1/24/13 - Two upcoming workshops may target different groups but both will offer some potentially lifesaving techniques during times of confrontation. Argentine Township Police Chief Daniel Allen will be hosting two different defense classes â one targeting law enforcement officers from any department and another geared towards women. Allen says the most dangerous place for a police officer to end up is on the ground in confrontation, either fighting for their life or fighting to keep a weapon from being taken. The Womenâs Self Defense Workshop is this Saturday from 11:30am until 1:30pm while the Ground Defense workshop will be offered Saturday, February 16th. Both workshops are free and will be taking place at the Warriors Den on South Saginaw Road in Grand Blanc. For more information call (810) 618-7932. (JM)
Argentine Twp. Police Chief Hosting Self Defense Workshops Argentine Twp. Police Chief Hosting Self Defense Workshops
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Suspect Heads to Trial in Murder of Pinckney ManSuspect Heads to Trial in Murder of Pinckney Man
1/24/13 - An Oakland County man has been bound over for trial on charges he murdered a Pinckney resident who had tried to help the suspectâs wife from an abusive relationship. 37-year-old Ronald Lewis Kennedy is charged with second degree murder for stabbing Charles MacDonald Shiffman, who was found dead of multiple stab wounds December 1st in the front yard of a home in northern Oakland County's Rose Township. Police say Kennedy stabbed the 34-year-old Pinckney man several times after finding him at the house with his wife, 31-year-old Jessica Kennedy. Shiffmanâs family say the two were long-time friends and that he had gone to the home at the womanâs request to help her get out of an abusive relationship. After stabbing Shiffman, Kennedy is alleged to have stabbed his wife and forced her into a car before fleeing the area. He was later stopped by police and arrested. Kennedy, who remains jailed with no bond, is also charged with assault with intent to murder his wife and domestic violence. An arraignment on all three charges is set for next Wednesday in Oakland County Circuit Court. (JK)
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Evidence Motions in 2006 Murder Under Consideration Evidence Motions in 2006 Murder Under Consideration
1/24/13 - A Washtenaw County judge is considering three motions to suppress evidence in the case of a man accused of helping a former Putnam Township resident break-in to a car dealership more than six years ago and fatally beat an employee. 32-year-old Jonathan Aiden is charged with five counts, including open murder, in connection to the August 2006 incident at the Jim Bradley Pontiac GMC dealership in Scio Township. Aidenâs uncle, Shane Roscoe, a one-time candidate for Putnam Township Supervisor, was convicted last year of breaking into the dealership, stealing auto equipment and materials and beating William Kenney, who worked there. Kenney later died from his injuries. In court yesterday, a motion was made to prevent a jury from hearing testimony that Roscoe searched his own name, Aiden's name and the car dealership's name on local media websites immediately following the break-in. A second motion seeks to suppress recordings of phone calls prosecutors say feature Aiden and another Washtenaw County Jail inmate concocting an alibi for Aiden the night of the incident. The third motion is whether Aidenâs previous criminal record, including breaking and entering in Florida, can be used at trial. Judge Archie Brown is expected to rule on the motions this week. Aidenâs trial is set to begin February 4th. (JK)
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Navy Veteran Remembered as 'South Lyon Santa'Navy Veteran Remembered as 'South Lyon Santa'
1/24/13 - The South Lyon man who died Sunday after being pinned by his pickup truck is being remembered as a community-minded citizen known to many as the South Lyon Santa. 77-year-old Arlan Stone died from the injuries he sustained Sunday morning when he got out of his pickup truck, which was not in park. When he tried to get back in, it rolled forward and pinned him against a light pole. Known as the South Lyon Santa, the Oakland Press says Stone and his wife Julie decorated their yard into a winter wonderland including giant poinsettias and life-sized versions of the Three Wise Men. The couple also managed the Lake Street Apartments for more than 20 years. Stone, a Navy veteran, will be laid to rest at the Great Lakes National Cemetery near Holly with military honors. A private family service was already held. (JK)
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Scholarships Available to High School Seniors in Livingston County Scholarships Available to High School Seniors in Livingston County
