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As Activists Cheer Obama CO2 Limits, Utilities Take Wait & See ApproachAs Activists Cheer Obama CO2 Limits, Utilities Take Wait & See Approach

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President Obama announced plans this week for new, stricter regulations on power plant carbon dioxide emissions, and local groups are reacting to the news. The president called for a revision of the Clean Power Plan, which would now call for power plants in the United States to reduce their carbon emissions by 2030 to 32% of the emission levels in 2005. He also called for a transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources, saying we are already feeling the effects of climate change from carbon dioxide emissions. Critics of the pronouncement accuse the president of starting a war on coal and saying the restrictions will destroy jobs in the fossil fuel industry. They also say forcing a transition away from fossil fuels will drive up the price of electricity, hurting low-income families. However, supporters of the plan say even if higher prices are the result, the environmental and health benefits will be worth it. Consumers Energy Director of Media Relations Dan Bishop says it is still too early to tell whether the changes will result in higher costs for power companies or residents, and Consumers is working through the details to understand what the impact will be. He adds that Consumers is already working to shut down its older coal plants and shift its focus onto renewable energy. (TD)

Lengthy Traffic Delays Associated w/ Final Phase of D-19 ProjectLengthy Traffic Delays Associated w/ Final Phase of D-19 Project

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Motorists traveling in the Howell area are being warned of very long delays associated with the final phase of the D-19 improvement project in Howell. Work is basically taking place between Parker Middle School near Wright Road and the south side of the bridge over I-96. Work north of the freeway was already done. Livingston County Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine says all alternate routes should be considered as crews are currently milling off the top part of the asphalt surface to prep it for paving. During the day, the road is down to a single lane so the backups get pretty long but Craine says D-19 is a busy road and there’s no other way to build it. Craine tells WHMI they’re doing the best they can handling traffic but the delays are impressive and motorists would save themselves a lot of frustration if they just avoid the area over the next eight to ten days. As for potential detours, Craine asks that motorists consider taking Latson Road as an alternative. For those on the west side of town, he suggests something involving Burkhart or Norton Roads, down to County Farm and Coon Lake Roads. Craine says construction is a painful process on busy roads so they ask that motorists be safe and use caution when traveling through the work zone. (JM)

Livingston County's Mini Comic Convention Set Thursday at 2/42 Church Livingston County's Mini Comic Convention Set Thursday at 2/42 Church

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This summer is all about super heroes and Livingston County’s first mini comic convention will fly in tomorrow - centered on local comic book talents, as well as the promotion of comics and graphic novels. LIB Con is a free mini-comic convention being hosted by the Brighton, Howell and Hartland Cromaine District Libraries. The event aims to expand on the theme of this year’s summer reading programs – super heroes - and take it to the next level. Organizers say the growth of comics and graphic novels has boomed over the last decade, thus creating comics conventions where the nerd/geek culture has gone mainstream. Movie studios have also jumped on the band wagon - bringing in big name actors for movies such as Guardians of the Galaxy and the Dark Knight. National comic-con events are popular to the extreme and those attending Thursday’s event are encouraged to dress up as their favorite comic book superhero or fantasy character to add to the atmosphere. LIB Con is open to all ages and will run from 4 to 8pm Thursday at the 2/42 Church on Grand River in Genoa Township. Activities include a comic book exchange, drawing workshops, superhero mask crafts, comic sheets and a chance to meet veteran comic book artists and authors. Complete information and a schedule of events are available through the link and attachment below. (JM)

Fowlerville Community Schools Updating PoliciesFowlerville Community Schools Updating Policies

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The policies governing Fowlerville Community Schools are undergoing a professional renovation. The Michigan Association of School Boards no longer supports the district’s policies and bylaws, so the Fowlerville policy committee is working with a private company to bring them up-to-date. Superintendent Wayne Roedel says the documents are complex and ever-changing, so the district makes a point of revamping them every few years. The Board of Education approved the first reading of revised board bylaws at its regular meeting tonight, which is the first step in making the updated policies a reality. Roedel says there were no major changes to the content of the bylaws, but they have been modernized and reformatted. The bylaws will get a second reading and be up for final approval at the board’s August 18th meeting. More district policies and rules will be brought forward in the next three to four months to go through a similar process. Roedel says the policy committee did not want to hit the board with the full load of revisions all at once. (TD)

Community Asked To Support Howell Teen With Surprise Birthday CardsCommunity Asked To Support Howell Teen With Surprise Birthday Cards

