9/17/14 - Hartland Township is making the shift from roads to parks when it comes to a citizens task force. The township board met Tuesday and appointed various citizens to serve on the Parks Task Force, which will be looking at what to do next when it comes to developing those in the community. Township Manager James Wickman says theyâre excited to be transitioning and taking another look at what to next with the parks. He says whatâs most important will be understanding what residents want and their vision for the gathering areas and whether active or passive parks. The Parks Task Force will be working to identify different projects, their priority and phases, costs and a realistic funding plan to put those in place. No formal number has been identified for the body but there were more than 20 citizens who served on the Roads Task Force. The Parks Task Force is expected to begin meeting soon and there are some additional applicants that will likely be appointed to it at the next board meeting. Itâs expected to meet three or four times to review projects but will have a continuing role as plans are phased in during the coming years. (JM)
Hartland Township Board Appoints Citizens to Parks Task Force Hartland Township Board Appoints Citizens to Parks Task Force
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New Income Designation for City of Howell Expands Grant Eligibility New Income Designation for City of Howell Expands Grant Eligibility
9/17/14 - New grant opportunities are opening up for the City of Howell following a new income classification. Officials received word that the 2010 census classified the City of Howell as a low-to-moderate income community, which will enable it to apply for additional grants and job creation requirements are no longer valid. The designation is by the State of Michigan based on federal criteria. City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI there are a lot of grants and programs the City wasnât eligible to apply for before because it didnât have this designation. The City of Howell received notification of the income classification change in August. Charles says it takes the federal government about four years to cycle through all of the data before making the designation. (JM)
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Appeal Denied in Fatal Hit & Run SentencingAppeal Denied in Fatal Hit & Run Sentencing
9/18/14 - A Fowlerville manâs sentence for a fatal hit and run incident in 2011 has been upheld by the Michigan Court of Appeals. Stephen Allen Lacosse II was sentenced to serve between six years and four months and 20 years in prison for his guilty pleas to two counts of failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in serious impairment or death. The punishment handed down by Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty exceeded state guidelines, which called for up to five years in prison. Lacosse argued that his pre-sentencing report and scoring under sentencing guidelines was inaccurate because it stated his parents had helped cover up his involvement, which he denies. He also said the report should have included information that the victimâs contributed to the accident by wearing dark clothing as they walked at night along an unlit road. The appeal panel this week disagreed and upheld the sentence. 47 year old Jeffrey Westphal of Howell was killed after being hit by a pickup truck as he and Lisa Vail of Hartland walked along Center Road in Deerfield Township in the early morning hours of October 30th, 2011. Vail survived, but suffered a concussion and fractured vertebrae. Police originally found Lacosseâs pickup truck abandoned in an Oceola Township ditch, which then led them to a Fowlerville woman who said she was the driver. Further investigation determined Lacosse was actually behind the wheel and the woman, who was his fiancé, lied because he was on parole and had been drinking. (JK)
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Pepsi Bottling Company to Increase Footprint in City of HowellPepsi Bottling Company to Increase Footprint in City of Howell
9/18/14 - The Pepsi Bottling Company will be expanding operations in the City of Howell. The Howell City Planning Commission met Wednesday night and approved site plans for the 2,000-square-foot expansion of the facility on McPherson Park Drive. A portion of the interior of the existing building will also be renovated to add equipment. It was noted during the meeting that the company intends to grow and will remain in the city. Pepsi representative Drew Lucas tells WHMI the company will now be blowing its own bottles, which currently must be shipped in. He says the expansion of the local operation will also require the hiring of new employees to run the equipment. Lucas says the building permit process will be next, followed by construction and they hope to be up and running by next spring. (JM)
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Howell Sergeant Replaces Local Man's Stolen BikeHowell Sergeant Replaces Local Man's Stolen Bike
9/17/14 - A Howell Police Sergeant has gifted a local resident in need. Sergeant Jeffrey Woods said he felt it was necessary to help out Jack Messina after Messina experienced some bad luck. Jack reported his bike being stolen from the Whistle Stop while he was shopping a couple of weeks ago. Woods tells WHMI he and Jack are far from strangers. Woods describes Jack as humble, and notices he gets picked on quite a bit. Woods says he tries to help Jack out with lunch money once in a while and hopes Jack will pass along the good deed. Jack was incredibly grateful to his friend Sergeant Woods and found himself at a loss for words. Along with the bike, Woods also purchased Jack a lock in the hopes of preventing a similar incident in the future. (DK)
