A Howell-area attorney is helping to lead the fight to revise Michiganâs laws in regards to the medicinal use of marijuana. Denise Pollicella runs a private practice in Genoa Township specializing in business law, but in the past several years has become active in the effort to ensure the 2008 voter-approved Medical Marijuana law will allow for the safe and legal ability to grow, sell and distribute medical marijuana. In that regard, sheâs a member of Cannabis Attorneys of Mid-Michigan, a lobbying group that specializes in marijuana-related issues. Currently, patients with doctorâs prescription and a state certified medical marijuana ID card can grow a limited number of plants for their personal use or designate a certified caregiver. But because caregivers are also limited in how much marijuana they can grow, many patients with a prescription and ID card canât get access. That has left a giant gray area which many have tried to fill with so-called provisioning centers to make that supply possible. However, such centers arenât detailed in the original law, leaving many municipalities and law enforcement agencies on their own in how to enforce the law. Pollicella, who will be a guest on WHMIâs Viewpoint program this Sunday morning at 8:30, says the current vagueness in the law results in legitimate medical users being penalized and the wrong people benefiting. While many communities have authorized provisioning centers, others have refused to touch the issue until the legislature creates uniform standards. Pollicella says the current trend of authorizing provisioning centers in residential areas is irresponsible and largely a way to not deal with it head on. She believes both the legislature and local communities need to find appropriate zoning regulations that will allow provisioning centers in commercial or industrial areas where it can be appropriately monitored. (JK)
Local Attorney Working To Give Legitimate Medical Marijuana Users Full AccessLocal Attorney Working To Give Legitimate Medical Marijuana Users Full Access
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Livingston Horse Euthanized After Contracting Deadly VirusLivingston Horse Euthanized After Contracting Deadly Virus
A barrel-racing horse in Livingston County had to be put down after testing positive for a strain of equine herpes virus. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has since issued quarantines involving about 22 horses in Livingston, Barry, Ionia and Saginaw Counties. It was notified on March 19th that a horse from a stable in Livingston County tested positive for EHV-1 and was placed in isolation. The 8-year-old Quarter-horse gelding was used for barrel racing and had been brought in to the Michigan State University Veterinary Medical Center the day before. The horse was humanely euthanized on March 21st after its condition worsened. The Livingston County horse that tested positive was not vaccinated for EHV-1, which is a state reportable disease. The state says no other horses have tested positive for the deadly neurological form of the disease. The disease poses no harm to humans but can cause abortions, partial paralysis and death in horses. The department says the horse had traveled for competitions and shows in Barry County on February 28th and March 7th. The horse also traveled for training to a facility in Livingston County on March 9th, 11th and 14th. Michigan horse owners are being urged to vaccinate their animals and isolate any that might have had contact with the animal. (JM)
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Chamber Recognized for Brighton's Farm to Table ExperienceChamber Recognized for Brighton's Farm to Table Experience
A local business organization is being recognized as an example of innovative collaboration for an event with Pure Michigan-style that showcases local agriculture and the effect on the local economy. The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce received one of the 2015 Governorâs Awards for Innovative Tourism Collaboration for âBrightonâs Farm to Table Experienceâ. The alfresco dining event showcases locally sourced ingredients from local growers and the Brighton Farmers Market. The experience allows guests to meet the local food growers and producers, while also raising funds for the Livingston County Hunger Council and the Brighton Farmerâs Market. Chamber Director of Events Sophia Freni says there are lots of moving pieces to the event and theyâre honored by the recognition in the experience, development and presentation category. She tells WHMI saying the event is a true collaboration that brings a wide range of people from different backgrounds to the table to create a magical event. The awards were created by the Michigan Travel Commission, in conjunction with the Governorâs Office, to elevate the status of Michiganâs tourism industry and to promote innovative collaboration as an effective, efficient and creative operating principle for the industry. The awards were presented earlier this month during the 2015 Pure Michigan Governorâs Conference on Tourism in Grand Rapids. (JM)
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Local Man Charged For Criminal Activity Involving Out-of-State MinorLocal Man Charged For Criminal Activity Involving Out-of-State Minor
A joint criminal investigation has led to charges against a local man for online activity involving a minor child who lived out of state. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department Detective Bureau says it completed an intensive investigation in cooperation with the Washington County Sheriffâs Department in Minnesota. The victim is a minor child who lives in Minnesota and the investigation resulted in six felony counts being filed against 24-year-old Christopher Carl Relitz, who resided in both Putnam and Green Oak Townships over the last year. He was taken into custody this past Wednesday and placed under arrest without incident by the Grand Blanc Township Police Department. He was transported back to the local area and remains lodged in the Livingston County Jail. Relitz has since been arraigned on charges that include child sexually abusive activity, extortion, using computers to commit a crime and accosting a child for immoral purposes. Specifics of the case have not been released and he is due in 53rd District Court for a probable case conference April 7th. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department commended both outside police agencies for their cooperation, diligence, and professionalism in the investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Matthew Shutes at 517-540-7941. (JM)
