12/15/14 - Michigan State Police say a truck hauling 38,000 pounds of bananas rolled over near Brighton. The crash happened around 11:30 Sunday morning in Brighton Township when a semi crashed on the ramp from northbound US-23 to westbound I-96. The ramp was closed for several hours after the crash. State police say speed is considered to be a factor in the crash. Investigators didn't immediately release additional details. State Police photo. (JK)
Semi Loaded With Bananas Rolls Over Near BrightonSemi Loaded With Bananas Rolls Over Near Brighton
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United Way Hoping For $225,000 Haul As Donations Tripled TodayUnited Way Hoping For $225,000 Haul As Donations Tripled Today
12/15/14 - Holiday donation dollars will reach their full potential today during an annual fundraiser for the Livingston County United Way. The 7th annual Triple Money Monday is being held today, with several sponsors, some anonymous, stepping up to triple in value every dollar donated to the Livingston County United Way today up to $75,000. That would mean a possible $225,000 if fully taken advantage of. Former Livingston County Prosecutor David Morse is one of the co-chairs of the annual United Way campaign and says today is a unique chance for residents to maximize their generosity. "There are few opportunities n life to leverage your contribution into something greater than you can afford to give. Triple Money Monday provides that opportunity for people. It's a local organization providing assistance to local families and they make very efficient and effective use of the dollars that are donated." Triple Money Monday is one of the organizationâs biggest fundraisers of the year. Community partners that provided match funds to make Triple Money Monday possible include the Howell Rotaryâs Tour de Livingston, Citizens Insurance, two anonymous donors, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI, and the GM Proving Ground. Donations can be made by cash, check, credit card at the United Way offices on Dorr Road, which will be open today from 7am to 7pm, and online through the link below. (JK)
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Former Hamburg Man Arraigned in Connection w/ Deputy's DeathFormer Hamburg Man Arraigned in Connection w/ Deputy's Death
12/15/14 - A former Hamburg Township man has been arrested in connection with an incident that led to the death of an Ingham County Sheriffâs Deputy. 34-year-old John C. Kelsey II of Stockbridge is being held on a $1 (m) million cash bond after being arraigned on charges of 1st degree fleeing a police officer causing death and operating a vehicle on a suspended/revoked license resulting in death. A press conference was held this afternoon by the Ingham County Prosecutorâs Office and Michigan State Police, which conducted the investigation into the death of Deputy Grant Whitaker. He was killed during a vehicle pursuit in the area of M-52 and Dexter Trail, outside of the Village of Stockbridge during the early morning hours of December 7th. MSP Director Colonel Kriste Kibbey Etue commented that a very thorough and diligent investigation was conducted but it remains open and more details will come out later during court proceedings. It was noted that Kelsey was the driver of a white, 2003 GMC Yukon Denali, which was registered to a relative, but Etue said that they were not at liberty to discuss anyone else who was in the car at this point. As to what might have caused Deputy Whitaker to lose control of his vehicle, Etue said that would also come out later. Kelsey has a criminal record that could lead to a lengthy prison sentence if convicted. Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III stated that Kelsey has been charged as a habitual offender but itâs too early to speculate on a sentence, or if it could include life in prison. Kelsey is scheduled to appear in 55th District Court in Mason for a pre-trial hearing on Monday, December 22nd. A preliminary exam is also set for Tuesday the 23rd. (JM)
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Howell City Council Authorizes Assessment of Barnard Center Howell City Council Authorizes Assessment of Barnard Center
12/15/14 - The results of a building assessment being performed will likely determine the future fate of the Barnard Community Center in the city of Howell. Staff has been looking into a multitude of issues that need to be addressed over the next three to five years both inside and outside the Barnard Center. It was recommended that a complete assessment on the condition of the building prior to going out to bid on a new roof be performed. Council had already budgeted $65,000 to re-do the roof but as staff was gearing up to put that job out to bid, City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI more issues were discovered. He says they wanted council to make an informed decision but also didnât want to put a new roof on the building if there was a chance it might have to come off down the road. The roof replacement was budgeted on councilâs direction that they were interested in rehabilitating the building. However, the results of the assessment, how much work must be done and whether or not it ties into the Howell Area Recreation Authorityâs vision for the building will be weighed once the results are known. Council voted 4-2 to accept the proposal from Lindhout Associates of Brighton, in an amount not to exceed $5,580 to conduct an assessment of the building. Members Doug Heins and Nick Proctor were opposed. (JM)
