Fowlerville Community Schools is experiencing a brown-out and will be dismissing the high school and junior high at 11:30am. District officials say a faulty switch has left them with inadequate power and DTE says they will need to completely cut power to repair the issue. Parents may come and pick up their kids at those two schools at 11:30, but they will have to check in at the office as the phones are affected by the power problems. Students who are bussed will be returned home, but if no adult is present, they will be returned to the school and kept in place for the remainder of the day.
Fowlerville High School & Jr. High Dismissing Early Due To Power ProblemFowlerville High School & Jr. High Dismissing Early Due To Power Problem
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Humane Society Latest Beneficiary Of 100 Women Who Care GroupHumane Society Latest Beneficiary Of 100 Women Who Care Group
The Humane Society received a check for $10,600 from the 100 Women Who Care About Livingston County on Monday. Members of the 100 Women group choose a non-profit organization four times a year to give to. Each member pledges to donate $100 with the groupâs goal to raise $10,000 for the charity of choice. Coordinator of 100 Women Who Care, Sandie Cortez, says the group picked the Humane Society as it depends on local donations to survive. She tells WHMI 100 Women Who Care is always working to grow and make a difference. Cortez says reaching out to non-profits within the community has expanded the groupâs knowledge about the number of charities in Livingston County and what their needs are. Barb Benford, Executive Director of Livingston Countyâs Humane Society, says their needs include operations of the center, veterinarian costs, and improvements to the shelter. She tells WHMI she was overwhelmed when she discovered the Humane Society would be the recipients of the massive donation. 100 Women Who Care now has over 100 members and are always looking for additions to the group, along with charities to give to. (DK)
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Milford Companies Faces Big Bills Following Weeklong FireMilford Companies Faces Big Bills Following Weeklong Fire
Two companies in Milford are challenging large invoices issued by the Milford Fire Department after firefighters spent nearly a week trying to extinguish a massive blaze. The fire burned from November 11th to the 17th, consuming wood and yard waste stacked 15 feet high over an area the size of a football field. A total of 17 fire departments contributed to fighting the fire, which took nearly half a million gallons of water to extinguish. The cost of that effort has been placed at $123,451, and earlier this year the department sent out two invoices, each for half that amount, to the two businesses involved. Officials say the fire began on the property of Audia Construction before spreading to materials on the property of Your Way Property Services. The department claims Audia employees started the fire illegally, and Your Way had violated its site plan by having the material stacked so high and dense across the site. According to the Milford Times, representatives from the company have appealed to the township for relief, saying payment of the bills could put them out of business. They argued that questions of legal responsibility have not yet been resolved in the civil case that was filed after the fire. Although relief was initially denied, the township board agreed to reconsider, and is expected to have a discussion on the matter at its April 15th meeting. (TD)
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New Sentencing Ordered For Man Convicted In Brighton Restaurant RobberyNew Sentencing Ordered For Man Convicted In Brighton Restaurant Robbery
The Michigan Court of Appeals has ordered a reconsideration of the sentence handed down for a Lansing man in the case of a 2010 robbery at a Brighton restaurant. 45-year-old Kevin Michael Clark was sentenced to a minimum of 11 years and maximum of 50 years in prison following his conviction for armed robbery following the incident at the Lilâ Chef Restaurant in December of 2010. The restaurantâs owner testified Clark brandished a handgun and announced a robbery. When the owner refused to hand over any money from the cash register, he ended up struggling with Clark, who fled the business. He was later identified through DNA evidence. The defense maintained there was an altercation between Clark and the owner but there was never a gun or a robbery. In a ruling released this week, the appeals court said Clarkâs defense counselâs âperformance fell below objective standards of reasonablenessâ when they failed to definitively establish whether or not Clark had been honorably discharged from the Navy, despite that very question being raised by the judge prior to handing down a sentence. The case was remanded back to Livingston County Circuit Court for reconsideration based on those grounds.