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The mother of a Howell teen with a rare medical condition is asking the community to help make his birthday extra special. 13-year-old David Deaton was born with a cleft palate and hearing impaired, requiring a series of surgeries that started when he was just three months old. Deaton planned to hold a charity garage sale to raise money and awareness for other kids born with a cleft palate, but before the event could take place, someone stole items meant for the sale as well as 14 handmade signs to advertise the event. Despite that, his mother, Heather Deaton, says the theft isn’t stopping David’s desire to help others. They’ve started a website; Davidssmile.net, which explains his situation and seeks funds to help with the cost of his surgeries, but also to help others with the condition. Heather Deaton says they are also encouraging the community to support David’s upcoming birthday, which will be spent at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor because of another surgery. She’s hoping people will mail him birthday cards to show their support and she wants to present them to him the day after his August 11th surgery. Cards and letters can be mailed to; David’s Smile, 100 Orndorf #611, Brighton, MI 48116. Deaton says she hopes to keep the birthday card collection a secret from David until his birthday and will videotape his reaction and post it online. (JK)

Whitmore Lake Man Arrested After Road Rage Incident Involving Handgun Whitmore Lake Man Arrested After Road Rage Incident Involving Handgun

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A Whitmore Lake man is facing charges after a road rage incident involving a minor crash and a single shot being fired from a handgun. Troopers from the Michigan State Police – Brighton Post were dispatched around 8:37 Wednesday morning to a road rage incident involving a collision between two vehicles and a gun shot. The incident began on southbound US-23 near Joy Road in Northfield Township and ended on eastbound M-14 near Ford Road in Superior Township. Police say the victim, a 25-year-old Brighton man driving a blue/green 2000 GMC Yukon, called Washtenaw County Central Dispatch to report the incident. The suspect, a 38-year-old Whitmore Lake man driving a blue 2004 Chevy Cavalier, also called 911 to make a report. Dispatchers relayed information and the direction of travel to responding Troopers. There were no injuries to either subject and police say Troopers met with the suspect driver, who admitted putting his gun out of the driver’s side window and firing a single shot. The Whitmore Lake man was arrested and lodged at the Washtenaw County Jail pending arraignment on felonious assault charges. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact the Michigan State Police Brighton Post at 810-227-1051. (JM)

Hartland Makes Way for Single Family HousingHartland Makes Way for Single Family Housing

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Members of the Township Planning Commission approved the resolution that changed the Future Land Use Plan in the township to bring more single family housing into the area. Township Planning Director Dave Campbell says over the last year township planning looked housing needs for the township. He says the area has plenty of large lot and high density residential but that may price some people out of the market. Campbell says by changing the Future Land Use Plan, the township makes quality lots available for development. He says based on analysis it was determined that Hartland needs more develop-able medium density residential. The market is demanding more starter homes and homes for those 55 and older who want to downsize. Campbell says there are a lot of people who want to downsize, but stay in the area who would take advantage of the smaller lots. The areas where single family residential will be opening include the southwest corner of Bergin Road and Old US 23, as well as the north side of Dunham Road between Clark Road and Bullard Roads. (DS)

Fenton Streetscape Project Moving Into Next Phase MondayFenton Streetscape Project Moving Into Next Phase Monday

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The next phase is nearing for the Fenton Streetscape project. City officials advise that during construction hours today and Friday, LeRoy Street between Ellen and Caroline will be closed in preparation for the next phase. Beginning Monday August 10th, the project will shift north on LeRoy Street from Ellen Street to Caroline. The majority of the construction will be completed only in that area and will be closed to traffic on LeRoy Street between Ellen and Caroline until approximately September 3rd. Also this coming Monday, the City says the road surface on LeRoy Street will be milled from Ellen to Silver Lake Road. . Northbound and southbound traffic will continue on LeRoy Street between Silver Lake Road and Caroline. Caroline Street will remain open for travel. Two-way traffic will resume on portions of LeRoy Street and Shiawassee Avenue at a later date. Finally, officials advise that Mill Street is no longer open for two-way traffic and has returned to one-way westbound only traffic - as it was prior to the construction project. A link to more information and update on the Fenton Streetscape project is posted below. (JM)

LESA Approves Placing Millage Request On November BallotLESA Approves Placing Millage Request On November Ballot

