The local health department is hoping to add as many residents as possible to its social media presence. As National Emergency Preparedness Month comes to a close and flu season begins, the Livingston County Department of Public Health is trying to ensure that area residents will more easily stay prepared by receiving up-to-date public health preparedness information via their Facebook page. Health Department officials say the page is one of the best ways to receive timely information about important issues such as disease outbreaks and other public health preparedness alerts, as well as important health information to increase health awareness and healthy behaviors. They are encouraging people to âlikeâ their Facebook page, which can be found by searching for âLivingston County Department of Public Healthâ on Facebook. For those not on Facebook, the page can be viewed directly on the health department website at lchd.org under the âQuick Linksâ section in the bottom right corner.
Local Health Authorities Encourage Facebook LikesLocal Health Authorities Encourage Facebook Likes
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Volunteers Reseal Structures At Imagination Station To Keep Park OpenVolunteers Reseal Structures At Imagination Station To Keep Park Open
The Imagination Station in Brighton is closed this weekend for a necessary and frequent maintenance process. A volunteer group descended upon the playground yesterday and will continue their efforts today to reseal the structures within the park. An ordinance from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality that was approved by Brighton City Council requires this due to arsenic found in the wood the structures are built with. The park was first closed down four years ago and wooden surfaces must be resealed every two years in order to keep the playground open. Renee Pettengill, Volunteer Coordinator for the Imagination Station, tells WHMI the community values the park and the people it draws in. Pettengill says local businesses suffered when the playground was originally closed down. Merchants now provide goodie bags and coupon incentives for volunteers who help keep the Imagination Station open. Additional upkeep now occurs twice a month between May and October, including mulching. The Imagination Station Volunteer Group will be servicing the park again on October 10th and 24th. Anyone interested in volunteering can arrive at the park at 9am or email the group coordinator at Brightonimaginationstation@gmail.com. (DK)
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Gravel Pit Dispute Remains Under DiscussionGravel Pit Dispute Remains Under Discussion
Discussions continue in the legal action Brighton Township is taking against a company that is refusing to uphold a development agreement. In 1987, the Township signed a joint planned development agreement with Sunset Sand and Gravel. The agreement allowed the company to mine gravel from a pit property at the corner of Jacoby and Kensington Roads for a 20 year period. At the end of that time frame, Sunset was to restore the property and a park and condominium development were to be built. The company unfortunately went bankrupt before they could follow through on their end of the deal and Clearwater Development, LLC took over. The new gravel pit owners are refusing responsibility for the agreement and the Township took legal action against them in 2014, hoping to force their hand. The Brighton Township Board of Trustees entered into a close executive session at their meeting last week to discuss confidential information with their attorney. Township Supervisor Tom Murphy has promised an update on the situation as soon as the information can be made public. (DK)
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Vaupel Announces 2015 Summer Reading Contest Winners Vaupel Announces 2015 Summer Reading Contest Winners
Three local students will get to experience a day in the life of a Michigan state representative after winning a summer reading contest. Students Kameron Thomas, Charles DuFort and Everett Wright were the winners of State Representative Hank Vaupelâs Summer Reading Contest. Vaupel, a Republican from Handy Township who represents the 47th House District, said he was delighted by the number of entries received and glad to provide an incentive for kids to read over the summer. He further emphasized the importance of promoting reading in young people. Local students entered the contest by reading ten books over the summer, filling out a bookmark with their name and the list of books they read, and then returning it to their local library. The three students are scheduled to join Vaupel at the Capitol on Wednesday. (JM)
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Event Celebrates Community's Growing DiversityEvent Celebrates Community's Growing Diversity
An event over the weekend in Howell used music, food and displays to highlight the growing diversity in Livingston County. Called Celebrate U, the gathering Saturday on the lawn of the historic downtown courthouse, was sponsored by the Livingston County Diversity Council. Council President Nicole Creech-Matthews said they wanted to find a family-friendly, fun way to show off the multicultural offerings in the community that many may not be aware of. Dozens of people spend time at the event enjoying the performances that also included the Aguanko Latin Band, Kuungan Drum & Dance, Recycled Rockettes, Pacific Islander Dancers, One Spirit Belly Dancers, a Chiense Lion Dance and local troubadour Neil Woodward. All of the performers either had a local connection or were Michigan-based. Money raised from the event will be used for the Diversity Councilâs educational activities, scholarships and programs. (JK)
