UPDATE - Everything cleared, northbound and southbound lanes open.
UPDATE - 5:39 As clean-up efforts continue, traffic was being diverted off southbound US-23 at North Territorial.
UPDATE - 4:20pm Both northbound and southbound are still slow, active clean-up continues. Reports are that one lane is open in each direction.
An overturned semi caused heavy, slow traffic along northbound and southbound US-23 this afternoon. A semi struck the guardrail and flipped near North Territorial Road, before coming to rest in the median. It happened around 2pm and alternate routes were advised. Traffic was slow through the area due to some lanes being blocked and vehicles getting by on the shoulders, but also gawker delays. Michigan State Police were among the agencies that responded at the scene. Tune in to WHMI 93.5FM for traffic updates. Photo: Ron Hicks. (JM)
Overturned Semi Causes Traffic Back-Ups On US-23 Overturned Semi Causes Traffic Back-Ups On US-23
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Redevelopment Event & Tour Planned In Village of Pinckney Redevelopment Event & Tour Planned In Village of Pinckney
An upcoming tour will focus on redevelopment opportunities in the Village of Pinckney. Clerk Amy Salowitz tells WHMI the Village has been wanting to do something about vacant properties around town to be more proactive and redevelopment ready instead of reactive. Thus, the Village has been working with Ann Arbor Spark in creating an event and tour of available development opportunities next Thursday, April 21st. Salowitz says the idea is to invite commercial realtors and developers into the community to learn more about it but also help them visualize what the various properties can be used for. Salowitz says theyâre focusing on four main properties near downtown but will have take-home information on several other properties in the village limits. The event will kick off at 8am at The Dio -Dining & Entertainment on East Main Street with a light breakfast and information session. Presentations are planned from property owners, the Village of Pinckney, Ann Arbor SPARK and the Michigan Economic Development Council. Guided site tours of development-ready sites will follow from 8:30 to 10am with transportation provided. Registration is encouraged. A link is posted below. (JM)
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"Mommologues" Benefit For LACASA Returns To Bring Laughter And Love"Mommologues" Benefit For LACASA Returns To Bring Laughter And Love
A community event in Howell next week will highlight the different facets of motherhood while raising money for a local organization. âMommologues: Tales From the Frontâ will be held at the Howell Opera House on Thursday, April 21st at 7pm. The 3rd annual event is a show comprised of original stories and readings from community members, each offering their perspective on motherhood. The showâs producers, Mona Shand and Maria Stuart, say ten speakers are scheduled to perform and the proceeds will benefit the LACASA Center to help victims and survivors of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Shand says we live in a time where society feels very divided and itâs important to focus on the things that bring people together. Shand feels motherhood is a common bond that people share and the fun show will leave guests with good feelings. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door or by visiting lacasacenter.org. (DK)
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Lansing Women Gets Prison Sentence On Local Meth ChargesLansing Women Gets Prison Sentence On Local Meth Charges
A Lansing woman charged in Livingston County for allegedly operating a meth lab has been sentenced. 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. Last month, Voorhees pleaded guilty as charged to the six counts against her. She was sentenced Thursday and will serve a minimum of 51 months to a maximum of 20 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections with a credit of 93 days served. 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)
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Spontaneous Combustion Deemed Cause Of Fire On Hoffman Farm PropertySpontaneous Combustion Deemed Cause Of Fire On Hoffman Farm Property
The cause of a large fire at a building on property owned by an Oakland County Commissioner has been deemed un-intentional and accidental in nature. A fire was reported around 8:44am in a building on the Hoffman Farm property, which was apparently being converted into a wine tasting area. The farm property totals 300 acres and includes large equestrian facility located on Rose Center Road, which is owned by Oakland County Commissioner Bob Hoffman. The Highland Township Fire Department was assisted by various jurisdictions in fighting the blaze and the scene was finally cleared by 2:30pm. Acting Fire Chief Dick Cole says a building was under construction and in the process of being converted into a wine tasting area that was close to completion and would look out onto the arena and practice areas. Cole tells WHMI the owner had apparently been working diligently for months on the project and the last few nights, workers had been staining the new staircase. He says the blaze was caused by spontaneous combustion from stain soaked rags being left on the floor, noting investigators were able to determine exactly where the fire started, which was where the rags were left. Cole says warning labels on stains warn that used rags should be put in pails or tubs of water because the materials can spontaneously combust and start a fire. Cole says there were no injuries or animals lost and the nature of the fire has been deemed accidental. The investigation is considered closed. Photo credit: Highland Township Fire Department. (JM)
