8/12/14 - There are still spots for young drivers to take part in a free distracted driving course later this month. The Teen Distracted Driving Initiative will have two classes on Saturday, August 23rd. The free course will be offered at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. with a limit of 20 students per class. It is available to all students in the area who have a valid driverâs license and are enrolled in high school. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department and Green Oak Township Police Department will be working with FT Techno of America, the Fowlerville Proving Ground where the class will be conducted. Students will have an opportunity to use âfatal visionâ drunk driving goggles and take part in texting while driving scenarios, two issues which the Sheriffâs Department says remain major problems with younger drivers. Officials say there are still several spots open in the class and anyone in enrolling can contact the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department at (517)546-2440
or by e-mailing; csell@livgov.com. The class is offered free of charge thanks in part to a $3,000 donation from State Farm Insurance Agent Katie Pikkarainen of Fowlerville. (JK)
Spots Remain For Free Distracted Driving CourseSpots Remain For Free Distracted Driving Course
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Race Will Light Up Night For Local Non-Profit GroupRace Will Light Up Night For Local Non-Profit Group
8/12/14 - Itâs almost glow time for an event that will benefit a local community theater group. The Glow in the Park 5k will be held at Camp Dearborn in Milford from 9 to 11pm this Saturday, with proceeds benefiting the Community Theatre of Howell. Glow in the Park will feature foam, color, glow water, black lights, a live DJ and dance party as well as free food and glow accessories. There will also be will be special UV glow tunnels at each of the color stations. The event is organized by Trivium Racing, which holds races across the country and partners up with local non-profit groups who receive 25% of the proceeds in exchange for providing volunteers to staff the event. Those who register by Thursday will also receive a price break. Details about Glow in the Park and a link to the registration site can be found through the link below. The Community Theater of Howell is a non-profit that works to foster and encourage public appreciation for the performing arts and provides a variety of productions, programs and workshops to the community. (JK)
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Howell Council Again Deliberates Swales & Parking IssuesHowell Council Again Deliberates Swales & Parking Issues
8/12/14 - Parking problems and enforcement around the City of Howell dominated Monday nightâs council meeting. A motion to amend current ordinance and allow off-street parking was proposed by Councilman Doug Heins, who presented photos demonstrating what he feels are problems around the city. Heins commented it was the "crappy" street project that created problems like ruts, divots and the erosion of road shoulders. Council voted against the removal of any language from the ordinance, with the exception of Heins. They felt it would only exasperate problems in the short term with people parking in swales while others commented the ordinance should be enforced as written by the police department o ensure consistency. Parking remains permitted only on hard surface areas and it was previously stated there is no confusion with interpretation of the ordinance by police officers. Mayor Phil Campbell says everyone recognizes the problems pointed out by Heins exist and he also drove around taking photos. Campbell said he wasnât convinced the ordinance should be changed, adding he never viewed the problem as a matter of two classes of citizens or roads. Councilman Scott Niblock commented that Heins made a fair point but felt the application of his solution was faulty. He agreed the parking ordinance is not being enforced and felt itâs confusing but said the change would have basically given people a free pass to park in the swales, leaving more ruts in them and further breaking down the shoulders. Councilman Heins raised further issues with people putting up stakes and big boulders next to the street to prohibit people from parking in swale areas, saying âit looks like crapâ. Although illegal under the ordinance, itâs not something rigorously enforced and Heins says the hard objects are obstructions that do not provide for safe streets. Councilman Steve Manor said he has admiration for those taking it upon themselves protect the swales and suggested additional signage on streets with them to help guide parking decisions. Others felt some problems could be solved by adding curbing or doing milling work. (JM)
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St. Joe Brighton Among Facilities Sharing $10M Research GrantSt. Joe Brighton Among Facilities Sharing $10M Research Grant
8/12/14 - The St. Joseph Mercy Health System, including locations in Brighton and Chelsea, will be improving their facilities as part of a major cancer research grant. St. Joeâs Michigan Cancer Research Consortium took top marks in a very competitive contest to receive a $10 million grant from the National Cancer Institute. The money will allow patients throughout the consortium to participate in clinical trials for the latest advancements in cancer treatment, including new vaccines, radiation strategies, methods of reducing the side effects of treatments, and using the genetic makeup of the patientâs tumor to create targeted treatments. They will also explore the best ways to get make the new treatments available to people who do not typically have access to quality cancer care. Participating locations will include the St. Joseph Mercy locations in Brighton, Chelsea, Livonia, and Ann Arbor, as well as Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Earlier this summer, St. Joeâs Mercy Health Systems announced that it would be launching a $25 million revitalization program that will add private patient rooms at St. Joseph Mercy Livingston hospital and develop a short stay service at St. Joseph Mercy Brighton. (TD)
