10/21/14 - The Brighton Downtown Development Authority voted at its regular meeting Tuesday to begin negotiations toward the purchase of property for a new downtown parking lot. The DDA went into closed session to discuss the proposed deal, and declined afterward to specify where the property is located or how many parking spaces could be created. However, Mayor Jim Muzzin tells WHMI the property is located in the center of downtown near the intersection of Grand River and Main Street. Muzzin says the action is an attempt to address the constant dilemma of a lack of sufficient parking in the downtown area. He says the city wants to be able to buy the property over a period of time to soften the impact on the DDA budget â perhaps via a land contract. The DDA also discussed the planned parking lot just west of the CSX Railroad tracks on West Main. The city plans to enter into a lease agreement with the railroad for the property sometimes next spring and pave a portion of the site while also putting in fencing and lighting. (TT)
Brighton DDA Votes to Negotiate Purchase of Parking Lot Site Brighton DDA Votes to Negotiate Purchase of Parking Lot Site
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Program Aims To Teach Survival Skills In Shooting ScenarioProgram Aims To Teach Survival Skills In Shooting Scenario
10/21/14 - If an armed intruder walked into your workplace or school, would you know how to respond? Thatâs a question behind a training exercise later this year in Brighton. An exercise hosted by Michigan State Police from the Brighton Post will be held in December and put on by the ALICE Training Institute. ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate. The program aims to change how not only schools but hospitals, places of worship and businesses respond to armed intruder events in public places. The focus is on proactive strategies to hopefully increase chances of survival. A similar program was held at the vacant Lindbom Elementary School in August. The two-day exercise costs $595 per person and will be held December 17th and 18th at the Brighton Police Department. It is open to anyone interested in learning how to respond to an armed intruder and will feature classroom instruction before culminating with a variety of live training scenarios. Youâll find details through the link below. Or you can call Trooper Andrew Knapp for details at 810-227-1051. (JK)
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Cell Phone Video Creates Questions Over Judge's VolunteerCell Phone Video Creates Questions Over Judge's Volunteer
10/21/14 - A video shot in Milford Township is leading to accusations that an Oakland County District Court Judge has violated state guidelines. The cell-phone video, obtained by the Detroit Free Press, shows a man identified as David Whipple placing signs for Novi District Court Judge Brian MacKenzie in front of sign of Travis Reed, who is challenging MacKenzie in the November 4th general election. Whipple is a convicted felon with a long history of drunken driving and other offenses, including fraud and forging a driverâs license. He is currently under restrictions by the Michigan Secretary of Stateâs office to only drive if going to work, therapy or to a doctor's appointment. However, Whipple has been driving to the Novi courthouse several times a week to work as an unpaid volunteer clerk in Judge MacKenzie's courtroom. MacKenzie defended the practice of using Whipple as a volunteer, claiming that heâd been assured by Whipple that he was allowed to drive as part of performing "community service." But state officials say community service using a restricted license must be ordered by a judge, and that has not happened in this case. MacKenzie says Whippleâs past criminal activity was due to ongoing substance abuse, but heâs been sober for six years. (JK)
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Female Suspect In Oceola Township Home Invasion Bound OverFemale Suspect In Oceola Township Home Invasion Bound Over
10/22/14 - The fourth and final suspect charged in an Oceola Township home invasion has been bound over to Livingston County Circuit Court for trial. 27-year-old Rebecca Morrell was arraigned in circuit court on Monday on charges of home invasion, armed robbery, and four counts of unlawful imprisonment. Also charged in the incident are her husband, 39-year-old Ronald Morrell, as well as 28-year-old Richard Quam and 18-year-old Cody DeBruyn, each of whom face more than 25 counts including home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, and felonious assault. Police say the three men stormed a home in Oceola Township in June with handguns, confronted the homeowner, and kicked one of the occupants in the head, resulting in lost teeth. Rebecca Morrell is believed to have waited in the vehicle with her children during the invasion, participating through a walkie-talkie. (TD/JK)
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New Local Salvation Army Leader Getting Acquainted w/ CommunityNew Local Salvation Army Leader Getting Acquainted w/ Community
