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Livingston County Dental Clinic One Step Closer to ConstructionLivingston County Dental Clinic One Step Closer to Construction

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A community dental clinic is another step closer to construction after last night’s meeting of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners. The commission awarded the bid to Lindhout Associates Architects to complete the design and engineering phase for My Community Dental Clinic (MCDC). Last month the commission accepted a purchase agreement on a 1.85-acre parcel of land with a building for $1.The clinic will be located on Byron Road near the St. Joseph Livingston Hospital in Howell. Department of Public Health director Diane McCormick says the county will sign for the property in the coming weeks. She says this step moves the process forward. This allows My Community Dental Centers to begin looking at construction so she says last night they were there to give the award to Lindhout Associates to begin the design phase, so they can put the project out to bid. She says hopefully they will be able to start construction if all goes well, by September of this year. She says they hope to complete the project by January or early February of 2017 and start providing services to those in need. McCormick says there are about 22,000 residents in the county on Medicaid who don’t have access to dental care. She says most dentists won’t accept the Medicaid reimbursement and many of them end up in the emergency room with pain or infections. McCormick says the nearest MCDC is in Livonia, and until the clinic opens in Livingston County dentists will rotate between Livonia and St. Johns. St. Joseph Mercy not only donated the property and the building, but also $80,000. Renovating the building to accommodate the dental clinic is estimated to cost just over 1.4 (m) million. Livingston County contributed the fund balance from the Livingston Health Plan, which will be paid back by the MCDC through Medicaid payments to the clinic over the next 20 years. (DS)

Couling To Retire As Fowlerville Council Appoints New Police ChiefCouling To Retire As Fowlerville Council Appoints New Police Chief

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The Village of Fowlerville will have a new Chief of Police beginning the first of July. Chief Tom Couling will be stepping down this summer and handing his position over to Sgt. John Tyler - a man Chief Couling says was an “easy choice” for the job. A resolution to appoint Sgt. Tyler was approved on Monday by the Village Council and Tyler will work side-by-side with Couling over the next few months to prepare. Trustee Everett DeGrush was the only oppositional vote against the resolution to appoint Tyler and felt the Village should further expand their search. Everett says he wants the “best candidate possible” and wants the Village to get the best bang for their buck. However, once the resolution passed, DeGrush shook Sgt. Tyler’s hand and congratulated him, saying he fully supports the soon-to-be Chief. Sgt. Tyler tells WHMI he’s excited to serve at this capacity and is dedicated to a community he truly loves. Sgt. Tyler began with the Fowlerville Police Department as a part-timer and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2014. He says some of his priorities in his new position include awareness about the county’s opiate problem, a possible DARE program, potentially beginning a police youth academy and more open communication with the public. (DK)

Skimmers Found At Two Gas Stations In HowellSkimmers Found At Two Gas Stations In Howell

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Credit card skimmers have been found at two gas stations located in Howell. A “gas pump blitz” on Saturday uncovered credit card skimmers at Mugg & Bopps on South Michigan Avenue and the Mobil gas station on Grand River Avenue. The blitz, coordinated by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), was a part of a statewide effort and over 3,000 gas pumps were checked. Skimming devices were found at the aforementioned gas stations, as well as a Citgo in Cedar Springs. MDARD Spokeswoman Jennifer Holton tells WHMI the devices are easy to install, difficult to detect and can do major damage. Several local police agencies took part in the blitz, including the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s offices, Brighton, Davison Township, Howell, Northfield Township, and Pinckney police departments. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has partnered with MDARD on their efforts and has confiscated the skimmers for further investigation. Jamie Clover Adams, MDARD Director, says some precautionary steps station owners can take to protect their patrons are changing locks, using tamper-proof security tape, and adding security cameras. (DK/JM)

Brighton Schools' Tech Grants OK'ed for 2016-17 YearBrighton Schools' Tech Grants OK'ed for 2016-17 Year

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The Brighton Area Schools will continue its technology innovation grant program for a second year. The Board of Education, at its meeting Monday night, voted to again pursue the incentive program begun last fall in which a total of $25,000 in grants was made available to teachers. Several teachers gave presentations at the meeting Monday, showing how invaluable an aid the new technology has been to their classes. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that the tech grant program has proven its worth in its very first year. The tech mini-grants are used to obtain items such as technology hardware and software programs that improve specific classes and students’ ability to learn the relevant material. (TT)

Brighton High Robotics Team Takes Home First Place Brighton High Robotics Team Takes Home First Place

