The Purple Rose Theatre Company will be on tour this summer, with a stop planned for Livingston County. The Chelsea-based theater recently announced its 25th Anniversary Script Preview Tour, including a five-stop live concert reading from five classic and world-premiere plays. Founded in 1991 by actor and Chelsea native, Jeff Daniels, The Purple Rose Theatre Company is a professional theatre troupe with an emphasis on producing both new and classic American plays. Among the works that will be featured during the tour are The Casting Session by Jeff Daniels and The Odd Couple by Neil Simon. The tour will start at Chelsea High School on Tuesday, June 23rd and then go to the Riverwalk Theatre in Lansing on Sunday, June 28th before arriving at Cleary Universityâs Johnson Center in Genoa Township on Tuesday, June 30th at 7pm. It will then visit the Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills in July and finally the Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts in August. Purple Rose officials say the main objectives of the 25th Anniversary Script Preview Tour are to highlight Chelseaâs arts & culture partnership model for original script development, raise a level of awareness of the leading impact & contribution the Purple Rose has on the American stage and stimulate a more demographically & geographically diverse audience.
Acclaimed Michigan Theater To Make Summer Tour Stop In HowellAcclaimed Michigan Theater To Make Summer Tour Stop In Howell
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Annual Relay Celebrates Cancer Survivors, Remembers Lives LostAnnual Relay Celebrates Cancer Survivors, Remembers Lives Lost
With up to 300 people participating, the annual Relay for Life, held at the Brighton High School track over the weekend, was deemed a success, despite missing out on it's fundraising goal of $35,000. The event started Friday at 6 p.m. and - despite intermittent rain - concluded at its scheduled time of 4 p.m. Saturday. Thousands of similar events were held around the nation to benefit the American Cancer Society. The community fundraising walks are dedicated to celebrating cancer survivorship, remembering lives lost and recognizing that fighting cancer is a year-round priority. Event Leadership Team spokeswoman Gretchen Brelinski tells WHMI that with $28,000 having been raised so far, the proceeds are down this year. However, she emphasizes that there is still plenty of time for people to donate. Opening ceremonies Friday were followed by the Survivors Lap, when all cancer survivors at the event took the first lap around the track celebrating their victory while being cheered on. About 100 local cancer survivors took part in the Survivors Lap. A Caregivers Lap was also held for those who have ever cared for someone with cancer and the Luminaria Ceremony was to remember the lives lost to cancer and support those still fighting the disease.(TT)
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Deerfield Township Couple Bound Over On Felony Child Abuse Charges Deerfield Township Couple Bound Over On Felony Child Abuse Charges
A Deerfield Township couple accused of felony child abuse has been bound over for trial. Eric and Angela Corcoran are charged with 2nd degree child abuse following accusations their 16-year-old adopted son was mentally and emotionally abused from a period beginning in 2012, up until February of this year. He has since been placed in foster care. During a recent hearing, District Court Judge Carol Sue Reader determined there was enough evidence to bind the case over to Livingston County Circuit Court. Their arraignments were waived and future dates are pending. 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 ate and slept alone in the basement, only could get access to the main living area of the home from other family members, and was forced to go to the bathroom in a camper toilet. Inspectors indicated his bed consisted of a dirty mattress with no sheets, blanket, or pillow. He further alleged the coupleâs two biological children also mistreated him and reportedly told CPS workers he just wanted a loving family. (JM)
