Police are on the lookout for a man they say robbed a South Lyon bank yesterday morning. The South Lyon Police Department was called out to the Vibe Credit Union on Pontiac Trail at about 9:04am, just minutes after the branch opened. Witnesses told officers the suspect entered the bank and displayed a note to a teller, demanding cash and implying he had a gun. After being given an undisclosed amount of money he fled the scene in a teal, mid-2000's Ford Explorer. He was last seen heading southbound on Pontiac Trail. Police describe him as an African American man between 25 and 35 years of age, standing 5'8" to 6' tall, sporting extensive tattoos on his left arm. Anyone with information about the robber is asked to contact Lieutenant Chris Sovik with the South Lyon Police. (TD)
Police Looking For South Lyon Bank Robbery SuspectPolice Looking For South Lyon Bank Robbery Suspect
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Gas Prices Jump After Unplanned Refinery Repair IssueGas Prices Jump After Unplanned Refinery Repair Issue
Oil and gas industry watchers say pump prices have jumped across the Great Lakes region because of the unexpected, partial shutdown of a large Indiana oil refinery. They say the increases could continue. According to GasBuddy.com, the most affected states are Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois, but others are seeing increases. Dearborn-based Triple A Michigan, which surveys prices at 2,800 Michigan gas stations, said Wednesday the statewide average is about $2.58 a gallon. That's about 10 cents more than Tuesday's average. GasBuddy.com says some stations are flirting with the $3 mark. The BP Whiting Refinery in northern Indiana shut down the largest of three crude distillation units Saturday for what the company calls "unscheduled repair work." BP says the rest of the refinery is operating at reduced production. (AP)
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Public Invited to Help Stuff A Bus For Annual Backpack DrivePublic Invited to Help Stuff A Bus For Annual Backpack Drive
The public is invited to help literally stuff a bus with school supplies Friday as part of the annual Backpacks for Kids campaign for the Livingston Educational Service Agency. The effort collects donated school supplies and backpacks for local families experiencing financial difficulties. An LESA bus will be in the parking lot of the Genoa Township Walmart at Latson Road and Grand River Avenue Friday from 10am to 2pm for a Stuff the Bus drive. Last year, a combined $20,000 in supplies and cash donations was made to LESA, which was able to distribute more than 1,000 backpacks. This year's goal is to give away 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies. The distribution date is Thursday, August 20th, which will begin with the Connect for Kids event at 4pm, with the actual distribution from 6-8pm. For those who canât participate in Fridayâs Stuff the Bus, donations can also dropped off at the Livingston Educational Service Agency on West Grand River in Howell between 7:30am and 4pm, Monday through Thursday. For additional information call the Hot Line at (517) 540-6833 or visit the website linked below. (JK)
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Brighton City Planning Director LeavingBrighton City Planning Director Leaving
The City of Brighton will soon be losing one of its top department heads. Zoning and Planning Director Amy Cyphert, who has been in the position since 2011, is leaving effective today. Cyphert announced her resignation at the City Council meeting last week. She began working for the city in 2005 as deputy city planner, and in 2010 was promoted to planning and zoning director. City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI that Cyphert has done a good job in her work for the city over the last 10 years and had the difficult position of helping the city get through the economic downturn, when property values were declining. Foster adds that Cyphert has had a good rapport with builders and the development community in general. Foster says he has not yet begun to look for a replacement for Cyphert, since he is "evaluating options regarding her position and that part of (the city's) services, structure, and operations." In announcing her departure, Cyphert said she needs to take a break, and after that her future plans are indefinite. Cyphert has a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University in urban, community, and regional planning and a master's degree in public administration from Central Michigan University. (TT)
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Golfers Needed For Inaugural Memorial Scholarship OutingGolfers Needed For Inaugural Memorial Scholarship Outing
