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County Seeks State & Federal Funding for Three Bridges

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6/2/14 - Local officials are hoping three bridges will be on the list of projects chosen to receive special funding later this year. Every year, the state and federal government asks the Livingston County Road Commission to identify bridges and prioritize them for replacement, rehabilitation or preventative maintenance. Managing Director Mike Craine tells WHMI three have been identified, with the first being a relatively new bridge on Mason Road that suffered damage from poor soils and the weight of loads and traffic. Craine tells WHMI the second bridge is on Crouse Road in the Village of Hartland that serves as a main conduit for school bus traffic and the third is on McCabe Road, just southeast of Brighton. Craine says that span is in relatively good shape with some load limitations but has been deemed “fracture critical”. Craine says the state and federal review process will take about six months and they’ll likely learn in October if they’ve been awarded any funding for the projects. (JK)

New DDA Manager Gets 'Fresh' Ideas From National GatheringNew DDA Manager Gets 'Fresh' Ideas From National Gathering

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5/30/14 - The National Main Street Conference last month provided the Howell Downtown Development Authority’s new director with some fresh ideas. Cathleen Edgerly was in Detroit for the conference from May 18th through the 20th. The event brought together officials from main street organizations around the country to discuss solutions to common problems such as getting funding, finding volunteers, maintaining community involvement, and sharing stories of local success. Edgerly says she will share what she learned from the conference with the DDA’s committees and help form practical projects based around the information. She also attended a specific session focused on saving historic theaters, which she said was of particular interest to Howell with its historic Opera House building. She adds that she was lucky to get to communicate with main street organizers from all over the country representing communities ranging in size from 2,000 to 100,000 people. (TD)

Fowlerville Council to Discuss Future of Village ManagerFowlerville Council to Discuss Future of Village Manager

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6/2/14 - The Fowlerville Village Council tonight plans to discuss a previous vote to vacate an administrative position. In a surprise motion at the May 19th meeting, the village council voted 6-1 to vacate the position of village manager/zoning administrator effective immediately and appoint Village Clerk Kathryn Arledge to serve in that administrative capacity. Council President Wayne Copeland assumed those responsibilities following the April, 2012 resignation of former Village Manager Joseph Merucci. Trustee Jerry Bell made the motion to separate the administrative and elected roles but Arledge says she cannot accept the position because by law, council can’t appoint the manager – it must be done by the village president with council consent. Copeland has said he is capable of handling the work load and a full time manager was not needed, adding the village has been able to save thousands of dollars by consolidating the positions. Copeland’s seat and that of three council trustees are up for election this November – David Kuehn, Mike Stock and Carol Hill. The matter of the village manager/zoning administrator position is expected to be a topic of discussion at tonight’s meeting, set for 7:30 in the village council chambers. (JK)

Judge Denies Stay in Suit Between ACLU & Livingston County JailJudge Denies Stay in Suit Between ACLU & Livingston County Jail

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6/2/14 - A federal judge has re-affirmed an earlier order that mail from the American Civil Liberties Union be delivered to inmates at the Livingston County Jail and denied a motion to stay proceedings pending appeal. The ACLU filed a civil complaint in U.S. District Court in late March challenging the constitutionality of the Livingston County Jail’s policy of restricting most incoming and outgoing mail to postcards. The lawsuit names Livingston County, Sheriff Bob Bezotte and Jail Administrator Tom Cremonte. The County claimed letters sent by the ACLU were solicitations and did not contain privileged content but the federal court ruled otherwise. In mid-May, U.S. District Court Judge Denise Hood granted an injunction filed by the ACLU and determined mail sent in this specific case qualified as “legal mail” and ordered the Livingston County Jail to deliver it. Livingston County’s attorney filed an emergency motion to stay that ruling pending appeal but it was denied in an order issued last week. The court determined that any claim of harm by the defendants was made less compelling by the fact the defendant actions likely infringe on the constitutional rights of jail inmates. Meanwhile, a separate lawsuit filed by Prison Legal News against the County and Bezotte in 2011 is still pending. It also claims that it’s free-speech rights were being violated because authorities wouldn't distribute the publication and other correspondence to inmates. (JM)

