8/6/14 - A Howell man sentenced for stealing money from a church in Livonia has pleaded guilty to local sex offender charges. Jeffrey John Bentley was arrested after a hidden camera showed him taking money out of a donation box at St. Edithâs 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. Bentleyâs criminal record includes previous convictions in Livingston County for larceny and criminal sexual conduct, and earlier this month he was arraigned in Livingston County District Court for failing to register as a sex offender. Monday, he pleaded guilty to that charge, and to being a 4th time habitual offender. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to recommend a jail sentence with a minimum release date of December 10th. He has been bound over to circuit court, where he will be sentenced on September 9th. (JK)
Howell Man Enters Plea to Sex Offender ChargesHowell Man Enters Plea to Sex Offender Charges
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Theis, Vaupel In GOP House Races-Bishop & Schertzing in 8th RaceTheis, Vaupel In GOP House Races-Bishop & Schertzing in 8th Race
8/6/14 - There were some close local races despite light voter turnout being reported for Tuesday's August Primary Election. In the 8th Congressional District race, Mike Bishop won the Republican nomination and defeated Tom McMillin. Bishop will now face Eric Schertzing in November after the Ingham County Treasurer won the Democratic primary. There were highly contested local races for the GOP nominations to the Michigan House of Representatives. Handy Township Supervisor Hank Vaupel won the GOP nomination in the 47th State House District, defeating former Howell School Board Trustee Wendy Day by less than 500 votes. Brighton Township Treasurer Lana Theis was the top vote getter in the 42nd House District race, easily defeating the next-closest challenger, Rich Perlberg, by a nearly 2-1 margin. There were two seats being contested in the GOP primary for the Livingston County Board of Commissioners. 6th District Commissioner Steve Williams prevailed in a close race over challenger Steven Hart, as did 4th District Commissioner Ronald Van Houten over Douglas Helzerman. Results show that millage proposals fared well across Livingston County. Police and fire millage renewals passed easily in Green Oak Township. An operating millage renewal for the Putnam Township Fire Department passed as did a millage request for the Pinckney Community Public Library. Hamburg Township voters also approved a library millage while voters in both Cohoctah and Howell Township approved road millages. In Fowlerville, voters approved millage renewals for Fowlerville Community Schools and a mosquito control program. Complete election results are available through the below link to the Livingston County Clerk's website. (JM/JK)
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Lt. Governor Personally Congratulates Theis For Primary WinLt. Governor Personally Congratulates Theis For Primary Win
8/6/14 - Michiganâs Lt. Governor offered personal congratulations to one of last nightâs primary winners. Shortly after learning she had won the Republican primary for state representative in the 42nd District, Lana Theis was greeted by Lt. Governor Brian Calley, who arrived at Memories Restaurant to congratulate her. Thatâs where Theis, who is currently the Brighton Township Treasurer, was holding her campaign party. After stumping on the campaign trail in Grand Rapids and Lansing earlier in the day, Calley made special arrangements with Theis to attend her election night gathering accompanied by his wife, Julie. Theisâs husband, Samuel, and two children were also on hand. Theis easily won the primary, garnering the same votes as all of her three opponents combined. She now will take on Democrat Timothy Johnson in November. Photo: Douglas Peterson, Vizzle.com, Brighton, MI (JK)
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Manslaughter Hearing Delayed for Former Fowlerville MomManslaughter Hearing Delayed for Former Fowlerville Mom
