A Hamburg Township father of four who disappeared over the Thanksgiving holiday was found deceased yesterday and local authorities say there was nothing suspicious found at the scene. 49-year-old Brian Bussey had went out bar hopping Wednesday night in the Farmington and Livonia areas but was eventually kicked out of an establishment after allegedly trying to start a fight. From there, family members told Fox 2 News that the owner ordered a cab for Bussey and he was dropped off in the area of 8 Mile and Pontiac Trail in South Lyon. Family and friends coordinated different searches and he was eventually discovered dead in a field east of Pontiac Trail north of Eight Mile on Sunday morning by deputies with the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office Lyon Township substation. It reports that an autopsy has been conducted and revealed that Bussey died of hypothermia and alcohol abuse. The case remains under investigation and the Hamburg Township Police Department also took a missing person report on Thanksgiving day.(JM)
Autopsy: Hamburg Man Died of Hypothermia & Alcohol AbuseAutopsy: Hamburg Man Died of Hypothermia & Alcohol Abuse
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Tyrone Hosts Santa Visit To Benefit Pet PantryTyrone Hosts Santa Visit To Benefit Pet Pantry
12/2/14 - An event in Tyrone Township this weekend aims to help feed people and pets in need this holiday season. Tyrone Township will host Santa and Mrs. Claus to support Gleaners Community Food Bank and the Livingston Area Pet Pantry. Officials encourage individuals and families to bring their kids and cameras for photo opportunities. Donations of non-perishable food and pet food will be accepted to help those in need. The Santa visit and food drive will take place this Saturday from 1 to 3pm at the Tyrone Township hall on Center Road. (JM)
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Brighton Man Faces Charges After Multiple Break-InsBrighton Man Faces Charges After Multiple Break-Ins
12/2/14 - A Brighton man has been linked to multiple break-ins in Genesee and Livingston counties. 33-year-old Robert Markus had one count of breaking and entering with intent dismissed recently but another count of the same is pending in Genesee County Circuit Court. That charge stems from an incident October 31st. Argentine Township Police believe Markus is responsible for three break-ins on Bird Road. The Tri-County Times reports that officers learned someone broke into a barn and several items were stolen November 1st. Later that same evening, they responded to a call of a suspicious vehicle with no lights on at a home also on Bird Road. They found the vehicle unoccupied but noticed the garage had been broken into and suspected stolen items on the floor. Police believe they interrupted the suspect and heard some someone running through a wooded area but were unable to locate anyone. The vehicle was impounded and a trace of a cell phone left behind led to Markus. He was taken into custody and allegedly confessed to the crimes on Bird Road during questioning. Police have since linked Markus to a break-in on Silver Lake Road and one in Pinckney. More than $10,000 in stolen items has since been recovered and returned to the owners. (JM)
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Howell Nature Center Releases Owl After Unexpected Recovery
12/2/14 - An endangered species in Michigan has one more member in the wild breeding population thanks to the Howell Conference and Nature Center. The short-eared owl can be found all over the world, but the species is declining or endangered in some areas, including Michigan. About three years ago, a female short-eared owl was found near the Detroit Metropolitan Airport with two broken bones in her shoulder. She was declared non-releasable, meaning she could never be returned to the wild, and sent to the Howell Nature Center to serve as an educational bird. However, after some time the staff at the center noticed that the bird, now named Shorty, was recovering very well from her injuries and flying without problem. Additionally, Shorty never became comfortable with humans. After another round of testing, they found that Shorty had fully recovered, was capable of excellent flying, and could even hunt mice like a normal owl. Yesterday, representatives from the nature center took Shorty to a wooded area near Ann Arbor and released her back into the wild. The release was witnessed by several children from Mott Childrenâs Hospital, who were brought along courtesy of the Spirit of Alexandria Foundation. Nature Center Director of Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Dana DeBenham tells WHMI the location was chosen for frequent sightings of short-eared owls by birdwatchers. She says wild owls will be returning to the area from their nesting sites in northern Canada this month, and Shorty stands a good chance of becoming a successful breeding female, being well-rested and well-fed at a time when other short-eared owls will be tired from migration. (TD)
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Westendorf Named New Livingston County Animal Control DirectorWestendorf Named New Livingston County Animal Control Director
