Seven officers from the Hamburg Township Police Department learned valuable information during a three day training course this past week in the Upper Peninsula. The basic search and rescue training course was hosted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. It consisted of one day of classroom instruction and two days of scenario exercises in the Hiawatha National Forest near Escanaba. Search techniques, tracking and navigation, incident management, lost person behavior, rescue equipment, working with aircraft, first aid and victim transport were among the topics covered. The Hamburg Police Department responds multiple times every year to lost or injured persons in wooded areas of the township, notably in and around the Brighton State Recreation Area so the information officers learned can be put to practical use. All of the training costs including tuition, lodging and meals for the seven officers were funded through a grant. (JM)
Hamburg Police Officers Complete Training In Hiawatha National Forest Hamburg Police Officers Complete Training In Hiawatha National Forest
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Christmas & Thanksgiving Assistance Sign-Up Events This Week Christmas & Thanksgiving Assistance Sign-Up Events This Week
The Salvation Army of Livingston County is once again looking to ease financial worries for families during the upcoming holiday season. Three sign-up events for local families in need of Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance will be held this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The local Corps was able to bring hope and joy to over 900 families during last yearâs holiday period and despite an improving economy, there are still a lot of people barely making ends meet including the working poor according to Major Prezza Morrison. There are requirements to apply for assistance but Morrison tells WHMI if someone knows they need help, then they should sign up. She says they want to make those applying feel respected but also help give families the Christmas they feel theyâre deserved. The three assistance sign up events will be held from 10am until 3pm at the Community Bible Church on Grand River in Brighton, which Morrison says was a central and convenient location for the public. Details for those applying and documentation requirements are available in the attachment or by contacting the local Corps office in Howell at 517-546-4750. (JM)
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Local Caregiver Serving Jail Time After Stealing From Elderly VictimLocal Caregiver Serving Jail Time After Stealing From Elderly Victim
A local woman will serve jail time for stealing from an elderly stroke victim in her care. 45-year-old Violet Seuseu of Howell was charged with embezzlement in relation with a vulnerable adult and identity theft for incidents that occurred in October of 2014. The now-deceased 61-year-old victim had suffered a stroke and needed help with daily skills including finances. In August, she pleaded guilty as charged to the embezzlement count in exchange for the other being dropped by prosecutors. Seuseu was among five caregivers for the victim and used the victimâs checkbook and ATM card for personal gain while out shopping for groceries. She was sentenced as a habitual offender in Livingston County Circuit Court and ordered to serve five months in jail with credit for two days served and three years of probation. Meanwhile, the victimâs family is still working to determine how much money was stolen. The victimâs son commented in court that his mother was helpless and he further suspected Seuseu had been poisoning her. Her defense attorney stated his client has no assaultive history. A restitution hearing will be held in December. The court denied a request to have Seuseuâs jail sentence delayed until after that hearing and instead remanded her to custody. (JM)
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Pinckney New Tech Students Recognized For Summer Internship Work Pinckney New Tech Students Recognized For Summer Internship Work
A summer internship program allowed some local high school students to gain real-life work experience and insight into future career possibilities. Fifteen Pinckney New Tech High School students were honored last week during a special dinner hosted by Lowry Solutions of Brighton. Each completed a 40-hour internship with the company last summer. The relationship between Pinckney Community Schools and Lowry Solutions began in 2012. The topic and scope of the internships change every year based on the companyâs needs and the interests of New Tech students. President and CEO Mike Lowry says he had no desire to see kids stuffing envelopes or following people around and wanted to be sure they were doing something meaningful and working on projects the company could put into productive useâ. The students have been responsible for testing software, designing websites, creating marketing materials; compiling sustainability reports and planning for a trade show in Las Vegas. In addition to a resume-builder for future jobs, college admissions and scholarships, the students gain experience networking and get to see first-hand what life is like in the business world. 56 students have taken advantage of the internship opportunity since the partnership began four years ago, with some being invited to stay on as paid employees to continue working on their projects. A press release further detailing the program is attached. (JM)
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Howell School Board Works on Strategic PlanHowell School Board Works on Strategic Plan
