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Oakland Deputy to Face Trial in Hartland Bar BrawlOakland Deputy to Face Trial in Hartland Bar Brawl

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4/30/14 - An Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy has been bound over to Livingston County Circuit Court to face charges stemming from a St. Patrick’s Day bar fight. Deputy Thomas Knasiak with the Oakland Sheriff’s Highland Township substation, along with co-defendant Andrew Coleman, were arrested on resisting or obstructing a police officer on St. Patrick’s Day. 911 received a call from O’Malley’s Irish Pub on Old US 23 at about 8pm for a report of a man being assaulted. A Michigan State Police trooper was the first on the scene, and Knasiak and Coleman were pointed out as the two men involved. The pair was subdued by the trooper and a deputy from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department and taken into custody. Knasiak is now in a “non-deputized” position with the Corrections Division, and has had his gun, badge, and identification taken away pending the outcome of the internal investigation and criminal charges. He was bound over to circuit court on Tuesday and will stand trial in Judge Michael Hatty’s courtroom. (JK)

Local Photographer Named Howell DDA Volunteer Of The YearLocal Photographer Named Howell DDA Volunteer Of The Year

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4/30/14 - The Howell Downtown Development Authority gave its volunteer of the year award last night to the man who devised the city’s newest festival. Photographer Richard Lim began taking photos for the DDA at festivals years ago, and eventually became an important member of the organization. When the DDA tried to come up with a new festival to fill the void between the Fantasy of Lights and spring time, it was Lim who came up with the Lunar New Year festival and the associated Dragon Run 5k. Last night, the DDA held its annual volunteer recognition event at the Heart of Howell building and Lim was named the volunteer of the year for his idea and the countless hours he worked to make it a reality. Lim says he knew the idea was outside the box for Howell, but the support of volunteers and the community made it a success. He says he was shocked when they announced that he was the volunteer of the year, but it is nice to be recognized by his fellow volunteers. Pictured from left to right; Cindy Denby, Richard Lim and Mary Helfmann. (TD)

Embattled Brighton Homeowners Plan U.S. Supreme Court AppealEmbattled Brighton Homeowners Plan U.S. Supreme Court Appeal

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4/30/14 - An attorney representing an elderly couple who own two homes the City of Brighton wants torn down is appealing a recent court decision to the highest in the land. Leon and Marilyn Bonner own two homes on North Street that the city ordered demolished in January of 2009 on the basis that they pose a danger to public health and safety. They sued the city over an ordinance which requires the demolition of unsafe homes whose value is less than the cost of repairing them. The state Court of Appeals issued a decision late last year and ruled portions of the city ordinance violated due process. However, the Michigan Supreme Court just recently issued a unanimous opinion overturning that decision. The Bonners’ attorney, Dennis Dubuc, says they have always wanted to fix the homes and have the funds to do so, questioning the rationality of an ordinance that prevents repairs to a home deemed dangerous. He tells WHMI the court did not make a decision as to whether or not the Bonners’ constitutional rights had been violated, just that the City’s ordinance is constitutional on its face. He says if allowed to stand, that decision would be far reaching and precedent setting, so he’s appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court. Dubuc says Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty could stay local proceedings until the Michigan Court of Appeals rules on a myriad of other pending issues, including if the Bonners lost their non-conforming use of the property as residential and whether or not they should have been issued permits for repairs. Attorney Paul Burns, in representing the city, has consistently maintained the homes are not safe and should be demolished. Dubuc says the City notice the Bonners received in 2009 stating the homes were dangerous and had to come down was the first and only ever received over the course of 35 years. He says despite paying taxes and utility bills as well as cutting the grass, the Bonners were prevented from living in the homes for all those years because the City unlawfully turned off the water and has never turned it back on, despite a court opinion to do so.(JM)

Planned Billboard to Benefit Howell Schools Bottom LinePlanned Billboard to Benefit Howell Schools Bottom Line