10/22/14 - Just ahead of the busy holiday season, the newest leader of the Salvation Army of Livingston County is settling in and getting to know the community. Envoy Prezza Morrison and her 14-year-old son arrived in Howell in early October from Holland. Originally from Michigan, she returns with many years of experience serving The Salvation Army around the country and has three other adult children. Envoy Morrison brings a passion for youth but says her other gift is finances - which she feels will be helpful to the community and the community corps on Lake Street. Thatâs where a public meet and greet will be held next Wednesday, October 29th. Envoy Prezza says youth have always been close to her heart and she has able to reach out to them through the Army. Sheâs spent the last couple of weeks getting acquainted with the local organizations and groups that work with the local Salvation Army and tells WHMI itâs a beautiful area and seems to be a very caring and collaborative community. Meanwhile, the Salvation Army of Livingston County is again looking to ease the financial worries for families by providing help with food, gifts and toys. There are only three remaining opportunities to sign up for Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance at Sonrise Church on Highland Road in Howell. They will take place this Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 3pm and on Thursday from 4 to 8pm at Sonrise Church in Howell. Persons applying for assistance must bring certain documentation. More details regarding holiday assistance can be found through the link and attachment below. (JM)
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Hearing Delayed For Man Accused In Deaths Of KittensHearing Delayed For Man Accused In Deaths Of Kittens
10/22/14 - The attorney for a Brighton man charged with killing half a dozen kittens in Hartland last month has requested more time to prepare his case. 20-year-old Cody Michael Tyler is facing six felony counts of killing or torturing animals. Police put out a warrant for his arrest on October 6th, but it wasnât until last Wednesday that he was located, arraigned, and lodged in the Livingston County Jail on a $300,000 bond. An exam conference set Tuesday in District Court was delayed a week after Tylerâs attorney requested and received additional time to carry out the discovery process. The incident was reported to Animal Control through a 911 call on September 20th. Six kittens aged three to four weeks appeared to have been intentionally stomped to death inside a home in the area of US-23, south of M-59. Animal Control Director Debbie Oberle says there was a grown cat in the same home that appeared to be the mother of the kittens, but it was unharmed. (JK)
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Governor Signs Law w/ Hune's Amendment to Ban Direct Car SalesGovernor Signs Law w/ Hune's Amendment to Ban Direct Car Sales
10/22/14 - Governor Rick Snyder has signed into law tighter restrictions to prohibit electric car maker Tesla Motors from selling vehicles in Michigan â a raw deal in which the company feels a local legislator played a role. Earlier this month, both houses of the Legislature passed HB 5606 but a last-minute amendment sponsored by Republican Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Township was added involving transaction fees for dealers. The amendment requires all automakers to sell through franchised dealers and was backed by the Michigan Auto Dealers Association. Tesla has said it was unfairly targeted by the amendment and earlier pointed out on a blog that Hune is a beneficiary of the association's campaign and his wife works for a lobbying firm that has represented the association. Hune has told WHMI his amendment simply clarified that all companies would be treated the same as everyone else. A link to the company's earlier blog post about Hune's amendment is below. (JM)
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Local Child Advocate Program Unaffected by Closure in WashtenawLocal Child Advocate Program Unaffected by Closure in Washtenaw
10/22/14 - Officials say a program to help children in the local court system will not be affected in any way by the pending discontinuation of one in a neighboring county. Washtenaw County Juvenile Court unexpectedly announced it would be phasing out its Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA, program, where trained advocates assist children in that court. Livingston Countyâs program is overseen by LACASA and operates independently but in cooperation with the local courts. Trained volunteers are paired with children in the abuse/neglect court system and stay with the child for the entirety of their case. The goal is to shorten a childâs length of stay in out-of-home placement and find them a permanent residence. LACASAâs President & CEO Bobette Schrandt says funding for the collaborative comes from United Way and fundraising dollars as well financial support from the county, with funds also matched at the state level. Schrandt told WHMI they have tremendous support from the local court system and wasnât exactly sure what happened in Washtenaw County but says it happened quickly. CASA Program Director Sara Applegate tells WHMI CASA is a national organization that oversees local programs implemented in different states but all are set up differently and are distinct. She says they have 36 volunteers serving 44 children currently, adding that the local program has only been expanding additional funding is received. Applegate added that although Livingston Countyâs CASA program is doing very well and has many volunteers, more are always needed due to the ever increasing amount of children in the foster care system and training is provided free through LACASA. A link to more information is available below. (JM)
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Hamburg Twp. Raises No Objection to Privatization of County RoadHamburg Twp. Raises No Objection to Privatization of County Road
