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners. Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution of intent to issue $14.2 (m) million in tax-exempt bonds for a term bond term of 15 years. Construction costs are estimated at $16.7 (m) million and a detailed presentation was made by the Jail Improvement Committee, which was tasked with examining the current facility and identifying needs along with vetting numbers and assumptions. Annual operating costs of $1.2 (m) million are expected to be offset with state revenue sharing thatâs expected to be reinstated, as well as from housing federal inmates. It was stated that the countyâs delinquent tax revolving fund can sustain the annual payments and the timing is good with the market, low interest rates and the Countyâs AAA bond rating. Members of the Livingston County Democratic Party have been vocal in opposing the project - saying building a bigger jail will only lead to it being filled up again and that options should be explored further with greater public input. Among them was Howell Township Trustee Michael Tipton, a candidate for the county board, who said residents, "...can now look forward to 15 years of tight finances in the county. Forget about road improvements, sheriff's patrols, and overdue wage increases for county workers." Tipton said the decision should have gone to the voters for approval. Sheriff Bob Bezotte and county officials say itâs a much more complex problem than just recurring overcrowding and the need for the jail renovations and how to finance it have been discussed in depth while alternatives to incarceration have been exhausted and will continue with assistance from local judges. There have been dramatic changes to the male/female inmate population and the ratios of different security levels since the jail was last expanded in 1996, including more violent criminals and drug offenders. Bezotte tells WHMI itâs not their intent to keep people in jail but the community has changed and increased population means more crime. The Jail Improvement Committee consisted of county administrators and officials, jail staff, defense and bond counsel as well as local judges among others. One former inmate got choked up while speaking during call to the public, saying thereâs not enough space and a definite need to expand the jail. She says itâs about having decency for those incarcerated, adding that inmates are paying, literally and financially, to stay in the jail and shouldnât be sleeping on a dirty floor for days. A copy of the Jail Improvement Committee presentation can be accessed through the attachment below. (JM)
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Commitee Requests Pinckney Provide Additional Police AssistanceCommitee Requests Pinckney Provide Additional Police Assistance
4/29/14 - The Pinckney Police Department wonât be expanding its coverage area to include Putnam Township for the time being, with additional public input now being sought. Members of the Putnam Police Protection Committee appeared at the Pinckney Council meeting Monday night to make their appeal for additional police protection from the Village. Putnam Township is currently served by the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department and Michigan State Police. Township Treasurer and Committee Chair Pat Carney tells WHMI factors at the county level indicate the additional service would be beneficial, but the group needs community support in order to move forward with the program. One proposed option is to conduct a survey of residents. The proposed plan included 24/7 patrols utilizing Pinckney resources, with 2.6 mills required to cover the nearly $650,000 cost for the expanded service. Even though the Pinckney Village Council expressed concerns about providing 40 hours of police protection, it agreed to keep the lines of communication open regarding the matter. Village President Linda Lavey said the Council will keep an open mind and provide further comment upon review of the completed township study. More information about the upcoming meeting is available through the township link below. (LR/JK)
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Supreme Court Denies Appeal Of Man Who Set Woman On FireSupreme Court Denies Appeal Of Man Who Set Woman On Fire
4/29/14 - The Michigan Supreme Court has denied a request to hear the case of a Handy Township man who attacked his ex-girlfriend and tried to set her on fire. 53-year-old Charles Evan Jones was sentenced to serve an 18-40 year sentence in 2011 following his conviction for an incident in April of 2010 in which he sprayed a Howell woman with a substance as she sat in her car and then tried to light her on fire. She escaped and avoided serious injury. Jones was found guilty of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder, a lesser offense than the original charge of assault with intent to commit murder. He was also found guilty of aggravated stalking and filing a false report of terrorism for threatening to blow up the bank where his ex-girlfriend is employed. He appealed his conviction on several grounds, including that his past history of domestic violence and certain statements he made to police should have been inadmissible at trial. He also said his legal counsel was ineffective. The Michigan Court of Appeals rejected all of his arguments and affirmed his conviction in October, and this week the Michigan Supreme Court said it would not hear his case. Jones is being held in the Muskegon Correctional Facility and is not eligible for release until 2028. (TD)
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County Recognition Bittersweet for Local Hero & Family County Recognition Bittersweet for Local Hero & Family
4/29/14 - Despite the tragic loss of their mother, a local family still thinks a Howell boy is a hero â a conclusion also reached by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners. Without the quick actions of 10-year-old Danny DiPietro of Howell and his family, 80-year-old Kathleen St. Onge might not have lasted much longer in the extreme cold after she slipped and fell in her garage on a Saturday night in January. Danny and his family, along with Kathie St. Ongeâs three daughters, attended Monday nightâs meeting where Commissioner Don Parker expressed appreciation for his exemplary, heroic efforts in helping a neighbor in need. Visitation for St. Onge will take place tomorrow from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm at MacDonaldâs Funeral Home in Howell. A funeral mass is then planned Thursday morning at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Howell and memorial contributions may be made to the churchâs building fund. A link to complete information is posted below. Pictured from left to right are Dawn DiPietro, Mimi St.Onge Yenshaw, Terri St. Onge, Danny, and Sandy St. Onge Mitter. (JM)
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Local Soccer Event Saturday Aims to Help Set World Record Local Soccer Event Saturday Aims to Help Set World Record
4/29/14 - Organizers of a local event are hoping to help to make history across hundreds of soccer fields this weekend. Tri-County Soccer offers programs to hundreds of children and adults in Genesee, Livingston and Oakland Counties. This Saturday, the organization will join more than 100 communities for Soccerfest 2014 in an attempt to help the American Youth Soccer Organization set the world record for the biggest pick-up game on earth. Individual players and/or teams are shuffled and put on brand new teams with new teammates â pick-up style - for the one-day soccer tournament. The local event will take place at the Deer Run Soccer Complex in Linden. Parents and children are being encouraged to sign up for the event. Details can be found through the link below. (JM)
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Fenton Woman Leads Class Action Lawsuit Over Wage DisputeFenton Woman Leads Class Action Lawsuit Over Wage Dispute
4/29/14 - A class-action suit against a national restaurant chain has been filed by a local waitress who says she had to do non-tipped work while being paid less than minimum wage. Tammy Wolverton used to work as a waitress for Buffalo Wild Wings in Fenton and, as permitted under Michigan law, was paid less than the normal minimum wage because she received tips as part of her job. However, she says the restaurant regularly utilized servers and other tipped employees to perform dishwashing, kitchen and bathroom cleaning, trash removal, and other duties that are outside the scope of their tipped work and usually done by employees who get minimum wage or better. She has filed a class-action lawsuit in US District Court against the company that owns and operates more than a dozen Buffalo Wild Wings locations in Michigan, claiming they have violated fair labor and minimum wage laws. In its response, the company has either denied or claimed lack of knowledge of all of Wolvertonâs allegations. A status conference has been scheduled for June 5th. (TD)
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