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Brighton H.S. Seniors Survive Challenge To Raise Money For Children's CharityBrighton H.S. Seniors Survive Challenge To Raise Money For Children's Charity

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A second group of local high school students has raised thousands of dollars for charity by spending a week inside their school. Six teams of boy/girl pairs from Brighton High School recently held their first-ever Survivor-type challenge, following up on the success of a similar long-running effort at Howell High School. The Brighton seniors sold t-shirts and participated in a number of other challenges both inside the high school and in downtown Brighton. Challenges included a volleyball tournament, pool competition and a scavenger hunt, with Jesi Savage and Austin Neumeyer coming out as the winning team. All of the teams stayed at the school during the week, sleeping in classrooms and the media center. Altogether, more than $10,000 was raised for Ele's Place, a support center for grieving children. Organizers say that was about twice what they had hoped to raise. The money will be presented right before graduation practice on Wednesday, June 3rd, at 10am. (JK)

Local Lawmaker Testifies Before Committee On Driver's License ProposalLocal Lawmaker Testifies Before Committee On Driver's License Proposal

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A local lawmaker has testified before a House committee about legislation that would allow an individual to have their medical-related wishes encoded on their driver license. Republican State Representative Hank Vaupel of Handy Township is the primary sponsor of House Bill 4600, which was introduced earlier this month. The bill would allow for citizens to add do-not-resuscitate (DNR) or a no-heroic-measures designation on Michigan’s driver licenses, which will be re-issued in 2018. Since licenses are already being re-bid, Vaupel tells WHMI adding the designation makes sense economically and won’t cost the state or citizens, who would just renew as normal. House Bill 4600 is currently before the House Committee of Transportation and Infrastructure and Vaupel recently offered testimony on the legislation. Vaupel says he believes other legislation is in the works that would go along with his bill, which would allow for medical history or medical alerts to also be encoded be encoded on licenses.

Howell Council Defers On Proposed Barnard Center ImprovementsHowell Council Defers On Proposed Barnard Center Improvements

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The future of the Barnard Community Center is being weighed after a report revealed a hefty price tag to renovate the building. The Barnard Center is located just outside of downtown Howell and houses the teen center, which is the only facility of its kind in Livingston County. A report was presented to the Howell City Council during a meeting in early May and revealed that it would cost just under $1.9 (m) million to completely rehabilitate the facility. The assessment report summarized challenges associated with including the physical condition, utilization and operational deficiencies. Howell City Manager Shea Charles says council had already budgeted funds to replace the roof but due to other issues with the building, staff brought forward the question of investigating how much work would need to be done to bring the building into compliance with modern codes and expand uses at that building. Lindhout and Associates performed an in-depth review of the facility, which determined the main bones of the building are in good shape and it has a solid core. The outside areas of the building require attention but are not said to be catastrophic. Mechanical and electrical upgrades are also needed and due to the age of the facility, the building is not in compliance with Michigan Barrier Free Design requirements or the Americans with Disabilities Act. Council discussed the matter at length as well as the costs associated with renovations and rebuilding. Members ultimately deferred to the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority to develop a long term vision for facilities and options in the boundaries now that they have a good sense of what it will take to rehabilitate the Barnard Center. (JM)

County Commissioners Plan New Resolution Urging State Action On RoadsCounty Commissioners Plan New Resolution Urging State Action On Roads

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Two county committees met Tuesday night to act on pending resolutions. Steve Williams, chairman of the Legislative Committee led discussion on road funding, which he said is the number one issue for Livingston County voters. He proposed to the committee sending separate resolutions to the two freshmen representatives Hank Vaupel and Lana Theis, and to Senator Joe Hune, who has already been sent resolutions in 2013 and 2014. Although no action was taken in committee, Williams told WHMI this is a vital issue and resolutions will be drafted by the Board of Commissioners to send to legislators asking them to fund Michigan's roads. EMS Director Jeffrey Boyd asked the committee to pass a resolution opposing regional consolidation of EMS services, which would allow Livingston County to retain its high standard of patient care. Boyd also asked the Public Safety and Infrastructure & Development Committee to pass a resolution allowing Livingston County to participate in the 2014 Homeland Security Grant Program. The grant will allow the Livingston County Public Safety to purchase fire suppression equipment for large oil-type fires. (DS/TD)