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Suspect Arrested in Series of Break-Ins at Local Ice Arena Suspect Arrested in Series of Break-Ins at Local Ice Arena
12/15/14 - A series of break-ins at a local ice arena may have been solved with a recent arrest. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department says they arrested 18-year-old Kyle Robert Bradley of Howell for a break-in last week at the Grand Oaks Ice Arena in Genoa Township. An ongoing investigation revealed that Bradley had broken into the arena on four different occasions over the last several months. Detectives were able to identify Bradley as the key suspect prior to arresting him for the most recent break-in on December 9th. After being taken into custody on an initial charge of breaking and entering, authorities say he confessed to all four break-ins dating back to October 28th. Bradley remains lodged in the Livingston County Jail on a $30,000 bond pending arraignment on the additional three break-ins. (JK)
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Suspect In Ingham Deputy's Death Held On $1 Million Bond Suspect In Ingham Deputy's Death Held On $1 Million Bond
12/16/14 - Police say a very thorough and diligent investigation led to the arrest of a Stockbridge man with local ties wanted in connection with a crash that resulted in the death of an Ingham County Sheriffâs Deputy. Charges of 1st degree fleeing a police officer causing death and operating a vehicle on a suspended/revoked license resulting in death were announced during a press conference Monday against 34-year-old John Kelsey. He was taken into custody without incident by Michigan State Police personnel arrested shortly after 8pm Friday. MSP Detective First Lieutenant Sean Furlong says Kelsey was observed in a vehicle and the decision was made to arrest him for being the occupant of the vehicle related to Deputy Grant Whitakerâs crash. The vehicle was a white 2003 GMC Yukon Denali, which Furlong says was registered to a family member. Furlong said it was a tragic event for everyone but theyâre pleased they were able to come to the identification within five days of the crash so that the Whitaker family and the Ingham County Sheriffâs Department can start moving forward and healing. He says the investigation involved a lot of work and resources and theyâre satisfied they have the right person. The crash that claimed Whitakerâs life happened shortly after 2am on December 7th as he was pursuing a vehicle east bound on Dexter Trail approximately one mile east of M-52, when his vehicle left the road and struck a tree. Furlong told WHMI that stretch of road is straight but as to what led to Whitakerâs vehicle leaving the roadway and crashing is still under investigation by the MSP accident reconstruction unit. The investigation remains ongoing and Furlong says there are a lot of things that need to be uncovered so additional new releases seeking the publicâs help can be expected and a tip line is still very active at (517) 331-5634. He says every tip is being investigated and theyâre approaching 200 â a number of which were called in by citizens that proved to be very beneficial. Furlong says they welcome calls and information from anyone who feels they can assist or is of the belief that other people may have been involved. Meanwhile, Kelsey is charged as a habitual offender and will appear in 55th District Court in Mason next week. The former Hamburg Township man has criminal history in Livingston County that includes fleeing and eluding and driving on a suspended or revoked license. (JM)
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Linden Community Schools Closed TuesdayLinden Community Schools Closed Tuesday
12/15/14 - All buildings within the Linden Community School district will be closed on Tuesday, December 16th due to a power outage. (TD)
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Sewer Water Discharged into Shiawassee River in City of FentonSewer Water Discharged into Shiawassee River in City of Fenton
12/16/14 - A contractor damaged a sewer line in the City of Fenton Monday morning, resulting in untreated water being discharged into the Shiawassee River. The City of Fenton estimates that approximately 15,000 gallons of untreated sanitary sewer water discharged into the Shiawassee River. Officials say an un-identified contractor was working around 8:30am at the Fenton Community Center on South Leroy Street and pulled out an old concrete footing, which was in contact with a sanitary sewer main pipe. The removal work caused the sewer pipe to break, which then resulted in sanitary sewer water being discharged into the Shiawassee River. The city reports that the flow was stopped by 10am, at which time pumps were used to discharge the sanitary sewer water back into the main. The pipe has been repaired and a water sample will be taken downstream of the discharge point to test for E. coli in accordance with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Genesee County Health Department. However, officials say people and pets should avoid contact with water from the Shiawassee River in the vicinity of the Fenton Community Center for the time being. (JM)
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Jury Awards Milford Man Nearly $4.4M After Injury At CampgroundJury Awards Milford Man Nearly $4.4M After Injury At Campground
