8/23/14 - Five new buses were purchased by the Howell Board of Education at its most recent meeting, but no new propane buses were part of that order. More than $400,000 was spend on the buses, which will contribute to the onging replacement of the districtâs bus fleet. Assistant Superintendent Rick Terres says some of Howellâs buses are 24 years old, and by replacing 5 buses every year for the next five years, the district can make it so the oldest buses in the fleet are only 9 years old. All five of the new buses were diesel-fueled, which is the industry standard. Last year the district purchased two buses that use propane as a fuel, and ever since the district has found those two buses to be reliable, easy to maintain, and cheaper to run. Terres says the district is very happy with the propane models, but they want to give the technology another year of testing before committing to more new propane buses, which have a higher initial cost than diesel models. That extra year will also give the district a better idea of where the propane market is heading, and whether the fuel will get more or less expensive over time. The districtâs bus fleet has a total of 59 vehicles, 48 of which are in constant use while 11 are held in reserve. (TD)
Howell Schools Approve Bus Purchase; Forego PropaneHowell Schools Approve Bus Purchase; Forego Propane
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Brother & Sister Fall From Ferris Wheel at Chelsea Community Fair Brother & Sister Fall From Ferris Wheel at Chelsea Community Fair
8/23/14 - Police say a brother and sister were injured but are expected to recover after falling from a Ferris wheel cab at the Chelsea Community Fair. The 8-year-old boy and the 16-year-old girl were hospitalized with what were described as non-life threatening injuries after the cab they were riding in reportedly tipped over and dumped them 15 to 20 feet onto the ground Thursday night. How the incident actually occurred is unclear but all of the rides had been inspected and deemed safe before the fair started Tuesday. The Chelsea Standard reports that the midway company and the Chelsea fair have a longstanding history and this is the first incident to happen on one of their rides. North American Midway Entertainment issued a press release stating that cause of the accident was not due to mechanical failure and no structural damage was found by a state inspector, who deemed it safe to re-open and operate by Friday afternoon. Chelsea Police were conducting an independent investigation. (JM)
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Sheriffâs Mounted Division Conducts Search & Rescue TrainingSheriffâs Mounted Division Conducts Search & Rescue Training
8/23/14 - Nine horseman from the Livingston County Sheriffâs Mounted Division spent more than two hours crisscrossing the fields of the Countyâs Lutz Park as part of a recent search and rescue training exercise. The team conducted two practice searches, including one for a special needs child portrayed by a member of the Sheriffâs Cadet program and one for possible discarded evidence from a previous arrest. The area is said to be difficult to search because of heavy clumps of brush, poison ivy and extremely tall grass. Team Leader, Deputy Dennis Hurley, commented on the advantages of using riders as opposed to searchers on foot. He says people tend to think it faster search because theyâre on horseback but they generally move more slowly than a person on foot. He says the advantage is that because of the height of the horse, they have a different perspective than a ground searcher. Hurley says they also rely on the keen senses of the horse and pay close attention to the reactions of the horses since they can often hear or smell things that will cue them in on where to focus attention. The Livingston County Mounted Division conducts trainings throughout the year to practice and hone skills. All of the riders are volunteer Special Deputies who serve as needed by the department and the division is currently looking to add four more riders to the team. Those interested that have a well-trained confident horse, a trailer and a tow vehicle are encouraged to apply through the link below. (JM)
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Fowlerville Woman Re-Sentenced in Methamphetamine CaseFowlerville Woman Re-Sentenced in Methamphetamine Case
8/23/14 - The exact same sentence has been handed down again for a Livingston County woman who went to prison for operating a meth lab. Ray Lynn Dennis of Fowlerville was sentenced last November to a prison term of 13 to 30 years after pleading guilty to delivering methamphetamine and operating a meth lab in Iosco Township. She later sought to withdraw that plea, which was denied. However, the court granted her motion to be re-sentenced and correct the jail credit she received. Her new sentence, the same 13 to 30 years, was again handed down by Livingston County Judge Michael Hatty but she will receive credit for 355 days served. Last year, after entering her plea, Dennis used red Kool-Aid to pretend she was bleeding and having pregnancy complications. Deputies took her to the hospital, but a doctor concluded she was not bleeding and had been faking distress. Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte said that Dennis had planned to use the hospital visit as a way to escape. (JM)
