Input is being sought from residents along a stretch of road that will be paved next year involving two townships. The Livingston County Road Commission set the date of a public hearing Thursday for the Hacker Road construction project. Property owners along the 2-mile stretch between Golf Club and M-59 will have a chance to talk about right-of-way issues any other concerns on January 18th at 7 pm. Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine says design and engineering work is nearly complete on the gravel road that sees more traffic than it should. He says the road is used by up to 1,800 vehicles a day and the paving project is overdue. He tells WHMI the public hearing is a way to bring residents into the process. Craine says the plan is to have the paving project complete in 2016 and the public hearing is the first opportunity for residents to get a look at plans. He says they will have the chance to see how the project will affect their individual properties and be able to give the road commission some feedback. It will also give the road commission an opportunity to establish relationships with individual property owners rather than just the groups that they sometimes talked to when doing surveys. Craine says they are looking forward to the paving project and think it is going to be a great project. Craine says there is work that can be done through the winter months, including taking down trees along the roadway. Paving the road is expected to cost $5.4 (m) million and is being split between Hartland Township and Oceola Township at $2.2 (m) each. The road commissionâs portion is just $1 (m) million and covers the engineering and design work. Craine says the road commission worked out an agreement with the townships to make up the difference on future projects in order to help balance its budget for 2016. A public hearing on the budget will be held at the December 29th meeting at 9:30 am. (DS)
Road Commission Sets Public Hearing On Hacker Road Paving ProjectRoad Commission Sets Public Hearing On Hacker Road Paving Project
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Teacher Sickened By Pot BrownieTeacher Sickened By Pot Brownie
Officials say a teacher in a local school district got sick after eating a marijuana-laced brownie that was put out in a school lounge. Huron Valley Schools Superintendent Jim Baker alerted staff that earlier this week a plate of marijuana-laced baked goods was left in a teachers lounge in one of the district's schools. The teacher went to a hospital after she started feeling sick. The brownies were tested and found to be laced with pot. The school district is working with law enforcement to figure out who brought the brownies to school. District officials say they don't know whether they were put out intentionally or brought by mistake. The district serves several Oakland County communities, including Milford, Highland, White Lake and Commerce Township. The investigation is ongoing. (JK)
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Canton Man Arraigned On Terrorism Charges Canton Man Arraigned On Terrorism Charges
A former student has been arraigned on terrorism charges after police allege he made online threats about âkilling kidsâ in reference to Howell Public Schools. 21-year-old Scott Richard Parker was arraigned on four counts of making a threat of terrorism this afternoon. Bond was set at $750,000 cash/surety. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison and/or $20,000 in fines, as well as reimbursement of any government expenses incurred investigating the threat. School officials found a threat had been posted on Twitter that tagged the district Wednesday afternoon. The threat involved four Howell-area schools and mentioned âkilling kidsâ but authorities have declined to release further specifics, citing the ongoing investigation. Parker is a former Howell student with mental and physical disabilities. Police say he had no access to any weapons or a means of transportation. However, Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt has said just because Parker did not have actual intent or ability to carry out the threats is not a defense under Michiganâs Anti-Terrorism Act. As part of Parkerâs bond conditions, he was ordered to not to enter any school facility and must remain at home unless out with his parents. He will also be placed on a GPS tether before being released from jail. A probable cause conference in the case is scheduled December 23rd.(JM)
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Students Encouraged To Enter State of the State Program Cover Contest Students Encouraged To Enter State of the State Program Cover Contest
Area students have a chance to show off their creativity and imagination in a State of the State program cover contest. State Representative Joe Graves is encouraging students in grades K-12 in the 51st House District to send in artwork for the cover of the 2016 State of the State Address program. The Argentine Township Republican says the contest offers an opportunity to have some fun and be creative. Students across the state are competing for a chance to meet Governor Rick Snyder and attend the State of the State address at the Capitol on January 19th. Representative Graves says heâll send in entries from his district to Governor Snyderâs office. Students can submit cover designs through January 3rd. Entries will be judged by creativity and originality, with the top five designs announced January 5th and posted on Governor Rick Snyderâs Facebook page. The winning design will be determined by which cover receives the most âlikesâ by the end of the day January 8th. Further details are available in the link below. (JM)
