1/4/13 - The Livingston County Board of Commissioners has elected new leadership for the coming year. Wednesday marked the first meeting of the year for both newly-elected and returning elected commissioners with the oath of office being administered to all. Commissioner Carol Griffith was named Chairwoman while Steve Williams was named vice chairman for the coming year. This marks Griffithâs third term serving District 7, which encompasses all of Genoa Township. Griffith is a lifelong Livingston County resident and says sheâs very comfortable with the new position and working together with the new team. She tells WHMI she is really looking forward to the opportunity and says all of the newly elected commissioners are enthusiastic and believes they'll represent their constituents well. Newly elected commissioners include former Brighton Mayor Kate Lawrence who represents District 1 and William Green, who replaces former District 2 Commissioner Jim Mantey. Also newly elected for the District 9 seat is Gary Childs. Just who will represent District 5 is still undetermined but the seat is currently held by Commissioner Jay Drick, who is expected to become the new 53rd District Court Magistrate. Once thatâs finalized, the board would appoint someone to serve out the remainder of his term. Former commissioner and local attorney Donald Parker has indicated a desire to again serve the public in that role. (JM)
Griffith Named Chair of Livingston County Board of CommissionersGriffith Named Chair of Livingston County Board of Commissioners
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Participants Sought For February Polar Plunge Events Participants Sought For February Polar Plunge Events
1/4/13 - Livingston County residents are again being encouraged to brave some icy waters and take the polar plunge for a cause. The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge series is known for its zany costumes and courageous participants. After raising funds, participants dress up and plunge into some freezing waters at a variety of events across the state. The Fenton Polar Plunge will take place on February 9th into Lake Fenton at the Fenton Moose Lodge while the Brighton Polar Plunge is scheduled at Brighton High School on February 23rd. All proceeds from the plunges help support year-round sports training and athletic competition for thousands of children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Michigan. A link to more information and registration details can be found via the link below. (JM)
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Man Sentenced For High Speed Chase Through Milford Man Sentenced For High Speed Chase Through Milford
1/4/13 - A Novi man has been sentenced in connection with an alcohol-induced high-speed chase through Milford. 27-year-old Braden Mathis was given two days of jail time already served but will spend the next two years on probation after pleading guilty earlier to charges of 3rd degree fleeing and eluding as well as operating a vehicle with high blood alcohol content in Oakland County Circuit Court. His license has been suspended for one year and his vehicle will be immobilized for six months. Mathis must also submit to drug and alcohol testing and complete substance abuse treatment. Police say Mathis failed to come to a complete stop at an intersection in Milford and narrowly missed hitting a van October 21st, 2012. When an officer tried to pull him over, he sped off down Milford Road and led police on a chase that reached speeds of 75 mph. The pursuit ended when Mathis finally stopped and was ordered out at gunpoint. Police say his blood alcohol content was.20% - more than double the legal limit for driving. (JM)
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Brighton City Attorney to Review Proposed Liquor License PolicyBrighton City Attorney to Review Proposed Liquor License Policy
1/4/13 - The Brighton City Council Thursday night unanimously voted to refer to the city attorneyâs office for review a proposed policy resolution on criteria for the granting of a class C quota liquor license. The city currently has one quota license to grant due to a population increase in the city stemming from the 2010 census. Some on council felt that the quota liquor license should not be given out at this time but should be kept for several months. However, others on council â including Mayor Jim Muzzin - felt the quota license should be granted quickly since two existing business owners in the downtown area are keenly interested in such a license. At the meeting two weeks ago, council approved a license transfer from Scotty Simpsonâs Fish and Chips and Lynnâs Café to Stonefire Bistro, which lost its liquor license stemming from problems with the previous owner. However, they did not act on the applications by the Stonefire Bistro owners and the owner of Two Brothers Coffee Shop for the quota license. Foster says his feeling is that council will make a decision on both the draft policy resolution and who will be granted the quota liquor license at its next meeting on Jan. 17. The liquor license transfer and the quota license will both be subject to final approval by the state Liquor Control Commission. (TT)