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Charter Academy Proponents Press Case to BAS BoardCharter Academy Proponents Press Case to BAS Board
8/12/14 - A huge contingent of parents and other supporters of a proposed charter school academy packed a Brighton Board of Education meeting Monday night, pressing their case for the âLindbom Classical Academyâ. The academy would be located at the site of the old Lindbom Elementary School, which closed its doors several years ago. The 150 or more citizens at the meeting implored the board to approve the academy, arguing that it would not compete with the Brighton Area Schools for students. Paul Sullivan, the chief spokesman for the American Classical Academies, told the board that the academy would blend harmoniously with the local public schools and would ultimately bring more families into the community. Those in the audience said many people in the area have a desire for a traditional classical academy which would supply students with a liberal arts education, taught in the context of moral and ethical values. People came from as far away as Linden to voice their support. Superintendent Greg Gray says thereâs really nothing for the board to approve at this point, since it had already given the green light to the ACA to convert the building into a charter school if all the criteria are met. The ACA has an offer of $1.45 million on the table. Thatâs $100,000 more than Robertson Brothers Homes, which was originally approved as the buyer. The Robertson deal fell through, however, when Robertson failed to obtain a necessary grant to demolish the property and ran into other problems. Gray says ACA will have 150 days to perform its due diligence and consummate the purchase. The board did reach consensus on making another offer the backup offer to ACAâs, should the deal fall through. The newest offer is $1.6 million â which is higher than the ACA offer - and is by the Grainger Construction Company. According to Gray the company wants to buy the property and convert it into senior assisted living development. Although Board member Bill Trombley, a Grainger employee, is not associated with that aspect of the company, he willingly agreed to abstain from any discussion or action on the proposal as a potential conflict of interest. (TT)
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Lengthy Prison Terms Issued for Murder of Former Brighton ManLengthy Prison Terms Issued for Murder of Former Brighton Man
8/12/14 - Two men convicted in the robbery and killing of a former Livingston County man received lengthy prison terms yesterday while a third will learn his fate later this month. The trio was charged with the murder of 53-year-old John Mick, who was shot to death at the Flint River Village Apartments in August of 2010. Mick, who lived in Brighton for 14 years, receive had worked as an engineering technician at the GM Proving Grounds in Milford before retiring to take a security guard job in Flint. 22-year-old Floyd Gene Perkins and 21-year-old Kenya Ali Hyatt were convicted in July by a Genesee County jury of first-degree murder in the case as well as armed robbery and firearms charges. A third defendant, 33-year-old Aaron Williams, was only convicted on the armed robbery and firearms charges. Williams received an enhanced sentence as a 4th time habitual offender and must serve 25 to 50 years in prison. Perkins was sentenced to 23 years and 9 months behind bars and a maximum of 50 years. Both were also convicted on a felony firearm charge, which carries a two-year prison sentence that must be served consecutively. Williams and Perkins must pay restitution in the amount of $689,688, which includes funeral expenses. They each have the right to appeal and requests were filed for the appointment of attorneys. Perkins had faced life in prison without the possibility of parole, as does Hyatt, who was only 17 at the time of the murder and will be sentenced on August 25th. (JM)
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Laundry In Fenton To Hold Launch Party For Brewing OperationLaundry In Fenton To Hold Launch Party For Brewing Operation
8/12/14 - The Laundry in Fenton will hold a launch party this week for its new brewery operation. The restaurant, which already grows its own tomatoes and herbs and maintains a beehive for honey, has created the Lynchpin Brewing Company to craft its own beers. The operation has been installed in a nearby garage, where the brewing takes place before the kegs are brought into the restaurant to carbonate and be chilled. The restaurant Facebook page says it will be hosting a launch party for the new brewing company on Thursday beginning at 5pm. An employee of the Laundry, who has been micro-brewing for years, has prepared five different beers for the party, ranging from an accessible blonde beer to a stronger India pale ale. The restaurantâs nanobrewery license allows them to produce the beer only for sale in the one establishment, so it will not be available on store shelves anytime soon. (TD)
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Storm Sewer Repair Work Planned Saturday in City of Brighton Storm Sewer Repair Work Planned Saturday in City of Brighton
