11/27/12 - The Howell Township board welcomed two new members at its meeting on Monday night. It was the first time on the other side of the table for newly elected Democratic board members Lois Kanniainen and Mike Tipton following the general election. Tipton told WHMI it was a very exciting experience and everyone on the board was very welcoming and considerate. He feels the board needs to attack the sewer and water bond issue and come up with some alternatives in order to move on and focus on other areas, noting a desire to see some recycling in the township and improved garbage collection. Kanniainen also felt the first meeting was positive and said she's looking forward to gaining more knowledge about whatâs going on within the municipality. In other business, the board approved a number of appointments to different bodies. Tipton will serve as the board representative to the Livingston County Airport Authority Board while Kanniainen will serve as representative to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Supervisor Mike Coddington will serve as representative to the Howell Area Fire Authority board and Trustee Dar Howard was previously named representative to the Planning Commission. (JM)
New Howell Township Board Members Optimistic About Future New Howell Township Board Members Optimistic About Future
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Fenton Water Treatment Plant Hires Wildlife Rescue For 2013Fenton Water Treatment Plant Hires Wildlife Rescue For 2013
11/27/12- Wildlife Management and Rescue will continue to aid the Fenton Water Treatment plant with animal control in 2013. Fenton City Council approved the plantâs request to re-hire Wildlife Rescue to trap and relocate animals found on their property. The wild animals are burrowing holes around the plantâs lagoon pond and storm ponding area and could cause damage. Wildlife Rescue trapped and relocated 77 animals from the plant two years ago, and 44 more last year. Among these animals were woodchucks, skunks, coyotes, and cats. There have been very few scavenger animals found at the plant. The cost for the renewed service is $2,500, and will cover the entire year of 2013. (SO)
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New Positions Approved For County Building DepartmentNew Positions Approved For County Building Department
11/27/12 - The Livingston County Building Department could be getting some extra help this spring to deal with steadily-increasing demand. Last night the county's Public Safety and Infrastructure & Development committees approved Building Official Jim Rowellâs request to hire several new staff members, including building inspectors. Rowell says the building department is receiving 36% more business than it did this time last year, placing it at 2007 levels. However, in 2007 the department had 20 full-time employees whereas today it has only 11. The resolution approved by the committees last night approved the creation of positions for two full-time building inspectors, one full-time administrative aide, and two part-time electrical and mechanical inspectors. Rowell tells WHMI that the additional staffing will not cost the taxpayers any additional money since the Building Department is self-funded and the increased demand will provide the needed revenue. If the full County Board of Commissioners approves hiring the new employees, Rowell expects the positions to be filled in time for the spring rush. (TD)
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Brighton School Board OKs Design of First Phase on Bond IssueBrighton School Board OKs Design of First Phase on Bond Issue
11/27/12 - The Brighton Board of Education approved plans for phase one of the $88 million bond issue passed by the voters in May. The bond issue includes major improvements in technology and athletic facilities for the district, along with replacement, repair or upgrades of such items as roofs, doors, lighting, security, playgrounds and the performing arts center. In the planning stage are new athletic facilities for Brighton High School and Scranton Middle School, plus myriad other projects. A packed board room included residents who live near Scranton Middle School and are vehemently against the stadium being behind the school near Lee Road, which has several nearby subdivisions. The citizens present were assured that with modern technology, both lighting and sound can be directed downward, so there would be little â if any â bleed into adjacent neighborhoods. While most residents present live nearest to the rear of the school, a few who live on the front side were also present to voice their concerns. Paul Pisorek cautioned against switching back to the original plan of having the stadium in front of the school on Maltby Road, saying it would be way too close to nearby homes. The board ultimately approved the design package as recommended by the committee â with the stadium behind Scranton, near Lee Road, but with lighting and a public address system as âalternatesâ. Superintendent Greg Gray says the administration and the board are sensitive to the citizensâ concerns and will continue to work toward a workable solution that is satisfactory to all. (TT)
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Hune Disputes Bills Will Limit Damages For Meningitis Victims Hune Disputes Bills Will Limit Damages For Meningitis Victims
