The Livingston County United Wayâs annual meeting and volunteer recognition breakfast saw over 200 attendees at Crystal Gardens Banquet Center Tuesday morning, where the décor and program all incorporated a St. Patrickâs Day theme. Outgoing board members were recognized and a thorough report was provided on current committees and community initiatives by various volunteers. New board members for 2015 were approved, with officers to be elected in April. Several individuals and area youth were also recognized for their outstanding service to the community and the non-profit. The 2014 award recipients included Hartland High School student John Moraitis who received the Young Person of Distinction Award. The Hartland High School Optimist Club (pictured) was recognized as the Youth Organization of the Year. Two Donald Epley Lifetime Community Service awards were presented to co-recipients Greg Clum and Sandie Cortez. The Charles W. Itsell Volunteer of the Year went to Kevin Brennan while the Randy Rudisill Business of the Year award was presented to Chem-Trend in Howell. In closing, the Livingston County United Way kicked off a new initiative âGreat Things Happen When We LIVE UNITEDâ. More information about the new branding effort and award recipients is available through the attachment and link below. (JM)
United Way Celebrates Community During "Top Oâ the Morningâ Breakfast United Way Celebrates Community During "Top Oâ the Morningâ Breakfast
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Brighton Trustee Holds Ground On Accusation Over Boiler CreditBrighton Trustee Holds Ground On Accusation Over Boiler Credit
A Brighton school board member who claimed last week that the school district was given a $5,000 credit as a reward for approving a school boiler manufacturer which had been the loser in a bidding process is standing by his statement. Thatâs despite documents purporting to provide evidence to the contrary. Board Trustee Bill Trombley met Monday with Superintendent Greg Gray and Assistant Superintendent Maria Gistinger, and says that the two sides "arrived at a conclusion, and we're both satisfied with it." Trombley adds it is his understanding that district officials would "work better on communication (with their employees)." Trombley told WHMI Tuesday he didn't see anything in the documents that would change his mind about his earlier statements. However, Gray says that was not in any way his interpretation of the meeting, saying the documents the district has in its possession prove that nothing improper, unethical or illegal was done. Trombley has contended that the Lochinvar Company, which has boilers at several schools in the district, lost a bidding procedure for replacement boilers last year to a competitor, and then informed the district it would receive a $5,000 credit if it approved Lochinvar instead of the other company. Trombley says that if any credit was given, it should have gone to the mechanical contractor who held the purchase order with the Macomb Group, a mechanical equipment distributor, and not the school district. Trombley has alleged that BAS Director of Operations Matt Marino approved a re-bidding, and without informing district officials. But according to Gistinger, the $5,000 credit was given by Lochinvar for future repairs as a good-faith effort to maintain the company's equipment that is already in operation in district schools. Gistinger has maintained all along that the bids "were not in any way altered, re-bid, or subject to a vendor credit." Since that initial story ran on WHMI last Friday, Gistinger has provided the documentation, while stating that Trombley is misinformed in his allegations. The first document provided by Gistinger to WHMI is the specifications that the district's architects, SHW Group, prepared on Feb. 4, 2014, with two manufacturers specified - AERCO and Lochinvar. The second document is from the post-bid conference Auch had on March 4, 2014 with Great Lakes Mechanical, the company that was awarded the bid. In it, Great Lakes Mechanical identified Lochinvar as the manufacturer of the furnace, which Gistinger says proves that Great Lakes Mechanical intended to use Lochinvar right from the beginning of the bid process, and not switched after the fact, as Trombley asserts, due to a manufacturer's credit. Gistinger says they are original bids and there was no "rebidding" as Trombley claims. The third document her office provided is the HVAC submittal from Macomb Group dated March 4, 2014. Macomb Group is the mechanical equipment company where Great Lakes Mechanical purchased the Lochinvar equipment, which Gistinger says supports the validity of the process. One nagging question since Trombley brought up the $5,000 credit issue at the March 9 board meeting is the matter of a possible conflict of interest on his part. Trombley replies that that is simply not the case. Trombley is a director of the Granger Company, which was a losing bidder on the construction