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LESA’s 14th Annual Backpacks for Kids Project UnderwayLESA’s 14th Annual Backpacks for Kids Project Underway

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A summer project will once again provide basic school supplies to Livingston County students whose families may be experiencing financial difficulties. The Livingston Educational Service Agency is collecting monetary and school supply donations for the 2015 Backpack for Kids campaign. Local collection sites are also being sought. Great Start Livingston Coordinator Robin Schutz tells WHMI over 1,000 backpacks were distributed to students last year and the project is truly a community effort after 14 years. Backpacks and supplies will be collected up until the distribution and Connect for Kids events on Thursday, August 20th. A wish list of all the supplies being collected is available online and items may be dropped off at the Livingston Education Service Agency on Grand River in Howell between the hours of 8am and 4pm throughout the summer. A Stuff the Bus event is also planned later this summer to help boost the collection drive. Additional details can be found in the attached press release or by calling an informational hotline that has been set up at 517-540-6833. (JM)

Volunteers Sought for United Way's 14th Annual Day of Caring Volunteers Sought for United Way's 14th Annual Day of Caring

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The registration deadline is set later this month for an event that puts Livingston County residents to work helping their neighbors. The Livingston County United Way’s 14th Annual Day of Caring, the largest single-day volunteerism event in Livingston County, is set for Wednesday, August 19th. But making the day a success requires volunteers to cover more than 1,400 volunteer shifts at over 100 worksites. United Way officials are asking that those who wish to pitch in and help register by July 24th. Volunteers are needed for morning, afternoon or all-day shifts to do yard work for local seniors, wash windows, minor household repairs, painting, harvesting and weeding at community gardens, and more. In addition, volunteers are needed for food drives at area Walmart stores on Saturday, August 15th. Local businesses, school sports teams and clubs, service organizations, and churches are also encouraged to utilize the Day of Caring for a team-building experience, or individuals can sign up to be assigned to a worksite as well. Online registration is available through the link below. A volunteer picnic lunch will also be held at Howell City Park for all volunteers involved in the day. While no one will be turned away who shows up that day to help out, those volunteers registered by July 24th are guaranteed to receive a commemorative Day of Caring t-shirt and refreshment bag. (JM)

More Paving Work Planned As Part of Fenton Streetscape ProjectMore Paving Work Planned As Part of Fenton Streetscape Project

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Despite a shortened construction week associated with holiday stoppages and the weather, officials say the first phase of the Fenton Streetscape project is coming together. The city says concrete pouring for the sidewalks and gutter pans continued last week, and work was also completed on the Shiawassee River Bridge. A sewer connection was also being made at Ellen and LeRoy Streets. The contractor is said to be trying to complete the work at LeRoy and Ellen before the second phase begins so the construction zone can begin on LeRoy Street, north of Ellen. This coming week will bring the paving of Shiawassee and LeRoy Streets on Thursday and Friday, weather permitting. Crews are expected to lay the base course and the leveling course of asphalt on the roadway, and the city says street closures should be expected when the work is being completed. However when that happens, the city says the road will be drivable. The final top course of asphalt is expected to be placed toward the end of the project this fall. City Administration is expected to meet with the contractor sometime next week to discuss the second phase of the project. Facebook Photo. (JM)

Fenton City Council Discusses Sidewalks, Fireworks TentsFenton City Council Discusses Sidewalks, Fireworks Tents

