A Hamburg Township resident is running for an open trustee slot, saying he hopes to bring a new voice to the township board. All seats are up for election this year. Dan Luria says he is the only Democrat running for trustee and recently filed nominating petitions with the clerkâs office. He feels the board needs âa new voiceâ at the table and if elected, heâll being experience in negotiating, budgeting, and finance. Luria describes himself as a semi-retired economist. He spent eight years on research staff for the United Auto Workers in Detroit and 28 years with the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, from which he retired in 2012 as vice president and former chief financial officer. Since then, Luria says heâs remained active in both industry and government as a consultant, advisor, and Democratic strategist. Luria has lived in Hamburg Township since 1986, where he and his wife raised two children whom graduated from Pinckney Community High School. He is also a past president of the Winans Lake Association and remains active in the group, chairing both its Bylaws and Rules committees. More information on Luriaâs campaign is available through the link below. He may be contacted via email at HamburgWatchdog@gmail.com. Meanwhile, the overall Hamburg Township board race could prove interesting as some sitting members are seeking different positions in the August Primary election. Current Clerk Jim Neilson has filed for a trustee spot while Mike Dolan, a sitting trustee, has filed for the clerk position. The treasurer position is currently held by Al Carlson. Trustee Jason Negri has filed for that seat, along with former board member Mike Bitondo. Incumbent Trustees Bill Hahn and Chuck Menzies have also filed for re-election. (JM)
Longtime Resident Seeks Seat On Hamburg Township Board Longtime Resident Seeks Seat On Hamburg Township Board
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Local Victim Says Settlement In Fungal Meningitis Lawsuit Wonât Heal WoundsLocal Victim Says Settlement In Fungal Meningitis Lawsuit Wonât Heal Wounds
A $10.5 (m) million settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit involving local patients injected with contaminated steroids in a deadly 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak. The now-closed New England Compounding Center in Massachusetts was responsible for the outbreak that began in September of 2012 after contaminated steroids were shipped to clinics across the country, including Michigan Pain Specialists in Genoa Township. Those who received the tainted steroid injections became ill or died as the result and the passage of time has not healed the physical or emotional damage so many are still experiencing. News of the settlement to compensate victims was reached Friday in Livingston County Circuit Court was bittersweet for Jona Angst of Green Oak Township, who doesnât think theyâll actually see any of it because of insurance and Medicare reimbursement liens as well as attorney fees. It will be four years in September since Angst received her last injection and was hospitalized right after Thanksgiving in 2012. Angst provided a "much older photo of when I could walk and do things without pain". She tells WHMI it just seems everyone has forgotten about one of the worst medical travesties ever, which also put an extreme financial burden on her family. Angst says her nightmare began when she went to the clinic to get help for back pain in hopes of re-entering the workforce and it totally destroyed her life. Physically, Angst is not able to do many of the things she could before but also developed post-traumatic stress disorder. The amount of compensation from the class action suit is to be determined as is that reached in the settlement with the NECC. Even at three and a half years later, Angst says theyâll likely end up losing everything her husband has worked so hard for because all of the out of pocket expenses put them behind and theyâve never been able to catch up. The outbreak affected more than 750 people in 20 states and was linked to 64 deaths. Michigan was among the hardest hit with 264 cases and 19 deaths reported. Eight of those who died were Livingston County residents. (JM)
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Howell DDA Moves Forward In Nonproft ApplicationHowell DDA Moves Forward In Nonproft Application
The Howell Main Street Downtown Development Authority is one step closer to becoming a tax-exempt organization. The DDA has received official recognition from the state that Main Street Howell Inc. is a corporation. This is one hurdle cleared in the process to becoming a 501c3, or a nonprofit organization that will be exempt from federal income tax. City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI funding is a major component behind the DDAâs motivations. Charles says the more time-relevant reason why the DDA is pursuing the nonprofit application is because many foundations are hesitant to donate to local government bodies. Becoming a 501c3 could leverage more donation and fundraising opportunities within the community for the DDA. A nonprofit group is typically exempt from taxes if its activities have charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering amateur sports competition, or preventing cruelty to children or animals purposes. It will be an estimated 6 to 18 months before the DDA hears back from the IRS with a decision. (DK)
