8/13/14 - A local school district saw some major gains in new rankings released today by the state. The Michigan Department of Education put out its annual âTop to Bottomâ rankings of schools and districts across the state, with the Brighton Area Schools easily outperforming the countyâs other four major districts in a number of areas. Brighton schools saw big jumps in student proficiency in math and reading from 3rd to 8th grade as well as ACT College Readiness Benchmarks. The districtâs graduation rate also saw an 8% jump to 92.8%. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that while they are certainly pleased to have made the improvements while still working to eliminate a deficit budget, they are in no way satisfied. "I would say that we are very pleased with the results, especially in a county that is one of the highest scoring in the state, but we are not satisfied. We will continue to push and strive not only have the top scores in our county but in the state and beyond." In addition, all seven of Brightonâs schools were ranked in the top 15% of schools statewide, the only Livingston County district to achieve that other than the Charyl Stockwell charter school, which saw its elementary school rank in the top 7%, while the middle and high schools were in the top 11%. Other schools of note include Hartlandâs Creekside Elementary School, which scored in the 94th percentile, while Howell's Voyager Elementary was in the 92nd. Howell, however, was ranked overall as the top ranked public school district in Livingston County based on points awarded by the state for meeting various goals. Howell amassed 74.4 points. Brighton earned 71.6. Youâll find a link below to check out the scores for every school and district. (JK)
Brighton Sees Big Jumps in State School ScorecardBrighton Sees Big Jumps in State School Scorecard
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Sailboat Capsizes on Hamburg Lake, Two Swim Safely to Shore Sailboat Capsizes on Hamburg Lake, Two Swim Safely to Shore
8/13/14 - Two people experienced how quickly a sailboat can capsize on a local lake this afternoon. Hamburg Township police and fire units responded, along with the Green Oak Township Fire Department after the incident was reported around 4pm. Hamburg Lake is a non-motorized lake totaling 88 acres and the two individuals on the sailboat were able to swim to shore safely before emergency responders arrived. Not everyone would have been so lucky though according to Hamburg Deputy Fire Chief and Training Officer Nick Miller. He tells WHMI individuals should always properly prepare and make sure to have life jackets on board. (JM)
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Man Charged In Domestic Violence Incident Bound Over For TrialMan Charged In Domestic Violence Incident Bound Over For Trial
8/14/14 - A Hartland man has been bound over to Livingston County Circuit Court on assault 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. He has been bound over to circuit court, where he is scheduled for a motion hearing on August 21st. 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 Sheriffâs 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 out of 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)
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Hartland: Police Situation Fine For Now, But Not Sustainable
8/14/14 - After a full year without dedicated patrols from the sheriffâs department, the Hartland Township Board is examining the impact of that decision. Together with Tyrone Township, Hartland had a standing contract with the sheriffâs department for decades, providing the municipalities with a dedicated deputy on patrol. That contract was allowed to expire, and while Tyrone has since formed a new contract for patrols, Hartland has not. After the contract expired in March of 2013, township officials have been working to analyze surveys, look for trends, and process data related to how the standard sheriff department patrols compare to the dedicated patrols enjoyed for the past 30 years. Township Manager James Wickman told the township board last night that response time for priority calls has increased by 60% in the past year, compared to an average of 24% for the rest of the county in the same time period. Additionally, traffic stops were reduced by more than half, and arrests, citations, and calls for service all decreased significantly. Wickman tells WHMI this was expected, and the changes are not a major concern for residents, who still report feeling safe in the township. However, the township board knows that the current policing model is not a long-term solution. Further investigation, possibly including the formation of a citizensâ task force, will be needed to find a sustainable police solution for the township. (TD)
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Fight Not Over to Help Save Local Disabled Veteran's Home Fight Not Over to Help Save Local Disabled Veteran's Home
