7/11/14 - Work is set to commence on a sidewalk construction project in Genoa Township. Sidewalk will be going in along the northern side of Grand River from Latson Road to Sunrise Park. An update on the project was provided during Monday nightâs meeting of the township board. Supervisor Gary McCririe tells WHMI the new sidewalks will help add connectivity along a portion of Grand River. He says they will be building new sidewalk and completing sidewalk connections in any empty areas, as well as fixing and replacing a large section of sidewalk built years ago that's either broken or has gone into disrepair. Genoa Township previously increased funding toward sidewalk installation during the budget and planning process as part of an identified goal.(JM)
Sidewalk Being Constructed on Grand River in Genoa TownshipSidewalk Being Constructed on Grand River in Genoa Township
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Hartland Man Sentenced For Lawn Equipment TheftHartland Man Sentenced For Lawn Equipment Theft
7/11/14 - A Hartland Township with a lengthy criminal record man has been sentenced to jail for stealing equipment from a landscaping business. 33-year-old Phillip Scott Rappette was ordered to spend one year in the Livingston County Jail following his plea to larceny charges after he took a weed whacker, gas cans and several other items in April from his former employer, Horizon Landscape, on Hibner Road in Hartland Township. Rappette has seven prior felony convictions including a breaking and entering count from a 2011 break-in at the non-profit VINA Community Dental Center in Brighton. Because of that, Rappette could have faced up to 30 years in prison. But a plea deal with prosecutors kept his sentence in county jail. He was also given credit for 92 days already served. (JK)
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Donation Will Fund Teen Distracted Driving CourseDonation Will Fund Teen Distracted Driving Course
7/11/14- A free class on the importance of safe driving will be offered for the second year in a row to local students. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department, along with the Green Oak Township Police Department will be working with FT Techno of America to offer the course on teen distracted driving. Livingston County Sheriff Lieutenant Jim Lynch tells WHMI the class is available to high schoolers with a valid driverâs license. The two courses will be held August 23rd at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the FT Techno of America Fowlerville Proving Grounds. 20 students per class will have a hands-on experience of the dangers on the road, including the use of âdrunk driving gogglesâ and texting while driving scenarios. Lynch tells WHMI the experience is one those involved will not forget. State Farm Insurance Agent Katie Pikkarainen of Fowlerville presented the Sheriffâs Department with a $3,000 check Thursday afternoon to contribute to the cost of the course. Pikkarainen says she believes teen distracted driving is becoming more of a problem and hopes the program will enlighten teens of its severity. To enroll in either of the class dates, contact the Livingston County Sheriff Department at (517)546-2440 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (DK)
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Tactical Combat Care Course Coming To Howell Fire DepartmentTactical Combat Care Course Coming To Howell Fire Department
7/11/14 - The Howell Fire Department will host a life-saving course modeled after battlefield tactics this month. The National Association of EMTâs will offer its Tactical Combat Casualty Care course at the Howell Fire Department building on Grand River July 19th and 20th. Fire Chief Andy Pless tells WHMI the course was designed so emergency crews can conduct first age and rapid triage in emergency situations with a large number of casualties. He says lessons of the course were created from the experiences of medics in Iraq and Afghanistan, and are described as âdown and dirtyâ medicine to keep people alive long enough to receive proper medical care. The course is offered in America so emergency responders can better handle threats like terrorism, bombings, active shooters, and other situations where there is a large number of casualties. With a price tag of $325 per person and an intensive 23-hour course over two days, the program is mainly intended for emergency service professionals instead of citizens. Pless says the course is already a requirement for Genesee County paramedics, and it may become a requirement in Livingston County in the future. Registration will close on July 16th. For more information, follow the link below. (TD)
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Summer Nature Camp Scholarships Offered to Local Kids Summer Nature Camp Scholarships Offered to Local Kids
7/11/14 - Local kids described as âbudding naturalistsâ or ânature nutsâ that otherwise might not be able to experience summer camp are again being given an opportunity to do so. Full scholarships are being made available to children with a general interest in nature who are entering 3rd, 4th or 5th grade to attend a residential camp at the Howell Conference & Nature Center. Called the âSpirit of Alexandria Nature Campâ, itâs being funded by a foundation created to carry on the legacy of a young Milford girl named Alexandria Bennett. Kids will enjoy traditional camp activities but also get to experience special nature-focused activities designed exclusively for the camp such as field sketching and pond studies. There are still scholarship spots open and any interested kids will need to write a small essay and fill out an application. Details are available through the link below. (JM)
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Ribbon Cutting Marks New Residential Development in Oceola Twp. Ribbon Cutting Marks New Residential Development in Oceola Twp.
