11/29/12 - A variety of citizensâ concerns emerged during an informational meeting on the construction of the Latson Road interchange last night. The meeting was held by the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Livingston County Road Commission in the Genoa Township Hall last night to inform residents about what would happen during the construction and to hear their concerns. Over 100 residents attended the meeting, including several residents of Nixon Road who wanted to know details about topics such as tree removal, water drainage, and speed limits along their street. A large portion of the meetingâs question and answer period was spent addressing the concerns of residents of subdivisions located on Latson Road north of Grand River. Several of those residents told officials that exiting their neighborhoods was very difficult due to heavy traffic on Latson, and they were concerned that the interchange would worsen the problem without helping to alleviate it. Representatives from MDOT insisted that the problem was outside the scope of the interchange project, the majority of which will take place south of Grand River. County Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine says a separate project would be needed to address the issue, and he suggested to residents that a meeting be held to tackle the problem of what solution should be put in place. Craine says while the access issue is a valid concern for those subdivisions, the interchange should not significantly increase the traffic on Latson north of Grand River. (TD)
More Than 100 Attend Latson Interchange Project Info MeetingMore Than 100 Attend Latson Interchange Project Info Meeting
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Usability Testing Conducted On New County WebsiteUsability Testing Conducted On New County Website
11/29/12 - This week several Livingston residents were asked to beta test a mockup of the county governmentâs new website for function and usability. The Livingston County Board of Commissioners approved the creation of a new county website in August of this year. The current website has not been updated in terms of overall format for more than a decade, and County Applications Manager Diane Gregor says it is simply too old to meet modern expectations. A new website is being designed to make it easier to find county departments and access services online. Testers were recorded as they navigated around the mockup website and gave feedback on its content, layout, and usability. They were then asked to complete a series of tasks, such as paying traffic tickets or purchasing pets from Animal Control, and give positive or negative feedback on the process. While the final product will differ from the mockup, the front page of the website shown to testers included a front page with news articles, upcoming events, and links to several commonly selected services. The county services are offered through the individual pages of the departments that offer them. The feedback from the tests will now be used to produce a more effective final version of the website, which is expected to be rolled out early in the spring of 2013. (TD)
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South Lyon Teacher Suspended For Playing Song in ClassroomSouth Lyon Teacher Suspended For Playing Song in Classroom
11/29/12 - A teacher in the South Lyon School district was suspended without pay for playing a song about being gay during class. Susan Johnson teaches performing arts in the 8th grade at South Lyon's Centennial Middle School. She said that last week a student asked if he could play a song called "Same Love" written in support of same sex marriage. She agreed after asking him if it contained any violent content or profanity, which he said it didnât. Johnson said the songâs message of diversity was something she felt was valuable to her class. But one of those students disagreed and made a complaint to the schoolâs principal. Later that day she was told that was being suspended for three days, two of them unpaid for not seeking permission to play the song, which they cited for controversial content, including homosexuality, religion and politics. Johnson told Fox 2 Detroit that the districtâs response saddens her. "I'm very disappointed in the bias, the bigotry that I feel that they're really hiding behind," Johnson told the station that the ACLU and Affirmation, an LGBT support group, are both getting involved in her case. (Photo courtesy of Fox 2 Detroit)
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Mike Rogers Awarded By Software Industry For Cyber Security WorkMike Rogers Awarded By Software Industry For Cyber Security Work
11/29/12 - The Business Software Alliance, a trade group of software producers, has awarded its annual Cyber Champion Award to Representative Mike Rogers and Maryland Democrat Dutch Rappersberger. Rogers chairs the House Intelligence Committee where Ruppersberger is a ranking member. The BSA honored the pair for their bipartisan work in fighting cyber-attacks on American companies. In particular the BSA cited the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, which allows more information on cyber threats to be shared with corporations so they can keep their networks and intellectual property secure. The group thanked the legislators for helping protect their industry, which depends heavily on cyber security, and praised their bipartisanship as an example to all lawmakers. The Cyber Champion Act was established by the BSA in 1998 to recognize policymakers who work to protect and strengthen Americaâs high-tech industries. (TD)
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Man Charged In Theft Of LETS Pickup TruckMan Charged In Theft Of LETS Pickup Truck