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"Bras For A Cause" Fundraiser Returns To Livingston County "Bras For A Cause" Fundraiser Returns To Livingston County
After taking a brief hiatus, a fundraiser for breast cancer research is returning to Livingston County. âBras for a Causeâ will be held at Mt. Brighton on Friday, April 29th, from 7 to 10 pm. The unique fundraising fashion show, sponsored by the Livingston County Chapter of the Womenâs Council of Realtors, will collect donations for the American Cancer Society for research and support services. Male models will take to the runway, showing off decorative, custom-made bras, then retrieve money from the audience following an auction for the brassieres. Carrie Woodruff, Chair of the event, says the bras are made by local business owners and brokers from real estate companies. She tells WHMI what makes the event so successful is the guestsâ and participants connection to their cause. A local breast cancer survivor is scheduled to speak at the event about her story, how the community helped, and where she sought treatment. The fundraiser will also include 50/50 drawings, massages, a henna tattoo artist, and a DJ. Tickets can be purchased online for $37 at the link below. (DK)
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Pinckney Police Seek Residents' Help In Recent Break-InPinckney Police Seek Residents' Help In Recent Break-In
The Pinckney Police Department is asking anyone with information about a recent break-in to come forward. Last week, the Pinckney Police Department was called to His & Hers Hair Salon and Marcoâs Pizza on M-36 to investigate a breaking and entering incident. Authorities believe the two businesses were broken into sometime after 11:30 pm on April 7th and before 8:30 am on the 8th. Anyone that may have information about the incident is asked to contact the department at 734-878-3700, ext. 410 or email police@villageofpinckney.org. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK UP (800-773-2587). Crime Stoppers pays up to $1000 for information that leads to the arrest of the person or person(s) responsible. (DK)
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Lyon Twp's New Medical Marijuana Ordinance Sparks Backlash From ResidentsLyon Twp's New Medical Marijuana Ordinance Sparks Backlash From Residents
Some Lyon Township residents are not in favor of the municipalityâs new ordinance that regulates growing operations of medical marijuana. Supervisor Lannie Young tells WHMI the township originally invoked the federal statute, which outlaws the use of marijuana, even for people with a medical marijuana card. The townshipâs Board of Trustees passed an ordinance last month that allows card holders to use marijuana in their own homes, which is in line with the state law. However the new rules restrict growing marijuana to three districts within the township- two of which are zoned industrial and the third as residential-agriculture. Zoning Enforcement Officer Mark Spencer says the ordinance was put in place because the ârules are kind of vagueâ. Spencer says the ordinance is in regards to caregivers who are allowed to supply themselves and up to five medical marijuana patients with the substance, so long as it is grown only within the aforementioned districts. Some community members feel this provision is too restrictive and have filed notices with the townshipâs clerk that signatures will be collected calling for the issue to appear on the August ballot. 888 signatures of registered voters will need to be collected by April 22nd to allow residents to decide if they are in favor of the ordinance changes or not. (DK)
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Appeals Court: Judge Exhibited Hostility, Reverses Ruling In Barnstormer SuitAppeals Court: Judge Exhibited Hostility, Reverses Ruling In Barnstormer Suit
The Michigan Court of Appeals has determined that sanctions are warranted in a case involving the shuttered Barnstormer complex in Green Oak Township and that a local trial court judge demonstrated hostility when issuing her opinion. Rob Cortis still owns the shuttered Barnstormer facility, which has been the subject of lengthy litigation with the township. Multiple safety and code violations led to occupancy being reduced and portions of the building were ordered closed until the conditions deemed dangerous could be rectified. RJMC Corporation, on behalf of Cortis, sued the township in 2011 alleging the fire departmentâs actions limiting occupancy were unwarranted and caused him to lose business. The suit also challenged sanctions imposed by the township. 53rd District Court Judge Theresa Brennan was assigned to the case in 2014 and denied the townshipâs request for sanctions. Green Oak appealed by right and an opinion was issued remanding the case for a hearing regarding the amount of sanctions to be imposed. After reviewing transcripts, the appeals court justices further found a high degree of hostility exhibited by the trial court judge and thus ordered the case remanded to a different judge. Green Oak Township Supervisor Mark St. Charles tells WHMI they're pleased with the ruling. The township is seeking sanctions against Cortis and his attorney for what it maintains were frivolous filings that caused lengthy legal delays and additional costs. The recent opinion issued by the COA noted the plaintiff, RJMC Corp, simply did not provide enough evidence to dispute the well documented existence of violations. The opinion says the plaintiff submitted no competent evidence to dispute the violations that came to light and resulted in the revised occupancy. It further stated under the circumstances, it is without question that the plaintiffâs claims were frivolous and accordingly, sanctions were warranted. Calls for comment have been placed by WHMI with the attorney representing RJMC Corporation, Roger Myers. (JM)