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Livingston County voters will vote on a proposed special education restoration millage this fall. At their regular meeting last night, the Livingston Educational Service Agency Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution to hold a Headlee Restoration millage election this fall to restore the full voter-approved millage to support special education programs throughout Livingston County school districts. All five of the public school districts in Livingston County previously expressed support for such a millage to be placed on the ballot this November. According to LESA Superintendent Dan Danosky, the millage is needed because of the Headlee Amendment which requires tax rollbacks when property values rise above 5% or the inflation rate, but doesn't provide for a restoration of the millage if property values go down. So when property values in the county fell in 2008, local millages brought in fewer tax dollars to districts while the requirement for intermediate school districts to provide special education services remained. The result was fewer local tax dollars to provide the same programs as before. That's why the proposal is being called a "restoration" millage — because it would restore special education funding to its previous level of 3.31 mills. If approved in November, restoring the millage reduction will generate about $7 million, which would be plugged directly into special education programs that LESA provides for local districts, including the salaries of 155 staff members including speech therapists, social workers, school psychologists and a special education director. In addition, LESA operates and pays for programs for the most severely disabled, along with an "Early On" program for those 0-3 years old and an Early Childhood program, both for young children with special needs. LESA also reimburses local districts for a portion of the unfunded costs totaling over $4 million and would pay much more of these unfunded costs with passage of the millage, leaving more money for other programs in local districts. It is estimated that the proposed levy would cost the owner of a $200,000 home about $104 a year in increased taxes. (JK)

Families And Educators Protest Relocation Denial By Genoa Township Board Families And Educators Protest Relocation Denial By Genoa Township Board

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Protestors gathered at the Genoa Township Hall and in downtown Brighton yesterday in hopes of convincing the township board to reconsider a decision impacting two local schools. The Light of the World Academy was planning to relocate this fall into the building currently used by Livingston Christian Schools, which would itself relocate into the Brighton Nazarene Church. The township planning commission recommended approving the special land use permit needed for the church to house the school, but last month the township board of trustees rejected the permit application citing several issues including increased traffic in a residential area and the church’s history of noncompliance with ordinance requirements. More than two dozen protestors participated in yesterday’s demonstrations, calling for the township to hold a special meeting and reconsider its decision. Light of the World Academy Director Kathy Moorehouse says it is probably too late to get their current building ready for the start of school in the fall. The academy just got its charter from Grand Valley State University, which would allow it to receive public money and stop charging tuition, but the charter is tied to the LCS building. While they could try to get he charter extended to next year and make do with the current facility, Moorehouse says many families were counting on the academy becoming a charter school and have not budgeted for tuition. Township officials previously made it clear that a special meeting to reconsider the issue would be very unlikely. (TD/JK)

DIA Brings Art To South Lyon This SummerDIA Brings Art To South Lyon This Summer

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Art lovers will have a chance to experience reproductions of timeless masterpieces in South Lyon this summer.High quality reproductions of masterpieces from the Detroit Institute of Arts collections are on display in South Lyon as part of the Inside/Out Program. This marks the sixth year of the program, which places replicas of the art within walking or biking distance of each other. The Inside/Out Program runs from August through October in South Lyon and features nine displays along Lafayette Street, Lake Street and in the Paul F. Baker Memorial Park. South Lyon was chosen for the Inside/Out program after applying for a DIA grant. A walking map can be found at whmi.com.

Weed Harvesting in Huron River Gets Underway FridayWeed Harvesting in Huron River Gets Underway Friday

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Weed harvesting efforts get underway tomorrow in the section of the Huron River that flows through Hamburg Township. The township has hired a contractor for the project, which will begin harvesting aquatic weeds in the channel of the Huron River from the Hamburg Road Bridge westward towards Strawberry Lake beginning Friday. Officials say the river channel is presently choked with aquatic vegetation including eel grass which slows river streamflow and contributes to higher water levels. The process involves mechanically harvesting the aquatic vegetation, which will assist with flooding mitigation efforts in the event of heavy rains that frequently occurred in the past during August and September. The contractor was moving equipment into place this afternoon and the harvesting will take place over the next three to five days. All of the harvested vegetation will be off-loaded and composted on township property for later use by grounds-keeping staff. (JM)

New Special Event Ordinance In Green Oak TownshipNew Special Event Ordinance In Green Oak Township

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Changes are on the way for residents looking to hold a special event in Green Oak Township. The Board of Trustees announced some amendments to their special events ordinance at their regular meeting on Wednesday. Previously the township regulated outdoor gatherings of 250 people or more, but now they are lowering the number to 150. Despite the lower number, Supervisor Mark St. Charles believes they have made other changes that will make holding an event easier, like excluding private weddings and graduation parties. St. Charles also said that the ordinance will lay out all of the procedures required to hold an event, unlike the previous version, and that applicants will have more thorough instructions on what is required from them with regards to zoning, fire, and police departments. The board is continuing to expand upon the language of the ordinance for better clarity and is expected to adopt it at their next meeting. (MK)

