3/4/15 - An application by the local adult drug court for federal grant funding was approved by the County Board of Commissioners this week. The adult drug court was established to take into account the addictions of participating defendants and connect them with the substance abuse treatment programs they need, which could result in lighter sentences. The court is requesting a renewal of grant funding through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, which would provide almost $325,000 annually for fiscal years 2014 through 2016. That funding will allow the courts to enhance the services, coordination, and treatment it provides. County Board Chair Carol Griffith says the county board is proud of the services offered to the community by the drug court, and the application was approved by the board at its regular meeting Monday night. (TD)
Local Adult Drug Court Applies For Nearly $1M In Federal GrantsLocal Adult Drug Court Applies For Nearly $1M In Federal Grants
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Hartland Township Seeks Single Zip Code for Residents Hartland Township Seeks Single Zip Code for Residents
3/4/15 - 3/4/15 - Residents of Hartland Township are being asked to weigh in on a proposal to unite the entire municipality under a single zip code. Although there is a Hartland zip code, it does not cover the entire township, with the remaining residents divided among six other zip codes from surrounding communities. This has residents traveling to post offices in Howell, Brighton, Milford, Fenton, and Holly in order to receive service or pick up packages. Township Manager James Wickman says this presents a major inconvenience for residents and the township government, and they would like to see all of the residents brought into the Hartland zip code. The township has put up a survey online and is seeking letters of support and comments from residents about the proposal. Those comments will be compiled into a package that will be delivered to the postal service when the township makes their appeal. Wickman says township residents were carved up between the different zip codes over time due to questions of capacity, since the Hartland post office is relatively small. He says the township has not discussed their proposal with their post office yet, as they have not yet reached that point in the process. The township is asking residents in favor of zip code consolidation to sign the below petition by March 9th. (TD)
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Man Arraigned on Charges in Fiery Crash That Killed Milford WomanMan Arraigned on Charges in Fiery Crash That Killed Milford Woman
3/4/15 - A man who police say was intoxicated at the time of a fiery crash that claimed the life of a Milford Township woman has been arraigned in circuit court. 41-year-old Goran Djordjevski of Farmington Hills was arraigned on Monday in Oakland County Circuit Court on charges of operating while intoxicated causing death and failure to stop at the scene of an accident when at fault resulting in death. A pre-trial hearing was scheduled for March 23rd. Both counts are 15-year felonies and were filed in connection with the accident that occurred in Commerce Township on January 26th near the intersection of Pontiac Trail and Addington Drive. Police said the victim, identified as Janet Marie Reed, was on a pizza delivery run when she was rear ended by Djordjevski. The impact caused Reedâs vehicle to overturn and catch on fire, trapping her inside. Djordjevski previously posted a $100,000 cash bond. As part of conditions for his release, the judge ordered that he have an alcohol monitoring tether in place and submit to random drug testing. He also had to surrender his passport and cannot leave the state. (JK)
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Retirement Facility Emerges From Norovirus OutbreakRetirement Facility Emerges From Norovirus Outbreak
3/5/15 - Monitoring has ceased at a local retirement facility following a Norovirus outbreak that appears to have finally run its course. The Livingston County Department of Public Health first became aware of the outbreak at Village Manor Retirement in Hartland Township on February 3rd. Medical Director Dr. Don Lawrenchuk tells WHMI theyâve had a total of 67 cases all connected to that facility, either staff or residents, and the last illness reported as part of the outbreak was Saturday. Lawrenchuk says the good news is that nobody has been ill since that time so they were able to remove all restrictions earlier this week and the facility is a back to normal business. This marked the only outbreak of Norovirus reported in Livingston County this season. Itâs the type of virus that people often refer to as the stomach flu and local health officials have said staff did doing an awesome job following all of the recommendations and guidelines. Lawrenchuk says they donât hear about all of the individual cases that might be occurring but anytime thereâs an outbreak, they are required to be reported to the local health department. While it is a highly infectious and communicable disease, he says the good news is that it generally doesnât have any long term complications and those who do become infected are usually sick for a couple days and make a full recovery. (JM)
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Livingston County Residents Reminded to Spring Forward SundayLivingston County Residents Reminded to Spring Forward Sunday
3/5/15 - For any Livingston County residents feeling as though spring might never come, hope lies ahead. Daylight Saving Time starts this Sunday, March 8th, meaning area residents and businesses should set their clocks ahead one hour at 2am. The time change precedes the first day of spring later this month and creates longer periods of daylight but also results in one less hour of sleep. As local residents do spring forward this weekend, area fire departments encourage them to also remember to test and change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, or install new ones. Officials say itâs also an opportune time to practice escape plans and make sure that everyone in a household or business knows what steps to take during an emergency. (JM)