8/14/14 - Although the deadline to raise the needed funds to help a disabled Korean War-era Veteran stay in his home is coming down to the wire, those leading the local cause say theyâre starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thereâs less than a month and a half to go to raise the funds needed to help save 82-year-old Ross Dahlbergâs Hamburg Township home. Heâs wheelchair bound and in and out of the hospital frequently. Dahlberg fell behind on his mortgage payments after several surgeries but had applied for assistance through a state program called StepForward. Despite being conditionally approved, his home was foreclosed upon and sold at a sheriff sale for $132,000. The home is currently in a redemption period and the Livingston County Department of Veterans Services has been leading community fundraising efforts to save it, raising nearly $13,000 to date. Veterans Benefits Counselor Josh Parish sent out an email update to supporters saying several things are happening behind the scenes right now but heâs confident that when this is all said and done, Dahlberg will be able to stay in his home. Parish met with the director of the Step Forward program this week to gain more insight about what happened after Dahlberg submitted for assistance. He says the director will be appointing someone to go back over Dahlbergâs application and re-submit it. Step Forward also stated that there may be a possibility it could allocate up to $30,000 towards the mortgage if the bank is willing to modify. Parish says that still leaves a large amount of money to raise to buy back the home but itâs a step in the right direction for Ross.(JM)
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Howell Council Leery But Open to A2 SmartZone Satellite Venture Howell Council Leery But Open to A2 SmartZone Satellite Venture
8/14/14 - The Howell City Council has given cautious support to moving forward with applying for a state program designed to accelerate hi-tech business efforts. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation launched the SmartZone network in 2000. SmartZones are regional business acceleration services funded in part by tax increment financing and there are currently 15 across the state. The Ann Arbor SmartZone is eligible to extend its program and capture taxes for another 15 years but must have a satellite partner. The Cities of Howell and Brighton would partner to become members of the Ann Arbor Satellite SmartZone, although it would operate independently. The Cities of Brighton and Howell have been in discussions with Ann Arbor SPARK to partner for the satellite venture for almost two years now. The City of Brighton was viewed as attractive since it currently has a Local Development Finance Authority and the SmartZone application also requires partnership with a higher learning institution, which in this case would be Cleary University. However, there are some legal questions since itâs located in Genoa Township. Representatives from Ann Arbor SPARK and Cleary University provided an overview of plans to the Howell City Council Monday night, saying the ultimate measurement of success is jobs investment and company creation. Potential risks cited by City Manager Shea Charles would be the MEDC changing program parameters or local contribution amounts. Council members were receptive to the concept but still had reservations and questioned the local versus regional benefits. Mayor Phil Campbell was opposed, saying he wasnât confident the City would benefit. Campbell also had concerns with what businesses the legislation dictates the funds can support as well as the main financing mechanism, which allows for the capture of school taxes for entrepreneurial based activities. Council cautiously supported having staff proceed with the next steps and including a $1,800 municipal contribution in the proposal, the same amount as Brighton. The SmartZone opportunity is a competition of sorts as Ann Arbor SPARK is working with two potential satellites â Brighton/Howell and Adrian/Tecumseh, which was not originally eligible. Proposals will be put together for each and be evaluated by the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti LDFA Board. Only one will be selected for the Ann Arbor City Council to include as the satellite community in the application to the state. More detailed information about the SmartZone program is available in the Howell City Council meeting packet attached below. (JM)
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Nakagiri Widely Outspent in Effort to Unseat CalleyNakagiri Widely Outspent in Effort to Unseat Calley