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The Brighton High School Robotics Team was part of a three-team alliance that took home top honors at the recent “FIRST Robotics” competition held at Kettering University in Flint, formerly General Motors Institute. This year’s competition, called “Stronghold,” consisted of trying to penetrate their opponents’ fortress, weaken their defenses with boulders and capture the opposing tower. The teams had about six weeks to build a robot for the competition. Brighton school board member John Conely, a sponsor of the team and one of the coaches, says the Brighton team was split up into three individual units in the competition: engineering, business and a build team. Conely tells WHMI the team has 40 very dedicated members that worked extremely hard on their project. The winning alliance from the competition consisted of the Brighton TechnoDogs, MooBotics from Port Huron, and Volatile Chaos Inhibitors from Sanford. Superintendent Greg Gray says the BHS robotics team, which has been in existence just a few years, has made remarkable progress in that time. Some 81 schools in all took part in the competition over two weeks at Kettering. The next event for the Brighton FIRST Robotics team will be the districts April 1 and 2 at Parker Middle School in Howell. (TT)

Wednesday Meeting Only Official Gathering On Proposed Pipeline ProjectWednesday Meeting Only Official Gathering On Proposed Pipeline Project

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A meeting Wednesday night will be the only official Michigan gathering from the company proposing the ET Rover Pipeline project. The ET Rover Pipeline Project would build a natural gas pipeline through Putnam Township and the Pinckney Recreation Area as it seeks to connect a Midwest Hub in Ohio to an interconnection southeast of Fowlerville. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is hosting a meeting regarding the project’s Draft Environment Impact Statement Wednesday at Chelsea High School. A group of Putnam Township residents and community members opposed to the project have formed the ET Rover Go Home group. Their concerns include the pipeline’s proximity to homes along the route, the potential environmental impact but also unclear routes and maps. Of seven meetings the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has scheduled on the pipeline, Wednesday’s is the only one in Michigan. Those wishing to make comments can begin signing up at 5:30pm, with comments running from 6-10pm. (JK)

Highland Township Looking For New Fire ChiefHighland Township Looking For New Fire Chief

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Highland Township is looking for a new fire chief following the unexpected retirement of their former chief last year. Interim Chief Richard Cole has led the fire department since Chief Jim Crunk retired last August. Cole says he’d like to return to his position as assistant chief once the position is filled, however that decision will be left up to the new chief. Highland Township has begun the search for someone to fill the position, which is being led by Planning and Development Director Beth Corwin. Corwin has created a group of retired fire professionals who will help with the selection process and conduct interviews. The process to appoint a new chief was approved by the township’s Board of Trustees earlier this month. The position has been posted on the Southeastern Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs’ website, which states that resumes and applications will be accepted until May 5th. The expected starting salary range is $55-70,000, depending on experience, education and training. (DK)

Genoa Twp. Board Supports Putting Parks & Rec Millage On August BallotGenoa Twp. Board Supports Putting Parks & Rec Millage On August Ballot

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All participating members of the Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority have given the go ahead to proceed with placing a millage on the August 2nd ballot. The millage will follow Howell Public Schools district boundaries but in order to pass, the .75-mill, five-year proposal must be approved by voters in each member municipality. Those include Genoa, Howell, Marion and Oceola Townships, as well as the City of Howell. The Genoa Township Board was the final community to approve placing the request before voters. While the majority was in support, member Jim Mortenson was not and voiced strong opposition. While not against parks and recreation, Mortenson feels such requests should be reserved for essential government services such as fires and police. He had further concerns about the issue appearing on the August ballot when there is typically low turnout. Member Todd Smith chairs the Authority board and said the timing was debated, commenting historically millages tend to be approved in off-year elections so that factor did play a role. However, it was noted that should the millage fail, then the Authority would still have the opportunity to come back with a different proposal in November. Stable funding sources and limited facilities have been challenges for both the Howell Authority and the Southeastern Livingston County Recreation Authority. As residents are split between the Brighton and Howell school systems, Genoa Township has been contributing financially to both but will be withdrawing from SELCRA in June. Therefore, some residents could potentially be forced to pay increased out-of-district fees to participate in the different programs. At least two members said they would not be opposed to possibly investing funds in a voucher-type program to offset any extreme hit so all residents could enjoy some sort of discount. Supervisor Gary McCririe tells WHMI the board felt it was important to give voters the opportunity to decide if parks and recreation is something they want to fund - rather than property taxes from the general fund. McCririe noted they had a successful voucher program in the past when this very issue presented itself with SELCRA, therefore he would contemplate that if millage does pass and there is a discrepancy with fees charged to residents, then the township would take steps necessary to make up that discrepancy for those who would possible pay more. HAPRA Director Paul Rogers attended the meeting and said the next step will be to finalize ballot language and have it approved by the county. Rogers says they would then launch an informative campaign to let people know exactly where the money would go if approved, which is important to him and the authority board. (JM)

