A local service organization is offering to take Christmas pictures for veterans in need this holiday season. Livingston County Veterans Services has offered to take Christmas photos for all veterans and their families on Friday, December 11th. This will be provided free of charge. Representatives from the organization say they want to make sure to capture holiday memories for those who may not normally be able to afford Christmas pictures. Veterans Services is located on Grand River Avenue in Howell. The program is also looking ahead to a suit presentation for veterans involved in the court on December 16th. Judge Carol Sue Reader presides over the intensive treatment court which is said to have a positive impact on the veterans and their familyâs lives. The court is a post-sentencing program that works to return military veterans to society in a peaceful manner. More information about the Veterans Services organization can be found at the link below. (DK)
Local Service Organization Offers To Take Veterans' Christmas PicturesLocal Service Organization Offers To Take Veterans' Christmas Pictures
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Brighton Financial Forecast for Next Six Years Looks PositiveBrighton Financial Forecast for Next Six Years Looks Positive
The financial forecast for the city of Brighton over the next six years is a bright one, according to projections. Brighton Finance Director Kelly Hanna gave her semi-annual financial forecast for the city at a recent council meeting. The forecast includes installing curb-and-gutter on the northwest side of town in areas that currently do not have those amenities, and therefore have drainage problems. City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI the curb and gutter work may be facilitated by floating a bond issue to pay for the project. In her report, Hanna said that the fund balance last year was $40,000 higher than projected due to a big increase in building permits. She said in the last fiscal year city the city issued about $400,000 in building permits. The fund balance for the current fiscal year is expected to be $130,000 higher than originally projected and the fund balance at the end of the 15-16 year is projected at $1,191,000. Hanna said the fund balance is projected to increase every year over the 6-year period included in the financial forecast.(TT)
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City of Brighton Rejoins SEMCOGCity of Brighton Rejoins SEMCOG
After several years of not being a member of the SouthEast Michigan Council of Governments, the city of Brighton has decided to rejoin the regional organization. The City Council Thursday night voted unanimously, as part of a group of consent agenda items, to return to SEMCOG, which Brighton had left in 2010 due to budgetary reasons when things were extremely tight. City Manager Dana Foster says that, based on his recommendation, council felt that it would behoove the city to rejoin the regional planning organization. Foster tells WHMI that SEMCOG was also used as a resource recently in preparing the recruitment materials for the City Manager position. Foster says that the annual membership to SEMCOG for the city is just $1,176, which he calls âbudget-neutralâ. He says is a tremendous bang for the cityâs buck, considering all of the services it provides for member municipalities. Foster says SEMCOG engages members and other municipalities in directing regional plans and policies and recommends positions on state and federal legislative and regulatory proposals. He adds that SEMCOG provides a wealth of data that the city uses on a regular basis in preparing its annual budget document. (TT)
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Genoa McDonald's Set To Reopen TuesdayGenoa McDonald's Set To Reopen Tuesday
A local fast-food restaurant is finally set to reopen Tuesday, three weeks after a kitchen fire forced the business to close. The Genoa Township McDonaldâs was forced to shut down after a morning fire on November 16th. While there were no injuries and the fire itself was contained to a fryer, restaurant owner Jerry Olinik says the smoke damage in the building was extensive, which necessitated the three week closure. He estimates that the total cost of the restoration to be around $250,000. He says insurance has covered the salaries of his management team, while they were able to move the other staff that needed to work to other McDonald's in the area. They are expected to return for the reopening. Olinik says while heâs glad those issues were handled, his sales loss was substantial due to the fact that they were closed through the Black Friday weekend. (JK)
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Wreaths Across America Pinckney Ceremony Set Saturday Wreaths Across America Pinckney Ceremony Set Saturday
The Village of Pinckney is continuing its quest to make sure that no veteran from the area is forgotten this holiday season. This Saturday, December 12th is National Wreaths Across America Day and according to officials, the village cemetery in Pinckney is the only participating cemetery in Livingston County. Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit, national organization that places live balsam remembrance wreaths on the headstones of veterans. Last year they were able to place 75 wreaths on gravestones but are hoping to double that number this year. To raise money for the event, groups or individuals can purchase wreaths or make donations by visiting the WAAâs website and marking the Pinckney Historical Cemetery as the recipient. A ceremony will be held at noon on the 12th in the cemetery to recognize and remember the roughly 250 veterans buried there. For more information visit the link below. (JK)
