Additional charges are expected in the case of a Tyrone Township man charged with looting an Oakland County credit union over the past 12 years. 36-year-old Michael LaJoice remains lodged in the Oakland County Jail on a $1 million bond. The owner of the Chasse dance studio in Fenton is charged with 14 counts stemming from his admission to police that he stole money from the Clarkston Brandon Community Credit Union in Independence Township, where he served as Chief Financial Officer. Police say it appears the thefts occurred in multiple withdrawals of $100,000 which were then deposited into several personal accounts. Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Robert Hovy has described LaJoice's $1.3 million, 5,800-square foot home in the northeast corner of Tyrone Township as lavish, and completely unsupported by his listed salary of $65,000 from the credit union. While authorities froze $800,000 in cash located in several bank accounts, someone withdrew $40,000 last Thursday, and prosecutors anticipate additional charges will be filed. A call to LaJoiceâs wife Ashleigh has gone unreturned and itâs not known if she is a target of the investigation. The couple has three young children. Flint attorney Michael Manley is representing LaJoice and told the Flint Journal that he plans to do his own investigation. He also says he plans to ask for a reduction of LaJoice's $1 million bond at the next court appearance on Jan. 20. Manley says all of his clientâs business operations are suspended, including LaJoice Properties LLC, which recently received final approval for a $31 million retail and residential project along the Shiawassee River in Fenton. Chasse clients, meanwhile, have been seeking answers about pre-purchased dance lessons, but have, so far, received no information if those will be honored or refunded. (JK)
Additional Charges Expected In LaJoice Embezzlement CaseAdditional Charges Expected In LaJoice Embezzlement Case
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Volunteers Needed For Annual Community Connect EventVolunteers Needed For Annual Community Connect Event
Coordinators of a yearly community outreach event are seeking volunteers to help in a variety of ways. Livingston Countyâs 9th annual Community Connect event will be held at Parker Middle School in Howell from 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday, February 6th. The event connects local residents in need with resources, information and free services. Event planners believe this yearâs outreach will draw in more people than ever and are seeking volunteers to accommodate the crowd. Volunteers will help guests find resources, keep the facility clean, provide directions, set up Friday evening and take-down after the event. Volunteers will receive details, confirmation packets and work assignments prior to the event. To request a volunteer registration form, e-mail Volunteer Coordinator Donna Gehringer at dgehringer@lcunitedway.org by January 20th. Registration forms can also be found at lcunitedway.org under the âGet Involvedâ tab. (DK)
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Huron Valley Schools Entertain Proposals For Former Middle School PropertyHuron Valley Schools Entertain Proposals For Former Middle School Property
Ideas for use and development of a vacant property in Highland Township are being accepted by the school district that owns it. Two proposals have come forward for the site that was previously the location of Highland Middle School. Lack of enrollment led to the schoolsâ closure a few years ago and the Huron Valley School district is now open to interested parties. The districtâs business department and legal counsel are currently reviewing the proposals and the school board will also look them over to see if they are interested in either one. One came from a private firm and details surrounding their concept arenât being shared at this time. Highland Township submitted the other proposal and they are suggesting a trade of properties. The township owns property next to Milford High School and would like to trade for the former middle schoolâs property. Both proposals will be further discussed by the school board. (DK)
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Committee Rejects Public Hearing Resolution to Combine Two County OfficesCommittee Rejects Public Hearing Resolution to Combine Two County Offices
Discussion about combining two Livingston County offices to save money ended last night in the General Government and Health and Human Services Committee. A resolution on the agenda would have set the date for a public hearing to possibly combine the Register of Deeds and County Clerkâs Offices, but it got no support. During a public comment segment on the agenda, both of the elected officials from the two departments as well as employees brought concerns about the decision. Register of Deeds Sally Reynolds told the committee sheâs been in contact with other counties who have already made a similar move. She says there are other problems besides it not having the cost savings they expected. She says in another county she spoke with the Register of Deeds is the one that gets neglected when the