management contract for the $89 million bond issue passed by voters in 2012, which went to the Auch Company. However, Trombley replies that, in his words, "I've got no skin in this game." Trombley says "this is between a supply house and the school district, and Auch just handled the bidding process." While saying the district did nothing wrong, Superintendent Gray has acknowledged that if anything the district did is subject to criticism, it would be the "communication" aspect, with Marino, as operations director needing to communicate with him and Gistinger in a timelier manner. Although Gistinger is Marino's immediate supervisor, Gray, as superintendent, is in charge of all district employees, and therefore responsible for any disciplinary action. Such action, if it is deemed necessary, would be internal and not subject to board scrutiny. Gray says the $5,000 credit has been returned to the Lochinvar Company, not because any wrongdoing was committed, but to avoid any appearance of impropriety. (TT)
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Howell High School Production Brings Audience To The ActionHowell High School Production Brings Audience To The Action
There wonât be a bad view in the house for Howell High Schoolâs latest production. While William Shakespeare set âThe Comedy of Errorsâ in the 16th Century, Howell High Schoolâs production has decided to update the setting to the swinging 1960âs. But Howell Drama Instructor Amanda Malo, who is co-directing the play with former student Annie Dilworth, says they have retained the classic Shakespearean prose to tell the story of two sets of long-lost twins, separated at birth, who find themselves in the same city unbeknownst to one another. The farce that ensues involves servants sent back and forth, gifts that are exchanged and misplaced love and affection. However, Malo says the real innovation of their production, which opens Thursday night, is that they are performing it âin the roundâ with 200 seats arranged on the stage itself. She says itâs an idea that came from a discussion she had with actor, and Howell resident, Timothy Busfield, who suggested that with the size of their stage, she should consider bringing the audience up onto the stage and doing a production in the round. Tickets are a $10 flat rate and are available for purchase at the Howell High School main office and the Howell Parks and Rec Bennett Center. Tickets will also be available at the door, although seating is limited to 200 per show. (JK)
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Third Public Hearing On Commuter Rail Planned For HowellThird Public Hearing On Commuter Rail Planned For Howell
Another meeting to gather public input on proposed commuter rail line between Howell and Ann Arbor will be held this month. Known as WALLY, or the Washtenaw and Livingston Line, the proposed project would use existing tracks to run a 27-mile commuter rail service between the two cities. Recently, funds were established to conduct a feasibility study for the proposal, and as part of that effort community meetings have already been held in Brighton and Ann Arbor. Those meetings provided an overview of the feasibility study, followed by discussions to answer questions and get public input on the project and process. A third meeting has been scheduled for Monday, March 30th at 6:30pm in the Bennett Recreation Center on Grand River in Howell. The public is invited to attend. The North-South Commuter Rail project is being evaluated as a way to improve mobility along US-23 and stimulate economic development in the region. The federally-funded feasibility study will take about 15 months to complete and be used to determine project costs, ridership, potential station locations, and the willingness of affected communities to build, operate and help fund the project. Supporters hope to use the results for future federal funding. (TD)
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Dexter Schools Advised Not To Annex Whitmore LakeDexter Schools Advised Not To Annex Whitmore Lake
The ad hoc committee created by Dexter Community Schools to investigate the possibility of annexing Whitmore Lake Schools has advised against the action until the state provides better financial incentives. The topic has been considered for several months after voters rejected a proposal to have Ann Arborâs public school district annex Whitmore Lake. According to the Dexter Leader, the ad hoc committee created to look at that possibility had only completed one out of the four planned phases of investigation when it determined that the finances of the deal would not work out. Although a merger would have potential educational benefits for students, it also comes with significant financial risks and barriers. The committee provided a resolution to the Dexter Board of Education that would call for the state to create more financial incentives for district annexation. It would also call for more equitable foundation grants for school districts. The school board is being asked to vote on that resolution at its next meeting on March 23rd. (TD)