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4/30/14 - An electronic billboard is expected to bring in $690,000 over 20 years for a local school district. Howell Public Schools' Board of Education on Monday unanimously approved a long-term lease agreement allowing CBS Outdoor to use school property for the billboard along M-59. The billboard is expected to carry eight rotating messages at a time, and the school district will use one for its own messages. School officials say the billboard, which is expected to be 10 feet by 36 feet, is consistent with the property's zoning. The planned site is behind Howell High School's campus, near the district’s school bus garage. Several other billboards already are in place along that stretch of roadway. (JK)

State Supreme Court Denies Appeal in Local Burglary CaseState Supreme Court Denies Appeal in Local Burglary Case

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4/30/14 - A Hartland Township man serving time on a conviction of breaking into a construction site and stealing tools has again been denied a new trial. 47-year-old James Row McIntyre Jr. was ordered to serve between 4 and 30 years behind bars in 2012 after a jury found him guilty on charges of breaking and entering a vehicle with damage and possession of burglary tools. Authorities say McIntyre broke into a construction site on Toby Road in Brighton Township. McIntyre had sought to overturn a previous ruling from the Michigan Court of Appeals upholding his conviction and sentence. He alleged various reasons for his request, including prosecutorial misconduct, faulty jury instructions and insufficient evidence supporting a conviction. In denying his motion, the appeals court noted that eyewitness testimony indicated a car matching the description of one he drove was seen at the site and that had been seen driving to and from a shed that contained items stolen from the construction site. Because the prosecutor’s comments concerned witness testimony, the panel ruled they were permissible. McIntyre requested the Michigan Supreme Court overturn that ruling, but it declined to do so this week, saying it was not persuaded there were sufficient grounds to hear the case. McIntyre remains jailed at a state facility in Jackson County, with May of 2015 as his earliest release date. (JK)

Morning Crash Involved Classic Car & Forced M-59 Closure Morning Crash Involved Classic Car & Forced M-59 Closure

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4/30/14 - One person was hospitalized after a crash this morning in Howell involving two vehicles, one of which was hauling a classic car. The accident happened at the intersection of M-59 and Byron Road just after 10:30am. Howell Police Chief George Basar tells WHMI responding officers found that a 1993 Chevy pick-up truck had run the red light at M-59 and Byron. It then collided with a 2011 Ford Fiesta, causing it to roll over and injuring the driver, who was identified as a 25-year-old Brighton woman. Her condition is unknown at this time but Basar noted that she was alert and conscious at the scene before being transported to the University of Michigan Hospital by Livingston County EMS. The driver of the pick-up truck who was deemed to be at-fault was identified as a 54-year-old Minnesota man. He suffered minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene. The crash closed M-59 at Byron Road for about an hour and a half. (JM)

New Hudson Man Arraigned In Pellet Gun Assault Case

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5/1/14 - Charges have been filed against a New Hudson man who police say shot another man with a pellet gun in April. 24-year-old Christopher Ouellette was arraigned on Monday on one count of assault and battery. He is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on May 12th. Deputies with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Lyon Township substation responded to a residence shortly before 10:30pm on Sunday, April 13th following a report of an assault with a CO2 pellet gun. The office says a 42-year-old Lyon Township man had visible injuries to his mouth and nose along with a small bump consistent with a pellet strike. Police say the victim stated that he had been having problems with Ouellette and they were involved in a physical confrontation when he pulled out the pellet gun and shot him in the face. The victim was treated at the scene by the Lyon Township Fire Department but refused further medical attention. Police say Ouellette fled the scene following the incident but later turned himself in at the substation. (TD)

Commissioner Steve Williams Named A Taubman FellowCommissioner Steve Williams Named A Taubman Fellow

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5/1/14 - One of the leaders of the county commission has been selected for the Taubman Fellowship for Executive Excellence and will attend an elite training program at Harvard. The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments has named County Commission Vice Chair Steve Williams a Taubman Fellow this year. The program identifies local and state government officials of proven leadership ability and gives them the opportunity to meet others like themselves in the public sector, improve their management skills, and expand their awareness of effective problem-solving approaches. Williams will attend the program this summer. Williams has served on the county commission for 9 years, and was in the US Army for 28 years before retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He says his primary goal is to improve Michigan’s economy as a way to stop the outward migration of citizens and even attract new talent. He says the training program will result in measurable benefits to the county and the Southeast Michigan region. Also named by SEMCOG as a Taubman Fellow this year is Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners Chair Yousef Rahbi. (TD)

