An opportunity for Livingston County residents to get rid of scrap tires they may have is coming up later this month. The free scrap tire collection event is happening on Saturday, August 27th from 9 am to 1pm. Itâs been made possible because of a grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and has been coordinated by the Solid Waste Program within the county Drain Commissionerâs office. The focus is on unwanted car and light truck tires from Livingston County residents only- no tires from businesses will be accepted. Reservations are required for this event. Residents hoping to take advantage of this service must be able to provide their name; the township, village, or city they live in; a phone number; address; the number of tires they want to dispose of, and how many of those tires are on rims. People with larger tires like from a farm tractor or commercial semi-tractor/trailer may call the Drain Commissionerâs office for further information there. Space is limited and due to state regulations, there is a 10 tire per vehicle limit. The location of the drop-off will be communicated to eligible participants following their registration. You can register for the event by calling (517) 546-0040, or visiting www.livgov.com/dpw, or emailing solidwaste@livgov.com. Photo- en.wikipedia.org(MK)
Scrap Tire Disposal Event Coming For Livingston County ResidentsScrap Tire Disposal Event Coming For Livingston County Residents
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Life & Legacy Of "Zemp" Set For Weekend Celebration Life & Legacy Of "Zemp" Set For Weekend Celebration
A memorial service for a Howell icon will be held this weekend. Duane Zemper, known to many as just âZempâ, died July 17th after battling a recurring bout of throat cancer. He was 96. The longtime Howell resident was a World War II Army Air Corp veteran who served with the 457th Bomber Group as an intelligence photographer. After the war, he owned and operated Zemper Photography Studio in Howell, the oldest continually operated photography studio in the country. In his later years, Zemper was a noted Howell historian who donated countless hours at the Howell Carnegie Library Archives. He was also a member of the Howell Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow and had over 62 years of perfect attendance. A reception in his memory will be held Sunday, August 7th from 1 to 5pm at the Howell American Legion Club. Memorial contributions are suggested to an assisted-living residence for veterans, NELTCS, 9825 Lyon Drive, Brighton, MI 48114 or the Howell Area Archives, 314 W. Grand River Ave., Howell 48843. (JK)
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Hughes Road To Close Next Week In Genoa Township Hughes Road To Close Next Week In Genoa Township
The Livingston County Road Commission will be replacing a cross culvert under Hughes Road. The work involves excavating a trench, placing a culvert and back-fill. As a result Hughes Road, west of Edwin Drive, will be completely closed starting at 7am next Tuesday lasting until 5:30pm on Wednesday. Signs advising of the closure will be going up this week. The Road Commission says one-lane access will be maintained for Edwin Drive to Hughes Road, south to Grand River at all times. The advisory and detour map is attached below. (JM)
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Brighton Rotary Club Announces New PresidentBrighton Rotary Club Announces New President
A longtime member of the Brighton community has been appointed to being the next president of the Brighton Rotary Club. Adrienne Knack became the third consecutive woman to take on the obligation during the Clubâs annual dinner earlier this summer. Knack moved to Brighton with her family when she was 4 years old and attended Brighton Area Schools throughout her grade school education. She spent four years on the Bulldogs varsity soccer club, and was team captain during her senior season. Following college, Knack returned to Brighton while earning a law degree from Wayne State University, and now practices in town. She now will the lead the Club as they offer help to the community in many ways like supporting local food banks and building access ramps in homes for people in need. The Rotary also provides help internationally, specifically throughout South America. There they support eyeglass clinics in Peru, clean-water projects in the Andes, and the building of new schools in the Amazon. For more information on the club and all the support it offers, visit their website, www.brightonrotary.com.(MK)
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Health Department Stresses Benefits Of BreastfeedingHealth Department Stresses Benefits Of Breastfeeding
A statewide initiative that includes the Livingston County Department of Public Health will focus on encouraging breastfeeding this month. August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Michigan and state agencies are hoping to promote breastfeeding success and outcomes by providing continuity of care to mothers and babies. The collaboration incorporates hospitals, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Woman, Infants and Children programs and other stakeholders across the state. Breastfeeding is said to promote strong immune systems, as well as guard against childhood obesity and diabetes. Health Promotion Coordinator Chelsea Moxlow tells WHMI the initiative is drawing attention to the importance of breastfeeding and what related resources are available to mothers. Moxlow says making these resources known is important because breastfeeding in public has been seen as âcontroversialâ in some circles. She stresses that the reality is that it has so many benefits to both the mother and baby and it is simply a natural part in raising a child. Moxlow says the best way to encourage mothers is by having a supportive partner and hearing consistent messages from health agencies about breastfeeding and its importance. You can find more information about the initiative at the link below. (DK)
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Green Oak Officials Order Dangerous Home To Be DemolishedGreen Oak Officials Order Dangerous Home To Be Demolished