11/27/12 - An attorney representing multiple clients affected by the fungal meningitis outbreak claims that plans by State Senator Joe Hune to pass a series of bills out of the insurance committee he chairs will severely limit the ability of patients suffering in the fungal meningitis outbreak from being able to recover damages. Marc Lipton is an Oakland County-based attorney representing many patients that have contracted meningitis from tainted steroids that officials say were produced at a Massachusetts pharmacy. Lipton claims that the package of bills, combined with a recent appeals court ruling concerning pharmacist negligence, will seriously limit damage lawsuits against the New England Compounding Center, where the tainted steroids were produced. Lipton says the senate bills are being pushed by Republican State Senator Roger Kahn of Saginaw, who is himself a doctor, and would eliminate a patientâs right to bring a claim for reimbursement for injuries caused by a physicianâs or hospitalâs mistakes. He further claims that Senator Hune is planning to pass the bills out of committee Tuesday without hearing any testimony from those who are affected by the fungal meningitis outbreak as previous hearings took place before that came to light. Hune disputes the notion that the bills would limit the damages sought by those affected by the fungal meningitis outbreak and insists if a vote is held tomorrow it will likely follow the framework of an agreement of all sides concerned. He called Lipton's comments, "...typical trial-lawyer crap." Hune says he met Monday with groups representing both trial-lawyers and doctors and that they are close to a conceptual agreement on those portions of the bills he expects will be voted on by the committee. As for taking additional testimony on Tuesday, Hune says they've already heard 15 hours worth and he's undecided if he'll allow any more. Lipton points out that the testimony was all before the fungal meningitis outbreak and that the vast majority of victims are likely his constituents as Michigan Pain Specialists in Brighton injected more patients with tainted steroids than all of the other Michigan clinics combined. Lipton adds that the bills are being rushed through the legislature to take advantage of its lame-duck status and that lawmakers should be focusing their attention on matters of more immediate concerns such as the proposed Blue Cross/Blue Shield transformation and the stateâs Emergency Manager law. (JK)
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Local Man Retiring After 32-Year Career With Metroparks Local Man Retiring After 32-Year Career With Metroparks
11/27/12 - The chief of interpretive services for Huron-Clinton Metroparks who resides in Livingston County is set to retire. Michael George of Tyrone Township will retire on December 31st after a 32-year career as a Metroparks employee. He started out volunteering in 1979 before moving on to hold a number of positions at various metroparks over the years. In 2006, he was named chief of interpretive services for the Huron-Clinton Metroparks and is responsible for administering ten interpretive facilities and an extensive off-site education program. Some major projects completed under his direction include a new Nature Center at Stony Creek Metropark and the Environmental Discovery Centerâs indoor exhibits and outdoor interpretive areas at Indian Springs Metropark. George also works closely with community, state and national educational and environmental groups. George and his wife Karen, who is also retiring from the Metroparks, are said to be avid canoeists who plan to continue their interest in nature and historical interpretation while getting more involved with their church. (JM)
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State Says October Unemployment Rate Up For Livingston County State Says October Unemployment Rate Up For Livingston County
11/28/12 - Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates edged downward in most all regional labor markets in October, although the local jobless rate was up. The individual unemployment rate for Livingston County in October stood at 8.1%, marking an increase from Septemberâs rate of 7.6%. The state says local labor markets were very stable in October and payroll jobs for most metropolitan areas have advanced. It was noted that professional and business services and manufacturing are two sectors inparticular that have been a driving force in nearly all regions. The state says total employment and labor force levels increased in the majority of regions over the month. The exception was the Detroit-Warren-Livonia region, which includes Livingston County. The jobless rate increased by half a percentage point over the month but also recorded the smallest unemployment gain over the year. Out of Michiganâs 83 counties, Livingston currently ranks 52nd in terms of unemployment. (JM)
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Howell's 1462nd Transportation Company To Return Home Howell's 1462nd Transportation Company To Return Home
11/28/12 - Some local heroes are expected to return home this weekend. After being deployed for over a year, Howellâs Michigan National Guard 1462nd Transportation Company is preparing to return home. The unit is based out the Howell Armory and includes 172 men and women. They were deployed on December 3rd of 2011 for a 12-month tour of duty in Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. A Michigan Army National Guard Spokeswoman tells WHMI they intend to release more information this week but confirmed that a brief homecoming ceremony will be taking place this Sunday afternoon at Highlander Way Middle School in Howell. The 1462nd Transportation Company was originally called to active duty in December of 2003 and later arrived in Iraq. The unit then returned in 2005 following a 10-month deployment tour, before being deployed again last year. (JM)
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Christmas In The Ville To Take Over Fowlerville On SaturdayChristmas In The Ville To Take Over Fowlerville On Saturday
