Quantcast
Channel: WHMI 93.5 FM - Latest News Headlines
Viewing all 26045 articles
Browse latest View live

Accident Involving Motorcycle Leads to Three Arrests Sunday Accident Involving Motorcycle Leads to Three Arrests Sunday

0
0
5/5/14 - Three Highland Township residents were arrested following an injury accident Sunday evening that involved a motorcycle and a mini-van that fled the scene. Deputies with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Milford and Wardlow Roads at approximately 7:17pm Sunday. A deputy was attempting to locate the mini-van that fled the scene when a second call came in, notifying authorities that the driver of the mini-van was being held at gun point by a male subject in the Highland Greens Mobile Home Park. Police arrived and say they found three male subjects standing over the responsible female driver, with one pointing a gun at her and another advising the deputies he had a gun under his shirt. While deputies were ordering everyone to the ground and controlling the situation, police say one of the men started aggressively approaching deputies, yelling and screaming to let his friends go. Additional deputies arrived and three total subjects were taken into custody without further incident. The responsible driver, a 35-year-old Highland Township woman, was arrested and lodged in the Oakland County Jail for felony operating while intoxicated -3rd offense – and leaving the scene of a serious injury accident. Two Highland Township men were also arrested – a 39-year-old man for felonious assault and a 35-year-old man for resisting and obstructing police. Meanwhile, police say the victim of the accident on the motorcycle was transported to Huron Valley Hospital with a broken leg and facial injuries. (JM)

Car & Tanker Catch Fire After Rear-End Crash on Kensington RampCar & Tanker Catch Fire After Rear-End Crash on Kensington Ramp

0
0
5/5/14 - Both a tanker truck and a car went up in flames this morning following a rear-end crash on a local freeway ramp. The incident happened at around 10:30am on the westbound I-96 off-ramp to Kensington Road and authorities were still working to piece everything together this afternoon. They’re also looking to locate the driver of the Grand Prix that was involved for questioning, who fled the scene. Brighton Fire Authority Chief Mike O’Brian tells WHMI what appears to have happened is that an older model Grand Prix rear-ended a smaller tanker truck, which was carrying around 2,500 gallons of diesel fuel and gasoline. Both the car and the rear end of the tanker truck caught on fire, roughly 200 to 300 feet apart. O’Brian says crews from the Brighton Area Fire Department and Green Oak Township Fire Department extinguished the fire on the tanker while the Lyon Township Fire Department put out the car fire. The Lyon Township and Hartland Fire Departments also assisted with hauling in water to the scene. No injuries were reported but westbound I-96 was shut down temporarily in that area and re-opened around noon. The off-ramp to Kensington Road remained closed until around 3:15pm. (JM)

Town Hall Meeting Seeks Feedback For Community Mental HealthTown Hall Meeting Seeks Feedback For Community Mental Health

0
0
5/6/14 - Community Mental Health will be holding its annual town hall meeting tonight to get input from residents on the services it provides. The meeting is held every year to get feedback, input, and ideas from members of the community about the services provided by CMH and what they would like to see in the future. Organizers say the feedback is very important to the organization and really does help them make decisions about how to run the organization. Last year’s event included more than 200 people led to the hiring of a specific therapist to improve services to the community. Those who use CMH services, staff members, and concerned citizens are all invited to attend the free event, which will be held in the Brighton High School cafeteria at 6pm. Transportation is being provided. For more information, contact Leslie Hall at (517) 546-4126. (TD)

Howell City Pairs Mini-Circle Removal With Another ProjectHowell City Pairs Mini-Circle Removal With Another Project

0
0
5/6/14 - The Howell City Council last night discussed its controversial decision to remove the city’s mini-circles. A total of 16 mini-circles were installed in recent years as part of the city’s street improvement project as a way to slow down and manage traffic on Howell’s side-streets. In a split vote, the council voted two weeks ago to spend up to $35,000 to remove the features in the next 150 days. One of the dissenting voices was Councilman Scott Niblock. He says the city council should have taken the time to examine the issue and give city staff much greater input, including how the mini-circles are to be removed, what will be used to replace them, the materials that will be used in the new intersections, how speed will be mitigated in their absence, and how the project will be funded. Last night, the city council discussed the project and how they would like to proceed. City Manager Shea Charles presented a plan to couple the removal of the mini-circles with another, smaller project identified by an ad-hoc committee to save on costs. The consensus of the council was to go ahead with that plan, and the results will be presented to the council at its May 19th meeting. Charles expects the projects to be let to bid in about three weeks. Without direction to the contrary, the project will involve removing the mini-circles but not installing any kind of speed-reducing features to replace them. Niblock still was not satisfied with the limited amount of direction offered to city staff last night, saying the council should be much more specific about the details of the project. (TD)

