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April Trial Set For South Lyon Woman Charged In Fatal CrashApril Trial Set For South Lyon Woman Charged In Fatal Crash

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A trial date has been set for a South Lyon woman charged in an alcohol-related t-bone crash that claimed the life of her mother. 50-year-old Janet McGahey appeared in Oakland County Circuit Court recently. A motion filed by the defense for discovery was denied and a trial date was set for April 18th. McGahey is charged with operating while intoxicated causing death in connection with the September 14th incident in which she was traveling on 11 Mile Road with her mother, 89-year-old Betty Whitfield of Lyon Township, in the passenger seat. McGahey reportedly stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Milford Road but became distracted while talking on her cell phone and pulled out in front of a Fed-Ex truck. The truck t-boned the passenger side of McGahey’s Ford Taurus. McGahey’s mother was pronounced dead at the scene and police said the driver of the Fed-Ex truck was not injured. McGahey was hospitalized at the time for her injuries and later released on bond. She has been ordered to attend AA meetings three times a week among other conditions and was cautioned that any bond violations would result in an immediate bench warrant being issued. (JM)

Five Candidates Seek Vacant Brighton City Council Seat Five Candidates Seek Vacant Brighton City Council Seat

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There are five candidates seeking the Brighton City Council seat left vacant with the passing of former mayor and council member Ricci Bandkau last month. Tuesday was the deadline to apply. The candidates include Jon Emaus, Renee Pettengill, William Bryan, Susan Walters-Steinacker, and Jordan Genso. Emaus is an attorney and managing partner at The Law Firm PLLC in Brighton. He is also vice president of the Hamilton Farms Condominium Association, and does volunteer legal work for Livingston County Veterans Treatment Court and Livingston County Family Court. He is also a volunteer coach for the Southeastern Livingston County Recreation Authority - known as SELCRA. Renee Pettengill is a regular at City Council meetings because of her involvement in many community activities. The last few years she has been the Imagination Station playground volunteer coordinator and organizes and supervises the annual playground cleanup effort. In a related matter, she has been involved in organizing the periodic application of new sealant at the playground to prevent arsenic from the wood chips from leaching through the soil. Also, Pettengill was recently appointed to fill a vacancy on the city’s Officers Compensation Commission. Pettengill is employed by the Cornerstone School in Detroit, in charge of community engagement. Susan Walters-Steinacker has run several times for Brighton City Council and has yet to win a seat on the 7-member body. Her resume says she is a legal assistant for Essex Park Law and a cashier at a Shell gas station. Walters-Steinacker has been a regular critic of the way the city is run and a subject of controversy by her frequent FOIA requests and positions on such issues as the Bonner homes, which were torn down last fall after a lengthy legal dispute. She is a past vice president of the Brighton Area Historical Society and a volunteer for the American Red Cross and the United Way. Jordan Genso has been active in politics as a former Livingston County Democratic Party chairman and the Democratic Party’s nominee for the 47th District in the Michigan House of Representatives in 2014. In 2011, he served on the Livingston County Reapportionment Committee. Genso is a realtor with Re/Max Platinum and currently serves as president of the Flex Tech High School Board of Directors. He is a former mentor in the Big Brothers-Big Sisters program in Livingston County. William Bryan, a resident of Brighton for the past 33 years, is a project engineer with Metro Engineering Solutions in Plymouth. He sits on the Brighton City Planning Commission and currently serves as commission secretary. He is a veteran, having served in the US Navy. The City Council will meet next Thursday, February 4th and the agenda includes interviews of the five candidates, after which the new council member is likely to be selected. If not chosen at that meeting, council has until the Feb. 18th meeting to appoint someone without having to hold a special election. The person picked for the position will serve until the end of Bandkau’s term, which will expire in November 2017. (TT)

Hell's Proprietor Honored During Brighton Chamber's Annual CeremonyHell's Proprietor Honored During Brighton Chamber's Annual Ceremony