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Improvements Slated For Tri-Lakes Roads In Genoa Township Improvements Slated For Tri-Lakes Roads In Genoa Township
Roads around three lakes in Genoa Township will see improvements this fall. The township board has approved a slurry coat treatment and spot base repair on roads around the Tri-Lakes. Township Manager Mike Archinal tells WHMI improvements are planned on all of the roads around the Tri-Lakes, north of Oak Pointe consisting of West Crooked, Little Crooked and Big Crooked. The board previously expressed a desire to select an appropriate road improvement that would benefit the district and extend the life of the pavement. Archinal says the roads will receive a slurry coat treatment, which is a mix of asphalt cement with a fine aggregate mixed in for structural stability. He says itâs more than just a seal coat and should help extend the life of the roads a bit. Work was previously done on the roads sometime around 1990, when the sewers went in. Archinal says a debt service fund paid for the bonds issued at that time to improve the roads and at the end of the project, there was some money left over. As the district is over 20 years old, a refund wouldnât benefit those originally assessed so the Genoa Township board approved spending the remaining balance to improve roads that were part of the district originally. The township board awarded the job to the low bidder and work will take place this construction season. (JM)
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Pinckney Police Arrest Home Invasion SuspectsPinckney Police Arrest Home Invasion Suspects
Charges have been filed after two home invasion suspects were arrested in Pinckney. Pinckney Police Chief Jeff Newton says his department took two home invasion complaints on the west side of the village last Thursday. The incidents occurred within 24-hours of each other and were only a block apart. After canvassing the neighborhood, officers were able to develop two suspects. Then on Sunday, both of those individuals were located and taken into custody on home invasion charges. One is a 30- year-old male resident of Pinckney and the other is a 28-year-old female resident of the village. Both were transported and lodged at the Livingston County Jail. Charges are expected to be reviewed by the Livingston County Prosecutorâs office today. (JK)
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Fundraisers Set For Howell Wrestling Coach Battling LeukemiaFundraisers Set For Howell Wrestling Coach Battling Leukemia
A benefit spaghetti dinner is planned this week for a local wrestling coach battling a form of Leukemia. At the beginning of September, 21-year-old Zack Jones of Howell was diagnosed with stage 4 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Heâs said to be well known in the area, having coached both the Howell Hurricanes middle school and youth wrestling teams. He had worked full time at a Brighton car dealership up until the diagnosis. Alyssa Jones says her brother is an amazing young man who has changed the lives of many wrestlers, family and friends. She says despite doctors giving him a low percentage chance, their family is keeping faith and hoping for the best outcome, adding the diagnosis was discovered on a hunch. Jones says her brother tends to get hurt or sick very easily so doctors did some blood tests, which revealed that he had a very low amount of white blood cells. Jones tells WHMI doctors estimate that Zack has had the disease for about two years and a chemotherapy attempt was unsuccessful so blood transfusions and a bone marrow transplant are the next options. Jones says their family is hoping the community will come together to support Zack through upcoming fundraisers and donations. A benefit spaghetti dinner will be held from 5 to 9pm this Thursday at Mt. Brighton. Bracelets, pins, t-shirts and other items are also being sold at wrestling meets and Brighton Ford. A Facebook updates page has also been set up and a link is below, along with a PayPal account for donations at zackleukemiafund@outlook.com. (JM)
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Motorcyclist Dies From Injuries In Milford CrashMotorcyclist Dies From Injuries In Milford Crash
A motorcycle crash last week in Milford is now a fatal incident. Milford Police say that 47-year-old Todd Crossley Jr. died over the weekend as a result of his injuries. The accident happened shortly before 11pm Thursday on West Huron Street near Peters Road when police say Crossley lost control of his motorcycle as he headed eastbound, hit a curb and flipped several times. Crossley was not wearing a helmet and was quickly transported to the ICU at Botsford Hospital where he died Saturday. Milford Police Chief Tom Lindberg says it appears Crossley was speeding well above the 25mph limit and their preliminary investigation indicated that alcohol was likely a significant factor in the accident. Lindberg called it a âtragic accidentâ and said their thoughts and prayers go out to Crossleyâs family.