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Fenton City Council has opened discussion about crumbling sidewalk in front of its newest downtown building. Sidewalk adjacent to the new Cornerstone Building in Downtown Fenton is already beginning to crumble. Fenton City Council held a brief discussion at their meeting Monday, but took no action on what to do. At issue is who is responsible for the sidewalk and whether or not it should be replaced. City Manager Lynn Markland says the sidewalk, poured last November is still useable, but has some scaling, which was caused when the concrete was poured during cold weather. It can’t be repaired, and Markland says though the sidewalk doesn’t need to be replaced right away, it has a shortened lifespan. The City Council will be talking with contractors about the sidewalk to try to resolve the issue. City officials will also seek advice from its attorney about a possible ordinance about fireworks tents in the city. Meanwhile, council members raised concerns about fireworks retailers operating out of tents following the Fenton Freedom Festival on July 4th. Council members were concerned about the number of tents set up throughout the city, and that fireworks were being shot off dangerously close to the tents. Along with worries about safety and litter, Councilman Scott Grossmeyer says he noted ordinance violations, but they were hard to enforce. City Manager Lynn Markland says there may not be much the municipality can do. After the weekend festival, Councilwoman Patricia Lockwood says the committee picked up several barrels of spent fireworks as well as a box of live fireworks, which could have been a hazard to the public. City Council members will look to the city attorney for advice as to what if anything can be done in the future. (DS/JK)

Former Ice-Cream Shop Owner Arrested & ArraignedFormer Ice-Cream Shop Owner Arrested & Arraigned

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Authorities have located a Fowlerville man who failed to appear for his arraignment on solicitation of prostitution charges. 53-year-old Mark T. Ostrowski was taken into custody without incident this past week and lodged in the Livingston County Jail, where he was arraigned on two counts of accosting or soliciting prostitution. He was originally scheduled to be arraigned July 2nd but never showed up for his hearing in 53rd District Court and a warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest. He was located by Fowlerville Police, who investigated the case. Ostrowski used to own a local ice cream shop and is accused of approaching two former employees on May 10th and inviting them by word or gesture to engage in prostitution. Ostrowski is scheduled to appear for a pre-trial hearing later this month. (JM)

Salvage Yard Fire Sends Smoke Over Howell SaturdaySalvage Yard Fire Sends Smoke Over Howell Saturday

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A fire Saturday sent thick, black smoke into the sky near downtown Howell after flames erupted at an area salvage yard. Fire crews from Howell and Brighton were called to Miechiels Auto Salvage on South National Street at about 2:20pm. The flames engulfed a truck trailer as well as several cars, oil and gasoline. The fire was quickly put out and there were no injuries or damage to the salvage yard’s main building. Employees of the business at one point began to pull some of the burning vehicles out of the area using a forklift so they could be individually extinguished. The fire's cause remains under investigation by the Howell Area Fire Authority. Photo Credit: John Bowers.

Fowlerville Elementary To Go To Trimester GradingFowlerville Elementary To Go To Trimester Grading

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Students at Fowlerville elementary schools will only bring home three report cards this year, instead of the usual four. The Fowlerville Board of Education approved the change at its meeting last week, effectively cutting the school year into three trimesters, down from the more traditional four quarters. The change was initiated by three teachers who thought it would be more logical to align grading periods with required testing periods. The biggest concern the board faced was that a reduction in grading periods would mean less communication with parents, but Assistant Superintendent Tim Dowker believes their teachers are up to the task. Around 80% of the teachers in Fowlerville’s elementary schools were in support. Superintendent Wayne Roedel believes the change is good for all, as it will allow teachers more instructional time with their students. This decision was met with unanimous support from both the curriculum committee and the board, and will go into effect this fall with the 2015-16 school year.(MK)

Coast-to-Coast Passenger Rail Service Focus Of Meetings In Howell & BrightonCoast-to-Coast Passenger Rail Service Focus Of Meetings In Howell & Brighton

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Two meetings will be held in the next week in Livingston County to solicit public thoughts and opinions about a potential rail service that would reconnect principal cities along Michigan’s freshwater coasts. An ongoing study is being conducted that would help determine ridership demand and the cost feasibility of re-establishing passenger rail between Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids and Holland. Along with public feedback, the study is also analyzing travel patterns, demographic trends, cost estimates and existing conditions of rail infrastructure to determine what, if any, next steps should be taken to examine the possibility for new passenger rail service. The study is being managed by the Michigan Environmental Council in partnership with the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers, the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority and the Michigan Department of Transportation. 16 public engagement meetings are planned, with two coming up in Livingston County. The first will take place this Wednesday, July 15th at the Bennett Recreation Center in Howell, followed by another at the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce building Monday, July 20th. Both meetings will run from 6 to 7:30pm. (JK)

