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Deliberations Resume in Kowalski Murder TrialDeliberations Resume in Kowalski Murder Trial

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1/28/13 - Today marks the third full day of deliberations in the murder trial of 66-year-old Jerome Kowalski. Prosecutors say Kowalski murdered his brother Richard and sister-in-law Brenda in their Oceola Township home in 2008. Kowalski's story since first coming forward has changed several times, ranging from full confession to complete denial. Closing arguments were heard and deliberations began on Wednesday, with more than 10 days' worth of evidence for the jury to discuss. On Friday, the jury asked to spend today re-watching an interview that took place between the defendant and Michigan State Police Detective 1st Lieutenant Sean Furlong, the recording of which is about five hours long. Friends and family of Kowalski who have attended the trial to show their support say they want the jury to take their time in reaching the correct verdict. Stay tuned to WHMI for the latest developments in the case. (JK)

LACASA Gearing Up Teen Dating Awareness CampaignLACASA Gearing Up Teen Dating Awareness Campaign

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1/28/13 - February marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness month and LACASA is partnering up with high schools across Livingston County to increase awareness about the silent epidemic. LACASA’s Community Education Director Nicole Matthews Creech says out of more than 10,000 local middle and high school students surveyed, over 40% said they know someone who has experienced emotional, physical, sexual or verbal abuse in their relationships. She says domestic violence doesn’t just happen in adult relationships so they’re putting a focus on area youth and reaching out to local high schools about what teen dating violence entails, some warning signs and how to help someone in that situation. Tess Bradley is a senior at Brighton High School and said one warning sign that both parents and teens should be aware of is if a partner checks your cell phone, email or social media without permission. Meanwhile, Howell High School senior Breanne Casper says she and her counterparts at other schools will be putting up posters and passing out information during lunch periods along with silicone wristbands that read “love is respect” and “love shouldn’t hurt” to help spread overall awareness. (JK)

Howell Nature Center's Woody Ready for Groundhog Day

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1/28/13 - Livingston County's resident weather-guessing woodchuck will make her 15th prediction this weekend. Whatever the weather, Woody from the Howell Conference & Nature Center will make her annual Groundhog Day prediction on Saturday. Dick Grant is the nature center’s Executive Director and says usually they host this event on a weekday morning, so they’re hoping for a larger turnout this time. Woody’s rival is the more-famous Punxsutawney Phil, who claims to be correct in his predictions 100% of the time. Nature Center officials say after Phil’s 2012 prediction of a long winter gone wrong as just the latest in a string of bad forecasts, they’re hoping Woody’s record of being correct 10 out of 14 times will vault her to similar media stardom. The Nature Center will host a special celebration starting at 7:45am Saturday with the long-awaited prediction coming at 8:15am sharp. A pancake breakfast will be provided afterward for a charge of $8 for adults and $6 for kids. Woody also made her annual Super Bowl pick while in the WHMI studios and went for the Ravens to defeat the 49’ers. That video is posted above. (JK)

Heart Attack Likely Killed Hartland Tow Truck Driver Heart Attack Likely Killed Hartland Tow Truck Driver

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1/28/13 - A Livingston County man was killed on Friday after authorities say he suffered a heart attack while driving a tow truck. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office reports that 48-year-old Kent Barlow of Hartland Township was driving a tow truck in Commerce Township just before 4pm Friday when he struck two trees and died. Witnesses say they saw his 2002 International Tow Wrecker southbound on Commerce Road near Woodcreek Court, when he drifted across the centerline and then back to the right before going off the roadway. A passerby stopped and performed CPR until an EMS unit arrived and took Barlow to Huron Valley Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Deputies say Barlow was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, which remains under investigation. However, the Oakland County Medical Examiner identified a preliminary cause of death as a heart attack. Funeral arrangements for Barlow are pending, but are being handled by Phillips Funeral Home in South Lyon. (JK)

Kowalski Found Guilty of First-Degree Premeditated MurderKowalski Found Guilty of First-Degree Premeditated Murder

