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Road Commission Renames Nixon Road to South Latson RoadRoad Commission Renames Nixon Road to South Latson Road

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1/10/13 - Despite one formal request against it, the Board of Livingston County Road Commissioners voted unanimously to change the name of Nixon Road back to South Latson Road. The Road Commission rarely grants name change requests but felt this case was warranted from a public safety standpoint and had been approached by police, fire and other emergency responders. It's being re-aligned as part of the I-96/Latson Road interchange project. Nixon Road was named because of an interruption in thru-service that was caused by the construction of I-96 in the 1960's but construction of the interchange and related work on Nixon Road will restore continuity. Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine tells WHMI the change to the original name is appropriate since the road will be back where it once was. However, he doesn’t anticipate the name actually changing until sometime this fall when the road is open to traffic, possibly September. Physical address numbers will remain the same and only the road name will change. Craine says roughly 40 residences will be affected, with the exception of one auxiliary building so those individuals will have close to a year and a half to make any needed mailing changes. Public safety officials say the name change will make addresses consistent and allow for faster response times, while reducing chances of random errors in determining where people are located during emergencies. Gayle and Gordon Nixon attended the meeting and said they were saddened by the name change, which they feel will end a family legacy. (JM)

Howell Schools Lead Local Districts in Value-Added RankingsHowell Schools Lead Local Districts in Value-Added Rankings

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1/10/13 - Howell Public Schools ranked the highest from Livingston County in a new study of Michigan school districts that takes into account socio-economic factors of the student body. Bridge Magazine, an online publication produced by the Center for Michigan in Ann Arbor, collaborated with the Lansing-based research firm Public Sector Consultants to create the value-added rankings. Simply put, school test scores are adjusted to account for the average family income in that district so that a score of 100 would indicate that a district’s test scores are in line with what would be expected based on average family incomes. Howell Public Schools were at the top of the list for local districts, with an overall ranking of 146 out of 560 districts surveyed. Its value-added score of 103.85 was also the highest in the county. Next on the list was the Charyl Stockwell Academy. The K-12 charter school with campuses in Hartland and Brighton ranked 192 overall and a score of 102.48. Brighton Area Schools were next at 282 and a score at 100.26. Hartland Consolidated Schools ranked 331st with a 98.83, Pinckney Community Schools were 448 with a 94.88 and then Fowlerville Community Schools at 451 with a 94.85. The survey also provided “value-added” scores broken down by fourth, eighth and eleventh grade levels. Howell and the Charyl Stockwell Academy were the only two to score above 100 in all three levels. However, the study also accounted for the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced price lunches. Howell was at 30% while Stockwell came in at just over 13%, meaning Howell was able to top the charter district in test score achievement with more than double the rate of students in need of lunch assistance. A link to examine the full list is posted below. (JK)

Child Safety Advocate Elizabeth Smart to Speak in HowellChild Safety Advocate Elizabeth Smart to Speak in Howell

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1/11/13 - A children’s safety advocate who was kidnapped when she was just 14-years-old will be kicking off a luncheon speaker series. The Livingston Economic Club Speaker Series will present Elizabeth Smart at the Johnson Center on the campus of Cleary University in Genoa Township on Thursday, March 7th. The mission of the Livingston Economic Club is to enrich the Livingston County community by hosting speakers who share a broad spectrum of social, political, intellectual and cultural experiences. Smart was the victim of a kidnapping in 2002 and is now the founder of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which seeks to educate the public and lawmakers about child abductions. Tickets are available and details can be found in the attached release. (JM)

Detective Presents Confession Note In Kowalski Murder TrialDetective Presents Confession Note In Kowalski Murder Trial

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1/11/13 - Jurors listened to testimony and, for the first time, audio evidence in the murder trial of Jerome Kowalski Thursday. Kowalski is accused of killing his brother Richard and sister-in-law Brenda Kowalski, who were shot to death in 2008. After finishing the testimony of Kowalski's son Jared that began yesterday, jurors heard from Michigan State Police Detective Christopher Cooriveau, who retrieved a note found by Jared and identified as being in the defendant's handwriting. Cooriveau read the note aloud for the jury. It began by saying, "I am sorry to all. I think I killed Rick and Brenda." The note goes on to say that he had no memory of the event and that he had blacked out and thought it was a dream. It also explained where to find tens of thousands of dollars and stated, "I don't want to go to jail." Cooriveau also contradicted testimony from yesterday from Cynthia Pietrzak, claiming that she told police in 2008 that Kowalski had knowledge of the cause of death without being told, and that she believed he was the killer. Jurors also heard about two hours of audio recorded when police first made contact with Kowalski to inform him about the killings. Then-state police trooper Craig Felix, who made the contact, confirmed that Kowalski said during that meeting that he had heard about the killings that morning, even though police were only called out to the scene in the afternoon. Stay tuned to WHMI for continuing coverage as the trial plays out. (TD)

