An intoxicated Milford man who allegedly broke into a local police officerâs home has violated his bond. 30-year-old Alexander Jay Odden of Milford is facing charges of 1st degree home invasion and assault and battery in connection with the incident that occurred in January, when an officer and his wife fell asleep watching a movie at their home in the Village and awoke to find an intruder inside. Odden allegedly ignored orders to stop and tried to flee, and a scuffle ensued. The officer was able to restrain him and Odden was eventually taken into custody. Oddenâs bond conditions included no contact with the victims, in-home breathalyzer tests and drug testing. Odden tested positive on 7 separate days for the court-ordered testing and he failed to appear for testing two days in a row. It is unclear what he tested positive for at this time. A bench warrant was issued and his bond was originally set to $1 million dollars, but modified to $500,000, or 10% if he posts bond. His bond conditions will remain the same and he has been scheduled for an examination on March 4th. Officers are familiar with Odden, who has various prior convictions. (DK)
Intoxicated Man Who Broke Into Police Officer's Home Violates Bond Several TimesIntoxicated Man Who Broke Into Police Officer's Home Violates Bond Several Times
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Artists Encouraged To Submit Work For Annual CompetitionArtists Encouraged To Submit Work For Annual Competition
Artists will have the opportunity to win money and exposure of their work as part of an art competition in downtown Howell. The Downtown Howell Art Project will return this year and the Main Street Downtown Development Authority is looking for local and national artists to participate. Artists can submit one piece of artwork in a digital format for one of the following categories: food, music, floral and seascape, landscape or architecture. The winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and have their artwork on display on the outside of businesses in downtown Howell throughout the year. DDA Director Cathleen Edgerly says âArt creates a sense of place and really ties the community togetherâ and the DDA is looking forward to bringing the project back after last yearâs success. Artwork must be submitted by May 19th. More information about the competition and its rules can be found at the link below. (DK)
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Genoa Township Takes Steps Towards Establishing Satellite Smart Zone Genoa Township Takes Steps Towards Establishing Satellite Smart Zone
An unlikely partnership between Genoa Township and Sterling Heights could help bring high-quality jobs and development to the region. In October, the city of Sterling Heights met with officials from Genoa Township, the cities of Brighton and Howell to discuss collaborating on a Smart Zone program. Smart Zones have potentially significant tax capture that is intended to be used for promoting business development and focusing on emerging technologies. Genoa Township Manager Michael Archinal says the program could work well for the area around the Latson Interchange because of the amount of vacant land. By establishing a satellite Smart Zone, Archinal says new development can be guided in a positive direction and can help fund infrastructure within the district to encourage business growth. So where does Sterling Heights come in? Smart Zones require a university partner and Cleary University is located within Genoa Township. Archinal tells WHMI Sterling Heights has already established a parent Smart Zone and this partnership will help them extend the length of its sunset. To be a part of the program, Genoa Township must establish a Local Development Finance Authority, which Brighton and Howell already have in place. Archinal says the township plans to contact Sterling Heights city officials to let them know theyâre interested in moving forward and will work on an application for the program that will be made to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. That application is due by July. (DK)
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Police Looking Into New Evidence In Linden High School Shooting PlotPolice Looking Into New Evidence In Linden High School Shooting Plot
New evidence in the plot police say targeted Linden High School has extended a preliminary examination for the three teens charged in the case. 18-year-old Ryan Stevens of Linden, 15-year-old Cody Brewer of Wolverine Lake and 15-year-old Lamarr Dukes of West Bloomfield are charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree premeditated murder, a felony punishable by up to life in prison and false report or threat of terrorism, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Authorities allege Stevens enlisted his co-defendants to bring guns to school and kill a female student who had made disparaging remarks about him online. The alleged victim of the threats says it began when she responded to a post by Stevens that insulted her. The argument, all of it online, escalated to the point where Dukes made her afraid to go home after school. She then reported the incident to the Linden High School liaison officer. A preliminary examination for the defendants had already carried over several days due to new evidence uncovered by the Argentine Township Police Department. The nature of that evidence has not been revealed. On Wednesday, attorneys for the suspects requested their clients be let out on bail and tethered, which was rejected because of the severity of the charges. Stevens, who is jailed under a $200,000 bond, remains lodged at the Genesee County Jail. Brewer and Dukes are both under $100,000 bonds at the Regional Detention Center. The examination is expected to continue on March 16th. (DK)
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Pinckney Elementary Taken Off MarketPinckney Elementary Taken Off Market
The vacant Pinckney Elementary School building has been taken off the market while district officials re-evaluate their vision for it. Putnam Township had been discussing the idea of possibly purchasing the building which has been up for sale for several years. However, the Board of Trustees recently made the decision to no longer pursue the idea because the cost and work involved in rehabilitating the parcel was too far out of reach. Pinckney Community Schools Superintendent Rick Todd says he appreciates the time and effort the township invested into the idea and that they were âstrong partnersâ throughout the process and will continue to be so. Todd says the district decided to take the building off the market and think about tweaking the proposal and asking price. He tells WHMI they will consider demolition costs, the land itself and viable options for the building. Todd says he has âno ideaâ when Pinckney Elementary will be back on the market, but that the district is ânot in any extreme hurryâ. The school board has a meeting next week and Todd expects it will be a topic of conversation there. Ultimately, he says they just want to be thoughtful about the issue before moving forward. (DK)
