9/3/14 - As far as the Hamburg Township Board is concerned, the matter of complaints against Fire Chief Mark Hogrebe is now closed. The board Tuesday voted 7-0 to take no action on complaints against Township Fire Chief Mark Hogrebe made by three members of the township fire department. The three employees, all of whom are on personal leaves of absence, raised concerns about Hogrebe at a township board personnel committee meeting last week. They included firefighter Andrew Tiefel, who suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, who said that Hogrebeâs behavior toward him was intimidating and claiming he ignored safety concerns in a storage area. At the Tuesday meeting, several firefighters addressed the board in Hogrebeâs defense, stating that the department is better under his leadership and that Hogrebe has improved discipline and accountability, while showing a compassionate side towards firefighters who have undergone stressful situations. Several citizens in the audience also praised Hogrebe. One of them was Al Steinaway, the father of firefighter Michael Steinaway. The senior Steinaway said when his son was electrocuted while fighting a house fire, the chief was at his sonâs side at the hospital. He said further that when his son was called to a run in which a child had died, Hogrebe later visited his house and made several follow-up calls. No one at the meeting had anything negative to say about the fire chief, and all of the 24 letters on his behalf by firefighters were supportive of the chief. Thatâs half of the departmentâs complement of 48 firefighters. After lengthy discussion, the board voted unanimously not to take any action, including that recommended by the personnel committee, which was that the board retain an independent outside investigator. Township Supervisor Pat Hohl tells WHMI that people not satisfied with the boardâs decision still have recourse. Hohl says any the complaining parties have the option of requesting a closed - or open - meeting with the board.(TT)
Hamburg Twp. Board to Take No Action in Fire Chief ComplaintsHamburg Twp. Board to Take No Action in Fire Chief Complaints
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Attorney Identifies Victim in Suspected Road Rage ShootingAttorney Identifies Victim in Suspected Road Rage Shooting
9/3/14 - An attorney representing the wife of a Howell man shot dead Tuesday in what police believe was a road rage incident, says the couple was on their way to pick up their children from the first day of school when the confrontation occurred. Attorney William Moore released a statement today identifying the dead man as 43-year-old Derek Flemming (pictured). Moore said that Flemming and his wife Amy were driving eastbound on Grand River at about 3:35pm Tuesday when a pickup truck almost cut them off near National Street. When they stopped at the light at Chilson Road, Moore says Mr. Flemming exited his vehicle and approached the pickup to ask that driver to slow down. He says that's when the pickup truck driver, a 69 year old also from Howell, shot and killed Flemming. Moore went on to say he hoped "police and prosecutors do their job in bringing the man responsible to justice." Moore added that the suspect, "...shot an unarmed man in broad daylight with multiple witnesses, including Mrs. Flemming. He needs to be removed from our community and locked behind bars." The suspect, who police have declined to identify, remains jailed pending the issuance of charges. Livingston County Prosecutor William Vailliencourt told WHMI this morning that no charges would be filed until he had an opportunity to fully examine the police report. (JK)
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Sale of Rezoned Handy Township Land Moves Forward
9/4/14 - Handy Township is moving forward with the sale of a group of properties that were controversially rezoned earlier this summer. In July, the township board approved rezoning 206 acres of township-owned land located at the southwest corner of Grand River and Nicholson Road from agricultural/residential to industrial. The goal of the rezoning was to get a high price for the land, which was recently acquired by the township in a court settlement related to ongoing sewer debt issues. Township Supervisor Hank Vaupel tells WHMI a purchase agreement for the property has been delivered to the township, and last night the board discussed it at length in closed session. It was not approved during that meeting, but the township attorney was told to act on it. Vaupel says the agreement will come before the board at its Tuesday meeting. Meanwhile, a nearby resident made an offer on 3.8 acres of the property to serve as a buffer between his own property and any future industrial tenants. Jeffrey Kassab offered the township almost $19,000 cash for the parcel. His purchase offer is also slated to be discussed on Tuesday. (TD)
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Drug Strategy Session Set Next Week in HowellDrug Strategy Session Set Next Week in Howell
9/4/14 - The public is invited to help the Livingston County Community Alliance review and select drug abuse prevention strategies at a meeting next week. The LCCA has been meeting with residents, law enforcement, educators, media, and other anti-drug organizations for months with the goal of developing a single drug abuse prevention plan that could help coordinate efforts of different agencies county-wide. Participants have been helping determine what kind of problems are faced locally, what is causing them, and how they can be addressed. Using that information, the LCCA has identified several prevention programs that could be implemented locally. A meeting on Tuesday at St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital in Howell will focus on those plans and their various components. Attendees will be asked to weigh the pros and cons of each, whether they will meet all of the needs of the county, whether they could feasibly be carried out by local organizations, and how they could be funded. For more information, follow the link below. (TD)
