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Genoa Township Partially Approves New Capital Improvement PlanGenoa Township Partially Approves New Capital Improvement Plan

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A Capital Improvement Program for Genoa Township is in the process of being approved, using suggestions from the community and local government to add or remove items from the plan. The Genoa Charter Township Planning Commission and Board of Trustees met at the end of March to discuss their CIP for 2015-2021. The revised plan calls for sidewalk installation, gravel road improvements, and additions to the Township Hall’s park in the community. However some voters rejected items from the proposed CIP, including several road projects. Doug Brown, Chairman for the Planning Commission, tells WHMI the paved road improvements were not approved for the new CIP. Another item that did not make it into the CIP was the addition of solar panels at Township Hall. A federal grant allowed for several to be put in place and provide usable energy. Jim Mortensen, Liaison for the Board of Trustees, says he cannot support solar panel installation after reviewing a cost and payback analysis. The annual cost savings of a solar panel system is $1,090 in one year. The system itself would cost over $27,000 and the payback period for the investment would be 18 years. Township Hall’s park will receive signage, shaded benches and a playground for senior citizens. Crushed limestone will be an improvement made to Herbst Road in 2017. Funds were added for trees installation and sidewalks on Crooked Lake, Dorr and Challis Road. Brown believes Genoa’s Board of Trustees will approve the new plan. (DK)

Avain Flu Prevents Relocation of Nuisance Canada Geese in MilfordAvain Flu Prevents Relocation of Nuisance Canada Geese in Milford

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Now that avian flu has been confirmed in the state, precautionary measures will prevent Milford from moving its nuisance Canada geese. The H5N2 virus has a very low transmission rate from birds to humans, but it is highly contagious among wildfowl and poultry, and has caused the deaths of millions of birds in recent years. It was recently detected in three Canada geese in Sterling Heights. The Milford Times reports that the village was planning to relocate the birds at Central Park as it does every year, but precautionary measures against the avian flu have put the brakes on that plan. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has prohibited the roundup and relocation of geese in Oakland and Macomb Counties. Goose droppings are a nuisance and can raise the level of E.coli bacteria in local water sources. (TD)

U of M Quidditch Team to Visit Brighton Library TuesdayU of M Quidditch Team to Visit Brighton Library Tuesday

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Local teens and muggles will have an opportunity to learn how to play the magical game of Quidditch tomorrow. The University of Michigan Quidditch team will be coming to the Brighton District Library on Tuesday from 2-4 pm to teach teens ages 13 and up about the game of Quidditch. The magical sport was featured in bestselling author J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series and today, the library says more than 300 universities and high schools around the world have embraced their own version of this game by starting school teams and leagues. The University of Michigan formalized its own Quidditch team in the fall of 2010 and competes against other colleges and universities for the coveted World Cup. Players will be sharing the fun of Quidditch during Tuesday’s event, which is free and part of the Brighton District Library’s Teen Summer Reading Program. Teens are invited to come out and learn the formal rules of the game, followed by an opportunity to break into teams and play themselves. The U of M team advises participants to wear comfortable shoes and clothes, suitable for running around the library grounds and to BYOB or bring your own broom. Details are available in the attached press release. For more information about Quidditch, a link to the University of Michigan team page is posted below. (JM)

Renovations Underway at Miller Intergenerational Center in Brighton Renovations Underway at Miller Intergenerational Center in Brighton

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The Brighton Senior Center will have a new home for the next two months beginning today. The Miller Intergenerational Center is being renovated as part of the Brighton Area Schools' bond issue. As a result, the senior center will be meeting in the Scranton Middle School cafeteria on Maltby Road during that time. Due to work being done through the bond issue, other groups will also have temporary new homes. They include the Bridge Alternative High School summer program, which will also meet at Scranton Middle School; Tot Spot, which will be located at Hilton Elementary School; and the Brighton Community Education office, which will be located at Hawkins Elementary School at Rickett and Lee Roads. All of the changes in location will be in effect through August 14th. (TT)

Hartland Township Board Weighing Cell Tower at Heritage Park Hartland Township Board Weighing Cell Tower at Heritage Park