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1/29/13 - After three weeks of arguments, evidence, and deliberation, the murder trial of 66-year-old Jerome Kowalski ended with a guilty verdict yesterday. After about 20 hours of deliberations, the jury foreman reported to the court yesterday that Jerome Kowalski has been found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of his brother Richard and sister-in-law Brenda in 2008. He was also found guilty on two counts of felony firearms. First degree premeditated murder carries with it a mandatory life sentence of life in prison without parole. Friends and family of Kowalski who attended the trial to show their support were visibly distraught as the verdict was read, but Kowalski himself was stoic. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Pamela Maas says she is happy the jury took its time to examine the evidence and that justice has been served. Defense attorney Walter Piszczatowski kept his comments after the trial brief, saying only that he believes the jury got it wrong and it is Kowalski’s intent to appeal the conviction. Sentencing will take place on Tuesday, March 12th. (TD)

Feds to Fund Conceptual Design for Proposed Howell Train Station Feds to Fund Conceptual Design for Proposed Howell Train Station

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1/29/13 - The majority of council members expressed support for a train station to be located in the City of Howell as part of the proposed WALLY project. The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority is leading the push for the Washtenaw and Livingston Line and staff was notified recently that it was successful in securing federal dollars for station design. The work will be provided at no cost to the City and the majority of Council expressed an interest in having a station on the property adjacent to the historic depot museum but located to the west of it, with parking capacity targeted on the block between Michigan Avenue and Walnut Street, north of Clinton Street. Council voted 5-1 to affirm support for the creation of a design plan, location and parking for a potential train station downtown. Member Jeff Hansen was absent from last night’s meeting and Councilman Doug Heins was the lone dissenting vote, saying he is not against mass transit or commuter rail but the WALLY project “has a life and dream of its own without any foundation in fiscal reality”. Others agreed the project is several years away from any possible reality but felt a transit station would have a tremendous, positive impact while helping Howell remain an attractive and viable community, especially since so many residents travel out of the county to work. Meanwhile some members of the Howell Area Historical Society attended the meeting, which has owned and operated the Depot Museum on Wetmore Street for the past 43 years. Members asked that it be made clear the Depot Museum is not a part of the WALLY project nor will the building or property be used as a part of it. Architects are said to be gearing up for work on the conceptual station design and should be in the Howell area in February and March. City officials made it clear that the approval did not authorize any construction and was just another step in the process, should WALLY ever come to fruition. (JM)

Flood Watch Issued for Livingston County & Huron RiverFlood Watch Issued for Livingston County & Huron River

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1/29/13 - A flood watch remains in effect for Livingston County until tomorrow morning as rain and snow melt combine for flood potential. The National Weather Service says that rainfall will accompany a warm front through the region today, with another round of rain expected tonight. That, in combination with melting snow and rapid runoff on frozen ground will allow area rivers and streams to rise and bring the potential for localized flooding of some low-lying and poor-drainage areas. One area prone to local flooding is Hamburg Township, where a portion of the Huron River is located. As of this morning, the Huron River had approximately 2.5 feet capacity before reaching flood stage, which is 6.5 feet. However, officials say the river itself is frozen in places, as well as the land around it, and there was no flooding occurring. (JK)

New Trial Set After Hung Jury in Unadilla Home Invasion CaseNew Trial Set After Hung Jury in Unadilla Home Invasion Case

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1/29/13 - A Stockbridge man will be back in court in May after his home invasion case ended with a mistrial being declared last week. A hung jury was announced after the group failed to reach a unanimous verdict in the trial of 35-year-old Jason Robert Cavender. New dates have since been scheduled and he will appear before Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty for a final settlement conference on May 3rd. If a plea deal cannot be reached at that time, then a second trial for Cavender is expected to get underway a few days later. A four month investigation by Unadilla Township Police resulted in charges of 1st degree home invasion, assault with intent to rob while armed and felony firearms being filed. Police say Cavender entered a home on San Luray Drive on September 27th of 2011, pointed a gun at a female resident and demanded prescription medication. When the victim told him she did not have any, police say he got nervous and fled on foot. (JM)

Plans to Expand Livingston County Jail Move ForwardPlans to Expand Livingston County Jail Move Forward