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Theater Fundraiser Falls Short; New Owner Not DeterredTheater Fundraiser Falls Short; New Owner Not Deterred
9/4/14 - The Howell Theater was not able to find enough contributors for an online fundraising campaign before it timed out yesterday. Tyler DePerro, the owner of FilmTell LLC in Toledo, Ohio, bought the theater in June. DePerro says he has a âunique visionâ for the theater that includes showing independent movies, silent films, documentaries, and other less-well-known works. He created a fundraising page on Kickstarter seeking contributions from the community to purchase and install a new digital projector to replace the old-fashioned models currently inside the theater. DePerro said community funding for the projectors would help keep ticket prices down once the theater opens. He sought a total of $75,000, but a private company would have been willing to make up the difference if community contributions had added up to just $35,000. Unfortunately, despite commitments from 162 different backers, the pledged amount only reached just over $23,000 as of the deadline at 4:30 yesterday afternoon. DePerro said while the campaign didn't achieve it's goal, it did get "awareness out there about the theater and build the enthusiasm about its re-opening." Because of the way the website works, none of the backers will actually be charged for their pledges because the goal was not reached. However, there is nothing to stop DePerro from recreating the fundraiser and trying to hit the goal again. (JK)
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Home Invasion Suspect Seeks Probable Cause HearingHome Invasion Suspect Seeks Probable Cause Hearing
9/4/14 - A probable cause hearing has been requested by a Kent County woman charged with helping carry out an armed home invasion in Oceola Township. 27-year-old Rebecca Morrell is charged with first-degree home invasion, armed robbery and multiple counts of unlawful imprisonment. On Tuesday, she asked for a hearing to determine if there is probable cause to send the charges to trial. Morrell is the wife of co-defendant Ronald Johnny-Wayne Morrell, who is facing 26 counts related to the June 10th incident at a home on North Hughes Road. His case is on hold while the 39-year-old undergoes a mental evaluation to determine if heâs competent to stand trial. Police say Rebecca Morrell was with her husband and two other suspects, 18-year-old Cody DeBruyn and 28-year-old Richard Quam, when they drove to the home with the intention of robbing it for money to start a business. The three men are alleged to have stormed inside armed with handguns, where they confronted the homeowner. At one point a shot was fired, and while no one was injured from the weapon, one of the seven people in the residence at the time of the attack was kicked in the mouth and lost some teeth. The group allegedly drove in Rebecca Morrellâs car, while her children were in the vehicle during the attack. Testimony has indicated a female voice, which authorities say was Mrs. Morrellâs, was heard on walkie-talkies actively participating in the scheme. Both DeBruyn and Quam have already been bound over to circuit court for trial. (JK)
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Fenton Father & Son Sentenced in Missle Fraud CaseFenton Father & Son Sentenced in Missle Fraud Case
9/4/14 - A father and son from a Fenton metal business have been sentenced to prison on charges related to faulty welds on Tomahawk missiles. Dennis Frederick and his son, Brian Frederick, of Precision Metal Spinning in Fenton pleaded guilty to making false statements about work they were hired to do on the missiles. Both were sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison, which is less than the 18 months recommended by prosecutors or the three years called for under sentencing guidelines. Their sentences will be staggered, with Brian serving his first, so the men can continue to operate their business and care for Dennisâ ailing wife. Precision Metal Spinning had a contract to weld seams on the outer wall assembly of Tomahawk missile engines, but had difficulty meeting specifications and gave the work to an unapproved company out of Chicago without telling the government. The government says cracks were discovered in 2011. A total of 2,700 metal assemblies had to be inspected, leading to nearly 200 being recalled and 83 scrapped.(JK)
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Survey Seeks Data on Livingston County Employment LandscapeSurvey Seeks Data on Livingston County Employment Landscape
9/4/14 - Livingston County businesses looking to stay competitive with their workforce are being encouraged by the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce to take part in an online survey. The 2014 Livingston County Compensation & Benefits survey is a bi-annual effort that collects information from area employers to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the local employment landscape. They say that the survey, coordinated by EctoHR in conjunction with the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, takes 10-15 minutes to complete. The deadline to take the survey is Sunday, September 14th. Those companies completing the survey and including contact information will get a complimentary copy of the results and two customized reports for any two positions they choose. The results of the survey will then be presented on Wednesday, September 24th at the Howell chamber offices in downtown Howell. Representatives of the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget and Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives will also be present to discuss the reportâs data. Youâll find details and a link to the survey below. (JK)
