3/2/15 - An upcoming resource fair aims to help draw public attention to the importance of effective parenting throughout a childâs life. March marks Parenting Awareness Month and the Brighton District Library is hosting a Parenting Resource Fair on Saturday, March 7th. The resource fair will offer parents and caregivers a chance to gather information related to parenting, child care, education, recreation and more from local businesses and organizations. There will also be door prizes and free books for every child who attends between the ages of 1-5. The fair will run from 10am until 2pm with a special appearance at 11am from special guest speaker Ted Braude, who will present, âParenting the Little Rascals: Boys from Birth through Eleven.â Braude is founder of the BoysWork project which is dedicated to teaching, training and providing the contexts needed to mature boys into young men. He is an integral psychologist, speaker and former columnist for The Detroit Free Press. Head of Youth Services at the Brighton District Library Carla Sharp says Parenting Awareness Month and the fair promote the idea that everyone in the community benefits from parent education but also encourages the development of parent and caregiver networks and support. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Brighton District Library and Great Start Livingston. To learn more, call 810-229-6571 ext. 223. (JK)
Brighton Library To Again Host Parenting Resource FairBrighton Library To Again Host Parenting Resource Fair
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Fowlerville Man Enters Plea To September Robbery Spree Fowlerville Man Enters Plea To September Robbery Spree
3/2/15 - A Fowlerville man has entered a plea to charges after robbing two party stores in one day last September. 38-year-old Brian Thompson McCollum of Fowlerville pleaded guilty as charged to two counts of armed robbery in Livingston County Circuit Court Friday. Those local charges were filed after police said he robbed the Countryway Party Store in Iosco Township and Angeloâs Party Store near Howell on September 24th. The court took McCollumâs plea under advisement and heâll be sentenced March 19th. Meanwhile, McCollum was also charged in Ingham County for holding up the Webberville Village Drug Store earlier that same day. He was arrested by Ingham County deputies several days later, just hours after his name and a surveillance photo of his vehicle were released by authorities. (JM)
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Thousands Attend Weekend Robotics Tournament In HowellThousands Attend Weekend Robotics Tournament In Howell
3/2/15 - One local team was among the winners at the FIRST Robotics Competition Howell District Event held this weekend at Parker Middle School. Teams of high school robotics students from across Michigan converged on Howell this weekend for a competition using robots they have built themselves. The theme competition this year is Recycle Rush, where teams combine into alliances that use their robots to pick up and stack totes on scoring platforms, putting pool noodles, referred to as litter, inside recycling containers, and then putting the containers on top of scoring stacks of totes. The winning alliance consisted of three teams; The Benzene Bots from the International Academy East in Troy, The RatPack from Huron High School in Ann Arbor and the only local team to finish as champions, The GEMS of the Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy in Brighton. Jim Garrett is one of the teamâs adult mentors and says they had to overcome some early programming issues, which made the win all that much sweeter. The GEMS, who were the only Livingston County team to attend last yearâs FIRST Robotics World Championship, do their work at ASI Workholding in Genoa Township, whose owner, Alan Patterson, is also their main sponsor. He says the robotics experience is a perfect way to combine all of the necessary educational elements into a team format. There will be several more rounds of district tournaments across Michigan in the next few weeks, leading up to the state finals next month in Grand Rapids. (JK)
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Local Firefighters Climb For A Cause Local Firefighters Climb For A Cause
3/2/15 - Itâs a long way to the top, but all for a good cause. Firefighters, first responders, and passionate community members gathered in Detroit yesterday for the 9th annual Fight For Air climb at the Renaissance Center. Participants in this âvertical 5kâ climb the stairs of Michiganâs tallest building to raise money for the American Lung Association. The funds raised are used for research, education, and the advocacy efforts necessary to battle lung disease. State Director of Development for the American Lung Association, Jessie Jimenez-schlicht, says the Detroit climb is the 5th largest across the country, and draws a crowd of all ages and all fitness levels. Jessie tells WHMI the climbers contribute to this fundraiser for a variety of reasons. The civilian option for the campaign requires a climb of 40 floors, which Jessie says is âgreat for beginnersâ. The first responder and gear challenge kicks it up a notch to a climb of 70 floors while the participant is decked out in full gear, adding an extra 60 lbs. of weight. The Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority brought a team and Firefighter Jim Brake tells WHMI he is a repeat climber. The Detroit Fight for Air fundraiser has a goal to raise at least $350,000, and is still accepting donations to the cause at climbdetroit.org.(DK)