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Part-Time Fowlerville Cop Suspended After Alcohol-Fueled Strip Club Fight Part-Time Fowlerville Cop Suspended After Alcohol-Fueled Strip Club Fight
A Fowlerville police officer has been suspended from the department after allegedly getting into a fight while off-duty and intoxicated at a strip club. The officer has not been identified but remains suspended from the Fowlerville Police Department pending an internal investigation. Police Chief Tom Couling tells WHMI the officer was hired in October and works part-time. He was off duty at time of incident. The officer is retired from Ann Arbor and also works as a Highland Park police officer. The incident in question allegedly occurred last Tuesday night at Subiâs Place on Northline Road in Southgate. The officer and his girlfriend arrived after 11pm and he apparently got into it verbally with the valet and refused to let them park his vehicle. Management got involved and agreed to let him park his own vehicle. Then when the couple was leaving around 1:30am, the officer is said to have again exchanged words with the valet and allegedly took a swing at the clubâs doorman. A fight ensued between the officer and bouncers, who restrained him until Southgate Police responded and arrested him. The Wayne County Prosecutorâs Office will determine if any criminal charges are warranted. (JM/JK)
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Group Ride & Ceremony Honor Fallen Livingston County VeteransGroup Ride & Ceremony Honor Fallen Livingston County Veterans
Coming from all over Southeast Michigan, dozens of members of Rolling Thunder chapters rode from Memories Lounge in Brighton Township Saturday and ended at the Historic Downtown Courthouse in Howell. Following the morning ride a ceremony was held to pay tribute to local fallen soldiers who lost their lives in the Middle East. Although many members ride motorcycles, Rolling Thunder officials insist they are not a motorcycle club. They say the group is a national nonprofit organization whose aim is to raise awareness about POW-MIA soldiers and their families. Saturdayâs ride honored 25 fallen servicemen from the Livingston County area. Michigan House Representative Hank Vaupel stopped by the event and tells WHMI that he appreciates the fact that Rolling Thunder holds this event. He says as a veteran himself he can relate to the loss of life and commemorate that and what it costs to preserve freedom. This yearâs featured speaker was Gordy Dibler the stepfather of former POW, Army Specialist Byron Fouty who was killed in captivity. Dibler talked about life after his sonâs death and said what Rolling Thunder does is important and it does help. (DS/JK)
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Appeals Courts Uphold Conviction & Sentence In Pinckney Money ScamAppeals Courts Uphold Conviction & Sentence In Pinckney Money Scam
An appeals panel has rejected the arguments of a West Michigan man convicted in a Pinckney money scam and sentenced to a lengthy prison term. 61-year-old Nathaniel Wallace was sentenced in 2013 to serve 5 1/2 years to 15 years in prison for larceny from a building. The Grand Rapids man was convicted in a bench trial of larceny for tricking a Pinckney gas station clerk out of $98. Police say he entered a Sunoco gas station and asked to purchase a $2 lottery ticket, paying with a $100 bill. After receiving his change, Wallace told the clerk that he did not mean to break the $100 bill and asked if he could have it back. The clerk testified that she became confused when he âpulled a wad of money from his pocketâ and began counting out the money. She only realized he had kept the $100 bill after he had left the store. Wallace appealed the conviction, saying the elements of larceny in a building had not been met and that his sentencing was incorrect because it departed from the sentencing guidelines. In a decision released this week, the Michigan Appeals Court disagreed and upheld both the conviction and sentence. The earliest Wallace will be eligible for parole is 2018.
