8/30/14 - A man who has again been given more prison time to serve for assaulting guards. Yet another prison sentence has been tacked onto the others that 30-year-old Joshua Dewey is currently serving for assaulting prison guards while incarcerated at the Woodland Correctional Facility in Green Oak Township. He was recently ordered to serve 20 to 40 years after pleading guilty to charges of assaulting a prison employee and assault with intent to maim for gouging a guardâs eye causing permanent damage in January of 2013. He was sentenced as a 4th time habitual offender and a verbal motion made by Dewey seeking to withdraw his plea at the hearing was denied by Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty. Dewey is currently incarcerated at the Macomb Correctional Facility and records show that he has multiple convictions for assaulting prison employees. In May of 2011, Dewey was sentenced to a minimum of one year and seven months in prison and a maximum of 25 years. He pleaded guilty to seven counts of assaulting a prison employee in April and November of 2010 at the Woodland facility, formerly known as the Maxey Boys Training School. Deweyâs latest sentence must also be served after he completes his current prison terms. His other past convictions include felonious assault and criminal sexual conduct in 2001 and 2005. (JM)
Inmate Sentenced Locally for Attacking Prison Guard Inmate Sentenced Locally for Attacking Prison Guard
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Anti-Drug Organizations Seeking Public Feedback In Online SurveyAnti-Drug Organizations Seeking Public Feedback In Online Survey
An online survey is trying to gauge the effectiveness of local campaigns against teen drug abuse and underage drinking. The survey was posted by the Livingston County Community Alliance and Livingston Community Prevention Project, organizations that are behind local campaigns such as Parents Who Host Lose the Most and the Big Red Barrel. It asks parents about which local campaigns they have heard of since April and how much information they retained as a result. It also asks them about the impact those campaigns had, and whether they were able to spark any discussions with teens or other adults about the dangers and legal ramifications about substance abuse or allowing underage people to drink. Catholic Charities Drug Abuse Prevention Coordinator Kaitlin Fink says facilitating such conversations in the community is one of the major goals of their campaigns. Those who complete the survey will have the chance to enter a drawing for a $100 gift card to a local movie theater. The survey closes on September 30th. A link to it has been posted below. (TD)
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Construction Planned Wednesday on Seven Mile Road Construction Planned Wednesday on Seven Mile Road
8/30/14 - Road improvements will necessitate some traffic restrictions on Seven Mile Road in Northfield Township this coming week. A chip seal surface will be applied on Seven Mile Road from Spencer Road to East Shore Drive on Wednesday, September 3rd and lane restrictions will be necessary to complete the road improvements. The Washtenaw County Road Commission says the work, while weather dependent, is expected to be completed the same day. Traffic delays are likely and motorists are being advised to seek an alternate route. Access will be maintained for adjoining property owners located within the construction zone. To ensure the safety of road crews, motorists are asked to be especially mindful of construction activities, including personnel and equipment, and reduce speeds accordingly. The road commission says pedestrians and bicyclists should keep clear of the area during the placement of the hot asphalt as burns are possible from any contact. (JM)
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Howell Development Director Leaving For MinneapolisHowell Development Director Leaving For Minneapolis
8/30/14 - The City of Howell community development director is leaving to start a new life in Minnesota. Erin Perdu will be resigning in mid-September to move with her family to Minneapolis, where her husband has taken a job. She tells WHMI the city is making plans to find someone to take over for her, but she will continue working for the city through the first of the year on the master plan project. That will involve some off-site work as well as a few follow-up visits to the city. Additionally, Perdu is working with the cityâs planning consultant to find someone who will do zoning administration between her departure and the hiring of a new community development director. The city will publically post that full-time position, and Perdu says there is no current favorite within the city government to take her place. Perdu began as the community development director in 2007, first on a part-time basis but later moving to full-time. She says working for Howell has been a fantastic experience, and she will miss the community and its people. (TD/JK)
