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Fenton Police Open Station As Site For Business TransactionsFenton Police Open Station As Site For Business Transactions

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2/15/15 - Residents conducting business transactions with online sources are welcome to use the lobby of the Fenton Police Department as a meeting place. The Michigan State Police Brighton Post advertised earlier this month that residents can use the lobby or parking lot of its building. The Fenton Police are now advertising the same thing, and unlike the State Police, the department’s lobby is open 24/7 with video and audio surveillance. Both agencies said their motivation for making this service known to the public is in part due to the case of a Georgia couple that was killed while trying to purchase a vehicle from someone they had met on Craigslist. While officers will not give legal or business advice they will do their best to keep people safe and protect residents, especially senior citizens, from obvious scams. Fenton Police Chief Rick Aro says other departments in the area are probably open to serving as meeting places for residents performing uncertain online transactions as well. (TD)

Credit Union Robbery Ringleader Enters PleaCredit Union Robbery Ringleader Enters Plea

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2/15/15 - A member of a gang of credit union robbers taken into custody with a high-profile arrest in Livingston County has entered a plea. 18-year-old Angelo Mitchell pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Grand Rapids to conspiracy and bank robbery charges. He’ll be sentenced June 30th. Mitchell and five co-defendants were arrested December 11th after a state and federal violent crime task force, including FBI agents, requested that the State Police make a traffic stop on two vehicles along I-96 near Kensington Road. Multiple officers blocked in the vehicles and were seen by motorists with their weapons drawn. According to federal court records, the suspects used a combination of wigs, makeup and tattoos to obscure their identity during the robbery spree, which began September 9th in Lansing. At the time of the traffic stop in Livingston County, agents believe the suspects were en route to robbing a ninth credit union, again in Lansing. In all, more than $150,000 was stolen from eight credit unions. The five other suspects charged in the case are set for trial March 23rd. Mitchell, who was considered by authorities to be the ringleader, was identified from a tip. That led police to his car, which the FBI put under surveillance. When agents saw the men get into that vehicle and another and head towards Lansing, they made the decision to stop the suspects. An FBI affidavit indicates that Mitchell admitted to 7 of the 8 robberies and that they were on their way to rob the Dearborn Federal Credit Union on Lake Lansing Road in Lansing. (JK)

Livingston County To Host Town Hall Meeting On Road Funding Livingston County To Host Town Hall Meeting On Road Funding

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2/16/15 - Livingston County will be hosting an upcoming town hall meeting to help educate the public and voters about road funding as well as a controversial statewide ballot proposal. Michigan lawmakers approved putting a sales tax and road funding proposal before voters in the May 5th election. It would raise the state's sales tax from 6% to 7% to generate funds to fix and maintain roads and bridges. However if voters approve the constitutional amendment to implement the overall plan, it would trigger a series of other laws already signed by Governor Rick Snyder that could increase fuel taxes and modify registration fees among others. The town hall meeting will be held in board chambers on Wednesday March 18th at 6:30pm, with representatives from the Livingston County Road Commission as well as the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments expected to provide educational presentations and answer questions. Board chairwoman Carol Griffith tells WHMI the forum is not intended to sway anyone either way but simply educate the public as roads are a big concern for many residents. Meanwhile, Griffith will be delivering the 2015 State of the County address on Tuesday evening, highlighting Livingston County's achievements and future goals. She’s expected to discuss strategic planning efforts, positive collaborations and succession planning, which has been a focus with the pending retirement of county administrator Belinda Peters, along with an update on the housing market and increased building activity. The event is open to the public and starts at 6pm in the John E. LaBelle Public Safety Complex on Tooley Road in Howell Township. A link to the county’s strategic plan as well as information from SEMCOG about the ballot proposal are available through the link and attachment below. (JM)

Sunday Night Fire Sends Genoa Township Man To HospitalSunday Night Fire Sends Genoa Township Man To Hospital

