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Duncan Disposal Truck Catches on Fire in Brighton TownshipDuncan Disposal Truck Catches on Fire in Brighton Township

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5/9/14 - A Duncan Disposal truck caught fire while traveling through Brighton Township this afternoon. Crews with the Brighton Area Fire Authority responded at around noon after the driver noticed the rear compartment was on fire. There were no injuries but smoke could be seen billowing from the area and all of the trash had to be removed from the truck to be extinguished. That resulted in the closure of a portion of Larkin Road, east of Kensington Road for clean-up. Photo credit Brighton Area Fire Authority. (JM)

Local Communities Receive 'Tree City USA' StatusLocal Communities Receive 'Tree City USA' Status

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5/10/14 - Five local tree-filled communities have again been recognized for their efforts to promote urban forestry. The designation signifies a community’s commitment to caring for urban trees as a valuable resource and the Cities of Brighton, Howell and South Lyon have again received "Tree City USA" certification, along with the Villages of Milford and Dexter. The program promotes proper tree care and management in urban areas while calling attention to the economic, health and aesthetic benefits that trees offer. The recognition was bestowed upon the communities for effort in 2013 by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. In order to become a Tree City USA, a community must meet four standards: have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance. (JK)

OLHSA's Affordable Assistance Program Helping Local ResidentsOLHSA's Affordable Assistance Program Helping Local Residents

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5/10/14 - A community action agency that serves Livingston County is working to help those in need of some assistance tackle their to-do lists not only this spring but all year long. The Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency started the Affordable Assistance program last year - in which reputable, skilled professionals provide a variety of services at reasonable rates for projects large or small. The program also helps to ease the burden of homeownership on senior citizens and others so they can stay in their homes longer. OLHSA’s CEO Ron Borngesser tells WHMI the services are available to any Livingston County resident that has a need. He says the affordable fee-for-service program offers helpful, quality work for everything from cleaning or cutting the grass to home repairs and he’s used it several times himself. Borngesser says the program was actually a take-off from OLHSA’s older adult chore program in which lawn service, cleaning and snow removal is performed and funded primarily by grants through the Area Agency on Aging. However, he says they found there were a lot of others in need of different services that have the ability to pay for them but didn’t know where to go for reputable work. Furthermore, revenue from the program helps to fund all of the nonprofit services offered by OLHSA – meaning the more work performed, the more people in-need the agency can help. Borngesser says the program has proved to be very successful, noting the agency was inundated with snow removal requests all winter long and able to serve 90 clients. Anyone interested can request a quote by calling 248.209.2675 or email assistance@olhsa.org. Complete information about the program is available through the link below. (JM)

Trial Begins for Cohoctah Twp. Woman Fighting Animal Cruelty CaseTrial Begins for Cohoctah Twp. Woman Fighting Animal Cruelty Case

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5/10/14 - The bench trial of a Cohoctah Township woman charged in an animal cruelty case has begun. The bench trial of 71-year-old Velva Jean Wainscott got underway on Thursday but court records show that it was continued until late next week to allow for a defense witness to appear. Wainscott is charged with abandoning/cruelty to one animal resulting in death and a second count of abandoning/cruelty to 2 or 3 animals. Those charges followed an investigation into the death of a horse found lying on its paddock on her Byron Road property January 12th. She was ordered not to possess any horses while the criminal case is pending, and rescue groups aided Livingston County Animal Control in removing the nine remaining horses from her farm in early February. Wainscott's horses were previously seized by Animal Control in November of 2012 after she was accused of abandoning or cruelty to 10 or more horses. Those charges were dismissed with prejudice and the animals were returned. Wainscott’s bench trial will resume on Thursday afternoon before 53rd District Court Judge Carol Sue Reader, who will hear arguments in the case and ultimately render a verdict. (JM)

Livingston County Relay For Life Raises 86KLivingston County Relay For Life Raises 86K

