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Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 Hosts "Ride To Remember" Saturday Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 Hosts "Ride To Remember" Saturday

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Motorcyclists will make their way across Livingston County Saturday to honor fallen servicemen and women during Rolling Thunder’s 15th annual “Ride to Remember”. Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 is hosting it's Annual Ride to Remember this Saturday. The free motorcycle ride honors fallen soldiers of Michigan and Gold Star Families. It begins at 11am at Striking Lanes on Old US-23 in Hartland and will end at the historic Livingston County courthouse in downtown Howell. Following the morning ride, a noon ceremony will be held to pay tribute to fallen servicemen from the Livingston County area. Non-motorcycles are welcome to meet at the courthouse. The local chapter is part of the larger national nonprofit organization that works to raise awareness about POW-MIA soldiers and their families. (JM)

Brighton Council Postpones Filling VacancyBrighton Council Postpones Filling Vacancy

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The Brighton City Council is expected to appoint a new council member at its next meeting after two of the four applicants failed to show up for Thursday night’s interviews. The city is not required by law to notify candidates for a council position when they are going to be interviewed, and - although it has been a past practice - didn’t this time, since the interviews were on the published agenda and on the city’s website. Since only two of the four candidates were present, the interviews had to be rescheduled. Council could have interviewed the two applicants present Thursday, and the remaining two at the next regular meeting. However, the consensus among members was that it would be better to interview them all at one time. Mayor Jim Muzzin tells WHMI that in the end, council voted unanimously to table the matter until the June 2 meeting. The person appointed will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Shanda Willis, and will fill out the remainder of her term, which expires in 2017. Attorney Brad Maynes of the city attorney’s office said council has until June 6 to fill the vacancy. Therefore, the June 2 meeting will be within the 60-day deadline for appointing someone - without the need to hold a special election. There are four candidates for the council seat: William Bryan, project engineer for Metro Engineering Solutions and a member of the Brighton City Planning Commission; Michael Schutz, director of business development at Metro Consulting Associates; Jon Emaus, a managing partner with The Law Firm PLLC; and Susan Walters-Steinacker, a legal assistant for the Essex Park Law Firm and a frequent past City Council candidate. (TT)

Fire Cadets Undergo Live Burn Training ExerciseFire Cadets Undergo Live Burn Training Exercise

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Cadets in the Howell Public Schools Fire Academy got a chance Thursday to experience what it is like to enter a burning building. In their final practical training of the year, the cadets entered a specialized burn building at the Hamburg Fire Department Training Grounds, located on the grounds of the Hamburg Waste Water Treatment Plant. While inside, cadets completed several exercises including observing how a fire begins, grows, and behaves, pulling hoses into the building and performing search and rescue operations in a smoke filled room. All of the skills the cadets have learned during the year are put to the test during the training. Cadet Brittany Tootman, who plans to pursue a career in firefighting, said the inside of the building was hotter than she thought it would be but that their training had prepared them. “It was really cool knowing about the smoke and what is in the smoke. We knew right away that the black smoke was full of fuel and the white smoke, you can’t breathe it, but it was pretty harmless when it came to flashover and we knew what flashover was, just things to look out for and how the fire grew that was really cool." The Howell Public Schools Fire Academy is a unique program that allows high school juniors and seniors to complete the required classroom and practical trainings needed to earn their state firefighters certification. Additionally, the students earn high school credits for the class. The program was created last year in partnership with local fire agencies. (JK)

Public Invited to Celebrate Courthouse Plaza RenovationsPublic Invited to Celebrate Courthouse Plaza Renovations

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The renovation of a local historic public space is being celebrated early next month with a public celebration planned. Over the last several months the amphitheater at the Historic Howell Courthouse has been renovated to make it more accessible. Work is wrapping up on the $191,000 project that began last October. Livingston County officials will hold a dedication of the newly renovated Courthouse Plaza on Wednesday, June 1st at 10 am. Commissioners Gary Childs and Carol Griffith will place the final brick in the public space during the dedication ceremony that includes food and music. (DS)