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1/29/13- The Livingston County Jail will undergo a peer review as a step towards expanding the facility. The Board of Commissioners recently approved the signing of a contract with RQAW Consulting Engineers and Architects to review the jail facilities and offer suggestions on how to efficiently expand the property. RQAW is currently conducting similar reviews with 6 other jails in the state. The capacity of the jail needs to increase in booking, segregation of inmates, and women’s corridors. The peer review will cost a total of $14,000 and will offer solutions to these issues. Though a design hasn’t been decided on, there have been talks about adding a pod to the property that would provide corridors to help segregate inmates and allow for easier monitoring. A time frame hasn’t been established, but once the review is complete, the county can move forward with design plans. The estimated cost for the expansion is 6 to 8 ½ million dollars. (SO)

Brighton Destist & Former School Board Member Passes AwayBrighton Destist & Former School Board Member Passes Away

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1/29/13 - A pillar of the Brighton community has passed away. Dr. Harry Davis, who practiced dentistry in Brighton for decades, died at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital near Ann Arbor on Sunday evening. The 83-year-old Davis was a founding member of the VINA dental clinic, a non-profit agency which began in 2008 using private donations and a rotating staff of volunteer professionals from the local dental community. It is designed for low-income residents who need, but can’t afford, dental care. Dr. Davis was also a member of the Brighton Board of Education during the 1980’s and accepted an appointment to the school board many years later to fill a vacancy. Visitation for Dr. Davis will be from 4-8pm Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Brighton. A memorial service will be held there on Friday at 11am. (JK)

BAS Faces Renewed Deficit if Lindbom Doesn't SellBAS Faces Renewed Deficit if Lindbom Doesn't Sell

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1/29/13 - The Brighton Board of Education was told Monday night that without the sale of the closed Lindbom School, the district could be facing a budget deficit of about $450,000 in the fiscal year beginning July 1st. Lindbom, an elementary school on the city's west side, was closed several years ago due to declining enrollment. While the district has been gradually chopping down a multi-million deficit inherited from past boards, members learned they could once again find itself in a pool of red ink. Officials said that if Lindbom School - currently on the market for $2.2 million - were sold for a $1.7 million profit, the district would remain in the black for the 2013-14 year. But without the sale, the district would be right back where it was several years ago with a deficit budget. Superintendent Greg Gray said the biggest reason was continuing enrollment declines, with the district losing up to 200 students per year. At about $7,000 per student, that equals a $1.4 million loss in revenue per year. In addition, the state has cut school aid by $470 per student in the last two years, which has cost the district $7 million. With an inherited deficit which has been trimmed down from $15 million to its present $7 million, the legacy deficit would have been eliminated without the state cuts in per-pupil aid. Other factors include higher retirement costs, phased-in elimination of pay-to-play fees and having to use the general fund to pay off the remainder of the energy bond debt because the expired sinking fund has been used up. Board President Miles Vieau warned that while the sale of Lindbom would help, it would be merely temporary and would only solve the problem for one year. Gray said that ultimately, balancing the budget will involve a combination of personnel cuts including teacher layoffs and finding new revenue sources. But with a projected K-through-12 student population loss of up to 5,000 within the decade, Gray also predicts the necessity of closing another elementary school "in 3 or 4 years." The board tabled a motion to adopt an amended budget for the current year and will likely take action on the matter at its next meeting on Feb. 11th. (JK)

Williamston Students Win Top Prize for Young InnovatorsWilliamston Students Win Top Prize for Young Innovators

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1/29/13 - A group of local high school students have been recognized for their innovative idea to help save lives of people swimming in the Great Lakes. 11 students from Williamston High School’s InventTeam were named as Grand Prize winners Saturday of the 2012 Young Innovators Competition. Organized by the Prima Civitas Foundation, the competition distributed more than $10,000 in cash prizes at an awards ceremony Saturday in East Lansing. The contest is designed to challenge 6th - 12th grade students in Michigan to submit business ideas for new products, solution-focused ideas, and mobile applications. The Williamston team won $2,500 for their Offshore Rip Current Alert system. Known as ORCA, it’s designed to detect rip currents in the Great Lakes and warn people of the danger. This device, contained in a buoy, is powered by solar energy and described as easily deployable and cost effective. Other winners submitted ideas that ranged from food pantry apps to water purification devices and represented a wide range of Michigan cities including Ann Arbor, Detroit, Dexter, Flint, Lansing, Muskegon and Traverse City. The foundation will now work with the Williamston students to locate local resources for nurturing and launching ORCA. (JK)