Bid Will Be Awarded Next Week For Fenton Seminary DemolitionBid Will Be Awarded Next Week For Fenton Seminary Demolition

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Bids will be awarded next week for the demolition project of Fenton’s historical seminary building. The crumbling seminary, built in the 1800s’, has raised safety concerns for quite some time. After a structural analysis was performed, engineers and Fenton’s City Council agreed the building must be demolished. The project was let to bid last month and received five bids ranging from $48,900 to $234,100. Two bids were thrown out due to incomplete packages, leaving Fenton with bids from companies located in Flint and Bloomfield Hills. Fenton City Manager Lynn Markland tells WHMI part of the bid included retention of pieces from the seminary. The city’s general fund may take a hit as the project was not previously budgeted for. Fenton received it from the county when the building was foreclosed last year due to unpaid taxes. Once the building is taken down and hauled away, Markland says the city could recover the funds by selling the property it was located on. City Council is hoping to have the demolition completed before school starts in order to prevent any children from entering the dangerous structure. The bid will be awarded on Monday, August 10th. (DK)

Brighton Council OKs Corrigan Oil Site Plan For ExpansionBrighton Council OKs Corrigan Oil Site Plan For Expansion

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The Brighton City Council unanimously approved the site plan for the Corrigan Oil Co. site plan at its meeting Thursday night. Corrigan purchased the building and property, formerly owned by Merchant Metals, last year in order to expand his storage and parking space. Corrigan originally had a 30,000-gallon propane storage tank in the site plan, but City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI that co-owner Mike Corrigan removed the storage tank from the site plan at the request of adjacent property owners. Council also approved allowing back lot parking for Corrigan at 775 N. Second. Corrigan says he will use the Whitney St. entrance for emergency access only, and his truck traffic will be directed through an easement and the Corrigan Oil site onto N. Second St. That will keep industrial traffic from using Whitney, which is a residential neighborhood. Dunnage Engineering owner Jerry Joseph previously alleged that Corrigan Oil and Corrigan Construction hadn't complied with city ordinances involving the expansion project, and asked the city to enforce the rules. However, he said at Thursday night’s meeting that he is satisfied with the modifications in the final, approved site plan. Joseph’s company’s property abuts Corrigan's property. Among the conditions that are a part of site plan approval are limiting ingress and egress onto and from Advance St. to limit the amount of truck traffic that causes congestion, and monitoring and reporting to the city every two months to determine if the soil has settled enough to allow paving. (TT)

Howell Police Warn Residents About Unlicensed SolicitorsHowell Police Warn Residents About Unlicensed Solicitors

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Police are telling residents in and around the City of Howell to be on the lookout for a group of unlicensed solicitors who have been visiting local neighborhoods. Police Chief George Basar says his department was notified recently about a group of men going door-to-door in the city selling tee shirts. If residents turned them down, they would instead ask for charitable donations. In some cases, residents reported the men getting argumentative and aggressive if no donation was given. Basar says officers contacted the group on Monday and informed them that they needed to get a permit from the city to solicit door-to-door. According to him, the men said they planned to get a permit, but they never applied for one and have since continued to solicit sales and donations. Reports are now being filed by residents of neighborhoods in surrounding townships. Residents are now being asked to stay on the lookout for the solicitors, who are described as African American men in their late 20’s or early 30’s in a white van with Florida plates. Anyone who is contacted by these men is asked to call the Howell Police Department’s non-emergency number, 517-546-9111, and report the incident as soon as possible. (TD)

School Leaders & Parents Still Targeting Genoa Officials w/ Protests & PrayersSchool Leaders & Parents Still Targeting Genoa Officials w/ Protests & Prayers

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As protests continued yesterday over the denial of a permit that would have allowed two area schools to move into new buildings, Genoa Township officials are responding. The Genoa Township Board has twice voted against issuing a special land use permit to the Brighton Nazarene Church, which was planning to lease space to Livingston Christian Schools this fall. In turn, Light of the World Academy had plans to move into their old location in Pinckney. The board took a second vote re-affirming the denial this past Monday, prompting parents and school leaders to protest outside of the township hall. Last night, they rallied again on properties Supervisor Gary McCririe has listed for sale as a real estate agent. A prayer vigil was also held at Shalom Lutheran Church, where Light of the World Academy is currently based. During the two previous votes to deny the permit, board members stated it was a great use but the wrong location and traffic was not the only concern. Trustee Todd Smith pointed out that the denial was based on at least seven specific items, including being inconsistent with the township’s Master Plan and a history of non-compliance by the church resulting in negative impacts on surrounding neighborhoods. A memo detailing the issues is posted below. Smith says the board represents township residents and what is best for them to enjoy their households and businesses and referred to the protests as “bully pulpit tactics.” Light of the World Director Kathy Moorehouse says feelings are running high because there are only four weeks left before the start of classes and the two schools have found themselves without a location – impacting hundreds of kids and teachers. She told WHMI they’re holding peaceful rallies to drum up public support to encourage the board to hold another special meeting and reconsider. Moorehouse acknowledged a lack of adequate planning on their part and that they had no backup plan. She says as a school community, they gave Brighton Nazarene Church the respect to handle the process and chose to remain quiet but now that the process has failed, families and leaders want a voice. In hindsight, however, she wishes they would have been more pro-active. (JM/JK)

