10/13/14 - A local non-profit is again working to help restore hope for local families in need this holiday season and there will be four opportunities this month to apply for Christmas and Thanksgiving assistance. The Salvation Army of Livingston County is once again looking to ease the financial worries for local families by providing help with food, gifts and toys. The local Corps was able to provide hope and joy for more than 640 families last year and officials say the holidays should not be a time where parents have to choose between paying the heating bill or buying food and toys for their kids. There will only be four opportunities to sign up for thanksgiving and Christmas assistance, starting this Saturday, October 18th from noon to 4pm. The final three opportunities will be next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The sign-ups will be done at the Sonrise Church on Highland Road in Howell. Additionally, The Salvation Army says itâs in desperate need of volunteers to assist with signing people up for the program and anyone with extra time interested in helping provide hope for the holidays would be appreciated. Complete details about Salvation Army Christmas and Thanksgiving Assistance dates, times and application requirements are available through the link below. (JM)
Salvation Army Holding Holiday Sign-Ups for Families in NeedSalvation Army Holding Holiday Sign-Ups for Families in Need
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Local Man Admits Sending 13-Year-Old Inappropriate MessagesLocal Man Admits Sending 13-Year-Old Inappropriate Messages
10/12/14 - A Tyrone Township man charged with sending inappropriate messages to a 13-year-old girl has admitted to the crime. 44-year-old Glenn Eric Catlin pleaded guilty as charged to counts of accosting a child for immoral purposes and using computers or the Internet to commit a crime. Police said Catlin sent sexually explicit text messages to a local girl expressing his desires this past June. As part of the plea deal reached, prosecutors agreed to recommend a jail cap and five years of probation. Catlin will be sentenced as a two-time habitual offender when he is sentenced in Livingston County Circuit Court on November 13th.
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Carburetor Icing Likely Cause of Fatal Brighton Plane CrashCarburetor Icing Likely Cause of Fatal Brighton Plane Crash
10/13/14 - The National Transportation Safety Board says that a pilot's failure to maintain an adequate speed after his airplane partially lost power probably caused a Livingston County crash that seriously injured him and killed his passenger. Authorities say the 1940s-era single-engine plane crashed September 1st, 2012 in wooded wetlands near the Brighton Airport. The crash injured the then-79-year-old pilot Walter Davenport of Brighton and killed his 56-year-old passenger, Ana Lorena Arguedas Ortega. She was a native of San Jose, Costa Rica, and was vacationing in Michigan. The two-seat 1946 Aeronca had high wings with fabric surfaces over metal tubing. The report indicates there may have been carburetor icing, which could have reduced gas flow to the engine. Witnesses reported the plane appeared to have a normal takeoff, but a change occurred in the sound of the engine and the aircraft then appeared to be struggling to climb. The plane then turned around before descending nose-down. Investigators noted that the pilot's shoulder harness failed in the crash, leading to a traumatic brain injury. While weather conditions indicated a high probability of serious carburetor icing, a control that heats the carburetor to prevent icing was found in the off position. Investigators also noted that Davenport reportedly used automotive gasoline in the aircraft, which can lead to earlier icing than aviation gas in similar weather conditions. (JK)
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Events to Educate Community on Realities of Heroin & OpiatesEvents to Educate Community on Realities of Heroin & Opiates
10/13/14 - An upcoming rally and sobering conversation about opiates and heroin will take place in October in hopes of ultimately making a positive difference in the community. A community rally is planned on the grounds of the historic Livingston County courthouse at 7pm on Tuesday to help rouse support for the fight against heroin and opiates. The rally aims to shed light on the growing epidemic and find ways to help the community understand how itâs affecting children and families. The heroin epidemic in Livingston County will also be the focus of what organizers say is an eye opening and informative presentation on October 29th from 6 to 7:30pm at the Livingston Educational Services Agency in Howell. It also aims to make the community aware of the problem and will feature renowned speaker Fred Brason on opiates and overdose prevention kits, with time set aside to answer questions. Local law enforcement and other presenters that have been personally impacted by addiction will also be featured during both events. The rally and community education event are sponsored by The Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Workgroup of the Human Services Collaborative Body. An informational flyer is available below. (JM)
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Ruling Moves Pinckney Woman's Recall Lawsuit ForwardRuling Moves Pinckney Woman's Recall Lawsuit Forward