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Murder Case Returns to Livingston County Circuit CourtMurder Case Returns to Livingston County Circuit Court
9/4/14 - After a lengthy legal appeal, the case against a man charged with a Livingston County murder nearly three years ago will be back in court Friday. 30-year-old George Tanner is charged with the murder of Christopher Townsend on October 15th of 2011. Authorities say he and a co-defendant, Brian Stafford, dismembered and then burned the body of the 40-year-old Oakland County man on a wooded property owned by Tannerâs uncle in Green Oak Township. Police say Tanner confessed to the crime while in custody, but the defense argued that confession was inadmissible because a lawyer previously requested by Tanner was waiting to see him, but police did not inform him of that fact. Circuit Court Judge David Reader agreed with that claim, which was backed up by a previous Michigan Supreme Court ruling in the case of the People v. Bender, which said a suspect must be told promptly when an attorney attempts to contact them. Prosecutors appealed that decision to the stateâs highest court which by a 5-2 vote overturned People v. Bender, saying Tanner knowingly waived his Miranda rights when he reinitiated contact with police to make his confession. The case is now set for a pre-trial hearing Friday morning in front of Judge Reader. A trial date is expected to be set following the hearing. Stafford was previously sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to 2nd degree murder.
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Nearly 1,000 Kids Benefit From Backpack & School Supply DriveNearly 1,000 Kids Benefit From Backpack & School Supply Drive
9/4/14 - An annual community effort has once again ensured that hundreds of local kids are heading back to school this week properly equipped. The 13th Annual Connect for Kids/Backpacks for Kids event held last month by the Livingston Educational Service Agency, which had been collecting school supplies and backpacks throughout the summer. Over 900 backpacks filled with school supplies and over $17,000 in resource items were distributed on Thursday, August 21st, during the Annual Connect for Kids/Backpacks for Kids Distribution. LESA officials say the effort wouldnât be possible without the assistance of dozens of community partners, including residents, local businesses, churches and community service groups who contributed through donations, volunteer time, and serving as drop-off sites for supplies and backpacks. They estimated that more than 100 volunteers helped to collect supplies, fill backpacks or assist with the distribution event. (JK)
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Prosecutor Announces Charges Against Howell Man In ShootingProsecutor Announces Charges Against Howell Man In Shooting
9/4/14 - Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt has announced charges of open murder against a Howell man involved in a fatal shooting earlier this week.69-year-old Martin Edward Zale has been arraigned on murder and firearms charges in the Tuesday shooting of 43-year-old Derek Flemming of Howell. At a press conference this afternoon, Vailliencourt told reporters that numerous witnesses have been interviewed, and his office is confident in its charges, though the ultimate decision will be up to a jury. Vailliencourt confirmed that Zale had a license to carry a concealed pistol, but said that he supported the right to bear arms and that this case was not about gun rights. According to the attorney for the victimâs family, Flemming and his wife were driving eastbound on Grand River to pick up their two children from their first day of school when they encountered a pickup truck driven by Zale. He says Zale was driving dangerously and erratically, and when the two vehicles came to a stop at Chilson Road Flemming got out of his car to approach Zale and ask âWhatâs your problem.â Zale then produced a pistol and fatally shot Flemming. Vailliencourt confirmed today that Zale voluntarily surrendered to police following the incident. The prosecutorâs office is asking anyone who may have seen the shooting or the events preceding it to come forward and provide any information they can to the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department. (TD)
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Brighton Council Told Progress Made in SIte Condo Violations
9/5/14 - Brighton City Council members were told at Thursday nightâs meeting that the developer of a site condominium development off Flint Road is making progress in correcting various site plan and code violations. The city filed suit last month against SDG Homes owner Trevor Surdu and his company after it failed to correct problems connected with the Springhill development next to I-96 that were primarily caused by erosion. City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI that at a meeting with City Attorney Paul Burns this week, the developer agreed to a âstipulatedâ court order. In a stipulated order, both sides agree to the conditions before the order is issued by the court. At the August 7 meeting, residents complained that boulder walls had failed, back yards were being washed away, retaining walls had been compromised and a drop off between the sidewalk and a steep slope posed a safety hazard. Engineer Gary Markstrom of Tetra Tech told council at the meeting that Surdu had not addressed 5 of 12 âunacceptableâ items. Markstrom said that retaining walls have to be restored and stabilized, grading must be restored, and common areas landscaped with a mix of grass types to guard against future erosion. He also said Surdu must replace curb and gutter and install new pavement. Burns told council Thursday night that many of the violations have now been corrected and Markstrom has been at the site every day to make sure all of them are made. The city has said that they have to be completed in a timely manner before inclement weather sets in. (TT)