County Commissioners Interview Candidates for Interim PositionCounty Commissioners Interview Candidates for Interim Position

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1/29/13- Interviews for an interim commissioner were held at last night’s meeting for the Livingston County Board of Commissioners. The seat became vacant when Jay Drick stepped down from his District 5 position to accept an appointment as magistrate. Candidates were asked a number of questions that educated the board on their intent as a commissioner, their experience and skills, and their involvement in the community they wish to serve. Candidates for the seat include Pastor Tom Huff, educator Mike Brennan, Howell Township Trustee Michael Tipton, and Howell attorney and former commissioner Don Parker. Parker (pictured on the left) served on the board from 2002 to 2010. The candidates will be reviewed by the board and voted on at Monday, February 4th’s scheduled meeting. (SO)

Trio Busted Stealing Catalytic Converters From Howell Scrap YardTrio Busted Stealing Catalytic Converters From Howell Scrap Yard

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1/29/13 - Three Jackson area residents were thwarted by local authorities while stealing more than a dozen catalytic converters off vehicles at a local scrap yard. Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte says the incident occurred at around 4am Monday at Miechiel’s Auto Salvage Yard on National Street near Lucy Road. He says officers from the Howell Police Department and deputies from the Sheriff’s Department were on patrol and had noticed some footprints and other things that looked out of place and upon further investigation, discovered 13 catalytic converters along Lucy Road that had been stolen off cars within the junkyard. Bezotte tells WHMI that upon entering the scrap yard, they found saws and other tools that were used to cut the catalytic converters as well as two male subjects. Bezotte says one male suspect was taken into custody and they’re currently seeking warrants for a second male suspect who got away. He says a 22-year-old female suspect who was driving the getaway car was also taken into custody after being found waiting in a nearby restaurant parking lot at Lucy Road and Grand River. All three are expected to face larceny from vehicle charges. (JM)

Hearing Granted in Genoa Township Synthetic Pot Appeal

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1/30/13 - The Michigan Court of Appeals has agreed to hear an attorney’s request 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. Yesterday, the appeals court granted his motion for immediate consideration and application for leave to appeal, although no dates were set. Corr is seeking to overturn 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 store’s manager, 27-year-old Melissa Ann Dzierwa. Geddis made the ruling after the Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office said it planned to offer a plea deal to one of the two suspects. Corr says the decision is an abuse of its discretion and,” in violation of his clients rights under the Sixth Amendment” to select representation of their choice. He said yesterday’s ruling to hear his appeal shows that "while the wheels of justice may sometimes turn slowly, our system can work." 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)

Financial Forecast For City of Howell Delivered Monday Financial Forecast For City of Howell Delivered Monday

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1/30/13 - An improving financial forecast for the City of Howell was detailed during Monday night’s council meeting. A multi-year financial forecast has been prepared by staff since 2005, which is intended to serve as a tool in identifying future needs. Howell City Manager Shea Charles provided the update to Council, which will really start getting into the budget process in the spring. The City’s fund balance is anticipated to drop from around $2 (m) million to between $1.5 and $1.6 (m) million for the current year, based on resolution to several tax tribunal cases with the most significant being Thai Summit. The City’s current exposure is $425,000, with the cases expected to be heard within the next year and a half. For the first time in years, Charles says the City’s tax base is starting to stabilize and show signs of small growth over the next two to three years, including an increase in residential property values. The forecast shows small growth within the fund balance of $100,000, assuming an anticipated vacancy in the police department is not filled and current millage rates are maintained. It was reported that residential property values grew for the first time since 2007 while commercial and industrial values dropped due to the tribunal actions. For the coming 2014-2015 budget year; officials say continued, small increases in residential values are being projected while commercial and industrial values will remain flat or decrease slightly as there are no major projects planned. However, a new exemption under the personal property tax reform will result in more than a $50,000 annual hit to the general fund beginning that year. (JM)

