The Federal Emergency Management Agency says it has received Michigan's request for a disaster declaration in Flint. The agency says it will send a recommendation to President Obama as "expeditiously as possible." Flint's tap water became contaminated with too much lead after the city switched its water supply in 2014 while a new pipeline was under construction. The decision was made while the city was under state financial management. Gov. Snyder says he's seeking federal aid for individuals and public agencies involved in the effort to provide Flint residents with filters and clean water. Meanwhile, Michigan's attorney general says he plans to investigate the crisis. The announcement early today from the office of Bill Schuette says he'll seek to determine what, if any, Michigan laws were violated. He says work on the investigation will begin immediately. Federal prosecutors said earlier this month they're working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on an investigation into problems with lead in Flint's water supply. (AP)
Snyder Seeks Federal Disaster Aid For Ongoing Flint Water CrisisSnyder Seeks Federal Disaster Aid For Ongoing Flint Water Crisis
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Brighton Board of Education OKs New CoursesBrighton Board of Education OKs New Courses
The Brighton Board of Education approved several new courses for Brighton High School at its meeting Monday night. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that typically the school district adds new courses each year to meet the needs of students in an increasingly complex and competitive world. The courses include Advanced Marketing; American Sign Language IV; Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles; Coding and Robotics; Engineering and Robotics II and the LINK program/Visual, Performing and Applied Arts Crosswalk, along with several physical education-related courses. The new phys ed classes to start next fall include BFS Weight Training; Individual Sports; Nutrition and Fitness; Physical Education Readiness; Recreation Sports; Sports Management; Sports Tech and Team Sports. The courses were all reviewed at the building level and approved by the School Improvement Leadership Collaborative with staff, administrator, and parent representatives. One of the more interesting additions is American Sign Language IV. Gray tells WHMI that Brighton may one of the few school districts in the state of Michigan that offers four years of American Sign Language.
The courses are all earmarked for Brighton High School except Coding and Robotics, which will be taught at Scranton Middle School. Not all the physical education-related courses are new; in fact, Gray says most are being re-aligned according to changing Michigan high school and professional standards. (TT)
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Hamburg Township Post Office Could Be RelocatingHamburg Township Post Office Could Be Relocating
Plans are apparently in the works to relocate the Hamburg Township Post Office. The Hamburg Post Office is located at 7424 East M-36 and thereâs been talk over the past decade about potentially moving it. Residents in the township have a variety of different zip codes and addresses for different municipalities, such as Whitmore Lake. A letter to the township from the United States Postal Services Facilities Department states that it has been on a month-to-month arrangement at the current location since November of 2007 but has been unable to obtain a long term lease from the current landlord. The letter indicates the USPS will be terminating the agreement and plans to relocate, but has not released any details yet about the search or potential sites. Representatives will be in attendance at the Hamburg Township Board meeting next Tuesday and are expected to outline a proposal and the need to relocate while soliciting input from the community. Once the plans are disclosed, a comment and appeal period will follow. The feedback will be considered and the Postal Service will ultimately make a decision to proceed with, modify or cancel the proposal. Tuesdayâs regular meeting of the Hamburg Township Board starts at 7pm at the township hall off Merrill Road. (JM)
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Projects Planned To Facilitate Growth & Expansion In City Of Howell Projects Planned To Facilitate Growth & Expansion In City Of Howell
The Howell City Council is looking to issue capital improvement bonds to serve the needs of a section of the downtown district while encouraging continued growth and expansion. The Howell City Council met Monday night and adopted a notice of intent resolution, which basically says theyâre thinking about borrowing money. The bonds would specifically fund upgrades to parking lot #4 alley and the burial of overhead utility lines as well as upgrade parking lot #2, which is commonly referred to as âthe pitâ behind East Clinton Street and Grand River. City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI the projects would address capacity needs as far as parking and provide an opportunity to address some of the infrastructure needs for that part of downtown, where theyâve already seen some good projects such as Heart of Howell. He says the resolution sets a maximum of $1.5 (m) million in bonds and was only a first step so it does not commit the city to the actual borrowing. Charles says they donât anticipate the project cost will be that high but always provide some buffer in the notices in case something comes up during design or any other unexpected circumstances. Itâs possible the bond amount could be amended at a later date if council decides to add other improvement projects. Thereâs a list of others to be done around the city, such as repairs to the Bennett Center. Council is expected to discuss those and potential costs during the next budget work session. Should any additional amount be agreed upon, Council would have to issue another notice of intent resolution but could combine it all into one debt issuance. Meanwhile, the Downtown Development Authority is not in a financial position to contribute toward the cost at this time. Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Manor commented that council needed to move on the Cityâs behalf and his hope is that as the DDAâs finances improve, they will be able to assume some piece of the debt gradually over the years of the bond. (JM)
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Webberville Teen Arraigned In Fatal Crash Webberville Teen Arraigned In Fatal Crash
A teenager charged in a car crash that took the life of a Livingston County man has been arraigned. 17-year-old Kaitlyn Dianne Powers of Webberville is charged with a moving violation causing death and was arraigned earlier this week. In October, Powers was involved in a two-vehicle car crash in Conway Township that resulted in the death of 28-year-old Nicholas Roddenberg of Fowlerville. A preliminary investigation indicated Powers was heading westbound when she failed to stop at the stop sign on Morhle Road at Nicholson Road. Her Buick struck the Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by Roddenberg, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. He was ejected from the vehicle and later pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel. Roddenbergâs passengers, 23 year-old Holli Matthews of Fowlerville and a 14 month-old child, were transported by ambulance to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Powers was treated and released at the scene. On Thursday, she pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear in court on February 1st for a pre-trial hearing. (DK)
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Pinckney Student Returned To Jail For Violating Bond Pinckney Student Returned To Jail For Violating Bond
A Pinckney High School student will spend the rest of the weekend in jail for having contact with the victim he is accused of raping. 17-year-old Nicklaus Lefebvre faces three counts of 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct, furnishing alcohol to a minor and child abusive commercial activity for allegedly taking pictures during the original incident. Lefebvre, 17-year-old Jacob Houck and a 16-year-old student are charged in connection to the alleged rape of a female student that occurred at a residence within the village. Lefebvreâs bond was revoked yesterday and he was ordered to spend the weekend in the Livingston County Jail for violating a bond condition to not have contact with the victim. On Thursday, Lefebvre reportedly sent a picture of himself and his family from his motherâs cell phone on the social media application Snapchat to his friends list which included the victim. The victimâs grandmother saw the picture and screenshot the image which she then reported to authorities. Lefebvre was arrested and is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing January 22nd. He was also ordered to delete all of his social media accounts. (DK)
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Obama Signs Emergency Declaration For FlintObama Signs Emergency Declaration For Flint
President Obama has signed an emergency declaration for Flint that clears the way for federal aid to the city undergoing a drinking water crisis. The White House issued a release calling for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to "alleviate the hardship and suffering" on residents. Flint switched water supplies in 2014 while a new pipeline was under construction and the corrosive water from the Flint River leached lead from old pipes. The action was taken as a cost-cutting move while the city was under a state emergency financial manager. FEMA has been authorized to provide water, filters, cartridges and other items for 90 days. Direct federal funding also will be made available. Gov. Rick Snyder requested the federal declaration Thursday, saying needs "far exceed the state's capability." He says emergency measures could cost $41 million. (AP)
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Registration Open For Dragon Run 5KRegistration Open For Dragon Run 5K
A cultural festival in downtown Howell next month will once again include the Dragon Run 5k and anyone interested is now able to register. Howellâs 3rd annual Lunar New Year Festival will take place on February 20th and runners and walkers alike can now register for the Dragon Run 5K that is part of the celebration. The 5K can be ran or walked and is designed for people of all ages. The cost for each participant is $25 during the early-bird registration which ends February 13th. The cost will then increase to $30 per person. The first 200 racers to register for each race will be given a t-shirt. The event will begin at Challenger Elementary School at 10 am. After the 5K there will be an awards ceremony and a $100 cash prize return for the high school or college track team with the most people registered. Early registration is now available online and full details can be found at the link below.