A pair of consultants will help get the Howell Board of Education started on its future goals. Consultants Debbie Stair and Dr. Nancy Coratti from the Michigan Association of School Boards facilitated a work session to get board members started on strategic planning. Stair, who is the board development manager for MASB, said they were also holding work sessions for staff and community members who are interested in districtâs vision. Superintendent Erin MacGregor says the session was phase one of the districtâs planning for the future. He says this was the boardâs opportunity to give input on what it is most proud of, what are some of the obstacles it faces, and what are things that need to be accomplished in the next decade. He says it will involve more than just the board. The strategic planning team will include parents, teachers, staff and administration, as well as students. He says it will be a cross section of the community. He says the strategic plan will be ready in December. Although the board is part of the strategic planning team, MacGregor says they will have the opportunity to formally adopt the plan. He says they will give feedback and formally adopt the plan in December, and then the plan will be to implement those objectives. MacGregor says since the district has no current plan getting this finished is a priority. He says the same input is being asked of the community. (DS)
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Informational McGregor Bridge Project Meeting Draws Large Crowd With QuestionsInformational McGregor Bridge Project Meeting Draws Large Crowd With Questions
Community members had an opportunity to receive some answers regarding a bridge project in the Pinckney area. A public informational meeting was held Monday night at the Portage Yacht Club in Pinckney for those interested in the scheduled bridge project on McGregor Road. The bridge over the Portage Lake outlet is between the Livingston County line and Dexter Township and will be replaced next spring. The crossing will be closed for up to five months and vehicles will be detoured to Dexter-Pinckney Road and M-36 during construction. The Washtenaw County Road Commission gave a presentation to the crowded room outlining the project and how it may impact residents and motorists. The owner of the Portage Lake Trading Post attended the meeting and voiced concerns about how the bridge close-down will affect his store. The meeting also addressed the need for the project, funding, the schedule and the scope of work. Senior Construction Project Manager Kelly Jones tells WHMI the goal of the meeting is to stay on the same page as the community. The project will be let to bid in January by the Michigan Department of Transportation. (DK)
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Five Hospitalized Following Rollover CrashFive Hospitalized Following Rollover Crash
Five people were sent to a Lansing Hospital with non-life threatening injuries after a crash in Howell late Monday afternoon. The crash happened at around 5pm, closing Grand River off to traffic in front of the Howell VGâs grocery. The driver of a 2004 Kia Amanti pulled out of the parking lot into the path of a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. According to officials the driver of the Kia only had his driving permit for four days and was driving with his mother. Two women in the front seat of the Suburban had to be extricated from the vehicle. Rescuers say the three passengers in the rear seats were able to escape the vehicle on their own. All five people in the Suburban were taken to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing for treatment. The driver of the Kia, who was not injured, was cited in the crash. (DS)
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Brighton Students To Again Assist Inner-City ResidentsBrighton Students To Again Assist Inner-City Residents
About 60 Brighton High School students will be going to the Cass Corridor in Detroit later this month to take part in an annual volunteer effort to help inner city residents. The program is called âSenior Serveâ and stems from an idea students had to serve their own and other communities with volunteer and charitable work. The idea started several years ago with a very small number of students involved and has mushroomed since then due to the success of the program, which takes place at the Cass Corridor Community Church. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that it becomes a life-changing experience for the students. Gray says the students, who are well chaperoned, stay overnight at the church and take part in activities such as serving meals at the church soup kitchen, performing cleaning chores and other duties. He says it gives the Brighton students a unique opportunity to see how those who have less in the way of material goods and a more challenging existence manage to survive from day to day. In turn, he says, it gives the local students a better understanding and appreciation of how fortunate they are to live where they live, with the family support they have, plus a good educational grounding. The Senior Serve at the Cass Community Church takes place on the 24th and 25th of October. (TT)
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Annual Fundraiser to Support Michigan War Dog Memorial Annual Fundraiser to Support Michigan War Dog Memorial
An event next month will help support the Michigan War Dog Memorial, which works to expand awareness of K-9's that serve and protect. The VFW Post-9914 in Highland Township is hosting its annual fundraising dinner for the non-profit with some special guests and a bit of history on November 7th. Michigan War Dog Memorial director Phil Weitlauf will deliver a short presentation on war dogs from WWI to present day and will be accompanied by K-9 Ziva. This yearâs event will feature Tracy Spader, founder of the "K-9 Defenders Fund" with her MWD Jig who fought with Marines in Afghanistan. He was retired by the Veterinary Corp in 2013 after being diagnosed with oral melanoma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Tracy adopted Jig on March 18th of 2013 and continues to care for him. Jig is now clear of his cancer but still suffers from PTSD. As part of the event, the founder of the "K-9 Hero Portrait Project" Loreen Pantaleone will be coming in from Pennsylvania to present her with a special portrait he painted of Jig with a American Flag in the background. The annual fundraising dinner will be held from 6 to 9pm on Saturday, November 7th at VFW Post-9914 on Duck Lake Road. (JM)