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Howell City Council Has Differing Views on Priority Projects w/ Tight BudgetHowell City Council Has Differing Views on Priority Projects w/ Tight Budget
The Howell City Council is in the process of weighting projects and priorities within budget constraints and fiscal realities. Council previously planned on grouping together three projects to solicit bids for, which must be done soon to take advantage of the more preferable spring market pricing. Those include the Bennett Recreation Center parking lot; curb installation on Maple Street due to wash out; and the controversial topic of possibly removing the mini-circles installed on some city streets that members have differing views on. Councilman Doug Heins has been a very vocal opponent of both the storm water swales and mini-circles that were constructed as part of the cityâs multi-year street improvement program and reaffirmed that position during a recent meeting. Others on council, such as Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Manor, have indicated they would not support spending money out of an already tight budget to rip up newly constructed streets to remove something serving its designed purpose. Meanwhile as to the other projects, members lessened the overall priority of work on Maple Street since city staff has done some milling and it appears to be a good short term fix. The parking lot of the Bennett Center is in major disrepair and work has been put off for years, leading to what some feel are now serious safety concerns. Ultimately, it was determined to proceed with soliciting parking lot bids, which doesnât commit the city to the project, and that council would take up the mini-circles as a separate item for discussion during future budget sessions. Itâs expected that conversation will focus on the possible removal of mini-circles at four way stops versus every location in the city, the potential budget impact and the level of prioritization. (JM)
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Howell DDA Approves Farmers' Market SponsorshipHowell DDA Approves Farmers' Market Sponsorship
The Howell Farmersâ Market will be backed once again by the Howell Main Street Downtown Development Authority this year. Last week, the DDA Board approved a $2,000 sponsorship for the Farmersâ Market, which will begin in May. DDA Director Cathleen Edgerly says her organization appreciates the vitality and increased traffic brought to the downtown area every year by the market For its participation, the DDA also gets market space during certain weeks over the summer to advertise its services, events, and featured businesses in the downtown area. Edgerly says this year it will also be selling its Howell Love merchandise, which was first released last fall. She expects a new round of designs to go on sale this summer, since the previous round is nearly sold out. The Howell Farmersâ Market runs from 9am to 2pm every Sunday from May 3rd to October 25th. (TD)
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Milford Man Gets Prison Time For Incident At Brighton PubMilford Man Gets Prison Time For Incident At Brighton Pub
Prison time has been ordered for a Milford man for his role in a melee at a Brighton restaurant in September. Earlier this month, 21-year-old Dylan Thomas Johnson pleaded guilty as charged to resisting police and possession of a switchblade, and pleaded no contest to charges of aggravated assault and assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder. He was charged as a third-time habitual offender. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but was treated as such for sentencing purposes. On Thursday, Judge Miriam Cavanaugh sentenced Johnson to a prison term of between 34 months and 20 years, with credit for 26 days already served. The court also advised him to take advantage of any and all substance abuse treatments available as well as anger management. According to the Milford Times, a Brighton Police sergeant testified that he saw Johnsonâs codefendant Thomas Haas of Ann Arbor punch a man at The Pound Bar and Grill in Brighton in the early morning of September 6th. That sergeant says he saw Johnson kick the man as he lay lifeless on the ground, then assault the victimâs brother with a head-butt. For his part in the scuffle, Haas was sentenced to 20 days in jail and probation. (TD)
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Woman Charged in Fatal Crash Again Found Competent to Stand Trial Woman Charged in Fatal Crash Again Found Competent to Stand Trial
A local woman charged in connection with a Howell Township crash that claimed the life of an unborn child has been found competent for the second time to stand trial. A court-ordered mental health evaluation determined 34-year-old Angela Murphy-Spare of Brighton was competent to stand trial. Her attorney received permission for an independent evaluation for both competency and criminal responsibility, which revealed the same finding according to court records. Her attorney indicated there was no need for a competency hearing as the court has already deemed the defendant competent. A probable cause hearing was scheduled and recently adjourned to April 21st at the request of the defense for further investigation. Murphy-Spare is charged with one count of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death, a 15-year felony, and one count of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Injury, a five year felony. Police say that Murphy-Spare was driving westbound in an eastbound lane of M-59 near Durant Road in Howell Township on May 7th of last year when she struck a Saturn driven by 29-year-old Michelle Richards of Howell. Murphy-Spare was deemed the at-fault driver and initial testing indicated she had a blood-alcohol content of .12%. The legal limit is .08%. Both women suffered significant injuries as a result of the crash. Murphy-Spare was taken by Survival Flight to the University of Michigan Hospital. Richards, who was seven months pregnant at the time of the crash, was also hospitalized and ultimately lost her child. (JM)
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Hilton Principal To Retire At End Of School YearHilton Principal To Retire At End Of School Year
