1/21/13 - Demolition continues on the site of the former Camp Brighton women's prison in Hamburg Township. The facility on Chambers Road inside the Brighton Recreation Area had been the target of frequent vandalism as well as a favorite place to steal building materials, most especially the copper piping, but also other metal products that can be sold for scrap. The demolition is being paid for with $400,000 in funding from the Michigan Department of Corrections that came about after a considerable bureaucratic debate over which state agency was responsible for the site. While the MDOC owned the buildings, the land itself was owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. To complicate matters, the ownership of the buildings was transferred to the Department of Management and Budget when the prison closed in 2007. The funding came about after local lawmakers, including State Representatives Bill Rogers and Cindy Denby, and State Senator Joe Hune, pushed through legislation authorizing it. Once completed, the demolition will remove not only what has been an eyesore for Hamburg Township officials, but also a drain on their budgets for policing the property including frequent repairs to the fencing put up by the state when they closed the facility. Picture courtesy of Hamburg Township. (JK)
Camp Brighton Demolition Continues This WeekCamp Brighton Demolition Continues This Week
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Funding Reinstated for Pinckney Virtual School Students Funding Reinstated for Pinckney Virtual School Students
1/21/13 - Students taking online classes at a virtual academy in association with Pinckney Community Schools will be able to finish out the program this year as scheduled. The district has a partnership with a company thatâs provides online curriculum for the program, which was originally intended for mostly home school students but has expanded. The company is able to register individuals as Pinckney students so the district receives the associated per-pupil funding from the state and then basically buys the curriculum. The district stood to lose itâs nearly $7,000 state foundation allowance for 34 students following a pupil enrollment audit. Pinckney Superintendent Dan Danosky says they were working under the same assumptions as last year with the program and there were no problems but the state changed its interpretations this year. He says they were just notified late Friday that the state will approve 25 of the 34 kids for funding, meaning the district will re-enroll all kids in the second semester and absorb the cost of the remaining nine students so they can all complete the program. However, he says it was getting pretty late in the game and they hadnât heard anything about their appeal to the state so Danosky says they started to notify parents and sent a letter home. A certified teacher of record is provided by the company for the virtual academy but the Pinckney district is required to provide mentor teachers, who must make regular contact with the student. The changes being enforced stipulate that contact must be directly between a mentor teacher and student, not with a parent. One week has also now been defined by the state to mean âone calendar weekâ and not a seven-day week. The same audit also deemed that some students attending an online program within the Hartland Consolidated Schools district were also disqualified. Superintendent Jan Sifferman tells WHMI they have yet to hear back from the state on their appeal.(JM)
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Trial Date Pushed Back For Couple Charged In 2010 Murder Trial Date Pushed Back For Couple Charged In 2010 Murder
1/21/13 - The trial date has been adjourned again for a Genesee County couple charged with felony murder in the death of a homeless man whose body was found in 2010 along a rural Livingston County road. The case against 45-year-old Mitchell Judd Hall of Byron and 51-year-old Antoinette Bea Hix of Gaines has been adjourned several times now in the death of 71-year old Clarence Elijah Hines, the most latest coming on Friday when attorneys for the defendants requested additional time after prosecutors indicated they would file a motion requesting the jury hear testimony regarding Hix's psychological background. Their trial is now set for April. Police say the suspects left Hines at the side of Sober Road in Conway Township on April 11th, 2010. He was found dead there the following morning. Authorities say Hines died due to a combination of hypothermia and multiple blunt trauma injuries. Authorities say the couple decided to rid themselves of caring for Hines after he became incontinent and stopped eating. They had originally planned to leave him behind a business in Lansing, but fearing being caught on surveillance video, decided instead to drop him off on a rural dirt road. Hall and Hix are also charged with 1st and 2nd degree abuse of a vulnerable adult. (JM/JM)
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Thousands Remain Without Power As Cold Weather Warning HitsThousands Remain Without Power As Cold Weather Warning Hits
1/21/13 - Local residents are being warned about some dangerously cold conditions moving into the area while others are still waiting for the lights to come on. Temperatures are expected to be in the single-digits above zero, with a wind chill of 15-20 degrees below, prompting the National Weather Service to declare a wind chill advisory. The advisory comes as many people across Livingston County remain without power due to high winds bringing down power lines over the weekend. About 12,000 Livingston residents were affected by the outages, and about 2,000 were still in the dark in the last update provided by DTE. The Livingston County Red Cross has opened a warming center at its facility on Grand River in Howell to provide families with coffee, hot chocolate, movies, and entertainment until power is restored. (TD/JM)
