The Big Red Barrel will achieve one of its primary goals next month when it will have a barrel established in every single State Police post in Michigan. The barrels are distributed by the Livingston County a community Alliance and serve as drop-off sites for unwanted or expired prescription drugs. Organizers say those drugs, especially opiate painkillers, can serve as a convenient way for young people to begin experimenting with substance abuse, and that getting them out of reach of children will help save lives. The Big Red Barrel has been installed at the headquarters of every law enforcement agency in Livingston County as well as 28 of the 29 Michigan State Police posts. The final MSP post, the headquarters building in Lansing, will receive its Big Red Barrel during a ceremony on September 23rd at 1:00pm. Organizers say this will fulfill one of the goals they had in mind for the project 4 1/2 years ago when it first began. After this, they hope to take the program nationwide. So far, the Big Red Barrel has already collected more than two tons of prescription medication, all of which has been destroyed in an environmentally-safe way.
Big Goal Set To Be Met For Big Red Barrel ProgramBig Goal Set To Be Met For Big Red Barrel Program
↧
↧
Hamburg Looks to Consultant for ADA ComplianceHamburg Looks to Consultant for ADA Compliance
Last night the Hamburg Township Board of Trustees decided a subcommittee would interview three potential candidates for compliance consultants for the American with Disabilities Act, or ADA. Ahead of the meeting, Community Recreation Services Organization coordinator Deby Henneman pulled together seven bids, but the three finalists were closest in proximity and were nearly the lowest bidders. Henneman and trustees Mike Dolan, Chuck Menzies and Jason Negri will compare the three and recommend a finalist to the full board sometime in the coming months. The three consulting firms they will look at are; DLZ Michigan, Inc of Lansing, Skulski Consulting, LLC of Fishers, Indiana and ACT Services, Inc. of Wheaton, Illinois. Township Supervisor Pat Hohl says the township is taking steps to look at ADA compliance in all of its buildings and grounds. Hohl says the township is bringing in the outside help to engage in an analysis of all of the township's facilities. They will then put together a capital plan and hopefully in a few years bring everything into compliance. Hohl says in 2008 the township went through a similar process with Parks and Recreation. Once the consultant is hired, the township will be able to see where changes need to be made to bring its facilities into compliance with the current standard. Once a compliance plan is in place it could take three to five years meet all of the ADA requirements. (DS)
↧
Howell Township Parks & Rec Proposal Turned DownHowell Township Parks & Rec Proposal Turned Down
Plans are on hold for a local municipality to provide residents with discounts towards local recreation options. The Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority board voted Tuesday to reject an offer by Howell Township to join the authority. According to Howell Township Trustee Mike Tipton, the authority said that it was unfair for the township to receive a full discount in just a nine month trial. He says the authority plans to submit an alternate proposal where Howell Township gets just 50% of the discount. Tipton called the decision âvery disappointingâ as the township will likely not be able to participate in the authorityâs fall programs. The Howell Township Board of Trustees voted 4-1 last week to join the Howell Parks and Recreation Authority. Under the proposal, the township proposed to pay $37,500 for the nine month trial. In exchange, township residents would have received full "Resident Discounts" on all parks and rec programs as well as a significant discount on season passes to Thompson Lake. (JK)
↧
State Police Investigating Fatal Motorcycle Crash on D-19State Police Investigating Fatal Motorcycle Crash on D-19
A fatal motorcycle accident on D-19 in Marion Township is under investigation. The crash happened shortly before 6pm and involved a motorcycle and a pickup truck. Michigan State Police at the Brighton Post are handling the investigation and confirmed that a 51-year-old Howell motorcyclist was killed after being pinned between the motorcycle and the truck. The accident shut down both the northbound and southbound lanes of D-19 near Keddle Road, with traffic was being re-routed in the area of Marion Meadows. First responders from multiple agencies assisted on scene, including the Howell Area Fire Department and Livingston County EMS. D-19 was closed for roughly three hours and resulted in lengthy traffic back-ups before re-opening around 9pm. Meanwhile, Tuesdayâs incident was the second fatal motorcycle crash to occur in less than a week locally. Funeral services were held yesterday morning for 49-year-old Bert Loomis of Gaines. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department reported that Loomis crashed his motorcycle last Wednesday afternoon after a Pontiac Grand Am used the emergency-access turn-around between Clyde Road and M-59. He passed away Friday from his injuries. The driver has since been identified as a 22-year-old South Lyon woman and police are in the process of completing that investigation. (JM)