Howell H.S. Cadets Face Fiery Final ExamHowell H.S. Cadets Face Fiery Final Exam

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Howell High School students aspiring to be firefighters faced a fiery final exam. The Howell Public Schools Fire Academy conducted a live fire in a controlled building to test the skills its cadets have learned throughout the year. Last Friday, more than 20 students participated in what is known as a “live burn” training exercise, in which they had to enter the specialized burn building and experience a fire up close. Cadets wore protective gear and breathing devices while completing various tasks within the building like observing how fires begin and behave. They also got to demonstrate their proficiency in placing hoses, and performing search and rescue operations in a smoke filled room. This program is open to high school juniors and seniors in Howell, and gives them the required classroom and practical training needed to earn their state firefighters certification. The district plans to open the program to high school students around the county in the future. (MK)

Man Wants Genoa Township To Claim Responsibility For Missing DocumentsMan Wants Genoa Township To Claim Responsibility For Missing Documents

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A local man is asking a municipality to admit to what he says was a costly mistake, but that admission does not appear to be forthcoming. Peyton Clark lives between East and West Crooked Lake on property he purchased in 2008. The previous owner built an attached garage in 1986 that came within three feet of the property line, which was less than the legal minimum and would have required his neighbors to agree to a variance. However, in 2012, a civil suit was filed by the current neighbor, William Wernette, claiming that the previous neighbor never agreed to the variance. The dispute between Clark and Wernette goes back even further, with Wernette being convicted in 2010 of assault and battery after attacking a friend of Clark’s who was helping to install a walkway after complaining that he was touching his deck railing. Wernette then pulled out a gun and pointed it at the man. He later served 30 days in jail. Clark, who says the lawsuit was in retaliation for the previous incident, says he went to Genoa Township to get the meeting minutes that would support his claim that the variance was indeed given, but the staff there could not locate them. He subsequently lost the civil suit both locally and in the Michigan Court of Appeals. This month he and members of his family went before the Genoa Township Board of Trustees to ask for a letter explaining that it was not his fault that he could not produce the documents, but rather a mistake by the township government. He added that the board could take its time coming to a decision, and that he did not want to get anyone with the township government in trouble. Township Supervisor Gary McCririe, speaking after the meeting, said the municipality’s legal counsel would contact Clark’s and provide documents as requested, but said it was unlikely the township would draft a letter to the courts on Clark’s behalf. Clark says if the township will not provide a letter, he may have to subpoena township employees when the case ends up back in court. He says he lost a portion of his property to Wernette as a result of the civil suit. (TD/JK)

Bennett Recreation Center Closed For ConstructionBennett Recreation Center Closed For Construction

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The Howell Area Parks and Recreation department is moving its services due to construction. A parking lot repaving and expansion project began Tuesday at the Bennett Recreation Center, closing the facility to the public. During this construction phase, which will last through July 5th, the front office will be moved to the Barnard Community Center at 415 North Barnard Street. This office will provide the regular services for registration for programs, rentals, and passes to the Countryside Veterinary Dog Park. The Howell Senior Center and any classes scheduled at Bennett will now take place at the Oceola Community Center at 1661 North Latson Road. The L.E.T.S. buses have been notified of this change. Finally, any travel trips that were scheduled to depart from the Bennett Recreation Center will now leave from Barnard. For more information on any of the trips, classes, or changes, visit the Howell Area Parks and Recreation website. (MK/JK)

Fiani Fails To Get Brighton School Board Vote For LESA ElectionFiani Fails To Get Brighton School Board Vote For LESA Election

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The Brighton Board of Education voted 4-2 Tuesday night to appoint Julie Hill as its delegate for the upcoming Livingston Educational Service Agency Board of Education election. Hill, from Hartland, is an incumbent member of the LESA Board whose term expires on June 30th. She is running for re-election to the board, which takes place on Monday, June 1st. The Howell Board of Education also voted recently to have its delegate cast a vote for Hill, as have the Pinckney and Fowlerville school districts. Brighton already has a representative on the LESA Board - its president, LuAnn Loy - although a district can have up to two members. The “no” votes cast against Hill on the Brighton school board were by John Conely and Bill Trombley. Conely originally voted to abstain, but was told he couldn’t abstain because his reason – that he didn’t know Hill – didn’t meet the criteria for an abstention. As a result, Conely changed his vote to “no”. Members Beth Minert, Dave Chesney, Ken Stahl, and board president Jay Krause all voted in favor of Hill, who was nominated by board vice president Chesney. No other names were placed in nomination. Before board discussion on the issue, citizen Glenn Ikens addressed the board, urging members not to vote for former board president Nick Fiani. Ikens said that Fiani’s tenure on the Brighton school board was marked by “divisiveness and contentiousness.” Ikens need not have voiced his concerns, since Fiani’s name did not come up for discussion. After serving just two years of his four-year term, Fiani resigned from the Brighton Board of Education in early January, saying he would be seeking election to LESA board. He recently stated that he was confident of election to the LESA board, but with at least four out of the county’s five districts’ already indicating they planned to vote for Hill, that seems unlikely. During his time with the district, Fiani openly criticized LESA finances, Superintendent Dan Danosky, bonuses for LESA staff and the LESA board itself. Ikens, a Dearborn teacher who lives in Brighton, has also been a regular critic of the Brighton school board’s sale of the former Lindbom School to a private group which plans to convert the building into a charter school. Ikens was arrested by police at the school in February after refusing to leave what was billed as a public meeting. He recently pled no contest on a no-trespassing charge, paying a $50 fine and court costs. (TT/JK)

