12/23/14 - Resources from three counties had to be brought in Monday to help battle a blaze at a window warehouse in South Lyon. The South Lyon Fire Department responded to the fire Monday afternoon at the Pullum Window Company on North Lafayette Street. Upon arrival, crews discovered a wood working shop, along with a window and door warehouse, well involved in fire. The department says the incident progressed to a third alarm, which brought in resources from Oakland, Livingston and Washtenaw Counties. More than eight fire departments responded and more than 2,000 feet of supply line had to be stretched off of two hydrants to supply water. South Lyon Fire Chief Mike Kennedy tells WHMI the main building with offices was saved and not affected but the older building in back was a total loss. There were no injuries but Kennedy says it was a defensive operation right from the start with fire was already venting through the side of the building and the roof. He says they were actually competing against resources that had already been dedicated to a fire in Milford Township that happened two hours earlier so some were delayed or already committed. Crews were also back on scene today putting out hot spots. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with a radiant heater being investigated as a potential ignition source. Several propane tanks also exploded during the fire, which could be felt and heard for some distance. (JM)
Crews Battle Massive Fire at Window Warehouse in South LyonCrews Battle Massive Fire at Window Warehouse in South Lyon
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More Details Released About Shooting In Marion Township More Details Released About Shooting In Marion Township
12/23/14 - Police have released more information about an afternoon shooting in Marion Township. Deputies with the Livingston County Sheriff's Department were dispatched at around 3:15pm to a home in the 5000 block of Cedar Lake Road for a shooting call. While responding, Undersheriff Mike Murphy tells WHMI one deputy came across the suspect vehicle in the area of Cedar Lake Road and Norton, and the suspect exited his vehicle and shot himself. Murphy says deputies continued to the address of the original shooting and discovered two male victims, identified as a 31-year-old and 27-year-old, both from Howell. Murphy says preliminary investigation reveals the two brothers were working on the home as a renovation project when the suspect pulled into the driveway. He says when the two brothers went outside to see who it was; the suspect exited the car and shot several rounds at both victims. One of the victims was shot in the hand, buttocks and legs and was hospitalized while the other was not injured. Murphy says the suspect is a 36-year-old Brighton man and all indications at this point show that there was no connection between the suspect and the victims but the investigation continues. (JM)
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Former Hamburg Man Sent To Trial In Deputy's DeathFormer Hamburg Man Sent To Trial In Deputy's Death
12/24/14 - A judge in Mason has ordered a man to stand trial for the death of an Ingham County sheriff's deputy who crashed while chasing his SUV. The judge on Tuesday ruled that 34-year-old John Kelsey of Stockbridge will be tried on charges of fleeing or eluding police causing death and driving on a suspended license causing death. Authorities say an officer in an unmarked sheriff's car began chasing the SUV on Dec. 7 after Kelsey, formerly of Hamburg Township, failed to stop. They say Deputy Grant Whitaker took over as the lead pursuer in his marked vehicle when he lost control and crashed about 2 a.m. near Stockbridge. Picture courtesy of WLNS. (JK)
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Parolee Jailed After Brighton Police Force Entry Into ResidenceParolee Jailed After Brighton Police Force Entry Into Residence
12/24/14 - Brighton City Police had to force their way into a residence last night to extract an ex-con barricaded inside. The incident began at about 7pm when a police officer saw Garrett Allen, a parolee, run inside the house on the 700 block of Devonshire Road, apparently in an attempt to avoid detection. Allen barricaded himself inside the house, and police could not establish contact to negotiate with him. Chief Tom Wightman says police forced entry into the building, located Allen, and took him into custody for parole violations. He was alone and unarmed when police found him, and he is now lodged in the Livingston County Jail. Allen was previously convicted of home invasion. Wightman adds that rumors of gunfire were incorrect, but the equipment used by police for forced entry makes loud noises that can be mistaken for gunfire. It will be up to the Livingston County Prosecutor whether any charges will be filed. (TD)
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Historic Howell Theater To Show "The Interview" Starting FridayHistoric Howell Theater To Show "The Interview" Starting Friday