Golfers are being recruited for an upcoming outing to raise money for a scholarship fund established in memory of a police officer from Livingston County who lost his life in the line of duty. The Patrick OâRourke Memorial Scholarship Fund will hold its first annual golf outing on September 18th at The Golf Club at Mt. Brighton. For $75 per person or $300 for a team of four, golfers will get eighteen holes, a golf cart, three meals, and a gift bag. Sergeant OâRourke was a West Bloomfield police officer living in Tyrone Township. On September 9th of 2012, after his shift was over, OâRourke responded to a call about someone potentially seeking to harm themselves. He was shot and killed by the very person he was trying to help. His family established the scholarship fund in his memory. His mother, Arlene OâRourke, tells WHMI they want to help young people pursuing careers in law enforcement and criminal justice, while honoring their sonâs memory. You'll find more information on how to sign up for the Patrick OâRourke Memorial Scholarship Fund Golf Outing through the flier posted below. (JK)
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D-19 Construction To Stop For The WeekendD-19 Construction To Stop For The Weekend
The road work which is taking place south of the I-96 interchange, will stop for the weekend and resume on Monday, although much of the lane work is finished. Livingston County Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine says the through lanes and the longest part of the turn lane near the highway should be finished before the weekend. He says crews will return next week to finish the turn lane out near Parker Middle School. Craine says the bulk of whatâs left is to finish shoulders and paint. He says by the end of next week all lane and shoulder work should be finished and there will be just finishing to do. As part of the contract Craine says work on the project was scheduled to stop during Balloonfest and Melonfest to accommodate traffic into Howell. Work will resume on Monday, August 17th and should be completed by next Friday. (DS)
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MDOT Announces Another Overnight Closure Of US-23MDOT Announces Another Overnight Closure Of US-23
There will be another overnight closure in the US-23/I-96 interchange. For the second time this week, southbound US-23 at I-96 will be closed for beam setting. Starting Friday at 11pm and lasting through 5am Saturday, the Michigan Department of Transportation says the work will necessitate a complete closure of the southbound lanes. The westbound I-96 ramp to southbound US-23 and the southbound US-23 ramp to eastbound I-96 will also be closed during that same time frame. The posted detour is westbound I-96 to Grand River to eastbound I-96 back to US-23. All work and closures are weather dependent. A similar closure took place Tuesday night to Wednesday morning. (JK)
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South Lyon City Council Rejects Chicken-Keeping OrdinanceSouth Lyon City Council Rejects Chicken-Keeping Ordinance
A decision by the South Lyon City Council this week will uphold the ban on keeping chickens in the city. A new proposed ordinance would have allowed keeping up to four chickens on a parcel, although neighborhoods and homeownersâ associations would have had the ability to override the permission. According to the South Lyon Herald, city council members were split on whether to approve the ordinance at their meeting on Monday. Some were in favor of the measure, saying it had been done successfully in some communities and few residents would even take advantage of it. Others argued that it would create an offensive smell for nearby residents and the reaction from constituents had been largely negative. After a heated discussion, Mayor Tedd Wallace cast the deciding vote to strike down the ordinance. (TD)
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Weed Cleanup Effort Lowers Huron River By Nearly 10%Weed Cleanup Effort Lowers Huron River By Nearly 10%
Hamburg Townshipâs regular Huron River cleanup effort has come to an end, and the improvements to the river are already visible. The effort lasted from Friday to Wednesday, with crews of volunteers venturing into the river to remove debris, tree limbs, and weeds that impede its flow. Those obstacles make it difficult for the river to flush the excessive water from heavy rains that are common in late summer. The final tally for this year was 55 loads of weeds pulled from the river and dropped off to be composted at the Department of Public Works, up about 25% from last year. The riverâs measured water level is down almost 10% to 5.32 feet. Flood stage is defined as 6.5 feet. The effort this time around took more than 42 hours and cost about $10,500. (TD)
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Howell Schools Vote To Place Technology Bond Proposal On November BallotHowell Schools Vote To Place Technology Bond Proposal On November Ballot
