9/23/14 - A solider with a Livingston County connection came close, but couldnât get over the top in an online contest for a chance to sing at a Detroit Tigers game. The Comerica Cares Home of the Brave National Anthem Contest was open to Metro Detroit police, firefighters/EMTs, military members and veterans. Seven finalists were chosen and among them was Lane Meurer of 1462nd National Guard Transportation Company based in Howell. After votes were tallied, it turned out Muerer came in second, behind Ferndale Police Department Detective Brendan Moore. Detective Moore will sing the National Anthem at the Tigers game this Saturday at Comerica Park, receive 35 tickets to the game and get a $10,000 grant for a police charity of his choice. Muerer, who is due home in Redford Township today after a second tour of duty in Afghanistan, said in a video on her Facebook page that she could ânever give enough thanksâ to family and friends who voted for her, and that she looks forward to seeing her nephew and parents. Army veteran Tim Spink of Brighton and Walter Johnston of the Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority were also among the finalists. (JK)
Member of Howell-Based Guard Unit Takes 2nd in Online ContestMember of Howell-Based Guard Unit Takes 2nd in Online Contest
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Ceremony Will Honor Former Fowlerville Police K-9Ceremony Will Honor Former Fowlerville Police K-9
9/23/14 - He was a trusted and loved member of the Fowlerville Police Department and a ceremony next month will lay him to rest with honors. K-9 Quinn, who served with the department for nearly a decade, passed away earlier this month, more than two years after being forced into retirement because of a nerve disorder. He will be interred at the Michigan War Dog Memorial in Lyon Township on Saturday, October 4th at 11am. Quinn was imported in 2003 from Germany to train with Fowlerville Police Officer Jeff Soli. They were then assigned to the Fowlerville Public Schools as liaison officers. In the first six months that K-9 Quinn worked at the schools, Soli says there was a 92% decrease in drug related reports. Over the years Quinn had several narcotic finds, caught several fleeing felons and assisted every police department in Livingston County. Soli says Quinn was mostly known for his temperament, having been loved and petted by several hundred kids in the Fowlerville community. He says there were times when 30 kindergarteners would all be petting him at the same time and that he helped to bridge the gap between some children and the police. Soli said Quinn was a remarkable K-9 and absolutely the best friend and partner heâs ever known. (JK)
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Lane Closures on US-23 Could Lead to Traffic Backups This WeekLane Closures on US-23 Could Lead to Traffic Backups This Week
9/23/14 - Motorists traveling along US-23 in the Green Oak and Northfield Township areas could experience traffic back-ups this week. There will be a single lane closure on southbound US-23 between 6 Mile Road and N. Territorial Road for pavement repairs on Wednesday. The left lane will be closed between 10am and 3pm. Then on Thursday, there will be a single lane closure on southbound US-23 between 8 Mile Road and 6 Mile Road, also between 10am and 3pm. The Michigan Department of Transportation is encouraging motorists to slow down and watch for traffic backups during those times. (JM)
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Student Enrollment Projections Holding in Brighton Area SchoolsStudent Enrollment Projections Holding in Brighton Area Schools
9/23/14 - With the school year in Brighton now three weeks old, the numbers are looking good and earlier projections are holding. Superintendent Greg Gray says with the 4th Wednesday enrollment count coming this Wednesday, he expects the 6,000-student enrollment projected for the school year to hold. Gray also says the Schools-of-Choice numbers appear to be up, and the Shared Services program is again going strong, providing needed revenue for the Brighton Area Schools. Gray, speaking with WHMI after Monday nightâs Board of Education meeting, says administration is still holding to its earlier projection that the district will be completely out of its long-term deficit by the end of this fiscal year next June. Assistant Superintendent of Finance Maria Gistinger told the board that at the beginning of the 2013-14 fiscal year the district had a long-term budget deficit of $8.5 million, but by the end of the year had cut that nearly in half, to $4.4 million. She added the district compiled a 99.6 per cent accuracy record in budgeting for the past year. (TT)
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Former Cop Facing Sex Charges To Undergo Competency ExamFormer Cop Facing Sex Charges To Undergo Competency Exam
9/24/14 - A competency exam has been ordered for former police officer who lives in Hartland Township facing felony charges after police say he sexually assaulted a neighbor. 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. On Tuesday, he was referred to a forensic center to determine his competency and criminal responsibility before trial. The court denied a motion by the defense for outpatient treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Keilman 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 has been set. 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 behavioral issues on the job. (TD)