combination does come. She says the Clerk has so many responsibilities that she is so busy with, including elections, courts, DBA's and other things, that she has little time left to spend on the deeds side of her office. She says that gets neglected and she thinks since the land records are what the taxes are based on the records should be maintained in a safe and accurate manner. She says she doesn't want to take a chance on that happening in Livingston County. County Commissioner Dave Domas sided with the two departments saying he didnât know where the idea to combine them came from, but he doesnât see the need. He says in his opinion they are the most efficient operating organizations in county government. When the time came to make a motion on the resolution to set a public hearing date, none of the four committee members would make the motion. Committee chairman Dennis Dolan says there will be no further action taken on the issue. (DS)
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Howell School Board Calls For Search Into New Legal Counsel Howell School Board Calls For Search Into New Legal Counsel
Several Board of Education members for Howell Public Schools are unhappy with the districtâs legal representation and are calling for a change. Thrun Law Firm represents the school district and was re-appointed to do so at a board meeting Monday night. However Superintendent Erin MacGregor did make the attorneys present at the meeting aware that the board is looking into alternative options. Board members voiced concerns over the firmâs guidance in recent cases and Trustee Deborah McCormick says theyâve cost the district a lot of money. MacGregor says he will take the board members concerns into consideration and is looking into other firms within the state to possibly represent the district. He tells WHMI the search for adequate representation may not be as easy as it sounds. Trustee Marcus Wilcox says he is ânot happy with Thrun at allâ, but knows there are not many firms that are experts in educational law and policies. A yearly retainer fee for the firm that amounts to a couple thousand dollars is due this month but the majority of the board felt it was better to pay the firm for another year then proceed without any legal counsel. Aside from the yearly fee, the firm is paid hourly and the district is able to end their agreement with them at any time. (DK)
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Snyder May Seek State Funding For Flint Water Crisis, Vague On SpecificsSnyder May Seek State Funding For Flint Water Crisis, Vague On Specifics
Gov. Snyder says he may need to ask the Legislature for more money to address the public health crisis resulting from lead contamination of Flint's drinking water. The governor, speaking during a visit to Flint on Monday, didnât specify how much money he might need, but acknowledged that actions taken by the state have not been good enough. Residents angry about the situation were not allowed to attend the press conference, but could be heard outside protesting. Flint's drinking water became contaminated with lead in April 2014 after the city switched its supply source to the Flint River as a cost-cutting move overseen by a state-appointed emergency manager. Meanwhile, many residents are saying they should not have to pay for water the state admits is tainted and urging them not to use. But when asked about the billing issue on Monday, Snyder declined comment. Kary Moss, executive director of the ACLU of Michigan, said Flint residents shouldn't be charged anything for drinking water for the entire time the Flint River was used as a source, especially since records show state officials may have manipulated water-testing data to show the water was safe to drink when it wasn't. Pictured are Flint Mayor Karen Weaver and Governor Snyder. (AP/JK)
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Red Cross Issues Urgent Need For Donations During JanuaryRed Cross Issues Urgent Need For Donations During January
Blood donations decline during the winter months and the American Red Cross will be holding several blood drives in Livingston County to ensure a sufficient supply. The Red Cross has issued an urgent need for blood and platelet donations to prevent a winter shortage. Red Cross Communications Manager Todd Kulman says fewer blood donations over the holiday months have reduced the national Red Crossâ supply by 50,000 units or pints. Kulman tells WHMI there is often a decline in donations and drives during the winter months due to typical circumstances. Kulman says a shortage can be avoided if a few additional donors than what is usually expected give throughout January, which is National Blood Donor Month. Appointments can be made by visiting redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. A free app from the Red Cross can now also be downloaded to smart phones that allow a person to find donation opportunities, make appointments and track their lifetime donations. Kulman says it is the power to save a life in the palm of someoneâs hand. A full list of donation opportunities in Livingston County can be found at the link below. (DK)
