9/11/14 - Voters will get a chance at three different forums in the next month to hear from various candidates running in November for local and state offices. The Brighton, Hartland and Howell chambers of commerce have teamed up with Voters Voice and the Livingston County Association of School Boards to present the candidate forums in advance of the Tuesday, Nov. 4, general election. The first is set for Tuesday, September 23rd at the Hartland Educational Support Services Center on M-59 and will feature Republican Mike Bishop and Democrat Eric Shertzing, candidates for the 8th Congressional District. Also featured will be the candidates for the 22nd state Senate seat: Republican incumbent Joe Hune and his Democratic challenger Shari Pollesch. The second forum will take place a week later on Tuesday, September 30th at the Brighton Center for the Performing Arts. It will feature candidates for the 42nd District state House seat: Democrat Timothy Johnson and Republican Lana Theis. Also set to appear are candidates in the non-partisan judicial race for the 53rd District Court: Incumbent Theresa Brennan and her challenger, Dennis Brewer. The final forum will take place on Tuesday, October 7th in the Howell High School auditorium. It will feature candidates for the 47th House district: Democrat Jordan Jenso and Republican Hank Vaupel; as well as the candidates for the 22nd state Senate seat. All of the forums begin at 6:30pm. (JK)
Candidate Forums Highlight County, State & Federal RacesCandidate Forums Highlight County, State & Federal Races
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District Highlights Facility Updates While Hiring New TeachersDistrict Highlights Facility Updates While Hiring New Teachers
9/11/14 - A lot of changes have taken place in Brighton Area School buildings since June, when school let out for the summer. All four elementary buildings, along with Maltby Intermediate School, have had had extensive work done to them, both inside and out. Itâs all part of the $89 million bond issue passed by voters in 2012. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that with all of the renovation work and other upgrades done over the summer, most schools in the district have an entirely new look. Gray adds that a new HVAC - or heating, ventilation, air conditioning system - was installed at Scranton Middle School. While the high school was mostly left untouched, Gray says it will be the main beneficiary of the remaining bond work to be done during the coming year. One aspect of that will be an entirely new, state-of-the-art swimming pool that will be constructed as an addition to the high school. The cost of the swimming pool, along with the seating area, locker rooms and connecting hallway to the high school, will be about $10 million. The pool is expected to be ready for the start of the 2015 competitive swimming season. Also Monday, the board approved hiring eight new teachers, which Gray says is the result of a combination of retirements and resignations. Six of the eight hires are elementary teachers, while one will be at Scranton Middle School and one at the high school. Since they are all replacements and not additional teachers, the number of teachers in the Brighton Area Schools will remain at just under 300. (TT)
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Pharmacist Linked to Steroid Deaths Pleads Not GuiltyPharmacist Linked to Steroid Deaths Pleads Not Guilty
9/11/14 - A Massachusetts pharmacist was arraigned today in connection with the 2012 meningitis outbreak that killed more than a dozen patients at a Livingston County clinic. Glenn Adam Chin entered a not guilty plea today in federal court in Boston. Prosecutors say he oversaw the sterile clean rooms at the New England Compounding Center, where the tainted steroids blamed for the outbreak were made and then shipped to Michigan Pain Specialists in Genoa Township. As a result, 217 of that clinicâs patients contracted fungal meningitis, killing 15 of them. They were among 64 people nationwide that died as a result of the outbreak. Chin, a supervisory pharmacist, is accused of participating in a scheme to fraudulently cause one lot to be labeled as injectable, meaning it was sterile and fit for human use. Chin was arrested last week as he was prepared to board a flight to Hong Kong. Many of those affected by the deadly outbreak have cheered Chinâs arrest and indictment, saying that those responsible have avoided legal consequences for too long. Chinâs attorney says his client was on his way to a family wedding and had a return ticket. He says the arrest was an attempt on the part of the U.S. attorneyâs office to generate publicity for the case. Image - Steven Senne/Associated Press (JK)
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Suit Against Local Judge Seeks Access to Courtroom RecordingsSuit Against Local Judge Seeks Access to Courtroom Recordings