8/14/14 - GOP precinct delegates in Livingston County today will pick fellow Republicans who will determine incumbent Gov. Rick Snyderâs running mate next weekend, with a local tea party activist making an insurgent bid to unseat current Lt. Governor Brian Calley. Wes Nakagiri is the treasurer of Hartland Township-based tea party-affiliated group RetakeOurGov. Nakagiri announced his candidacy for the nomination last year following Calleyâs support for Governor Snyderâs efforts to create a state health care exchange to participate in the Affordable Care Act, or âObamacare.â His candidacy represents an effort by tea party Republicans to gain leverage over the state party apparatus. However, it appears Calley isnât taking the challenge lying down. Election spending reports show the Lt. Governor raising $220,000 this year and spending $214,000, while Nakagiri has raised just $13,000 this year, including $10,000 he lent his campaign. Heâs spent $8,700. Nakagiri also loaned himself $10,000 last year. Republican activists will nominate Gov. Snyder's running mate on Saturday, August 23 in Novi. Delegates to the GOP convention also will determine nominations for secretary of state, attorney general, Michigan Supreme Court justices, state Board of Education and university boards. Calley's supporters say he's a proven conservative voice within the Snyder administration. "Establishment" Republicans have also spent a year working to ensure favorable delegates are chosen to attend the convention. Nakagiri says he offers a more conservative vision for Republicans. (JK)
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Hartland District Files Appeal in Suit Filed by Former AdministratorHartland District Files Appeal in Suit Filed by Former Administrator
8/14/14 - An October trial date is on hold in a lawsuit filed by a former Hartland Consolidated Schools administrator while the district appeals. Tracey Sahouri sued the district in 2012, alleging it violated the Whistleblower Protection Act when it failed to renew her administrative contract and eventually re-assigned her to a teaching position. Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Richard Yuille denied a motion by the district to dismiss the lawsuit in April and a trial date was set for October 21st. However, thatâs now on hold as Hartland Superintendent Janet Sifferman tells WHMI everything has been appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals. Records show a motion to hear oral arguments was granted in July, although no dates have been scheduled. Sahouriâs attorney, Tom Pabst, claims her removal as principal at Creekside Elementary was in retaliation for reporting ongoing âirregularitiesâ in how the district administered the MEAP tests. The district contends her re-assignment was based on the conclusions of a state report that determined teachers at the school improperly gained access to material from the tests in 2011, which constituted a breach of security, and thus sheâs ineligible for a Whistleblower defense. A three-member legal panel previously recommended the district settle the lawsuit for $525,000, but that was rejected by the Hartland school board, which stood by the decisions that were made in regard to Sahouri, who it says was found to have committed misconduct by both the Michigan Department of Education and the district. (JM)
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St. Joe's To Offer Free Health Fair During Day Of CaringSt. Joe's To Offer Free Health Fair During Day Of Caring
8/14/14 - A free comprehensive health fair is being offered by St. Joseph Mercy hospital as part of the annual Day of Caring event next week. This will be the sixth year St. Joeâs has offered the health fair. The public is invited to get free screenings for skin cancer, blood pressure, and hearing loss. The fair will also provide readings and information related to body mass index, dental health, fall prevention, driving as a senior citizen, breast feeding, and nutrition. Free produce from Gleanerâs Community Food Bank and prescription drug disposal will be provided as well. The fair is free and open to the public. It will run from noon to 4pm on Wednesday at the west entrance of the hospital, located on Byron Road. (TD)
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Iron Chef Contest Cooks Up Delicious Results For GleanersIron Chef Contest Cooks Up Delicious Results For Gleaners
8/14/14 - A close win in last weekâs Iron Chef event will create more than 313,000 meals for Livingston County residents in need. $104,441 was raised during the 10th annual competition to benefit Gleaners Food Bank of Livingston County. Bridget Green with Gleaners says more than 550 guests attended the fundraiser, which pitted two teams of past Iron Chef winners against each other. Steve Pilon and Tammy Young of the Wooden Spoon in Brighton (pictured) won by just half a point over Jody Brunori of The Laundry in Fenton and Patrick Srock of the Lakelands Golf & Country Club. Proceeds from Iron Chef help provide emergency food aid for local residents. Because filling a truck with food costs approximately $20,000, nearly six full semi-trucks, each of which contains 60,000 meals, can now be purchased. (JK)
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Contract Approved For Jewell Road Bridge ReconstructionContract Approved For Jewell Road Bridge Reconstruction