1/24/13 - High school seniors in Livingston County who plan to continue their education after graduating are eligible to apply for some scholarships. First National Bankâs 2013 Community Scholarship Program is now underway and seven scholarships of $1,500 each are available for local seniors to continue their academic or vocational education. Five teacher classroom grants of $250 are also offered as part of the program. Officials say the scholarships benefit the future leaders of the community while the grants help out local teachers with their work. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required for students to apply and other selection criteria includes community service participation, a written essay, recommendation letters, and challenges, if any, overcome to graduate. First National Bankâs Fowlerville Branch Manager Carrie Newstead has headed up the scholarship committee for the past eleven years. She says the scholarships focus on a studentâs community service involvement and their passion for it. She says theyâve found that high school students are actually out doing just as much as adults when it comes to being involved in their community and giving their time. Applications are due by March 14th and complete details about the scholarship program can be found in the attachment or link below. (JM)
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Former Coach Enters Plea to Assault Charge for Game Scuffle Former Coach Enters Plea to Assault Charge for Game Scuffle
1/24/13 - A former youth football coach accused of assaulting another coach during a game has entered a plea in the case. 36-year-old Jonathan Michael White pleaded guilty to a single count of assault and battery in 53rd District Court in Brighton today. Under the terms of an agreement that was reached, White is expected to receive five days in jail and be required to undergo anger management treatment. Heâll be sentenced February 19th. The October 16th incident between White and another coach, who are said to be good friends, took place during a scrimmage game at Bennett Park in Hamburg Township. Hamburg Police say the two accused each other of dirty tactics during a heated argument that eventually escalated with White striking the man in the face. White was suspended for the remainder of that season from coaching or attending events and is suspended from coaching for the upcoming season but will be able to apply for reinstatement after that. (JM)
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Jobless Rates Rose in December But Improved Over the YearJobless Rates Rose in December But Improved Over the Year
1/25/13 - December jobless rates rose seasonally in all regional labor markets in December, including locally but officials say it was the result of the typical winter downturn. The individual jobless rate for Livingston County stood at 8.5% in December, jumping nearly a full percentage point from November rate of 7.6%. However, Livingston Countyâs ranking in terms of unemployment again improved from 37th to 29th among Michiganâs 83 counties, all of which recorded December jobless rate increases. State officials say December labor market activity throughout the state was fairly normal as unemployment rates typically increase going into the winter months but noted the job picture did improve for the year in all 17 markets. It says the local labor market situation improved in 2012 as annual jobless rates fell for the second consecutive year in every major market area in the state. Livingston County is included in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia region. (JM)
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$1M Bond Continued for Man Accused of Threatening Daycare$1M Bond Continued for Man Accused of Threatening Daycare
1/25/13 - A million-dollar bond remains in place for a Hartland man accused of firing a gun outside his home earlier this month and threatening to use it at his wifeâs workplace. A preliminary examination was held for 37-year-old Brian Thomas Barnes in 53rd District Court in Brighton yesterday. He is charged with reckless discharge of a firearm after police were called to his home January 15th on Lakena Street. His wife said he sent a series of threatening text messages through the previous evening and that morning following an argument that prompted her to leave the house and take their children with her. She called 911 after he threatened to bring the gun to the daycare center where she worked. When deputies arrived, they say Barnes, who is alleged to have been intoxicated, fled inside the residence. Crisis negotiators were called to the scene and after about 45 minutes of discussion, he came out and was taken into custody. Barnes was given a one million dollar bond by Judge David Reader on January 16th, and that bond was continued by Judge Theresa Brennan yesterday. Heâs due back in court for an exam on Wednesday. (TD)
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Jury Continues Deliberations in Kowalski Murder TrialJury Continues Deliberations in Kowalski Murder Trial