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Law Enforcement Asks Citizens To Be Aware Of Suspicious ActivityLaw Enforcement Asks Citizens To Be Aware Of Suspicious Activity
Law enforcement is encouraging community members to report suspicious activity in order to keep the area and one another safe. The Michigan State Police says citizens are critical to community safety and wants to remind them âIf You See Something, Say Somethingâ. Lt. Kevin Caldwell of the Brighton Post says âHomeland security starts with hometown securityâ and feels it is the residents who know the neighborhoods, schools and their work places better than anyone. Lt. Caldwell says residents should not be hesitant to report anything suspicious or out of place to law enforcement and this can be done by calling 911. Authorities say suspicious activity could include strange behavior, an unattended object that appears out of place or a strong odor coming from a building or vehicle. In addition to these indicators, law enforcement wants citizens to be aware of the seven signs of terrorism. These are surveillance, elicitation, tests of security, acquiring supplies, suspicious people out of place, trial runs and deploying assets. For non-emergent activity, call the Michigan Intelligence Operations Center at 1-855-642-4847 or report it online at michigan.gov/michtip.
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Pinckney Residents Donate Water for FlintPinckney Residents Donate Water for Flint
Pinckney residents banded together to help bring fresh water to children in Flint yesterday. Dozens of volunteers lined up to empty the vehicles of water as they drove past a box truck and school bus in front of Pathfinder School. People dropped off gallon jugs or cases of bottled water in an initiative to take fresh water to Flint. While some were prompted by their students to drop off water, others just wanted to help any way they can. Danielle Seering tells WHMI something needs to be done. Seering says she can't imagine not being able to bathe her children safely or being able to drink or cook with the water she has in her home, so she feels like somebody needs to be doing something, so she says if she can, even if it's just a little bit, she happy to do it. The water in Flint became contaminated with too much lead when the city switched it's water source to the Flint River while under the authority of a state-appointed emergency financial manager as a cost saving measure. Sue McCormick stopped by to drop off water and says the switch should never have happened. McCormick says she can't help but wonder, what if we needed this. She's happy to help. She says that's their water system, and you trust your government to do right. She says it's scary and she thinks it's bad; they should have stayed on the Detroit water system. At least it's good water. Once the water was collected it was taken to Mission of Hope in Flint for distribution to residents in need. (DS)
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Local Man Given Additional Prison Time For Attacking Prison EmployeeLocal Man Given Additional Prison Time For Attacking Prison Employee
A Whitmore Lake man who is already imprisoned has been given additional time for assaulting a nurse. 29-year-old Jeremy Daniel Taylor has been sentenced to 4 to 15 years in prison as a habitual 4 offender for assaulting a prison employee. Taylor was an inmate at the Woodland Center Correctional Facility in Green Oak Township when he reportedly punched a 70-year-old nurse last June. The incident was captured on a surveillance camera and shows Taylor attacking the nurse without cause. Taylor waived a trial by jury and pleaded guilty in December. Court records indicate that Taylorâs criminal history includes a conviction for assaulting a prison employee in Livingston County in 2013, breaking and entering a building with intent in Monroe County and 2nd degree home invasion in Wayne County. (DK)
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School Board Holds Off On Resolution To File Unfair Labor Charge School Board Holds Off On Resolution To File Unfair Labor Charge
An unfair labor charge may be filed against the Howell Education Association. The Howell Public Schoolsâ Board of Education was set to discuss the labor charge at a meeting Monday night; however it was removed from the agenda in order to further educate board members about the issue at hand. In a letter to the Board from Superintendent Erin MacGregor, he recommended approval of a resolution that would authorize him and the districtâs legal counsel to file the charge against the association, which represents the districtâs teachers. MacGregor tells WHMI the charge was halted because some board members werenât fully informed enough to make a decision. The resolution states that the HEA filed a grievance which addresses disciplinary action taken against a certified teacher, but because the Public Employment Relations Act has made teacher discipline a prohibited bargaining subject, the action is an unfair labor practice. HEA President Zach Kasprzak told WHMI that they âapplaud the decision of the Howell Board of Education to take the time necessary to fully understand the issue before proceeding,â adding that by doing so they are demonstrating, âwisdom and commitment to the Howell taxpayers by attempting to avoid needless litigation expense,â and that the âHEA stands ready as a willing partner to resolve this internally through meaningful discussion." MacGregor did not give specifics to the incident surrounding the teacher that was disciplined or the decision to file the charge. Trustee Gregg Gilligan thinks there are âsome things that need to be doneâ before the unfair labor charge can be filed and doesnât think the board is quite at that stage just yet. (DK/JK)