11/30/12 - A Wyoming, Michigan man is scheduled for trial in February after being accused of stealing a Livingston Essential Transportation Service pickup truck just three hours after being released from jail. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department says 54-year-old James Junior Williams was originally arrested for a robbery by Pinckney Police on September 15th but he was released the next morning pending further investigation. Officials say Williams was walking down Grand River after his release when an EMS vehicle stopped to try and assist him. They then took him to the EMS building at Grand River and Burkhart Road so he could make some calls, but had to leave after being dispatched to another call. Thatâs when Williams is accused of entering a door on the west side of the building and steal a LETS pickup truck inside with the keys in the ignition. Williams was later located following a police request for public assistance in finding the vehicle. He is charged with the unlawful driving away of a vehicle as a 4th time habitual offender. His next scheduled appearance in court will be on January 4th, and his trial is set to begin on February 11th. (TD/JK)
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Corrigan Oil Crew Helps Victims Of Hurricane Sandy
11/30/12 - A group of contractors from Brighton-based Corrigan Oil returned this week from helping the victims of Hurricane Sandy on the East Coast. Bernie Corrigan founded the company, and he tells WHMI that providing assistance to those in need is a big part of the companyâs mentality. He says in recent years crews from Corrigan Oil have been on site to help following every major disaster east of the Mississippi, including Hurricane Katrina. Corrigan says after Hurricane Sandy, the companyâs crews provided fuel for generators and equipment while helping line crews restore power along the East Coast, including on Long Island. He says because of their expertise and equipment, Corrigan Oil was asked to continue working on the cleanup longer than any other contracting company. Corrigan himself is a veteran and works with the VFW Post in Brighton. (TD)
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Crooked Lakes Weed Control Debated Thursday Night Crooked Lakes Weed Control Debated Thursday Night
11/30/12 - Several dozen people gathered for a meeting Thursday night about weed control on two lakes in Genoa Township. There has been disagreement among residents when it comes to how to best control the weeds and an old Tri Lakes Association went defunct so now, the newly formed East and West Crooked Lakes Riparian Association is spearheading the fight to form a Special Assessment District for aquatic weed control, mostly with the use of chemicals. The new association has petitioned the Genoa Township Board to create the SAD, but it only serves as a funding mechanism. Association Board President Mike Breazeale tells WHMI theyâre not selling the use of chemicals but feel thatâs the only way to get the weeds under control at this point and the goal is to improve the quality of the lake. He says selective harvesting is also part of the plan and the association, which was legally formed, wants to craft the best plan for all of the homeowners. Some residents like Yvonne Balanga, who lives on East Crooked Lake, are against the use of chemicals. After much research, she favors fundraising efforts to try harvesting the weeds first but added sheâs frustrated by the lack of communication between residents and the new lake association. There are 449 homeowners and others with lake access or boat slips deemed to receive a benefit that have been included in the district and if approved, the tax would cost roughly $50 annually and generate a total budget of $100,000 for the proposed five years. That cost is based on figures from Professional Lakes Management and a representative indicated at last nightâs meeting they have been surveying the lakes since the 1990âs. He also explained that Eurasian Milfoil cannot be reduced by harvesting as it grows back rapidly and out-competes native plants. It says the chemicals selectively remove the exotic species and the proposed treatment plan also includes water quality testing and a lake management plan. Another public hearing on the proposed SAD will take place at the Genoa Township Board meeting on Monday night at 6:30pm. A link to the association website is posted below, along with an independent attachment from Balanga. (JM)
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DNA Expert Testifies in Highland Township Murder TrialDNA Expert Testifies in Highland Township Murder Trial
11/30/12 - Testimony yesterday in the murder trial of a Highland Township man included that from a DNA expert who cast doubt that the person who killed Ruth Pyne in May of 2011 was a stranger. Thatâs been the leading theory put forth by the defense for 22-year-old Jeffrey Pyne, who is charged with bludgeoning and stabbing his mother to death in the garage of the familyâs home on Burwood Court in a fit of rage after years of dealing with her mental illness. Terry Melton, an expert in mitochondrial DNA, testified that blood-soaked strands of hair found in Ruth Pyne's right hand matched her own DNA profile, but added that Jeffrey Pyne could not be excluded as the source. While mitochondrial DNA is less precise than nuclear DNA, which can provide a specific match, Meltonâs analysis showed there was a 0.1% chance that the hair came from anyone other than Ruth Pyne or someone closely related to her. Defense attorney James Champion has said the killer was likely a stranger, or strangers, and that Jeffrey Pyne had no involvement. Also testifying Thursday was Oakland County Sheriff's Detective David Hendrick who said a pocket knife Jeffrey Pyne had with him when police questioned him the day of the killing may have been used to stab Ruth Pyne, although analysis couldnât absolutely confirm that. The trial resumes today in Oakland County Circuit Court. (JK)