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Hartland Township Moves Forward With Farmer's Market BuildingHartland Township Moves Forward With Farmer's Market Building
One local community is moving forward with plans to build a permanent farmers market structure. The Hartland Township Board approved plans last week to hire engineering consultants Hubbell, Roth & Clark to start the engineering process for its new farmerâs market building. Township trustee Joe Petrucci says the new building is part of the townshipâs plan for developing a walking business district along Hartland Road between the Village of Hartland and the Meijer Shopping Center. Petrucci tells WHMI the location of the building fits the purpose. He says when they built the new township hall they needed to decide what to do with the old township hall. They couldn't sell it for what they thought it was worth, so they decided to build it into a teen center. Right next door to that building, to the south is a nice piece of property that would accommodate a farmer's market. What the thought has been was to put that farmer's market at that location and have a permanent place for people in the community to buy fresh produce and other items. Petrucci says although the a move to Hartland Road has been in the works, it was moved up recently when Hartland Consolidated Schools let them know there has been an increased need for the building on Saturdays. Petrucci says the township has allocated $165,000 to the building project, but doesnât expect it to cost nearly that much. He says plans are to construct the building around a proposed resurfacing at the HERO building to save money. The permanent structure is set to open in mid-summer 2016 and should accommodate up to 30 vendors. He says the township hopes to be able to rent the building out for other events like garage sales and graduation parties as well. (DS)
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Appeal Denied In Case Against Local Doctor Charged With Prescription AbuseAppeal Denied In Case Against Local Doctor Charged With Prescription Abuse
The appeal of a decision regarding charges against a Howell-based orthopedic surgeon charged with delivering controlled substances has been denied. 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. But last week, the Court of Appeals denied that motion on a procedural basis, saying it did not need to immediately review the issue. However, Vailliencourt says that because they will be barred from filing an appeal if Holda is ultimately acquitted, his office will be filing a motion with the Court of Appeals asking them to reconsider their decision and decide the issue now. 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.
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Brighton Area Fire Authority to Go for Millage Hike in 2016Brighton Area Fire Authority to Go for Millage Hike in 2016
The Brighton Area Fire Department has been getting along for many years on a relatively low millage rate of 1.25 mills âthe lowest of any fire department in Livingston County. But that may change beginning in December of 2016 â if the voters approve a millage increase. At a strategic planning session last week, the fire authority board of directors decided to ask the voters for an increase next year, when the current levy will have expired. The current, 1.25-mill levy will be on property ownersâ tax bills this month in the city of Brighton and Genoa and Brighton townships, the communities which the fire department serves. However, that will mark the expiration of the millage levy, and the fire authority will have to go to the voters next year for a new millage â either a renewal or an increase. Brighton Mayor Jim Muzzin, who also sits on the fire authority board â tells WHMI a recent study revealed that the revenue the department currently collects isnât enough to break even, and as a result, the authority is having to cut into its fund balance to make ends meet. The study showed that to break even, the authority would need to levy about 1.36 mills. The only problem with that is the amount would not provide enough revenue for maintenance and repair of existing equipment or the purchase of new fire apparatus. As a result, the authority board has decided to ask the voters for 1.5 mills for five years to give it a little cushion. The election has been tentatively set for next Aug. 2, the date of the primary election. (TT)
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Livingston County Board of Commissioners Agrees to Resell BondsLivingston County Board of Commissioners Agrees to Resell Bonds
A local township can expect to save money on its sewer bond by refinancing at a lower rate. The Livingston County Board of Commissioners last week gave permission to the Village of Fowlerville to re-sell sewer bonds. The Village still owes just over $2.1 (m) million or about two-thirds of the original bond it took out in 2005. By selling the bonds the municipality expects to save about 8.6% in interest. Commission vice-chair Steve Williams says the County Commission is involved because it backs the loans. He says the county board of Commissioners has to give permission because similar to a parent co-signing a loan for a car, the county board puts its credit on the line. Williams tells WHMI the county has more borrowing power. He says when the Village of Fowlerville wanted to expand their spetage treatment plant the County Board of Commissioners gave the full faith and credit toward of the county toward those bonds. They were doing that in cooperation with Handy Township and that allowed them to have a lower borrowing rate. He says the county has a triple-A bond rating, and is one of only five counties in the state with that high of a rating; and smaller entities can't borrow as cheaply as the county can. Now with the drop in interest rates they are going to refinance their bonds and will realize a very large savings because they can finance at a lower rate. Williams says until the bonds are sold the exact savings wonât be known, but could be nearly $210,000 over the next 10 years. He says Livingston County backs the credit of the smaller municipalities with its credit, but they are still responsible for all of the payments. The process doesnât cost the county anything, but saves the townships in interest. (DS)