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Brighton Parking Enforcement Plan Meetings Begin Tuesday Brighton Parking Enforcement Plan Meetings Begin Tuesday
3/5/15 - Business owners, employees and patrons of downtown Brighton are being encouraged to set aside some time and attend one of the upcoming informational meetings about a new parking enforcement program. A subcommittee of the Brighton Downtown Development Authority will be holding a series of public meetings as it works toward finalizing a program to help alleviate downtown parking issues. The purpose of the meetings is to explain proposed changes to the allowable time for on-street and parking lot spaces as well as solicit input about the parking enforcement program that will begin this spring. DDA Executive Director Matt Modrack says the objective is fairly simple â the closer parking spots should be for customers and provide a reasonable amount of turnover. The program will be evaluated after its first year to determine if the enforcement-only program is meeting its objective. Modrack added further steps may be necessary if they find the enforcement-only program is not working and they would not rule out some type of paid parking system. All meetings will be held at Brighton City Hall in council chambers, the first three in the series will take place on Tuesday, March 10th at 8:30am, 2pm and 6:30pm. Others are planned March 17th and 18th. Details and the proposed parking map are included in the attachment below. (JM)
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Green Oak Authorizes Purchase Of New Guns For PoliceGreen Oak Authorizes Purchase Of New Guns For Police
3/5/15 - The Green Oak Township Board approved the purchase of new firearms for the township police department last night. A report issued to the board indicated that the Sig Sauer P229 pistols currently used by the department have been in use for about 20 years, and as such some of the parts they use are no longer manufactured. It described the current service weapons as difficult and expensive to maintain, and recommended that the township replace them with the Glock Model 22. That report estimated the total cost of the transition, after the resale of the existing weapons, to be about $3,000. The report also defended the Glock against its reputation for being cheaply made. Police Chief Jason Pless says all of the departmentâs officers have tried out the new Glock pistols, and found that they shot more accurately with the new firearms than they did with their current service weapons. The new Glocks will use the same 40 caliber ammunition as the departmentâs current weapons, which will reduce the cost of the transition. The department has a goal of getting the Glocks in service and officers trained in their use by May 1st. (TD)
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Charter Critic's Arrest Raises Questions About ProprietyCharter Critic's Arrest Raises Questions About Propriety
3/5/15 - While it may have been technically legal to arrest a critic who showed up to a curriculum meeting for a proposed charter school, it was certainly not an accepted practice. That seems to be the consensus of both the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and the state charter school association. Glenn Ikens lives less than two blocks away from the former Lindbom Elementary School, where a development team is hoping to locate the Livingston Classical Academy. That group had Ikens arrested when he declined to leave Saturdayâs meeting although he was never disruptive. Executive Director Kary Moss of the ACLU Michigan says charters are public schools that operate with tax dollars and therefore, are required to follow the same rules that any governmental or public entity must adhere to. Moss tells WHMI presumably the meetings are on private property but the purpose is to essentially use public funds to open a public school, so all things being equal, that kind of process would usually be transparent and open to the public. Moss says the situation has real implications as Michigan has many charters and to the extent that model is going to be supported through public dollars, something needs to be figured out to ensure the usual rules apply and it doesnât become a way to get around them. The group, which remains a private entity until granted a charter, is advertising a âclassical curriculumâ similar to the one Hillsdale College offers, which is highly regarded and respected according to Dan Quisenberry, President of the Michigan Association of Public School Academies. He says itâs a very comprehensive and competitive process to receive a charter and the key that any group needs to demonstrate to an authorizer, whoever that may be, is that they are capable of running a quality public school. While heâs not familiar with all of the controversy in Brighton, Quisenberry says itâs not typical behavior. The district sold the school in January for $1.45 million to ACA Brighton Holdings LLC, which plans to operate the Livingston Classical Academy at the site. The sale drew fire from many in the Brighton community because of what they felt was an attempt by the schoolâs operator, American Classical Academy, to covertly use public education dollars to teach Christian religious values and philosophies. As late as January, the American Classical Academy website still had references to its former name as American Christian Academy. A request for comment on the issues raised in this story was made to the Livingston Classical Academy, but they declined to provide direct answers. A look at the specific questions asked and the answer they did provide can be found in the attachment below. (JM/JK)