12/24/14 - After major distributors balked at foreign threats, a small local theater is stepping up to screen the controversial film The Interview starting this week. Slated for nationwide release on Christmas Day, The Interview is a comedy by Seth Rogen about two American tabloid journalists who are invited to North Korea and asked by the CIA to assassinate its leader, Kim Jong-Un. However, a group of hackers believed to be associated with North Korea have opposed the filmâs release, first by hacking the computer systems of parent company Sony Entertainment and then by threatening terrorist attacks against theaters that screen it. Major film distributors began canceling the release of The Interview, and Sony eventually canceled the film completely. However, on Tuesday the company announced the film would be released on Christmas Day as planned in select theaters willing to run it. One of those cinemas is the Historic Howell Theater, which will begin screening The Interview on Friday. Owner Tyler DePerro said while it may be a simple comedy film on its face, it may cause audiences to think about deeper issues, and its political significance could earn it an important place in film history. Deperro and other commentators have drawn comparisons between The Interview and the 1941 Charlie Chaplin film The Great Dictator. That film, which was released months before the United States entered World War II, satirizes and condemns Adolf Hitlerâs regime. The Interview will run for several days over the weekend. The film is rated R. Click on the link below for showtimes. (TD)
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After Firing On Marion Twp. Men, Shooter Takes His Own LifeAfter Firing On Marion Twp. Men, Shooter Takes His Own Life
12/24/14 - A Brighton man took his own life after whatâs believed to be a random shooting incident in Marion Township on Tuesday afternoon. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department reports that a 36-year-old Brighton man driving a silver Ford Focus pulled up to a home on Cedar Lake Road at around 3:15pm, where two brothers who were working to renovate the home. Livingston County Undersheriff Mike Murphy tells WHMI the two victims went outside after the suspect pulled in driveway, which is when the suspect got out and proceeded to shoot several rounds at both victims before fleeing the scene. Murphy says a responding deputy came across the suspect vehicle in the area of Cedar Lake Road and Norton, which is when the suspect exited his vehicle and shot himself in the head. Murphy says other deputies continued to the address of original shooting on Cedar Lake Road and found the two victims, a 31-year-old man and a 27-year-old man, both from Howell. Murphy says one of the victims was shot in the hand, butt and legs but is expected to survive and the other was not injured. Murphy says the shooting suspect was ultimately transported by Survival Flight to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, where he was pronounced dead. Police donât believe there was any connection between the suspect and the victims, which Murphy says is quite odd so the investigation continues and theyâll be working to piece the case together to try and figure out why the home was targeted. (JM)
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Howell Air Force Cadets Add New Trophy to Collection Howell Air Force Cadets Add New Trophy to Collection
12/25/14 - Howell High School Air Force Cadets won first place during a recent fitness challenge competition. the district says cadets from Howell High Schoolâs Air Force Junior Reserve Officersâ Training Corps program had an impressive showing during the recent Wayne Cadet Fitness Challenge. The cadets came home with the overall first place trophy, beating out nine other JROTC teams from around Michigan. Of the 10 teams that competed in the challenge, Howell was the only first year team. Howellâs team was made up of Cadets Regan Beveridge, James Colon, Lyndsey Larance, Sommer Rosenthal, Sullivan Runion, Duncan Sambiagio, Victoria Skiba, Austin Spisak, Meredith Vecheta and Kody Warshefski. Three cadets also earned individual honors during the event. In the female category, Cadet Vecheta took second place overall and Cadet Rosenthal took third place overall. Additionally Cadet Vecheta won the curl-up category with 90 curl-ups. (JM)
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Salvation Army Seeks Support Beyond Christmas Salvation Army Seeks Support Beyond Christmas
12/25/14 - While generous community members gave above expectations in the final weekend before Christmas, the Salvation Army of Livingston County is still struggling to meet this yearâs campaign goal. While the Salvation Army tends to be more visible during the Christmas season with its iconic red kettles across the community, the needs of local families and individuals must be met year round. The Salvation Armyâs Christmas Campaign is its largest fundraising effort and helps provide assistance to area residents with energy, shelter, and emergency food. While last weekend saw overwhelming support from the community, donations have been down overall for the campaign this season. Envoy Prezza Morrison says they have faith and are positive the community will extend its generosity to help raise the additional funds needed to reach this yearâs goal and ensure that the needs of others will be met in the coming year. The Salvation Army is extending bell ringing at limited Kroger locations through December 30th in an effort to meet the goal for the 2014 season of $362,000. In addition to the red kettles at select Kroger locations, the Salvation Army will be able to receive online, mail and drop off donations throughout the first few weeks in January. Thereâs also a text to give option in which mobile users can text Livingston to 71777. The Army is also encouraging individuals and businesses to host Red Shield pin-up campaigns and mini-fundraisers through mid-January, and donate the funds by January 31st. Details can be found through the link below. (JM)