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Hartland Wins First-Ever State Wrestling ChampionshipHartland Wins First-Ever State Wrestling Championship
The Hartland Wrestling Team are state champions. The Eagles picked up a 36-23 victory over Davison in the Division 1 team wrestling state finals over the weekend and ended a 20 year title drought. In 21 years, Hartland has won 20 district championships, 15 of those in a row and had not missed a trip to the state finals since 2001. But the state title remained elusive until this weekend. Sage Castillo, Logan Vish and Lucas LaForge nailed consecutive victories to give the Eagles an early 21-3 lead over Davison. Hartland never looked back and took it all the way. MIPrepZone photo by Marvin Goodwin.
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Salvation Army Seeking Committee VolunteersSalvation Army Seeking Committee Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to help plan upcoming events for the Salvation Army of Livingston County. The Summer Lunch Bunch Committee is forming now and helps plan a community meals program that is held during the summer. The committeeâs first meeting will be Tuesday, March 8th at 6 pm at the Salvation Army Corps Community Center in Howell. If youâre interested in helping out but unable to make the meeting, there is room on sub-committees and Program Coordinators can work around schedules. The Salvation Army is also looking for volunteers for their Clay Shoot Committee. The first committee meeting for that event is on March 3rd at 11:30 pm at the 2/42 Church in Brighton. To RSVP for either of the committee meetings or to get involved, call 517-295-4347. More information about the events, committee requirements and positions can be found at the links below. (DK)
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Brighton Firefighters Set Fundraising Record At Fight For Air ClimbBrighton Firefighters Set Fundraising Record At Fight For Air Climb
A local fire department was able to quadruple its original fundraising goal for a daunting physical fitness challenge over the weekend in Detroit. On Sunday, firefighters from local and neighboring counties climbed 71 flights of stairs at the Detroit Renaissance Center to raise money for the American Lung Association. The 35 firefighters made the climb while wearing full gear and their self-contained breathing apparatus, which tacked on at least 50 extra pounds. Sgt. Bryan Berry says their original goal was $3,000, but as of today they have raised just over $12,000, with more still coming in. The Fight For Air Climb supports the Lung Associationâs mission to further research, patient education and advocacy efforts in the fight against lung disease. Berry says they were the largest team at the climb and had the highest donations for any team participating. He added that ten of the 35 members of the team are from the Livingston Fire Academy, which is run through Howell Public Schools. This was Berryâs 4th year taking part in the climb and he says it has a special meaning to him because he lost his mother last year to lung disease. He also wanted to give credit to Lt. Derrick Bunge, APO/FF Dave Mourer and APO/FF Steven Hoyer, who all took part for fifth year. He also said they received big help from the Brighton VGâs and the Genoa Township Buffalo Wild Wings. (JK)
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Eyesore On South Michigan Avenue In Howell Could Be Demolished Eyesore On South Michigan Avenue In Howell Could Be Demolished
A house in significant disrepair in the City of Howell that has become a visual eyesore and a target for vandalism could be coming down. Staff has been taking inventory and discovered some unsafe structures with serious issues. The Howell City Council recently initiated the dangerous building process and the building official has received clearance to remedy various code violations at a home and property on South Michigan Avenue to either make it safe or demolish it within the next 30 days. The house is on a lot totaling more than seven acres and is most noticeable when coming off the I-96/D-19 exit, adjacent to the Highland/Howell property the city is still looking to sell. The foundation appears to be failing and a hole in the side of the house is among various violations noted after an analysis performed by the building official. Howell City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI staff has been in communication with the property owners and they understand that the property needs to be addressed so theyâre hoping to find resolution within the next 30 days. The house on South Michigan Avenue is the latest unsafe structure of focus. Staff has been working to evaluate and address dangerous buildings and blighted properties throughout the city on a continuing basis. (JM)
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Investigation Continues Into Online Threat That Forced District ClosureInvestigation Continues Into Online Threat That Forced District Closure
State Police continue to investigate an online threat that forced the closure of a local school district. Howell Public Schools canceled all of its classes today after Superintendent Erin MacGregor was notified by Michigan State Police late Sunday night about an online threat. District spokesman Tom Gould says State Police indicated that a Howell High School student had received a message on their personal Twitter account that threatened to "shoot your school up." Gould says that because authorities could not say whether the threat was credible, district officials decided to call off classes out of an abundance of caution. He says State Police at the Brighton Post and analysts in Lansing are working on trying to identify the individual. Gould says that the difference between this threat and a similar one in December that didnât force a school closure was the fact that police could not positively identify the person making the threat or their ability to carry it out. In the December incident, 22-year-old Scott Richard Parker, a former Howell student, was accused of posting a threat on Twitter that tagged the district. Police quickly discovered his identity and visited his residence where they determined he did not have access to weapons nor the means to carry out the threat. That information allowed district officials to hold classes the following day, although with added security. Parker, whose mother says he has the mental capacity of a child, was charged with four counts of making a threat of terrorism. He was ordered to undergo a competency evaluation, which has yet to be completed.