Fenton City Council Reviews Non-Discrimination OrdinanceFenton City Council Reviews Non-Discrimination Ordinance

0
0
5/6/14 - It was standing room only at the Fenton City Council meeting Monday night, as community leaders and residents discussed passing a non-discrimination ordinance. The proposed ordinance would make withholding employment, housing and public services based on sexual orientation a civil offense. Council member Brad Jacobs who brought the issue to the agenda says non-discrimination laws at the state and federal levels leave some gaps. Passing an all-inclusive ordinance locally could help close those and deter discrimination. Mark Hamel, owner of The French Laundry Restaurant tells WHMI the top 10% of students coming out of the best universities have their choice of jobs and cities to live in. "They are choosing cities that don’t discriminate. They don’t want to sit next to someone who can get fired simply because they are gay. They don’t want to raise their families in communities that discriminate...If we want to attract people to our community, it makes sense..." to update the city's non-discrimination policies. After hearing from Hamel and members of Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or P-Flag, Mayor Sue Osborn requested city attorney Steve Schultz survey how other communities enforce similar ordinances and provide recommendation based upon the results. So far 32 Michigan municipalities have enacted similar statues. Schultz said the council should have something to review in the next month or two. (LR/JK)

Brighton Area Schools Expect Balanced Budget for Next YearBrighton Area Schools Expect Balanced Budget for Next Year

0
0
5/6/14 - The Brighton Area Schools’ Board of Education got its first look at the estimated 2014-15 fiscal year budget at its meeting Monday night. Assistant Superintendent of Finance Maria Gistinger told the Board that the tentative budget for 2014-15 is $60.5 million. Despite being a big increase over the $53 million budget figure for the current year, Gistinger tells WHMI the district expects to have erased the red ink and have a positive fund balance by the end of the coming year. Gistinger says the district will be able to accomplish the feat largely through its Shared Services program, in which the district provides courses and certified instructors in non-core classes for private and parochial districts. The projected revenue picture totals $60.5 million and district expenditures are projected at $54.8 million. That should give Brighton a healthy fund balance at the end of the 14-15 fiscal year - if the projections hold true - and would mark an end to Brighton being one of the state's deficit districts. (TT)

Local Tea Party Files Signatures to Challenge Lt. GovernorLocal Tea Party Files Signatures to Challenge Lt. Governor

0
0
5/6/14 - A local Tea Party leader has submitted the paperwork needed to challenge incumbent Brian Calley for the GOP nomination to the lieutenant governor’s office. RetakeOurGov founder Wes Nakagiri confirmed that he has submitted his affidavit of candidacy on Monday. Nakagiri announced that he would be aiming for the office back in August, shortly after Calley supported the governor’s efforts to expand the state’s Medicaid program as part of the national healthcare reform. Nakagiri says he opposes that expansion because he feels it adds to the long-term debt of the state. New Republican Party rules state that a candidate for the lieutenant governor’s office must submit the signatures of four GOP congressional district chairs or 21 members of the Michigan Republican Party State Committee, which has 105 members in total. Nakagiri exceeded those requirements by submitting signatures from 33 members of the state committee. He attempted to get the signatures of district chairs earlier this year, but was unable to get enough support to make the ballot. He claims that party members have been pressured by Calley to not provide their signatures. The GOP's policy committee is expected to meet in July to certify Nakagiri's signatures. (TD)

Guilty Plea Entered By Man Accused Of Huffing While DrivingGuilty Plea Entered By Man Accused Of Huffing While Driving

0
0
5/6/14 - A man who police say admitted to huffing air duster after crashing his car into a fire hydrant last year has entered a plea in the case. 24-year-old Nicholas Perry is charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana for the incident last summer. He has pleaded guilty as charged on May 2nd, and will be sentenced on June 5th. On August 22nd, 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. 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 was on parole at the time of the incident for a home invasion conviction in Oakland County. He remains lodged with the Michigan Department of Corrections at the Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center in Jackson. (TD)

SRSLY Dexter Seeking Students As Social Media And Data InternsSRSLY Dexter Seeking Students As Social Media And Data Interns