Road Commission Approves Grand Oaks Repair Plan; Up To Property Owners NowRoad Commission Approves Grand Oaks Repair Plan; Up To Property Owners Now

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The Livingston County Road Commission has agreed to work with Genoa Township on a project that would repair the crumbling Grand Oaks Drive. While local leaders and residents agree that the road desperately needs to be fixed, the question has been who is responsible for the cost. By teaming up with the township’s funding and using special property tax assessments, the Road Commission approved a total of $250,000 towards the project. The Township is circulating petition letters to property owners on Grand Oaks Drive which must be returned with a majority supporting the work before construction can begin. Mike Craine, Director of the Road Commission, tells WHMI the goal is complete repairs this construction season. The work would include crushing the entire road and returning the asphalt back to gravel. Drainage would also be improved in front of the businesses, road shoulders will be removed and the full shoulder width will be repaved. Craine says the Road Commission wants to not only support the industrial base of the county, but finally fix the stretch they’ve called home. The Road Commission’s building is located on Grand Oaks Drive and Craine says as a resident, the repairs are a long time coming. With the Road Commission and Genoa Township’s commitment to the project, it is now up to the residents of Grand Oaks Drive to get the ball rolling. (DK)

Pump Failure Leads To Flooding In HowellPump Failure Leads To Flooding In Howell

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A failure of the pumps at the viaduct over Grand River near University Drive in Howell, have led to flooding and a slow-down in traffic making its way under the railroad bridge. The pumps are operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation. It's not known what caused the failure or just how long it will be an issue. (JK)

Brighton Fire Authority Seeks On-Call Firefighters To Fill ShortageBrighton Fire Authority Seeks On-Call Firefighters To Fill Shortage

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Residents interested in serving their community are being sought to become paid on-call firefighters for the Brighton Area Fire Department. The department needs to increase the number of firefighters at all five of its locations, and is about 30 part-time firefighters short overall. This is not the first time a local department has put out the call for new firefighters, and Brighton Fire Chief Mike O’Brian says volunteerism in general is down, both regionally and across the country, and attributes the trend to increasing demands of primary jobs and family life. The Brighton Area Fire Department will provide all of the training necessary for new employees to become certified firefighters and emergency medical responders. New paid on-call firefighters will be trained for the first eight to nine months for two to three days a week, and once they are certified will only be required to work about six hours a week. Qualified applicants should live within a mile of the Brighton Area Fire Department’s coverage zone and have a high school diploma or GED. For more information, contact the Brighton Fire Department. (TD)

Utility Work Will Cause Detour In BrightonUtility Work Will Cause Detour In Brighton

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A construction zone may have some drivers through Brighton taking a detour. The City of Brighton Utilities Department says it crews will be repairing a fire hydrant on the southeast corner of Main Street and S. Third Street this Thursday, July 16th. The work, which will begin at 4am and wrap-up by 5pm, will require a detour for traffic traveling eastbound on W. Main Street and northbound on S. Third Street. Detour signs will be posted. Officials say that westbound Main Street and southbound S. Third Street traffic will not be affected by the work. Contact the City of Brighton Utilities Director at 810-844-5113 if you have any questions or concerns. (JK)

Water Main Break Floods Grand River, M-HOG Crews Cleaning UpWater Main Break Floods Grand River, M-HOG Crews Cleaning Up