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Entries Sought for Cromaine Library's Grant Sweet Memorial Essay ContestEntries Sought for Cromaine Library's Grant Sweet Memorial Essay Contest
8/31/14 - Area students are again being invited to take part in an essay contest sponsored by a local library. The Cromaine District Library in Hartland is again seeking entries for its annual Grant Sweet Memorial Essay Contest. Students will need to interview a soldier or veteran, learn about what their service means to them and then share it in a 250-word essay. The contest is open to all Livingston County middle and high school students in grades 7 through 12, as well as homeschoolers working at those grade levels. The contest is done in memory of the libraryâs former building manager, Grant Sweet. The award for first prize is now $300, second prize is $200 and third place award is $100. Essays must be submitted to Cromaine Library in the Village by 8pm November 4th to be judged by a panel. Cash prizes of $300, $200, $100 will be awarded and winners must read aloud their essays at Cromaine Library on Monday, November 10th. Essays will be published in Hartland Area Community Councilâs Memorial Day Parade Booklet next spring. (JM)
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Rotary Club of Howell Names 2014/2015 LeadershipRotary Club of Howell Names 2014/2015 Leadership
8/31/14 - The Rotary Club of Howell has announced leadership for the coming year to continue its tradition of making a difference through service. Leading the club for the next year will be Patricia Griffith (pictured) who will serve as president. She's been a Howell Rotary member for 6 years. Greg Clum, a Rotarian of 23 years, will serve as treasurer with Andrea Dahline nominated secretary. Leading membership is Pat Convery, President of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce who has been with the organization for 11 years. Serving as club directors are Jeff Blagg, Peter Bowen, Sandie Cortez, Candy Jones-Guerin, Steve Manor, Dr. Samuel Vasiu, Dennis Perkins and Ron Wilson. The Rotary Club of Howell celebrated its 90th anniversary earlier this year. Officials say Rotarians are known for their âFour Way Testâ that members follow for the things they think, say and do. Those focus on truth, fairness and building good will and better friendships. The Howell Rotary Club is known for its various community service projects and scholarship program, Melon Fest ice cream sales, and the Tour de Livingston. However, club members are also active in several other events, fundraisers and efforts throughout the year. (JM)
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Fowlerville Man Critically Hurt in I-96 Crash West of HowellFowlerville Man Critically Hurt in I-96 Crash West of Howell
8/31/14 - A Fowlerville man was critically injured in a 2-vehicle crash Saturday on I-96 west of M-59. According to the Livingston County Sheriffâs Dept., 53-year-old Robert Heilner was westbound on the freeway at about 6:40 a.m. when the compact pickup he was driving was rear-ended by a Toyota Avalon driven by 31-year-old Rick Wilcox of Lowell, Michigan. According to Undersheriff Mike Murphy, Heilner was thrown from the vehicle, which rolled over several times before coming to a rest. Murphy tells WHMI that no charges have been issued in the accident - although it appears the car driver was at fault - pending completion of the investigation. Murphy says although itâs unlikely that Heilner would have been wearing a seat belt, given that he was thrown from the truck, seat belt usage is undetermined at this time. Westbound I-96 was shut down for four hours while the accident scene was being cleared, and in order for a Survival Flight Helicopter to land on the freeway and airlift Heilner to the University of Michigan Hospital. Wilcox escaped serious injury in the accident, and refused medical treatment. Murphy says alcohol appears to have been a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation. Meanwhile, Heilner remained in critical condition as of midday Sunday at the U of M Hospital. (TT)
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23 Firefighters Complete Basic Training in Two Local Programs 23 Firefighters Complete Basic Training in Two Local Programs
9/1/14 - After months of training as part of two local programs, 23 firefighters are moving to the next level. The Livingston County Fire Academy recently graduated 14 new firefighters as part of the Firefighter I & II Academy hosted by the Brighton Area Fire Authority, The firefighters completed a comprehensive program that included more than 300 hours of base level training as required by the state. The program included hazardous materials, incident command, firefighting, strategy, tactics, and all the baseline skills a new firefighter needs to be successful in a fire department. The firefighters in the academy were from Walled Lake, South Lyon, Brighton, Green Oak, Hartland, and White Lake. Fire Chief Michael OâBrian says the program teaches the base line skills while instilling teamwork, dedication and commitment but also demonstrating the need for collaboration with other departments. In addition to the academy, the Authorityâs Emergency Medical Responder Course was able to train nine new responders from Brighton, Fenton, and Argentine in the minimum level of emergency services â a program that is said to be core for many fire departments response to vehicle accidents and medical emergencies. Both courses had a 100% pass rate. (JM)
