A celebration of diversity is taking place this Saturday in downtown Howell. âCelebrate Uâ is a family friendly event being put on by the Livingston Diversity Council in partnership with the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce. LDC President Nicole Matthews-Creech told WHMI she was excited for the chance to bring everyone together to explore the countyâs growing diversity. The event will feature food, music, and dancing from many different ethnicities in Livingston County, performed and prepared by local residents. Musically, there will be a latin band and a performance by Michigan Troubadour, Neil Woodward. Dancing performances will be put on by African and Pacific Island groups, as well belly dancers, the Recycled Rockettes, and a Chinese lion dance. Food will be prepared by local vendors. Author of the childrenâs book Buzzy the Bumblebee, Denise Brennan-Nelson will also be hand to speak about the morals of her book. The event is free and runs from noon until 5p.m., Saturday, on the lawn of the Livingston County Courthouse in downtown Howell. For more information and a lineup of events, visit celebrate-u.org. (MK)
Diversity Festival Coming To Howell This WeekendDiversity Festival Coming To Howell This Weekend
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Volunteers Still Needed Saturday to Re-Seal Imagination Station Volunteers Still Needed Saturday to Re-Seal Imagination Station
A final push is underway to recruit volunteers for Saturdayâs biennial resealing of all the wooden structures at the Imagination Station playground in downtown Brighton. At least 50 or more volunteers are needed for the community project. Brighton City Manager Dana Foster says heâs looking forward to being one of the community volunteers doing the upcoming biennial sealing work. Itâs required by the Imagination Station Due Care Plan approved by the Brighton City Council and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. More information about the effort this Saturday morning is available in on the Brighton Imagination Station Facebook page as well as in the "News & Notices" section of the City of Brighton website. A link is below. (JM)
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Howell Main Street DDA To Apply For Seperate Non-Profit EntityHowell Main Street DDA To Apply For Seperate Non-Profit Entity
The Howell Main Street and Downtown Development Authority is moving forward with plans to apply for 501c3 status for a separate entity. DDA President Eric Conn told WHMI that this is a common practice in Michigan and could potentially stir up more funds for projects. Non-profit status for the new entity would help support the DDAâs economic development programming without having to rely so heavily on property tax revenue. It also would not be subject to the same state or local political pressures the main board is subject to. As for who would sit on it, there are a couple possibilities. It could be the existing DDA board acting as a second entity, or it could be all new members from the community. Treasurer Kevin McCarthy commented how he could foresee the governing board as being a mixture of the two. Mayor Nick Proctor was on hand gave his support, stating that it could be a great source of revenue. The next step is retaining an attorney whose services will be pro-bono in helping them see through the application process. Conn stated that he imagines this process could be completed in as little as six months, if the board decides to go through with it. (MK)
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MDOT Plans US-23 Ramp Closure Next Week At M-36MDOT Plans US-23 Ramp Closure Next Week At M-36
Ongoing road work in the Green Oak Township area will involve a ramp closure starting next week. On Monday, September 28th, the southbound US-23 exit ramp to M-36 will close for approximately one week. It is expected to reopen by Monday, October 5th. A detour will be posted when the ramp is closed. The ramp closure is needed as part of the Livingston County Road Commission's ongoing repaving project on Whitmore Lake Road. Whitmore Lake Road will be closed just north of M-36 to where the southbound US-23 ramp intersects with the roadway. (JK)
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Four Men Charged After Grindr Hook-Ups With Brighton-Area TeenFour Men Charged After Grindr Hook-Ups With Brighton-Area Teen
Four men have been charged with sex and computer crimes after alleged incidents with a teen from the Brighton area. The four men are accused of having separate sexual relations on different occasions with the now 16-year-old victim. Police say all but one of the alleged incidents occurred in Livingston County when the victim was 15. The men are said to have met the victim through Grindr - a free social networking application geared towards gay and bisexual men. 18-year-old Cody Hunter Swatling of South Lyon is charged with two counts of 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of using a computer to commit a crime, accosting a child for immoral purposes and possession of child sexually abusive material. 24-year-old Peter Alex Benedict of Brighton is charged with 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct and accosting a child for immoral purposes. Benedict, at left, and Swatling will appear in court in early October for hearings. Meanwhile warrants have been issued for two other men; 27-year-old Burhan Ahmed Mian of Flint and 21-year-old John Joseph Gasiorek III of Brooklyn. They face similar charges with the exception of Mian, who is the only defendant charged with assault with intent to commit sexual penetration. (JM)