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Howell Post Office Extends Hours For Last Minute Tax Filers Howell Post Office Extends Hours For Last Minute Tax Filers
It is crunch time for last minute tax filers across Livingston County. The Howell Post Office will be extending its usual business hours on Monday and employees will be available in the lobby to assist last minute tax payers with mailing needs. Postmaster Annette Koss says mail brought into the Howell Post Office destined for the IRS or Michigan Treasury will be postmarked on April 18th, up until midnight. Tax Day typically falls on April 15th but was moved to April 18th this year due to a federal holiday. (JM)
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Two Men Charged In Marijuana Growing Operation Could Plead In CaseTwo Men Charged In Marijuana Growing Operation Could Plead In Case
A plea might be entered by two local men of the five charged in a marijuana growing operation. Joseph Zubor of Gregory, Jeffrey Allen Michael of Fowlerville, Dennis James of Howell and Darryl Scott Berry of Howell, along with Johnny Glenn Cooper of Fenton are charged in the case. James and Zubor are scheduled for a hearing in Circuit Court in June where they may enter a plea. The two are waiting for their co-defendants, Michael and Berry to be bound over for trial, both of whom are due back in court May 26th for an examination. Cooper is charged in 67th District Court in Fenton, where he will undergo a probable cause conference on April 28th. The charges stem from an investigation into an alleged marijuana growing and distributing operation that authorities believe was carried out under the pretense that it was for use as medical marijuana. 15 pounds of marijuana, almost $200,000 in cash and around 550 plants were seized from the menâs homes. All five face charges of delivery or manufacture of a controlled substance, in this case marijuana. Berry, who police have said was in charge of the ring, is charged with conducting criminal enterprises, five counts of a controlled substance for delivering or manufacturing marijuana and two counts of conspiracy. Cooper is also charged with conspiracy. (DK)
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Suspects Charged In School Shooting Plot To Appear In Court Monday Suspects Charged In School Shooting Plot To Appear In Court Monday
FBI agents testified during a hearing in Genesee County District court Wednesday regarding the plot in which three teens allegedly targeted Linden High School. 18-year-old Ryan Stevens of Linden, 15-year-old Cody Brewer of Wolverine Lake and 15-year-old Lamarr Dukes of West Bloomfield are charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree premeditated murder, a felony punishable by up to life in prison and false report or threat of terrorism, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Authorities allege Stevens enlisted his co-defendants to bring guns to school and kill a female student who had made disparaging remarks about him online. Three FBI agents testified at a preliminary examination hearing yesterday about their involvement investigating the case with the Argentine Township Police Department. Part of that investigation found that the three teens communicated through text messages about acquiring guns before they were arrested. Stevens, who is jailed under a $200,000 bond, remains lodged at the Genesee County Jail. Because of their age, Brewer and Dukes are both being held at the Regional Detention Center under $100,000 bonds. The suspects will be back in court on Monday where a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to bind the case over for trial. (DK/JM)
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City Of Brighton Attracting Panhandlers City Of Brighton Attracting Panhandlers
The City of Brighton says it has been having problems with panhandlers as of late. Police Chief Tom Wightman says panhandlers find locales like Brighton lucrative, not only because the area is relatively affluent but also because local people tend to be compassionate and feel sorry for those in difficult financial straits. Wightman tells WHMI the only problem is that in the majority of cases, the panhandlers arenât indigent and are actually exploiting peopleâs generosity to make what is often a lot of money. Wightman says panhandlers have been choosing one or two areas to panhandle, in particular the intersection of Grand River and Challis Road. Wightman says thereâs little the police department can do to prohibit panhandling because of constitutional issues, particularly the First Amendment, protecting the right to free speech and assembly. In the last year, several federal judges have struck down anti-panhandling laws passed by cities, or have sent the cases back to lower courts. However, content-neutral restrictions, such as those addressing noise or blocking traffic, have had better success. Proponents of such laws say panhandling is destructive because it acts as an âenablerâ for those who are addicted to drugs and alcohol, whereas laws preventing or restricting the practice forces panhandlers to get the help they need from social service agencies. AP Photo. (TT/JM)
