A ceremony is being held to mark the 10th anniversary of the capsizing of an Adirondack cruise boat that killed 20 tourists from the Midwest, including two from the Livingston County area. The 40-foot Ethan Allen tour boat carried 47 passengers and the captain when it suddenly tipped over in clear, sunny weather, sending all aboard into the water on Oct. 2, 2005, off the western shore a few miles north of the village of Lake George Among the 20 people who died in the incident were 67 year old Hamburg Township resident Stephanie Przybylski and 68 year old Ruth Renkiewicz of Whitmore Lake. The boat's captain and 27 passengers survived. Officials later determined the vessel was overloaded because standards for the weight of passengers were outdated and changes made to the boat had affected its stability. A memorial service is being held at 12:30 this afternoon at the village monument dedicated to the Ethan Allen victims. (JK)
Ceremony Marks Ten Years Since Adirondack Capsizing DisasterCeremony Marks Ten Years Since Adirondack Capsizing Disaster
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Brighton City Council Recommends SELCRA Be DissolvedBrighton City Council Recommends SELCRA Be Dissolved
At its meeting Thursday night, the Brighton City Council voted to recommend that the Southeastern Livingston County Recreation Authority be dissolved at the end of its current fiscal year. Several legal steps would have to take place before that happens and it would not occur regardless until June 30, 2016, the end of SELCRAâs current fiscal year. The vote to recommend the SELCRA Board dissolve the authority was unanimous. The reason for the council action is that SELCRA administration has asked for guidance from each of the four municipalities prior to its Oct 14 meeting, when a decision will likely be made on its future. The three townships which, with the city, comprise SELCRA â Green Oak, Genoa and Brighton townships â all meet next week. The reason for the potential end of SELCRA is that it has had difficulty making ends meet while maintaining its programs during the last few years. Thatâs partially due to a private, for-profit entity that has come into the area with excellent facilities designed for talented young athletes who want to compete at a higher level. Another reason for the decline in revenue is organizations such as churches which now offer recreational programs for their members. Council SELCRA liaison Susan Gardner tells WHMI the city believes the best course of action for SELCRA to remain viable is to re-integrate with the Brighton Schools.
Gardner says the outcome of those township meetings, combined with any action taken by the SELCRA Board at its meeting on the fourteenth, could mean the end of SELCRA as an independent authority by the middle of next year. Gardner says council feels that would be the optimal way for the programs SELCRA has offered over the years for youths and adults in the community to remain basically intact. (TT)
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Local GOP Party Chair Dismisses Call To Step Down If Elected ClerkLocal GOP Party Chair Dismisses Call To Step Down If Elected Clerk
The head of the Livingston County Democratic Party is calling for some assurances should the chair of the opposite political party win a municipal clerk position. Judy Daubenmier says the conflicts of interest are too numerous to count and sheâs very concerned about the prospect of local Republican Party Chairman Dan Wholihan running for Genoa Township clerk in the August 2016 primary election. Daubenmier told WHMI it may not be illegal, but itâs definitely wrong. She says Wholihan needs to promise to resign if he wins the nomination, and she would hope those voting in the GOP primary would uphold the idea of fairness for elections and integrity to not try and rig the system. Wholihan responded to say that Daubenmier's comments are an attack on every single township clerk in the state as they are partisan positions with the "Republican" or "Democrat" label on the ballot. Regardless of whether he wins or loses, Wholihan says he long planned to only serve two terms as party chair and heâll be stepping down when his term is up in December 2016. He added that he would not jeopardize his reputation or the partyâs by doing poor work or participating in unethical behavior that could get him disbarred. Meanwhile, current Genoa Township Clerk Polly Skolarus told WHMI she intends to run again. Skolarus commented itâs not an easy job nor is it something you can just step into, adding it took her a number of years to learn everything involved. Wholihan went on to say that heâs a professional who does his job and his varied election law background is the biggest strength he would bring to the clerk position. Heâs also noted his background includes election law cases, poll challenging and campaign finance compliance. Complete statements from Daubenmier and Wholihan are available in the attachments below. (JM)
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Wall-Breaking Ceremony Monday Marks Start of Hospital RenovationsWall-Breaking Ceremony Monday Marks Start of Hospital Renovations
