A unique summer tour by the Purple Rose Theatre Company starts this week, with a stop planned next week in Livingston County. The Chelsea-based theater is embarking on 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 tomorrow, Tuesday, June 23rd and then go to the Riverwalk Theatre in Lansing this Sunday the 28th before arriving at Cleary Universityâs Johnson Center in Genoa Township next 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 and stimulate a more demographically & geographically diverse audience. (JK)
Purple Rose Summer Tour Kicks Off This WeekPurple Rose Summer Tour Kicks Off This Week
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Local Health Department Sets Up Free HIV TestingLocal Health Department Sets Up Free HIV Testing
HIV Test Day will be observed nation-wide this week, and the Livingston County Department of Public Health will once again be offering free screenings for residents. Every year on June 27th, HIV Test Day is recognized to help increase awareness about the need for people to get screened for the disease. As part of that observance, the DPH will offer free HIV screenings on Wednesday by appointment only from 4 to 6:15pm, and then again on Friday for both walk-ins and appointments from 8am to noon. All of the results are confidential, and Health Promotion Coordinator Chelsea Moxlow cannot even aay how many people have taken advantage of the free screenings in years past. Moxlow says while some people are recommended to get tested for HIV more frequently, the DPH recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 gets tested at least once. She says of those who are infected between the ages of 15 and 24, half do not know they are carrying the disease. For more information or to reserve a screening, follow the link posted below. (TD)
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Brighton Council Approves Three Transitional Parking LotsBrighton Council Approves Three Transitional Parking Lots
The Brighton City Council has approved the site plans for three parking lots the city either leases or will be utilizing in the near future. Council last Thursday night voiced approval for land use permits and site plans for the Johnson lot at North and West streets, the former chamber of commerce lot at Hyne and Fourth and the Dairy Mart lot on East Grand River. All three parking lots are under the designation of âtransitionalâ parking, and City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI that transitional parking makes the best use of the properties because it allows the city to use them for parking in the short term, at a bargain basement price, and yet preserves them for development in the future. Foster says is the city purchased the properties instead of leasing them, it could cost up to $300,000 per lot to pave, install curbing and make other improvements as required by ordinance. The former chamber property on Hyne St. was bought by Excelda Corp. as a possible future site for its headquarters and is now owned individually by Excelda President Mike LaMarra. The former Dairy Mart on East Grand River, which is now vacant, will be demolished in the near future to make way for the new parking lot. The Downtown Development Authority approved a demolition contract with Regal Recycling of Howell to tear down the building. (TT)
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Thunderstorms in the Forecast Monday; Severe Weather PossibleThunderstorms in the Forecast Monday; Severe Weather Possible
UPDATE: 5:13pm The National Weather Service Severe Thunderstorm Watch is no longer in effect for Livingston, Genesee, Oakland, Shiawassee or Washtenaw Counties.
Livingston County residents should be prepared for the threat of severe weather throughout the afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Livingston County until 9pm. The forecast calls for a strong thunderstorm in spots late this afternoon, stretching into tonight. Livingston Weatherwatch Meterologist Joe Sobel says there will be a couple of rounds of thunderstorms with heavy rains and gusty winds in many areas. Sobel says in some spots, hail is possible and the winds could be strong enough to produce some damage while the rain could lead to local flooding. (JM)
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Brighton Schools Takes Annual Summer LoanBrighton Schools Takes Annual Summer Loan
Itâs almost an annual rite of summer---the borrowing of millions of dollars from the state school aid fund by public school districts in Michigan. School districts typically must arrange a loan from the state because they donât receive any state aid during the summer until October, well after the start of school in the fall. The reason for the problem is that the stateâs fiscal year runs from October 1st to Sept. 30th, whereas the fiscal year of public school districts is from July 1st to June 30th. That leaves most districts without extra revenues during the summer months, although expenses such as payroll, maintenance, and other costs continue. The Brighton Board of Education voted Monday night to borrow up to $7 million to meet expenses until state school aid revenues arrive. Supt. Greg Gray says this may be the last time for a very long time that the district is forced to borrow money during the summer. Thatâs because of the improving financial picture, with the Brighton Area Schools expected to show a fund balance of over $1 million by the end of the fiscal year on June 30th. Gray says the cost of borrowing will be $200,000 or less, and the interest rate on the $7 million loan will be about 1%. (TT)
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Gistinger Gets Pay Hike From BAS Board For Shared Services WorkGistinger Gets Pay Hike From BAS Board For Shared Services Work
