A crash this morning forced the closure of both a busy freeway and an overpass in Genesee County. Authorities say a backhoe being hauled on a trailer was heading southbound on US-23 when it struck the Lahring Road overpass just before 7am. The backhoe reportedly caught fire after coming off the trailer and rolling over. Southbound US-23 was closed between Thompson Road and Lahring Road, with motorists advised to use either Silver Lake Road or Owen Road to re-enter the freeway. Meanwhile, the Michigan Department of Transportation had to close the Lahring Road Bridge over US-23 in Fenton Township until further notice due to the bridge having been hit from underneath. Inspectors say that Lahring Road will remain closed. Picture courtesy of MDOT. (JK)
Crash Damages Overpass In Fenton AreaCrash Damages Overpass In Fenton Area
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Rescue 911 Summer Learning Camp Coming To Downtown Fenton Rescue 911 Summer Learning Camp Coming To Downtown Fenton
A safety themed learning event for area kids is approaching next week in Downtown Fenton. Rescue 911 camp is a free event for children ages 8-12. It will be held in Bush Park this coming Thursday from 9am until 2pm. The City of Fenton Fire Department is encouraging parents register their children, as space is limited. Activities include tours of police and fire vehicles, bike and helmet safety, fire prevention and safety, wellness information, free lunch and fitness fun. You can register online through the link below or call 810-238-7672 ext 224. (JM)
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Republican National Convention Platform Listening Tour In Howell Tuesday Republican National Convention Platform Listening Tour In Howell Tuesday
Michigan delegates to the Republican National Convention and other GOP leaders are touring the state to hear from citizens as part of the RNC Platform Listening Tour. The tour will be making a stop at Block Brewing in Howell on Tuesday at 6pm. The local event will feature presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trumpâs Michigan state director and RNC Convention Delegate Scott Hagerstrom. It will also feature State Senator Joe Hune of Fowlerville and Meshawn Maddock of Milford - convention delegates who will represent two votes from Michigan on the RNC Platform Committee. There has been a change in venue since the local event was announced due to a larger than expected audience. The event is open to the public and those attending are encouraged to RSVP through the Michigan Conservative Coalition at miconservativecoalition@gmail.com. Meanwhile, billionaire Trump remains on track to become the party's nominee at its Cleveland gathering next month. Yet his incendiary comments following the Orlando massacre have rattled the GOP, and pockets of apprehension and outright defiance are, if anything, growing. More congressional Republicans are not endorsing Trump and planning to skip the convention. There is also a longshot movement among conservative delegates and operatives - including supporters of Trump's vanquished rival, Texas Senator Ted Cruz - to change party rules so the convention can pick a different nominee. (JM)
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Chelsea Man Enters Plea In Child Pornography CaseChelsea Man Enters Plea In Child Pornography Case
A Chelsea man charged with possessing child pornography has entered a plea. George Louis Trevino pleaded guilty as charged Thursday in U.S. District Court in Detroit to one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing it. He 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. Sentencing has been set for October 4th. (JK)
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Howell Public Schools Board Agrees To Budget Amendment Howell Public Schools Board Agrees To Budget Amendment
An increased deficit causes officials in one local school district to make adjustments. The Howell Public Schools Board of Education recently approved a budget amendment to help cover an increased deficit. In December Assistant Superintendent for Finance, Rick Terres told the board there would be a shortfall of about $600,000 because of new contracts. By June 1st that number had increased to $960,000. School board members approved an amendment to the budget to transfer money from the districtâs fund balance to cover the increase. Terres tells WHMI the overage is due to settlements. He says the district settled contracts with all of its bargaining units, which played into it, so the December budget reflected that. In June the budget is a reflection of what occurred in terms of settlements including a workman's comp settlement and a settlement with the former administrator, which he says caused the deficit to rise to the level it has risen to. The bottom line is that the district will now absorb those, though some of them are one time costs. Terres says the deficit also comes from a reduction in students and child care revenues. He says staff retirements and the successful millage will help offset the shortage. Terres says the district has a healthy fund balance of over $5 (m) million, which includes funds from the sale of land on Latson Road last year. He says the state requires at least a 5% fund balance and the district will end the year with 8%. A budget hearing for the 2016/17 school year is set for June 27th and Terres says it will be balanced.