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An annual awards ceremony acknowledged the movers and the shakers in the Brighton community at the After Hours event Thursday night. The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce dished out a number of awards to individuals and businesses that have helped shape the area within the last year. President and CEO Pam McConeghy says the chamber has a lot to celebrate and feels this year was one of growth and success. John Colone (pictured with McConeghy), the self-proclaimed Mayor of Hell, was granted the Distinguished Service Award of Excellence. McConeghy says the service award is a “big one” and Colone deserves it because of his dedication and focus on bettering the region. Lil Diablo Salsa was named Michigan Product of the Year and owner Doug Bering was noted for his generosity in the donating the salsa locally. Lake Trust Credit Union, Work Skills Corporation, Legacy Center, Brewery Becker and Grand Hilton all received Economic Development awards for their expansion in the area. Hell Creek Forge received the Most Fascinating Business award and McCongehy calls owner Jim Roth a “modern day blacksmith.” The Professional Woman of the Year was recognized as Melissa Schwartz of State Farm Insurance. She received the award for her exceptional leadership and willingness to give back to the community. 17-year-old Scott Mixer and 21-year-old Spencer Field also were honored as the Young Professionals Team of the Year. The two have created a new marketing tool used by the chamber and are praised for their creativity. (DK/JK)

Authorities Investigating Credit Card Skimmer Found At Local Gas StationAuthorities Investigating Credit Card Skimmer Found At Local Gas Station

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A credit card skimmer has been found at a Howell gas station and police are working to figure out who installed it. Experts say a “skimmer” device can be installed quickly and easily and is able to pull personal information once a credit card is swiped at a gas pump. One of the devices was found during a routine check of the pumps at the Mobil gas station on D-19 in Howell. The Howell Police Department is investigating and will reportedly send the skimmer to state police for analysis. The Federal Bureau of Investigation says a “rash of the use of these skimmers” has occurred across Michigan. If gas station personnel don’t open up their pumps to check, it’s nearly impossible to know the device is in there, according to Scott Ferguson of the state’s Weights and Measures Department. Additionally, perpetrators are able to rack up charges quickly once they’ve stolen a person’s identity from their card information. Some gas stations are installing extra security measures to combat the crime and consumers are encouraged to keep an eye on their bank statements and take note of any suspicious charges. (DK)

Emails Show State Was Providing Purified Water To Employees While Telling Flint Residents It Was Safe To DrinkEmails Show State Was Providing Purified Water To Employees While Telling Flint Residents It Was Safe To Drink

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While state officials were telling concerned Flint residents their water was safe to drink last January, newly released emails show they also were arranging for coolers of purified water in Flint's State Office Building so employees wouldn't have to drink from the taps. The emails were released by Progress Michigan, a liberal group critical of Gov. Snyder. The revelation was confirmed by Caleb Buhs, a spokesman for the agency that manages state buildings, who says the water coolers began in January 2015 after Flint had flunked some drinking water standards apart from the lead contamination that has caused the current crisis. He says the water coolers still are supplied to the state building in Flint. Employees can also use the drinking fountains. Lonnie Scott of Progress Michigan says the emails show the Snyder Administration was taking care of employees while Flint residents were being told to not worry about tap water. It wasn’t until October that state officials admitted there was a problem with lead in the city’s water supply. (AP)

Local Rep Celebrates Mentors With Free Movie EventLocal Rep Celebrates Mentors With Free Movie Event

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The importance of mentorship will be recognized this weekend during a free movie event in Howell. Children in Livingston County and their mentors are invited by local State Rep. Hank Vaupel to an afternoon of free movies at the Historic Howell Theatre on Sunday, January 31st. The event will celebrate National Mentoring Month and will screen movies featuring examples of strong mentors. “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” will be shown at noon to pay tribute to Yoda and “Aladdin” will be shown at 12:30 pm as an ode to the Genie. Rep. Vaupel says “Mentors are special people” and feel it’s very important for kids to have positive role models in their lives. Parents, teachers, leaders or any other individual who plays a mentoring role is invited to the event. Tickets are limited and can be reserved by contacting Big Brothers Big Sisters at shariBBBSLC@sbcglobal.net. (DK)