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Public Meeting Wednesday On Future Baker Road Intersection Improvements Public Meeting Wednesday On Future Baker Road Intersection Improvements
Future improvements to a well-traveled intersection in the City of Dexter will be the focus of a public informational meeting Wednesday. The Washtenaw County Road Commission and the City of Dexter, in cooperation with Dexter Community Schools and Scio Township, are evaluating options to improve the Baker Road intersections at Shield Road and Dan Hoey Road. Various options and alternatives will be presented, with a question and answer period. The public input gathered aims to help the road commission and the city short list three alternatives for the intersection improvements, which will be evaluated in further detail. Ultimately, a preferred alternative will be selected so that both entities can work toward funding the selected intersection improvements. The meeting starts at 7pm Wednesday in the Creekside Intermediate School Cafeteria on Baker Road in Dexter. (JM)
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Brighton School Board Discusses LESA Millage RequestBrighton School Board Discusses LESA Millage Request
A millage issue that has been placed on the ballot by the Livingston Educational Service Agency - the countyâs intermediate school district â was the subject of discussion at the Brighton Board of Education meeting Monday night. On November 3, voters in Livingston County will be going to the polls to determine the fate of the 1.04-mill proposal, which is being called a ârestorationâ issue because it would restore about half of Livingston County's educational funding lost when property values rose in the county to exceed the inflation rate and, by law, the millage had to be rolled back. However, when the recession came and property values declined beginning in 2008, a decline which continued for several years, the funding was not restored by the state because there is no provision for that in the Headlee legislation. Passage of the millage issue in Livingston County would bring back the LESAâs special education funding level to 3.31 mills. Brighton Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI while he and the board of education cannot legally endorse the millage, it nonetheless would present some advantages for Brighton, as well as the other K-12 school districts â those being Howell, Hartland, Pinckney and Fowlerville. Gray says if the issue passes, the Brighton school district would save $1.8 million per year, because the unfunded cost to the district would once again be borne by LESA. Gray says that as it is now, Brighton has to pay the money for the special ed programs and services out of its own budget, which is a considerable burden, because it leaves less funds for other items. If approved in November, restoring the millage will generate about $7 million per year county-wide, which will go directly to special education programs that LESA provides for local districts, including the salaries of 155 staff members including speech therapists, social workers, school psychologists and a special education director. In addition, LESA operates and funds programs for the most severely disabled, along with an "Early On" program for those 0-3 years old and an Early Childhood program, both of them for young children with special needs. Itâs estimated passage of the millage levy would cost the homeowner of a $200,000 home in the county an additional $104 a year in property taxes. (TT)
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Fowlerville Proving Grounds Celebrates AnniversaryFowlerville Proving Grounds Celebrates Anniversary
A Fowlerville company opened its doors to state and local officials on Monday in celebration of a milestone. The Fowlerville Proving Ground located in Handy Township celebrated 10 years in business by hosting members of the community and local government. The outdoor event gave visitors an opportunity to see the 950 acre facility. Many people took advantage of the chance to drive on the four test tracks, including an ice and snow simulation track. The specially tiled track gives the appearance of driving in severe winter conditions. Operations manager Mike Benjamin says the facility is primarily used by automakers, but on weekends it has other uses. He says the sheriff department, EMS and the fire departments use the test tracks on weekends for training. The engineering students at University of Michigan and Michigan State University also use the test track. Undersheriff Mike Murphy tells WHMI he appreciates the partnership with FT Techno. Murphy says through a collaboration with FT Techno and Katie Pikkarainen the sheriff department is able to run a distracted driving course designed to help teens see what can happen if they take their eyes off the road. He says it is a great partnership. FTTA president Yoshi Kato says he looks forward to seeing what the next 10 years brings. He says community involvement is important to the company and looks forward to making a difference in the community. (DS)
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Local Celebrities To Serve Up Donations For Genesis HouseLocal Celebrities To Serve Up Donations For Genesis House
Local celebrities will be waiting tables for charity at a Fowlerville restaurant this weekend before the Spartans and Wolverines kick off. Celebrity Server Day is back and fans are invited to wear their team colors to the Olden Days Cafe for the event benefiting the Genesis House this Saturday, October 17th. The Genesis House provides support to Livingston County residents recovering from mental illness with the hopes of helping them live more independently. They look to provide members with opportunities in many areas including employment, education, wellness, and housing. Many faces familiar to the community will be taking orders and serving food from 6am until 2:30 pm. Some of the local celebrities working will be State Representatives Lana Theis and Hank Vaupel, Sheriff Bob Bezotte and Fowlerville schools superintendent Wayne Roedel. A percentage of all meals and 100% of tips will go to Genesis House. The Olden Days Café is located at 188 North Grand Avenue in downtown Fowlerville. (MK)
