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Police & Fire Millage Proposals on Primary Ballot in Green Oak Police & Fire Millage Proposals on Primary Ballot in Green Oak

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7/31/14 - Two millage renewals will appear before voters in Green Oak Township on Tuesday’s August primary ballot. The proposals will raise needed revenue to fund the Green Oak Township police and fire departments. Voters are being asked to renew 2.38-mills for police services and 1.77-mills for the fire department. If approved, both would cover general operations, as well as the purchase of equipment and vehicles. Green Oak Township Supervisor Mark St. Charles tells WHMI they felt the renewals were appropriate given taxable values being stable and the only difference is that instead of three years, a ten-year renewal period is being proposed. He says they are bare-bones proposals and what it will take to provide the same level of service that residents have become accustomed to. St. Charles says they would also provide a more stable revenue source for both departments and help with planning and developing long term future budgets. He added that the millages do not anticipate a new police station and will simply maintain the same number of police officers and the same volumes of firefighters. He says the township is also creative with how they finance police vehicles and fire apparatus. Detailed information about the police and fire millage renewal proposals is available on the Green Oak Township website. A link has been posted below. (JM)

Sports Shooters Invited To Salvation Army FundraiserSports Shooters Invited To Salvation Army Fundraiser

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7/31/14 - The Salvation Army is inviting sport shooters to take aim at some clay pigeons for a good cause next month. The 3rd annual Clays for a Cause fundraiser will be held on Saturday, August 16th starting at 8:30am. The event invites participants out to the Fenton Lakes Sportsmans Club for a day of shooting, food, games, and prizes. Each participant will be able to take aim at 50 clay targets, as well as enjoy breakfast and lunch, for a registration fee of $50. Shooters must supply their own ammunition upon registration, or they can pay an extra $25 to get their ammunition supplied. Those using their own ammunition must register by August 8th by contacting the Salvation Army of Livingston County. Those who plan to use the ammunition supplied can register early or show up on the day of the event. Contact April at (517) 546-4750 ext. 105 for more information or to register, or follow the link below. (TD)

Hartland Prosthetics Maker Shows Off New High-Tech HandsHartland Prosthetics Maker Shows Off New High-Tech Hands

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7/31/14 - A local producer of prosthetics held a gathering at his Hartland offices last night to educate his patients about new technology to replace amputated digits. David Van Auker is an artist, making custom prosthetics for lost limbs and damaged faces in the studio he created in his home. His company, Genesis Prosthetic Arts, treats dozens of patients every year, providing them with lifelike silicone prostheses for their faces and hands, as well as customized artificial legs. Yesterday, he invited some of his patients to his office to educate them on new options available for people who had lost only part of their hands. New prosthetic hands, called i-Limbs, use myoelectric technology to detect small signals from the brain in the patient’s remaining hand. They use those signals to control individual fingers on the device, unlike old devices which had only one motor and could only move all of the fingers at once. They are even programmable using an iPad, so specific positions or gestures can be saved and easily called back. Patients were able to examine the devices, learn more about how they are used, and get tested to see if they could produce signals compatible with their controls. Van Auker says these artificial hands represent a big advancement for those who have lost fingers without losing their whole hand, who have historically been short on viable options. Whole-hand models are available as well. Before factoring in payment assistance or insurance coverage, the advanced devices cost tens of thousands of dollars apiece. (TD)

Fundraiser to Help Highland Residents Hit By StormFundraiser to Help Highland Residents Hit By Storm

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7/31/14 - Following last weekend’s severe storms, one local community is coming together to help those whose homes were damaged. The storm Sunday brought wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour and large hail to the area and while thousands of homes and businesses were affected by power outages, residents of the Highland Greens Estates mobile home park on North Milford Road in Highland Township were hit harder than most. Approximately 80% of the nearly 430 homes in the development suffered damage from the storm, with hail leaving many looking “like Swiss cheese” according to Highland Greens Sales Manager Jessica Ohrt. To help those residents get back on their feet, the Comeback Inn in Highland is holding a benefit until they close at 2am Friday. Owner Chris Baker is holding the fundraiser in conjunction with Huron Valley Schools. The Comeback Inn is located at 1451 S Milford Rd, Highland Township. Call 248-887-5900 for more information. (JK)

Annexation Plan Moves Forward For Local DistrictAnnexation Plan Moves Forward For Local District