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Arraignment Set For South Lyon Women Involved In Fatal CrashArraignment Set For South Lyon Women Involved In Fatal Crash
A South Lyon women charged in a fatal crash that killed a motorcyclist has been scheduled for arraignment. 22-year-old Breanna Lyn Clever is facing a Moving Violation Causing Death charge as a result of the August incident. 49-year-old Bert Loomis of Gaines reportedly crashed his motorcycle on US-23after a Pontiac Grand Am illegally used the emergency-access turnaround between Clyde Road and M-59. Several vehicles also had to avoid the sedan which caused Loomis to lose control and drop his bike. He passed away two days later from his injuries. Clever was later identified as the driver of the Pontiac by a passing motorist who obtained vehicle registration information. The maximum penalty for the offense is up to one year in jail. The Livingston County Prosecutorâs Office recently authorized the charge against Clever and she is scheduled for arraignment on December 29th. Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt says she may however, voluntarily appear before that date. (DK)
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Alternative Routes Around Downtown Fenton Being Explored For Truck Traffic Alternative Routes Around Downtown Fenton Being Explored For Truck Traffic
The City of Fenton is looking at options to re-route heavy truck traffic away from the downtown area, which has become a cut-through route over time. Itâs one of the main issues City Council has been focusing on and discussion has centered on restricting truck traffic from coming into the downtown area, unless for a specific delivery. Years ago, downtown Fenton was part of the US-23 business route designation. While the designation was removed around eight to ten years ago, City Manager Lynn Markland tells WHMI they still have heavy trucks and semis coming through. He says most trucks are coming from US-23 to I-75 so theyâre looking to find a more direct route that would likely save them time, cut down on the heavy traffic downtown but also be safer for pedestrians in downtown. Markland says one alternate route could be Silver Lake Road but what they donât want to do is resolve one problem only to create others. Therefore, a traffic engineer will be performing a study and making some recommendations on what alternate routes would be preferable. Markland anticipates that Council will resume the truck traffic discussion in January. (JM)
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Howell Man Charged With Molesting Young Boy Receives Prison SentenceHowell Man Charged With Molesting Young Boy Receives Prison Sentence
Sentencing has been handed down to a Livingston County man who molested a young boy and is facing separate federal child pornography charges. 32-year-old Erik Lopez-Ferreyra of Howell has been sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison with a credit of 83 days served. Last month, Lopez-Ferreyra pleaded guilty as charged to first degree criminal sexual conduct for molesting a 9-year-old boy. Police believe this happened on three separate occasions in the summer of 2013. In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to drop two additional counts of the same charge. Lopez-Ferreyra is also facing three separate charges of child pornography in U.S. District Court in Detroit after authorities found a thumb drive in the home where he resided with his mother. The FBI Crimes Against Children Task Force discovered 57 child pornography files had been downloaded to an IP address linked to Lopez-Ferreyra. Howell Police notified the FBI in early August that they were investigating the molestation allegations against Lopez-Ferreyra. (DK)
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Pot Brownies Found In Local Elementary SchoolPot Brownies Found In Local Elementary School
Authorities want to know who put pot brownies in the teacherâs lounge at a local elementary school. New details reveal the incident occurred at Spring Mills Elementary school in Highland Township. Huron Valley Schools Superintendent Jim Baker alerted staff that earlier this week a plate of marijuana-laced baked goods was left in a teachers lounge at the school. The Oakland County Sheriffâs Office say one of the schoolâs teachers went to a hospital after she started feeling sick. After an evaluation at the hospital, the teacher reported that she had tested positive for the presence of THC- the active ingredient in marijuana. The teacher stated that the only unusual item she had consumed was a brownie from the staff break room. Two other teachers also reportedly consumed the brownies and felt ill but did not seek medical treatment. Deputies from the Highland Township Substation recovered the remaining brownies from the staff break room which tested positive for THC at the Forensics Laboratory. The school district is working with law enforcement to figure out who brought the brownies to school. District officials say they don't know whether they were put out intentionally or brought by mistake. The investigation is ongoing. (JK/DK)
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Runway Repurposed Seeking Designers For 2016 EventRunway Repurposed Seeking Designers For 2016 Event
