12/17/14 - LACASA is seeking to help educate parents of teens with a free seven-week program beginning in January. Creating Lasting Family Connections is a grant-supported program provided to the public at no cost as part of the Livingston Community Prevention Project. Beginning January 21st, LACASA prevention educators will talk to parents straddling through the teen years and provide them with strategies designed to improve relationships and reinforce positive changes. They will cover topics including the development of the adolescent body and brain, parenting communication techniques, conflict reduction, and behaviors associated with substance abuse. Individual family counseling sessions will also be available. For more information or to register, contact Lisa Miles at (810) 923-0560. (TD)
LACASA To Offer Free Class Aimed At Parents Of TeensLACASA To Offer Free Class Aimed At Parents Of Teens
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Surprise Reunion For Howell Student
12/17/14 - One local student got a holiday surprise during a leadership program graduation ceremony last night when her brother in the military surprised her with a visit. The ceremony took place at Highlander Way Middle School in Howell, where about a dozen students graduated from Reaching Higher. That program pairs students with mentors from the community who teach them how to express leadership, determination, and confidence in school and in life. Among last nightâs graduates was 7th-grader Caralyn Davis, whose brother Joseph Dapprich is an airman apprentice with the US Navy stationed out of Hawaii. Davis knew her brother would be coming home for Christmas, but she thought she would not get to see him until Saturday. She and her younger sister were taken by surprise when Dapprich made an unexpected appearance at the graduation ceremony. Davis tells WHMI it is great to have her brother back, and she is glad he could join her for the graduation ceremony. Dapprich says he did not hear about the ceremony until after he was on his way home to Michigan, but when he heard about it he decided to give his sister a surprise. He says he will not be able to return home for the holidays next year, so he will be spending time with his family for the next two weeks. (TD)
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Pharmacy Owner & 13 Others Charged In Deadly OutbreakPharmacy Owner & 13 Others Charged In Deadly Outbreak
12/17/14 - Federal officials say a co-owner and a pharmacist at a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy blamed for a 2012 deadly meningitis outbreak have been charged with racketeering for allegedly causing the deaths of patients who received tainted steroids manufactured by the company. The outbreak involved 751 cases in 20 states and was linked to 64 deaths. Michigan was hit particularly hard, with 264 cases, 217 of which were linked to Michigan Pain Specialists in Genoa Township which received a shipment of contaminated steroids mixed at the NECC. Of the 64 deaths, 19 were from Michigan and at least 8 in Livingston County. Barry Cadden, a co-founder of the New England Compounding Center, and Glenn Adam Chin, a pharmacist who was in charge of the sterile room, are accused in a federal indictment of "acting in wanton and willful disregard of the likelihoodâ that their actions would cause death or great bodily harm. The two were among 14 charged in indictment released today. The others face charges ranging from mail fraud to the introduction of adulterated and misbranded drugs into interstate commerce. (AP)
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Commissioners Adopt Strategic Plan for Livingston County Commissioners Adopt Strategic Plan for Livingston County
12/17/14 - The Livingston County Board of Commissioners adopted a conceptual five year road map for progress during its final meeting of the year on Monday night. The Strategic Plan for 2015 through 2020 is focused on goals the county is working toward which include visionary planning, safety, roads, technology, courts, communication and economic development. Developing the plan was said to be a major project this year and itâs intended to serve as a living document. Chairwoman Carol Griffith says to her knowledge, no plan as detailed and comprehensive has ever reached execution as the Strategic Plan of 2015 through 2020 for Livingston County. Back in 2013, Griffith says the board identified a mission statement and values along with the seven specific priorities for implementation. Then this year, she says hours of discussions and meaningful meetings contributed to the creation of action plans and measures of success for the seven goal oriented areas. Griffith says using the plan as a five year road map will improve collaboration and partnerships, as well as the efficient and effective delivery of service to residents. Griffith added that everyone involved worked very hard on the Strategic Plan and it was a collaborative effort with many professionals on the team, a wide range of community disciplines and many engaged county staff. More information and the plan may be viewed beginning on page 146 of the board meeting packet, which is attached below. (JM)
