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Extra Police Patrols Planned Through Labor Day Weekend Extra Police Patrols Planned Through Labor Day Weekend

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Anyone heading out of town for the holiday weekend is reminded to drive sober or get pulled over. Local law enforcement agencies will be out in force this holiday weekend and conducting stepped-up patrols. Michigan State Police Sgt. Mike Sura of the Brighton Post tells WHMI they’ll have extra patrols through the heavily traveled Labor Day weekend. Sura says while state police will not have checkpoints at designated locations, they will be especially vigilant due to the holiday - checking for seat belt use, any alcohol or substance use, and texting or using a cell phone while driving. While Labor Day has traditionally been the deadliest holiday for traffic accidents in Michigan, the number of fatalities has actually been going down in recent years. Last year, six people died in Labor Day weekend traffic crashes in Michigan. Five of those involved driving while drinking, and four of the six were not wearing their seat belts. Sura says Michigan State Police and other law enforcement agencies hope to continue to keep those statistics on the downswing this year. (TT/JM)

Brighton Council Hires MML to Do Search for New City ManagerBrighton Council Hires MML to Do Search for New City Manager

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9/4/15 - The Brighton City Council has hired the Michigan Municipal League to conduct the search for a new city manager. City Council is going to have to find a new administrative head for the city since long-term Manager Dana Foster announced his resignation at the last meeting. His resignation becomes effective on Dec. 18. Foster - the city manager in Brighton for over 24 years - is leaving to take a position outside local government. At Thursday night’s meeting, a representative of the Michigan Municipal League gave council a presentation on the kinds of administrative search services the MML provides. Council then voted to contract with the MML at a cost of $17,000. MML Executive Search Coordinator Jessica Reed says the MML’s executive recruitment department has been in existence since 1998 and has performed over 200 searches for various types and sizes of municipalities in Michigan. Reed says an offer should be tendered to the top finalist before the end of the year, with the new manager to start sometime in January. (TT)

Howell Schools And Teachers' Union Ratify Two-Year ContractHowell Schools And Teachers' Union Ratify Two-Year Contract

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An agreement between Howell Public Schools and the Howell teacher’s union has been made and confirmed. A majority vote from the Howell Board of Education finalized the agreement on a new contract at a special meeting Thursday night. The union's Board of Directors recommended ratification and were awaiting an approval from the Board of Education to solidify the terms. The Howell Education Association represents 357 teachers in the district and negotiations with the Board have been ongoing since April. The two-year contract is a step and a half increase that will be paid for incrementally and will contain a one percent off schedule payment for teachers that are not on the step schedule. The steps will continue to be an obligation the district pays the teachers and some insurance changes will bring about a $60,000 increase to the district for health benefits. Howell Superintendent Erin MacGregor tells WHMI he believes the overall cost of the $1.5 million dollar contract is worthwhile. Martin Leftwich, Vice President of the HEA, says he feels there is a “positive paradigm shift” in Howell negotiations. Zach Kasprzak, President of the HEA, says negotiations were not what he expected and is looking forward to putting a cap on them. He has a good feeling the contract will give some recognition to Howell’s teachers and is relieved to move forward as the school year begins. (DK)

Howell Woman Who Tried to Run Over Ex-Boyfriend Facing New ChargesHowell Woman Who Tried to Run Over Ex-Boyfriend Facing New Charges

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New charges have been filed against a Howell-area woman who led police on two separate chases and tried to run down her ex-boyfriend. 24-year-old Alycia Pless was originally charged with fleeing and eluding, resisting or obstructing a police officer, felonious assault and operating while intoxicated. Court records show that two new charges have since been filed against her - 2nd degree home invasion and breaking and entering a vehicle to steal property less than $200. The charges stem from an August 13th incident in which Pless allegedly stole her ex-boyfriend’s pickup truck and trailer from the Thompson Lake boat launch while he was out on the water. The man reported the theft and a chase ensued after officers spotted Pless. However, once they were informed that the suspect was an ex-girlfriend and knew her identity, they broke off the pursuit. Pless then returned to the boat launch later that same evening and reportedly tried to run down her former boyfriend, before again taking off. Police spotted the pickup truck and gave chase along M-59 and Latson Road until she eventually crashed at Clyde Road and was taken into custody. Pless is scheduled to appear in 53rd District Court for a probable cause conference Tuesday, September 8th. (JM)