Brighton Teen Heading For West Point, Pinckney Student To Air Force AcademyBrighton Teen Heading For West Point, Pinckney Student To Air Force Academy

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Another Livingston County high school student will be heading to West Point in the fall, while a second is on their way to the Air Force Academy. Congressman Mike Bishop announced Tuesday that a Brighton High School student will attend the U.S. Army’s Service Academy at West Point next year. Benjamin Finnegan of South Lyon will join two other local students previously announced in March; Anthony Martino of Brighton, a student at the Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy and Carlie Sleeman of Pinckney, a student at Pinckney Community High School. Bishop also announced that Peter Nyfeler of Pinckney, a student at Stockbridge High School, will be attending the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. All four were nominated by former Congressman Mike Rogers during the last session. Bishop, a Republican from Rochester Hills, said the students had, “worked incredibly hard throughout their academic careers” and commended their “selfless commitment” to the nation and that he looked forward to the many ways they will make the 8th Congressional District proud.

First Of Several Benefits For Local Mother With MS Planned For Next WeekFirst Of Several Benefits For Local Mother With MS Planned For Next Week

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A fundraising effort is underway to benefit a local woman who needs a new vehicle to help cope with multiple sclerosis. Michelle Giardina is a single mother of two teenage girls in Pinckney. She was diagnosed with MS about six years ago, and since then the progressive disease has reduced her mobility to the point where she can no longer work and struggles to drive. According to her friend Robert Kliemann, she has to use her arms to lift her leg between the pedals of her van. Kliemann is now heading up a fundraising effort to purchase Giardina a new van that has hand controls for the gas and brake as well as an automated lift to help her get in and out. The first step in that campaign was to set up a page on the crowdfunding site GoFundMe, where donors have already provided about $500 of the estimated $26,000 price tag. Kliemann is also planning several fundraising events throughout the summer, starting with a spaghetti dinner and raffle in the hamlet of Hell on June 5th. The event will run from 4pm to 10pm at the Hell Hole, and admission is $20 per person. For more information or to find the online fundraiser, visit our website. (TD)

Brighton School Board Says End To Legacy Deficit Is NearBrighton School Board Says End To Legacy Deficit Is Near

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The Brighton Board of Education is poised to get out of its several-years-long deficit by the end of the current fiscal year, and has just adopted a budget that will put it on the road to financial stability. On a unanimous vote, the board adopted the 2015-16 general fund budget at its meeting Monday night. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that although the budget totals about $4 million more than this year’s spending, the district is expected to end the coming year with a healthy fund balance. The budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 projects revenues of $62.3 million, about $3.4 million over projected expenses. That, combined with a projected $1.5 million fund balance at the end of this fiscal year, means Brighton would go from a deficit district with a debt of $4.3 million at the beginning of the current year to a fund balance of $4.5 million by the end of next year. The budget includes several million dollars in projected net revenues from the Shared Services program, a loss of 50 in-district students which will be offset by an increase in the number of Schools of Choice students and a zero increase in employee retirement costs. District property values are expected to go up an average of 2%, making each local mill worth more than in the recent past, when property values were going down. Per-pupil state aid is projected at $7,301 per student, based on a state base foundation grant of $7,126 per pupil, combined with “best practices” incentive revenues and other revenue sources. (TT)

Opening Arguments Set To Begin Thursday In Trial Of Former Hamburg ManOpening Arguments Set To Begin Thursday In Trial Of Former Hamburg Man