Road Commission Awaiting Bids on Local Bridge ProjectsRoad Commission Awaiting Bids on Local Bridge Projects

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5/1/14 - The Livingston County Road Commission will be doing bridge work this summer although one project is proving to be more of a challenge than others. The bridge is located way out to the west on Grand River between Wheeler and Wallace Roads in Handy Township - almost to the Ingham County line. Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine tells WHMI the bridge over Grand River is complicated in part because they’re dealing with significant stream restrictions from the MDEQ. While they accept the requirements and understand the importance of environmental balance, he says it really limits when they can do the work, especially on a heavily-traveled road such as Grand River. The restrictions will prevent the work from starting all spring and into early summer but Craine says they also need to consider those driving long distances and the impact of lengthy detours. He tells WHMI the bridge is located along an important route, particularly for the agricultural community as virtually the entire harvest of soybeans and corn goes to the giant grain elevators that can be seen from the freeway at M-52. Craine says right now, the Grand River bridge is proposed be done in halves, which is known as part-width construction but he says they’ll look at that in further detail after bids are received in early June. He says once they have a contract, they’ll be able to better determine what really can be done and see if there’s any incentive on the awarded bidder’s part to accelerate the schedule and do it with a total closure. Meanwhile, the Livingston County Road Commission will also be moving forward with removing and replacing the Center Road bridge in Deerfield Township. Bids for that project will be received in early May. Craine says they’ll be building this summer, starting sometime in early June and with completion by the end of August. (JM)

Autistic Speaker Shares Insights With Local FamiliesAutistic Speaker Shares Insights With Local Families

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5/1/14 - Autism affecting his ability to communicate did not stop speaker Alex Kimmel from addressing an audience of two dozen people in Genoa Township last night. Since 2006, Kimmel has used technology to speak for companies, colleges, schools, and other organizations around the country about his life with autism and changes he wants to see in society to improve what he called "neurodiversty." He gave two presentations at 2|42 Community Church last night. The first one discussed the issue of self-determination for autistics and the freedoms and responsibilities that come with it. He used his own life as an example, outlining how he organized his day with lists of tasks and held regular meetings with family and partners to spell out long-term plans. The second presentation emphasized the need for individuals with disabilities to be truly accepted into society, rather than treated as outsiders. He said he disliked the puzzle-piece as a symbol for autism support since it promoted the idea that autistics were something in need of fixing and figuring out, instead of people worth getting to know. He also said April should be rebranded from autism awareness month to autism acceptance month, promoting inclusion and understanding of autistics in society. Attendees, many of them on the spectrum or relatives of autistics, were grateful for Kimmel’s presentation and felt it captured the realities of autism well. For more information about Kimmel and his talks, click on the link below. (TD)

Final Weekend for LACASA's Cinderella's ClosetFinal Weekend for LACASA's Cinderella's Closet

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5/1/14 - Livingston County high school students have a final weekend to purchase affordable, gently used prom dresses. Cinderella’s Closet is made possible through a partnership between Snedicor’s Green Earth Cleaners and LACASA and is designed to provide high school girls with affordable formal wear while increasing awareness about the link between substance abuse, dating violence and sexual assault. Those purchasing a prom dress are required to take the “prom promise,” pledging to remain alcohol- and drug-free on prom night. Starting today, the boutique will be open for a final weekend to accommodate varying high school proms scheduled throughout the county. Cinderella’s Closet is open at Snedicor’s Brighton location today and tomorrow from 3-8pm and then Saturday from 11am to 4pm. Meanwhile, a “Dress Drive” is now underway for long gowns or short party dresses in current styles. Dresses may be dropped off at either Snedicor’s locations in Brighton or Howell. All dresses are just $25, with proceeds going to LACASA Center for programs and services that aid victims of interpersonal violence. (JK)

Repairs Planned for "Road to Hell"

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5/1/14 - They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. But officials say this summer at least, it will be paved with new asphalt. A half-mile of traffic-and-weather-beaten Patterson Lake Road leading to the Putnam Township hamlet will be overhauled this construction season. Mike Craine, the Livingston County Road Commission's managing director, says they'll be "smoothing the road to Hell." The cost of the $150,000 project will be shared by the road commission and Putnam Township. Patterson Lake Road is part of a winding roadway extending from Putnam Township through Hell and west into Gregory in southwest Livingston County. The road to Hell last got a makeover in 2010. The project is one of a number in the county to repair heavily traversed roads.