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Brighton Charter School Critic Arrested At Curriculum MeetingBrighton Charter School Critic Arrested At Curriculum Meeting
3/2/15 - A vocal critic of a proposed charter school in Brighton was arrested for trespassing on Saturday after attending an open house forum hosted by the schoolâs organizers. Glenn Ikens says he attended the gathering at the former Lindbom Elementary School so he could learn more about the proposed curriculum planned for the school that will be in his neighborhood. He says upon arrival he was immediately told that he was not welcome based on his previous criticism of the schoolâs founder and landlord, Pat Battaglia, and then denied an opportunity to sign in. Despite that, Ikens says he proceeded to sit down and await the presentation. Thatâs when Battaglia approached him and asked him to leave. When Ikens refused, Battaglia, who now owns the building after buying it from the Brighton district earlier this year, called Brighton Police. An officer arrived and when Ikens again refused to leave, handcuffed him and took him to the Livingston County Jail, where he was booked on a misdemeanor trespassing charge. After posting a $500 bond, Ikens was released later that afternoon. Jay McNally, a spokesman for the proposed Livingston Classical Academy, said the simple fact of Ikens past criticism of Battaglia and the school was enough to warrant his removal. "Mr. Ikens has repeatedly given inaccurate information about LCA and we believe is is not a mistake that he repeatedly misrepresents simple facts about us and our effort." Ikens tells WHMI that he had every intention of being respectful and simply seek details on the proposed curriculum and that the mere fact he was removed for wanting to ask questions says a lot about the schoolâs organizers and their efforts to hide their true agenda, which he has asserted is to cloak a fundamentally religious-based education in the veneer of public education. "I made the mistake of entering that place thinking I would have access to information that would be as available to me as when I went to my local school board meeting. What I found out was they're not inclined to share information if they don't care for your political views or if their founder, landlord, has a personal problem with you." Ikens believes the entire incident is further proof that Mr. Battaglia is more than just the schoolâs landlord and that attempts by school organizers to distance themselves from Battagliaâs past social media statements that many consider racist in nature, donât hold true. Ikens wife, Sue Ellen, went to the meeting about an hour and a half later and questioned why her husband had been arrested. She was then asked to leave by an off-duty sheriffâs deputy. She claims he failed to properly identify himself and after being escorted out of the school, went to the Brighton Police to file a complaint. An officer followed her back to the school and determined that the person in question was indeed a deputy. McNally says that in the spirit of forgiveness, Mr. Battaglia has no intention to press charges. He added that the decision to be arrested was entirely Mr. Ikens's choice and that he could have simply walked out of the building peacefully when asked. Ikens says that Battaglia and the LCA propose to be a charter school and obtain public tax dollars to fund their school, and that their behavior in trying to silence an opposition voice is inconsistent with being a public institution. (JK)
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Woman Pleads Guilty to Delivering Heroin in Fowlerville Woman Pleads Guilty to Delivering Heroin in Fowlerville
3/2/15 - A woman arrested with a heroin dealer after a traffic stop in Fowlerville has entered a plea in the case. 24-year-old Paige Lorraine Akers of Sault St. Marie pleaded guilty to a charge of delivering/manufacturing less than 50 grams of narcotics in exchange for a separate possession of marijuana charge being dismissed. Sheâll be sentenced March 26th in Livingston County Circuit Court. Akers and her co-defendant, 22-year-old Matthew Place, were arrested September 9th after a traffic stop in the Fowlerville area in which police recovered 58 bundles of heroin and marijuana. Place, who was driving the vehicle, reportedly tried to pass the drugs to Akers, who unsuccessfully attempted to conceal them. Place has already been sentenced in the case. He was ordered to serve between 17 months and 20 years behind bars after pleading guilty to multiple counts of delivering/manufacturing less than 50 grams of narcotics and possession of marijuana. (JM)