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Community Honors Longtime County Commissioner Jack LaBelleCommunity Honors Longtime County Commissioner Jack LaBelle
11/30/12 - After his 44 years on the Livingston County Board of Commissioners, officials and leaders from around the county gathered to offer their thanks to Jack LaBelle last night. More than 100 people attended the gathering at the Lakeland Golf and Country Club in honor of LaBelleâs years of service. He was defeated for the Republican nomination to the board in the August primary after being elected to the county board 22 times in a row, longer than any other county commissioner in Michigan history. During his tenure, LaBelle was involved in starting the county veteransâ department, planning department, and transportation system. He also helped to establish the county EMS and 911 dispatch. In recognition of his achievements, members of the county commission and EMS Director Jeff Boyd announced last night that the new EMS building under construction near the Spencer J. Hardy Airport will forever be known as the John E. LaBelle Facility. Even though LaBelle is retiring from the county board he will remain the chair of the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority finance committee and the the American Spirit Center in Brightonâs board of directors, as well as vice-chair of the vice-chair of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Authority. (TD)
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Stuff The Bus Returns to Help Local Families in NeedStuff The Bus Returns to Help Local Families in Need
11/30/12 - The annual Stuff the Bus holiday event is taking place this weekend. Organized through the Livingston Essential Transportation Service, the program is suporting 10 local nonprofits this year, including LACASA, The Connection teen center, The Salvation Army, and Love INC. LETS buses are parked at the Walmart stores in Howell and Fowlerville from 11am to 7pm today and Saturday and then 11am to 4pm on Sunday, collecting newly purchased donations including toys, hygiene products, winter clothing and outerwear. Some nonprofits have provided LETS with wish-lists to accept more expensive items, such as toolboxes, digital cameras, and an air hockey table for the teen center. Those lists can be downloaded below. (JK)
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Probation for Man Who Made Bomb Threat at New Hudson AirportProbation for Man Who Made Bomb Threat at New Hudson Airport
11/30/12 - There will no more jail time for a Farmington Hills man who admitted to making a bomb threat at Oakland Southwest Airport in New Hudson last year. 64-year-old Randolph Lee Trager was ordered to serve two years of probation this week following his guilty plea in July in federal court in Detroit to possession of an explosive device at an airport. The incident began on November 13th of 2011 when Oakland County Sheriff deputies were called to the airport on a report of a suspicious subject. Trager and a companion told the deputies they had seen a man tampering with a door lock who fled when they approached him. They said he also dropped a brown plastic bottle with a threatening note. Trager then provided a license plate of the car the suspect had fled in. FBI agents traced the plate to a New Hudson man, whom they then interviewed. He denied knowing anything about the device, but did say his ex-wife and Trager were friends and suspected Trager was trying to set him up. When agents re-interviewed Trager and his companion, the second man finally admitted he had been lying and that Trager had planted the device, which contained fireworks powder, in an attempt to get the New Hudson man in trouble. Trager had initially been held in custody without bond, but was eventually granted bond due to health problems. (JK)
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Teachers & Students From Mayan Village To Visit Pinckney SchoolTeachers & Students From Mayan Village To Visit Pinckney School
11/30/12 - Students and staff at the Navigator School in Pinckney will be getting a global learning experience next week. Waves of Friendship is an organization of Navigator staff and community members that work to improve the lives and education of the children at its sister school in Santa Cruz la Laguna, Guatemala. Navigator Principal Stacey Urbin says the relationship began almost a decade ago between Waves of Friendship and the foundation they work with in Guatemala, Amigos de Santa Cruz. A teacher exchange eventually morphed into a student scholarship exchange and educational mission trip program. Every year, students from the high school Spanish class apply for the summer trip while students from Guatemala apply for a scholarship to visit Pinckney during their summer vacation, which is in December. Urbin says the ancient Mayan village is located on what is noted as the most beautiful lake in the world and with all of the lakes in Pinckney area, they made a connection. She adds that in a global society, the experience helps to expose their students to other cultures along with ways to communicate and learn from each other. She adds that during the welcome assembly, the guests will teach Navigator students about the true meaning of what December 21st, 2012 means in the Mayan calendar. Contrary to popular belief, she says it is not the end of the world but the beginning of a new age of wisdom and goodness in the Mayan calendar - The Age of Enlightenment. To learn more about the work between Waves of Friendship and Amigos de Santa Cruz, click on the attachment or link below. (JM)
