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Silver Lake Road Bridge Closed For Construction In FentonSilver Lake Road Bridge Closed For Construction In Fenton

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The Silver Lake Road Bridge project is underway in the city of Fenton. The project got started in late January and work involves the removal and replacement of the entire bridge over the Shiawassee River. The water main that travels beneath the bridge and the Shiawassee River will also be replaced with new curbs, sidewalks and street surface added. As such, Silver Lake Road is closed to traffic in the vicinity of the bridge - at River Street on the east side of the project and at Roberts Street on the west side. Signage is up detailing the different detour routes for vehicles, which include Adelaide, Shiawassee and Leroy Street. City officials say local traffic should be able to find their way through the area and still be able to visit downtown homes and businesses. A truck detour route has also been set up that utilizes Poplar, North and Leroy. The major portion of the construction project is to be completed with the street open to traffic by July 1st. With the early start date in January, the hope is that favorable weather will allow for quicker completion. The entire project, including restoration and final cleanup, is to be wrapped up by September 1st. More information about the project and detour routes are available on the city of Fenton website, through the link below. (JM)

Tyrone Township Continues Search for ClerkTyrone Township Continues Search for Clerk

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The search continues for a resident interested in filling a clerk vacancy in one local township. Last night the Tyrone Township Board of trustees agreed to allow the treasurer and supervisor to vet the candidates for township clerk. The clerk’s position will be left vacant when Keith Kremer leaves on March 31st. Kremer, who has held the post for the last 8 years, decided to retire with a little less than a year left in his term. Township Supervisor Mike Cunningham says there has been little interest in the job. He says applicants have been slow to come in, and the township even extended the deadline to apply. He says they would like to get someone selected and started the first week of March. Cunningham says position requires record keeping for the township as well as some financial management. He says it also requires setting meeting agendas and managing elections. Cunningham says any resident of the township who is 18 or older and has lived in Tyrone Township for at least 30 days can apply. After Cunningham and Township Trustee Merna Smith cut the candidates to three, the full board will interview the finalists. Cunningham says they hope to have someone in place by March 1st. He says that will give Kremer a full month to train his replacement. Cunningham says whoever is appointed will be required to run on the August 2nd Michigan Primary ballot and in the November presidential election. (DS)

Project Aims To Make Fowlerville Senior Center's "Wish For Windows" Come True Project Aims To Make Fowlerville Senior Center's "Wish For Windows" Come True

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A community effort is underway to replace old, drafty and broken windows at a local senior center that also houses an online learning program for students. “Wish for Windows” is a new project between Fowlerville Community Schools and the Fowlerville Senior Center to raise money to replace all 31 windows of varying size in the building, which were installed in 1968. The total cost of the windows and installation is $10,920. FCS Technology Director and Fowlerville Online Learning Academy Principal Grace Damerow says they were looking for a place for students to study and work online and the senior center allowed them to take over one of their small offices and entire meeting area. Damerow tells WHMI it’s really blossomed into a wonderful partnership so they want to help them out any way they can, noting the windows are in pretty bad shape. Seniors also want to replace some doors at a cost of around $2,000 but Damerow says the windows are really the main focus right now because of the condition they’re in. Historically, Damerow says the building that houses the senior center on North Collins Street was built by the district as an elementary in 1949. It was vacated and refurbished and later opened as a middle school. Then in 1982, the district permanently moved out and sold the building to the senior center for a nominal fee. Individuals and businesses are being sought to sponsor one window or several, or pledge a donation to help reach the fundraising goal. Those who donate $100 or more will have their name featured on a plaque in the senior center while those sponsoring a whole window will be mentioned on a plaque next to it. Damerow says they’ve secured sponsorships for three windows so far, which range in price and size. Details and donation forms are available in the attachment below and on the Fowlerville Community Schools website. (JM)

Howell's National Guard Unit Part Of Flint Water Crisis ActivationHowell's National Guard Unit Part Of Flint Water Crisis Activation