10/22/14 - Hamburg Township has given its blessing to an effort to privatize a county road in the southern part of the county. For the past nine years, residents along Wyndham Lane have been trying to turn the county road into a private road, installing a gate and closing it to through traffic. The road is used by drivers trying to avoid Bauer Road and downtown Brighton, and residents are concerned with the traffic and speeding this causes. The local homeownersâ association has been getting approval from public safety departments and the Livingston County Road Commission to move forward with the process of privatizing the road, and last night the Hamburg Township Board added its support to that effort. However, the board included a few stipulations in its resolution allowing for the privatizing of the road. Board members wanted to make sure public safety and DPW workers will be able to get through the gates that are being planned by residents, and they wanted to make sure there would not be any speed bumps installed that could interfere with public safety vehicles. Organizers still need to go before the Genoa Township Board of Trustees to seek their support, since most of the road lies in that jurisdiction. Once it has all the support it believes it will need, the homeownersâ association must go through a process in circuit court to make the change official. (TD)
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Votes Needed for Brighton High School in Safe Driving ContestVotes Needed for Brighton High School in Safe Driving Contest
10/22/14 - There are just a couple days left to cast votes for a local high school in an online contest centered on communities celebrating new drivers who make smart driving choices. Students 14 years of age or older and the community at large is encouraged to register under Brighton High School at www.celebratemydrive.com and pledge safe driving habits through October 24th. Joy Rozanski is on the security team at BHS and helping coordinate the effort. Brighton was last checking in at position 103 out of thousands and Rozanski tells WHMI says whether they win the grants or not, theyâve already won by making everyone pledge to drive safely and not text â which is a leading cause of death among teens and the number one cause of teen injuries. Rozanski says Brighton High School stands to win anywhere from $25,000 to $100,000 and the funds would go toward safe driving programming. Voting ends Friday at 11:59pm through the link below. (JM)
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Daytime Road Closures Thursday in Northfield Township Daytime Road Closures Thursday in Northfield Township
10/22/14 - Various local roads will be closed in Northfield Township this Thursday. The Washtenaw County Road Commission will impose daytime road closures Thursday on the following roads for limestone resurfacing: Kearney Road between Jennings Road and Barker Road; Nollar Road between Northfield Church Road and Six Mile Road; Northfield Church Road between US-23 and the Ann Arbor railroad at-grade crossing; and also on Northfield Church Road between Sutton Road and Earhart Road. Through traffic will be prohibited during the daytime activities and alternate routes are advised. Local access for properties within the road closure will be maintained but delays are possible. The road improvements are expected to be completed on Thursday but are subject to change due to weather conditions. (JM)
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Thursday Meeting to Educate Hamburg Residents on Road MillageThursday Meeting to Educate Hamburg Residents on Road Millage
10/22/14 - A meeting Thursday will give Hamburg Township residents a chance to learn more about a proposed road millage on the ballot. The Hamburg Township Library will host the gathering starting tomorrow night at 7. Itâs being organized by the Hamburg Road Focus Group and will provide details about the proposal that will be voted on by Hamburg residents November 4th. If approved, the millage would levy 2 mills for the first five years and 1 mill for the next ten to be used for the upgrade and maintenance of local primary county roads. Because one mill is equal to one dollar of tax for each $1,000 of a homeâs assessed valuation, a 2-mill tax would cost the owner of a $200,000 home $200 in taxes per year. The millage would generate just over $1.8 million the first year and more than $20 million over the entire millage life. The township formed the focus group of residents about a year ago, and that group eventually came to the conclusion that a millage would be needed to address the townshipâs decaying roads. Township Supervisor Pat Hohl says the board has not taken an official position either for or against the millage, but felt it was important to let residents decide the issue for themselves. (JK)
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EMS Director Praises Anti-Heroin Drugs While Criticizing LawsEMS Director Praises Anti-Heroin Drugs While Criticizing Laws
10/23/14 - A trio of bills recently passed with the help of a local legislator will increase the use of life-saving drugs statewide, but the head of the local EMS says lawmakers should not be interfering with medicine. 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. This can save lives in patients overdosing on opioid drugs. EMS Director Jeff Boyd says opioid antagonists are safe and effective, and that paramedics ought to be able to use them in an emergency. However, the bills signed into law this month require emergency medical responders to carry and use opioid antagonists, and Boyd says that is not how medicine should be dictated. He says in his career, several medications have been brought into common use only to later fall by the wayside as more effective options are made available. Boyd does not believe the legislature will be able to react quickly enough if a new option to treat opioid overdose comes along, and so the new bills make rules where legislators should not be interfering. (TD)