A dangerous building in Green Oak Township must be demolished within the next three weeks or the municipality will take action. Township Supervisor Mark St. Charles describes the home on Spicer Road as âabsolutely falling apart at the seamsâ. The roof has collapsed and the first floor has collapsed into the second floor. The home has been vacant since at least 2009 and the township got involved in late 2013. St. Charles says the township has been trying to work with the property owner for the last couple of years, but he does not have the means to do anything with it. After a recent building inspection, an order was mailed and posted that the home must come down by July 25th. That never happened, causing the township to hold a hearing on Wednesday where an order was approved that says the owner must demolish the home in 21 days or the township will. An equity owner who has been in communication with people he says have a âvested interestâ in the property requested a stay until October 1st to give the property owner more time to find cheaper means of demolition. The township did not grant the stay and St. Charles tells WHMI itâs because the owner has had plenty of time to handle the issue before now. If the house does not come down within the mandated time frame, the township will demolish the home and put a lean on the property. The owner will be responsible for paying off the lean, which would include demolition and any associated costs. (DK)
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Crews Battle Fatal House Fire In Lyon TownshipCrews Battle Fatal House Fire In Lyon Township
A house fire turned fatal in Lyon Township yesterday afternoon. The Lyon Township Fire Department was dispatched for a structure fire at a vacant house. Officials say crews were on the road within one minute and when the first due engine arrived, it was learned that the house was not vacant and a person was still inside. Crews made an interior search and located the resident, who was deceased. The fire was contained and no firefighters were injured. Fire Chief Ken Van Sparrentak tells WHMI the fire remains under investigation, but is believed to be accidental in nature with the preliminary findings indicating smoking in bed as the cause. He says the Medical Examiner is performing an autopsy and will identify using dental records. The deceased is believed to be a 54-year old male. The department says thoughts and prayers go out to the family. The South Lyon and Green Oak Fire Departments covered Lyon Township during the incident. Van Sparrentak noted Lyon Township has had two fatal fires within the month and in both, there were no âworkingâ smoke alarms, which dramatically increase your chance of survival. Photo: Lyon Township Fire Department Facebook Page. (JM)
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Howell Man Suspected In Arson Headed To Trial For Assaulting Girlfriend Howell Man Suspected In Arson Headed To Trial For Assaulting Girlfriend
A local man who allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and may have started a fire after the altercation in the garage of the home they shared is headed to trial. 55-year-old Donald Ray Baggett of Howell is charged with assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, assault by strangulation and domestic violence. The charges stem from an incident that involved Baggettâs girlfriend, a fight and a suspicious fire. On Wednesday, Judge Carol Sue Reader determined there was enough evidence to send the case to Livingston County Circuit Court. The July 21st incident began when Baggett allegedly threatened his girlfriend at their home in Marion Township and asked if she had ever cheated on him. He then reportedly strangled her while demanding to know if she had ever slept with any African American men. The victim says Baggett then sniffed her to see if she had had sex with someone else and tried to remove her pants. Baggettâs girlfriend kicked him out of their house, though he was reportedly seen driving in the area later that day. Authorities say as Baggett was driving by the home around 11:30 that evening, he called to report a fire in their garage. He has now been identified as a person of interest in that fire which police said was deemed suspicious because there was nothing in the garage to indicate the cause of the fire. No charges have been filed against Baggett in relation to the fire at this time and the fire is being investigated as arson. Future court dates have not been scheduled at this time. (DK)
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Gender Inclusive Language to be Taught in Pinckney Gender Inclusive Language to be Taught in Pinckney
One local school district has plans to include some new terms in its reproductive health curriculum this year. During the Pinckney Community Schools Board of Education meeting, sex education instructor Sue Dyer presented additions to the 9th to 12th grade reproductive health curriculum. Dyer says the main concern is that all children feel safe in school. She says new vocabulary terms will be introduced, including cisgender, which is the preferred term for people whose gender aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. She says the list of terminology (posted below) was taken from the Michigan Department of Education, and comes as a result of all the new transgender information out there. She says it is more appropriate that everyone learn the correct terminology and that they start it in school. She says it's also important to have a very open forum that is open for everyone to talk about, to make sure students are informed, parents are informed, and above all everyone is safe. Dyer says they want to create a safe environment for students and they feel like education is the best way to get people to learn the way to communicate and keep people safe. Dyer says teachers typically present curriculum changes to each other, and then take it to a committee before it ever gets into the classroom. There were nine parents and teachers on the committee including the pastor of a local church who reviewed the terminology addition. Dyer says parents with concerns or questions about the addition to the curriculum are free to contact the school. She says the terminology list will help students understand the correct way to talk about gender issues, without using derogatory language. Superintendent Rick Todd agrees with the changes, saying the district wants to create a safe environment where all children can learn. He says teachers and staff will be trained on the gender inclusive language before it is presented to students. (DS)
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Brighton Council Hears Report From Transportation CoalitionBrighton Council Hears Report From Transportation Coalition