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Overall Livingston County Health Rankings Drop Overall Livingston County Health Rankings Drop
The 2015 County Health Rankings released today rank Livingston County 7th out of Michigan's 83 counties, down from an overall ranking of 4th last year. While the county went from 5th to 4th in health factors in Michigan, health outcomes dropped from 4th to 7th. Health outcomes represent how healthy a county is while health factors represent what influences the health of the county. The County Health Rankings measure the health of nearly every county in the nation and are published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to help counties understand what influences how healthy residents are and how long they will live. Although Livingston County dropped in ranking for health outcomes from last year, local health officials insist the quality of life indicators were virtually unchanged. But Dianne McCormick, Health Officer at the Livingston County Department of Public Health, says there is room to improve. She cited the county's adult obesity rate of 28%, up 1% since last year. Additionally, 23% of Livingston County residents drink alcohol excessively compared to just 18% of adults in Michigan, a statistic that did not change over the past year. The number of sexually transmitted infections is also still trending up. On a positive note, Livingston had 0% drinking water violations which means that no residents were exposed to water exceeding a violation limit during the past year. The Livingston County Department of Public Health maintains that, despite being an educated, affluent, employed county with access to care, which all factor into being ranked in the top five Michigan counties, there are areas where the countyâs health can improve in terms of both outcomes and factors.
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Volunteers Needed for Pinckney's Spring Cemetery Clean-Up SaturdayVolunteers Needed for Pinckney's Spring Cemetery Clean-Up Saturday
The Village of Pinckney is looking for volunteers to help spruce up one of the oldest features in the municipality. The Pinckney Cemetery on M-36 dates back to the mid-1800âs and includes hundreds of burial sites. The village government is looking for people willing to help out with the spring cemetery clean-up this Saturday. Officials say the project is a great opportunity for people and students who need to log volunteer hours or for those who want to contribute to the community. Volunteers are asked to bring whatever cleanup equipment they can such as gloves, rakes, wheelbarrows, leaf blowers and hedge clippers. The cleanup will take place from 9am to noon Saturday at the cemetery, located just west of downtown Pinckney on M-36. Those interested in taking part are asked to contact the village offices. (JM)
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RR Crossing At Silver Lake Road Closed For Repairs Next WeekRR Crossing At Silver Lake Road Closed For Repairs Next Week
A railroad crossing repair is planned in Green Oak Township next week and motorists are being advised to plan an alternate route. The nature of the work involves repairs to the grade crossing at Silver Lake Road by CSX Transportation. The repairs will start Monday and are expected to be completed by Thursday. Silver Lake Road will be closed at the CSX Railroad crossing, approximately a quarter mile west of Kensington Road, for the duration of the project. The Livingston County Road Commission says signs will be posted near the crossing by the railroad authority starting today to notify motorists of the upcoming closure. As always, officials say weather adversities, changes in contractorâs schedules or other factors could alter the timing of the project. (JM)
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Council To Proceed w/ Fixing East Wall Of Howell City HallCouncil To Proceed w/ Fixing East Wall Of Howell City Hall
Monday marked the Howell City Councilâs first meeting back in the lower level of city hall since flooding in October but that thrill was short lived after members received some costly news about the building. The east wall of city hall was constructed around 45 years ago, as an addition to the main branch that now houses the police department. Staff had noticed cracking over the years and engaged engineers to do some analysis, which revealed the east side wall has moved and is not tied in or connected to the building. Representatives from the cityâs engineering firm attended Monday nightâs meeting and reported the east wall is moving away from the main building but how fast the separation is occurring is unknown. Measurements show that on a gravity load, the wall is stable but event-driven situations such as extremely strong winds could create a vacuum and cause it to come apart. Regardless, it was determined the wall is a problem that should be addressed. Council directed engineers to finish up