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5/11/14 - Friday and Saturday, cancer survivors, supporters, family members, and friends walked the Brighton High School track for 24 hours to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society as part of the annual Relay for Life event. The inaugural survivor’s parade on Friday drew more than 500 participants. Once there, cancer survivors joined together for the traditional survivor’s lap to kick off the overnight event. At every relay for life event, the group lights the luminaria bags that the teams have sold for donations in the month leading up to the event. This year a few teams sold over 100 bags a piece, and there were approximately 950 bags lighting the track for walkers as they took part in the event overnight. Each bag represents a person who has faced a cancer diagnosis, a long-term survivor, someone currently fighting a battle, or someone who lost their fight against the disease. For many, these luminaria bags represent why they participate in the event from year to year. A total of 31 teams registered to raise money for the cause, and approximately 600 walkers graced the track. The group set a goal of raising $108,000, and this year’s event raked in a total of $86,000. Team Superman was this year’s top team, raising $13,000. Those who did not get a chance to come out and walk can still go online to make a donation. All donations through August of this year will go toward reaching their goal. For more information, visit the link provided below. (LR/TD)

Brighton Man Sentenced in Unlawful Imprisonment CaseBrighton Man Sentenced in Unlawful Imprisonment Case

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5/11/14 - No further jail time has been handed down for a Brighton man charged with assault and unlawful imprisonment. 46-year-old Daniel Robert Phillips pleaded guilty to unlawful imprisonment in March, and in exchange one charge of assault with a deadly weapon plus two charges of felony firearms were dropped. He was sentenced Thursday to the two days in jail he has already served plus two years of probation. The charges stem from an incident in August of 2013 involving a woman that police say Phillips assaulted at a residence on Kensington Road in Brighton Township. She said he confronted her about money he believed she owed him. That’s when she says he threatened her with a gun and tied her to a chair, then later released her. Under cross-examination, the woman admitted that Phillips had given her money for pills and that her failure to deliver them was the reason for Phillips actions. If convicted on the original charges, he could have faced up to 15 years in prison. (JK)

Students Again Launch 'Project Sticker Shock'Students Again Launch 'Project Sticker Shock'

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5/12/14 - With prom and graduation on many students’ minds, some local young people are taking part in a campaign to reduce underage drinking. Project Sticker Shock is put on each year in May by the Pinckney Coalition and It Stops With Students. Around May 15th, students from Pathfinder School and Pinckney High School will visit five local participating retailers and place brightly-colored stickers on them. Another five retailers will be placing the stickers on their own alcohol. These stickers warn adults that providing alcohol to minors, including their own children, is illegal and punishable by up to $2,500 in fines and up to 90 days in jail. The project coincides with the prom and graduation seasons, which are common times for young people to seek out alcohol to celebrate. Pinckney Coalition Community Prevention Specialist Amy Johnston says about 40% of underage drinkers report that they get their alcohol from someone providing it to them. The coalition is still looking for more retailers willing to take part in Project Sticker Shock. For more information, click on the link below. (TD)

Salvation Army Challenges Community to Random Acts of GoodnessSalvation Army Challenges Community to Random Acts of Goodness

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5/12/14 - Do the most good today. That’s the challenge being posed to the community by the Salvation Army of Livingston County. As part of National Doing the Most Good Week, the local Corps has issued a “Random Acts of Goodness Challenge”, encouraging the community to do its part to make the world a better place to live and work. The annual observance is designed to encourage do-gooders of all ages to do something positive for their neighbors and their community and inspire others through kind words, thoughtful gestures and meaningful actions. The Random Acts of Goodness Challenge kicked off over the weekend and is underway through next Sunday, May 18th. Local officials say the challenge embodies the concept that one good deed can turn into millions of good deeds, resulting in a huge impact on Livingston County and region. Individuals and groups are encouraged to demonstrate through actions, donations and social media their efforts in doing good unto others and then share the experience. The Salvation Army of Livingston County is also inviting the community to celebrate Doing the Most Good Week with a free lunchtime event with other “do-gooders” this Wednesday from 11am until 1:30pm at the local Corps Community Building at 503 Lake Street in Howell. Details can be found in the attachment and link below. (JM)