1/25/13 - Jury deliberations continue in the murder trial of 66-year-old Jerome Kowalski today. Prosecutors accuse Kowalski of killing his brother Richard and sister-in-law Brenda in their Oceola Township home in 2008. Thursday was the first full day of deliberation for the jury in that trial. However, with more than ten days of evidence, taped interviews, and testimony to review in the case the jury has so far been unable to reach a verdict. During the day, 53rd District Court Judge Theresa Brennan told lawyers and jurors that deliberations would only go to 1pm on Friday and, if no verdict was reached by that time, they would then continue on Saturday as long as the jury was willing. Brennan said the jury had been told the trial would last for three weeks and she had permission from the chief judge to continue into the weekend. When informed about this, one juror objected saying she had to work, but Brennan said it would take more than one objection to keep the jury from meeting on Saturday. Outside the courtroom, both attorneys expressed concern that the possibility of coming in on Saturday might cause the jury to feel pressured to come to a verdict on Friday. Stay tuned to WHMI for the latest on the case. (JK)
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Howell Library Director Kathleen Zaenger Named Citizen of the Year Howell Library Director Kathleen Zaenger Named Citizen of the Year
1/25/13 - Kathleen Zaenger has been named the Howell Chamber of Commerceâs Citizen of the Year. Zaenger is director of Howell Carnegie District Library and the announcement was made at last nightâs 56th Annual Dinner & Citizen of the Year Presentation that event honors members, leaders and those who make a difference in the community. The big award is always kept closely guarded and this year's secret honor was revealed at the end of the evening by the 2011 Citizen of the Year Steve Manor, who detailed her energy, love of coffee mixed with hot chocolate, yoga and community. Zaenger was visibly surprised by the honor and was joined by family, friends and co-workers who sneaked in during the presentation. She tells WHMI she has been in the community a long time and was completely surprised and pleased by the honor, especially when considering those who have been selected in the past. Highlights and chamber successes over the past year were also detailed and 2012 was described as one of change. It was stated that the chamber made it through some of the toughest economic times known by changing how it does business, adopting different attitudes and using different technologies. Some success stories shared included was the groundbreaking of the Latson Road/I-96 interchange, the Thailand and Howell trade visits with various leaders as Thai Summit will be making the city the hub of its North American headquarters and multiple projects serving as examples of collaboration. A Life Member Award went to Dennis Gehringer, the Making a Difference Award to the Livingston County Hunger Council; Making it Happen Awards went to Mike Kennedy and Susan Pominville while the Young Professional Award was given to Jesse Parsley. Finally, the Outstanding Architectural Investment Award was to Casa de Bella. (JM)
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Hung Jury in Unadilla Home Invasion CaseHung Jury in Unadilla Home Invasion Case
1/25/13 - The trial of a Stockbridge man charged in a home invasion case has ended with a hung jury. Jurors delivered the decision late yesterday in the trial of 35-year-old Jason Robert Cavender. The trial has been underway in Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hattyâs courtroom. Both the prosecution and defense rested Tuesday and made final closing arguments before sending the case to the jury for deliberations. Cavender was charged with 1st degree home invasion, assault with intent to rob while armed and felony firearms after a four month investigation by Unadilla Township police. They stem from an incident on September 27th of 2011 in which police say he entered a home on San Luray Drive, pointed a gun at a female resident and demanded that she give him prescription medication. When the victim told him she did not have any, police say he got nervous and fled on foot. There's no word on when or if prosecutors will seek another trial. (JK)
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Woman Enters Plea To Charges Filed After Hitting Officer With Car Woman Enters Plea To Charges Filed After Hitting Officer With Car
1/25/13 - A Northfield Township woman has entered a plea in connection with an incident last summer when authorities say she hit a Green Oak Township officer with her vehicle. 26-year-old Rebecca Lee Ball pleaded no contest today to two counts of felonious assault in Livingston County Circuit Court. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to recommend a personal recognizance bond and that she receive no further jail time when she is sentenced February 28th. A no contest plea is not a legal admission of guilt, but is treated as one at sentencing. Green Oak Police say officers responded to a domestic disturbance during the early morning hours of July 4th at a residence in the area of Eastshore Drive and McNally Road. They arrived to discover roughly 25 young adults, many of whom had been drinking. After being told that the woman involved in the dispute was attempting to leave, a 2002 Chrysler Sebring driven by Ball drove towards two officers, narrowly missing the first and then hitting the second in his upper right thigh. Neither officer required medical attention but Police say Ball fled the scene and abandoned her car in an apartment complex. She was apprehended roughly four hours later after a State Police K-9 tracked her in a wooded area off of 7 Mile Road in Northfield Township. (JM)