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2/16/15 - A Genoa Township man was hospitalized following a fire last night in his apartment. Brighton Area Fire Chief Mike O’Brian says they were called out to a structure fire call just before 8:30pm Sunday to the Water’s Edge development at Bendix and Grand River. Crews arrived to find a small fire in a second floor apartment. After conducting a quick search, firefighters found an unconscious 30 year old male and removed him from the building. He was transferred to Livingston County EMS, who transported the man to the hospital. His condition is unknown at this time. Chief O'Brian said the man was "alive because the apartment was equipped with residential fire sprinklers and the quick actions” of his crews. He says it appears the man had disconnected his smoke alarms and was impaired at the time of the fire. He added that "All homes should be protected with working smoke alarms and residential fire sprinklers, (and) this fire shows the importance of having them in your home!" Firefighters performed an overhaul of the unit before the apartment manager took custody of the scene. The cause of the fire appears to be unintentional. (JK)

Local Designers Show Off Their Creations At Runway Repurposed

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2/16/15 - Amateur fashion designers from all over southeastern Michigan showed their latest creations to a packed house at Crystal Gardens yesterday. The 7th annual Runway Repurposed event drew crowd large enough to fill the 600 seats in the event hall and still leave many attendees standing. Each January, designers register for the event and pick out garments from a selection of old donated clothing. They then spend five weeks turning that material into a new fashion creation, which is modeled and judged at a fashion show. This year’s event was the largest so far, with 70 designers participating in five different categories: Young Beginner, Student Beginner, Adult Beginner, Advanced, and the new Avant Garde. After the models showed off the creations on the catwalk, the judges chose the winners for each category and the attendees selected the People’s Choice outfit. Karen Rex of Hartland won the top spot in the Advanced category and was awarded a $500 cash prize. Her design was modeled by her daughter Emily, who was also a designer herself and won the People’s Choice award for an Avant Garde dress that incorporated origami flowers. Organizers hope the proceeds from ticket sales and silent auction bids at this year’s event will outpace costs to generate enough of a profit margin to beat last year’s total takings of $7,000. (TD)

Mobile Home Fire Kills Genoa Township WomanMobile Home Fire Kills Genoa Township Woman

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2/16/15 - A Genoa Township woman was killed in a fire that heavily damaged her mobile home during the bitter cold early Sunday morning. Neighbors identified the victim as 75-year-old Donna Bingham. Brighton Area Fire Chief Mike O’Brian says firefighters needed to rotate frequently while they battled the blaze because it was about negative seven degrees in the area. O’Brian says a driver on I-96 called in the report of a fire just before 3am Sunday. The fire was in a unit at the Sylvan Glen mobile home park in Genoa Township off of Herbst Road. Bingham was reportedly found just inside the front door to the home. The cause of the fire is unknown, although authorities say it doesn’t appear to be the result of arson or foul play. Picture from Brighton Area Fire Authority. (JK)

Howell High Fire Cadets Join Fight For Air FundraiserHowell High Fire Cadets Join Fight For Air Fundraiser

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2/16/15 - Cadets from the Howell High School Firefighter Program will be joining professional firefighters for a clean-air fundraising event in Detroit next month. The American Lung Association hosts the Fight for Air Climb every year to raise money for research, clean-air advocacy, and anti-smoking campaigns. Firefighters from around the state raise money before charging 70 stories up the stairs of the Renaissance Center. This year’s event will take place on March 1st and include nine cadets from Howell High School. Each one will be wearing about 50 pounds of equipment for the climb, including a full loadout of personal protection equipment and a breathing apparatus. In order to participate in the event, each team member must pay a registration fee and raise at least $100. To help meet that goal, the cadets will hold a fundraising event of their own on Tuesday at Bonkers Frozen Yogurt off of M-59 in Howell. Between 6 and 8:30pm the cadets will be present to answer questions about the event, and 20% of the proceeds at the business will be donated to the cause. (TD)

State Mandated Newborn Screenings Helping Save Babies' Lives State Mandated Newborn Screenings Helping Save Babies' Lives

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2/16/15 - Failing a test has turned out to be a lifesaver for some babies. It's been nearly one year since the state of Michigan mandated an inexpensive, non-invasive test for newborns that can help detect congenital heart defects. Most babies are born with no serious health problems but for those who do, the pulse oximetry screening or pulse-ox can be life‐saving. Cardiologist Ron Rifka of Mott Children's Hospital says the test checks the oxygen level in the baby's blood and detects potentially fatal heart defects, which otherwise may not cause any symptoms before a baby is discharged. One child at Mott Children's hospital is one of five Michigan newborns saved because of the state-required heart screenings. The test takes just two minutes and costs less than ten dollars. Rifka says by picking these heart defects up early, they can really not just help the child but also decrease the cost of their care, too. This year marks the 50th anniversary of newborn screening in Michigan, which began with one test and now covers 55 different disorders that require early treatment to prevent illness, disability or death. (JM)