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Tourist Dies Trying To Save Vacationing South Lyon MayorTourist Dies Trying To Save Vacationing South Lyon Mayor
3/5/15 - The longtime mayor of South Lyon almost drowned while vacationing in the Virgin Islands. Tedd Wallace was reportedly pulled out to sea by a riptide while vacationing Sunday in St. Croix, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. One man, identified as a Danish tourist, tried to save him, but died in the attempt. A second tourist, who was climbing rocks nearby, pulled Wallace from the water. Hometown Life reports that Wallace was emotional Tuesday morning as he recalled the incident, calling both men âheroesâ and that he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from friends on the island. He said he talked to the victim's wife after the incident, and even she hugged him. Wallace said he really thought for about 10 minutes that his life was over. He said he was hanging on to a boogie board while waves crashed down on him until âmiraculouslyâ a hand reached out for him. Wallace says heâs done boogie-boarding and is thankful for what life he has left. (JK)
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Howell Schools Prepare For Contract NegotiationsHowell Schools Prepare For Contract Negotiations
3/5/15 - A closed session was held yesterday so the Howell School Board could begin preparations for union contract negotiations. The current union contracts expire at the end of June. Approving that contract was a long and contentious process that lasted well past the expiration of the previous contract. Those complications were due in part to the fact that two board members were prevented from voting on teachersâ union contracts by conflict of interest laws. Dr. Rodney Green from the Michigan Association of School Boards will serve as the districtâs lead negotiator. Yesterdayâs closed session meeting was described as a discussion on negotiation strategy, but Board President Mike Yenshaw says yesterdayâs meeting was mostly for the purpose of meeting with Green. Yenshaw says that step was necessitated in part because there are three new board members who have not been through this process before. He says the schedule for contract negotiations will depend on the various unions within the district. (TD)
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Threatening Text Deemed Expensive Prank at Hartland High SchoolThreatening Text Deemed Expensive Prank at Hartland High School
3/5/15 - A text message prank between two friends tied up police resources and led to a partial lockdown at Hartland High School today. A 911 call came in from the school at around 12:05pm reporting what was believed to be a serious threat. A 15-year-old student reported that he received a threatening text from an unknown number indicating that âsomeone was going to dieâ. The text was deemed to be serious by administration, which contacted authorities and began initiating security protocols. District officials tell WHMI that Hartland High School was placed in "shelter in place" mode, which means all students stayed where they were located and were supervised. A cell phone trace later revealed the text had actually been sent to the student by one of his buddies as a joke. The victimâs phone had apparently re-calculated so he lost all of the names and only numbers came up, which was why he didnât recognize the number. It was an innocent joke that turned into a rather expensive prank according to Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte, who says the departmentâs entire road patrol unit and two supervisors responded, resulting in roughly a two hour ordeal before the school resumed normal activity. He says communication is great but can be detrimental on a number of different levels and situations such as this affect a lot of people. Once the school goes into lockdown, he says kids start texting their parents, who naturally panic and then go to the school, which causes another series of issues. He says law enforcement and everyone at the school did a great job handling the incident and securing the building. Although it was an expensive training exercise, Bezotte says theyâll have to look at the positives and consider the end result that it wasnât a serious situation and everybody was safe. The report will be forwarded to the Livingston County Prosecutorâs Office for review but he doesnât believe criminal charges will result. (JM)
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OLHSA Close to Reaching Walk for Warmth Fundraising GoalOLHSA Close to Reaching Walk for Warmth Fundraising Goal
3/6/15 - A local community action agency says thanks to outstanding support, it has nearly reached its fundraising goal for emergency utility assistance. The Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency held its annual Walk for Warmth events last month, with $13,000 remaining to accomplish the fundraising goal of $180,000. Money raised helps keep those facing heating emergencies warm throughout the winter. OLHSAâs Livingston County Walk for Warmth event at the Hartland Educational Support Service Center raised $91,000 between cash and pledges while the Oakland County event raised $76,000. OLHSA CEO Ron Borngesser tells WHMI between this yearâs record low temperatures and last yearâs record snowfall, area residents have been hit hard and thatâs when the need is greatest. However, he says thanks to all of the community support, theyâll have funding to help fulfill that need. Borngesser says there were more than 50 teams at this yearâs local event from banks to faith-based organizations, as well as individuals who just decided to come out and walk. When they do finally hit the $180,000 fundraising goal, Borngesser says theyâll have another $90,000 to help those in need of energy assistance thanks to matching pledge from Consumers Energy. Those wishing to donate can still do so by visiting OLHSAâs webpage and clicking on Walk for Warmth. A link is available below. (JM)