7/11/14 - There was a time when residential development projects were being abandoned, homes were being foreclosed upon and building activity and permits were plummeting across Southeast Michigan and Livingston County. But thatâs no longer the case as evidenced by not only the numbers but a new project along a development corridor in Oceola Township. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the new Maple Square development on Latson Road near M-59. The project is bringing both investment and a different type of residential housing option to the area, which combines the amenities of apartment and condo living with the experience of owning a home. Oceola Township Supervisor Bill Bamber tells WHMI the project is moving along rapidly and this is something new that will benefit the municipality, as every community needs a mix of housing options. The developments tend to attract empty young professionals and empty nesters. Fridayâs ribbon cutting marked the first units becoming available and the project from Redwood Living is on track for completion this fall. Chief Administrative Officer Kristopher Conwill says they offer a type of living that's unique in the industry with a condominium feel. He says they tend to be a place where people who are renters by choice call home for a long time but also don't want to deal with all of the maintenance work typically associated with home ownership. A number of local community leaders and officials were in attendance at Friday's ribbon cutting, which was followed by model tours. (JM)
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Busy Road Project Season in Green Oak Township Busy Road Project Season in Green Oak Township
7/11/14 - A number of construction projects are planned on roads throughout Green Oak Township this summer. Supervisor Mark St. Charles says they are just now starting the second season of their road reconstruction and maintenance program, funded through a millage approved by voters. He says they tackled the easier projects last year and are now entering the more complicated phase with complex projects on higher volume roadways that require a fair amount of design and engineering and difficult soil conditions. The first project is close to completion and involved improvements on Nine Mile Road from Marshall Road to just west of East Shore Drive. Once thatâs substantially finished, St. Charles says theyâll move onto the infamous Fieldcrest Road which is pictured and will be done in two sections and should be starting within a week. The third project is along Winans Lake Road from Rickett to the Hamburg Township line and thatâs expected to be one of the most problematic this year. St. Charles advises avoiding both Fieldcrest and Winans Lake Roads if possible throughout the duration of the construction, which will involve closures and delays. All of the rain has impacted a number of road projects, putting many contractors behind but St. Charles says thatâs just the nature of the beast in the road business. The three projects that will be done as part of this yearâs paving program are cashing in right around $3.4 (m) million. Thatâs around $1.5 (m) million less than estimated and while a separate trail paving project might come in higher than anticipated; St. Charles says it still puts them well under budget. The trail will stretch from Silver Lake Road in between US-23 and Fieldcrest Road, up to Lee Road, with a short connection to the Island Lake Recreation Area. Itâs one of the first legs to try and get a trail across Green Oak Township. Prep work and the trail paving will be done this summer, with the exception of the non-motorized pedestrian crossing over the Huron River which will be done next year. The 4th project that was scheduled this year was Rushton Road from Doane to Silver Lake Road but due to the extensive nature of the work, itâs been shifted into 2015. St. Charles says residents will see a tremendous amount of utility work in the area along with bridge and culvert work - all in preparation for next springâs paving contract. (JM)
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South Lyon Man Charged in October Road Rage Incident Enters PleaSouth Lyon Man Charged in October Road Rage Incident Enters Plea
7/11/14 - A South Lyon man has entered a plea in connection with a road rage incident last fall. 50-year-old Aaron Eugene Stein of South Lyon pleaded no contest to charges of assault with a weapon and possession of marijuana. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors have agreed to not amend or add felony firearms charges. The victim in the case testified during a previous court hearing that she feared for her safety and believed Stein had a gun during the October 16th incident. The victim said she passed him on a local road but that he started honking his horn and tailgating her, eventually passing her about a half mile down the road. Both stopped their vehicles and proceeded to argue, which is when the victim alleged Stein made a comment about her not having a gun and she noticed him holding a dark item in his hand. The defense argued that there was no evidence to indicate there really was a gun involved, but the victim maintained she believed it was and feared Stein would shoot her. A judge ultimately ruled there was enough evidence to bind the case over to Livingston County Circuit Court, where Stein will be sentenced August 14th. (JM)