Attorney Appealing Conflict of Interest Rulings in Smoke Shop CaseAttorney Appealing Conflict of Interest Rulings in Smoke Shop Case

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1/11/13 - An attorney is continuing his fight to represent two women accused of illegally selling synthetic marijuana in Genoa Township and asking the Michigan Court of Appeals to reverse recent decisions in the case. Defense attorney Timothy Corr had asked Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty to overturn a November ruling by 53rd District Court Judge Suzanne Geddis, which deemed it would be a conflict of interest for him to represent both clients - the owner of Smokers Depot, 41-year-old Ronda Lee Roszak as well as the store’s manager, 27-year-old Melissa Ann Dzierwa. Geddis made the ruling after the Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office said it planned to offer a plea deal to one of the two suspects. Judge Hatty denied the motion to appeal and found a conflict exists, so Corr tells WHMI he now intends to file with the Michigan Court of Appeals. Corr says both women have already consulted with separate attorneys and have no plans to accept any plea deal and none has been formally offered. They maintain that the material which State Police confiscated during a raid last April had been purchased at a trade show along with a lab report indicating it did not contain any illegal chemicals. In the meantime, their preliminary exam is on hold. (JM)

Drick Resigns County Commission Seat for Magistrate Position Drick Resigns County Commission Seat for Magistrate Position

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1/11/13 - Livingston County Commissioner Jay Drick has announced his resignation from the board. The Howell attorney will be sworn in next Thursday as 53rd District Court Magistrate in a ceremony set for 5:30pm in Circuit Court Judge David Reader’s courtroom. By law, Commissioners must fill the vacancy within 30 days. Anyone appointed would serve through August 6th, at which time a special election is required to fill the seat for the duration of the term. The board is currently seeking letters of interest from anyone interested, which should include a summary of community involvement along with a statement of value they would bring to the Commission and constituents of District 5. Candidates must be registered voters in that district, which includes Howell and Cohoctah Townships as well as the City of Howell. Letters are due by 5pm Friday, January 18th. Commissioners expect to hold interviews shortly thereafter and make a selection by February 4th. Letters of interest can be delivered or mailed to the Office of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners at 304 East Grand River in Howell, MI 48843. Letters can also be emailed to commissioners@co.livingston.mi.us. (JM/JK)

Friends & Family Remember Former Hamburg Supervisor Friends & Family Remember Former Hamburg Supervisor

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1/11/13 - A former Hamburg Township Supervisor was remembered by friends and family at a service today. 81-year-old Harry Bater passed away earlier this week after a long illness. Bater served two terms as Hamburg Township Supervisor, from 1988-1996. The Brighton High School graduate enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1949, where he served for 20 years before retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant. He and his wife of 62 years, Gerry, opened Harry’s of Hamburg in 1977. In addition to Gerry, Bater is survived by four children, 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. A healing farewell was held this morning at the Hamburg Chapel of the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, officiated by the Rev. Carl Welser. Memorial Contributions are suggested to Alzheimer's Association. (JK)

Video Interview of Kowalski Played for JuryVideo Interview of Kowalski Played for Jury

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1/11/13 - The trial of Jerome Kowalski, who is accused of killing his brother and sister-in-law in 2008, continued today with hours of video taken during the defendant’s interview with police. The video was taken on May 6th of 2008, five days after the bodies of Richard and Brenda Kowalski were found in their Lyngre Drive home. In it, two Michigan State Troopers speak with Jerome Kowalski, who came to them on his own despite a phone interview having been scheduled for the following day. The first two hours of the video involve troopers asking Kowalski about his activities in the days surrounding the killings, although Kowalski had difficulty giving exact details due to what he said was his erratic work and sleep schedule. During the interview Kowalski told troopers about some possible reasons other people may have been angry with Richard, including his recent decision to pull their mother’s home off the market. They finally asked whether he had anything to do with his brother's death, to which Kowalski initially said no. He then added "Unless I sleepwalk" before again denying any involvement. Troopers also asked Kowalski about the events following his mother’s death and the distribution of her estate. He told them that he still had most of his inheritance, citing numbers that coincided with a note left in his home in which he wrote that he thought he killed Richard and Brenda. That note was introduced into evidence yesterday. The rest of the video interview is being played for jurors this afternoon. (JK)

