9/25/14 - The Michigan State Police have started an online fundraiser after a fire claimed the home of a local trooper and his family. On September 5th, the home of Trooper Richard Chaffee was destroyed by fire. Chaffee serves from the MSP Brighton Post. Neither he nor anyone in his family were hurt in the blaze, but almost everything they owned was destroyed. A fundraiser has been set up on the crowdfunding page GoFundMe to benefit Chaffee and help his family purchase items that are immediately needed. After only two days, more than $530has been raised through a total of 15 donations. A grand total of $5,000 is being sought. A link to the fundraiser can be found below. (JK)
Funds Sought to Help State Trooper After Fire Destroys HomeFunds Sought to Help State Trooper After Fire Destroys Home
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Company Employees To Create & Supply Teen Center Study AreaCompany Employees To Create & Supply Teen Center Study Area
9/25/14 - A new study area is being added to the Howell Teen Center thanks to the efforts of a local company. Employees of Chem-Trend in Howell will use a service day on Friday to create the space for the center, which is located inside the Barnard Community Center on Barnard Street in Howell. Managed by the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority, the center provides a safe and socially acceptable environment for middle and high school students. Chem-Trend employees have been collecting books and school supplies needed for the center. On Friday, they plan to deliver the supplies and set up the new study area, which will also include new furniture, bookshelves, lighting, decorations and storage, all donated by the company. Chem-Trend partnered with the Livingston County United Way and its Volunteer Livingston program to coordinate the initiative. Additional support was provided by Interior Environments, based in Novi, with design and furnishing services for the study area. Chem-Trend officials said the students will now have access to a small library of reference and fiction books, college prep materials, expanded work spaces and comfortable seating that will allow them to focus on their studies. (JK)
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Michigan and Downtown Howell Recognized For Economic SuccessMichigan and Downtown Howell Recognized For Economic Success
9/25/14- Michigan and downtown Howell are being recognized for becoming a successful Main Street community over the past 10 years. A press conference was held this morning at the Howell Opera House with guest speakers from the National Main Street Center, as well as PlaceEconomics, which conducts Economic Impact Studies. Michigan and its Main Street Communities have been subjects for these surveys for the last ten years and provided positive results. Data from these studies showed that during the heart of the recession, on average, for every 10 businesses that closed down, 15-20 opened in Michigan. During the study, each year in Michigan more jobs were created than lost. Norma Miess, Senior Program Officer and Director of Leadership Development for the National Main Street Center, says committed is the word she has for the Michigan Main Street Program. Miess says Howell is an example of success and that she can see a lot of dedication from local people. Cathleen Edgerly, Director for the Howell Main Street Downtown Development Authority, says the DDA is so proud of Howell. She tells WHMI the area has progressed despite the difficult economic decade. Edgerly adds that the heart of a Main Street community is its residents and volunteers. In 2015, Howell will celebrate its 10th anniversary as a Main Street Community. (DK)
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Dog Attack Victim Says New Allegations Are LiesDog Attack Victim Says New Allegations Are Lies
9/25/14 - Two dogs ordered to be put down by a judge after a Whitmore Lake woman said they killed her dog and mauled her, may have a reprieve after a motion was filed to halt the process. A motion for a new trial was filed Tuesday in Washtenaw County District Court, claiming 44-year-old Ellen Mohan lied during a hearing after which a judge ordered the two dogs to be euthanized. The motion cites two people described as co-workers of Mohan who claim she told them that her Poodle Fox Terrier mix instigated the fight with the two dogs, a pit bull and a Rhodesian ridgeback-boxer mix, as she walked her dog in Northfield Estates on July 17th. They also claim that Mohan told them the wounds to her hands were caused by her own dog as she rushed her to the vet after the attack. Mohan tells WHMI that those claims are absolutely not true and the co-workers in question, who have not been named, are lying. Mohan works part-time as an air personality at WHMI. The two co-workers in question are from her full-time job. Mohan previously filed a $1 million lawsuit against the owners of the dogs; 26-year-old Adam Bater, and his father, 54-year-old Douglas Bater. The suit also names Northfield Estates, alleging the park was negligent and failed to enforce its own rules regarding dangerous pets. A half-million dollar lawsuit was also filed against the Baters by another neighbor who claims the dogs bit his daughter and permanently scarred her. In addition to the lawsuits, the Baters are both charged with misdemeanors in regards to the attack and are due in court Friday for arraignment. (JK)
