8/8/14 - A head-on collision Thursday afternoon in Hartland Township left one of the involved drivers seriously injured. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department says deputies were dispatched to Clyde Road near Cullen Road around 4:20pm for a two vehicle personal injury crash. A preliminary investigation indicates that a 2008 Jeep Commander operated by a 35 year old Burton resident was eastbound on Clyde Road when the driver became distracted and lost control. The vehicle then struck a bridge abutment which caused it to veer into oncoming traffic, where it struck a 2002 Mercury Sable traveling west on Clyde Road. The 35 year old driver of the Mercury, who is from the Pinckney area, had to be extricated by Hartland Fire Department personnel prior to being airlifted to the U of M Hospital with life threatening injuries. The other driver was transported by Livingston County EMS to the Hurley Medical Center in Flint with non-life threatening injuries. The road was closed for approximately five hours after the crash, which remains under investigation by the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department Traffic Safety Bureau. (JK)
Head-On Hartland Twp. Crash Seriously Injures Pinckney ManHead-On Hartland Twp. Crash Seriously Injures Pinckney Man
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Brighton Council Files Suit for Home Site Plan ViolationsBrighton Council Files Suit for Home Site Plan Violations
8/8/14 - The Brighton City Council Thursday night took action to sue the builder and developer of the Springhill site condominium development on Flint Road due to serious erosion problems. Again, as they had at the last council meeting, residents of the Springhill housing development appeared to express their discontent with the progress of corrections being required by the city as part of its revised site plan. Residents have been complaining that back yards are being washed away down hilly slopes (as pictured here in submitted photo from resident), boulder walls are failing and a drop off between the sidewalk and a steep slope poses a safety hazard. Nancy Durant of Spring Mountain Dr. told council members the boulder wall between her unit and the adjacent unit had fallen down three times. City engineer Gary Markstrom of Tetra Tech gave another update to council, saying that when an inspection was performed on July 29, owner Trevor Surdu had not addressed 5 of 12 âunacceptableâ items and a plan had not been presented for remedial action on the failing boulder walls. Surdu replied that he is working with Boss Engineering Co. on remedial action, but the company has been âextremely busyâ and he could not promise a delivery date for a revised design. Markstrom has said that the grading and retaining walls must be restored and stabilized and common areas landscaped with a mix of grass types to guard against future erosion. He added that Surdu needed to replace curb and gutter and replace the pavement. Surdu admitted there are problems and he takes full responsibility. After lengthy discussion council voted 6-0, with one abstention, to sue Surdu, his company, SDG Homes of Brighton, and his partners in the Springhill development. City Attorney Paul Burns told council the suit needed to be filed as expeditiously as possible in order to get the case adjudicated in the courts. He said this way, the appropriate court orders could be issued and corrections made yet this construction season. (TT)
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Howell Motorcyclist Critical After Thursday CrashHowell Motorcyclist Critical After Thursday Crash
8/8/14 - A Howell man is hospitalized in critical condition following a motorcycle accident Thursday morning. Green Oak Township Police responded to the 9am crash at the intersection of Kensington Court and Lochlin Drive. Upon arrival, officers found that a Honda Motorcycle had struck an International box truck. Witnesses reported to police that the operator of the motorcycle, an 18-year-old Howell man, attempted to pass the truck as it was completing a left hand turn onto Lochlin Drive from Kensington Court. Police say the motorcycle began passing after the truck had already slowed and signaled its turn. The Howell man ended up striking the side of the truck as it turned left and was thrown from the motorcycle. Police say he sustained serious, life threatening, injuries as a result and was transported by Livingston County EMS to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor for emergency medical treatment, where he remains in critical condition. The driver of the truck, a 57-year-old Stockbridge man, was not injured. Police say the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet and the accident investigation remains open. (JM)
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Detroit Man Enters Local Plea to Charges in Mortgage-Rescue Scam Detroit Man Enters Local Plea to Charges in Mortgage-Rescue Scam
8/9/14 - A Detroit man charged in Livingston County District Court as part of a mortgage-rescue scam has entered a plea. 43-year-old Rolondo Sage Campbell pleaded no contest to charges of uttering and publishing, larceny by conversion and violating the Credit Services Protection Act. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a separate count of obtaining money under false pretenses of between $1,000 and $20,000. The court took the plea under advisement and Campbell will be sentenced as a third time habitual offender on September 18th by 53rd District Court Judge Carol Sue Reader. Campbell is among four southeast Michigan individuals and three companies charged by Attorney General Bill Schuetteâs office for allegedly operating fraudulent mortgage-rescue or loan-modification schemes. Authorities say that from October of 2010 to December of 2011, Campbell operated a company in Detroit, E3A, that claimed to be a nonprofit that could rescue people from bad mortgages by arranging short sales of their homes. A Howell woman is among his victims. Campbell faces similar criminal charges in Macomb County District Court. In addition, his business also faces charges in both counties. (JM)
