Putnam Township is no longer pursuing the idea of possibly purchasing Pinckney Elementary School. The Township Board of Trustees had been toying with the idea of buying the vacant building from the district over the last few weeks, but are calling it quits. Township officials looked into having a feasibility study done to determine just how realistic the purchase would be. However some board members felt the cost just to have the study performed wasnât worth it and Trustee Norm Klein said buying the building was far out of their reach. Several of the trustees felt a millage would be needed just to carry out the purchase and that residents wouldnât be in support of that. Ultimately, separate motions were made to no longer pursue the feasibility study or the purchase of the school, both of which passed 6-1. Supervisor Ron Rau was the single dissenting vote and he tells WHMI he thinks it was an important project to look into because of the possibilities. The school was vacated several years ago due to declining enrollment and has received several purchase offers. Clerk Sally Guyon said it was important to at least discuss the idea, but the costs involved were just too great. (DK)
Putnam Township Terminates Pursuit Of Pinckney ElementaryPutnam Township Terminates Pursuit Of Pinckney Elementary
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Former Howell City Councilman Alleges Campaign Violations Former Howell City Councilman Alleges Campaign Violations
An ousted Howell City Council member is still butting heads with city officials. Doug Heins has filed complaints against Howell Mayor Nick Proctor, Councilman Bob Ellis and Planning Commission Chairman Paul Streng - alleging the three violated the Michigan Campaign Finance Act. Heins was voted out in November after a tumultuous term and was a frequent critic of staff and council actions during his tenure. He regularly filed FOIA requests for information officials said could have been obtained through simple inquiries of staff and then complained about what he felt were excessive fees being charged. Heins told WHMI he decided to file the election law complaints with the Michigan Secretary of State after some to time to reflect on the outcome of the most recent Howell City Council election and decided he could no longer ignore the violation of laws. The allegations being made by Heins are technical in nature, such as addresses not being included on Proctorâs yard signs and others alleging Ellis and Streng circulated anonymous flyers and mailings. In the complaints filed, Heins provided copies and photos of flyers and letters as well as Facebook screenshots. Heins said âin the interest of assuring and maintain the integrity of future elections, they need to hold accountable those that would violate state lawâ. During his time on council, Heins was linked to various anonymous flyers being distributed that contained accusations about fellow members and others in the community, leading many to publicly express frustration with Heins and his making âerroneous and negative statements without facts to back them upâ. However, in late October bright orange flyers attributed to Heins were anonymously taped to doors and garages targeting Proctor and Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Manor but failed to produce any evidence when called out during a public meeting. Mayor Proctor took issue with the âslanderous and libelousâ claims hurled by Heins and point-blank asked members during a public meeting to present any evidence of corrupt activity so it could be recorded in the minutes and an investigation could be launched but there was no response from Heins or anyone else. When directly questioned about distributing anonymous flyers, Heins denied doing anything during âelection seasonâ. Meanwhile, Mayor Proctor referred to Heinsâ latest antics as âadolescent vindictivenessâ and responded that the issue with the yard signs was an oversight he immediately corrected. Proctor says he had ordered both yard signs and postcards but only the postcards contained addresses. After learning of it, Proctor says he did not put out any other signs and went around and placed address labels on those at businesses. (JM)
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Evaluation Ordered For Man Who Allegedly Beat And Strangled Pregnant GirlfriendEvaluation Ordered For Man Who Allegedly Beat And Strangled Pregnant Girlfriend
A local man who police say beat and strangled his pregnant girlfriend will undergo a competency evaluation. 18-year-old Donavan Logan Buckner of Gregory is charged with assault by strangulation, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, interfering with electronic communication causing injury and animal cruelty. Earlier this month, Buckner reportedly hit his girlfriend who is ten weeks pregnant and kneed her in the stomach during the course of a domestic dispute. Buckner allegedly attempted to strangle his girlfriend and threw her cellphone against the wall when she tried to call 911. Sgt. Mike Matich (MATTICK) of the Unadilla Township Police Department confirmed that Buckner also threw the coupleâs dog across the room, resulting in the animal cruelty charges. He was arrested at his home by Unadilla Township Police. At a probable cause conference in 53rd District Court on Wednesday, Bucknerâs defense attorney requested his client undergo a competency and criminal responsibility evaluation at the state forensic center, which was granted. He is scheduled for a follow up hearing March 2nd. Meanwhile, Buckner is also facing charges in connection with a separate incident. In that case, heâs charged with malicious destruction of property valued at less than $200 for attempting to break into a family memberâs wireless router in December. (DK)
