8/19/14 - The search for a Fenton Township man who disappeared in the St. Clair River has been called off by the U.S. Coast Guard. Chief Petty Officer Gabriel Settel said late Monday it's a difficult decision but the Coast Guard and its partners "have exhausted all available resources" with the information available. 19-year-old Brady Morton was among the participants in Sunday's annual Float Down event that takes place on the river that runs through the U.S.-Canadian border. People saw Morton leave his flotation device and disappear under the surface. A Coast Guard helicopter and boats from several agencies were involved in the search. The event had participants in tubes and rafts enter Sunday at Lighthouse Beach in Port Huron, about 55 miles northeast of Detroit. They exited at Chrysler Beach in Marysville. Morton, a 2013 graduate of Fenton High School, was planning on attending Michigan State University in the fall. (AP Photo/The Port Huron Times Herald, Andrew Jowett)
Search Suspended For Missing Fenton Township ManSearch Suspended For Missing Fenton Township Man
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New Location & Italian Theme Highlight 2014 Le ConcourseNew Location & Italian Theme Highlight 2014 Le Concourse
8/19/14 - A classic high end antique automobile and fine art show will again serve as a fundraiser to benefit a non-profit group serving local residents in need. The 4th Annual Leâ Concourse de Livingston will be held this Saturday, August 23rd featuring a wide variety of classic cars. It will benefit Love INC, which is dedicated to meeting basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and money management with volunteers from more than 50 Livingston County churches. Unlike the first three years of the event, which were held at the Genoa Township estate of Steve and Patti Gronow, this yearâs LeâConcourse is being held at the Whispering Pines Golf Course in Hamburg Township. This year's event will feature high-end vehicles of Italian origin, as part of a wide variety of vintage cars, boats, and motorcycles that will be on display. There will also be live and silent auctions including exotic vacation stays and adventure experiences. Musical entertainment will include a Dean Martin impersonator and the WhatAbouts, a girls group focused on music from the 60's. Tickets for Leâ Concourse de Livingston are $75 each and can be purchased online through the link below. (JK)
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Howell Schools To Focus On Research For Year-Round SchoolingHowell Schools To Focus On Research For Year-Round Schooling
8/19/14 - The possibility of year-round schooling will be the first topic tackled by committee review in the Howell Public School district this school year. At a round table meeting last week, the Howell School Board identified several topics with large enough impact that it was decided that committees would review their implementation and impact. These included possibly closing an elementary school, redistricting, and implementing a year-round model for classes known as balanced calendar. In this model, students would attend school for a month or two at a time, separated by breaks of one or two weeks, while summer vacation would be reduced to about six weeks. Board President Mike Witt says this model has improved material retention and test scores in other districts around the state, and for the next two months the other committee topics will be put on hold while the district explores this option. However, he tells WHMI it is only being considered for elementary-level students, and even among that population it would be op-in and nobody would be forced to participate. Witt will join board secretary Kim Witt and board member Mike Moloney on the committee to examine the balanced calendar option, along with members of staff, parents, and stakeholders from the community. (TD)
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Crews Using Special Vehicle to Search for Missing Fenton Twp. ManCrews Using Special Vehicle to Search for Missing Fenton Twp. Man
8/19/14 - Although the Coast Guard has ended its search efforts, a dive team will be using a remote operated vehicle to look for a missing Fenton Township man today. 19-year-old Brady Morton disappeared in the St. Clair River during the annual Port Huron Float Down event on the U.S.- Canada border waterway Sunday. The St. Clair County sheriff's dive team deployed the camera-equipped vehicle today. Marine Division Commander Lt. Paul Reid said at this point, the dive teamâs task is recovery. The search area will stretch from the former Marysville DTE plant to Lincoln Park in Port Huron. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended search and rescue efforts at around 9pm Monday, which had been non-stop since Sunday, saying crews exhausted all leads and resources. According to officials, Morton was floating with a group of about 40 people when he left his raft to go swimming. His friends reported that he never came back. (AP Photo/The Port Huron Times Herald, Andrew Jowett)
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Green Oak Man Charged In Indecent Exposure IncidentsGreen Oak Man Charged In Indecent Exposure Incidents