11/28/12 - The Fowlerville Business Association and the Fowlerville Rotary will host the annual Christmas in the Ville festival this weekend. The event will include a number of attractions around the village, including the Dashing Through The Snow 5k, a pet parade in the community park, and hayrides through downtown. Children will be able to enjoy a scavenger hunt, Santaâs Workshop, cookie decorating, a live reindeer display, and a balloon sculptor producing Santaâs sleigh and reindeer. The centerpiece of the festival will be the parade through downtown Fowlerville. The biggest attraction every year is the hot air balloon pilot float, which organizers hope will contain 30 balloon baskets this year. As the float goes past the crowds the pilots turn on their burners, shooting 15-foot flames into the air and warming the spectators. MacDermaid says the balloonists approached the village with the idea back in 2009 and aim to have the biggest float in the parade every year. Balloon launches will also take place at certain times Saturday, weather permitting. For information on the event attractions and how to buy tickets, click on the link below or search for âFowlerville Christmas in the Villeâ on Facebook. (TD)
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AG to Prosecute Livingston Charges Against Accused I-96 ShooterAG to Prosecute Livingston Charges Against Accused I-96 Shooter
11/28/12 - Charges in three counties against a man accused of going on a shooting spree along the I-96 corridor in October will be handled by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette rather than the individual counties. Schuetteâs office announced Tuesday that it would be taking over the prosecution of 43-year-old Raulie Casteel of Wixom for Livingston, Shiawassee, and Ingham Counties. Casteel has already been charged in Livingston with six counts stemming from and alleged shooting incident on I-96 in Howell Township, but he has not been charged in the other two counties. The Attorney Generalâs department will review evidence collected by the multi-jurisdictional task force that tracked Casteel down and determine what charges, if any, should be filed against him. Livingston County Prosecutor David Morse says turning the cases over to Schuette will provide for a consistent prosecution across jurisdictions and ease the burden on witnesses. However, he tells WHMI that no immediate action will be taken as Casteel is currently undergoing a criminal responsibility exam, which he expects will take between two and three months to complete. Oakland County, which will continue to manage its own prosecution, has leveled 60 counts against Casteel regarding several alleged incidents. (JK)
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Hune's Senate Committee Passes Medical Malpractice Bills Hune's Senate Committee Passes Medical Malpractice Bills
11/27/12 - Three bills pertaining to medical malpractice, including one sponsored by State Senator Joe Hune, were approved by the Senate Insurance Committee yesterday and now go to the senate floor. Hune chairs the Insurance Committee and he says the primary purpose of the legislative package is to prevent abuse of medical malpractice laws by patients seeking damages. Opponents of the bills say they would reduce a patientâs right to sue for reimbursement for injuries caused by mistakes made by doctors or hospitals. Some also claimed it would specifically interfere with litigation against a Massachusetts pharmacy that distributed steroid injections tainted with fungal meningitis. The committee allowed additional testimony from the public at yesterdayâs meeting to hear from lawyers and citizens who opposed the bills. A handful of people spoke, most of them opposed the bills and others expressing concern and urging caution. Hune says the fungal meningitis cases will not be affected by the bills at all and said attorneysâ claims to the contrary were nothing but theatrics. He tells WHMI any other problems, such as a complaint by one woman that the bills would prevent patients from seeking compensation for non-work-related losses, will be fixed before the bill passes the senate. Only one committee member, Democrat Steven Bieda, voted against the billsâ passing. Hune says the legislative package will probably go before the senate on Thursday. (TD)
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Howell Super Calls School Funding Proposal a State Power Grab Howell Super Calls School Funding Proposal a State Power Grab
11/28/12 - Howell Superintendent Ron Wilson is voicing concerns about potentially sweeping education reform legislation currently making its way through the Michigan legislature. The Educational Achievement Authority or EAA was created to run low performing schools and House Bill 6004 would expand its powers and abilities. The EAA would be run by a board appointed by the governor and as written, but Wilson says the bill allows the EAA to potentially take over schools beyond the bottom 5% and open its own exempt from statewide assessments while also turning over existing local public schools to charter schools. House Bill 5923 would create a host of new forms of charter schools including selective admission and boarding schools as well as potential storefront schools operated by cultural organizations, businesses and other groups. Districts would also be required to maintain empty buildings at their own expense until someone wants to use it or sell or lease unused buildings to the EAA or any other charter school. State Representative Bill Rogers says he is not necessarily sold on the bills at first glance and feels they may have gone a bit too far. However, he tells WHMI everyone has a bias whether itâs public schools, charters, or even legislators and they have to create the best plan possible with the objective being to improve education. Wilson tells WHMI there are issues of accountability and a lack of checks