8/12/14 - Storm sewer catch basin repairs will be taking place in the City of Brighton Saturday. The Cityâs contractor will be making repairs to storm sewer infrastructure beginning at 7am this Saturday. The work involves two storm drains on North Second Street and one on Washington Street. The City says the work should only take a few hours but it will require partial lane closures in those areas so there could be some very minor, intermittent traffic inconveniences. Itâs anticipated the storm sewer repairs will be complete by noon Saturday. (JM)
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Medical Marijuana Moratorium Extended in City of FentonMedical Marijuana Moratorium Extended in City of Fenton
8/12/14 - The City of Fenton has extended a temporary moratorium regarding land use and medicinal marijuana. The Fenton City Council met Monday night and agreed on an extension until the cityâs Planning Commission can meet for a discussion and recommendation on the ordinance regulating medical marijuana. City Manager Lynn Markland says the medical marijuana designation is currently listed in an industrial area. The moratorium will be extended until October 1st and Markland tells WHMI he believes the ordinance could be beneficial to the community as it would allow the city to regulate the area in which medical marijuana can be used.(DK/JM)
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Public Health To Attend Emergency Preparedness SeminarPublic Health To Attend Emergency Preparedness Seminar
8/12/14 - A grant will allow a representative from the Livingston County Department of Public Health to get trained in the latest emergency preparedness techniques. The department plans to send Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Ashley Frez to a three-day seminar beginning September 3rd in Anniston, Alabama. The Strategic National Stockpile and Medical Countermeasure Preparedness course is being offered through the Center for Domestic Preparedness, a division of the Department of Homeland Security. It will cover the best practices and techniques to be employed during a large-scale disaster that requires medication to be distributed to the general population as quickly as possible. Related topics, such as how to request the release of medication from the national strategic reserve will also be covered. A grant covering the cost of the seminar, travel, and even lodging and meals was awarded to the department. Department of Public Health Director Diane McCormick says the department already has an emergency distribution plan in place, but the seminar will provide information on new techniques and best practices that could improve it. She went before the countyâs General Government and Health & Human Services Committee last night to request approval with accepting the grant money, which was unanimously granted. She will go before the Finance Committee Wednesday before seeking final approval from the full Board of Commissioners. (TD)
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Business Owners: Parking Structure Nice but UnnecessaryBusiness Owners: Parking Structure Nice but Unnecessary
8/12/14 - Does Brighton need a downtown parking garage? It's a question that has taken on greater meaning with the downtown becoming an attraction for diners and shoppers, especially on the weekend. The city purchased land on North Street that currently is being used for temporary parking, but would be the location of the proposed garage. Eric Wall, owner of the Yum Yum Tree, said he would rather see the space get used in another way. "To me that is too close a plot as far as land use goes to put a parking structure there. It's convenient, but to me it would be waste of land." Other businesses downtown echoed Wallâs thoughts by saying a parking garage would be too much, and is not needed. 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 this is too expensive of a price tag, and is exploring other options. Vice chairman of the DDA and owner of Cooper and Binkley Jewelers, Mark Binkley said he doesnât think a parking garage will be built in the near future. "It would be nice to have, but I'm not sure it's going to be in anyone's budget anytime soon to have something like that built." He also said one of the problems with parking downtown is that employees are parking in the prime spots that should go to customers. He says that more consumer friendly spaces would open up in front of businesses if people who would be downtown for long hours parked farther away. (AV)
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Projects Approved to Address Drainage Issues on Howell Streets Projects Approved to Address Drainage Issues on Howell Streets
8/12/14 - The Howell City Council has given the green light to some street curb modification projects and deferred action on others. Council met Monday night and voted to move ahead with curb and gutter work that will address drainage problems on Barnard and Higgens Streets, while postponing other components. Councilman Nick Proctor was opposed. He had reservations about the funding mechanism as nothing was specifically allocated in the budget for the work, which will be paid for out of the general fund. Staff and the Cityâs engineering firm collected quotes for various proposed street modifications at the request of Council, after bids for a larger group of projects came in much higher than anticipated. In urging approval, Mayor Phil Campbell said the existing drainage problems on Barnard and Higgens have been looked at for years but postponed for various reasons. Campbell said there was no urgency with mini-circle removal and on Maple Street, the milling work that was done appears to be holding up so thereâs no immediate danger of the sides of the street breaking off in the winter. The cost for the work on Barnard and Higgens Streets was just over $55,000. The work is expected to be completed this construction season, pending any unforeseen circumstances or weather related issues. (JM)