Two Brighton Area Schools assistant superintendents, along with two central office employees, got raises at the Board of Education meeting Monday night. Assistant Superintendent of Finance Maria Gistinger was one of the four employees receiving a raise. Supt. Greg Gray tells WHMI that technically, the increase was not a salary hike, but a âstipendâ that was based on a percentage of the amount of new revenue she has brought into the district through the Shared Services program. Gray says that with the increase Gistinger will be making about $181,000 a year. Brighton has received millions of dollars in new revenue as a result of the program, and in fact is the largest provider of Shares Services in the entire state. The program is almost singlehandedly taking the district out of deficit, although Brighton has adopted numerous other cost-cutting measures in the last several years. The other top administrator whose salary was addressed is Laura Surrey, the assistant superintendent for curriculum. The board voted to give Surrey a 2% raise, which amounts to a $2,400 increase in her base salary. Trustee Bill Trombley raised the question of why Gistinger was getting a much more substantial pay increase than Surrey. The reason given was that although both are highly deserving, Gistinger is the one who developed and is doing the lionâs share of work on the highly successful Shared Services program. The vote on Gistingerâs contract was 5-1 with Trombley voting no. The vote on Surreyâs contract was 5-1, with John Conely voting no. Surrey said she was comfortable with the 2% raise, and if there are any extra funds around, sheâd rather they go to improve her department rather than toward a salary increase. Also, administrative assistant Starr Acromite, who acts as the secretary to Superintendent Gray, received a modest raise and one-year extension of her contract, as did Shelly Kennedy, who is an administrative assistant in human resources. (TT)
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Marion Man Pleads In Two Cases, Bound Over On Two OthersMarion Man Pleads In Two Cases, Bound Over On Two Others
A Marion man has been sentenced in two of the cases against him, but two more serious cases are progressing. 22-year-old Brandon Gale now has two separate cases in Livingston County Circuit Court after one of the three District Court cases against him was bound over this month. The charges in that case, stemming from an incident in December, include armed robbery, assault with intent to rob while armed, fleeing from police, and possession of marijuana. The other circuit court case stems from a motorcycle chase in October, in which Gale allegedly fled from police and threatened family members with a gun. Those charges include fleeing police, possession of marijuana, and driving an unregistered vehicle. Both cases are scheduled for pretrial hearings on August 7th followed by trial on August 24th. Gale was also facing retail fraud and possession of marijuana charges in two unrelated district court cases. He has pleaded guilty to those charges and was sentenced earlier this month to 93 days in jail, which he had already served. (TD)
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Resolution To Allow Swale Modifications Rejected By Howell City CouncilResolution To Allow Swale Modifications Rejected By Howell City Council
A handful of residents who appeared prompted by an anonymous flyer spoke out about parking problems during Monday nightâs Howell City Council meeting. Residents called the parking situation ridiculous, saying their dealing with problems six years later with talk of possible solutions and fixes but nothing has happened. Overall design concepts were approved in 2008 for the cityâs Street Improvement Program, with right-of-ways to be utilized for storm water management. Thatâs the area between the sidewalk and street. Councilman Doug Heins has led the push to remove the mini-circles installed as well as storm water management tools known as swales â both of which have been deemed budget busters by council. A resolution was drafted by Heins that essentially allowed residents to make improvements or install parking in the public ROW/swale area with engineer review. It failed to pass in a 4-1 vote last night with members Scott Niblock and Jan Lobur absent. Those who spoke out during Mondayâs meeting appeared to have been prompted by an orange flyer circulated in parts of the city Friday, which stated if resolution 15-11 fails âyour home will be forever prohibited from any parking improvementâ. Some on council felt the resolution could create a whole new set of problems, agreeing it contained numerous inaccuracies and misleading statements. Councilman Jeff Hansen said the city simply doesnât have the budget to fix the problem, noting he lives on a dead-end dirt road with truck traffic all day long and he would be first in line to complain. Mayor Nick Proctor said he understood the frustrations and acknowledged problems but said there are fiscal realities and they canât correct everything at once â noting the street program had nothing whatsoever to do with negatively impacted property rights as alleged in the leaflet and residents can already petition the city for improvements to the ROW. Proctor said there have been mistakes but the most significant impact with historic property value decline was the economic downturn in 2008 â not the street program. He felt the public was deliberately misled by the leaflet distributed through neighborhoods and assured the audience that property rights are not threatened in Howell. He said the resolution was fraught with inaccuracies, not focused on the entire city and left him with a fairly bitter taste - further stating he felt the issue was manufactured not to solve a problem but to simply provide a forum to grandstand. Heins defended that the resolution he drafted was about preserving the right for residents to make changes since the city wonât fix problems - not to fill in swales. He further commented the resolution takes the personal politics out of the street program and gives requests to the city engineer for review, which is the same wording that appeared on the flyer. The resolution and flyer are attached below. (JM)