12/2/14 - The newly appointed Livingston County Animal Control director says heâs up for the opportunity and the learning curve that will come with it. The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday night to appoint Jon Westendorf for the position, which will become vacant with the retirement of the current director, Debbie Oberle. Commissioners thanked Oberle for her service and welcomed Westendorf, who was present at the meeting. The new role will be a bit of a shift for Westendorf, who has had a decorated career with the Brighton Police Department and will be retiring as deputy chief in mid-January. Westendorf told WHMI that once he realized this potential opportunity could become a reality, the first thing he did was talk it over with his wife, who was on board. He says itâs a very exciting time for him and feels he brings some tools that will be an asset on the enforcement side. Westendorf said itâs now his job to prove himself and that heâs worthy of the responsibilities heâs been empowered with and will work very hard to live up to expectations. Heâll be spending the next few months getting acquainted with employees and the day to day operations of the shelter but will also be able to log transition time with Oberle before she departs in March. (JM)
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No Crisis For Cigar Lovers When It Comes To This Cuban MissileNo Crisis For Cigar Lovers When It Comes To This Cuban Missile
12/2/14 - Two Livingston County brothers are offering cigar enthusiasts a new place to watch a football game or unwind after converting a vintage Airstream trailer into a mobile cigar lounge. Brian and Jason Maynard opened the lounge, named the Cuban Missile, after buying the 1974 recreational vehicle for $3,700 earlier this year. They spent nearly $50,000 to overhaul the trailer's interior with additions including wraparound seating, five high-definition televisions and a humidor. It's also equipped with a satellite dish. The brothers are both entrepreneurs in their 30âs. Jason Maynard says he got the idea after reading about a similar Airstream cigar lounge in Florida. Brian Maynard says the lounge is great for bachelor or bachelorette parties, tailgates, corporate events and weddings. Pictures courtesy of Cuban Missile Facebook page. (AP)
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Whitmore Lake Thanksgiving Crashed By Runaway RamWhitmore Lake Thanksgiving Crashed By Runaway Ram
12/2/14 - A Whitmore Lake familyâs Thanksgiving dinner featured an unexpected guest theyâll always remember. Mike Richard says he shot the ram after it tried to head-butt its way into his home on Thanksgiving. Richard says the ram was grazing nearby before it chased him and his wife and tried to bust down the garage door. He says the animal broke a glass storm door and damaged the front door before the family decided to shoot it. Richard says he needed to protect his mother-in-law and pregnant relative. A neighbor later said the ram had escaped from his farm and may have been more aggressive because it's breeding season. Richard says it was a Thanksgiving he and his family will never forget. Picture courtesy of WJBK - MyFoxDetroit.com. (AP)
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Handy Township Finalizes Sale Of Rezoned LandHandy Township Finalizes Sale Of Rezoned Land
12/2/14 - The Handy Township Board has given approval to the final contract that sells 206 acres of township-owned land recently rezoned for industrial use. The land located at the southwest corner of Grand River and Nicholson Road was acquired by the township in a court settlement related to ongoing sewer issues, and until July it was zoned residential. The township rezoned it to general industrial as a way to increase its marketability and sale price. Last night, the final sale contract was approved by the board. This gives the purchaser, an energy company called Green Grid LLC, one year to do their due diligence and pay the final purchase price of $3.2 million. Of course, Township Supervisor Hank Vaupel would like for the company to finish sooner than next December so the township can get paid and work on the site can begin. While some residents were nervous about the impact that industrial development could have on the surrounding area, Vaupel says he has heard some promising preliminary plans from the purchase. He says they are planning to build a plant that takes in materials and breaks them down into different compnents used in the production of energy at other sites. He says the company plans to ship its materials by rail, so there will be minimal increase in traffic along those roads, and the materials will not be stored outside. Firm details on Green Gridâs plans for the site will be known when the company submits paperwork for a final site plan approval, which will only happen after the final purchase is made. (TD)
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Mold Mitigation Plan Approved for Lower Level of Howell City HallMold Mitigation Plan Approved for Lower Level of Howell City Hall
12/2/14 - Restoration work is continuing after earlier flooding in the lower level of Howell City Hall. A water line broke in October, flooding the basement where the city council chambers are located. All of the drywall, including the base, sustained extensive water damage despite quick actions by staff to get things dried out and cleaned up. City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI they were surprised to find the level of mold that they did in basement and that they failed a mold test. He says it's a serious enough situation that it needs mitigation. Charles says there's always mold in buildings and it's just the nature of the beast but some levels that came back were very significant and not good for people to be down there. Charles says theyâve since learned of a previous incident in the early 2000âs that was cleaned up by staff and theyâre speculating the elevated mold levels were residual from that. City council met recently to approve a mold mitigation plan that will be implemented over the next two to three weeks. Revised estimates for restoration will then be presented to council and Charles says theyâll hopefully be back in city hall by the end of January or early February. (JM)
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Detroit Man Charged In Mortgage Scam Pleads No Contest AgainDetroit Man Charged In Mortgage Scam Pleads No Contest Again