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Judge Denies Motion in Ongoing Legal Battle Over Brighton HomesJudge Denies Motion in Ongoing Legal Battle Over Brighton Homes
1/4/13 - A hearing is scheduled later this month in the ongoing legal battle between the City of Brighton and an elderly Northville couple. Attorney Dennis Dubuc represents Leon and Marilyn Bonner, who own two homes on North Street that the City ordered demolished in January of 2009 based on its ordinance. That ordinance permits demolition of an unsafe structure deemed to be a public nuisance, without providing the owner the option to repair it. It was found unconstitutional by Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty - a decision that was upheld by the Michigan Court of Appeals. More recently, Hatty ruled the Bonnerâs lost their non-conforming use of the property as residential because they havenât lived in the homes or rented them out. Dubuc is seeking a stay of proceedings from the Court of Appeals until it determines if the non-conforming use was validly denied by Hatty. He says thatâs necessary to stop the process of ordering the Bonnerâs to bring the homes to commercial standards. Dubuc filed a motion asking that a final judgment be entered in the case, which Judge Hatty denied this week to allow a January 29th show/cause hearing to commence. All parties have been ordered to appear at that time. (JM)
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Mother Enters Plea After Intoxicated Rollover Crash in Tyrone Twp. Mother Enters Plea After Intoxicated Rollover Crash in Tyrone Twp.
1/4/13 - An Oakland County woman charged after driving while intoxicated and flipping her SUV in Tyrone Township with her two young children inside has entered a plea in the case. 23-year-old Teddyjo Marie Fliam pleaded guilty as charged to operating under the influence causing serious injury, operating while intoxicated with occupants less than 16 and failure to maintain security for having no insurance. Sheâll be sentenced by Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty February 7th. The Sheriffâs Department says Fliam ran a stop sign on Center Road near Old US-23 on July 20th of last year, lost control of her vehicle and hit an embankment. Both Fliam and her 1-year-old daughter were thrown from the SUV while her 4-year-old son was secured with a seatbelt. All three were hospitalized in serious condition following the crash and police said a preliminary breath test revealed Fliamâs blood alcohol level was more than two times Michiganâs legal limit for driving. (JM)
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Michigan Recycling Coalition Director Plans Talk In BrightonMichigan Recycling Coalition Director Plans Talk In Brighton
1/5/13 - The head of a Michigan recycling advocacy organization will be visiting Brighton this month to discuss what is being done to encourage recycling statewide. Kerrin OâBrien is the Executive Director of the Michigan Recycling Coalition, and she tells WHMI that she will be visiting the Brighton District Library on January 22nd. She tells WHMI that her organization developed a report two years ago that put dollar figures to recycling efforts and found that, if the state could recycle 50% of its solid waste, it would create $5 billion in additional revenue. OâBrien says that money would be saved through reduced landfill maintenance, increased material resources, and jobs created to process the new materials. Michigan is lagging behind other states in the region, recycling only an estimated 16% of its solid waste. At this monthâs meeting OâBrien will also discuss recent recycling legislation, the future of bottle recycling in Michigan, and the six components of the Coalitionâs proposed Best In Class Recycling System. The meeting is free to attend. For more information, follow the link posted at WHMI.com. (TD)
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Howell Chamber Plans 56th Annual Citizen Of The Year AwardsHowell Chamber Plans 56th Annual Citizen Of The Year Awards
1/5/13 - A dinner will be held later this month to honor one local resident who has dedicated a large part of his or her life to improving Livingston County.Howell Area Chamber of Commerce President Pat Convery tells WHMI the organization will be continuing a decades-old tradition at its annual Citizen of the Year dinner on January 24th. The dinner and award have been annual traditions for 56 years, and each year the previous winners gather in secret to select the newest recipient. Convery says while many people make significant one-time contributions to the good of the county, the Citizen of the Year award is set aside for those who have spent a significant portion of their lives contributing to the local area. Last yearâs winner, Howell City Councilman Steve Manor, will present this yearâs award. While the winner of the big award is kept a secret until the dinner, other people and groups that will be honored at the meeting have been announced. They include Casa de Bella in Howell, the Livingston County Hunger Council, and residents Mike Kennedy, Susan Pominville, Jesse Parsley, and Dennis Gehringer. The dinner will begin at 6pm on January24th at Crystal Gardens. It costs $55 per person to attend, with deals available for groups of 8 or 10. (TD)