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Tyrone Man Charged With Sending Inappropriate Texts To MinorTyrone Man Charged With Sending Inappropriate Texts To Minor
8/24/14 - A Tyrone Township man is facing felony charges after allegedly sending inappropriate messages that were sexual in nature to a 13-year-old girl. 44-year-old Glenn Eric Catlin is charged with accosting a child for immoral purposes and using computers or the internet to communicate with another to commit a crime. Court records show the alleged incident occurred June 11th and Glen will appear in 53rd District Court for an exam conference Tuesday. Catlin is accused of sending text messages to a 13-year-old girl expressing his desires. (JM)
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Brighton Planning Commission May Shrink From 9 To 7Brighton Planning Commission May Shrink From 9 To 7
8/24/14 - Officials in Brighton are trying to figure out what to do about a vacancy on the cityâs planning commission. The planning commission is supposed to have nine members, but with nobody stepping forward to fill a longstanding vacancy it currently stands at eight. City Manager Dana Foster brought the issue forward at the City Councilâs regular meeting last week, and the council began examining the possibility of reducing the number of seats on the commission from nine to seven. That possibility had been examined in previous years. However, no action was taken at last weekâs meeting. Instead, the council raised questions about the rules for changing the number of seats on the commission, whether the current number is mandated by the city charter, and, if they do eliminate one seat, how do they determine which sitting member must step down. The council was opposed to having an even number of commissioners because of the possibility of a tie, and Foster did not think it would be appropriate to return to the old system whereby the manager cast the tie-breaking vote on the commission. The cityâs attorney was asked to look into the issue, and will bring back his findings to the councilâs next meeting. (TD)
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New Patrol Cars Approved For Hamburg Police DepartmentNew Patrol Cars Approved For Hamburg Police Department
8/24/14 - The Hamburg Township Police Department will be getting some new vehicles. Police Chief Rick Duffany went before the Hamburg Township Board of Trustees last week to request permission to purchase two new 2015 Ford Interceptor patrol cars. One will replace an existing patrol car that has more than 92,000 miles on it, where department policy calls for cars to be retired at 80,000 miles. The second new vehicle will replace a damaged patrol car was T-boned at an intersection by another driver in late June. The insurance payout on that vehicle was more than $20,000, so the out-of-pocket cost for the township is about $3,700. The other vehicle will cost about $30,000 to purchase and outfit for use by police. All of the funding will come from the departmentâs reserve vehicle purchase fund, which is maintained specifically so police do not have to use worn-out vehicles. It is replenished annually by asset forfeitures, but Duffany needs the boardâs permission to spend it. The purchase of new vehicles was approved unanimously. (TD)
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Republicans Pass Up Nakagiri Challenge for Lt. GovernorRepublicans Pass Up Nakagiri Challenge for Lt. Governor
8/24/14 - Gov. Rick Snyderâs running mate easily fended off a challenge from Wes Nakagiri, a Livingston County-based Tea Party activist, who had been critical of Snyder for expanding Medicaid and supporting Common Core education standards. Snyder called Brian Calley the âbest partnerâ and a strong conservative voice in the administration. The thousands of delegates inside the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi on Saturday also nominated Attorney General Bill Schuette, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, state Supreme Court Justices Brian Zahra and David Viviano and high court candidate James Redford, a Kent County judge. Out of more than 2,000 votes cast, Calley won 65 percent to 35 percent. After learning the result, Nakagiri, who helped found and now serves as the treasurer of Hartland-based RetakeOurGov, moved to make the ballot unanimous for Calley saying that it was important to be unified to defeat the Democrats in November. Jack Powell, a 66-year-old retired automaker from Montrose, said he backed Nakagiri to send a message to Snyder that heâs not being conservative enough on issues like same-sex marriage. (JK)
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Overnight Crosswalk Maintenance Planned in BrightonOvernight Crosswalk Maintenance Planned in Brighton