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Police Say Only One Suspect Is Sought in Trio of RobberiesPolice Say Only One Suspect Is Sought in Trio of Robberies
9/25/14 - It now appears that there was only one suspect involved in three armed robberies Wednesday. Livingston County Undersheriff Mike Murphy says that a clerk at one of the two party stores that were robbed mistakenly identified a customer as one of the suspects. They have now determined that only one man was involved in those two robberies as well as an earlier hold-up of a Webberville pharmacy. The Countryway Party Store on Mason Road in Iosco Township reported an armed robbery at around 2:20 Wednesday afternoon. That was followed ten minutes later with another armed robbery at Angelo's Party Store on Mason Road in Howell. That suspect was 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. Murphy says that description is correct and the photos they released are of the suspect. They thought two suspects were involved when the clerk from the first store said the suspect was wearing a burnt orange shirt and sandals. That turned out to be a customer. Murphy says they believe they know who the suspect is and are continuing to search for him as well as a dark colored sedan. 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. (JK)
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Livingston County Veteran's Home Saved Livingston County Veteran's Home Saved
9/25/14 - Thanks to the heart of the Livingston County community, a disabled Korean War-era Veteran will be able to stay in home. A private investor who felt compelled to help and invaluable community support made saving 82-year-old Ross Dahlbergâs Hamburg Township home possible. Dahlberg is wheelchair bound and suffers from medical issues. He fell behind on his mortgage payments after several surgeries but had applied for assistance through a state program called StepForward. Despite being conditionally approved, his home was foreclosed upon and sold at a sheriff sale for $132,000 last March. The home went into a redemption period and The Livingston County Department of Veterans Services stepped in to assist. Veterans Benefits Counselor Josh Parish tells WHMI everything has been taken care of and Dahlberg is sitting in his home where he will be able to sleep a little more comfortably at night. Parish says Dahlberg will be making monthly payments to the investor to cover the property taxes but everything raised on the GoFundMe webpage as well as excess funds from the sheriff sale will be put into a protected account for Dahlbergâs bills and medical expenses. A new roof is also going up on the home thanks to area business donations and work should be completed in a few days. Parish says Dahlberg is doing great and his health has also been steadily improving, adding nothing could have without all of the community support over the last six months. (JM)
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Hartland to Renew Lease w/ Local Farmer for M-59 PropertiesHartland to Renew Lease w/ Local Farmer for M-59 Properties
9/26/14 - A local farmer will continue cultivating Hartland Township land for at least another growing season. The Hartland Township board previously authorized the execution of a $1.6 (m) million purchase agreement to sell around 110 acres of township-owned properties on M-59 to East Lansing-based Mayberry Homes. A local farmer has been tending to the land and it was stated during last weekâs board meeting that the lease would be renewed at the existing price to get through the next few years. Township Manager James Wickman says the sewer system owns 110 acres in the Fenton Road and Pleasant Valley area and the township just entered into a purchase agreement with Mayberry Homes. He says they have been leasing the land to a local farmer but because the development wonât be starting for another year or two, there have been discussions to renew the existing lease. One property totals 78.5 acres at the southwest corner of M-59 and Pleasant Valley Road and the other encompasses 30 acres at the northwest corner of M-59 and Fenton Road. The farming lease is expected to be finalized at the next Hartland Township Board meeting to have everything in order for next spring. The two parcels on M-59 were acquired by the township in 2012 when the previous owners became delinquent in sewer assessment payments. The funds will be deposited into the sewer fund as required by law and will not be available for general fund purposes. (JM)
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Suspect Flees Twice From Police Before Being ArrestedSuspect Flees Twice From Police Before Being Arrested
9/26/14 - A Livingston County man is facing felony charges after twice fleeing from officers on Thursday. Livingston County Sheriffâs officials say the incident began around 10:45am when the 28-year-old suspect drove past a deputyâs patrol vehicle on Nicholson Road at a high rate of speed. When the deputy attempted to pull him over for speeding, he refused to stop and fled at speeds reaching 100 mph. The suspect lost control at Mohrle Road near Fowlerville Road in Conway Township and crashed. He then fled on foot from his vehicle, which had caught on fire. As firefighters worked to put the car fire out, deputies and officers with the Fowlerville Police Department set up a perimeter around nearby cornfields to try and capture the suspect. The suspect reportedly then called his mother, who picked him up. When police stopped the motherâs minivan near Vogt Road, the suspect again fled the vehicle. However, police used a K-9 to track him down and take him into custody. A report will be submitted to the prosecutorâs office for possible charges. (JK)