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Genoa Township Board Approves Large Item Policy ChangeGenoa Township Board Approves Large Item Policy Change
8/9/14 - Who doesnât like free stuff? That was part of the thought process behind a policy change in one local community. The Genoa Township Board recently modified its large refuse item sticker program. It serves as an alternative to large item collection days and encourages the use of curbside service through the townshipâs refuse hauling company. Supervisor Gary McCririe tells WHMI the program has been wildly popular and the township already subsidized half the cost of the first sticker but more recently, customers were coming in under the impression it was free. Officials say that has never been the case but it led them to think why not, since it could be done at a relatively small cost to the township and help keep the community clean. The board voted unanimously to provide the first sticker at no cost to any residential property currently paying refuse fees, starting in January of 2015. Each sticker thereafter will remain available for $10 within a calendar year. Officials felt the change could provide another tool for code enforcement, in addition to serving as an incentive for customers to get rid of large items, thus reducing the amount of roadside dumping. (JM)
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Man Enters Plea to Federal Child Porn Charges Man Enters Plea to Federal Child Porn Charges
8/9/14 - A White Lake Township man has entered a plea to federal child pornography charges. 34-year-old John Millmine entered the plea after authorities say he shared explicit videos of himself and a toddler. Federal court records show Millmine pleaded guilty to one count of producing child pornography and one count of distributing it. He faces a minimum sentence of 15 years but could receive up to 30 years behind bars and be ordered to pay $250,000 in fines. Millmine came under suspicion last fall after the Homeland Security Investigations office in Detroit received information that an e-mail address linked to Millmine had received child pornography. A separate investigation then revealed that similar material was also sent out from that same address to a recipient in Ireland. When agents arrested Millmine November 11th on outstanding warrants for failing to pay child support and misdemeanor marijuana possession, they confiscated a smartphone that then linked him to numerous other female children. Millmine will be sentenced in U.S. District Court in Detroit December 9th. (JM)
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Grand River Paving Rescheduled; Work to Begin MondayGrand River Paving Rescheduled; Work to Begin Monday
8/9/14 - Thereâs been a scheduling change associated with a large rehabilitation project on Grand River in the Howell and Brighton areas. Paving work that was originally expected to start this weekend on Grand River has now been moved out to Monday. The two-mile resurfacing project from roughly Hughes Road to Hacker Road is still largely on track to meet the original completion date for the first phase of August 15th. Traffic has been down to one lane in either direction of Grand River since early June. While construction is always weather dependent, Livingston County Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine tells WHMI they'll be doing some fine tuning fixes Saturday and contractors are expected to begin the paving Monday. The paving had to be rescheduled due to some needed repairs at Capital City Airport. The work on Grand River Monday will involve a lot of trucks, equipment and activity because of multiple lanes being paved so motorists are reminded to use caution when traveling through the area. The next phase of the project begins 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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Arizona Motorcyclist Hospitalized After Crash on Chilson RoadArizona Motorcyclist Hospitalized After Crash on Chilson Road
8/9/14 - An out-of-state man was injured in a motorcycle crash on Chilson Road in Genoa Township. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department is investigating the accident, which was dispatched shortly after 8am and involved an Arizona man. The motorcycle was lying off on the shoulder, along a curve on Chilson Road, north of Brighton Road. Deputies on scene told WHMI the man was not wearing a helmet but that his injuries were believed to be non-life threatening. He was transported to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. (JM)
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HHS Grad Places in National Medical Spelling Competition HHS Grad Places in National Medical Spelling Competition
8/10/14 - A recent Howell High School graduate took fourth place in a national medical spelling competition. Jessica Greene took fourth place in the Medical Spelling competition at the annual Health Occupation Students of America National Leadership Conference. It was held in Orlando, Florida and members from around the country competed in various competitions related to health occupations. Additionally, students attended workshops and informational sessions about current health care topics.