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Brighton Chamber Hosts Go Red Heart Health EventBrighton Chamber Hosts Go Red Heart Health Event
An event to raise awareness of the number one killer of women was held today at Oak Pointe Country Club. Nearly 150 women representing local businesses or just interested in learning more about heart disease attended the 3rd annual Livingston County Goes Red for Women luncheon. The event was hosted by The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce, Professional Womenâs Club of Michigan and Michigan Heart at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. Michigan Heart Cardiologist Radmira Greenstein and St. Joseph Mercy Comprehensive Sleep Disorders Program Medical Director Thomas Gravelyn talked about how stress and sleep affect the heart. Gravelyn told attendees that many of the diseases associated with the heart can be traced back to sleep apnea and lack of sleep. Local Health Reporter Lila Lazarus and Dr. Greenstein talked about reducing stress. Greenstein says stress is natural but can be managed. Brighton Chamber President and CEO Pam McConeghy tells WHMI she was impressed with the event. She says women need to be more aware of symptoms. McConeghy says it was a great event and they were happy to have partnered with St. Joseph Mercy and the American Heart Association. She says the doctors on the panel were outstanding as was Lila Lazarus. She hopes everyone who left today were just aware that it is the silent killer of women and that women really have to watch for those signals so that it doesn't happen as often. She says there is a lot of stress with women because they carry a lot of stress. McConeghy says she already knew a lot about heart disease because she has family members who are affected. Gravelyn and Greenstein both emphasized the need to pay attention to symptoms and get help when necessary. Gravelyn says 73 percent of women with symptoms will ignore them or put off treatment. (DS)
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Former Pinckney Police Sergeant Arrested In Tennessee Former Pinckney Police Sergeant Arrested In Tennessee
A well-known member of the local law enforcement community who resigned suddenly last year has been arrested in Tennessee. Former Pinckney Police Sergeant Bill Cook was arrested this morning by officers with the Cleveland Police Department. The Bradley County Sheriffâs Office confirmed that Cook is lodged in the Bradley County Jail and told WHMI that a hold has been placed on him for extradition to Michigan. The warrant alleges Cook embezzled more than $20,000 from a vulnerable adult, his mother, while he had power of attorney. She is still living in an out-of-state nursing home. The Hamburg Township Police Department launched an investigation last May after being contacted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services about concerns with his motherâs finances. She had lived with him for a short time in Hamburg Township before being transferred to a nursing home. The investigation came not long after Cook resigned unexpectedly on April 4th. No reason why was given and the news came as a surprise to many, given his years of service to the community. Cook was a longtime sergeant with the Pinckney Police Department and had simultaneously served as the acting interim police chief for Unadilla Township. He left that role in October of 2013, saying it was time for him to start slowing down. Cook continued working as a sergeant with the Pinckney Police Department up until his resignation, which was done late at night via email. At that time, Pinckney Police Chief Jeff Newton told WHMI Cook was in good standing with the department and had been there for almost 16 years, noting the only thing that was kind of odd was the way he chose to resign. (JM)
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Elevated Levels Of Lead Found At Elementary School In HowellElevated Levels Of Lead Found At Elementary School In Howell