8/6/14 - A trial date has been delayed for a former Fowlerville woman charged in Florida with the death of her infant daughter. 23-year-old Kylee Jean Copeland is charged in Polk County Circuit Court with manslaughter in the death of her 3-month-old daughter Nataley Jade Agee. An August 4th trial date had been set, but has been adjourned at the request of Copelandâs attorney. It is now set for a pre-trial hearing on August 12th at which time the judge will allow each side final motions before setting a new trial date. Agee was found dead in her crib in Lakeland, Florida in September, 2011. An autopsy determined the child had been dead for at least eight hours due to blunt force trauma to the head. When that contradicted Copelandâs initial account that she fed her daughter that morning and put her back in the crib, she changed her story, saying she dropped the baby, whose head struck the couch. She said she lied because she didnât want to lose her other children. This is not the first incident of child neglect for Copeland. She and Trevor Agee, the father of her three children, were pulled over by a Michigan State Police trooper in 2008 on I-96 near Fowlerville. The trooper saw a baby boy sitting sideways in a car seat with duct tape over his mouth, which Copeland and Agee admitted to placing there to hold his pacifier in place. Authorities declined to press charges and shortly afterwards, the pair moved to Florida to live with Agee's mother. (JM)
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September Ceremony to Honor Howell War Dog September Ceremony to Honor Howell War Dog
8/16/14 - A full military funeral will be held in Milford next month to honor a local K-9 hero. Military War Dog Shaman passed away last month and will be buried in the Michigan War Dog Memorial Cemetery during a special ceremony next month. The German Shepard served as a patrol, narcotics detection dog and served in Iraq before being diagnosed with a spinal cord disease and retiring. Shamanâs handler was Army Staff Sergeant Dennis Asher of Howell and fundraising efforts were successful to secure a headstone for Shaman. The Michigan War Dog Memorial is run by a band of volunteer military veterans and K-9 supporters. The unsung K-9 heroes receive full military burials in tribute of their service and the headstones are the only cost passed along to the handlers of military and police service dogs. Michigan War Dog Memorial Director Phil Weitlauf tells WHMI theyâre currently working on the arrangements for Shamanâs noon ceremony on September 6th. Weitlauf says the group has been increasing their focus on fundraising efforts for the headstones as well as securing corporate sponsorships for established goals with the memorial. Details can be found through the link below. (JM)
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Genoa Township Working to Fight Blight & Unsafe Structures Genoa Township Working to Fight Blight & Unsafe Structures
8/6/14 - The Genoa Township Board is looking to step up blight enforcement as well as the policing of unsafe structures. The clean-up status of the Suburban Mobile Estates manufactured housing community came up during Monday nightâs meeting. Itâs said to be in very poor disrepair and Supervisor Gary McCririe tells WHMI the township has been proactive and working to address that area for a number of months, maybe as long as a year and provided dumpsters free of charge for those who like to collect things, which was very well received and used. He says for those who didnât take advantage of the opportunity to unload or dispose of their treasures for free, the township will be assisting and offering encouragement as to how to go about doing so and cleaning up some of the blight. It was noted during the meeting that enforcement in general is challenging within these types of neighborhoods since its considered individual, private ownership. McCririe says theyâll be looking to the townshipâs ordinance officer for guidance moving forward, and to make sure that he has all of the tools needed to be effective in doing his job. If there are ordinances not on the books that need to be adopted then McCririe says theyâll proceed with that, which would require public hearings and start at the Planning Commission level. (JM)
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Dog Park Set to Open Saturday in HowellDog Park Set to Open Saturday in Howell
8/7/14 - The long-awaited opening of a Howell dog park is scheduled for this Saturday. The Countryside Veterinary Dog Park is located south of 911 Central Dispatch on Highlander Way Road. The facility has been in the works for three years, with donated money funding construction. The park will be open for free use from 10am to 1pm this Saturday. To be admitted, dogs must have vaccination and licensure papers ready for staff to inspect. Owners should also bring their own water and bowl, since water is not available on-site. One-year memberships to the dog park cost $60 and will be available for purchase at the grand opening. The proceeds will go toward the maintenance of the park. For more information, visit our website.