investigative work to figure out the best way to address the issues and put together design solutions. A band aid approach and less aesthetically pleasing solution offered would be to tie the east wall back into the slab area but a larger fix could be required once engineers take a closer look. The third floor bathrooms, tiling and stairwell would be impacted and likely have to be deconstructed to make the fix. Roof repairs could also be needed. The design work to fix the problem is estimated between $17,000 and $25,000 and the project would then be bid by a contractor. Best practice is to obtain multiple bids for larger projects. However, members felt it would be best to have the cityâs engineering firm proceed after weighing possible savings versus delaying the work with severe weather season approaching and potentially dangerous winds. Meanwhile, the lower level of city hall is back in business following restoration and mold mitigation work. It has been out of commission since flooding in October. (JM)
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Sale Of Latson Road Property Finalized Next WeekSale Of Latson Road Property Finalized Next Week
Two administrators at Howell Public Schools have been empowered to sign an agreement next week that will sell the Latson Road property. The 14.5-acre parcel was once the site of Latson Road Elementary, but the building was closed and demolished as part of the construction of the new interchange with I-96. The district approved the sale of the land to St. John Providence last year, but only authorized then-superintendent Ron Wilson to sign the agreement. Since that time Wilson has been fired from the district, so at its meeting Monday the school board authorized interim Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Hughes and Associate Superintendent of Finance Rick Terres to execute the deal. Terres says St. John Providence has completed its due diligence on the site, and he expects to sign the agreement on Monday or Tuesday. The sale price for the land is just over $5 million, and Terres says there has been a lot of talk about how it will get used. He says capital improvements, such as bus purchases, roof repairs, and road improvements are likely to be priorities when the board decides how to move forward. Terres adds that the district expects St. John Providence to be an excellent addition to the community, increasing health care options and bringing jobs to the area. (TD)
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Howell DDA Plans Celebration For Volunteers Next MonthHowell DDA Plans Celebration For Volunteers Next Month
An event next month seeks to honor the volunteers, staff, and community partners that make the Howell Downtown Development Authorityâs efforts a success. The 1st annual Applause Awards will take place on Tuesday, April 21st from 5 to 7pm at Block Brewing in Howell. The event is being coordinated by the DDAâs Outreach Committee to celebrate the successes of the DDA and recognize the people who have helped make them possible through their efforts over the past year. Several volunteers will be recognized with awards at the event, including one who has been chosen as the DDAâs Volunteer of the Year. The Outreach Committee is inviting the entire community to take part in the celebration, including community members, elected officials, and those interested in volunteering with the DDA who want to get more information. The DDA is also looking for volunteers interested in working at the event itself. Those who would like to participate should contact the DDA during regular business hours. (TD)
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Whitmore Lake Annexation Off The Table For Dexter SchoolsWhitmore Lake Annexation Off The Table For Dexter Schools
Dexter Community Schools is no longer considering the annexation of the Whitmore Lake District. The Dexter Board of Education passed a resolution to that effect on Monday, according to the Dexter Leader. The district had been considering the annexation ever since voters shot down an attempt by the Ann Arbor district to annex Whitmore Lake Schools in November. The move would increase the number of students for Dexter, therefore increasing the funding it received from the state, while helping Whitmore Lake out of its current budget issues. However, earlier this month an ad hoc committee created by Dexter Schools reported that the move would not be financially viable until the State of Michigan creates some firm incentives for consolidating school districts. The resolution passed by the school board also calls for the state to create those incentives as a way to mitigate the risks involved in annexation. (TD)
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Road Commission Approves Design Contract For RoundaboutRoad Commission Approves Design Contract For Roundabout
DLZ Michigan Incorporated has designed three roundabouts for Livingston County and will be creating a fourth.