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Fenton Man Laid to Rest After Falling Ill With The FluFenton Man Laid to Rest After Falling Ill With The Flu
1/5/13 - Services were held Thursday for a father of five from Fenton who passed away after suffering from flu-like symptoms late last month. 44-year-old Kirk Beauchamp of Fenton and his wife Amy both came down with the flu on December 26th. Amy recovered from the illness, but Kirk did not show signs of improving. The Tri-County Times reports he was taken to Genesys Health Park for treatment, then air-lifted to Henry Ford Hospital, but did not improve under their care. He passed away December 29th, three days after symptoms began. He leaves behind a wife and five children ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade. Beauchamp and his wife returned to the Fenton area in September after four years in Ohio. A memorial fund for the family is being set up. Those who wish to donate can find envelopes at Sharp Funeral Homes in Swartz Creek, which handled Beauchampâs funeral service. (JK)
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Livingston County Lawmakers Log Perfect Voting RecordsLivingston County Lawmakers Log Perfect Voting Records
1/5/13 - Three local lawmakers are among a select few in Michigan who managed a perfect voting record last year. Republican State Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Township was one of only two members in that chamber with zero votes missed during the total 1,141 roll-call votes taken. The other was fellow Republican Tory Rocca of Sterling Heights. Meanwhile, 50 members of the 110-member House of Representatives had perfect voting records for the last session, including both of those who represent Livingston County: Republicans Bill Rogers of Genoa Township and Cindy Denby of Handy Township. Hune says while he is pleased to hear the 96th Legislature lived up to constituentsâ expectations, he hopes the 97th Legislature can live up to the precedent set by this past session. (JM)
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Local Judge Won't Recuse Self From 2008 Double Murder TrialLocal Judge Won't Recuse Self From 2008 Double Murder Trial
1/5/13 - 53rd District Court Judge Theresa Brennan will preside over the trial of a man charged in the 2008 double-homicide of his brother and sister-in-law in Oceola Township. Authorities say 66-year-old Jerome Kowalski shot to death Richard and Brenda Kowalski on May 1st, 2008 and then confessed to police but the defense says the confession was only given after a lengthy interrogation. In court on Friday, Defense Attorney Walter Piszczatowski filed a motion seeking to recuse Judge Brennan from the case after finding out that she personally knew witnesses. Brennan denied that motion and the defense then appealed to Livingston County Circuit Court Judge David Reader, who upheld her decision. Jury selection in Kowalskiâs murder trial is set to begin on Monday morning in Judge Miriam Cavanaughâs courtroom in Howell. (JM)
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Attorney Questions New State Law on Intoxicated DrivingAttorney Questions New State Law on Intoxicated Driving
1/7/13 - An Ohio man who was charged with felony âdrugged drivingâ after a May 2011 crash along I-96 between Webberville and Williamston is expected to plead to a misdemeanor in court today following a ruling last month that dismissed a blood test that indicated marijuana in his system. Jon Goodburn of Columbus was originally charged with leaving the scene of an accident, driving under the influence of a drug and possession of marijuana for an incident along I-96 east of Williamston Road. But his attorney successfully argued to an Ingham County District Court judge that the stateâs crime lab testing for marijuana intoxication was too imprecise to determine if his clientâs driving ability was impaired at the time of the accident. Michael Nichols (pictured) argued that small amounts of marijuana can still be detected up to 30 days after use. The Detroit News says that when the head of the state police toxicology unit could not satisfactorily explain the testing process to the judge, he ruled the test results as inadmissible. Goodburn, who is scheduled to be back in court today, is expected to plead to an offense of reckless driving, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail. The Ingham County Prosecutor's Office has not indicated whether it will appeal the ruling. Meanwhile, Nichols has criticized a new law that makes it illegal to operate a motor vehicle with "any intoxicating substance in a person's system." He says it sets up the potential for innocent people to be convicted and called on lawmakers to amend the law more in line with what he called âconsistent with modern forensic science and its limitations." (JK)