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Hearing Set Wednesday For Howell Man Charged With Molesting Young BoyHearing Set Wednesday For Howell Man Charged With Molesting Young Boy
A Livingston County man already facing federal charges of possessing child pornography has been arraigned locally for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old boy. 32-year-old Erik Lopez-Ferreyra of Howell was arraigned last week on three counts of 1st degree criminal sexual conduct. A probable cause conference was set for this Wednesday in front of District Court Judge Suzanne Geddis. His bond was set at $750,000. Lopez-Ferreyra is 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 an undercover officer with the FBI Crimes Against Children Task Force discovered 57 child pornography files had been downloaded to an IP address later linked to Lopez-Ferreyra. When question, he claimed to only use the website to download music and movie files, but said that sometimes images he described as âbad thingsâ would show up. 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 is lodged in the Livingston County Jail pending Wednesday's hearing, but technically remains in federal custody. (JK)
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Genoa Township Approves Rezoning Six Parcels of Land Owned By Cleary UniversityGenoa Township Approves Rezoning Six Parcels of Land Owned By Cleary University
After years of discussion, some properties owned by Cleary University in Genoa Township have been rezoned. A rezoning of six parcels on approximately 38 acres located at Cleary Drive was petitioned by the university. Board members met last week and approved the request from office service district and industrial to a mixed use planned unit development. The approval followed a public hearing, during which no one commented. Cleary University assembled various parcels over the years with different zoning classifications. During the course of that time, the township had been in discussions with the university about bringing all of their parcels into one blanket zoning for a planned unit development. Thus the agreement will accommodate all of the uses that are customary in a higher education facility such as housing, classroom space, athletics and parking. The rezoning request received a favorable recommendation from the county planning department, as well as the Genoa Township planning commission. The approval followed years of discussion and there were some additions made by the board. Supervisor Gary McCririe told WHMI that in the future, the township cannot guarantee sewer and water capacity will be available so improvements may be necessary by the university to make them available. Additionally, the PUD agreement will remain valid as long as the property is used as a college or university. Meanwhile, a new on-campus student housing project remains under construction and work should be completed this fall. (JM)
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Probation Ordered For Man Who Created Bogus Facebook Page w/ False AccusationsProbation Ordered For Man Who Created Bogus Facebook Page w/ False Accusations
A man will avoid further jail time after setting up a bogus social media page falsely accusing a local man of molesting a woman. 55-year-old Joseph Robert Weeks of Kalamazoo was sentenced in Livingston County Circuit Court to 18 months of probation and one day of jail time already served for the unlawful posting of a message. The Detroit Free Press reports Weeks was also warned by a judge that any probation violation would result in time behind bars. Weeks created a fake Facebook page last December and posted false allegations about a local man dating his estranged wife, which ended up going viral. The post alleged Philip Ferrier molested the fake woman identified by the Facebook page and made further claims of attempted abduction. The post was eventually removed but Ferrier said the damage had already been done â claiming his family, his girlfriendâs family and others viewed it and will no longer speak to him. He also had concerns about the impact on his real estate career. Weeksâ defense attorney countered that the victim was actually upset because people had learned the truth. He said part of what Weeks posted was actually true, including Ferrierâs criminal history and prior convictions for indecent exposure. Meanwhile, Weeks faces separate fraud and embezzlement charges in Kalamazoo. The former president of the Sons of Malta motorcycle fundraising club allegedly stole money from an event honoring fallen Kalamazoo officer Eric Zapata. (JM)
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Local Volunteers Honored During "ThankQ BBQ"Local Volunteers Honored During "ThankQ BBQ"
A September barbecue served as a collaborative appreciation event to celebrate the collective service of local volunteers. The first ever âThankQ BBQâ honored over 120 volunteers from across the community, who were treated to a barbecue dinner and ice cream sundae bar that allowed them to network and share experiences. The event was conceived and hosted by the Volunteer Coordinator Coalition, a group of volunteer managers from various local organizations who work together on positive ways to advance volunteerism through solid management practices and coordination across organizations. The coalition is one component of Volunteer Livingston - a program of the Livingston County United Way. It says every year, âthousands of local men, women, children, families, and companies volunteer their time to make Livingston County a great place to live and workâ. The United Way says non-profits, churches, schools, athletic organizations and many others depend on these dedicated volunteers to serve their missions and build the kind of community so many desire. The barbecue event also included opportunities to participate in service projects to benefit Meals on Wheels and local veterans, gift bags, and lots of appreciation. Anyone interested in finding local volunteers opportunities is encouraged to visit the link below. (JM)