12/3/14 - For the second time, a Detroit man has filed a no contest plea in Livingston County Circuit Court to charges stemming from an alleged mortgage scam. On Monday, 43-year-old Rolondo Sage Campbell pleaded no contest to uttering and publishing, larceny by conversion, violating the Credit Services Act, and being a 4th-time habitual offender. In exchange, prosecutors have agreed to dismiss one count of obtaining money under false pretenses between $1,000 and $20,000. They are also recommending a minimum sentence of no longer than seven months, and if the judge exceeds that length during sentencing Campbell can withdraw his plea. He exercised that right in September, when he withdrew an earlier no contest plea that was entered under a similar agreement with prosecutors. Pleading no contest is not an admission of guilt, but is treated as such for sentencing, which is now scheduled for January 22nd. Campbell is among four southeast Michigan individuals and three companies charged by Attorney General Bill Schuetteâs office for allegedly operating fraudulent mortgage-rescue or loan-modification schemes. A Howell woman is among his victims. Campbell faces similar criminal charges in Macomb County District Court, and his business is also facing charges in both counties. (TD)
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Bill From Local Rep Aims To Update Legislature JournalsBill From Local Rep Aims To Update Legislature Journals
12/3/14 - The State House and Senate have passed a bill by a local representative that will modernize an outdated and expensive record-keeping system in the legislature. Cindy Denby introduced House Bill 5610 with the goal of updating how the House and Senate print and distribute their annual journals. The documents are large, detailed accounts of everything done by the legislature over the course of the year. Under current requirements, 500 copies of the journals for both bodies must be printed on thin, lightweight paper known as Bible stock each year. That requirement was issued in 1929 and, according to Denby, it wastes the stateâs resources and funding. The new requirements outlined in her bill will allow the House clerk and Senate secretary to decide how best to print the journals as well as require the journals to be published online, increasing access and governmental transparency. House Bill 5610 will now go to Governor Snyderâs office for final approval. (TD)
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Fowlerville Teachers Seek Pay Steps For Experienced TeachersFowlerville Teachers Seek Pay Steps For Experienced Teachers
12/3/14 - Members of the Fowlerville Education Association packed the room at last nightâs school board meeting to point out what they believed to be an unfair compensation practice. The salaries for teachers in the district are based on pay grades, beginning at Step 1 and moving up as teachers gain experience. However, due to the economic climate of the past decade, several teachers have been frozen at Step 1 for years, a sacrifice they say they are willing to make for the district. However, administrators have hired more teachers this year at pay grades above Step 1 based on their previous experience in other districts. Superintendent Wayne Roedel says the new teachers were hired at higher steps because the district wants to get talented teachers and doesnât know when they will be able to increase their pay. However, FEA Vice Chair and Grievance Chair Carrie DeLuca tells WHMI the teachers find this practice to be unfair to teachers who have been loyal to the district. She says awarding experience to new hires is historically only done for technical or hard-to-fill positions. Roedel disagrees, saying the district actually has a precedent of awarding experience to new teachers, even in non-technical positions. Despite some disagreements, administrators agree that this issue needs to be examined and, if possible, rectified. The board tabled action on this so more research into the financial aspect can be done and a solution proposed. The issue will be brought up at the school boardâs next meeting on December 16th. (TD)
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School Trustee: Harassing Text From Ex-Super UnacceptableSchool Trustee: Harassing Text From Ex-Super Unacceptable
12/3/14 - As a hearing tomorrow will determine if a recall of Howell school board members will proceed, the war of words continues between one of those school board members and ex-superintendent Ron Wilson. Trustee Mike Moloney says he received a text last week from a phone number assigned to Wilson. In it, Wilson states he was informed that Moloney is the subject of a criminal investigation by the Michigan Attorney Generalâs office and that his plaintiff attorneys advised him that Moloneyâs comments in a recent newspaper editorial have âprovided fodder to sue you personallyâ. In the message, Wilson also writes that they further suggested Moloneyâs wife should get him a t-shirt that reads âplease help me I am talking and I canât shut up!â The full message can be viewed in the attachment below. Upon receipt, Moloney says he notified the districtâs attorney and contacted the AGâs office, which could not find any open investigation with his name in their system. Moloney tells WHMI the district wouldnât tolerate this if it was happening in the high school and shouldnât tolerate it in the professional arena either. He hopes it was an isolated message, but didnât want to encourage it by remaining silent. The text message was also sent to school board Trustee Doug Moore. Moloney said at first he wasnât sure if it really was from Wilson, but he later learned that while Wilson turned in his district issued cell phone after being fired by the board, he retained the old number. When contacted by WHMI for comment, Wilson would not comment directly to the allegations, and would only say he would not âstoop to their level and play games in the press.â This latest flair up between Wilson and the board comes just prior to Thursdayâs meeting of the countyâs Election Commission to determine if language being proposed for a recall of four board members is factual, clear and easily understood, the legal standard for such wording. (JM/JK)