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Woman Accused Of Child Abuse Enters No Contest PleaWoman Accused Of Child Abuse Enters No Contest Plea
9/5/14 - A local woman whose infant son died has pleaded no contest to child abuse charges after earlier rejecting a plea deal from prosecutors. 25-year-old Heidi Lynn Kozlowski of Deerfield Township is charged with child abuse for living with her young children in what authorities called âdeplorableâ conditions. She turned down a plea deal in July, but yesterday she pleaded no contest to the charges. She is scheduled for sentencing on October 29th. In March, one of Kozlowskiâs twin sons, less than three weeks of age, died after experiencing breathing problems. She also has a two-year old daughter. Authorities could not say that the poor living conditions were the definitive cause of the childâs death, and the child abuse charge relates strictly to the conditions she allowed her children to live in. Kozlowski told police her son was having a hard time breathing and she had been suctioning out his nose and mouth before putting the twins to bed at 12:30 that morning. According to court records, she said the babies were fine when her cousin woke up between 3 and 4am, but when she and the childrenâs father woke up at 5:30 am, they noticed their son was not breathing. Kozlowskiâs cousin and paramedics attempted CPR, but were not unsuccessful. (TD)
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Township Sells Delinquent Land to DeveloperTownship Sells Delinquent Land to Developer
9/5/14 - Hartland Township has completed the sale of more than 100 acres of property acquired due to delinquent assessment payments. The land consists of two parcels, 78.5 acres on the southwest corner of Pleasant Valley and M-59 and another 30 acres on the northwest corner of Fenton Road and M-59. The purchaser, Lansing-based residential developer Mayberry Homes, says Hartland is a growing market for their kind of development. The land was purchased for more than $1.6 million, which by law must be dedicated to the township sewer fund. This is the second time this year township-owned land has been sold to a business. In February, the owners of Spicerâs Orchard purchased two parcels on Clyde Road for $342,000, plus another $508,000 to cover sewer assessments associated with the property. (JK)
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Prosecutor Confident of Murder Charge in Fatal ShootingProsecutor Confident of Murder Charge in Fatal Shooting
9/5/14 - Saying it was not a case of self-defense; Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt announced Thursday that his office had filed a charge of open murder against the man involved in Tuesdayâs fatal shooting in Genoa Township. 69-year-old Martin Edward Zale of Marion Township shot 43-year-old Derek Flemming of Howell at the intersection of Grand River and Chilson Road. On Thursday, he was arraigned on, and pleaded not guilty to, charges of open murder, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, and felony firearms. If convicted, Zale faces a sentence of up to life in prison. He is scheduled for an exam conference next Tuesday. The attorney representing the victimâs family says Flemming and his wife were driving eastbound on Grand River when they were passed by Zale, who was driving erratically and dangerously. Flemming reportedly got out of his car at the Chilson to ask Zale what the problem was, but Zale produced a pistol and shot him. Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt held a press conference yesterday where he told reporters his office considered the possibility of self-defense, but he feels comfortable charging Zale with murder. Vailliencourt says Zale had a license to carry a concealed pistol, and that the case is not about the right to carry firearms. He also said numerous witnesses have come forward to improve their understanding of the events, but anyone with information is still encouraged to come forward and tell what they know to the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department. Meanwhile, Flemming's cousin has created a gofundme page to raise money for Flemming's wife, Amy, and their children, Julian and Lily, ages 5 and 7. As of this morning it had garnered nearly $5,000 in donations. There is also a memorial Facebook page dedicated to Flemming's memory, which has more than 1,200 "likes" since it was created Wednesday. You can Click Here to access that. (JK)
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Both Dogs Ordered Put Down After Attack On Northfield WomanBoth Dogs Ordered Put Down After Attack On Northfield Woman
9/5/14 - A Washtenaw County judge yesterday ordered euthanasia for the second dog involved in an attack on a Northfield Township woman. Ellen Mohan, a DJ and weekend personality at WHMI, was attacked and her fox terrier poodle killed in an attack by two unchained dogs on July 17th. Mohan suffered 50 lacerations on both of her hands while trying to save her dog, was hospitalized for five days, and was prescribed weeks of physical therapy. On Wednesday, Judge Cedric Simpson ordered one of the two attacking dogs, a boxer mix, to be euthanized as the state requires for dangerous dogs. He took another day to think about the second dog, an American Shattfordshire Terrier, but decided yesterday that it should be euthanized as well. The owner of the dogs plans to appeal the order, and the dogs will be kept alive until that process is completed.. Mohan says she was initially unsure whether she wanted the dogs to be euthanized, but after hearing about two other attacks they had perpetrated, she understands that they really are dangerous and euthanasia is for the best. (TD)