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Vaupel's Bill Requiring Continuing Education For Veterinarians Passes HouseVaupel's Bill Requiring Continuing Education For Veterinarians Passes House
A local state representative is sponsoring legislation centered on mandatory continuing education requirements for veterinarians. HB 4408 would require 15 hours of continuing education annually in order for veterinarians and vet technicians to renew their licenses. Itâs sponsored by Handy Township Republican Hank Vaupel, who operated a veterinary practice before being elected to the Michigan House in November 2014. He worked as a veterinarian for more than 40 years and specialized in mostly horses during the latter part of his career. Vaupel also chaired the state Board of Veterinary Medicine for several years and tells WHMI he saw firsthand the effects of having continuing education and sometimes not, adding the bill is long overdue. Vaupel stressed that most vets do get an adequate amount of continuing education to stay current but with so many changes in federal law and demand on the food chain, staying up to date and knowing what to look for becomes more important. He says veterinarians are often on the front line of protection against bioterrorist attacks on the food chain and will frequently see diseases in food animals first because theyâre contacted first if there is an issue. House Bill 4408 recently passed the full house and Vaupel says it was well supported by both Republicans and Democrats. The bill now moves to the Senate Agriculture Committee. (JM)
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Local Man Injured In Weekend Plane CrashLocal Man Injured In Weekend Plane Crash
A weekend plane crash has injured two men, one of them a Livingston County resident. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board are working to determine what caused the crash of a single-engine Piper PA28 Saturday evening on the beach at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area in White Lake Township. The plane, which was on its way to the Oakland County International Airport in Waterford Township, was piloted by a 65-year-old Northville Township man. His 60-year-old passenger is identified as a Brighton Township man. Both were treated for minor injuries. David VanderVeen, Oakland County director of central services, said visibility, which was just three-quarters of a mile, was likely an issue. He says the plane clipped some trees and skidded to a stop after dropping off of the radar. A final report from the NTSB is likely to take at least several months to complete. Picture: The Oakland Press (Pontiac, Mich.). Photo courtesy John Collier / Waterford (JK)
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$400,000 Cash Reported Stolen From Lyon Township Home$400,000 Cash Reported Stolen From Lyon Township Home
A home invasion in Lyon Township is under investigation. Deputies with the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office Lyon Township substation were called out around 4:30am Sunday to a reported home invasion on Eight Mile Road. The victim stated that he returned home from the casino and discovered the door wall had been pried open. Police say a safe in the home was heavily damaged and forced open. The victim stated that approximately $400,000 in cash, gold and silver bars, and a diamond ring were stolen from the safe. Nothing else was reported missing and the man said he had not activated his alarm prior to leaving for the night. Police say the scene was processed and the house does have a video surveillance system. Footage was reviewed and showed an unknown male suspect in the home. The suspect wore a hooded sweatshirt with his face covered and also appeared to be wearing gloves. The investigation is continuing. Police say the homeowner was unable to download the video and was attempting to have his monitoring company provide the department with a copy. (JM)
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Searchers Look For Missing Brighton Township ManSearchers Look For Missing Brighton Township Man
The search continues for a missing Livingston County man who is suffering from dementia. Michigan State Police at the Brighton Post report that 92-year-old Michel Yales has been missing from his Brighton Township home since at least Saturday. Yales is described as a white male, 5â8â³ tall and weighs 165 pounds. He is bald with brown eyes. Troopers say he is believed to be driving a silver 2016 Ford Fusion with a Michigan license plate of 7JAH09. They say Yales could be confused about his surroundings and has no known destination. Anyone who may have spotted Yales or his car is asked to contact the Brighton Post at 810-227-1051. (JK)
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Genoa Township Joins Brighton In Opting Out Of SELCRAGenoa Township Joins Brighton In Opting Out Of SELCRA
