2/18/13 - A community medical clinic for low-income residents was destroyed by fire this morning. The Faith Medical Clinic in Pinckney caught fire just before 4am according to Laura Goldman, who co-founded the clinic with her husband Mitch in 2008. She tells WHMI that a clerk working the overnight shift at a nearby gas station saw smoke and called authorities. She says the inside was completely gutted and firefighters had to pull down much of the facility's roof. However, Goldman says they were able to save most of the files for their approximately 2,000 patients. They do have insurance and Goldman says they will rebuild. Putnam Township Fire Chief Greg Amburgey says it appears to be an accidental electrical fire, although their investigation is continuing. Amburgey says it took just about 15 minutes to get the fire under control and they only had to use minimal water to extinguish some of the hot spots. The La Vita Bistro restaurant located next door suffered only minor smoke damage and should be able to open as usual on Tuesday. La Vita Bistro is normally closed on Mondays. Firefighters from Unadilla, Hamburg and Dexter also assisted at the scene. Interior pictures courtesy of Sue Balk. (JK)
Faith Medical Clinic Destroyed by Fire
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Nominations & Volunteers Sought for Labor of Love Project Day Nominations & Volunteers Sought for Labor of Love Project Day
2/18/13 - As it has for the past nine years, a local group will again be assisting Livingston Countyâs elderly, disabled and financially challenged with the maintenance, cleaning, and repair of their homes. Labor of Love originated at Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church but is now affiliated with Love INC, a network of more than 50 local churches that have joined together to serve the community. The group also helps the families of those serving in the U.S. military that are deployed out of the state or country. Nominations are currently being sought for the 2013 Labor of Love Project Day Saturday, April 27th, when volunteers spread out across pre-arranged sites to perform home repairs, small jobs, safety inspections, cleaning and yard work. Last year, more than 600 volunteers were able to complete 29 home repair projects, 18 interior spring cleaning projects, and over 50 yard clean-up projects. Forms to nominate someone to receive repairs or cleaning assistance are available through the link below. Those wishing to volunteer on Project Day can also register on the website. (JM)
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Congressman Rogers Injures Wrist During Contest with Son Congressman Rogers Injures Wrist During Contest with Son
2/19/13 - Congressman Mike Rogers sustained some injuries to his wrist while competing with his son in an undisclosed contest over the weekend. The Brighton Republican, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, suffered what appeared to be a hairline fracture of his wrist. In a statement released from his office the 49-year-old Rogers said, "I suffered a wrist injury over the weekend. It appears twisting reporterâs arms to cover cyber security legislation has finally caught up to me. In all seriousness, In an outing with my 16 year old son, and in an effort to compete with him it ended in his favor. I have what appears to be hairline fractures, a temporary cast, and a few more doctor visits over the next few days. I expect to be back to my normal schedule shortly." (JM/JK)
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Faith Medical Clinic Founders; "We Will Rebuild"Faith Medical Clinic Founders; "We Will Rebuild"
2/19/13 - The operators of a low-income medical destroyed in a fire yesterday vow to resume their mission of helping area residents get the medical care they need regardless of their ability to pay for it. The Faith Medical Clinic in Pinckney was gutted by an early morning fire Monday, leaving it temporarily closed down. However, clinic co-founder Laura Goldman tells WHMI that while it was a devastating loss, itâs not the end of the clinic by any means. "That's our plan, to rebuild. This isn't going to stop us...it will slow us down, but we'll be able to rebuild. Thank God no one was in it." Authorities say the fire was an accidental electrical fire, although it remains under investigation. The Goldmanâs rented the clinic facility from Putnam Township for $1 a year and there was discussion yesterday about perhaps finding a temporary location to operate out of, although nothing has been determined as of yet. Goldman says the one thing they are thankful for is that firefighters were able to save the file cabinets with the medical records for the clinicâs approximately 2,000 patients. And while the clinic was insured, one fundraising effort previously scheduled will take on an even more urgent need as they try and rebuild. The Run for the Gold 5K foot race and kid fun run is being hosted by the Light of the World Academy and will be held in conjunction with Pinckneyâs St. Patrickâs Day Parade on Saturday, March 16th. The Faith Medical Clinic has been one of the beneficiaries of the event. Youâll find details in the link below. Picture courtesy of Faith Medical Clinic.(JK)