Construction Projects On Hold For Holiday Weekend Construction Projects On Hold For Holiday Weekend

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Work on the Fenton Streetscape project will cease for the holiday weekend but pick right back up next week. AAA Michigan estimates that 1.2 million Michiganders will be traveling for the Labor Day holiday weekend and the busy travel period is again prompting the Michigan Department of Transportation to suspend work wherever possible on state roads and bridges. With many construction zones closed for the weekend, M-DOT advises that equipment and temporary traffic configurations, like minor shifts, may remain in place and motorists should adjust their speed and pay attention. In the City of Fenton, officials say work related to the Streetscape project will be put on hold in observance of the holiday but next week, concrete pouring will continue on LeRoy Street. The City says LeRoy Street will remain closed between Ellen and Caroline Street. LeRoy Street between Caroline Street and Silver Lake Road will also be closed during construction hours next Tuesday through Friday so storm sewer can be installed. (JM)

New Fee to Penalize Non-Compliant BuildersNew Fee to Penalize Non-Compliant Builders

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The Livingston County Board of Commissioners recently approved a new fee for services. Building Official Jim Rowell says the new building inspection fee is needed because of the amount of time his department spends on non-compliant building projects. On Monday, Rowell told the county’s Public Safety and Infrastructure & Development Committee there is currently no penalty for contractors who don’t apply for building permits. The new fees include a special investigation fee and a fee for administration and processing for each violation. He says his department spends a lot of time and energy inspecting projects that haven’t had a proper permit and this is a way they can recoup some of their costs. He says this is part of an overall effort to restructure fees. The new fee structure is meant to best represent the department's efforts. Rowell says right now their efforts are spent chasing down non-compliants, so they are trying to recover some of that. He says most of the time either there is no permit pulled or if there was a permit, the project doesn’t meet the code which upsets the homeowner. Rowell says he hopes once word gets out that the new fee is in place they won’t have to use it often. He says they are just trying to set a standard to have contractors do the right thing. (DS)

Some Hartland Residents Getting Trash Collection ServicesSome Hartland Residents Getting Trash Collection Services

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9/5/15 - There is work to be done first, but the Hartland Township Board recently agreed to allow a special assessment district for trash removal in some subdivisions. Township Manager Jim Wickman told board members he had been approached by members of home owners associations requesting the service. Other homeowners came forward later. Public Works Director Bob West says having everyone use one provider has a number of benefits. Residents will save money and some will receive more services. There will also be fewer trucks to damage the roads. Trustee Matt Germane wasn’t convinced the township should take on the project on a small scale. He says the township should go to all of the residents to see if trash pick-up is something everyone wants. Wickman says about 650 residents are in the initial pool because the home owners associations approached the township, and that’s where they will start. He says this ties in with the township’s bigger concern. He says it was coincidental that the township was having conversations with the safer roads task force about the feasibility of consolidating some of the garbage vendors. They had talked about the number of vendors and the weight of the trucks on the roads causing premature deterioration of roadways. Wickman says residents approached the township about a year ahead of the township's planned discussion of that deeper issue. Wickman says it will take a few months to get everything in place before the trash pick-up is in place. He says petitions have to be circulated and then there will be public hearings on the special assessment district, so it could be early next year. (DS)

Tyrone Township Man Accused of Accosting Teens Reaches Plea DealTyrone Township Man Accused of Accosting Teens Reaches Plea Deal