8/25/14 - The City of Brighton will be doing some overnight maintenance work on crosswalks in the downtown area, resulting in a small detour. Department of Public Works personnel will be performing maintenance work on the lighted crosswalks located on Main Street at the intersection of West Street and in front of the Millpond. The work is scheduled from 2am to 6am Tuesday. The city says if additional time is needed, then the work will continue on Wednesday, August 27th during the same time frame. The maintenance will require a partial closure of Main Street from Grand River to Hyne Street and motorists should follow the posted detour route. (JM)
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New Splash Pad & Ice Rink Concept Proposed in Downtown HowellNew Splash Pad & Ice Rink Concept Proposed in Downtown Howell
8/25/14 - Favorable input from the public is said to be pushing a project forward in the city of Howell that will serve the community years to come. The Howell Main Street DDA has created a concept for a splash pad and ice rink in the amphitheater located next to the historic Livingston County Courthouse. Howell Main Street DDA board President Eric Conn says the concept created is one that will be sympathetic to the great history of Howell and the courthouse. He says the intent is to work with the county and city to create a year round meeting place and attraction in the center of Howell. The concept is said to have broad-based support from several willing investors and local businesses that stand to benefit from the increased use of the space. The Main Street DDA office is also in the process of conducting a community survey and the majority respondents were said to be in favor of the idea. Conn says the changes proposed for the project should also improve the experience of the popular concerts at the courthouse and provide for better seating, acoustics and easier access to and from the event. (JM)
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Warrant Issued for Wife of Suspect in Oceola Home InvasionWarrant Issued for Wife of Suspect in Oceola Home Invasion
8/24/14 - A warrant has been issued for the wife of one of three armed home invasion suspects charged after an incident in Oceola Township. Court records show that a warrant has been authorized locally for 27-year-old Rebecca Kay Morrell of Grand Rapids. Sheâs been charged with 1st degree home invasion, four counts of unlawful imprisonment and armed robbery for her alleged role in the June 10th incident. 39-year-old Ronald Morrell, 18-year-old Cody DeBruyn and 28-year-old Richard Quam all face similar charges after police say they stormed a home on Hughes Road armed with handguns and confronted the owner. That 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. Testimony during a recent court hearing revealed the motive was robbery and that Quam and Morrell allegedly needed $50,000 to start a business. DeBruyn is said to have started throwing out the names of people to possibly rob while the men were at a cookout in Grand Rapids, including the victim, and they immediately began arming themselves with guns and knives before driving to the victimâs home with Morrellâs wife Rebecca and children. Although the charges have been authorized against her, she has not yet been located. (JM)
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Veteran's Support Organization Raises POW/MIA Flag In BrightonVeteran's Support Organization Raises POW/MIA Flag In Brighton
8/25/14 - The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce gathered with Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 Saturday to support the group in an endeavor of remembrance. Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 held a flag raising ceremony to acknowledge Prisoners of War and service members who are still Missing in Action. Chairman of the board for Rolling Thunder Chapter 5, Duane OâParka, tells WHMI the POW/MIA flag is symbolic of those fallen. Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 not only raises awareness for POW and those MIA, but also works with veterans. The group visits the Veteranâs Administration hospital in Ann Arbor as well as the homeless shelter in Detroit. OâParka says the only requirement for members of Rolling Thunder is the desire to support the cause and involve the community. The ceremony was underlined by a moment of silence for those who have yet to come home. (DK)
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Anti-Fracking Presentation Planned WednesdayAnti-Fracking Presentation Planned Wednesday