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Decision on Charges in Fatal Crash Awaiting Further TestsDecision on Charges in Fatal Crash Awaiting Further Tests
7/11/14 - A decision on whether or not charges will be filed in a fatal Howell Township crash earlier this year remains on hold. Earlier this month, Livingston County Sheriffâs officials confirmed that toxicology reports indicated a Brighton woman was over the legal limit for driving at the time of a head-on crash that claimed the life of a womanâs unborn baby. The accident happened May 7th on M-59 near Durant Road in Howell Township. A 34-year-old Brighton woman in a Chevy Malibu was traveling westbound in an eastbound lane of M-59 when she struck a Saturn driven by a 29-year-old Howell woman. Initial testing on the Brighton woman, who was deemed the at-fault driver, came back positive for alcohol, to the extent that she was legally drunk at the time of the crash. Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt says his office is awaiting additional medical reports before deciding on charges in the case. Both women suffered significant injuries as a result of the crash. The at-fault Brighton woman was taken by Survival Flight to the University of Michigan Hospital. The Howell woman, who was seven months pregnant at the time of the crash, was also hospitalized. She ultimately lost her child.
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Voting Underway on Brighton Plein Air Paint OutVoting Underway on Brighton Plein Air Paint Out
7/12/14 - The public can vote on their favorite among the many works of art produced during the Second Annual Plein Air Paint Out, which took place last month in Brighton. According to contest spokeswoman Claudia Roblee, 47 artists from around the state participated in the event, nearly double the number of those who submitted a painting in its first year. The paintings may now be viewed and voted on at the COBACH Center at Main and St. Paul streets or ArtVentures, also on West Main Street. Or, people can vote on the art works at the Grape Tent during the Brighton Fine Art and Acoustic Music Festival, to be held on Aug. 1st and 2nd. Prize money will be awarded to two artists, one award going to the popular vote winner and the other to the juried vote winner. In Plein Air paint-outs, the artists paint a picture of the favorite places near where they live. The Brighton event is sponsored by the Brighton Art Guild, Brighton Art & Culture Commission Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce. Roblee says if youâre particularly fond of a specific painting, you may purchase it at an attractive price. Once again, the paintings can be seen and voted on at the COBACH Center and at at ArtVentures, both on West Main in downtown Brighton. (TT)
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September Trial Set for Man Charged in Green Oak Township MurderSeptember Trial Set for Man Charged in Green Oak Township Murder
7/12/14 - A Whitmore Lake man who police allege murdered his sister-in-law and left her in a bathtub is expected to face trial in September. 25-year-old Nicholas Allen Foerster is charged with 1st degree, premeditated murder in the strangulation death of his sister-in-law, 23-year-old Rachelle Lynn Wood. She was found dead in the bathtub of her Green Oak Township apartment on June 16th. Foerster allegedly confessed to choking the victim for a period of at least seven minutes, knowing that it would cause death. If convicted, Foerster faces life in prison without parole. Heâs being held without bond in the Livingston County Jail and a pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for August 15th. If no plea agreement can be reached, Foerster will head to trial September 22nd. (JM)
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Genoa Township Supports SPARK Economic Development ContractGenoa Township Supports SPARK Economic Development Contract
7/12/14 - Itâs all about the bigger picture. That was the consensus of the Genoa Township Board in unanimously approving a regional cooperation agreement. The Economic Development Council of Livingston County has a partnership with Ann Arbor SPARK to provide economic development services. Livingston County and multiple municipalities contribute annually toward that partnership, which strives to foster area business growth and retention. Genoa Township contributes $20,000 annually for contract services. During the most recent meeting, board member Linda Rowell questioned the benefits to the township for the $20,000 price tag. Rowell expressed that while she understood the greater good of the partnership, she was seeking insight on specific benefits to Genoa Township residents or businesses. It was relayed that detailed quarterly reports are provided by SPARK, which includes information about activities and retention calls in the community. Those will now be provided to all board members. It was also noted that Manager Mike Archinal serves on the EDC board, which serves in Genoa Townshipâs favor. Supervisor Gary McCririe tells WHMI theyâre pleased with the amount of activity they see SPARK performing. He says it's a county wide effort and likened it to growing crops in that if over time, the work is put in to cultivate leads, there will be rewards to reap. He pointed to the new Lake Trust Credit Union project as one example and feels there will be many more to come moving into the future.(JM)