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Special Education Millage For Dexter Community Schools On May 3rd Ballot Special Education Millage For Dexter Community Schools On May 3rd Ballot
A special education millage request will appear before voters within the Dexter Community Schools district next month. The 1.5 mill, 10-year proposal is being placed on the May 3rd ballot by the Washtenaw Intermediate School district. Itâs the same concept approved by voters in Livingston County last November. Many local school districts including Dexter cover the un-reimbursed costs of mandatory special education services with limited general fund dollars. The district is looking at a $1.5 (m) million deficit next year, which could be mostly offset by the millage if passed by voters. The millage would generate about $22 (m) million for districts and all dollars would stay in the county. Superintendent Chris Timmis tells WHMI the community and property values are strong because of their schools, which is why people move to Dexter â noting the district has among the highest student achievement in the state. While enrollment has held relatively steady, state funding is another story. Timmis says there is less and less money coming back every year to districts from the state, which tends to give money with the right hand but then take it away with the left. Timmis says the state and lawmakers plays a shell game to make it look like they care but thereâs been a pretty consistent trend over the past decade of not investing in education. The district has made significant cuts over the years but that canât continue forever and Timmis says parents banned together to form Excellence 4 Dexter Students or E4DS, which is a non-profit founded to raise dollars to help support programming in schools. As for initial reaction to the proposal around the community, Timmis says it has been supportive, noting âthe measure of a society is how you take care of your most vulnerable peopleâ. A presentation was given during a recent Dexter board of education meeting detailing different budget scenarios for the 2016/2017 year, which is available in the attachment below. Information about the proposal can also be found through the link to the Washtenaw County Intermediate School district website. (JM)
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Plea Hearing For Chelsea Man Facing Child Porn Charges AdjournedPlea Hearing For Chelsea Man Facing Child Porn Charges Adjourned
A plea hearing for a Chelsea man charged with possessing child pornography has been moved back. George Louis Trevino was arrested by federal agents February 4th after a search warrant was executed at his home on Old US-12 in Chelsea. The warrant was issued after investigators with the Department of Homeland Security say they traced an IP address linked to that residence to an illegal download of known child pornography. Once in custody Trevino reportedly admitted to agents he viewed such material on a daily basis and had approximately one terabyte of the material on his computer and other drives. Authorities allege he possessed child pornography images and videos with children ranging in age from newborns to 13 years old. Trevino also told investigators he first began looking at child pornography online about 11 years ago and admitted to inappropriately touching a 12 or 13-year-old girl back in the 1990s. A plea hearing for Trevino in U.S. District Court in Detroit had been scheduled for Wednesday, however it was adjourned. The new motion and plea cutoff date is May 16th. (DK)
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Lansing Man Arraigned in Brighton Area Bank RobberyLansing Man Arraigned in Brighton Area Bank Robbery
A Lansing man is being held in the Livingston County Jail after his arrest in connection with the April 4th armed robbery of the PNC Bank at 8130 West Grand River in Brighton. 33-year-old Brian Dewayne Ali Jr. was arraigned Friday on five counts of armed robbery, four counts of bank robbery, four counts of unlawful imprisonment and a habitual offender charge. Ali was arrested on Thursday in Lansing by members of the Michigan State Police 1st District Fugitive team. Search warrants were conducted at several locations, and evidence â including cash believed to have been taken during the bank robbery â has been recovered. The incident leading to Aliâs arrest occurred on April 4th when a male suspect entered the bank dressed as a woman, brandishing a handgun and what appeared to be a bomb, and announced a robbery. He fled in a blue Ford Mustang with an undisclosed amount of cash. Ali is being held in the county jail in lieu of $1.5 million bond.(TT)
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K-9 Veterans Day Tribute Held at Michigan War Dog MemorialK-9 Veterans Day Tribute Held at Michigan War Dog Memorial