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Hartland Schools Sponsors Parenting Workshops & Resource FairHartland Schools Sponsors Parenting Workshops & Resource Fair
A Parenting Workshop & Resource Fair in the Hartland area is set next week for parents of all school-age children. Hartland Consolidated Schools and The Hartland Moms group are sponsoring the free workshop designed for parents with K-12 students. Organizers say the goal is to help parents better understand, communicate, and stay connected with their child or teen. Participants will be able to attend up to three breakout sessions on topics including protecting kids from cyber-bullying and the dangers of social media, helping kids and teens manage stress and anxiety, preventing overuse injuries in student athletes and talking to your kids about drugs and alcohol. There will also be a Resource Fair for parents to connect with local agencies and businesses that directly work with families and their youth to promote healthy families. The event is set to take place Wednesday, March 25th from 5:45 to 8pm at Hartland High School on Dunham Road. If you have questions please contact: Student Assistance Coordinator Nicole Schingeck MA, LLPC, CADC at NicoleSchingeck@hartlandschools.us or call 810-626-2234. (JK)
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Sub-Standard Anti-Freeze/Coolant Products Could Be on Local Shelves Sub-Standard Anti-Freeze/Coolant Products Could Be on Local Shelves
The state is investigating a Detroit-based company and nine distributors that could be selling two brands of defective anti-freeze, possibly in Livingston County, despite orders issued to the contrary last September. A petition was filed in Wayne County Circuit Court and ten companies will be receiving subpoenas to provide documents as part of the ongoing investigation by the Michigan Attorney Generalâs Office and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Stop-sale and stop-use orders were issued late last summer for Royal Packaging's North Atlantic and Shur-XXX brands, after lab tested samples were found to have freezing points well above the temperatures stated on the bottle labels. Royal Packaging ceased operations following the state probe, in which nine additional businesses were found to be warehousing the brands and distributing them to stores and gas stations for sale. Then this past winter, state inspectors performed spot checks and found the products were still being sold at dozens of locations in Livingston, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Genesee, Jackson, Houghton and other counties. Attorney General Bill Schuette commented if vehicle owners are being sold products that result in costly repairs, then theyâll compel the companies to produce documentation showing exactly where the brands have been distributed. According to the petition, the companies are Royal Packaging Company of Detroit, Capital Sales, Co. of Hazel Park, City Petroleum of Dearborn, Tradewell Grocery Distribution in Oak Park, D&B Grocers in Livonia, Trepco Inc. in Madison Heights, Motor Oil Distributors, Inc. in Dearborn, the H.T. Hackney Company in Wyoming, Chase Cash & Carry in Dearborn, and Universal Wholesale in Southfield, Michigan. The petition is available in the attachment below. (JM)
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Menzel: Honored to Have Been Finalist in State Superintendent Search Menzel: Honored to Have Been Finalist in State Superintendent Search
A long-time educator with local ties says he was honored to have been among the top three candidates considered to become the next state school superintendent. The current superintendent of Dearborn Public Schools Brian Whiston was selected for the post Wednesday, following interviews by the state board of education. Current Superintendent Mike Flanagan is retiring at the end of June and Whistonâs selection is pending contract negotiations. Washtenaw Intermediate School District Superintendent Scott Menzel was one of the two other finalists in the running. He thanked everyone for their kind words during the interview process and says he was honored to have been included in the final three. Menzel added that heâs grateful to have an awesome job at WISD, as well as a tremendous network of colleagues who remain committed to doing everything they can to improve achievement for all students. Menzel told WHMI what was compelling for him in pursuing the opportunity was how to raise the level of achievement for all students in Michigan. He said when you look at how Michigan is performing compared to the rest of the state and the nation, thereâs a lot of work to do. For him, Menzel said it was about addressing the question of systemic school reform and not just taking once piece of the puzzle but looking at all of the components as they interrelate and identifying what steps are necessary to move Michigan into a top ranked state. Menzel was the one-time superintendent of Whitmore Lake Public Schools, before becoming the head of the Livingston Educational Service Agency, where he was superintendent from 2007 to 2011. He then left to become the head of the Washtenaw County Intermediate School District. (JM)