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12th Annual Legend of Sleepy Howell To Take Over Downtown 12th Annual Legend of Sleepy Howell To Take Over Downtown
10/23/14 - A premier Halloween event will take over the historical streets of downtown Howell this weekend. The 12th Annual Legend of Sleepy Howell will take place from 5 to 9pm this Saturday. Activities include trick or treating at candy stations, pumpkin carving and costume contests, live music, hay rides, creepy campfires and s'mores, a hay maze, inflatables for kids and teens and a screening of The Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad. Sports fans will be able to catch s screening of the Michigan vs. Michigan State game while the more athletic can enter the Headless Horseman 5K/10K race. The event is sponsored in partnership by the City of Howell and the Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority. Director Paul Rogers tells WHMI itâs an entire experience that takes a lot of planning and helping hands. He says they can still use more volunteers, especially for the nighttime Headless Horseman event. Rogers says a Monster Splash event is planned to help kick things off on Friday night at the Howell Aquatic Center and The Legend of Sleepy Howell will be held no matter what the fall weather Saturday. Details about the event are available through the link below while those interested in volunteering can contact the Bennett Recreation Center at 517-546-0693. (JM)
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Witt Releases Accounting Of Firefighting ProgramWitt Releases Accounting Of Firefighting Program
10/23/14 - The Howell Board of Education president says heâs setting the facts straight following misrepresentations he feels were made surrounding the donation of items for the districtâs Fire Academy program. Superintendent Ron Wilson filed a formal complaint against school board president Mike Witt in August, alleging he was being bullied and harassed. In that complaint, Wilson said he was suspicious that some of Wittâs alleged actions were in retaliation for his request of an accounting of items for the HPS Fire Academy program, which Witt took the lead on creating. Witt serves as a battalion chief with the St. Clair Shores Fire Department. An independent investigation of Wilsonâs claims was authorized by the board and showed no wrongdoing by Witt, saying instead it boiled down to a difference of opinion on how the district should be run. Witt says while that result vindicated his actions, the allegations still managed to cast some suspicions on the program. Witt says that the first time Wilson questioned the program, he removed himself from the committee negotiating Wilsonâs contract to avoid any appearance of impropriety. He says nothing else was said by Wilson on the matter other than an e-mail he received in May from Wilson thanking him for providing an inventory and saying the program would not have come to fruition without Wittâs help. Witt says throughout the year, donations and receipts were accounted for and being compiled into a 150-page publication. He says the program would not have been possible financially without the incredible support from county and state fire departments and used equipment was secured at a fraction of the cost for the start-up of the program. Witt also pointed out that he has personally contributed around $5,000 in equipment and shipping, more than 1,000 miles of travel, and donated around 200 hours of time to insure that the district would be able to launch the program. Witt added that it's, "unfortunate that an attempt has been made to taint this worthwhile program. Those attempts have been through innuendo and rumor. I am responding with facts and indisputable financial documents. I would hope that as we go forward, those who claim to be looking out for the best interest of our students will follow those words with actions and refrain from unnecessarily undermining quality programs in order to serve their own interests." Meanwhile, Wilson remains on paid leave while the board investigates some of his expense submittals. That report is pending. The complete statement released by Witt as well as a detailed accounting of the program are available below. So far, Wilson has not responded to a request for comment. (JM)
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Community Series on Opiate Prevention Continues Next WeekCommunity Series on Opiate Prevention Continues Next Week
10/23/14 - Two presentations are planned next week to help bring the community together to affect real change and impact the use of opiates in Livingston County. The âWake up to the Truthâ opiate prevention education series is being presented by the Livingston County Human Services Collaborative Body Substance Use Disorders Treatment & Prevention Work Group. A community rally was held on the steps of the Livingston County Historic Court House last week and two events next Wednesday will target different sectors of the community. Officials say the eye opening and informative local presentations will include renowned speaker Fred Brason on Opiates and Overdose Prevention Kits. He has successfully implemented The Lazarus Project, a non-profit drug overdose prevention program in North Carolina â reducing opiate deaths by 69% between 2009 and 2011. Local law enforcement and presenters that have been personally impacted by addiction will also be featured and there will be time set aside to answer questions. Next Wednesday, October 29th training is being offered from 9am to noon for community professionals. Then later in the evening, an educational event is planned for parents and the community at large form 6 to 7:30pm. Detailed information is attached below. (JM)