9/11/14 - A local attorney says a lawsuit he filed against a sitting judge aims to bring attention to matters he feels need to see the light of day. Howell Attorney Tom Kizer filed suit against 53rd District Court Judge Theresa Brennan after he was denied access to video and audio recordings of courtroom proceedings for multiple cases that have been before her. Kizer says the lawsuit was a last resort as he had sent Judge Brennan a letter asking for access to the recordings before filing it. Brennan is up for reelection and as to any political motivation; Kizer said thereâs a political component to everything during election years. Kizer tells WHMI itâs a serious issue and about more than Judge Brennan but the judicial branch of government and transparency. Kizer says he felt it was his duty to at least step forward and try to gain access to the recordings. He says the videos could show nothing at all, but they could also show that Judge Brennan is not even tempered or respectful of people. Kizer says the current local court order preventing him from accessing the public information is so selective and fraught with discrimination against individuals that it needs to be reviewed. He says it allows the viewing of videos by litigants and attorneys but they do not have the ability to make copies, while the media is permitted access but only at the discretion of the judge. The complaint was filed September 4th in Livingston County Circuit Court. An order of disqualification for all local judges was filed Tuesday, requesting the matter be referred to the Supreme Court Administrators Office. Calls for comment have been placed with Brennanâs attorney Joe Seward. (JM)
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Benefit Dinner Planned for Michigan War Dog Memorial Benefit Dinner Planned for Michigan War Dog Memorial
9/12/14 - A benefit dinner is planned next weekend for the Michigan War Dog Memorial. TThe memorial is located at the corner of Milford Road and 11 Mile in Lyon Township and is the final resting place for those dogs that fight alongside the nationâs men and women in uniform. Referred to as Military Working Dogs, they continue on duty today in Afghanistan, where hundreds of teams remain deployed. The VFW Post 9914 on Duck Lake Road in Highland Township will be hosting an Italian dinner on September 20th from 5 to 8pm to benefit the Michigan War Dog Memorial. All proceeds will go toward the continuing restoration and maintenance of the memorial. There will be a presentation of K-9's in the Military as well as an update on progress at the Michigan War Dog Memorial. K-9 Ziva will be accompanying the organizationâs Director Phil Weitlauf for the presentation. The public is welcome to attend the benefit dinner. Details about the memorial and the fundraiser are available through the link below. (JM/JK)
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Program Aims to Educate Local Parents About Teen Drug Trends Program Aims to Educate Local Parents About Teen Drug Trends
9/12/14 - An informational program next week will offer local parents a look into teen drug use and trends. DRUGS 101: What Parents Want to Know is an informative and educational program for adults to learn about the signs, symptoms and current trends of teen drug use. Local parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers, coaches and administrators are encouraged to attend the program at Whitmore Lake High School on Wednesday, September 17th from 6:30 to 8:30pm. One highlight of the program is a mock teenagerâs bedroom that will be set up for adults to observe and attempt to identify obvious and not-so-obvious drug related paraphernalia. Attendees will also learn facts about trends in teen drug use, tools to identify potential teen drug use and skills to engage kids in conversations. The program is free and sponsored by Whitmore Lake High School, the Northfield Township Police Department and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. Walk-ins will be accepted and online registration is available. A link to the event flyer is below. (JM)
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Brighton House Dispute Back to Court of AppealsBrighton House Dispute Back to Court of Appeals
9/11/14 - The Michigan Court of Appeals will resume the case of an elderly Brighton couple now that a constitutional question has gone to the highest court in the land. In January of 2009, the City of Brighton ordered two homes owned by Leon and Marilyn Bonner demolished. City officials had determined that the run-down homes were a danger to public health and safety, and city ordinance decrees that dangerous homes were to be demolished if the cost to bring them up to code exceeds their value. However, Dennis Dubuc, the attorney for the Bonners, says his clients always intended to refurbish the houses and have the money to do so. They challenged the constitutionality of the ordinance, which was struck down by the Michigan Court of Appeals but later upheld by the Michigan Supreme Court. Dubuc has since filed to have their case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, he tells WHMI the Court of Appeals has set a date for oral arguments the question of whether the ordinance, regardless of its constitutionality, was applied unconstitutionally to the Bonners. He says he is not concerned about the state Supreme Courtâs decision that the ordinance was valid. The Court of Appeals has set arguments for the full Bonner case for October 8th. Dubuc expects to know whether the ordinance will be examined by the U.S. Supreme Court by the end of October. (TD)
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9-11 Remembrance Held at Brighton Area Fire Dept. Main Station