Speakers Encourage Passion And Hard Work At Cleary University FundraiserSpeakers Encourage Passion And Hard Work At Cleary University Fundraiser

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An event at Cleary University in Howell Thursday night raised money for the school and encouraged those graduating this weekend with powerful words from industry leaders. The Vehicle to a Better Future event drove the momentum for the university’s commencement festivities this weekend. The fundraiser included a car exhibit, dinner, and a keynote address from two passionate individuals. Ken Holland (pictured), General Manager for the Detroit Red Wings, and Adam Genei, owner of Mobsteel and Detroit Steel Wheel Company, spoke to the guests which included students among supportive community members. Genei grew up in Livingston County and has taken his love for cars and turned it into a successful staple in Detroit. His message is one of hard work, resilience, and drive. Holland referenced his team’s symbol by starting his speech with a pun saying he planned to “wing it”. Holland has been with the Red Wings for 33 years and says he loves what he does and encouraged others to do the same. Holland tells WHMI it is important that people find their niche and stick with it. Cleary University President Jayson Boyers says the fundraiser showcased the school’s efforts to build a better future and give back to the community. The event raised roughly $90,000 which will be invested into the classroom to create innovative teaching and learning practices. (DK)

Work To Commence On U of M Brighton Health Center South Work To Commence On U of M Brighton Health Center South

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Regents at the University of Michigan have approved the schematic design for a planned 297,000-square-foot health center in Brighton. The board also on Thursday approved authorization to issue bids and award $6.8 million in contracts for excavation and grading, construction of parking lots and roadways and on-site utility work. The $175 million facility will be on 32 acres owned by the University of Michigan Health System at Challis Road and Karl Greimel Drive. It is expected to offer more than 40 medical services and improve access to patients in the Livingston County area. Construction should be completed in summer 2018. The facility will be called Brighton Health Center South and will sit kitty-corner from the current U of M Brighton medical center, which will be renamed Brighton Health Center North. Health system officials say the new facility will serve approximately 250,000 patients a year and house more than 40 specialty services for children and adults. There will also be a free-standing surgical center that will provide patients up to a 23-hour stay and have four to six beds. U-M is currently conducting a traffic study of the proposed site. Picture courtesy University of Michigan. (JK)

Local Authorities Collaborate To Perfect Disaster Response And Reunification PlansLocal Authorities Collaborate To Perfect Disaster Response And Reunification Plans

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Disaster-readiness was the subject of a table top exercise for multi-jurisdictional authorities Friday morning. Emergency responders, government and school representatives all participated in the exercise held at the Livingston County EMS Public Safety Complex in Howell. The goal of the exercise was to determine how different agencies respond to local disaster situations, communicate with one another, and ultimately bring families back together safely and efficiently. Emergency Manager Therese Cremonte says the exercise was important because it better prepares the different authorities to be disaster-ready by hammering out the details in advance. Cremonte tells WHMI the large amount of participation in the exercise speaks highly of the agencies in the county and their commitment to the residents. State officials evaluated the exercise and will provide Emergency Management with notes about what parts of the county’s response and reunification plan are effective and what parts need work. The exercise was the first of its kind in the area and Cremonte says it won’t be the last. She explained the next step would be to take the exercise even further by acting out response efforts, not just discussing them. (DK)

Graves Says Legislation Will Help Improve Unemployment Agency ResponseGraves Says Legislation Will Help Improve Unemployment Agency Response

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An area lawmaker says work is continuing to guide reform legislation for what many feel is a broken system - the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. State Representative Joe Graves chairs the House Oversight and Ethics Subcommittee on Unemployment Reform, which approved what it calls sweeping changes to make the UIA more efficient and effective. The Argentine Township Republican says the committee recently reported out House Bill 4982 and has come up with what he called "common-sense solutions" that address shortcomings found by the Auditor General. Graves says he believes the reforms will make the process of filing for unemployment benefits more user-friendly for both workers and employers. Among some of the discrepancies found in the reports were security and accessibility issues with the Michigan Integrated Data Automated System (MiDAS) that is utilized by the UIA. Problems with the phone center caused 89% of the 263,726 calls made to the center during two separate weeks in 2014 to go unanswered. House Bill 4982 is said to have broad bipartisan support and now moves to full committee for consideration. (JM)