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Artistic Bicycle Rack Installed In Downtown Howell Artistic Bicycle Rack Installed In Downtown Howell
The first of several artistic bike racks has been installed in Howell to provide both a functional and artistic element to the downtown area. The first downtown bike rack was installed outside of the Dairy Queen on State Street Friday. Howell Main Street Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Cathleen Edgerly tells WHMI theyâre thrilled to be installing the unique and usable bike racks, noting itâs the result of a true, cooperative effort between public and private sectors working toward making Howell a better place to live, work and play. Future bike designs will be unveiled throughout the summer and a formal dedication ceremony will be held with all of the bike rack sponsors at a future date. Edgerly says the project is part of a 5-year effort finally coming to fruition led by the Howell Main Street DDA, Howell Rotary's Tour de Livingston, the City of Howell, the Howell Chamber Placemaking team, and other passionate bicycle enthusiasts in the community. The Bike Racks were designed by Howell Main Street Design committee members along with Jim Roth of Hell Creek Forge, and built in Rothâs Hell Creek Forge studio by Roth and Howell City Council member and DDA Design Committee volunteer Michael Mulvahill. The location was selected and voted on by the Howell City Council during a recent meeting. Now that the installation is complete, artist Stacy Karns will paint the Bike Racks in a vintage-inspired style that will be both decorative and functional, providing protection to the metal. Once additional Bike Racks have been installed, a map and promotional pieces will be available at downtownhowell.org. Photo Courtesy Howell DDA. (JM)
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Death of Hamburg Twp. Man Found in State Rec. Area Not AccidentalDeath of Hamburg Twp. Man Found in State Rec. Area Not Accidental
State Police and the Livingston County Sheriffâs Dept. are investigating an apparent homicide in the death of a Hamburg Twp. man. Late Friday night, Livingston County Central Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call reporting that a 43-year old man was missing from a campsite in the Brighton State Recreation Area in Hamburg Township. Township police responded to the scene and began a search. The search continued through the night and eventually involved additional township police officers as well as personnel from the township fire department, Brighton City Police, State Police and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The search utilized two State Police K9 teams and the Brighton Police Department K9 team as well as a University of Michigan Survival Flight helicopter with its thermal imaging capabilities. Some 26 fire cadets from the Brighton Area Fire Department also were brought in to assist in the coordinated search. A little after 2 p.m. Saturday, one of the fire cadets located the missing man in a wooded area near Bishop Lake in the Brighton State Recreation Area. The man was deceased and there were obvious signs that his death was not of natural causes or accidental. Investigators with the Hamburg Township Police Department, along with Michigan State Police and Livingston County Sheriff's Department, are continuing their investigation. The name of the victim is being withheld at this time. (TT)
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Trial Date Set For Milford Woman's Murder TrialTrial Date Set For Milford Woman's Murder Trial
A trial date has been set for a Milford woman charged with murder in connection with her husband's death. Yvonne Cortis was charged with open murder in December following the death of 68-year-old Greg Cortis, who died from injuries sustained in the November 30th crowbar attack. Cortis was also charged with a count of animal torture for beating the family dog in the attack. Family members said the 59-year-old Milford woman has a history of mental illness, but in March it was determined that she was competent to assist in her own defense following an exam by the state forensic center. She was then bound over to Oakland County Circuit Court to stand trial, where records indicate a trial date has been set for October 31st. Police say Cortis admitted to beating her husband and dog to put "them out of their misery." Cortis remains held without bond. (JK)
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Local Artwork Being Displayed This Summer on Hyne Alley in Brighton Local Artwork Being Displayed This Summer on Hyne Alley in Brighton