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Cromaine Library Unveils Traveling Smithsonian Exhibit Cromaine Library Unveils Traveling Smithsonian Exhibit
1/7/13 - A ribbon-cutting ceremony kicked off the grand opening of a Smithsonian Institution exhibit at the Hartland Cromaine Library on Friday. The exhibit is titled âThe Way We Worked,â and Library Marketing Manager Carol Taggart says it showcases pictures and other graphic illustrations of how America worked in the past, the reasons we worked and where we worked. Taggart adds that by examining the historical perspective, we as a society can hopefully make forward strides into the future. The exhibit features large-format photographs, historical objects, and interactive components. It is touring the state, but is only being taken to rural communities with less than 20,000 residents. Hartland was selected as one of the stops due to its strong programming components linking local work history to the national exhibit. The exhibit is free to the public and will be on display at the library through the first week in February, although library staff ask that large groups call ahead so staff members can accompany them. After that it will move on to Escanaba, Clare, and Hart. (JK)
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Federal Judge Denies Bid to Dismiss Brighton Man's TrialFederal Judge Denies Bid to Dismiss Brighton Man's Trial
1/7/13 - A federal judge has denied a motion filed by a Livingston County man accused of abusing poor boys at a residential center he ran in Haiti. Matthew Andrew Carter of Brighton is charged with multiple counts of Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct. Authorities say the 66-year-old traveled from Florida to Haiti between October of 2001 and May of 2011 where he forced poor boys sheltered at the Morning Star Center in Port-au-Prince to engage in sexual conduct in exchange for gifts, money or continued care. Carter, who has been in custody since his arrest in May, 2011 in Miami, filed a motion in November in U.S. District Court in Southern Florida to dismiss the charges because he claims they were filed outside the statute of limitations. The current indictment against Carter was filed last January and cites four instances in which the alleged offenses were committed; the last being in February of 2006. Because the statute of limitations for the crime is five years, Carter maintains the indictment was filed too late and thus should be dismissed. But in a ruling filed late last month, Judge Joan Lenard ruled against the interpretation and denied the statute of limitations had expired. Carter is set to go to trial January 29th. (JK)
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Flu Suspected in Lake Fenton High School Student's DeathFlu Suspected in Lake Fenton High School Student's Death
1/7/13 - A little more than a week after influenza is thought to have been the cause of a Fenton manâs death, officials in the Lake Fenton school district have confirmed that one of their students has also died after being hospitalized with what were believed to be flu-like symptoms. The 9th-grader, who has not been identified, reportedly became ill over winter break. His death comes just 8 days after a father of five from Fenton passed away after suffering from flu-like symptoms. 44-year-old Kirk Beauchamp of Fenton died December 29th, three days after symptoms began. He was laid to rest last week. State health officials say there are more than 250 confirmed flu cases in Michigan and that such numbers typically arenât seen until later in the flu season. So far, there have been two confirmed adult deaths and three pediatric fatalities from the disease, although the exact cause of the Lake Fenton teenâs death remains under investigation. (JK)
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Jury Seated in 2008 Double Murder Case Against Warren Man Jury Seated in 2008 Double Murder Case Against Warren Man
1/7/13 - Almost five years after a double homicide took place in Oceola Township; the case is going to trial. A jury was seated late Monday in the case against Jerome Kowalski, who is accused of murdering his brother and sister-in-law inside of their Lyngre Road home in May of 2008. Opening arguments are scheduled begin Tuesday but itâs possible that testimony will also be heard. Police say the Warren man confessed but his defense counsel maintains the statement was only offered after a prolonged interrogation. His brother Richard Kowalski was found shot twice in the head while his wife Brenda had been shot four times in the head, abdomen and chest. Jurors are expected to view graphic crime scene photographs and possibly the police interrogation interview in question. 53rd District Court Judge Theresa Brennan is presiding over the trial, which will start Tuesday morning with jury instructions in a Howell courtroom. (JM)
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Charges Possible in Handy Township Pizza Delivery Dispute
1/7/13 - A man could face aggravated assault charges after a confrontation during a pizza delivery in Handy Township.