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Victim Remains Hospitalized After Being Struck by Vehicle Victim Remains Hospitalized After Being Struck by Vehicle
12/18/14 - A Lyon Township man remains hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle while crossing the road to get his mail. The Oakland County Sheriff Officeâs Crash Reconstruction Unit is assisting deputies from the Lyon Township Substation in the investigation of the car versus pedestrian injury accident that occurred around 6:19pm on December 11th. Police say the victim, 70-year-old Werner Spiedel of Lyon Township, had crossed Eight Mile Road west of Currie to get his mail and was struck by a passing vehicle. The 2010 Hyundai was driven by a 72-year-old female resident of South Lyon, who was not injured. Spiedel was transported by ambulance to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor and was originally listed in critical condition. Sheriffâs officials told WHMI that as of Wednesday, he remained there in the Intensive Care Unit. Eight Mile Road is an un-lighted road and the victim was wearing all dark clothing. Police also stated that alcohol was not a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation. (JM)
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Lane Restrictions Planned on Seven Mile Road Friday Lane Restrictions Planned on Seven Mile Road Friday
12/18/14 - Motorists can expect to see lane restrictions on a portion of Seven Mile Road in Northfield Township this Friday. The Washtenaw County Road Commission will impose lane restrictions on Seven Mile Road, between Spencer Road and Rushton Road Friday. The work will be commencing at approximately 8am and involves replacing a cross road culvert. Traffic delays are likely and motorists are advised to seek an alternate route although access for adjoining property owners located within the construction zone will be maintained. Itâs anticipated the job will only take one day to complete but motorists are advised that all dates are tentative and subject to change due to weather conditions. (JM)
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Putnam Township Officially Opposed To ET Rover PipelinePutnam Township Officially Opposed To ET Rover Pipeline
12/18/14 - The Putnam Township Board of Trustees made its opposition to the new ET Rover pipeline official at its meeting last night. The ET Rover is a proposed project to construct a new natural gas pipeline from Ohio to Canada by way of Michigan. It will cross Livingston County along a north-south line that passes to the west of Pinckney and between the city of Howell and Fowlerville. The plan as proposed to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently changed, and while the general route through Livingston has not changed much, there is a 1,000-foot westward shift in Putnam that has some residents concerned. A couple of residents brought up their concerns at last nightâs meeting of the township board, citing potential harm to the environment, property values, and the safety of residents. The township board agreed, and a formal resolution was passed expressing the township boardâs objection to the pipeline. Trustee Pat Carney says while the Pinckney Village Council passed a similar resolution for the purpose of protecting a waste water treatment plant, the township was mostly concerned with property values. He adds that working with the pipeline has been inconsistent and difficult. All of the township board members voted in favor of the resolution except for Supervisor Ron Rau, who abstained from the vote. He said the pipeline affects him personally, and did not want to vote in case that connection constituted a conflict of interest. (TD)
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Benefit Planned for Fowlerville Boy Battling Kidney Cancer Benefit Planned for Fowlerville Boy Battling Kidney Cancer
12/18/14 - An upcoming benefit dinner will raise funds to assist a Fowlerville family with mounting medical bills after their 4-year-old son was recently diagnosed with a form of kidney cancer. Hunter Hath had complained about stomach pains a few weeks ago so his parents took him to the doctor. Not long later, blood work came back and revealed that he had a type of kidney cancer called Wilms Tumors. To assist the family with the continuing costs of chemotherapy and related medical bills, a benefit dinner and fundraiser is planned January 31st at the American Legion Post 141 on Grand River in Howell. The postâs finance officer Richard Planck got involved after being contacted by the family and says he canât imagine what the family must be going through or the costs. To his knowledge, one of Hunterâs kidneys was damaged pretty badly but the family is hoping to save the second through chemotherapy treatments. More information about Hunterâs story and the Hunting for a Cure benefit dinner on January 31st can be found through the links below. An online fundraising account has also been set up at www.gofundme.com/teamhunter2010. (JM)