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Plans Approved To Expand Softball ComplexPlans Approved To Expand Softball Complex
Plans for a softball complex in Hartland Township have been amended to expand the facility in order to cater to more people and baseball teams. Construction is underway for the Turnin 2 Complex which was originally approved in September. The initial plans for the facility allowed for indoor and outdoor tournament play for girlsâ softball; however Developer Kevin Johnson says the community wants more. Amendments to the site plan include converting two youth softball fields to dual purpose fields in order to allow for boys baseball as well as softball. The townshipâs Planning Commission approved the amended site plan last Thursday. Johnson requested the expansion in order to cater to the areaâs youth. As a result of the expansion, the septic system will be relocated and the retention pond will be resized and reconfigured. The parcel of land totals out to almost 95 acres and the complex is located on the southwest corner of the US-23 service road and Clyde Road. Changes are not being made to the anticipated programming of the complex. Architect John Asselin says the plan is to get back at construction once the weather breaks. (DK)
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Mistrial Declared For Woman Charged In Fenton Man's MurderMistrial Declared For Woman Charged In Fenton Man's Murder
The trial of a woman charged in the shooting death of a Fenton man has ended in a mistrial on its first day. 51-year-old Mary Lou Bigford is charged with a multitude of counts, including first-degree murder, after police say she shot 39-year-old Lawrence Howard Jr. to death last April as he sat inside his car in the parking lot of the apartment complex where she lived with her daughter and granddaughter in Mt. Pleasant. Bigfordâs daughter had accused Howard of sexually abusing their daughter, which he adamantly denied. Multiple investigations failed to substantiate the abuse allegations. After several days of jury selection, opening arguments began Friday morning in Isabella County Circuit Court. But when Prosecutor Risa Hunt-Scully began her opening arguments, the Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun reports that she mentioned lab results on a bullet found in Bigfordâs car and bullet fragments found in Howardâs body. That drew an objection from Bigfordâs defense attorney, who said she had only seen the lab results two days before jury selection began. After a brief recess, Chief Judge Paul Chamberlain criticized the defense for not requesting a postponement before jury selection began, noting that the delay would now mean the seated jurors would have to be dismissed to accommodate the delay. He then declared a mistrial. A new trial date will now be set for Bigford. (JK)
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Livingston County to Share Public Health Medical DirectorLivingston County to Share Public Health Medical Director
The medical director of the Livingston County Department of Public Health will split time with Washtenaw County. Livingston Countyâs General Government and Health and Human Services Committee agreed last week to allow medical director Dr. Donald Lawrenchuk to help out on an interim basis. Washtenaw Countyâ Public Health Department will be losing its medical director on January 29th. The Washtenaw office is asking for medical director coverage for 16 hours a week. Committee Chair Dennis Dolan says the search has begun in Washtenaw. He says they are in need of a medical director on a part-time basis, adding that Dr. Lawrenchuk has been working as interim medical director in Jackson County and is leaving that position, which gives him time to help out in Washtenaw County. Health Officer Dianne McCormick told the committee Dr. Lawrenchuk will be providing services similar to those he offered in Jackson County. She says there is a small benefit to the county in that Washtenaw will pay all of his expenses for those hours. Livingston County will also see a savings in payments to MERS, or the Municipal Employees' Retirement System, for the hours the doctor is in Washtenaw County. McCormick says it can take anywhere from one to six months to find a replacement. (DS)