Several artists from the Brighton Art Guild are displaying some of their artwork this summer in the Hyne Alley off Main Street for the public to view. The outdoor exhibit is called âQuicker, Faster, Cheaper" and showcases â among other items - colorfully painted Adirondack chairs. The display is also interactive, encouraging people to play a makeshift chessboard and checkerboard game - or to post a positive comment on an outsize community chalkboard. Commission Chair Claudia Roblee tells WHMI it makes for a bright addition that will be around all summer in downtown Brighton. Brenda Ochidnicky of the Brighton Art Guild says five local artists were involved, along with artisans from Work Skills Corporation who are involved in a program at Studio West. The exhibit is sponsored by the Brighton Arts and Culture Commission and was made possible by a grant through the Quicker, Faster, Cheaper initiative of the Michigan Association of Realtors, with a contribution by Carol Griffith of Griffith Realty of Brighton. (TT)
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Brighton Arts & Culture Commission Showcases Downtown Chalk Art Brighton Arts & Culture Commission Showcases Downtown Chalk Art
Kids of all ages enjoyed a scavenger hunt to find chalk art on downtown Brighton sidewalks and other public places Saturday as part of âOperation Treasure Hunt, Finding Sluggo and His Friends". The event featured the artwork of David Zinn, who has graced the sidewalks, plazas and other downtown areas of major cities in America and Europe. The contest was sponsored by the Brighton Arts and Culture commission. In Operation Treasure Hunt, participants are given treasure hunt maps showing locations around the downtown area where they can find the chalk drawings. Arts & Culture Commission Chair Claudia Roblee says a map showing the locations of the eight pieces of chalk art will be posted online on the downtown Brighton website so people will know where to look for them. She says a special coating of Scotchguard â weâre not kidding - has been put on the chalk art to make it last longer, so it can be viewed by downtown visitors long after the event has ended. (TT)
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Get Tested For National HIV Test DayGet Tested For National HIV Test Day
The Livingston County Department of Public Health is encouraging residents who may be at risk to come in for free testing on National HIV Test Day. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there are approximately 1.2 million people living in the United States with HIV, and that 1 out every 8 with the disease donât know they are carrying it. National HIV Test Day is on June 27th, and in participation, the LCDPH is offering free testing on Wednesday the 22nd. Health Promotion Coordinator for the Health Department, Chelsea Moxlow told WHMI that the disease can be managed, but that the key is detecting it early enough so that medication can be started in time. The CDC is recommending that anyone between 13 and 64 who hasnât previously been tested for HIV, do so once. They also recommend that people with more than one partner, have sexually transmitted infections, and people who use needles to inject drugs get tested at least once a year. The Health Department will be administering the exams from 4pm until 6:15 pm on the 22nd. Appoints are preferred, but walk-ins will be accepted. Moxlow also said that if someone was nervous about being tested with the Health Department, that there are other ways to take it, as well. Nearby testing centers can be found at https://gettested.cdc.gov, or by texting your zipcode to KNOWIT (566948). Moxlow said the test the Health Department uses is not the rapid response test. There will be a wait for the results, she says, but that the test is still quick and easy to take. For more information, or to make an appointment, contact the Department of Public Health at (517) 552-6882. (MK)
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Online Forum Set Up For Van Curler Property In Downtown Whitmore Lake Online Forum Set Up For Van Curler Property In Downtown Whitmore Lake
Northfield Township has set up an online public forum to compile and discuss ideas related to the pending purchase of a piece of property. The Northfield Township Board of Trustees recently submitted a purchase agreement for the Van Curler Property. The 23.5 acres of vacant land is located next to and behind the Post Office in Whitmore Lake Pending the results from soil and environmental testing, Northfield Township will soon be the owners of what officials describe as a prominent piece of land in downtown Whitmore Lake. There have been many suggestions about what should happen to this property, but officials say they want to hear what residents think. A public forum has been set up on the Northfield Township website to gather ideas and suggestions from the general public, namely what people would like to see in the area and how it should be developed. Officials ask that anyone weighing in refrain from using offensive or derogatory comments as the forum is intended for positive change and constructive debate. The forum can be accessed through the link below. (JM)