Greene, a 2014 Howell High School graduate, advanced to the national competition after claiming first place in medical spelling at the state level competition. Howell Health Occupations Teacher Cathy Highfield called it a real accomplishment. She says HOSA has more than 165,000 members nationally so to have one of their students reach the national competition really speaks to Jessicaâs dedication and the quality of Howellâs program. (JM)
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Catholic Charities To Hold Foster Parenting Seminar This MonthCatholic Charities To Hold Foster Parenting Seminar This Month
8/10/14 - Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent is encouraged to attend a seminar later this month explaining the process. Livingston County Catholic Charities will hold an orientation seminar on August 21st for any prospective foster parents. The organization says it is trying to train people to help cope with the rising number of children entering foster care in Livingston County, and that right now there are not enough foster homes locally to handle the demand. Foster care is used to accommodate local children who have been the victims of neglect or abuse, and housing those children close to their home of origin helps maintain stability in their lives. The seminar will be held from 6 to 8pm on Thursday, August 21 at the Catholic Charities headquarters on Grand River in Howell. To RSVP, call Beverly at (517) 545-5944. Seminars on becoming a foster parent will continue to be held on the third Thursday of every month. (TD)
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City Of Fenton Asks Marketing Firm Not To Walk AwayCity Of Fenton Asks Marketing Firm Not To Walk Away
8/11/14 - The City of Fenton is reaching out to its marketing firm, trying to prevent them from walking away from an ongoing project. Mayor Sue Osborne says the city and Downtown Development Authority began looking at hiring a full-time marketing person to take over for New Moon Visions, which has been with the city for four years. She tells WHMI that the new DDA budget earlier this spring reflected that possibility, and it cannot be changed now that it was approved back in May. However, it is still the desire of the DDA and the city to keep New Moon on to complete their work on the ongoing streetscape program, which they say is half-finished. With the new budget in place, New Moon chose not to renew its contract, thinking the city had gone in a different direction. At a work session last week, some council members said they were concerned that New Moon was so quick to walk away from a half-finished project, but all agreed that the company has done a great job and they want them to return. It was resolved that city leaders would reach out to the firm and ask it to return at least until the streetscape is complete. It was scheduled for completion this year, but funding from both the federal and state governments fell through. The project will involve improvements to the downtown including brick pavers, planter boxes, trash receptacles, and benches for pedestrians. New Moon was responsible for connecting with local businesses, finding out what they need, and sharing their concerns with the city. (TD)
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Police Chase Suspect Enters PleaPolice Chase Suspect Enters Plea
8/11/14 - A man has entered a plea after a high speed freeway chase in a stolen vehicle. 21-year-old Kevin Vincent-Lynn Jones pleaded guilty as charged on Friday in Livingston County Circuit Court. He was charged with fleeing and eluding as a second time habitual offender based on a prior conviction out of Wayne County. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed to recommend a 36-month jail cap. Police say Jones was the driver of a stolen vehicle involved in a high speed police chase June 3rd that began in Ingham County and continued at speeds reaching 120 miles per hour along I-96 before finally ending in Brighton after stop sticks were deployed by State Police. The 18-year-old passenger in the vehicle, identified as Jonesâ brother, is not being charged locally, although the pair is expected to face charges in Southgate, where they are alleged to have tied up a 92-year-old woman and stole her car, which was the same one used in the chase. (JK)
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Fenton Joins Crimemapping WebsiteFenton Joins Crimemapping Website
8/11/14 - Fenton residents who are concerned or just curious about crime in their neighborhoods can now look to a new online service. The Fenton Police Department is now live on the site CrimeMapping.com. Residents who visit the site can view where crimes have happened in their neighborhoods as well as what sort of incidents took place. The city is one of 43 municipalities taking part in the program, including Detroit, Flint, and Ann Arbor, according to the Tri County Times. The website is free to use and does not cost the department anything. Fenton Police say the website will keep residents better informed, and Chief Rick Aro says access to the information should help reduce the number of crimes overall. (TD)