0
0
5/6/14 - A local anti-drug coalition is looking for high school students to serve as summer interns. The Dexter branch of SRSLY is accepting applications for interns to help with its social media and data processing efforts. Local students who will be entering 9th through 12th grade in the fall will be considered, according to the Dexter Leader. The position will involve committing 64 hours over the course of eight weeks from June to August, and interns will have the opportunity to earn a $500 stipend, attend a summer youth leadership conference, and gain real-world experience working with a community organization. Their tasks will include using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter as outreach tools for SRSLY, gathering data for the organization’s programs, and using community mapping information to analyze local tobacco and alcohol sales policies. Interns will also be expected to volunteer with SRSLY during the fall and winter. Applications are due by May 9th. For more information, contact Jacques at 313-574-8221 or email Stephanie@srslydexter.org. (TD)

Rezoning of Latson Road Elementary School Property Postponed Rezoning of Latson Road Elementary School Property Postponed

0
0
5/6/14 - The Genoa Township board met Monday night and following a public hearing, voted to adjourn four different components tied to the rezoning of the old Latson Road Elementary school property. The piece of property being proposed for rezoning is owned by Howell Public Schools and totals approximately 14 acres. Genoa Township Supervisor Gary McCririe says the township and school district came to an agreement a couple of years ago when negotiating the land purchase for the Latson Road/I-96 interchange to rezone the property from residential to a commercial use. McCririe tells WHMI they always understood it would be a neighborhood service commercial district so uses such as large retail, office, and perhaps a service station would all be appropriate on that piece of property. McCririe says there are four steps necessary to accomplish the rezoning that require board approval. They involve specifically changing the zoning and coming up with a planned unit development or PUD agreement that outlines the types of uses allowed on the property. The others are an environmental impact assessment that takes into account how the development will impact traffic, the environment and other factors. Last is a conceptual plan that shows what possibly could be built on the parcel but doesn’t lock in anything when it comes to what the use will actually be. The board is expected to take up the rezoning and related components at its June 16th meeting. They were adjourned as there are some minor issues to be resolved with the PUD agreement dealing with land use, most notably a driveway. (JM)

Millage Votes on Ballot in Two Local School DistrictsMillage Votes on Ballot in Two Local School Districts

0
0
5/6/14 - A recreation millage and a non-homestead renewal are on the ballot today for voters in two local school districts. Registered voters in Pinckney Community Schools are deciding on a .3-mill proposal for recreation that officials say will pay for the community’s use of the district’s recreational facilities. While the district charges residents to use the indoor pool or track, Superintendent Rick Todd has said that revenue is not enough to cover the total cost, requiring the district to pay for the difference out of its general fund. If passed, the 5-year millage would generate more than $312,000 a year for recreation-related expenses and cost the owner of a $200,000 home about $30 annually. That money is crucial to Pinckney’s deficit elimination plan, which was previously approved by the state. Pinckney Community Schools are currently running a $2.6 million deficit, due mainly to declines in student population. Meanwhile, voters in Hartland Consolidated Schools are casting ballots for a 5-year renewal of its nonhomestead 18-mill levy, expected to raise $4.3 million a year. Polls are open until 8pm. You can check WHMI.com after that for elections results. (JK)

Medical Response Training Exercise Planned at EMS HeadquartersMedical Response Training Exercise Planned at EMS Headquarters

0
0
5/6/14 - Another large scale training exercise is planned in Livingston County Wednesday - this time focusing on medical response. The District 1 Regional Medical Response Coalition is comprised of nine mid-Michigan counties including Livingston. It works to develop and implement a regional response plan to effectively prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from biological weapons incidents, pandemics, and other natural disasters resulting in mass casualties with the region. The Coalition will host its annual training exercise Wednesday with Livingston County EMS participating, as well as hosting the event at its new headquarters building and training facility on Tooley Road in Howell. The training will involve various tests and exercises, with the Livingston County Community Emergency Response Team or CERT and the Livingston Amateur Radio Klub also taking part. The training is expected to take place from roughly 8am until noon and anyone traveling in the area will likely notice a number of different mobile command and medical response units at the new EMS headquarters. (JM)

Wednesday Morning Meeting to Detail I-96/US-23 ImprovementsWednesday Morning Meeting to Detail I-96/US-23 Improvements

