Livingston County plans to impose court hearings, fines and possible jail time for residents who try to skip out on jury duty. The crackdown is spurred by a recent increase in the number of no-show jurors. Local statistics indicate that about one-third of the prospective jury pool have failed to show up to court in recent months. The court in March sent notice to 18 residents who failed to show for jury duty at least twice in the past three months. Nine of them pleaded guilty, eight requested a formal hearing in May and one failed to show as ordered. One of the people who requested a formal hearing missed jury duty six times between April 2014 and January. Court officials have said that one of the reasons for the high rate of no-shows is a misunderstanding about how long they might have to serve. Prospective jurors in Livingston County can be called to serve over the course of a two or three-week period. However, that doesnât mean they would be in court each day for two weeks and potentially missing work. They would likely only be called to serve a portion of that time, or not at all.
Court Cracks Down On No-Show JurorsCourt Cracks Down On No-Show Jurors
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Suspect Dressed In Drag Robs Brighton PNC Bank, Investigation OngoingSuspect Dressed In Drag Robs Brighton PNC Bank, Investigation Ongoing
The investigation continues into a bank robbery in Brighton Township this morning. Troopers from the Michigan State Police Brighton Post responded to a bank robbery at the PNC Bank on west Grand River, south of Herbst Road. Sgt. Mark Thompson tells WHMI the suspect is a man who was dressed like a woman. The preliminary investigation shows a single black male suspect, approximately 20-30 years old, dressed as a woman entered the PNC bank, announced the robbery, displayed a handgun and what appeared to be a bomb. The suspect demanded money and was able to escape with the stolen money, however the exact amount remains unknown at this time. After the suspect exited the bank, he was observed driving a blue, Ford Mustang. His direction of travel is unknown. PNC Bank is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of this suspect. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Sgt. Scott Singleton at the Michigan State Police Brighton Post at 810-227-1051. (DK)
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Drunk Driver In Fatal Tyrone Township Crash Gets Jail TimeDrunk Driver In Fatal Tyrone Township Crash Gets Jail Time
A local man that authorities say is responsible in a fatal crash that happened over two years ago in Tyrone Township has been sentenced. On Monday, Judge Michael P. Hatty sentenced 50-year-old Theodore Ostapchuk to two years of probation with the first six months in the Livingston County Jail, with credit for three days served. Ostapchuk was arrested at the scene of a crash along US-23, south of White Lake Road in February of 2014. A preliminary breath test indicated he had a blood-alcohol content of .16% - twice the stateâs legal limit for driving. Killed in the crash was 31-year-old Leroy Leon Batson of Mount Morris. Police in the Fenton area had earlier issued a âbe on the lookoutâ bulletin for Batsonâs car after motorists reported he was driving erratically. A medical examiner concluded Batson died from injuries related to the crash. Last month, Ostapchuk pleaded no contest to operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. Conditions of his probation include no possession or use of alcohol with random testing. As a result of the conviction, the Secretary of State will revoke his driverâs license. (DK)
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Brighton Listed Among State's Best Spring Strolling CommunitiesBrighton Listed Among State's Best Spring Strolling Communities
A Livingston County downtown was recently among those on an exclusive statewide list of walkable communities. The Pure Michigan website, which is part of the stateâs official tourism campaign and a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, listed â6 Michigan Cities to Stroll Through this Springâ and placed Brighton in the second spot. The postâs author, Margaret Clegg of The Awesome Mitten, said that Brightonâs downtown âfeels like strolling down a road from yesterday.â She described a âpeaceful settingâ with St Paul's Episcopal Church on the hill overlooking the Millpond and added that there was much to do and see along Main Street, including children playing at the Imagination Station park and families feeding the ducks in the pond. Clegg also singled out the 30 public art exhibits as worth seeing and what she called âfun-filled shopsâ along with the many eateries in Brightonâs downtown where one could stop for a bite to eat after working up an appetite. Other cities that made the list are Sault Ste. Marie, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Petoskey and Traverse City. Photo Courtesy of Margaret Clegg. (JK)
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Anti-Overdose Training Held In HowellAnti-Overdose Training Held In Howell