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Fowlerville Apartment Fire Displaces Eight FamiliesFowlerville Apartment Fire Displaces Eight Families
9/18/17 - Several families were left without a roof over their heads after an apartment fire last night in Fowlerville. The fire was reported before 8pm in the apartment complex located off of Fowlerville Road at Van Riper, across from the Wal-Mart. The Livingston County Chapter of the American Red Cross reports that a total of eight families were left homeless due to the fire. They were provided emergency shelter and other temporary assistance. There are no reports of any injuries. However, firefighters responding from the station in downtown Fowlerville were reportedly delayed by a train in their response to the fire. A cause remains under investigation. Picture courtesy of Cindy Spagnuolo. (JK)
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Livingston Red Cross Chapter To Be Closed In ConsolidationLivingston Red Cross Chapter To Be Closed In Consolidation
9/18/14 - Itâs been a part of the community since 1917, but a consolidation plan being implemented by the American Red Cross in Michigan will result in the elimination of the Livingston County chapter. Driven by $70 million in red ink at the national level, Red Cross officials say they are implementing a nationwide consolidation effort. In Michigan, that means that as of October 1st there will only be four regional chapters. Those will then be run by a single headquarters in Detroit. Locally, the Livingston County Chapter of the American Red Cross will be merged into the Mid-Michigan Chapter. Renee Wyatt, the Executive Director of the Livingston County chapter, will have her position terminated as of October 9th. Matt Ikle is the Chair of the Livingston County Red Cross Board of Directors and says their facility on Grand River will remain open for the time being, but will eventually be sold. All local service delivery activities such as blood collection and first-aid classes will be carried out strictly by certified and trained volunteers. Putnam Township Fire Chief Greg Amburgey is a former chair of the local Red Cross board and says this was something that had been hinted at when he served with the organization and says no matter how you look at it, it will be a loss for the county. Regional Red Cross Executive Director John Cauley says that there are currently no plans to remove the chapterâs emergency response vehicles from the county. But Amburgey says the county fire departments several years ago recognized this as a possibility and formed their own independent Disaster Assistance Response Team, or DART. (JK)
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Brighton Woman Charged in Crash That Killed Unborn ChildBrighton Woman Charged in Crash That Killed Unborn Child
9/18/14 - A local woman has been charged in connection with a Howell Township crash that claimed the life of another womanâs unborn child. 34-year-old Angela Murphy-Spare of Brighton was arraigned Wednesday on one count of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death, a 15-year felony, and one count of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury, a five year felony. The court set a $250,000 cash or surety bond. The accident happened May 7th on M-59 near Durant Road in Howell Township. Police say Murphy-Spare was in a Chevy Malibu traveling westbound in an eastbound lane of M-59 when she struck a Saturn driven by a 29-year-old Michelle Richards of Howell. Murphy-Spare was deemed the at-fault driver and initial testing indicated she had a blood-alcohol content of .12 percent. The legal limit is .08 percent. The prosecutorâs office had been awaiting additional medical reports before deciding on charges in the case. Both women suffered significant injuries as a result of the crash. Murphy-Spare was taken by Survival Flight to the University of Michigan Hospital. Richards, who was seven months pregnant at the time of the crash, was also hospitalized and ultimately lost her child. Murphy-Spare is scheduled to appear in 53rd District Court for a preliminary examination conference September 23rd. (JM/JK)
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Hearing Set on Violations by Former Green Oak Twp. BusinessHearing Set on Violations by Former Green Oak Twp. Business
9/18/14 - The Green Oak Township Supervisor will testify at a hearing by the Liquor Control Commission next week on a pending state regulatory action against a former township employer. Liquid Manufacturing was a township business engaged in making energy drinks, fruit-flavored vodkas and other beverages until earlier this year when they closed their facility on Whitmore Lake Road. Supervisor Mark St. Charles tells WHMI that he has been subpoenaed by the state to appear at a hearing Monday before an administrative law judge in Pittsfield Township on Liquid Manufacturingâs operation. St. Charles says he will testify as to specific allegations against the company, including non-compliance with the township sewer ordinance, the Michigan Building Code and the International Fire Code, along with any other questions by the administrative law judge. The assets of the company were auctioned off in May after the building was foreclosed on in February and auctioned off for $3.25 million. Thatâs when Liquid Manufacturing closed its doors and laid off its workforce. Liquid Manufacturing opened in the township in 2003 and expanded operations over the next nine years, adding production of energy drinks and shots plus pouched, frozen alcoholic beverages. The business also produced beer, wine, and fruit-flavored vodkas. It got into trouble with the township when the byproduct of the liquor manufacturing process disrupted and clogged the township sewage treatment plant at Hidden Lake. At one time, the company produced more than half of the discharge that entered the Green Oak wastewater treatment system. (TT)