Long-time Brighton school administrator Peggy Moyer received a standing ovation at the Brighton Board of Education meeting last week when the board accepted her resignation after 22 years of service to the district. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that Moyer has given yeomanâs service to the district over the years. Several school board members praised Moyer for her tireless work on behalf of children in the district. When first hired, Moyer was employed as a teacher at Maltby, then a middle school, in a position she remained in for over five years. She was then appointed principal at Hilton Elementary, a post she has held for the last 15 years. Her retirement becomes effective on June 30. (TT)
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High School's Kindness Week A Success High School's Kindness Week A Success
Kindness Week, a new endeavor held recently at Brighton High School, just may become an annual event. 9th-and-10th-grade principal Henry Vecchioni says that during Kindness Week, students were encouraged to make the effort to be kinder to fellow students: Not just those in their social group, but all students - whether a typical classmate or someone involved in an at-risk program or a student who doesn't fit in because he or she is just a little bit different. Kindness Week was the brainchild of Kris Nelson, a social worker and the adult supervisor of the See Something, Say Something anti-bullying program and The Reaching Higher program for at-risk students. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that Kindness Week was very successful and just one of many examples of the caring atmosphere that - along with a solid academic program - has made Brighton High School one of the top high schools in the state. Students involved in four programs: See Something, Say Something; Students Against Distractive Decisions - or SADD; the Gay-Straight Alliance; and Peer Mediation, a conflict resolution group, were responsible for organizing and planning Kindness Week. The special week was made possible through funds from a Centers for Disease Control Shift grant - the purpose of which is to foster a safe and supportive school environment. Nelson says Kindness Week used up only a small portion - about $700 - of the grant. The funds went toward printing large posters, buttons with sayings such as "Try kindness and pass it forward", artificial flowers that were handed out to students and making a peace tree out of construction paper. Nelson says since it was the first year that a Kindness Week has been held, it was experimental in nature and a work in progress. She plans to have it again next year, and says after this year's initial effort, the sponsoring groups will have a better idea of what works best. Nelson says Kindness Week had the full support and cooperation of administration and staff, from principals on down, and Vecchioni says Nelson and the four sponsoring student groups did "a very good job" in arranging and staging the first-ever activity at Brighton High. (TT)
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Trial Set For Suspect In Fatal Crash That Killed Milford Twp. WomanTrial Set For Suspect In Fatal Crash That Killed Milford Twp. Woman
A summer trial date has been set for a man charged in connection with a fiery crash that killed a Milford Township woman. 41-year-old Goran Djordjevski of Farmington Hills is charged in Oakland County Circuit Court with 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 held last week where a trial date was scheduled for July 21st. 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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Event Will Keep Child Abuse Issue Visible Throughout AprilEvent Will Keep Child Abuse Issue Visible Throughout April
LACASA is kicking off Child Abuse Prevention Month with an event this week that will keep the issue visible throughout the month of April. On Wednesday, the Child Abuse Prevention Council will hold its annual Pinwheels for Prevention ceremony on the front lawn of the Howell Carnegie District Library. The public is invited to attend the event, which will begin at noon and feature speakers like Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt, LACASA Director Bobette Schrandt, and the libraryâs Youth Services Director Holly Ward-Lamb. Participants will also plant a garden of blue pinwheels to remind residents of the importance of this topic. CAP Council Director Deanna Norris tells WHMI those pinwheels have basically supplanted the blue ribbon as the symbol of Child Abuse Prevention Month. They were chosen for that purpose in 2008 by the nationwide Prevent Child Abuse America organization, which feels that pinwheels represent the carefree happiness of youth. The CAP Council plans to plant 60 pinwheel gardens at various locations around the county over the course of April. Those efforts may be complicated by a delay in the supply of pinwheels reaching the Prevent Child Abuse America, which was caused by a longshoreman strike along the West Coast. (TD)
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Brighton School Board Has Strategic Planning WorkshopBrighton School Board Has Strategic Planning Workshop
3/30/15 - The Brighton Board of Education has taken the first step in revising its five-year strategic plan by holding a strategic planning workshop. The 3-hour workshop was held Saturday at the BECC building. Six of the seven board members attended, with John Conely absent. Board members heard about the boardâs role in providing direction to the district and setting the overall tone for Brighton Schools to be a repository of lifetime learning. The facilitator for the workshop was Michigan Association of School Boards consultant Rodney Green. Also in attendance were several professional educators, all of them students in Brighton Superintendent Greg Grayâs post-graduate class at Oakland University on administrative leadership in public schools. One of them was Jennifer Hernandez, who is employed by the stateâs Educational Leadership Authority in the Detroit Public Schools, who said the workshop was very beneficial. The EAA operates under-performing schools, such as Detroit, for the state of Michigan. Brighton school board President Jay Krause also said the strategic planning session was helpful, particularly given the fact that almost half of the board is composed of new members. Krause says at least one more session is needed, and is set for Saturday, April 25.