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Man Enters Plea to Lesser Charge in Death of Local Woman Man Enters Plea to Lesser Charge in Death of Local Woman
11/30/12 - A Detroit man accused of supplying the heroin that led to the death of a Brighton Township woman has entered a plea to a lesser charge. 26-year-old Donald Watts Jr. pleaded no contest to an added charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of 20-year-old Kimberly Schanta, whose body was found on October 13th, 2011 inside of her Hilton Road residence. Watts was originally charged with delivery of a controlled substance causing death in Livingston County Circuit Court. That charge was dropped as part of the deal, along with his four-time habitual offender status although his previous violations were stated on the record. Prosecutors agreed to recommend a prison term of 29 months to 15 years when he is sentenced by Judge Michael Hatty on January 3rd. If that is not granted, Watts will be allowed to withdraw his plea. The prosecutionâs key witness testified previously that he purchased heroin from a person named "Black" at a home in Detroit and that Schanta did the same. Although authorities identified that person as Watts, his attorney argued the witness did not actually see Schanta receive the heroin and thus the drugs that killed her could have come from somewhere else. (JM)
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Attorney Thrilled By Ruling In Legal Battle Over Brighton HomesAttorney Thrilled By Ruling In Legal Battle Over Brighton Homes
12/1/12 - A local attorney representing an elderly Brighton couple says a recent Court of Appeals ruling is a victory in the legal battle over two homes the city wants torn down. Attorney Dennis Dubuc represents Leon and Marilyn Bonner who applied multiple times for permits beginning in January of 2009 after the City deemed there were alleged code violations at the two homes located on North Street. Dubuc says the intent has always been to fix up the homes to their original condition in the 1870âs but they were denied on numerous occasions by the City and Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty. In a recent opinion, Dubuc tells WHMI the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed two decisions and vacated another, which reinstates all of the federal claims against the City but not against those previously filed against individual council members. Dubuc says the Court of Appeals also erred in issuing an order six months ago, which is referenced in the latest opinion. Dubuc says he and the Bonners are thrilled with the ruling and Hatty has been reversed on the dismissal of the federal claims against the City of Brighton. He says the other case is being reinstated and it will go forward, hopefully to a jury to determine if what the city has done is improper as to the constitutional violations of the Bonners. Dubuc adds that what is even more important about the recent order is whatâs not in it. He says it shows that there was a separate order entered in June declaring the Cityâs ordinance unconstitutional. Dubuc says the Court of Appeals is working to clear up the matter and hopefully things will be cleared up next week with a corrected order filed listing the proper cites and dates, adding he hopes to actually see the order finding the ordinance unconstitutional. Hatty previously ruled that since the homes have not been used for the past 30 years as a residence, their status as a non-conforming use in the downtown commercial district is gone and while they could be repaired, they must be brought up to commercial standards and code, which Dubuc appealed. The City has sought to tear down the homes based on its ordinance, which Hatty deemed to be unconstitutional in November of 2010 but the City sought to reverse that decision and appealed. (JM)
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Community Invited To Help Welcome Home Local Heroes Sunday Community Invited To Help Welcome Home Local Heroes Sunday
12/1/12 - Following a 12-month tour of duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, more than 150 Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers from the Howell-based 1462nd Transportation Company will be returning home. The soldiers are scheduled to arrive at Highlander Way Middle School in Howell this Sunday for a homecoming ceremony. They received mission specific training before deployment to Kuwait and Afghanistan last December and post-mobilization debriefings at Fort Bliss, Texas. The large unit was led by Captain Megan Hall and 1st Sergeant David Spreeman. The homecoming ceremony is planned at 3:30pm at Highlander Way Middle School on North Highlander Way in Howell. However, there has been a change in the route. The unitâs charter buses will be escorted from D-19 to Grand River and then to Highlander Way Middle School. The public is invited to wave American flags and line up around 2:30pm along Michigan Avenue and Grand River by Howell High School to help welcome them home. 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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County Board Adopts Fair Housing Policy County Board Adopts Fair Housing Policy