A contract with the company for design services was approved today by the Livingston County Road Commission. The company will design a roundabout at Chilson and Coon Lake Road to help reduce crashes and traffic delay. Director of the Livingston County Road Commission, Mike Craine, says the roundabout was awarded by the Michigan Department of Transportation for safety purposes. Craine says the location does not have a high number of crashes, but serious personal injury accidents. Federal funds will cover up to $600,000 in costs for the project, or 80% of the total bill, which is still unknown. Craine tells WHMI the design company is well known for their work in roundabouts. In the past, DLZ Michigan Inc. has designed roundabouts in Brighton, Green Oak, and Hamburg Township. Craine says the Road Commission has âworked very wellâ with the company in previous endeavors and they âoutperform the competitionâ. (DK)
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Hearing Delayed For Deerfield Township Couple Charged With Abusing Adopted SonHearing Delayed For Deerfield Township Couple Charged With Abusing Adopted Son
A hearing has been delayed for a Deerfield Township couple accused of felony child abuse. Eric and Angela Corcoran were charged last week with 2nd degree child abuse following accusations their 16-year-old adopted son was mentally and emotionally abused in part by being isolated in a basement. A probable cause conference had been set for Tuesday, but was adjourned until April 16th to allow more time for discovery and negotiations. Court documents filed in juvenile court say the 43-year-olds isolated the boy in the basement of the family's Bennett Lake Road home. They say Child Protective Service workers 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 go to the bathroom in a camper toilet, his bed consisted of a dirty mattress with no sheets, blanket or pillow and he alleged the coupleâs two biological children also mistreated him. He also reportedly told CPS workers he just wanted a âloving familyâ that would âhug and kiss me.â He has since been placed in foster care. The couple, meanwhile, remain lodged in the Livingston County Jail under a $500,000 bond. (JK)
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Howell Area Fire Department Names New Fire Marshal Howell Area Fire Department Names New Fire Marshal
The Howell Area Fire Department has a new fire marshal. The department recently promoted from within its ranks and Captain Jamil Czubenko was named to fill the Battalion Chief/Fire Marshal position. Heâs described as a stand-up guy with a good sense of humor who will have some big shoes to fill. Czubenko replaces now-retired Deputy Chief and Fire Marshal Les Rodwell, who served 30 years with the department. Czubenko began his career with the organization in 1994 and was also named the Howell Area Fire Departmentâs 2001 Firefighter of the Year. (JM)
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Michigan Tax Return Option Lets Residents Help Fight Local Child AbuseMichigan Tax Return Option Lets Residents Help Fight Local Child Abuse
This tax season, local residents are being encouraged to take advantage of a form on their returns that allows them to give donations to help fight child abuse. LACASAâs Child Abuse Prevention Council receives support from the statewide nonprofit Childrenâs Trust Fund, which strives to use education to reduce child abuse and neglect before they happen. This year, the CAP Council is encouraging residents to give to the CTF with the âCheck the Box, Save A Lifeâ campaign. Michigan tax returns include Form 4642, which offers a list of nonprofit organizations to which taxpayers can donate, and LACASA is urging Livingston County residents to check Box #6 to donate to the CTF. The organization is keeping track of how much it gets in contributions from each county in Michigan so it can award money to local child abuse prevention efforts accordingly. CAP Council Director Deanna Norris says taxpayers can donate any amount of money they want, adding that even small donations of $5 or $10 can go a long way to helping educate local teens and adults to keep children safe. She encourages those who do not do their own taxes to contact the person or organization that does and request to add a donation. She adds that online tax programs include the Form 4642 options. (TD)
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Traffic Shifts Begin Friday for Fenton Streetscape Project Traffic Shifts Begin Friday for Fenton Streetscape Project
Traffic shifts start in the Fenton area today as part of a large streetscape project. Assistant City Manager Michael Burns thanked those who participated during an informational meeting held this past Wednesday evening. In an update, Burns said the consensus from merchants and nearby property owners present was that construction will begin on Monday, March 30th in the area south of the Shiawassee River. Traffic shifts begin today and Shiawassee will be one-way going eastbound from Adelaide to LeRoy Street. LeRoy will be one-way going northbound from Shiawassee to Ellen Street. In addition, the left hand turn lane at westbound Silver Lake Road to southbound LeRoy Street will be closed. Work during the first week will involve milling of the roadways and officials ask that those near the construction zone be safe and aware of their surroundings. (JM)
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Court Battle Continues Seeking To End State Oversight of Local Mother & Daughter Court Battle Continues Seeking To End State Oversight of Local Mother & Daughter