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7/31/14 - A proposed merger between the Whitmore Lake and Ann Arbor school districts will go to the voters this fall. The school board for both districts voted Wednesday to place a proposal onto the ballot in November by which Ann Arbor would annex the Whitmore Lake district. The Ann Arbor district gets $9,100 per student from the state, while Whitmore Lake gets only $7,251. If approved by voters in November, the combined district would get $9,097 per student. The annexation, which would occur at the end of the upcoming school year, would help Whitmore Lake avoid going into deficit and possible state takeover, while Ann Arbor would get a larger student body, new properties and access to the US-23 corridor. Officials say the tax rate for the combined district would be 8.3942 mills. That represents a .2 mill decrease for Whitmore Lake district taxpayers and a .5 mill increase for Ann Arbor. However, officials are hoping to obtain $4.3 million in consolidation grant funding from the state. Following Wednesday’s vote, both districts must now receive a letter of approval from the state superintendent, which is expected, and then submit ballot language to the county clerk by August 12th in order to get the measure onto the November 4th ballot. (JK)

Hamburg & Pinckney Library Millages on Tuesday Primary Ballot Hamburg & Pinckney Library Millages on Tuesday Primary Ballot

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7/31/14 - Both the Pinckney and Hamburg Township libraries have millage proposals on Tuesday’s ballot. The Hamburg Library is requesting 0.8-mills for 8 years, which would generate approximately $718,000 annually if approved and if property values remain steady. Library officials have said that although the economy is recovering, it's happening slowly and they didn't want to lock tax payers into a lengthy millage. Director Holly Hentz tells WHMI the millage proposal would not only fund operations but also allow for an expansion of technology-related services being requested by patrons. The other library-related millage appearing on Tuesday’s ballot is for the Pinckney Community Public Library. It's been in a new, larger facility for the past year and a half but continues to operate under a 2008 millage that will expire at the end of this year. While that millage sustained the library’s much smaller and older building, Director Hope Siasoco tells WHMI an increase is needed to operate the larger building and allow the library to continue providing programs and services to the community. The library is requesting a 1.4562 millage to fund operations. Of that, 0.9562 mill is a renewal of the millage rate that expires in 2014 and 0.5 mill is a new additional millage for a six year period. (JM)

Man Jailed In Church Theft Now Faces Local Sex Offender ChargesMan Jailed In Church Theft Now Faces Local Sex Offender Charges

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8/1/14 - A Howell man sentenced for stealing money from a church in Livonia is now facing local charges as a sex offender. Jeffrey John Bentley was arrested after a hidden camera showed him taking money out of a donation box at St. Edith’s Catholic Church. The 58-year-old pleaded guilty to larceny in a building in the Wayne County Circuit Court and was sentenced to 90 to 120 days in jail. Bentley’s criminal record includes previous convictions in Livingston County for larceny and criminal sexual conduct, and this week he was arraigned in Livingston County District Court for failing to register as a sex offender. He is due back in court August 5th for an exam conference. Following his conviction in Wayne, Bentley was assigned to the Jail PLUS program, which will allow experts to work with him to properly assess his mental condition and other criteria before being released on the larceny sentence. (TD)

Nonprofit Plans Free Boating Event For Local VetsNonprofit Plans Free Boating Event For Local Vets

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8/1/14 - A nonprofit organization will hold a boating outing on Lake Fenton tomorrow for local veterans and their families. Boat 4 Vets holds similar events around the state, including one outing at Lake St. Clair in July that drew a crowd of 150 people. Tomorrow’s event will be at Skipper Bud’s on Lake Fenton beginning at 10am. Veterans and their families are invited to attend for free, and will be treated to a ride around the lake as well as a barbeque, prizes, and raffles. Organizers say last year’s outing to Lake Fenton attracted between 50 and 75 people, and they are hoping to double that number this year. Although there is no charge for veterans to attend, Boat 4 Vets prefers they RSVP beforehand. Contact information can be found by following the link posted below. Another boating event will take place on August 16th in Port Huron. (TD)

Judge Says Local Woman's Suit Against GM Can Move ForwardJudge Says Local Woman's Suit Against GM Can Move Forward