A yearly fashionable fundraiser is seeking clothing designers to partake in creating for a cause. The Livingston Arts Council will be hosting the 8th annual Runway Repurposed fashion show in February and are searching for local fashion designers. The fundraiser for the historic Howell Opera House combines the art of fashion design with the use of recycled clothing and materials. There are five designer categories in the competition: Young Beginner, Student Beginner, Adult Beginner, Advanced, and Avant Garde. Designers will choose their clothing and materials at registration from a collection of donated items and then create a new masterpiece that will be showcased on the runway. A panel of judges will award a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for each category and cash prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the Advanced Designer category. Registration will be held from 4 to 8 pm at the Opera House in downtown Howell on January 11th through the 13th. More information can be found through the link below. (JK)
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Pinckney Remembers Veterans With WreathsPinckney Remembers Veterans With Wreaths
The Village of Pinckney took part in a nationwide ceremony on Saturday to make sure no veteran is forgotten this holiday season. Featuring a gun salute by the members of the American Legion Post 419 from Hamburg, over 100 people gathered at the Pinckney Historical Cemetery to participate in the annual Wreaths Across America program. This is the second year the placed live balsam remembrance wreaths at the headstones of fallen veterans. Village Clerk Amy Salowitz tells WHMI she the response by the community this year was more than she expected. She says she's overwhelmed by the generosity of the community that they could go from 50 wreaths to 259 wreaths in just a year. She is also overwhelmed at the turnout this year and the number of children who were interested in learning about it and being involved. She says on a whole, even people from her own generation take the service of others for granted. For the most part she says, we haven't been in a known war, smaller conflicts, but no known big war, so it's good to see how those people laid down their lives for their country. Salowitz says she was pleased to see the number of children who turned out to help, who were interested in learning more about the project, too. She says there are a number of veterans in the cemetery from the American Revolution, and the two World Wars, which puts into perspective Pinckneyâs place in the greater world. Before heading out into the cemetery a brief ceremony kicked off the event to recognize an Eagle Scout project that saw the construction of a patio area around the columbarium with a flag, seeding and plants. The cost to purchase enough wreaths to cover all of the known veteransâ gravestones was nearly $3,900. Salowitz says she was amazed by the generosity of the community in coming together to help with this project. (DS)
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South Lyon Man Charged In Brighton Teen Sex Case SentencedSouth Lyon Man Charged In Brighton Teen Sex Case Sentenced
A local man charged with sex and computer crimes involving a Brighton teen has been sentenced. 18-year-old Cody Hunter Swatling of South Lyon has been sentenced to a minimum of 60 days in the Livingston County Jail with a credit of 9 days served and 36 months of probation. Hunter was sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act which will expunge his record if he successfully completes probation. In October, Hunter pleaded guilty as charged to the six charges against him, including 3rd degree criminal sexual assault of a person between 13 and 15 and accosting a child for immoral purposes. Hunter, Alex Peter Benedict of Brighton, Burhan Ahmed Mian of Flint and John Joseph Gasiorek III are all charged with having separate sexual relations on different occasions with the now 16-year-old victim who they reportedly met on a social networking app geared towards gay and bisexual men. Police say all but one of the alleged incidents occurred when the victim was 15. Hunter is the third to receive his sentencing- Benedict received jail time and probation and Gasiorek was sentenced to 36 months of probation. They too were sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act. Mian is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing in the case on Friday. (DK)
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Howell City Council To Rescind Cable TV Commission Howell City Council To Rescind Cable TV Commission
The city of Howellâs Cable TV Commission will be going away. The Howell City Council last week introduced an ordinance to repeal the three-member Cable Television Commission. The move is more of a housekeeping matter but part of an overall effort to streamline the cityâs boards and commissions, while eliminating those without any regulatory function. With changes in state regulations concerning cable television, officials say the commission is no longer needed. The ordinance repealing a section of code related to the Cable TV Commission will be up for final approval at the next Howell City Council meeting. (JM)
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County Veterans Court Celebrates AnniversaryCounty Veterans Court Celebrates Anniversary