According to a press release from Howell Public Schools today, elevated levels of lead have been found at one of the districtâs elementary schools. In light of the water crisis in Flint, Howell Public Schools began a water testing program in each of its 11 school buildings. The district has received test results from four of its buildings and expects to have the results for the remaining seven buildings in the near future. Test results from Southeast, Southwest and Challenger elementary schools came back as âlead safeâ and within the Environmental Protection Agencyâs acceptable levels. At Northwest Elementary, two test sites showed elevated lead levels. The district will be immediately placing portable water coolers at Northwest for student and staff use as it works to locate the problem. A second round of water tests will be conducted Friday, Feb. 19 to verify the original water test results. Superintendent Erin MacGregor says they are taking the elevated levels at Northwest very seriously and will be conducting a second more extensive round of testing with representatives from the City of Howell and their experts and have asked that the test results be expedited. The second round of testing will either verify the test results or disprove them. If the second round of testing shows that they do indeed have elevated levels, MacGregor says they will immediately begin working to identify and correct the problem. The water coolers will remain in place until they receive test results that are within safe levels. Howell Public Schools has sent a communication to all parents regarding this issue and the ongoing water testing. (DK)
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Prison Ordered For Howell Man On Pot & Cocaine ChargesPrison Ordered For Howell Man On Pot & Cocaine Charges
A Howell man charged with possession and plans to sell large amounts of marijuana and cocaine has been sentenced to time in prison. John Charles Kuhns was sentenced on Thursday to 68 months to 20 years in prison for delivering/manufacturing a controlled substance and 56 months to 7 years for delivering/manufacturing marijuana. Those sentences are consecutive to a two-year sentence for felony firearms. As part of his plea deal, prosecutors agreed to run the two counts of delivering/manufacturing a controlled substance concurrent with one another. The charges stemmed from a search warrant that was carried out at Kuhnsâ home on Mason Road last July. There, officers found 118 marijuana plants, half a kilo of cocaine, two firearms, heroin and equipment typically used in growing marijuana. Kuhns fled the state and was arrested in California. He will also be required to pay his $2,082 extradition fee. (DK)
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Grant Money From MDOT Will Support Burkhart Road RepairGrant Money From MDOT Will Support Burkhart Road Repair
The Michigan Department of Transportation has awarded a grant to Livingston County that will be used for a piece of road repair in Howell. MDOT awarded money from the state Transportation Economic Development Fund to the tune of $1.1 million dollars split between three counties- Livingston, Ingham and Monroe. Livingston County Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine says this stems from a âcontestâ of sorts that the state has every year where road agencies submit a project with a focus on economic development for the grant money. The Road Commission submitted a 0.6 mile stretch of Burkhart Road because of its relation to the Tanger Outlet Mall. Craine tells WHMI he believes the state perceived the mall to benefit economically from the project. The road also serves several existing businesses and large industrial complexes, while also providing access to the airport. The repairs to Burkhart Road will be done in 2017 and will include repairing damaged asphalt, fixing broken pieces of curb and resurfacing. The overall cost is $384,036 and the grant will provide $268,825 towards that. (DK)
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Brighton Council Hears Complaints over Planned Sr. Housing ProjectBrighton Council Hears Complaints over Planned Sr. Housing Project
Despite the fact that it was not on the agenda, several citizensâ most of them Genoa Township residents â addressed the Brighton City Council Thursday night to complain about the proposed Arcadia Village of Brighton senior housing project. Developer ACA Brighton Holdings, headed by Pat Battaglia, proposes to convert the vacant, 10-plus acre Lindbom School site into a senior living housing complex. Previously, Battaglia had envisioned a charter school on the site after his company bought the former school and property from the Brighton Area Schools for $1.45 million. However, Battaglia is now reportedy planning to build his charter school on a vacant parcel on the northwest corner of Old US-23 at Hyne Road in Brighton Township. As originally proposed, the senior housing development at Lindbom would total about 120 housing units â some for independent living, some for assisted living and some for memory care. George Moses, who lives just west of the site, said the project was too big, and would result in excessive noise and traffic and destroy the serenity of the neighborhood. Cheryl Krueger, who lives just 200 feet from the vacant school, expressed concern that it would negatively affect property values. And Mike Anderson, who lives just north of the site, said the city should be concerned about the plume of contaminants in the groundwater that is being monitored by the Department of Environmental Quality. At its December meeting the Planning Commission gave conditional approval to the preliminary site plan for the project. Brighton Downtown Development Authority Director Matt Modrack told council Thursday night that the developer plans on making revisions in the site plan and presenting them to the planning commission in April. Commission chairman Steve Monet has said the proposal would need major revisions before the planning commission would look at it a second time. If finally approved by the planning body, it would go to council for another public hearing and ultimate approval or denial. (TT)