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Howell Schools' Board Of Education Recognizes Heroic StudentHowell Schools' Board Of Education Recognizes Heroic Student
A graduate from Howell High Schoolâs Fire Academy is being honored for an act of heroism. Junior Tatum Dayney reacted quickly when she came upon a car accident on County Farm Road last Monday. Dayneyâs initial instinct was to grab her first aid kit and remove the victim from the vehicle. The victim, who is a recent graduate from Howell High School, was conscious and Dayney kept him awake with a string of questions. She tended to his wounds along with several others at the scene until additional help arrived. This week, the Howell Public Schoolsâ Board of Education recognized Dayney with a certificate to acknowledge her heroic act. Dr. Jeremy Hughes, Interim Superintendent for the district, tells WHMI Dayney utilized her knowledge in a high-stress situation. Dayney was able to stop the bleeding from the victimâs wounds while awaiting emergency response. Dr. Hughes believes the professional reaction not only speaks to Dayneyâs character, but the Fire Academyâs program as well. He says the academy is âvery uniqueâ and offers a lot of skill training. (DK)
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Overnight Storms Include Possible Tornado Touchdown In Southern Washtenaw CountyOvernight Storms Include Possible Tornado Touchdown In Southern Washtenaw County
Severe weather overnight included a possible tornado touchdown near Manchester in Washtenaw County. Five homes were damaged, although no injuries were reported. A Tornado Warning was issued by the National Weather Service at about 1:30 this morning for southern Washtenaw County. Meteorologists say a tornado signature was visible on radar, but whether or not there was an actual tornado touchdown won't be confirmed until the weather service does a damage assessment later today. The National Weather Service also reports damage in Chelsea near the corner of North Territorial and Madden roads. In Livingston County, there are about 350 DTE customers without power, most of them south of Pinckney. Livingston County Central Dispatch says they have no reports of any major storm damage, but are reporting a downed tree is blocking Brighton Road, east of Clifford in Genoa Township. Earlier in the day, the National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down in Portland, west of Lansing. The weather service's office in Grand Rapids says the twister that hit the ground about 2:30 p.m. Monday had winds of about 100 miles per hour. Authorities say at least five people had to be rescued or helped from collapsed or damaged buildings in Portland. A mother and two small children were helped from a collapsed Goodwill store, while two other people were helped out of a damaged pharmacy. (JK)
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Drum Event Planned For Central Park In Milford Next MonthDrum Event Planned For Central Park In Milford Next Month
The sound of drums will take over Milfordâs Central Park during a free event next month, and residents are invited to attend and take part. A community drum event is being organized for July 17th by Lakeland High School teacher Isaac Perry and Michigan Rock School operator John Kozicki. Everyone from experienced drummers to those who have never played percussion before are welcome to join in the drum event, which will take place at the pavilion from 5 to 7pm. Participants are encouraged to bring whatever professional or improvised percussion instruments they want and join in the drum session. Organizers will also supply a limited number of drums to share with those who have nothing to bring. Kozicki says they were inspired by seeing regular drum circles in other parts of the country bringing the community together. For more information about the event, follow the link below. (TD)
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Hune & Wife Welcome New Baby Born Monday In LansingHune & Wife Welcome New Baby Born Monday In Lansing
A local lawmaker is celebrating a somewhat belated Fatherâs Day. State Sen. Joe Hune and his wife, Marcia, welcomed a baby boy into their family on Monday evening. Marcia Hune gave birth to Alexander Joseph Hune at Sparrow Hospital. Alexander weighed in at 8 pounds, 3 ounces and is 21 inches long. Senator Hune, a Hamburg Township Republican, said that âFrom the first momentâ he held their new baby boy, he âknew there was no better feeling than being a dad.â Adding that he was âtruly blessed to have such an amazing, strong wife and a healthy baby.â Alexander is the first child for the Hunesâ, and mom and baby are doing well. According to a press release issued by Huneâs office, sources say baby Alexander is excited to head home and meet the animals on the family farm. (JK)
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Putnam Renews Deal With Sheriff For Dedicated Deputy PatrolsPutnam Renews Deal With Sheriff For Dedicated Deputy Patrols