Last night Dr. Carl Christensen offered insight into addiction, its causes and ways to treat an opioid overdose. Christensen specializes in addiction and pain management through his office in Ann Arbor. He was invited to train people in the use of the drug Naloxone by the organizers of Mitchellâs Hope in Fowlerville. Before demonstrating how to use the Naloxone injector, Christensen talked about the realities of addiction. He says it is a brain disease usually identified with four major symptoms. He says an addict will crave more after using, lose control of their ability to stop, use drugs compulsively and wonât stop despite consequences like jail or loss of a job. He says addicts come from all walks of life, including physicians. In cases of overdose, the drug Naloxone only works on opioid drugs like Oxycodone or heroin. Christensen says the training can save lives. He says people usually have an eye opening event; they have a loved one who has an overdose and a lot of the people here, who are the organizers have lost somebody. He says you probably have one or two people that eventually might save somebody and cited a Boston doctor who studied the results of training the public to use Naloxone. He found that one out of every ten people who was trained, saved somebody. Christensen says 10 percent is a pretty good number right now and because the drugs are so potent, you never know when someone will overdose. He says you can't wait, you can't just drive the person to the hospital, and you can't wait for EMS to get there, they might not make it. There were about a dozen and a half people at the event, all for varying reasons; including probation officers, church members and friends of people who have overdosed. Cyndra Wilson tells WHMI the training is good for anyone. She says she came because she lives in Pinckney and everybody knows somebody who is affected. Wilson says she was impressed with the event, but regretted there werenât more people there. Christensen volunteers to train the community frequently and says getting the word out about Naloxone is the best defense. Everyone who showed up at the event was given a free Naloxone kit. Anyone who missed the event, but is interested in the training can contact Mitchellâs Hope by clicking the link below. (DS)
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Genoa Township Board OKs PUD Site Plan For Day Care FacilityGenoa Township Board OKs PUD Site Plan For Day Care Facility
The Genoa Twp. Board of Trustees Monday night approved the final PUD site plan for a day care center to be located on Grand Oaks Dr., off Latson Road. The day care center, to be called Gilden Woods Child Care, will be located on vacant property just south of Loweâs, off the Latson Road interchange of I-96. The developer is BBI Holdings of Los Angeles. The 12,000-square-foot facility will be part of Phase 2 of the Livingston Commons Planned Unit Development. Project design engineer Steve Witte of Nederveld Inc. in Grand Rapids tells WHMI the day care center will accommodate 164 kids. Witte says the structure will be of stone and fiber cement board with shake siding, and will have a residential feel to it. He says the boardâs approval Monday was the last approval required from the township. All that remains now is approval of a soil erosion permit and state approval for a licensed day care facility on the site. Witte says itâs possible the day care center could be completed this fall, but itâs more likely that it will open in the spring of next year. (TT)
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PNC Bank Offers Reward For Information On Robbery SuspectPNC Bank Offers Reward For Information On Robbery Suspect
A local bank that was robbed yesterday is offering a reward for anyone with information about the suspect. Around 9:20 Monday morning, troopers with the Michigan State Police Brighton Post responded to a robbery at PNC Bank, located on West Grand River in Brighton Township. Sgt. Mark Thompson tells WHMI the suspect is a man who was dressed as a female. The preliminary investigation shows a single black male suspect, approximately 20-30 years old, dressed as a woman entered the PNC bank, announced the robbery, displayed a handgun and what appeared to be a bomb. The suspect demanded money and was able to escape with an undisclosed amount. After the suspect exited the bank, he was observed driving a blue, Ford Mustang. The suspectâs direction of travel is unknown. PNC Bank is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the suspect. Anyone with information about the robbery, is asked to contact Sgt. Scott Singleton at the Michigan State Police â Brighton Post at 810-227-1051. Sgt. Thompson says the investigation is ongoing. (DK)
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Genoa Group Asks for Paving of Private Trail Genoa Group Asks for Paving of Private Trail
The Genoa Twp. Board of Trustees is considering a request by a group of petitioners to pave a private road off Coon Lake Road to allow for better access for residents and emergency personnel. The petition asks that East Coon Lake Trail be paved, at the homeownersâ expense. The narrow, winding dirt road is located about a mile east of D-19 and proceeds south from Coon Lake Road. The township has a revolving fund for such projects which would âfrontâ the land owners the money, which would then be repaid over a five-year period. Township Manager Mike Archinal tells WHMI the cost would be $123,000, to be distributed equally among the property owners. Each property owner would pay about $7,000, with the cost to be shared equally, regardless of the size of the property or the amount of front footage. Archinal says since itâs a private road, the township and residents are not required to go through the county road commission for the project to gain approval. However, seven resolutions must be approved by the township board to establish a special assessment district, or S-A-D, and set the wheels in motion. Establishing a special assessment district requires that over 50% of the land owners sign the petition, and Archinal says that 58% signed. The home owners have already received a bid from a local asphalt company which would pave the trail, using asphalt, with a crushed concrete base. A notice will be sent to the affected property owners for a public hearing at the next township board meeting, set for April 18th. If approved, construction would start in late May or June. (TT)