Construction is set to begin on Saint Joseph Mercy Health Systemâs facilities in Livingston County. A wall-breaking ceremony will take place Monday afternoon at St. Joeâs Brighton Health Center on Grand River. The health system is making a $41.1 (m) million capital investment in both the Livingston hospital and Brighton health center. When complete in 2018, officials say the countyâs only in-patient hospital and health center will feature fresh approaches to providing services in less intense, more cost-effective settings. Extensive renovations will be made to the St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital including a new short stay center for overnight stays, a new surgical suite and three new operating rooms. Some improvements coming to Brighton include an additional operating room, a food preparation and service area and an Emergency Room Lean Track to move low-acuity patients through faster. Mondayâs ceremony will feature remarks from health system executives, the ceremonial wall-breaking and tours. (JM)
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Tyrone Township Woman Sentenced to Probation in Embezzlement CaseTyrone Township Woman Sentenced to Probation in Embezzlement Case
A Tyrone Township woman has been sentenced in an embezzlement case. 46-year-old Suzanne McCarthy was accused of embezzling from her employer, Brighton Township-based Service Master in April of 2014. She was sentenced Thursday in Livingston County Circuit Court and ordered to complete two years of probation and pay restitution in the amount of $17,500. McCarthy earlier pleaded guilty to embezzling between $1,000 to $20,000, as well as three counts of forgery. Prosecutors agreed to reduce those charges to misdemeanors if McCarthy successfully completes probation. A separate count of using a computer to commit a crime was dismissed as part of the plea. (JM)
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District Officials Make Pitch Of Tech Bond To Oceola Township BoardDistrict Officials Make Pitch Of Tech Bond To Oceola Township Board
Proponents of a technology bond for Howell Schools are connecting with local municipalities to discuss the proposalâs benefits. Next month, a proposal for a $12.5 million dollar technology bond for the Howell Public School district will be put to a vote. The item will appear on the November 3rd ballot and proposes freezing the current debt millage at 6.4 mills for the next four years for residents within the district. In the meantime, supporters of the bondâs passage are informing the community about its details. Several district leaders came before the Oceola Township Board of Trustees Thursday night with an informational review. Kara Cotton, Executive Director of Instructional Services, discussed the need for the bond and how it will enhance the district. Cotton says students are using outdated equipment within the classroom and it is equivalent to âtaking a step backâ. The technology bond proposal would fund necessary upgrades within computer labs and provide devices including chromebooks and tablets. The goal is to create the âHowell Classroom of Tomorrowâ. Howell Public Schools Board of Education President Michael Yenshaw also shared his perspective of the bond with Oceola Board Members. He admitted while he was unsure of the proposal at first, the fact that it is a no tax rate increase is important for voters to be made aware of. Representatives from the district will continue to inform the community about the proposal over the next month. (DK)
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Oceola Township Rejects Local Company's Application For Tax ExemptionOceola Township Rejects Local Company's Application For Tax Exemption
An application for a tax exemption from a local company has been rejected by Oceola Township. The Oceola Township Board of Trustees voted unanimously Thursday night to reject an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate Application. The application came from Truck-Tech Refurbishing Incorporated, a refurbishing and collision repair company located on Highland Road. However, the rejection was a standard motion as the company reportedly withdrew their application and did not appear at the Board meeting. Oceola Township Supervisor Bill Bamber says he doesnât know the companyâs reasoning behind their withdrawal, only that they ceased to appear. In May, the companyâs owner Steve Phillips appeared before the Board with a site plan for a new building for Truck-Tech. Phillips needs to either move into a new location or buy his current building by December 31st. While Bamber says he believes the company still has plans to move forward with the new building, he is not entirely sure. (DK)
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Howell Microbiologist Named An MSU Foundation ProfessorHowell Microbiologist Named An MSU Foundation Professor
A microbiologist from Livingston County has received a permanent designation from Michigan State University.