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Jury Convicts Webberville Man of 2nd Degree Murder Jury Convicts Webberville Man of 2nd Degree Murder
A local jury has convicted a man of 2nd degree murder in connection with the shooting death of an Iosco Township man in 2011. The jury returned the verdict shortly after 12:30 this afternoon. 26-year-old Anthony Duke of Webberville was found guilty of 2nd degree murder in connection with the death of 47-year-old Ronald Hauser of Iosco Township.The charge carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Duke was also found guilty on separate charges that included larceny in a building, 1st degree home invasion and various felony firearms counts. Hauser, who was known to carry large amounts of cash, was found shot to death in his basement on December 31, 2011. Duke was suspected after a social media post speculating how he could spend $30,000. The jury deliberated just over a day and a half before coming to its conclusion in a trial, which Dukeâs attorney says was based largely on circumstantial evidence. The murder weapon is yet to be found. Livingston County Prosecutor William Vailliencourt says he is pleased with the outcome. He says it is because of the efforts of the Livingston County Sheriff detectives and the fact that assistant prosecutor Scott Ehlfeldt presented the case in an understandable way to the jury that the conviction was handed down. Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty ordered Dukeâs DNA be tested then remanded him to the custody of the Livingston County Jail. Duke will be sentenced by Judge Hatty on October 22nd. Dukeâs attorney Rolland Sizemore declined to comment after the verdict was reached. (JM/DS)
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Wine Tasting Fundraiser to Benefit Bountiful Harvest Food Pantry Wine Tasting Fundraiser to Benefit Bountiful Harvest Food Pantry
A wine tasting tonight will benefit the less fortunate in Livingston County during the upcoming holiday season. The Bountiful Harvest Wine Tasting Fundraiser will help support Thanksgiving and Christmas turkeys and dinners for the food pantry in Brighton. Bountiful Harvest is operated 100% by volunteers and all donations go directly to help those in need in Livingston County. Director Yvonne Cavalli tells WHMI the wine tasting will feature five wines for attendees. She says the appropriate meat, cheese, fruit and crackers will also be provided for each wine. Doors will open at 6pm to allow guest time to peruse the silent auction items and find seating. Tickets are available for $25 and the event will take place at the American Spirit Center on Grand River in Brighton. For details or to purchase tickets, contact Bountiful Harvest in Brighton or click the link below. (JM/JK)
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Livingston County's August Rate Drops Seasonally Livingston County's August Rate Drops Seasonally
August jobless rates fell seasonally in regional labor markets, including in Livingston County. All of Michiganâs 83 counties recorded seasonal unemployment rate reductions in August. Livingston Countyâs jobless rate improved from 5.3% in July to 4.8% in August. The countyâs overall ranking dropped to 30th when compared to other counties in the state. All counties in Michigan also reported unemployment rates below 10% in August. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget says employment increased in August in a number of regions but workforce levels fell in all areas from the June and July summer peak. The state says job advances in manufacturing and professional and business services primarily reflected recalls from the July vacation shutdown/retooling period within the auto industry. (JM)
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Pinckney Woman Sentenced After Accosting SonPinckney Woman Sentenced After Accosting Son
A Pinckney woman has been sentenced on charges after accosting her son with her breasts. The 33-year-old woman, who is not being identified to protect the identity of the victim, was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to reduced charges of 4th degree child abuse and disorderly obscene conduct. She was ordered to complete one year of probation, community service, counseling and an outpatient treatment program. A 20-day jail sentence is being held in abeyance. The woman originally faced charges of indecent exposure, accosting a child for immoral purposes and 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct involving a relation. Police allege that on her 33rd birthday, the woman exposed her breasts to her 14-year-old son and pulled her shirt over his head. Court documents say the experience traumatized the boy, who has since been put into protective foster care with his two younger siblings. Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt earlier told WHMI his office consulted extensively with Child Protective Services and determined that this was the best course of action for the child. The woman is also being charged with environmental neglect of her children in Livingston County Juvenile Court. She has pleaded no contest in the case, and is scheduled for a hearing in front of Judge Miriam Cavanaugh on October 26th. (JM)