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Prosecutor's Office Doesn't Need To Retest Blood SampleProsecutor's Office Doesn't Need To Retest Blood Sample
3/6/15 - The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled that the Livingston County prosecutorâs office does not have to retest the blood sample from an Oceola Township man which authorities say indicated he was legally intoxicated when he crashed and injured a pedestrian in 2013. 60-year-old Gregory Green had requested that the Livingston County prosecutorâs office retest his blood sample to ensure a fair comparison to the original test. But in a ruling released last week, the appeals panel said while Green has the right to have one vial retested, the trial court canât order the prosecutor to have it retested by the Michigan State Police, who did the original analysis. Authorities say Green was operating a motorcycle on East Grand River Avenue in Howell in the early morning hours of July 13th, 2013, when he struck and seriously injured a pedestrian. After determining that Green was coming from a bar after consuming alcohol, police took him into custody and had a blood sample taken at an area hospital, which he consented to. Two vials of blood were taken. A test by the state police crime lab determined one vial had a blood-alcohol content level of 0.092%, which exceeds the stateâs legal limit of 0.08%. Green was then charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol causing injury and carrying a concealed weapon while legally intoxicated. A Livingston County Circuit Court judge granted a defense request that the original vial be retested by the same lab. Prosecutors appealed that decision and last weekâs ruling was in their favor. Meanwhile, a motion hearing on the case is set for March 19th. Among the issues is a request by Greenâs attorney to admit at trial that the alleged crash victim has a prior conviction for larceny in a building and that the prosecution pay attorney fees for time spent researching that conviction and preparing for the motion. (JK)
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County Steps Up To Assist With Failed Sewer SystemCounty Steps Up To Assist With Failed Sewer System
3/6/15 - Livingston County is pulling together resources to assist citizens as water and sewer problems continue in portions of Putnam and Unadilla Township. The Multi Lake Water and Sewer Authority is continuing work to make all of the system repairs and maintenance, but the emergency management division from Livingston County has stepped in to assist with any resources citizens might need. Itâs working with local jurisdictions from health departments to municipalities and fire departments to try and provide anything citizens might need whether laundry, shower or restroom facilities. 911/Emergency Management Director Jeff Boyd tells WHMI the repairs continue to be a struggle because of the cold weather. For example, he says the Gregory area was fully up and operational the other night and then the next morning, a portion failed again. Boyd says volunteers from the American Red Cross, the local emergency management CERT Team and volunteer fire departments have also been passing out flyers (see below) to inform citizens about what resources are available. (JM)
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Employers Being Recruited For Annual Job FairEmployers Being Recruited For Annual Job Fair
3/6/15 - Businesses hoping to gain exposure and connect with potential employees are being sought for an annual job fair. The 2015 Livingston Regional Job Fair is again sponsored by the Livingston County Michigan Works agency and will take place Thursday, April 16th from 3-7pm at the Crystal Gardens banquet center in Genoa Township. Previously the fair had been held during the mid-day, but organizers say the new time will make it easier to attract all job-seekers, even those currently employed. Last year, more than 50 employers recruited candidates in manufacturing, retail, banking, insurance, real estate, health care, and information technology. Employers interested in participating and wishing to take full advantage of the job fairâs promotional efforts have until March 26th to register. More information can be found through the link posted below. (JK)
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Oceola Creates Industrial District, But May Not Grant Tax AbatementOceola Creates Industrial District, But May Not Grant Tax Abatement
3/5/15 - An industrial district was created in a contentious vote of the Oceola Township Board last night. The industrial district located in the township's only industrial zone, along M-59 near Argentine Road. It will allow the owner of the parcel, a company that manufactures and fabricates large trucks, to apply for a tax abatement on a planned development on the site. Tax abatements are used to encourage development by reducing the amount of real property tax paid by a business in the first few years after a major improvement. A public hearing on the proposed industrial district was held last night. Two residents opposed any industrial development in the area, and one resident present at the meeting called for the township to use consistent guidelines in granting industrial districts. The board eventually approved creating the industrial district by a vote of five to two. Several members of the board said they were against tax abatements completely, but granting the industrial district does not guarantee a tax abatement for the company. The board can still deny that abatement, and even rescind the district whenever it wishes. Livingston Business Development Associates Fred Dillingham tells WHMI the owners will put together information to go along with the abatement application outlining what they feel would be the benefits of the abatement, such as an increased tax base and more local jobs. Some of the board members who voted to approve the industrial district had earlier expressed categorical opposition to tax abatements, and so the company is not guaranteed a majority when it files its application. (TD)