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Big Red Barrel To Appear At Hartland Walgreens This WeekendBig Red Barrel To Appear At Hartland Walgreens This Weekend
8/7/14 - The next appearance of the Big Red Barrel at a Walgreens location will take place in Hartland this Saturday. The Big Red Barrel serves as a dropoff point for residents to get rid of their unwanted or expired prescription drugs. Organizers say unused prescription drugs, especially painkillers, are one of the most common ways for young people to begin experimenting with substance abuse. Permanent barrels are currently located around the county at police stations, the Sheriffâs Department, and the Michigan State Police Brighton Post. This year, the Livingston County Community Alliance has once again partnered with Walgreens to hold collection events at the stores, allowing people to drop off their medications in a more familiar and accessible location. Appearances have taken place at Walgreens locations in Howell and Brighton, and this weekend an event will take place at the Hartland location at M-59 and Old US-23. Residents will not even have to leave their vehicles to drop off their drugs. (TD)
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Day Of Caring Seeking Volunteers For A Variety Of JobsDay Of Caring Seeking Volunteers For A Variety Of Jobs
8/7/14 - The 13th annual Day of Caring event will take place August 20th, and volunteers in a number of capacities are still being sought. The annual event brings together hundreds of volunteers to complete service projects around the county over the course of a single day, helping out public resources, senior citizens, nonprofit organizations, and local people in need. Baker says so far about 800 residents have signed up for the August 20th event, including individuals, families, organizations, and business groups. However, they are still looking to increase that number ahead of the event. Volunteers are assigned to projects at which they have special skills, and if they do not have those skills they can still request specific jobs to perform ranging from working and painting outdoors to putting up signs and office work. They can also choose whether to sign up for a morning shift, and afternoon shift, or both. Visit our website to learn more about the event and how to volunteer for service. Last yearâs Day of Caring included more than 1,300 volunteer shifts at 107 locations. (TD)
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Hartland Township Approves Road Millage Language For NovemberHartland Township Approves Road Millage Language For November
8/7/14 - Ballot language for a proposed road millage was approved by the Hartland Township Board last night. The unanimous approval will put the issue before voters in the November general election. The safer roads and pathways plan was created by a citizensâ task force after several meetings with the public to determine what the priorities are for local road maintenance and how to accomplish those goals. Central to that plan is a 1.5-mill increase to pay for the road work, which officials say the state will not do and the county cannot afford. If voters approve the road millage in November, they would see the cost appear on their December tax bills. The plan put forward by the township board is identical to the one discussed by residents at a public hearing July 22nd. After hearing the questions and suggestions of residents at that meeting, the task force felt confident in the plan as presented. One of the concerns brought forward by residents was the improvement of local sidewalks, which was originally part of the road improvement plan but later removed. Sidewalk improvements will instead be handled separately and paid for out of the general fund. The township board discussed that work last night as well, reviewing bids for planned sidewalk repairs and extensions in the downtown Hartland area. The estimated cost of that work is about $49,000. The project will be brought back to the township board for approval at its August 19th meeting and, if it goes through, should be completed before winter. (TD)
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South Lyon Paid Nearly $170K to Fire Manager & Hire ReplacementSouth Lyon Paid Nearly $170K to Fire Manager & Hire Replacement
8/7/14 - The City of South Lyon paid nearly $170,000 to fire former City Manager David Murphy and hire his replacement. Thatâs according to a cost breakdown requested by Councilman Harvey Wedell. The South Lyon Herald reports Wedell asked for the breakdown from Murphyâs successor, Lynne Ladner, after noticing the budget for the fiscal year that ended July 1st was short by $93,000. Murphy (pictured) was fired last October after a 4-3 vote by council. Of the just over $168,000 that was spent, nearly $98,000 went to Murphy in the form of a six-month severance as called for in his employment contract that included salary, vacation pay, benefits and retirement. The city also spent another $50,000 to hire former City Manager Rod Cook to serve as an interim manager until Ladner was brought on board in April. No reason has ever been offered by the council members who voted to oust Murphy why he was fired. South Lyon Mayor Tedd Wallace, who led the effort to terminate Murphyâs employment, says he believes that Ladnerâs experience in grant acquisitions will eventually offset the costs incurred in Murphyâs firing. (JK)
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Weekend Events Aim to Boost Backpack for Kids CampaignWeekend Events Aim to Boost Backpack for Kids Campaign