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Pinckney Schools Set to Begin New Training ProgramPinckney Schools Set to Begin New Training Program
One local school district is set to become one of four training grounds for cutting edge technology. Itâs being touted as the biggest thing to happen to a Livingston County School District. Superintendent Rick Todd recently told the Pinckney Community Schools Board of Education the district was awarded a grant to provide Cyber Security training and certification programs to students. Todd says the grant comes through an Ann Arbor based nonprofit with ties to the State of Michigan and the Department of Defense. Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Assessment and Technology, Tom McCurdy says Pinckney is the only K-12 school in the state to receive the grant. He tells WHMI that when the Cyber Sandbox is open it will be a regional training center. He says it is not just Pinckney kids that are going to benefit from this, it's kids from this entire county. He says the other part is that it is about investing by the state of Michigan and Merit in workforce retraining. People need people who have these skills, and many people in IT businesses need to get further certification and this is going to be a place where they can get those certifications. McCurdy says one of the populations that they want to pay attention to is providing training for veterans who are leaving the armed forces and providing them a place to get these kind of certifications, so this becomes a regional kind of a place where people can go and be trained. McCurdy says cyber security is important because it touches nearly everyoneâs life in some way. He says it is about protecting network assets, which include money, identity and businesses and technologists need certification. McCurdy says the training center in Pinckney will provide services to students already in the district, but also kids coming from all five of the Livingston County districts through the LATEC or Livingston Applied Technology Consortium. Todd says the district is working with Merit Network, Inc. in setting up the training program and will provide more information as the process moves along. He says an open house and ribbon cutting are planned for early November. (DS)
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Autopsy Planned For Hamburg Twp. Man Discovered Dead At State Rec AreaAutopsy Planned For Hamburg Twp. Man Discovered Dead At State Rec Area
An autopsy is expected to be performed today as the investigation continues into the death of a Hamburg Township man who had been reported missing from a campsite in the Brighton State Recreation Area. The name of the deceased man is not being released pending a preliminary determination of the cause and manner of death by the Livingston County Medical Examiner. An autopsy is expected to be performed today. Investigators with the Hamburg Township Police Department, Michigan State Police and Livingston County Sheriffâs Department are working the case. Police say the 43-year-old man was found shortly after 2pm Saturday in a wooded area near Bishop Lake with significant trauma to his body and investigators were unable to readily make a determination as to the manner of death, except to eliminate death by natural causes and accidental death. Due to the ongoing investigation, officials say specific facts as to the nature of the manâs injuries and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance are not being made public to protect the integrity of the investigation. Investigators are not currently seeking any person or persons of interest at this time in this case. Additionally, based on the information known to investigators there is no indication that any additional threat is posed to the general public from this case. As to the initial search conducted in this case, Hamburg Police say the department has specific protocols for responding to reports of lost or missing persons in the Brighton State Recreation Area, which is 4,947 acres (or nearly 8 square miles) in size. The search procedures are implemented in all cases of persons reported lost or missing in or near the Brighton State Recreation Area and were said to be utilized in this case. (JM)
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Public Voting For Howell Art Project Ends Friday Public Voting For Howell Art Project Ends Friday