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Additional Tests To Determine If High Lead Results Were False Positive At Northwest ElementaryAdditional Tests To Determine If High Lead Results Were False Positive At Northwest Elementary
Secondary testing will be conducted at a local elementary school after recent tests found elevated levels of lead in the water. Because of the Flint water crisis, the Howell Public School district took a proactive approach and began a water testing program at their 11 buildings. Results from four of the districtâs elementary schools came back yesterday afternoon, showing that elevated levels of lead were discovered at Northwest Elementary School. Director of Public Relations Tom Gould says two sites at the school were tested - one result came back at 16 parts per billion and the other at 39 parts per billion. Gould says those levels are much lower compared to Flintâs, however they are considered elevated for the Environmental Protection Agencyâs standards of no more than 15 parts per billion. Gould tells WHMI itâs enough for the district to start taking action as soon as possible. Gould says the district is working to expedite the results, which officials are hoping will be available by Tuesday. The district is still in the process of testing the rest of their buildings. Portable water coolers are being brought in for the staff and students at Northwest and the drinking fountains will be covered. Superintendent Erin MacGregor says they are taking the issue very seriously and that safety is their top priority. (DK)
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Donation On Tax Return Forms Gives Back To Local Abuse Prevention ProgramsDonation On Tax Return Forms Gives Back To Local Abuse Prevention Programs
Local residents can be a part of keeping children in Livingston County safe by simply adding a checkmark on their tax return forms. The Michigan Childrenâs Trust Fund, or CTF, is an independent non-profit agency that funds community-based services and programs. The LACASA center in Howell receives funding from CTF for programs administered by their Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Council. Residents are able to donate to local abuse prevention programs by putting a checkmark on the line identified for CTF on state income tax return form #4642 and designating the amount intended for donation. CAP Council Coordinator Holly Naylor tells WHMI this is a tax deductible donation and every dollar given helps the prevention programs immensely. The CAP Council uses the funding received from CTF to provide training, hold outreach events and speak at local schools about infant safety. According to Naylor, this funding is âabsolutely crucialâ to their mission of preventing child neglect and abuse. Naylor reminds community members wishing to donate that the money does not go to the state because CTF is not a state agency and that if a professional is handling your tax returns, let them know you intend to donate. (DK)
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Bicyclist Wins Appeal Of Ticket For Riding In The RoadwayBicyclist Wins Appeal Of Ticket For Riding In The Roadway
A bicyclist accused of impeding traffic in Livingston County has won an appeal of his $200 ticket. Tim Panagis of Ann Arbor was pulled over by a Michigan State Police trooper in June as he rode with friends westbound on 8 Mile Road in Green Oak Township. He was then ticketed for being in the road as he and the other cyclists rode toward the right side of a lane. A district court judge upheld the ticket, which Panagis then appealed. On January 25th, Circuit Court Judge David Reader found in favor of the 26-year-old Panagis, reversing the district court's findings and dismissed the ticket. Attorney Bryan Waldman says his client was following the law by riding close to the edge of the road and that the trooper appeared to misinterpret his clientâs hand gesture to pass as one of disrespect. He says that under Michigan law, Panagis is entitled to be reimbursed for certain costs and that the county will likely be obligated to pay or reimburse expenses of approximately $500. (JK)
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Road Closures In Brighton Expected For Sewer Main WorkRoad Closures In Brighton Expected For Sewer Main Work
Work on sewer mains in Brighton will result in some road closures over the next several days. Various sanitary sewer mains throughout the city will be lined over the course of the next week. The work is expected to occur during both the daytime and late evening/early morning hours beginning today and continuing through Thursday, the 25th. Part of the work being done will take place on West Grand River from St. Paul Street to just south of Cross Street which will require a one-lane closure in the north bound traffic lanes. A one-lane traffic closure will also be needed on the north bound traffic lanes for work on East Grand River from Kissane to Hope Street. (DK)