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Service Club Offers $1,500 ScholarshipsService Club Offers $1,500 Scholarships
The Rotary Club of Brighton is offering graduating seniors a chance to earn some scholarship money for college. Established in 1989 to honor the memory of veterinarian Thomas Anderson and dentist Donald McGregor, the Brighton Rotary Anderson-McGregor Scholarship recognizes graduates or graduating seniors of Brighton Area Schools with scholarship awards to aid in financing their education. Both long-time Rotarians, club officials say Anderson and McGregor were very active in the community, dedicated professionals, and sincerely believed in the value of education. The scholarship will be awarded to a 2016 graduating senior from within the Brighton Area School District boundaries. Applicants must be accepted into and attend an approved Michigan school or institute of higher learning. Applicant selection will place emphasis on personal and scholastic achievement, financial need and personal qualities. A minimum of two $1,500 scholarships will be awarded. Applications are due to the Brighton High School Counseling Office by 2:30 pm on Wednesday, April 6th. Youâll find a copy of the application below. (JK)
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Hacker Road Paving Project Moving ForwardHacker Road Paving Project Moving Forward
The Livingston County Road Commission is on a deadline to finish the first phase of a local road project. Construction has been proposed this year that includes paving improvements on Hacker Road from Golf Club Road to just north of M-59. The project will fix drainage along the road and improve sight distance. The Road Commission is working quickly to complete Phase 1 of the project by March 31st, which is tree removal along the road. A species of bats is protected in the area and trees that the bats nest in cannot be removed between April and the first of October. Managing Director Mike Craine tells WHMI the recent windy conditions have made tree removal difficult. Another issue the Road Commission is facing is school bus routes on Hacker Road. Craine says they are currently working with local schools to convince the buses to use Kellogg Road instead. While that route will be a bit of a hike for buses, Craine says it will benefit the construction schedule by adding a few extra weeks. Some final details in a contract with the Department of Environmental Quality are being âcleaned upâ to provide additional information but things are on scheduled for the time being. The project will be advertised for bidders in April, with plans to begin the work at the end of May. (DK)
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Genoa Township Fiscally Sound, Approves 2016/2017 BudgetGenoa Township Fiscally Sound, Approves 2016/2017 Budget
Genoa Township remains on solid financial footing. The board met last week and adopted the 2016/2017 fiscal year budget. Since part of the annual budget discussions involve the consideration of salaries for elected officials and employees, board member Linda Rowell collected extensive data that was offered for consideration, including market comparisons and what any base adjustments would look like. After some discussion, separate motions were approved to keep compensation the same as last year for elected officials, as well as the zoning board of appeals and planning commission. Salaries for the majority of township employees will increase 2.5%. The board also voted to give four contractual employees a 2% bonus in the form of a lump sum payment, rather than a salary increase, in recognition of their continued hard work and projects accomplished. Those four include the manager, assistant manager, assessor and deputy assessor. During board discussion, comments were made by members that employees deserve recognition and the township also encourages longevity. Supervisor Gary McCririe tells WHMI the township felt it was important to reward the employees who do such a great job. As for the overall budget picture, McCririe says the township is in excellent financial shape. He says Genoa Township has stable property value income and state shared revenue has increased every year as the population continues to increase. McCririe commented further there are no difficulties on the horizon and it appears to be smooth sailing from here on. (JM)
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Robotics Teams To Compete At State-Qualifying Match In HowellRobotics Teams To Compete At State-Qualifying Match In Howell
A local school will host a robotics competition later this week to show off the skills of the bots and their creators. 40 robotics teams from all over the state will gather at Parker Middle School in Howell for the third annual First Robotics Competition. Teams will compete to qualify for a spot at the Michigan FRC State Championship event. This yearâs theme is FIRST Stronghold. The student built, programmed and operated robots will work in an alliance of three teams as they try to breach their opponent's reinforcements, weaken and then capture their tower. The district event will be hosted by the Howell High School robotics team, the S.C.O.T.S. Bots. The competition kicks off at 5 pm on Thursday and qualification matches will follow on Friday and Saturday. The qualifying teams will be named at an awards ceremony on Saturday evening. The competition is free to attend and open to the public. Last year, over 5,000 competitors and spectators attended the event and the S.C.O.T.S. Bots are anticipating an even larger crowd this year. More information about sponsorship or the competition can be found at the link below. (DK)