Annual Bowling Fundraiser Strikes Up More Than $70,000Annual Bowling Fundraiser Strikes Up More Than $70,000

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More than just spare change was collected this year at the annual Livingston County Big Brothers, Big Sisters Bowl For Kids’ Sake. Normally held on a single weekend, the annual event switched things up this year and split the bowling fundraiser between two Fridays at Striking Lanes in Hartland. Although the number of registered teams was down this year, event organizers say bowlers brought in over $43,000 in pledges alone. By adding in sponsorships, donations, raffles, and more, Big Brother/Sisters officials say their gross income will be over $70,000, which was a much needed achievement compared to last year’s earnings of $52,000. Last Friday, the top fundraising teams included The Victors Vailliencourt from the Livingston County Prosecutor’s office raising $1,567 and the Phelps’ Strikers of Hanover Insurance, who raised $1,530. Rachele Evers, who bowled the previous weekend with the Brighton Rotary Club, was the overall top fundraising individual with $2,110 in pledges. (JK)

8th Annual Caregiver Fair Returns To Brighton 8th Annual Caregiver Fair Returns To Brighton

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A yearly event will return next month to provide resources that “help people help people”. The 8th annual Caregiver Fair will be held Saturday, April 2nd at Brighton High School from 9 am to 1:30 pm. The Livingston County Consortium On Aging’s event brings a variety of available resources together in a “one stop shop”. Over 60 vendors will provide information to caregivers looking for services to make aiding another person a little easier. Consortium Member Mark Swanson tells WHMI caregivers are extremely important and there is an estimated 10 to 15,000 of them in Livingston County alone. Swanson says the fair was created once the Consortium realized the opportunity before them by partnering with public and private agencies to address the obvious need in the community. Swanson says it is natural for caregivers to feel isolated, frustrated and tired, and the goal is show the abundance of help that is available to them. Three break-out speakers are scheduled to speak at the event on topics like estate and financial planning, avoiding scams, Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Admission is free and more information about the Caregiver Fair can be found at the link below. (DK)

Congressman Welcomes "Rosies" To The CapitalCongressman Welcomes "Rosies" To The Capital

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In celebration of Women’s History Month, Congressman Mike Bishop on Tuesday welcomed an Honor Flight of original “Rosie the Riveters” from Southeast Michigan to the nation’s capital. The women were honored for their role in producing critical war supplies for the Allied forces during World War II. The Rochester Hills Republican said that the he was “deeply moved by everything they have done for our country,” including facing “the challenges of wartime head-on by stepping up to fill critical manufacturing jobs and boldly changed the role of women in the workforce.” The Honor Flight, which brought in dozens of women from the Detroit area, including some from Livingston County, was made possible by the Ford Motor Company Fund and the Yankee Air Museum in partnership with Talons Out Honor Flight. (JK)

LETS Driver Recognized As Hero By County CommissionLETS Driver Recognized As Hero By County Commission

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The Livingston County Board of Commissioners recently honored a local man for his heroic efforts. Livingston Essential Transportation Services driver Bob Heffron was praised for his efforts in helping save the life of a Brighton woman during the March 21st meeting of the County Commission. Board chair Kate Lawrence presented Heffron a certificate of recognition for his part in the rescue effort. Heffron reportedly stopped to pick up a rider when he noticed the woman lying on the ground and left the bus to give assistance. He performed CPR on the woman who wasn’t breathing until paramedics arrived and is credited with helping to save her life. Deputy Director of LETS, Greg Kellogg says all LETS employees are trained in CPR through the Livingston County EMS. (DS)

New Livingston County MDHHS Director IntroducedNew Livingston County MDHHS Director Introduced