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County Health Plan Offers Coverage For UninsuredCounty Health Plan Offers Coverage For Uninsured
9/1/14 - A basic services healthcare plan is being offered to eligible Livingston County residents who for whatever reason did not sign up for the federal insurance marketplace. The Livingston Health Plan provides basic medically necessary and primary health care for the uninsured. Itâs described as one time, temporary coverage for residents that fall between 138% to 200% of poverty level or around $23,400. The plan is being offered from now until the end of the year, when individuals can get signed up for open enrollment on the federal marketplace. Livingston County Department of Public Health Director Diane McCormick says the federal healthcare exchange will open up for re-enrollment November 15th and the local plan fills the gap, allowing residents to review all of the opportunities on the federal marketplace and then get signed up so it will go into effect January 1st. There is no fee associated with the Livingston Health Plan but residents will need to meet the eligibility requirements. McCormick says there are a fair number of documented foreigners from various countries throughout the world living in Livingston County. She says those individuals who are not able to sign up for the federal marketplace because theyâre not US citizens are eligible to enroll in the local plan. To set up an appointment, contact the Livingston County Department of Public Health. A link is below. (JK)
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Road Salt Prices Up As Road Commission Looks To WinterRoad Salt Prices Up As Road Commission Looks To Winter
9/2/14 - Last winter may have had a lasting factor aside from breaking records. Michiganâs seemingly never-ending snowfall required quite a bit of road salt usage for safer driving conditions. Because of that, the cost of road salt has increased significantly according to Livingston County Road Commission Director Mike Craine. However, Livingston County is in a good position, at least for this winter. Craine tells WHMI the âtrick is to be in the market as early as possible.â Craine says the goal for the upcoming season is to use as little salt as possible while making sure motorists still have good traction. Though the county's bid is only guaranteed through this year, Craine tells WHMI they do not foresee an extreme spike in salt price. Livingston County will be using the available resources in the smartest fashion possible. The salting equipment can be regulated in real time dependent on the conditions as they change. The amount of salt being used is set based on factors like inches of snowfall, the amount of water in the snow and temperature. Craine says the ability to adjust the salt usage throughout the storm will save the county money as well as road salt. (DK)
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27% of Livingston Households Near or Over Financial Brink27% of Livingston Households Near or Over Financial Brink
9/2/14 - A local non-profit is hoping a new effort will personalize a persistent problem of those residents who work full-time, yet continue to struggle financially. United Way, in conjunction with Rutgers University, has developed a series of standardized measurements that quantify the size of the workforce in each state that is struggling financially, as well as the reasons why they are struggling. Itâs referred to as ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. It is an acronym that is meant to represent the population of individuals and families who are working, but are unable to afford the basic necessities of housing, food, child care, health care, and transportation. Nancy Rosso is the Executive Director of the Livingston County United Way and says those families and individuals who fall into the ALICE category are those living paycheck to paycheck with no safety net. "These are the folks who, one failed transmission could put them over to the poverty side. They by-and-large don't have savings and they're working and struggling." She says that statewide, 40% of households are either below the federal poverty line or considered within the ALICE classification of living below the realistic cost for basic necessities. In Livingston County, that number is 