An open house at the Brighton District Library in December welcomes the community for a day of fun holiday activities. Beginning at 11 am until noon on December 5th, Santa will make a visit to the Brighton District Library to talk with kids about their holiday wish list. Santa will also be bringing one of his reindeer, which kids can see and pet outside of the building. Children can make crafts to take with them from 11 am to 2 pm at the Crafty Creation Station. A reading of favorite winter stories will take place from 12 to 12:30 pm and 1 to 1:30 pm. The Vintage Strings Band will perform a variety of Celtic and bluegrass tunes with a multitude of instruments from noon to 2 pm. A hand-bell choir from First United Methodist Church will include the audience into their holiday carol session from 2 to 3 pm. This event is the twenty year and running open house for the library and they believe there is truly something for everyone. For more information about the Holiday Open House, call 810-229-6571, ext. 223. (DK)
Holiday Open House At Brighton Library Will Host Santa, Reindeer and MoreHoliday Open House At Brighton Library Will Host Santa, Reindeer and More
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National Weather Service Offers Winter Preparedness TipsNational Weather Service Offers Winter Preparedness Tips
With fall in full swing and the holidays coming up, itâs time to consider preparing for the winter ahead. Rich Pollman is a meteorologist with the National Weather Serviceâs Detroit/Pontiac office. He told WHMI that while he doesnât expect this winter to be as tough as last year, people should still prepare for a harsh storm or two. Being stocked up on food and medicine at home is important, as well as having an extra source of heat, like a fireplace or kerosene heater, that can be relied on in the event of power outage. Pollman also said that it isnât just the home that needs to be prepped for the winter, but vehicles as well. Items like a first aid kit, flash light, blankets, and high-calorie non-perishable food may save your life in an emergency. The Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness has released a packet online with survival lists of what you may want for your home or car, as well as many other tips like how to keep pipes from freezing and dealing with ice on your roof. For a digital copy of the packet, follow the link on our website.
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Memorial Luncheon Will Recognize War DogsMemorial Luncheon Will Recognize War Dogs
The Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority will be paying tribute to some important members of our military with a luncheon later this week. The Bennett Recreation Center on Grand River in Howell will host the War Dog Memorial Lunch on Thursday, the 19th. Phil Weitlauf, the project director for the Lyon Township War Dog Memorial Restoration Team, will discuss the history of war dogs and the Lyon Township War Dog Memorial. Weitlauf is recognized as an expert on military dogs and is responsible for discovering the origins of the memorial through the local newspaper and archives. The site was set up by the Elkow family in 1936 and is known as âHappy Hunting Grounds Pet Cemeteryâ. In 1946, it was reported that many lives were saved because of War Dogs during WWII and area residents raised the money to install a monument to show their respect to the heroic K-9âs. Over the years, the monument fell into disrepair and Weitlauf has been instrumental in the restoration process. The memorial luncheon will be from 11am to 1 pm. The cost of the event is $3 and a link to register can be found below. (DK)
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Brighton School Trustee Questions Architectural Services PaymentBrighton School Trustee Questions Architectural Services Payment
A member of the Brighton Board of Education is complaining about alleged problems with the $89 million bond issue passed by voters in 2012. Trustee Bill Trombley says the district paid $80,000 for extra architectural services rendered by the Stantec architectural firm, but questions if the payment should even have been made. The bill was for design services on various bond issue-related construction projects. Treasurer Ken Stahl, who serves on the bond issue committee, disagreed with Trombley, saying the district asked Stantec to do additional design work for projects the district later decided not to proceed with, which the company did. Stahl added that dragging a dispute over the bill out any longer would likely have resulted in a lawsuit against the district. The bill - initially $164,000 - was for rendering design services over and above those in the original contract that would have involved over $3 million worth of construction work. These included the Scranton Middle School parking lot, Sloan Field parking lot, an elementary school baseball and softball field complex, auto shop renovation project and the districtâs operations building. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that the board directed him to negotiate the bill, and he was able to whittle it down to the eventual $80,000. Regarding Trombley's argument that the district was overbilled, Gray says he understands his contention - since the projects never came to fruition - but he did the best he could, acting on the advice of district attorneys who said to resolve the dispute. Board Vice President Dave Chesney, who chaired the meeting in the absence of Board President Jay Krause, called the compromise arrived at a "fair settlement." (TT/JK)
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New Construction Boom Prompts Expansion To Lyon Township HallNew Construction Boom Prompts Expansion To Lyon Township Hall