The contract between Putnam Township and the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department for dedicated patrols has been renewed for another three years. Last week, the township board approved a contract extension covering the term from July 1st of this year through June 30th of 2018. Like the current arrangement, te new contact calls for 40 hours a week of patrolling within the township by a sheriffâs deputy during specific times of greatest need. In return, the township will compensate the county to the tune of $97,600 in the first year, increasing by $3,500 for each successive year. There was little question by board members that the contract would be renewed. Supervisor Ron Rau says it has worked out to everyoneâs satisfaction in the past. Putnam and Tyrone Townships are among the local municipalities that contract with the Sheriffâs Department for dedicated patrols, ensuring a police presence and quick response times despite their relatively isolated locations and small populations. (TD)
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Howell School Board Member Resigns Howell School Board Member Resigns
Citing increasing work commitments, a Howell school board member has resigned. Michael Moloney submitted his letter of resignation following Monday nightâs Board of Education meeting, which was effective immediately. Moloney said conflicts between the time demands of his career and those of the school board have become difficult to reconcile over the past few months. Howell Board of Education President Mike Yenshaw says Moloney was probably the most prepared and most informed board member heâs served with, noting his knowledge of the inner workings of the K-12 education process will be missed. Yenshaw said although at times some of Moloneyâs decisions were met with skepticism, he always strived to make Howell Public Schools the best it could be. Moloneyâs term is up at the end of 2016. When it comes to future candidates, Yenshaw says heâd prefer someone who has the best interests of the district in mind but also doesnât have any personal agenda. Yenshaw noted thereâs been kind-of a learning curve going on with four new board members being seated at the beginning of the year, as well as an interim superintendent. He says itâs been a learning process though and the board is looking forward to working with the new Superintendent Erin MacGregor. In accordance with state law, the Board of Education has 30 calendar days to fill the vacancy. If the vacancy is not filled within that time frame, then the Livingston Educational Service Agency or LESA will be required to fill the seat. The Board of Education is currently working to develop application deadlines and an interview schedule to fill the vacant seat. Moloney's resignation letter is attached below. (JM)
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3rd Annual Sparky Defibrillator Challenge Golf Scramble Set Saturday 3rd Annual Sparky Defibrillator Challenge Golf Scramble Set Saturday
A golf scramble this weekend will raise funds to help purchase life saving devices. The Sparky Defibrillator Challenge resulted from a near tragic event in which George Stefureac went into sudden cardiac arrest at Kensington Valley Ice House. His teammates and a fast acting ice rink employee are credited with helping save his life by quickly administering CPR and using an Automated External Defibrillator or AED that was in the building. Since then, Stefureac and others launched the challenge which raises funds to purchase AEDâs and will host a golf scramble Saturday to further that cause. The non-profit will host its 3rd Annual Golf Scramble at the Hartland Glen Golf Course this Saturday with a 10am shotgun start, which is one of three fundraisers they host and typically the largest according to Stefureac. He tells WHMI they previously set a goal to equip police cars in Livingston County with AEDâs and to date, theyâve donated six to the cause and have 29 more to go. Stefureac says Saturdayâs scramble is a great opportunity for local golfers to enjoy an afternoon and donate to a good cause, noting a variety of prizes are available from a flat screen tv to gift cards at upscale restaurants. The Sparky Defibrillator Challenge Golf Scramble offers lunch, beverages and dinner among with door prizes and 50/50 raffles. There are also different ticket prices for foursomes, single golfers or others who might just want to attend dinner. Golfers and donations are still being sought and registration can be done the morning of the event. Details are available in the attachments below. (JM)
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Mini-Library To Open At Imagination StationMini-Library To Open At Imagination Station
Kids at a local playground will soon be able to take a break with a book under the shade of a tree. A mini-library will be opening up this Saturday at the Imagination Station in Brighton. The structure will be 3 feet high by 2 feet wide with a peaked cedar shake roof and Plexiglas doors. Many of the construction materials were donated, with only $200 being needed from the playgroundâs fund. Volunteer coordinator for the Imagination Station Renee Pettengill was inspired last year after seeing similar structures in other communities and has been working with Flex Tech High School students towards building one for Brighton since spring. As for the books inside, many for its opening are from donations. Students in the Flex Tech English department are working on a title list for the near future, and Pettengill hopes to get support from local merchants next year. Visitors are invited to freely check out or even leave a favorite childrenâs or young adult book of their own that they believe others may enjoy. The mini-library will be open 24 hours, but will be taken down from October until April to protect it from winter weather. A ceremony for its unveiling will begin at 9:15am on Saturday. (MK)
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Pipeline Company Doubles Offer For Pinckney EasementsPipeline Company Doubles Offer For Pinckney Easements