State Grant Will Help Lyon Twp. Upgrade Wastewater System

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67/2/14 - The wastewater treatment plant of a local township will be expanding due to a state grant. Lyon Township received a $515,700 Stormwater, Asset Management and Wastewater grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The grant will cover 90 percent of the costs to design the township’s wastewater treatment plant expansion and prepare an asset management plan for the sanitary sewer system. Lyon Township is responsible for 10 percent of the project costs, totaling $57,300. The plan will increase the township’s plant capacity from .75 million gallons per day to 1.25 million gallons per day. The increase is needed due to the growth in the township. The SAW Grant Program requires the work to be completed within three years of the grant award. A kick-off meeting for the asset management plan will likely be held later this year, with construction on the plant expansion expected to begin in January 2015. Senior Project Manager Jason Mayer says because the treatment plant is near a residential area, they will be designing the expansion with the noise and odor concerns of the residents in mind. He says residents will not be impacted by the work associated with the asset management plan, the main purpose of which is to assess the sanitary sewer system and create a maintenance and repair plan. Giffels Webster, the township’s consulting engineer, secured the township’s SAW grant. (JK)

Balloon Launch to Honor Memory of Loved OnesBalloon Launch to Honor Memory of Loved Ones

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6/2/14 - A support group for family members affected by suicide will be holding an event Tuesday to both remember and help heal. Each year, the Livingston County Survivors of Suicide Support Group remembers those who have been taken from them as a result of suicide with a commemorative balloon launch. Jaime Podina is a therapist with Community Mental Health, who also serves as the group’s co-facilitator. She says the annual balloon launch is a, “…beautiful opportunity to remember and honor loved ones who have been lost to suicide.” She adds that the event, “…brings the community together and offers support to friends and family who are grieving. It is also a time to reflect on advocacy, providing an outlet for educating communities on suicide risk and prevention.” The 11th annual event will be held on Tuesday evening from 7-9pm at Saint Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital on Byron Road in Howell. Call Diane Heinlein at 517-546-4126 for more information about the group or Tuesday's balloon launch. (JK)

Rogers Says Prisoner Exchange Puts All Troops At RiskRogers Says Prisoner Exchange Puts All Troops At Risk

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6/2/14 - Howell Republican Mike Rogers says that the prisoner exchange over the weekend that sent five Guantanamo detainees back to Afghanistan for the release of an American soldier being held by the Taliban is a “break with U.S. policy.” Rogers, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that the action by the Obama Administration to obtain Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from the Taliban will spur further kidnappings. He also disputed National Security Adviser Susan Rice’s characterization that the action was a prisoner of war exchange, much like those that have been done in the past when the United States has been at war with other countries. “We have other means to use, and remember, they came to Congress about a year ago and we're thinking about doing these negotiations. And by the way, they didn't get a very warm reception from either party in the national security committees. They said this is fraught with trouble. So this all of a sudden comes a year later. They didn't notify Congress. I think they violated the law in two different places here." Rice maintained that the United States was simply following the policy of leaving no man behind on the field of battle. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told the press Bergdahl's health was deteriorating and his life was in danger. Rogers said the exchange will only embolden other terrorists who currently are holding Americans hostage to believe they now have a valuable asset. (JK)

Morning Crash Snarls Traffic on Westbound I-96 Near Fowlerville Morning Crash Snarls Traffic on Westbound I-96 Near Fowlerville