8/19/14 - Oakland County authorities have charged a Green Oak Township man with several counts of indecent exposure. 30-year-old Nathanael Armstrong is charged with three counts of aggravated indecent exposure for incidents in South Lyon and one count of indecent exposure alleged to have occurred in Novi. After the three South Lyon incidents, which occurred between April 15th and June 25th, South Lyon Police Lt. Chris Sovik noticed a press release from Novi Police about a July 14th incident at a Target store that included a surveillance photo of a suspect wearing medical scrubs. He noticed the suspect looked similar to Armstrong, who he had interviewed previously. Sovik also remembered Armstrong mentioning that he worked as a traveling nurse. Further investigation by both departments led to a positive identification. Each count of aggravated indecent exposure is a two-year misdemeanor, while the simple indecent exposure charge carries a maximum penalty of 1 year in prison. Armstrong is scheduled for a pre-exam conference Wednesday in Oakland County District Court in Novi. Armstrong also faces two counts of indecent exposure in Livingston County related to incidents alleged earlier this year at the Green Oak Village Place mall. Those incidents went unreported to police until Armstrong was publicly identified in the South Lyon cases. (JK)
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Storms Bring Heavy Rain to Area, Possible FloodingStorms Bring Heavy Rain to Area, Possible Flooding
8/19/14 - After record-setting rains last week, another round of potentially severe weather and storms were in the forecast. The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Livingston, Oakland, Washtenaw and other surrounding counties early in the day, which expired by 7:30pm. Livingston Weatherwatch Meteorologist John Feerick said the worst threat for damaging storms locally would be the evening commute, which appeared to be the case. A flash flood warning was also in effect until 10pm for a portion of southeast Michigan, including Oakland and Washtenaw Counties. Tune in to WHMI 93.5FM for up-to-date weather and traffic information. (JM)
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Woman Hospitalized Following Afternoon Latson Road CrashWoman Hospitalized Following Afternoon Latson Road Crash
8/19/14 - Authorities responded to a crash on Latson Road south of Grand River this afternoon. Sheriff Bob Bezotte reports the call came in at about 3:30 near the entrance to the Walmart complex. He says a 56-year-old Brighton man in a Ford pickup truck tried to turn northbound onto Latson Road, but could not make the turn in time and was struck by a 65-year-old Howell woman traveling southbound in a sedan. The pickup was struck in the driverâs side door. The driver of the sedan was treated and released at the scene, while the driver of the pickup did not need treatment. A 50-year-old Brighton woman was a passenger in the pickup, and she was transported to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital by Livingston County EMS with non-life-threatening injuries. Bezotte says the driver of the pickup was issued a citation for failing to yield right of way. The Brighton Fire Department and Michigan State Police assisted at the scene. (TD)
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Local Woman Killed in Tragic Crash; Fundraisers to Help FamilyLocal Woman Killed in Tragic Crash; Fundraisers to Help Family
8/19/14 - A fundraiser is planned and a bank account has been set up to help assist the family of a local probation officer killed in a traffic accident in Mexico. Livingston County Juvenile Court Probation Officer Megan Alcala was killed in a rollover car accident while vacationing with her family in Mexico last week. Her husband was injured and hospitalized but is expected to recover. Family, friends and others have been collecting donations to assist the family, as well as Meganâs son DeAndre. He will be entering into his senior year at Howell High School this fall. He was not involved in the car accident and community donations can be made through an account set up at PNC Bank. The Howell High School lacrosse team has also organized a fundraising event at Buffalo Wild Wings off Latson Road in Howell Wednesday, where 20% of total sales will be donated to the Alcala family. A flyer is attached below. (JM)
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Hamburg Makes Possessing Drug Paraphernalia A Civil InfractionHamburg Makes Possessing Drug Paraphernalia A Civil Infraction
8/20/14 - A new ordinance in Hamburg Township has identified several drug-related activities as civil infractions. The ordinance came about after Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt told township officials that it was not against state law to possess drug paraphernalia. Last night, the township board approved a new ordinance that will make it a civil infraction to possess anything on a long list of drug paraphernalia, including bongs, water pipes, and âcocaine kitsâ consisting of a razor blade and a mirror. However, several items commonly used for drug abuse are common household objects, like spoons, precision scales, balloons, and envelopes. Police Chief Rick Duffany says those more common items will not be considered in violation of the ordinance unless they have clearly been used or modified for drug abuse. The ordinance also bans loitering or frequenting locations and vehicles where controlled substances are used, possessed, manufactured, or stored illegally. Lastly, it specifies that medical marijuana patients must transport their marijuana in the same containers in which they were provided until they get to their homes. Duffany says the new rules will make it easier for his officers to investigate drug crimes. Because possession of paraphernalia is now against local ordinance, suspects found with it can be detained and forced to produce identification. Officers will also be able to press criminal charges against those who lie about their identities. The ordinance will go into effect September 18th. (TD)
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Long Time Local Advocate Named 2014 "Champion for Children"Long Time Local Advocate Named 2014 "Champion for Children"