First Tow Plow In State To Debut In Brighton Area Next Big Snowfall First Tow Plow In State To Debut In Brighton Area Next Big Snowfall

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1/11/13 - Local motorists should be on the lookout for a new snow plow that will be debuted in Livingston County when the next big snowstorm that hits. The Michigan Department of Transportation provided a preview to area media Friday of the first and only Tow Plow in the state during an event at the Island Lake State Recreation Area. At first glance, the new Tow Plow is somewhat intimidating due to its size and almost appears as though it's jackknifing but that's not the case. When in use, the back end plow comes out at an angle, allowing the driver to plow up to two full lane widths in one pass. When activated, the wheels of the Tow Plow turn as much as 30 degrees, causing it to steer right of the plow truck. It works similar to a wing plow, only with greater reach. It will be deployed mostly along I-96 in the Brighton area at first, stretching from M-59 to Kent Lake Road. M-DOT officials say it will help to not only improve service and cut the time needed to clear busy freeways during a winter storm event but also reduce labor costs and fuel consumption. The Tow Plow will also be equipped with a salt hopper and room for a spreader to be mounted on the plow. The cost of the new Tow Plow is $93,000. With regular maintenance, it has an average service life of 30 years, compared to a 10-year average for a standard plow. MDOT says motorists should just be aware that the new Tow Plow will be used this winter and remind they maintain a safe distance from all plows when out on the roads. (JM)

Additions Proposed At Oceola Township Hall Park Additions Proposed At Oceola Township Hall Park

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1/11/13 - Some additions to the park located on the Oceola Township Hall property are expected within the year and discussed at Thursday night’s planning commission meeting. Citizens and board members came together to discuss priorities during the Park Planning workshop, should the township receive a Passport Grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The park currently has several fields for soccer games but on what’s considered a “big weekend” with several games, the park falls around 50-75 parking spaces short. Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority Sports Director Chris Galatis expressed concerns about not being able to accommodate the masses. Other than the lack of parking, many people from the community voiced desires for stadium lights, a play structure for children and paved pathways for walking. Some brought up the issue of having easier access for emergency services while Oceola Township Supervisor Bill Bamber said picnic pavilions would be useful. Following the meeting and public input, a draft plan will be put together and then submitted for revisions and finalization. Director of Design Jim Allen tells WHMI any additions at the park will ultimately depend on neighbors and cost. The draft plan is expected to be revisited in February while the grant application must be submitted by the end of March. If all goes as planned, construction on the park could begin in about a year. (JM/DK)

Video of Kowalski Confession Played for Jury Video of Kowalski Confession Played for Jury

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1/11/13 - Jurors heard hours of recorded interviews with the defendant in court Friday as the trial of Jerome Kowalski continued. Prosecutors say Kowalski killed his brother and sister-in-law at their Oceola Township home in 2008. Five days after the killings, Kowalski went to the Michigan State Police Brighton Post to convey his knowledge of the killings, and said at that time he had no involvement. Troopers transported Kowalski from the Brighton Post to Ann Arbor to be interviewed by Polygraph Examiner Specialist Detective Chris Fitzpatrick. During that interview, Kowalski discussed remembering images of shooting his brother on the night of the murder as well as confusion about whether they were real or a dream from an alcoholic blackout. Kowalski tried to remember details during the interview, some of which were accurate to the stated facts of the killings and others that were in-accurate. Over the course of the recording, Kowalski gradually became more convinced that he had shot his brother and sister-in-law, eventually stating "I killed my brother." Other testimony was heard by jurors from then-MSP Trooper Craig Felix, which included more details about the investigation into Kowalski. He testified that police found two handguns in Kowalski's home, other than the one Kowalski told them about during their initial visit. Neither of them matched the caliber of the weapon used in the killing. The trial is set to resume on Monday morning. (JM/TD)

Fenton Retiree Claims Lottery Winnings From Summer of 2012Fenton Retiree Claims Lottery Winnings From Summer of 2012