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The new director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for Livingston County hopes to reduce the number of children in foster care. Jennifer Tate was introduced to the Livingston County Board of Commissioners Monday night and says she is no stranger to working with children and families. Tate comes to Livingston County after having worked 19 years with the State of Michigan in Human Services. She takes the place of Renee Adorian, who was sharing time between Livingston and Washtenaw Counties. Tate will work full time in the county to serve children and families here. She says there are too many children in foster care and she has plans to reduce that number. Tate says there are about 166 children in foster care in the county. She says the department can work together as a team in regard to child safety and making sure they have resources for the parents and relatives here in Livingston County to be able to access. Tate says she has some experience with Livingston County through a project statewide project she worked on. She says the Maltreatment in Care project helped her build a rapport with some members of the team already. A native of Genesee County Tate says spent a majority of her time working there before transferring to Saginaw. She says she will take some time to get to know the community partners and their various roles, but she’s looking forward to it. (DS)

Former Credit Union Official Waives Hearing, Case Heads To TrialFormer Credit Union Official Waives Hearing, Case Heads To Trial

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A former credit union official from Livingston County accused of embezzling millions of dollars has waived a key hearing, moving his case to trial court. Michael LaJoice of Tyrone Township was chief financial officer at Clarkston Brandon Community Credit Union. The Oakland County sheriff's office says he stepped forward in January and admitted to stealing $20 million over 12 years. LaJoice, who is charged with 14 counts of embezzlement, waived a hearing Tuesday that would have required prosecutors to show some of the evidence against him. His case now moves to Oakland County Circuit Court for trial. He was previously found competent to understand the charges and assist his lawyer. LaJoice owned a dance studio in Fenton and put millions of dollars into his home in the northeast corner of Tyrone Township. Authorities say the $1.3 million, 5,800 square foot home was in no way supported by his $65,000-a-year salary. He remains held in the Oakland County jail on $1 million bond. (JK)

Task Force Says State Is "Fundamentally Accountable" For Flint Water CrisisTask Force Says State Is "Fundamentally Accountable" For Flint Water Crisis

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An investigation has found that the state of Michigan is "fundamentally accountable" for Flint's lead-contaminated water crisis because of decisions made by its environmental regulators and state-appointed emergency managers. A task force appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder released a final report today saying failures, intransigence and delays within all levels of government - particularly in his administration - led Flint water users to be "needlessly and tragically" exposed to toxic levels of lead and other hazards. The probe found failings and shortcoming at the state health department, governor's office, Flint's water treatment plant, the emergency management structure, county health department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Flint's 2014 switch in drinking water sources led the supply to become contaminated when lead leached from old pipes into some homes. The report, which can be downloaded below, makes 44 recommendations, chief among them that the state "implement a proactive, comprehensive cultural change program within MDEQ," specifically the Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance, "to refocus the department on its primary mission to protect human health and the environment." It also recommends that the Governor's Office, "Create a culture in state government that is not defensive about concerns and evidence that contradicts official positions, but rather is receptive and open-minded toward that information" while viewing critical opinions of state government "as an opportunity for re-assessing state positions, rather than as a threat." (AP)

Secretary of State To Visit Local Elementary School & Branch Offices Thursday Secretary of State To Visit Local Elementary School & Branch Offices Thursday

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Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson has scheduled Thursday stops in Livingston and Oakland Counties to coincide with National Reading Month. Johnson will visit the Secretary of State offices in Highland Township and Howell, with a separate stop planned at Round Elementary School in Hartland. During the month of March, schools stress the importance of reading for future success in academics and the workplace. While at Round Elementary, Johnson plans to read the book “Little Michigan” by Denise Brennan-Nelson to third and fourth graders and talk about the importance of strong reading skills. Meanwhile, Johnson will also be visiting the Secretary of State offices in Highland and Howell Thursday to chat with customers and staff, as well as gain feedback to help improve service. She’s scheduled to appear at the West Oakland PLUS Office on Milford Road around 11:15am and then the Livingston County PLUS Office on Lawson Road in Howell at 3:15pm. (JM)

Local Opiate Addiction Awareness Group to Host Training EventLocal Opiate Addiction Awareness Group to Host Training Event