New Overtime Regulations Focus Of Upcoming Brighton Chamber Luncheon New Overtime Regulations Focus Of Upcoming Brighton Chamber Luncheon

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Overtime regulations for businesses will be the topic of discussion during an upcoming Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The U.S. Department of Labor recently issued the final rule as part of updates to overtime regulations designed to reflect the original intent of the Fair Labor Standards Act. In 2014, President Obama directed the Secretary of Labor to simplify and modernize the rules. Chamber officials say it’s an important meeting as the final rule updating overtime regulations will have major impact on business. It says beginning December 1st, 2016, most salaried employees making up to $47,476 annually will be entitled to receive overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week. In an effort to support and educate the business community on the trending topic, the chamber has invited Terry Bonnette, a labor and employment law attorney from Detroit, to share his expertise on the new regulations. Officials say Bonnette is considered a voice of authority on labor and employment issues and there will be opportunity for questions from the audience. The event will take place on Wednesday, June 15th from 11:30am to 1pm at Ciao Amici’s in Brighton. The event is open to the public and those wishing to attend can RSVP through the link below or call the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce at 810-227-5086. (JM)

St. Joseph Mercy Brighton Cancer Center To Celebrate Ten Year AnniversarySt. Joseph Mercy Brighton Cancer Center To Celebrate Ten Year Anniversary

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Cancer survivors are invited to attend a celebration recognizing a local care center’s 10-year anniversary. St. Joseph Mercy Brighton Cancer Center is celebrating a decade of service from 2pm to 3pm on Sunday, June 5th, in conjunction with National Cancer Survivors Day. This center is currently Livingston County’s only full-service cancer care center and has taken care of more than 4,600 patients since opening. A program featuring members of the community along with physicians and staff will re-dedicate the building and honor those who are surviving. Survivors will also have the opportunity to plant a perennial flower symbolizing growth and healing in front of the Cancer Center. There will also be tours of the center available with demonstrations of services offered. All cancer survivors, no matter where they received care, are invited to join in on this event. The center is located at 7575 Grand River in Brighton. To RSVP, call (810) 844-7202, or send an email to Kathryn.Rusak@stjoeshealth.org. (MK)

Whitmore Lake Man Sentenced For Road Rage Incident Whitmore Lake Man Sentenced For Road Rage Incident

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A Whitmore Lake man will serve jail time for a road rage incident in which police allege he fired a handgun. 37-year-old Billy Joe Jackson the III was sentenced to 10 days in jail and two years of probation in Washtenaw County Trial Court Thursday. The jail sentence must be served within 60 days and Jackson will receive credit for two days already served. He had been charged with felonious assault and reckless use of a firearm from an incident last summer, in which police arrested Jackson after they say he fired a handgun after a collision with another vehicle. Jackson previously entered a no contest plea to a single count of assault with a dangerous weapon. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but is treated as such at sentencing. Authorities say the August 5th incident began on southbound US-23 near Joy Road and ended on eastbound M-14 in Superior Township. The victim, a 25-year-old Brighton man, claims his SUV was hit and Jackson had fired a gun. Jackson also called 911 and admitted putting his gun out of the driver’s side window and firing a single shot. Neither the Brighton man nor Jackson was injured in the incident. (JM)

Construction Continues On East Wall Of Howell City Hall Construction Continues On East Wall Of Howell City Hall

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Construction is well underway on the east wall of Howell City Hall. Measurements last fall showed the east wall was separating from the building in downtown Howell. A brief update on the project was provided during the May 9th City Council meeting. The work involves a retrofit and putting metal rods on the outside of the building to help secure it. Monitoring has been in place since then and shows movement is still occurring. City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI maintenance, crack sealing and repairs in the west stairway were completed, before work shifted to the east stairwell and second floor of city hall. Charles says in all, it should be a six week construction project. The east wall is being monitored regularly and the City took temporary safety measures such as fencing off potential fall areas and securing the east side of the building with fencing. In addition to the ongoing work, new audio and video recording equipment will also be installed in council chambers in the basement of Howell City Hall. (JM)