(TT)
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Almost 3% Of Livingston Residents Join State's Medicaid ExpansionAlmost 3% Of Livingston Residents Join State's Medicaid Expansion
Nearly 5,300 Livingston County residents are among more than half-million low-income adults who have signed up for Medicaid a year after Michigan expanded the insurance program under the federal health care law. According to statistics released last week, 5,245 county residents, or just under 3% of the countyâs population, have joined in the Healthy Michigan program, which celebrates its first anniversary Wednesday. The stateâs popular Medicaid expansion program has led to 600,000 low-income adults to be enrolled in government health insurance under the federal health care law. Now, Gov. Rick Snyderâs administration is working to ensure the program continues. The 2013 law establishing Healthy Michigan â enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature despite GOP strife over embracing a key component of the law many refer to as âObamacareâ â requires the state to get a second waiver from the Obama administration by yearâs end or the program will cease by May of 2016. Under the waiver request mandated in the law, adults who have been enrolled for four years would have to buy private insurance through a health exchange or pay higher copays and contribute more to health savings accounts â a maximum 7% of income instead of the current 5%. Like now, copays could be reduced if participants undergo an annual health risk assessment to flag obesity, alcohol use and smoking. Supporters, including Snyder, contend that offering insurance to more poor people will make them healthier and minimize their expensive trips to the emergency room, reducing hospitalsâ $1.2 billion in annual uncompensated care costs and saving money throughout the health system. The U.S. government is covering the entire cost of the expansion in the first three years. However, the state will be responsible for up to 10% by early next decade. (AP/JK)
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Milford Police Offer Vehicle Burglary Prevention Strategies After Weekend IncidentsMilford Police Offer Vehicle Burglary Prevention Strategies After Weekend Incidents
The Milford Police Department says a small number of thefts from vehicles were documented in the village this past weekend. All of the vehicles were left unlocked. The department says cooperation between officers and citizens resulted in much of the property being recovered and returned to victims. Police Chief Thomas Lindberg says historically this type of criminal behavior correlates with the weather. He says theyâll see an increase in larcenies from vehicles as winter breaks and during the warmer months, adding that ânow is the time to be diligent when it comes to securing your vehicle.â The Milford Police Department says a strong community partnership is needed to minimize this form of theft and has offered tips to help decrease the likelihood of being a victim, which may be viewed in the press release attached below. (JM)
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Cold Case Team Not Ruling Out Serial Killer in Unsolved 1983 MurderCold Case Team Not Ruling Out Serial Killer in Unsolved 1983 Murder
Could the 1983 murder of a woman be the work of a serial killer? Itâs a possibility local cold case investigators say they canât definitively rule out. Sunday marked the 32nd anniversary of the discovery of Christina Castiglioneâs body near Cohoctah. The 19-year-oldâs body was found near Fisher and Fawcett Roads in the Oak Grove State Game Area and no arrests have ever been made. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled, and was last seen in Redford in the Beech Daly and 5 Mile Road areas. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department Cold Case Team remains active and Detective Bill Lenaghan says it is possible Castiglioneâs murder may have been the work of a serial killer. He says several cold case teams met last year to compare cases that had similar situations with state police and local jurisdictions, as well as Oakland and other counties that border Livingston. One case of comparison is Kimberly Louiselle, who was 16-years old and was hitchhiking home from Redford when she disappeared in 1982. Her body was found on state land at the Island Lake Recreation Area in Green Oak Township and she had also been sexually assaulted and murdered. Lenaghan says thereâs a very good possibility a serial killer was operating because of similarities in the cases, confirming it was almost a year to the day before Christinaâs discovery. Castiglione's body was originally discovered by Ron Latilla and Lengahan says the circumstances by which he was in the area were deemed suspicious. He claimed to have found the body while fishing and hunting in the area but had neither a rifle nor a fishing rod. Latilla's brother also owned property near the place where Castiglione was last seen alive. Lenaghan says they donât know what the connection is but Latilla remains a person of interest, noting his DNA did not match what they have after testing. Lenagahan says theyâre still actively seeking information, either through the sheriffâs office or anonymously through Crime Stoppers. The Livingston County Sheriff's Detective Bureau tip line is (517) 546-8477. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 1-800-CRIME-STOPPERS. As to what could be the catalyst to help solve the case, Lenaghan says DNA evidence has been entered into a national database which could one day produce a hit. That or he says if someone has an epiphany and decides to open up and talk about what they know or potentially share information about something never brought up before. (JM/JK)