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Resolution Sought in Lawsuit by Former Hartland School PrincipalResolution Sought in Lawsuit by Former Hartland School Principal
2/19/13 - The lawsuit filed by a former Hartland Consolidated School principal against the district will get a final chance to be settled before going to trial. The suit alleges the Hartland district violated the Whistleblower Protection Act when it failed to renew the administrative contract of Tracey Sahouri. It also claims she was the subject of harassment and discrimination. Sahouri was removed as the principal of Creekside Elementary School after a state report concluded a breach of security in administering the MEAP test to students there in 2011. She then served as an Assistant Principal at the high school before the district declined to renew her administrative contract. Sahouri has since been assigned to work as a study skills and special-education teacher at the district's Legacy alternative high school. The case had been referred to mediation, but that failed to produce a settlement. Now, court records indicate that an alternative dispute resolution, or ADR, hearing has been set in Genesee County Circuit Court for April 3rd in the case. That process will allow both sides to present their case to a three-member legal panel, which will then determine a probable outcome and designate a proposed settlement. The two sides will then have 28 days to accept or reject the determination. Sahouri is seeking more than $100,000 in damages. (JK)
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Genoa Church Officially Opens New Community FacilityGenoa Church Officially Opens New Community Facility
2/19/13 - The 2|42 Community Church in Genoa Township held its first Sunday service in its new facility this week, and its expansive Commons area is now open to the public. Pastor Dave Dummit tells WHMI the roughly $10 million project began when the church grew too large for its former facility, but he did not want to spend that kind of money on a facility that would only be used one day of the week. The church sought input from the public on what they would want to see go into the facility and the themes of food, sports, and the arts were prominent answers. These themes were incorporated into the Commons, which is open to the public seven days a week. It includes a full café, conference rooms, and a three-story playscape for children. It also has sports facilities including a full indoor soccer and lacrosse court, workout rooms, and rooms for basketball and volleyball. The building also houses a school for the arts with music practice rooms and space for dance and culinary arts classes. The public is welcome to take advantage of the facility without any donation or church attendance requirements. 2|42 Church started meeting in 2005 at Scranton Middle School, and today it has more than 2,000 regular attendees at its Livingston and Ann Arbor campuses. (TD)
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State Begins Investigation Into Fatal Fall From EMS FacilityState Begins Investigation Into Fatal Fall From EMS Facility
2/19/13 - The construction worker who fell off the roof of the new EMS headquarters building under construction in Howell Township Monday morning has passed away. That was confirmed today by Paul Wrzesinski, a Safety Manager with the Construction Safety & Health Division of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration or MIOSHA. He says they received notification yesterday about the incident and officially opened an investigation into the death today. The incident occurred around 9am Monday at the site of the new Livingston County EMS and Survival Flight headquarters, located off Tooley Road near the Spencer J. Hardy Airport. The worker was reportedly unconscious and had to be transported by Survival Flight to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His name has yet to be released. Wrzesinski says they will now review the job conditions at the site and determine if there were any deficiencies in regards to state safety standards. If such deficiencies are found, they will then issue citations for those violations, including possible fines. (JK)
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State Police Release Details of Fatal Green Oak ShootoutState Police Release Details of Fatal Green Oak Shootout
2/19/13 - Michigan State Police are releasing some additional details about Mondayâs fatal shooting involving a trooper assigned to the Brighton Post and a Green Oak Township officer. The fatally wounded suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Kevin William Hassell, who was residing at the home on Twilight Drive where the shooting occurred. State records show Hassell has multiple convictions for a variety of charges including forgery, uttering and publishing and larceny in a building. The Offender Tracking Information System, or OTIS, indicates he was released from the Michigan Department of Corrections in November of 2011. Michigan State Police say the incident began around 4:30 Monday afternoon when they received a report of a man trying to break into a neighborâs home on Bishop Road in Green Oak Township. A Green Oak