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Expanded Parking Planned For Former Chamber Site Expanded Parking Planned For Former Chamber Site
9/26/14 - Downtown Brighton will get some additional parking capacity from a development thatâs on hold for the time being. Brightonâs Downtown Development Authority says it has entered into a lease agreement with Excelda Manufacturing for use of their property at North and Hyne streets as a parking lot. The land, which was the former site of the Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce, had been purchased by the company as a location for their headquarters. But they backed out of those plans in 2012, citing cost and other market issues. DDA Director Matt Modrack says while there are currently just 13 paved spaces on the site, there are provisions in the lease to allow for the addition of more asphalt and an increase in the number of spaces. Under the terms of the lease, which they expect to have in place in by October 1st, the DDA will pay Exceldaâs taxes on the property in exchange for the use of the site. Excelda will also provide a good will discount for the first year of the 3 year lease. Modrack added that while the best use for the site would be for retail development, using it as parking in the meantime âmakes all the sense in the world.â (JK)
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Local Agencies Partner for Prescription Drug Take-Back DayLocal Agencies Partner for Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
9/26/14 - An event this weekend will again allow Livingston County residents to rid their homes of potentially dangerous prescription drugs. Rates of prescription drug abuse are said to be alarmingly high across the United States, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to the types of drugs. A number of local law enforcement agencies are again partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration for the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, giving the public its sixth opportunity rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, un-used and un-wanted prescription drugs. Officials say the effort addresses a vital public safety and public health issue because medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Michigan State Police at the Brighton Post, the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department as well as the Hamburg Township, Brighton and Fowlerville Police Departments will be serving as drop-off locations. Those locations will have staff available between the hours of 10am until 2pm to help with the collection but also answer any questions people might have. Brighton Police Chief Tom Wightman tells WHMI they have a great turnout each year and typically collect between 70 and 80 pounds at their department. No liquids, inhalers, patches, or syringes will be accepted and the service is free and anonymous. Information about the effort and participating locations are available in the attached press release. (JM)
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Animal Control Investigates Stomping Deaths of KittensAnimal Control Investigates Stomping Deaths of Kittens
9/26/14 - Livingston County Animal Control is investigating a case wherein half a dozen kittens appear to have been intentionally stomped to death. Animal Control Director Debbie Oberle says the incident was reported through a 911 call on Saturday. It occurred in a home off of US-23 south of M-59. The kittens were three to four weeks of age, and Oberle says they appear to have been intentionally stomped with a large shoe or boot. There was a grown cat in the same house that appeared to be their mother, but it was unharmed. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and could result in animal cruelty charges being filed against the perpetrator. Oberle says anyone with an unwanted litter of kittens can contact Animal Control, the Humane Society, or other shelters to get rid of the animals. (TD)
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New Creative Art Contest All About Life's Lemons New Creative Art Contest All About Life's Lemons
9/26/14 - When life gives you lemons, get artsy. The Livingston County United Wayâs Makinâ Lemonade Creative Art Contest will take place the entire month of October and area residents of all ages are invited to get creative and submit original works of art. The Livingston County United Way works in the community to find solutions to local critical needs. This yearâs video, created by students at Fowlerville High School, centers on the theme of âwhen life gives you lemons, the Livingston County United Way helps makes lemonade.â The competition is designed to be playful and participants can use any medium to showcase the theme of lemons and lemonade. Images should include the United Way logo. Submissions will be posted on the Livingston County United Wayâs Facebook page, with three winners being selected from the ten submissions receiving the most number of likes from Facebook fans through November 8th. Complete rules and the video are on the Livingston County United Way's website. That link and an informational flyer about the contest are available below. (JM)