The public voting period for the community to select their favorite piece of art at four locations in downtown Howell runs through Friday. The 2016 Howell Art Project is made possible through the efforts of the Howell Main Street Downtown Development Authority Design Committee. Local artists, as well as artists from across the nation submitted artwork in different categories involving an entertainment genre for a chance to win the Art Project Competition, a $1,000 cash prize, and to have their artwork exhibited on the exterior of downtown businesses throughout the rest of the year. Howell DDA Executive Director Cathleen Edgerly says art creates a sense of place and really ties the community together. Edgerly tells WHMI the project made a big re-debut last year and they encourage everyone to vote for their favorite entries at the Howell Carnegie District Library, the Howell Opera House, Silverstone Jewelers and Uptown Coffeehouse. Each has unique text-to-vote code on it and public voting is open until Friday. Votes can also be submitted online through the link below. All votes will be compiled at the close of public voting, with the winner being announced at the Public Art Unveil and Celebration ceremony August 10th where top artwork will be prominently displayed on the exterior of downtown businesses for the remainder of the year. Proceeds from the 2016 auction will benefit next year's Howell Art Project and will bring more arts and cultural activities to the Howell community. Downtown Howell Facebook Photo. (JM)
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GOP Activist From Howell Joins Plot To "Dump Trump"GOP Activist From Howell Joins Plot To "Dump Trump"
Two Michigan GOP delegates, including one local woman, are part of a new plot to âdump Trumpâ. Republican Activist Wendy Day of Howell, who ran Texas Senator Ted Cruzâs Michigan campaign, has commented the presumptive Republican presidential nominee and New York billionaire businessman is destroying the party and Republicans need another choice â saying âtheyâre engaged to Trump but not marriedâ. Both Day and Barbara Bookout of Grand Rapids are involved in a multi-state network of delegates talking about changing convention rules and freeing bound delegates from being forced to vote for Trump at the Republican National Convention July 18 â 21st in Cleveland. Trump released a statement saying people he defeated soundly in the primaries âwill do anything to get a second shot â but there is no mechanism for it to happenâ. Meanwhile the director of Trumpâs Michigan campaign will be in town for an event tomorrow as part of the RNC Platform Listening Tour. Platform, Politics and Pizza will be held at Block Brewing Company in Howell at 6pm Tuesday. It will feature RNC Convention Delegate Scott Hagerstrom, along with State Senator Joe Hune of Fowlerville and Meshawn Maddock of Milford - convention delegates who will represent two votes from Michigan on the RNC Platform Committee. The event is being organized by The Michigan Conservative Coalition and attendees are encouraged to RSVP at MiConservativeCoalition@gmail.com or by calling 616-987-1124. (JM)
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Motion To Amend Bond Denied For Windsor Man Charged in Rape CaseMotion To Amend Bond Denied For Windsor Man Charged in Rape Case
A driving instructor facing charges in Livingston County alleging he raped one of his students will remain behind bars. 62-year-old Ningan Hu of Windsor, Ontario is currently being held in the Livingston County Jail on a $400,000 bond cash/surety. A motion to amend his bond was denied by Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty during a recent hearing and Hu is not allowed to leave the state while the case is pending. Heâs charged with one count each of 3rd and 4th degree criminal sexual conduct by force or coercion and one count each of the same of an incapacitated victim. The charges stem from an incident in which Hu, a driving instructor, allegedly raped one of his students after getting her drunk at his home in Hartland Township. On May 21st, Hu and the victim, a college student in Windsor, reportedly drove across the border into the United States so she could gain driving experience. A friend of the victimâs says Hu took his student to his home where he plied her with alcohol until she was drunk and then sexually assaulted her. A court hearing for a possible plea is scheduled July 22nd. (JM)
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Local State Rep Still Seeking To Eliminate Judicial Age Restrictions Local State Rep Still Seeking To Eliminate Judicial Age Restrictions