27%. Rosso says the ALICE effort is mainly aimed at identifying a population of people often overlooked because they donât fall into the traditional federal poverty guidelines, which she says is an outdated statistical model. The official U.S. poverty rate that was developed in 1965 and has not been updated since 1974 and Rosso says that the lack of an accurate measurement to frame a discussion has made it difficult to identify the extent of the economic challenges that so many residents face. The United Way ALICE report for Livingston County indicates there are more than 13,000 households living within the ALICE definition. When those living below the federal poverty line are added it jumps to nearly 18,000. It also shows that the City of Howell has the highest percentage of residents living in either poverty or within the ALICE designation at 57%, while Brighton Township is the lowest at 14%. Rosso says the release of the ALICE report represents a first step in a process to first identify an ongoing problem and then use that awareness to try and create solutions. Youâll find a link to a summary of Livingston County and the full ALICE report below. (JK)
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Inmate Sentenced to Time Served in Assault CaseInmate Sentenced to Time Served in Assault Case
9/2/14 - A Livingston County District Court judge has sentenced an inmate of the Woodland Correctional Facility in Green Oak Township to jail time already served on a reduced charge. 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, 53rd District Judge Carol Sue Reader reduced the charge to aggravated assault. Court records show Deans pleaded guilty to the reduced charge during a recent hearing and was sentenced to one day of jail time already served. The case is now considered closed. Authorities said Deans attacked another inmate in December of 2012 and broke his jaw. Heâs currently serving a 12 to 50 year sentence for 2nd degree murder in December of 1995. (JK)
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Drivers Reminded of Road Safety as School Starts Up AgainDrivers Reminded of Road Safety as School Starts Up Again
9/2/14 - Over 55 million children across the United States are heading back to school, many of them today following the Labor Day holiday weekend. With 13% of those school children typically walking or biking to school, AAA is reminding drivers to be especially vigilant for pedestrians and bicyclists during, before, and after school hours. The afternoon hours are particularly dangerous for walking children. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the highest percentage of fatalities among pedestrians under 15 occurred between 4 and 8pm (42%). AAAâs Schoolâs Open â Drive Carefully awareness campaign was launched in 1946 in an effort to prevent school-related child pedestrian traffic crashes. AAA stresses the importance of safety and responsibility while traveling, encouraging not only drivers, but also pedestrians and bicyclists to stay alert and be safe while en route to their destination. Susan Hiltz, AAA Michigan Public Affairs Director says everyone needs "...to be extra cautious on this first day of school. Buses, car pools and changing traffic patterns present challenges to all drivers. Being alert and putting the safety of Michiganâs children first is of the utmost importance.â
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Meeting to Discuss Regional Non-Motorized Path OptionsMeeting to Discuss Regional Non-Motorized Path Options
9/2/14 - A meeting this week in Howell will give residents and local officials a chance to weigh in on a regional plan for biking and walking. The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, or SEMCOG, will hold a public meeting on Thursday at the Howell Carnegie District Library to discuss a draft non-motorized travel plan for Livingston County and Southeast Michigan. That includes walking, bicycling, and any other means of getting around that doesnât involve the use of motorized vehicles. SEMCOG planners are looking for the publicâs input on the proposed plan theyâve developed which has incorporated all of the non-motorized plans for the region, digitized all existing and proposed on-road and off road bicycle facilities and identified the gaps between the various plans. Once the public input period is complete, SEMCOG will put forward a final plan with priority corridors for MDOT facilities and next steps for other road agencies. Thursdayâs meeting is set to run from 4-7pm. Youâll find details through the link below. (JK)
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Military Funeral Set for K-9 Hero From HowellMilitary Funeral Set for K-9 Hero From Howell