officer and a state trooper spotted a vehicle matching the suspect description and chased it to his motherâs home on Twilight Drive, south of Maltby Road, where the suspect is alleged to have fired on officers as he exited his vehicle and ran inside. Officers followed with additional shots fired inside the residence. The suspect was hit in the exchange and later died at a hospital. The trooper is described as a 12-year veteran of Michigan State Police while the Green Oak officer is said to have eight years of law enforcement experience. The circumstances surrounding the breaking and entering of a residence on Bishop Road that led to a police chase and eventually the fatal shooting of Hassell remain under investigation by Michigan State Police and the Livingston County Major Crimes Task Force. (JM)
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Signature Deadline Passes to Recall Howell City Councilman Signature Deadline Passes to Recall Howell City Councilman
2/19/13 - A local woman has failed to gather the needed signatures that would have prompted a recall election for a longtime Howell City Councilman. Howell resident Jane Thierfeldt was spearheading the effort and needed to collect 674 signatures of registered city voters to put the recall of Councilman Steve Manor onto the ballot, which would have required a special election. Today marked the deadline for signatures. Manor told WHMI heâs happy to put the matter behind him, which was a distraction that really didnât serve any purpose. He thanked citizens for refusing to support the effort and will continue to serve the city in a very positive and productive way. A statement released to the media by Thierfeldt says she was successful in implementing a recall petition but it turned out to be very difficult and alleged her team was harassed and potential petition signers were worried about recrimination. It further alleged Manor took political favors and created fear in the community but went on to read âit has to be said that he was never maligned as a person or a citizenâ. Thierfeldt filed two recall petitions against Councilman Manor. The first was rejected for being too vague but she then filed a second petition with more specific allegations, including that Manor used his influence to have a parking ticket dismissed and to improperly have a concrete approach to his driveway installed during the cityâs street reconstruction project. City officials have said Manorâs $10 ticket was one of several that were issued improperly by an officer who mistook Chestnut Street for a swale street. All of the tickets issued on the street that day were voided after the discovery was made. (JM)
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Hartland Man Ticketed After Hitting Patrol Car & Injuring Deputy Hartland Man Ticketed After Hitting Patrol Car & Injuring Deputy
2/20/13 - A local man was ticketed earlier this week after striking a patrol car and injuring the deputy inside. The incident happened shortly after 6:30pm Monday in Rochester Hills. The Oakland County Sheriffâs Office reports that a 42-year-old Hartland Township man was behind a deputy traveling southbound on Rochester Road, who was making a right turn. The Sheriffâs Office says the Hartland man was unable to stop and struck the patrol vehicle. The deputy, a 13-year veteran, was injured in the crash. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment and was later released. The Hartland Township man was not injured but was cited for causing the accident. (JM)
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Offer Sent to County to Renew Tyrone-Hartland Sheriff PatrolOffer Sent to County to Renew Tyrone-Hartland Sheriff Patrol
2/20/13 - In the wake of some lengthy negotiations, the Tyrone Township Board approved sending an offer to the county government to renew its dedicated sheriff services last night. Together with Hartland Township, Tyrone contracts with the Sheriffâs Department to have a dedicated road patrol through the two townships 24 hours per day. Township board members say the practice is cheaper than creating a local police department, provides a visible police presence, and reduces response times for major incidents in the township. In return, the townships split a bill of about $308,000 to the county for the patrol. However, there has been no agreement this year between the county government and the townships as to how much the service should cost. Last night, the Tyrone Township Board approved a motion to offer the county to maintain the terms of the current deal for the next two years. Township Supervisor Mike Cunningham says the board hopes to prompt some kind of action by offering the deal, and that it is now up to the county government to accept or reject the offer. If no deal is reached the townships would still get full police coverage from the sheriffâs department, but without the assurance of around-the-clock patrols. (TD)
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Hartland Township's Supervisor, Clerk & Treasurer Getting RaisesHartland Township's Supervisor, Clerk & Treasurer Getting Raises