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Charges Reduced Against Inmate in Jail Assault
8/13/14 - A Livingston County District Court judge has reduced the charges against an inmate of the Woodland Correctional Facility in Green Oak Township. 34-year-old Eddie Deans Jr. had been charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. But after viewing a videotape of the incident on Tuesday, Judge Carol Sue Reader reduced the charge to aggravated assault. Authorities say Deans attacked another in December of 2012 and broke his jaw. Deans is currently serving a 12 to 50 year sentence for 2nd degree murder in December of 1995. While no new dates in the case have been set, the Livingston County Prosecutorâs Office may seek to appeal Judge Readerâs decision. (JK)
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United Way Matching Donations For Local Preschool ScholarshipsUnited Way Matching Donations For Local Preschool Scholarships
8/13/14 - Preschool is a luxury that not all families can afford and community efforts are broadening to help provide the experience through scholarships. The Livingston County United Way is offering a dollar-for-dollar match for any cash donations made to the Livingston Promise pre-school scholarship program during the month of August. Livingston Promise is a community effort centered on the vision that all children have the opportunity to obtain a quality education, thus laying the foundation to build a talented, globally competitive local workforce. Executive Director Nancy Rosso says the Livingston County United Way is investing donated dollars to match up to $25,000 in community donations as a means of providing opportunities for additional children to experience early learning, beginning this fall. The campaign started with an investment of $3,800 from the Livingston Sunrise Foundation, which will cover one year of preschool. With the United Way Cash Match, Livingston Promise will be able to offer two scholarships this fall. A total of seven 3-year-old children were awarded scholarships this past school year as part of a pilot effort. More information about Livingston Promise is available through the link below. (JM)
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Grant Money Available For Local Work With Long-Term UnemployedGrant Money Available For Local Work With Long-Term Unemployed
8/13/14 - With grant money from the federal government coming in, Livingston County Michigan Works is planning to examine the issue of long-term unemployment. Director Bill Sleight says even as the economy is recovers, long-term unemployment is on the rise and, on average, someone who becomes unemployed in Michigan will go about 40 weeks before a new job is found. Experts at all levels of government are trying to figure out what is causing the phenomenon and to get people back to work. Grant money for that purpose was made available, and the proposal from the State of Michigan was selected as one of those that would receive funding. More than $6 million will be made available to the state over two years, with about $700,000 slated for the six-county region in Southeast Michigan that includes Livingston County. Sleight tells WHMI our county will get about $120,000. He says most of the money will be used for job training for the local unemployed, including on-the-job training and programs customized for local businesses, with the goal of getting the long-term unemployed back into the work force. Some of the money may also be used to research the problem and help determine why long-term unemployment is becoming so common. The County General Government and Health & Human Services Committee gave unanimous approval for Sleight to go ahead with accepting the grant on Monday. The proposal will go before the Finance Committee today, then head to the full board of commissioners for final approval. (TD)
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Vietnam Moving Wall Returns to Hamburg Later This MonthVietnam Moving Wall Returns to Hamburg Later This Month
8/13/14 - Area residents will have a chance later this month to again see the Moving Wall, a replica of the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The half-size replica of the famous monument will be on display August 28th through the 31st at Bennett Park-West in Hamburg Township. The wall lists all 58,000-plus American causalities from the war. It originally came to Hamburg in 2010, but left such an impact that volunteers immediately applied to have the memorial return. It will be open from 10am until after dusk all four days. The visit will include a reading of the names on the Wall, a military history exhibit with equipment, uniforms and other items, flyovers, special speakers and candlelight vigils. There will also a tribute Bob Hope USO concert at 8pm on Friday, August 29th and then again on Saturday, August 30th. A complete schedule and other details are available online through the link below. (JK)
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M-DOT to Update Public on US-23 Corridor Construction M-DOT to Update Public on US-23 Corridor Construction