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Members of Howell’s National Guard unit recently assisted with the state’s efforts to help residents in Flint amidst the ongoing water crisis. Michigan Army National Guard members from the Howell-based, 1462nd Transportation Company, were part of a 270-person Michigan National Guard contingent called to active duty January 12th by Governor Snyder, for the purpose of distributing drinking water and other supplies to the residents of Flint following the detection of elevated levels of lead in the city’s municipal water system. The first Guard members to report for duty were responsible for the distribution of water and other materials at five Flint fire stations while a Guard command group conducted a needs assessment and staffing plan. Fifteen groups of approximately 12 Guard members each were strategically assigned a section of Flint to conduct door-to-door delivery operations. In total, more than 270 Michigan National Guard members contributed to the roughly 10-day, mission. A small contingent of Guard members will remain on active duty until Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais, adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard, deems the mission complete. Each service member was awarded a Michigan Active State Service Ribbon with bronze oak leaf device and a Michigan Legion of Merit Medal. Two soldiers, Maj. Joseph Cannon and Command Sgt. Maj. Vernon Pratt also received Michigan Distinguished Service Awards for their coordinating leadership roles. The activation was only the second time Snyder has taken such an action, last activating the National Guard in 2012 to assist with the Duck Lake Fire. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Vega. (JK)

American Legion Auxiliary in Hartland Open to New MembersAmerican Legion Auxiliary in Hartland Open to New Members

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A new veteran’s advocacy group is looking for members in Hartland Township. Near the end of last year the American Legion Auxiliary got its start with a handful of local women. Organized by a senior member of American Legion Post 415, the group was formed with about 20 women and just recently received its formal Charter. Austin-Moore Post historian Kathie Horning says they are a very active group involved in a number of service projects benefiting veterans. She says they are looking to add to their numbers. Horning says there are many AMerican Legion Ladies Auxiliaries around the state and Hartland didn't have one. She says they do have a very active men's American Legion group and a very active senior member there named Dwight Sachau, got everyone motivated. She says he invited people and got 20 people to show up at the first meeting who started as charter members. She says to join you have to be a relative of parents, grandparent, or have a brother who is a veteran, or your husband can be a veteran. She says you need to have a veteran either in your descendant line or be maried to one. Horning says the auxiliary is involved not only in making sure veterans have what they need, but also educating children about the flag. Horning says the auxiliary spends a lot of time advocating for veterans, helping with just about anything they might need, inlucing visiting them in the VA Hospital. She says they also help with transportation. She says the group will hold fundraiser events like the Poppy Sale throughout the year to raise money to help buy gas cards, food or other necessities for veterans. Horning says anyone looking for a place to spend their time and talent should look to the Hartland American Legion Auxiliary. They meet the first Monday of every month at the Hartland Township Hall at 6 p.m. For information or to join contact Horning at the Hartland Township Hall or by calling her cell phone at (810) 599-7603.

Tyrone Township Talks Pay Raises for EmployeesTyrone Township Talks Pay Raises for Employees

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Some employees in one local township may see pay hikes in the next fiscal year. The Tyrone Township Board of Trustees will be looking at the salary rates of some of its employees over the next few weeks. The rate increases will affect about nine employees in the township, including the Township Supervisor and Treasurer. Township Supervisor Mike Cunningham told board members Tuesday that salaries are so low in some cases the township is a revolving door of employees. He says trustees will be making comparisons between Tyrone Township and neighboring townships based on population size and the number of parcels. Cunningham says a few years ago there was very little growth in the township, but over the last three years residential properties like Cider Mill Crossings and Irish Hills and Tyrone Hills have seen explosions in growth. Over the last few years some employees have been asked to do more for less pay. Cunningham told the board they need to bring everyone up to at least a median level and make sure they have the right staffing. He says three years ago when there were no building permits and nothing was going on they had the right staffing, but this year they've had almost double the lad use permits. He says they need to make sure they're adequately staffed so that they don't keep bringing people in and training them to have them cherry-picked by another governmental entity and taken away; then they are back to ground zero for another six months to get up to speed. Cunningham says they are doing the community a disservice when they don't have that. He says related to that, the board of trustees has also only seen a few pay raises in the last 14 years. They will likely receive a 5 percent increase at the same time. He says while some employees may not see any pay increases, others will see slight increases, while still others will see substantial increases in pay beginning with the new fiscal year on April 1st. (DS)

Theis Bill To Streamline Gun Purchases For Officers Signed Into Law Theis Bill To Streamline Gun Purchases For Officers Signed Into Law