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Stockbridge Village Council President Resigns AbruptlyStockbridge Village Council President Resigns Abruptly
The reasoning behind the unexpected and sudden resignation of a local villageâs council leader remains unclear. Greg Uihlein was absent at the March 7th council meeting for the Village of Stockbridge. Uihlein had resigned suddenly, leaving only a short letter in his wake. Uihleinâs resignation, effective that evening, was approved by the council and Dan Wilson was appointed to act as President Pro Tem. It had been reported that Uihlein resigned as a move to protect his family and his business because he had received threats. Stockbridge Police Chief Johnnie Torres confirmed for WHMI that the Stockbridge Police Department had conducted an open investigation into the threats, which is now closed. Chief Torres says through the investigation, the department âfound there was no credible threat made to Mr. Uihleinâ and that the language that insinuated hostile threats had been made âwas conveyed via a third party.â Chief Torres further says that Uihlein never claimed anyone threatened him directly, nor did the department discover testimony to suggest otherwise. It has been reported that another reason for Uihleinâs sudden resignation was stress from the unpaid position. WHMI reached out to Uihlein for answers behind his resignation, however he has not responded to the request for a comment. (DK)
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UAW Endorses Gilbert In 8th District RaceUAW Endorses Gilbert In 8th District Race
A second major labor endorsement in less than a week has been given to the woman who wants to be Livingston Countyâs voice in Congress. Melissa Gilbert announced today that sheâs earned the endorsement of the United Auto Workers union as she seeks the Democratic nomination to run against Congressman Mike Bishop in November. The endorsement comes just days after the actress and Brighton resident received official support from the AFL-CIO, which represents 13 million workers across the country. The UAW has more than 400,000 active members and 600,000 retirees. Gilbert said she was âhonored to have the support of the UAW and thousands of working people in Michiganâ and looked forward to âfighting for them to bring real change to Congress.â Gerald Kariem, Director of the UAW Region 1D, said that Gilbert had âfought in the trenches with working families all across the countryâ and that UAW members in the 8th district will fight hard to send her to Congress. Prior to moving to Michigan, Gilbert led the Screen Actors Guild from 2001 to 2005 where she served on the AFL-CIOâs Executive Council. In response to the endorsement, Stu Sandler, a spokesman for the Bishop campaign, said "Another endorsement given by union bosses that will not translate to men and women who work hard everyday to make ends meet and pay their taxes on time. This is insulting to working people who play by the rules that the Hollywood liberal ignores. By not paying her fair share, she has left the working class to foot the bill." (JK)
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Use And Lease Agreements Approved For Community Dental ClinicUse And Lease Agreements Approved For Community Dental Clinic
The project schedule for a soon-to-be community dental clinic is moving along as the final pieces of the preliminary stage fall into place. The county has approved entering into use and lease agreements with My Community Dental Centers. The use agreements will allow MCDC to provide dental services to low-income and Medicaid patients through the Livingston County Department of Public Health. The countyâs General Government and Health & Human Services Committee also approved landlord lease agreements on Monday. Director for the Department of Public Health, Dianne McCormick, tells WHMI these agreements are one of the last hurdles before the estimated $1.4 (m) million dollar project heads toward construction. The construction portion of the project will be put together next and is expected to go out to bid sometime in the early summer months. The goal is to begin construction on the clinic in September. The clinic will be located in a renovated building on Byron Road near the St. Joseph Livingston Hospital in Howell. St. Joseph Mercy donated the property and the building, and $80,000 toward the project as well. There are 27 MCDC clinics statewide. MCDC project leaders are excited to get started on building renovations for the clinic they say is âa long time comingâ. (DK)
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Webberville Teen Gets Jail Time And Probation For Role In Fatal CrashWebberville Teen Gets Jail Time And Probation For Role In Fatal Crash