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1/12/13 - Last year’s lottery ticket spelled this year’s win for a Fenton retiree. The player, who wished to remain anonymous, recently claimed a Fantasy 5 jackpot of $169,623 that he actually won in August of 2012. The Fenton man is a retiree and said to be a regular player, who doesn’t have any special numbers and just plays easy pick. The Michigan Lottery says the player and his wife plan to do some traveling with their winnings but also intend to celebrate by quietly helping some people in need. (JM)

Howell's "We the People" Team Takes First Place in State FinalsHowell's "We the People" Team Takes First Place in State Finals

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1/12/13 - Howell High School students took first place in the state finals of the We The People civics competition. For 12 years, Howell High School students have participated in We The People, an instructional program on the history and principles of American constitutional democracy for elementary, middle, and high school students. Howell High School Government Teacher Mark Oglesby says this is the first time in Howell’s history the team has taken first place in the state finals, which was held Friday in Lansing. Howell has finished in the top three during the state competition for the past eight years, including second place three times. Each round consists of the six individual units presenting their opening statement and responding to follow-up questions about their topic. The competition operates as a mock congressional hearing. The format encourages students to work as a team, learn research skills and answer questions based on a constitutional curriculum distributed by the Center for Civic Education. Howell High School’s “We The People” constitutional team now moves on to compete in the national competition. (JM)

Deadline Approaching For Luncheon Featuring Governor Snyder Deadline Approaching For Luncheon Featuring Governor Snyder

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1/12/13 - Anyone interested in attending an upcoming luncheon featuring Governor Rick Snyder has until Monday to RSVP. The Republican Governor will be speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce next Thursday. He’s expected to touch on issues highlighted during his State of the State speech, which he’ll deliver the night before. He’s also expected to discuss various economic efforts that are of particular interest to local businesses. Chamber officials say Snyder’s visit to Livingston County is especially timely following recent decisions by the legislature, which included making Michigan the 24th right-to-work state. The Luncheon takes place on Thursday, January 17th from 11:30am to 1pm at Crystal Gardens Banquet & Conference Center on Grand River in Genoa Township. The cost is $20 for members of the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce and $25 for non-members, including lunch. Anyone interested in attending is asked to RSVP no later than Monday, January 14th as seating is limited and a large turnout is expected. For more information, or to RSVP, contact the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce. (JM)

Jurors Hear Hours of Recordings Friday During Kowalski TrialJurors Hear Hours of Recordings Friday During Kowalski Trial

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1/12/13 - Audio and video recordings made up the majority of Friday’s proceedings in the murder trial of 66-year-old Jerome Kowalski. The recordings were of interviews between the defendant and Troopers from Michigan State Police, first in Brighton and later in Ann Arbor. While at the Brighton Post, Kowalski denied involvement in the killing of his brother Richard and sister-in-law Brenda. He told troopers about his activities and whereabouts in the days surrounding the murders. He was then taken to Ann Arbor to be interviewed by Polygraph Examiner Detective Christopher Fitzpatrick. Over the course of that interview, Kowalski became more and more convinced that what he thought was a dream from an alcoholic blackout was actually a memory of killing Richard and Brenda. By the end of the interview he had confessed to killing both. Some of the details of the killing were accurate, while others were not. Kowalski also wrote several notes and made a diagram for police while in custody. Then-MSP Trooper Craig Felix read portions of the notes aloud and presented a graph produced by Kowalski while in police custody. The notes indicated that before going to the police station, Kowalski attempted to commit suicide using a combination of rum and Vicodin. The Kowalski trial will resume in Brighton on Monday. (JM)

Marion Twp. Becomes Full Member of Howell Rec. AuthorityMarion Twp. Becomes Full Member of Howell Rec. Authority

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1/14/13 - Marion Township has decided to join the Howell Recreation Authority as a full-fledged member. The Township Board of Trustees this past week voted to become a Tier One member, which requires a contribution of $100,000 per year and will enable township residents to participate in the authority’s programs at the lowest possible rate. The money will come from the township’s general fund. Authority Director Debbie Mikula tells WHMI that the full participation of Marion comes at a good time, the time of year when the authority is developing the programs that will be in place for the upcoming year. Mikula says Genoa Township is also considering becoming a full member of the authority and will take up the issue at its Jan. 22 meeting. Becoming a full member of the recreation authority means a major price break for Marion Township residents. Mikula says, for example, a program that would cost $100 costs only $50 with full membership. Programs the authority offers include sports leagues; enrichment programs in art, photography and dance; a pre-school program; summer day camp and operation of the Howell City Park on Thompson Lake as well as its boat launch ramp. The authority also manages the high school aquatic center for the the Howell Public Schools as well as the Howell Senior Center and the Howell Teen Center. (TT)