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A convicted sex offender from Tyrone Township facing new charges for alleged incidents that occurred while out on parole has entered a plea. 46-year-old Timothy Andrew Pickett is currently imprisoned at the Cooper Street Correctional Facility in Jackson County after violating parole. He had been acquitted of accosting a child for immoral purposes by a local jury in June of 2013 but found guilty on the lesser charge of failing to register as a sex offender. Pickett was initially charged with trying to inappropriately touch the 14-year-old daughter of his girlfriend in January of 2012. The defense maintained the teen made up the story to keep her mother and Pickett apart, and a jury found him not guilty of accosting the girl - who is the sister of one of the alleged victims in the most recent case. Pickett served a one year and two month prison sentence before being paroled last April. However, two new charges of accosting a child for immoral purposes were filed against him for alleged incidents while he was on parole in June and July of 2014, which involved a 14-year-old victim and her 15-year-old friend. Pickett recently entered into a plea deal with prosecutors in that case. The two counts were dismissed in exchange for Pickett pleading guilty to a third offense habitual offender charge. Pickett has a 2004 conviction investigated by Taylor Police that involved sexual contact with two minor females. The most recent case was tied to incidents reported when Pickett was living with the mother of the 14-year-old victim. The two victims testified during earlier hearings that the incidents involved lots of alcohol, inappropriate comments and touching when Pickett was drunk that made them feel uncomfortable. One alleges he forcibly kissed her while the other alleged Pickett drove drunk and intentionally flipped a jeep with her as a passenger. Pickett’s defense attorney had argued the allegations did not rise to the level of accosting. Pickett remains free on bond and will be sentenced September 17th. (JM)

Three Remain Hospitalized After Accident on D-19Three Remain Hospitalized After Accident on D-19

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9/5/15 - Three people remained hospitalized Friday evening as a result of a two-vehicle collision on D-19 in Putnam Township Wednesday. The most seriously injured – 40-year-old Stephanie Gokee of Howell - was listed in serious condition at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor. She was a passenger in a car driven by 16-year-old Hannah Gokee, also of Howell, who was listed in good condition at Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. The other injured person, 77-year-old James Amburgy of Pinckney, was in good condition Friday at the U of M Medical Center. Police say Amburgy was northbound on D-19 near Reason Road, north of Pinckney, when he crossed the center line and collided with the car driven by Hannah Gokee, who had swerved in an attempt to avoid a collision. Livingston County Sheriff’s deputies ticketed Amburgy for careless driving. (TT)

Hartland Twp. Recognized for Excellence in AssessingHartland Twp. Recognized for Excellence in Assessing

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9/5/15 - Hartland Township is being recognized by the Michigan Treasury Department for getting a perfect score in the Audit of Minimum Assessing Requirements. The township has been notified that it is one of only three municipalities in the entire state out of over 1,700 cities, villages, and townships which received a perfect score. Township Supervisor Bill Fountain tells WHMI he attributes the perfect score to the excellent staff and the township board’s long-term goal of excellence. No other municipality in Livingston County or southeastern Michigan was awarded a perfect score. The audit measured a number of factors, most importantly whether the township’s assessing records matched the physical description of the property. Fountain says the alignment of township records to the actual property is critical in accurately assessing the property’s value for tax purposes. Anyone wanting to view the complete audit and letter of congratulations from the Department of Treasury can go to the township website – www.hartlandtwp.com. (TT)

Trial Delayed in Federal Suit Filed by Woman Against Sheriff's DeputyTrial Delayed in Federal Suit Filed by Woman Against Sheriff's Deputy

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Trial has been delayed again in the lawsuit against a Livingston County sheriff's deputy from a woman bitten by a police dog. Terry Greco of Old Lyme, Connecticut, was attending a self-help conference in Howell in 2011. She became lost on her way to a hotel, and her car got stuck on the side of a road. She walked to a nearby gas station where she spotted two EMS technicians and asked for help. After accusing her of being intoxicated, the technicians said they were going to call the police, at which point Greco fled to a wooded area behind the station. When Deputy Anthony Clayton arrived on the scene, the EMS personnel described her as wearing a pink t-shirt, jeans and flip-flops. The lawsuit alleges that Deputy Clayton should have known she was not a flight risk, nor armed and dangerous. It further states that deputies found her sitting on the ground and despite offering no resistance, Clayton’s K-9 partner, Diago, attacked and bit her thigh, holding on for more than 20 seconds, causing a wound that required eight surgical staples and permanent disfigurement. But the deputy has a different story. Clayton says he slipped on a log while looking for Greco and almost fell on her. He says the dog released her thigh after he confirmed that Greco didn't have a weapon. The lawsuit, which claims Clayton used excessive force and acted in gross negligence, seeks at least $75,000 in damages. It was set to go to trial in August in U.S. District Court in Detroit, but records indicate it has been delayed until October 13th. Greco’s attorney, Christopher Desmond, says the adjournment was due to a busy court calendar that would have forced a break in the trial midway through. (JM)