12/16/14 - A Milford man was awarded more than $4 million last week in a lawsuit stemming from injuries sustained while demolishing a building. The owners of Genesee Otter Lake Campground, located northeast of Flint, asked Raymond Rieck to help demolish a store on its property that had burned down. Rieck agreed, but during that project while he was standing on the roof of the building he was struck by the bucket of a backhoe being operated by the campâs owner. Rieck fell off the building, resulting in injuries to his wrist and vertebrae, according to his attorney. Rieck filed suit against the campground in January of 2013 and on Friday, after a two-week trial, the jury returned with a verdict awarding Rieck $5 million, according to MLive.com. That amount was reduced by 12% to compensate for Rieckâs own incompetence in the incident, leaving a final award of $4.375 million. Rieckâs attorney described the verdict as particularly large given the facts, although he says his client is still disabled from the accident. (TD)
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Northwinds Residents Complain About Sewer SystemNorthwinds Residents Complain About Sewer System
12/16/14 - Ongoing sewage problems in a Brighton Township subdivision have spawned discussion and a plan of action from the Township Board of Trustees. Residents of the North Winds subdivision came to the Townshipâs regular board meeting to voice their dissatisfaction with their current circumstances. The sewage system that was first put in place in 2005 has been causing backup and overflow issues due to the lack of pressure within the structure. Homeowners say they are unable to have basic water use and the large turnout of upset individuals caused the board to add discussion of the issue as an item to the meetingâs agenda. A second meeting between the developer and township manager, not the board, is scheduled for this Wednesday, December 17th but it is not a public meeting. Township Supervisor Tom Murphy tells WHMI the meeting will hopefully solve some major problems. "The challenge with that particular section of piping or infrastructure is that its never been officially accepted by the township. So because of that we're working very closely with the developer because they still technically own it and we want to make sure the developer is getting things taken care of. It's a nightmare, effectively, not to be able to use your house the way it was intended. It is a problem and we're going to address it." One item the board hopes to discuss in the meeting is the possibility of a device, such as a water meter, which would monitor and track the trends that occur before the system backs up. The board is also looking for ways to introduce more water into the system, though they are unsure if that will be a short or long term solution. Picture courtesy of Google street view. (DK)
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Operation Opiate Coming To Fowlerville SchoolsOperation Opiate Coming To Fowlerville Schools
12/16/14 - Fowlerville Community Schools will now be taking part in a program designed to prevent opiate abuse among students through education. Last night, Fowlerville Police Chief Tom Couling informed the village council that Operation Opiate, which is presented in all of the other school districts in Livingston County, will now be coming to Fowlerville High Schoolâs health education classes. Couling told the board that enforcement and treatment options were available in the village, but education was not. He says in the past the school district turned down offers to bring the program in because it did not want to be labeled as a district with a drug problem, but right now administrators are more interested in being proactive and keeping students safe. Couling says combating opiates requires efforts in education, enforcement, and corrections including treatment, and now that they have access to the schools they will be able to add the educational component to their strategy. The announcement last night came after a presentation by probation officer Francine Sumner, who talked about trends in opiate addiction in Livingston County. She says since school began this year there have been 29 overdoses and 15 deaths in Livingston County related to opiates, including heroin. They plan to hold a community meeting in a church in the next couple of months and introduce Sumnerâs opiate education program to the high school health education classes during the next semester. (TD)
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Local Detective Turns Urban Blight Into Hand-Crafted GuitarsLocal Detective Turns Urban Blight Into Hand-Crafted Guitars
12/16/14 - A Livingston County detective has started a business that turns wood reclaimed from abandoned Detroit buildings into hand-carved guitars. Livingston County Sheriffâs Detective Curt Novara is owner and operator of the Woodward Guitar Company. He gets his guitar-making material from Reclaim Detroit, a nonprofit group that diverts from landfills material taken from Detroit's 78,000 vacant structures. Earlier this year, Novara contacted the world-renowned guitar-maker George Gorodnitski of Master Guitars in Los Angeles. He proposed custom-building guitars using reclaimed wood that was once part of abandoned homes in Detroit. Novara planes the wood, and then ships it to Gordonitski who cuts and shapes it, and builds the guitar. Dubbed the Woodward Guitar, each instrument features a maple neck with a hand-crafted rosewood fretboard and a semi-hollow body made out of Douglas fir. (AP)
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Three Local Schools Get $5,000 Robotics GrantsThree Local Schools Get $5,000 Robotics Grants