↧
Alleged Blackmailer In Lansing Sex Scandal Dislikes Local LegislatorAlleged Blackmailer In Lansing Sex Scandal Dislikes Local Legislator
The alleged blackmailer involved in a Lansing sex scandal apparently has a bone to pick with Representative Hank Vaupel of Handy Township. As the drama surrounding the affair between Representatives Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat unfolds, a series of photos has been released by Courser allegedly showing text messages from an unknown blackmailer trying to get him to resign. Among the chatter sent by the alleged blackmailer, to whom Courser never replied, is a rant regarding veterinarians and House Bill 4408. That bill, which was introduced in March, would require veterinarians and veterinary technicians seeking to renew their licenses, if requested, to prove that they had taken continuing education courses over the past two years. The alleged blackmailer was against the bill and specifically expressed a dislike for Hank Vaupel, who co-sponsored House Bill 4408 and is himself a veterinarian. Vaupel tells WHMI he is surprised that his name came up, but he is not too concerned about it. He says most of his colleagues have told him that he must be doing something right to have earned the scorn of a blackmailer. Courser has a history of fabricating electronic communications to make it seem as though he is being persecuted, and he has already admitted to falsifying an email in the current scandal. (TD)
↧
↧
Howell Man Charged In Federal Child Porn Case Also Suspect In Molestation Of Local BoyHowell Man Charged In Federal Child Porn Case Also Suspect In Molestation Of Local Boy
Possible charges for molesting a 9-year-old boy could be filed against a Livingston County man already charged in a federal indictment with obtaining and possessing child pornography. 32-year-old Erik Lopez-Ferreyra of Howell was arraigned August 6th in U.S. District Court in Detroit on three counts of child pornography after authorities found a thumb-drive in the home where he resides with his mother in the Howell Estates manufactured home development. Federal agents searched the home last December after a warrant was issued based on testimony by an undercover officer with the FBI Crimes Against Children Task Force. Court record show the officer was conducting an investigation on the ARES peer-to-peer file-sharing network when he noticed 57 child pornography files had been downloaded to an IP address later linked to Lopez-Ferreyra. He claimed to only use the website to download music and movie files, but that sometimes images he described as âbad thingsâ would show up. However, Howell Police notified the FBI on August 3rd that they were investigating allegations Lopez-Ferreyra had sexually molested a 9-year-old boy on three separate occasions in the summer of 2013. A report has been sent to the Livingston County Prosecutorâs Office for review of possible charges. Lopez-Ferreyra, meanwhile, remains in federal custody pending a preliminary exam in October. (JK)
↧
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan to Headline Brighton Chamber Power Lunch Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan to Headline Brighton Chamber Power Lunch
The former attorney, prosecutor and businessman currently running the Motor City will be in Livingston County next month. The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerceâs Power Lunch program provides updates on economic and political issues trending locally and statewide, as well as insights from heads of business and industry. Septemberâs event will feature Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan as the keynote speaker, who took office in January of 2014. Born and raised in Detroit, Duggan is said to have spent 32 years of his career working with others to solve some of the cityâs most challenging issues that impact the quality of life of Detroiters. Those include health care, public transportation, crime, blight, expanding recreational opportunities and job creation. Brighton Chamber President/CEO Pamela McConeghy says âMayor Duggan has had serious issues to deal with in the City of Detroit but he has been a positive force for change.â Duggan will be formally introduced at the event on Monday, September 14th by Brighton Mayor Jim Muzzin. The power lunch will run from 11:30am to 1pm at Crystal Gardens Banquet Center in Genoa Township. Those looking to attend are encouraged to RSVP with the Brighton Chamber no later than September 4th. The cost is $25 for members and $30 for guests. (JM)