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Construction Set For Spring on Lakelands Trail in Putnam Township Construction Set For Spring on Lakelands Trail in Putnam Township
1/22/13 - Upgrades to the Lakelands Trail in Putnam Township are expected to get underway this spring. The Livingston County Road Commission recently approved two agreements related to the project â one with the Michigan Department of Transportation and another with Putnam Township to construct the next six miles of the trail. The estimated project cost is $1.4 (m) million for the upgrades covering the entire length of the trail in Putnam Township. It will be constructed from the Hamburg Township line, which was completed in 2006, stretching to the Unadilla Township line. Five bridges along the trail will also be widened to 14 feet and given new caps and railings. Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine says theyâre excited about the project as recreational trials are extremely popular and this will include equestrian components as well. Craine says the township will hire a contractor and the Road Commission will oversee the work. Once bids are received and approved, Craine anticipates that work will get underway sometime in April and likely take all summer to complete. (JM)
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Pinckney Library Holds Grand Opening At New FacilityPinckney Library Holds Grand Opening At New Facility
1/22/13 - A ribbon cutting ceremony took place as part of the grand opening of the Pinckney Community Public Libraryâs new location yesterday. The new facility is located inside the former Village Education Center on Putnam Road and increases the libraryâs available space from 3,000 square feet to 14,000 square feet. The building was purchased for $200,000 and renovated over the past year with money from bonds approved by voters in 2012. About 75 people attended yesterdayâs ribbon cutting, with many more taking part in the grand opening which lasted from 10am to 7pm. Library Director Hope Siasoco says the library has been open for several days, but the grand opening was an invitation for the community to celebrate the new facility. The library includes a reading area with a fireplace, a soundproof study room, 12 public computers, and 24/7 Wi-Fi throughout the building and parking lot. For an interactive calendar of the libraryâs upcoming events, click on the link posted below. For more information or to reserve a spot at an event, call the library at (734) 878-3888. (TD)
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Survey Finds Support for Road Millage in HartlandSurvey Finds Support for Road Millage in Hartland
1/22/13 - While there is not overwhelming support for a road millage in Hartland Township, those who are in favor are more than double those who oppose it. Thatâs one of the findings of a resident survey expected to be reviewed tonight by the Board of Trustees. The survey, which was returned by 758 of the 1,550 Hartland households it was sent to, also gathered input on strategic priorities, public schools and community events. But the main focus was on a potential road millage under consideration for the ballot in May. 50% of survey respondents said they would support a millage to improve township roads, while 24% would oppose it and 24% were undecided. However, when asked about budget priorities, 69% of respondents cited road maintenance as a top consideration, the same level that said law enforcement should be a high priority. Also garnering more 60% were fire and emergency medical services. The survey, conducted by Cobalt Community Research of Lansing, also broke down results for specific road projects, with the top answer at 57% in favor of a millage for maintenance and repairs on paved township roads. 45% favored paving high-traffic gravel roads, while 39% were for maintaining gravel roads. The survey, which costs just under $10,000, had a margin of error of 2.6%. The survey results can be downloaded below. (JK)
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Government Contracting Seminar Planned at Brighton Chamber Government Contracting Seminar Planned at Brighton Chamber
1/22/13 - A free seminar this month aims to teach local business owners how to sell their goods and services to the local, state, and federal governments. âGovernment Contracting 101â is being offered by Ann Arbor SPARK and the Brighton, Hartland, and Howell chambers of commerce. The seminar is being hosted by the Procurement Technical Assistance Center, an organization designed to provide businesses with information on acquiring state and federal government contracts. County Purchasing Agent Roberta Bennett will also attend the meeting to discuss opportunities to contract with the county. The free seminar will take place on January 30th at the Greater Brighton Chamber of Commerce headquarters. Only 40 seats are available. To RSVP, send an email to Katrina@AnnArborUSA.org. (TD)
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U.S. News Names Cleary to "Best Online Bachelor's Program" List U.S. News Names Cleary to "Best Online Bachelor's Program" List
1/22/13 - A business college with a campus in Genoa Township has made a national list for its online offerings. U.S. News & World Report has added Cleary University to its list of institutions offering âBest Online Bachelorâs Programsâ for 2013. The rankings were released earlier this month. Cleary University ranked 149 on the national list of more than 200 online bachelorâs programs. More than 1,700 regionally accredited private and public institutions that grant bachelorâs degrees were sent questionnaires to take part and criteria used to rank programs included student engagement, faculty credentials and training, and student services. Cleary University President Tom Sullivan says theyâre always pleased to receive validation from external sources about the quality of education being offered and will continue to strengthen offerings while meeting the educational needs of students. A link to the list can be found below. (JM)