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Crews are continuing repairs to a water main after an estimated 300,000 gallons of water spilled into Grand River after 9am this morning, causing temporary flooding and traffic issues. It happened under the viaduct near University Drive and Burger King in Genoa Township, which borders the City of Howell. Crews with the Marion Howell Oceola and Genoa Water Authority or M-HOG were performing routine valve exercising and upon finishing the exercise cycle, Utilities Director Greg Tatara says some water started to emanate from the ground around it. Tatara says the valve must have ruptured, causing the 8-inch water main to run freely for about 45 minutes until crews could isolate everything in that area and get it to stop. In all, he estimates they lost about 300,000 gallons of water from the system. He says that caused a lot of the soil around the water main to basically be excavated by the water and deposited into Grand River. A large part of the clean-up has been completed this afternoon and Westbound Grand River is down to one lane, just west of Golf Club Road to accommodate the work. Signs are up advising motorists that the right lane is closed and Tatara says work should be completed by this evening. He says they have been in contact with M-DOT and will be cleaning out the ditch lines under the railroad viaduct, area sumps and storm sewer catch basins as a result. One business in the area was affected for a short time but Tatara says a temporary line was provided for service. Since they didn’t lose pressure in the system, he says no boil water notices need to be issued. (JM)

Brighton Township Planning Commission Approves Sandila Site PlanBrighton Township Planning Commission Approves Sandila Site Plan

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After months of debate and changes, a site condo development finally got the go-ahead from Brighton Township Planning Commissioners Monday night. Developer Marshall Blau came back to the Planning Commission with changes to a site plan for Sandila Estates located on Hyne Road near Hunter Road. A previous site plan had the entrance to the subdivision off Old Plank Road, which would have sent traffic through neighboring Hunter’s Ridge, but homeowners there were concerned about increased traffic and safety. Also at issue was the use of an out lot on the property that was in dispute. Blau told the Planning Commission his company agreed to settle with adjacent property owners before a 5 pm Monday deadline and that out lot is no longer in question. Planning Commission Chairman Steve Holden says the plan now has traffic entering and exiting on Hyne Road. Holden says Blau worked with the Livingston County Road Commission and a local resident to gain access to Hyne Road, which eliminated the traffic and safety concerns. A handful of residents from Hunter’s Ridge were on hand at the meeting; a few voicing their support for the new development as long as it doesn’t interfere with their peaceful neighborhood. (DS)

New Howell Super Says Progress Being Made On New Teacher ContractNew Howell Super Says Progress Being Made On New Teacher Contract

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The Howell Board of Education is currently negotiating a contract for the Howell Education Association, and teachers are hoping for better compensation than in previous years. Several teachers spoke during the calls to the public at last night’s school board meeting, asking the board to offer the union better compensation. They also pointed out not to take too long with negotiations, since the previous contract had already expired and the lack of a new one creates financial instability for the educators. Newly-hired Superintendent Erin MacGregor says every indication is that the negotiators are making good progress. He says while there are differences to be worked through between the two sides, the district is committed to making sure it provides compensation for its teaching staff. However, he says the district’s resources are limited, and he cannot say what form that compensation will take. Howell teachers took pay step freezes during the recession. The Fowlerville Education Association recently had its frozen steps reinstated through a new contract with that district. (TD)

Proposed School Inside Brighton Church Gets Planning Commission ApprovalProposed School Inside Brighton Church Gets Planning Commission Approval

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The process to relocate Livingston Christian Schools inside a local church continues, following approval of the structure’s preliminary plans. Since the petition began several months ago, nearby residents have been vocal in their opposition to the school being moved into the Brighton Church of the Nazarene. Though many attended the Genoa Charter Township Planning Commission meeting Monday night, none spoke during the public hearing. Surprisingly, it was the Commissioners that had strong words for Steve Morgan, the church member voluntarily conducting the petition. More than half of the Commission’s members expressed disappointment in the course of actions and some say they are worried about the church following through. Commission Chair Doug Brown tells WHMI the petition process was unnecessarily long and confusing. Brown also questioned the absence of the church representatives throughout the petition’s development. “These church people have been very quiet for the fourth meeting in a row now.” Before the 5-1 vote that approved the school’s preliminary plans, Board of Trustees Liaison Jim Mortensen advised Morgan to, “Live up to what (he) promised.” Next, the school’s sketch plan, Special Use permit and environmental impact assessment must receive Township approval from Genoa’s Board of Trustees. Commission Vice Chair Diana Lowe had some encouraging words and believes the situation is “in a good place now.” (DK)