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Anti-Overdose Drugs Getting A Boost From Locally-Sponsored BillsAnti-Overdose Drugs Getting A Boost From Locally-Sponsored Bills
9/26/14 - Three bills sponsored by a local representative and passed by the state senate this week will help loosen restrictions for drugs that help fight heroin overdose. House Bills 5404, 5405, and 5407 were introduced in March with bipartisan sponsorship from eight representatives, including Joe Graves of Argentine Township. All three deal with opioid antagonists, drugs which bind to the same receptors as opioid drugs like heroin or morphine and prevent those drugs from affecting the nervous system. Such drugs are used to combat opioid overdose, House Bill 5404 makes some language changes to the public health code, requiring medical control authorities to adopt protocols for medical first responders to be equipped with and use opioid antagonists. HB 5405 protects people from criminal penalties for administering opioid antagonists to patients who are overdosing. HB 5407 gives doctors the ability to dispense opioid antagonists to friends and family of those who may need it, and eliminates civil liability associated with its use. All three bills passed the State Senate on Wednesday by an overwhelming margin, but since there were some minor language tweaks they must go back to the House to be approved once again. Once that happens, the bills will go to Governor Snyder for final approval. (TD)
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Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested in Ingham County Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested in Ingham County
9/26/14 - Police have apprehended the man believed to be responsible for three armed robberies this week. 37-year-old Brian Thompson McCollum of Fowlerville was wanted in connection with three incidents on Wednesday; one at a Webberville pharmacy and two others at party stores on Mason Road in Iosco Township and Howell. Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte tells WHMI McCollum was picked up following an afternoon traffic stop by the Ingham County Sheriffâs Department. He remains jailed there and Bezotte says they will be seeking warrants against him for the two local incidents on Monday. McCollum has no prior record. Video surveillance footage, along with statements from witnesses and other individuals helped authorities identify McCollum, as well as the vehicle - a dark blue, 2000 four-door Buick. (JM)
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Hamburg Police Sgt. Killed in Head-On Motorcycle CrashHamburg Police Sgt. Killed in Head-On Motorcycle Crash
9/26/14 - It appears that the motorcylist who was killed in a fatal head-on collision in Genoa Township this morning was a well-known local police officer. Hamburg Township Police Sergeant Jim Sanderson was struck and killed by a Chevy Trailblazer at the intersection of Latson Road and Figurski Drive at approximately 5:45am. The 20-year veteran of the Hamburg Township Police Department was off duty at the time of the crash. Michigan State Police Sergeant Michael Sura with the Brighton Post says Sanderson was making a right turn from Figurski Drive onto northbound Latson Road when a Chevy Trailblazer that was making a left turn and heading southbound struck his motorcycle. Sanderson was killed due to the impact. The driver of Trailblazer, described only as a Howell area man, was arrested and lodged in the Livingston County Jail for driving on a suspended license. Phillip Wimp, who lives in a nearby apartment complex, saw the accident and told WHMI that it appeared that Sanderson gunned his motorcyle as he went through the s-curve on Figurski Drive and then smashed head-on into the SUV as it turned from Latson onto Figurski. Wimp said the impact catapulted Sanderson more than 30 feet onto a nearby sidewalk. Latson Road was closed for nearly three hours as a result of the crash. The MSP 1st District Accident Reconstruction Unit was at the scene. Sergeant Sura says itâs still too early to tell who the at-fault driver was and the investigation continues. Alcohol is not thought to be a factor. (JK/JM)
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Sentence Handed Down In Criminal Sexual Conduct CaseSentence Handed Down In Criminal Sexual Conduct Case
9/27/14 - A Howell man charged with ten counts of criminal sexual conduct with minors has been sentenced to prison. 35-year-old Robert Keith Sohn was charged in two cases in Livingston County Circuit Court. He pleaded guilty to four counts of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct involving victims under the age of 13, as well as one count of 2nd degree assaultive CSC. He was recently sentenced to a minimum of two and a maximum of 15 years in prison, with credit for 448 days already served, matching the sentence recommended by prosecutors as part of the plea deal. The charges stemmed from incidents involving four minors that occurred between 2005 and the summer of 2007. The mother of the victims previously told WHMI that Sohn was a family friend who abused the trust they had placed in him. (TD/JK)