Taps and a canine salute paid tribute to the lives of fallen four-legged veterans yesterday at the Michigan War Dog Memorial. In celebration of K-9 Veteranâs Day the Hanabrit German Shepherds along with a few hundred dog lovers, veterans and state officials gathered to honor the lives of service dogs. The ceremony included an honor guard, invocation and presentations by state and local officials and a tribute to War Dog Memorial advocate Rob Wurtz. Michigan WDM President Phil Weitlauf (White-loff) says K-9 Veterans day is a day designated to honor all service dogs, including the veterans, those involved in search and rescue, therapy, police and therapy. Hanabrit owner Judy Long says she canât help but be part of it. Long says for every memorial and for the K-9 Veterans Day Weitlauf calls them in to do a salute, which is a chorus of German Shepherds barking. She says it gives her goose bumps to participate and she cannot say no. Long says it's just as important to honor the K-9s as it is the human veterans because they're saving lives just like the 2-legged veterans do. She says it's just an honor. Long says sheâs been involved with the War Dog Memorial from the beginning and supports Weitlaufâs efforts to honor the service dogs. She says her group has worked to help restore the cemetery because of the importance of memorializing them. The Michigan WDM was created out of an abandoned pet cemetery in South Lyon and has grown into a park like setting where fallen service dogs can have a final resting place. Weitlauf was also joined in the tribute by members of the National Association of Professional Canine Handlers, White Collar Canines, the Oakland County Sheriffâs K-9 unit as well as the Rock n Roll Canines. K-9 Veterans Day is officially March 13th, but because of Michigan weather the celebration is moved to a date in April. For more about the Michigan War Dog Memorial or to support their efforts, visit their website at www.mwdm.org. (DS)
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Community Baby Shower Will Benefit Pregnancy HelplineCommunity Baby Shower Will Benefit Pregnancy Helpline
A benefit in Howell next month is welcoming the community to help collect donations for a local organization. Just as moms are honored on Motherâs Day, the âMother May I Bless Your Nestâ baby shower will serve expecting mothers in Livingston County. The shower will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church from 11am to 2 pm on Saturday, May 7th. Event Organizer Cheryl Quin says there are women in the area who, when faced with an unplanned pregnancy, seek help from the Pregnancy Helpline center in Brighton. The center helps women through the process and continues to after the baby is born. Donations made at the baby shower will be given to the Pregnancy Helpline to help the expecting mothers in need. Those donations can be in the form of baby items, diapers, or a monetary gift and will serve as the fee to attend. Quin tells WHMI the event will be a fun day for guests, while also benefiting a good cause. The baby shower will include lunch and performances from local Christian artist Melanie Rea and Modern Messages Dance Company. A representative from the Pregnancy Helpline is also scheduled to speak. Quin says several local businesses have donated to the baby shower to make it a special event and to the Pregnancy Helpline as well. She says the generous gifts from businesses and the community make Livingston truly a âgreat countyâ. Organizers are asking that attendees register online at the link below. (DK)
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Milford Township Man Bound Over For Trial On Exposure ChargesMilford Township Man Bound Over For Trial On Exposure Charges
A Milford Township man has been bound over for trial after police say he exposed himself while asking for directions from a 13-year-old girl. 27-year-old Kenneth James Kimball is charged with aggravated indecent exposure following his arrest March 28th. He waived his preliminary exam last week in Oakland County District Court and will be arraigned in circuit court on Tuesday. Milford Police say they were called to the Childs Lake Estates mobile home park March 27th after receiving a report that a man had exposed and fondled himself while asking a girl for directions. The girl told officers the incident happened after the man had driven by her and then turned around before stopping and asking for directions. Milford Police say after the girl provided a description of both the suspect and the SUV, officers located a matching vehicle parked at a home in the neighborhood. When initially questioned by officers, Kimball reportedly denied having anything to do with the incident. However, a follow-up investigation determined Kimball was also a suspect in several other similar incidents. A warrant was then issued and he was arrested. Kimball has since posted a $100,000 cash bond and has been released pending his arraignment. If convicted, he would face up to two years in prison.
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Michigan Green Schools Increasing Ranks Among Area Parochial Schools Michigan Green Schools Increasing Ranks Among Area Parochial Schools
Catholic Schools in Livingston and Washtenaw counties have taken the Pope's message on climate change seriously and became official Michigan Green Schools this year. St. Joseph School in Howell is receiving its official Michigan Green School flag this week during Earth Week celebrations around the world. They will join St. Mary Catholic School in Pinckney, which is a veteran Michigan Green School receiving its eighth award and this year has the highest green designation which is an evergreen school. Also taking green honors is St Francis of Assisi School and St. Thomas School, both in Ann Arbor. The Catholic Schools are joined by The Hebrew Day School in Ann Arbor and the Michigan Islamic Academy in Ypsilanti. Kristine Moffett is one of the organizationâs founders and says the schools are following a trend in Michigan Green School activity which has seen a major jump in parochial, especially Catholic Schools, this school year. The public schools of Michigan also saw an increase for the eighth consecutive year in their participation. Michigan Green Schools was initiated by teachers and students from Hartland High School in 2006. (JK)
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