Emotions were running high at sentencing today for a teenager charged in a car crash that took the life of a Livingston County man. The families of 28-year-old Nicholas Roddenberg of Fowlerville and 17-year-old Kaitlyn Dianne Powers of Webberville were filled with a mix of emotion at Powersâ sentencing in Judge Carol Sue Readerâs courtroom. Powers was sentenced on a charge of a moving violation causing death for the incident that occurred in October. When Powers failed to stop at a stop sign in Conway Township, her car struck Roddenbergâs, ejecting him from the vehicle. Roddenberg, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, was later pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel. Roddenbergâs passengers, 23 year-old Holli Matthews of Fowlerville and his then 14 month-old child, sustained non-life threatening injuries. Judge Reader sentenced Powers to 10 days in jail, 2 years of probation, 30 days of community service and sheâll be required to complete a driving safety course. Judge Reader imposed the jail time because Powers had reportedly been ticketed just 5 days prior to the fatal incident for also running a stop sign. Judge Reader warned Powers that if she did not follow her probation conditions, that she would be put in jail for a lot longer. Roddenbergâs mother spoke at the sentencing and expressed discontent with the moving violation charge. She says Powers âdisrespected the lawâ and because of that, a big part of her life is gone. Powersâ defense attorney says the incident was a âhorrible accidentâ and that her client is âvery sorryâ. Brandon Paul Lassila of Howell was also sentenced today to two years of probation by Judge Reader for a similar incident on charges of a moving violation causing death and a moving violation causing serious impairment of body function. (DK)
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Howell Man Involved In 2014 Fatal Crash Gets ProbationHowell Man Involved In 2014 Fatal Crash Gets Probation
A Howell man has been sentenced on charges connected to a crash that killed a local woman. In February, 24-year-old Brandon Paul Lassila pleaded no contest to one count of a moving violation causing death and one count of a moving violation that caused serious impairment of body function. The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred in December of 2014 when Lassila failed to stop at a light on Grand River in Genoa Township and struck another car. 80-year-old Sylvia Sarah Wood of Fowlerville died 20 days after the accident from injuries she sustained from the crash. Her daughter, Linda Trent, was also in the car and was seriously injured in the incident. On Tuesday, 53rd District Court Judge Carol Sue Reader sentenced Lassila to 2 years of probation, which is the maximum amount according to court sentencing guidelines. He will also be required to complete 30 days of community service, a safe driverâs course and counseling. Judge Reader says she felt the incident was truly an accident and that Lassila has an opportunity to prove his remorse during probation. Judge Reader elaborated by saying, âI can always put him in jail if he screws up.â Woodâs daughter spoke before Lassilaâs sentence was handed down, expressing the loss and hard times she has felt without her mother. After Trent said she doesnât âeven want to be in this lifeâ, Judge Reader encouraged her to seek counseling and celebrate the years she had with her mom. Speaking to the night the crash occurred, Lassilaâs defense attorney says if his client could, heâd take that evening back âin a heartbeatâ and says there are no words to express how sorry Lassila is. A 17-year-old who was involved in a similar crash in October was sentenced by Judge Reader just before Lassila. Kaitlyn Powers received 10 days of jail time and 2 years of probation for failing to stop at a stop sign, which resulted in the death of a Fowlerville man. (DK)
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Pinckney Planning Commission & DDA Will MergePinckney Planning Commission & DDA Will Merge
The DDA and Planning Commission in one local village will be merged in the next several weeks. It takes an ordinance change, but the Pinckney Village Council agreed to merge its Downtown Development Authority and the Planning Commission. Over the last month the two groups were informed of the possibility and the village council approved the merger at a recent meeting. Village President Linda Lavey says the move doesnât dissolve the DDA, but moves it under the umbrella of the Planning Commission. She says the merger doesnât change much. Lavey says the Planning Commission agreed to the merger last month and will take over the administrative responsibilities of the DDA. The DDA will continue to do what it does, which is to plan popular festivals in the area, through committee work. Lavey says the merger will allow the DDA to do its work through committees, while giving the administration to the Planning Commission. Both groups have struggled to retain members and combining them may help that. Before the merger takes effect the council will make the ordinance change. Lavey says there is no a rush but it will be completed in the next month or so. (DS)
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Proposed Development In Hartland Faces OppositionProposed Development In Hartland Faces Opposition
A potential development in one local community met with opposition last night by community members and the township.