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Medical Marijuana Moratorium Could Be Extended Again in HowellMedical Marijuana Moratorium Could Be Extended Again in Howell
3/2/15 - Despite an ordinance being drafted, it appears a medical marijuana moratorium could remain in effect in the City of Howell. There have been basically no regulatory changes in the six years since voters approved medical marijuana and legislation that would have died in the 2014 Lame Duck session. The planning commission earlier created a draft ordinance that classified medical marijuana provisioning centers as special land uses in portions of the general business district, as well as the light and general industrial districts. The ordinance would have also added home occupation provisions, a component some want strongly addressed. However, the planning commission met in mid-February to revisit the medical marijuana discussion and has since formulated a new recommendation that will be passed on to council. City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI the commission is recommending that council extend the moratorium for up to one year to see if the legislature will actually address the issue. The topic has been discussed at length by the Howell City Council, with a fair amount of supporters and opponents regularly in attendance at meetings. The City originally enacted itâs moratorium in March of 2014, which has since been extended three times after the Michigan Legislature failed to take any action regarding regulation of dispensaries during the lame duck session. The latest recommendation from the planning commission will likely be before council for consideration and action at the March 9th meeting. (JM)
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Tree-Clearing Starts For US-23 / I-96 Interchange ProjectTree-Clearing Starts For US-23 / I-96 Interchange Project
3/2/15 - Residents should begin seeing work this week on the Michigan Department of Transportationâs project at US-23 and I-96. Depending on how well the weather cooperates, MDOT plans to begin clearing the site for the project beginning today and lasting through March 23rd. That work will involve clearing 24 acres of trees between the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-96 near the interchange with US-23. As a result, there will be intermittent single-lane closures during the daytime for westbound I-96 near Spencer Road and on southbound US-23. Shoulder closures will also take place so crews can move material and equipment to and from the site. Overall, the project will replace the bridges over US-23 and Old US-23 as well as install new lanes on I-96 that will improve the flow of traffic between the two highways. (TD)
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Items From Defunct South Lyon Mill Donated to Leonard ProjectItems From Defunct South Lyon Mill Donated to Leonard Project
3/3/15 - The owner of a soon-to-be demolished grain mill in South Lyon recently donated historic items to assist in the restoration of a similar mill in Leonard. The 120-year-old grain elevator is on Lake Street by the railroad tracks in South Lyon, next to a hardware store. Both are owned by Peter Grebeck, who recently donated various items that will be used as part of a project to preserve a piece of Oakland County history dating back to the 19th century. Efforts to save the Leonard Mill built in 1889 kicked off in July and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson commended the donation estimated to be worth at least $10,000, as well as everyoneâs collaboration. Some donated items date back to 1894 when the South Lyon mill was built including lighting fixtures, sliding wooden doors, scales and wooden hardware. The centerpiece is said to be a shaker/cleaner that weighs several thousand pounds and was used to separate grain from impurities. Some in the South Lyon community expressed a desire to save the four-story structure, which is gray with red trim and said to be one of the last visual reminders of the areaâs rich history as a farming community. However, Grebeck has maintained that itâs falling apart and needs to come down. (JM)
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State Police Encourage Better Supervision For Children OnlineState Police Encourage Better Supervision For Children Online
3/3/15 - The Michigan State Police at the Brighton Post are encouraging parents to make sure their children are surfing the Internet safely. According to the MSP, statistics indicate that 29% of parents let their children use the Internet with no restrictions or supervision, making it easy for them to be targeted by predators or view inappropriate material. The department recommends that parents create rules for computer use, such as when the Internet can be accessed, when it is off limits, and what sites a child can and cannot visit. Children should also be taught to never give out information related to their home address, phone number, credit cards, school, or passwords. They recommend computers be placed in common areas where other people can see what children are doing online, and to monitor mobile devices such as cell phones, gaming devices, and laptops. (TD)