Meeting Set to Discuss Brighton Township Gravel Pit Proposal

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1/14/13 - A public meeting is set tomorrow to discuss issues surrounding a proposal to reopen a gravel pit in Brighton Township. It’s expected that Township Manager Brian Vick and the township’s attorney, John Harris, will discuss the plan that would reopen and expand a gravel mine at Jacoby and Kensington Roads. Residents opposed to the plan say the mine was operated for decades on the presumption that it would eventually be converted into a recreational park and residential area, and that the township gave the former owner of the mine benefits based on that presumption. However, when the original owner went bankrupt, the site was acquired by Clearwater Development of Milford, which has filed for permits to reopen and possibly expand the mine. Residents are concerned the new operation could contaminate the local water table. The meeting, which is not an official board meeting, will be held at 6:30pm Tuesday at the Township Hall on Buno Road. (JK)

Volunteers Sought for 6th Annual Community Connect Volunteers Sought for 6th Annual Community Connect

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1/14/13 - The Livingston County Homeless Continuum of Care will host its 6th annual Community Connect event early next month. Community Connect is a one-day event designed to help Livingston County residents who are having trouble meeting their needs connect with the services in a friendly, easy to access location. Individuals can connect to over 50 organizations that can offer information and services such as housing assistance, health screenings, legal consultation, food services, haircuts, massages, clothing and other personal need items. Community Connect will be held February 2nd from 9am to 2pm at Parker Middle School on Wright Road in Marion Township and Community Collaborative Planner Lindsay Beaudry tells WHMI they’re in need of guests, exhibitors, donors and volunteers. Contact dgehringer@lcunitedway.org for volunteer registration forms. Contact dmccririe@cmhliv.org to register your free service or information booth at the event. Information requests can also be made to 211, the United Way's free 24-hour social services information hotline. (JK)

Fenton Man's Missile Featured on Cable Reality ShowFenton Man's Missile Featured on Cable Reality Show

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1/14/13 - A Fenton man will have his unusual souvenir of the Cold War featured this week on an A&E broadcast of Shipping Wars. Robert Reigle is the owner of a 31-foot-long Polaris missile, which he purchased from a New York museum and then had shipped last September to Signs by Crannie in Flushing Township. Reigle owns Military Vehicles Web, which buys and sells military equipment from across the world, often renting or reselling the items to movie production companies, museums and private owners. In the case of the missile, it was bought to be used as a prop in a movie. A&E decided to feature the missile’s move on Shipping Wars after Reigle contacted the network. The reality show follows six independent shippers across the country as they transport unique, high-ticket items. The Polaris missile was a 21,500-pound solid-fuel, nuclear-armed, submarine-launched ballistic missile built during the Cold War. The Shipping Wars episode featuring Reigle’s deactivated missile is set to air this Wednesday at 10 p.m. (JK)

Balmy Start to Saturday's Frosty Freestyle Race at Huron Meadows Balmy Start to Saturday's Frosty Freestyle Race at Huron Meadows

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1/14/13 - 145 skiers donned their gear to compete in a race held at Huron Meadows Metropark in Brighton last Saturday. The REI Frosty Freestyle Race is the only Michigan Cup Race held south of Higgins Lake and despite a week of warm temperatures and a few rainy days, the ski race track that was made with snow shot from snow guns in December helped save the event. Racers lapped a shorter 1K course made with the artificial snow instead of traversing a 15K route through the park. The 15K race length was shortened to a 12K race, with 118 skiers starting in two waves. Race Director Mike Muha says it was a balmy 48 degrees at the start but they had a good base of hard-packed snow on the course, providing better ski conditions than some of the other Michigan Cup races held earlier this year. He applauded the efforts of park staff and says this was the second year they helped make snow and spread it on the trail before grooming it for skiing. All proceeds from the races will be donated to the Huron-Clinton Metroparks for cross-country skiing-related expenses. Stories and photos of the race can be seen through the link below. Pictured at left is Alison Crocker, the 12K Women’s Skate Style Race winner crossing the finish line behind Doug Heady of Ann Arbor. (JM)
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