9/12/14 - large crowd was on hand Thursday evening for the annual remembrance of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, which killed nearly 3,000 people and signaled a new age of vigilance by Americans against terrorism. The annual ceremony was renewed in front of the main Brighton Area Fire Dept. station on Grand River Avenue. Thatâs the site where a memorial to the 9-11 attacks stands, a site which contains a large piece of steel from one of the two World Trade Center skyscrapers which were destroyed when two hijacked airliners rammed into the buildings on that fateful day. Fire Chief Michael OâBrien told those assembled that the event is held every year to ensure that we never forget. Area fire dept. officials also presented remarks at the ceremony. The memorial event included the presentation of the colors, the music of bagpipers, patriotic songs, and the laying of a commemorative wreath. There was also a ceremonial ringing of the fire bell, a tradition of the New York Fire Dept. dating back to 1870 to honor a fallen firefighter. Earlier in the day Chief OâBrien and other area fire officials were in Lansing as the state legislature suspended its normal business for the day to honor public safety personnel from around Michigan and firefighters from Michigan who gave their lives on 9-11. The local fire officials were hosted by State Reps. Bill Rogers and Cindy Denby. (TT)
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Cold Case Team Turns to Social Media to Solve CasesCold Case Team Turns to Social Media to Solve Cases
9/12/14 - Livingston County investigators are hosting a conference and using social media with hopes of solving cold cases. The September 19th gathering is being organized by the Livingston County Cold Case Team and is open to cold case teams throughout Michigan. Officials say they hope that by sharing information and having fresh eyes look at details, new leads can be generated for various cases. Livingston County Cold Case Team member Michael Frayer, a retired Westland police chief, says a Facebook page was created this summer as a way "to get the word out" about cold cases in the county. The cover photograph on that page features three local cold cases that the team continues to investigate; Paige Renkoski, Kimberly Louiselle and Christina Castiglione. Renkoski, of Okemos, was driving west on I-96 from Detroit Metro Airport when she was last spotted in May of 1990 stopped along the freeway near the Fowlerville exit. The 30-year-old was never seen again. Police ruled her death as a homicide, although repeated searches have failed to turn up any trace of her body. Louiselle was just 16 when she was last seen alive in Livonia in March of 1982. Her nude body was discovered nearly three weeks later by hikers in the Island State Recreation Area in Green Oak Township. Castiglioneâs body was found the following year in Livingston County. The 19 year old was last seen alive in March of 1983 in Redford Township. Her body was found ten days later in the Oak Grove State Game Area. Anyone with information on those cases or other unsolved crimes can call the team at 517-546-TIPS. Youâll also find a link to the teamâs Facebook page below. (JK)
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Howell City Council Honors Retiring Deputy Treasurer Howell City Council Honors Retiring Deputy Treasurer
9/12/14 - With almost 20 years under her belt, LuAnn Pless is retiring as Howell City Council Deputy Treasurer. Pless was awarded a plaque and received a Mayorâs Proclamation from Howell Mayor Phil Campbell at Monday nightâs city council meeting. She was emotional as she thanked attendees and fellow employees, who agreed it was well deserved from her years of hard work. Pless tells WHMI she advanced her career through pursuing her passion, having started with the city in November of 1994 as an accounts clerk. She was eventually named Deputy Treasurer after attending the Michigan Municipal Treasurerâs Institute. But Pless wonât be heading off to vacation on a beach anytime soon, as she also serves as the Oceola Township Treasurer. Pless says her favorite part is working with the community she loves. (DK/JK)
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Tyrone Man's Appeal Denied in Sex Offender Registry CaseTyrone Man's Appeal Denied in Sex Offender Registry Case
9/12/14 - A court has denied an appeal by a Tyrone Township man found guilty of failing to register as a sex offender. A Livingston County Circuit Court jury acquitted 43-year-old Timothy Andrew Pickett of accosting a child for immoral purposes last year, but found him guilty of the lesser charge of failing to register as a sex offender. He was sentenced to serve between 14 months and 6 years and was imprisoned until April of this year, at which time he was released on parole. He sought to overturn the conviction with the Michigan Court of Appeals, claiming there was insufficient evidence that he had failed to update his address. He also claimed he had insufficient defense counsel and prosecutorial misconduct. The court this week disagreed on all three counts and upheld the conviction and sentence. Pickett was initially charged with trying to inappropriately touch the 14-year-old daughter of his girlfriend in January of 2012. The defense maintained the teen made up the story to keep her mother and Pickett apart, and a jury found him not guilty of accosting the girl. But during the trial, police testified Pickett waited three weeks to change his address when he moved from Brownstown Township to Tyrone Township. (JK)