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New Charges Filed Against Fowlerville Man In Drug CaseNew Charges Filed Against Fowlerville Man In Drug Case
9/24/14 - Additional charges have been filed against the man busted for allegedly delivering heroin in the Fowlerville community as he prepares for trial in Livingston County Circuit Court. 22-year-old Matthew Place has been scheduled for a pretrial hearing on October 17th and trial on November 17th on charges of heroin delivery and possession of marijuana. Court records list him as being homeless and he remains held on a $150,000 cash or surety bond. A second case has been filed against Place involving three new charges of delivering or manufacturing less than 50 grams of cocaine. He was bound over to circuit court on those charges on Tuesday, but no future court dates have been set. Officers were able to recover 58 bindles of heroin and a small quantity of marijuana during the September 9th traffic stop. At the time of the traffic stop, police say the driver, identified as Place, passed the drugs to the passenger who attempted to conceal them from the officer. Police say the officers recovered the drugs and arrested Place. (TD)
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Deputy Chief Named President of Michigan Fire Inspectors SocietyDeputy Chief Named President of Michigan Fire Inspectors Society
9/24/14 - Brighton Area Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Evans has been elected president of the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society for the coming year. Evans was elected to the state board several years ago and was vice president last year, with the officers' positions served on a rotating basis. The 600-member Fire Inspectors Society is the lead state agency in promoting training, education and fire safety issues for fire inspectors throughout the state. Evans has been a firefighter for 25 years, 22 of them in Novi, where he also served as Fire Marshall. Evans is certified as a fire inspector by the State of Michigan and the National Fire Protection Association. The news of Evan's elevation to the presidency was made at the Brighton City Council meeting last week, where Brighton Mayor Jim Muzzin also announced that the fire authority board has voted to purchase two new fire engines at a price of $1.25 million. The new engines will replace the two oldest fire trucks in the fleet, one of which dates back to 1995. The city will pay cash for the two new fire trucks, which Evans says will save a considerable amount in interest fees. The ability to pay cash results from the fire millage of 1.25 mills passed by voters. The fire department serves a population of about 46,000 in the city of Brighton and Genoa and Brighton townships, and has mutual aid agreements with several area departments to provide assistance in the event of a fire. (TT/JK)
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Howell DDA Not Giving Up on Potential Ice Rink/Splash Pad ProjectHowell DDA Not Giving Up on Potential Ice Rink/Splash Pad Project
9/24/14 - Although it appears plans for an ice rink and splash pad may have stalled at the county level, the Howell Main Street Downtown Development Authority is still looking to move forward with the project. The DDA first proposed the project to Livingston County in 2008 but this summer, updated plans were introduced in hopes of providing much-needed sympathetic renovations to the existing amphitheater space near the historic courthouse, with no cost to tax-payers. A presentation was made by the DDA to a subcommittee of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners, which agreed to move it along to the full board with no formal recommendation. The presentation then never appeared on the full boardâs agenda. When questioned about the absence after Democratic candidates for the Livingston County Board of Commissioners criticized the lack of action, the Republican commissioners cited a lack of time for appropriate vetting to address questions and concerns with the proposal such as parking, liability, potential impact on county operations, the use of the grounds and any potential deed restrictions on the historical property. That doesnât mean momentum has stopped for the popular community-supported project though according to DDA Director Cathleen Edgerly. She says people have been questioning where the project stands and theyâre looking forward to being placed back on the county agenda in the coming months to further discuss the proposal. She tells WHMI theyâll continue to hold discussions with various stakeholders and explore other potential grant opportunities. Discussions about the project ramped up in August due to limited crowdfunding grant funds made available through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan Municipal League for placemaking projects. If secured, that opportunity could have funded up to $100,000 of the ice rink and splash pad project costs, which have been estimated at approximately $375,000. Edgerly says whether the DDA is able to take advantage of potential grant funds or not, the outpouring of support for the project shows it is something the community wants. The press release issued most recently by the DDA is attached below. (JM)
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State Senate Candidates Cover Topics In Hartland ForumState Senate Candidates Cover Topics In Hartland Forum