Investigation Closed Into Alleged Sexual Relationship Between Teacher & StudentInvestigation Closed Into Alleged Sexual Relationship Between Teacher & Student

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The investigation into an alleged sexual relationship between a teacher in the Huron Valley School District and a former student has been closed. While an investigation by Milford Police indicated that the Muir Middle School teacher, who has since resigned, and a former student may have started having sex two years before the student graduated and included sex inside Muir Middle School and in other public places, the victim has been uncooperative. Milford Police Chief Tom Lindberg told the Milford Times, which used a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain the report, that because of that the Oakland County Prosecutor denied a warrant. He added that the woman has until her 21st birthday to change her mind. The alleged relationship first came to attention on May 25th when the teacher was placed on administrative leave amid allegations of an "inappropriate relationship" with a student. He then resigned several days later. The police report says that two district employees said the teacher openly admitted to a relationship with the student and that one of them indicated the teacher said he and the student had sex in parking lots. References to the student's age were redacted from the report due to juvenile privacy concerns. While the age of consent in Michigan is 16, state law prohibits individuals from encounters with someone in a position of authority, like educators, even if the student and teacher are not in the same school building, regardless of the student's age. The report also summarized a videotaped conversation with the former student in which she reportedly tells an adult friend the sexual relationship began about two-and-a-half years ago and that she and the teacher had sex inside Muir Middle School and other places. The student contacted police after learning of the suspension and said she wanted the investigation to "go away." She said the sex didn’t happen until six months after she graduated in 2014. But police say the pair was observed by an officer in March of 2014 in a parked car and looked to be engaged in sexual activity. But because of her unwillingness to testify against the teacher, no charges will be forthcoming. (JK)

More Than $100,000 Raised At 11th Annual Iron ChefMore Than $100,000 Raised At 11th Annual Iron Chef

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Gleaners Community Food Bank raised the funds for hundreds of thousands of meals at the 11th annual Iron Chef Livingston competition last night. Hundreds of people attended the event at Bordine’s Nursery to watch the culinary showdown, participate in the silent auction, and sample food from local restaurants. The first contest was the mixology competition, where Dani Borden of Diamonds Steak and Seafood successfully defended her title against Joe Silvestri from The Pound in a contest to create the best cocktail using the secret ingredient, rosemary. For the main cooking competition, Chef Jamie Crozier of 2FOG's Pub in Howell squared off against Chef Eirik Kauserud of La Vita Bistro in Pinckney. Both chefs had to create appetizers, entrees, and desserts using the secret ingredient of kohlrabi, a crop of historical significance to the Hamburg area. Kauserud took home the title with a shrimp quesadilla appetizer, a flank steak entrée, and a fritter dessert. Organizers estimate the even raised over $100,000 for Gleaners Community Food Bank. With the organization’s ability to leverage money, that will purchase about 300,000 meals for local families in need. (TD)

Livingston County's First "Comic Con" Inspires And EntertainsLivingston County's First "Comic Con" Inspires And Entertains

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Local libraries have brought the action back to reading with Livingston County’s first comic convention. The 2/42 Church in Genoa Township hosted the free mini comic con Thursday night. Families, costumers and comic lovers flocked to LIBCON, which was created by the Brighton, Howell and Hartland Cromaine District Libraries. The event included a robotics display, superhero themed arts and crafts, drawing workshop, costume contest and comic con displays and speakers. Kate Wheeler, Teen Services Librarian at the Brighton District Library, tells WHMI the convention is entertaining and educational. Comic Cons have continued to grow in popularity and incorporates fantasy and science fiction into one big gathering. LIBCON stemmed from a superhero-themed summer reading program that the libraries engaged in. Organizers began plotting in March how to take the theme to the next level with an event the entire family could enjoy. Wheeler says gamer and comic book shops have been cropping up all over the area and the comic convention attracts local enthusiasts. Whether it’s the creative aspect, culture fascination or engaging activities, there is truly something for everyone. (DK)
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