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Merger Announced For Credit Union Involved In Embezzlement ScandalMerger Announced For Credit Union Involved In Embezzlement Scandal
A merger has been announced after a multi-million dollar scandal rocked an area credit union. The Clarkston Brandon Community Credit Union merged with Michigan State University Federal Credit Union on Friday. Financial details were not disclosed. The Clarkston credit union had been in conservatorship since being placed there January 13th by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. That followed the disclosure that its former chief financial officer, Michael LaJoice of Tyrone Township, had admitted to embezzling approximately $20 million dollars. LaJoice is now facing 14 counts of embezzlement and was recently bound over for trial in Oakland County Circuit Court. The Clarkston Brandon Community Credit Union has about 8,500 members in Oakland, Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston and Macomb counties with about $41 million in assets. The MSU credit union had nearly 210,000 members and more than $3 billion in assets prior to the merger. It bills itself as the world's largest university-based credit union. Once the technical aspects of the merger are complete, MSU credit union members will be able to use new branch locations in Clarkston and Ortonville, both in Oakland County, along with three extra ATMs. (JK)
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Cold Case Team Still Investigating Murder 33 Years Later Cold Case Team Still Investigating Murder 33 Years Later
Yet another anniversary is approaching in the unsolved 1983 murder of a woman whose body was found in the Oak Grove State Game Area near Cohoctah. 19-year-old Christina Castiglione was sexually assaulted and strangled after being taken from Redford in an area between Telegraph and Beech Daly Roads on 5 Mile Road. Tuesday will mark 33 years since her body was discovered near the intersection of Fisher and Fawcett Roads in the Oak Grove State Game Area and no arrests have ever been made. Detective Bill Lenaghan leads the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department Cold Case Team, which has met to compare cases with several other teams from surrounding areas. He says the team has gone through the files over and over - each investigator from a different approach - to try and see if anything sticks out or perhaps was missed. Lenaghan tells WHMI the team is not focused on anyone in particular but is trying to get information on a few people to see if theyâre still around and will talk to them. Lenaghan says they continue to work with other counties and cold case teams but are also in contact with Castiglioneâs sister and will occasionally ask what she can recall from the time as well as her opinion on things. As with all cases, Lenaghan says the public knows more than they do and ask that anyone with information pass it along to keep the case alive, noting it could be the piece of the puzzle they need to put it all together. Castiglione's body was originally discovered by Ron Latilla and the circumstances by which Latilla was in the area were deemed suspicious early on. Latilla's brother owned property near the place where Castiglione was last seen alive and although he said he found the body while fishing and shooting in the woods, he had neither a rifle nor a fishing rod. The team has also examined the possibility that Castiglioneâs murder may have been the work of a serial killer. Itâs something investigators say they canât definitively rule out as one case of comparison is Kimberly Louiselle, who was 16-years old and was hitchhiking home from Redford when she disappeared in 1982. It was almost a year to the day before Christinaâs discovery that Louiselleâs body was found at the Island Lake Recreation Area in Green Oak Township and she had also been sexually assaulted and murdered. Lenaghan says while similarities have cropped up, there have been no formal conclusions. Sheriff Bob Bezotte investigated the Castiglione case as a young detective. He told WHMI even after all this time, itâs a case he thinks about almost every day but remains both optimistic and hopeful that someone will eventually come forward with information to solve it. That can be offered through the sheriffâs office or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. (JM)
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Temporary Water Service Shut Off For Hydrant Repair In Green Oak TuesdayTemporary Water Service Shut Off For Hydrant Repair In Green Oak Tuesday
Some Green Oak Township residents will be without water service for a few hours tomorrow while crews make hydrant repairs. The Livingston Community Water Authority advises that water service will be temporarily shut off to approximately 30 homes on Marcy Street. Water is expected to be off for roughly three hours so crews can repair a hydrant at 6191 Marcy Street. Testing will be performed after the repair is complete as there will be system pressure loss. Any affected residents with questions are asked to call the Green Oak Township hall at 810-231-1333 or Highland Treatment Inc. at 248-889-1922. (JM)