Pinckney Dinner Theater Wins Two Statewide AwardsPinckney Dinner Theater Wins Two Statewide Awards

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Livingston County’s professional theater company was among the honorees at a recent statewide awards competition. The Dio – Dining & Entertainment is located on East Main Street in downtown Pinckney. It was nominated for six professional theater awards during 2015 Michigan Wilde Awards. The Dio took two professional theater awards - Director Steve DeBruyne accepted the best musical award for “Violet” and Mahalia Greenway received best performance by an actress in a musical for her performance as the character Violet. DeBruyne said it was an honor to have their work recognized and hopes it will encourage more community members to join them during future performances. (DS/JM)

Former Ice Cream Shop Owner Charged w/ Soliciting Prostitution Enters PleaFormer Ice Cream Shop Owner Charged w/ Soliciting Prostitution Enters Plea

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A Fowlerville man originally charged with soliciting prostitution has entered a plea to reduced charges. 53-year-old Mark Ostrowski was originally charged with two counts of accosting/soliciting prostitution and had failed to show up for his arraignment but was tracked down by Fowlerville Police. Court records show he has since pleaded guilty to reduced charges of disorderly person and obscene conduct. Ostrowski used to own a local ice cream shop and was accused of approaching two former employees on May 10th and inviting them by word or gesture to engage in prostitution. He’ll be sentenced September 30th in 53d District Court. (JM)

Green Oak Township Plans to Extend Non-Motorized TrailGreen Oak Township Plans to Extend Non-Motorized Trail

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The Green Oak Township Board approved a proposal from Civil Engineering Solutions or CES to connect the path from the Lakeland Trail. The proposal will allow for design work to begin on the non-motorized trail from Lemen Road at Whitmore Lake Road. The trail will meet M-36 and cross the Michigan Department of Transportation right of way over US-23 and travel north along Fieldcrest Road to Silver Lake Road. President of CES Leslie Zawada told the township board in August the ten-foot wide pathway has to meet federal guidelines so the route along Fieldcrest is the best option. Township Supervisor Mark St. Charles would connect the Lakeland Trail through Hamburg and Pinckney to the Oakland Trails to the north. He says the addition of the trail from the township hall to Lee Road has been quite popular. St. Charles says it is interesting that since the path was put in last year it gets used daily, and no matter what time of day he drives along Fieldcrest there is someone biking or walking. He says it is fun to watch. St. Charles says the design phase will be complete by spring 2016 and construction will follow. The project is expected to cost about $800,000, half of which will be grant funded. (DS)

Former Howell Supt. Is Finalist for Livonia PositionFormer Howell Supt. Is Finalist for Livonia Position

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A former Howell superintendent who was the center of controversy is a finalist in a suburban Detroit district. Ron Wilson is a finalist for the superintendent’s position in the Livonia School District. Wilson was terminated by the Howell school board last November after they concluded that he had wrongfully sought and received travel reimbursements he knew he was not entitled to and allegedly lied about afterward. Wilson later filed suit against the district, alleging wrongful termination and violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act. The case was put on hold after Wilson and the district agreed to go to binding arbitration as called for in his contract. Howell school board President Mike Yenshaw told WHMI that the arbitration case is still ongoing and depositions are being taken from witnesses. Wilson earlier was among four Michigan educators named as finalists to become the next superintendent of Dearborn Public Schools but did not get the position. Erin MacGregor, formerly the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning at the Plymouth Canton Schools, was recently hired to replace Wilson as Howell superintendent. Also in the running for the Livonia position are Sharon Irvine-Hawkins, Warren Consolidated Schools Asst. Superintendent, Armada Public Schools Superintendent Michael Musary and John VanWagoner, Associate Superintendent for the Shiawassee ISD. Wilson and Musary will be interviewed Tuesday night while Van Wagoner and Irvine-Hawkins will be interviewed Wednesday night. (TT/JK)