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Police Talk Down Man on US-23 Overpass in HartlandPolice Talk Down Man on US-23 Overpass in Hartland
What could have been a tragic situation that shut down US-23 and M-59 in Hartland Township ended peacefully tonight. Reports of a man standing on the northbound US-23 overpass, above M-59 started coming in after 6:30pm. Both westbound M-59 and northbound US-23 had to be shut down and there was a large police presence in the area, resulting in traffic delays and backups. The man eventually came down from the overpass safely and everything re-opened to traffic before 8pm. Further details are unknown. Michigan State Police are handling the incident. (JM)
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Genoa Township Discusses Six Year Capital Improvement ProgramGenoa Township Discusses Six Year Capital Improvement Program
Genoa Township is already looking six years into the future while drafting their Capital Improvement Program. The Genoa Charter Township Board and the Planning Commission held a meeting on Monday to discuss the current plan for improvements to the area. The Capital Improvement Program lists all new major facilities that will be built between 2015 and 2021, while also updating the townshipâs Master Plan. Upcoming projects are divided between land and major facilities, service support, sidewalks, gravel and paved road improvements. The tasks are then scheduled throughout the six year period based on priority level and cost. Keeping all of this in mind, the township has a goal to end each fiscal year with 1.8 million dollars in the General Fund balance and contribute $200,000 to road reimbursement annually. Genoa zoning official, Ron Akers, tells WHMI the meeting was productive and the feedback will come into play next month. One of the suggested changes to the program was to introduce additional solar panels at the township hall sooner than what is scheduled, as it saves the township money. Both groups agreed fitness equipment being installed at the park and the commitment to sidewalks was prioritized correctly as it encourages health and wellness. Akers says the Board and Planning Commission feel it is important to create a program that best serves Genoa Township residents, while remaining financially responsible.(DK)
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Parking Restrictions In Place For Pinckney Street CleaningParking Restrictions In Place For Pinckney Street Cleaning
Drivers in Pinckney will need to watch where they park for the next two days. The Village of Pinckney will be conducting street sweeping today and tomorrow from 7:30am until 5pm on all public streets. To ensure a thorough completion of the project, officials are requesting no parking on neighborhood streets during that time frame. Downtown parking may be limited to one side only during the cleaning process. Businesses are asked to have their employeeâs park either in private lots or on the DDA owned lot at Main and Marion streets during those hours. Village officials add that they will not be sweeping M-36 as it is a state highway. They say they are trying to confirm the date for cleaning with the state and will make notification once that is confirmed.
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Howell Meeting Discusses Proposed Commuter Rail LineHowell Meeting Discusses Proposed Commuter Rail Line
Residents of Howell gathered last night to get information from some of the people responsible for conducting a feasibility study on the proposed North-South Commuter Rail Line, also known as WALLY. The meeting was held at the Bennett Recreation Center in Howell and drew a crowd of about 50 people, including local elected officials and state legislators. A feasibility study is currently underway to determine whether the proposed commuter rail line between Ann Arbor and Howell would have public support, whether it would get enough riders, how it would be governed, and how it would be funded. They also covered common questions, such as why those who do not commute to Ann Arbor should support the project, before taking questions from the public. A similar meeting was held in Brighton earlier this month. By comparison, the Howell meeting had fewer vocal opponents of the WALLY project, although some members of the audience said they would withhold support unless and until the feasibility study produced favorable numbers. Others were concerned about how the program would be governed and funded once it is built. This was the last public meeting on the feasibility study, but residents interested in the North South Commuter Rail Line can get information and leave feedback at the website below. (TD)
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