The latest update on a proposed natural gas pipeline has the company doubling their offer for easements in Pinckney. At Monday nightâs meeting of the Pinckney Village Council, President Linda Lavey gave an update on a recent tour with officials from the ET Rover Pipeline Company. Lavey says the pipeline company plans to submit a second offer for an easement through the village, which will be twice what they offered previously. Despite the higher price tag, Lavey says the company will likely submit a second and third offer to the village before heading to court to pursue eminent domain proceedings. During her presentation to the board, Lavey showed images of the pipeline path , which is planned to begin in West Virginia and pass through Pennsylvania and Ohio and Michigan before ending in Ontario. In Pinckney, officials say the pipelineâs path is dangerously close to the villageâs water treatment plant and also requires destroying a number of older oak and hickory trees. (DS/JK)
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Trial Date Set In Crash That Killed Hamburg Police SergeantTrial Date Set In Crash That Killed Hamburg Police Sergeant
A trial date has been set for a local man charged in connection with a crash that killed a Hamburg Township Police sergeant. 54-year-old Steven Mark Kelty of Oceola Township is charged with driving while license suspended causing death and operating a motor vehicle with the presence of a schedule one substance causing death, in this case marijuana. Livingston County Circuit Court records indicate he is set for trial October 13th. Kelty is also charged as a third time habitual offender for prior operating while intoxicated convictions that happened in 2002 and 1995. If convicted on the current charges, he faces up to 30 years in prison. Sergeant Jim Sanderson, a 20-year veteran of the Hamburg Township Police Department, was off-duty but headed to a police memorial event when the motorcycle crash occurred at the intersection of Latson Road and Figurski Drive in Genoa Township on September 26th. Previous testimony from an eyewitness indicated Kelty had made the left turn from Latson Road onto Figurski Drive without stopping and the collided head-on into Sandersonâs motorcycle. (JK)
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Moloney Says Resignation Unrelated To Recall AttemptMoloney Says Resignation Unrelated To Recall Attempt
A now-former Howell Board of Education member feels the body has done a lot of good work over the past year and the district is on an upward trajectory â that is âassuming they continue to make good decisions.â Mike Moloney tendered his letter of resignation following Monday nightâs meeting, saying it was a great experience and he leaves confident knowing he did everything he could to fulfill the trust people placed in him. Moloney thanked the community and the district for the privilege of serving over the past four and a half years, saying part of the decision was work related. He took on a new position within a program management consulting firm and said the increasing commitments and commute were part of the issue. After consideration, Moloney says he felt it would be better to allow someone else with more time to step in to the role in order to best serve the community. Moloney said considering some things other districts are dealing with, the accomplishments of Howell schools over the past two years were really quite remarkable and they were also able to pass balance budgets, giving incoming Superintendent Erin MacGregor a good stable base to come into. He says MacGregor is expected to convene some strategy and long term planning meetings with the board over the next few months, and he felt that would be the perfect way to ensure the new board member would become part of that team to help lead the district into the future. Moloney says the timing of his resignation did coincide with the hiring of MacGregor and he felt it would have been a disservice to the community to be a part of those development exercises and then step aside. Moloney further credited the hard work of interim Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Hughes, saying Howellâs academics appear to have recovered quite nicely and recent ACT scores were the highest theyâve ever been. Moloney says unfortunately they sometimes made headlines but it was a pleasure and a privilege to serve, thanking everyone who has supported him but especially those who did so after he was elected because that was when he needed it most. Meanwhile, exactly how Moloneyâs resignation will impact a recall effort is unclear. He was among four school board members originally targeted by the Howell Recall Committee for their roles in the firing of former Superintendent Ron Wilson. However, Moloney says his decision was completely unrelated to that effort. (JM)
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Tim Jalkanen Announces Resignation As Fenton SuperintendentTim Jalkanen Announces Resignation As Fenton Superintendent
Fenton Schools Superintendent Timothy Jalkanen has issued his resignation, but will still be overseeing the district for the time being. At Monday nightâs meeting of the Board of Education, Jalkanen announced hat he has asked the board not to extend his contract, which will expire next June. Instead, he is now working as a consultant for the district until a new superintendent can be hired. The Tri County Times reports Jalkanen will remain with the district until mid-February before moving on. The school board is accepting applications for interim superintendent through July 6th, and expects to name someone to that position at its July 20th meeting. Jalkanen says he is leaving the district voluntarily to pursue other career options. (td)
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