Trial Set to Begin for Brighton Man Charged in Haiti CaseTrial Set to Begin for Brighton Man Charged in Haiti Case

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1/30/13 - Jury selection is underway in Miami federal court for the trial of a Livingston County man accused of abusing poor boys at a residential center he ran in Haiti. 66-year-old Matthew Andrew Carter of Brighton has been in custody since his May 2011 arrest. He faces several charges, including one count of traveling from the United States to Haiti for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with minors. Authorities say he forced poor boys sheltered at the Morning Star Center in Port-au-Prince to engage in sexual conduct in exchange for gifts, money or continued care from the mid-1990’s through April of 2011. The Haitian government took the rare step of closing the home after Carter's arrest. Carter had sought to dismiss the charges and claimed they were filed outside the statute of limitations but a federal judge ruled against that interpretation and denied they had expired. Once a jury is seated, Carter’s trial is scheduled to begin February 5th. (JK)

School Officials Plan To Rebuild Historic Fleming School After FireSchool Officials Plan To Rebuild Historic Fleming School After Fire

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1/30/13 - Howell School District officials are discussing their options after a historic schoolhouse was burned down last week. On Friday, the 133-year-old Fleming School was almost completely destroyed by fire. Howell Fire Chief Andy Pless says the fire was an act of arson, although it is not known who started the blaze. The building had not been regularly used as a school since the 1950’s, but Howell classes still took field trips to the historic site to get a better understanding of 19th century life and education. Superintendent Ron Wilson says the building was fully insured, and now district officials are considering how and where it should be rebuilt. He says while the district could rebuild on the same site, it could also choose a different location. Moving the school closer to other school buildings would reduce transportation costs and make it easier for the district to keep an eye on the new building. Wilson also says that the district’s building trades class could contribute to the construction of the new building as a project in the fall. (TD)

Highland Man Sentenced in Mother's MurderHighland Man Sentenced in Mother's Murder

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1/30/13 - Sentencing was handed down yesterday for a Highland Township man found guilty of beating and stabbing his mother to death. 22-year-old Jeffrey Pyne was sentenced to 20 to 60 years in prison for the murder of his mother, 51-year-old Ruth Pyne, in 2011. He was indicted on 1st-degree murder, but found guilty of 2nd-degree murder last month. Ruth Pyne was found dead in the family’s garage in May of 2011. The defense claimed that a stranger or jilted lover had killed Ruth. Prosecutors say Jeffrey Pyne killed her because he was tired of dealing with her abuse brought about by mental illness. At the sentencing, his father Bernard called the conviction a farce and pledged to appeal. (TD)

Local Judge Orders Bonner Homes Torn Down in City of BrightonLocal Judge Orders Bonner Homes Torn Down in City of Brighton

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1/30/13 - A local judge has ordered two homes in the City of Brighton torn down that are at the forefront of a legal battle between an elderly Northville couple and the City. Leon and Marilyn Bonner own two properties with homes at 116 and 122 East North Street, which Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty ordered demolished following a hearing Tuesday. Hatty determined that the Bonners have not complied with a portion of his October 1st, 2012 order, which stated the Bonners were to apply for all necessary permits to repair the properties within 30 days of being provided a list of concerns from the City. In failing to do so, Hatty ruled the Bonners have lost the ability to repair the homes. He then ordered the Bonners to abate the nuisance posed by demolishing all structures on the properties. The decision was said to constitute a final order, closing the case. Attorney Dennis Dubuc will be challenging Hatty’s decision with the Michigan Court of Appeals. He represents the Bonners and says they have been denied permits to fix the homes twelve times now, with the City claiming the most recent applications were inadequate or not complete. The other eleven times, Dubuc says the City refused to issue permits based on its ordinance, a portion of which has since been found unconstitutional. The City is appealing to the Michigan Supreme Court. In a statement provided to WHMI, Brad Maynes said the City attorney’s office is pleased with Hatty’s decision and believes the ruling is legally correct and appropriate under the circumstances to make the properties safe. (JM)
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