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8/1/14 - A local woman’s class action lawsuit against GM related to safety recalls is progressing in the Big Apple. General Motors issued a recall of certain vehicles in February after a potentially-dangerous defect in the ignition system was discovered. Lorie Biggs of Pinckney was among those affected, and in May she filed a class-action lawsuit against GM in Michigan’s Eastern District Federal Court. Her attorney, Alyson Oliver, says GM knew about the defect and even tried to covertly fix it on new models, but never informed customers. As a result, people like Biggs purchased vehicles that were potentially dangerous and now cannot be resold. Biggs is claiming economic losses in court. In June, her lawsuit was transferred to New York City to be tried by the same judge presiding over GM’s bankruptcy case. Oliver tells WHMI this move made sense, since GM is claiming that it is not liable for economic losses now that it has declared bankruptcy, and this judge is the best-suited to make that determination. He has denied GM’s request that the litigation be put on hold until the company’s liability can be determined in bankruptcy court. He is now considering applications from law firms around the country seeking to become the lead counsel on the case. That decision will be made on August 11th. (TD)

Residents Concerned About Proposed Island Lake Sand MineResidents Concerned About Proposed Island Lake Sand Mine

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8/1/14 - Dust, noise, and damage to local roads were the main concerns Green Oak Township residents brought up last night regarding a plan to lease mineral rights in Island Lake Recreation Area. The project was hatched by the Department of Natural Resources, which wants to hire an aggregate company to remove millions of tons of sand left over from when a portion of the park was a gravel mine. In return for keeping the sand, the DNR wants the company to get rid of the steep slopes the old sand piles have left behind and haul away the remnants of the mining operation, including a railroad line, pipes, and concrete slabs. They say the end result would be a natural grassland that would provide habitat for threatened species and recreation opportunities for residents. However, the project itself would take an estimated 5 to 15 years to complete. Last night’s meeting drew about three dozen residents and was led by Ray Fahlsing, the stewardship unit manager for the DNR’s Parks and Rec division. He tells WHMI the gathering was meant to help the residents understand the project and give them a voice as the DNR puts together the agreements. Fahlsing says without the deal, it would cost an estimated $6 million to reclaim the land. While some residents brought up the issues of noise, construction, and funding, the biggest concern was damage to roads caused by mining trucks entering and leaving the site. Residents of Green Oak recently approved a road millage, and they wanted assurances from the DNR that the mining company would use the most direct route to the freeway and pay for the damage done to local roads. DNR officials will take the feedback into consideration and try to address the residents’ concerns as it drafts the project contract. (TD)

Past Champions Return to 10th Annual Iron Chef For GleanersPast Champions Return to 10th Annual Iron Chef For Gleaners

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8/1/14 - The culinary skills of local chefs will once be tested next week as they compete in the 10th annual Iron Chef competition to benefit the Gleaners Community Food Bank of Livingston County. Past champions Jody Brunori of The Laundry in Fenton, Steve Pilon and Tammy Young of the Wooden Spoon in Brighton and Patrick Srock of the Lakelands Golf & Country Club, will compete for the 2014 title next Thursday, August 7th at Bordine’s Nursery in Brighton. Gleaners Community Relations Manager Bridgette Green says the event is the sole fundraiser for their Shared Harvest Pantry in Genoa Township, which serves about 1,200 families a month. Last year’s event raised approximately $100,000, equating to more than 300,000 meals. Also returning to the event this year is Chef Rob Hindley, who was the Iron Chef Champion in 2005 & 2006. He will serve as one of the judges alongside Howell’s own Rene Chodkowski, better known as The Great Foodini. Tickets are $50 each and include restaurant tastings, cocktails, and a silent auction featuring items from local merchants, restaurants, and renowned chefs, as well as sports and entertainment memorabilia. You’ll find details through the link below. (JK)

Felony Assault Charges Leveled Against Hartland ManFelony Assault Charges Leveled Against Hartland Man

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8/1/14 - A Hartland man is facing felony charges following a domestic dispute in which he allegedly threatened a woman with a gun. 34-year-old Weston Gabriel King is being charged with felonious assault and domestic violence in Livingston County Circuit Court. He is being held on a $25,000 bond, which carried the conditions that he must surrender his weapons to the Michigan State Police as well as vacate and stay off the premises of his own home. On July 29th, troopers from the Brighton Post and deputies from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department were called out to a residence on Montgomery Drive regarding a physical domestic dispute involving a handgun. Upon arrival, police say they were met by a female outside who stated she and King, who was still indoors, were having an argument when he pointed a handgun at her and threatened to shoot her. The female also advised there was a child in the residence and the man had taken a large amount of prescription drugs. Officers took tactical positions and utilized a patrol car public address system to order King from the residence. He exited the home unarmed and with the child. Police say he was taken into custody without issue, and the child was turned over to the female. (TD)