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Student Reports Suspicious Incident In Marion Township Student Reports Suspicious Incident In Marion Township
Local authorities are advising the public of a suspicious incident Thursday afternoon in Marion Township. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department took a report of an incident that occurred in front of a Howell studentâs home near Universe Ave and Lenard Circle. Undersheriff Mike Murphy tells WHMI the student was walking home from the bus stop at around 3pm and was almost to the door when he heard a voice and observed a white male subject in a white Chevy-type van halfway in the driveway. The student was unable to make out what the man said but went inside and told his mother, who called 911. The van had rust on the bottom and tinted windows in the front and no windows or writing on the sides or rear of the van. While there is no cause for public panic, anyone that notices a vehicle matching the description should contact the Sheriffâs Department. Meanwhile, Murphy says theyâve been in contact with Howell Public Schools and have assigned extra patrols in that area. Below is a link to the notification from the district. (JM)
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Officials Focus In On Fixtures Within School As Possible Source Of Lead ContaminationOfficials Focus In On Fixtures Within School As Possible Source Of Lead Contamination
Follow-up water testing will take place Saturday at a local elementary school after initial results indicated higher-than-permitted levels of lead. Howell Public School officials decided to have their eleven buildings tested in the wake of the Flint water crisis and when they received the first round of results Thursday, those from Northwest Elementary School came back at levels above what is allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA mandates that lead levels in drinking water be no higher than 15 parts per billion. Northwest gave two results of 16 and 39 parts per billion. Because the tests were normal from the Southeast and Southwest school buildings, which were built at the same time, there is a chance the results might be a false positive. All of the schools get their water from the Howell municipal system and City Manager Shea Charles says theyâll be working this weekend to verify those initial results and, if so, isolate exactly where the contamination might be coming from. City officials say that the last round of water testing they did in 2013 returned results no higher than 3 parts per billion. In addition, Charles say the water main that serves Northwest Elementary was upgraded in 2012 and as is normal procedure they verified that all of the connections from the water main to the valve used appropriate materials. Howell DPW Director Erv Suida says that often times results such as these turn out to be related to older fixtures within the buildings themselves that contain higher than allowed levels of lead. He says the testing this weekend will also seek to determine if that is the case. In the meantime, district officials say the water fountains have been closed off and water coolers will provide drinking water for students and staff until the issue is completely resolved. (JK)
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Green Oak Township Swears In New OfficerGreen Oak Township Swears In New Officer
A home grown police officer was sworn in during a recent Green Oak Township board meeting. Police Chief Jason Pless swore in Officer Brittany Besso to the Green Oak Police Department. He was pleased to welcome Besso aboard during a badge pinning ceremony that included her family and friends at the Green Oak Township Board meeting last Wednesday. Besso, a Brighton native, graduated from Brighton High School in 2007. She later attended the Detroit Police Academy and was hired by the Detroit Police Department in 2014. (MK/JM)
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Genoa Township Approves Cooperative Utility ContractGenoa Township Approves Cooperative Utility Contract
Genoa Township has approved an agreement with several local governments that allows for utility systems to be operated through an in-house structure. The idea for the Intergovernmental Operations Contract was presented and adopted about 5 years ago. Up until that point, all utility systems had contract operators or a private firm that would come in and operate the systems for municipalities. Genoa Township Utility Director Greg Tatara says the township had substantial problems with the contract operators back in the mid- 2000sâ, which led to the townshipâs decision to hire employees themselves and operate the systems from within. Several municipalitiesâ sewer and water authorities are a part of the structure, including Marion, Howell, Genoa and Oceola. Tatara tells WHMI making the switch in operating structures was rocky at first but is now considered one of the best decisions theyâve made. Tatara says because the structure is carried out in a cost-savings manner, any money they have under budget goes back into the utilities systems. On Monday, the Genoa Township Board of Trustees approved the contract, as well as the operating budget for 2017 and the allocation percentage for each municipality. If approved by the other governments involved, the contract will become effective April 1st through 2021. (DK)