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Probation Ordered For Former Cop For Assault And Battery PleaProbation Ordered For Former Cop For Assault And Battery Plea
3/6/15 - A former police officer who lives in Hartland Township and had been accused of sexually assaulting a neighbor wonât serve any additional time behind bars. 32-year-old Jordan Andrew Keilman pleaded no contest to a charge of assault and battery, which was reduced from the original charge of resisting or obstructing a police officer. He was sentenced to six months of probation. That was the only charge remaining after further investigation by the Michigan State Police led prosecutors to drop charges of 1st degree home invasion, 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct during a felony, and assault with intent to commit sexual penetration. Keilman was alleged to have entered a female neighborâs home without permission on September 2nd, assaulted her, and later threatened arresting officers. Keilman is a former U.S. Army Ranger who worked for the Apex Police Department in North Carolina in 2012, but was reportedly terminated for behavioral issues on the job. (TD)
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Brighton Chamber Power Lunch Brings State, Federal LawmakersBrighton Chamber Power Lunch Brings State, Federal Lawmakers
3/6/15 - Over 100 local business and community leaders attended the Brighton Chamber of Commerceâs Political Power Lunch, held Friday at the Lakelands Golf & Country Club. The focal point of the event was a forum that included four state and federal legislators from the region: 8th District Congressman Mike Bishop, State Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Twp., and State Representatives Lana Theis of Brighton Twp. and Hank Vaupel of Handy Twp. It also included U.S. Chamber of Commerce Vice President for Congressional and Public Affairs Ron Eidshaug. Hune told the capacity crowd that, overall, he is opposed to the statewide millage issue that will be on the ballot in May. Hune concedes that the condition of roads in the state is deplorable, and says the problem is how to come up with a workable, practical solution to fix the stateâs roads. Brighton City Manager Dana Foster asked Hune whether the legislature had a backup plan if the road millage fails. Hune told Foster the proposal has a real uphill battle, and as a result legislators are working on an alternative to address the situation. Congressman Bishop, who replaced Mike Rogers when Rogers opted not to run for another term, says his top priority is to work toward balancing the federal budget. Photo Credit Brighton Chamber. TT)
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Commerce Township Man Charged After Stealing Fire Rescue Rig Commerce Township Man Charged After Stealing Fire Rescue Rig
3/7/15 - Felony charges have been brought against a Commerce Township man who allegedly stole a rescue vehicle from in front of a fire station and drove it to a hospital. The Oakland County Sheriffâs Office was called to Commerce Township Fire Station #2 on February 27th on a report of a stolen fire rescue rig. They were told Rescue Unit #3 had been parked in front of the station, but was later seen heading westbound on Commerce Road. A broadcast was put out to neighboring law enforcement agencies. One of the two helicopters operated by the sheriffâs offices was also brought into the search, and eventually spotted the missing rescue rig in the parking lot of Huron Valley Hospital just outside the emergency room. Hospital security said the man who drove the truck parked it at the hospital before entering a Star EMS ambulance rig. He was later found walking in the parking area and taken into custody for questioning. According to The Milford Times the man, identified as 32-year-old Jason Alan Lehto, told police he took the truck to visit a relative he believed was a patient in the hospital. He also claimed that he planned to bring the rig back to the station, but was arrested before he was able to do so. He was arraigned the next day on charges of unlawful driving away of a vehicle, a five-year felony. (TD)
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Howell Native Advances to Next Round on NBC's The Voice Howell Native Advances to Next Round on NBC's The Voice
3/7/15 - Howell native is progressing to the next elimination round in a popular reality television singing competition. 26-year-old James McNeiece performed Sam Smith's "Lay Me Downâ in a blind audition during the recent season premiere of NBCâs The Voice. He joined Adam Levine's team for the next elimination round, and the lead singer of Maroon commented that McNeiece "will go far on the show." The 2006 Howell High School grad moved to the Traverse City area after college but recently relocated to Los Angeles to try and launch his singing career. McNeiece described his musical genre of choice as a mix of blue-eyed soul accompanied by a good beat. As for what drew him to the competition, McNeiece says heâs pretty tough-skinned so itâs more than just being judged but actually having the opportunity to work with people who know what theyâre doing. McNeiece said he kind of had a pre-performance panic attack and couldn't catch his breath but relaxed once the music started. McNeiece says while his experience is slim, he has a strong work ethic and is hoping to gain some guidance from Levine as the show progresses. "The Voice" airs at 8pm Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC and the popular battle rounds begin on the next episode. Photo Credit NBC.(JM)
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