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Credit Union Robbery Suspects Arrested in Livingston County Credit Union Robbery Suspects Arrested in Livingston County
12/18/14 - Charges have been filed against six people arrested during a high profile traffic stop in Livingston County who were wanted in connection with a credit union robbery ring. A state and federal violent crime task force has been investigating robberies that occurred at eight different credit unions in Lansing, Marysville, Ann Arbor and Livonia. Last Thursday, a surveillance team worked with the Michigan State Police on a traffic stop of the six men. The suspects were said to be traveling in two vehicles and were eventually blocked in by multiple officers who had their weapons drawn on I-96 near Kensington Metropark. At the time, police only confirmed the âhigh-risk stopâ was related to an ongoing investigation in Lansing. The complaint affidavit states the men were wearing make-up consistent with what witnesses had recalled seeing at prior credit union robberies. Officials discovered the men were on their way to rob the Dearborn Federal Credit Union on Lake Lansing Road in Lansing. Angelo Mitchell, Allante Williams, Terrell Reese, James Steen, Defonta Howard and Jonathan Daffin have been charged with conspiracy to rob a credit union. Scantavia Ronda Isaac is the seventh person believed to be involved and she remains at large. (JM)
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Brighton Twp. Relinquishes Two Foreclosed Properties To StateBrighton Twp. Relinquishes Two Foreclosed Properties To State
12/18/14 - The State of Michigan has offered Brighton Township the opportunity to reclaim two area properties that are foreclosed. Correspondence indicated the state wants to unload both properties that they own. If the township is interested in reclaiming them, they were directed to let the state know by the end of December. Tom Murphy, Brighton Township Supervisor, tells WHMI there are concerns about taking ownership of both properties. Neighbors have taken maintenance responsibility over the Woodland Lake piece of property thus far and were unaware it was foreclosed, though showed no interest in purchasing it. One resident mentioned possibly purchasing the out-lot that is open for Bitten Lake access, but it would require signage from the other residents that technically have a stake in it. While Brighton Township will not be taking ownership over either property, they did decide to send an objection letter to the state regarding one of the lots associations as a Special Assessment District. The board moved forward with the understanding that they will pursue the removal of the SAD from that specific lot as their only action towards the properties. (DK)
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Bishop Announces Committee Assignments, StaffBishop Announces Committee Assignments, Staff
12/18/14 - Committee assignments for the upcoming 114th Congress have been announced for Congressman-elect Mike Bishop. Bishop, who will be replacing Congressman Mike Rogers, says he will be serving on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Education and the Workforce Committee. Bishop, who formerly served as Michiganâs Senate Majority Leader, said the Judiciary Committee will allow him to get involved in trade and commerce issues, including the growing tech industry. As a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, Bishop hopes to address ways to improve education and âhelp more Michiganders get the training they need to get back to work.â Bishop also announced several staff hires in his district and Washington, D.C., offices. His Chief of Staff will be Allan Filip of Hartland Township, who holds that position currently under Rogers. Filip formerly served as the Director of Field Operations for the Michigan Republican Party. Bishopâs District Director will be Katherine Van Tiem, who will also continue in that position from Congressman Rogers. Van Tiem, who lives in Bishopâs hometown of Rochester, managed Rogersâ 2012 re-election campaign and Bishopâs 2014 congressional campaign. The Congressman-elect says he and his staff plan to hit the ground running next month. (JK)
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Dexter Schools Considering Annexing Whitmore Lake DistrictDexter Schools Considering Annexing Whitmore Lake District