Manslaughter Hearing Delayed Again for Former Fowlerville MomManslaughter Hearing Delayed Again for Former Fowlerville Mom

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5/12/14 - A request for more time has once again delayed a hearing for a former Fowlerville woman charged in Florida with the death of her infant daughter. 23-year-old Kylee Jean Copeland had been set for a pre-trial hearing last week in Polk County Circuit Court on a manslaughter charge for the death of her 3-month-old daughter Nataley Jade Agee. But court records indicate it has been adjourned until June 24th. That’s the second adjournment in the case this year. Copeland’s daughter was found dead in a crib at her home in Lakeland, Florida in September, 2011. An autopsy determined the cause of the death was blunt force trauma to the head and that the child had been dead for at least eight hours. After that timeline contradicted Copeland’s initial account that she fed her daughter that morning and put her back in the crib, she changed her story and told authorities that she dropped her baby in the living room and her head struck the coach, before bouncing to the floor. She reportedly said she lied because she didn’t want to lose her other children or go to jail. This is not the first incident of child neglect Copeland has been involved in. She and Trevor Agee, the father of her three children, were pulled over by a Michigan State Police trooper in August of 2008 on I-96 near Fowlerville. The trooper saw a baby boy sitting sideways in a car seat with duct tape over his mouth, which Copeland and Agee admitted to placing there to hold his pacifier in place. Authorities declined to press criminal charges and shortly afterwards, the pair moved to Florida to live with Agee's mother.

Hartland Seeks Decision on Sewer ConnectionsHartland Seeks Decision on Sewer Connections

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5/12/14 - The owners of a number of Hartland Township buildings will have a decision to make this year regarding the township sewer system. According to state law, any building within 200 feet of a municipal sewer system has to connect, which usually involves a substantial fee and ancillary costs. For decades, this requirement has gone unenforced by Hartland Township, but Manager James Wickman says the township has started work getting its sewers and billing system in order, and officials came to the conclusion that it was time to handle the issue of uncompleted hookups. They have identified 30-50 buildings that should be connected to the sewer, and the owners of those homes will be given a choice. They can either stick with their existing septic fields until they fail, at which time they would have to connect, or the township will help them establish a special assessment to pay for the $8,500 connection fee and associated costs over time. Either way, the township is hoping to have decisions from all of the landowners by 2015. Wickman says this will give everyone time to weigh their options and come to the conclusion that works best for them. (TD)

Oak Pointe & North Shore Water Tower Test Set for ThursdayOak Pointe & North Shore Water Tower Test Set for Thursday

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5/12/14 - Water pressure fluctuations could be an issue this week for residents in two Genoa Township neighborhoods. On Thursday, residents in the Oak Pointe and North Shore neighborhoods could experience changes in their water pressure. The Oak Pointe Elevated Storage Tank is set to be painted next spring, at which time the elevated water tower must be taken offline. The tower provides pressure and storage for residents in those neighborhoods. To prepare for the project, the Genoa Township Utility Department installed a pressure sustaining valve that will be tested this Thursday by taking the tower out of service. To safeguard against high pressure spikes, hydrant relief valves will be placed in several locations to vent water to the surface. Residents could see water coming out of hydrants as a result. Officials say that no compromise of quality or safety will occur during testing, which is expected to be completed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. (JK)

Howell Public Defender Chosen as New MagistrateHowell Public Defender Chosen as New Magistrate

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5/12/14 - A successor to a vacant judicial post has been selected. Howell public defender Jerry Sherwood Jr. has been named by Livingston County Circuit Court Chief Judge David Reader as the new magistrate. He’ll begin his new duties next Monday, May 19th. Reader tells WHMI that Sherwood, “brings a wealth of experience to the position of magistrate in that as the assigned defender under current contract with the Court for defendants, he has the experience to hit the ground running and has built positive relationships with other attorneys, court staff and other people who come in regular contact with the District Court.” Sherwood, who has been practicing law since 1991, replaces Jay Drick, who retired in April after being diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer. Magistrates perform a variety of duties including issuing warrants, fixing bail and accepting bond, conducting first appearances of defendants before the court and issuing warrants for the arrest of a person upon the written authorization of a prosecuting attorney.