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It’s expected to take more than a week for the trial of a former Livingston County man charged in the death of an Ingham County sheriff’s deputy. Opening statements are set to start Thursday in the case against John Kelsey of Stockbridge. The former resident of Hamburg Township is charged with fleeing or eluding police causing death and driving on a suspended license causing death. A judge Tuesday denied defense lawyer Brian Morley's motion to move the trial. However, he did rule that two older, driving-related convictions for Kelsey are inadmissible. The incidents happened in 1997 and 2000 in Livingston County, when Kelsey was a teenager. Authorities say an officer in an unmarked sheriff's car began chasing the SUV Dec. 7 after Kelsey failed to stop. Deputy Grant Whitaker took over as lead pursuer in his marked vehicle, but lost control and crashed near Stockbridge. Kelsey was arrested five days after police released surveillance photos of the suspected SUV. The vehicle, a white 2003 GMC Denali, was registered to Kelsey’s father. It has never been located by police nor reported missing. (JK)

Citation Issued To South Lyon Woman After Dog Gets Into Pot StashCitation Issued To South Lyon Woman After Dog Gets Into Pot Stash

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A local woman was issued a citation after the family dog got into her secret stash. South Lyon police responding to a call found around 8 grams of marijuana and related paraphernalia in a 30-year-old woman’s house last Friday. The South Lyon Herald reports that a Redford man called the police around 8pm after picking up his daughter from his ex-wife. The girl told her father that the dog had consumed special brownies that kids were not allowed to eat and had almost died. The daughter also said she saw a bag of green nuggets with the word “weed” on it along with smoking supplies. Police arrived and the woman and her boyfriend agreed to let them search the house, initially denying having any drugs. After finding drug paraphernalia in her bedroom, the police report stated that she admitted to having the 8 grams of marijuana, but that she was holding it for a friend and not for herself. (MK)

2011 Ambulance Crash Case Will Stay In Livingston County2011 Ambulance Crash Case Will Stay In Livingston County

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A motion to disqualify local judges from presiding over a case regarding a 2011 crash with a Livingston County ambulance has been denied. The crash happened in January of 2011 on M-59 near Eager Road. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department investigated and concluded 76-year-old Karl Gerardi of Howell was responsible. The department reported Gerardi was northbound on Eager Road at M-59 when he failed to yield right-of-way to a Livingston County ambulance traveling eastbound on M-59, which was transporting a patient to Pontiac. Gerardi was hospitalized in critical condition after the crash and later died. The personal representative of Gerardi’s estate sued and asserted negligence claims against the county, as well as gross negligence against the ambulance driver. The Livingston County judge initially granted summary disposition against the suit, but the Michigan Court of Appeals in January reversed that decision, saying the lower court had to examine the question of whether the ambulance driver acted with due regard for Gerardi’s safety. Earlier this month, attorneys representing Gerardi’s estate made a motion to disqualify Judge Theresa Brennan, and every other judge in Livingston County, from presiding over the new trial and to move the case to a new venue. They said the attorney for the defense had represented Brennan in the past, and that the attorney represents all of the other judges in the county as well, which could pose a possible conflict of interest. The defense argued against the motion, saying legal precedent allows Brennan to preside over cases even if one of the lawyers has represented her. The motion to disqualify Brennan and move the trial to a new venue was denied. A jury trial in the case is scheduled for July 29th. (TD)

The Torch Serves Its 5,000th MealThe Torch Serves Its 5,000th Meal

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A mobile food truck with the mission of helping families in need served a milestone dinner Wednesday evening. The Torch is a local nonprofit organization that began dishing out meals in Livingston County back in 2012. In the past year, cofounders Rhonda Callanan and Sarah Ruddle have taken their service on the road to better serve the community. In a Brighton neighborhood this past Wednesday, they celebrated handing out their 5000th meal. Callanan told WHMI that the milestone is just as thrilling for the proprietors as it is for the patrons. Service paused briefly for a presentation to the young woman who was number 5000. In addition to the regular meal of meatballs, green beans, and pasta salad being served to all, she won a large pizza, a t-shirt, and a commemorative paper plate marking the event. To learn how to donate to The Torch, or for drop-off locations, visit their website, MobileTorch.org. (MK)

Hartland Vaulter's Pole Snaps, Impales Him Near EyeHartland Vaulter's Pole Snaps, Impales Him Near Eye