Funding Agreement Keeps Local River Gauge OperationalFunding Agreement Keeps Local River Gauge Operational

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5/1/14 - A federal agency says it’s not to blame for a decision that almost led to the closing down of a key river gauging station on the Huron River. Hamburg and Green Oak townships recently agreed to put forward money to replace the funding for the stations, which measure the height, flow and characteristics of rivers. The devices are monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey, which funds them through partnerships with local agencies. Tom Weaver is the Data Chief for the USGS Water Science Center and tells WHMI that in the case of the gauge on Huron River near New Hudson, it was the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority that announced in February it was no longer contributing to their cost. Weaver says while the U.S. Geological Survey funding of river gauges has generally declined through the years along with a shrinking federal budget, they had actually budgeted an additional $1,100 this year for the New Hudson gauge. Weaver says the importance of keeping the gauge operational took on even more importance due to concerns over the heavy winter snowfall and how that might impact spring flooding. After the Huron Clinton Metropolitan Parks Authority declined to fund the gauges, officials in Hamburg and Green Oak townships stepped forward to pay for the cost, with Livingston County serving as a fiduciary as township governments cannot legally pay for the upkeep of a gauging station outside of their borders. (JK)

Local Writers & Performers to Present Thoughts on MotherhoodLocal Writers & Performers to Present Thoughts on Motherhood

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5/1/14 - Some of Livingston County's most respected writers and performers will gather next week for a first-ever unique event focused on something we all have in common in way or another; mothers. “Mommologues: Musings on Motherhood” will be held on Thursday, May 8th at 7pm at the Howell Opera House. Mona Shand is one of the event’s organizers and says the evening will feature at least a dozen local writers and other contributors who will offer poetry, readings and other specially created performances. Shand says the idea for Mommologues came about after she and local writer Maria Stuart discussed the variety of local talent who regularly wrote about their family life and what a benefit it would be to give them a more public vehicle for their observations. In addition to Shand and Stuart, others taking part include local chef Renee Chodkowski, known to many as The Great Foodini, and Howell-based author and filmmaker David Hayes. Tickets are $12 and are available online through the link below. Shand says they’ll also be available at the door while they last, although seating is limited. All of the proceeds will benefit LACASA Center. (JK)

Crews Make Repairs Following Water Main Break in City of Brighton Crews Make Repairs Following Water Main Break in City of Brighton

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5/1/14 - Repairs have been completed and service restored in the Spencer Road area following a water main break in the City of Brighton this morning. Some traffic delays resulted as the one-way section of Spencer Street between the "curve" and South Church Street was closed to traffic, while the lanes of Spencer Road in that area were under flag control while the repairs were being made. City Manager Dana Foster reported that the water main break repair itself was completed by 3pm and water service was restored to the affected residents on Spencer Road, Oak Street and Spencer Court. DPW/utilities crews were then working to install a temporary patch on the section of street pavement that was cut and removed to make the repair. They finished up the street pavement patching and had the area re-opened to traffic before 5pm. (JM)

Wisconsin Man Accused of Molesting Grandchild Charged Locally Wisconsin Man Accused of Molesting Grandchild Charged Locally

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5/1/14 - A Wisconsin man accused of molesting his grandchild will appear in court later this month on local criminal sexual conduct charges. The 68-year-old man is charged with a single count of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct involving a person under the age of 13. He remains held on a $150,000 bond in the Livingston County Jail. Hamburg Township Police investigated the case and the man is not being named per WHMI policy to protect the alleged victim, who has been identified as the man’s grandchild. Court records show that the charge is tied to an alleged incident last summer. The man is scheduled to appear for a pre-trial hearing in Livingston County Circuit Court May 23rd.