0
0
5/6/14 - An informational meeting tomorrow morning aims to educate the different populations that will be affected by a large construction project at I-96 and US-23. The US-23/I-96 interchange will be re-designed, along with re-routed ramps and other improvements on the Spencer Road bridge over I-96. The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event, which will feature a presentation by the Michigan Department of Transportation on the planned improvements. M-DOT officials will review details of the project and timelines, including specific detour routes for Spencer Road and why the work is needed. One of the first impacts of the project will be to anyone that uses Spencer Road, which will be closed completely over I-96 for approximately 40 days. M-DOT Spokeswoman Kari Arend say signs and detours will be set up but they want to inform the public of the different routes now, particularly with the Spencer Road construction. The projected start date for work at the actual interchange will also be a little earlier than anticipated, likely in late June and early July, although Arend tells WHMI the impact to motorists traveling along I-96 should be minimal due to how construction is being staged with the overall project. Arend says the bulk of the work to really start the project will be done in the median of I-96 and should not cause any major problems. As construction draws near, Arend says the M-DOT website will serve as a good resource for the public, especially with timelines and detours. Wednesday’s presentation meanwhile is free and open to the public from 7:30 to 9am at the American Spirit Centre on East Grand River in Brighton but registration is required through the Brighton chamber. A link is posted below to the chamber website along with an M-DOT flyer about the work. (JM)

School Millages Approved In Hartland, Rejected In PinckneySchool Millages Approved In Hartland, Rejected In Pinckney

0
0
5/6/14 - Unofficial election results are in for the ballot proposals of two local school districts that went before voters tonight, and while one saw a landslide victory the other was rejected by voters. In the Hartland Township School District, voters were asked to approve a five-year renewal for the 18-mill property tax that helps pay for district operations. The millage was passed by a margin of more than 3-to-1and will provide about $4.3 million to the district every year. This millage renewal is traditionally done every year, but changes at the state level have prompted the district to try for five years this time around. In the Pinckney Community School District, officials were asking for a point-3 mill, 5 year property tax that would be used to help the deficit district continue to offer recreational facilities, like the swimming pool and ball fields, at a relatively low cost to users. That millage was rejected in every voting precinct, which Superintendent Rick Todd says is disappointing. He says it is not clear at this time what the district will do to compensate, but bringing the issue back before voters in the August or November elections is not out of the question. That proposal was rejected by a smaller margin than that seen in Hartland, with about 57% of voters against the millage. (TD)

Pinckney Library Event to Jazz Up CollectionPinckney Library Event to Jazz Up Collection

0
0
5/7/14 - A "Blues for Books" concert and silent auction will benefit the Pinckney Community Public Library later this month. “Pinckney in May: a Blues Benefit for Books” will take place on Saturday, May 17th from 5-10pm. The Detroit-area band The Infatuations will perform a live blues, jazz, bluegrass, and country music mix in a small, intimate setting. Organizers say the new library building will take pride of place during the evening's events as the community is invited to explore all the amenities the updated library has to offer. Refreshments will include local micro-brews, Michigan wines along with designer desserts and savories by a local pastry chef. Framed art work by local artists, gift baskets, gift certificates for local services and books are some of the silent auction items. Bidding will begin on Monday, May 12th and continue on through the concert. All proceeds will go towards growing the library's collection to better serve the community and only 100 tickets will be sold. They’re available in advance at the Pinckney library, at the door or through its website. Details can be found at WHMI.com.

Meijer Skate Park Closed For Summer; Splashy Reinvention ComingMeijer Skate Park Closed For Summer; Splashy Reinvention Coming

0
0
5/7/14 - Although it might be a bummer for boarders, the closure of the Meijer Skate Park in Brighton will lead to some pretty cool options for summer plans next year. The park is operated by the South Eastern Livingston County Recreation Authority or SELCRA and will undergo a major transformation. Director Derek Smith says the park in its current condition is not a safe facility for participants to use any longer and as a result, it will be closed this summer. However, Smith tells WHMI there are much bigger plans to reinvent the park that are on the horizon. He says dynamics are changing and it’s kind of a one-trick pony right now – meaning if you don’t skateboard or ride a BMX bike, you don’t really have a reason to be at the park. He says adding a new 5,000-square-foot splash pad facility, a pavilion and play structure along with other renovations will allow the park to have much different components with more multi-generational and multi-purpose uses. Smith says while the need may not be as great as in the past, they recognize that there are still a lot people that like to take part in skateboarding and BMX activities and they plan to offer those options in the future. A third phase of the reinvention plans would include movable skating pieces to be put on top of the cement pad at the park. Smith says that will allow for continual change to keep it interesting for those that want to skate outside. Smith says the park will be closed for the summer and they’re hoping to begin work this fall on the renovations so that it will be fully operational by next summer. More information on the plans can be found through the link below. (JM)