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County Takes Big Step To Eliminate Handy Township DebtCounty Takes Big Step To Eliminate Handy Township Debt
3/3/15 - A resolution passed by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners last night will remove much of the burden of debt facing Handy Township. When the housing market crashed, developers abandoned their projects in Handy, leaving the township government with considerable bond debt and about $2.9 million in chargebacks owed to the county. That money has to be paid back, and was accumulating interest at a rate of about 1% per month. The county was able to reduce that interest rate to about one half of a percent, but the township was still facing the possibility of defaulting on its obligations. Commissioner Dave Domas, chair of the countyâs Debt Management Committee, says the county board passed a resolution last night that completely eliminates the townshipâs interest payments, returning those monies to the delinquent tax fund. It also allows the county to contribute $1.2 million to the townshipâs debt, which Domas admits is a big sacrifice, but preferable to letting the township go bankrupt. Handy Township recently acquired 206 acres of land from a developer in a related lawsuit, and is closing a sale agreement with a new company that wants to develop it. Domas says the sale price of that parcel should cover Handyâs remaining debt to the county. (TD)
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Brighton School Board Member Caught on Video at Charter Meeting
3/3/15 - The motives of a sitting Brighton school board member are being questioned after he was spotted at an open house for a proposed charter school, along with the former board president. The development team for the Livingston Classical Academy was joined at the front of the room by former board president Nick Fiani at Saturdayâs meeting while current member John Conely was in the audience. Resident Glenn Ikens was arrested for trespassing after showing up and his wife Sue Ellen was later forcibly removed. A video of that incident was later posted on YouTube. (See above) But the video has some questioning what they feel was a conflict of interest and inappropriate behavior from Conely as a public servant. The video clearly shows Conely laughing out loud when Sue Ellen was made to leave, but he quickly composed himself after noticing he was being recorded by someone in the audience. Conely then appears to tell the person to stop recording. Conely said he âstopped by to learn what the Classical Education School had to offer our communityâ and was not present for Glennâs arrest. However, Conely told WHMI he felt the âstuntâ from Sue Ellen scared the children and concerned the adults, further adding he felt that was her intention. Fianiâs presence is also being questioned but he declined comment to WHMI. Fiani resigned in January and indicated he would be pursuing a seat on the LESA board, another entity that could legally vote to authorize a charter. There is an appeals process for those seeking charter in Michigan. If an application to a local school board is rejected, then the applicant may petition to have it placed on local ballot. That could explain Conelyâs behavior when he walked out of the Brighton Board of Education meeting where members voted to not consider the matter of authorizing a charter school. Pat Battaglia, the real estate developer who purchased the old Lindbom elementary school, claims to be the landlord but some believe heâs trying to insert religion into education and also questioned racial remarks he has made on social media. The proposed schoolâs parent organization was formerly known as âAmerican Christian Academies,â before changing its name to âAmerican Classical Academies,â which some feel lends credibility to arguments that organizers intend to put forth a religious-based curriculum under the public school guise, while also potentially attracting students from Brighton, adding further questions to Conelyâs participation. LCA spokesman Jay McNally says Ikens' past criticism of the school and its founder was enough to warrant his removal from the meeting. McNally says Ikens has repeatedly given inaccurate information about the proposed school. (JM/JK)
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Bishop Moves District Office From Lansing To BrightonBishop Moves District Office From Lansing To Brighton
3/3/15 - Livingston County residents will be in closer contact to their Congressman. U.S. Representative Mike Bishop's district office relocated Monday from Lansing to Brighton. Bishop said the move was made to ensure that his office was centrally located for residents of all three counties in the Eighth District. He said the new Brighton office, located on East Grand River, just east of Church Street, makes that possible. A ribbon cutting ceremony has been scheduled through the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce for Wednesday, March 11th from 5-6:30pm. And because he is moving his district office to Livingston County, Bishop also announced the hiring of Mary Shinkle as his Ingham County Community Liaison. He says Shinkle, who lives in Williamston, will help provide a seamless transition, working full-time so that constituent services âwill not miss a beat.â Congressman Bishop's new district office is located at 711 E. Grand River Ave, Suite A, Brighton, MI 48116. The phone number is 810-227-8600. (JK)