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Former Cop Charged w/ Sexual Assault to Undergo TreatmentFormer Cop Charged w/ Sexual Assault to Undergo Treatment
9/18/14 - A former out-of-state police officer facing felony charges for allegedly sexually assaulting an acquaintance that lives near him in Hartland Township will remain behind bars for at least another week. 32-year-old Jordan Andrew Keilman is charged with 1st degree home invasion, 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct during a felony, assault with intent to commit sexual penetration and resisting/obstructing a police officer. Keilmnan is alleged to have entered a female neighborâs home without permission on September 2nd, assaulted her and later threatened arresting officers. A $300,000 cash or surety bond was previously set for Keilman, but during a hearing Tuesday, Keilmanâs attorney sought a reduction in that amount, noting that his client had been accepted into an outpatient treatment program through Veterans Administration and a residential facility in Westland that would provide transportation to outpatient treatment. The defense also sought Keilmanâs release to his father so he could get started on treatment. Prosecutors again objected and the court adjourned the matter for one more week, requesting that prosecutors speak with the V.A. about Keilmanâs treatment and discuss the issue of public safety. Keilman is a former U.S. Army Ranger who worked for the Apex Police Department in North Carolina in 2012 but was reportedly terminated for on the job behavioral issues.
(JM/JK)
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Lawsuit Filed by Local Woman Seeks $1 (M) Million After Dog Attack Lawsuit Filed by Local Woman Seeks $1 (M) Million After Dog Attack
9/18/14 - A Whitmore Lake woman severely injured while trying to save her dog that was attacked and killed by two pit bull mixes has filed a $1 (m) million lawsuit against the owners and the manufactured home community where it happened. 44-year-old Ellen Mohan and her boyfriend Donald Ashcraft were walking in the Northfield Estates Mobile Home Park on July 17th when Mohan was attacked by two pit bull mixes, killing her poodle terrier and mauling her hands. She was hospitalized and underwent weeks of physical therapy. Mohan and Ashcraft have since filed a lawsuit in Washtenaw County Trial Court that seeks $1 (m) million in damages for pain and suffering as well as emotional and physical injuries. Mohan confirmed the details of the lawsuit but declined to formally comment to WHMI at this time. It names the owner of the dogs, 26-year-old Adam Bater, his 54-year-old father Doug Bater, and his girlfriend Skylar Baily who adopted the dogs as defendants. The suit also names Northfield Estates, alleging the park was negligent and failed to enforce its own rules regarding dangerous pets. In addition to the civil suit, Adam Bater faces a misdemeanor criminal charge for having an unlicensed dog while his father faces a charge of letting the dogs stray. They are scheduled to be arraigned on those charges September 26th in 14A-1 District Court in Chelsea. A judge earlier ordered that the two dogs be put down for violating the state's dangerous animal statute. (JM)
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Lucky 13th Hearse Parade in Hell Aims to Reclaim World RecordLucky 13th Hearse Parade in Hell Aims to Reclaim World Record
9/18/14 - Dozens of Michigan hearse enthusiasts will show off their casket-carrying cars during a parade through Hell this weekend. The procession on Saturday is part of Hellâs Hearse Fest celebration in the Putnam Township hamlet and follows an all-hearse car show. This marks the Lucky 13th year of the event and the Hell-based car club called Just Hearse 'N Around is hoping to reclaim a Guinness World Records mark that it set in 2011 when 51 vehicles made the parade. A 107-strong hearse contingent in the Netherlands shattered that record a year later. The show is open to all makes and models, regardless of condition. Trophies are awarded for various categories including "Scariest Hearse" and the ever popular "How the Hell did it make it here?" award. Details can be found through the link below. (JM)
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Ordinance to Regulate Parking at Electric Vehicle Stations in Milford Ordinance to Regulate Parking at Electric Vehicle Stations in Milford