10/13/14 - An attempt by General Motors to cancel discovery has been struck down in a local womanâs class-action lawsuit against the automaker. Lorie Briggs of Pinckney is suing GM for economic losses after safety recalls in February included one of her vehicles. GM issued the recall of certain vehicles due to a potentially-dangerous defect in the ignition system. Briggsâ attorney, Alyson Oliver, says the carmaker knew about the defect and even tried to secretly correct it, but the companyâs failure to properly inform customers has left many, including Briggs, with worthless cars that cannot be resold. Briggs filed suit in May in federal court in Detroit. GM says bankruptcy protection removes any liability it has for economic losses tied to its vehicles, and recently it tried to extend that logic by claiming bankruptcy protected them from being required to turn over documents for discovery. The case has been moved to New York to be tried by the same judge handling GMâs bankruptcy case, and he struck down that argument so limited discovery can now take place. Oliver tells WHMI this is a win, but the judge may not necessarily extend the same logic to the argument that GM is immune to liability for economic loss. The class-action lawsuit now has representation from every state in the union for plaintiffs who want to claim economic losses as a result of the defects. Oliver says she is not sure how many plaintiffs are participating at this point. (TD)
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Bond Lowered For Two Suspects In Brighton Jewelry RobberyBond Lowered For Two Suspects In Brighton Jewelry Robbery
10/13/14 - No plea deals were reached at recent hearings held for two suspects charged in a smash and grab theft at a Brighton jewelry store. No plea agreements were reached for 19-year-old Darvon Smith of Kalamazoo and 19-year-old Devon McCloud of Warren during recent hearings in Livingston County Circuit Court. The bonds that were set for Smith and McCloud have also been reduced but with conditions. Their cases will proceed to trial in December while 18-year-old Elijah Henderson of Belleville is scheduled to appear in Livingston County Circuit Court for a pre-trial hearing next week. The three were charged with armed robbery after the July 14th incident at Rottermond Jewelers. Surveillance video shows two men breaking the glass of a jewelry display case after several blows from a mini sledge hammer and then grabbing several high end watches. McCloud, the alleged getaway driver, is also charged with fleeing and eluding. After fleeing the scene, police say the suspectâs vehicle turned the wrong way onto the northbound US-23 ramp to I-96. When a police officer blocked their path, Smith and Henderson fled and were later located hiding in a dumpster. All of the stolen watches were recovered. (JK)
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Few Answers In Firing Of Metroparks ChiefFew Answers In Firing Of Metroparks Chief
10/13/14 - The Huron-Clinton Metroparks Authority Board voted 6-to-1 on Thursday to fire Metroparks Director John McColloch, and the reason why is unclear. McColloch was appointed to the position in December of 2012, and the Milford Times reports his salary was $140,000. Former Livingston County commissioner Jack LaBelle is the chairman for the Metroparks Authority Board, and he says McColloch was fired âwithout cause,â as there was no major scandal or wrongdoing that led to the firing. He says McColloch simply was not working out, and he wishes him the best of luck. Deputy Director George Phifer will take over McCollochâs duties until the process to hire a new director can be determined and carried out. LaBelle expects it to be a lengthy process. (TD)
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Federal Lawsuit Over Ex-Deputy's Actions Set For Trial This WeekFederal Lawsuit Over Ex-Deputy's Actions Set For Trial This Week
10/13/14 - The lawsuit filed by former female inmates of the Livingston County Jail is expected to go to trial this week. The suit was filed in 2009 in U.S. District Court in Detroit by five female plaintiffs against Livingston County and former road patrol Deputy Randy Boos. It alleges the defendantâs failure to provide proper training or supervision allowed the 2008 assaults by Boos as he transported them from the jail to various court facilities. A jury trial has been delayed by several legal motions, but is now set to begin Wednesday morning U.S. District Court in Detroit. Boos, who served three years and seven months in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct, asserted in a deposition that he didnât know his actions were criminal because he believed the sexual acts were consensual, and that he never received training on proper conduct when transporting detainees. Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte calls it a frivolous lawsuit and tells WHMI when they learned what was going on, immediate action was taken to suspend Boos while State Police investigated. He says there was never any knowledge of Boosâ illegal conduct or crimes being committed and the county is prepared to go to trial. (JK)
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MDOT Says Settlement Issues to Blame for Bridge RepairsMDOT Says Settlement Issues to Blame for Bridge Repairs