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Possible Arson Fires In Lyon Township Under InvestigationPossible Arson Fires In Lyon Township Under Investigation
A pair of suspicious fires that occurred roughly four hours apart on the same Lyon Township property are under investigation. Both occurred on a 10-acre parcel at Pontiac Trail and Silver Lake Road. The first was reported around 9:20pm Sunday by a neighbor, Lise Blades, and involved two modular trailers used as haunted attractions that were being stored on a wooded area toward the back of the property. Blades husband, Kelly, is a Lyon Township firefighter and responded to the station while she made the call. Lyon Township Fire Marshal Don Collick tells WHMI firefighters were somewhat hindered by a large tree so extinguishing the trailers took a little time. That scene was cleared between 1 and 1:30am. Then not long after the first scene had been cleared, there was a report of a second fire in a barn on the opposite side of the property at around 2:20am. Collick says he arrived back on scene within four minutes and the barn was 100% involved. Wind fueled that fire and a box alarm was requested, with the City of South Lyon and Green Oak Township Fire Departments assisting at the scene. Collick noted there are quite a bit of structures on the property including barns, smaller outbuildings and a home that was condemned about a year ago but to his knowledge, itâs not a normal hangout for teens. No injuries were reported in either incident. Both are under investigation by the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office fire investigation unit. Photo credit: Lise Blades (JM/JK)
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Howell Public Schools Officials Say Suspect Identified In Online ThreatHowell Public Schools Officials Say Suspect Identified In Online Threat
While the credibility of an online threat that closed a local school district remains under investigation, a suspect has been identified and classes will resume Tuesday. Howell Public Schools canceled classes today after Superintendent Erin MacGregor was notified by Michigan State Police late Sunday night about an online threat a high school student had received on their personal Twitter account that threatened to "shoot your school up." In a letter issued this evening by MacGregor, he says the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit identified the email and IP addresses connected to the Twitter account responsible for the threatening tweet and they confirmed it is an out-of-state IP address. A warrant was then submitted to Google to obtain the personal information connected to the email address. As of 6pm, police had identified the person who sent the threat as a man who lives in Lillington, North Carolina. State Police are working with the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the Harnett County Sheriff's Department to bring the person into custody. MacGregor says while the investigation is ongoing, they feel reassured with the events that transpired today and in turn, are planning to have students and staff return to school Tuesday. As a precaution, there will be additional law enforcement present at schools throughout the day. District officials decided to call off Monday classes out of an abundance of caution because authorities could not say whether the threat was credible at that point. MacGregor commended both Michigan State Police and the Howell Police Department, saying they continue to work closely with authorities regarding the incident. (JM)
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Man Who Allegedly Stalked His Teacher Will Undergo Competency ExamMan Who Allegedly Stalked His Teacher Will Undergo Competency Exam
A mental exam has been ordered for a man who allegedly stalked his 6th grade teacher for years. 51-year-old Steven Kremski faces charges of stalking and malicious use of a telecommunication device in what police refer to as an odd case of obsession stretching back 36 years. None of the calls were said to be threatening, which began in 2011 but steadily increased over the years and became more frightening to the now 81-year-old teacher, who lives in Livingston County. The calls ranged from heavy breathing to professing love or holiday greetings but in one the caller stated he had located the graves of her relatives. Unadilla Township Police investigated the case and interviews led them to Kremski, who was caught on surveillance video using a pay phone at Bishop International Airport in Flint. Thatâs where he was arrested in January after placing two calls to the teacher while police were on route to apprehend him. Kremskiâs bond was set at $100,000 cash or surety. At a pre-trial hearing on Monday, Kremskiâs attorney requested his client be referred to the state Forensic Center for a competency evaluation. That requested was granted and Kremski will remain jailed, with all counts pending the evaluation. A follow-up hearing has been scheduled for May 31st. (DK)
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Residents' Concerns Heard At McGregor Bridge Project MeetingResidents' Concerns Heard At McGregor Bridge Project Meeting