The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department says the incident occurred December 26th when a pizza man attempted to make a delivery on Jamerlea Lane, northwest of Fowlerville. According to police reports, the driver had difficulty finding a place to park and asked a neighbor who was shoveling her driveway if he could park there. She agreed, but witnesses said the man who ordered the pizza saw the deliveryman park at the wrong house and began to yell at him. An argument then ensued between the man who ordered the pizza and the neighbor. Others, including the neighborâs husband and another adult from the same house, were said to have joined in the argument. Police say the third man produced a handgun from his car and is alleged to have verbally threatened the man who had ordered the pizza.
There is debate over whether the air pistol was actually raised or not but the sheriffâs department was called out to the scene and took the man with the weapon into custody without incident. He was released on January 4th after a court hearing about a possible probation violation and itâs unknown if he will face charges any charges in connection with the incident. (JK)
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Testimony Begins for Man Accused of Oceola Double MurderTestimony Begins for Man Accused of Oceola Double Murder
1/8/13 - Testimony is expected to begin this morning in the trial of a man accused of killing his brother and sister-in-law in Oceola Township after jury selection was completed Monday. The first day in the trial of 66-year-old Jerome Kowalski was spent interviewing and selecting jurors. Kowalski is accused of killing Richard and Brenda Kowalski in Oceola Township in 2008, and authorities say he confessed to the crime. However, defense attorney Walter Piszczatowski says that confession was only given after a lengthy interrogation and his questions to potential jurors reflected that position. He asked many of them whether they believed people could give false confessions and whether they believed police were more honest and reliable as witnesses. Prosecutor Pamela Maas asked fewer questions in general, and for many of the jurors only asked if they had heard any details about the trial and whether they would give both sides âa fair shake.â Almost 20 potential jurors were dismissed, including one that worked alongside the brother of a police officer involved in the case. In the end, seven men and eight women were selected for the jury and their swearing in and instruction was scheduled for today. (TD)
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Woman's Car Hit While Parked on RR TracksWoman's Car Hit While Parked on RR Tracks
1/8/13 - A man could face criminal charges following a domestic dispute involving alcohol Sunday night that ultimately destroyed a vehicle left on railroad tracks in the City of Howell. The unidentified man is accused of intentionally leaving his girlfriendâs car parked on the railroad tracks located at Dearborn and Marion Streets. An eastbound train was unable to avoid hitting the vehicle, which was empty and no one was injured. Howell Police worked to clear the scene by 4am Monday. Chief George Basar tells WHMI the man could face possible charges of attempted derailment of a train. He says under the current laws governing railroads, anything that someone places on the tracks is considered an attempt to derail a train. (JM)
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Miles Vieau Voted in as New Brighton Board of Education PresidentMiles Vieau Voted in as New Brighton Board of Education President
1/8/13- The Brighton School Board welcomed Miles Vieau as their new president at last nightâs regular meeting. Vieau has served on the board for over 18 years as a Trustee, but has been involved in the Brighton community and schools since 1968. Vieau is a 1970 graduate of Brighton High School and holds a passion for the students and the taxpayers in the area. In the coming year, President Vieau hopes the board will complete many of the bond projects the district has in the works. Some of these tasks include updating athletic facilities, ceilings, carpeting, pipes, and technology in school buildings. Ideally, Vieau would like the board to come out of these projects under budget, but growth or loss in the district and a possible lack of funds from the state government could serve as an obstacle for the Brighton Area Schools. The new presidentâs overall goal is to help bring the district out of debt. (SO)
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