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Lansing Couple Allegedly Operating Meth Lab Arraigned Lansing Couple Allegedly Operating Meth Lab Arraigned
Two individuals who were pulled over in Livingston County have been arraigned on charges connected to the alleged operation of a meth lab. 27-year-old Jessica Voorhees and her boyfriend, 46-year-old John Crosley, are charged with two counts of a controlled substance for possession of meth and operating and maintaining a lab involving meth. Seperately, Crosley is charged with no insurance under the insurance code and Voorhees is charged with purchasing and possessing ephedrine to make meth, possession or the sale of a Taser, possession of marijuana and false identification. The two were arraigned on Thursday and are being held on a $75,000 bond cash/surety. The couple was pulled over on Latson Road in Howell on Tuesday and Voorhees allegedly gave the deputy a false name when he questioned her. Materials used in a meth lab were reportedly found in the coupleâs car. They are scheduled to appear in 53rd District Court January 27th for a probable cause conference and February 3rd for an examination. (DK)
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City Officials Not Worried About Changes In Longtime StaffCity Officials Not Worried About Changes In Longtime Staff
Brightonâs city government is undergoing some major changes, the results of which will help determine the future course of the city. The first hint of change came when then-City Manager Dana Foster announced he would be leaving to take a position in the private sector. Fosterâs last day on the job was Dec. 18th, with police Chief Tom Wightman appointed interim city manager until a new person could be found to administer the city. The City Council has since offered the position to Nate Geinzer, assistant to the city manager in Farmington Hills, contingent on a contract agreement. Meanwhile, Finance Director Kelly Hanna recently announced she will be retiring effective March 18th in order to spend more time with her family. Two other department head positions could also be undergoing a change in the coming months as DPW Director Dave Blackmar and Utilities Director Tim Krugh both have their 25 years in, making them eligible for retirement. Brighton Mayor Jim Muzzin tells WHMI despite the challenges ahead; he knows the city will continue to function smoothly. Geinzerâs acceptance of the city managerâs position is contingent on approval by both sides of an employment contract, which is currently being negotiated between Geinzer and City Attorney Paul Burns. Geinzer says heâs âanxious to get startedâ in his new position. Despite the fact that he has never been a city manager, he believes he is ready for the challenge. Muzzin hopes to have Geinzer installed at the city managerâs desk by the middle of February. Hanna, who started with the city as a switchboard operator, moved up through the years from accounts payable clerk to deputy treasurer to assistant finance director and then the full position, in charge of a 7-person staff. Under her stewardship, the city has been given the distinguished budget award for 10 years in a row by the Government Finance Officers Association. The cityâs bond rating has also gone up to double A-plus, one step away from the highest possible bond rating. Any qualified individual wanting to apply for the finance directorâs position should send a cover letter and resume to the Human Resources department. The deadline for applications is Jan. 22nd. (TT/JK)
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LESA's Danosky's Set To Retire In JuneLESA's Danosky's Set To Retire In June
A Livingston County superintendent has announced his retirement. The Livingston Educational Service Agency announced today that Superintendent Dan Danosky has decided to retire effective June 30th. Danosky took the LESA position in 2013 after serving for many years as Superintendent in the Pinckney Community School district. LuAnn Loy, president of the LESA board, said that Danosky âhas been a very strong leader and has managed districts through challenging times,â adding that they were âgrateful for his contributions to LESA.â Danoskyâs announcement will conclude a 22 year career in education, 17 as a superintendent. He said it had âbeen a privilege and a pleasure to lead the Livingston Education Service Agency for the last three years,â and he âwill miss the work and peopleâ as he moves on. However, Danosky said that LESA is well positioned for the future, with the expectation of becoming accredited this year, which will then allow them to revisit and update its strategic plan. He added that local districts have been invited to engage with LESA this spring to revisit the system of allocating resources, which could potentially better reflect the needs of their constituent districts and students. The LESA board has initiated the search process to choose Danoskyâs successor and is scheduling interviews with search firms. (JK)
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Sheriff Defends Jail Administration While Calling County Comissioners Mostly "Hypocrites & Liars"Sheriff Defends Jail Administration While Calling County Comissioners Mostly "Hypocrites & Liars"