New Faces And Roles At Howell DDA's First Meeting Of 2016New Faces And Roles At Howell DDA's First Meeting Of 2016

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New board members and seat assignments were appointed Wednesday night as the Howell Main Street & Downtown Development Authority readies itself for a busy 2016. The organization had a spot to fill in the Vice President’s seat after former VP Michael Mulvahill resigned to take an elected spot on city council. DDA President Brian Walker nominated fellow board member Heather Ruby, whom he feels is a nice compliment to his governing style. Walker praised Ruby’s outspokenness, preparedness, and enthusiasm for the role. Ruby is the CEO of Arc Engineering Solutions in Howell and was appointed to board in December. Walker said that he knew she would be a good fit when Ruby contacted him about the position just before he contacted her to ask about her interest in it. The board also appointed two new members, local businesspersons Scott Henman and Mary Helfmann. Their appointment is contingent on meeting with Howell Mayor Nick Proctor and his acceptance of them, but all parties involved expect them to be a good fit. Finally, the DDA is looking for qualified applicants to join three of their committees as they prepare for an accreditation review in November. The openings are in their Business Development, Promotions, and Outreach Committees. Anyone interested in helping is encouraged to contact the DDA. The DDA’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24th.(MK)

Big Brothers Big Sisters Honors Mentors and DonorsBig Brothers Big Sisters Honors Mentors and Donors

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A local mentoring organization honored volunteers and businesses with a breakfast this morning in Howell. As part of National Mentoring Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Livingston County held its second annual Dream Big Breakfast. The fundraiser breakfast was a way to pay tribute to some of the people who are dedicated to helping the organization. It was held at Chemung Hills Golf Course. Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director Shari Davis-Schoech says the organization wants to celebrate the people who do so much to keep it going. She says there are a number of programs that benefit children and youth in Livingston County made possible by the businesses and mentors who give of their time. Davis-Schoech says there are many who go above and beyond. She says the morning's celebration was to honor the people in the community who go above and beyond in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Livingston County. She says they screen and supervise mentors and children, and when they pair the mentors with the children they hope it turns into a friendship. She says they continue to supervise the relationship. Along with business partners like Blue Care Network and Citizens/Hanover Insurance, Sheriff Bob Bezotte and the Livingston Sunrise Rotary Club also received accolades for their participation. Davis-Schoech says the businesses were awarded because of the work they do to support the organization, and they often encourage their employees to become mentors or “Bigs.” Ruthann Knarr (NARR) received the award for Big Sister of the Year matched with a little sister. She says volunteering gives her purpose. She says her purpose is to be the best big sister she can be to Zoe, and it is very fulfilling. She says she gets more out of her relationship with her little sister than she can say. Knarr was joined by her little sister Zoe in receiving the award. Davis-Schoech says last year the organization served 238 kids, and mentors are always needed. For information about helping out Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit the link below. (DS)

Lansing Woman Allegedly Operating Meth Lab Bound Over For TrialLansing Woman Allegedly Operating Meth Lab Bound Over For Trial

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A woman facing charges connected to the alleged operation of a meth lab has been bound over for trial. 27-year-old Jessica Voorhees and her 46-year-old boyfriend, John Crosley, are charged with two counts of a controlled substance for possession of methamphetamine and operating and maintaining a lab involving meth. Separately, Crosley is charged with no insurance under the insurance code and Voorhees faces charges of purchasing and possessing ephedrine to make meth, possession or the sale of a Taser, possession of marijuana and false identification. Earlier this month, the couple was pulled over on Latson Road in Howell and Voorhees reportedly gave the deputy a false name at first when he questioned her. Materials used in a meth lab were found in the couple’s car. On Tuesday, Voorhees was bound over for trial and is scheduled for a preliminary examination on February 3rd. On Monday, Crosley’s defense attorney filed a demand for a jury trial and a demand for discovery. Crosley is also scheduled for an examination on the 3rd. (DK)