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6/2/14 - Two semi-trucks crashed on I-96 near Fowlerville, completely closing the westbound lanes during the morning rush hour. The accident was called in around 5:40am. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department says a 2000 Kenworth semi driven by a 43-year-old Macomb County man rear-ended a 2010 freightliner driven by a 41-year-old Tennessee man. Both semi-trucks were demolished and there was steel in the westbound lanes of I-96, which was completely closed for approximately four hours to clean up the mess. Sheriff Bob Bezotte says it took some time to clear both vehicles but also allow for environmental clean-up due to oil and fuel that spilled. He tells WHMI it was a terrible crash scene but fortunate that both drivers were able to walk away uninjured. Authorities were finally able to reopen the freeway around 10:15am but there were major backups reported past the Burkhart Road exit in Howell. The accident remains under investigation. Bezotte says the Macomb County man is believed to be at-fault but the investigation by the department’s traffic bureau and the Michigan State Police motor carrier division is continuing and they’re looking at the computers inside both vehicles to determine speeds and other factors. (JM)

Zombie Run to Take Over Atchison Park in Lyon Township Zombie Run to Take Over Atchison Park in Lyon Township

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6/3/14 - Area runners are being challenged to survive the night and some awesomely terrifying courses as part of an upcoming zombie survival race in Lyon Township. Two different types of zombie 5K runs will take place in Lyon Township on Saturday, June 14th and participants are being challenged to survive their way through 3.1 miles of obstacles, features and zombies. Organizers say those who think they have what it takes to survive the zombies during an extreme nighttime run can sign up for the Zombie Run: Black Ops - described as a course full of zombie-infested darkness, fire, obstacles and lasers. Everything will take place at James Atchison Park in New Hudson and participants are encouraged to use the special discount code "SOUTHLYON" for 20% off registration. A link and more information can be found below. (JM)

Township Respond to Lawsuit Filed by Defunct Drink CompanyTownship Respond to Lawsuit Filed by Defunct Drink Company

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6/3/14 - Green Oak Township officials who are being sued by the company that owns the former Liquid Manufacturing Co. building and site say the claims in the lawsuit are invalid and are asking a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit. Packaging and Distribution Finance Group, or PDFG, filed the suit against each and every Green Oak Township trustee last month in U.S. District Court in Detroit. It alleged they have violated both the U.S. and Michigan constitutions in their enforcement actions against Liquid Manufacturing. Until February of this year, the company made a varied line of energy and alcohol drinks. But after it ran into financial difficulty, PDFG foreclosed on the property. Liquid Manufacturing clashed with the township on numerous occasions during its 12 years in business, mostly over discharges resulting from the alcohol fermentation and related processes at the plant. The township was also under the gun by the Department of Environmental Quality for an excess of sodium at its plant, mostly caused by the distillery. In its lawsuit, PDFG is asking the court to order that all fees, fines and charges assessed by the township be rescinded and to award the company damages and attorney fees. In a filing made last week, the township responded to the allegations, saying its actions to enforce its ordinances are protected by governmental immunity. Furthermore, the township says the federal court lacks jurisdiction to hear the claims because the company has failed to obtain a final decision from the township regarding the application of its ordinances. Supervisor Mark St. Charles says if PDFG wins the lawsuit and is awarded all of the damages it is seeking, it could cost the township half a million dollars. He says that by law, the money would have to come out of the sewer fund and since that must be self-sustaining, the legal bill would fall on the shoulders of residents and businesses connected to the sewage treatment plant. A hearing is set for June 30th in U.S. District Court in Detroit to review the filings and schedule further dates in the lawsuit. (JK)

Fowlerville Village Council Reconsiders Administrative ChangesFowlerville Village Council Reconsiders Administrative Changes