9/24/14 - Dozens of residents turned out for a political forum last night at the Hartland Educational Support Services Center. The event featured the candidates for the 22nd State Senate seat, incumbent Republican Joe Hune and Democratic challenger Shari Pollesch. The pair took turns answering questions on a wide variety of topics, ranging from economic issues like education funding to social issues like abortion. While the candidates agreed that the state needs to increase funding to roads, they disagreed on where that money would come from. Hune said the $1.2 billion recently devoted to roads may be enough, and if it is not the government could make cuts elsewhere, such as the Department of Community Health and the Department of Human Services. Pollesch, on the other hand, made it clear that new taxes may be necessary to fund road improvements adequately. The candidates also differed on the issue of high-volume hydraulic fracking, which Pollesch says is dangerous. Hune deferred to the judgment of the Department of Environmental Quality, which grants permits to fracking operations. The audience did not hear from 8th US Congressional seat candidates, Democrat Eric Shertzing and Republican Mike Bishop, who were originally scheduled to take part last night but were rescheduled to a later date. To hear the complete audio of last night's forum, follow the link below. (TD)
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Gilbert & Busfield to Lead Howell's Fantasy of Lights Parade Gilbert & Busfield to Lead Howell's Fantasy of Lights Parade
9/24/14 - Two movie stars will help light up the Fantasy of Lights Parade in Downtown Howell this year. Howell residents Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield have been selected as the Grand Marshals of the 31st annual Fantasy of Lights on November 28th. Theyâve starred in, directed and produced many television shows, movies and plays. Howell Area Chamber of Commerce President Pat Convery says Gilbert and Busfield have embraced the city of Howell as their hometown but have also made many contributions since moving to the community in 2013. Busfield is a Michigan native while Gilbert is currently filming the new show Secrets & Lies, in which Busfield also has a role. The Fantasy of Lights parade is hosted by the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The nighttime Christmas-themed parade is held the day after Thanksgiving every year in downtown Howell. More information is available through the link below. (JM)
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Marion Township Park Dedication Set Next MonthMarion Township Park Dedication Set Next Month
9/24/14 - An official dedication will be held next month for a park near the Marion Township Hall named in honor of a long-time employee. John âJackâ Lowe passed away in May of 2013 at the age of 63. Officials say Lowe was a major force behind the inception and completion of the park, spending years designing and working on its various features. A ceremony has been set for 2pm on Sunday, October 12th at the park, with food and dessert being served. The township plans to formally dedicate a plaque in his honor naming the area as the Jack Lowe Memorial Park. Lowe, who was part of Howell High School's Class of 1967, was a Michigan National Guardsman who was buried with veteran's honors. (JK)
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Survey Yields Positive Data For Livingston County Job MarketSurvey Yields Positive Data For Livingston County Job Market
9/24/14 - Area business people are receiving beneficial information about the job market from a recently conducted survey. The 2014 Livingston County Compensation and Benefits Trends Survey generated positive information about local trends and growth in employment. The Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in conjunction with human resources firm, EctoHR, presented the surveyâs results this morning to participating companies. Steve Williams, President of EctoHr, tells WHMI employers can expect a few hurdles in the upcoming year. Williams believes that armed with this crucial information, owners can use it to their benefit to build and prepare their businesses for the current and future employment market. While the Affordable Care Act has created additional paperwork for employers, it has not led to a decrease in coverage for employees. âThe data doesnât vary much in Livingston County from that in the Detroit area and nationally,â Williams said. Benefit changes in 2014 saw health care plans mainly unchanged, with some companies increasing employee premium contributions, employee deductibles, while increasing medical plan options. 65 organizations cooperated in the survey and Williams tells WHMI the presentation reflected important facets for productivity. Williams says the incentive for businesses to participate is the data provided will give them a competitive edge in the field as Livingston County continues to lead in wages and benefits in southeast Michigan. (DK/JK)
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Vigil, Purple Light Campaign Against Domestic Abuse In OctoberVigil, Purple Light Campaign Against Domestic Abuse In October