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Milford Man Seeks To Suppress Statements To PoliceMilford Man Seeks To Suppress Statements To Police
9/5/14 - A motion is being considered to suppress the statements made to police by a Milford man arrested following an incident involving female students. 32-year-old Jordan Kent Walters is charged with one count of accosting a child for immoral purposes and one count of failing to register as a sex offender. The charges stem from an incident last September at the Milford Starbucks. Police Chief Tom Lindberg says three female students in the cafe became uncomfortable with Walters behavior and texted the grandfather of one of them, who came to pick up the girls, He then reported the incident to the police. Officers recognized the description given to them, and three days later they arrested Walters. He had been set to go to trial in May, but that has been adjourned pending a motion to suppress the statements he made to police because he has been diagnosed with autism. Prosecutors have argued that police had no knowledge of that diagnosis and that Walters statements were made freely and without coercion. Oakland County Judge Leo Bowman will issue a ruling on the motion after considering the arguments presented by both sides. Walters remains free on bond. (JK)
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Trio Competing For Singing Stardom & Grant MoneyTrio Competing For Singing Stardom & Grant Money
9/5/14 - An online contest to sing at a Detroit Tigers game and win money for a police, fire or military organization features a trio of residents from Livingston County. The Comerica Cares Home of the Brave National Anthem Contest was open to Metro Detroit police, firefighters/EMTs, military members and veterans. Seven finalists have been chosen and among them are three with Livingston County connections; Walter Johnston of the Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority, Lane Meurer of 1462nd National Guard Transportation Company based in Howell and Army veteran Tim Spink of Brighton. Voting is open to the public through September 20th on the Comerica Cares Facebook page. Johnston was a finalist in last yearâs competition and placed second. In addition to being offered the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at the September 27th Tigers game at Comerica Park, the winner will receive 35 tickets to the game and a $10,000 grant to their police station or fire station, military unit or one of two military nonprofit organizations â Wounded Warrior Project or The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center. Youâll find details and videos of the three local finalists below. (JK)
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Meeting Addresses Plan For Livingston County Recreation PathsMeeting Addresses Plan For Livingston County Recreation Paths
9/5/14- Non-motorized paths in Livingston County will be receiving attention after an open forum yesterday afternoon. The Howell Carnegie Library hosted the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, as well as interested locals and county officials. All came together to discuss connecting biking and walking paths throughout the county and those adjacent. Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Monroe County are also included in the planâs region. SEMCOG Representative Brian Pawlik, tells WHMI public input will be used to address each countyâs needs. The Michigan Department of Transportation is in a partnership with SEMCOG for the project that they hope will make the trails safer and more accessible. Pawlik, who is also working on implementing the plan, encourages bikers and walkers for reasons beyond good health. He says economic development and a safer environment are some benefits to making motorists more aware of residents on non-motorized paths. SEMCOG will evaluate the planâs success by monitoring the biker and walker count for cost efficiency. Pawlik believes if it fits into the countyâs âgrand visionâ, it will have the ability to fund future projects.
The final meeting, which focuses on Washtenaw County, will take place in Ypsilanti on Thursday, September 18th. (DK)
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Tractor Trailer Destroyed In Early Morning Fire On I-96Tractor Trailer Destroyed In Early Morning Fire On I-96
9/5/14 - A tractor-trailer fire forced the closure of westbound I-96 near Fowlerville Road early this morning. Sheriff Bob Bezotte tells WHMI the incident happened at about 3:00am near Exit 129 into Fowlerville. Emergency crews were called to the site, where the found the truck fully involved in the fire. Bezotte says the driver of the truck, a 69-year-old Ohio man, was able to get out unharmed. He adds that while the cargo of snacks and cakes was destroyed and the fire claimed both the trailer and the cab, there were no injuries resulting from the fire. The westbound lanes of I-96 were not completely reopened until about 8:30 as crews worked to extinguish the fire and investigate the incident. Bezotte says they are not sure at this time what started the fire. It was put out by the Fowlerville Fire Department, with the sheriffâs department controlling traffic with the help of the Michigan Department of Transportation. Picture of this mornings trailer fire in Fowlerville. Picture was courtesy of Freelance photographer, Ronald S. Coll. (TD/JK)
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