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Missing Man Found in Row Boat on Earl Lake Missing Man Found in Row Boat on Earl Lake
9/12/14 - A local man who went missing has been located by authorities. 53-year-old Timothy Rudicel was said to have told staff at a private care facility in Oceola Township that he was going for a walk but never returned. He was reported missing to the Michigan State Police Brighton Post on Monday. An investigation was launched and multiple searches were conducted but proved unsuccessful until this morning, when a Livingston County Sheriffâs deputy was called out on a report of a disoriented male in a row boat on Earl Lake. Reports of Rudicelâs disappearance led a resident in the Earl Lake area to recall an unusual encounter with a man who matched the description the day before. The resident found a row boat floating on Earl Lake and assisted the lone occupant to shore. After making certain the boat had been roped off on a dock, he continued on his way. After the media reports, the resident went back to the boat and found Rudicel lying inside. He was said to be dehydrated and disoriented and was taken to a hospital for evaluation. (JM)
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Alleged Heroin Dealer Arrested in FowlervilleAlleged Heroin Dealer Arrested in Fowlerville
9/12/14 - An alleged heroin dealer was arrested in Fowlerville this week. Matthew Place was arraigned Wednesday on charges of possession with intent to deliver heroin and possession of marijuana. Fowlerville Police Chief Tom Couling tells WHMI they were aware of the name of the individual and previous allegations and officers initiated a traffic stop on a blue Pontiac Grand Am Tuesday. Livingston County has had a problem with heroin use and abuse, a matter that Couling says everyone is aware of and doing their best to address in terms of the enforcement levels. However, he says there are times when it will take a while to make a case on a suspect but they'll continue their fight. Couling says the officers and K-9 unit did an excellent job in this case. They arrested the driver and were able to recover 58 bindles of heroin and a small quantity of marijuana during Tuesdayâs traffic stop. At the time of the traffic stop, police say the driver passed the drugs to the passenger who attempted to conceal them from the officer. T (JM)
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History & Impact of Howell Sanatorium Focus of EventHistory & Impact of Howell Sanatorium Focus of Event
9/13/14 - A medical facility that brought people from across the globe to Howell will be the focus of an event next month. The Howell Carnegie District Library will host the gathering, called âA Healing Place â Memories of the Michigan State Sanatorium, Howell State Hospital and Hillcrest Centerâ on Wednesday, October 8th from 6:30 - 8:30pm. For 75 years, the 270-acre facility located in Marion Township served patients with tuberculosis and in later years, those who were developmentally challenged. Patients came from all over the world for treatment at the hospital, known locally as âThe Hill,â a place where employees and their families lived on campus with patients. Anyone with memories or questions they would like answered are encouraged to contact the library staff at 517-546-0720 X-106. The program on October 8th is presented in conjunction with the Michigan Humanities Council and the 2014 Great Michigan Read selection, "Annie's Ghosts: A Journey Into a Family Secret" by Steve Luxenberg. (JK)
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Green Oak Township Assessor Receives 2014 Education Award Green Oak Township Assessor Receives 2014 Education Award
9/13/14 - A Green Oak Township employee who wears many hats has been recognized for his work behind the scenes to improve the educational system of a respected organization. Robert Brandmier has worked in both the public and private sectors and served as the assessor for several large assessing units in Oakland and Wayne counties before coming to Green Oak. He moved from a contract employee to full time and currently serves as the Executive Assistant to the Supervisor. Brandmier is considered a Level IV assessor and recently received the 2014 Education Award from the Michigan Assessing Association for his many years of teaching. Green Oak Supervisor Mark St. Charles tells WHMI Brandmier brings a wealth of knowledge to the municipality. He says the award is a huge recognition of Brandmierâs abilities to improve the educational system for the MAA and his narrative appraisal report has been used to teach one of the associationâs writing classes. (JM)
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German Auto Parts Maker Locates in Lyon TownshipGerman Auto Parts Maker Locates in Lyon Township