I-96/US-23 Interchange Project Meeting WednesdayI-96/US-23 Interchange Project Meeting Wednesday

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2/16/15 - A meeting Wednesday evening will educate the public about a large interchange improvement project at I-96 and US-23 in the Brighton area. The Michigan Department of Transportation will be embarking on the two year project at the busy interchange likely around April, which will last through August of 2016. An informational meeting is scheduled at the Brighton Township Hall this Wednesday from 5 to 7pm. M-DOT Spokeswoman Kari Arend tells WHMI they’re looking to make operational changes to the interchange while also improving roads and bridges in the area. In 2015, new through-lanes will be constructed on I-96 between the existing eastbound and westbound lanes. Work also will include constructing new bridges over northbound and southbound US-23 and over Old US-23, along with changes to I-96 itself and some of the ramps. Spencer Road will need to be closed over I-96 for the work, along with the Spencer Road ramp to eastbound I-96 and Arend says they are still working to determine exactly when that will occur. Once it does, Spencer Road will be closed for approximately 45 days and there will be a detour posted. That will likely result in some significant short-term traffic impacts for the City of Brighton. No formal presentation will be made during Wednesday’s meeting but interested stakeholders are encouraged to stop by any time between 5 and 7pm to discuss the project with MDOT staff. Detailed information is also available on M-DOT’s webpage. A link is posted below. (JM)

Kensington Woods Closed TuesdayKensington Woods Closed Tuesday

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2/16/15 - Kensington Woods High School will be closed on Tuesday, February 17th due to a broken sprinkler head. Anyone wishing to volunteer to help moving furniture and assist with cleanup can come to the school after 10:00 am. Officials say the school may be closed on Wednesday as well, and encourage students and families to check the school's Facebook page for more information. A link has been posted below. (TD)

Recycle Livingston Closed Wednesday Due to Another Arctic BlastRecycle Livingston Closed Wednesday Due to Another Arctic Blast

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2/17/15 - More bitter cold and expected wind chills in the forecast are prompting a local recycling operation to close tomorrow. Recycle Livingston located off Catrell Street in Howell will be closed Wednesday, meaning lots of extra helping hands will be needed this weekend. Officials say it’s very cold this time of year and they need all of the help they can get but especially this coming Saturday from 8:30am to 1:30pm. Volunteers are asked to wear waterproof boots or shoes and layer up warm clothing although hand and toe warmers are provided. There are also warm beverages and shelters on site where volunteers can step out of the wind. Additional information can be found through the link below.(JM)

Property in Genoa Township Rezoned To Comply With Court Order Property in Genoa Township Rezoned To Comply With Court Order

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2/17/15 - A piece of property on the south side of Genoa Township that was the subject of litigation is being rezoned to comply with an order from the Michigan Court of Appeals. The Genoa Township board met Monday night and approved the zoning change. The central issue to the dispute was whether the property on Chilson Road, between Bishop Lake and Brighton roads, was zoned residential planned unit development or agricultural. The appeals court affirmed Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty’s earlier decision that the zoning of the property is agricultural. As a result, there could be future amendments proposed to the master plan and the ultimate rezoning of areas around the parcels. However, those would require public hearings. The Michigan Appeals Court decision is binding for the property. Crescendo Homes had sought to develop the subject property in 2004, which was originally zoned agricultural but the PUD rezoning was requested and granted. However, it was determined that the zoning agreement became void because Crescendo Homes ultimately abandoned the development project and property. Chestnut Development later acquired the property through tax foreclosure proceedings and initiated litigation after being denied a land use permit to construct a single family home and enlarge an existing pond on the property. (JM/JK)

South Lyon Police Chief Covering While City Manager RecoversSouth Lyon Police Chief Covering While City Manager Recovers