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Howell Bank To Host Hostage Training EventHowell Bank To Host Hostage Training Event
8/11/14 - Motorists will likely notice a large presence of police officers and vehicles at a local bank later this month but thereâs no cause for alarm as itâs only a training exercise. The Genoa Township branch of First National Bank on Grand River, just East of Latson Road will be hosting a training exercise for the Livingston County Sheriffâs Tactical Response Team and hostage negotiators. The bank will offer a real-life environment for the officers from coordinating agencies to train and practice responding to and diffusing hostage situations. First National Director of Operations Patti Griffith says staff will be watching what happens to learn how the agencies respond to situations such as this. Detective Matt Shutes with the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department says various training exercises allow local first responders to hone their skills and be prepared when called upon. He says the county is fortunate to have well trained, professional first responders for a variety of situations â beyond hostage negotiation. The upcoming training is scheduled for Wednesday evening, August 27th. (JM)
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Dog Involved in Second Whitmore Lake Attack; Charges ConsideredDog Involved in Second Whitmore Lake Attack; Charges Considered
8/11/14 - One of the dogs implicated in an attack on a Whitmore Lake woman and her dog last month is now being identified as having bitten a young girl a month before that. Brent Stanley, who has four daughters, lives in Northfield Estates in Whitmore Lake. Thatâs where his 5-year-old daughter was attacked and bitten by a pit bull on June 24th. She suffered four puncture marks, two on top and two on bottom. Stanley says they called 911 and took her to the hospital. He says she was fortunate the dog was up to date on shots and that the bite wasnât worse because of how big the dog is. Stanley says he was told there would be a follow-up and tried contacting animal control several times but was unsuccessful in obtaining any answers. Thatâs a similar story experienced by another resident who says the same dog and another belonging to the same owner attacked and killed her poodle terrier and mauled her hands on July 17th. Ellen Mohan, whose story was profiled last week on WHMI, says the dogs were supposed to be quarantined by the Huron Valley Humane Society for ten days but instead were allowed to go home, where they remained up until Friday, when authorities finally acted to remove the dogs from the neighborhood. Stanley says he learned what happened to Mohan from neighbors who heard the story on WHMI and heâs amazed the dogs had been allowed to remain free after the attack on his daughter. Northfield Township Police submitted Mohanâs report to the Washtenaw County Prosecutorâs Office for review and possible charges against the dogâs owner. Northfield Director of Public Safety Bill Wagner tells WHMI they obtained a court order Friday to have the dogs quarantined at the Huron Valley Humane Society, pending the outcome of hearing this Thursday in Washtenaw County District Court. (JM)
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Brighton Fire Departments Sets 9/11 Tribute Run & CeremonyBrighton Fire Departments Sets 9/11 Tribute Run & Ceremony
8/11/14 - The men and women lost in the attacks of September 11th will be commemorated during events next month in Brighton. The Brighton Area Fire Department will host a 5K walk and run on Saturday, September 6th. The race, which starts at the Mill Pond and finishes at the departmentâs 9/11 Memorial on Grand River, will feature many firefighters participating in full turnout gear to honor the 343 firefighters who died in the attacks. Check-in is at 8am, with the race starting at 9. Details are online at through the link below. The race will be followed five days later with the Brighton Area Fire Departmentâs annual 9/11 Tribute to Our Fallen Heroes on Thursday, September 11th at 7:30pm. That will be held at the main fire station on West Grand River with parking available in various lots adjacent to the station. There will also be staff available to direct those attending. (JK)
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Howell Rest Stop Along I-96 to Close Starting TuesdayHowell Rest Stop Along I-96 to Close Starting Tuesday