Thereâs a war of words waging between Sheriff Bob Bezotte and the Livingston County Board of Commissioners, fueled by recent letters to employees. Former Chair Carol Griffith sent a letter December 29th explaining why there would not be any raises this year but thanking employees for their hard work and highlighting accomplishments over the past year. Uncertain costs associated with operating the newly expanded Livingston County Jail was among those mentioned. That prompted an angry reply, also sent to all county employees, from Bezotte on January 13th. He says non-union employees have made tremendous sacrifices for the county so to not offer any pay increase but encourage them to âpat yourself on the back,â as Griffith did in her letter, was disgraceful. He felt it was important to provide additional information in a follow up letter to employees, noting they brought in funds to offset operational costs. Bezotte says the board are a âbunch of hypocrites and liarsâ who have lied and misled him on issues and regularly retaliate against any employee that challenges them or past administration. Bezotte maintains the board dragged its feet for years on the jail project and cut road patrol deputies up until a controversial photo of female inmates in deplorable conditions was released to the media. He says the project cost taxpayers $10 (m) million more than if the board had the board went through with construction in 2005 when they were ready and already had $2.5 (m) million set aside. Griffith says employees are the countyâs most valuable asset and her letter reflected that, further questioning the sheriffâs absence during budget meetings. She tells WHMI his attending meetings or even calling would be a better avenue to address concerns than through the media. Bezotte disputes that he has disengaged from budgeting. While he missed the 2015 budget process, he did take part in the 2014 process, but felt that the board completely ignored the self-funding requests they made for beefing up Internet crime enforcement and to help deal with the rising tide of overdoses. He says he knows exactly what's going in with his budget and meets weekly with Undersheriff Mike Murphy to discuss these issues. Finally, Bezotte raised issues with what he feels have been deliberate changes to committee chair assignments in recent years that make it nearly impossible to get anything through the public safety. Meanwhile, Howell Township Trustee Mike Tipton has countered Bezotte's assertion that Howell Township received part of $1.2 million for debt restructuring. He says that did not happen and that the township's debts were not backed by the county, adding that officials made "painful budgetary adjustments necessary to get our township on a current sound financial path." Tipton also believes that the "jail project was rammed through in 2014 without public input and without considering all possible costs, medical support being a major omission. The jail project committed every disposal county budget dollar for the next 15 years. One minor budget shortfall then causes a severe problem. Both the county commission and sheriff caused this problem and the county employees as well as our citizens are again left holding the bag." The board will meet at 7:30 Tuesday night in the county administration building and among the items to be discussed are committee assignments for the upcoming year. The attached documents include the letter issued by Griffith, followed by Bezotte's response e-mail. (JM/JK)
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"Fresh Water For Flint" Event In Pinckney Exceeds Expectations"Fresh Water For Flint" Event In Pinckney Exceeds Expectations
Pinckney students, teachers, residents and neighboring communities came together with incredible results during a water drive this past weekend. Teachers at Pathfinder Middle School were moved to organize an event for Flint early last week, a city thatâs been struggling to get fresh water into the hands of its neediest residents. The Fresh Water for Flint event was held at the school Saturday and during the first hour alone, organizers say a 26-foot box truck was completely filled. After a steady stream of donations from hundreds of Pinckney residents and several organizations from Washtenaw and Livingston Counties, a total of three trucks were needed to haul an estimated 3,000 cases of bottled water collected. In addition to water, the drive resulted in almost $300 in cash donations. Everything was delivered to the Mission of Hope shelter in Flint. It hands out cases of water to residents on a daily basis but also runs the mission as a post office, a warming center, a place to shower, a homeless shelter and community center. Pathfinder Teacher Lori Scott thanked everyone who helped put and volunteered time or donated, adding they opened their hearts to share time and efforts and supply aid to a community with much greater needs. (JM)
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