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A local group is sponsoring a free training to raise awareness of the drug Naloxone in the prevention of opiate overdose. Mitchell’s Hope, a local non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of opiate addiction, is hosting a free Naloxone Training on April 4th at 6 pm. Naloxone is a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to counter an opioid overdose. President of Mitchell’s Hope, Michele Wagner says the event at the EMS facility on Tooley Road in Howell is open to the public. She encourages everyone to attend, including people who may not know anyone with an addiction problem. She says the event raises awareness of the problem of opiate abuse. Wagner says if there weren't a problem, there wouldn't need to be a solution. She says she knows of someone who recently died in Hamburg from an overdose, and people don't talk about it. She says it's important to talk about it because it can save somebody's life and give them a second chance. She says the group wants to make sure people are aware of events like this by putting it out on social media, word of mouth and as they make more friends with other organizations and by forming coalitions, they all come out and try to support each other. They are trying to save lives. Wagner, who lost her son to an overdose in 2014, says if Naloxone had been available at the time her son might have survived. She and other surviving family members work to raise awareness of opiate addiction and overdose. She says people often mistakenly think that the problem only exists somewhere else, and don’t see that it is happening in their own homes. She says even the elderly can fall victim to opiate overdose, especially if they have dementia and take too much of their pain medication, or take it in conjunction with benzodiazepines like Xanax. Wagner says even though people don’t know an addict they should be trained in Naloxone administration because more and more overdoses are happening while driving. To register for the event or for more information contact Wagner at mitchellshope@gmail.com. (DS)

Local Foundation Receives $10,000 From First National BankLocal Foundation Receives $10,000 From First National Bank

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First National Bank has created a fund with a local foundation to promote charitable purposes in the community. The Community Foundation of Livingston County works to address needs within the area by donating to non-profit agencies. The foundation is guided by leaders within the county and to date has awarded nearly $700,000 to local nonprofits. First National Bank has recently announced the establishment of a Community Fund with the Community Foundation of Livingston County and has made an initial $10,000 commitment. The First National Bank Community Fund will focus on promoting education, science, literacy, culture and charitable works in the county and for its residents. Ron Long, President and CEO of First National Bank, says the whole concept of the community foundation is synergy, or creating a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Long says supporting the foundation allows the bank to give back to Livingston County residents in a more meaningful way and is another example of their commitment to the area. (DK)

United Way Celebrates Community Spirit at Annual BreakfastUnited Way Celebrates Community Spirit at Annual Breakfast

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A local non-profit organization celebrated a successful year and some outstanding volunteers Wednesday morning at Crystal Gardens. The Livingston County United Way took a look back at the successes of 2015, which saw a record breaking Triple Money Monday. United Way President Dan Danosky gave the annual report, saying the day netted $165,000 in donations along with corporate matching dollars. Over 200 people attended the event, which also featured recognition for outstanding service and volunteerism. The 2015 award recipients included Howell High School Senior, Sarah Cortez as the Young Person of Distinction, while the Youth Organization of the Year went to Fowlerville High School Interact Club. Financial consultant Tom Lampert received the Charles W. Itsell Volunteer of the Year, and Cobb Hall Insurance received the Randy Rudisill Business of the Year. Former Publisher of the Livingston Daily, Rich Perlberg was awarded the Donald Epley Lifetime Community Service award. Cortez says her family is a big influence on her. She says her parents raised her in a household where they give of themselves and give their time back because they are so blessed. She says she carried that and had ideas and had support both in school and out of school that she just ran with. She will be attending Central Michigan University in the fall and is already part of the Leadership Institute there. She says she is a leadership advancement scholar so she is hoping to do some of the same things at Central. Cortez says being part of the Livingston County community and Howell High School are the reason she has been able to have so many outstanding opportunities. Several community members representing a variety of initiatives gave presentations on their efforts as pieces of the puzzle that makes up the United Way’s efforts. Representatives from organizations like the Salvation Army, Community Connect, and the Livingston County Department of Public Health talked about what they are doing as a result of community efforts. The annual meeting also recognized outgoing board members, Piet Lindhout, Patricia Linton and Sue Rosiek. (DS)

Carjacking Suspect Arrested On Bus At Gunpoint In BrightonCarjacking Suspect Arrested On Bus At Gunpoint In Brighton

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A Detroit man wanted in connection with an alleged carjacking was arrested in Livingston County Wednesday morning after police say he tried to flee the state. The Detroit Police Department’s Commercial Auto Thefts Section had been following a Greyhound bus traveling westbound on I-96 into Livingston County after investigators determined that the suspect in a violent carjacking, identified as 28-year-old Ronnie Echols, was on board. Michigan State Police at the Brighton Post and deputies with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department assisted with stopping the bus around 9:30am, near the Grand River exit in Brighton. Echols was wanted on outstanding warrants for felonious assault and carjacking. He was arrested without incident after police boarded the bus and took him into custody. He and a co-defendant, Charles Clay, were arraigned later in the day in Detroit’s 36th District Court on charges of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder, felonious assault and armed robbery. (JK)
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