A celebration on Wednesday will mark one year of success for a local veteranâs court program. The celebration will be held from 9 to 11 am at the Livingston County Judicial Center 53rd District Court on December 16th. The event will have a special presentation for the Livingston County Veteransâ Treatment Court which is a local program that uses drug and mental health court principles to serve military veterans and sometimes active-duty personnel. Sobriety, recovery and stability are promoted through the treatment court and Judge Carol Sue Reader presides over the program. The court utilizes probation officers, treatment providers, defense advocates and representatives from the prosecutorâs office to return veterans to a law-abiding status among society. (DK)
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Cromaine Places Little Free Library at Genoa Township HallCromaine Places Little Free Library at Genoa Township Hall
A local library donated books and a display for a free book exchange at a local township office to promote literacy. Outside the doors of the Genoa Township offices on Dorr Road a new addition offers people a chance to read something new for free. Cromaine District Library asked the township board a few months ago if it could put a Little Free Library on the township property to help promote the Hartland Library and reading. Part of Genoa Township is located within the Hartland Consolidated School District and the Little Free Library is another way to promote events and opportunities at Cromaine District Library. The wooden box perched on an 8-foot post is designed to look like a large bird house. It was constructed by Legacy Alternative School students as part of a school project. Township Manager Mike Archinal tells WHMI it is getting used. Archinal says the wooden box with a plexiglas front was placed last week near a bench at the front door. He says he hopes when the weather breaks people will take advantage of the opportunity to stop by and read. He says he knows someone has used it already though because he had chosen a book himself, but when he went back to get it, the book was gone, so someone is using it. Anyone is encouraged to take a book from the library for free, and may keep it. The idea behind the exchange though is to replace it with another book whenever possible. The Friends of the Cromaine Library provided the first collection, which includes books for children and adults. The Cromaine Library will continue to check the box and keep it restocked. (DS)
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8th Annual Triple Money Monday Will Maximize Community Donations8th Annual Triple Money Monday Will Maximize Community Donations
Community donations made to a local organization today will be increased three times over as part of a yearly fundraiser. All donations made today to the Livingston County United Way will be tripled up to approximately $155,000 during the 8th annual Triple Money Monday event. Residents are encouraged to partake in the fundraiser by giving at location collection sites, through participating businesses or online the day of. Nancy Rosso, Executive Director of Livingston County United Way, tells WHMI the event supports the organizationâs efforts and families in need. Though the economy is stronger than it has been in recent years, campaign co-chair David Morse says 20 percent of county residents still struggle to make ends meet. Morse feels United Wayâs programs are a long-term solution for these people, not just a quick fix. Rosso says it is heart-warming to see so many look forward to contributing to the event each year, whether it be young children who have saved up allowance money or large businesses donating a portion of the dayâs proceeds. Last year the organization brought in an estimated $130,000 from the fundraiser, which translated into $268,000 after the matching funds were applied. More information about the event can be found at the link below. (DK/JK)
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Health Officials Recommend Vaccination To Protect Against FluHealth Officials Recommend Vaccination To Protect Against Flu
The Livingston County Department of Public Health is advising all local residents to get the influenza vaccine before the virus reaches its peak. Each year, 30 to 35,000 Americans die from the flu and its complications. Influenza is the only vaccine-preventable disease that is in the top ten leading causes of death and local health officials are stressing the vaccineâs importance. Dr. Donald Lawrenchuk, Medical Director at the Department of Public Health, says influenza season generally runs November through April and typically peaks after the holidays. During this time, outbreaks of norovirus are also common and an increased number of cases in the area have been reported. Norovirus is incorrectly known as the âstomach fluâ but is not related to influenza. Dr. Lawrenchuk tells WHMI cases of type A and B influenza have been reported in the county but the available vaccine is highly recommended to protect against it. Dr. Lawrenchuk says though local activity is relatively low right now, he believes itâs âjust a matter of timeâ before the number of cases start to increase. The vaccine is recommended for anyone 6 months or older. Flu shots are available at local pharmacies, a doctorâs office or the Department of Public Health. Vaccines will be available at the departmentâs office on East Grand River in Howell during their Wednesday clinic from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Hours will be extended until 7 pm on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. More information about norovirus and influenza prevention can be found at the links below. (DK)