Commanding Officers of Local Salvation Army Resign Commanding Officers of Local Salvation Army Resign

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8/1/14 - Citing personal reasons, the commanding officers of The Salvation Army of Livingston County have announced their resignation. The Salvation Army accepted the resignation of Lieutenants Tim and Julie Perkins, effective today. The Perkins came to the local Corps in late June of 2013 from Brown County, Indiana. It was their first official appointment, although they had been involved with The Salvation Army for about five years at that time. They have two teenage children and extensive ministerial backgrounds. Tim Perkins said the decision was made in the best interest of their family and resulted from a lot of time spent in prayer and counsel. As to the replacement process, Chief Operations Director of Development John Hale tells WHMI the Perkins have served the community well and The Salvation Army wishes them good fortune in their future endeavors. Leaders from The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division will meet with the Livingston County Advisory Board next week to begin identifying a new officer to oversee the Livingston County Corps. In the meantime, he says an interim officer will be assigned as soon as possible to provide continued service to the community.(JM)

Millage Renewals Up for Roads, Schools, Fire Service & MosquitosMillage Renewals Up for Roads, Schools, Fire Service & Mosquitos

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8/1/14 - Various millage renewals are being proposed in local communities Tuesday for roads, schools, fire protection and mosquito control. In Howell Township, a road millage renewal is being proposed for continued improvements and maintenance. The .9496-mill, four-year tax would generate an estimated $282,706 the first year if approved. Cohoctah Township is also proposing a road millage renewal for dust control, maintenance and improvements. The 1.5-mill tax would be levied for four years and raise an estimated $151,500 the first year. The Putnam Township Fire Department has a millage renewal on the ballot that would sustain operations for the next two years, with the 1.1923 mills generating approximately $371,000 for operations and equipment. In the Fowlerville area, voters will see an operating millage renewal from Fowlerville Community Schools as well as a four-year millage renewal to help fund the Village’s mosquito control program. Other ballot proposals highlighted earlier this week by WHMI include police and fire millage renewals in Green Oak Township, as well operating millage requests from the Hamburg and Pinckney libraries. Meanwhile, all local clerk’s offices will be open this Saturday for absentee voter ballot services ahead of Tuesday’s primary election. While opening hours will vary, all offices across Livingston County will be open until 2pm Saturday to receive absent voter ballot applications and for voters to return completed absent voter ballots. Information about all of the local races and proposals in Tuesday’s election can be found through the link below. (JM)

Local Business & City of Howell At Odds Over Sign Ordinance Local Business & City of Howell At Odds Over Sign Ordinance

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8/2/14 - No matter how you slice it, a local businessman and the City of Howell see signs differently. After being told to move a handmade temporary sign placed near Grand River, John Kinnunen who operates Duke’s Pizza decided to strap it on top of his personal vehicle that’s used for deliveries. That ultimately prompted more communication from the City. It’s a competitive business and signage doesn’t come cheap so Kinnunen approached the Howell City Council last week. He pointed out all of the signs on the sidewalks downtown and hard it can be to navigate around them, saying he's just trying to have a business. A couple of years ago, the Planning Commission clarified the intent of the portable sign ordinance after increase in the number of signs at strip malls and along South Michigan Avenue. It was determined signs be located within 10 feet of a business and that they were intended to be pedestrian oriented - not out by the road for passing vehicular traffic. Part of the intent was safety as the signs can create visual distractions and obstructions for motorists. Some council members commented that not having a business right downtown shuts off one avenue of advertising and were open to having the Planning Commission revisit the matter and look into Kinnunen’s circumstances, as well as the intent of the ordinance. Staff expressed that the subject would likely be brought up during the August meeting. (JM)

Dump Truck Rolls Downhill Into Pinckney HouseDump Truck Rolls Downhill Into Pinckney House

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8/2/14 - A dump truck rolled down a hill in Pinckney Friday before colliding with a nearby house. Officers from the Pinckney Police Department were dispatched to the scene at about 9:40 Friday morning. They determined the truck had backed up to a residence and dumped a load of landscaping boulders. The driver, a 35-year-old Pinckney man, got out of the vehicle, which then rolled downhill with nobody inside it. The truck crashed into the porch of the house across the street, causing some minor damage. No injuries were reported. The Michigan State Police determined that the truck had a defective parking brake, and the driver was issued a citation. (TD)