Brighton Man Charged With Growing Marijuana SentencedBrighton Man Charged With Growing Marijuana Sentenced

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Sentencing has been handed down to one of the three men charged with growing large amounts of marijuana. 60-year-old Richard Lee Riley of Brighton has been sentenced to six months of probation. Riley and two other men were charged with delivering or manufacturing between 5 and 45 kilograms of marijuana and a generic charge of delivering or manufacturing marijuana. Riley pleaded guilty last month to one count of maintaining a drug house in exchange for the dismissal of the original charges. 49-year-old Jeffrey Mote of South Lyon and 42-year-old Anthony Portelli are also charged in the case under the original charges. Motions to quash the charges against Portelli and Mote will be heard March 4th. The charges followed a police raid on an alleged marijuana dispensary in Brighton Township and two other homes, which authorities say were being used to grow the substance. Police say Riley was in charge of growing the plants, Portelli managed the dispensary and the homes were reportedly owned by Mote. A motion for separate trials for Portelli and Mote was granted earlier this week and motions alleging various medical marijuana defenses are being held in abeyance. (DK)

Bitondo Announces Candidacy For Hamburg Township Treasurer Bitondo Announces Candidacy For Hamburg Township Treasurer

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A longtime Hamburg Township resident has announced his intent to seek public office again. Mike Bitondo recently announced his candidacy for the treasurer position, saying he knows Hamburg Township and he knows government - having served eight years as a trustee and ten years as chair of the Flood Hazard Prevention Committee. In addition to his lengthy involvement with Hamburg Township government, Bitondo noted his 40 years in the professional workforce - 26 of which he spent working for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Bitondo feels he’s demonstrated passion and dedication to his local community – commenting he would probably still be trustee if he hadn’t been tripped up by the federal Hatch Act, which has since been revised. Bitondo is in the process of collecting needed signatures to run for the seat, which is currently held by Al Carlson per the township’s website. (JM)

Howell Township Asks for Input on Master Plan at Open HouseHowell Township Asks for Input on Master Plan at Open House

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Residents in one local township were invited to give input into what happens there in the next few years. Howell Township held an open house Tuesday night and asked residents to help prioritize goals for a new Master Plan. Paul Montagno the Township’s planner says the Master Plan was due to be updated. He says the Master Plan is supposed to be updated or at least looked at every five years, so they looked at it and determined that there were some changes they wanted to make. He says they're really modernizing the plan and will be focusing on development in areas where they've already seen development patterns. He says they're really trying to preserve some of the open space, some of the primary agricultural lands and some of the natural features in the township because that's what is a really major goal that's come from the community input process so far. Montagno says some of the major items brought out in early discussions with residents were preservation of agricultural land and taking care of the amenities available. He says adding sidewalks for pedestrians and intersection improvements were also brought up. A handful of residents showed up at the open house where the Planning Commission had the potential goals laid out. The township residents who came to the open house were asked to help prioritize potential goals. Toni Miechiels (Michaels) says she wants to see the township remain small. She says she doesn't want to see it become to "city-ish. She says it's a beautiful place and thinks they could take care of what needs to be taken care of and preserve what is there right now. She doesn't think the township needs to add more homes or bike paths. She says there are plenty of parks and bike paths in town. Miechiels also says she thinks the roads need to continue to be improved. Miechiels says she grew up in the area and would like to see the agricultural land preserved as well as the Shiawassee River. Montagno says the bulk of the input for the night’s event came from a survey the township sent out to residents last fall. He says once the public input is collected the next step will be to put the plan together. Once the new Master Plan is written, the public will have 60 days to review it. Montagno says the whole process should be finished in the next few months. (DS)

Livingston County's Jobless Rate Holds Mostly Steady In DecemberLivingston County's Jobless Rate Holds Mostly Steady In December