For nearly two hours the Hartland Township Board hashed over the possibility of a planned development, mixed use proposal at the corner of M-59 and Old US 23. Edward Rose & Sons, a developer of multi-family housing, brought plans to the board for the southwest corner. Their proposal included allowing commercial use along the M-59 frontage and a portion of Old US 23. Treasurer Kathie Horning was the first to oppose the project because of the limited space available in the township for commercial property. Of the 71 acres available at the corner, the developer proposed using 12.8 acres for commercial. The rest will be developed over time into 523 apartments. Horning was joined by Trustee Joe Petrucci who said he would vote against the project because the property is zoned commercial. Township manager James Wickman says the zoning allows for mixed use. He says the planned development allows the flexibility in coming up with a final planned development, so the board and the planning commission can approve a planned development of this type. The question for the board and planning commission is whether or not they find the use that's being proposed acceptable given the existing zoning. He says there wasn't a definitive answer to that at the meeting and there were a number of opinions expressed about the zoning. He says the applicant heard that so as they get further into the process and more details become available of what's being proposed, that question will have to be fleshed out. Other concerns at that corner involved the increase in traffic and that the apartments would be three stories. Horning says the townshipâs ordinance only allows for a two and a half story building or a restriction of 35 feet in height. Director of Asset Acquisition for Edward Rose & Sons, Paul Mott addressed most of the trusteeâs concerns, saying they had done market studies before coming up with the proposal. After hearing the boardâs concerns, Mott says the developer will be meeting to discuss its next move. Wickman says if the developer decides to move forward the next step is the preliminary design phase and will include necessary traffic studies. (DS)
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Head-On Crash Sends Fowlerville Man & Child To HospitalHead-On Crash Sends Fowlerville Man & Child To Hospital
A Fowlerville man was seriously injured in a crash last night in Howell Township that also sent a child to the hospital. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department reports that deputies were called out at about 8:15 Tuesday night to a report of an injury accident on West Grand River near Fleming Road. A preliminary investigation indicates that a 2008 Chevy Trail Blazer driven by a 28-year-old Fowlerville resident was westbound on Grand River when it crossed over the centerline and hit an eastbound 2005 Ford Explorer head-on. The 82-year-old driver of the Explorer was taken to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor in serious condition. An 8-year-old boy who was a passenger in the Explorer was also sent to the hospital with leg injuries and was last listed in stable condition. The crash remains under investigation by the Sheriffâs Department Traffic Safety Bureau. Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Howell Fire Department and Livingston County EMS. (JK)
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Judge Reader Files To Run Against Judge Geddis for District Court PositionJudge Reader Files To Run Against Judge Geddis for District Court Position
Livingston County District Court Judge Carol Sue Reader has filed for the seat currently held by fellow 53rd District Judge Suzanne Geddis. Documents filed with the Michigan Secretary of Stateâs office show that the Committee to Elect Carol Sue Reader District Judge officially filed for Geddisâs seat on April 1st. Reader has said that she has nothing against Judge Geddis, and the only reason she is running against her is a Michigan law that prohibits a person from running for judge once he or she reaches the age of 70. Readerâs current term doesnât expire until 2019, but she will be 72 by then, and therefore would not be able to run for another term. Reader has said that she feels she still has a lot to offer the bench and those who come before the court. Judge Reader is credited with being instrumental in establishment of Livingston Countyâs Intensive Therapy Court for defendants with mental health problems as well as the Veterans Court. Judge Geddisâs current term expires at the end of this year and she has already filed to run for another term. (TT)