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Howell Choir Alumni Sought For Reunion Concert Honoring Rod Bushey Howell Choir Alumni Sought For Reunion Concert Honoring Rod Bushey
Howell High School choir alumni are being invited to take part in a reunion concert honoring the man who taught vocal music to students for more than four decades. The Howell High School Auditorium will be renamed to the âRod Bushey Performing Arts Centerâ. Bushey is retiring and a dedication ceremony and reunion concert is planned May 22nd. The concert will feature alumni versions of each choir Bushey has taught, such as chorale and acapella, singing different selections. The rehearsal will take place the day before the reunion concert, which is being organized by two former students and sisters, Angela and Mary Jo Delvero. Mary Jo is a Hartland teacher while Angela works as an assistant Livingston County prosecutor. All alumni are welcome and theyâre hoping for a huge turnout to show Mr. Bushey the impact heâs had in so many lives. The registration deadline for any alumni wishing to participate in the reunion concert is April 8th. A catered dinner will follow the rehearsal, which is expected to be a mini-reunion in and of itself. A link to more information is available on the Howell Public Schools website below. (JM)
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Brighton Interior Drive Reconstruction Work Starts Tuesday Brighton Interior Drive Reconstruction Work Starts Tuesday
Work to reconstruct Brighton Interior Drive starts tomorrow and motorists should be prepared for some traffic restrictions in that area. Brighton Interior Drive will be reconstructed between Challis Road and Nemco Way. The City of Brighton advises that traffic will be reduced to a single lane between 7am and 7pm while alternating one-way traffic will be maintained by flag control. The City says there will be no access to and from Nemco Way and all traffic must enter and exit Brighton Interior Drive via Challis Road. The reconstruction project is expected to be completed in July. (JM)
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Local Charges Not Being Sought Against North Carolina Teen For Online ThreatLocal Charges Not Being Sought Against North Carolina Teen For Online Threat
An out-of-state teenager who made an online threat against a Howell High School student that authorities later said lacked credibility will not be prosecuted locally. A high school student received an online threat on their personal Twitter account on Sunday, February 28th that threatened to "shoot your school up". The district canceled classes the next day while police investigated the credibility of the threat. Michigan State Police at the Brighton Post worked in partnership with the Harnett County Sheriffâs Department in North Carolina to locate the individual responsible for making the threat - a 16-year-old high school student who resides in Lillington, North Carolina. After he was interviewed, police determined the threat was not credible and had been made as the result of an online video game the students were playing. Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt tells WHMI attempting to seek the suspectâs extradition to Michigan to face charges as a juvenile when he would simply be returned to North Carolina for supervision would not be appropriate. Vailliencourt says because âthe act was committed in North Carolina, the results of the investigation are being provided to the appropriate authorities there and they will determine what action they may wish to take under North Carolina lawâ. (JM)
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Judge Orders Release Of Crash Scene PhotosJudge Orders Release Of Crash Scene Photos
A judge has ordered the release of photos to the attorney representing the man charged in a crash that killed a Hamburg Township Police sergeant. 54-year-old Steven Mark Kelty of Oceola Township is charged in a crash that killed Sergeant Jim Sanderson, a 20-year veteran of the Hamburg Township Police Department. His attorney, Heather Nalley, had previously requested a copy of photos from the crash scene, which was denied by the Livingston County Prosecutorâs Office out of concern that images of Sandersonâs body could become public. Last week, Judge Miriam Cavanaugh ordered that copies of the images be turned over to Nalley, with the provision that they not be released publicly. Kelty is charged with driving while his license was suspended causing death in the accident, which occurred on September 26th, 2014 at Figurski Drive and Grand River in Genoa Township. Heâs also charged with operating a motor vehicle with the presence of a schedule one substance causing death; in this case marijuana, and with being a third time habitual offender for prior drunk driving convictions. If convicted, Kelty faces up to 30 years in prison. His trial is tentatively set for April 11th. (JK)
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Lansing Woman Pleads Guilty To Meth Lab ChargesLansing Woman Pleads Guilty To Meth Lab Charges