Tuition Auction Will Benefit LACASA Child Abuse Prevention ProgramsTuition Auction Will Benefit LACASA Child Abuse Prevention Programs

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A local non-profit organization will be the beneficiary of an auction that is offering a year of tuition at a Brighton preschool. Maple Tree Montessori Academy of Brighton is donating a one-year preschool tuition to benefit LACASA Center’s child abuse prevention programs and services. This gives one local family the opportunity to enroll their child at the Academy for a significant discount and help protect children at the same time. LACASA is offering the tuition auction through an email bidding process that is now open and will conclude on Friday, June 10th. The tuition program is for morning or afternoon preschool during the 2016 - 2017 school year. It is valued at $5280 and is available for new enrollments only. All proceeds from the auction will directly support LACASA’s child abuse prevention programs. More information about the auction is available through the link below. (DK)

West Grand River In Brighton Set For Facelift Next YearWest Grand River In Brighton Set For Facelift Next Year

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West Grand River in Brighton is in for a facelift next year. The City Council Thursday night voted to award the design and engineering contract to Tetra Tech at a price of $122,000. City Manager Nate Geinzer tells WHMI the portion of Grand River just to the north of the I-96 overpass to approximately where the Border Cantina restaurant is located will get the upgrade. Geinzer says crews will mill the surface down, repair and replace catch basins, perform work on seams and joints, and apply a new asphalt surface. The work will be done in the fall of 2017. The federal government will pay $800,000 of the $1.1 million price tag, with the city contributing the $300,000 local match. The city will pay the amount up-front and will be reimbursed by the Brighton Downtown Development Authority incrementally. Geinzer says the $122,000 going to Tetra Tech will be part of the local match. (TT)

Fourth Suspect Bound Over For Retail Fraud & Police ChaseFourth Suspect Bound Over For Retail Fraud & Police Chase

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A fourth person has been bound over for trial for his involvement in a retail fraud incident at a local store. On Tuesday, 20-year-old Dillon McMullen appeared for a probable cause conference and was bound over to Circuit Court for trial. McMullen, 19-year-old Nelson DeJesus, 20-year-old Savannah Haley, 21-year-old Angelina Bonasera and 26-year-old Keshawn Jones are all charged in a retail fraud and police chase that occurred April 19th at the Kohl’s store in Green Oak Township. A warrant has since been issued for Jones after he failed to appear for arraignment earlier this month. He is the last suspect to be arraigned of those charged and the remaining four have all been bound over for trial. The five suspects were arrested after officers responding to a retail fraud call observed the subjects get into a sedan and drive off. When police attempted to stop the car, which had been reported stolen out of Washtenaw County, the suspects tried to flee by driving up an embankment, but ended up crashing in the area behind Kohl’s and Costco. They then fled the vehicle on foot. Green Oak Police, with the assistance of several other agencies, set up a perimeter and eventually took all five into custody. They are all facing charges of resisting/obstructing a police officer, while four are charged with first degree retail fraud. In addition, DeJesus faces two counts of carrying a concealed weapon while McMullen is charged with fleeing and eluding, and reckless driving. Haley also is charged with possession of a controlled substance and organized retail crime. (DK)

Brighton to Convert More Streetlights to LEDBrighton to Convert More Streetlights to LED

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The city of Brighton will be entering the second phase this summer of a three phase project to convert the city’s streetlights to LED, or light emitting diode, from the current sodium vapor lights. DTE says the LED lights are more cost-efficient because they have a greater life expectancy and provide more illumination; therefore, a lower wattage can be used. DTE also says the new lights provide a greater safety cushion for cars and pedestrians and better aesthetics. Last year, DTE installed about 200 LED streetlights on the main thoroughfares in commercial areas, including Grand River Avenue, and this year will put in 245 of the lights, mostly in residential areas. The city’s cost will be about $65,000, with the city to pay part of the cost from its general fund and the remainder from the utilities fund, which will be reimbursed. The final phase, in the summer of 2017, will involve the installation of 260 LED streetlights. The city is expected to save an estimated $13,000 each year as a result of the greater efficiency of the LED streetlights. (TT)