After a number of years, some Hartland Township officials will be getting a raise. The board of trustees met Tuesday night to discuss the findings of an independent Compensation Commission. It was created to determine the salaries for certain elected officials as well as the salary, stipend and/or per diem for appointed members of other township boards, commissions and committees. After convening, the commission recommended increases for the supervisor, clerk and treasurer positions. It determined the annual salary of the supervisor should increase from $12,000 to $22,000, while the salaries for the clerk and treasurer would each rise from $40,221 to $44,000. Board members took no action on the agenda item but because of the way the commission is set up, the lack of a vote means the new salaries will stand. It was noted that the clerk and treasurer positions have not seen any wage increase since 2005. The 2013/2014 budget will be adjusted to reflect the changes, which take effect at the beginning of the new fiscal year April 1st. (JM)
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Police Seek Couple Accused of Stealing Donation JarPolice Seek Couple Accused of Stealing Donation Jar
2/20/13 - Authorities are seeking a couple who are alleged to have stolen a donation jar from the Howell Township 7-Eleven store. The Livingston County Sheriff's Department says a white male and female were seen walking into the store at M-59 and Grand River Saturday night around 9:30 with a child, who appears to be about 8 years old. The man is believed to have stolen several items before leaving the store. The woman then re-entered the store about ten minutes later and engaged the clerk in conversation while getting a Slurpee. The man then walked in with a black hood, stood at the counter, and grabbed a jar collecting money for a child with Downs Syndrome who needs surgery, stuffing it down his pants before leaving again with the female. The couple then left in a gold or light-brown Chevy SUV, possibly a Blazer. Anyone with information is asked to call the Livingston County Sheriff's Department at 517-546-2440. Callers should reference report No. 13-00797. (JK)
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Howell Councilman Called Out at Annual RetreatHowell Councilman Called Out at Annual Retreat
2/20/13 - Frustration was expressed by some during the Howell City Councilâs annual retreat held last weekend. There have been disagreements and differences of opinion among members since the last election when a number of new faces joined Council. Planning Commission Chairman Paul Streng voiced concerns at the very beginning of the retreat with the direction Council is headed, saying members are elected to do the peopleâs work, but it's come to a standstill. Streng said he sees Council as being a leadership team that should embrace democracy but âone member wants to be a monarchyâ and steer decisions. He directly called out Councilman Doug Heins, who was said to have made some comments during a preliminary retreat work session and has been pushing to resurrect old issues associated with the city's street improvement program. That prompted Councilman Jeff Hansen to also speak up and express his frustration at Heins' repeated efforts to revive the issue of swales constructed during the street improvement program. The retreat was being facilitated by Dr. Joe Ohren, but the debate ended after Mayor Phil Campbell expressed opposition to discussing Heins. He said in conducting council meetings, he has tried to set a policy of not calling out individuals by name and highlighting problems. The issue was then dropped and the retreat moved forward. (JK)
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Tyrone Township Adopts Updated Master Plan After Long ReviewTyrone Township Adopts Updated Master Plan After Long Review
2/20/13 - After more than a year of review, an updated master plan was adopted by the Tyrone Township Board last night. The master plan gives the board a general framework for the development and zoning of the township, and by law it must be reviewed for possible revisions every five years. Township staff conducted visioning sessions as required by state statute, collaborated with township officials, and looked at updated information from the 2010 census and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments to make the new master plan. Planning Commission Chair Mark Meisel tells WHMI that despite the extensive review, very few changes were made to the master plan. They included the incorporation of new SEMCOG and census data as well as a revision to the townshipâs commercial and industrial area. The new plan also takes better account of the neighboring communities of Fenton and Hartland, which Meisel says influence who comes into Tyrone Township, where they live, and what roads they use. Tyrone Township will perform is next review and possible revision of its master plan in 2018. (TD)
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Youth Football Coach Accused Of Assault Sentenced To ProbationYouth Football Coach Accused Of Assault Sentenced To Probation