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Former Congressman Returning To Washington Via Foot & Pedal PowerFormer Congressman Returning To Washington Via Foot & Pedal Power
A former Congressman and one-time Fowlerville High School teacher says heâs walking and biking to Washington, D.C. on behalf of Americaâs veterans. 64-year-old Kerry Bentivolio says he is making the nearly 600-mile trek from his Milford home to Washington, D.C., to raise awareness of the âabominableâ conditions that veterans and their families are experiencing. The VA has been criticized over the last two years for mismanagement, ineffective care of its veterans and problems maintaining records. Because lobbying rules prevent Bentivolio from trying to directly persuade his former colleagues, he tells The Detroit News that heâs trying to get the American people to speak on his behalf and thatâs why heâs spending the next month âtalking to anyone who will listenâ about veterans issues on his approach to Washington. He hopes those people will then call their Congressional representatives to talk about veterans issues. Bentivolio is a 27-year Army veteran whose career included tours in both Vietnam and Iraq says heâs living on his 70% disability benefits from the Veterans Administration. Heâs chronicling his journey on his Facebook page and is also in the process of creating a nonprofit organization, called âJustice For Our Veterans,â which will help veterans with legal and medical expenses they cannot manage. He is expected to be in the Akron, Ohio area today and says he is meeting up with veteran groups in the communities he is traveling through. The walk is Bentivolioâs return to the public eye after losing his seat in Congress to Dave Trott of Birmingham. His unlikely career in Congress came after he left a teaching position at Fowlerville High School and filed in 2012 to run against former Congressman Thaddeus McCotter, who unexpectedly resigned after a scandal involving false nominating petitions. (JK)
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Duke Convicted In 2011 Iosco Township MurderDuke Convicted In 2011 Iosco Township Murder
A Webberville man faces the rest of his life in prison after a local jury convicted him of murder in connection with the shooting death of an Iosco Township landscaper in 2011. The jury returned the verdict shortly after 12:30 Thursday afternoon, declining to convict 26-year-old Anthony Duke with premeditated murder. Instead he was found guilty of 2nd degree murder in connection with the death of 47-year-old Ronald Hauser of Iosco Township. He still faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Duke was also found guilty on separate charges that included larceny in a building, 1st degree home invasion and various felony firearms counts. Hauser, who was known to carry large amounts of cash, was found shot to death in his basement on December 31, 2011. Duke was suspected after a social media post speculating how he could spend $30,000. The jury deliberated just over a day and a half before coming to its conclusion in a trial, which Dukeâs attorney says was based largely on circumstantial evidence. The murder weapon was never found. Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt says he is pleased with the outcome. He says it is because of the efforts of the Livingston County Sheriff detectives and the fact that assistant prosecutor Scott Ehlfeldt presented the case in an understandable way to the jury that the conviction was handed down. Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty ordered Dukeâs DNA be tested then remanded him to the custody of the Livingston County Jail. Duke will be sentenced by Judge Hatty on October 22nd. Dukeâs attorney Rolland Sizemore declined to comment after the verdict was reached. Picture courtesy of Livingston Daily. (JM/DS)
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Streets Closed In South Lyon For Pumpkinfest Parade & ActivitiesStreets Closed In South Lyon For Pumpkinfest Parade & Activities
Some major roads in downtown South Lyon are closed through Sunday night for an annual fall festival. Downtown street closures are in place for the popular Pumpkinfest event. Lasting through 8pm Sunday, Lafayette Street will be closed to traffic between Liberty and Whipple Streets along with Lake Street between Wells and Washington Streets. South Lyon Police say detours will be posted, with additional âNo Parkingâ signs posted along the detour routes to allow for an uninterrupted traffic flow. The annual Pumpkinfest Parade will start Saturday at 10am, along with a 5k run. Police will attempt to shut down traffic around 9:30am to direct motorists away from the parade route and ease congestion. They advise that if youâre not planning on watching the parade, it would be wise to avoid downtown South Lyon during the morning hours until the parade has ended around 1pm. Adding to the congestion is the fact that U of M also has a noon home game Saturday, so officials are asking motorists to be patient both with those directing traffic and other drivers. (JK)