8/7/14 - Some events will be held this weekend as part of a larger campaign to collect school supplies and backpacks for local families and students in need. The Livingston Educational Service Agencyâs Annual Backpacks for Kids campaign is getting into the final weeks, with the distribution event set for Thursday, August 21st. LESA and numerous community partners help provide backpacks and basic school supplies to students in preschool through 12th grade, whose families may be experiencing financial difficulties. Organizers are hoping families will pick up an extra set of supplies or a backpack when out shopping to donate and give the campaign a boost. Great Start Livingston Coordinator Robin Schutz tells WHMI there will be a couple of opportunities to do this weekend. A Stuff the Bus event will be held at the Howell Wal-Mart this Friday from 10am until 2pm as well as a while a separate fundraiser at the Five Below store in the Green Oak Village Place Mall, in which 10% of dollars spent will be donated to the Backpacks for Kids program for supplies. A flyer for the Five Below fundraiser is available on the LESA website, as well as a wish list of supplies being collected and additional sites that are serving as drop-off sites this summer. A link is posted below. (JM)
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Milford Village Council Appoints New MemberMilford Village Council Appoints New Member
8/7/14 - A spot on the Milford Village Council is vacant no more. Council met Monday and voted unanimously to appoint Dave Pehrson to fill the open seat. Heâs lived in Milford for a little more than seven years and volunteers at community events, including this weekendâs Milford Memories. Pehrsonâs resignation as an alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals was required as a condition of his appointment, which Council voted to accept. Heâs been a member of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters Local 687 for over 25 years and currently serves as the local president, bringing years of experience as a carpenter and knowledge of the construction industry as a whole to the table. When asked if he would be able to fulfill the time commitment associated with serving on Council, Pearson said that he would - adding heâs comfortable working with people since his other role as a business representative with the union requires interacting with individuals and problem solving on a daily basis. Pehrsonâs appointment is effective until November and he has plans to run for election at that time. Facebook Photo. (JM)
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First Phase of Grand River Rehabilitation Project in Sight First Phase of Grand River Rehabilitation Project in Sight
8/7/14 - A big weekend of asphalt paving is planned for those traveling on Grand River through the Brighton and Howell areas. The Livingston County Road Commission has been doing lots of rehabilitation work along a stretch of Grand River from roughly Hughes Road to just past Hacker Road. The two-mile resurfacing project has had traffic down to one lane in either direction of Grand River since early June. Crews have been milling asphalt on the north side this week and will be making any needed repairs to the base on the edge of the road before paving it back over. Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine tells WHMI that will involve a lot of trucks and equipment because multiple lanes are paved at a time so caution will be required. After the final paving work wraps up, Craine says theyâll do some painting and re-seed any turf that was disturbed. Although the work is scheduled for completion August 15th, motorists are reminded thereâs still another phase to go that will begin after Labor Day. Crews will pick up where they left off and start the same work along Grand River, from just east of Hacker Road down to the I-96 interchange. (JM)
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Local Hearing Set in 2011 Green Oak Township MurderLocal Hearing Set in 2011 Green Oak Township Murder
8/7/14 - Itâs been nearly three years since a grisly Livingston County murder, but after an appeal to the stateâs highest court, the case will be back on track next week. The Michigan Supreme Court in June overturned a previous opinion concerning the confession made by 30-year-old George Tanner, which ruled it was admissible in court. Police say Tanner and Brian Stafford murdered 40-year-old Christopher Townsend on October 15th of 2011 and then dismembered and burned the body on a wooded property owned by Tannerâs uncle in Green Oak Township. Police say Tanner confessed to the crime while in custody, but the defense argued that confession was inadmissible because a lawyer previously requested by Tanner was waiting to see him, but police did not inform him of that fact. Judge David Reader agreed with that claim, which was backed up by a previous Michigan Supreme Court ruling in the case of the People v. Bender, which said a suspect must be told promptly when an attorney attempts to contact them. Prosecutors appealed that decision to the stateâs highest court which by a 5-2 vote overturned People v. Bender, saying Tanner knowingly waived his Miranda rights when he reinitiated contact with police to make his confession. The case returns to Livingston County Circuit Court for a hearing on Friday, August 15th in front of Judge Michael Hatty, who is now presiding. The hearing is expected to allow the defense and prosecution to coordinate a trial schedule. Stafford was previously sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to 2nd degree murder. (JK)
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Howell Fire Gets Help From Civilians For Mock Accident TrainingHowell Fire Gets Help From Civilians For Mock Accident Training
8/8/14 - Civilian actors helped bring a training scenario to life for the Howell Area Fire Department this week. On Wednesday, the department held a training session on Thompson Lake to prepare firefighters for an open-water incident. Cadets, volunteers, and the firefightersâ own family members played the role of victims of the mock accident. They were placed on the shore, in boats, and in the water with realistic injuries so firefighters could train to rescue and treat them on the scene. Organizers say the crews effectively managed the scene using their resources and even improvising when necessary. Photos from the event have been posted on the departmentâs Facebook page. (TD)