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More Road Projects to Come in Green Oak Township More Road Projects to Come in Green Oak Township
9/27/14 - While road construction in Green Oak Township this year has focused on Fieldcrest Road and Winans Lake Road, they are not the last of the projects generated by the voter-approved road millage. One major project set to take place in 2015 is paving the gravel portion of Rushton Road, which extends from Doane Road north to Silver Lake Road. Supervisor Mark St. Charles tells WHMI the project will provide Green Oak with its first paved north-south road that runs the entire length of the township's east side. The Rushton Road project will also require the construction of two new bridges over river tributaries, along with drainage improvements, and the estimated cost is $1.6 million. Another project set to take place in 2015 is repaving Whitmore Lake Road from Eight Mile Road to M-36 at an estimated cost of $640,000. (TT)
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Fallen Hamburg Police Sergeant Had Big Heart & Infectious Smile Fallen Hamburg Police Sergeant Had Big Heart & Infectious Smile
9/27/14 - A police sergeant is being remembered as a good man and father with a big heart and an infectious smile. Hamburg Township Police Sergeant Jim Sanderson was killed in a motorcycle crash early Friday morning on Latson Road in Genoa Township. He was well known and said to be a true ambassador who not only worked to foster cooperation throughout the law enforcement community but helped with various causes and fundraisers. Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte says everyone is still reeling following news of the tragedy. He says everyone loved him and Sanderson was an all-around great guy who will be sorely missed. Hamburg Township Supervisor Pat Hohl tells WHMI Sanderson was a good soul who will be dearly missed and the entire community extends its deepest sorrow and condolences to his family. Hohl says he had the pleasure of knowing Sanderson as a private citizen, businessman, township trustee and supervisor and in all instances; Jim was a true gentleman who had the community at heart. Sanderson had been heading to a police memorial event in Canada and was off duty at the time of the crash. He was a 20-year veteran of the Hamburg Township Police Department. During that time, he served as an undercover officer with the Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team and was most recently on assignment with a federal task force. Funeral arrangements are pending. (JM)
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Livingston Countyâs Jobless Rate Improves In AugustLivingston Countyâs Jobless Rate Improves In August
9/28/14 - Jobless rates dropped in August across Livingston County and all of Michiganâs regional labor markets. The state Department of Technology, Management & Budget recently released the local and regional jobless figures for August. Although unemployment rates declined in all of the stateâs 17 major labor market regions, total employment levels advanced in most regions over the month. Livingston Countyâs unemployment rate dropped to 6% in August, compared to Julyâs rate of 7.7%. Its overall ranking among Michiganâs 83 counties has held mostly steady the last few months at 26th. The state says workforce levels fell in all of the stateâs local areas, partially due to workforce reductions, as fewer unemployed individuals actively sought summer and seasonal jobs. However, the state says employment levels did rise moderately in many areas of the state. The only monthly employment reduction was recorded in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia region, which includes Livingston County, possibly due to the severe flooding which hit this region in August. Regardless of the large seasonal workforce drop in August, officials say Michiganâs local labor market conditions improved in 2014. (JM)
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Local Couple Joins Thousands For New York Climate MarchLocal Couple Joins Thousands For New York Climate March
9/28/14 - One of the largest climate change events in history was held in New York last Sunday, and a Livingston County couple took part. Ron and Margerie Kardos of Oceola Township participated in the Peopleâs Climate March on September 21st in Manhattan. More than 3,000 people from 125 countries took part. Ron Kardos tells WHMI they wanted to bring attention to the issue of climate change ahead of a key summit on that topic by the United Nations. Organizers say the march was the largest climate change demonstration in history. Kardos says he and his wife decided to take part because of the two pipeline projects that cross their property. He hopes better regulations will help keep future projects from having a negative impact on the local environment. Earlier this summer, Kardos helped organize a meeting in Oceola Township to educate residents about the new ET Rover pipeline and what local people can do to help keep it off of their property. Events around the world were held to coincide with the Peopleâs Climate March. (TD)
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