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Livingston Countyâs Jobless Rate Inched Up in OctoberLivingston Countyâs Jobless Rate Inched Up in October
12/3/14 - Livingston Countyâs unemployment rate increased slightly again from September to October. Local and regional jobless figures were released recently for October and rates decreased in 16 of the stateâs 17 major labor market regions. Livingston Countyâs unemployment rate stood at 6.9% - compared to 6.3% in September. After holding somewhat steady over the last few months, Livingstonâs overall ranking among Michiganâs 83 counties has dropped considerably to 63rd. Although October employment rate declines were fairly typical, the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget says over-the-year rate drops were significant throughout the state. The smallest over-the-year gain of .08% was recorded in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia region, which includes Livingston County. (JM)
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8 Local Companies Split $350,000 In Training Grants8 Local Companies Split $350,000 In Training Grants
12/3/14 - Michigan has approved nearly $8.6 million in skilled trades training grants, including $350,000 to local companies. The Michigan Workforce Development Agency this week announced the funding for 23 Michigan Works! workforce development agencies around the state, including the one that serves Livingston County. The money will be awarded to Michigan companies for skilled trades training to better match talent with employer needs. Among the local companies receiving grants are Thai Summit America Corporation in Howell, which received nearly $113,000, CRW Plastics USA in Genoa Township with $47,425 and TG Fluids USA in Brighton with a grant worth more than $25,000. The money comes from the Skilled Trades Training Fund program which provides support for employer-led training projects in an effort to better align talent with employer needs. Together the eight Livingston County companies that received grants plan to train over 150 current employees and hire at least 140 new workers in the next year. The program funds a variety of training options including traditional classroom programs, apprenticeship programs, and customized training programs. Companies can request support for any occupation where there is a documented talent need. (JK)
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Pinckney Hosts Open House For Village Master PlanPinckney Hosts Open House For Village Master Plan
12/3/14 - A vision for the Village of Pinckney is being created by its Planning Commission in conjunction with area residents. An open house was held Monday evening in order to view and discuss the Villageâs Master Plan. Planning Commission members noted the large turnout and amount of input they received. Planning Commissioner Michael Gergel tells WHMI the Master Plan had only included commission memberâs ideas up until this point. Gergel says many residents he spoke with felt that reinventing an old lumber yard in the village was a priority. As for the Planning Commission, one of the items they discussed including in the Master Plan was the implementation of a historic preservation committee. Reviewing the plan is a way for the commission to continuously set actions they hope to achieve within 5 years and potentially achieve the Master Plan in its entirety. (DK)
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Explicit "After School" App for Students Causing Uproar in DistrictsExplicit "After School" App for Students Causing Uproar in Districts
12/3/14 - Itâs hard to keep up in the ever changing world of technology and parents are being put on alert about a new social media application thatâs sweeping schools. Officials in multiple districts including Howell have sent out letters to parents regarding a cell phone app called After School by Ambient, which has the icon of a tiger wearing yellow striped sunglasses. Itâs free to download and is also accessible through Facebook. It claims to be a private, anonymous online message board for your school but is actually in no way affiliated, endorsed or organized by districts. The content includes sexually explicit videos and photos as well as inappropriate comments and messages about fellow students and others. Officials say since all of the posts are anonymous, there is little a district can do if a student is being bullied or harassed and thereâs no way to identify the person posting the comments. The letter sent out to parents of Howell students informs them about the app, which has been blocked from the district network. It encourages parents to talk with their child about the app and the responsible use of all social media sites. Director of Public Relations Tom Gould tells WHMI the district is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all students and things like this app can be challenging but theyâre monitoring what is being posted and other districts are too. Gould says the district is doing everything it can to stay on top of this app as well we all of the other things out there that students are using to potentially put out hurtful messages to others. However, he stressed that itâs also very important for parents to know what their children are doing on their mobile devices and online. (JM)