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A new wireless tower could be placed in Heritage Park to help pay the facility’s upkeep costs. Hartland Township Manager James Wickman says American Tower approached the municipality with a proposal to erect a 175-foot wireless tower within the park in a 75 by 75 fenced-in area. The township board recently discussed the best location for the tower with regard to the future land use and development of the park. Despite some unanswered questions, there is general support for the wireless tower among board members. Wickman says townships typically do not have much control over the placement of wireless towers, so partnering with the company to place it in Heritage Park will give the board a little more control. Additionally, the tower will bring in $2,000 per month in rent, and for each wireless carrier that co-locates an antenna on the tower that number will increase by $250 per month. That money would help offset the cost of maintenance and upkeep for the park. The township board has been examining all of the factors of the proposal and reviewing prime locations for the tower. It’s expected to be a topic of discussion during Tuesday night’s meeting. (TD/JM)

Fenton Streetscape Project Brings More Road ClosuresFenton Streetscape Project Brings More Road Closures

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Street closures continue in Fenton’s downtown district but city officials say the public should begin to start seeing some of the improvements. The closures are occurring to expedite the installation of the underground utilities in the south end of downtown as part of the ongoing Fenton Streetscape project. The contractor, Champagne-Marx, believes this will allow them to possibly complete the south-end of construction ahead of schedule. In addition, Mill Street will be closed on Tuesday to make storm sewer pipe crossings. Curb and gutter installation is set to begin on the north side of Shiawassee this week, which will progress to the south side of Shiawassee and then north on LeRoy. Once the curb and gutter is installed, sidewalk construction will begin, to be followed by the base coat of the roadway. The city says Champagne-Marx still projects that construction south of the bridge will be completed by mid-July. (JM)

Supporters of Local Family Organize Peaceful Protest in Ann ArborSupporters of Local Family Organize Peaceful Protest in Ann Arbor

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A peaceful protest is planned this week as a show of support for a local family but also to bring attention to what organizers call incomplete child abuse investigations and conflicts of interest. Torn Family Trust has organized The Burns Support Day to raise awareness about what it feels are incomplete investigations of child abuse and the financial conflict of interest between University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and the Michigan Department of Human Services. Torn Family Trust was founded by supporters of Josh Burns, who is currently serving time in the Livingston County Jail after being convicted of child abuse in March. His wife Brenda has custody of the couple’s now 1-year-old daughter Naomi and a local judge is expected to rule in July as to whether or not he will be allowed to retain his parental rights. Torn Family Trust Trustee Matt Eckman tells WHMI they hope to raise awareness about what they allege was the incomplete, flawed investigation of child abuse in the Naomi Burns case as well as the conflicts of interest. Eckman says there seems to be a public misconception that the Burns case was an isolated situation but he tells WHMI it’s really something that could happen to anyone. The peaceful protest will be held this Wednesday from 1:30 to 3:30pm in front of Mott Children's Hospital and signs will be provided. Eckman says they encourage anyone interested in the topic or affected by false accusations of abuse to attend, hope the event will promote a positive discussion and even changes. Attendees will meet at the University of Michigan Hospital main entrance before walking over to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Two supporters will then go inside to deliver a letter to hospital administrators. Kids are welcome at the event but organizers remind parents and caregivers that they will be close to a heavily traveled roadway. More information can be found in the attachments or through the website link below. (JM)

Artwork From Finalists in Howell Art Project on Display DowntownArtwork From Finalists in Howell Art Project on Display Downtown

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A popular art competition centered on Michigan’s changing seasons returns to the streets of downtown Howell this week. The Howell Main Street Downtown Development Authority Art Competition originated in 2008 and was held for a few years before taking a hiatus. The DDA Design Committee brought back the popular art project and more than 30 pieces are on display downtown that were submitted from artists across the state as well as a couple of national artists. The public voting period runs through Wednesday, June 24th and the finalist’s artwork can be found at the Howell Opera House, Cleary’s Pub, Silverstone Jewelers, and Mom& Pop’s Bakery. DDA Director Cathleen Edgerly tells WHMI the theme was four seasons and pieces from the top three finalists in each category of fall, winter, spring and summer are on display throughout downtown Howell. Edgerly says art truly needs to be appreciated in person, which is why it’s on display downtown for the public to view. She says the artists used a wide range of materials for the pieces featuring different seasons that will likely bring some nostalgia of favorite childhood memories or perhaps summer tourist locations. Votes can be cast by either texting the code displayed on each art piece to 650-600-9016 or be submitted online at www.downtownhowell.org by clicking on Howell Art Project. A link is below. After votes are complied, the top artwork will be displayed on the exterior of downtown businesses later this summer. The winners will be announced during a Public Art Unveil and Celebration ceremony in August that Edgerly says will feature a walking tour to help the community celebrate the different pieces of art beautifying the downtown. (JM)