10/13/14 - Work is continuing to repair the concrete approaches on the Latson Road bridge over I-96 in Genoa Township. However, the Michigan Department of Transportation says settlement issues are to blame and not the contractor. Construction and traffic shifts are ongoing at the busy interchange that opened less than a year ago but should be complete within about a month. MDOT spokeswoman Kari Arend says it was a settlement issue that came up after the construction and bridge was complete, not a structural problem. She tells WHMI the repairs being made had nothing to do with the initial construction and the bridge was built to plan by the contractor, it was just that the approaches didnât settle properly. As the bridge was built to plan, the contractor is not responsible for the cost of repairs. Arend says since the contract was still officially open, the cost of the repairs will be absorbed back into the overall project cost and reimbursed through state and federal funds. One lane is being maintained in each direction on Latson Road during the work, with traffic being shifted to either the east or west side of the bridge. All of the repairs are expected to be complete by early November. (JM)
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Grant To Fully Implement Program For Sexual Assault VictimsGrant To Fully Implement Program For Sexual Assault Victims
10/13/14 - Sexual assault victims, regardless of age, will now be able to take advantage of a unique program from Livingston Countyâs domestic violence prevention and treatment agency. A three-year grant from the Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board will allow LACASA to fully implement the SANE, or Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, program. LACASA Executive Director Bobette Schrandt says the program allows sexual assault victims to come to their Howell Township shelter for a medical exam instead of the local emergency room where they might run into someone they know. She says thatâs vital to providing victims with as much privacy as possible at a time when they are emotionally and physically vulnerable. While LACASA has operated the SANE program for many years, itâs always been limited by funding issues. But because of the grant, which is worth more than $83,000 a year over three years, they can also lift previous restrictions that limited its availability to victims age 12 and over. Schrandt says that's an important asset considering that of the 213 forensic interviews they conducted last year involving victims of child abuse, 173, or 81%, involved sexual assault. LACASAâs key goal now is to hire and train up to seven nurses and a nurse manager that will staff the program 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Schrandt says any local nurses interested in applying can find details through the link below. (JK)
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Governor Signs Locally-Sponsored Bills To Fight Heroin OverdoseGovernor Signs Locally-Sponsored Bills To Fight Heroin Overdose
10/14/14 - Three bills sponsored by a local representative and signed into law this week will help loosen restrictions on 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. These drugs can save lives when administered to patients overdosing on opioid drugs. All three bills were signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder on Wednesday during the Women Strengthening Michigan forum in Clinton Township. 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. (TD)
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Suspected Abduction Attempt Under InvestigationSuspected Abduction Attempt Under Investigation
10/14/14 - A possible failed child abduction in Fenton has officials encouraging families to talk to their children about the threat posed by strangers. On Friday, the City of Fenton Police Department was notified that a high school student had been walking to a bus stop near the intersection of Hillview Terrace and South Adelaide that morning when her arm was grabbed by an unknown person. She described the suspect as possible male, about six feet tall, wearing a dark hoodie, dark clothing, and a cloth over his face. The student was able to free her arm, kick the suspect, and get away without injury. The suspect did not follow and was not seen again. Police are investigating the incident and monitoring the area for added safety. The department contacted the school district on Monday, and that afternoon students were sent home with a letter from Superintendent Timothy Jalkanen urging parents to take this opportunity to talk to their children about strangers, being aware of their surroundings, and the added safety of walking in groups. Anyone with information about the incident or the suspect is asked to contact the Fenton Police. (TD)
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Howell Council Endorses Splash Pad/Ice Rink PlanHowell Council Endorses Splash Pad/Ice Rink Plan
10/14/14 - Howell City Council, meeting last night at the Bennett Recreation Center after a broken water line flooded their chambers in the basement of city hall, made several decisions officials hope will move the city forward. Council agreed to âramp up enforcementâ of city parking rules with the help of the Howell Police Department. Though there is further communication between both departments needed to pinpoint their end goal, they say it will âprotect their investmentâ. Council also agreed to a contract renewal with the Economic Development Council for Livingston County. Council members hope the continued partnership will market Howell as a place for business development. The Councilâs main focus, though, was their discussion with the Howell Downtown Development Authority on plans for a Splash Pad/Ice Rink project. The DDA requested a letter of support from City Council which is needed for the security of sponsors for the project. A substantial amount of the venture would be covered should things continuing running smoothly. Mayor Phil Campbell tells WHMI the steps are in place for the project that will make the city attractive year-round. The DDA was unable to reveal possible locations for the project as they do not want to give the misconception that things are farther along than they actually are. However, the DDA did say they are looking for a location that is within walking distance of central businesses in the city. A previous plan to repurpose the amphitheater adjacent to the historic county courthouse was passed up by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners, who said the tight timeline prevented a proper vetting of the plan. (DK/JK)