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Brighton Township Approves Rezoning of Buno Road Gravel PitBrighton Township Approves Rezoning of Buno Road Gravel Pit
1/22/13- The Brighton Township Board of Trustees approved the rezoning of a former gravel pit off of Buno Road for future residential use. Approval of the rezoning was recommended by both the Brighton and Livingston County planning commissions. Previous mining operations have left several small lakes that Elias Xenos of Brighton Investors, LLC plans to cultivate into one larger lake surrounded by 24 single family home sites. No additional mining will take place on the property, but materials will need to be relocated for this development. The rezoning will allow Xenos to begin working on these plans. The owners of neighboring properties have been working with Xenos to ensure that their developments will appear consistent when they are all finished. Some features of the housing development include a lake, two new roads, a private septic field for each site, and a possible storm water management system. Xenos can begin reworking the land once he obtains the proper extraction permits. Though Xenos will begin this process alone, he plans to partner with a home builder further down the road. (SO)
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Kowalski Trial Resumes; Jurors Hear Recording of Son's 911 Call Kowalski Trial Resumes; Jurors Hear Recording of Son's 911 Call
1/22/13 - The trial of a Warren man charged with murdering his brother and sister-in-law in Oceola Township picked back up Tuesday in 53rd District Court in Brighton. 66-year-old Jerome Kowalski is charged in the deaths of Richard and Brenda Kowalski. Today marks day ten of the trial and the prosecution and the defense spent the majority of the morning discussing evidence and jury instructions in the case. Jurors later heard a recording of the call that was made by Brenda Kowalskiâs son Mike Reilly to 911 shortly after discovering the bodies in the kitchen of the coupleâs Lyngre Drive home. In the recording, he says Richard and Brenda were part of his whole world and that his grandmother had just past away two weeks ago. He then went on to say "I wonder if my uncle and him got into a dispute over my grandmother's estate...I bet my uncle did this, the dirty bastard. If he did, I will beat him to a pulp". After the recording was played and admitted into evidence, the defense briefly called a witness from the Livingston County Medical Examinerâs Office who had testified previously. The trial is continuing this afternoon with Forensic Pathologist Dr. Werner Spitz taking the stand, the former Wayne County Chief Medical Examiner who is pictured. (JM)
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Residents Displaced Following Afternoon Fire in BrightonResidents Displaced Following Afternoon Fire in Brighton
1/22/13 - Two local residents have been displaced following a fire in Brighton. Local firefighters and the Livingston County Chapter of the American Red Cross were called out to the blaze at the Woodland Lake Trailer Park in Brighton shortly before 1:00 this afternoon. Crews with the Brighton Area Fire Authority arrived to find the home on fire, which spread to an adjacent garage. The Green Oak Township and Howell Area Fire Departments provided mutual response at the scene. Brighton Fire Chief Mike OâBrian tells WHMI that they were able to knock down the fire relatively quickly, although it was a bit stubborn due to the cold temperatures and amount of combustibles inside the home and garage. He says the owner of the home had been thawing frozen pipes and it appears as those some combustibles got to close to an open flame heater, causing the blaze. Two residents were displaced by the fire and are being assisted by the Red Cross. They will be given shelter, food and immediate needs items to see them through the next couple of days. (JM)
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Genoa Township & SELCRA Talking Recreation Possibilities Genoa Township & SELCRA Talking Recreation Possibilities
1/23/13 - Talks have picked back up between the South Eastern Livingston County Recreation Authority and Genoa Township after what could be described as a rocky few years and some disagreements among predecessors. SELCRA Director Derek Smith says the goal was to update board members about the success the organization has had over the last couple of years but also encourage the board to take a look at becoming a full participating member again. The two parted ways in 2010 and Smith says different members have come and gone over the years and various issues have come up but he feels they were able to climb some big mountains last night and felt the positive comments from board members were a great sign. Genoa currently contributes to the multi-jurisdictional Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority but has operated a voucher program for residents in which theyâre reimbursed for the difference between in-district and out-of-district fees for SELCRA programs. Board members commended the presentation and SELCRA staff for doing a great job with the ongoing voucher program but also raised the issue of $4,318 in past damage done to one of the municipalityâs athletic fields by a third party group that contracted with SELCRA at the time. Other topics discussed were concerns about exposure to liability and debt along with how a possible levy for a recreation millage could work with Genoaâs other involvements. Trustee Todd Smith, who chairs the Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority Board, also felt it was a good meeting. He tells WHMI they want to continue discussions and explore all possibilities to keep residents involved in recreation and provide great programs to them but at the same time; they also donât want to create any indebtedness so more exploration is needed. Discussions are expected to continue and it was relayed that quite a bit of work will need to go into the process, which will include analyzing articles of incorporation and options. (JM)