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Appeal Denied In 2008 Oceola Double-HomicideAppeal Denied In 2008 Oceola Double-Homicide
12/3/14 - Nearly two years after being sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison, an appeal has been rejected for the man convicted in a Livingston County double-homicide. The Michigan Appeals Court on Tuesday affirmed the conviction and sentence of 68-year-old Jerome Kowalski. The panel rejected the argument of Kowalskiâs attorney that the trial court erred when a videotape was shown that indicated he had taken a polygraph. They noted that the statement âwas never actually played for the juryâ and that a transcription error led to the mistaken belief that the statement had not been redacted. They also ruled that while the trial court was mistaken when it refused to redact a hypothetical question about whether Kowalski shot his brother and sister-in-law, it determined it had no practical effect as jurors did not know the questions were asked by the polygraph examiner. Kowalski was convicted in January of 2013 on two counts of first-degree premeditated murder and two felony weapons charges for the shooting deaths of Richard and Brenda Kowalski in their Oceola Township home in 2008. Prosecutors said the Warren man was disgruntled about his relationship with his more successful brother and the two had disagreed about how to handle the estate of their mother. Kowalskiâs attorneys claimed his confession was made under duress and that a ruling that barred expert testimony about false confessions was incorrectly made. Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt says Kowalski now has 56 days to file an application seeking further review by the Michigan Supreme Court. (JK)
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Howell Board of Ed Could Hire New Interim Superintendent MondayHowell Board of Ed Could Hire New Interim Superintendent Monday
12/3/14 - Less than a month after former superintendent Ron Wilson was officially fired, it appears the Howell Board of Education is poised to hire a new interim schools chief. A search committee put together after Wilson was terminated has found a new interim schools chief, which will be an agenda item up for discussion and action at Monday nightâs meeting. The committee consists of board President Mike Witt, Vice President Mike Yenshaw and Trustee Mike Moloney. The three are recommending that the board hire Dr. Jeremy M. Hughes for the post. Witt says the committee was assisted by the Michigan Association of School Boards in the search and it identified a list of retired superintendents as candidates it felt would be a good fit for Howell. Witt says the committee interviewed Dr. Hughes and was impressed by his background, knowledge base and passion for education. Cassandra Harmon-Higgins was named Interim Superintendent after the board placed former superintendent Ron Wilson on leave, and she remained in that role after he was formally fired in October. Harmon-Higgins will be leaving Howell though, after being hired by the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. As three members of the board who voted to fire Wilson, including Witt, did not seek re-election and will be leaving in January, itâs possible that a new board could vote to reinstate Wilson. Should that happen, Witt tells WHMI the contract with Dr. Hughes would still stand through the end of the academic year and a board is able to do pretty much anything with a vote of four. Witt says âwhile [he] would hope that wouldnât occur, it was through the investigation and intentional action, major in nature, and [he] would hope they wouldnât revisit that but the new board has their prerogatives when they take their seatsâ. Hughes most recently retired as superintendent of Plymouth-Canton Public Schools and was the second educator in the state to be inducted into the Michigan Association of School Administrators Hall of Fame. Information about Hughes and the proposed contract agreement is attached below. Although it wasnât originally labeled as an interim position in the first board meeting packet that was published online this afternoon, changes were made to reflect the short term nature and a revised exhibit was uploaded. As to why the language was changed, Witt says âMr. Hughes asked us not to use the title of interim based on his past experience in that role, but it became clear that this needed to be called an interim appointment.â (JM)
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South Lyon Schools Could Seek Millions In BondsSouth Lyon Schools Could Seek Millions In Bonds
12/4/14 - Voters in the South Lyon Community School district could be asked to approve the sale of tens of millions of dollars in bonds this spring. South Lyon is one of the few school districts in the state that is consistently growing, and a bond committee has been working since summer to figure out how to increase capacity for the expanding student body. According to the South Lyon Herald, the committee presented its findings to the board of education on Monday, calling for a $64.4 million bond issue to be added to the May 5th ballot. That money would be used to build a new elementary school on land purchased 12 years ago off of 11 Mile Road, expand the early childhood center, improve ventilation systems in existing elementary schools, and make various other improvements to other schools in the district. The district plans to pay off these bonds without increasing taxes by holding the debt millage at 9.7 mills for several years rather than allowing it to drop, as it has every year since 2010. If the millage is approved by voters, the new elementary school could open by fall of 2017. The board of education could approve the ballot language next month. (TD)
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