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Milford Woman Charged In Violent Attack Now Facing Possible Murder ChargesMilford Woman Charged In Violent Attack Now Facing Possible Murder Charges
Charges could be upgraded against a 58-year-old Milford woman after the death of her husband who was beaten last month with a crowbar. 58-year-old Yvonne Helen Cortis is currently charged with assault with intent to murder and animal torture. But authorities say 68-year-old Greg Cortis of Milford died Saturday in a hospital from trauma to his head and body. Police found him November 30th on a floor in their home. The family's dog also was beaten. Yvonne Cortis is being held in the Oakland County Jail on a $1 million bond. Court officials have said she has a history of mental illness and last week was referred to the state forensic center for an evaluation to determine competency and criminal responsibility. However, Milford Police Chief Thomas Lindberg says his department "will be working with" prosecutors to "enhance the charges to a murder case." Cortis reportedly told officers at the scene that both her husband and the dog were sick and she was âputting them out of their misery.â A detective earlier told the court that Cortis gave âno indication of an absolute motive other than the fact that the dog and the husband were sufferingâ. Gregory Cortis was initially on life support at a hospital while the dog was treated at a veterinary care facility. (JK)
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Performer Takes a Humorous Look at Recovery and AddictionPerformer Takes a Humorous Look at Recovery and Addiction
A unique fundraiser this weekend will help bring awareness to addiction and recovery through comedy. Nationally renowned comedian Mark Lundholm will perform Saturday, December 19th as part of a 3 day event to help raise funds for various recovery based initiatives in the area. Lundholm, a recovering drug addict, uses humor and personal experience to bring awareness to addiction and recovery. Organizer Scott Masi, who is also an Outreach and Referral Specialist with St. John Providence Brighton Center for Recovery says the event culminates with the comedy show at the Hartland Center for Performing Arts on M-59. He says the event is about breaking down barriers to recovery and addiction services. He says it is important to shed a positive light on the recovery community and take away the stigma associated with addiction. Masi tells WHMI Lundholm will be spreading his message in a unique way. It's a great opportunity for the community to hear a message highlighting recovery, mental illness, substance abuse and addiction and be able to laugh about it. Masi says he tells people Mark speaks 9 languages and all of them are English because they keep him busy while he's here. Masi says they will be going into the jails, prisons and high schools, as well as Children's Village and the treatment center at Brighton. The main event for the public will be Saturday night in Hartland. This is the fourth year Lundholm has been involved in the fundraiser, and this year Masi says theyâve added some new elements. Along with the silent auction, there is the opportunity to enjoy a 5-course dinner before the live performance prepared by executive chef, John Breeland. Visit the link below for ticket information. (DS)
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Former Youth Sports Treasurer Enters Plea To Embezzlement ChargeFormer Youth Sports Treasurer Enters Plea To Embezzlement Charge
A Highland Township man who was the treasurer of a youth sports organization will be sentenced next month on embezzlement charges. 42-year-old Mark Helz was arrested at his home Sept. 25 following a two month investigation by the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office. Authorities say Helz stole approximately $20,000 from the Huron Valley Youth Baseball and Softball League. The leagueâs president said he notified police after discovering discrepancies in bank records. Helz was originally ordered to stand trial on a charge of embezzlement of at least $1,000 and less than $20,000 from a non-profit/charitable organization. But last week that count was dropped in exchange for a guilty plea to a charge of embezzlement by an agent or trustee. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison. Helz remains free on a $50,000 personal bond pending sentencing January 20th. (JK)
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Library Event Will Discuss Internet SafetyLibrary Event Will Discuss Internet Safety
The Brighton District Library will be partnering with the Michigan Attorney Generalâs Office to offer an internet-safety course for the community. The online safety program will be held at the Brighton Library on Wednesday, December 16th from 7 to 8 pm. Christine Coady of the Michigan Department of Attorney Generalâs Consumer Education Group will discuss the importance of using the internet in a safe manner and what consumers can do to protect their devices. The Attorney Generalâs Consumer Protection Division offers the cutting-edge seminars to educate community members on how to make wise decisions and avoid scams. To register for the event, call 810-229-6571, extension 227. (DK)
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