Spencer Road Bridge Over I-96 ClosedSpencer Road Bridge Over I-96 Closed

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Local motorists are now dealing with the closure of two freeway ramps on opposite ends of town. Starting today in order to accommodate ongoing construction at the I-96 and US-23 interchange, the Michigan Department of Transportation has scheduled the closure of the Spencer Road bridge over I-96 in Brighton. In Howell, D-19 and the ramps to and from westbound I‐96 along with the Park and Ride lot remains closed through June 24th. Both closures will result in additional traffic along side streets and main roads throughout the Howell and Brighton areas, which also means motorists will also be getting used to new alternate routes. M-DOT spokeswoman Kari Arend tells WHMI that with the Spencer closure, additional detours and roadwork, people will be having different travel patterns and utilizing different routes so plan extra time and recognize that it will take some time for motorists to get adjusted. General traffic will utilize Old US-23 and Grand River for detours but the ramp to westbound I-96 from Spencer Road is expected to remain open. The Spencer Road bridge over I-96 as well as the two Park and Ride lots in that area are expected to be closed for approximately 40 days and should re-open in August. (JM)

Red, White, & Blues Festival And BBQ Competition Returns This MonthRed, White, & Blues Festival And BBQ Competition Returns This Month

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The 2nd annual Red, White & Blues Festival and Barbeque Competition is coming back to Highland this month. Last year, when major sponsors pulled out of the annual Sparks in the Park celebration, organizers were unable to come up with the money needed to hold the event. However, rather than let that weekend be a blank spot on the calendar, a group of Highland Township citizens organized the Red, White, & Blues Festival and Barbeque Competition. The event will run again this year from noon to midnight on Saturday, June 27th at the Highland Township Hall on John Road. It will feature live blues, country, and rock music; a beer tent; vendors; a kids’ area; and an attempt to set a Guinness World Record with a flip-flop walk. The barbeque competition will take place on-site and offer a $1,000 cash prize. Fireworks will be launched at 10:00. For more information on the Red, White, & Blues Festival, or to enter the barbeque competition, follow the link below. (TD)

Finalists Announced For Livingston Sensation CompetitionFinalists Announced For Livingston Sensation Competition

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The finalists have been named in the Livingston Sensation singing contest, with the final competition to take place during the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest. Two a capella semifinal rounds were held in at Cleary’s Pub in Howell to narrow the field of singers down to the top nine finalists. They are: - Chad Bondie of Howell - Christopher Brandt of Brighton - Sarah Brown of Howell - Courtney Darrow of Fowlerville - Samantha Goodell of Brighton - Jeremy Hertz of Howell - Darla Maroudis of Howell - Brenna Shea of Brighton - Sydney Woll of Howell All nine will perform on the Balloonfest main stage on Sunday, June 28th beginning at 2pm. The contestants will each sing a song of their own choosing, and the winner will be given a free hot-air balloon ride from Howell pilot Denny McGuire. (TD)

Actor Timothy Busfield to Talk "Field of Dreams" During Upcoming EventsActor Timothy Busfield to Talk "Field of Dreams" During Upcoming Events