Severe Weather Prompts Tornado WarningSevere Weather Prompts Tornado Warning

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5/12/14 - Residents of southern Livingston County and Washtenaw County were urged to seek shelter for nearly 90 minutes Monday afternoon after the National Weather Service station in White Lake Township issued a tornado warning. NWS officials say they received a report of a tornado touchdown at 3:39 near Gregory, but have yet to confirm the report. The warning was originally set to expire at 4:15pm, but was extended until 5pm based on a follow-up storm cell that indicated activity between Stockbridge and Unadilla Township which had the potential for tornado-type formation. But the storm system moved off to the southeast and the warning was allowed to expire at 5pm. Local school districts went into lockdown and only dismissed students once the warnings had expired. (JK)

New Proposed Position Would Unify Leadership For EMS And 911New Proposed Position Would Unify Leadership For EMS And 911

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5/13/14 - A new plan being proposed at the county level would put two public safety departments under the control of one man. EMS Director Jeff Boyd took over as interim director of 911 central dispatch after the former director of that facility, Don Arbic, left the county’s employ in early April. Last night, County Administrator Belinda Peters presented a new plan for the departments to the county’s health and human services committee. Under the plan, Boyd would be made the sole director of both the EMS and 911 departments, with one deputy director in each department answering to him. Peters says Boyd has been very successful in developing the EMS as well as forging positive relationships in public safety both inside and outside the county. When he retires a few years down the line, his position would be eliminated and the deputy directors would be the top candidates to take over their respective departments. Peters says the county has an aging workforce, with roughly a third eligible for retirement in the next five years, and establishing solid plans for succession has been a high priority for the County Board of Commissioners. The committee last night responded positively to the plan, praising Boyd’s skill and knowledge. The plan must still be presented to the finance and public safety committees before final approval can be granted by the full County Board of Commissioners. (TD)

10-Mile Closed In South Lyon As 2-Week Rehab Project Begins10-Mile Closed In South Lyon As 2-Week Rehab Project Begins

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5/13/14 - Work began yesterday on the project to rehabilitate 10 Mile Road in South Lyon, known as Lake Street. That road is now closed between Well Street and Washington, along with LaFayette Street between Whipple Street and Liberty Street. The two-week closure will allow crews to rehabilitate the intersection, including work on the road surface, curbs, and sidewalks. Barrier-free ramps will also be installed. Businesses along that intersection will still be open to the public and can be accessed from municipal parking lots. A larger project to rehabilitate Lake Street will take place through the summer, reconstructing a one-mile stretch from Dixboro Road east to the railroad tracks. (TD)

County's Workforce Nearing Pre-Recession LevelsCounty's Workforce Nearing Pre-Recession Levels

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5/13/14 - A newly released report indicates that the job situation in Livingston County is improving. Employment in Livingston County rose by 2.7% in the last year, and 5.2% in the past two years according to the Workforce Intelligence Network, a collaborative effort between nine southeast Michigan community colleges, local workforce boards and economic development partners. According to the group, Livingston County’s unemployment rate is down to 8.1% from 9.7% last year. By comparison, Southeast Michigan as a whole saw their unemployment rate drop from 9.1% to 8.5% in the past year. Livingston County’s labor force is growing at the fastest rate in Southeast Michigan, up 1% in the last year and 3.8% in the past two. That is close to pre-recession levels. In fact, the report says Livingston County is only about 3,000 jobs away from the pre-recession levels of 2008. (JK)

Fenton City Council Lifts Ban On Sunday Morning Liquor SalesFenton City Council Lifts Ban On Sunday Morning Liquor Sales