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Reconstruction Funding for Brighton Interior Drive ApprovedReconstruction Funding for Brighton Interior Drive Approved
Brighton Interior Drive â located off Challis Road on the northwest side of Brighton â is in for a complete rebuild this year. TG Fluid Systems relocated last year to the old Magna Atoma plant site â which was later called Brighton Interior Systems - after Magna abandoned it and ceased its Brighton operations about a decade ago. Mayor Jim Muzzin tells WHMI the road is being completely reconstructed. The funding for the $720,000 project includes $320,000 from the state grant and a $340,000 city match, which includes $50,000 from the LDFA fund and $267,000 from the utility reserve fund â at least temporarily. In addition, the city is paying the engineering fees as a part of its match. If the DDA at its March meeting approves paying the $267,000 as requested, then the utility reserve fund will be paid back. The road project includes tearing up the current asphalt surface, improving the base and putting on new asphalt pavement, add curb-and-gutter where necessary, remove a large median, aligning the road with Ashley Court and alter the route somewhat to meet Nemco Way. The motion to approve the disbursement from the utility reserve fund for the major portion of the local match was approved on a 6-0 vote. Muzzin says the plan is to have the project completed by June. (TT)
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Prison Sentence Handed Down To Man Charged In Brighton Teen Sex CasePrison Sentence Handed Down To Man Charged In Brighton Teen Sex Case
A man charged with sex crimes involving a Brighton-area teen will do time in prison. 27-year-old Burhan Ahmed Mian of Flint has been sentenced to 1 to 15 years in prison with a credit of 160 days served in the Livingston County Jail for 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct. Mian is one of four men who reportedly had separate sexual encounters with the now 16-year-old victim, whom they met on a social networking application geared towards gay and bisexual men. Authorities say all but one of the incidents occurred when the victim was just 15. Cody Swatling of South Lyon, Alex Peter Benedict of Brighton and John Joseph Gasiorek III of Brooklyn were also charged in the case. Those three men were all sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act which will expunge their records if they successfully complete probation. Mian was not eligible to be sentenced under the same act. (DK)
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Officials Defend Howell Water System After High Lead LevelOfficials Defend Howell Water System After High Lead Level
As follow-up water testing takes place this weekend at a local elementary school, officials say that unlike the situation in Flint, the high lead levels do not appear to be coming from the water system itself. Testing last week indicated that Northwest Elementary School in Howell had lead level results that were more than twice what is allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency. The district decided to test its eleven buildings as a result of the water crisis in Flint, where a switch to the Flint River allowed corrosive water to leach lead out of aging pipes. Northwest gave two results of 16 and 39 parts per billion, while the EPA mandates levels no higher than 15 parts per billion. All of the schools within the city are attached to city water. Howell Schools outside of the city are a combination of wells and the Marion-Howell-Oceola-Genoa Water Authority. City Manager Shea Charles says at this point there is no evidence to indicate the elevated lead levels are due to the water source. He say the water main that serves Northwest Elementary was upgraded in 2012 and as is normal procedure they verified that all of the connections from the water main to the valve used appropriate materials. The last round of water testing the City of Howell did in 2013 returned results no higher than 3 parts per billion, well below the EPA maximum. That makes it much more likely that the test results were either a false positive, or caused by fixtures within the school itself. Officials hope the testing this weekend will give them a definitive answer. The results are expected as early as Tuesday. In the meantime, district officials say the water fountains have been closed off and water coolers will provide drinking water for students and staff until the issue is completely resolved. (JK)
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