Shannon Manning of Howell is a professor of microbiology and molecular genetics, who this week was named an MSU Foundation Professor. University officials say the honor recognizes and rewards researchers making world-class contributions to their field. Professor Manning was cited for her âexceptional contributions to global human health by advancing the understanding of the pathogens that threaten it.â Manningâs research focuses on applying molecular and evolutionary approaches to studying bacterial pathogens such as E.coli. Specifically her work in studying a 2011 E. coli outbreak that emerged in Germany was described as a âbreakthroughâ study of the disease. Manning, who joined MSU in 2004, said âDetermining which bacterial features are most important for disease will help identify ways to block them via vaccines or therapeutics,â she said. âIt is my hope that some of my research findings will impact future prevention practices and ultimately reduce the number of people affected by these bacterial infections.â Manning will be a guest this Sunday morning at 8:30 on WHMIâs Viewpoint to further discuss the award and the details of her research. (JK)
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Local State Representative Announces Summer Reading Contest WinnerLocal State Representative Announces Summer Reading Contest Winner
An elementary student from a Brighton area school will spend a day at the capitol after winning a reading contest. The summer reading program had elementary students reading and then filling out an entry book mark for every 10 books they read. As a result Hannah Beam from Hornung Elementary was announced as the winner of the 2015 summer reading contest. State Rep. Lana Theis announced the winner, saying the importance of reading cannot be emphasized enough. Theis says Beamâs dedication to reading and her education make her a role model for her classmates and others to follow. She says she looks forward to having Beam join her at the capitol as a representative for a day. (DS)
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Howell Restaurant Celebrates Milestone & FamilyHowell Restaurant Celebrates Milestone & Family
Family is the heart of a local restaurant that celebrated two decades in business Friday with a ribbon cutting. She had Howell's mayor and other city officials help cut the ribbon, but more importantly Sandy Blake was surrounded by family. It isnât unusual to find Blake at Mexicali Allies with family all around her. They all work together at the restaurant, owned by Blake. First opened by her brother and named for his daughter, Blake bought the restaurant shortly after. That her family supports her and works with her is as important as the quality of the food she serves. She says she wouldnât have the restaurant without them. Blake says her daughter and daughter-in-law serve customers. Her brother and son help cook, and her 21-year-old grandson is bakes. She says even her mother who is 85 years old helps out with the dishes. Her daughter Lupe Sharpe has been part of the restaurant since it opened and her son was a baby. She says he grew up in the restaurant and is now baking, as are some of the other younger grandchildren. Even the littlest of the grand-kids gets in on the cooking, helping do prep work. Sharpe says she loves working with family. She says not many families can do it. The time they are working is the time they get to be together and talk and Sharpe says she loves it. There are plenty of grandchildren coming up in the next generation to help take over the restaurant when or if Blake decides to slow down. Right now though she only has plans to change the menu. (DS)
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Brighton Superintendent Says Bus Situation "Work In Progress"Brighton Superintendent Says Bus Situation "Work In Progress"
At the Brighton Board of Education meeting last Monday, a school district parent told the board that some buses are overcrowded. Sue Ellen Ikens says while some buses are too crowded, others have many unused seats. Ikens criticized the decision a few years ago to dismiss the district's bus drivers and contract with the Livingston Educational Service Agency to be the transportation provider in order to save money. She claimed the result has been that the stable of experienced, veteran drivers is basically gone and there is a "constant rotation of bus drivers" on her son's bus run. She told the board, "It's an accident waiting to happen." Ikens said further that the district has been "penny-wise and pound-foolish" by terminating the district's bus drivers and going with LESA, where they had to apply as prospective new employees with no experience. Superintendent Greg Gray responded that the bus runs are always a work in progress at the beginning of every school year because not all kids who show up at a bus pickup spot on the first day or two are necessarily going to be there all year. He disagreed with Ikens on the overcrowding issue and tells WHMI none of the buses were over-capacity at the beginning of the school year but a few were closer to capacity than others, so the bus runs were adjusted accordingly to balance the ridership between buses. Gray said at the meeting he would be glad to meet with Ikens to discuss the situation further and, in fact, did meet with her immediately after the meeting to exchange information. Ikens is the parent of two Brighton Area Schools children. (TT)