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Livingston County’s jobless rate held mostly steady from November to December. Seasonally unadjusted jobless rates in December declined slightly over the month in most major labor market areas. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget reports local labor markets were very stable and December job reductions were mostly seasonal. Livingston County’s unemployment rate increased two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.2% from November to December, while its overall ranking among Michigan’s 83 counties fell a few spots to 25th. Meanwhile, the state says preliminary annual average data indicates jobless rates fell significantly from 2014 to 2015 in all major regions. Among the largest rate reductions recorded over the year was in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn statistical area, which encompasses Livingston County. (JM)

Local Veterans Court In Need Of MentorsLocal Veterans Court In Need Of Mentors

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Volunteer mentors are still being sought as part of a specialized court program for veterans who find themselves caught up in the legal system. The Livingston County Veterans Treatment Court is a second chance for those who have served their nation but have run afoul of the law. An integral part is mentor volunteers, who provide guidance and support when needed. But according to Joshua Parish of Livingston County Veterans Services, they currently have more participants in the court than they do mentors. He says that until they can identify additional mentors they will not be able to accept any new veterans into the court. The treatment court is designed to be a collaborative problem solving effort that assists veterans post-sentencing who have misdemeanor or felony charges. Veterans in the court system have served in conflicts from Vietnam to Afghanistan, and the mentors serve as a liaison between them and the court program throughout the rehabilitation process. Male or female veterans including retirees, who are willing to donate a small amount of time, can serve as mentors. Anyone interested in becoming a Mentor for the Livingston County Veterans Court is asked to contact Joshua Parish at 517-546-6338 or by email at: jparish@livgov.com (JK)

Brighton School Board Questioned on "Chiller" PurchaseBrighton School Board Questioned on "Chiller" Purchase

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Questions have been raised about the Brighton Board of Education’s approval to purchase a new compressor and “chiller” for the high school at a cost of $89,000. The equipment is what keeps the school cool in warm weather, and the current one in use, which finally gave out, is 10 years old. At Monday’s meeting, Trustee Bill Trombley said that, based on the language of school bond issues, the board should not be able to use bond money for the purchase because it is a “maintenance” item, which does not qualify as a bond issue expenditure. However, according to Supt. Greg Gray, since the chiller went beyond its specified life span, it was not a matter of maintenance and, in fact, a new chiller was a new purchase, which is legal under bond rules. Gray tells WHMI the chiller will become vital when the warm weather returns and they hope to install it within the next 30 to 60 days, before the first really warm day of the coming spring. Gray says the problem is that the old chiller was purchased and installed when the school was much smaller than it is now. As a result of a previous bond issue the high school was expanded to well over 600,000 square feet of space. He says that with the system going 24/7 in warmer weather, it was being used beyond its specifications and capabilities. However, in light of Trombley’s concerns, Gray said he would double check with bond counsel to make sure the district was correct in using bond issue money for the purchase. (TT)

Brighton Ski Teams Sweep Boyne Ski MeetBrighton Ski Teams Sweep Boyne Ski Meet

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The Brighton High School Ski Team joined seven other schools at Boyne Highlands this weekend and took first place in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions. The Brighton junior varsity teams also participated in the meet and made it a total Brighton sweep by taking first place honors as well. The boys won with a final score of 66. Scoring for the boys were: sophomore Max Braidwood, senior Mateo Coman, sophomore James Staszel, and junior Sam Vaden. The Girls won with a final score of 50. Girls' scorers were: junior Morgan Myers, Brooke Tyrrell, also a junior; senior Lilia Staszel; sophomore Emme Darkowski; and junior Izabella Silver. (TT)

Textbook Scholarships Offered To High School Seniors Textbook Scholarships Offered To High School Seniors

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Textbook scholarships are again being offered to local students to help offset the increasing costs of attending college. The Michigan State University Alumni Club of Livingston County offers an annual scholarship of $1,000 that can be used for the purchase of textbooks, reading material and other resources required for courses. Scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors who reside in Livingston County and plan to enter Michigan State University as freshmen for the 2016/2017 academic year. Applications must be fully completed and submitted with a certified transcript no later than Tuesday, March 1st. The scholarship application and instructions are available through the link below. (JM)