A local lawmaker has introduced an amendment to a resolution earlier introduced that would get rid of age restrictions for elected judges. State Representative Hank Vaupel, a Handy Township Republican, says he is still working to eliminate statewide age restrictions on judges so they could run again, although noted it is getting late in the legislative year to get things through. Currently, any sitting judge or judicial candidate age 70 or older cannot run for a judgeship. Vaupel says in todayâs age with people living longer, he thinks the current rules equate to a bit of age discrimination and feels a person should not be disqualified from public office just because theyâve attained that age â adding they have a lot of institutional knowledge. Vaupel tells WHMI he feels it is significant legislation and is working on getting it through committee. Vaupel originally introduced a resolution to move the age restriction up to 75 but says there is now a version that has no age restriction that passed in the Michigan Senate. Vaupel says in their committee hearing, several members expressed some concern about raising the age limit versus eliminating it, thus he has now put in an amendment to eliminate it completely. In order for the resolution to come to fruition, 2/3 of the House and 2/3 of the Senate would have to vote in favor of it. Vaupel says it would then have to go to a vote of the people because it proposes to change the constitution. Should it pass, the resolution could have an impact in Livingston County where 53rd District Court Judge Carol Sue Reader has filed to run against fellow Judge Suzanne Geddis for her seat. Judge Carol Sue Readerâs seat is up in 2018 but due to current age limits under Michigan law, she could still serve but would not be eligible to run again. Judge Geddis would need to prevail in the election to keep her seat, while Judge Carol Sue Reader would retain her current seat win or lose. (JM)
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Whitmore Lake Schools Back in Good Fiscal ShapeWhitmore Lake Schools Back in Good Fiscal Shape
After struggling for a few years to balance its budget, one local district ends the school year with a fund balance. In the past few years Whitmore Lake Public Schools has fought to keep its district running, taking its fund balance down to below 1 percent. In 2013 and 2014 the district looked at consolidating with both Dexter and Ann Arbor to get its finances in order. At the end of the 2015/16 school year the picture is a lot brighter. Superintendent Tom DeKeyser says they had worked in enough cuts to be able to bring the fund balance up. He says the district ended the 2015/16 year with an increase to its fund balance of about $450,000. DeKeyser says that brings the total fund balance up to about 6.5 percent, which is where they thought they'd be going into the next year. For the 2016/17 year, he says they still have some unfinished business to do, which was not reflected in the budget. As a result the board voted just to wait until they have all the information. He says when they have everything in, they expect that they won't have to draw from the fund balance they carried over from this year. DeKeyser says budget projections for next year have revenues at about $10 (m) million and the expenditures just slightly below that. He says the board would like to see the fund balance go a little higher at the end of next year, so they will be taking a closer look at the budget before adopting it. The board decided to wait to pass its 2016/17 budget until early next week when final numbers can be added up. Board President Ken Dignan asked to postpone a vote on the new budget because to do so now would mean passing a deficit budget and he was unwilling to do that. He says even though the budget can be amended, the board would still be approving a deficit budget and that could not be changed. The board voted 4-3 to postpone the vote until Monday, June 27th at 7:30 am. (DS)
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LACASA Charity Challenge Ends WednesdayLACASA Charity Challenge Ends Wednesday
A five-week charity challenge will come to an end this week for a local non-profit organization dedicated to child advocacy. The 2016 Art Van Charity Challenge against other non-profits across the Midwest will end Wednesday and the LACASA Center in Howell is hoping to come out on top. LACASA is celebrating its 35th year of supporting survivors of child abuse and interpersonal violence in Livingston County. Their programs are designed to give a safe haven and help reduce trauma in children who have been victimized, as well as educate adults to recognize signs and symptoms of abuse. LACASA is competing in the online challenge to win additional funding and prizes to support their programs. The top 10 organizations are eligible to win grant funding from Art Van ranging from $1,500 to $100,000 and LACASA has set a goal to raise $135,000 to get themselves into the top ten. As of Monday, the organization had only raised $9,760. The five week challenge is being held on the crowd-sourcing website, CrowdRise, where donations can still be made until 1:59pm on Wednesday. A link to LACASAâs challenge donation page can be found at the link below. (DK)
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