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Pathologist & Prosecutor Argue Time of Death in Kowalski MurderPathologist & Prosecutor Argue Time of Death in Kowalski Murder
1/23/13 - Legal debates over evidence and witnesses slowed down progress in the Kowalski murder trial yesterday, delaying closing arguments until today. Jerome Kowalski is being tried for open murder in the deaths of his brother Richard and sister-in-law Brenda in 2008. Judge Theresa Brennan had anticipated last week that closing arguments would take place on Tuesday, but attempts by the defense to submit evidence and objections by the prosecution took up much of the morningâs proceedings. Assistant Prosecutor Pamela Maas blamed the delays on defense attorney Walter Piszczatowski, whom she called âunpreparedâ for not submitting the evidence earlier. Among the evidence submitted to the jury yesterday was the 911 tape of Brendaâs son Mike Reilly, who discovered the bodies. In the phone call he says his uncle was the likely culprit. Jurors also heard expert testimony from Dr. Werner Spitz, a forensic pathologist who is the former Wayne County chief medical examiner and has been called upon to testify before Congress in the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. He testified that although some factors could impact the evidence, he believes the couple was killed between 2:30 and 4 o'clock the morning of May 1st, 2008. That would contradict the prosecution's contention that Jerome Kowalski killed the couple as his shift that night lasted until about 5:30am. That prompted Maas to question Spitz about the factor he used to come to that conclusion, at one point using information Spitz himself had written about the inaccuracy of cooling body temperatures to make such a determination. Spitz argued back that he used a variety of factors to reach his conclusion, which he stood by. Closing arguments will begin this morning. (TD/JK)
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Congressman Seeks Nominations For Military Service Academies Congressman Seeks Nominations For Military Service Academies
1/23/13 - Newly-elected Congressman Kerry Bentivolio of Milford says that residents of the 11th District who may have applied for â or were told they were nominated for â one of the military service academies, should get in touch with him as soon as possible. The former Fowlerville school teacher says his office has not received any applications or nominations from the staffs of previous congressmen that have represented the district. The Republican took office earlier this month after a seven-week term by Belleville Democrat David Curson, who served out the remainder of the term for former Congressman Thaddeus McCotter. McCotter resigned in July amid a petition signature scandal. Bentivolio says that the application deadline has either passed or will soon expire for the nationâs service academies, and anyone interested in applying for nomination needs to do so by January 31st. Details are available on his official website and a link is posted below. The 11th District comprises northwestern Wayne and southwestern Oakland counties, including Milford and South Lyon. (JK/JM)
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M-DOT Expanding Freeway Courtesy Patrol to Livingston CountyM-DOT Expanding Freeway Courtesy Patrol to Livingston County
1/23/13 - Local motorists who get stuck with a flat tire or run out of gas on area freeways will soon have another option for help other than just do it yourself or hope for the best. The Michigan Department of Transportation is expanding its Freeway Courtesy Patrol and will be adding Livingston and Washtenaw Counties to the program effective February 1st. The program is already up and running in other areas and allows for a service van to be dispatched for various emergencies but will now offer the free assistance for motorists on US-23, I-96, I-94 and M-14. Managing Director of the Livingston County Road Commission Mike Craine tells WHMI this will provide an important service to local motorists and offer good coverage on US-23 and I-96. The Freeway Courtesy Patrol is part of the Michigan Department of Transportation's larger freeway incident management system designed to improve motorist safety and reduce travel times. M-DOT is hosting a kickoff event for media next Friday to officially announce the expansion of the Freeway Courtesy Patrol program at its maintenance garage in Brighton. A link to complete information about the program can be found below. (JM)
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Lawyers Close; Jury Begins Deliberation In Kowalski Murder TrialLawyers Close; Jury Begins Deliberation In Kowalski Murder Trial
1/23/13 - Jurors have begun deliberations in the double murder trial of a Warren man. Both the defense and prosecution rested before delivering closing arguments in the case against Jerome Kowalski, who is charged with murdering his brother Richard and sister-in-law Brenda. Both were found dead in the kitchen of their Lyngre Drive home in Oceola Township on May 1st, 2008. Livingston County Assistant Prosecutor Pamela Maas re-capped evidence and statements made in the case, confessions made by Kowalski to police and a sticky note found at the scene that experts say had Kowalski's handwriting on it. Maas also told jurors that Kowalski lied to police about the number of handguns in his home. Defense Attorney Walter Piszczatowski called the prosecution's case weak during his closing arguments, saying there was no physical or scientific evidence tying Kowalski to the scene and used a visual aid to emphasize the burden of proof on the prosecution. He argued that Kowalski's statements were conflicting to try and please police and stated that Mike Reilly, Brenda Kowalskiâs son, had a much stronger motive due to financial windfall. Reilly was also the person who discovered the bodies and called 911. During rebuttal from Maas, she argued Kowalski's statements are themselves evidence and âReilly is a red herringâ, saying people have killed for much less. After being given instructions, jurors began deliberations this afternoon in 53rd District Court in Brighton. (JM)