Man Who Says He Robbed Credit Union In An Act Of Desperation Scheduled To Be SentencedMan Who Says He Robbed Credit Union In An Act Of Desperation Scheduled To Be Sentenced

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A Wixom man who claims he robbed a local credit union to pay for his daughter’s medical bills will be sentenced next month. 23-year-old Brian Randolph was originally charged with armed robbery and bank robbery as a result of the incident that occurred in August. Randolph says in an act of desperation, he robbed the Vibe Credit Union in South Lyon. The man claims his 1-year-old daughter is battling a form of eye cancer and the family couldn’t afford her chemotherapy treatments after her insurance was unexpectedly cancelled. However, the South Lyon Police say Randolph purchased luxury items with the stolen money. A trial date had been previously set for the case; however Randolph pleaded no contest to one count of bank robbery in exchange for the dismissal of armed robbery at a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday. Randolph will be sentenced February 17th in Novi Circuit Court. (DK)

Brighton's Polar Plunge Helps Support Special OlympicsBrighton's Polar Plunge Helps Support Special Olympics

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Warmer weather brought several people out to a charity event that helps fund Special Olympics in Livingston County. Whether they tip-toed in or did a full on canon ball jump, nearly 150 costumed people participated in this year’s Polar Plunge Saturday in Brighton. The Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge is one of 29 across the state that helps support Special Olympics athletes throughout the state of Michigan. P.J. Sapienza is Assistant Area Director for Livingston County Special Olympics. He says it’s a good cause and people come from all over Livingston County. He says participants get people to sponsor them to jump in the water in the middle of winter, and it takes a little adventurous side. He says people wear crazy costumes and raise money for a great cause. The money goes to support the year-round sports program for Special Olympics. The organization is county wide, so he says there were people from Fowlerville, Pinckney and Brighton High School let them have the event there and all reaches of the county come out. He says the fundraiser helps make sure some 300 athletes can participate in 13 different sports including skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Brighton, figure skating, gymnastics and botchy ball among others. Participant and Special Olympics athlete 19-year-old Kristina Heximer says she’s been jumping in the cold pond for a few years now to support her teammates. She says it is very cold, but awesome at the same time. She comes back year after year to support Area 27 Special Olympics. She says she's benefitted from Special Olympics as an athlete since she was 6-years-old. Heximer says she’ll keep coming back to support Special Olympics. Sapienza says the warmer weather was nice, but it made the water seem colder when he got out of the pond. The temperature hovered around 50 degrees, but a bitter wind blew across the frozen lake. He says you don’t have to be crazy to jump into the pond, but it helps. Jumpers this year ranged in age from 12 to 69 and Sapienza says no one is excluded. Livingston County EMS, the Sheriff’s Department Dive Team and other emergency personnel helped with the fundraiser. The day kicked off with a costume parade, lots of food and hot drinks in the High School Gymnasium. (DS)

Tips For Raising Tweens And Teens Offered At Parenting WorkshopTips For Raising Tweens And Teens Offered At Parenting Workshop

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A local parenting workshop will offer some tips for navigating the rocky terrain that comes with raising a tween or teen. The Top 10 Tips and Tools For Raising Tweens and Teens is a free parent workshop that will be held at the Hartland Education Support Center which is located on M-59. The session will be held on Tuesday, February 2nd, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Nicole Schingeck and Kris Nelson will be presenters at the event and aren’t novices when it comes to dealing with adolescents. Schingeck is the Student Assistance coordinator at Hartland High School and Nelson is the Project SUCCESS Counselor for Hartland and Brighton High School. The two will discuss the teen brain, spotting red flags, parenting styles and a variety of other topics regarding better communication with children. To RSVP to the event, call 810-626-2234. (DK)
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