The Michigan Department of Human Services is not backing away from new legal efforts to regain control over a local woman and her daughter. The Livingston County Prosecutorâs Office has withdrawn the petition it filed against Brenda Burns of Brighton, which ordered her to produce the childâs whereabouts to DHS. Brenda was previously cleared of all child abuse allegations but her attorney maintains she is still being harassed by Child Protective Service workers demanding to see the child, named Naomi. Child welfare attorney Elizabeth Warner tells WHMI theyâre pleased with the actions of the prosecutorâs office but it wonât stop the case because DHS joined in the petition and has not withdrawn their support for it. Warner has filed a motion seeking to dismiss the case against Brenda and end all CPS supervision of now 1-year-old Naomi, which is expected to be taken up during an April 9th hearing. Warner says Brenda is currently spending time with loved ones out of state and wants to return to Michigan but doesnât feel safe to do so because of the continuing actions by DHS, the agency that took her daughter in the first place. Warner says if the petition against Brenda is not dismissed, then a second jury trial would result and ultimately if she is not relieved of constant CPS supervision, she really doesnât see a path for the mother to return to Michigan anytime soon. The prosecutorâs office is also no longer seeking to terminate the parental rights of Joshua Burns, Naomi's father. Heâs now serving one year in the Livingston County Jail after being convicted of 2nd degree child abuse following an incident in March of 2014. Burns, who worked as a commercial airline pilot for 15 years before the familyâs legal problems began, maintains his then 11-week-old daughter accidentally fell off his lap while he was on the phone but that he caught her by the face to keep her from hitting the floor. Dr. Bethany Mohr, who serves as the director of the child-protection team at the University of Michigan Medical Center, testified the injuries constituted child abuse. However, multiple doctors for the defense concluded they were the result of birth trauma. A link to a website managed by supporters of the couple is below. (JM)
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Brighton Township Man Gets Jail Time For Stomping Kittens To DeathBrighton Township Man Gets Jail Time For Stomping Kittens To Death
The Brighton man convicted of killing half a dozen kittens in Hartland Township has been sentenced to jail. 21-year-old Cody Michael Tyler pleaded guilty last month to three felony counts of killing or torturing animals. In court yesterday, Judge Michael Hatty ordered Tyler to serve three years of probation, the first of year of which will be in the Livingston County Jail. He was also given credit for 162 days already served. The charges were related to a September 20th incident in which six kittens aged three to four weeks were intentionally stomped to death inside of a home in the area of US-23, south of M-59. When asked why he did what he did during last monthâs plea hearing, Tyler said the kittens just werenât being taken care of. But during yesterdayâs sentencing his lawyer said the act was done out of an inability to appropriately handle the fact that the woman who owned the cats appeared to love them more than his daughter, whom she claims was abused by the catâs owner. The incident was reported to Livingston County Animal Control through a 911 call and officials said there was a grown cat in the same home that appeared to be the mother of the kittens, but it was unharmed. (JK)
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Trapping In Fenton Aims To Reduce Rat PopulationTrapping In Fenton Aims To Reduce Rat Population
The City of Fenton will begin efforts this week to eradicate an infestation of rats in portions of the city. Starting this week, a pest control company hired by the city will be placing baited traps for the pests around the northwestern part of the city, around Worchester Drive and Hickory Street. The Tri County Times reports the city became aware of a growing rat problem in the area and ordered that a pest control company be hired. That company is charging $6,400 to place baited traps around the affected area, then monitor them throughout the year and remove any trapped animals. The company says the traps rarely pose a threat to other animals. Residents are being asked to help fight the infestation by making sure their trash is stored in secure metal bins and making sure pet food is not being left out when the pet is not eating it, since these can be resources for rats. The pests can also feed from compost piles, so those should be kept secure as well. (TD)
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Michigan War Dog Memorial Seeking Clean-Up VolunteersMichigan War Dog Memorial Seeking Clean-Up Volunteers
Volunteers are being sought for the Michigan War Dog Memorialâs annual clean-up day this weekend. The memorial, located in South Lyon, provides a final resting place for dogs that serve the United States in the military or police force. Its owner and president Phil Weitlauf says there are only a handful of war dog memorials in the country, and his is one of only two that are still interring dogs. Several interments are already planned to take place when the weather allows it this year. Each year the memorial holds a clean-up day for volunteers to help clear away the leaves and debris left behind by the fall and winter. This yearâs cleanup will be held Saturday from 10am to 3pm. However, Weitlauf tells WHMI the actual length of the work will depend on how many people show up. He says last year about 50 people participated in the event, which only took about two hours to complete. He adds that he is working with a public official to get the event catered. The Michigan War Dog Memorial is also planning a public ceremony for Canine Veterans Day on April 18th. Visit their website for more information. (TD)
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