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Legislation from a local lawmaker has been signed into law to make it easier for police officers to purchase handguns. Gov. Snyder Tuesday signed into law a measure exempting currently employed and certified police officers from the requirement that they must obtain a purchase license before buying a pistol. Introduced by state Rep. Lana Theis, the legislation extends to police officers a similar process currently utilized by Concealed Pistol License (CPL) holders. The Brighton Township Republican says the issue was brought to her attention recently by a local officer who had trouble purchasing their individual weapon. “Given the extensive training already completed by law enforcement officials, the requirement that they obtain a permit is redundant. It is only common-sense to allow active police officers to utilize the same purchase process as CPL holders when acquiring a pistol.” Police officers go through background checks, are fingerprinted and must demonstrate adequate firearm handling as part of their Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, or MCOLES, certification. Theis’ legislation allows the MCOLES certification to suffice for police officers wishing to obtain a pistol, exempting them from the purchase permit requirement. Pictured from the left; Meghan Reckling, Legislative Director for Rep. Lana Theis; Rep. Theis, R-Brighton; Gov. Rick Snyder; Sergeant Mark Reckling from Mason Police Department; Mike Murphy Undersheriff of Livingston County. (JK)

More Than $40K Raised For Woman Who Lost Fiancee & Son In Fishing AccidentMore Than $40K Raised For Woman Who Lost Fiancee & Son In Fishing Accident

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There’s been an overwhelming show of community support for a Highland Township woman who lost her fiancée and young son in a tragic fishing accident. More than $40,000 was raised by 570 people in one day on a Go Fund Me account set up to assist the mother of the boy, Christina - who was engaged to be married to 30-year-old David Michael Lyons. David and 4-year-old Jackson Lyons had been fishing on Alderman Lake Monday morning when they somehow fell through the ice. Divers with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office pulled them from the water and they were rushed to Huron Valley Hospital in Commerce Township but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. The Go Fund Me page says the love that the three shared was more than words can express and asks the community to come together and show support following her loss. A link is posted below. (JM)

Howell Band Students Collaborate With UM MusiciansHowell Band Students Collaborate With UM Musicians

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Local band students had the opportunity to get some tips from college students during a recent field trip. Sixth grade band students at Parker Middle School visited the University of Michigan last week to attend a clinic with college students pursuing a degree in music education. The experience gave them a taste of a college campus and the opportunity to work with other students who share their passion for music. Following the clinic, the students broke into small groups and practiced with U of M music education students. Parker Middle School Band Director, Jeffrey Stimson, says the field trip was beneficial to both the sixth-graders and the college students. The middle-school students learn about the process of becoming a music educator and that they can be a part of a college level band. The college students get the experience of working with students who are in the beginning stages of their music career. Parker Middle School sixth-grader Briana Robson says the field trip was a fun learning experience and it was interesting to see the college students use similar and different teaching techniques compared to Stimson. Stimson says having his students learn from another educator is “always a positive experience.” (DK)

Garden City Man Charged With Prescription Fraud In MilfordGarden City Man Charged With Prescription Fraud In Milford

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A Garden City man who traveled to Milford to fill out fake prescriptions is bound over for trial. 29-year-old Daniel Rayburn appeared for a probable cause conference Wednesday, where a judge determined there was enough evidence to bind the case over to Oakland County Circuit Court. Rayburn faces felony charges of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, identity theft, and fraudulent insurance acts. He was arrested January 26th while exiting a Walgreen’s in Milford after a pharmacist became suspicious of several prescriptions for commonly abused street drugs were called in. After checking with the physician’s office that supposedly wrote the prescriptions, it was discovered that the doctor in question was on vacation and that Rayburn was not their patient. He’s free on a $20,000 cash/surety bond and is pending arraignment and pretrial hearing at 8:30am on February 11th in Oakland County Circuit Court. (MK)

Livingston County Cyber Security Training Helps Keep Information SafeLivingston County Cyber Security Training Helps Keep Information Safe