and balances for monitoring performance with cyber schools. He doesnât think the state exerts the same level of control over those, many of which he says are actually private, for-profit virtual schools. He says the bills take away local oversight of property and districts would be forced to keep buildings open, even if doing so creates inefficiency. He says the legislation spells the loss of local control and is being fast tracked on several fronts in a deliberate attempt to move toward privatizing public schools. Wilson says hearings were also suddenly scheduled this morning for Senate Bills 770, 771, and 772 that severely limit access to the school bond loan fund which is the vehicle districts use to finance the construction of new facilities or upgrade to existing, aging buildings. Both bills are sponsored by State Representative Lisa Lyons, a Republican from Alto. (JM)
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Two Meetings Set For Weed Control On East & West Crooked Lakes Two Meetings Set For Weed Control On East & West Crooked Lakes
11/28/12 - Genoa Township residents that live in the East and West Crooked Lakes communities are being encouraged to attend two upcoming meetings related to aquatic weed control. Some residents are pursuing a special assessment district through the township to control invasive weeds on the lakes but there has been disagreement over how to best do so. Most everyone agrees something should be done but some favor harvesting for control and remain very opposed to the use of any chemicals while others feel thatâs the only option left. The newly formed East and West Crooked Lakes Riparian Association is leading the charge for the assessment district and will hold a general meeting tomorrow at 7pm at the ReMax offices on Grand River in Brighton. The township began the special assessment district process after being petitioned and only serves as a funding mechanism for the project. The Genoa Township Board will host another public hearing on the proposed district at its meeting on Monday, December 3rd. A flyer being circulated by residents is attached below. (JM)
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Hartland Asks Residents To Weigh In On Spending PrioritiesHartland Asks Residents To Weigh In On Spending Priorities
11/27/12 - Hartland officials are asking residents to share their opinions regarding how the township spends its money and sets its priorities. Fifteen hundred households in the township were randomly selected to receive the survey, which will go out this week. They will have the option to fill out the paper survey or go online with a unique code to fill out the survey electronically. Township Manager James Wickman says the survey is being offered through a professional company and is largely standardized, allowing Hartland officials to compare their results to surveys given in other municipalities and in the private sector. The survey includes 25 questions on the quality of life and services in the township, what kinds of services the township should prioritize when budgeting, and what kind of millage residents would consider supporting. Wickman tells WHMI this last point is especially important since township officials are considering revisiting the idea of a road millage ballot issue. Such a ballot issue was defeated by township voters in August of 2010, but officials want to know why that ballot issue failed and whether another one could pass if offered now. Wickman adds that he would like to conduct a survey like this every two to three years so the township can stay in line with the will of the people. (TD)
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Site Of Former Ford Wixom Assembly Plant Razed For "New Future"Site Of Former Ford Wixom Assembly Plant Razed For "New Future"
11/28/12 - Ford Motor Company is in the process of tearing down about a quarter of its sprawling former assembly plant in Wixom. The Ford Wixom Assembly Plant, now known as the Ford Renewable Energy Park, once employed thousands including some Livingston County residents. The City of Wixom has said the site is being razed "in preparation of a bright new future." Ford Company spokeswoman Becky Sanch said the automaker is "in sales negotiations on the property" and the demolition "is agreed upon by everyone involved." The Wixom Assembly Plant was one of Ford's largest and oldest manufacturing sites, opening in 1957. It was the most profitable plant in the industry during the 1980âs and closed in 2007 after a half-century of producing the Lincoln Town Car, Ford Thunderbird and GT and the Lincoln Continental. The last car produced was a white chocolate Lincoln Town Car, which rolled off the line at 12:55pm on May 31st, 2007. According to figures supplied by Ford at the time of the plant's closure, peak employment stood at nearly 5,500 in 1973. (JM)
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Putnam Township Home A Complete Loss Following Late Night Fire Putnam Township Home A Complete Loss Following Late Night Fire
11/28/12 - Dozens of firefighters from multiple departments battled a blaze in Putnam Township late Tuesday night. The fire broke out shortly after 11pm in a ranch-style home with a two-car garage in the 1100 block of Patterson Lake Drive, off of Patterson Lake Road. Putnam Township Fire Chief Greg Amburgey says there was extensive fire showing through the roof upon arrival and firefighters made an aggressive attack due to a vehicle in the driveway in an effort to make sure no one was inside. He tells WHMI firefighters were on scene for roughly three hours and while the home is still standing, it suffered significant damage and is considered a total loss. Amburgey says the homeowner had been visiting a friend when the fire broke out and no injuries resulted. He says the investigation is pretty much complete and the cause will be labeled undetermined but is not believed to be suspicious. Firefighters from Hamburg, Unadilla and Dexter assisted at the scene while the Howell and Green Oak Fire Departments covered calls at the Putnam station. The homeowner is currently being assisted by the Livingston County Chapter of the Red Cross. (JM)