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Volunteers Sought to Mentor Veterans In Special Court Treatment Program Volunteers Sought to Mentor Veterans In Special Court Treatment Program
Volunteers are needed as part of a specialized court program for veterans who find themselves caught up in the legal system. There are roughly 12,000 veterans residing within the borders of Livingston County, some of whom have found themselves in trouble with the law facing misdemeanor or felony criminal charges. The Livingston County Veterans Treatment Court is described as a second chance for those who have served and an integral part is mentor volunteers, who provide guidance and support when needed. Itâs designed to be a collaborative problem solving court and assist veterans who have misdemeanor or felony charges post-sentencing. Mentor volunteers serve as a liaison between the veteran and the court program throughout the rehabilitation process, which utilizes a team-style approach. Livingston County Veterans Benefits Counselor Joshua Parish tells WHMI theyâre looking for male or female vets, including retirees, who are willing to donate a small amount of time back to the community and their fellow brothers and sisters. Parish says they have a wide range of veterans in the court system from those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan to Vietnam. He says theyâve found most vets identify with other veterans, and many of their current mentors are retirees. Parish says studies also show that the recidivism rate drops drastically if they catch things early on in the court process and provide the veteran with the necessary treatment programs theyâre entitled to due to their service. Anyone interested in more information or volunteering should contact Livingston County Veterans Services in Howell at 517-546-6338. (JM)
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Motorcyclist Critical After Crash; Speed & Alcohol Likely Factors Motorcyclist Critical After Crash; Speed & Alcohol Likely Factors
Speed and alcohol are believed to have contributed to motorcycle crash that has left a South Lyon man hospitalized in critical condition. It happened around 10:53pm Thursday night on West Huron Street in the area of Peters Road in the Village of Milford and involved the single motorcycle, no other vehicles. Milford Police say preliminary investigation reveals the driver was traveling well above the 25mph posted speed limit and was unable to negotiate a curve in the roadway. The man apparently had contact with the curb and the driver lost control, causing both the man and the motorcycle to flip several times. Police Chief Tom Lindberg tells WHMI they received multiple 911 calls about the accident, and the driver had passed some other vehicles. He says the motorcycle and driver flipped a number of times before coming to a rest a pretty good distance from where the initial contact occurred with the curb. He says all preliminary indications are that the driver was speeding well above the limit and that alcohol was probably a significant factor in the accident. The man was quickly transported from the scene to Botsford Hospital, where he remains in the intensive care unit. This is the second serious crash involving a motorcycle this week. A fatal accident in Lyon Township on Wednesday claimed the life of a man and injured a female passenger. (JM)
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Car Seat Check Event Works To Ensure Public SafetyCar Seat Check Event Works To Ensure Public Safety
A public service event in Genoa Township reinforced safety measures for local families. The Brighton Area Fire Authority, Livingston County Sheriffâs Department and State Representative Lana Theis teamed up to provide a free car seat safety check. The event welcomed the community on Friday to the Brighton Fire Station on Dorr Road where a technician looked for proper car seat installation. Representative Lana Theis tells WHMI the goal was to reduce injuries in car accidents caused by improper seat placement. The technicians also verified that the car seats had not been recalled and are age appropriate for the child using them. Fire Chief Michael OâBrian with the Brighton Area Fire Authority says the most common fault the team has come across is car seats that have been installed too loosely and at the incorrect angle. Chief OâBrian says the safe seat check also provided an opportunity to discuss fire safety, the need for helmets and necessary interaction with the community. Appointments can be made through the fire departmentâs headquarters for interested individuals who were unable to attend Friday's event. (DK)
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Genoa Township Hall Parking Lots To Be ReconstructedGenoa Township Hall Parking Lots To Be Reconstructed