A continuing increase in building permit activity has prompted a 1,000-square-foot addition on the east end of the Lyon Township Hall. The building department operates out of a small space in the current building that was constructed in 1996. Planning was done last spring and since the department is so busy in the summer, construction commenced this fall in an effort to minimize disruption. Supervisor Lannie Young tells WHMI they have three staff members running the entire department, which is probably the busiest building department in southeast Michigan for residential. The department is conducting 1,000 inspections a month and issuing 350 new home permits a year. Young says combined with those issued for home additions or decks ends up around 700 or 800 building permits so itâs pretty phenomenal. While it wonât continue forever, the boom prompted the need for a larger facility. The addition will provide needed office space and record storage but also the ability to add personnel as demand requires. Young says the basement walls are in and the goal is to have at least the shell of the addition up before end of year, with office re-arrangements sometime in January or February. The project is being funded through building department revenues. Most of the growth is residential but the desire is commercial and industrial along the Grand River Corridor, which Young says is really starting to pop with the addition of three big clients that brought roughly 350 new jobs to the area. He says they were happy to get the Henrob Corporation, a large riveting company based in England, as well as a conveyor company. The latest is Magna Corporation, which he says will be doing assemblies for the GM facility in Delta Township and theyâve fast tracked building permits and applications. Young says the municipality has been accused of having too much growth but itâs not something theyâre asking for â theyâre just managing it in a systematic way and the community has a very exhaustive master plan with different types of uses. The continued growth has resulted in increased demand on the municipal water system and improvements are planned to address usage during peak times. The township board recently increased tap-in fees for builders and is expected to discuss a potential water rate increase for users when it meets December 7th. A link to more information about the water system is available below. (JM)
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Two Local High School Students Will March In Macy's Thanksgiving Day ParadeTwo Local High School Students Will March In Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Two Hartland High School students have been selected to participate in the Macyâs Thanksgiving Day Parade. Hartland High School band students, Emily Rex and Jeremy Tervo, have been chosen to partake in New York Cityâs Thanksgiving Day Parade as a part of the Great American Marching Band. Both were selected as a result of their performances this summer at the Smith Walbridge Drum Major Clinic. Over 250 students will be a part of the paradeâs marching band and each state will have representation. Students are selected for the Great American Marching Band based on their musical ability and past achievements. Emily received a leadership award at the camp and will play trumpet in the Great American Marching Band. Jeremy (pictured) performed as his groupâs drum major at camp and will also serve as drum major of the Great American Marching Band. Both students are senior members of the Hartland Marching Eagles. (DK)
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Trial Delayed For Woman Charged In Fenton Man's MurderTrial Delayed For Woman Charged In Fenton Man's Murder
The trial of a woman charged with shooting a Fenton man to death in Isabella County has been postponed until next year. 51-year-old Mary Lou Bigford had been set to go to trial today in connection with the April 18th death of Lawrence Howard Jr. But Isabella County Judge Mark Duthie granted a request by Bigfordâs attorney for additional time to prepare for the case, which will now go to trial January 11th. Mary Bigford faces charges of open murder, first-degree murder, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, felonious assault and a felony firearm violation. Police say she 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. Despite multiple investigations failing to substantiate the abuse allegations, Bigford expressed frustration to authorities that she had not been interviewed and felt that Child Protective Services was not doing its job. A month later, she was accused of gunning down Howard. Meanwhile, an abuse-neglect petition against Maryâs daughter, Latesha Bigford, the mother of the victimâs 4-year-old daughter, will take place December 2nd. (JK)
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Fire Forces Evacuation Of Genoa McDonald's Fire Forces Evacuation Of Genoa McDonald's
A fire has forced the temporary closure of the Genoa Township McDonald's restaurant this morning. The fire was called in shortly after 8am. Deputy Brighton Fire Chief Michael Evans tells WHMI that there was smoke visible when they arrived on the scene and that the fire, which was put down very quickly, was contained to the kitchen area. He says it appears to have been caused by an electrical malfunction in one of the oil fryers. The restaurant's owner, Jerry Olinik, credited his staff with making sure everyone evacuated safely. More than half a dozen fire trucks responded, including a ladder truck, which created quite a scene for passing motorists. (JK)
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Arraignment Set For Howell Woman Charged In Drunk Driving Police ChaseArraignment Set For Howell Woman Charged In Drunk Driving Police Chase