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2/17/15 - South Lyon’s police chief is stepping up to serve administrative functions while City Manager Lynne Ladner is away for medical reasons. Ladner has undergone major surgery and, while she has been in contact via phone since leaving for health reasons on January 18th, the city council decided last Monday to reassign many of her duties until she can return. The South Lyon Herald reports Police Chief Lloyd Collins agreed to take on some of Ladner’s administrative duties. Some of her other duties have fallen to city department heads. Collins has previously taken on additional duties to assist the city manager’s office, and he was willing to step up and serve the city in that way again. Council members said during the meeting that this should not be seen as a reflection on Ladner’s performance in office. (TD)

Whitmore Lake Schools Want State Reform Of Funding, AnnexationWhitmore Lake Schools Want State Reform Of Funding, Annexation

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2/17/15 - A letter asking the state for better funding formulas and annexation incentives for school districts was approved by the Whitmore Lake Board of Education last night. Board President Ken Dignan says Whitmore Lake receives the state’s minimum funding per pupil, which is exacerbated by declining enrollment that affects many Michigan school districts. The letter approved last night calls on the state to restructure the funding system for districts in that kind of situation to ensure that all Michigan students get a quality education. Dignan says Whitmore Lake has been able to make the tough choices necessary to continue operating despite its minimal funding, but still calls for change at the state level. Additionally, the letter says the process of annexation between school districts is in need of simplification and additional incentives. Dignan says the proposed annexation of Whitmore Lake by the Ann Arbor school district failed because the districts could not get vital information from the state, such as how much the bonus they would receive or details about debt refinancing. He says this is unusual for a state that places so much emphasis on consolidation. Dignan adds that the proposed merger with Dexter Schools is currently on hold while officials in that district collect information and weigh their options. (TD)

Moloney Won't Appeal Latest Petition, Process Moves ForwardMoloney Won't Appeal Latest Petition, Process Moves Forward

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2/17/15 - It appears that the recall attempt of three Howell school board members will move forward. Treasurer Mike Moloney, one of the targets of the recall effort, said yesterday that he will not pursue an appeal of the most recent petition put forward by a group of area business owners and others upset over the board’s firing last year of former Superintendent Ron Wilson. Moloney and Board President Mike Yenshaw had earlier successfully appealed the language of a previous recall petition, which stated that they, and Trustee Deb McCormick, had authorized spending $5,000 to investigate Wilson’s acceptance of mileage reimbursements the board concluded he knew he was not entitled to and then lied about afterward. A local judge ruled that language was invalid because individual board members can’t authorize such expenditures. The recall committee then trimmed the petition to simply state they were seeking the board members recall for their votes to fire Wilson. Moloney said while the board agreed the issues they uncovered, including an allegation that Wilson had not informed them of a potential financial benefit from a software company doing business with the district, were significant, it was now up to the voters in the district to “see the recall campaign for what it is - an attempt led by a small group of vested local business insiders whose actions are not good for either students or ordinary taxpayers.” Recall petition organizers indicated that they will begin circulating the petitions once they received official word from the Livingston County Elections Commission that they may do so. If they are able to gather the requisite number of signatures within the allotted time, the recall would appear on the November ballot. (JK)

Moose Lodge To Release $5,000-Fish For Angling CompetitionMoose Lodge To Release $5,000-Fish For Angling Competition

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2/17/15 - A prize fish worth thousands of dollars will be the target of local anglers during an ice fishing competition on Lake Fenton this weekend. The Loyal Order of Moose will hold its annual Ice Fishing Tournament on Lake Fenton on Saturday. The competition is open to the public for a $20 registration fee. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will release a tagged fish into the lake for the competition, and the lucky angler who reels it in will receive a $5,000 prize. There will also be a prize for the largest pike caught during the competition. The competition will begin at 6am on the ice rink in front of the Moose Lodge. For more information, log on to the Loyal Order of Moose of Fenton Facebook page. (TD)

Sprinkler Problem Keeps Kensington Woods Closed For 2nd DaySprinkler Problem Keeps Kensington Woods Closed For 2nd Day

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2/17/15 - Kensington Woods High School in Howell will be closed for the second day in a row Wednesday despite the best efforts of local volunteers. Officials from Kensington Woods say a sprinkler head broke, causing a mess and some damage inside the school. The school was closed on Tuesday while cleanup and repair efforts took place with the help of community volunteers. Unfortunately, continued cleanup will be required on Wednesday, and the school will remain closed for a second day. Officials are asking for anyone willing to help out with putting the classrooms back in order to show up after 10am on Wednesday. For more information, visit the Kensington Woods High School Facebook page. (TD)