Parking lots at the Genoa Township Hall will be reconstructed this fall as part of a larger improvement project than originally planned. The Genoa Township board earlier approved going out for bids to reconstruct the back parking lot and approved a proposal, with crack sealing planned for the front parking lot. However an extensive pre-construction meeting revealed that both the front and rear lots needed to be done, as both are nearly two decades old and beyond patching. Township Manager Mike Archinal told WHMI the back parking lot holds water in the sub soil and is basically getting beat up like a 20-year-old parking lot in Michigan. There could be some inconveniences during the work for people who might come to play at the playground or play soccer but they should be relatively minimal. The board approved the changes and additional maintenance improvements during last weekâs meeting. Both parking lots are expected to be reconstructed this fall. (JM)
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Project to Replace McGregor Road Bridge Over Portage Lake Outlet Project to Replace McGregor Road Bridge Over Portage Lake Outlet
A bridge replacement project in a well-traveled area will be the focus of an upcoming public meeting in the Pinckney area. The Washtenaw County Road Commission will hold a public information meeting for the bridge project on McGregor Road over the Portage Lake outlet, located between Dexter-Pinckney Road and the Livingston County line in Dexter Township. The public information meeting will be held at the Portage Yacht Club on Dexter-Pinckney Road on Monday, October 12th at 6pm. The meeting will include a brief presentation at the start and will be followed by an open house format, giving citizens an opportunity to discuss the proposed project with road commission staff and the design consultant. (JM)
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Fenton Streetscape Project Progressing, Road Closure DelayedFenton Streetscape Project Progressing, Road Closure Delayed
An anticipated road closure has been delayed as part of the Fenton Streetscape project. The overall project continues to progress, with construction in the area of LeRoy between Ellen Street and Silver Lake Road. Underground work has been completed in those areas and crews are doing concrete pouring and brick installation. The City says that will continue next week as they will be completing sidewalk work on the south side of Silver Lake Road. A road closure eliminating the ability to turn left from southbound N. LeRoy to eastbound Silver Lake Road is being delayed for the time being. However, the City advises that the contractor will be barricading some of the eastbound lane on Silver Lake Road to allow crews to safely work safely in the area. Officials note that traffic will still be able to flow in both directions but travel time through the intersection might be slightly delayed. (JM)
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Local Man Sentenced to Prison For Stabbing Incident In Downtown BrightonLocal Man Sentenced to Prison For Stabbing Incident In Downtown Brighton
A man charged in a stabbing incident in Downtown Brighton has been sentenced to prison time. Court records show that 22-year-old Graham Stewart Janssen of Hartland Township was sentenced to 18 months in prison and will receive 46 days of credit for time already served in the Livingston County Jail. Janssen was originally charged with two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and he pleaded guilty to one of the counts in exchange for the other being dropped. The charges followed a stabbing incident reported around 3am on August 2nd in the area of The Pound restaurant. Brighton Police said three males and one female had been drinking through the evening but were 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, 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 while the injured victims were treated and released. (JM)
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Brighton City Water Customers Advised of Hydrant Flushing Monday Brighton City Water Customers Advised of Hydrant Flushing Monday
Brighton and Genoa Township residents with City water service are being advised of hydrant flushing work next week. The City of Brighton Utilities Department will be flushing fire hydrants throughout the water utility service area between the hours of 6am and 3:30pm Monday through Friday. They will also be performing the work early Monday morning between 12 and 6am. Customers are advised to plan water use accordingly as the procedure may cause some disturbances and discoloration in the water system following the flushing of the hydrants, both the day of and the following day. Customers may also experience a temporary drop in pressure as well. The city advises residents refrain from washing white or light colored clothes during the flushing period. Those that experience discoloration and rust particles in their water should run the cold water faucets only for approximately 10 minutes to clear the discolored water from the system. If the water is still discolored, customers should repeat the process one hour later. Anyone with issues should contact the City of Brighton Utilities Department. (JM)
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