A public meeting about a bridge replacement project addressed the questions and concerns of local residents who will be impacted by the construction work. The bridge on McGregor Road over the Portage Lake Outlet lies between the Livingston County line and Dexter Township and will be rehabilitated due to its deterioration. Construction is slated to begin early next week and the Washtenaw County Road Commission held an informational meeting in Pinckney last night to touch base with the community. The Portage Yacht Club was packed with residents that live close to the bridge and those that use McGregor Road or access the lake in the Pinckney area. The majority of the concerns centered on road and boat launch closures and appropriate signage to direct traffic. Jeffrey Elsasser lives just south of the entrance to the public boat launch and he tells WHMI his biggest concern is the traffic congestion, specifically near his home. Kelly Jones, Senior Project Manager says on this issue, it could really come down to trusting that people will be courteous and abide by instructional signs. She tells WHMI the Road Commission will be continually communicating with residents to notify them of closures in advance. The project is expected to take about 5 months to complete and nothing less. Aside from unexpected circumstances, Jones says he does not foresee any major issues causing a delay to the project schedule. (DK)
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Hune "Proudly" Supports Donald Trump Hune "Proudly" Supports Donald Trump
State Senator Joe Huneâs announcement on Facebook that he is proudly supporting Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has been met with a mix of strong support and vigorous criticism. The Hamburg Township Republican made the announcement via Facebook on Sunday and was met with a wave of positive comments that ranged from âThis is awesomeâ and âWay to go!â to âThank you for fighting to make this country great again.â But the negative comments were equally numerous and included statements such as âVery disappointedâ and âJoe, you're a good guy and a friend, but damn wrong on this one.â to âI'm gonna go ahead and unfollow you now...absolute atrocity that anyone is taking that racist monster seriously.â As for Hune, he brushes off the criticism and thinks Trump is the man to get behind, saying obviously his numbers are doing well and polls project heâll sweep todayâs Super Tuesday primaries. Hune tells WHMI he feels Trump is perfectly positioned to beat the presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton. Hune also responded to the recent controversy in which Trump failed to disavow support from former Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon David Duke and other white supremacists. Hune said his understanding is that Trump has denounced them is years past and as recent as one week ago but he didnât do it sufficiently when featured on a weekend talk show. Hune called it âa lot of hullaballoo about nothingâ and says Trump has since commented that he misspoke and denounced the organizations. As for those who criticize Trump or Hune for his support, Hune says whenever you take a stand publicly for any candidate, there will be backlash. Once the nomination process is over, Hune feels itâs important for Republicans to get behind their candidate because they need nothing more than to âtake this country back.â (JM/JK)
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Services For Senior Citizens Focus Of Public Forum In Hartland Services For Senior Citizens Focus Of Public Forum In Hartland
What critical services should be funded to best serve senior citizens were the focus of a forum hosted by the Area Agency on Aging 1-B Monday afternoon. The forum was held in the Hartland Educational Support Service Center, which also houses the Hartland Senior Center. The purpose is to collect input on what programs and services should be prioritized and how state and federal dollars should be distributed. A wide range of professionals were in attendance along with caregivers and senior citizens, some of whom shared their personal struggles navigating the system in hope of accessing services. One senior explained how he and his wife both worked for 50 years but later lost everything and now rely on social security to live, detailing the struggle in dealing with different agencies and the threshold for assistance. Strict income guidelines and long waiting lists for programs and services was a recurring theme and organizers noted that the door to Medicaid gets smaller and smaller. One social worker commented on changing requirements for adult service programs, saying those on Medicaid no longer qualify for certain programs unless they have a physical need but many times a little help early on can prevent something bigger from happening. Another woman who is now the primary caregiver for her 81-year-old father-in-law was in search of resources and talked about how helpful the Hartland senior center has been. It was noted there are resources out there for those who fall into gap areas because of strict income guidelines or qualifications and would otherwise fall through the cracks. Client Service Manager Alicia Nalepa works with Same Address, which was launched last May and serves as another resource if someone fails to qualify for certain services or state or federal funded programs. Nalepa tells WHMI they provide any service an older adult or senior might need to remain in their own home, safe and independent. Among other issues raised included transportation needs in the rural area and the important role that local senior centers play when it comes to resources. CEO Tina Abbate-Marzolf told WHMI there was a lot of good input from the community and after input is gathered from the various forums, AAA 1-B will prepare a draft plan to be published at the end of April. A review period will follow in April and May before the final document is prepared and presented in June to all county board levels and then the Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging. (JM)