A Lansing woman has pleaded to local charges connected to the alleged operation of a meth lab. 27-year-old Jessica Voorhees and her 46-year-old boyfriend, John Crosley, were charged with multiple counts including possession of methamphetamine and operating and maintaining a lab involving meth. That followed their arrest in January, when the couple was pulled over on Latson Road in Howell and Voorhees reportedly gave the deputy a false name at first when he questioned her. Materials used in a meth lab were found in the coupleâs car. On Friday, Voorhees pleaded guilty as charged to the six counts against her. Prosecutors agreed to a mid-guideline cap which means Voorheesâ sentence should not exceed the mid-way point of recommended sentencing guidelines. She will be sentenced April 14th. Meanwhile, a final settlement conference and tentative jury trial have been scheduled for Crosley in May. Crosley is also charged with purchasing and possessing ephedrine to make meth, possession or the sale of a Taser, possession of marijuana and false identification. (DK/JK)
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Howell's East Clinton Street Reconstruction Project Deferred Howell's East Clinton Street Reconstruction Project Deferred
A project to rehabilitate East Clinton Street is being deferred. That was the general consensus of Howell City Council members present during Monday nightâs meeting, which was in line with staffâs recommendation. Faced with budget realities when comparing various needs and demands for limited resources, coupled with the possibility of having to defer other projects, members agreed it was best to defer the East Clinton project. The city had the opportunity to secure a federal $1 (m) million grant to offset the project cost but would still be required to provide roughly $1.1 (m) million in matching funds and engineering. Mayor Nick Proctor agreed with the deferral recommendation as the grant amount was nowhere near what they would need to go forward but commented it was unfortunate as the street is in need of repair, along with the water and sewer lines. The city has long planned to reconstruct East Clinton Street, which is basically the last major road within the city that has not undergone a major rehabilitation, and City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI that remains the intent. He says unfortunately due to the size of the grant and scope of the project, the city is just not in a fiscal position to avail itself to the funding opportunity. Council previously held a much more in-depth conversation about the potential project and budget ramifications, as well as the possibility of securing the federal grant funding. Spreadsheets were compiled to show a five year list of street projects including East Clinton Street, along with other information such as what projects would be deferred and when current debt expires. Staff will be informing the task force of the decision but Charles says they will put in a place marker for a future project to try and get it funded at a later date and see where city revenues are at that point. Picture courtesy of Google Street View. (JM)
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Pinckney Village Council Discusses Joint Police AuthorityPinckney Village Council Discusses Joint Police Authority
A nearby village discussed the possibility of combining police resources with two other townships. The Pinckney Village Council set up an ad hoc committee to find consultants who will provide a feasibility study to help decide whether to form a Police Authority with neighboring townships. Pinckney Police Chief Jeff Newton told council members last night about a meeting held recently with representatives from Pinckney, Unadilla and Putnam Townships about the possibility of setting up a joint police unit. Newton says if that happens it would result in the dissolution of the police union, but could also create a few more openings in the department. Newton says the proposal is in the planning stages but joining forces could provide to offer better coverage. He says it's an idea whose time has come. Newtown says in Putnam Township they only have 40 hours out of 168 hours and Unadilla has about 20 hours out of a day that is covered with full time enforcement. He says Pinckney also has full time enforcement, but Pinckney also realizes it is a very expensive venture. He says it's also expensive for Unadilla, so the idea is that better service can be offered to the citizens of these three communities if they consolidate into one agency. He says that way the money can also be spread across all three communities. It's just a matter of using their resources better and getting better service and better coverage in the long run. The Village Council appointed Newton, and council members Heather Menosky and Rebecca Foster to the committee. Their first task is to find a consultant to conduct a feasibility study. Newton says a feasibility study is needed to decide whether the joint authority will benefit any of the communities. He says the consultant would also help guide them through the process of forming the authority. Council president Linda Lavey will email the village attorney to find out if there is a cost involved in asking for a recommendation for the consultant. The Unadilla Township Board will take up the discussion tonight and Putnam Townshipâs next meeting is April 20th. Another meeting of the Police Authority committee is set for April 26th. (DS)
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Challenger Says Theis Is "Fear-Mongering" About Proposed LGBTQ PolicyChallenger Says Theis Is "Fear-Mongering" About Proposed LGBTQ Policy