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"Build it and he will come". A Howell actor will share his experiences in making an inspirational film as part of a special Father’s Day promotion at a historic theater. Field of Dreams is showing at the Historic Howell Theater this week and two Q&A events are planned with actor Timothy Busfield, an area resident pictured at left who starred in the film alongside Kevin Costner. Field of Dreams was nominated for three Academy Awards in 1990 and Busfield will share his experiences in making the film while taking questions from the audience during two evening events at the Historic Howell Theater this Thursday and Saturday. Owner Tyler DePerro says Busfield has an impressive list of television and film credits and points out that the familiar “build it and they will come" reference is actually misquoted. He says it is correctly stated by the voice in the movie as "build it and he will come". In an effort to celebrate a great film and Father's Day, admission to three showings will be free for local dads this Sunday. In addition, DePerro says a donation of 50 movie tickets has been given to Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Livingston County and $1 from each purchase of a large popcorn will be donated to the organization. More information about the Q&A opportunities with Busfield is available through the link below. AP Photo Credit. (JM)

Genoa Township Board Approves Capital Improvement PlanGenoa Township Board Approves Capital Improvement Plan

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The Genoa Township board met Monday night to approve the municipality’s Capital Improvement Plan and also agreed to possibly pursue a future solar energy project. The Capital Improvement Plan calls for trees along walkways and sidewalk improvements along Crooked Lake, Dorr and Challis Roads. Plans are also in the works to add a roundabout at the corner of Coon Lake and Chilson Roads. Two projects dropped from the plan were added back in, prompting a no vote from trustee Jim Mortenson. After some discussion, the board agreed to leave solar panels and a road improvement project at Bauer Road at Challis for an open ended date. Saying solar “was a government plan that makes no fiscal sense,” and rejecting a road improvement plan as a county or state function, Mortenson voted against the entire package. Plans for future construction of solar panels were scrapped in the most recent CIP because the return on investment of $27,000 over 18 years was deemed too long. After some discussion though, the board agreed to restore solar panels for future planning purposes. Supervisor Gary McCririe tells WHMI the township already has some solar panels in place, which help offset the energy costs. No future date or price was given to the solar panel project. Meanwhile, McCririe says the township is saving for the Bauer Road project while it waits for the work to be completed at a nearby quarry. Similar to the Latson Road project, the township will save funds and work to get engineering work done. The Capital Improvement Plan is reviewed annually. (DS/JM)

Drain Commission Warns Of Possible Flooding In Coming DaysDrain Commission Warns Of Possible Flooding In Coming Days

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The Livingston County Drain Commissioner is telling residents to be on the lookout for flooding during the upcoming wet weather. Livingston County has rain and thunderstorms on-and-off throughout the two-week forecast. Yesterday’s rain brought the Huron River within a foot of flood-stage by late afternoon, and Drain Commissioner Brian Jonckheere says the ground is now saturated, so any additional precipitation will run directly into drains and rivers. He says additional rainfall could cause local rivers to swell very quickly. Jonckheere is urging residents to be on the lookout for flooding even if their property was not affected in previous years. He says even small changed in grade or landscape can have big effects on how water drains, which could cause unexpected flooding in surrounding land. Jonckheere says the good news is that Livingston County often gets less rainfall than surrounding counties, since big storms tend to break around our area. (TD)

Fireworks Displays Approved on Lake Chemung & Crooked Lake Fireworks Displays Approved on Lake Chemung & Crooked Lake

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Fireworks displays have been approved for two July 4th celebrations in Genoa Township. The board met Monday night and authorized fireworks displays on both Lake Chemung and Crooked Lake at the Oak Pointe Country Club. Supervisor Gary McCririe told WHMI the two displays have become popular attractions over the last several years and people line up on boats to see them. Last year, some board members had expressed frustration with the change in state law that allowed the use of consumer grade fireworks. It was embraced by those who revel in shooting them off and putting on elaborate displays but opposed by others including veterans who likened the noise in neighborhoods to war zones and wanted them banned or restricted. Genoa Township does not have any ordinance related to the regulation of fireworks as enforcement is said to be difficult but a list of criteria must be met in order for permits to be issued for any displays. (DS/JM)

County Updates FOIA Regulations To Follow New State GuidelinesCounty Updates FOIA Regulations To Follow New State Guidelines