9/2/14 - A full military funeral will be held in South Lyon this weekend to honor a local K-9 hero. The Michigan War Dog Memorial on Milford Road is run by a band of volunteer military veterans and K-9 supporters that work to expand awareness about the dogs and everything they do to serve and protect. Itâs been making arrangements for a new dog to be laid to rest, a German Shepard by the name of Shaman who served as a patrol, narcotics detection dog who passed away in July. Shamanâs handler was Army Staff Sergeant Dennis Asher of Howell and the pair (pictured here in 2008) was deployed to Iraq in 2006 after being diagnosed with a spinal cord disease. MWDM Director Phil Weitlauf tells WHMI Shaman retired after a lengthy career and deserves a proper burial. He says a chaplain will deliver the invocation during the full military funeral, complete with a color guard and a table of honor set up. The family wanted Shaman laid to rest at the Michigan War Dog Memorial. Burial services are offered at no charge to the handler or owner of a service dog but they are responsible for the cost of the headstone, which is around $600. Weitlauf says they organized a successful fundraiser for Shamanâs headstone and have been finalizing arrangements for his noon ceremony this Saturday, September 6th. The public is welcome to attend. Picture courtesy of John Carrington/Savannah Morning News (JM)
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Residents & Motorists Driving for Joy in Green Oak Township Residents & Motorists Driving for Joy in Green Oak Township
9/2/14 - Work is continuing on road and trail projects in Green Oak Township. Supervisor Mark St. Charles tells WHMI Fieldcrest Road is an "absolute pleasure to drive" now and it's not even done yet. He says the first layer of paving was laid down and crews started installing the non-motorized pedestrian trail portion of the project from Silver Lake Road to Lee Road, between Fieldcrest and the expressway. A voter approved road millage has allowed the township to tackle a number of projects and address longstanding problems. The paving of Winans Lake Road is still scheduled this year in Green Oak and Hamburg Townships. Itâs a narrow road with high traffic volumes and therefore must be completely closed, although St. Charles says it will be short lived. Also happening this season is work on Eight Mile Road from the Marshall/Spencer Road area, east to Rushton Road. St. Charles says theyâll focus on drainage, ditches and soil erosion before putting down limestone to clean up that road. The one road he says they couldnât get to this year was Rushton, which will be going from gravel to a paved surface. He says theyâll be working with various utility companies over the winter, into next spring and are shooting for construction in 2015. St. Charles says everyone involved in the projects deserve to be thanked from the road commission and crews to the township board and voters, as it wouldnât have happened had they not approved the road millage. (JM)
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Charitable Women To Gather In Genoa Township Next WeekCharitable Women To Gather In Genoa Township Next Week
9/3/14 - A hundred charitable women will get together next week to find a new local nonprofit to benefit from their generosity. The 100 Women Who Care meet quarterly to select a local nonprofit beneficiary. Three women are chosen to give presentations about charities they support, and the group votes on which should be selected. Once a program is chosen, each of the 100 women provide a check for $100, adding up to a donation of $10,000. The next meeting for the group will take place on September 9th at the 2|42 Community Church. The program begins in the café at 5:30pm. The Salvation Army of Livingston Countyâs Summer Lunch Bunch was the program chosen at the groupâs June meeting, and group member Janey McCombs will give a presentation at next weekâs meeting about the work that was done with their money. Previous winners have included the Howell Nature Center, LACASA, and the Connection Youth Center. Those interested in attending the meeting should visit the website below. (TD)
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Suspected Road Rage Leaves One Man Dead, Another in JailSuspected Road Rage Leaves One Man Dead, Another in Jail
9/3/14 - A Howell man was fatally shot during a possible road rage incident yesterday afternoon in Genoa Township. At 3:35, emergency crews were called to the intersection of Grand River and Chilson Road. Undersheriff Mike Murphy says there were two men involved in the incident: a 43-year-old man in a 2014 Escape and a 69-year-old man in a Dodge pickup truck, both from Howell. The man in the pickup reportedly passed the Escape while traveling eastbound on Grand River. While they were stopped at the Chilson Road traffic light, the man in the Escape got out of his vehicle and walked to the driver-side window of the pickup. The driver of the pickup produced a firearm and fatally shot the man, then pulled off onto Chilson to wait for the police. He was arrested without incident. Miranda Murray, who owns MJ's Hair Salon in the Whistle Stop Plaza, told WHMI that she heard the gunshot followed by the screams of a woman. When she went outside, she saw a man on the ground and a woman kneeling over him. She said a police officer later came into the salon to see if they had a surveillance camera, which they did not. Murphy says the suspect declined to talk with investigators and instead asked for an attorney. He is lodged in the Livingston County Jail pending charges, which could be filed as early as today. The intersection remained closed until just after 7pm as police investigated the shooting, and anyone with information relevant to the incident is asked to contact them. (TD/JK)