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Livingston County wants to make sure all of its computers and IT systems are safe from cyber-attacks. A contingent of county officials took a trip to Lansing Wednesday to talk to Brigadier General Mike Stone about the way the state handles cyber security. General Stone is the Michigan Army National Guard's Assistant Adjutant General for Installations. Livingston County's Chief Information Officer Rich Malewicz says although time was limited, they had the opportunity to talk about cyber security in the workforce. Malewicz organized the trip as a kickoff to the second annual cyber security training for the county. He says threats to the county’s security often come from a number of sources. He says cyber security is a big problem for everyone internationally. The county plans to train employees in cyber security because it can be a problem locally as well. He says they need to train their workforce in the hazards of cyber security while they are working, so they can protect county data and county systems. Malewicz says the problem is just not hackers, but it's criminal elements, nation-states; it's somebody trying to attack your network just for the fun of it. He says there are many different parties trying to get into your network. Malewicz related the threat to a thief who drives around neighborhoods scanning homes for an open window to climb through. He says keeping all of the windows to the county’s computer system closed keeps cyber-attacks low. Malewicz says Livingston County is already farther ahead than most other counties and is also one of the first to use Just-In-Time cyber security, which involves bringing the right amount of security at the right time and being able to detect threats and respond quickly. He says his department continually monitors all of the county’s computers and users to keep from being attacked. All county employees will go through special cyber security training beginning in the next few weeks to make sure they know the county’s internet and technology use policies, which will help keep information safe. Pictured left to right; Livingston County Undersheriff Mike Murphy, Malewicz, General Stone, Livingston County Commissioner Steve Williams and Livingston County Administrator Ken Hinton. (DS/JK)

Local Veterans To Man Water Donations Sites For Flint ResidentsLocal Veterans To Man Water Donations Sites For Flint Residents

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Local veterans will be pitching in this weekend to assist residents in Flint. Livingston County Veterans Services is teaming up with several other local veterans groups to conduct a bottled water drive Friday and Saturday, February 5th and 6th at multiple locations across the area. Flint residents have had to rely on bottled water for drinking and other uses since it was determined that lead had leached from water pipes into the water supply following a switch to the Flint River in 2014 while the city was under a state-appointed financial manager. Donations of either bottled water or checks will be accepted from 1-5pm Friday and 9am to 5pm Saturday at five locations, including the Howell and Fowlerville Walmart locations , Art Van Furniture in Genoa Township, Kroger on M-59 in Howell and the American Legion Devereaux Post on Grand River and M-59 in Howell Township. Officials say each of the donation locations will be marked by the presence of American flags. Any cash donations that are made will be used to purchase water filters. (JK)

MML, Local Leaders Agree Controversial Campaign Finance Law Needs To GoMML, Local Leaders Agree Controversial Campaign Finance Law Needs To Go

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While a number of legislative fixes have been introduced related to a controversial “gag order” campaign finance law, many affected feel there wasn’t a problem to begin with and it needs to be repealed altogether. Senate Bill 571 passed along party lines in the middle of a late night session with no public discussion or hearings and was signed into law not long after by Governor Snyder. The amendment came from Republican Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons of Alto and prohibits public money or resources from being used to disseminate information about local ballot measures through TV and radio ads, mass mailings or robocalls in the 60 days before an election. Locally, the law would have likely impacted the passage of a technology bond for Howell Public Schools and an LESA millage. The new law and concerns about the effect on any potential campaign have also been brought up during meetings of the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority board, which appears to be leaning toward pursuing an operational millage but has not made any formal decision. On Wednesday, the House Elections Committee approved HB 5219 from Lyons that attempts to clarify what local officials are allowed to distribute about upcoming ballot proposals. The measure now goes to the House floor for debate and possible revision. The Michigan Municipal League’s Director of State Affairs Chris Hackbarth says the main concern with the way the “fix” bill is structured is that it’s still based on the premise there were problems to begin with and it needs to be repealed. Hackbarth tells WHMI advocating for a proposal was already prohibited under current law and only a handful of complaints have actually been filed in the last three years. He says because the language is extremely broad, it results in different problems for different communities depending on the proposal, which could range from millages and bonds to charter or annexation issues. In the past, officials could inform constituents and voters by providing factual information but they could not advocate for any proposal. Howell City Manager Shea Charles told WHMI it’s a poorly constructed law and agrees it attempts to fix problems that didn’t exist. That’s the overall feeling of many local municipalities and school districts on the law, while others view it as a right-wing conspiracy designed to eliminate any future tax increases. Some school and local government officials have filed a lawsuit based on free speech and due process concerns, saying the law restricts their rights and prevents them from informing voters about proposals. The complaint seeks a preliminary injunction and is up for a hearing today in Ann Arbor. (JM)

Former Fenton Man Remanded To Federal MarshalsFormer Fenton Man Remanded To Federal Marshals