A local Democrat, who is challenging Republican Lana Theis for her seat representing the 42nd district, says the lawmaker is âfear-mongeringâ on a proposed LGBTQ policy. The State Board of Education is considering recommendations that range from adopting polices that protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning students from harassment to allowing a student to use restrooms based on their gender identity. The guidelines, if adopted, would be entirely voluntary. State Rep. Lana Theis condemned the draft policy initiative, saying it takes away parental rights, but Genoa Township resident Tim Johnson says that claim is âbaselessâ and pointed out that the same charges were made when lawmakers outlawed child labor a century ago. Johnson, a teacher, says âEducation canât occur without a safe, supporting, and inclusive learning environment for all studentsâ and believes the policy will promote that. In response to Johnsonâs statement, Theis says she agrees with her opponent that students should be safe while at school, but thatâs where their agreement ends. Theis says Johnson's comparison to child labor laws is, "completely ridiculous and contradictory to the concern I have, which is the well-being of the children. It distracts from the real issue that I have with this policy, that the parents should be involved and informed of private and intimate matters such as gender identity, and that parents have knowledge that their child is safe when she is at school." Theis says she also doesnât believe her daughter should be sharing a bathroom or locker room with someone who is biologically male and as most schools have single-stall restrooms, she feels that is the obvious solution. Johnson believes too many LGBTQ students are being bullied and says that Theisâ concerns âplays into the unfounded damaging stereotype that LGBTQ people are sexual predators.â The State Board announced the guidance during a public meeting and is offering residents an opportunity to comment online, by phone or mail until April 11th. It will then go before the State Board for possible approval in May. (DK)
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Eager Road Bridge Repair Moving Slowly ForwardEager Road Bridge Repair Moving Slowly Forward
The Livingston County Road Commission is facing some challenges while working to repair a bridge and road structure in Oceola Township. In October, the bridge located on Eager Road, north of M-59 at Bigelow, was closed by the Livingston County Road Commission as a result of an inspection that found the load-carrying capacity of the bridge had been compromised. Managing Director Mike Craine says the Road Commission has been working towards fixing the bridge and realigning the road, while observing the original design. He says he may understand why it was built the way it was and thatâs because it was the easiest option. Varying levels of elevation complicate the road, which is just one of the struggles the Road Commission is facing during construction. Though Craine says heâs ânot alarmed,â he admits building safely around a water main line has made an impact on the projectâs schedule. The concern is that soil replacement could vibrate the line too much and if the water main needed to be replaced, it would set the schedule back and then add the hassle of paying for the replacement. The Oceola Township Board of Trustees has told the Road Commission theyâd like to see the work completed by Thanksgiving, which Craine says they are working actively towards. (DK)
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Meeting Will Give Brighton Residents Details On Proposed Medical FacilityMeeting Will Give Brighton Residents Details On Proposed Medical Facility
A meeting next month will give Brighton residents a chance to hear further details about the proposed construction of a major medical facility. Brighton City Council will be hosting officials from the University of Michigan Hospital System on Thursday, April 7th beginning at 6:30 pm in the Brighton City Council Chambers. This is an opportunity for the community to hear directly from health system representatives about the development plan and timeline for the new Brighton Health Center project. Set to be located at the corner of Challis Road and Karl Greimel Drive, the $175 million, 320,000 square foot health care center is set to open in 2018. Itâs expected to create more than 300 full time jobs including physicians, nurses, medical assistants and therapists. Health system officials say the proposed Brighton facility will focus on implementing what they call the âIdeal Patient Care Experienceâ where access will be available to the various components of care in one location. Those will include specialty physician offices, a free-standing surgical center with four to six beds, as well as pharmacy and specialty services for both pediatric and adult patients. There would also be radiology and diagnostic imaging and comprehensive cancer services including radiation, infusion and oncology. Brighton Mayor Jim Muzzin says the April 7th session will provide residents a âgreat opportunityâ to hear about U of Mâs plans. He called it a âgame-changerâ for the cityâs north side that would provide additional health care options for not only city residents but surrounding communities as well. (JK)
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