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Hartland Township Clerk Succumbs to CancerHartland Township Clerk Succumbs to Cancer
12/25/14 - The Hartland Township Board is minus a key township elected official, and the Hartland community is without a well-known and respected community leader, with the passing of Township Clerk Larry Hopkins. Hopkins succumbed Tuesday from a rapidly advancing form of cancer. Hopkins had served as township clerk since 2010 and had been a member of the township board for the past 10 years. He was active in the community, as a member of the township planning commission, the Rotary Club, and as president of the Hartland Community Council. He leaves his wife Nancy and three children. Friends may call at the Elton Black & Son Funeral Home on M-59 in Highland Township Sunday from 3-8 p.m. Funeral services for Larry Hopkins will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on North Hacker Road in Hartland Township. (TT)
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Part of Brighton Experiences Power Outage on Christmas EvePart of Brighton Experiences Power Outage on Christmas Eve
12/25/14 - A good portion of the city of Brighton was without power Christmas Eve and early Christmas Day. According to DTE spokeswoman Randi Berris, the windy weather, with its effect on trees and overhead power lines, resulted in the outage affecting about 1,700 homes beginning at 4:25 p.m. Christmas Eve. Several condominium developments and apartment buildings on the city's northeast side, near the two city cemeteries and the I-96 freeway, were affected by the outage. Power was restored incrementally, and the last of the homes, apartments and condos were brought back online at around 3 a.m. Christmas Day. Berris told WHMI that, in her words, "We dodged a bullet," and no other major areas in DTE's service region suffered significant power outages, despite the blustery weather conditions. (TT)
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Outgoing State Representative Receives Crime Fighter AwardOutgoing State Representative Receives Crime Fighter Award
12/26/14 - A local lawmaker is being recognized by a statewide crime prevention non-profit organization. Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Michigan recently honored outgoing State Representative Bill Rogers of Genoa Township with the non-profit organizationâs âCrime Fighter Awardâ during a reception at the State Capitol. The group is led by more than 500 of Michiganâs best-known police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors and crime survivors. Rogers was honored for his support and leadership on behalf of prevention through early childhood programs; including high-quality preschool, high-quality child day care, health care, and higher learning standards that help to ensure kids are ready for 21st Century opportunities. Grand Ledge Police Chief Martin Underhill and Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth commented that Rogersâs work has helped to set an agenda that is tough on crime, both at the front-end and at the tail-end, adding when kids succeed, communities succeed. (JM)
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Milford Twp. Clerk's Office Gets Perfect Score in Post-Election Audit Milford Twp. Clerk's Office Gets Perfect Score in Post-Election Audit
12/26/14 - A post-election audit gave a vote of confidence to the Milford Township Clerkâs office, which received a perfect score. The audits, which were enacted by the State Legislature in 2012, are designed to review procedures used before, during and after an election. Individual precincts are chosen at random for audit by the Secretary of State, which then assigns the actual task of auditing to each countyâs election division. For the November 2014 general election, Milford Townshipâs precinct 8, was one of 10 Oakland County precincts designated for an audit. Joe Rozell, Oakland County Election Director, told The Milford Times that when looking at both pre and post-election procedures, Milford Township did everything right. Pre-election procedures include publication of legal notices, appointment of election inspectors and testing to make sure voting machines are working properly. Post-election processes included whether spoiled ballots were noted, ballot containers sealed correctly and seal numbers recorded correctly. Rozell said Milford Township Clerk Holly Brandt had zero issues with her precinct, giving a perfect score on her precinct audit. Rozell said the audit is designed to serve as a learning experience that allows the county to come in and address any issues that may arise. (JK)
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Iosco Seeking Residents To Help Find Better Internet ServiceIosco Seeking Residents To Help Find Better Internet Service
12/26/14 - A committee is being formed of citizens interested in improving high-speed Internet access in Iosco Township. According to Township Clerk Dan Delmerico, citizens around Iosco have no options for high-speed Internet. He calls Iosco a âdial-up township,â with things like satellite, cable, or fiber optic Internet access unavailable to the average citizen. He says rather than wait for private companies to decide to extend this kind of access to the township, Iosco should be taking a proactive approach to obtaining these options. To that end, the township is establishing an Internet Feasibility Committee that will look for ways to economically provide Internet speeds of at least 30 megabytes per second upload and download with no data limits to all residents of the township, at an individual price of $45 per month or less. While citizens with expertise in information technology, finance, and project management are all highly sought-after for this committee, anyone with general interest in helping the township gain better access to the Internet is welcome to join. The committee should begin meeting in January, and is expected to be ready to present something to the township board in the spring. Contact the township offices for more information. (TD)