12/3/12 - A fair housing policy was adopted by the county's Public Safety and Infrastructure & Development Committees last week to keep housing rehabilitation grant money flowing into Livingston County. The policy applies to the implementation of the County Allocation Program, which is offered through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The program provides $300,000 to low- and medium-income households in Livingston County every year for the improvement and rehabilitation of their homes. County Planning Director Kathleen Kline-Hudson tells WHMI the fair housing policy is designed to make sure mistakes and discrimination do not prevent homeowners from accessing the grant money. She says residents who feel their applications were not properly understood or considered will be able to bring their complaints to the county, where they will be logged and brought to the attention of the appropriate officials. Kline-Hudson says the new feature will be in place before the County Allocation Program is renewed sometime in 2013. (TD)
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State Supreme Court Turns Down Green Oak Man's AppealState Supreme Court Turns Down Green Oak Man's Appeal
12/3/12 - A Green Oak Township man's request to appeal his sexual assault conviction has been denied by the Michigan Supreme Court. 44-year-old Robert Wyatt Wilburn was convicted in 2008 on one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second-degree CSC for molesting a neighbor girl, who authorities say was visiting his son at the family's home. He was ordered to serve 10-20 years in prison. Wilburn appealed his conviction and sentence, alleging that a nurseâs testimony about the juvenile girlâs statements should not have been admissible in court because they were not part of her treatment. The stateâs highest court refused to hear his appeal, saying Wilburn had failed to show he was entitled to relief under the law. Wilburn is housed at a correctional facility in the Upper Peninsula. He wonât be eligible for parole until 2018. (JK)
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Community Welcomes Home 1462nd Transportation Company
12/3/12 - After a yearlong deployment to Kuwait and Afghanistan, the soldiers of the Michigan Army National Guard 1462nd Transportation Company returned home to Howell Sunday. The return included a brief ceremony at the Highlander Way Middle School gym during which senior officers thanked the company for its hard work and told the hundreds of civilians in attendance what the company did during the deployment. Although the soldiers used online video services to speak with their families during the deployment, many of them on a daily basis, the reunion was still emotional for soldiers and families alike. The company was deployed on December 3rd of last year and received training at Fort Bliss, Texas before arriving in Kuwait. The company worked transporting ammunition and equipment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Captain Megan Hall tells WHMI the company conducted over 850 successful missions, saved the Army more than $173 million by recovering and sorting equipment, and suffered no injuries or losses. The company was originally called to active duty in December of 2003 in Iraq. Click the link below to view a photo gallery of the event. (TD)
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Future of Downtown Brighton Focus of Town Hall Meeting Thursday Future of Downtown Brighton Focus of Town Hall Meeting Thursday
12/3/12 - A new series of town hall meetings kicks off this week focusing on the future of business in the City of Brightonâs downtown area. The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce will host the new series called âBrighton Forwardâ this Thursday. It will feature DDA Director Matt Modrack, ERA Griffith Realty Owner Scott Griffith and Brighton Mall owner and developer Ashley Israel. They will discuss broad topics about the downtown such as how the city brought about the recent economic resurgence, the current market and real estate conditions in the city, and what to expect as the downtown progresses over the next few years. The first meeting in the series will be held at Studio West on West Street across from the Downtown Main Martini Bar and Grill. It takes place from 7:30 to 9am this Thursday. The cost is $20 for Brighton Chamber members and $25 for non-members. Anyone interested in attending is asked to RSVP by calling the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce at (810) 227-5086. (JM)
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Hune Calls on State to Revoke Pharmacy License Tied to Outbreak Hune Calls on State to Revoke Pharmacy License Tied to Outbreak
12/3/12 - Following the announcement of another fungal meningitis case, a local Senator is again calling on the state to suspend the license of the suspected culprit. Monday's announcement brings the number of fungal meningitis cases in Michigan to 197 and 13 deaths. There are numerous pending lawsuits against New England Compounding Center and Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Township is again demanding the Michigan Department of Community Health completely revoke its license so that a more thorough investigation can be done. The Hamburg Township Republican called it an âabsolute travestyâ the company is still being allowed to operate in Michigan and other parts of the country. He says the outbreak has "literally devastated our community and killed at least 13 individuals in Michigan, including a handful in Livingston County". In October, an order of summary suspension was filed by Governor Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette. That was then sent to the Bureau of Health Professions director and upon its signature, the order will suspend the pharmacyâs license immediately and force the company to cease operations in Michigan. A press release issued by Hune's office says as of Wednesday, there have been 68 meningitis cases, 115 epidural abscesses, one stroke and 13 joint infections. The total of 197 infections is up from 196 in this weekendâs count. (JM)
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