12/18/14 - Now that Ann Arbor has passed, Dexter Community Schools is looking at the possibility of annexing the struggling Whitmore Lake School District. Despite outsourcing and salary cuts, the Whitmore Lake district has been in decline for several years. Falling revenues due to a shrinking student body have left the district with less than $50,000 in funds, and it is likely to enter deficit in the near future. Earlier this year, officials from the district and Ann Arbor Schools approved a merger that would bring the Whitmore Lake district under the Ann Arbor umbrella, which would take care of the debt issue while giving Ann Arbor increased school-of-choice exposure. However, that proposal was turned down by voters in November. Now, Whitmore Lake and Dexter school officials have formed ad hoc committees to examine the possibility of merging the two districts, though neither one has an official opinion on the move just yet. A public meeting last night in Dexter brought out more than 50 residents, who the Dexter Leader reports asked questions about possible redistricting, property values and cultural differences. Officials said they would use that input as they continued to investigate the possibilities. Unlike Ann Arbor, Dexter is not a âhold harmlessâ district and would not have to assume Whitmore Lakeâs debt, which was a major sticking point with Ann Arbor. The annexation would merge the administrations of the two districts without affecting tax rates or school attendance maps. The state government may also be willing to incentivize the merger. (TD/JK)
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Charges Filed In Fatal Tyrone Crash From AugustCharges Filed In Fatal Tyrone Crash From August
12/18/14 - A Burton woman has been charged in a fatal collision this summer in Hartland Township. 36-year-old Sheila Ann Kopek was charged with a moving violation causing death stemming from the crash. She stood mute during her arraignment on Monday, and a $50,000 personal bond was set. She is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on January 15th. On August 7th, Sheila was traveling in her 2008 Jeep Commander eastbound on Clyde Road near Cullen Road when she became distracted and lost control. She struck a bridge abutment, which caused her to veer into oncoming traffic and collide with a 2002 Mercury Sable. The driver of the Sable, a 35-year-old Pinckney man, was airlifted to the University of Michigan Hospital and was later pronounced dead. Kopek was taken to Hurley Medical Center in Flint with non-life threatening injuries. (TD)
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Festival of Trees Greets Visitors in Highland Township Festival of Trees Greets Visitors in Highland Township
12/19/14 - The Highland Township Downtown Development Authority is not only celebrating its new streetscape but lighting it up for the holidays. The Festival of Trees in Downtown Highland Station is well underway and was launched to not only spruce up the area for the holidays but bring attention to the mostly complete streetscape project. The bricks and mortar development project has been ongoing in the business district and resulted in a major facelift for the downtown. More than 30 trees have been sponsored, decorated and set up along the area of Milford and Livingston Roads. Photos of each can be viewed and voted on at participating businesses and the Highland Downtown Development Authority Facebook page. The sponsor of the tree receiving the most votes will take home the Peopleâs Choice award. (JM)
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Bell Ringer Wonât Let Hospital Stay Stop Her From Helping OthersBell Ringer Wonât Let Hospital Stay Stop Her From Helping Others
12/19/14 - As the giving season continues, Livingston County kids are said to be stepping up to the task including one girl being described as no ordinary 10-year-old. At the top of Faith McDevittâs Christmas to-do-list was to ensure that others would be taken care of this holiday season so after saving up her change for a full year, she was looking forward to donating everything she collected and volunteered to be a bell ringer for The Salvation Army of Livingston County. Then just days before her scheduled shift, Faith had to be admitted to Mottâs Childrenâs Hospital for an emergency surgical procedure. The timing wasnât good given the holiday events and traditions she had been looking forward to but Faith was insistent that the one commitment she would not cancel was her bell ringing shift so she convinced her mother to call and reschedule. Knowing that Faith would not be discharged and fully healed in time to safely ring the bells, The Salvation Army decided to take the kettle to her. Envoy Prezza Morrison, Corps Administrator for The Salvation Army of Livingston County, visited Faith and her mom at the hospital, where she presented Faith with the tools of the trade: a bright red bell and a mini red kettle. Faith was said to be ecstatic and in turn, was able to present her jar filled with over $100 to donate to the Red Kettle Campaign. Another boy instead of birthday gifts and toys requested that coats be given to the Salvation Army. Morrison tells WHMI these are just two of many youth who are passionate and willing to sacrifice self to help others in need but also prove that not all youth are as materialistic and self-centered like sometimes led to believe. Morrison says individuals can still bell ring as there are many red kettle locations in need of volunteers to help collect funds during the final week before Christmas and the Salvation Army is looking to the community to help reach its campaign goal as donations are down currently. Itâs a critical campaign in which the local Corps also relies on hundreds of volunteers to raise funds to help families, seniors and individuals year round with food, heat, rent, coats, and holiday assistance. Details about giving and volunteer opportunities can be found in the link and attachment below. (JM)