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New Trial Denied For Pinckney Woman Convicted in Drinking DeathNew Trial Denied For Pinckney Woman Convicted in Drinking Death
11/28/12 - A Pinckney woman convicted of providing the whiskey that led to the death of a Durand man will not be getting a new trial the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday. They rejected arguments by Lindsay Alice Treanor that her trial attorney was ineffective. As to arguments of prosecutorial misconduct, the panel said that while the prosecutor made statements to the jury that were unsupported by the evidence, there was sufficient evidence to support her conviction and those statements alone did not deprive her of a fair trial. Treanor was found guilty by a local jury in April of 2011 of furnishing alcohol to a minor causing death for providing the alcohol that 18-year-old Bryce Dickinson consumed on November 7th, 2010 while partying with a group of friends at the abandoned Pinckney train depot. He is said to have become belligerent and was put inside a car to sleep it off but was soon found unresponsive. Dickinson was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Treanor was subsequently sentenced to 180 days in the Livingston County Jail and three years of probation but was also ordered to complete substance abuse treatment and pay more than $6,000 in restitution. (jk)
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Howell Kiwanis to Host Annual Dinner Highlighting Community WorkHowell Kiwanis to Host Annual Dinner Highlighting Community Work
11/29/12 - The Kiwanis Club of Howell will host its annual dinner next week, offering the public an opportunity to learn more about its work within the community to benefit local children as well as a large development project in downtown Howell. The annual dinner for the Howell Kiwanis Club will take place Monday, December 3rd at 6pm in the Howell High School cafeteria. The meal will be prepared by Howell Public Schools students in the culinary arts program. The keynote speaker at the dinner will be Joe Parker, the developer of the Heart of Howell project in the downtown area. The main focus of the club is âchanging the world, one child and one community at a timeâ. Larry Memmer is the Lieutenant Government for the division serving Livingston County. He tells WHMI there are five clubs with roughly 125 members working on community projects. The cost to attend the annual dinner is $15 and can be paid at the door but Memmer says an RSVP would be appreciated. Details can be found in the attachment below. (JM)
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Attorney In K2 Case Plans To Appeal Conflict of Interest RulingAttorney In K2 Case Plans To Appeal Conflict of Interest Ruling
11/29/12 - The attorney representing two women charged with selling synthetic marijuana says he plans to appeal a judgeâs ruling that he has a conflict of interest in the case. That was the ruling last week from 53rd District Court Judge Suzanne Geddis in the case against 41-year-old Ronda Roszak, who owns Smokers Depot on Lawson Drive in Genoa Township. Also charged in the case is the storeâs manager, 27-year-old Melissa Ann Dzierwa of Fowlerville. Both women face a count of delivering or manufacturing a non-narcotic controlled substance. Defense attorney Timothy Corr maintains the company that sold the product to his clients at a tobacco trade show provided a lab test report to them stating that there were no illegal chemicals in it. Corr represents both women, but last week Geddis granted a motion by prosecutors indicating that Corr would have a conflict of interest when they offered a plea deal to one of the women but not the other. Corr says there is no conflict of interest since prosecutors have not yet offered a plea deal and, even if they did, neither woman is interested in taking it. He says Geddis also granted a motion to hold off on further proceedings to allow him to appeal the decision to the circuit court. He plans to file that action next week. (TD)
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Charity Hockey Game to Benefit O'Rourke FamilyCharity Hockey Game to Benefit O'Rourke Family
11/29/12 - The Livingston County family of a fallen West Bloomfield Township police officer will benefit from a charity hockey game set for next month. The game between the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association and local law enforcement officers will be played December 21st at Compuware Arena in Plymouth Township, with all proceeds benefitting the family of Officer Patrick O'Rourke, who lived in Tyrone Township with his wife and four children. O'Rourke was killed September 9th when a suicidal subject opened fire on officers who had responded to his home in West Bloomfield Township. He later killed himself after a 20-hour standoff. Joe Kocur, Chris Osgood, Kirk Maltby and Darren McCarty are among the nearly one dozen former Red Wing players who will play in the game which is sponsored by the Joe Kocur Foundation for Children, the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association and the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command Class 335. Tickets are $20 and are available at the West Bloomfield, White Lake, Milford, Sterling Heights, Grosse Pointe, Southfield, and Plymouth police departments and through the link below. (JK)
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