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Advocates Continue Work to Change Attitudes About Underage DrinkingAdvocates Continue Work to Change Attitudes About Underage Drinking
The end of another school year is in sight for students across Livingston County, meaning that many will be hosting or attending graduation parties and other festivities in the coming weeks. However, those events can also bring the temptation of alcohol and local advocates are continuing efforts to empower students and help change adult attitudes about underage drinking. Amy Johnston is a community prevention specialist with The Pinckney Coalition Johnston says many people tend to have the attitude that they did it so it, so itâs not a big deal but the fact remains that the effect of alcohol on those minds that aren't fully developed and the risk of addiction are not completely understood. Students and parents alike often underestimate the toll underage drinking takes on the entire state. In 2013, Johnston says underage drinking cost the State of Michigan $1.3 (B) billion dollars including medical care, lost work and pain and suffering. That translates to nearly $2,000 for every youth in the state or $4.20 for every underage drink consumed. While underage drinking is a costly reality, Johnston says itâs not something all students choose to partake in and itâs important for students and parents to know the idea that "everyone" drinks at this age just isn't the case. She points to local statistics that revealed 76% of high-school students and 96% of middle-school students have not used alcohol in the past 30 days. Johnston says programs such as Project Sticker Shock are helping to dispel the notion that underage drinking is harmless. Students from the Pinckney Coalition were among those who recently took part in Project Sticker Shock, which is aimed at empowering young people to change adult attitudes about teen drinking by labeling cases of beer with warning stickers about the dangers of providing alcohol to minors. (JM)
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Traffic Shift & Road Closures Planned in Downtown Fenton This Week Traffic Shift & Road Closures Planned in Downtown Fenton This Week
The Fenton Streetscape project will bring a traffic shift and an additional road closure in the downtown area this week. In the latest project update, officials reported that leads have been connected from the water main to buildings in the area of Shiawassee Avenue and the city thanked those affected by the closure for their cooperation. This week, the city says there will be a traffic shift on LeRoy between Shiawassee and Mill Street as the installation of storm sewer begins. There will also be intermittent lane closures on Mill Street while storm sewer is installed in that area. Additionally, Assistant City Manager Mike Burns said he was informed this morning that beginning on Tuesday, there will be a road closure at LeRoy and Elizabeth Street as storm sewer will be installed. The work will most likely take two days to complete. The city asks that motorists and pedestrians be safe and mindful of surroundings in and around the construction zone.
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Marion Man Found Competent After Allegedly Threatening FamilyMarion Man Found Competent After Allegedly Threatening Family
A Marion Township man who fled from police after threatening family members with a gun has been found competent to stand trial by an independent evaluation. 22-year-old Brandon Gale is charged with a number of offenses, including armed robbery, fleeing police, assault, and weapons charges. He had previously been found competent to stand trial after undergoing competency and criminal responsibility testing in January by the state forensic center. His attorneys obtained an independent evaluation in an attempt to contest those results, but court records this week indicate that evaluation also found him competent. He has been scheduled for a pretrial hearing on June 19th, with trial scheduled for August 10th. The case stems from an incident in December in which Gale, while out on bond from the October chase, allegedly threatened family members with weapons twice in one day before attempting to flee police. Gale is said to have led police on a high-speed chase and had to be immobilized by responding Michigan State Police troopers. Three other cases are also pending against Gale in the Livingston County court system. He has already pleaded guilty to retail fraud in one and is charged with possession of marijuana in another. The third case is tied to a motorcycle chase on October 20th and involves charges of fleeing a police officer and driving an unregistered vehicle. (TD)
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First Two of Three Finalists in Howell Superintendent Race InterviewedFirst Two of Three Finalists in Howell Superintendent Race Interviewed