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Brighton Council Votes Against Gated Community at Pine CreekBrighton Council Votes Against Gated Community at Pine Creek
12/19/14 - The Brighton City Council put its 2-centsâ worth in regarding a hot-button issue brought up by homeowners in the upscale Pine Creek Ridge development at the council meeting Thursday night. The streets in the subdivision are now public, but its homeownersâ association is asking that the subdivision be gated and open only to Pine Creek residents and their guests. Residents have been complaining that people coming down Brighton Lake Road have been cutting through the subdivision to save time in getting to destinations such as Brighton High School. The residents say that is not only unsafe for pedestrians, since there are no sidewalks, but it greatly increases the amount of traffic that uses the thru roads â also posing a hazard. However Beaubien Engineering Co. traffic engineers who performed a study this year for the homeownersâ group said in their report that the traffic volumes during peak periods were not abnormally high, considering there are over 250 homes in the subdivision. The traffic study focused on the intersection of Brighton Lake Road, Wyndham Lane; also Hidden Pines. The development is unusual in that it resides both in the city of Brighton and adjacent Genoa Township, with a small number of homes in Hamburg Township. City Manager Dana Foster told council the Township Board and Township Manager Mike Archinal had asked the city for input on the request, resulting in a study by the Brighton Traffic Safety Advisory Commission. After considerable discussion, council voted unanimously to accept the advisory commissionâs report, which recommends the request by the homeownersâ group be denied. Foster says that although Genoa Township had requested input from three local governmental units - the city, the Brighton Area Schools and Livingston County Road Commission - the final say will come from the Township Board of Trustees itself. City Manager Dana Foster says the board is expected to take action on the matter in the near future. (TT)
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Legislature Sends Road Repair Plan To VotersLegislature Sends Road Repair Plan To Voters
12/19/14 - The Michigan legislature gave overwhelming approval early this morning to a legislative package that would ask voters in May to hike the sales tax from 6% to 7% and spend an extra $1.2 billion a year on roads. Livingston County Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine says itâs been a long fight and theyâve been after some very serious revenue gap-filling measures for about six years. Craine tells WHMI everybody wants to see roads fixed but the issue of how to fund it has become very controversial in todayâs political environment. He adds that the real champions over the last few years have been local townships when it comes to making up the missing amounts to advance a project, but notes their funds arenât limitless. Craine says weâre basically at a crossroads in Michigan and the question becomes do we really want better roads and are we willing to pay the price. The deal raises $1.3 billion for transportation, with $1.2 billion a year going to roads and about $112 million going to transit. It also removes the sales tax from fuel sales, while increasing fuel taxes that Gov. Snyder said will result in about a 3-cent-a-gallon rise. There will also be increases of $45 million in vehicle registration fees and $50 million in fees for heavy trucks. Officials say registration fees for cars and light trucks won't go up, but the 10% discounts new car buyers receive for each of the first three years they own their cars will be eliminated. The deal also restores the Earned Income Tax Credit, which was slashed in 2011, while increasing school funding by $300 million a year. Universities could no longer be funded from the School Aid Fund, though community colleges could be. A lobbying group representing road builders said they had hoped for a legislative solution that wouldn't require a ballot initiative, but "this is the package that came together." Not everyone was willing to see it in such terms. Wes Nakagiri, founder of RetakeOurGov, blasted the plan saying, âLansing continues to shield its bloated spending and special interests while once again dipping into the wallets of hard-working Michigan taxpayers.â (JM/JK)