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Reports Finds Howell Superintendent Not HarassedReports Finds Howell Superintendent Not Harassed
10/14/14 - No evidence could be found to support Superintendent Ron Wilsonâs claims that Howell Schools Board of Education President Mike Witt bullied or harassed district employees. That was the report delivered last night to the board and dozens of citizens. According to the report, the incidents cited as bullying by Wilson were actually just disagreements between himself and Witt about how to run the district. There was no evidence of personal attacks or threatening behavior. Witt said he was not surprised by the result, since he has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation, but he was disappointed that the community and social media were so quick to pick up on the allegations. Meanwhile, another investigation is ongoing in the district. Wilson has been put on paid, non-disciplinary administrative leave while the district investigates questionable claims for reimbursement on expense reports. Much of the audience at last nightâs meeting attended to support Wilson, who sat in the back row and declined to give comment. Other members of the audience spoke at the call to the public to praise Wilsonâs performance as a superintendent and work in the community. Some criticized the boardâs performance and the way the districtâs reputation damages the surrounding area. Some board members responded by pointing out that Wilsonâs leave is non-disciplinary, and it had been recommended by district legal counsel as a way to protect Wilson during the investigation. Citizens who were unhappy with the boardâs performance were encouraged to run for the open seats in November. (TD)
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Brighton Area Schools Reach All-Time Enrollment Record Brighton Area Schools Reach All-Time Enrollment Record
10/14/14 - The Brighton Area School District has reached an all-time enrollment peak, with 7,350 students enrolled, in non-audited figures submitted to the state. The district also has set a couple of other records as well. The enrollment figures stem from the fall head count, conducted on the first Wednesday of this month. The previous high enrollment in Brighton was about 7,200 students, reached several years ago, before enrollments started dropping. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI the figure includes not only in-house enrollment, but students enrolled in the districtâs Shared Services program. The fall enrollment count represents 90% of a districtâs per-pupil funding from the state, and the winter count, in February, 10%. The ratio was previously 75% in the fall and 25% in the winter but was changed in 2011. Gray says due to Brightonâs fine academic reputation the district is able to attract students from other areas through the Schools of Choice program. This year, 677 students in Brighton are from surrounding districts, an all-time record. Gray says if the 1,350 Shared Services students were left out of the figures, Brightonâs enrollment would be about 6,000. Shared Services is a program in which Brighton uses certified teachers to conduct non-core curriculum classes in other schools, primarily private schools. Gray says the Brighton Area Schools now has the largest Shared Services program in the state, with over 15,500 students enrolled, representing schools in seven counties. Many of the students take just one or two classes, and the 1,350 student figure is FTE, or full-time equivalent. Brightonâs aggressive approach to the Schools of Choice and Shared Services programs have resulted in the district not having to suffer the enrollment losses experienced by many other school districts in the state, and is helping the district back on the road to financial stability. (TT)
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Bishop Will Headline Livingston GOP's Reagan Day DinnerBishop Will Headline Livingston GOP's Reagan Day Dinner
10/14/14 - A fundraising dinner later this month will feature a former state legislator looking to make the move up to Congress. The Livingston County Republican Party is hosting its 2014 Reagan Day Dinner on Thursday, October 23rd at Crystal Gardens in Genoa Township. It will feature special guest Mike Bishop, the former Michigan State Senate Majority Leader who is now the GOP nominee for the 8th Congressional District race. Bishop has been endorsed by outgoing Congressman Mike Rogers, who decided not to seek another term so he could pursue a career in talk radio. Bishop was a Michigan State Senator from 2002 to 2010, serving as Senate Majority Leader the last four of those years. Before that, he was a State Representative from the Rochester area. Tickets for the Reagan Day Dinner are $50 each. Bishop will face off against Ingham County Treasurer Eric Schertzing in the November 4th election. (JK)
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1st Annual Luncheon Connects And Empowers Local Women1st Annual Luncheon Connects And Empowers Local Women