4-Year-Old Boy Nearly Drowns in Pool 4-Year-Old Boy Nearly Drowns in Pool

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The training of two young women took over Monday when a 4-year-old boy nearly drowned at a pool in an Oceola Township subdivision. The incident happened at around 3:13 at the pool in the Hidden Creek subdivision, where there are no lifeguards on duty. Ellen Czajka of Walled Lake and 20-year-old Amber Staudt of Novi are two certified instructors who “happened to be in the right place at the right time” and were able to perform CPR. They had just finished teaching a swim class. Staudt is a nursing student and has been a lifeguard for three years. She told WHMI they both know their training very well and responded after the boy’s cousin told his aunt that he was at the bottom of the pool. The boy's aunt jumped in the water and pulled him out. He was not responsive and completely blue from head to toe so they began CPR. Staudt says after four rounds of CPR, he came back and started crying. Both women were obviously shaken from the experience but Staudt says their training came into play and fortunately were able to bring him back. A paramedic who lives in the neighborhood as well as EMS, the Howell Fire Department and Livingston County sheriff’s deputies all responded at the scene. Staudt says the boy was transported to the hospital for examination. His condition remains unknown, although he was said to be conscious and responsive at the scene. (JM)

Park Officials To Reevaluate Deer Culling PolicyPark Officials To Reevaluate Deer Culling Policy

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Following public criticism of the killing of a rare white deer at Kensington Metropark earlier this year, officials with the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority agreed to reevaluate their deer population management program. Half a dozen people spoke up at last week’s meeting of the Metroparks Authority Board of Commissioners and voiced opposition to the current policy, citing the killing in February of the eight-point buck, which had a white coat with a pink nose and blue eyes. Many said the deer was a rare, but welcome sight at the park over the last several years. Its death by a sharpshooter was part of an annual effort to reduce the park’s deer population, although officials insist the killing of that specific deer was not intentional. One of those who spoke at the meeting was Milford-based photographer Carl Sams, who said he had been as a member of the metroparks’ deer population control committee when it was first formed and said he had been assured at the time no deer would be shot in a common field of Kensington, although that is where the white deer was reportedly killed. In the end, commissioners agreed that staff should take another look at the policies and rules of the deer culling program employed at the parks. Photo courtesy of Marquette Magazine. (JK)

Paving Project Will Close Roads In Downtown Fenton This WeekPaving Project Will Close Roads In Downtown Fenton This Week

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Some road closures will be complicating traffic in Fenton on Thursday and Friday. As part of the Fenton Streetscape Project, there will be daytime road closures to accommodate paving in the downtown area. On both days, drivers will have to avoid Elizabeth street between Leroy and Oak, Leroy from Elizabeth Street to Ellen Street, and Shiawassee Avenue from Adelaide to Leroy. The paving project is being undertaken by a Saginaw-based contractor and its timing will depend on the weather. The closures will only last as long as the construction, but will take place during daytime drive hours. The city asks that residents be safe and go slowly through the downtown area during the construction. (TD)

The Torch To Host Free Community Carnival This WeekendThe Torch To Host Free Community Carnival This Weekend

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A local group dedicated to providing food and other necessities to those in need will be hosting a free event this weekend for the entire community. The Torch, which is best known for its mobile food truck, is putting on the Carnival 4 a Cause Saturday from noon to 4pm at the Bennett Rec Center in Howell. Sarah Ruddle says it’s a one-of-a-kind effort with a unique goal of bring the community together. Ruddle and her Torch partner Rhonda Callanan say that the various carnival games will not only hand out candy to the winners, but also tickets. The tickets can be redeemed for various products including laundry detergent, soap, shampoo, candles, and other household and personal hygiene items. The Torch food-truck will be serving free food. There will also be a bounce house, obstacle course, bake walk and lawn games. (JK)
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