West Grand River Bridge Work & Detours Start MondayWest Grand River Bridge Work & Detours Start Monday

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8/2/14 - The replacement of the bridge on west Grand River between Webberville and Fowlerville starts Monday. Grand River will be closed between Stow and Wallace Roads, with the 4.5 mile detour routes posted. The project includes the demolition and replacement of the existing structure built in 1934, which should be done in a period of about twelve weeks. Livingston County Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine says they’ll actually be replacing two bridges, because there is a partner bridge buried underneath the one there now. He tells WHMI the only good news with building the bridge full width and closing Grand River in that area is that they’ll be able to do the work faster and better. There are not a lot of detour options in the area and the $900,000 bridge project is scheduled for completion October 28th so the contractor will be working to make or beat that date, which is right around when the agricultural harvest will be taking place. Craine says a large bulk terminal that receives produce from local farms is located at M-52 and Grand River and they recognize how important it is for the farm community to be able to get produce to the elevator quickly. All truck traffic is being directed to use I-96 and local traffic will be detoured on Stow, Allen, and Gramer Roads. Message boards identifying the recommended truck route will be located on Grand River at M‐52 in Webberville and at Gregory Road in Fowlerville.(JM)

Appeal in Brighton House Case Filed to U.S. Supreme CourtAppeal in Brighton House Case Filed to U.S. Supreme Court

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8/2/14 - An attorney representing an elderly couple who own two homes the City of Brighton wants torn down has appealed their case to the highest in the land. Leon and Marilyn Bonner own two homes on North Street that the city ordered demolished in January of 2009 on the basis that they pose a danger to public health and safety. They sued the city over an ordinance which requires the demolition of unsafe homes whose value is less than the cost of repairing them. The state Court of Appeals issued a decision late last year and ruled portions of the city ordinance violated due process. However, the Michigan Supreme Court just recently issued a unanimous opinion overturning that decision. The Bonners’ attorney, Dennis Dubuc, says they have always wanted to fix the homes and have the funds to do so. He tells WHMI the court did not make a decision as to whether or not the Bonners’ constitutional rights had been violated, just that the City’s ordinance is constitutional on its face. He says if allowed to stand, that decision would be far reaching and precedent setting. Dubuc has now filed to have their case heard by the US Supreme Court. It will be up to that court to decide whether to hear that case or not. (JK)

Sewer Extension Requirement May Prevent Hartland DevelopmentSewer Extension Requirement May Prevent Hartland Development

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8/3/14 - A local developer wants to bring a new housing development to Hartland Township, but disagreements over sewer connections may doom the project. In July, Steve Gronow approached the Hartland Township Board with a proposal to create a cul-de-sac on the south side of M-59, between the Autumn Woods and San Marino subdivisions. The property was previously intended to be the site of a Presbyterian church, but those plans fell through. The plan as presented would create 18 new single-story ranch-style homes, priced at around $350,000 apiece. However, Gronow opposed a township requirement that would have forced him to extend the sewer lines along M-59, saying the extension would be costly and impractical to future developers. He says if he can get an exemption to the sewer extension rule, he could have new homes available on the site in 2015. However, if they do not grant the exemption, Gronow says the location cannot be developed and the plans will be scrapped. Board members also expressed concern over the cul-de-sac design, saying residents might park on the street, blocking emergency vehicles trying to reach people on the far end of the narrow road. (TD)

Green Oak Fire To Host Open House Next MonthGreen Oak Fire To Host Open House Next Month

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8/3/14 - Members of the public will have an opportunity to learn about fire safety and see lifesaving equipment up close next month. The Green Oak Township Fire Department will hold its annual open house on Saturday, September 13th. It will take place from 10am-3pm at Station 81 on Whitmore Lake Road, near US-23 and Silver Lake Road. Attendees will be able to learn about fire safety, see vehicle extrication demonstrations with the Jaws of Life, fire truck and helicopter displays, and firefighter bunker gear demonstrations. Kids fire hose activities and other displays are planned, along with refreshments and ice cream. Details about the Green Oak Township Fire Department’s annual open house are available in the events section on our website. (JM)
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