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5/13/14 - Michigan law allows licensed businesses to sell beer, wine and spirits starting at 7 a.m. on Sunday. However, in 2010 the city of Fenton banned the sale of alcohol before noon. At last week’s meeting, owners of two local party stores requested the council consider reversing the ban on packaged liquor, citing it cost their businesses $30,000 to $50,000 in revenue annually. Assistant Director of VG’s Grocery, Christopher Palmer tells WHMI the losses at his stores on Silver Parkway and North Leroy are between $200,000 and $250,000 annually. Council member Cheryl King added many restaurant patrons want a Bloody Mary with their Sunday breakfast. Taking local restaurants into consideration, the council also repealed the ban on Sunday morning consumption at Fenton restaurants. City attorney Steve Schultz says the new resolutions will be sent to Lansing within the next two weeks. Once they are state certified, Fenton businesses who purchase a special permit from the Liquor Control Commission will be permitted to conduct liquor sales before noon on Sunday’s. Photo credit: AP (LR/JK)

Registration Deadline Approaches For Summer Lunch BunchRegistration Deadline Approaches For Summer Lunch Bunch

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5/13/14 - The Summer Lunch Bunch program will once again offer meals to local children this summer, courtesy of the Salvation Army and the Livingston County Hunger Council. The program provides a free lunch served once a week from June 16th through August 8th. Each week, lunches will be offered at churches in Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Fowlerville, and Hamburg, with transportation assistance available by request. Families who attend will get a free lunch that day, plus a pack of meals to take home for their pantry that week. Games and prizes will also be offered for children. The Hunger Council says for many families, access to nutritious food for their children is reduced when schools close in the summer because the free and reduced cost lunch programs are not available. While participation in the Lunch Bunch is free, families must pre-register to participate. The deadline to apply is June 2nd. For more information, contact the Salvation Army of Livingston County or call (517) 546-4750. (TD)

Cornerstone Church Building for Brighton FutureCornerstone Church Building for Brighton Future

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5/13/14 - The Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Brighton Township will be undergoing some improvements following Monday night’s planning commission meeting. The church is located on Hilton Road between Grand River and Old US-23, where two additions will be constructed on the west side of the current building and a pole barn added for storage. A special land use permit was required for the project since the church is located in a residential area. It was granted while a preliminary site plan review was also conducted. During the public hearing, some residents in an adjacent subdivision raised questions about ongoing drainage and standing water problems, which may or may not have anything to do with the church property but will be investigated. Officials stated that nothing will be changing dramatically and the traffic impact is expected to be very minimal since the church is not adding extra services or changing times but rather shuffling staff and office space for increased functionality. The Cornerstone Christian School will not be impacted and it was also agreed to work on increasing landscaping plans with the church administratively, preferably along Hilton and Hunter Roads. All of the final approvals and construction plans will be handled administratively with township staff. The proposed building plans for the Cornerstone expansion project may be viewed on the church’s website. You’ll find that link below. (JM)

The Pink Party Set To Return To Howell In JuneThe Pink Party Set To Return To Howell In June

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5/13/14 - An annual celebration to help fund local cancer research will paint downtown Howell pink next month. On Thursday, June 12th, the city will be taken over by the Howell Pink Party. The annual event sells passports to local women, which gives them access to exclusive giveaways and deals at participating downtown retailers for the night. This year, offerings from the retailers will include food, wine tasting, and assorted gifts. There will also be entertainment provided throughout the event, which will last from 5 to 10pm. The Pink Party partners with St. Joseph Mercy Health System of Livingston County, and the funds raised will go to local breast cancer research. Organizers are still looking for businesses and sponsors to make the party a success, with a business participation deadline on May 23rd. Pink Party President Diana Biermann tells WHMI the event is also looking for volunteering, including male escorts. Women who purchase the $25 passports in groups of eight or more will get personally escorted around town by one of the tuxedo-clad men who volunteer for the event. For more information on how to participate or volunteer, follow the link below. (TD)
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