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Woman Heads To Trial in Shooting Death of Fenton Man Woman Heads To Trial in Shooting Death of Fenton Man
A woman has been ordered to stand trial in the shooting death of a Fenton man in Isabella County. After a two-part preliminary exam with extensive testimony, a judge determined there was enough evidence to send 51-year-old Mary Lou Bigfordâs case to trial in connection with the April 18th death of Lawrence Howard Jr. She faces charges of open murder, first-degree murder, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, felonious assault and a felony firearm violation. Police say Bigford shot the 39-year-old Howard to death as he sat inside his car in the parking lot of the apartment complex where she lived with her daughter and granddaughter. Bigfordâs daughter had accused Howard of sexually abusing their daughter, which he adamantly denied. Multiple investigations failed to substantiate the abuse allegations but experts were alarmed by Bigfordâs daughterâs behavior. Bigford had expressed her frustration to authorities that she had not been interviewed and that Child Protective Services was not doing its job. A month later, she was accused of gunning down Howard. Bigfordâs sister was among those who testified during the hearing this past week. Phone records were presented that showed the two communicated both the day before the murder and not long after the shooting was reported, although Bigfordâs sister said she couldnât recall the conversations. Meanwhile, Child Protective Services has filed a petition seeking to remove the child from her motherâs custody and state workers expressed in documents that âthe child is at substantial risk of harmâ in Lateshaâs care. Bigford remains held without bond and will be arraigned in Isabella County Circuit Court October 9th. Her trial is set to begin November 16th. (JM)
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Eager Road Bridge Closed IndefinitelyEager Road Bridge Closed Indefinitely
A bridge in Oceola Township will be closed for the foreseeable future. The Livingston County Road Commission says effectively immediately, the bridge on Eager Road north of M-59 at Bigelow will be closed indefinitely. The unexpected closure is the result of a recent inspection by the commissionâs bridge engineering consultant. The inspection indicated that the load-carrying capacity of the bridge has been compromised. The road commission says itâs working to identify repair options. (JM)
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Haunted Walk Planned for Green Oak CampHaunted Walk Planned for Green Oak Camp
A popular Green Oak Township event to kick-off the Halloween season is set for early October. Sokol Camp in Green Oak Township is offering its annual Haunted Walk and Haunted Hayride on October 10th. The family fun event, which opens at 6 pm and runs throughout the evening, includes a magic show, trick-or-treating stations and an indoor snack bar. Event organizer Lindsay Cortis says the event has been a tradition at Sokol Camp for over two decades, and is a perfect way to kick-off the Halloween season. Admission is $6 per person at the gate, and groups are welcome. The camp is located at 11633 Sokol Camp Drive, off Marshall Road, in South Lyon. For more information visit Sokol Camp at Sandy Bottom Lake on Facebook a link is below, or email sokoldetroit@charter.net. (DS)
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Online Fundraiser Assisting Local Program For Athletes With Disabilities Online Fundraiser Assisting Local Program For Athletes With Disabilities