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Burroughs Closed - Owner Reflects on Haunted, Historical Past Burroughs Closed - Owner Reflects on Haunted, Historical Past
3/3/15 - It was a good run and thanks for the memories. Those are the sentiments being expressed by staff as well as the owner of a now closed restaurant in Genoa Township. Burroughs Tavern on Brighton Road near Oak Pointe was known for its BBQ, live bands and historical photos on the walls of the farmhouse built in the early 1800âs. Owner Joseph Agius tells WHMI itâs been a great experience but he has outgrown the industry after 20-plus years and feels itâs time to pursue other ventures, plus maybe finally let someone buy him a drink. He thanked everyone for supporting the establishment throughout the years, saying Livingston County has a great bunch of people who welcomed him with open arms. Agius says despite the ups and downs during the past five years, he ended with an outstanding staff and thereâs much love there. He says the old building has great history and is actually haunted, noting everybody jokes about having to make friends with the ghost first. Agius says he officially met the ghost several times over the last five years and so have quite a few employees. The business, not the building, is currently listed for sale, along with all of the historical items.(JM)
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Trail Coalition Seeks Community Support In Pathway ConstructionTrail Coalition Seeks Community Support In Pathway Construction
3/3/15 - A grassroots organization is looking for support in creating non-motorized paths for the community. The Linden-Argentine-Fenton Trails Coalition is a nonprofit program that advocates for the development and funding for multi-use recreational pathways. The group, working with the Genesee County Planning Commission, identified three priority pathways they are working to construct and preserve in the Linden, Aregentine, and Fenton region. A route along Silver Lake Road, between Linden and Fenton is their top priority for connectivity between the two cities. The Coalition also hopes to create another on Silver Lake Road between Argentine and Linden, and Owen between Linden and Lobdell Roads. Victor Lukasavitz (luke-uh-sav-its), Chairman of the Trails Coalition, says there are two funds for the trails. One, for maintenance of the paths, is already in existence and gaining capital. He tells WHMI the other is a grant-matching fund. The LAF Trails Coalition believes the non-motorized paths will not only bring overall wellness to community members that use them, but an increase in revenue for local businesses. Lukasavitz says the Coalition will be at the Fenton Chamber Expo this weekend at Fenton High School to inform locals of their project and its benefits. (DK)
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Group Recognizes Livingston's Social Service Successes & GoalsGroup Recognizes Livingston's Social Service Successes & Goals
3/2/15 - 2014 was a year of accomplishments for Livingston County and 2015 is looking just as promising. The Livingston County Human Services Collaborative Body is a support system that works to make the community the best it can be. Comprised of several work groups, the program is a multi-purpose body that addresses the needs of area residents. The group held its annual report meeting at the Livingston Educational Service Agency Monday to hear from each organization and celebrate success in the county. State Representatives Lana Theis, Hank Vaupel, and a member from State Senator Joe Huneâs office also attended the meeting to remind each council of their support and interest in input. Angela Parth, Vice Chair of the Collaborative Body, tells WHMI the programâs members are fastidious workers. There are eleven work groups within the Collaborative Body including Healthy Habits for Youth, Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Prevention, the Mental Health Awareness Committee, and the Homeless Continuum of Care to name just a few. The Livingston County Hunger Council, Community Needs Assessment Committee, Foster, Adoption, and Kinship Services, Funding Partners, and the Transportation Coalition make up the rest of the program. Parth says the Human Services Collaborative Bodyâs main goal for the upcoming year is to expand and grow the membership of each individual work group. (DK)
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Council Makes Donation To Milford MemoriesCouncil Makes Donation To Milford Memories