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Jury Begins Deliberations in Kowalski Murder TrialJury Begins Deliberations in Kowalski Murder Trial
1/24/13 - Closing arguments were heard and the jury began its deliberation in the murder trial of Jerome Kowalski yesterday. Prosecutors say Kowalski killed his brother Richard and sister-in-law Brenda in 2008 at the Oceola Township home. In her closing arguments, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Pamela Maas (left) went over the evidence and testimony put forward by the defense in the previous ten days of trial. It included Kowalskiâs written and taped confessions, handwriting analysis of a sticky note at the scene with Kowalskiâs name on it, and the presence of ammunition in the defendantâs home matching the caliber of the bullets at the crime scene. Maas also brought up details of the crime Kowalski told police that she says he could not have known unless he was there. Defense attorney Walter Piszczatowski (right) argued that the prosecutionâs case was weak and had no physical or scientific evidence linking Kowalski to the scene. He said the handwriting analysis that identified the defendantâs handwriting on the sticky note was only a possible match and did not meet the criteria of conviction. He also claimed that Kowalskiâs supposed grudge against his brother was no motive for murder, but Brendaâs son Michael Reilly saw large financial gain from the coupleâs death. In rebuttal, Maas argued that Kowalski had enough motive to kill his brother and that accusations against Michael Reilly were a red herring. The jury deliberated for more than two hours before going home for the day. Deliberations will resume tomorrow. (TD)
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Howell Parks and Rec Teams With DDA for Annual Howell EventsHowell Parks and Rec Teams With DDA for Annual Howell Events
1/24/13 - The Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority is taking the reins on Howellâs annual Melon Fest and Legend of Sleepy Howell events this year. Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority is teaming up with the Downtown Development Authority to plan and present the two events with new ideas to bring revenue to the city. Debbie Mikula, the director of the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority, says she plans to bring âmoney makersâ to this yearâs Melon Fest, specifically a carnival, such as the one used for the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest. She believes she has found a carnival that is not booked on the weekend of Melon Fest and would like it to be a part of the yearly festival. Mikula tells WHMI that itâs never too early to begin the planning process. Stephanie Schlittler, President of the DDA and Festival Chair, says the DDA welcomes the idea of partnering with Howell Area Parks and Recreation and believes Melon Fest has grown too big for the DDA to handle alone. Mikula says the first step was to identify the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved and now that that is done, they can move forward. (DK)
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Hearing Today In Battle Over Two Brighton Homes Hearing Today In Battle Over Two Brighton Homes
1/24/13 - The parties locked in a legal battle over two homes in the City of Brighton that are owned by an elderly Northville couple are scheduled to appear in Livingston County Circuit Court later today. Attorney Dennis Dubuc represents Leon and Marilyn Bonner, who own two homes on North Street that the City ordered demolished in January of 2009 based on its ordinance. A portion was found unconstitutional but the City is appealing that decision with the Michigan Supreme Court. Judge Michael Hatty ordered the Bonners to apply for city building permits in November and fix up the homes to commercial standards after ruling they lost their non-conforming status. Dubuc says Hatty also ordered that the Bonners be provided with a list of everything to fix but he instead received a list of items to basically construct a new commercial building signed by City Attorney Brad Maynes, not any building official. Dubuc says the Bonnerâs have tried to fix the homes and bring them up to residential codes but the City has prevented them from making any repairs for four years now, even though it knew dangerous conditions exist. Heâs seeking to have the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes revoke the Cityâs building department authority, saying it has repeatedly failed to properly enforce codes. Dubuc says he also filed the necessary applications to fix the homes up to residential standards with the City but never received a response and no permits were issued. Since nothing happened within ten days, Dubuc says by law he can appeal with the state and has done so. He also wants the state to inspect the homes and grant permits for repairs. Since Judge Hatty has never issued any final order in the ongoing litigation, Dubuc canât appeal the non-conforming use order yet but says he intends to. However, the parties are to appear in court today and Dubuc is asking that an evidentiary hearing be ordered to determine costs, attorney fees and damages thus far. (JM)
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