12/26/14 - The Chrysler Foundation announced grant awards to high schools across the state, including three locally, to support their robotics programs. The 2015 build season for the FIRST Robotics competition, which allows high school students to compete across North America by designing and building robots, will officially kick off January 3rd. In advance of that, the Chrysler Foundation announced grants yesterday totaling $190,000 to support the program in 43 different schools in Michigan. Among the local schools receiving $5,000 grants were Hartland High Schoolâs Electro Eagles (pictured), Linden High Schoolâs RoboEagles and South Lyon Community Schoolâs Flying Toasters. Any teams that qualify for the FIRST championships that will take place in Missouri in April will get another $15,000 from the Chrysler Foundation to help boost their odds of winning. Additionally, Home Middle School in Fenton and Linden Middle School are receiving an additional $750 apiece to create teams for the FIRST Tech Challenge, which focuses more on creative programming at the middle school level. (JK)
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New Brighton Township Treasurer Sworn In As Theis DepartsNew Brighton Township Treasurer Sworn In As Theis Departs
12/16/14 - A new treasurer for the Brighton Township Board of Trustees was sworn in at the Boardâs meeting last night. Lana Theis, the former Treasurer, will move on as a State Representative next month. Theis was presented with a plaque and was thanked for her âtremendous amount of work.â She was originally elected in 2008, and then again in 2012. Township Supervisor Tom Murphy tells WHMI Theis grew immensely during her time as Treasurer. Theis trained her replacement, Deborah Hawk, which Murphy says will help maintain and further the progress Theis has made for the Township. Hawk (pictured signing paperwork with Clerk Ann Bolin) is fully certified as a Township Treasurer Financial Planner, and Murphy says they have complete faith in her. Hawk says she looks forward to serving the residents of Brighton Township. The Trustees agreed it has been âa pleasure working with Lanaâ and that she will be missed. (DK)
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Generosity of Community Felt During Triple Money MondayGenerosity of Community Felt During Triple Money Monday
12/16/14 - The Livingston County United Way says everything that will be done with all of the funds generated during Triple Money Monday is really the best Christmas gift they can give to the community. It was a busy day with drop off locations in every corner of the county and Executive Director Nancy Rosso says itâs amazing what the community did for the seventh year in a row but also astounding what was raised in just one day. She says the number of generous residents and businesses was overwhelming and while they are still finalizing numbers, she thinks they will hit the $125,000 mark. Rosso says thatâs just what came in the door so after those funds are tripled thanks to the generosity of donors, the total will be closer to $375,000. This yearâs Triple Money Monday was made possible by the Howell Rotary, Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Network and the GM Proving Grounds, Citizens Insurance and two anonymous donors. Rosso tells WHMI there are a lot of great causes happening and people tend to give from the heart this time of year but they also like to leverage their gift and have it stay local - adding itâs what they can do with the dollars raised by working together with all of the other agencies, organizations and churches that really makes a difference. She says they all work to help meet critical needs and further financial stability initiatives, which involve everything from families experiencing hunger, those in need of rent assistance, emergency housing or utility help. Pictured are Brian Jonckheere, Janie Willsmore and Pat Convery at the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce. (JM)
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Brighton DDA Pursues New Parking Lot Parcel
12/17/14 - The Brighton Downtown Development Authority Board met Tuesday and discussed the possible purchase of a proposed downtown parking lot in closed session but ended up taking no action. DDA Director Matt Modrack says the board has decided to make another offer to the property owner. The location has not been disclosed, pending purchase of the parcel. While negotiations are going slowly on that front, the city is moving forward on the CSX parking lot. The construction cost is pegged at $350,000 and Modrack says the city will be seeking bids on the project this winter. The property is owned by the CSX Railroad, and the city has negotiated a five-year lease with the railroad at a price of $5,000 per year to use the property for a parking lot. Modrack says it will be lighted and fenced with a gate at the West Main Street entrance but closed off at the rear to prevent access to the residential neighborhood. There will be 28 paved and over 30 gravel spaces, with decorative fencing to separate the paved portion from the gravel. Construction is expected to start in April, with completion sometime in June. The parking lot will be similar to the existing CSX parking lot on the east side of the tracks, in which the city also has a lease agreement with the railroad. Although approved by the DDA, the planned CSX west parking lot must still go before the City Planning Commission and City Council for the final OK. Both parking lots are in response to the shortage of parking space in downtown Brighton. (TT)
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Tyrone Knife Robbery Suspect Bound Over For TrialTyrone Knife Robbery Suspect Bound Over For Trial