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Suspect Arrested In Connection To Burglaries Across Ingham & Livingston CountiesSuspect Arrested In Connection To Burglaries Across Ingham & Livingston Counties
Authorities have arrested a suspect they believe could be connected to the rash of break-ins that occurred along the Grand River Corridor in late December. The suspect, a 29 year old Eaton Rapids resident, was taken into custody by the Brighton City Police Department on New Yearâs Eve night when he was found parked behind a business in Brighton. Detectives from the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department, Brighton City Police Department, Michigan State Police and the Meridian Township Police Department are continuing to investigate the burglaries that apparently began December 22nd. More than a half a dozen break-ins occurred at establishments from Meridian Township in Ingham County to Genoa Township in Livingston County. The Howell-area burglaries include Eternity Brewing, El Patron, Blue Fin Japanese Steakhouse, New China King and Jeffâs Fireworks. The suspect is also thought to be involved in a break-in that occurred at Ahmoâs Deli in Brighton. He was arrested on a Parole absconder warrant from the Michigan Department of Corrections and was lodged in the Livingston County Jail without incident. The suspect has not yet been arraigned on any charges and his name is not being released at this time. (DK)
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Brighton & Howell School Boards Re-Elect Same OfficersBrighton & Howell School Boards Re-Elect Same Officers
Both the Brighton and Howell school boards re-elected the same slate of officers for the coming year at their annual organizational meetings Monday night. In Brighton, Board President Jay Krause was re-elected, as was Vice-President Dave Chesney, Secretary Beth Minert and Treasurer Ken Stahl. Krause is the liaison to Hilton Elementary School and the Brighton Senior Center, while Chesney serves on the Livingston County School Board Association Collaborative Committee. He also acts as the board liaison to Brighton High School. Minert is a member of the districtâs Health Education Advisory Council while Stahl acts as the liaison to Hornung Elementary and The Bridge Alternative High School. Howellâs school board re-elected Mike Yenshaw as President, Stacy Pasini as Vice-President, Brent Earl as Secretary and Grace Trudell as Treasurer. Yenshaw chairs the Howell boardâs Policy Committee, while Pasini serves on the board finance committee. (JK)
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Annual Economic Forecast For Michigan Has Promising DirectionAnnual Economic Forecast For Michigan Has Promising Direction
One of the countryâs top economists visited Livingston County this morning and is forecasting some positive economic trends for the state and country. Dennis Johnson, Chief Investment Officer for Comerica Bank, was the keynote speaker at the Howell Area Chamber of Commerceâs Good Morning Livingston breakfast meeting. Johnson says the U.S. and Michigan will see economic growth in 2016 due to a predicted drop in unemployment, increased federal budget spending and higher consumer spending. While inflation and interest rates are expected to increase this year, unemployment rates are expected to drop. Johnson says the U.S. dollar is increasing in value and will stay strong. For local consumers, he urges them to make a savings account a priority and spend within their means. However Johnson also says itâs important to know oneâs own risk tolerance and suggests managing that through investment diversification. Essentially, Johnson says âdonât put all your eggs in one basketâ and avoid correlated assets. When it comes to gas prices and the cost of oil, Johnson says not to pay too much attention to the supply and demand factor. He feels the issue is more political than anything which makes cost fluctuation difficult to predict. (DK/JK)
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Driver Loses Control Of Sedan, Rolls Off I-96 Into Water-Filled RavineDriver Loses Control Of Sedan, Rolls Off I-96 Into Water-Filled Ravine
A Brighton firefighter donned a water rescue suit to search for the occupant of a vehicle that apparently lost control and went off the side of I-96, took out an exit sign, rolled into a ravine and landed in water. The Brighton Area Fire Department was dispatched around 10:43am to an unknown injury accident that happened on westbound I-96, just east of the Grand River exit in Brighton. Deputy Fire Chief Mike Evans tells WHMI nobody was around but someone witnessed the vehicle go off the roadway so they responded, along with EMS and the Sheriffâs Department. Evans says the vehicle had gone off the highway and rolled, landing in about two-feet of water in a deep ravine. He says itâs a waterway that goes underneath the freeway through a culvert and ultimately ends up in the Mill Pond. It appeared there was evidence that someone crawled through the sun roof to get out. While the vehicle did not appear to be occupied and nobody was around, Evans says they did send one firefighter in a mustang suit or water rescue suit to look around and double check the vehicle and water. A tow truck ended up pulling the black sedan out of the ravine. The crash was just one accident of many that occurred on local snow-covered roads, with Evans reminding motorists to allow for extra travel time and slow down. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department is investigating the cause of the ravine crash and working to identify the driver. (JM)