A Howell woman who led police on a high speed chase while extremely intoxicated with her two young children in the car will be arraigned later this month. 28-year-old Tiffany Suzanne Nagel is charged with fleeing and eluding, operating while intoxicated and child endangerment for the August 30th incident. Sheâll be arraigned in Oakland County Circuit Court November 25th. Milford Police say Nagel was clocked at 93mph on General Motors Road and fled from an officer who tried to initiate a traffic stop. A chase ensued onto private property in the Milford Proving Grounds, where police say Nagel unsuccessfully tried to hide. A preliminary breath test administered at the scene showed Nagel was nearly three times over the legal limit with a blood alcohol content of .225%. Police also found an open bottle of vodka in the vehicle while a 30-year-old Hartland Township man with warrants out for his arrest was a passenger. He was also highly intoxicated and had to undergo a medical evaluation at a hospital. Two children discovered in the car, a 1-year-girl and a 3-year-old boy, were turned over to a relative while the Child Protective Services division of The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services was notified. Nagel was sentenced in September to five months in jail after she pleaded guilty to a probation violation in Livingston County Circuit Court for the Milford incident. Nagel was on probation from a 2014 case involving charges of domestic violence and resisting police. She is currently incarcerated in the Oakland County Jail under a $25,000 bond. (JK)
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Two Arrested After Home Invasion In Green Oak Township Two Arrested After Home Invasion In Green Oak Township
Two suspects were arrested during the course of a home invasion in Green Oak Township. Police were alerted to a possible home invasion Friday afternoon on Harpers Ferry Court by the homeowner, who had been notified of suspicious activity at and near his home. Upon arrival, police discovered a door had been forced open and two suspects were eventually found hiding inside. 25-year-old Johnathan Parkkila of Melvindale and 24-year-old Jacquelyn Hickman of Romulus were taken into custody and remain held in the Livingston County Jail. The two ransacked the home and were preparing to steal a large amount of personal property. Each face charges of 1st degree home invasion, carrying a concealed weapon, receiving and concealing stolen property, resisting and obstructing police, and possession of marijuana. Police say the latest incident was one of several other criminal acts the suspects were involved in and property was recovered linking Parkkila and Hickman to at least six other home invasions and vehicle thefts in the metro Detroit area. The criminal investigation is continuing and Green Oak Township Police are working with other agencies to identify potential victims. (JM)
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Brighton Woman's Story of Perseverance Featured During Homeless Awareness Week Brighton Woman's Story of Perseverance Featured During Homeless Awareness Week
National Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week shines a light on some of the most vulnerable and a Brighton woman is sharing how she turned every motherâs worst nightmare into a ministry of faith and love. Beth and Jim Weberâs son was an award winning athlete with scholarships and a promising future who disappeared in 1994. They would later learn their son was homeless, had been badly burned in a fire and was hospitalized. Weberâs son, now 39, recovered but suffers from mental illness and chose to return to his way of life. Weber tells WHMI she barely made it through the initial experiences but her faith grew and she persevered. The Weberâs homeless ministry outreach was a natural unfolding that they actually walked right into. They had been working with mobile medical units at different locations in downtown Detroit when they stumbled upon a lively event in which the Elevate Detroit non-profit serves up a barbeque lunch for the homeless every weekend. Weber and her husband Jim now give of their time twice every month. She says they show up whether itâs 100 degrees in the summer or 20 below in the winter, unload the bus and fire up the grills - which she feels sends a strong message that those they serve can count on them and they care. Weber says the homeless are battling challenges that arenât going to go away anytime soon but they can relate, look them in the eye and call them by name. She says sorrow and disappointment have a unique way of making your heart bigger and giving you greater capacity of compassion for other people while relating to those who are hurting. Weber tells WHMI people can be afraid of what they donât know or understand and there is a mystery about the homeless lifestyle, especially to those who have never been exposed. Contrary to what some might believe, she says there is a homeless population in Livingston County. Weber says the Salvation Army does a tremendous amount of work locally with the homeless population and encourages community members to take the initial step and get involved. A link to more about Weberâs story is below. (JM)
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Patriotic Concert Performed By Local Third Graders Scheduled This WeekPatriotic Concert Performed By Local Third Graders Scheduled This Week
Third Graders at a local elementary school will be performing an all American concert later this week. Northwest Elementaryâs 3rd graders will be holding the âLetâs Sing Americaâ concert on Thursday the 19th at 2 and 7 pm in the schoolâs gym. The school has invited the public to the event to join in celebrating Americaâs dreams, symbols and freedom. The event is free and the school is located on Bower Street in Howell. (DK)
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Brighton Twp. Approves Design Work For Next Phase Of Sidewalk ProjectBrighton Twp. Approves Design Work For Next Phase Of Sidewalk Project