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6/3/14 - The Fowlerville Village Council met Monday night and reversed course when it comes to some administrative changes that have resulted in mixed feelings amongst community members. Former Village Manager Joe Merucci resigned in April of 2012 and Council President Wayne Copeland was named the part time manager. The DPW supervisor position was also left vacant and Copeland assumed those responsibilities as well. A couple of weeks ago, Council voted 6-1 to vacate the position of village manager/zoning administrator to separate the administrative and elected roles of each and clarify associated salaries before the November election when Copeland’s seat is up along with three trustees. That original motion was back on the table last night for reconsideration but this time, members voted 5-2 against the change so the current structure stands. Members Jerry Bell and Mike Stock were in favor of vacating the position but Mary Helfmann had a change of heart, saying there are very few votes she’s looked back on and questioned but she felt a correction was needed in this case. President Pro-Tem David Kuehn said recognizing current budget concerns; his intent in voting for the original motion was to let the public know the position would not be funded at the level it was before. One member in the audience thanked Council for reconsidering the motion and giving it more thought, saying they were quite surprised when something of that nature passed with no discussion. Another resident pointed out the financial savings the Village is seeing from the consolidation during call to the public while recently retired Fowlerville Police Sergeant Everett DeGrush spoke about the need for a full time manager and urged council to address that in the near future. While he hasn’t always agreed with him, DeGrush said he respects the job that Copeland has done but the Village isn’t a sleepy little town anymore and day-to-day operations should fall to a manager that’s there on a full time basis. In a separate motion, Village attorney David Stoker was directed to draft language changes for consideration and possible adoption at the next meeting to better reflect typical Council practice when it comes to appointing a manager. (JM)

Despite National Scandal, Local Veterans CommitteeTouts VADespite National Scandal, Local Veterans CommitteeTouts VA

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6/3/14 - In the wake of a national controversy, leaders from the Livingston County Veterans Affairs committee say the Veterans Administration is providing excellent service locally despite a huge jump in demand. A scandal involving falsely reporting wait times for veterans seeking medical care has led to the recent resignation of several high-ranking VA officials, including Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki. This week, the Livingston County Veterans Affairs committee put out a press release saying that although the number of veterans in Livingston County has remained roughly the same for the past ten years, the number of them seeking VA assistance has doubled. Pratt attributes this disparity to the fact that the veteran population is aging, with more Vietnam-era veterans receiving aid, as well as younger veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and developing new issues requiring VA assistance. VA officials also say many veterans have trouble finding jobs that would provide them with employer-offered insurance programs. As of October 2013, the committee says there were 2,118 Livingston County residents enrolled in Veterans Administration VA Medical care, with most of them receiving medical or prescription services through the VA hospital in Ann Arbor or one of several VA outpatient clinics in neighboring counties. The committee’s release also states that despite the national controversy, VA wait times locally and around the country as a whole have decreased by half under Shinseki’s leadership. It added that a bill to add 27 medical facilities across the country, including county-level outpatient clinics, was turned down earlier this year by Senate Republicans citing the $21 billion price tag. The committee called on Congress to work harder to get more VA clinics established and increase funding for the system to ensure the growing demographic is served. (TD/JK)

Middle School Class Raises Over $5,000 for FA ResearchMiddle School Class Raises Over $5,000 for FA Research

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6/3/14 - At the beginning of the year, Carole Colburn’s student news class, the HAWK News, decided to fund-raise for Find a Cure for FA, or Friedreich’s Ataxia. It's a debilitating and life shortening neuro-muscular disorder that classmate Jack DeWitt suffers from. The class set a goal of raising $3,000 to go towards awareness and research, and held several events throughout the year to raise the money. Tuesday morning, Colburn handed over a check for over $5,000 to Ruth DeWitt, Jack’s mother, who is also on the board of FARA which is the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance. Colburn was impressed with how the project grew over time. The class held a small ceremony in the school library where the class, and members of the DeWitt family were present. After receiving the check, DeWitt said she was very thankful for what the class had done. The money will go to FARA, who also helps secure grants to go towards research. The organization’s mission is to find a cure for FA. (AV)

Local Police Agencies Taking Part in Homicide Investigation TrainingLocal Police Agencies Taking Part in Homicide Investigation Training