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Community Farewell Today For Retired Sheriff's DetectiveCommunity Farewell Today For Retired Sheriff's Detective
A community farewell is planned today for a retired police officer from Pinckney who worked on a number of high profile cases throughout his career that spanned 36 years. Allan Lewis Steinaway passed away on Monday at the age of 66. He retired from the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department in 2008, where he served for 30 years. He was a volunteer youth coach for many years in the Hamburg/Pinckney area. His greatest joy was said to be his family, although he was also an avid Notre Dame Football fan. Steinaway is being remembered as a good family man and friend by Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte, who worked with him in the detective bureau. He tells WHMI Steinaway was a great all-around guy with intelligence and a sense of humor who devoted his entire life to his family and law enforcement and he will be sorely missed. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Borek Jennings and Steinaway is survived by his wife, three children and grandchildren. A community farewell is planned from 10am to 2pm today at St. Mary Catholic Church in Pinckney, followed by a farewell mass. A link to more information is avialable below. (JM)
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County-Sponsored Meeting Lays Out Details On Road ProposalCounty-Sponsored Meeting Lays Out Details On Road Proposal
Representatives from the county government and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments explained the details of Proposal 1 for dozens of residents, many of them elected officials, at an informational meeting in Howell last night. Proposal 1 aims to increase available funding for road and transit projects by $1.3 billion by eliminating the current 19-cent gas tax, instituting a higher gas tax, and exempting fuel from state sales tax. The revenue in other areas as a result would be replaced by increasing the state sales tax from 6% to 7%. A number of other bills are tie-barred to the proposal, including better sales tax collection for Internet purchases, increased registration fees for electric vehicles, weight-based registration fees for commercial vehicles, an expansion of the earned income tax credit, and a funding boost of almost $400 million for local government revenue sharing and the School Aid Fund. Some residents expressed support for the measure, saying something needs to be done about the state of Michiganâs roads, others said the bill was too complex and involved too many unrelated issues. Locally, Livingston County Road Commission officials say the proposal would provide an increase of more than 800% in the amount of money they can spend fixing roads each year. Talking points from last nightâs meeting can be viewed on the SEMCOG website. (TD)
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Two Livingston County Students Heading To West PointTwo Livingston County Students Heading To West Point
When West Point begins classes in the fall, two Livingston County students will be among its ranks. Congressman Mike Bishop announced Wednesday that a pair of students from the 8th district will attend the U.S. Armyâs Service Academy at West Point next year. Anthony Martino of Brighton, a student at the Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy and Carlie Sleeman of Pinckney, a student at Pinckney Community High School, were originally nominated by former Congressman Mike Rogers during the last session. They were the first students to accept offers under Bishopâs first term. Bishop, a Republican from Rochester Hills, said he was âproud of these students for committing to our nationâs service academiesâ and that they had âworked incredibly hard to make their ambitions a reality.â (JK)
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Inspection Authorized For Collapsing Historical Fenton BuildingInspection Authorized For Collapsing Historical Fenton Building