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The County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution last night to bring its Freedom of Information Act request responses in line with new state standards. FOIA allows residents and organizations to make requests to governmental bodies for public information, and places restrictions on how the governmental body must respond and how much it can charge for that information. However, the request procedure and cost of records throughout the state are not consistent. County Commissioner Steve Williams tells WHMI the Michigan legislature recently took action to rectify this problem, establishing Public Act 563 that creates a statewide standard for FOIA fees and practices. Among other things, PA 563 requires municipalities to use the most economical means available to fulfill FOIA requests and sets a 10-cent-per-page price limit for paper copies. The resolution approved last night is similar to those being passed by local municipalities around the state and brings the county’s FOIA fees and practices in line with PA 563. Williams says access to records is vital for residents, but municipalities, especially small ones, rely on the fees charged to be able to provide that service. (TD)

No Contest Plea Entered By South Lyon Man In Child Pornography CaseNo Contest Plea Entered By South Lyon Man In Child Pornography Case

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A South Lyon man charged with possessing child pornography has entered a plea in the case. 45-year-old Michael Harold Hockenberg was charged with distributing or promoting child pornography, possessing child sexually abusive material, and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime. The alleged incidents occurred last summer, but he was not arraigned in Livingston County District Court until February. On Friday, he pleaded no contest to the charge of possessing child pornography in exchange for the other three charges being dropped. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but will be treated as such when he is sentenced on July 16th. The prosecutors did not agree to any sentencing guidelines as part of the deal, so Hockenberg could be sentenced to up to four years in prison. (TD)

Worn Tires Caused Crash That Killed South Lyon Man & SonWorn Tires Caused Crash That Killed South Lyon Man & Son

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Investigators say worn tires, not potholes, were responsible for a tragic crash in Lyon Township that killed a man and his 9-year-old son. Documents obtained by the Detroit Free Press through a Freedom of Information Act request show that four potholes, including one measuring 4.3 feet by 13.6 feet, were east of the crash scene in Lyon Township. Documents say, however, that sheriff's investigators believe the condition of the tires and possibly wet, snowy conditions were to blame for the crash. 36-year-old Pedro Montanez Jr. of South Lyon lost control of his vehicle while driving his three children to Kent Lake Elementary School January 20th. He swerved into oncoming traffic and the car was hit by a pickup, killing Montanez and his son, Steven. His two other children, a 6-year-old girl and 10-year-old son, survived the crash but were hospitalized. Investigators previously had indicated that a pothole could be a contributing factor as that particular stretch of Pontiac Trail near Silver Lake Road where the crash happened is known for having a large re-occurring pothole. (JM)

Dexter Students Receive ScholarshipsDexter Students Receive Scholarships

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Seven Dexter High School students have each received a $1000 scholarship for college. The awards were presented by the Dexter Lions Club at the school’s honor convocation ceremony last month. The seven were chosen from a pool of applicants who, in addition to the application, had to write three short essays on their school and community involvement, their goals for the future, and why they should be considered for the scholarship. The Dexter Leader reports that the Carl Willoughby scholarship was also presented to Gunner Mercer by Dexter Lions Club Scholarship chair Terry Walters and club president Michael Scott. The Willoughby scholarship is designated for a graduate who is pursuing a career in the skilled trades, and is worth $500. (MK)

No Momentum For Hune's Bill To Cut Tobacco TaxesNo Momentum For Hune's Bill To Cut Tobacco Taxes

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A local lawmaker has introduced legislation to reduce the state tobacco tax, but he has not gotten much support in Lansing. Senator Joe Hune was the sole sponsor for Senate Bill 148, which would reduce the per-cigarette state tax from 10 cents to 5 cents. The bill was introduced back in February, but still has yet to see any forward motion in the legislature. In fact, Hune says the same measure has been introduced several times since the current tax was finalized in 2004, but it has never reached fruition and Governor Rick Snyder has said that if it ever reached his desk, he would veto it. Hune says he introduced the bill after reviewing information from the Mackinac Center on Public Policy, which claims that Michigan is #10 in the nation for cigarette smuggling. It says more than one in four cigarettes smoked in Michigan was brought in from another state, the highest rate in the Great Lakes region except for Wisconsin. Hune says the increase was only approved to balance the budget, and that he is generally in favor of lower taxes. He recently voted in favor of a bill that would add smokeless tobacco products and e-cigarettes to the list of products that cannot be sold to minors and which must be taxed like tobacco. He says while lower taxes are important to him, the safety of children is also important. The tobacco tax generates more than $23 million per year. (TD)
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