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Howell Man Dreams Of Recreating Iconic 1960's TV SpaceshipHowell Man Dreams Of Recreating Iconic 1960's TV Spaceship
10/23/14 - Many people grew up loving the 1960âs science fiction show âLost in Space.â But for one Howell man, the show inspired not only his career but a dream to recreate a key feature of the show. Tom Wilmoth is an electronics engineer who runs his own business, Solid State Technologies. He recently started an online fundraising campaign to recreate a life-size replica of the spaceship featured in the show. Known as the Jupiter II, the ship propelled the fictional Robinson family throughout outer space on the show which ran from 1965 to 1968. Wilmoth is trying to raise $75,000 to bring the spaceship to life. "It's going to have the shape of the original, classical Jupiter II but...the interior will be a helium balloon which will provide me the lifting buoyancy I need to compensate for the weight of the hull and the engine electronics that will generate the sound effects, the lighting and the landing gear. It's my intent to build a full scale, 50-foot Jupiter II." Wilmoth says his goal is to have the ship built and ready to fly by next summer to mark the showâs 50th anniversary. He says he has the expertise, but just needs the money to make it happen. His Kickstarter campaign has so far only garnered a fraction of the money needed. But Wilmoth says he plans to fund the project either way. Image courtesy of Scifiairshow.com. (JK)
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Paving Work Being Done in Busy Area of Grand River & Hilton Road Paving Work Being Done in Busy Area of Grand River & Hilton Road
10/23/14 - Work is continuing on the Grand River reconstruction project in the Brighton area. Motorists could experience potential travel delays in the areas of Hilton and Hacker Road today and tomorrow. Crews were milling a portion of Grand River today where traffic has been deflected for a few weeks while drainage work was being done. Crews were then moving over to finish the eastbound lanes of Hilton Road, totaling roughly 800 feet. After thatâs done today, crews will return tomorrow afternoon to pave it back in along with the two lanes of Grand River. Livingston County Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine says the area of Grand River and Hilton Road will be a little bit difficult today and tomorrow while the milling and paving work is underway because itâs such a busy area and suggests utilizing Spencer Road and Main Street to access the Old US-23 area. Craine says they expect to flip traffic next week on the piece of Grand River, east of Hacker, where crews have been working on the westbound lanes up until now. He says after paving is complete and new temporary markings are in place, likely on Monday, they will flop traffic and start on the eastbound lanes. However, Craine says that portion wonât be as extensive and they should be able to button up the project in two to three weeks. (JM)
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Local Man Charged After Road Rage Incident Involving GunLocal Man Charged After Road Rage Incident Involving Gun
10/23/14 - Police say an incident of road rage involving a gun has resulted in charges against an area resident. 38-year-old Horacio Juarez-Lara of Whitmore Lake was arrested Wednesday after police say he fired a handgun into another vehicle while driving in Ann Arbor earlier in the week. Juarez-Lara is alleged to have fired the gun from inside of his van on Monday night near US-23 and the Arborland Shopping Center. A 38-year-old Ypsilanti man says his vehicle was fired upon after he tried to merge in front of Juarez-Lara. He says after both vehicles came to a stop, Juarez-Lara drove off and fired a single shot into his car door. He was arraigned on charges of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, felony discharge of a firearm from a moving vehicle and felony firearms. Juarez-Lara, who has a concealed pistol license, turned himself in after police impounded his van on Tuesday. No one was injured in the incident. That was not the case in a similar encounter last month near Howell involving 69-year-old Martin Edward Zale of Marion Township. Heâs charged with open murder in the death of 43-year-old Derek Flemming. Police say he shot and killed Flemming after the Oceola Township man approached his vehicle at a stoplight to ask why he was driving so aggressively. Zale remains jailed without bond pending his next court appearance November 21st. (JK)
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Livingston County's September Jobless Rate Up Slightly Livingston County's September Jobless Rate Up Slightly
10/24/14 - Livingston Countyâs unemployment rate inched up slightly from August to September. The state Department of Technology, Management & Budget recently released the local and regional jobless figures for September. It says typical seasonal patterns dominated the local area labor market data from August to September; and unemployment rates were mixed and little changed in the stateâs 17 major labor market regions. Livingston Countyâs unemployment rate stood at 6.3% in September, compared to 6% in August. Its overall ranking among Michiganâs 83 counties dropped to 35th after holding mostly steady the last few months at 26th. The workforce in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia region, which includes Livingston County, was essentially unchanged in September. Although local area unemployment showed only small changes over the month, state officials say jobless rates have dropped substantially in all regions over the year. (JM)
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