2/20/13 - A former youth football coach accused of assaulting another coach during a game has been sentenced to probation. 37-year-old Jonathan Michael White pleaded guilty to a single count of assault and battery in 53rd District Court in Brighton in January. He was sentenced to nine months of probation yesterday. While on probation he will undergo anger management classes, cannot possess any weapons, and must not exhibit any assaultive or threatening behavior. A review is scheduled for November 19th. The incident between White and another coach, who are said to be good friends, took place during a scrimmage game at Bennett Park in Hamburg Township in October of last year. Hamburg Police say the two accused each other of dirty tactics during a heated argument that eventually escalated with White striking the man in the face. White was suspended for the remainder of that season from coaching or attending events and is suspended from coaching for the upcoming season. He will be able to apply for reinstatement after that. (TD)
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Two Howell Women Extricated After Crash on Grand RiverTwo Howell Women Extricated After Crash on Grand River
2/20/13 - Two Howell women had to be extricated from their vehicles following an accident early this afternoon. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department responded to the accident at around 12:30pm on Grand River, near the Speedway gas station. Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte says the accident involved a 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 70-year-old Carolyn Beauchamp of Howell and investigation revealed that she pulled out in front of a 2005 Chevy Silverado pick-up driven by 20-year-old Samantha Glowaski, also a Howell resident. Bezotte tells WHMI both women were wearing their seat belts and are expected to be okay, despite having to be extricated from their vehicles by Brighton firefighters. Both women were transported by ground ambulance to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor with non-life threatening injuries. Bezotte says alcohol was not a factor in the crash but Beauchamp was ticketed for failing to yield right of way. (JM)
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Southeast Elementary Dedicates New Handicap-Accessible Sandox Southeast Elementary Dedicates New Handicap-Accessible Sandox
2/20/13 - Students and staff dedicated a new addition to the playground at a Howell elementary school during a ceremony yesterday. A new handicap-accessible play table sandbox at Southeast Elementary was constructed for students with disabilities to enjoy with their peers outside. Students and staff gathered and placed bags of sand into the 4-foot by 8-foot play table together yesterday. It was built by Eagle Scout Jeremy Stoops, a 17-year-old senior at North Farmington High School. Stoops learned from his troop leader that the school was looking for an Eagle Scout to help with the project and he began planning for it last June, after presenting the concept to Southeast Principal Rhonda Barber and Occupational Therapist Kim Elder. Stoops handled fundraising for the project and began building the sandbox in early January, finishing it up about a month later. Photo courtesy of Howell Public Schools. (JM)
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Weather Watchers Waiting for Hell, Michigan to Freeze OverWeather Watchers Waiting for Hell, Michigan to Freeze Over
2/21/13 - Everyone in Michigan knows it can get colder than Hell, but does the town actually freeze over? Well a popular burger chain is watching as temperatures drop and Hellâs Un-official Mayor Odum Plenty, aka John Colone, says it most certainly does. Colone says he was contacted by the Red Robin burger chain last week about the promotion and if the temperature in the Putnam Township hamlet of Hell fails to rise above 32 degrees Fahrenheit on any given day through Sunday, it will be declared that Hell has officially frozen over. To celebrate, the first 100 guests who visit participating restaurants will get a free cup of chili next Tuesday. As the official weather-watcher of Hell, Colone and his team of weather-monitoring âHell-raisersâ will alert guests if the tiny hamlet does freeze over. You can track progress online through the link below. (JM)
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Howell Planning Commission Recommends Split In Zoning DistrictHowell Planning Commission Recommends Split In Zoning District
2/21/13 - In response to citizen concerns about preserving the cityâs historical buildings, the Howell City Planning Commission recommended approval of a new districting plan last night. Interim Planning and Zoning Administrator Erin Perdu tells WHMI that residents began expressing concerns when offices and businesses began opening in the cityâs Historic Limited Use district. A possible private school in the McPhearson Mansion was one of several incidents that brought the issue to the publicâs attention. The plan recommended for approval last night would split the Historic Limited Use district into two smaller areas, called HL-1 and HL-2. Some commercial uses would be allowed in HL-1, which would be located east of Byron Road. To the west, HL-2 would be strictly residential. The Howell City Council must now give final approval for the new districts to be created. (TD)
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