↧
Local Legislator Says Progress Being Made On New Road Funding PlanLocal Legislator Says Progress Being Made On New Road Funding Plan
The Michigan legislature and Governor Rick Snyder began work this week on finding a new solution to fix the state's roads, but not much progress has been made. Voters in November turned down a scheme to rearrange the stateâs tax structure and increase the sales tax to generate the $1.2 billion annually experts say will be needed to improve the quality of Michigan roads. Tuesday, legislators met with the governor in the state capitol to discuss possible plans to produce the funding needed for the work. Suggested plans included reshuffling existing tax revenue, combined with a smaller revenue increase. Representative Hank Vaupel of Handy Township tells WHMI even though no plan was agreed upon, all sides are dedicated to finding a solution Vaupel says there are several solutions being proposed, but the state wants to take its time and decide which is really the best option. He says they will continue working and discussing the problem to find a new solution for Michiganâs roads. (TD)
↧
Police Identify Howell Motorcyclist Killed in D-19 CrashPolice Identify Howell Motorcyclist Killed in D-19 Crash
Police have identified the motorcyclist killed in a crash Tuesday on D-19 in Marion Township. Michigan State Police at the Brighton Post report that the deceased is 51-year-old Lawrence Pettis of Howell. Police say Pettis was driving a 1989 Honda Goldwing northbound on D-19 when he was struck from behind by a 2007 GMC Sierra pickup, also traveling northbound on D-19. The truck was driven by a 31-year-old Howell woman. Police say the pickup struck the motorcycle and the motorcycle was pushed into another vehicle, a 2002 Toyota Echo, driven by a 48-year-old Howell man. Pettis was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the drivers of the pickup and Toyota were not injured. Preliminary investigation indicated the driver of the GMC pickup may have been distracted prior to the crash. Troopers are continuing the crash investigation and utilized the Michigan State Police drone today to capture aerial photographs and video of the crash scene. The investigation will be reviewed by the Livingston County Prosecutor's Office pending any charges. Photo provided by MSP Brighton. (JM)
↧
↧
Local Realtors Honored During Annual Awards Ceremony Local Realtors Honored During Annual Awards Ceremony
Three individuals received awards from the Livingston County Association of Realtors during a ceremony earlier this month. The awards distributed included, REALTOR of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and the Affiliate of the Year. Terry Gill, was awarded 2015 REALTOR of the Year. Gill is the co-owner of Coldwell Banker Town & Country in Brighton and is a Director on the Livingston County Association of REALTORS Board of Directors and a committee member of the annual Golf Outing, Fill the Gazebo Food Drive and Governmental Affairs. A member of the Livingston County Association of REALTORS since 2006, Gill also attends the Michigan REALTORS and National Association of REALTORS annual convention and Coldwell Banker meetings. The Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Zachary Bux, a Sales Representative for First American Title Insurance Company in Brighton. Bux is a committee member of the Livingston County Association of Realtors Affiliates where he serves as the chairperson. The Affiliate of the Year award was given to Carole Bullion. Bullion has been involved with the Livingston County Association of Realtors since 2001 as an active affiliate member and teaches education classes offered by the Livingston County Association of Realtors. (RS)
↧
LESA's Backpacks for Kids Distribution From 4 to 8pm TodayLESA's Backpacks for Kids Distribution From 4 to 8pm Today
Thousands of school supplies and hundreds of backpacks collected over the summer will be passed out later today to help local families and students in need. The 14th annual Backpacks for Kids distribution and Connect for Kids event will take place from 4 to 8pm at the Livingston Educational Service Agency, which coordinates the project. Donations are collected throughout the summer months and the backpacks are then stuffed with supplies by volunteers during the United Way Day of Caring to help students and families prepare for the coming school year. The backpacks will be distributed from 6 to 8pm. However, there is a wristband system to keep things organized and those will be distributed prior to 6pm. Itâs a busy event but there will be a number of things to keep kids and attendees occupied. Booths detailing community resources, activities, refreshments and on-site car seat checks are planned while bike helmets are also being made available for a nominal fee. The Livingston Educational Service Agency is located at Grand River and Highlander Way in Howell. Additional details about todayâs backpacks distribution and Connect for Kids can be found on the LESA website. (JM)