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County Building Department Lowers Permit Fees Due To Staff EfficiencyCounty Building Department Lowers Permit Fees Due To Staff Efficiency
The Livingston County Building Department has been successful in operating at a much more efficient level in recent years and is lowering their permit fees as a result. On Monday, the Livingston County Board of Commissioners approved a recommendation from the Building Official to lower the multiplier used in calculating permit fees by 25%. The Building Inspection Infrastructure and Development Board cited Public Act 230, also known as the Construction Code Act, for the basis of their reasoning. This act requires permit fees âbear a reasonable relation to the costâ of services. However, the cost of services is lessening as the Building Department is able to operate with half the staff that they did in 2005 and 2006. The Board says the department fund balance is reaching an amount that justifies a lower multiplier due to higher efficiency combined with increased activity. The reduction will officially take effect on October 6th. (DK)
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Howell Approves Contracts for Employees and StaffHowell Approves Contracts for Employees and Staff
Two of the Howell School's bargaining unites received pay increases Monday night. Deb McCormick was the only member not present to vote on the wage increase for the Howell Custodial Maintenance and Educational Support Personnel Association. Of those present the vote was unanimous to ratify both contracts, providing the two groups a 1 percent pay increases each of the two years of the contracts. Superintendent Erin MacGregor says the Custodial Maintenance wage reopener agreement begins with the 2014/2015 school year, while the Educational Support Personnel Association contract begins in 2015/2016. Neither group has had a pay increase in several years. MacGregor says this finishes the negotiating process. He says there were three contracts to negotiate this year, and these two were the last. A contract with teachers was ratified earlier this month. He says it is nice to put the contract negotiations behind them so that parents, teachers and students can focus on the business of the district. The pay increases affect about 700 staff members and employees in the district. Both years of the custodial maintenance contract will cost an additional $6,200 while the educational support personnel increases will add $51,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year of the contract. MacGregor says the increases are well deserved and are well within the districtâs budget. (DS)
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Repairs Nearly Finished On Lines Carrying Chemical to Howell's WWTP Repairs Nearly Finished On Lines Carrying Chemical to Howell's WWTP
Work is almost complete to repair lines that transport a chemical used to control phosphorus in the City of Howellâs wastewater treatment plant. The update was provided during Monday nightâs Howell City Council meeting. The ferric acid lines run about six feet underground and feed the chemical into the wastewater treatment plant system to reduce phosphorous. DPS Director Irv Suida says that line apparently broke underground and has been leaking for some time but only just recently surfaced. Suida tells WHMI the leak was quickly contained and crews are in the process of repairing the line that runs from a building to the wastewater treatment plant, as well as removing any acidic soils. Suida says the hope is that the repair work will be wrapped up sometime today, adding it was just a small area affected but they will be working on a solution to make sure something like this doesnât happen again. (JM)
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Howell Councilman Reiterates Desire For New Rec Authority LeadershipHowell Councilman Reiterates Desire For New Rec Authority Leadership
Monday nightâs Howell City Council meeting was marked by discussion around the leadership of the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority. The Authority has been dealing with personnel issues and the board earlier received a number of letters voicing both opposition and support for current Director Paul Rogers. Councilman Doug Heins raised concerns during the last council meeting about how the department is functioning, stating he was not very happy with the leadership and would recommend it look for more professional leadership. Heins took issue with the minutes from that meeting, saying they did not accurately reflect his concerns. The minutes state, "Discussion followed on the negative publicity surrounding this issue." Heins says they should have indicated that he wanted new leadership, but didn't request they be amended. The minutes were ultimately approved as presented. Meanwhile, Councilman Dr. Robert Ellis is the City representative on the Howell Rec Authority board and updated members on the September 15th meeting. He noted the authority has been discussing