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Eaton Rapids Man Charged In Connection w/ Break-In At Brighton Business Eaton Rapids Man Charged In Connection w/ Break-In At Brighton Business
Authorities have arrested an Eaton Rapids man they believe could be connected to the rash of break-ins that occurred along the Grand River Corridor in late December. The suspect, 38-year-old Donald Benjamin Lundberg of Eaton Rapids, was arrested on a Parole absconder warrant from the Michigan Department of Corrections and is facing charges of breaking and entering for an incident at Ahmoâs Deli in Brighton. He was taken into custody by the Brighton City Police Department on New Yearâs Eve night after an officer on routine patrol spotted a vehicle in the parking lot of Border Cantina. Police Chief Tom Wightman told WHMI they believe Lundberg was using the lot as a vantage point to case another business. Evidence linked to the break-in at Ahmoâs was also said to be found in Lundbergâs vehicle. Meanwhile, detectives from multiple departments are continuing to investigate Lundbergâs possible involvement in more than a half a dozen burglaries that apparently began December 22nd at establishments from Meridian Township in Ingham County to Brighton in Livingston County. The Howell-area burglaries included Eternity Brewing, El Patron, Blue Fin Japanese Steakhouse, New China King and Jeffâs Fireworks. (JM)
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Merrill Lundgren "The Bucket Man" Dies At 96 Merrill Lundgren "The Bucket Man" Dies At 96
The community is mourning the loss of a Howell resident affectionately dubbed "The Bucket Man" who leaves a lasting legacy of love and kindness with thousands of children and adults. Merrill Lundgren passed away Sunday at the age of 96. He spoke professionally for many years, delivering messages of inspiration. In 2003, he became the first person ever to share the Bucket Filling message with school children in Howell. Since then, the message of choosing kindness and love instead of bullying has spread, with Bucketfilling books for children being published. Lundgrenâs company, Bucketfillers For Life, is still actively spreading the message of positivity under the direction of his son, Peter Lundgren. A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 11am at MacDonald's Funeral Home in Howell. A luncheon will immediately follow at Chemung Hills Country Club in Howell, at which Merrill specifically requested that his family and friends celebrate life with much love and laughter. He further requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to the Livingston County United Way, where he and his late wife Edna performed many hours of community service. a link to Lundgren's obituary and funeral information is available in he link below. (JM)
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Runway Repurposed Designers Get Projects UnderwayRunway Repurposed Designers Get Projects Underway
Registration ends tonight at 8 pm for a fundraiser benefiting the historic Howell Opera House. Over 70 designers are expected to enter this yearâs Runway Repurposed fashion show this year. The Livingston Arts Council opened the doors to the historic Howell Opera House for three days this week so designers could choose from thousands of donated articles of clothing and fabrics. Each participant will use the discarded clothing as a starting point to create something else unique. Event coordinator Mary Rettenmaier says there were all kinds of clothes to choose from, but primarily what the designers need to do is look at a completed article of clothing as a piece of fabric. Theresa Heires won the grand prize the first year of the fashion show in 2008 and hasnât entered since. Sheâs an artist by trade and decided to try two designs this year. Heires picked out her fabrics, but doesnât know what sheâll make yet. She says she just picks out materials that appeal to her, goes home and starts figuring it out. She says last time she had three pairs of slacks a pair of trouser socks and a woman's raincoat. She used the slacks to make a skirt with a fishtail pleat in the back and the socks to make a pair of fingerless gloves. The raincoat became the corset. She says it all turned out very nice and it was kind of fun. She says her daughter was her model the first year and encouraged her to enter again. Rettenmaier says the fashion show draws entrants of all ages, and often there are generations working together, adding that the donated clothes are a good way to support the community. She says it's a great way to take old discarded clothing that has no use in one person's eyes but yet still holds value to someone else. Rettenmaier says designers have one month to cut their clothes up and make something completely new. The Runway Repurposed fashion show will be held on February 21st at Crystal Gardens in Brighton. Proceeds from the event support the Livingston Arts Council and the historic Howell Opera House. (DS)