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Fewer Closures Needed on Hartland Road for Bridge WorkFewer Closures Needed on Hartland Road for Bridge Work
7/12/14 - Drivers through Hartland Township will have less of a detour to deal with this summer. The Livingston County Road Commission had planned to close down Hartland Road between Dunham and Crouse Roads this past Wednesday for deck patching on the bridge located there. The closure was expected to remain in effect until July 18th. However, thatâs no longer the case according to Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine. He tells WHMI federal funds are being used for the project and when they set up it up three years ago; they assumed the bridge deck would need some minor concrete patches. Craine says theyâll actually be able to skip the first stage of the project, which would have required a weeklong closure of the bridge. He says they can instead go right into deck preservation work on Monday and Tuesday, at which time Hartland Road will be closed between Dunham and Crouse Roads. He says short, one or two day closures will be announced at future dates to seal the surface rails and replace the joints on the bridge deck. Craine says everything will be completed before school starts with the minimum number of closures and the work should extend the life of the bridge by ten years.(JM)
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Tom Lewis Retiring As Putnam Zoning AdministratorTom Lewis Retiring As Putnam Zoning Administrator
7/13/14 - Putnam Township is looking for a new zoning administrator now that Tom Lewis has announced his retirement. Lewis came to the township in 2007 following his retirement from Chrysler. His will leave his position in late August, and in the meantime the search for his successor has begun. Applications should be directed to Township Clerk Sally Guyon and should be submitted no later than July 21st. The zoning administrator is responsible for heading up the townshipâs zoning department, assisting the planning commission, and the enforcement of inspection, zoning, and general law ordinances among buildings in Putnam Township. Lewis says he does not believe there are any residency requirements for the position. He says he is choosing to retire simply because he feels it is time, and that he is proud of the townshipâs residents and government. When asked about his plans for retirement, Lewis simply said he had some chores to catch up on. (TD)
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New Resource Development Coordinator At Habitat For HunanityNew Resource Development Coordinator At Habitat For Hunanity
7/13/14 - Livingston County Habitat for Humanity is welcoming a new resource development coordinator who says sheâs excited to start the new challenge. Karla Macelli says sheâs fortunate to be joining such a respected organization that has been serving Livingston County since 1993. The non-denominational Christian-based housing ministry is dedicated to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action in the county. The non-profit agency says it is able to serve local residents thanks to community membersâ gifts of time and talent. Macelli says Livingston County residents can support their efforts by shopping at its retail outlet of community donated items, volunteering at a site build or at the ReStore located on Grand River Road in Brighton. Macelli says there are 10,869 people living below the poverty level within Livingston County and 2,000 of them are potentially able to qualify for a Habitat home. At their current build rate, it would take over 1,000 years to meet that need but Macelli says the goal is to meet the needs happening right now in the community. (JM/JK)
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New Cell Tower Planned For Putnam TownshipNew Cell Tower Planned For Putnam Township
7/13/14 - A new telecommunications tower has been recommended for approval by the Putnam Township Planning Commission. The new tower is being proposed by AT&T for the corner of Swarthout and Pinckney Roads. It will have a maximum height of 200 feet and serve local cell phone customers. Most new cell antennas, even for major cell phone and data carriers, are placed on existing towers along with their competitors in a process known as piggybacking. The telecommunications company had to show there was a gap in its cell phone coverage, that the new tower could fill that gap, and that no existing tower would accomplish this goal before the proposal would be considered. The proposed tower will go before the Putnam Township Board for discussion and possible approval as early as this Wednesday. (TD)