8/25/14 - Donât Frack Up Our Future. Thatâs the title of a presentation at the Brighton District Library on Wednesday evening. Craig Brainard - a longtime member who also serves on the executive committee of the Michigan Chapter of the Sierra Club - will be delivering a hour-long presentation about whatâs happening with gas and oil drilling in Michigan, its relationship to climate change and how it would affect resources both locally and at the state level. Details are available on our website. The Crossroads Group of the Sierra Club is hosting the program and chairperson Lee Burton says fracking has become a big concern, especially in rural Livingston County. Burton told WHMI if wells are drilled; there can be damage to roads from the trucking of water and waste as well as possible groundwater and air pollution. Hydraulic fracturing is a process where millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals are pumped underground to break apart the rock and release the gas. Residents in Conway Township were affected by a fracking operation although that well was eventually abandoned. Although that operation didnât pan out and wasnât productive, Burton does not believe it will be the last trial well in the area and feels anyone in the area should have concerns about what will be next. The âDonât Frack Up Our Futureâ Program will take place at the Brighton District Library at 7pm Wednesday. All of the programs and outings put on by the Crossroads Group of the Sierra Club are open to general public and offered free of charge. (JM)
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UM's Putnam Twp. Wood Plot Joins Smithsonian Forest Registry UM's Putnam Twp. Wood Plot Joins Smithsonian Forest Registry
8/25/14 - The University of Michigan says that a 57-acre forest plot it owns in Livingston County has become part of a Smithsonian Institution global network for studying forest function and diversity. The university says the plot is at its 1,297-acre Edwin S. George Reserve, west of Pinckney in Putnam Township. The school says the plot was added Aug. 12 to the Smithsonian's Forest Global Earth Observatory. The network of inventory plots includes 60 locations in 24 countries. Preparation for adding the plot to the Smithsonian inventory involved 12 Michigan and Middlebury College students tagging, mapping and measuring every tree greater than 1 centimeter in diameter at chest height. The school says they inventoried about 45,000 trees. The reserve was established in 1930. Since then, more than 475 research papers have been published using studies carried out wholly or partly at the reserve. Long-term studies at the reserve include decades-old investigations of turtle life histories and reproductive success, a demographic study of the resident white-tailed deer herd, and a study of amphibian communities in 37 ponds on the property. Pictured: Student recording data at a research plot in U-Mâs Edwin S. George Reserve. Image credit: Dale Austin (JK)
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Trial Date Set for Man Caught Stealing Copper Wire in Highland Twp. Trial Date Set for Man Caught Stealing Copper Wire in Highland Twp.
8/25/14 - The man charged in connection with a copper theft in Highland Township will go to trial in October. 37-year-old Robert Stefaniak is set for trial October 9th in Oakland County Circuit Court on a single count of larceny of $1,000 or more. The Novi man was arrested after a telephone company employee reported seeing an unauthorized truck removing phone cable from the area of Duck and Livingston Roads on June 14th. Deputies with the Oakland County Sheriffâs Highland Township substation arrived to find Stefaniak near a white utility truck, spooling wire. When questioned, Stefaniak claimed he had been contracted by AT&T to remove telephone cable. Detectives confirmed that he was employed by a telecommunication company out of White Lake. Stefaniak will next be in court September 25th for a pre-trial hearing. If no plea deal is agreed to, heâll proceed to trial on October 9th. (JM)
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Brighton Deputy Fire Chief Completes Course For Fire OfficersBrighton Deputy Fire Chief Completes Course For Fire Officers
8/25/14 - A local fire official has completed a national course to improve his effectiveness within the department. Brighton Area Fire Deputy Chief Michael Evans has completed the Executive Fire Officer Program from the US Fire Administrationâs National Fire Academy. The program is intended to improve a fire officerâs leadership, executive development, and ability to analyze community risk reduction and emergency management. The program takes four years and the completion of several applied research projects within the studentâs own organization to show they know how to apply the material. Fire Chief Mike OâBrian says Evans has already put his new education to work and it is benefiting the department. (TD)
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Howell Schools LED Billboard Rejected by Planning CommissionHowell Schools LED Billboard Rejected by Planning Commission