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Hartland Planning Commission To Discuss Library Reconfiguration ProjectHartland Planning Commission To Discuss Library Reconfiguration Project
Plans are in the works to reconfigure the Cromaine District Library in Hartland. The Hartland Township Planning Commission meets Thursday and is expected to discuss site plans detailing a reconfiguration of the Cromaine District Library. The library has been under virtual and physical construction, with building updates and renovations. A winter newsletter noted conversations have been occurring with Hartland Consolidated Schools and the township regarding use of the libraryâs property adjacent to the east wall of the 1980 library building. The project would create new study rooms and small group meeting rooms as well as a youth-only program room and teen area, as requested by the community. The reconfiguration would be accomplished using Cromaineâs savings and officials say the goal is to break ground in the spring. The planning commission meets Thursday at 7pm for its organizational meeting, which will include election of officers and committee appointments. Also on the agenda will be the first amendment to the Turnin 2 Complex site plan, a fast-pitch softball facility for indoor and outdoor tournament play. (JM)
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Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority Moving Forward With MillageHowell Area Parks & Recreation Authority Moving Forward With Millage
A millage, employee handbook revisions, a grievance policy and the directorâs annual performance review were discussed by the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority board Tuesday night. There have been past issues with some employees and morale in the organization but the meeting appeared cordial, with the board approving a number of items to benefit employees. Personnel issues and other concerns surfaced within the organization last year, with some employees and allies rallying for the resignation of Director Paul Rogers. The board later rescinded written reprimands Rogers had placed in the files of three employees for alleged actions during the Howell Melonfest and determined he overreacted. The authorityâs attorney suggested that if looking at general changes to the team member handbook, that the board should consider some sort of policy to handle employee complaints because they really donât have one right now. Language will be drafted for the grievance policy along with other revisions related to an employee discount policy. The board approved a motion to increase vacation days for longtime employees and was also unanimous in directing staff to pursuing a millage for operations and facility improvements. Board Chairman Todd Smith tells WHMI they had a lot of items they needed to clean up through year end, as well as others related to the Affordable Care Act with revisions made to health insurance and benefits for employees. Smith says a lot of expenses and benefits were cut in the budget last year, which they needed to incorporate but things have been going very great and they're really proud of the faculty they have, noting some great programs are coming out and they're getting excited for the upcoming season. Smith added they've solved through tough times over the last year with budget issues and think everything is moving in the right direction. Open dialogue appears to be regular practice during meetings, with employees and attendees weighing in regularly on different agenda items. Nothing that appeared controversial came up and Rogers personally thanked staff for all of their hard work with reigning in expenses and saving money to help the budget. The meeting concluded with a closed session to conduct the annual performance review for Rogers. A group of employees again declined to comment to WHMI on anything afterward, despite sending an anonymous correspondence that alleged morale was at an all-time low. Meanwhile, the board was unanimous in directing staff to move ahead with finalizing ballot language for a millage that will likely appear before voters August 2nd. The initial recommendation is to pursue point-75 mills for a period of five years. Point-5 would be for operational expenses while point-25 would be for capital improvements. If it were to pass, the millage would generate approximately $1.5 (m) million. The authority has roughly $600,000 in fixed revenues but Rogers noted that fixed expenses for employees alone are close to $700,000 so if the millage were to pass, it could help cover those fixed expenses. He commented that in order to grow, they need to find a better source of fixed revenue, which would help avoid the hot and cold theyâre doing now where they canât give employees raises, which is just not conducive to a good environment. (JM)
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Snyder Calls Out National Guard To Assist Flint Water CrisisSnyder Calls Out National Guard To Assist Flint Water Crisis