No More Jail Time For Man Accused of Molesting GirlNo More Jail Time For Man Accused of Molesting Girl

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5/2/14 - A Unadilla man accused of molesting a six-year-old girl was sentenced to probation and time already served yesterday. The 41-year-old, who WHMI will not be identifying to protect the identity of the alleged victim, was sentenced to five years of probation as well as the 597 days of jail time he has already served. He will also be put on the Michigan Sex Offender Registry and is prohibited from having contact with the victim. The man pleaded guilty to accosting a child for immoral purposes and attempted witness tampering as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. He was originally charged with two counts of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct involving a victim under the age of 13. Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt says the plea agreement will spare the victim in this case from having to testify in court. Police say the defendant began molesting the girl when she was just six years old in 2004 and continued to do so until June 1st of 2007. The man was arrested in September following a five-month joint investigation between the Unadilla Township and Pinckney Village Police Departments, with assistance from the Livingston County Sheriff Department's Computer Crimes Unit. (TD)

County Recycling Events Set This Weekend & NextCounty Recycling Events Set This Weekend & Next

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5/2/14 - Livingston County will be hosting an electronic and household hazardous waste collection event tomorrow in Howell. The event is designed to provide residents and businesses with an opportunity to conveniently recycle a variety of items including aerosol cans, any kind of battery, pesticides or other poisons, oil-based paint and other chemicals, old smoke detectors and compact fluorescent bulbs. The collection event will take place Saturday from 9am until noon in a parking lot of the Livingston County West Complex at 418 South Highlander Way in Howell. While the event is offered free of charge to county residents, no materials will be accepted without an appointment. You’ll find details and contact information in the fliers that are posted below. County officials also remind residents that they will hold a TV and electronic recycling event next Saturday, May 10th at the county’s East Complex off of Grand River near Chilson. (JK)

Hune-Sponsored Pharmacy Regulation Bills Pass CommitteeHune-Sponsored Pharmacy Regulation Bills Pass Committee

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5/2/14 - The Michigan Senate Health Policy Committee unanimously approved two bills sponsored by a local lawmaker to increase regulations on compounding pharmacies this week. Senate Bills 704 and 904 were sponsored by Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg following an outbreak of fungal meningitis in 2012 that resulted from tainted steroids from a compounding center in Massachusetts. More recently, Specialty Medicine Compounding Pharmacy in South Lyon was shut down after it was discovered that it had distributed tainted injections and was allegedly acting as a drug manufacturer rather than a pharmacy. The bills sponsored by Hune call for compounding pharmacies to have more internal oversight and record-keeping, perform criminal background checks for pharmacy owners, and submit to regular inspections by the state. They will now go before the full Michigan Senate for consideration. (TD)

Changes to Weather Warning System Across Livingston CountyChanges to Weather Warning System Across Livingston County

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5/2/14 - Severe weather can strike at any time and updates to the weather warning system across Livingston County are designed to help community members better prepare. In the past local departments and agencies relied on a multi-step process, meaning there could be a delay in critical activation of the sirens. There’s since been a collaborative effort between Livingston County Emergency Management, Central Dispatch and local fire departments to tie the systems together, which will result in changes the public will notice. One of the biggest is when the sirens will sound – on the first Saturday of every month at noon. Brighton Fire Authority Chief Mike O’Brian reminds the public that outdoor warning sirens won’t always be the best way to alert someone of severe weather and are meant to serve as a another tool to help get the word out of any pending danger as fast as possible. O’Brian says whatever the alert, specifically those doing outdoor activities to be aware of them and hopefully build in precautions to stay safe. The public should also take note that if any portion of the county gets a tornado warning, or the other parameters are met for when the weather sirens should be activated, every siren will go off across the county. Livingston County Emergency Management Program Manager Mike Kinaschuk says severe weather is unpredictable and can change quickly so they want to give as much advanced warning as possible and allow the public to take precautions. The updates to the local weather warning system were made possible through a federal grant, which gives the ability to activate sirens from a central location with trained professional central dispatchers on duty. While the sirens used to sound for only tornado warnings, they will now also sound for severe thunderstorm warnings with sustained winds over 70mph. Severe weather season is upon us again and Livingston County Emergency Management, 911 Central Dispatch and local fire departments are helping the public be better prepared. (JM)
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