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Convery Elected to Lead Board Of Statewide Chamber OrganizationConvery Elected to Lead Board Of Statewide Chamber Organization
A statewide chamber of commerce organization has tapped a local woman for leadership. Members from the Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals, a statewide association representing over 300 chambers of commerce across the state, elected Pat Convery, president of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce, to serve as chairperson of the board for 2016. Convery will help set the strategic direction of MACP and will take an active role in advancing the groupâs strategic agenda. Bob Thomas, executive director for MACP said that Convery âis held in high regard by her industry peers and will be an outstanding leader for the organization.â As chair of MACP, Convery will also serve on the Michigan Chamber of Commerce board of directors as the local chamber representative. Convery is a graduate of the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management at Villanova University and is a past board member for the Institute Board of Regents at Villanova. Among the items on the organizationâs agenda this year are implementing an inclusion task force to support greater diversity, partnering with the Michigan Small Business Development Centers to deliver small business services across the state and recognizing excellence in chambers of commerce that pursue national accreditation and professional development. (JK)
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Former Police Sergeant Expected Back In Michigan This WeekendFormer Police Sergeant Expected Back In Michigan This Weekend
A former police sergeant accused of embezzlement has waived extradition from Tennessee and is expected to return to Livingston County later this week. 54-year-old William Scott Cook was expected to appear for an extradition hearing on Monday in Sessions Court in Bradley County, Tennessee. However he has waived extradition and the case was dismissed. Livingston County Prosecutor William Vailliencourt tells WHMI Cook has been released from custody by the Bradley County Sheriffâs Department and is expected to return to Michigan this Friday or Saturday. Cook was recently arrested and jailed in Bradley County on a warrant from Livingston County. He is alleged to have embezzled more than $20,000 from a vulnerable adult, his mother, while he had power of attorney. The Hamburg Township Police Department investigated after being contacted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services last May, which had concerns related to the finances of Cookâs mother. She had lived with him for a short time in Hamburg Township before being transferred to a nursing home. Cook was a longtime sergeant with the Pinckney Police Department and resigned last year unexpectedly and late at night April 4th via email but was in good standing with the department. Court records indicate that Cook is scheduled for a follow up hearing in 53rd District Court March 25th. (DK)
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Fundraiser Will Honor Teen's Memory While Raising Funds For Burn CampFundraiser Will Honor Teen's Memory While Raising Funds For Burn Camp
The fundraiser for the Great Lakes Burn Camp will take place at Stout Irish Pub from 3-7pm Saturday. Itâs being held in honor of Sarah Grundy, a Pinckney teenager who was severely injured in a bonfire accident in 2013 and later died from her injuries. Catherine OâBrien is the manager at Stout and one of the eventâs organizers. She tells WHMI that the Great Lakes Burn Camp allows burn-injured kids 6-17 to heal while meeting others in the same situation so they can play, laugh and grow together. O'Brien says they want to raise $20,000 so that twenty kids can attend the camp. She adds that Grundy had been hoping to attend the camp as a counselor when she passed away in January of 2014 and it just seemed fitting to organize the fundraiser in her honor. Tickets cost $20 and include a spaghetti dinner and entertainment. OâBrien says they have great auction items including signed Red Wings memorabilia, 300 square feet of Chelsea Plank Flooring and a Gander Mountain package. But she says theyâre definitely open to other donations and asks that people contact her at 517-861-9640. (JK)
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Livingston County WIC Participates in National CampaignLivingston County WIC Participates in National Campaign
A Livingston County organization is taking part in an annual campaign to promote the importance of making good food choices. March is National Nutrition Month and the Livingston County WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) is participating. The theme this year is âSavor the Flavor of Eating Right,â and the Livingston County office of WIC wants to help clients learn to make healthier choices. WIC is a supplemental nutrition program that provides residents in need with food packages of a variety of healthy foods each month. The month long campaign will give recipients what they need to make good food choices for their families. During the month a registered dietician will be available at the Livingston County WIC office to help clients learn how to eat right and savor the flavor. To see if you or someone you know is eligible for WIC, or more on the National Nutrition Month campaign, click on the link below. (DS)
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