Design work will commence over the winter for another segment of sidewalk along east Grand River in Brighton Township. The board approved engineering design services and topographic survey work during Monday nightâs meeting for the second phase of proposed sidewalk. It would stretch from Woodruff Creek to Kensington Metropark, encompassing 1.5 miles. There could be future grant opportunities available to the township, based on connectivity and the size of the sidewalks or paths. The township completed the first phase between US-23 and at the sanitary sewer booster station near Alan Drive this past June. Green Oak Township is planning to construct a segment of sidewalk from where Brighton Township left off. Board members spent some time discussing the project and potential materials, which will be decided at a future date. The cost of cement vs. asphalt is comparable but there are other pros and cons of each being weighed by board members. Engineers do not anticipate needing easements for the project and itâs expected the board will make a final decision in the spring. Trustee Mike Slaton raised a number of financial questions and others related to easements. He later voted against the motion, but did not specify why. Supervisor Tom Murphy and Trustee Patrick Michel were absent. (JM)
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Appeal By Prosecutor In Holda Case Can ProceedAppeal By Prosecutor In Holda Case Can Proceed
The appeal of a decision regarding charges against a Howell-based orthopedic surgeon charged with delivering controlled substances is moving forward following a ruling from the stateâs Court of Appeals. Dr. Michael Holda is charged with seven counts of delivery of a controlled substance and one count of possession of marijuana. His jury trial in Livingston County Circuit Court has been on hold since July after Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt appealed a judgeâs ruling that they could not introduce evidence of other acts committed by Holda to prove that he did not act in good faith. Vailliencourt says the recent ruling means the court will now have to decide whether to grant his officeâs motion to appeal, deny it or make a substantive ruling without the need for further briefing or oral argument. Holda turned in his license following a raid on Livingston County Orthopedics in May of 2013 by the Drug Enforcement Administration. DEA agents, who were acting as patients, testified Holda prescribed pain medications and other drugs, including Xanax, beyond what would have been medically necessary. Holda insisted that he wrote the prescriptions in good faith and properly questioned them about their symptoms. A jury earlier found Holda guilty in a separate, but related, case involving two counts of manufacturing prescription forms for which he served 30 days in the Livingston County Jail. (JK)
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U Of M Board Of Regents To Vote On $175 Million Dollar Brighton Health CenterU Of M Board Of Regents To Vote On $175 Million Dollar Brighton Health Center
A proposal for a multi-million dollar health center in Brighton will be put to a vote this week. The University of Michigan Health System has submitted a proposal for the project which would be called the Brighton Health Center South. The 320,000-square-foot facility would be built on land owned by the university on Challis Road near its Brighton Health Center. To move the project forward, it must be approved by the state and the Universityâs Board of Regents, who will discuss the projectâs approval and authorization to appoint an architect on Thursday. The proposal states that ambulatory care has risen within U of Mâs Health System over time and is nearing two million visits per year. To improve existing facilities and expand capacity, the UMHS suggests the new building include adult and pediatric specialty care, operating rooms, pharmacy, radiology, a diagnostic and treatment center, procedure unit and radiation oncology. The projected $175 (M) million dollar price tag would be covered through Hospitals and Health Centersâ Resources. The cost of construction could be provided by bond proceeds or increasing commercial paper issuance. It is also proposed that HKS Architects would design the project which is expected to provide an average of 125 on-site construction jobs. If approved, the new center would be the second facility approved by the university this year. Picture courtesy of Google Street View. (DK)
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Brighton Homes Scheduled For Demolition TodayBrighton Homes Scheduled For Demolition Today
Two homes in downtown Brighton that have been the subject of a legal battle for the last six years will be demolished today. Since 2009, the City of Brighton has fought to have the homes at 116 and 122 North Street torn down as they have been labeled as unsafe. The homeowners, Leon and Marilyn Bonner of Northville, have filed several appeals and lawsuits through their attorney, Dennis Dubuc, to have the demolition process stopped. Last month, Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty lifted the stay barring the homesâ demolition and granted the cityâs motion to enforce judgement. An emergency appeal with the Michigan Court of Appeals had been filed by Dubuc in one last attempt to save them, though nothing came to fruition. The demolition date was scheduled for November 15th, but the homes did not come down in time. Last Thursday, just three days before the deadline, Dubuc and his contractor applied and paid for permits from the city in order to tear the homes down. Dubuc says the demolition company was prepared to take the homes down Friday in order to make the deadline, but the Building Department was unable to issue the permits as part of an agreement with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The city has 10 days to issue a permit which must go through a process of review by several departments before issuance. The permits were officially issued yesterday and picked up and the contractors rescheduled demolition for today. (DK)
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Corrections Made To County's Previously Approved Apportionment Report Corrections Made To County's Previously Approved Apportionment Report