A consultation of a long-standing building in Fenton will decide whether the City should save or scrap the structure. Built in the 1800sâ, the 155 year old Seminary Building has been in a state of deterioration for some time. Winter conditions just this past year caused a portion of the Seminary to collapse and it is described to have holes in the floor âfrom top to bottomâ. A fence was put around the building to keep children from playing in or around the unsafe property. The Fenton City Council recently approved an assessment of the building by Fitzpatrick Structural Engineering, PC and a site visit from the Historic Restoration Consulting Group. Though many of the Council members agree thereâs not much of a chance for saving the building, all voted yes to spending the $2,000 to have it reviewed. Lynn Markland, Fenton City Manager, tells WHMI council believes it to be a necessary procedure. The Seminary was privately owned until the County foreclosed the building due to unpaid taxes. Fenton now owns the building, though they have not been able to previously restore it as it was not under the cityâs ownership. The assessment will determine whether the building should be saved and how much it would cost to do so. Bids will need to be solicited should the Council choose to demolish it and the consultation is expected to be performed within the month as weather permits. (DK)
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Wilson Lawsuit Suspended; Sent To Binding ArbitrationWilson Lawsuit Suspended; Sent To Binding Arbitration
The lawsuit between former superintendent Ron Wilson and the Howell Public School District has been suspended and sent to arbitration. The lawsuit was filed late last year after the board of education voted to fire Wilson over claims that he wrongfully sought and then lied about mileage reimbursements. Wilson claims the board is guilty of one count of breach of contract, specifically accusing that he was fired without just cause resulting in a damaged reputation and the loss of more than $600,000 in potential earnings. He also charges the board with two counts of violating the Whistleblowersâ Protection Act. A hearing was set for today to hear a motion by the school district seeking to place the lawsuit on hold and force Wilson to enter the arbitration process, as is required by his contract for any and all disputes. However, on March 11th, Judge Michael Hatty issued a consent order removing all future action in the case, staying proceedings, and sending the matter to binding arbitration. That process could award Wilson the remaining balance on his contract, estimated at about $500,000, significantly less than what he was seeking in the courts. When contacted, the school district had no comment on the decision, and Wilson could not be reached. Meanwhile, a recall committee is still seeking to recall Howell School Board President Mike Yenshaw, Treasurer Mike Moloney, and Trustee Deb McCormick for their votes to fire Wilson. (TD)
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SUV Still Sought As Trial Set In Chase That Led To Deputy's DeathSUV Still Sought As Trial Set In Chase That Led To Deputy's Death
As police continue to search for a vehicle involved in the death of an Ingham County deputy, a trial date has been set for the suspect charged in the case. 34-year-old John Kelsey of Stockbridge is charged with fleeing or eluding police causing death and driving on a suspended license causing death. Kelsey, who formerly lived in Hamburg Township, will stand trial April 27th. Authorities say Deputy Grant Whitaker was chasing an SUV driven by Kelsey on Dec. 7th, but then lost control and crashed near Stockbridge. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Kelsey was arrested five days later after police released surveillance photos of the suspected SUV. At a previous hearing, authorities said a series of surveillance camera photos showed Kelsey driving the SUV as he left the Dam Site Inn in Hell, then driving past two Stockbridge gas stations on a route that led to his home. Deputy Whitaker was parked at the second gas station when the SUV drove past and he began his pursuit. Kelseyâs attorney has argued there is a lack of evidence his client was actually driving the SUV, a white 2003 GMC Denali that was registered to Kelseyâs father as CPP-6978. The vehicle was never located, nor reported missing. In fact, State Police are still seeking the location of the vehicle (pictured here from one of the surveillance photos) and ask that anyone with information contact the Lansing Post at 517-331-5634. (JK)
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Brighton Man Sentenced in Child Abuse Case; Supporters Protest Outside CourtBrighton Man Sentenced in Child Abuse Case; Supporters Protest Outside Court
A Brighton man has been sentenced in a high profile child abuse case. 38-year-old Joshua Quincy Burns was sentenced to one year in the Livingston County Jail and three years of probation. A Livingston County Circuit Court jury found him guilty of 2nd degree child abuse in January after deliberating for more than ten hours. The charge was filed in connection with an incident on March 15th of last year in which Burns claimed his daughter accidentally fell off of his lap, but he caught her. Burns and his wife Brenda took the child to the hospital multiple times in the next few days after she became ill. A doctor later testified the child had head and eye injuries consistent with abusive head trauma. There has been a large show of community support in the couple's defense, with family and friends rallying outside of the courthouse and prosecutor's office today. Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt tells WHMI âan impartial jury of twelve members of this community heard all the evidence and found the defendant guilty of felony child abuse. Fortunately, the child survived a life-threatening brain injury and this did not become a larger tragedy. Weâll study the courtâs reasons for imposing a sentence less than that called for by the stateâs sentencing guidelines to determine if it complies with legal requirements.â Meanwhile, Brenda has basically been in hiding after being cleared of child abuse accusations but her attorney claims her client is still being harassed by Child Protective Services workers. During todayâs hearing, Judge Miriam Cavanaugh ordered that Brenda provide an address and ongoing updates of the childâs residence for DHS to be able to conduct home visits. Separate court hearings are also pending related to the termination of Joshua's parental rights. Burns previously provided a response to WHMI in regard to his case and a statement issued by Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt. Both documents are attached below, along with a fact sheet provided by the Michigan Department of Human Services clarifying its role in CPS cases. (JM)
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Man Charged in Multiple Crashes While Drunk Gets ProbationMan Charged in Multiple Crashes While Drunk Gets Probation
A local man who was hospitalized after a hitting multiple cars along a stretch of Coon Lake Road before eventually rolling his vehicle over in the yard of someoneâs home has been sentenced to probation. 67-year-old Roger Ardale Duncan was sentenced Thursday in Livingston County District Court. Heâll avoid further jail time but has a number of court requirements to comply with during his one year probation sentence. The Vietnam War Veteran apologized in court and previously pleaded guilty to a charge of operating with a blood alcohol content of .17% or more. In exchange for that plea, a separate count of operating while intoxicated, three counts of failure to stop after a collision and two counts of failure to report an accident to fixtures were dismissed by prosecutors. Livingston County Sheriffâs Deputies were dispatched December 5th to an injury accident that actually turned out to be multiple incidents. The first happened on eastbound Coon Lake Road in the area of Pingree in which Duncan rear-ended a vehicle and left the scene. Police said he then proceeded to run into other vehicles and left the scene each time before he ultimately lost control of his black SUV and rolled it in the yard of a home on Coon Lake Road, east of D-19. Duncan was hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries and later charged. He violated his bond conditions in February and served two days in the Livingston County Jail after admitting responsibility. As part of the sentence handed down, he must attend a twelve step program three times per week and complete an outpatient treatment program. He was also ordered to pay restitution to three victims. (JM)
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Same-Sex Michigan Couples Await Supreme Court Ruling As They Celebrate AnniversarySame-Sex Michigan Couples Await Supreme Court Ruling As They Celebrate Anniversary
Michigan voters approved a ban on same-sex marriage in 2004, but with the U.S. Supreme Court set to hear testimony next month on the issue, many are hopeful that ban will soon be overturned. Among them are Glenna DeJong and Marsha Caspar who were the first of some 300 same-sex couples in Michigan who legally married a year ago this weekend in a small legal window that opened up after a federal judge ruled the ban unconstitutional, but before that order was stayed pending an appeal. DeJong said that while sheâs hopeful of an eventual court victory, she truly feels that the tide of public opinion in the state has shifted dramatically since 2004. In the past year, she said, she has received plenty of feedback on her marriage from friends and strangers alike, all of it positive. However, given the legal and emotional roller coaster of the past year, DeJong said some guilt goes with that honor. "We're part of this exclusive club of just over 300 members who happened to be able to get married that day," she said. "We feel an obligation, I guess, to fight for those 14,000-plus other couples in Michigan who want to get married and just are excluded still." This week, a group of Democratic state lawmakers introduced a package of bills that would put a repeal of the state's constitutional ban before voters. This comes as the Republican-led House approved bills that would allow adoption agencies to refuse service to same-sex or unmarried couples if that goes against the agencies' religious beliefs. (Mona Shand with Public News Service contributed to this story. Photo courtesy of Barb Byrum.)