Members of the Michigan National Guard are headed to Flint to help distribute bottled water, filters and other supplies to residents dealing with a drinking water crisis that began months ago. Gov. Rick Snyder late Tuesday activated the National Guard, and some members were expected to arrive as soon as today. More than 30 Guardsmen will be in place by Friday, enabling American Red Cross volunteers to join door-to-door efforts already underway instead of staffing sites where residents can pick up free bottled water, filters, replacement cartridges and home water testing kits. Snyder on Tuesday also requested and was granted support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in coordinating a recovery plan. Flint's tap water became contaminated with too much lead after the city switched its water supply in 2014 to save money while under state financial management. The Snyder Administration has drawn increasing criticism over its handling of the crisis, including that state officials may have manipulated water-testing data to show the water was safe to drink when it wasn't. Despite Snyder activating the National Guard, Congressman Dan Kildee, a Flint Democrat, renewed his earlier calls for a request for federal financial aid for Flint, "due to the lack of a sufficient response from the state." Snyder officials say that will take more time. (AP)
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Students Double Up On Food Donation Drive GoalStudents Double Up On Food Donation Drive Goal
A local charter school has once again made a name for itself through efforts to help those in need. The Spirit Club at Charyl Stockwell Academy Elementary School in Hartland Township collected 2,074 pounds of canned goods from the school community during their annual food drive. The Spirit Club, which coordinates student activities that reflect and support the schoolâs mission and character values, donated the food to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan. This is the second year in a row that the Stockwell Academy was designated a Hunger Hero School and earned a spot in Gleanerâs Half Ton Club by collecting over 1,000 pounds of food. (JK)
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Brighton Township's Lawsuit Against Clearwater Over Gravel Pit In Arbitration Brighton Township's Lawsuit Against Clearwater Over Gravel Pit In Arbitration
Litigation has entered the next phase between Brighton Township and a company that is refusing to uphold a development agreement. In 1987, Brighton Township signed a joint planned development agreement with Sunset Sand and Gravel. The agreement allowed the company to mine gravel from a pit property at the corner of Jacoby and Kensington Roads for a 20-year period. At the end of that time frame, Sunset was to restore the property and a park and condominium development were to be built. The company went bankrupt before they could follow through on their end of the deal so the public-private partnership never came to fruition and Milford-based Clearwater Development, LLC took over. The new gravel pit owners refused responsibility for the agreement and sought to re-open the gravel pit for mining activities, prompting the township to initiate legal action in 2014. Township Manager Brian Vick tells WHMI the lawsuit with Clearwater is now in arbitration. Itâs a court process that should determine whether Clearwater will be obligated to follow through with the original terms laid out in Sunset Gravelâs agreement with the township. (JM)
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Hartland Township Evaluates its ManagerHartland Township Evaluates its Manager
A local township manager received a pay raise after his annual evaluation last night. After two long closed sessions to hash out details, the Hartland Township Board gave Township Manager James Wickman his evaluation behind closed doors last night. After emerging, the board agreed to give Wickman a $2,500 per year pay raise. His new annual salary is $93,000. Township Supervisor Bill Fountain says the evaluation is standard procedure. Fountain says every year they evaluate the manager and this year he is going to be starting his 9th year. He says they want to make sure all of the board members are on the same page, then anything that might be a little bit off track they can make sure that they're getting right back on track to where they're headed as a community. He says they are all pleased with Wickman being the manager for all of these years and look forward to several more into the future. Prior to the boardâs regular meeting last week trustees were expected to fill out evaluation forms, then they got together and shared comments and concerns. Fountain says they worked out any concerns they had prior to bringing Wickman into the meeting so they could be clear when passing the information onto Wickman. He says any concerns were addressed so they can move on, but there were no major concerns with Wickmanâs performance. He says board is happy with the job Wickman is doing as manager and they are comfortable with the direction Hartland Township is headed in. (DS)
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