8/14/14 - A contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation has been approved for the reconstruction of the bridge on Jewell Road in Marion Township. The estimated $500,000 project will be mostly funded through the Michigan Local Bridge Program, which works as a cost sharing incentive to keep vital road passages open. Livingston County Road Commission Manager Mike Craine says they will only have to cover 5% of construction as well as engineering costs. Craine tells WHMI the Road Commission plans to âstart flat out of the box and get running on construction." The bridge was closed back in February because of its extreme damage from years of substantial traffic. Until it is fully restored, a detour along Cedar Lake Road will be in place. Craine tells WHMI the push for construction to begin comes from the hope of regulating traffic. Bids for the project will be accepted in the beginning of September as it must be completed by June 30th of next year.(DK)
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Armed Intruder Training Exercise Held at Vacant Lindbom SchoolArmed Intruder Training Exercise Held at Vacant Lindbom School
8/14/14 - A public safety training exercise continued today at a vacant elementary school in Brighton in hopes of preparing first responders and others for events that have become a deadly reality in todayâs culture. Different training scenarios simulated a breach of school security with an active shooter entering the building and classrooms at the old Lindbom elementary school. The training was hosted by Michigan State Police at the Brighton Post and put on by the ALICE Training Institute. ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate. The program is focused on proactive strategies to hopefully increase chances of survival during an armed intruder event in public places. The ALICE program aims to change how not only schools but hospitals, places of worship and businesses respond to armed intruder events. Itâs also designed to give staff and students options - versus the traditional lockdown drill, where kids or others are typically corralled and told to take cover until help arrives. That same scenario played out during todayâs training and those who took part said despite blanks being used, they indeed felt scared and helpless. The two-day exercise was open to anyone interested in learning how to respond to an armed intruder incident and featured classroom training before culminating with a variety of live scenarios this afternoon. (JM)
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Secretary of State Offering Online Services at Howell MelonfestSecretary of State Offering Online Services at Howell Melonfest
8/15/14 - Festival goers will be able to access state services in much more pleasing atmosphere this weekend. ExpressSOS.com is dubbed the online, no-wait Secretary of State and a special booth will be set up to assist customers at the 54th annual Howell Melon Festival this weekend. Secretary of State Ruth Johnson says people will be able to take care of business at their tent with help from staff while sampling melon products. Some services that will be available include license plate tab renewal, duplicate titles or making a change of address. The booth will be located along Grand River between Center and Walnut Streets and will be open from 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Grand River Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic to accommodate craft and business tents. The Howell Melon Festival brings in an estimated 35,000 visitors each year and includes a car show, music, sidewalk sales, a farmers market and various melon-themed treats and activities. (JM)
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Tyrone Public Safety Assessment to Appear on November Ballot Tyrone Public Safety Assessment to Appear on November Ballot
8/15/14 - Tyrone Township is seeking renewal of a public safety assessment and hoping to educate voters ahead of the November election. Public safety services are funded through a five-year assessment passed by voters in Tyrone Township in 2010. The townshipâs Public Safety Committee reviewed options and offered recommendations to provide ongoing fire and dedicated police services. The board has decided to place the public safety assessment renewal on the November ballot, which also helped the municipality eliminate the cost of a special election. The renewal would be for a period of six years, beginning in April of 2016. Tyrone Township will be hosting two informational meetings to answer questions and review details of the renewal proposal. The meetings are open to the public on October 6th and October 9th. They both start at 7pm and will be held in the student center of the Rock Church located on Linden Road in Fenton. (JM)
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MDOT Explains, Seeks Input From Residents On Plans For US-23MDOT Explains, Seeks Input From Residents On Plans For US-23