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Brighton City Council OKs 3-Story Assisted Living FacilityBrighton City Council OKs 3-Story Assisted Living Facility
The Brighton City Council gave approval to the final site plan for a $20 million senior assisted living facility Thursday night. The approval is contingent on engineer review and approval of the construction plan and schedule of the required water and sewer infrastructure improvements. The Granger Group of Grand Rapids is the developer of the project, which will be located on North Second St., on the Mill Pond. Dan Colella of the Granger Group told council the facility will have 104 housing units â most of them 1-bedroom, but with 5, 2-bedroom units - and the third floor will be devoted entirely to housing units for memory care. Colella says the three-story, 99,000-square-foot building will be constructed of masonry and stone and be of contemporary design, yet in harmony with Brightonâs existing brick-and-mortar commercial buildings. Grangerâs partner in the project is âThriveâ of Atlanta, Ga., which will provide day-to-day management of the facility. The company is working on purchase of the property needed for the facility, which is composed of four rental housing units. City Manager Dana Foster says the city will likely bond for the project, which will require $2 million in sewer, water and street improvements. Colella says Granger expects to hire up to 20 full-time employees with another 20 part-time personnel split between two shifts. He says they hope to start construction this fall, with completion in one year. Granger, through its real estate arm - Granger Land Acquisition LLC â had originally eyed the former Lindbom School site for the assisted living facility but came in third in the bidding. Robertson Brothers Homes dropped out, leaving runnerup ACA Brighton Holding Co., which plans to open a classical academy that would be a public charter school â an issue that has resulted in considerable controversy in the Brighton community. (TT)
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Howell Doctor Convicted On Prescription Charges Sentenced To JailHowell Doctor Convicted On Prescription Charges Sentenced To Jail
Jail time has been ordered for a Howell doctor found guilty of writing prescriptions for controlled substances without a license. A Livingston County Circuit Court jury found Howell-based orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Holda guilty on two counts of manufacturing prescription forms after only about half an hour of deliberation. Holda could have been sentenced to seven years in prison on Thursday, but Judge Michael Hatty handed down a sentence of 30 days in jail plus 24 months of probation. Holda turned in his license following a raid on Livingston County Orthopedics in May of 2013 by the Drug Enforcement Administration. DEA agents, who were acting as patients, testified Holda prescribed pain medications and other drugs, including Xanax, beyond what would have been medically necessary. Holda insisted that he wrote the prescriptions in good faith and properly questioned them about their symptoms. Despite that, he was charged with seven counts of delivery of a controlled substance and one count of possession of marijuana. Those charges remain pending against Holda in a separate case set to go to trial on June 8th. (TD)
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Supporters Protest As Brighton Father Sentenced On Child Abuse ChargeSupporters Protest As Brighton Father Sentenced On Child Abuse Charge
A local man convicted of child abuse was sentenced Thursday to one year behind bars and three years of probation, one of which will be spent while in incarceration at the Livingston County Circuit Court. 38 year old Joshua Burns was convicted of 2nd degree child abuse from an incident that occurred last March. Burns claims his daughter, Naomi, sustained injuries after she fell from his knee when he reached for the phone. A large crowd gathered outside of the Judicial Center prior to the sentencing in show of their support for Burns and their belief in his innocence. One such proponent was Tim Stevens, a friend of Naomiâs parents, Joshua and Brenda Burns, who says he has known the couple for the last five years. Stevens tells WHMI his friend is being too harshly judged. The prosecution argued against Burnâs character, saying his actions speak for themselves and believe Burnâs has âvery little credibilityâ. With a minimum sentence of 19-38 months in such a case, Prosecutor Bill Valliencourt says he will âstudy the courtâs reasons for imposing a sentence less than that called for by the stateâs sentencing guidelinesâ¦â. Burns has 42 days to appeal his sentence. Meanwhile, Brenda and Naomi Burns were absent at the ruling despite the prosecutionâs statement that the court had ordered them to be present. Brenda Burns was cleared of abuse allegations and won a civil trial that deemed her a fit parent for Naomi. Brenda has claimed that Child Protective Services have been conducted their visitations in a âharassingâ manner. A representative from the Department of Human Services says she has not seen Naomi since February 27th and her whereabouts remain unknown. Judge Miriam Cavanaugh, who also presided over Joshua Burnsâ sentencing, questioned where the child was and how the court is able to protect the child without this information. Attorney Elizabeth Warner told Judge Cavanaugh the mother and baby are visiting loved ones at this point. Brenda Burns is planning to move and Warner says the new address of residence has been provided and is in Michigan. Judge Cavanaugh ruled that the mother must comply with home visits and provide an ongoing update of the childâs residence. (DK)
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