A technology bond proposal will be put to a vote by taxpayers within the Howell Public Schools District this fall. On Monday night, the districtâs Board of Education passed a resolution that would allow the submittal of the proposal at a Special Election in November. The bond would raise $12.5 million dollars for instructional technology needs that the Board of Education has identified through an in-depth process. Howell Public Schools Superintendent, Erin MacGregor, tells WHMI the bond will supply top of the line equipment. District taxpayers are currently making payments on bonds from previous years, though the rate drops each year. The proposal would require the millage to be frozen at 6.4 mills for the next four years in order to generate the revenue for the technology improvements. While the millage would not come as an increase to taxpayers, Board of Education Trustee Deborah McCormick was the lone vote against the resolution under her belief that it is âpremature.â With its passage, MacGregor says he is âexcited to begin the processâ and plans to kick off an âaggressive informational campaignâ immediately. The district has scheduled three community meetings on September 9th, October 6th and October 21st. Further information about the bond proposal is available through the link below. (DK)
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Hearing Set For Lawsuit Over Denial Of Permit For Religious SchoolHearing Set For Lawsuit Over Denial Of Permit For Religious School
A hearing is set later this month in the federal lawsuit filed against Genoa Township by a private Christian school following a decision to deny a permit that would have allowed it to relocate. The lawsuit was filed in U.S District Court in Detroit alleging the schoolâs rights were violated under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. The Genoa Township Board voted to deny a special use permit request from Brighton Nazarene Church, citing a myriad of concerns. The church had sought the permit so that Livingston Christian Schools could relocate its K-12 school operations from the old St. Maryâs building in Pinckney to the Brighton Nazarene facilities. School officials say the decision not only prevents Livingston Christian Schools from relocating but also affects the future of Light of the World Academy in Pinckney â currently a private religious school that has received permission to open up as a publicly-funded charter school. Director Kathy Moorehouse said the decision to become a charter was done largely to spare parents the high cost of tuition. Given the impending start of the upcoming school year, the lawsuit sought an injunction to prevent Genoa Township from interfering with Livingston Christian Schoolsâ alleged right under federal law to operate at the Brighton Nazarene location. Court records show a hearing is set for August 31st in front of U.S. District Court Judge George Caran Steeh. Genoa Township has until August 19th to respond to the motion, which claims the denial is ânot based on any compelling governmental interests and that the township, âdid not consider any conditions that might impose a lesser-restrictive means of protecting its purported interests.â Light of the World staff and students held several protests and took part in a prayer vigil last week to protest the permit denial. When Genoa trustees rejected the permit application, they cited several issues including increased traffic in a residential area and the churchâs history of noncompliance with ordinance requirements. (JK)
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Boaters Say Thompson Lake Residents Harassing ThemBoaters Say Thompson Lake Residents Harassing Them
After residents on Thompson Lake complained about the speed and noise of visiting boaters, those boaters are now complaining about the residents harassing them on the lake. This week, several residents of Thompson Lake visited the Howell City Council to call attention to a group of five boaters who they say are traveling at dangerous speeds, causing excessive noise, drinking on the lakeâs islands, and threatening residents. The city council advised residents to get the registration numbers of those boats so Howell Police can take enforcement action. However, those boaters say they have a right to use a public, all-sport lake however they like as long as they do not violate the law. Jack Zeitler is one of those boaters, and he says while they do go fast, generate noise, and drink while on the lake, they have not broken the law. That claim is backed up by the Howell City Police, who say they and the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department have yet to see any illegal activity from the boaters. Zeitler says in response to the cityâs suggestions, residents on the lake have been coming dangerously close to his boat trying to photograph its registration number, and that he has had to take aggressive maneuvers to avoid a collision. Police Chief George Basar says if residents are harassing other boaters on the lake, they can run afoul of the law themselves. Zeitler says he and the other boaters intend to take part in the next city council meeting so their side of the story can be presented. (TD)
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Motorcyclist Near Death As Police Search For Car's DriverMotorcyclist Near Death As Police Search For Car's Driver