8/15/14 - The Michigan Department of Transportation gave presentations in Whitmore Lake yesterday to explain the active traffic management system planned to alleviate congestion on US-23. Currently, US-23 is plagued by backups and accidents on the southbound side during morning travel time and on the northbound side during the evening rush hour. MDOT worked on a feasibility study from 2007 to 2009 looking for solutions to the problem, ranging from improving surrounding roads to constructing a new third lane in both directions. In the end, they decided to implement the first active traffic management system in the state. For the ATM system, MDOT will install improved median-side shoulders that can accommodate traffic. Overhead signals will open that shoulder to traffic during times of heavy congestion, then return the road to two lanes during non-peak hours. It will also allow officials to route traffic away from specific lanes in case of accidents. Dozens of residents attended yesterdayâs presentations to learn more about the system and give feedback. Most were generally in favor of the new system, including Green Oak Township Police Chief Jason Pless. He says the new system will definitely help relieve congestion, especially in the morning, but he is concerned about after noon backups when the optional third lane ends on northbound 23 near Silver Lake Road. He would prefer any solution from MDOT to go all the way to the I-96 interchange in Brighton Township. Construction on the new system is tentatively scheduled for 2016, giving MDOT plenty of time to incorporate public feedback. (TD)
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Howell School Board to Examine Balanced Calendar OptionHowell School Board to Examine Balanced Calendar Option
8/15/14 - The Howell School Board met for a round-table meeting with department heads at Cleary University yesterday to begin work on several possible new developments for the district. The board discussed the possibility of eliminating the traditional three-month summer vacation for some students in favor of more frequent, shorter vacations, called a balanced calendar. Board President Mike Witt tells WHMI this pattern helps students retain the material they learn in class. Board members said district staff supports the proposal, and a survey said 40% of parents would be interested in it. Witt emphasized that the model would only be provided on an opt-in basis, so nobody would be forced into it. A committee will be looking into the viability of offering that model at the elementary level beginning as early as fall of 2015. Also discussed was the evaluation of Superintendent Ron Wilson which, according to new state regulations, must use student achievement as the basis for at least 25% of his final score. The board has no basis for how to create this portion of the evaluation, so a committee of board members was formed to examine the issue and recommend criteria on which to evaluate the superintendent. Witt says the hope is to have those criteria in place by the end of September so Wilson can work throughout the school year knowing how he will be evaluated. The school board is also examining the possibility of closing down a building as a cost-saving measure, and the possibility of redistricting existing schools has also been proposed since that has not been done in several years. Committees will now examine the possible school closure, with a redistricting committee to be formed once it is known whether a building will be closed. (TD/JK)
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New Traffic Signal at 10 Mile & Griswold Going Up In Lyon Township New Traffic Signal at 10 Mile & Griswold Going Up In Lyon Township
8/15/14 - A new traffic signal aims to help ease congestion on a busy road in Lyon Township. The Road Commission for Oakland County is footing the $140,000 bill for the traffic signal, which will be installed at the intersection of 10 Mile and Griswold before the end of the year. 10 Mile is a busy road with the majority of motorists traveling around 55mph, making it difficult for merging traffic. The road commission will also be installing another signal at 10 Mile at Napier, although that wonât be fully operational until a paving project on Napier is complete in 2016/2017 according to the South Lyon Herald. A flashing signal will be put up in the meantime though this fall. Traffic volumes and patterns along with crash data necessitated both signals. Meanwhile, Lyon Township is continuing work with local and state officials to come up with a larger plan to ease travel and tackle congestion on 10 Mile Road but the traffic signal is the main focus this fall. (JM)
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Brighton School Board Narrowly Passes Patriot Week Resolution Brighton School Board Narrowly Passes Patriot Week Resolution
8/15/14 - The Brighton Board of Education this week narrowly passed a resolution recognizing Patriot Week, after considerable debate about what the observance entails and whether there was a need for formal recognition of the week. The resolution was for the purpose of recognizing Patriot Week, with the plan that administration has set forth. The debate revolved around the fact that, according to Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Laura Surrey, the district already has an extensive program in place at all grade levels that encourages students to be patriotic and be mindful of the history of this country. The week starts on Sept. 11th, which is known as 9-11, the date of the terrorist attacks on U.S. soil in 2001. It ends on Sept. 17th, which is Constitution Day - the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. The state legislature has already "recognized" Patriot Week, although it has not yet