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A Hartland High School athlete received 40 stitches to his eye after a vaulting pole snapped and became impaled in his orbital bone during a track meet. Senior Alex Lindahl is recovering at home following surgery Tuesday at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. Lindahl was hurt Tuesday afternoon when his pole broke during the Larry Steeb Memorial Track & Field Meet of Champions at Al Ritt Stadium in Dexter. Hartland High School athletic director Jason Reck says "doctors were able to fix" Lindahl's eye, "but it's whether or not his vision will fully be back to normal is the question." Reck added that the incident was "just one of those unfortunate accidents." (JK)

Faulty Records Blamed For Brighton Gas Main BreakFaulty Records Blamed For Brighton Gas Main Break

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Old records that did not match the placement of underground utilities are being blamed for a gas main leak that shut down part of the city of Brighton yesterday. A construction crew was working on expanding a municipal parking lot near the intersection of Main and Fourth Streets at about 3:40pm when they struck the gas main. The six-inch Consumers Energy line leaked large amounts of flammable gas into the downtown area, forcing Brighton city fire and police crews to evacuate nearby buildings as well as shut down a long stretch of Main and several side streets. Consumers Energy workers eventually pinched the main shut, and roads reopened to traffic almost six hours later. The contractor says it reported its digging activities to the proper authorities and was aware of the gas main, but expected it to be four feet deep when it was actually about 18 inches down. Fire Chief Mike O’Brian encourages all contractors, especially those working in old areas where records may be less accurate, to take caution when digging whenever they are near underground utilities. It is not clear at this time how much the repairs will cost and who will be paying that bill. (TD)

Online Fundraiser For Local Couple In Motorcycle AccidentOnline Fundraiser For Local Couple In Motorcycle Accident

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An online fundraiser is live for a local family in need following a motorcycle accident last month. Tom and Cathy Ventura from Hartland were left hospitalized after the driver of an automobile failed to see and yield to the couple at the intersection of Grange Hall Road and Mackey Road in Holly, on April 11th. Cathy suffered a crushed sternum; collapsed lung; and broken ribs, clavicle, scapula, and pelvis. She has had two surgeries and is now at home under 24-hour care. Tom suffered a broken arm, damage to three vertebrae, and head trauma. He was in a coma and transferred to a brain rehabilitation hospital where he will remain until he is stable enough for home care. The couple can no longer work, and while insurance will cover the medical costs, the family is asking for help covering basic needs via the online fundraising site, gofundme.com. For more information, or to donate, visit the website through the link below. (MK)

Local Man Takes Plea Deal In Online Teen Solicitation CaseLocal Man Takes Plea Deal In Online Teen Solicitation Case

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A guilty plea has been entered by a man charged after a joint criminal investigation involving an out-of-state teenager. 24-year-old Christopher Carl Relitz resided in both Putnam and Green Oak Townships over the last year and was arrested following a joint investigation by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department in Minnesota. He was charged with six felony counts, and although he originally pleaded not guilty, he accepted a plea deal earlier this month. He pleaded guilty as charged to accosting a child for immoral purposes and communicating with another using a computer to commit a crime. He was also charged with child abusive commercial activity and blackmail, but he was allowed to plead guilty to the lesser included charge of attempting to commit those crimes. In exchange, prosecutors dropped two counts of using a computer to commit a crime. His sentencing is scheduled for June 4th. The case involves a 14 year old Minnesota girl that Relitz allegedly solicited via computer to send him nude photographs. Relitz allegedly made a statement to police that he wanted a “master-slave” relationship. He remains lodged in the Livingston County Jail. (TD)

Local Millages Proposed As One Solution For Ongoing Road WoesLocal Millages Proposed As One Solution For Ongoing Road Woes

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The recent defeat of Proposal 1 is sparking conversation among local leaders regarding the best solution to Michigan’s road problem. LESA hosted the Livingston County Department of Planning’s quarterly Brown Bag Lunch Series yesterday, inviting members of planning committees and municipality boards to collaborate over hot topics in the area. A panel of speakers from different townships throughout Livingston County discussed their approach to road conditions through millages. The process to adopting road millages in Hartland and Green Oak Charter Township was shared by James Wickman, Manager of Hartland Township and Michael Sedlak, Clerk of Green Oak Township. Sedlak says after the Township’s Road Committee identified a package of roads in need of repair, the Board set out to educate the community. He tells WHMI a promise was made with the 1.66 mills proposal and the township followed through. Township Manager James Wickman says Hartland took similar steps by creating a purpose and vision for the community’s road improvement, then conducting a needs assessment. Both board members found that communication with citizens and the county was important to the success of their Township’s road millage. (DK)
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