9/18/14 - The Milford Village Council is moving forward with adopting a new ordinance that regulates parking at electric vehicle charging stations. Council met Monday and unanimously introduced an ordinance that makes it illegal for non-electric vehicles to park in spaces that have been designated a public electric vehicle charging station. The ordinance will further require that electric vehicles be plugged in and charging if they are parked in the stations. Violators face a $40 fine but informational warning cards will be used to educate the community before citations are issued. As with other parking fines in Milford, fees are reduced if paid within ten days. The ordinance is expected to be adopted at the next Village Council meeting. A copy is available in the attachment below. (JM)
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Unilock to spend $2.7 Million with Expansion and New EquipmentUnilock to spend $2.7 Million with Expansion and New Equipment
9/19/14 - The Green Oak Twp. Board of Trustees Wednesday night unanimously approved an industrial facilities exemption certificate for Unilock so that it can embark on a nearly $3 million expansion project. The approval of the tax abatement will allow the company to build a 4,000-square-foot addition and spend over $2 million in new equipment. Fred Dillingham, president of Livingston Business Development Associates, tells WHMI Unilock has been a good corporate citizen in the township for about 20 years now, and upgrading its facilities will be good for the local economy, with the promise of 42 jobs retained and 5 additional jobs coming. The abatement goes into effect in 2016. Dillingham says the township will easily recoup the initial loss of tax dollars in the next several years with the job retention and projected addition. No one spoke against the tax abatement at a public hearing which preceded board approval. Unilock is a manufacturer of brick pavers, retaining walls, and decorative blocks used in landscaping and construction. The companyâs Green Oak Township facility is located in an industrial park on Emerson Drive off Kensington Road. (TT)
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Partnership Works to Develop Community Health Improvement Plan Partnership Works to Develop Community Health Improvement Plan
9/18/14 - Local public health officials are launching a project that will create a plan to serve as Livingston Countyâs road map to community health. Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships, or MAPP, is an effort to provide a shared vision and direction toward improved health, but also a first step towards a long term goal of national accreditation for the Livingston County Department of Public Health. Health Educator Chelsea Moxlow tells WHMI the MAPP Team is a new partnership led by the local health department. She says theyâll be starting their trip in November with a visioning meeting, which will set the tone for all of the other work that will be done. Moxlow says participation on the MAPP Team will be key to the success of the project and its relevance to the community. Moxlow says itâs a good opportunity for different sectors of the community to voice their opinions and priorities when it comes to the countyâs public health and theyâre hoping to facilitate an interactive process that will benefit everyone. A series of meetings will focus on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and barriers to reaching a better level of health and quality of life. County residents, health care providers, school, police and fire representatives, members of the business community or those involved in recreation and economic development are being sought for the MAPP Team. Details are available in the attachment below. (JM)
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Resident Complains to Council About Pending Charter SchoolResident Complains to Council About Pending Charter School
9/19/14 - A woman who has been a critic of the pending purchase of the vacant Lindbom School for conversion into a charter school academy was at the Brighton City Council meeting Thursday night to complain about traffic and other issues. Pending completion of due diligence and other legal requirements, the Brighton Board of Education has approved an offer by the American Classical Academies to buy the school and property for $1.45 million. The building would then be converted into a charter school to be called the Lindbom Classical Academy. Sue Ellen Ikens, who lives near the school, complained to council that the traffic would be horrendous if what she referred to as âhundredsâ of cars per day lined up near the school on 6th Street to pick up children. Ikens also said the street lacks curb and gutter or traffic signals, even stop signs, and is ill-equipped to handle the traffic that would accumulate on weekdays if the school were to open. City Manager Dana Foster says the city must stay neutral because it doesnât have any jurisdiction in the matter, since public schools are exempt from site plan requirements by the state. From a legal standpoint, charter schools are, in fact, public schools. However, Foster tells WHMI that the school district has, and will continue, to keep the city updated on the process that may lead to the charter schoolâs approval. There is a backup offer to the one by the charter school company, that by Granger Land Acquisition LLC, which proposes to convert the property into a senior assisted living development. That offer would be entertained by the school board if the one by American Classical Academies falls through. (TT)
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Proposal Would Honor Howell Choir Director With Facility NamingProposal Would Honor Howell Choir Director With Facility Naming