hiring a management consultant but pro-bono work is not available and the cost will likely be anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000. That number brought about some concern from Mayor Nick Proctor, who commented the rec authority is financially stressed and questioned if this was the best use of its finite, diminished resources. Proctor added Howell is only one of four member municipalities and while that kind of use troubled him a bit, he would defer to the wisdom of the authority. Councilman Ellis commented he understood Proctorâs point but said âessentially the work environment canât continue like that and itâs going to destroy the organizationâ. Ellis further reported on items related to financial issues. He says it was disappointing a lot of revenues havenât panned out as hoped and fell short of anticipated budget projections, namely from sports programs and summer camp. The authority has also approved switching to a calendar-based fiscal year to help eliminate confusion with deferred revenues and expenses with programs and events. That change was recommended by auditors. (JM/JK)
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Livingston County Jail Increase Medical Staff As Expansion Opening Draws NearLivingston County Jail Increase Medical Staff As Expansion Opening Draws Near
The Livingston County Jail will be increasing their medical staffing in anticipation of their expansion. The first expansion of the jail is expected to open by this November which will in turn bring additional prisoners in. However, the jail is already struggling to meet the needs of their current inmate population with the medical staff they have. On Monday, the Livingston County Board of Commissioners authorized an additional 40 RN hours, 32 LPN hours and 16 MPH hours to aid in medical attention for the current and future inmates. Medical issues with inmates, specifically in southeast Michigan, have increased in frequency and severity. Lieutenant Tom Cremonte with the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department says there are a lot of inmates with serious health issues that are currently being held in the jail. He tells WHMI a prisoner that is detoxing, for example, requires quite a bit of medical supervision. With the additional staffing, health services for the jail will increase from $67,630 to just over $83,000 per month. Lt. Cremonte expects to be returning before the Board of Commissioners with a request for additional physician and psychiatrist hours in spring when Phase 2 of the jail expansion is complete. (DK)
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Prison Term Handed Down In Fiery Crash That Killed Milford Twp. WomanPrison Term Handed Down In Fiery Crash That Killed Milford Twp. Woman
Sentencing has been handed down for a man who police say was intoxicated at the time of a fiery crash that claimed the life of a Milford Township woman. 42-year-old Goran Djordjevski of Farmington Hills was ordered to spend between four and 15 years in prison on Monday in Oakland County Circuit Court. The sentence followed his earlier no contest plea to a charge of operating while intoxicated causing death and failure to stop at the scene of an accident when at fault resulting in death. Djordjevski, who could have received up to 30 years in prison, was charged in connection with the accident that occurred in Commerce Township on January 26th near the intersection of Pontiac Trail and Addington Drive. Police said the victim, Janet Marie Reed, was on a pizza delivery run when she was rear ended by Djordjevski. The impact caused Reedâs vehicle to overturn and catch on fire, trapping her inside. Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe said at the time that Reed âdied a horrible death of smoke inhalation and thermal burnsâ and âbasically burned to death." Djordjevski walked away from the scene, but an eyewitness found him and brought him back to police. His preliminary breath test was .24%, three times the legal limit for driving. Djordjevski was also ordered to pay restitution to the family in excess of $12,000. (JK)
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Brighton Area Schools Goes from Deficit to $1.4 million Fund BalanceBrighton Area Schools Goes from Deficit to $1.4 million Fund Balance
Brighton, a school district that was $15 million in debt at one time, can now be proud of the fact that it is now well into the black and has a fund equity instead of a deficit to deal with. The Brighton Board of Education was told at its meeting Monday night that in just one year, it has gone from a deficit of over $4 million dollars to a $1.4 million fund balance. Assistant Superintendent of Finance Maria Gistinger told the board that the figures she has compiled are very encouraging. Supt. Greg Gray says the district has been able to erase the red ink through the many cuts that have been made over the last several years, and through its Shared Services program. In the Shared Services program, the district provides classes and certified instructors in non-core subjects for private and parochial schools in several counties. The program is now in its fourth year, and Brighton has been the stateâs leading school district in providing the program, which it now does for 40 private and parochial schools. Gray has said that in addition to cost-cutting measures, both teaching and non-teaching staff and administration have done their part with financial sacrifices to help eliminate the deficit. (TT)
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