9/24/14 - Purple lights will go up across Livingston County next month as part of LACASAâs annual âShine the Lightâ campaign against domestic violence. Area businesses and residents are invited to string purple lights in store windows and around buildings as part of Purple Light Nights, a national movement held during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. LACASA was the first organization in Michigan to adopt the program, with the stated goal of taking the shame out of domestic violence and using purple lights to signify hope and courage. The campaign tells abusers that domestic violence will not be tolerated and brings attention to the support services available for victims of abuse. Purple string lights and individual bulbs are available at LACASA, as well as posters with the message âDomestic Violence Has No Place in Our Community.â LACASA will hold its 18th annual Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil and processional walk Tuesday, October 7th in the courtyard of the historic county courthouse in downtown Howell. The walk begins at 6:45pm, with the vigil scheduled for 7:00. Details can be found at the website below. (TD)
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Pharmacy Robbery Leads to Lockdown in Webberville SchoolsPharmacy Robbery Leads to Lockdown in Webberville Schools
9/24/14 - Webberville Community Schools went into lockdown mode today after reports of an armed robbery in progress at a pharmacy down the street. The high school and middle school building as well as Webberville Elementary were all placed on lockdown at around 1pm. School officials told WHMI the district went into lockdown mode as a safety precaution, after being notified of an armed robbery that was happening at the nearby Village Drug Shop on West Grand River. After the threat was over, students were free to move about their buildings. However, the lockdown wasnât officially lifted until the end of school day and students were dismissed at 3:00. The Ingham County Sheriffâs Office is handling the robbery investigation and says there were no injuries but a handgun was shown and the suspect made off with prescription medication. (JM)
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Suspects Wanted in Two Armed Robberies at Local Party Stores Suspects Wanted in Two Armed Robberies at Local Party Stores
9/24/14 - Local authorities are investigating two armed robberies that occurred within ten minutes of each other this afternoon. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department says the Countryway Party Store on Mason Road in Iosco Township reported an armed robbery at around 2:20pm. A white male who brandished a handgun is described as standing under six feet tall and having a scruffy face, possibly a goatee. The suspect was said to be wearing a camouflage hat, blue jeans, a burnt orange shirt and sandals. Then around 2:30pm, police say there was another armed robbery reported at Angelo's Party Store on Mason Road in Howell. That suspect is described as being a heavyset white male, approximately 40-years-old, wearing blue jeans, a dark navy shirt, sandals, a beige baseball cap and sunglasses. A dark semi-automatic pistol was observed in that incident. Police believe the individuals were working together and are looking for a dark colored sedan, possibly a four-door but also say they may have been involved in a third armed robbery at a Webberville pharmacy. Any witnesses or anyone with information about either of the incidents is asked to contact Detective/Lieutenant Scott Domine with the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department at 517-540-7902. (JM)
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Local Actor Takes Home Award for Performance in Musical Local Actor Takes Home Award for Performance in Musical
9/25/14 - A local actor has been recognized with an award for excellence in Michigan professional theatre. The Wilde Awards celebration was held earlier this month and recognizes the best in Michigan professional theater for the 2013/2014 season. Steve DeBruyne won Best Performance Actor in a Musical. DeBruyne is the co-owner and founder of The Dionysus Theatre in Pinckney. He won the award for his role in Dexter-based Encore Musical Theatreâs âCompanyâ production. In all, 28 productions produced or presented by 17 theaters across the state garnered awards, along with 34 artists. Several categories ended in a tie. (JM)
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Police Release Surveillance Photos of Armed Robbery SuspectPolice Release Surveillance Photos of Armed Robbery Suspect
9/25/14 - Local authorities are investigating two armed robberies that occurred within ten minutes of each other Wednesday afternoon. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department says the Countryway Party Store on Mason Road in Iosco Township reported an armed robbery at around 2:20pm. A white male who brandished a handgun is described as standing under six feet tall and having a scruffy face, possibly a goatee. The suspect was said to be wearing a camouflage hat, blue jeans, a burnt orange shirt and sandals. Then around 2:30pm, police say there was another armed robbery reported at Angelo's Party Store on Mason Road in Howell. That suspect is described as being a heavyset white male, approximately 40-years-old, wearing blue jeans, a dark navy shirt, sandals, a beige baseball cap and sunglasses. A dark semi-automatic pistol was observed in that incident. Police believe the individuals were working together and are looking for a dark colored sedan, possibly a four-door but also say they may have been involved in a third armed robbery at a Webberville pharmacy. Any witnesses or anyone with information about either of the incidents is asked to contact Detective/Lieutenant Scott Domine with the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department at 517-540-7902. (JM)