8/20/14 - A local advocate dedicated to helping children with disabilities achieve success, independence and inclusion is the 2014 recipient of Livingston Countyâs Champion for Children Award. For the past 26 years, Deb Calandrino has worked in various roles in Livingston County from advocating for children with disabilities to helping families gain the necessary skills to ensure the best possible lifelong outcomes for their children. Officials say she envisions and strives to build a community where all children are supported through their challenges, valued for their diversity and recognized and included for their abilities and potential. Calandrino currently works as a family advocate for The Arc of Livingston and officials say in the last 14 years alone, she has helped more than 300 families annually and positively impacted thousands of children. Calandrino said she was very humbled by the award and is fortunate to work in a community with dedicated mental health workers, teachers and clinicians who are all committed to making a difference in the lives of children. The Champion for Children Award is a joint effort between LACASAâs Child Abuse Prevention Council and the Great Start Collaborative of Livingston County. This yearâs award was presented to Calandrino, who is pictured in middle, by Great Start Livingston Coordinator Robin Schutz and retired Livingston County prosecutor David Morse, who is a member of LACASAâs Board of Directors and its CAP Council. (JM)
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Frustrated Property Owners Set Meeting on New Pipeline ProjectFrustrated Property Owners Set Meeting on New Pipeline Project
8/20/14 - A local landowner says thereâs somethingâs fishy with a proposed gas pipeline project - the second that could be coming through her yard. An informational meeting on the proposed ET Rover Pipeline is being organized by area citizens to discuss the project, possible impacts and what can be done to provide input as it moves forward. The companyâs website says ET Rover Pipeline LLC is a new interstate natural gas pipeline company being designed to transport natural gas from processing facilities located in the Marcellus and Utica Shale areas to market regions in the United States and Canada. Oceola Township resident Beth Duman described what was supposed to be an informational meeting hosted by the ET Rover company in Fenton as a âmass messâ and says the company keeps flip-flopping on whether or not the line will even cross her property. Duman says they just went through the much disorganized Enbridge experience and know firsthand how much hardship was placed on local residents because of it. Now, Duman tells WHMI now theyâre dealing with another company that seems equally as disorganized as she still canât get any straight answers. Public meetings are required as part of the approval process and more than 100 people attended the Fenton meeting but Duman says not much happened as there were poorly labeled maps on tables from all over and company representatives were hard to identify. In an effort to educate those interested, Duman and other landowners have organized an informational meeting and the public is welcome to attend. Jeff Axt from POLAR or Protect Our Land And Rights will be providing information along with Beth Wallace from the Pipeline Safety Trust. Unlike the replacement of the Enbridge 6B pipeline, Duman says submissions can be made to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or FERC and procedures for doing so will also be discussed. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7pm on Thursday, August 28th at the Oceola Township Hall. A link to the ET Rover website is below and the meeting has not been endorsed by the company. (JM)
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Dog Owners To Be Charged in Whitmore Lake AttackDog Owners To Be Charged in Whitmore Lake Attack
8/20/14 - It appears a Northfield Township father and son will face misdemeanor criminal charges after their two dogs were implicated in at least two attacks. The Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office authorized charges Tuesday against 27-year-old Adam Bater, who is expected to be arraigned on two counts of having unlicensed dogs while his 54-year-old father faces two counts of allowing the dogs to stray for allegedly opening the door when the dogs ran out. No date has been set for their arraignment. Ellen Mohan was attacked July 17th by two Boxer terrier mixed dogs while walking in the Northfield Estates Mobile Home Park, killing her poodle terrier and mauling her hands. She was hospitalized and underwent weeks of physical therapy. The dogs were released from the shelter on different occasions following the attack, much to the dismay of Mohan and neighbor Brent Stanley, who came forward to identify one of the dogs as having attacked his daughter a month earlier while playing on the swings. The two dogs are currently under quarantine at the Humane Society of Huron Valley, where they have been held since Northfield Township Police obtained a court order. However, both Mohan and Stanley said had the dogs been properly quarantined by the shelter or police and not released back to the owners on both occasions, Mohan might have been spared the more violent attack. Meanwhile, a civil hearing was delayed last week that would determine the fate of the two dogs implicated. Mohan told WHMI that Adam Bater, arrived with an attorney who asked for a postponement so a âdog expertâ could determine if the dogs should legally be considered as dangerous animals. That hearing was moved to September 3rd. (JM)
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Storm Sewer Catch Basin Repairs Scheduled Saturday in BrightonStorm Sewer Catch Basin Repairs Scheduled Saturday in Brighton