A specialized sports program for local youth is one of ten programs across the nation benefiting from an online fundraiser. The USTA Southeastern Michigan District and the Midwest Youth Tennis & Education Foundation have selected Mt. Brighton Adaptive Sports for the 2015 MY Gift to Kids Tennis fundraising campaign taking place through the month of October. The foundation says that Mt. Brighton Adaptive Sports, along with 9 other Midwest tennis programs, were selected based on their support and use of tennis to positively influence youth in their respective communities. The MY Gift to Kids Tennis annual fundraiser calls on tennis and community supporters alike to make monetary donations toward their local tennis program. The Mt. Brighton Adaptive Sports Program is a volunteer-run organization that assists children and adults with disabilities in participating in sports and recreation activities. The organization supports athletes who may need adaptive equipment, lessons, and/or continued training. One of their summer programs is called Tennis for All, which is for adaptive and wheelchair participants of all ages. New funding will be used to sustain the program by reducing fees and providing new adaptive equipment. Donations to Mt. Brighton Adaptive Sports, which can be made online at through the link below, will go directly to the program. (JK)
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Howell Opera House To Host Scary Storytelling FestivalHowell Opera House To Host Scary Storytelling Festival
Professionals will be working to scare residents out of their wits later this month in Howell. The Livingston Arts Council and the Howell Carnegie District Library are partnering for the annual Scary Storytelling Festival in Howell on Saturday, October 24, featuring the professionals of the Ann Arbor Storyteller Guild. This yearâs event is being expanded to a full day to include a free workshop, Beyond the Shadow: The Skills for Sharing Scary Stories, at 10:30 a.m. at the Howell Carnegie District Library with national touring artist Lyn Ford. The self-described âfourth-generation Affrilachian storytellerâ has shared decades of creepy stories, haunted programs and workshops on telling and writing such tales. Her latest book, Hot Wind, Boiling Rain: Scary Stories for Strong Hearts, offers original creepy folktale twists and tips for creatively writing them yourself. In addition, a free Scary Story Slam is planned at 1pm for storytellers of all ages and skill levels to share their stories. In the evening, the Livingston Arts Council hosts a free scary story family concert on the first floor of the Howell Opera House from 7-8pm. That will be followed by an adult story telling concert at 9pm in the 2nd floor theater appropriate for ages 14 and older. A donation of $20 includes dessert and coffee for the adult event. For more information, contact the Howell Opera House at 1-517-540-0065 or the Howell Carnegie District Library at 1-517-546-0720. (JK)
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Plea Entered In Teen Sex CasePlea Entered In Teen Sex Case
One of the four men charged with sex and computer crimes after alleged incidents with a teen from the Brighton area has entered a plea. 18-year-old Cody Hunter Swatling of South Lyon pleaded guilty as charged on Friday to all six charges against him, including 3rd degree criminal sexual assault of a person between 13 and 15 and accosting a child for immoral purposes. In exchange, he is seeking sentencing under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which would expunge his record if he successfully completes probation. Swatling, along with 24-year-old Peter Alex Benedict of Brighton, 21-year-old John Joseph Gasiorek III of Brooklyn and 27-year-old Burhan Ahmed Mian of Flint, were charged after being 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. Benedict and Gasiorek were previously bound over for trial in the case, while Mian was lodged in the Livingston County Jail on a $1 (m) million bond after being arraigned last week with assault with intent to commit sexual penetration. Heâll be back in court Tuesday for a probable cause conference. As for Swatling, he will be allowed to withdraw his plea if he is not granted Holmes Trainee status. (JK)
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State Senator Interested in Local Opinions On Flint Water CrisisState Senator Interested in Local Opinions On Flint Water Crisis
A lawmaker is curious about local opinions on the Flint water and public health crisis. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has called for Flint to switch back to Detroitâs water system to address a public health emergency over lead and grapple with broader concerns about the effects of the aging pipes distributing the cityâs water supply. Flint cut ties and stopped using water from the Detroit system last year as a cost-cutting measure, opting instead for a supply direct from the Flint River. The Governor announced he would ask state lawmakers for $9.3 million, including half of the $12 million needed to reconnect Flint to Detroitâs system through next summer. Then the city would transition to a new regional water authority drawing water from Lake Huron. The city should be reconnected to Detroitâs water system within about two weeks. Since the swap, residents have complained of the waterâs funky smell, taste and