9/19/14 - Howell High Schoolâs auditorium may have a new name if a proposal is approved to honor a long-time educator in the district. The Howell Board of Education on Monday will consider a proposal to re-name the Howell High School Auditorium in honor of High School Director of Choirs Rod Bushey. The plan, which is signed by Principal Jason Schrock, notes that when Bushey retires in 2016, heâll have completed a 44-year career in the district, having come to Howell in 1972 after completing his musical education degree from Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois. The letter goes on to say that during Busheyâs tenure, his choirs and ensembles consistently receive superior ratings at both district and state competitions and make over 40 community appearances during the school year including at the annual Fantasy of Lights and LACASAâs Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil. Bushey was also honored as the districtâs Educator of the Year in 1999. He was also named the Michigan School Vocal Music Association Teacher of the Year in 2012. The proposal would officially rename the auditorium as the âRod Bushey Performing Arts Centerâ with signage on both the exterior and interior, including a bronze plaque. The costs for the renaming, as well as a dedication ceremony, are estimated to exceed $9,000. However, those would be paid for through donations and fundraising. Mondayâs school board meeting starts at 7pm in the districtâs administration board room. (JK)
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Girl Scouts to Idle & Maybe Sell Putnam Township CampGirl Scouts to Idle & Maybe Sell Putnam Township Camp
9/19/14 - The Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan is idling a sleep-away camp in Livingston County amid competition from other camps and may sell the property. The organization's CEO Denise Dalrymple says officials are looking at what to do next with Camp Innisfree, located in Putnam Township, which is the largest Girl Scout camp in Michigan. Dalrymple says the camp could be open for some Girl Scout activities or it could be sold. Competition from camps devoted to academics, the arts and sports and a drop in Michigan's school-age population are factors. Camp Innisfree and Camp Hawthorn Hollow drew 660 Girl Scouts to six-day sleep-away camps this summer, down from 1,200 five years ago. Dalrymple says families told them in surveys, and by not attending, that they considered the camps too expensive and too far. She also told the Free Press that the horses in Camp Innisfree's Equestrian Center will be adopted out or returned to original owners, but they will not be sold for any use that would involve the horses being put down. There will be a "Harvest and Goodbye" event at Camp Innisfree on November 1st. The camp will be open to current and former Girl Scouts and staff, and their families from 11am to 3pm, with food and events planned. (JK)
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Local Celebrities To Help Cook Up Funds For The TorchLocal Celebrities To Help Cook Up Funds For The Torch
9/19/14 - A local non-profit will be celebrating an anniversary on Saturday by doing what they always do; provide food for area residents. However, this time it will be local celebrities doing the cooking. The Torch will be holding its Two-Year Celebration from noon - 5pm Saturday at the Bennett Recreation Center in Howell with a celebrity cook-off taking place inside the groupâs food truck. WHMIâs Mike & Jon in the Morning will go up against Renee Chodkowski, better known as The Great Foodini, and Amanda Whitesell from the Press & Argus. Each will provide a food dish using five set ingredients; sausage, cheese, apples, honey and carrots. A judging panel will determine the overall best, while fans will be able to vote for their favorite competitor via donation jars. There will also be a Silent Auction, kidâs games, and more. All money raised will be utilized to purchase a utility vehicle for The Torch, which routinely shows up to cook and provide free food for area residents in need. (JK)
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DTE Official Explains Outages to Brighton City CouncilDTE Official Explains Outages to Brighton City Council
9/19/14 - The Brighton City Council Thursday night heard a representative of DTE discuss the wave of recent power outages and why they occur. Regional Relations Manager Paul Ganz was invited to explain why there has been a big increase in power outages in the city, and whether there is a connection between outages and scheduled maintenance. Ganz told council the reasons for the outages are many, including an increase in the number of strong storms, tree limbs that are too near power lines, and older equipment that is nearing the end of its useful life. However, Ganz maintained that just because a piece of equipment was old doesnât mean it will automatically be replaced, as long as it is still functioning. He says if DTE replaced every piece of equipment that was old merely because it was old, the expense would result in a rate increase, which would arouse the ire of customers. Foster says Ganz assured council that he will update the city periodically with information on scheduled maintenance dates, times, and locations for work such as tree trimming. Foster says the city, in turn, will post the information on the cityâs website. (TT)
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