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Jail Time Ordered For Man Who Stole Charity Collection JarsJail Time Ordered For Man Who Stole Charity Collection Jars
7/13/14 - A sentence of jail time has been handed down for a local man accused of stealing charity collection jars meant to help sick and injured children. 39-year-old Chad Lendon Stewart, who has addresses in Wixom and Manitou Beach, pleaded guilty as charged to charges of larceny from a building in three separate cases in Livingston County Circuit Court. He was recently sentenced to one year in jail, with credit for 95 days already served. The charges stem from charity jars for the Childrenâs Miracle Network that were stolen from a 7-11 store and two Speedway gas stations in Livingston County between October 16th and 28th. Stewart previously pleaded guilty of stealing another Childrenâs Miracle Network jar from a different Speedway location on South Milford Road. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail in December, with credit for 46 already served. (TD)
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Clyde Road Paving Project Gets Underway in Highland TownshipClyde Road Paving Project Gets Underway in Highland Township
7/14/14 - A portion of Clyde Road in Highland Township will close for construction this week and could result in some traffic delays. The Road Commission for Oakland County says a section of Clyde Road from Hickory Ridge to Strathcona will be closed to through traffic beginning this week. Access to homes and businesses will be permitted. The paving project along the gravel road will also include some concrete curb and gutter and storm sewer work where needed. The detour route throughout the duration of construction will be Hickory Ridge to Middle Road to Milford Road and back to Clyde and vice versa. The project totals roughly $1.8 (m) million and is slated for completion in mid-November. (JM)
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Officials Hope to Limit Tree Removal During Upcoming ProjectOfficials Hope to Limit Tree Removal During Upcoming Project
7/14/14 - Although it wasn't unanimous, the Genoa Township Board has approved funding for a limestone improvement project on Crooked Lake Road. With the exception of one member opposed due to concerns with tree removal and another absent from last weekâs meeting, the board approved a $200,000 agreement with the Livingston County Road Commission. The board earlier identified priority projects to fund as part of a Capital Improvements Program. Number one was the installation of a traffic signal at Latson and Hampton Ridge Roads but thatâs not viable this year. The limestone improvements on Crooked Lake Road ranked second on the list due to increased traffic being generated by the I-96/Latson Road interchange and will be done during the current construction season. There will be some tree removal associated with the drainage portion of the project, although how much is unknown. The original motion was modified to include language expressing encouragement from the board to limit tree removal. Linda Rowell was the lone dissenting vote but supports the project and said she wanted to hold off on a vote and committing any funding until there was a better idea of how many trees were targeted. Rowell stated itâs a hot issue and feels with the failed road millage, residents have already sent the message that they like the rural character of the community. The majority of the board was comfortable with moving forward and hopeful the commission would take resident concerns into account with tree removal as well as when it comes to drainage ditches being dug in yards. Some members commented that no one likes losing trees but Crooked Lake Road is county-owned and felt it wasnât appropriate for the township to weigh in on what trees should stay or go since thatâs the job of the road commission. (JM)
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Appeals Panel Upholds Order to Deliver ACLU Mail Appeals Panel Upholds Order to Deliver ACLU Mail
7/14/14 - A Detroit federal judge ordered the Livingston County Jail to deliver mail from the American Civil Liberties Union earlier this year, and now an appeals court has upheld that order. The ACLU filed a civil complaint in U.S. District Court in March challenging the constitutionality of the Livingston County Jailâs policy of restricting most mail for inmates to postcards. The lawsuit is set for a jury trial in August 2015, but in the meantime the court has granted an injunction filed by the ACLU and determined that mail sent by that group qualified as legal mail and must be delivered. Jail officials argue that the mail sent by the ACLU was a mass solicitation. Last week, an appeals court upheld the district court order, saying jails can adopt restrictions for mail as a matter of security but that mail from lawyers typically gets greater protection under the First Amendment. Meanwhile, a publication known as the Prison Legal News is also suing for the right to be distributed in the jail. (TD)
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