↧
Town Hall Meeting Scheduled To Discuss ET Rover PipelineTown Hall Meeting Scheduled To Discuss ET Rover Pipeline
State and federal politicians will be holding a town hall event next month for people affected by the proposed ET Rover pipeline. State Representative Lana Theis, State Senator Joe Hune, and U.S. Congressman Mike Bishop will be holding the round table informational event in Putnam Township on September 14th. Concerns and feedback from the community will be discussed as the natural gas pipeline is planned to be installed running north and south through Livingston County, and specifically cutting through many homeownerâs properties in Putnam. The township has adopted a resolution opposing the pipeline that they and many local residents are fighting. Township Clerk Sally Guyon told WHMI that the board is giving residents an opportunity to decide how far they will fight the pipeline with a special proposal on the November 3rd ballot, where they asking voters for 1 mill to be used for legal defenses. Guyon told WHMI that updated plans for the path had been delivered to the township, but that they didnât look to be very different. The special meeting is scheduled to begin at 4:30pm at the Putnam Township hall located at 3280 West M-36, in Pinckney.(MK)
↧
Multi-Vehicle Crash Shuts Down NB US-23; Sends Two to HospitalMulti-Vehicle Crash Shuts Down NB US-23; Sends Two to Hospital
A multiple vehicle accident during the evening rush hour snarled traffic in the Brighton area yesterday. Northbound US-23 was completely closed, just south of Hyne Road due to the crash. The Brighton Area Fire Department, the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department and Livingston County EMS were all dispatched at around 4pm. Brighton Fire Chief Mike OâBrian tells WHMI there were six to seven vehicles on both sides of the freeway involved in the accident, which started right when the burst of rain came through and made the road surface slick. He says two people were transported by EMS to a hospital and were in stable condition while the rest either had their vehicles towed or were able to drive away from the scene. Northbound US-23 re-opened shortly before 5pm. O'Brian says the freeway was closed for about half an hour due to the complexity of the scene but the delays stretched well through the construction zone and I-96 into Green Oak Township. Meanwhile, the strong storms and heavy downpours yesterday afternoon also resulted in some power outages across Livingston County. DTE Energy had service restored to the majority of customers within a couple of hours. (JM)
↧
↧
Day Of Caring Again Brings Out Community VolunteersDay Of Caring Again Brings Out Community Volunteers
The 2015 United Way Day of Caring was a huge success in Livingston County, thanks to the contributions of volunteers filling over 1,700 shifts. Those looking to make a difference covered the community yesterday for the 14th annual Day of Caring. Local businesses, churches and service organizations often participate as a way to bond while helping others. Volunteers held a field day for developmentally disabled adults, helped seniors make cards at the Be Our Guest adult day care, painted an entire facility for a local nonprofit, collected food at area grocery stores, harvested produce at community gardens, did yardwork and household repairs for seniors, and so much more. Students were also among the volunteers as Howell High Schoolâs Student Council took on a painting job at the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Oceola Center. With over 115 work sites to participate at, there was no shortage of work to be done. The community was beautified with various cleanup projects, yard work and building improvements. The service projects also included aiding those in need, such as veterans, senior citizens and disabled adults. LACASA, the safe house shelter for survivors of abuse, received interior and exterior refurbishing to provide a comfortable environment for its residents. United Way continued the circle of giving by hosting a lunch to feed all of the volunteers between their work shifts. The Day of Caring is the largest one-day service event in Livingston County. (DK/JK)
↧
Green Oak Passes Cost Recovery OrdinanceGreen Oak Passes Cost Recovery Ordinance