formally designated the week of Sept. 11-17 as Patriot Week. In pressing her case against formal recognition of the week, Surrey told the board that patriotism, and the celebration of Constitution Day, is a long tradition in the Brighton Area Schools and many educational activities already take place each year. In addition, Surrey said that being patriotic and respecting the Constitution are taught throughout elementary and secondary schools in Brighton, and are part of regular civics classes. The discussion at the meeting over Patriot Week evolved into criticism of some district schools in the past for not having a U.S. flag in each classroom. Surrey said that although that may have been true at one time, it's no longer the case. Additionally, she said that all classrooms recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning and schedule many patriotic events that are interspersed throughout the school year. Surrey said as a result, "mandating" or institutionalizing Patriot Week is unnecessary. However, Surrey said she would comply with any board directive. Such directives must come through Superintendent Greg Gray. As envisioned by its founder, Oakland County Judge Michael B. Warren, Patriot Week also endeavors to honor the Founding Fathers, along with Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony, and Abraham Lincoln, and promote respect for the U.S. flag. Board President Nick Fiani pointed out that by passing the resolution, Brighton would be in good company, since several Oakland County school districts have passed measures recognizing Patriot Week. The resolution offered at Monday's Brighton school board meeting passed 4-3 with Miles Vieau, John Conely, Bill Trombley, and Fiani voting yes and Bill Anderson, Jay Krause, and Beth Minert voting no. (TT)
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South Lyon Man Sentenced in Road Rage Gun IncidentSouth Lyon Man Sentenced in Road Rage Gun Incident
8/15/14 - There will be no additional jail time for a South Lyon charged in a road rage incident. 51-year-old Aaron Eugene Stein of South Lyon was ordered to serve 18 months of probation on Thursday following his earlier no contest plea to charges of assault with a weapon and possession of marijuana. He was also sentenced to three days in jail, time he has already served. The victim in the case testified during a previous court hearing that she feared for her safety and believed Stein had a gun during the October 16th incident. The victim said she passed him on a local road but that he started honking his horn and tailgating her, eventually passing her about a half mile down the road. Both stopped their vehicles and proceeded to argue, which is when the victim alleged Stein made a comment about her not having a gun and she noticed him holding a dark item in his hand. The defense argued that there was no evidence to indicate there really was a gun involved, but the victim maintained she believed it was and feared Stein would shoot her. Under the plea deal, a charge of brandishing a gun in public was dismissed. The prosecution also agreed not to add an additional charge of felony firearms. (JK)
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Nakagiri Says Most County Delegates Will Vote For HimNakagiri Says Most County Delegates Will Vote For Him
8/15/14 - A local tea party activist says his campaign to replace the Lt. Governor on the GOP ticket in November received a big boost following Livingston Countyâs Republican convention Thursday. Wes Nakagiri is the treasurer of the Hartland Township-based group RetakeOurGov. Last year he announced his candidacy to replace current Lt. Governor Brian Calley following his support of efforts to set up a state-run health care exchange under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. Despite being widely outspent by Calley, Nakagiri says he is very hopeful that he will triumph on August 23rd at the state GOP convention in Novi. He tells WHMI that after Thursday's Livingston County convention, he believes that approximately two-thirds of the 57 local delegates will vote for him and that several other counties are showing similar support. Nakagiri says his candidacy is not about personalities, or a mock show of dissent designed to simply send a message. He also disputes concerns that his candidacy will create a fracture in the party, but instead is steadfast in his belief that it will help to unite Republicans heading into the November general election. He says many conservatives are upset that proposals such as a state-run health care exchange or Medicaid expansion are being put forward in spite of the fact that Republicans control all three branches of state government. Next weekendâs convention will feature more than 2,100 delegates, most of them chosen Thursday night from the approximately 6,500 precinct delegates elected in the primary. While Lt. Governor Calley hasnât commented on the county conventions, the Detroit Free Press reports he did very well across the state. You can hear Nakagiriâs full interview this Sunday morning at 8:30 on WHMIâs Viewpoint. (JK)
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