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Brighton Moves Forward on SmartZone ApplicationBrighton Moves Forward on SmartZone Application
8/8/14 - After a presentation by Ann Arbor Spark officials and Cleary University President Tom Sullivan, the Brighton City Council Thursday night approved a resolution to apply with neighboring Howell to be a Satellite SmartZone. The city of Ann Arbor would be the âhostâ SmartZone if the application is approved by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The program is designed to be a catalyst for attracting new businesses into the communities in which SmartZones are located. Council was told that Brighton and Howell would benefit with the addition of manufacturing, high tech and energy-related businesses to their communities as a result of being in the program. Luke Bonner, Vice President for Business Development at Ann Arbor Spark, says Brighton and Howell will be competing with other areas for designation as a Satellite SmartZone. Bonner says SmartZones capture a portion of local taxes through the communitiesâ Local Development Finance Authority, or LDFA. A community approved as a satellite SmartZone is required to partner with a university, and Sullivan says if Brighton and Howell are approved, Cleary would be the service provider. Each community would be required to contribute a modest amount of funding to participate in the program. (TT)
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Businesses Prepare To Move Into Cornerstone BuildingBusinesses Prepare To Move Into Cornerstone Building
8/8/14 - As the new Cornerstone building in Fenton nears completion, businesses that will be located inside it are preparing to begin work on their own spaces. The 47,000-square-foot building is located at the intersection of LeRoy Street and Silver Lake Road. The bottom floor will consist of businesses, including a salon, a jeweler, a café, and a Japanese bistro, while the upper floor will provide loft housing. According to the Tri County Times the majority of the work on the building is done, despite delays by cold weather and rain earlier in the year. Businesses on the bottom floor are planning to begin sending in contractors to prepare their work spaces beginning this month, with the goal of being open to the public by November ahead of the Holiday shopping season. The loft housing on the second floor should be ready for occupancy by mid-January. (TD)
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Wooden Spoon Duo Takes Narrow Victory In 10th Iron Chef EventWooden Spoon Duo Takes Narrow Victory In 10th Iron Chef Event
8/8/14 - A single missed plate was the difference between victory and defeat at the 10th annual Gleaners Iron Chef competition last night. More than 500 people gathered at Bordineâs Nursery for the event, which raises funds for Gleanerâs Community Food Bank through a combination of ticket sales, a silent auction, and donations. The event is the sole fundraiser for the organizationâs Shared Harvest Pantry in Genoa Township. Last year's event raised approximately $100,000 which translated into 300,000 meals for Livingston County residents in need. This year, past winners were randomly paired off into two teams, with as Jody Brunori of The Laundry in Fenton and Patrick Srock of the Lakelands Golf & Country Club facing off against Steve Pilon and Tammy Young of the Wooden Spoon in Brighton. This year also featured two secret ingredients to be incorporated into the dishes instead of just one: locally-harvested blueberries as well as beer from the Witchâs Hat Brewery in South Lyon. Brunori and Srock won out in the appetizer and dessert categories, but for the entrée portion they were only able to complete 4 plates rather than the required five, costing them the points they would have gotten from the final judge. In the final tally, they lost by only half a point to Pilon and Young of the Wooden Spoon. Both sides were good sports, and the winners even credited Brunori and Srock for the close finish. New this year was a mixology competition, with two bartenders competing to make the best cocktail with a secret ingredient of their own. This year, Lindsay Palizzi of the Downtown Main martini Bar and Grille in Brighton beat Dani Borden from Diamonds Steak and Seafood in Howell at creating a cocktail that incorporated cucumber as the secret ingredient. (TD)
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Interim Officers Named to Lead Livingston County Salvation ArmyInterim Officers Named to Lead Livingston County Salvation Army
8/8/14 - Interim officers have been named to temporarily lead The Salvation Army of Livingston County. The Salvation Army accepted the resignation of Lieutenants Tim and Julie Perkins last week, who left for personal reasons. Majors Juanita and John Morrison will begin immediately and lead the corps community center on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is named. The Morrisonâs have 35 years of experience as commissioned officers and officially retired from The Salvation Army in Syracuse, New York in June 2009. However, they have continued to work part time for The Salvation Army in Cheboygan, where Major John serves as Chaplain for Spiritual Ministries and Major Juanita is the Community Care Ministries Director. Major Juanita will oversee daily operations of the Livingston County Corps while Major John will split his service between the local Corps and Cheboygan. The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division and local advisory board members are currently in the process of identifying a permanent replacement officer for the Livingston County Corps. (JK)
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