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Tyrone Man Waives Arraignment On Embezzlement ChargesTyrone Man Waives Arraignment On Embezzlement Charges
The Livingston County man police say admitted to embezzling millions of dollars from a credit union has been arraigned in circuit court. Michael LaJoice of Tyrone Township was not present in Oakland County Circuit Court Monday as the arraignment was waived in writing. A not guilty plea was enetered on his behalf and a pretrial hearing set for Monday, April 11th. LaJoice was chief financial officer at Clarkston Brandon Community Credit Union when 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, owned a dance studio in Fenton and put millions of dollars into his $1.3 million home in the northeast corner of Tyrone Township. The Tri-County Times reports that the home and several of his properties in the Fenton area have been taken over by the Oakland County Prosecutorâs Office and are now on the market. LaJoice remains held in the Oakland County jail on $1 million bond.
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Police Release Surveillance Photo Of Suspect Vehicle In Bank Robbery Police Release Surveillance Photo Of Suspect Vehicle In Bank Robbery
Police have released a surveillance photo of the suspect vehicle involved in a Brighton Township bank heist earlier this week. A single black male suspect, approximately 20-30 years old, dressed as a woman entered the PNC bank on west Grand River, south of Herbst Road Monday. The suspect announced the robbery, displayed a handgun and what appeared to be a bomb before escaping in a blue, Ford Mustang with an undisclosed amount of money. Detectives from the Michigan State Police â Brighton Post released a photograph of the suspect vehicle, which was obtained by a surveillance camera. PNC Bank is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of this suspect. Anyone with information about the bank robbery, suspect or vehicle is asked to contact Detective/Sergeant Scott Singleton at the Michigan State Police â Brighton Post at 810-227-1051. (JM)
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LACASA's CAP Council Kicks Off Pinwheels For Prevention CampaignLACASA's CAP Council Kicks Off Pinwheels For Prevention Campaign
A group of fifth graders from a local elementary helped kickoff an annual event designed to raise awareness of child abuse prevention today. The Voices of Voyager choir and their classmates sang songs of empowerment to help open the month long Pinwheels for Prevention campaign at the Howell Carnegie District Library. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the pinwheels event is just one of a handful to help raise awareness and educate the community. LACASAâs Child Abuse Prevention Council invited children and adults to plant the pinwheels along the path to the library entrance. CAP Coordinator Holly Naylor tells WHMI it is a positive way to raise awareness. She says the Pinwheels Campaign is a national campaign and Michigan communities participate. The idea is that the pinwheel garden expresses the carefree and joyful nature of childhood that every child should have. She says it's a positive campaign focused on what can be done to protect children and how everyone can work together to create that environment that supports the kids and the families in our community. Naylor was joined in opening the ceremony by Livingston County United Way Executive Director Nancy Rosso, Livingston County Undersheriff Mike Murphy and LACASA Director Bobette Schrandt. Each of the speakers emphasized that child abuse and prevention is not just one personâs job, but it takes the entire community. Naylor says everyone can make a difference in child abuse prevention and providing children with the childhoods they deserve. Pinwheel gardens are being planted at schools in all five Livingston County districts as well as the Livingston Educational Service Agency, McDonalds restaurants and several other agencies. Naylor says she would like to see the whole county painted in silver and blue and invites other organizations to plant the pinwheels as well. Contact the Livingston County CAP Council through the link below or at LACASA. (DS)
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