Highland Set To Hold Annual Heritage FestivalHighland Set To Hold Annual Heritage Festival

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An annual family event that brings the past and present together is happening in Highland this weekend. The Highland Heritage and Preservation Society is holding its Heritage Festival from September 11th through the 13th throughout the downtown area. Visitors will be able to browse local vendor booths while experiencing a taste of Highland’s history. There will be events for all ages at the festival which kicks off on Friday with a square dance and HHPS membership-drive pig roast. Saturday offers a full plate of events with a veteran’s ceremony that features a gun salute at 11am. A reenactment camp opens with registration for a children’s Civil War drill at 10 am. Demonstrations will be going on throughout the weekend, with cannons firing periodically. Other activities include a 4H tent, bounce city, and a beer tent for adults. Live music will be featured on stages all weekend long. For more information and a list of all the events available, visit the Preservation Society’s website at hhps-mi.org.

Informational Bond Meetings Start This WeekInformational Bond Meetings Start This Week

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The Howell Public Schools will hold three informational meetings this month and next to inform the public about the upcoming bond proposal that will be on the November election ballot. The first meeting will take place this Wednesday, September 9th at 6pm, while the other two meetings will be held on Oct. 6th and Oct. 21st. Howell Superintendent Erin MacGregor tells WHMI the community meetings are taking place to inform the public about the need for upgrading technology in the school district and to explain what the bond issue would entail. MacGregor says if the bond issue passes, it will not result in any millage increase and the debt levy will be kept at 6.4 mills, constituting a debt millage freeze. The bond issue, if it passes, will generate $12.5 million in revenue to provide the tools to upgrade the district’s technology. The bond issue will be in three stages, to be phased in over a period of 12 years. (TT)

Committee Formed To Look Into Internet ImprovementsCommittee Formed To Look Into Internet Improvements

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A task force is looking to improve phone and internet service to residents in one rural community. In Iosco Township, a committee recently received funds to explore its residents’ interest in internet and internet based-home phone service. The committee mailed information and survey cards asking for resident input but needs the surveys returned in order to continue with plans to improve service to the area. The survey was based on the assumption that many people use their cell phones as WiFi hot spots and don’t have access to internet at home. Officials leading the charge say because the township doesn’t have the population density of nearby cities, large internet and phone service providers won’t extend service to the township so it needs to explore other options. (DS/JM)

Howell Man Charged With Molestation Of 9-Year-Old BoyHowell Man Charged With Molestation Of 9-Year-Old Boy

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A Livingston County man already charged with obtaining and possessing child pornography in a federal indictment has been formally charged for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old boy. The Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office has authorized three counts of 1st degree criminal sexual conduct against 32-year-old Erik Lopez-Ferreyra of Howell. He’s already facing three separate charges of child pornography in U.S. District Court in Detroit 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 records show the officer was conducting an investigation on a 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 “bad things” would show up. However, Howell Police notified the FBI in early August that they were investigating allegations Lopez-Ferreyra had sexually molested a 9-year-old boy on three separate occasions in the summer of 2013. Lopez-Ferreyra remains in federal custody pending a preliminary exam in October. (JM)

Late Start To School Year Starts This MorningLate Start To School Year Starts This Morning

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While summer technically has about two weeks left, summer vacation is over as of this morning for students across Michigan. All five Livingston County public school districts start classes today following the Labor Day holiday weekend. This is one of the latest starts for the school year in Michigan following passage in 2005 of a law requiring districts to delay the start of school until after the holiday weekend in order to promote tourism. That law is drawing increasing criticism with concerns that in years like this with a late start, districts may have to extend the school year into mid-or-late June depending on the number of snow days. That may especially be true since the legislature has mandated public schools offer 175 days of instruction this year with a minimum of 1,098 hours of class time. Next year, the requirement will increase to 180 days. Most districts also begin their fall athletic programs in mid-August, making Labor Day holiday travel less likely for those families. But with school back in session today, state officials are reminding residents to be extra alert as they head out to work this morning and be on the lookout for kids walking or riding bicycles to school. They are also being urged to remember that state law requires motorists to stop at least 20 feet from the front or rear of a school bus when red lights are flashing and not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or until signaled by the school bus driver to proceed. (JK)
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