There is a divided household among the four municipalities involved in the Southeastern Livingston County Recreation Authority Board. The contributing municipalities have been up in arms about whether to stay or to go as SELCRAâs revenues continue to decline. The organization reportedly took a hit when competing against for-profit programs run by the Legacy Center. As a whole, Green Oak and Brighton Township feel SELCRA and their partnership is still something worth fighting for. Both townships have voiced intentions of remaining involved with SELCRA and the Brighton Township Board of Trustees met on Monday night to discuss their commitment. Township Manager Brian Vick tells WHMI they are not against re-evaluating recreation in Brighton but will first work with what theyâve got. The City of Brighton withdrew from SELCRA last week and Genoa Township followed their lead last night. Genoa Township Trustee Linda Rowell said the situation was sad, but Manager Michael Archinal believes it will be a fairly smooth transition to leave the program behind and move forward. Archinal tells WHMI the township contributes quite a bit of money to SELCRA and he already has ideas for it could be used for. An option for SELCRAâs future has been suggested that it dissolve and be taken over by Brighton Area Schools. The district believes it could facilitate the program to a similar degree but at a much cheaper cost. BAS will present a model representing this option to SELCRA at a meeting on Wednesday. (DK)
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Howell City Council Confirms DDA Board AppointmentsHowell City Council Confirms DDA Board Appointments
The Howell City Council met Monday night and confirmed various appointments to boards and commissions. With regrets, the Howell City Council accepted a resignation letter from Downtown Development Authority board member Kevin McCarthy. Council later confirmed three new appointments on the DDA board as recommended by the mayor; Photographer Richard Lim, Arc Engineering Solutions CEO Heather Ruby and Marc Harlow, a managing member of Howell-based Harlow Public Relations. They will serve terms lasting through January of 2020. Council also confirmed the re-appointment of Brian Walker through 2019. DDA Director Cathleen Edgerly says theyâre very excited to welcome three new members who are enthusiastic and passionate about their community and volunteering. She tells WHMI they also have immense respect for the board members who have moved on to council as well as those with terms that will be ending in the near future. Edgerly says theyâre looking forward to the opportunity to rebuild during this transition and it will take some time but staff will be working very hard with all the new volunteer board and committee members. There will be one additional vacancy to fill on the DDA board when President Eric Connâs term expires December 31st. Despite what appeared to be some tension during last weekâs DDA meeting between Conn and Mayor Nick Proctor, there was no discussion or comments surrounding any of the appointments during Mondayâs meeting. (JM)
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Supporters Celebrate Brighton Father's Release From JailSupporters Celebrate Brighton Father's Release From Jail
A local man released from jail early this morning was welcomed back to society by a large crowd of his family and friends. Joshua Burns of Brighton was released from the Livingston County Jail just after midnight after being incarcerated for 263 days. Burns was convicted last year of second-degree child abuse as a result of an incident that involved his daughter, Naomi, and was sentenced to one year of jail time. Burns and his wife, Brenda, maintain Joshâs innocence and claim the incident was an accident. Josh has had a large following since the beginning of the trial of those that also believe he was wrongly convicted and the community of supporters awaited his release at the jail. Burns tells WHMI he didnât realize how many friends he had until he was incarcerated. The group cheered when he stepped outside for the first time and there were hugs, tears of joy and cookies. Burns says freedom doesnât feel quite real just yet but is looking forward to spending time with his family. Josh is scheduled for a probation hearing today and a counseling session with his wife and daughter. He is continuing to pursue an appeal of his conviction and feels the âtruth will come out.â (DK)
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Howell City Council Approves Contract With New Waste Hauler Howell City Council Approves Contract With New Waste Hauler
There was a lot of talk about rubbish during Monday nightâs Howell City Council meeting. The switch from one waste hauler to another was no easy decision for members either. With two absent, council voted unanimously to approve a ten year contract for services with Advanced Disposal Systems. Waste Management has provided refuse service to the city for more than 25 years and it was a tough call for members but in the end, the significant cost savings from the new contract couldnât be ignored. City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI they received three excellent bids, with Advanced Disposal and Waste Management being the lowest. However, Charles says Advanced submitted a very competitive quote offering enhanced services that will ultimate save the city $260,000 annually. At the staff level; Charles says theyâre nothing but impressed with the rollout plan, itâs a good time for change and the savings are worth it. The Howell Chamber of Commerce director and city staff praised the performance of Waste Management during the meeting and members stressed that it was never an issue of dissatisfaction. A Waste Management representative did ask that council consider a split contract for residential and commercial services, advocating the savings was mostly on the commercial