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Milford DDA Offers Mobile Parking AppMilford DDA Offers Mobile Parking App
Smart phone users will have a new option for parking and paying at one lot in Milford as early as next week. Striping is being completed in the new parking lot at the corner of Commerce and Main Street, and next week the Downtown Development Authority will begin a new system for paying meter fees. DDA Director Ann Barnette tells WHMI that the organization is experimenting with a pay by app process. She says for the time being it will be just the one lot, but it should be easy to use. She says it's a pay by app process, so you can pay for parking with your phone if you have a smart phone. If you don't have a smart phone, you can still park there, you just have to dial a phone number on a sign in the lot. Barnette says it is just a really convenient way to park for customers. Barnette says the DDA is working with the village to make the app available to work on the meters as well, but doesnât know when that will happen. She says anyone who doesnât want to try the app has the option to park in other areas, but the new system gives the DDA more flexibility. Watch the website www.meetmeinmilford.com for details on the new Park Mobile App soon.(DS)
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Hartland Will Hold State of The Township MeetingHartland Will Hold State of The Township Meeting
Next week residents will have the opportunity to meet with leaders and legislators during a State of the Township meeting. Hartland Township residents are invited to join local elected officials and community leaders on Monday, October 19th at 4 pm at the Hartland Township Hall for a State of the Township meeting. U.S. Congressman Mike Bishop, Michigan Representative Hank Vaupel and Senator Joe Hune are expected to join local business leaders and school administrators to talk about challenges and opportunities facing the township. Community members will have the opportunity to meet with elected officials after a brief discussion period. (DS)
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Officials Encouraging "Yes" Vote On Brighton District Library Proposal Officials Encouraging "Yes" Vote On Brighton District Library Proposal
The president of the Brighton District Library Board is working to educate the community about a millage proposal appearing on the November 3rd ballot. Twenty years ago, taxpayers within the Brighton District Library boundaries approved a bond issue that allowed for the current building to be constructed. Board President Patrick McDonald says it was through diligence and responsibility that bond issue will be paid off this fall. In its place, the library is requesting a new millage at the same amount of point-22 mills to fund operations and restore services. McDonald says there would be no tax increase and referred to the proposal as the best bargain in the Brighton area, noting the board has also taken into account that money is scarce for many. For a home with a sale value of $200,000, the proposed millage would cost around $22 per year - in effect the cost of two paperback books or one order of coffee a month. McDonald says the mission of the library is to connect individuals to the world, which is more than books but vital programs and services. He tells WHMI more than 500 people visit the library every day so it really serves as a community center and theyâre asking voters to approve the same, small amount of money to restore cuts and re-open the library full time. McDonald says library tax revenues have decreased by 13% since 2008 when the recession/depression hit, meaning major cuts had to be made in order to balance the budget. In addition to closing the library on Thursdays year-round and on Sunday during the summer months, cuts have been made to staffing, benefits and the materials budget. Should the library millage pass, McDonald says the materials budget would be restored to offer a wider variety of new items, help expand the popular e-book offering while budgeting for longer term building needs without cuts to services. If the proposal fails, McDonald expects the service cuts presently in place would remain in effect but further future cuts would be likely as funding for major maintenance items such as roofing and repairs have to come from somewhere. Complete details about the November 3rd Brighton District Library proposal are available through the link below. (JM)
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Arguments Heard In Lawsuit Filed By Former Hartland Schools Administrator Arguments Heard In Lawsuit Filed By Former Hartland Schools Administrator
After more than a year of legal wrangling, a Michigan Court of Appeals panel heard oral arguments in a lawsuit filed by a former Hartland Consolidated Schools administrator against the district. Tracey Sahouri filed the lawsuit in 2012 alleging the district violated the Whistleblower Protection Act when it failed to renew her administrative contract and later re-assigned her to a teaching position. Sahouri was re-assigned after a state report concluded a breach of security in administering the MEAP test to Creekside Elementary students in 2011. Sahouri claims her removal as principal at Creekside Elementary was in retaliation for reporting ongoing âirregularitiesâ in how the district administered the MEAP tests. The district contends her re-assignment was based on the conclusions of a state report that determined teachers at the school improperly gained access to material from the tests in 2011, which constituted a breach of security, and thus sheâs ineligible for a Whistleblower defense. A three-member legal panel previously recommended the district settle the lawsuit for $525,000, but that was rejected by the Hartland school