3/4/15 - Despite strong opposition from one of its members, the Milford Village Council has agreed to help out with expenses during Milford Memories. Last month the council requested a report about the benefits bestowed by the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce on those who help out during the annual three-day event held every summer. The report indicated that the festival generated $43,000 for local groups last year. With those findings in hand, the council agreed to provide a $1,500 in-kind donation to help pay for extra police and other services incurred each year by the thousands of people who attend the event. The Milford Times reports that the approval came over the strong opposition of Councilman Jim Kovach, who said "hell, no" when asked for his vote. Kovach told the paper that he supports similar donations for the Christmas, Fourth of July and Memorial Day parades, because those events are non-profit. But he says because Milford Memories turns a substantial profit each year, he could not support spending taxpayer dollars to support it. Other council members disagreed, saying the festival provides a wide variety of benefits to the community. (JK)
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Menzel Among Semi-Finalists For State Superintendent PositionMenzel Among Semi-Finalists For State Superintendent Position
3/4/15 - A man with local ties who heads up a nearby intermediate school district is a semi-finalist in the running for the position of state superintendent. Current state superintendent Mike Flanagan is retiring at the end of June and in all, more than 50 candidates from around the state and country applied. The Michigan Board of Education met Tuesday and says after exhaustive review, identified six very strong candidates as semi-finalists to invite for public interviews next week. Among them is Scott Menzel, the current superintendent of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. Menzel spent four years as superintendent of the Livingston Educational Service Agency before accepting the Washtenaw ISD post and prior to that, served as the superintendent of Whitmore Lake Public Schools. Other semi-finalists include Randy Davis, Superintendent of Marshall Public Schools; Livonia Public Schools Superintendent Randy Liepa; Vickie Markavitch, the Superintendent of Oakland Schools in Waterford and Brian Whiston, the Dearborn Public Schools superintendent. The only semi-finalist from out-of-state is Alan Ingram, Deputy Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The semi-finalists will be interviewed publically during special meetings of the State Board of Education on March 10th and 11th, beginning at 9:30am each day. (JM)
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Parents Decry School Administrators Following ResignationParents Decry School Administrators Following Resignation
3/4/15 - One of Fowlervilleâs teachers has resigned, claiming that she was targeted by administrators at Kreeger Elementary School, and parents of her students are not happy to see her go. Diane Spence delivered her resignation to the district on February 22nd. In it, she says she received an unfair evaluation from administrators at her school and could not work in that kind of environment. Several parents addressed the Fowlerville Board of Education last night in support of Spence, saying Principal Jason Miller and Assistant Principal Josh Meersma consistently intimidate and bully teachers, students, and parents who make waves at the school. When asked for comment, most of the parents in attendance declined, saying they feared retaliation against their children. In response to the allegations, Superintendent Wayne Roedel tells WHMI he has been instructed to investigate the claims and meet with the districtâs personnel committee to share his findings. He says the board feels that is the best solution to maintain transparency and the confidence of parents. The board was scheduled to accept Spenceâs resignation last night, but School Board Member Tim LaPlante suggested they table that action instead, which would allow her to retract her resignation should the investigation result in changes at Kreeger. While parents supported that idea, the other board members did not, and LaPlante was the only dissenting vote when the board accepted Spenceâs resignation. (TD)
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Adopted Teen Removed From Deerfield Township HomeAdopted Teen Removed From Deerfield Township Home
3/4/15 - The alleged abuse of an adopted teenager has police and state officials seeking charges against a local couple. Police have requested charges against a Livingston County couple following accusations their 16-year-old adopted son was mentally and emotionally abused in part by being isolated in a basement. Prosecutor William Vailliencourt says he's reviewing a request from police seeking a warrant against the couple for child abuse. Court documents filed in juvenile court say the 43-year-olds isolated the boy in the basement of the family's Deerfield Township home. They say protective services workers with the Department of Human Services were told the boy only could get access to the main living area of the home from other family members. Documents say the boy also was forced to urinate and defecate in a camper toilet. The boy has been placed in foster care amid the ongoing investigation. (JK/AP)
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