During a special session Monday night, members of the Howell Board of Education had the opportunity to sit face to face with two of the three finalists for the Superintendent position. Edward Okuniewski, deputy superintendent for curriculum and instruction at LâAnse Creuse Public Schools; and Erin MacGregor, Plymouth Canton Community Schools assistant superintendent of teaching and learning fielded questions for about 90 minutes each. Candidates were invited to spend the day in the district and the community before the interview to meet with faculty, staff, parents and students to get a feel for the districtâs strengths and weaknesses before their interviews. Search consultant Dr. Marlene Davis facilitated the questioning, but encouraged board members to jump in with their own questions. Both men were asked a number of questions including how to grow the instructional programs when funding is diminishing. Okuniewski said theyâve created partnerships with outside groups to add to funding resources, while MacGregor suggested finding ways to use the instructional resources available without adding costs. The final candidate, Terry Barker, superintendent of public schools in Mishawaka, Indiana will be interviewed today at 5:30pm following an executive session. Board members will make their decision following the final interview. (DS)
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Genoa Board Approves Updated Panera Building DesignGenoa Board Approves Updated Panera Building Design
Two weeks after calling the building design âhorribleâ and âboring,â the Genoa Township Board has approved an updated site plan for a planned Panera Bread restaurant. The Panera is planned for the southwest corner of Latson Road and Grand River. The township planning commission recommended approval for the site plan, and members of that commission have called the original square brick building timeless and attractive. However, at its first meeting this month, the township board went against that recommendation and refused to approve the site plan, saying the restaurant looked like a repurposed office building and was too bland for that prominent site. At the boardâs recommendation, representatives for the project went to Paneraâs corporate office to seek designs that board members might find more attractive. Last night they brought three new designs back to the township board, which selected a more complex design called Option A, pictured here. It included a raised parapet on the roof around two-thirds of the building, pale accents at three locations on the exterior, and a different building material for the first four feet off the ground along the backside of the building. Project Manager Jim Blair says his company and Panera Breadâs designers put together these design changes specifically for this location, and they are not found at any other Panera franchise. Township Supervisor Gary McCririe says the changes are especially important for the south side of the building, which faces the I-96 interchange. (TD)
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Hartland Restaurant Cow Suit Rustled AwayHartland Restaurant Cow Suit Rustled Away
A Livingston County restaurant says a cow costume it uses to boost business has been snatched. The black-and-white suit, which has been used by the Black Rock Bar & Grill in Hartland since it opened several years ago, disappeared last weekend after a worker left the two-piece outfit outside a gas station while using the bathroom. The costume, which some employees affectionately refer to as "My Angus,â is used a few times a week outside the restaurant at M-59 and US-23 to help promote the specials of the day. The cow also makes appearances at community events as pictured here. Restaurant manager Kristy Ressler says it's the second time the suit's been stolen. Anyone with information on the costume's whereabouts is asked to contact the restaurant or local police. (JK)
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Mini-Circles Stay For Now; Howell Councilman Booted From Rec BoardMini-Circles Stay For Now; Howell Councilman Booted From Rec Board
The divisive topic of removing 16 mini-circles installed as part of a street improvement project dominated Mondayâs Howell City Council meeting. Councilman Doug Heins has been fighting to take out the traffic-calming tools and alleges the will of council is not being followed, referencing a close vote during the April 21st, 2014 meeting to remove the mini-circles at a cost of $35,000. Members voted 6-1 with Heins opposed to rescind that original motion, noting there has been a substantial change on council since that time and $35,000 was an unrealistic figure to remove them all. Bids obtained backed up that assertion. Heins had sent out a press release Friday saying the city has more than enough money in the budget and defended that opinion last night, calling the city âcash richâ and brushing off what he called personal attacks. Mayor Nick Proctor sarcastically thanked Heins for re-hashing the press release, which he says totally mischaracterized the cityâs budget landscape and failed to mention various impacts including the hiring of an additional police officer to maintain the minimum level of staffing, unforeseen structural issues at Barnard Center and City Hall, and the fact that labor contracts are up at the end of the year. Profound disappointment, comical amusement and utter disbelief were some terms Proctor used to describe the controversial press release, saying Heins has every right to speak with the press but found his unilateral actions very distasteful. Proctor said other council colleagues would surely join him in wishing the city was rolling in extra cash as Heins believes but numbers provided by the cityâs finance department prove otherwise. Proctor noted