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No Verdict Yet In Kowalski Murder Trial, Jury Will Not Work SaturdayNo Verdict Yet In Kowalski Murder Trial, Jury Will Not Work Saturday
1/25/13 - There is still no verdict in the murder trial of 66-year-old Jerome Kowalski, and jury deliberations will continue next week. Kowalski is charged with open murder in the deaths of his brother Richard and sister-in-law Brenda in 2008. Deliberations began on Wednesday and continued through 1:00 Friday without conclusion. 53rd District Court Judge Theresa Brennan told the court on Thursday that if a verdict was not reached, deliberations would continue on Saturday unless the jury decided against it. At the end of deliberations on Friday, the jury stated that it would not work on Saturday. Late in the day Friday the jury asked to re-watch the five-hour-long recorded interview between the defendant and State Police Detective 1st Lieutenant Sean Furlong. That viewing will begin when deliberations resume on Monday morning. Friends and family of Kowalski who were attending the trial to show support for him told WHMI that while waiting for a verdict is difficult, they want the jury to take their time and consider the facts rather than come to a snap decision. (TD)
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Fire at Historic School Building & Others Deemed SuspiciousFire at Historic School Building & Others Deemed Suspicious
1/25/13 - Fire destroyed the historic Fleming School building in Howell Township Friday morning. Built in 1880, the white-frame building on Grand River, east of Fleming Road, served as a school until 1957. In recent years, the Howell district was using it as a living-classroom to teach children about 19th-century education. Howell Area Fire Authority Chief Andy Pless says when they arrived on the scene, the one-room schoolhouse was engulfed in flames and it took about 45 minutes to get the fire under control but another hour was spent putting out hot spots. All that remains are two side walls and the front of the structure - the entire back and roof were burned away. He says itâs considered a total loss but preliminary indications are that the fire started on the outside of the structure. Pless says while on scene, they noticed a set of footprints leading from the road behind the school up to the back of the school and then back out. Pless says theyâre also looking into whether the school fire is possibly related to another report of a small fire at a bus stop shed at the end of a manâs driveway on County Farm Road in Marion Township that had burned to the ground overnight and was smoldering when his kids went to get on the bus. He notes they also fielded a separate call involving a curb cart/ trash can on fire, just north of the school that was reported late after the fire was already out. Pless says he believes there was also another incident reported north of Fowlerville. All of the reported incidents are considered suspicious in nature and Pless says additional investigation is needed. (JM)
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Howell Students & Volunteers to Shave Heads Again for CancerHowell Students & Volunteers to Shave Heads Again for Cancer
1/26/13 - Some local students and community members will once again be shaving their heads to help conquer childhood cancers. This marks the second year that Howell High School students, staff and local firefighters have signed up for the St. Baldrickâs Foundation Challenge to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer research. Local volunteers will shave their heads during an assembly at Howell High School on February 1st and student organizers with the HHS Interact Club say the âshaveesâ are competing in raising the most money by selling shirts, collecting donations at school, and collecting donations online at their individual pages. This yearâs fundraising goal is $12,000 and various school administrators have agreed to take part in the ceremonial shaving assembly if it can be reached. Donation details can be found in the attachment below. (JM)
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Pinckney Man Gets Prison Time For Assaulting GirlfriendPinckney Man Gets Prison Time For Assaulting Girlfriend
1/26/13 - A Pinckney man has been sentenced to prison for a baseball bat assault last September. 33-year-old Ryan Keith Malone was ordered to serve between two and 15 years behind bars following his guilty plea in December to domestic violence and electronic communications charges. In exchange, prosecutors dropped two counts of felonious assault and agreed to recommend a limit on his minimum sentence. Police say Malone argued with his girlfriend, broke into her locked bedroom and assaulted her with a baseball bat on September 13th. The woman attempted to call 911during the assault, but Malone took her cell phone. Malone, who was given credit for 133 days already served in jail, was also ordered to pay fines and costs of $966 upon parole and advised to seek counseling. Malone previously served a year in jail for attempted unlawful driving away of a vehicle in 2010. In that incident, Fenton Police say he had taken his girlfriendâs van without permission and knocked her to the ground with the vehicleâs door as he exited a parking lot. (JM)