12/17/14 - A man charged in a knife-point robbery of a Tyrone Township store has been bound over to circuit court for trial. 20-year-old Nicholas Smith was apprehended by the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department and charged with armed robbery in connection with the robbery at Runyan Lake Food Center in November. He was bound over to circuit court for trial on Tuesday. Smith is considered homeless by police and is currently lodged in the Livingston County Jail on a $250,000 bond. At about 8:30pm on November 14th, deputies responded to a report of an armed robbery at the store. Two employees and another customer witnessed the event and told officers that a man entered the store, produced a knife, and demanded money from the cashier. He then left with an undisclosed amount of cash, fleeing northwest on foot. (TD)
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Commissioner Urges Local Leadership On Road FundingCommissioner Urges Local Leadership On Road Funding
12/17/14 - As legislative leaders continue to debate different House and Senate proposals to address road funding in Michigan, one Livingston County Commissioner is weighing in. Commissioner Steve Williams says the county board has been focused on road funding for years, as local legislators are well aware, but unfortunately has no control over it. After examining the bills, Williams tells WHMI he agrees with Governor Rick Snyder that the Senate Bill is bad but the House Bill is even worse and neither plan would make any real changes for years. The Senate plan would more than double Michigan's 19-cents-a-gallon gas tax over four years. The House-approved proposal calls for repealing the state sales tax on fuel over six years and increase fuel taxes by an equivalent amount - which could deprive schools and municipalities of funding. Williams is hoping a decision will be made before the legislature adjourns, saying while State Representatives Bill Rogers and Cindy Denby are term-limited and leaving, theyâre at the peak of their legislative knowledge. Because Senator Joe Hune has ten years of experience and was re-elected, Williams wants to see him take a legislative leading role. Williams tells WHMI he understands the desire to avoid raising taxes but feels just saying ânoâ is not the way to solve problems and doesnât get anything done. Legislative leaders failed to reach any agreement Tuesday night but commented that progress is being made and that a deal could be completed this morning. Lawmakers are still scheduled to adjourn for the year following Thursdayâs session. (JM)
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Providence Plans Latson Facility Groundbreaking For Fall 2015Providence Plans Latson Facility Groundbreaking For Fall 2015
12/17/14 - More details are emerging about the medical facility planned for construction near the Latson Road I-96 interchange on the former grounds of Latson Road Elementary. Howell Public Schools secured a purchase agreement in July for the 14-acre property from St. John Providence Health System for just over $5 million. Howellâs Associate Superintendent of Finance Rick Terres said that was the first reasonable offer for the property since it was put on the market two years prior. The planned 60,000-square-foot, $17 million Providence medical center is currently slated for groundbreaking in the fall of 2015 and completion the following year, according to Peter Karadjoff, the CEO of St. Johnâs Providence Park Hospital in Novi. Karadjoff says the first phase of construction at the site will include an outpatient center with space for 25 physicians, urgent care, physical therapy, and laboratory and imaging services. A second phase of construction would include an emergency room and surgery if there is sufficient demand from the community. Karadjoff adds that St. Johnâs has been planning to expand into Livingston County for years. The system is also expanding its Novi location by adding beds and a surgical innovation center. (TD/JK)
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Fenton Mortgage Scammer Faces Attempted Escape ChargesFenton Mortgage Scammer Faces Attempted Escape Charges
12/17/14 - Authorities say a Fenton man convicted in a fraud scheme tried to escape from jail earlier this year after he was caught by federal agents. 47-year-old Ronnie Duke was in federal court in Detroit on Tuesday on charges stemming from the attempted escape from the Monroe County jail. Duke allegedly chipped away at mortar inside his cinder block jail cell and tried hiding progress by stuffing the hole with a mixture of wet toilet paper, toothpaste and chocolate cookies. Damage to the wall was discovered in May. During the hearing, a judge ordered a new lawyer for Duke and ruled that Duke was competent to stand trial after reviewing results of a psychiatric exam. Duke has a lengthy history of evading the law. He fled in June 2013 after being sentenced to 13 years in prison for his role in a wide-ranging mortgage fraud scheme that triggered losses of more than $100 (m) million and involved roughly 180 homes in the region between 2004 and 2007. The money he gained was used to finance Hardcore Motorsports, a Hartland-based business that Duke owned. He was arrested in Saline in February, more than eight months after failing to surrender to prison officials, and has been held since then. After his arrest, federal officials in Detroit say Duke assaulted a prosecutor when he made an appearance in court in February. Duke was sent to prison in 1989 for receiving stolen property and later, briefly, escaped from an Upper Peninsula prison before being freed in 1993. (AP)
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