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A former Fenton Township man has been remanded to the custody of Federal Marshals after violating bond twice. Edward Usewick III is being held in the Midland County Jail where he is awaiting hearings and a trial for multiple charges including bank fraud. Usewick operated various Suski Used Car Dealerships, including one on Silver Parkway in Fenton. Using those dealerships, Usewick is said to have secured a line of credit from Ally Financial to purchase vehicles for future re-sale, but then submitted titles with fake numbers for at least 19 vehicles that were never purchased. The Secretary of State later got involved after complaints surfaced from consumers about the title work. Usewick also has past convictions from 2011 for producing fraudulent titles. After being freed in November on a $50,000 bond from those charges, the 36-year-old was charged in December with first degree home invasion and misdemeanor domestic violence for an incident that allegedly took place at the home of a former girlfriend. He was again released on bond, but five days later was charged with a misdemeanor count of failing to stop after a property damage accident in Grand Blanc. Usewisk is scheduled for a probable cause conference on February 16th for the home invasion and domestic violence charges. He has plea hearing on February 9th for the federal fraud charges, followed by a pretrial conference on March 1st, and a jury trial on March 7th. (MK/JK)

Improvements To Begin On Dunham Road In HartlandImprovements To Begin On Dunham Road In Hartland

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General improvements have been green lit for a gravel road in Hartland Township. A 10,500 foot stretch of Dunham Road, between Clark Road and Fenton Road will soon see limestone, tree work, and drainage work beginning. Hartland Public Works Director Bob West told the township Board of Trustees that while this should be a standard job, they need to begin work soon. Any trees, West said, that need to be removed, must be done so before April 1st because of a species of bat that will inhabit some of them in the area. Both West and City Manager James Wickman said that they didn’t believe many trees would need to be removed or worked on; only the ones directly affecting drainage or obstructing public right-of-ways. The Hartland Township Safer Road’s Plan allocated roughly $657,000 for work on Dunham, but thanks to the competitive bidding of materials, the township will save money, only paying the Livingston County Road Commission $375,000 for the work. (MK)

Brighton Fire Authority Honors Firefighters Of The YearBrighton Fire Authority Honors Firefighters Of The Year

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The Brighton Area Fire Authority held its annual awards ceremony last Friday at the Brighton Center for the Performing Arts. Two firefighters, Bryan Berry and Ryan Smith, were promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Brighton Fire Chief Mike O’Brian says both will now have the primary responsibility of developing new firefighters through the Authority’s on the job program as well as leading apparatus response to incidents. Meanwhile, Sergeants Gage, Ridge, and Furlong were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and will be responsible for ensuring adequate response to emergencies from each of their stations as well as helping to reduce the impact of fire in the authority’s various communities. Lt. Boisvert and Sgt. Piskorowski were awarded a Medal of Valor for their quick actions to save a man who was unconscious in a home fire in January of 2015. Captain Bailey, Lieutenant Ridge, and Engineer Corey Labor were also awarded a Medal of Valor for their actions in saving an unconscious woman and her two children from a cooking related fire. The night concluded with awarding of the prestigious Firefighter of the Year Award. The authority recognized a total of five Firefighters of the Year, including Station 31’s Brian Gramza, Station 32's Harlan Lahring, Station 33's David Mourer, Station 34's Lt. Aaron Gage and Station 35's Corey Laber. However, the overall winner of the Firefighter of the Year was Engineer Harlan Lahring. Chief O’Brian said that Lahring (pictured here with State Representative Lana Theis on the left and Chief O'Brian on the right) has made a lasting impression on the staff at his station as well as the Authority as a whole. Lahring who is a full time mechanic with the Livingston County Road Commission has been with the Fire Authority for over two years where he has completed his Firefighter I & II training, Medical First Responder as well as his Engineer certification. (JK)

2015 Fire Starts Conversation On Highland's Water Supply2015 Fire Starts Conversation On Highland's Water Supply

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Highland Township government and safety officials are assuring residents that their water system is sufficient for the time being. When the Highland Feed building caught fire in August, the township’s fire department used mutual aid to fight the overwhelming flames. With mutual aid, local departments are called upon to bring in tanker trucks of water, dump the water into a pool and then go retrieve more. During the incident, some trucks were not able to return in time and Township Supervisor Rick Hamill says the fire hose would become “limp” due to the lack of water for at least up to a minute. Coverage of the fire created nervousness among the community that the township did not have an adequate water supply which led to a public meeting to discuss some possible resolutions. At last week’s meeting, some proposed adding more fire hydrants, but Hamill says that could become a nightmare with infrastructure costs. Another idea was to purchase additional tanker trucks for the fire department, but Hamill says mutual aid is significant for the number of fires Highland has. Another resident had a unique idea of using dry ice as a fire suppressant. Ultimately, Hamill tells WHMI the most important thing was that the meeting created awareness. In regards to the public’s concern about the water supply, Hamill says the meeting “put the fire out.” For now, Hamill says the township will continue using mutual aid and do some research into other options. He expects the issue will be revisited at a later date. (JK)