Precinct Switch Planned For South Lyon Voters In AugustPrecinct Switch Planned For South Lyon Voters In August

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Due to construction this summer, voters in two South Lyon precincts will be casting their ballots in a different location for the August primary election. South Lyon officials say that precincts #2 and #3 will be moved from their normal location at Bartlett Elementary School to the city’s fire hall on Whipple Street. It’s a temporary switch that is due to construction taking place at the school over the summer to install new lighting and air conditioning. Officials expect that those voters will be able to return to Bartlett Elementary for the General Election on November 8th. The fire hall is not a completely unfamiliar spot for those voters, as it previously was their normal location. Fire Chief Mike Kennedy told the South Lyon Herald that they can make the switch work and he plans to pull all of the fire apparatus across the street to accommodate both voters and election workers. The South Lyon City Clerk will notify affected voters. (JK)

Pinckney Board Of Education Begins Union NegotiationsPinckney Board Of Education Begins Union Negotiations

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Preliminary negotiations in one local school district got underway last week to start what could be a month’s long process. The Pinckney Community Schools Board of Education went into closed session to begin discussion about upcoming contract negotiations with all of the district’s unions. Superintendent Rick Todd says the each of the one-year contracts for bargaining units including teachers, administrative assistants, and support staffs are due for renewal. He says this is just the first of many negotiating sessions because the state has not finalized its budget yet. Todd tells WHMI the district hopes to have contracts in place by mid-summer, but a lot of it depends on the state's budget. He says the state hasn't finalized the budget yet, but once they get the numbers that they will get from the state that will help speed up the process. He says the process right now is just some initial dialogue and nothing will probably happen until they get harder numbers from the state. He says once they have a better idea they can look at the district's budget before making any decisions on contracts. Todd says the board is just beginning the process while the state finalizes its budget, which currently is estimated at 54.9 (b) billion. According to the state budget office approximately 30 percent of next year’s budget will be go to public education with a $120 per pupil increase in foundation allowance. While it will continue to discuss negotiations, the Pinckney school district plans to balance its own budget once the state finalizes the numbers for the coming fiscal year. A budget hearing is planned for June 28th at 5:30 p.m. (DS)

Brighton Township Approves Contract For Kensington Road Improvement Project Brighton Township Approves Contract For Kensington Road Improvement Project

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A portion of Kensington Road in Brighton Township will be the subject of an improvement project this year. The county-wide Primary Pavement Program is a project headed up by the Livingston County Road Commission directed towards each municipality in the area. Municipalities submit a project they’d like the Road Commission to consider for pavement rehabilitation and preservation on primary roads. The program has a budget of $800,000 and allots a maximum of $100,000 in matching funds for each community. Brighton Township’s submission of Kensington Road around the roundabout area was accepted. Township Manager Brian Vick tells WHMI the board reviewed several factors to choose their project including traffic counts, project cost, and pavement surface evaluation ratings. The township had already projected and budgeted $100,000 toward the project and approved a contract with the road commission in regards to the program on Monday. Vick says an exact start date has not been set, only that it will begin this summer and be completed before the end of the year. (DK)

Fenton Board Unanimously Selects New SuperintendentFenton Board Unanimously Selects New Superintendent

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The Fenton Board of Education has selected the district’s new superintendent. By a unanimous vote, the board chose Adam Hartley to lead the district. He will replace Interim Superintendent Doug Busch on July 1st. Busch has been running the district while also fulfilling his original position as executive director of finance and personnel. Fenton School Board President Drew Shapiro told the Tri-County Times that Busch was to be commended for refusing to take an additional $40,000 in compensation as the interim superintendent because of the district’s financial situation. Hartley was selected from an initial pool of 27 applicants. He comes to Fenton from the Swartz Creek Community School district, where he was director of innovative projects and served as the executive director of GEARup2LEAD, a leadership development organization. He had previously served as the assistant superintendent of Instruction. Contract negotiations are expected to begin this week. (JK)
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