9/13/14 - Lyon Township will be the home of a multi-million dollar auto parts plant next year. German manufacturing company Hugo Benzing has announced plans to open a $4.7 million automotive parts production company on Haas Road just south of Grand River. The company is expected to initially hire approximately 40 people. It will be the first American facility for the company, which provides parts for all of the big car manufacturers including Ford, Chrysler, General Motors and BMW. The South Lyon Herald says company officials expect to begin operations in the 43,000-square-foot building in the second half of 2015. The company was also the recipient of a $190,000 workforce development award from Oakland County MichWorks! (JK)
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New Program Will Train Local High School Students to Save LivesNew Program Will Train Local High School Students to Save Lives
9/13/14 - High school students across Livingston County will learn how to save lives as part of a new pilot program. A collaboration between the local chapter of the American Red Cross, the Edward and June Kellogg Family Dental Foundation and local schools is designed to train 10,000 students in potentially lifesaving measures over the next four years. The grant from Dr. Kellogg will provide $144,000 in funding to help train students, teachers and coaches in Livingston County in Red Cross CPR, First Aid, and Automated External Defibrillator or AED training. The program will provide equipment, supplies, and instructor training for Livingston County's five public high schools. As a result, each school will be ready and able to train every high school student. The program will also serve as the pilot for a national roll out from American Red Cross. The announcement was made during a blood drive Friday afternoon at the new Livingston County Public Safety Complex. Pictured from left to right are Livingston County Red Cross Board Chairperson Matt Ikle, Dr. Kellogg, Livingston County EMS Director Jeff Boyd and local Red Cross Executive Director Renee Wyatt. (JM)
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Fire Departments Win Local Blood Drive Challenge Fire Departments Win Local Blood Drive Challenge
9/14/14 - Local fire departments have earned bragging rights for the next year after winning a blood drive challenge. The Livingston County Chapter of the American Red Cross hosted the âHonor Your Heroâ blood drive on Friday at the new Livingston County Public Safety Complex. The Red Cross joined forces with police, fire and EMS agencies in Livingston County for the blood drive where first responders recruited donors to help save lives and cast a ballot for their favorite department. It was all done in friendly competition but fire departments won the challenge with 27 votes, EMS 26 votes and police agencies with 13. There were eight individuals who donated blood but did not vote. With the recent anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks and first responders already on the minds of those in the community, Red Cross Spokesman Todd Kulman says they felt the timing was appropriate. He says the drive was not only a great way to help save lives by collecting blood but also honor the first responders out risking their lives every day. (JM)
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Sunday Fire Destroys Brighton Twp. Pole Barn Near Cell TowerSunday Fire Destroys Brighton Twp. Pole Barn Near Cell Tower
9/14/14 - At about 7:30 this morning the Brighton Area Fire Dept. was called to the scene of a pole barn fire off Kensington Road, near the Jacoby Road roundabout in Brighton Township. The fire was situated about 500 feet from a cell phone tower, which is a well-known landmark in the area. Deputy Chief Mike Evans tells WHMI they had to cut a lock on a chain link fence to gain access to the structure. The fire consumed the 1,500-foot pole barn owned by a nearby resident. Evans says mechanical equipment, a car and a motorcycle stored inside the building were all destroyed. The Green Oak Twp. Fire Dept. assisted the Brighton Area Fire Dept. at the scene. The nearby General Motors Proving Grounds provided access to its water source so that firefighters could refill their tanker trucks. No injuries were reported in the fire, which appears to have been accidental in origin. However, investigation continues.(TT)
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Event Will Highlight Lakelands Trail Wildlife & ActivitiesEvent Will Highlight Lakelands Trail Wildlife & Activities
9/15/14 - A free event will seek to draw families to Pinckney this month to let them know about the kinds of activities available in Lakelands Trail State Park. On September 27th, the Township Square Park in downtown Pinckney will be taken over by the annual âPark It On Lakelands Trailâ event. Organizers use the event to showcase the wildlife, scenery, and activities to be had in the park. Attendees can learn to shoot a bow and arrow, make soap, or craft fishing lures, as well as enjoy a variety of local vendors and live showings of native Michigan amphibians, reptiles, and birds of prey. All of the activities are free to the public, except the newly-added 5k run. The race will begin at Country Elementary at 8:30am. The cost for those who preregister before September 34th is $20 for adults and $15 for those 14 and under. The prices will increase as the race approaches. A walk and bike will also leave Country Elementary that morning, beginning half an hour after the runners leave their marks. (TD)
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