Livingston Countyâs 2015 apportionment report has been amended to add on a new millage and correct a mistake. Every taxing authority within Livingston County has their millages accounted for in the Department of Equalizationâs yearly apportionment report. 2015âs report was approved last month, but the County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution Monday night that adjusted the report with five corrections. The new millage that was voted on this month for the Brighton Library has been added, bringing the overall operating millage up to .8892. The other four corrections came from the transfer school districts that were added to the report this year. In a letter to the commissioners, Sue Bostwick of the Department of Equalization says that a new feature put the school district columns in numeric order but did not line them up with their corresponding rows of millage rates and taxable values. A correction was also made for Fenton Schools on their debt to be levied which adjusted it from 6.74 to 6.8 mills. Amendments of the special assessments from various townships were submitted as well. The report is due to the State Tax Commission at the end of this month. (DK)
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Slight Delay In Brighton's Leaf Vacuuming Schedule Caused By Inclement WeatherSlight Delay In Brighton's Leaf Vacuuming Schedule Caused By Inclement Weather
The City of Brighton is more than halfway through their curbside leaf vacuuming schedule as part of their 2015 Leaf Program. Difficult weather conditions last week put a slight delay on the schedule for residential leaf vacuuming. The efforts have been divided into three sections and section #1 is complete. Crews are still working on section 2 which is expected to be completed Wednesday of this week. After section 3 is completed, the crew will make one more pass through all the sections before finishing out the program for the year. The service is offered to all Brighton residents and only leaves will be vacuumed as the machines do not process twigs and brush materials. Residents are asked to rake their leaves into the street and against the curb line. If a car is parked on or near leaf piles, they will not be vacuumed. The City does remind residents that an ordinance bans burning leaves in Brighton and that leaf vacuuming cannot be performed on an on-call basis. More information regarding the leaf-vacuuming section can be found at the link below. (DK)
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Fenton Designates Projects for CDBG FundsFenton Designates Projects for CDBG Funds
One nearby community held a special meeting to decide what to do with grant funds last night. The City of Fenton has until Friday to apply for Community Development Block Grant money and decided last night how it would be spent. Claire Wilke a planner with Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission gave the Fenton City Council insight into the process. Wilke told the City Council there arenât any low to moderate income census tracts to help it qualify for certain projects. Council members asked about purchasing equipment for the fire department, making repairs to the community center and other projects, but Wilke says without low to moderate income homes in the area projects donât qualify. She did say the city could take its own survey to find low income areas, but then would also have to find projects within those areas. The city hashed over the option of taking an income survey, which would require a 90 percent response rate, and of those over half need to be low to moderate income. Instead the city chose to work with projects they can get funded. First on their list is the demolition of a structure at 205 East Caroline Street. Assistant City Manager Mike Burns says it is a building the city purchased, which is an old Montessori. It is in the process of being demolished and turned into a parking lot for the library. He says a portion of the funding will also be used to develop programs at the Southern Lakes Community Center for the Senior Center, a portion will be allocated for handicapped equipment at the parks and handicapped curb cuts at targeted areas of the community. Burns says they wonât know exactly how much money they will receive until next spring, but they are expecting nearly $61,000, which will be split between all of the projects. (DS)
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Brighton Township To Purchase Additional Water System Capacity Brighton Township To Purchase Additional Water System Capacity
The Brighton Township board met Monday night and voted to purchase additional capacity within the Livingston Community Water Authority system. Brighton Township has already exceeded its original allocation of 400 REUâs or residential equivalency units as outlined in a master operating agreement between member communities. However, the installation of two additional filters in the water treatment plant would create an additional capacity of 135 REUâs in the system, which the Brighton Township board voted to purchase. While the majority of members seemed to agree the move was an investment in the future ahead of anticipated growth, Trustee Mike Slaton referred to it as ârolling the diceâ. It was noted that commercial businesses have expressed an interest in connecting to water including Kroger, which would account for roughly 30 REUâs. Monday nightâs vote followed ongoing discussion amongst members on options to gain additional capacity. A question and answer segment was held with consultants, who stated that expanding to only one filter would not satisfy treatment capacity under the operating agreement. The possibility of purchasing REUâs from Hamburg Township was also investigated but it has since been determined that those are already allocated and paid for. (JM)
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