the appropriate venue to engage in constructive dialogue would have been the three budget work sessions held in recent months and Heins remained silent. Heins blamed the absence of some members during those work sessions for not bringing it up and later switched gears to pushing for a referendum on removing the mini-circles. The budget was ultimately adopted 6-1 with Heins opposed. Heins then made a motion to designate $20,000 for removal but it failed to receive any support. Other than his wife, only one member of the public spoke in support of Heins during the meeting. Thereâs differing public opinion on the mini-circles and some have expressed on record that it would not be fiscally responsible or a good use of city resources to take them out now. Council members agreed individual mini-circle assessment could be warranted, with removal considered once they start to deteriorate. The final motion of the night to remove Heins as the council representative to the Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority Board ended with a 6-1 vote. Proctor said it was the accumulation of concerns that culminated with the press release and he has personally lost confidence and trust in Heinsâ ability to effectively represent the city on any board or committee. Heins opposed that motion, calling the vote petty and retaliatory. His press release and an audio segment from the meeting are available below. (JM)
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Friday Marks Heat Awareness Day Friday Marks Heat Awareness Day
While the temperatures have yet to truly make the mercury rise, the National Weather Service says itâs a good time to start thinking about summer weather hazards with the holiday weekend approaching. This Friday is Heat Awareness Day in Michigan, which averages around five heat-related deaths each year. Thatâs in addition to hundreds of heat related illnesses, some of which require hospitalization. The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to the summer season, making it an opportune time to talk about heat safety according to Warning Coordination Meteorologist Rich Pollman with the NWS Detroit/Pontiac Office. He tells WHMI when those really hot days hit, weâre more susceptible to the heat because they donât occur that often in Michigan. Pollman says on hot days, itâs important to stay hydrated and wear light, loose fitting clothing but also stay out of the sun during peak periods. He says those who work outside need to take plenty of breaks in the shade or a cool area and stay hydrated so they donât get over heated. Those most susceptible to the heat are the very young or elderly, or those who have conditions or illnesses that are affected by the heat. Pollman says itâs important to never leave children or pets in cars on hot days, because even just a couple of minutes is enough time for heat to become extreme and deadly. More heat-related safety information is available through the link below. (JM)
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Sentence For Howell Man Will Include IT Mental Health CourtSentence For Howell Man Will Include IT Mental Health Court
A local man accused of repeatedly breaking into a local ice arena will participate in a mental health treatment program as part of his sentence. 18-year-old Kyle Robert Bradley of Howell was charged with four counts each of breaking and entering and larceny in a building as well as two counts of malicious destruction of property less than $200. The charges were filed in relation to a series of break-ins at the Grand Oaks Ice Arena between October 28th and December 9th. Bradley entered guilty pleas to the charges, seeking to be sentenced under the Homes Youthful Trainee Act, which would have erased his record if he successfully completed probation. However, rather than grant HYTA status, Bradley was allowed to attend sessions of intensive treatment mental health court to see if he wanted to participate in that. Bradley agreed to take part in that system, and on May 13th he was sentenced to two years with IT court. That will entail weekly hearings with the court as well as mental health treatment. Bradley was also sentenced to 270 days in jail, with credit for 113 already served, 36 months of probation, and six months on a tether. (TD)
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Brighton Twp & Road Commission To Share Cost of Improvement ProjectBrighton Twp & Road Commission To Share Cost of Improvement Project
An agreement between Brighton Township and the Livingston County Road Commission will allow for repair to several local roads. The county has rated three roads within Brighton Township that qualify for the Road Commissionâs road improvement project. On a scale of 1-10, the roads that are ranked with higher numbers will receive repair from the combined funding of the Township and Road Commission. The contract between the two groups was approved on Monday by the Brighton Township Board of Trustees. Township Manager, Brian Vick, tells WHMI the Township will not exceed $770,000 as their portion to the project's cost. Vick says once the contract is signed, the Road Commission will be allowed to proceed with their construction schedule for the three âheavily traveled roadsâ of Hyne, Spencer and Pleasant Valley. A couple of community members at the meeting expressed concern to the amount the Township has allocated in the budget towards the Road Commissionâs improvement project. Board Trustees reiterated that their segment of the cost will be taken from the Townshipâs general fund, not the sewer fund. (DK)