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Road Work Underway in Brighton, Green Oak & Hamburg TownshipsRoad Work Underway in Brighton, Green Oak & Hamburg Townships
9/25/14 - Overnight paving work is planned on Grand River in the Brighton area as part of a multi-stage reconstruction project this weekend. Livingston County Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine tells WHMI the project is coming along, with all of the new curb and driveways in. He says they will be removing the asphalt, a process called milling, starting Friday night at around 8:30 in the area of Grand River from roughly Gordon Food Service to I-96, as well as about 800 feet of Hilton Road right at Grand River. The first stage should be done by Monday. Craine says the rest of the work on Grand River will be between Hacker and Gordon Food Service but more labor intensive and done during the daytime hours as it involves revising storm water drainage. He says the next two stages will involve swapping traffic to the north and south sides of Grand River, with a single lane of traffic maintained in each direction. Each stage is expected to take between two to three weeks to complete and Craine says the contractor will be working to get everything done by early November. Meanwhile, Winans Lake Road between Whitmore Lake Road and Hamburg Road is being paved in the Green Oak and Hamburg Township areas. The Livingston County Road Commission began milling out existing pavement yesterday to make room for the overlay, which will be continuing today. Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine says on Saturday and Sunday, crews will be paving the road and on Monday, the road shoulders and driveways will be adjusted to align with the new height of the asphalt. The wedge and overlay work on Winans Lake Road is a county project, and not part of the voter approved road milllage work in Green Oak Township. A resurfacing project on M-36 is also slated to begin next week and run through mid-November, laying down new roadway along a ten-mile stretch of M-36 between US-23 in Green Oak Township and the Village of Pinckney. That project will involve closing off a lane in certain areas, but traffic will be maintained through flag control. (JM)
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Brighton School Board Candidates Square Off in ForumBrighton School Board Candidates Square Off in Forum
9/25/14 - The six candidates vying for the three open seats on the Brighton Area Board of Education took part in a forum at Scranton Middle School last night. About four dozen people attended the event, which posed about half a dozen questions to the candidates, who got two minutes to answer each one. The debaters included incumbents John Conely and Miles Vieau as well as Ken Stahl, Andy Burchfield, Jerilyn Gilleylen, and David Chesney. The incumbents touted the efforts of the board to reign in the districtâs deficit, which is slated for elimination this year. Conely said that in the past the teacherâs union had a grip on the districtâs administration, which gave away more than could be afforded. That was backed up by Vieau, who said that he was committed to never going back to a situation in which the district was spending more than it received in revenues. Chesney gave the current board members kudos for handling the budget deficit, which is expected to be eliminated by the end of the current school year. But he said the district lacks a long-term vision and there was a need to put policies and practices in place to do that. Gilleylen said she wanted to be âan instrumentâ in creating a positive image for the school board while helping the district become a leader in the state. Burchfield stressed security issues and continuing to provide the district with adequate preparation for all possibilities, while still maintaining a realistic budget outlook. Stahl said heâd like to see more technical education in the district as not everyone is âbook smart,â but can still have productive careers if given the right training. In addition to the histories provided in their opening statements, candidates were asked about relevant topics like charter schools, teachersâ unions, and the role of school board members. The candidates will square off in November for the open seats, all of which have four-year terms. The district is planning to put the full audio of the meeting on YouTube sometime this week. (TD/JK)
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Concert Tribute Sunday for Woman Who Loved Community & MusicConcert Tribute Sunday for Woman Who Loved Community & Music
9/24/14 - A big celebration is planned this weekend for a longtime Brighton woman who loved quality music, performances and giving back to the community. Marilyn Jones, the founding Artistic Director of the Livingston County Chorale, passed away in July at the age of 80. However, she made it known for many years that she did not want a funeral and much preferred her life to be celebrated. As such, she asked a number of people to help carry out plans for a big celebration showcasing world class music that would also serve as her one last gift to the community. Patti Marshall-Doane is one of those helping carry out Jonesâ wish and tells WHMI the show will be a tribute to her legacy by various musicians and also feature special poetry readings selected by Jones. The concert will feature around 13 different performances. Itâs free and starts at 1:30pm, this Sunday at the Brighton Center for the Performing Arts. (JM)
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