Last night Green Oak Township Board passed an ordinance allowing it to recover costs associated with providing emergency services within the township. Supervisor Mark St. Charles the ordinance allows the township to recover some of its costs when there is a hazardous spill or other emergency situation on the expressways in the township. St. Charles says most often emergencies happen on the freeways, but can happen anywhere in the township. He says a look at the townshipâs budget shows why the ordinance is necessary. St. Charles says the amount of money the township is spending every year on medical supplies and the number of incidents are going up each year. This is an opportunity to collect some of the money they spend. He says everyone's insurance has a built in recovery cost and the ordinance allows the township to collect the money from the insurance companies. St. Charles says township residents and their families arenât affected at all. Residents support the fire and police department through their taxes. He says the township already has an ordinance recovering costs for hazardous spills and this ordinance brings the township into compliance with the state statute. (DS)
↧
Brighton Lake Road Closed Friday Morning Brighton Lake Road Closed Friday Morning
Brighton Lake Road will be closed for a couple of hours Friday morning. The City of Brighton says Brighton Lake Road from South Third Street to Northern Ridge will need to be closed again so that DPW personnel can place asphalt on the area where a sanitary sewer repair was made last Thursday. The closure is expected to occur from 6:30am to approximately 10am and motorists are asked to follow the posted detour signs. However, residents who live within the closure area will still be able to access their homes. The City says residents who live north of 1240 Brighton Lake Road should use the access at South Third Street while residents to the south are asked to utilize the access at Northern Ridge Drive. (JM)
↧
Genoa Township Files Response To Livingston Christian Schools LawsuitGenoa Township Files Response To Livingston Christian Schools Lawsuit
Genoa Township filed responses Wednesday to the lawsuit brought against it by Livingston Christian Schools after the township denied a special use permit to the Brighton Nazarene Church that would have allowed the school to start classes there next month. Livingston Christian Schools claims the denial violated their rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. They seek an injunction to overturn the townshipâs vote denying the special use permit. In response, Genoa Township cited the lengthy history that the Brighton Nazarene Church has of noncompliance with township ordinances and of ongoing complaints from neighbors. They specifically cited the construction of a skate park in 2000, which was approved on the condition it be closed at 10pm. The township says complaints from neighbors only multiplied and that the church admitted they were closing at midnight. The church also admitted that it charged a fee for the skate park, despite having promised not to do so. Then in July of 2013, the church applied for a special use permit to add a 16,000 square foot building for use as classrooms and gymnasiums. Minutes from the townshipâs Planning Commission meeting church officials indicated the classrooms were only for Sunday school classes and no schools were planned. But just over a year later, in November 2014, the church and Livingston Christian Schools entered into a five-year lease agreement, pre-paid $70,000 in rent, announced and advertised its relocation to the churchâs facility, opened enrollment for students, and orally agreed to lease its building in Pinckney to Light of the World Academy, a formerly faith-based educational institution that decided to secularize and operate a publicly-funded charter school. The township noted that was all done prior to receiving approval of a special use permit and that in fact, the school announced its relocation and opened enrollment months before even applying for the permit. When the township learned about the anticipated relocation it says it advised the church of the need to apply for a special use permit. After it finally did that in March 2015, the Brighton Area Fire Authority advised that their site plan failed to meet the townshipâs fire code, while the townshipâs engineering consultant requested a more detailed traffic study. After a revised traffic study was presented, it was deemed to contain improper analysis and was otherwise deficient. The Planning Commission eventually recommended approval. But the full board denied the special use permit in a 4-3 vote, citing the ongoing complaints from neighbors, unresolved traffic concerns and the churchâs history of noncompliance with township ordinances. In its filing with the court, the township also took exception with the reasons cited by the school to relocate to the church, noting that while the lawsuit claims their growing enrollment necessitated a larger facility, it informed students and parents that it decided to relocate due to âdecreasing enrollment.â It then cited figures from the Michigan Department of Education that the school enrolled 138 students in 2014, which was down from 189 students in 2011. The township said based on those facts and legal precedent, the lawsuit by Livingston Christian Schools should be dismissed. A hearing is set for August 31st in U.S. District Court in Detroit.