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Body of Howell Man Discovered in Kmart Parking Lot Tuesday MorningBody of Howell Man Discovered in Kmart Parking Lot Tuesday Morning
The death of a Howell man is under investigation after his body was discovered inside of a running vehicle in the parking lot of a store in Blackman Township Tuesday morning. The 49-year-old Howell man was pronounced dead at the scene. The Blackman-Leoni Township Public Safety Department said the manâs body was discovered in the parking lot of the Kmart store on East Michigan Avenue. MLive.com reports that an employee called police at around 7:30am after finding the unconscious man inside of a running vehicle, where he may have been for several hours before being discovered. An autopsy will be performed although police say foul play is not suspected, noting the victim had a lengthy medical history. (JM)
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DDA Authorizes Count of Parking Spaces in Downtown BrightonDDA Authorizes Count of Parking Spaces in Downtown Brighton
The Brighton Downtown Development Authority authorized a count of downtown parking spaces during its monthly May meeting. The count will be performed by Rich and Associates of Southfield at a cost of up to $3,000. Director Matt Modrack says the DDA wanted to use the company because it is the same firm that did the 2009 and 2011 downtown parking studies. Modrack says with that historical background, the company will be able to assess whether the changes in downtown parking made in the last few years, the new parking time limits, and other rules recently imposed are doing what they were designed to do. The goal has been to alleviate the problem of inadequate downtown parking, particularly at peak times â such as Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and special events. In 2011, the last time the company performed a parking study in Brighton, it proposed the city consider parking fees as a way to generate money for downtown improvements. The downtown previously had metered parking and the consensus back in the 90's, when metered parking was removed, was that any revenue gained was offset by the bad-will being created because of the parking fees and tickets being issued for expired meters. (JM)
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Steps Taken Toward Lake Tyrone Sewer ImprovementsSteps Taken Toward Lake Tyrone Sewer Improvements
The boards of trustees for two local townships approved resolutions last night that bring proposed improvements to the Lake Tyrone Sewer System closer to reality. Although it is not currently in violation, the Lake Tyrone system will soon exceed the amount of phosphorous that it is legally allowed to discharge into surface water. To prevent this, officials are planning to build a new, larger collection main for the system that will take its effluent to the Livingston Regional Sanitary Sewer System, which can properly treat the waste. The estimated cost of $3.9 million will be split, with 58% paid by Hartland Township residents and the remaining 42% paid by Tyrone Township. The construction portion of the cost was to be covered by $2 million in bonds sold by the county and repaid by the townships, but upon receiving bids for the work it became clear that this amount would not be enough. Last night, the township boards for both Hartland and Tyrone approved a contract amendment that will increase the bonded amount to about $2.4 million. Additionally, both townships approved special assessment district rolls to pay for the work. Residents on Lake Tyrone have previously expressed opposition to the project, which they would have to pay for through the special assessment districts. They will be directly contacted by the townships and informed of upcoming public meetings, which will allow them to voice their concerns. (TD)
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Compensation Plan Approved For Tainted Steroid VictimsCompensation Plan Approved For Tainted Steroid Victims
A bankruptcy judge has approved a $200 million plan to compensate victims of a 2012 meningitis outbreak, including many in Livingston County, caused by a now-closed Massachusetts compounding pharmacy. The money will be available to compensate the New England Compounding Center's creditors and victims who became ill or died as the result of receiving tainted steroid injections, under a plan approved Tuesday by a U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge in Massachusetts. The outbreak involved 751 cases in 20 states and was linked to 64 deaths. Michigan was hit particularly hard, with 264 cases, 217 of which were linked to Michigan Pain Specialists in Genoa Township which received a shipment of contaminated steroids mixed at the NECC. Of the 64 deaths, 19 were from Michigan and at least 8 in Livingston County. Lawyers involved in the case expect victims should begin receiving payments before the end of the year. The plan comes as 14 former employees of the center - including its founders and majority shareholder - face federal racketeering charges. (JK)
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