8/11/14 - Drivers needing a pit stop as they head eastbound on I-96 through Howell will need to hold off for a few exits. Starting at 6am Tuesday, the rest area off eastbound I-96 near Howell will be closed for approximately 1 month. The Michigan Department of Transportation says the facility will be closed so crews can install a new drain field at the rest area. In addition, there will be a full-time, single lane closure on eastbound I-96 starting at M-59. The left lane on eastbound I-96 will be closed for the duration of the rest area closure. The facility is expected to reopen in early September. (JK)
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Local Man Hit By Vehicle While Mowing Lawn Friday Local Man Hit By Vehicle While Mowing Lawn Friday
8/11/14 - A local man is recovering after being hit by a vehicle while mowing his lawn late Friday afternoon. Deputies with the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department were called out around 5pm to an accident at the corner of Chilson and Beck Roads in Genoa Township. A 2010 Ford van operated by a 60-year-old Howell man was traveling westbound on Beck Road when he failed to yield right-of-way and struck a southbound Chevy Malibu on Chilson Road, driven by an 18-year-old Howell resident. The Malibu spun out of control from the impact and ended up striking Martin Wikaryasz, who was cutting the grass with a push mower at his home on the corner. He was transported to the University of Michigan Medical Center and suffered a broken leg and broken arm, as well as some other injuries to his elbow along with bumps and bruises. Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte tells WHMI he was in fair condition today and doing better but considering the circumstances, the man was pretty fortunate as it could have easily been a fatal situation. Bezotte says alcohol and speed didnât appear to be factors in the crash but the driver of the van was ticketed for hazardous action/failure to yield. (JM)
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Members of Howell's 1462nd National Guard Unit Help at CrashMembers of Howell's 1462nd National Guard Unit Help at Crash
8/11/14 - The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department had some helping hands with a three-vehicle accident Saturday afternoon. It happened on Highland Road near Hartland Woods Drive at around 4:00 Saturday. Sheriff Bob Bezotte tells WHMI six members of the Michigan National Guard 1462nd Transportation Company based in Howell were on their way home from training and stopped to help out. He says they were directing and re-directing traffic around the accident scene and their help was very much appreciated. Livingston County EMS and members of the Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority also assisted and Undersheriff Mike Murphy arrived first on scene. Bezotte says a 27-year-old Howell woman in a Nissan Altima was westbound on Highland Road when she rear-ended a Mercury Mystique, driven by a 55-year-old Hartland woman. Bezotte says the Mystique then hit a Ford Fusion traveling eastbound that was driven by a 48-year-old Howell woman. Bezotte says the drivers of the Mystique and Fusion were taken by ambulance to the University of Michigan hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Alcohol and speed were not believed to be factors. (JM)
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Brighton Officials Continue Search For Parking SolutionsBrighton Officials Continue Search For Parking Solutions
8/11/14 - As Brightonâs restaurant presence becomes greater, so has the cityâs need for parking. With downtown Brighton becoming a destination due to the growing number of restaurants and shops, the city is looking to address the need for more parking. The idea of a parking garage, or adding more lots, both had support after talking to local business owners and people downtown, although some were fine with leaving the situation how it currently is. The city purchased land on North Street that currently is being used for temporary parking, but would be the location of the proposed garage. The city has estimated the cost for a parking garage to be $7 million for a 191-space, four level structure. DDA Director Matt Modrack said that's too expensive of a price tag, and the city is exploring other options. He adds that the city put itself in a good position by purchasing the property on North and West streets because the location is good for a structure should the city decide it can afford it. Several people WHMI spoke with downtown recently had varying opinions. Some supported the idea of a parking garage, while others said they would rather see different arrangements and felt a garage would ruin the ascetic of the downtown area. The overflow of cars occurs mainly during Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights and during festivals or events downtown. However, during the daytime parking is usually easy to find. Modrack said a deal between the city and CSX Railroad is almost complete that would give Brighton access to a lot that could hold 80 to 90 new spaces. The space would be leased for around $5,000 and would be ready in the spring. (AV)
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