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Hartland Township Clerk Larry Hopkins Remembered Hartland Township Clerk Larry Hopkins Remembered
12/26/14 - A respected Hartland Township leader is being remembered by the community that he loved. Clerk Larry Hopkins succumbed Tuesday to a rapidly advancing form of cancer at the age of 53. He leaves behind his wife Nancy and three children. Hopkins served on the Hartland Township board for the past decade and Supervisor Bill Fountain tells WHMI he will truly be missed. Fountain says Hopkins was an integral part of the Hartland community and their hearts go out to his family during this difficult time. Hopkins had a fondness for the area's rich history and served as township clerk since 2010. He was active in the community as a member of the township planning commission, the Rotary Club, and was recently elected president of the Hartland Community Council. Funeral arrangements are being handled through the Elton Black & Son Funeral Home on M-59 in Highland Township where visitation will be held from 3 to 8pm Sunday. A funeral service is scheduled on Monday at 10:30am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on North Hacker Road in Hartland Township. (JM)
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Downed Power Line Deemed Cause of Fire at Milford SalvageDowned Power Line Deemed Cause of Fire at Milford Salvage
12/26/14 - A downed power line is to blame for a large blaze that broke out in Milford Township. Several loud explosions could be heard and large plumes of black smoke could be seen as crews from multiple departments responded to the fire, which was reported around noon Monday at Milford Salvage and Iron on East Buno Road. Milford Fire Chief Larry Waligora told the Milford Times that the blaze was caused by a downed power line, saying an overhead line was either hit or dropped onto a loader below. The loader caught fire, which spread quickly to several other large vehicles on site. Some of the loud explosions that were heard were caused by exploding tires stored on the property but an oil storage tank also ruptured and burned. DTE Energy is currently looking into what might have caused the wire to fall. The blaze at Milford Salvage and Iron was one of two large fires in the area Monday that tied up resources from about a dozen departments. The other was reported at the Pullum Window Company on North Lafayette Street in downtown South Lyon. Several propane tanks exploded during that fire, which could be felt and heard for some distance. The cause of the fire at the window warehouse also remains under investigation, with a radiant heater being looked at as a potential ignition source. Photo Credit WXYZ Detroit. (JM)
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Brighton Business Could Expand Into Milford Towsnhip WarehouseBrighton Business Could Expand Into Milford Towsnhip Warehouse
12/26/14 - A Brighton-based conveyance product manufacturer is eying an empty warehouse in Milford to expand its operation and bring new jobs to the area. Central Conveyor produces products used in the automotive industry, currently employs 85 individuals at its Green Oak facility, and has run out of room for expansion. The company is anticipating $75 million of sales in 2015, and needs new space to continue to expand its services. The Milford Times reports Central Conveyor received a 10-year Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption from the Milford Township Board last week, which would facilitate the companyâs expansion into an abandoned warehouse on Pontiac Trail. The company is proposing a plan to invest $3.5 million into renovating the building, creating new work space that would provide at least 20 local jobs. The exemption would save Central Conveyor about $65,000 in taxes every year. However, the townshipâs sewer ordinance would force the company to hook into the local sewer system and pay for laterals to neighboring businesses, which would add about $250,000 to the total project cost. The company is now in talks with the surrounding businesses to see if they would be willing to share the cost of the connections. (TD)
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Livingston County Board of Commissioners Adopt 2015 Budget Livingston County Board of Commissioners Adopt 2015 Budget