Emails Reveal High Ranking Officials Warned of Flint Water, Legionnaires' LinkEmails Reveal High Ranking Officials Warned of Flint Water, Legionnaires' Link

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Internal emails have revealed that high-ranking officials in Michigan Governor Rick Snyder's administration were aware of a surge in Legionnaires' disease potentially linked to Flint's water long before the governor reported the increase to the public last month. When he disclosed the spike in Legionnaires' cases on January 13th, Snyder said he had learned about it just a couple of days earlier. But emails obtained through public-records requests that were shared with The Associated Press show Snyder's own office was aware of the outbreak since last March. At the time, others in the administration were scrambling to respond to suggestions that bacteria in the city's new water source, the Flint River, could be the culprit. Legionnaires' disease is a pneumonia caused by bacteria in the lungs. People get sick if they inhale mist or vapor from contaminated water systems, hot tubs or cooling systems. There were at least 87 cases across Genesee County during a 17-month period, including nine deaths, but the public was never told about the increase when it was happening - even after an initial wave of more than 40 cases was known by early 2015. The outbreak was also well known within state agencies, according to emails obtained separately by the AP and other news organizations. Together, the emails offer more evidence that some state officials were dismissive of county health authorities who raised concerns about the safety of the community's drinking water. (AP)

Pettengill Named to Vacant Seat on Brighton City CouncilPettengill Named to Vacant Seat on Brighton City Council

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The Brighton City Council Thursday night appointed city activist Renee Pettengill to council to replace Ricci Bandkau, who passed away on Christmas Eve. Pettengill was one of five original candidates who applied for the position, with one of the five, Jordan Genso, dropping out of the running. The other three candidates – all of whom were interviewed at Thursday night’s meeting - were Willliam Bryan, John Emaus, and Susan Walters-Steinacker. Bandkau was appointed to council in 2004 and then elected the following year. Bandkau also was mayor of Brighton from 2009 – 2011 and was most recently re-elected to council in 2013. Pettengill will serve out the remainder of Bandkau’s term, which expires in November of 2017. In noting her contributions to the city, Pettengill cited her leadership role when the Imagination Station Playground was closed because of safety concerns over asbestos in the soil. She helped organize a clean-up team, and later, after the playground was re-opened, led semi-annual volunteer efforts to keep it clean and in compliance with MDEQ rules. Pettengill is employed by Detroit-based Cornerstone Schools, acting as liaison between its partners and the schools, spearheading fundraising and community events. Pettengill said that if chosen, she would work to encourage more development in Brighton, yet try to maintain its small-town feel. She is married and has two young sons. (TT)

Woman Found Passed Out Drunk In Car On Freeway Ramp Enters PleaWoman Found Passed Out Drunk In Car On Freeway Ramp Enters Plea

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A South Haven woman who was found passed out drunk in her car on a freeway ramp with her children in the backseat will be sentenced next month. 31-year-old Tatum Vaneizenga pleaded no contest Thursday to charges of Operating While Intoxicated With an Occupant less than 16 and Open Intoxicants. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such at sentencing. Vaneizenga was arrested in December after witnesses called 911 to report a possible drunken driver on the ramp from eastbound I-96 to M-59 in Howell Township. Deputies who responded to the scene found a car at a complete stop in the middle of the entrance ramp. Vaneizenga was found passed out in the driver’s seat and her two children were strapped into car seats in the back. She reportedly refused a field sobriety test, but blew a .355 at the Livingston County Jail after she was taken into custody on suspicion of drunken driving. The children were taken into protective custody, while deputies used their own money to purchase diapers and formula for the children after noticing there were no baby supplies in the vehicle. She will be sentenced March 2nd. Vaneizenga is seeking admission into Drug Treatment Court. If she is not granted admission, she is able to withdraw her plea. (DK/JK)
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