↧
↧
Local District Provides Temporary Resolution To School DilemmaLocal District Provides Temporary Resolution To School Dilemma
A deal has been reached that will allow two local schools, one private and the other public, to open up as planned next month. A denial by Genoa Township of a special use permit by Brighton Nazarene Church to host Livingston Christian Schools had put that schoolâs relocation plans in limbo as well as Light of the World Academy in Pinckney, which planned to then move into the old LCS facility in Pinckney. But a deal was reached yesterday with Whitmore Lake Public Schools that will allow Livingston Christian Schools to use that districtâs mothballed middle school on a temporary basis, which will allow Light of the World, which recently received permission to open as a publicly-funded charter school, to also move and open next month as originally planned. Director Kathy Moorehouse says the deal is a lifesaver for both schools pending a ruling from a federal judge on a lawsuit filed by Livingston Christian Schools against Genoa Township contesting their decision to reject a special use permit. A hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled for August 31st in U.S. District Court in Detroit. Moorehouse says parents have already been helping to prepare the new facility in Pinckney with a clean-up day set for this Sunday and then an open house on Monday at 6:30pm. (JK)
↧
Preservation Work Day Planned At Michigan War Dog Memorial Preservation Work Day Planned At Michigan War Dog Memorial
A work day is planned this weekend at a unique memorial that pays tribute to some unsung K-9 heroes in Lyon Township. A number of veteranâs organizations, volunteers and community members are continuing restoration and preservation efforts at the Michigan War Dog Memorial, located at the corner of Milford Road and 11 Mile. The non-profit inters retired Military Working Dogs and retired Service Dogs with full honors, at no cost to the handler/owner at the one-and-a -half acre site. This Saturday, organizers and volunteers will be lifting all of the flat headstones and placing a bed of pea stones beneath them. They will also be replacing the headstones in an attempt to preserve them, as many have been on the ground since 1936. Organizers say everything is good to go and the pea stones have been delivered. Half of the stones were donated, along with 120 bottles of water, bags of ice and lunch. Those who plan on volunteering are asked to bring a pair of gloves, a 5-gallon pail or wheel barrow, a shovel and bug spray. The clean-up will get underway at 10am at the Michigan War Dog Memorial. Details are available at through the link below. (JM)
↧
Hamburg Road Re-Opens to Traffic Thursday Hamburg Road Re-Opens to Traffic Thursday
A portion of a busy road in Hamburg Township has re-opened to traffic, but will be closing again next month. Hamburg Road between Bauer and Maltby Roads re-opened Thursday according to the Livingston County Road Commission. The project at the bridge over Ore Creek involves preventive maintenance to preserve bridge concrete and has had Hamburg Road shut down since August 10th. However, the two-stage project is not yet complete and will require another closure that will again impact traffic but for not as long. During the second stage, crews will place epoxy overlay on the entire bridge deck and perform concrete surface coating. That phase will require a closure from September 12th to September 15th and the detour will again utilize Hamburg Road, Winans Lake Road, Rickett Road and Maltby Road. The Livingston County Road Commission said the two stages were designed to close the road only when the work needs to be performed and gain initial curing of materials. The overall project is slated for completion October 1st. (JM)
↧
More Pages to Explore .....