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6/3/14 - Police officers from local departments will be in Lansing Wednesday for homicide investigation training involving mock crime scene scenarios. The MSP Training Division and MSU School of Criminal Justice will host the homicide scene preservation and investigation training for law enforcement officers from across the state. Locally, the Michigan State Police Brighton Post as well as the Argentine Township Police Department will be attending. The training is designed to provide officers in the field with knowledge and hands-on experience in preserving and investigating different types of crime scenes and instruction will be provided by experts from the forensic science field. During the scenario portion of the training, detectives will process mock crime scenes to practice and hone skills in with crime scene preservation and evidence collection, homicide investigation and media relations. The scenarios are scheduled to begin around 9am at the Washington Street Armory in Lansing. (JM)

County Appoints Boyd Director of EMS and 911 Central DispatchCounty Appoints Boyd Director of EMS and 911 Central Dispatch

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6/3/14 - In a contentious vote, EMS Director Jeff Boyd was appointed last night to a new position combining his current job with the director of Livingston County 911. The previous director of 911 Central Dispatch, Don Arbic, left the county’s employ under questionable circumstances earlier this year. Since then, Boyd has stepped us as the interim director of 911. A vote of the county commission last night appointed him to be the permanent director of both departments, with plans to hire two deputy directors- one for each department- to serve under him. Although the current board cannot dictate future hiring policies, the plan is to have Boyd train both deputy directors to be his successors so that, when he retires, his position would be eliminated and the departments would have their own directors again. The new position was not without his opponents, however. Commissioner Don Parker voted against it, saying the hierarchies for these departments should not revolve around a specific individual. Also objecting was Commissioner Dave Domas, who tells WHMI he does not see the sense of inserting a new layer of bureaucracy by putting the departments under combined leadership. He also says this position would not have been possible without Arbic leaving the county’s employ, and creating this new structure may have been among the motivations for forcing him out of his position. The other county commissioners felt this was the best way to oversee the two departments, and Commissioner Steve Williams tells WHMI he is willing to try this unique, out-of-the-box solution. Commissioners also pointed out the new structure also answers the need for the departments to engage in succession planning in the near future. (TD)

Bridge Inspection Forces Closure of Pleasant Valley RoadBridge Inspection Forces Closure of Pleasant Valley Road

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6/3/14 - Two local bridges have been closed, one for a planned replacement, the other following a safety inspection. The Livingston County Road Commission today closed a small bridge crossing on Pleasant Valley Road, between Moraine Drive and Della Drive, in Brighton Township. The unexpected closure is the result of a recent inspection which indicated that the load-carrying capacity of the bridge has been compromised. According to Mike Craine, Managing Director of the Livingston County Road Commission, while closing any road is an inconvenience for residents and other drivers, it was determined that continued use of this structure could result in failure of the support system of the bridge. Craine says the commission is working to identify a permanent bridge replacement option and funding for the project. However, no schedule has been determined for the replacement project, and he warns that the closure could be extensive. A detour route, which includes Kensington Road and Jacoby Road, will be posted. The unexpected closure of the Pleasant Valley Road bridge is accompanied by a planned closure of the Center Road Bridge between Mack Road and Argentine Road in Deerfield Township. That was closed on Monday for a replacement project that will last through the end of August. That detour will be Argentine Road to Faussett Road to Mack Road. (JK)

Men in Custody After High Speed Chase Involving Stolen VehicleMen in Custody After High Speed Chase Involving Stolen Vehicle

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6/3/14 - Two men were arrested after a high speed chase this morning that started in Ingham County and ended in Brighton but it turns out the vehicle involved was stolen during the robbery of an elderly woman in Southgate. Deputies with the Livingston County Sheriff's Department were notified of the chase around 11am and that they would be picking it up from Ingham County authorities at the county line. Sheriff Bob Bezotte says deputies observed the 2001 black Ford Taurus traveling eastbound on I-96 at Fowlerville Road in excess of 120 mph and attempted to make a stop but the vehicle continued on. Michigan State Police got involved and deployed stop sticks on I-96 near Dorr Road in the Howell area. Bezotte says the front right tire went flat and the vehicle slowed down to about 100 mph before the front right tire came off and shredded. He says the suspects proceeded to drive on the rims and slowed to around 70mph before finally stopping on I-96 near Flint Road in Brighton. The two suspects were taken into custody without further incident and Bezotte says his department is seeking charges of fleeing and eluding and reckless driving against the men. He added that the vehicle involved is also connected to a May 28th case out of Southgate in which a 92-year-old woman was tied up and her vehicle was stolen - the same black Taurus involved in today’s chase. (JM)