More Than 1,600 Livingston Residents Enroll In Medicaid ExpansionMore Than 1,600 Livingston Residents Enroll In Medicaid Expansion

0
0
5/7/14 - The Healthy Michigan Plan, also known as Medicaid expansion, has attracted hundreds of new sign-ups from Livingston County so far. As of Tuesday, the Department of Public Health reports the total number of Livingston residents who have signed up is 1,634, or about one person for every 112 in the county. The DPH offers free professional assistance to those seeking to sign up for the expansion, with appointments available Monday through Thursday and walk-ins welcome every Wednesday through July. Those who want to take advantage of that assistance should bring the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of everyone in their household; proof of income for the last 30 days; information on the insurance offered by their employers; and any applicable immigration documents. Around the state, more than 200,000 people have signed up for the Medicaid expansion. A relatively small percentage of those came from Livingston when compared to the county’s population. In contrast, Wayne County supplied nearly a quarter of the new sign-ups, which is disproportionately large for that county’s population. (TD)

Pinckney Schools Rec Millage Rejected; Hartland Renewal PassesPinckney Schools Rec Millage Rejected; Hartland Renewal Passes

0
0
5/7/14 - The ballot proposals of two local school districts went before voters Tuesday, and while one saw a landslide victory the other was rejected by voters. In the Hartland Consolidated School District, voters were asked to approve a five-year renewal for the 18-mill property tax that helps pay for district operations. The millage was passed by a margin of more than 3-to-1 and will provide about $4.3 million to the district every year. The renewal is traditionally done every year, but changes at the state level prompted the district to try for five years this time around. In the Pinckney Community School District, officials were asking for a 0.3 mill, 5-year property tax for the deficit district to continue to offer recreational facilities, like the swimming pool and ball fields, at a relatively low cost to users. That millage was rejected in every voting precinct, which Superintendent Rick Todd says is disappointing. He says it is not clear at this time what the district will do to compensate, but bringing the issue back before voters in the August or November elections is not out of the question. That proposal was rejected by a smaller margin than that seen in Hartland, with less than 56% of voters against the millage. (TD/JK)

Annual Imagination Station Kickoff/Cleanup Set This SaturdayAnnual Imagination Station Kickoff/Cleanup Set This Saturday

0
0
5/7/14 - Volunteers are again being sought to help this Saturday from 9am to noon at the annual Imagination Station Spring Kickoff in downtown Brighton. Volunteers will be applying another layer of Fibar to the playground surface to provide a cushion against the soil underneath. Fibar, which is not the same as mulch or wood chips, is an engineered product made from virgin wood that both cushions and isolates the ground surface. According to playground volunteer coordinator Renee Pettingill, volunteers are needed to come this weekend to not only help apply the Fibar, but also to trim some shrubs and perform other cleanup chores. Tools, gloves and supplies will be provided. Pettingill adds that volunteers will be meeting every second and fourth Saturday at the Imagination Station throughout the coming season. Individuals or groups interested in helping out should show up this Saturday, or contact brightonimaginationstation@gmail.com with any questions or call 248-797-0829. (JK)

Howell Gets New Code Enforcement Firm And Building OfficialHowell Gets New Code Enforcement Firm And Building Official

0
0
5/7/14 - A firm has been contracted by the City of Howell to provide a new building official and code enforcement services. The city council unanimously approved action to stop receiving building services from the county and contract with Carlisle Wortman Associates instead. This includes naming the company’s Code Enforcement Services Director Craig Strong as the new building official for Howell. City Manager Shea Charles says contracting with other municipalities in the past has worked out fine when there was not much construction going on, but with the uptick in business lately the city feels it is prudent to take control of its own building services. The city has also been having difficulty with the county building services regarding the Heart of Howell project on Grand River. Owner Joe Parker addressed the city council as it considered its decision on Monday. He tells WHMI he has had difficulties over the past couple of months, and currently work on the project has been stalled for weeks. He hopes the new building official will be able to resolve the problems. Charles tells WHMI he has discussed the city’s action with the county, which was supportive of the decision. (TD)
Viewing all 26045 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images