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Plans Chugging Along for WALLY Station Near Howell Train Depot Plans Chugging Along for WALLY Station Near Howell Train Depot
1/26/13 - The commuter rail project known as WALLY is on its way to Howell. The basic conception of where one of its stations would be located in downtown Howell has been affirmed by the Howell Downtown Development Authority. WALLY, which stands for the Washtenaw and Livingston Line, would provide daily commuter rail service between Howell and Ann Arbor using existing tracks owned by the Great Lakes Central Railroad. The project has been denied twice for federal dollars but recently received a $640,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the design of the railway. At this time, stations are planned for Howell, Whitmore Lake, Hamburg Township and Ann Arbor with additional stations under consideration. Howell City Manager Shea Charles says the next thing for WALLY is doing architectural studies for the station. (JM)
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Genoa Township Seeking Public Input at Master Plan Open HouseGenoa Township Seeking Public Input at Master Plan Open House
1/26/13 - Community members are being invited to share ideas and help shape the future vision for Genoa Township at an open house in February. The township is in the process of updating its master plan and a public open house will take place on Wednesday, February 6th. Assistant Township Manager and Planning Director Kelly VanMarter tells WHMI the master plan is the document used to determine future land use and theyâre looking for citizen input to help guide the planning process. She tells WHMI this master plan update will be significant for the township, particularly because of the new I-96/Latson Road interchange being constructed. VanMarter says the public will be able to view preliminary concepts and descriptions to get a basic feel of where the township is headed. Two short presentations are scheduled at the open house but community members can also browse interactive stations to view the preliminary concepts. The public open house will take place from 5 to 7pm on February 6th at the Genoa Township Hall on Dorr Road. (JM)
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Attorney Appeals Decision in Synthetic Pot CaseAttorney Appeals Decision in Synthetic Pot Case
1/28/13 - An attorney has formally requested that the Michigan Court of Appeals to reverse a local decision disqualifying him from representing two women charged with illegally selling synthetic marijuana in Genoa Township. Defense Attorney Timothy Corr filed the appeal on Friday. It follows a November ruling by 53rd District Court Judge Suzanne Geddis, which deemed it would be a conflict of interest for him to represent both clients - the owner of Smokers Depot, 41-year-old Ronda Lee Roszak as well as the storeâs manager, 27-year-old Melissa Ann Dzierwa. Geddis made the ruling after the Livingston County Prosecutorâs Office said it planned to offer a plea deal to one of the two suspects. Corr originally appealed that ruling to Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty, but he upheld it. In his filing (posted below) with the state appeals court, Corr said that the circuit court had âerroneously construed the law, and perpetuated the district court's abuse of discretion,â in violation of his clients rights under the Sixth Amendment. Corr says both women have already consulted with separate attorneys and have no plans to accept any plea deal and none has been formally offered. They maintain that the material which State Police confiscated during a raid last April had been purchased at a trade show along with a lab report indicating it did not contain any illegal chemicals. In the meantime, their preliminary exam is on hold. (JK)
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Jury Selection Starts in Brighton Money Manager's Fraud TrialJury Selection Starts in Brighton Money Manager's Fraud Trial
1/28/13 - Jurors will hear about the top-shelf lifestyle of a Livingston County investment manager as a fraud trial opens in Detroit federal court. John Bravata is accused of misleading investors as he collected millions of dollars from them at BBC Equities. He denies any fraud and says he was taking legitimate stakes in real estate that simply turned sour during the recession. Jury selection starts today. Defense lawyers have tried to keep out evidence of Bravata's personal spending, but a judge rejected it. Prosecutors say it's critical to their case. Bravata, an ex-Kalamazoo police officer who lived in the Brighton area, had hot cars, homes, jewelry and more luxuries. Bravata's son, Antonio, is also on trial. An insider, Richard Trabulsy, has pleaded guilty and will be an important government witness. (JK)
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