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Bond Hearing Set For Man Accused In Fatal Road Rage Incident Bond Hearing Set For Man Accused In Fatal Road Rage Incident
12/19/14 - The Marion Township man charged in a fatal road rage shooting appeared in court this morning. Derek Flemming was shot in the head in September after getting out of his vehicle to ask 69-year-old Martin Zale about his aggressive driving. It happened September 2nd at the intersection of Chilson and Grand River in Genoa Township. Future court dates were set during todayâs examination and a jury trial is scheduled to begin the morning of March 2nd. Zaleâs attorney, Melissa Pearce, did not request a competency hearing for her client and declined to comment on the reasoning behind it. Pearce requested a bond hearing at Zaleâs arraignment last month, as she says her time to meet with him is limited while he is being held in the Livingston County Jail. He has been held without bond since the incident. The hearing was granted by Judge Miriam Cavanaugh today and is scheduled for February 14th. Pearce says they are very âgratefulâ for the hearing being granted so she will be able to better work on her clientâs defense. Zaleâs lawyer has previously stated that the plan is to argue self-defense and says Zale is ânot the person the prosecutor is portraying him to beâ. Judge Cavanaugh stated that both parties are anticipating motions, and all evidential motions are to be heard by February 20th, along with proposed jury questions. Any objections will be heard during a final settlement conference February 27th. (DK/JM)
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Men Charged in Meningitis Outbreak Released on House Arrest Men Charged in Meningitis Outbreak Released on House Arrest
12/19/14 - The two men charged with the most serious crimes in a deadly nationwide meningitis outbreak are being released prior to their trial on home confinement. A Boston-area magistrate held a hearing today and determined that Barry Cadden and Glenn Chinn will both be released on home confinement. The judge ruled they werenât flight risks and both men will also be put on GPS monitoring. Separate conditions were set for Cadden, who was ordered to avoid excessive use of alcohol, undergo random drug testing and possibly undergo inpatient or outpatient treatment if determined by the court. The same magistrate on Thursday issued an order saying the U.S. attorney's office had "not met its burden" in requesting the detention of Cadden and Chinn. Cadden is a co-founder of the New England Compounding Center; Chin was the company's supervisory pharmacist. They face 25 counts each of second-degree murder under federal racketeering law. Twelve others tied to the business also face charges. The outbreak involved 751 cases in 20 states and was linked to 64 deaths, at least eight of them in Livingston County. Of Michiganâs 264 cases, 217 were linked to Michigan Pain Specialists in Genoa Township which received a shipment of contaminated steroids mixed at the NECC. (JK/JM)
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Police Seek Tips to Locate Vehicle Involved in Deputy's DeathPolice Seek Tips to Locate Vehicle Involved in Deputy's Death
12/19/14 - Michigan State Police are asking for the publicâs help in locating the vehicle that an Ingham County Deputy was pursuing when he was killed in a crash. Deputy Grant Whitaker was killed during a vehicle pursuit in Ingham County during the early morning hours of December 7th. The crash happened outside of the Village of Stockbridge, in the area of M-52 and Dexter Trail. 34-year-old John Kelsey II faces charges of driving with a suspended or revoked license causing death and first-degree fleeing police. He has also been charged in the case as a fourth offense habitual offender. The suspected vehicle is described as a white 2003 GMC Denali with a Michigan registration plate of CPP-6978 but authorities caution that the registration plate may have been changed to avoid identification. MSP First Detective Lieutenant Sean Furlong tells WHMI the vehicle is registered out of the Livingston County area and to a family member of Kelseyâs but they have not yet been able to locate it and are looking to the public for assistance. He says they have not seen or located the vehicle since the crash and want to find it to make sure the investigation is complete and thorough, adding they are also still seeking any information that will help provide a complete picture of what happened. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the vehicle is asked to call the MSP tip line at (517) 331-5634. Kelsey, meanwhile, will be appearing in Ingham County 55th District Court for a preliminary exam Tuesday. (JM)
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