appearance, as well as adverse health reactions. Doctors also discovered that the corrosive river water was drawing lead from aging pipes in some homes. Republican State Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Township says it was the state appointed emergency manager who called for changes to the detriment of residents while overseeing the City of Flint. Hune tells WHMI heâs interested to see what people in Livingston County have to say about the Governorâs request to help fix the system. Hune says heâs like to hear from constituents or anyone with strong opinions on the issue via his website or by phone (see link below) at 1-855-Joe-Hune. Hune says at first glance, heâll probably support the Governorâs request since it was the stateâs fault to begin with but needs to get an accounting of where and how any dollars would be spent. (JM)
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Perfect Weather Greets More Than 600 Tour de Livingston RidersPerfect Weather Greets More Than 600 Tour de Livingston Riders
Mild temperatures and sunshine may have prompted more people to sign up for Sundayâs charity bicycle ride through Livingston County. Some 600 riders left Mt. Brighton Sunday morning in the 8th annual Tour de Livingston bicycle tour. Event organizers reported nearly 500 early registrations, but just over a hundred more signed up at the gate. The ride, which took riders on six different routes of varying lengths on rural roads throughout the county, raises money for the Livingston County United Way. Co-chair of this yearâs event Ashley Praw, tells WHMI they hope to top last yearâs total. She says there were 480 pre-registered and another about another 120 who registered on Sunday, bringing the total number of riders to around 600. Riders range from beginners to experienced and ride between 5 miles and 62. Riders could combine routes to complete 100 miles. The routes include a number of hills and could be challenging. First time riders Dawn Karn and her fiancé Kevin Nolley have ridden bikes for a couple of decades, but this is their first time in Tour De Livingston and theyâre riding a tandem. Karn says they looked forward to riding together. She says they enjoyed riding through Livingston County and Whitmore Lake and were looking forward to going through the GM Proving Grounds, since they work for GM. She says it was a beautiful day for a ride, a bit windy but no big deal. Praw says the group wonât start officially planning for next yearâs event until January, but look for the 9th annual Tour De Livingston on the second Sunday of October 2016. Picture courtesy of Sandie Cortez. (DS)
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Personal Tours of New Jail To Benefit Big Brother Big Sisters Personal Tours of New Jail To Benefit Big Brother Big Sisters
A fun event with a serious side will offer individuals a chance to be locked up in the Livingston County Jail while raising funds to help support local youth mentoring programs. The new jail is scheduled for completion in early November but prior to moving inmates over; the idea was hatched to host a fun benefit along with an open house for the public at a later date. The lock up event will take place on Friday, November 6th to showcase the expansion and new facility by offering a more personal tour and behind-the-scenes view for those who participate. While meant to be humorous, it has a serious side according to Livingston County Undersheriff Mike Murphy. The cost to take part is $100 and funds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Livingston County. Murphy says they recognize when kids are taught and brought up proper, the likelihood of them having police contact or spending time in jail is significantly reduced, hence why Big Brothers Big Sisters was chosen. He added that the jail is new so all of the clothing and bedding will be pristine and there wonât be another chance to do anything like this for a long time. In addition to being âarrestedâ, participants will have their mugshot taken before being moved to their cell and served dinner. Murphy says it will be more than the stereo-typical âbread and waterâ and individuals will be able to learn about the jail and the different programs offered to inmates. After being locked down and a sentence is commuted, participants will be released and sent home with a coffee mug as well as their personal mugshot to serve as fun mementos of their stay. Space is being limited to 70 participants and as of last week, registration was already half full. Should the response be overwhelming, then another opportunity to be locked up for the cause could be offered Saturday, November 7th. Those wishing to take part need to RSVP and those details can be found in the attachment below. (JM)
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