10/14/14- A womanâs empowerment session at Cleary University today connected local residents to each other. The 1st annual luncheon was held at the Johnson Center and put on by the nonprofit organization âFrom the Ground on Upâ. The organizationâs President and CEO Brigette Patton, says the program âcreates unity in the communityâ. She tells WHMI the uplifting event is driven to encourage women in the area. A silent auction, along with group activities brought the group together. Guest speakers discussed self-awareness and being oneâs authentic self in order to achieve success. Patton says she wants to continue the event on a yearly basis and expand it. Women had the opportunity to connect and share ideas, while discovering some of their own gifts and qualities. Patton says of the empowerment luncheon that âthe whole idea is to be present and be in the momentâ. (DK)
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Pinckney Village Council Opposes Potential Pipeline Project Pinckney Village Council Opposes Potential Pipeline Project
10/14/14 - The Village of Pinckney is the latest community to speak out against a proposed pipeline project. Council met Monday night and adopted a resolution against the ET Rover Pipeline Project. The company is seeking approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to construct a natural gas pipeline that would extend from Ohio through Michigan and connect into Canada. The proposed line would travel through a portion of the village - across Patterson Lake Road, through the DPW and sewer treatment plant property, and over a grinder pump lift station. Officials are concerned that could prevent expansion and general maintenance of the plant, hindering ability to provide sustainable services to the community. They say property owners would also be prevented from using their land as they want to. Clerk Amy Salowitz tells WHMI they recognize they canât stop the project but Council still felt it was important to take the opportunity to speak up for the village and voice opposition. She says the company has also already demonstrated its ability to not be good neighbors. There were a number of questions that village officials had about the proposed line and a meeting was scheduled but no one from the company ever showed up. Salowitz says the company was also told it could survey the proposed area during Village hours Monday through Friday from 7am to 5pm but workers instead showed up this past Saturday. Those found on the site were made to leave by the police department. The Village is encouraging property owners to file comments with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. More information and a copy of the resolution that was approved are available on the Village of Pinckneyâs website. A link is provided. (JM)
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M-52 Railroad Crossing to Close Thursday in ChelseaM-52 Railroad Crossing to Close Thursday in Chelsea
10/15/14 - The reconstruction of a railroad crossing in Chelsea starts Thursday and a portion of M-52 will likely be closed down for the remainder of the month.
Starting at 8am Thursday, M-52 will be closed at the railroad tracks, north of Middle Street in Chelsea. M-DOT and Amtrak will be reconstructing the M-52 railroad crossing to improve safety and rideability. The grade crossing will be reconstructed as part of an effort to upgrade the entire corridor to accommodate for higher speed travel from Chicago to Detroit. Signal work includes the installation of new cantilevers with gates and the circuitry at adjacent crossings will also be modernized to provide preemption with the traffic signals on M-52 at Middle and Park/South Streets. All work is expected to be complete and M-52 reopened by noon on Friday, October 31st. When M-52 is closed the following detours will be in place. Southbound M-52: North Street to Hayes Street to Middle Street to Wilkinson Street to Old US-12 to M-52. Northbound M-52: Old US-12 to Freer Road to Dexter-Chelsea Road to McKinley Street to Dewey Street to M-52. Dexter-Chelsea Road and Freer Road will be a three-way stop during the detour. (JM)
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Father & Son Enter Pleas In Road Rage CaseFather & Son Enter Pleas In Road Rage Case
10/15/14 - Pleas have been entered by a father and son from Hamburg Township who police say chased and assaulted another man in a road rage incident. 28-year-old Nathan Marcum faced charges of aggravated assault and reckless driving. On Friday, he pleaded guilty when the assault charge was reduced to âthrowing an object at a motor vehicleâ and the reckless driving charge was dismissed. His father, 52-year-old Daniel Marcum, pleaded no contest to the aggravated assault charge brought against him. Both will be sentenced on November 12th in Livingston County District Court. The charges stem from an incident June 28th that began in the vicinity of westbound Grand River and Latson Road in Genoa Township. Witnesses reported seeing a pick-up truck traveling at high speeds, weaving in and out of traffic. Police say a 56-year-old Howell man tried to get away and ran a red light before pulling into the parking lot of a business near Grand Oaks Drive. The Marcums are alleged to have cut across Grand River, exited their vehicle, and proceeded to assault the victim. They fled a short time later after being advised that police were coming. Witnesses were able to get a license plate number along with descriptions of the suspects and their vehicle, which led police to the Marcums. (TD)
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