board, which stood by the decisions that were made in regard to Sahouri, who it says was found to have committed misconduct by both the Michigan Department of Education and the district. The district filed a motion seeking to dismiss the case last April, which was denied by a Genesee County Circuit Court judge. The district then appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals and the case has been on hold since then. On Tuesday, oral arguments were presented to a panel of three judges - which is a big deal in the life of this litigation according to Sahouriâs attorney Tom Pabst. He told WHMI he thought things went well and is very optimistic following Tuesdayâs arguments that the justices will find the Whistleblower claims are tenable just as Judge Yuille found; that thereâs nothing wrong with the legal claims asserted and that a jury will have to decide the disputed issues of fact that remain. Pabst anticipates the Court of Appeals will have an opinion within the next 15 to 20 days. Should an opinion be in their favor to let a jury decide the case, then Pabst says a trial date could be set in the next 30 to 45 days. (JM)
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County Commissioner Urging Full Implementation Of Project LazarusCounty Commissioner Urging Full Implementation Of Project Lazarus
A Livingston County commissioner talked about local drug overdose trends and an initiative designed to help Tuesday night. Commissioner Bill Green gave some startling statistics about drug overdoses in the county, but told a local anti-drug group he will be asking the county board to support an initiative aimed at slowing the trend. Green told the Livingston County Community Alliance that over the period of 2009 to 2013 there were over 1,000 overdose deaths in Michigan due to heroin and prescription drugs. He says the exact number of those from Livingston County is unknown. He says although the medical examiner tries to track the numbers, people often die in other counties and or are not reported as overdose deaths. Green, who is a member of a four county substance abuse coalition, is in favor of a project that will enable people to step in. Green says Project Lazarus is a very important project for the community. It hasn't been approved by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners yet, but it is in the contingency budget. He says the four county Substance Use Disorder Oversight and Policy Board from Livingston, Washtenaw, Lenawee and Monroe counties feel Project Lazarus is important to do. Green says Project Lazarus not only includes Narcan, a drug that reverses an opioid overdose, but other components as well. Green says in Washtenaw County, police officers are equipped with the drug, but as yet, in Livingston County, law enforcement and EMS are not. He says the Livingston County Board of Commissioners has the $50,000 budgeted for Project Lazarus next year. (DS/JK)
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Sentence In 2012 Livingston County Abuse To Be ReviewedSentence In 2012 Livingston County Abuse To Be Reviewed
A Toledo man sentenced to a lengthy prison term on charges of having a sexual relationship with a local 13-year-old girl will be resentenced following an appeal. 33-year-old Carloque Lanning was sentenced last year to 40 to 80 years in prison after being found guilty on five counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct, as well as being a fourth-time habitual offender. The charges involved a Livingston County girl who went to stay with her father in 2012. She testified that Lanning, who was also staying in the home, sexually molested her on several occasions and provided her with drugs and alcohol. She disclosed the incidents after returning to her motherâs home. Lanningâs appeal said that a doctorâs testimony firmly stating sexual abuse had occurred should not have been admitted as evidence. The appeals panel ruled that while expert testimony should not provide firm conclusions, instead leaving that up to a judge or jury, it did not substantially affect the juryâs findings. However, the justices did rule that it may have impacted the sentence that was handed down and remanded it back to Livingston County Circuit Court for re-sentencing. (JK)
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Bishop Introduces Resolution Calling For NATO Members To Step Up FinanciallyBishop Introduces Resolution Calling For NATO Members To Step Up Financially
With an increasingly active Russian military, the man who represents Livingston County in Congress says he wants U.S. allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to do more to meet their financial obligations to the military alliance. Last week, Congressman Mike Bishop introduced a bipartisan resolution urging NATO member countries to meet or exceed the 2% gross domestic product commitment to defense spending, and the 20% commitment to defense expenditures on major equipment spending. A June report by NATO indicated only 5 of the 28 members have met the 2% target. The United States led the way with 3.6%, with only the United Kingdom, Greece, Poland and Estonia meeting the 2% target. Bishop said NATO was formed âin the ashes of World War IIâ and has brought 70 years of considerable peace and prosperity. But with challenges to that order from what the Rochester Hills Republican called âterrorists, emerging powers or weakened regimes that yearn for past gloryâ Bishop said âit is time for the powers dedicated to the peace and prosperity of all nations to renew their commitment to the NATO Alliance.â The concern over NATO military strength has taken on added urgency with last yearâs annexation of Crimea by Russia and the recent deployment of Russian forces into the Syrian conflict. In announcing the resolution, which had three Democratic co-sponsors, Bishop also questioned whether NATO membership should be expanded to the 22 Partnership for Peace program partners that are on the periphery of the alliance, many of them former Soviet republics. (JK)
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