8/25/14 - Officials in the Howell school district are weighing their options after a proposal for an LED billboard was recommended for rejection by the Howell City Planning Commission. The district has already signed a contract with a sign company to install a 10-foot by 30-foot LED billboard near its bus garage. The sign would show ads for the district some of the time, but it would mostly display commercial advertisements as a way to generate revenue for the district. Associate Superintendent Rick Terres told the planning commission the ten-year contract would provide the district with more than $700,000. However, the members of the planning commission were against the idea, saying the city bans digital signs as well as signs of that size. They unanimously recommended that the districtâs application for a special land use permit be denied. Howell Schools Associate Superintendent Rick Terres tells WHMI until recently, the city would not have even gotten a say in the approval process, which would have gone to the State Department of Education instead. However, a recent court case on the western side of the state contested that final approval was up to the local municipality instead. Members of the planning commission said sign companies had been taking advantage of school districts to circumvent local sign ordinance. (TD)
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September Rally Aims to End Dog Breed Discrimination September Rally Aims to End Dog Breed Discrimination
8/25/14 - Those behind a movement to end discriminatory dog laws say itâs time to stop blaming the wrong end of the leash. The Make Michigan Next campaign aims to end breed specific legislation or BSL in the state thatâs being backed by a coalition of animal welfare organizations. The group has been working with the legislature in hopes of making Michigan the 20th state to ban breed-specific legislation. Those behind the movement say the laws are a form of legalized discrimination that violate the rights of dog owners and are based on nothing more than misinformation and fear. Several communities have laws banning different breeds including pit bulls and the desired change is to have communities look at dogs individually and hold owners accountable. Municipalities with breed discrimination laws currently in effect would be required to replace them with responsible pet ownership laws. Dr. Erica Hawker is a veterinarian who lives in Hartland Township that will be speaking at a rally planned Wednesday, September 17th on the east lawn of the state capitol in Lansing. She tells WHMI pit bulls are not a breed but a mixed breed of dog that make up 48% of pet households today. Hawker has several clients that have been ticketed and says in some cases, animals that look a certain way a can be removed from a community and dogs donât have to exhibit any aggressive behavior. Hawker says these laws can be devastating and destroy families and break-up homes. To date, 19 states have passed a statewide ban on breed discrimination. Details about the movement and rally are available through the link below. (JM)
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Accident Involving Semi Forces Closure of US-23 at M-14Accident Involving Semi Forces Closure of US-23 at M-14
8/25/14 - Michigan State Police at the Brighton Post say due to an overturned semi and hazmat spill, southbound US-23 at M-14 will be closed for approximately the next 12 to 20 hours. That estimate was provided by MSP at 5:30pm. Southbound US-23 traffic is being diverted onto North Territorial Road to avoid the accident. M-14 traffic traveling east is being allowed to continue east or south but traffic is not allowed to travel north from eastbound M-14. Traffic traveling west on M-14 is able to continue west on M-14 or north.Traffic traveling north on US-23 is able to continue north. There are no further details and the matter is still under investigation as to the cause of the accident. Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes and avoid the area. (JM)
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First Phase of Sidewalk Improvements Begin in Hartland First Phase of Sidewalk Improvements Begin in Hartland
8/26/14 - A sidewalk construction project designed to add safety and enhance walkability in the village area of Hartland Township is getting underway. There are several sections of sidewalk in the village that officials say have become hazardous and those will be the first priority. Construction got underway this week and is projected to be complete in early September. In addition to the creation of a new sidewalk connecting Hartland Road and Creekside Elementary School in front of the Hartland Post Office, the project also includes nearly 600 linear feet of other improvements. A press release from the township states that additional improvements will be made in subsequent phases, many of which will require that the Livingston County Drain Commission first address issues in the area. The Hartland Township Board earlier approved up to $45,000 for the village sidewalk improvements and application submissions for state and federal grants to assist are said to be ongoing. A map of the phase one improvements is available for viewing on the Hartland Township website, as well as the attachment below. (JM)
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