side and they were already familiar with the town and routes. Staff noted that considering the size of services, it was bid as a single contract and that allows for the greater savings. It was further noted that one contract provides ease for staff in having to only deal with one company when any issues arise, but also that two providers would result in double the number of large garbage trucks on city streets. There was also some talk of deferring the vote as two members were absent but it was relayed that staff was already on a tight schedule for what is expected to be a seamless transition in February. Both residential and business customers can expect to receive various notifications from the city and Advanced Disposal throughout the coming weeks and months detailing the process. In the latter part of January, Charles says customers should start receiving replacement carts, along with new, larger recycling bins to replace the current tub-type ones. (JM)
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South Lyon Family Hopes For Advance Screening As Final WishSouth Lyon Family Hopes For Advance Screening As Final Wish
A South Lyon family is hoping to get an advance screening of a much-anticipated movie while the woman at the center of their lives still has time to carry out a promise to see it with her daughters. 56-year-old Mary-Jo Hartman has Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer and was recently told she likely wouldnât live to see Christmas. But the long-time social worker tells the South Lyon Herald that she has no intention of dying until the holidays are over. And while she feels confident that she can achieve that goal, sheâs pretty sure she wonât make it until next summer to see the official release of the Disney Pixar film Finding Dory, the sequel to Finding Nemo that stars television personality Ellen DeGeneres. Her daughters have been working to try and get the attention of DeGeneres, who they hope can supply a copy of the film so they can see it together before their mother passes. 20-year-old Sarah LaFevre wrote a heartfelt note on Ellenâs Facebook page explaining the situation and telling her motherâs story of pursuing a Masterâs degree in Social Work while fighting the cancer despite repeated surgeries that left her permanently receiving nutrition through an IV. While her masterâs degree from Wayne State University was hand delivered by the dean of her college recently, they are hoping to fulfill her one final wish of seeing Finding Dory.
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Brighton Council Pares List of Manager Candidates to SixBrighton Council Pares List of Manager Candidates to Six
The Brighton City Council held a special meeting Monday evening to review the 39 candidates for city manager and, at the conclusion, returned with a list of six finalists. The meeting was held almost entirely in closed session at city hall. The person hired will replace longtime City Manager Dana Foster, who has resigned effective Dec. 18 to take a position in the private sector. According to Mayor Jim Muzzin, the identities of the finalists will be released on Wednesday. Of the original list of 39 candidates, 21 were from Michigan and 18 from out-of-state, from as far away as Maine and Alaska. Muzzin tells WHMI that council will next meet on Dec. 16th â possibly all day â to interview the finalists in open session. Muzzin says that one-and-a-half hours will be reserved for each interview, with the first to start at 8:30 a.m. The day before, on the 15th, the finalists will be introduced to the public at an open house to be held at the Brighton Community Center, from 5-8 p.m. Muzzin says that any candidates not willing to have their name made public will not invited to the open house and will be removed from the list of finalists. He says council is hoping to come to a decision on the person who will be offered the city managerâs job at the conclusion of the interview process on the 16th. Council will likely appoint an interim manager at its regular meeting on the 17th because of the time period in which the city will be without someone in charge. Muzzin says it could be late January before a contract is negotiated and approved and the new manager is on board. (TT)
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Brighton Township Man Found SafeBrighton Township Man Found Safe
A Livingston County man suffering from dementia has been found after going missing over the weekend. 92-year-old Michel Yales was reported missing from his Brighton Township home on Sunday, with authorities saying he had last been seen the day before. A search was then begun by State Police from the Brighton Post asking the public to keep an eye out for Yales. After more than a day of searching, Yales was finally located last night in Macomb County safe and sound. Investigators had tracked Yales Monday to a gas station in Dewitt in the Lansing area by monitoring his credit card. After searching the area, officers were unable to locate him. Then later Monday, Yaleâs family was called by Shelby Township Police, who had found him after he pulled into a McDonalds restaurant and advised employees he planned to spend the night in their parking lot. One of those employees then called police, who were able to identify Yales by utilizing the Law Enforcement Information Network. After transporting him to the Shelby Township Police Department, they contacted family members and returned Yales to his family. Yales was reported to be tired but in good health. In all, Yales had traveled almost 105 miles from the time he used his credit card in Dewitt to pulling into the Shelby Township McDonaldâs.(JK)
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