8/20/14 - Storm sewer repair work that was originally scheduled last Saturday in the City of Brighton has been moved to this weekend. The Cityâs contractor will be making repairs to storm sewer infrastructure this Saturday and the work is expected to get underway around 7am. It involves two storm drains on North Second Street and one on Washington Street. The City says the work will require partial lane closures in those areas and some intermittent traffic inconveniences may occur. (JM)
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Volunteers Needed For Imagination Station Quarterly Work DayVolunteers Needed For Imagination Station Quarterly Work Day
8/20/14 - Volunteers are being sought to do work and help clean up the Imagination Station in the downtown Brighton playground this weekend. General cleanups are held at the Imagination Station twice a month, but more intensive work days are held every quarter. That will take place on Saturday from 9am to noon, when volunteers will refresh the Fibar playground surface to provide a cushion against the soil underneath. Fibar, which is not the same as mulch or wood chips, is an engineered product made from virgin wood that both cushions and isolates the ground surface. Organizers say 50 volunteers during the three-hour period should be able to lay 50 cubic yards of the material. Individuals or groups interested in helping out should show up this Saturday, or contact BrightonImaginationStation@gmail.com with any questions, or visit the Imagination Station Facebook page. (TD)
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Laundry Named Among Nation's Best Breakfast RestaurantsLaundry Named Among Nation's Best Breakfast Restaurants
8/20/14 - A landmark restaurant in Fenton has been recognized on a list of Americaâs best breakfast eating establishments. Thrillist, an online rating and review website, has named The Laundry as one of the countryâs 21 best breakfast spots. The authors of the review praised The Laundryâs highbrow menu, affordable prices, and small-town charm. They particularly noted the restaurantâs bacon and brie hotcakes, which ended up as their most recommended dish. They also reported that the restaurantâs pie was some of the best in mid-Michigan, recognizing the gravity of that statement in a fruit-producing state. Other restaurants named on the list ranged in location from California and Texas to Maine and Minnesota. (TD)
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Howell Man Defends ALS Ice Bucket ChallengeHowell Man Defends ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
8/20/14 - Itâs a social media trend that some are beginning to tire of, but one Howell man says he wants to see more Ice Bucket Challenges. The challenge, in which people record themselves pouring ice cold water on their heads, is meant as a fundraising opportunity for the ALS Association. The disease is a fatal neuromuscular disorder that eventually paralyzes its victims robbing them of the ability to walk and talk and eventually even swallow or breathe without assistance. No one knows that better than Nick Barnowski of Howell, whose father died of the disease in 2012 less than two years after being diagnosed. He says he understands why people may think the Ice Bucket Challenge is nothing more than an irritating fad, but from his perspective it is creating awareness of the disease where none existed before. Barnowski says while some of those taking the challenge are doing it to avoid making a donation, there can be no doubt that most people are following through financially. Statistics from the ALS Association show that between July 29th and August 20th, $31,5 million in donations were made. That compares to just $1.9 million during the same time period last year. Barnowski says he has hope that one day there will be a cure for ALS and that perhaps everyone who posted a video of themselves pouring water on their head can say they played a part in defeating the disease. (JK)
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Day of Caring Volunteers Renovate Connection Youth Services Day of Caring Volunteers Renovate Connection Youth Services
8/20/14 - Local teens will benefit from the hard work of volunteers as part of a one-day community service blitz, especially those with a culinary itch. About 25 employees from the Lowe's Home Improvement Store spent the day at The Connection Youth Services in Howell as part of the Livingston County United Wayâs annual Day of Caring. The Connection provides help to teens and families in crisis whether emergency housing for youth, a safe place to hang out or support groups. After meeting those behind the local program, Loweâs Human Resources Manager David Bolton tells WHMI he fell in love with the cause. He says he found the amount of kids being helped and all of the work The Connection does in the community inspiring and helped coordinate the project at the site on Grand River. Bolton says they did yard work and took care of a poison ivy problem outside while doing some painting and trimming on the inside to spruce up the rec room, living room and kitchen. Bolton says the creation and installation of a mini teaching kitchen unit in the basement was the culmination of a lot of planning and will allow local youth and teens to either learn how to cook or hone their culinary skills. It was Sales Associate Donovan Koch of Pinckneyâs first time taking part in the event. He told WHMI it was an eye opener and he was happy to lend a hand and give back. This marked the Livingston County United Wayâs 13th annual Day of Caring - one of the largest single-day volunteerism events in Livingston County. The hundreds of volunteers were also able to take a break from their different projects to relax and enjoy a free picnic lunch at the Howell City Park. (JM)