Proposals Sought for Redevelopment Project in Downtown FentonProposals Sought for Redevelopment Project in Downtown Fenton

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2/17/15 - Following the completion of two major redevelopment projects in Downtown Fenton, officials are seeking proposals for a third. Fenton officials want to redevelop a 7,500 square foot area located between the new Cornerstone Building and the new Fenton Fire Hall Restaurant. They are requesting proposals to turn the property into a multi-story mixed-use building with retail or restaurant on the first floor and office and/or residential on the upper floors. Interested developers must provide responses with the needed information to the City Clerk’s Office or before Monday March 16th at 11am. The proposals will be reviewed by the City Manager and city personnel with submissions evaluated on their viability and compatibility with existing development in Fenton’s downtown. City officials say that a demonstrated capability and experience with similar projects and ability to work with a broad stakeholder group will be a major factor in the selection process. Once the evaluation of proposals is completed, selected developers will be asked to present proposals to a committee designated by the City Manager. After the interviews, two to three developers will be chosen for further due diligence and financial analysis before a finalist is identified and invited to discuss the project and sale of the property. A ‘Request For Proposals’ of RFP is available on the city’s website through the link below. (JK)

Local Districts Reporting Positive Winter Student Count NumbersLocal Districts Reporting Positive Winter Student Count Numbers

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2/17/15 - Some public school districts in Livingston County are reporting positive preliminary winter student count day numbers. Count Day is when all public schools in Michigan tally the number of students attending their schools. Count information is considered critical to districts as each student translates into state funding. Last Wednesday was the winter student count. The calculation schools receive is based on a blend of both winter and fall student count data during the same calendar year. In Brighton Area Schools, Superintendent Greg Gray said it looked like numbers held strong around 6,000, which is a positive sign and the first time since he’s been with the district that they haven’t had some declining enrollment from the fall to winter count. Gray added he hopes the trend is holding across the county because it would be nice to see enrollment stabilize long term. Also reporting positive numbers was Fowlerville Community Schools, whose February count was roughly 2,859. That’s down by about three and a half FTE’s or full time equivalency units from the fall count. Superintendent Wayne Roedel tells WHMI they’re thrilled because historically their decline from the fall to the February count is around 20 or 30 students. He says overall enrollment has been on a kind of steady decline but he thinks that mirrors the overall decline of students in the state. He added that if enrollment projections and statistics hold true, things will start flattening out over the next couple years and they should pick up some students. In the Howell district, preliminary numbers showed a decline of 16 students from the fall to winter count. The unofficial count was 7,480. That’s down from 7,496 in the fall and 7,615 from last February. The Hartland Consolidated Schools district’s preliminary and unaudited count was 5528, and reports that it may be down seven FTE's compared to the fall count. (JM)

Pleas Entered In 2014 Oceola Township Home InvasionPleas Entered In 2014 Oceola Township Home Invasion

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2/18/15 - Pleas have now been entered by all three men charged in an armed home invasion in Oceola Township last summer. Yesterday, 39-year-old Ronald Morrell pleaded no contest to all 26 counts filed against him as well as being a 2nd time habitual offender, while 18-year-old Cody James DeBruyn pleaded guilty to all 26 counts filed against him. Neither of them received a plea deal from prosecutors. They will be sentenced on March 19th. Earlier this month the third man charged in the case, 28-year-old Richard Quam, pleaded no contest to 28 counts and will be sentenced on February 26th. Charges against the men included 1st degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, larceny in a building, and weapons charges. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such at sentencing. Police say the three men were armed with handguns when they stormed a home on Hughes Road last June and confronted the owner looking for drugs and money. Police testified that the defendants were at a cookout in Grand Rapids where Quam and Morrell were discussing how to get $50,000 they needed to start a business. DeBruyn allegedly started throwing out names of people they could rob including the local victim, at which point Quam and Morrell began arming themselves with guns and knives. Police say the group then drove to the victim’s home. Morrell’s wife Rebecca and her children are alleged to have stayed in the car during the home invasion. Rebecca Morrell is accused of participating in the action using a walkie-talkie. She is currently facing six charges related to the invasion, and is scheduled for a final settlement conference in April. (TD)
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