8/13/14 - Congestion, safety and traffic flow are just some of the factors being taken into consideration when it comes to making future improvements along a busy corridor. Interested residents and commuters will be able to learn more about preliminary plans during a public meeting hosted by the Michigan Department of Transportation at the Northfield Township Hall Thursday. Spokeswoman Kari Arend says M-DOT is weighing alternatives and seeking public input as it puts together the plan for improvements, which are tentatively scheduled for 2016/2017. Arend tells WHMI Thursdayâs meeting will help update the public about what has transpired with the proposed work along the US-23 corridor since M-DOT held its last meeting. Some alternatives under study include replacing and upgrading existing pavement, median shoulders, bridges and entrance and exit ramps along the corridor. The installation of an active traffic management system is also being considered to help improve traffic flow and increase safety. Arend says anyone who lives, works, or commutes along the US-23 corridor as well as the general public are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be held from 4 to 6:30pm Thursday at the Northfield Township Hall on Main Street. Formal presentations will be made at 4 and 5:30pm and those attending will be able to meet with M-DOT staff and view displays. (JM)
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Brighton Suicide Prevention Advocate Hails Williams as "Hero"Brighton Suicide Prevention Advocate Hails Williams as "Hero"
8/13/14 - Many Michiganders are still reeling from the news that acclaimed comedian Robin Williams, who spent part of his childhood in metro Detroit, took his own life this week. Experts say his death highlights the secrecy and stigma that still accompany mental illness. Many people think of depression, bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses as nothing more than a bad mood or a case of the blues, said Laura Edwards of Brighton, who lost her 12-year-old son Chase to suicide in 2003 and now runs the Michigan survivor outreach program for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. "It should be right in the same category as cancer, diabetes," she said. "It's an illness, and I think that's what needs to be brought into the light, more and more." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for Americans, with nearly 40,000 reported cases each year. Edwards said help is available and anyone who has had suicidal thoughts or knows someone who has should call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK. Those who have called Williams "selfish" for taking his own life only serve to highlight how misunderstood mental illness really is, she said, adding that he should be seen as just as brave as anyone who battled cancer or any other disease. "The fact that he lived with that, and hid it, and did so many wonderful things fighting that illness, every single day - he was more like fighting a dragon, every single day," Edwards said. "He put on his armor, he got out his sword, and he fought mental illness every single day. He was a hero." The CDC estimates that someone in America dies from suicide almost every 14 minutes. (Mona Shand - Public News Service - Photo credit: S. Jurveston/Wikimedia Commons)
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Foster Care Support Service To Hold Fundraiser Next WeekFoster Care Support Service To Hold Fundraiser Next Week
8/13/14 - An upcoming fundraiser will benefit a service that aims to recruit and retain foster homes in Livingston County. The event to benefit Foster and Adoptive Kinship Services, or FAKS, will be held at Buffalo Wild Wings in Howell on August 20th. FAKS uses focused outreach strategies, training, and support that is aimed to bring more homes into the foster and adoptive system and help them to meet the unique needs of their foster children. Officials say the supply of local foster homes falls short of demand, and placing children with foster homes near their current homes helps ensure stability in their lives. On Wednesday of next week, Howell Buffalo Wild Wings will be donating 20% of all sales accompanied by a promotional certificate to FAKS. To get the certificate, visit the Livingston County Catholic Charities Facebook page. (TD)
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Other Solutions More Likely Than Proposed Parking StructureOther Solutions More Likely Than Proposed Parking Structure
8/13/14 - Despite lingering questions about Brighton's parking situation, business owners and city officials hope to eventually resolve the issue. As Brighton continues to develop with the addition of more 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, as did 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. Mark Binkley, vice chairman of the DDA and owner of Cooper and Binkley Jewelers, says he thinks more parking would be nice, but is not necessarily needed. "People, generally speaking, can find a place to park. They might not be able to pull in front of the store on Main Street, but if they park in the lot on North Street they can pretty much hit every store in the downtown and cover less ground than they would in the 12 Oaks Mall or Green Oak Mall." The city has estimated the cost for a parking garage to be $7 million for a 191-space, four level structure located on a plot of land at North and West streets that currently houses a surface lot (pictured). Downtown Development Authority Director Matt Modrack said this is too expensive of a price tag, and is exploring other options. He also acknowledged that the largest problem is with employees parking in consumer spaces for long hours. To help this, he says a time limit may be changed for certain parking spots. Despite not believing a structure is the best fit right now, Modrack said 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 down the line. To add more parking in the form of lots, he 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. He said the lot would likely be ready in the spring. As it stands, the city understands the long term parking concerns, and is working to alleviate the problem. However, all sides agree that there seem to be no simple solutions for an issue that many municipalities wish they were facing, namely being so popular that parking is at a premium. (AV/JK)
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