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Charges Of Harassment And Hostility Made Between HPS OfficialsCharges Of Harassment And Hostility Made Between HPS Officials
9/3/14 - The superintendent and school board president of Howell Public Schools are exchanging accusations of creating a hostile work environment. Superintendent Ron Wilson filed a complaint on August 19th, claiming that School Board President Mike Witt had bullied and harassed him, leading to a hostile work environment, physical hurt, psychological distress, and discrimination. Last night, the Howell School Board, including Witt, voted unanimously to approve spending $10,000 to investigate these claims. The school board president says the claims are groundless and welcomed an investigation into the situation. Witt provided a copy of Wilsonâs complaint to WHMI in which the superintendent takes exception to a closed session of the board Witt called for on June 9th to review an attorney opinion. Wilson said he was not a part of that meeting and is suspicious that his termination was its purpose. He then says the meeting was in retaliation for Wilsonâs request of an accounting of items solicited by Witt for the districtâs firefighting program and Wilsonâs refusal to support sanctioning school board members Mike Moloney and Doug Moore. He also accuses Witt of using a district employee to do work for him outside of the school day, accruing a $3,500 bill, which Wilson says was never paid. In a letter responding to the allegations, Witt denied the allegations, saying the employee in question works for LESA, not Howell schools, and that the work was an agreement between two private individuals. He further states that the individual in question indicates that he is fully satisfied with the services provided by Wittâs company, Firehouse Doors, and that no dissatisfaction exists. Witt also accused Wilson of creating a hostile work environment, insubordination, and defamation. Wittâs letter requested that those claims be investigated as well. The investigation should be completed in the next few weeks. Some members of the school board said they were not happy spending $10,000 on an investigation that would tarnish the districtâs reputation. The request was approved unanimously with the only abstention being Kim Witt, the board secretary and Mike Wittâs wife. Wilson offered no opinions during the meeting, and had no comment when approached afterward. However, he issued a statement this morning, which is posted below.(TD/JK)
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Proposed Pipeline Maps Available at Local Libraries
9/3/14 - Maps of a proposed natural gas pipeline are now available in libraries in each Michigan county through which the route currently passes, including Livingston. The path of the proposed ET Rover Pipeline comes up from Washtenaw County into Putnam Township, running just west of Pinckney. It continues north near the borders between Marion and Iosco townships and Howell and Handy townships, before crossing Cohoctah Township northward into Shiawassee County. The approximately 810-mile natural gas pipeline is proposed to connect production areas in Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia to markets serving the Midwest and Gulf Coast or for export to Canada. Company officials say natural gas will then be supplied back to the U.S. Among the libraries where the maps are available for public review are the Howell Carnegie District Library, Ann Arbor District Library and the Genesee County Library in Flint Township. They are available in either the adult reference department or public documents area and are for reference only. The company says the $4.3 billion project will create a temporary workforce of up to 10,000 construction jobs and an estimated $153 million in tax revenue paid yearly to the states and counties crossed by the pipeline while it is in operation. Opponents say the line will likely disrupt their property, while providing little local benefit. They have encouraged residents to let their opposition be known to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is currently accepting public comment before deciding whether to provide final approval for the pipeline. When commenting, the docket number for the ET Rover Pipeline is PF14-14-000. (JK)
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