12/26/14 - Securing the bottom line. Thatâs the theme of the 2015 budget approved by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners during an early December meeting. In commending the hard work of staff, chairwoman Carol Griffith said it takes a large team to pull the budget together- a process that was made more difficult by the implementation of a new financial software system. Deputy County Administrator/Finance Officer Cindy Catanach told the board it took longer than anticipated to work out the kinks but the process should move more smoothly now. She said special revenue and enterprise funds can support annual operations but as departments come forward with requests over the next year, the board will need to determine what ones to support based on the limited funds for contingency. Otherwise, Catanach says economic indicators look favorable for Livingston County - thereâs been a decrease in foreclosures and property taxable value is up, as are permits within the drain, health and building departments. State shared revenue is expected to be reinstated at 100%, which would result in a $700,000 increase in revenues, but charges for services are down in in general fund by about $800,000 between various departments including the sheriff, courts and register of deeds. A memo described the budget as a balancing act between the mandated and discretionary service demands of diverse customers and available resources. The county is limited in its ability to raise revenues in the face of increasing expenses, which will require adjustments in the way business is conducted, and the county must also continue to actively seek and create partnerships. One major project supported in the 2015 budget is the $16.7 (m) million expansion of the Livingston County Jail. Challenges that lie ahead include succession planning as the county continues to experience substantial retirements across all departments and classifications, which creates increased costs as positions overlap and additional training costs are incurred. Department requests also continue to outpace resources. (JM)
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"Going Green" Could Get Easier With New Energy-Efficiency Loans "Going Green" Could Get Easier With New Energy-Efficiency Loans
12/27/14 - Environmental advocates are applauding a new law that will allow for a streamlined loan program for residential customers looking to install renewable energy or efficiency systems on their property. The legislation allows for and promotes greater opportunities for energy efficiency throughout Michigan. Among the few bipartisan efforts to come out of the lame duck session, lawmakers approved the bill which permits city-owned utilities to manage the collection of low-interest, longer-term loans for energy efficiency projects by allowing customers to pay them back on their energy bills. Jim Dulzo, senior energy policy specialist with the Michigan Land Use Institute, says if the project is properly designed, the customer's bills will go down more or the same as the monthly payment on the loan. He says it doesn't really affect your household budget or cash-flow at all but then suddenly you're more comfortable, adding the real gravy comes when the loan is finally paid off and you're seeing all those savings. Dulzo says this sort of financing program, which is currently offered in 20 other states, has benefits for the environment as well as the economy. The Municipal Utility Residential Clean Energy Program Act is modeled after the stateâs Property Assessed Clean Energy financing law of 2010, bringing to homeowners a similar loan program that until now has only been available to commercial and industrial property owners. The new law only applies to residential customers of municipal utilities in the state, which totals about 260,000 households. However, Dulzo says if the plan proves successful it could eventually expand to the state's investor-owned utilities such as DTE and Consumer's Energy. (JM)
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Putnam Fire Awards Recognize Extra Efforts Of PersonnelPutnam Fire Awards Recognize Extra Efforts Of Personnel
12/28/14 - The Putnam Township Fire Department presented awards to two of its most outstanding officers at a ceremony last week. The department named Tom Parish as its firefighter of the year and Lieutenant Robert Mason as its fire officer of the year. Parish was recognized primarily for the time and effort he has spent writing grants for the township and the county. He was not present to receive his award due to a business trip to Africa. However, the fire officer of the year award was accepted by Mason, who emphasized the collaborative nature of the fire departmentâs work in the community. Fire Chief Greg Amburgey says Mason has spent time working on the departmentâs vehicles and building, and that they are grateful for the time and effort he has put in for the greater good. Amburgey say the awards are presented most years, but that is not guaranteed because they are only awarded to department personnel that clearly distinguish themselves beyond the high standard for performance set by the rest of the department. Winners are nominated by their fellow firefighters, and the department officers deliberate and choose which nominees, if any, will get the awards. (TD)
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St. Joseph's Chelsea Opens New Cancer CenterSt. Joseph's Chelsea Opens New Cancer Center
12/28/14 - A new cancer center was opened this month at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Chelsea. The new center opened on December 15th and offers cancer treatments ranging from surgery to chemotherapy and radiation. MLive.com reports the new 16,500 square foot facility cost $10 million to construct, with $7.2 million of that cost having been raised by donations from businesses, doctors, and the community during a fundraising campaign. Hospital executives say the new facility will allow them to improve access to cancer care for the area. Earlier this year, the Lung Cancer Alliance named the St. Joeâs Cancer Program as a Screening Center of Excellence in recognition of its dedication to meeting national and international best practices. It is only the third program in Michigan to get that designation. (TD)
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