Howell Graduates First Class of Firefighter CadetsHowell Graduates First Class of Firefighter Cadets

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6/4/14 - More than two dozen cadets graduated Monday from the Howell Schools Fire Academy. In addition to the cadets’ family and friends, the ceremony was also attended by command officers and firefighters from various local fire agencies who had worked with the cadets over the course of the school year. Each of the students received a certificate of completion indicating that they the required knowledge and skills to pass the State of Michigan Firefighters certification exam. Among the speakers at Monday’s graduation was Joe Grutza, a manager with the Michigan Bureau of Fire Services Firefighter Training Division. Grutza praised district officials for creating and supporting the program, including Howell Superintendent Ron Wilson, School Board President Mike Witt, who is also a Battalion Chief with the St. Clair Shores Fire Department, and the course instructor, Lt. Tom Kiurski. He also noted that Howell High School is the first high school in the state to successfully implement this type of program. Pictured left to right are Kiurski, Witt, Grutza and Brighton Fire Chief Mike O'Brian. (JK)

Balloons Released To Honor Those Lost To SuicideBalloons Released To Honor Those Lost To Suicide

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6/4/14 - Family and friends gathered at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Tuesday night to remember those lost to suicide. The Livingston County Survivors of Suicide Support Group is in its 16th year. Once a year, the group invites members of the community to send a message to their loved ones, via a balloon-a-gram. Laura Edwards and her husband joined the group in 2003, when they lost their son Chase to suicide. Edwards tells WHMI what the event means to her and other members of the group. "It’s a time to remember and put things into perspective, to remember who they were. Many times this group talks about sad things, and it talks about the grief. The event was a little bit of that but mostly to remember who they were and what wonderful people they were." The group of 27 let go of white, helium-filled balloons, and possibly some of their own pain. As the balloons floated skyward, the group reflected with a moment of silence, as a guitarist performed an acoustic rendition of “Lean On Me.” The Livingston Community Mental Health Department invites anyone needing support after a loss to suicide to come a group meeting. The meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month, on the 2nd floor of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital on Byron Road. Visit link below for more information about the support group. (LR/JK)

Woman Enters Plea in Local Puppy Mill Case; Dogs Up For AdoptionWoman Enters Plea in Local Puppy Mill Case; Dogs Up For Adoption

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6/4/14 - A Howell Township woman charged after authorities removed more than 90 dogs and puppies from her property has entered a plea in the case and the animals are available for adoption. Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt says 76-year-old Margaret Elaine Komorny of Howell Township pleaded guilty as charged to a count of failing to provide adequate care to ten or more animals. Sentencing is tentatively set July 17th before Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty. In April, investigators found large-breed dogs and puppies living in what were described as substandard conditions at the Raisin Tree Farm on Suntar Valley Drive. Komorny also forfeited her ownership rights as part of the plea and a court order has been issued transferring ownership of the seized dogs to Livingston County Animal Control, which has been caring for them for 20 days. It reports the costs of removing the dogs and providing immediate boarding and veterinary care was close to $20,000. The HSUS Puppy Mill Response team was credited for helping to ease that financial burden that would have fallen to the local taxpayers otherwise since it covered the majority of the expense, providing veterinarians and volunteers that assisted in moving the dogs. It’s now enlisting the help of other shelters and rescues in Michigan to take over care of the dogs and adopt them out to permanent homes. Complete information is available on the Livingston County Animal Control Facebook page. A link is posted below. (JM)
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