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Suspect Bound Over in Armed Oceola Township Home Invasion Suspect Bound Over in Armed Oceola Township Home Invasion
8/20/14 - One of three armed home invasion suspects charged after an incident in Oceola Township is headed to trial. 18-year-old Cody James DeBruyn was bound over to Livingston County Circuit Court on 26 criminal charges including 1st degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, larceny in a building and various felony weapons charges. Debruyn remains held on a $2 (m) million bond. Two other suspects, 39-year-old Ronald Johnny-Wayne Morrell and 28-year-old Richard Quam, face similar charges. Authorities say the three were armed with handguns when they stormed a home on Hughes Road last June and confronted the owner, which led to a physical confrontation and a shot being fired from one of the intruderâs weapons, although no injuries resulted. One of seven other people in the residence at the time of the attack was kicked in the mouth and lost some teeth. A judge determined there was enough evidence to bind over DeBruyn for trial during a recent hearing, where more information about the motive was also revealed. Testimony from Livingston County Sheriffâs Detective Gary Childers about his interview with DeBruyn indicated the three defendants were at a cookout in Grand Rapids where Quam and Morrell were discussing $50,000 needed to start a business. DeBruyn allegedly started throwing out names of people they could rob including the local victim, at which point Quam and Morrell were said to have immediately started gearing up, putting on camouflage and arming themselves with guns and knives before driving to the victimâs home with Morrellâs wife and children. (JM)
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Red Wings Grind Line Unites for Charity Softball Game SaturdayRed Wings Grind Line Unites for Charity Softball Game Saturday
8/21/14 - The Grind Line will unite for a signature charity softball game held every summer. The Joe Kocur Foundation for Children will host its 2014 Celebrity Softball Series at Duck Lake Pines Park this Saturday. The foundation assists local charities with the primary goal of focusing on families that need assistance either by financial means or logistical support. This marks the 6th year of the popular Celebrity Softball Series event and organizers expect to top their attendance record of 3,000. The day will consist of four games featuring metro-Detroit sports and media celebrities, including a number from the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association. The Grind Line consisted of players Kris Draper, Joe Kocur, and Kirk Maltby during the teamâs heyday in the late-1990âs. Law enforcement officers and firefighters from Milford, Highland Township, White Lake and Oakland County will also be participating. Between the games, families will be able to get autographs from their favorite Red Wings or local sports celebrity. A kidâs area will feature activities, amusement rides and other attractions while raffles prizes will be awarded throughout the day. All proceeds will benefit multiple local childrenâs charities including Huron Valley Special Olympics and Play Like Jackson Foundation. Gates open at 10:30am Saturday for parking and early seating. Various viewing bleachers and tents will be set up along the path near the baseball diamonds for attendees to watch and cheer. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 on Saturday. Complete details are available through the link below. (JM)
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New Fall Festival in Green Oak Township Approved w/ ConditionsNew Fall Festival in Green Oak Township Approved w/ Conditions
8/21/14 - A new fall festival could be a go in Green Oak - provided the man behind it can pull it together and meet a number of conditions set forth by the township board Wednesday night. Rob Cortis, who owns the old Barnstormer banquet facility that was the subject of lengthy litigation with the township, is looking to host the Four County Fall Festival September 25th â 28th. Itâs being proposed on a different property that he owns on the west side of Whitmore Lake Road between 8 Mile and M-36 and would feature a carnival, vendors, family activities and entertainment. Cortis told WHMI this will be the first event on the property heâs actually owned for about 15 years now so heâs excited and wants to make it an annual family event. The board has been very clear about expectations and whatâs needed to make the festival happen. It went through a laundry list of concerns and items that must be addressed but the utmost was safety according to Supervisor Mark St. Charles. He feels itâs a good location and will be another avenue of entertainment for the community but a number of outstanding issues must be resolved within nine days - most of which St. Charles feels are small ticket items that can be done relatively fast if Cortis applies himself. He says Cortis did do a pretty decent job of addressing the list of items and clearing the site of debris and potential hazards but heâs got a little bit to go. Members stated there must be ample medical personnel and security at the event for traffic control and flow as well as parking. It was noted that event staff and security would also need to wear specially labeled shirts in high visibility colors â and nothing related to any specific motorcycle clubs. The board also stressed that Cortis would not be able to host any beer tent through his own corporation but it would be permitted and any liquor license must be secured by a non-profit through both the state and the local police department. (JM)
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