Police continue to look for the person thought to be responsible for a crash on US-23 Wednesday afternoon that has a motorcyclist near death. 49-year-old Bert Loomis of Gaines crashed his motorcycle about 4:30 Wednesday afternoon after police say a maroon Pontiac four-door sedan used the emergency-access turn-around between Clyde Road and M-59. Several vehicles reportedly had to avoid the sedan, which also caused Loomis to lose control and drop the bike. He was rushed to the University of Michigan Medical Center and originally listed in critical condition. But family members say he is now on a ventilator while doctors wait to transplant his organs to needy recipients. While he was wearing a helmet, the injuries he sustained reportedly were to the part of his head below the helmetâs rim. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department continues to investigate the accident and is searching for the driver of the Pontiac for questioning. (JK)
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Reality Show Featuring Brighton Car Customizers Set For Sunday DebutReality Show Featuring Brighton Car Customizers Set For Sunday Debut
A new automotive reality series debuts this weekend as it follows a Livingston County-based custom car shop that transforms vintage American cars into modern-day street machines. An eight-episode series about Mobsteel of Brighton will premiere this Sunday at 6pm immediately following NBC-SNâs coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 from Michigan International Speedway. Mobsteel follows founder Adam Genei and his team of custom-car specialists, including his wife Pam, as they restore vehicles described as âthe finest relics of the American automotive boom.â Founded more than ten years ago, Mobsteel had already made a name for itself by customizing classic cars for sports and music celebrities. Genei says the show only came about after finding the right production company, as some of the initial proposals that came their way just didnât ring true to their vision Following Sundayâs premiere, new episodes will air Wednesdays at 10pm on NBC-SN following the series premiere. While much of the filming has been at the companyâs Brighton location, the show itself is more focused on Detroit, where the company also owns a facility. (JK)
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Boater's Ex-Girlfriend Leads Police On Two Chases Through Howell AreaBoater's Ex-Girlfriend Leads Police On Two Chases Through Howell Area
A Howell-area woman is jailed and awaiting charges after leading police on two separate chases Thursday night. Howell Police Chief George Basar says the 24-year-old woman is the ex-girlfriend of a man who was boating on Thompson Lake. While he was out on the lake last night, she allegedly stole his pickup truck with a trailer attached from the boat launch and took off. The man reported the theft and Howell Police spotted the woman and began a chase. But once they were informed that the suspect was an ex-girlfriend, and they knew her identity, they broke off the chase. But the woman then reportedly returned to the boat launch at around 8:45pm and tried to run down her former boyfriend, before again taking off. State Police spotted the pickup truck and gave chase along M-59 and then north on Latson Road, until she eventually crashed at Clyde Road. She was then taken into custody. The woman will likely be arraigned today on charges including felonious assault, fleeing and eluding police, driving under the influence and unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle. (JK)
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Presentation Will Relay History Of Gatling GunPresentation Will Relay History Of Gatling Gun
A free event in Brighton this weekend will include a presentation on the history of one of the most feared and iconic weapons of the modern age. Brighton Area Historical Society president Jim Vichich tells WHMI a historian will be in the city on Sunday to discuss Dr. Richard Gatling and his most famous invention, the Gatling gun. In addition to covering the history of the weapon, presenter Edward Vitez will bring a solid brass replica of the 1862 model Gatling Gun used by Union forces during the Civil War. The presentation is expected to last about 45 minutes and will take place at the City of Brighton Arts, History, and Culture Center on Main Street. There is no need to register ahead of time, but seating is limited to about 45 people. The presentation begins at 5pm at the COBACH Center. For more information, visit the historical societyâs website. (TD)
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Iron Chef Serves Up Record Crowd & Fundraising DollarsIron Chef Serves Up Record Crowd & Fundraising Dollars
More than 315,000 meals will now be made available for needy Livingston County residents thanks to last weekâs Iron Chef event. More than $105,000 was raised during the 11th annual competition to benefit Gleaners Food Bank of Livingston County. The organization says more than 615 guests attended the fundraiser, which pitted Chef Eirik Kauserud of La Vita Bistro in Pinckney against Chef Jamie Crozier from 2Fogs Pub in Howell in a three-course battle of culinary skill. As is tradition, both chefs were required to utilize a âsecret ingredientâ in each dish. This yearâs chefs had the challenge of incorporating kohlrabi into every submission. While Chef Kauserud won given the win by the panel of judges, Chef Crozier won the Peopleâs Choice Award. Iron Chef Proceeds will benefit Gleanersâ Shared Harvest Pantry in Howell. The âclient choiceâ pantry is arranged similar to a grocery store and allows Livingston County residents experiencing a âfood emergencyâ the opportunity to browse and select their own food. (JK)
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Local Groups Looking For Land To Host Display Highlighting Veteran SuicidesLocal Groups Looking For Land To Host Display Highlighting Veteran Suicides
Itâs a national tragedy that two local groups are hoping to raise awareness of; veteran suicide. On average, 22 veterans will take their own lives every day across the country, a statistic that Jaime Turner knows all too well. In just a short period of time, she and her husband, who is an active serving military member, lost three friends to suicide. That prompted them and a friend to form the Veteranâs Refuge Network, with the goal of bringing awareness to veteranâs mental health issues and serve as a refuge for veterans and their families. Last year the group came up with the idea of displaying 22 white crosses each day over the course of a month so that by the end of the 30 days, 660 crosses were visible to represent those veterans lost to suicide. This year sheâs teamed up Jennifer Petre with Howell Township-based Stiggyâs Dogs to bring that display to Livingston County. Stiggyâs Dogs helps to train service dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injury to better help them cope with life after the military. Turner says the display last year, which was hosted at an Ypsilanti Township church, had a definite impact on those who saw it. The Veteranâs Refuge Network is now putting out the call for a Livingston County property owner, preferably with a plot in a highly visible area, to allow them to use that land in September to host the placement of the 660 crosses, representing the veterans lost to suicide that month alone. Turner says the group would tend to the display daily and ensure it was properly maintained. Sheâs hoping someone will step forward and make that possible. The group is also asking the public to sponsor the crosses for $22, with all the proceeds benefiting Stiggyâs Dogs. Youâll find contact information through the link below. You can also hear the full interview with Turner and Petre on Sunday morning at 8:30 on WHMIâs Viewpoint. (JK)
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Repaving Of Center Road ApprovedRepaving Of Center Road Approved
No construction date has been set, but plans are to resurface a portion of Center Road in the near future. The Livingston County Road Commission approved plans Thursday to resurface the two-mile stretch of Center Road between Latson and Argentine Roads. In May of last year a bridge over Cranberry Creek on Center Road was replaced, which led the way for further improvements to the road. Livingston County Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine says the Deerfield Township board came up with the $350,000 to fund the project. Craine says the project involves some base repair and new overlay. No date has been set for construction to start yet but planning is underway. (DS)
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Brighton Stabbing Suspect Enters PleaBrighton Stabbing Suspect Enters Plea
A plea has been entered by the local man charged in connection with a stabbing incident earlier this month. 22-year-old Graham Stewart Janssen of Hartland Township was charged with two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. At a probable cause conference on Friday, he pleaded guilty as charged to one of the counts in exchange for the second count being dropped. He will be sentenced on September 24th. The charges follow a stabbing incident reported around 3am on August 2nd in the area of The Pound restaurant. Brighton Police Chief Tom Wightman said three males and one female had been drinking through the evening but still hanging around downtown for almost an hour, possibly searching for where one of them had parked his car. Janssen, who was sitting in the back seat, is alleged to have stabbed a male subject in the front seat in the back five times with a folding pocket knife, and then cut another backseat passenger who attempted to disarm him. Janssen was pushed out of the vehicle into the parking lot at Washington and Hyne Streets, where he was located by officers. Janssen was treated for his injuries at a hospital before being taken into custody. The injured victims were treated and released. (TD)
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