The Brighton City Council was given a presentation on a vision for the future of transportation in Livingston County Thursday evening by Leo Hanifin, chairman of the Livingston County Transportation Coalition. Hanifin said the coalitionâs goal is to assess transportation needs in the county and develop proposals and programs to provide better transportation service to county residents. Comprising the coalition are 31 residents of the county representing business, health care, those with disabilities, seniors, transit providers and elected officials. Hanifin tells WHMI the first step in the process is to assess the countyâs transportation needs. Hanifin says he and Howell City Council member Steven Manor, who accompanied him, outlined the vision for the future of transportation in the county, as it has done before the County Board of Commissioners and other groups. Hanifin said that once a plan is developed, it would be necessary for the local governments, including the cities of Howell and Brighton, the two villages and the townships, to approve the plan conceptually and go from there with a specific, detailed proposal. He says that ultimately such a plan might involve a combination of expanding local dial-a-ride services, possible public bus transportation and a light rail transit system such as the WALLY system, still in the planning stage, which would use existing railroad tracks and run from Howell to Ann Arbor and back, with stops near Brighton, Hamburg, and Whitmore Lake. The program ultimately might require voter passage of a ballot issue such as a millage proposal, with the federal and state governments providing the bulk of the funding. The local municipalities would also likely be asked to contribute an annual appropriation to defray costs. The Brighton City Council said it would consider a resolution of support of the concept at a future date. (TT)
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Emergency Management Tests County-Wide Preparedness in FowlervilleEmergency Management Tests County-Wide Preparedness in Fowlerville
A number of people participated in an exercise Thursday that tested the countyâs readiness to handle a mass emergency. About 100 people acted as patients affected by an Anthrax attack at Michigan State University football stadium to make sure the Department of Public Health and other emergency workers can handle such a disaster. Tamara Gravelle is a Physicianâs Assistant at Henry Ford Health Care, but for the afternoon volunteered through the Medical Reserve Corps. She says she thinks the exercise is worthwhile to help the community because when there is chaos like this, some people have to be in charge and guide things. She says she thinks the MRC is a good group to do that. She says there were enough different departments that they could handle just about everything, but they were told on this exercise there would be no additional crisis. Gravelle says on previous exercises there were patients who came for the exercise, but then suffered a medical emergency like fainting or heart attacks. She says just in case of a real medical emergency EMS was there also. She says Emergency Management would like them to be prepared for everything. The exercise had volunteer patients walk through stations from sign in paperwork to receiving an antidote for the poison. Health Promotion and Accreditation Coordinator for the Department of Public Health, Chelsea Moxlow says the exercise tested not only the response teams, but the site itself. Fowlerville High School became one of 5 area high schools available for what is known as Point of Dispensing. She says responders need to be prepared for the possibility of needing multiple sites. Livingston County Emergency Manager Therese Cremonte acted as an evaluator and says the exercise assures everyone is ready. She says at the end of the day, overall what they achieved was that they actually practiced a system that helped them to, in an event, run the public through in a very organized, systematic way, that will be beneficial to their safety. Moxlow says when it was over emergency management will sit down with everyone involved to evaluate where things went well or need to be changed. She says the exercise was one of many either large or small scale used to test readiness of the emergency resources in the county. (DS)
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Police Still Waiting On Reports In Suspected Suicide At Brighton Rec Area Police Still Waiting On Reports In Suspected Suicide At Brighton Rec Area
Police are still awaiting reports in the case of a Hamburg Township man who died from multiple stab wounds in a state recreation area and may have committed suicide. The body was found the afternoon of Saturday June 17th in a wooded area near Bishop Lake within the Brighton State Recreation Area. The man had been reported missing after failing to return to a campsite the night before and a large scale search effort was launched. Hamburg Township Police have said there's a good chance the man committed suicide. The investigation is ongoing and the department is still waiting on various reports from different state labs, including toxicology and DNA tests. Itâs a lengthy process and Police Chief Rick Duffany tells WHMI they cannot make an official determination until everything is received. However, he says investigators are not aware of any information that would lead them to believe there is an additional threat to the public because of this incident. Duffany noted that they all live in the area and utilize the recreation area so would not hold back any information if they thought there was a threat. An autopsy was conducted on the body of the 43-year-old man and a medical examiner earlier determined the cause of death was âmultiple sharp force injuriesâ but has not ruled on the manner of death. Because it's a possible suicide, the department has not released the man's name. (JM)
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Couple Wants Green Oak Township To Reconsider "Goatscaping"Couple Wants Green Oak Township To Reconsider "Goatscaping"
âGoatscapingâ is a no-go in residential areas of Green Oak Township. Nancy Fisher lives in a subdivision near Dixboro and Ruston Roads and approached the township about âgoatscapingâ as her property backs up to wetlands and is carpeted with poison ivy, preventing them from using the backyard. Itâs an increasingly popular and eco-friendly practice of using goats to clear invasive plants and brush. In this case, the Fishers would be renting five goats from a Milan farmer who brings them in and sets up a portable electric fence to keep them contained and protected from predators. Fisher maintains she has been getting different stories from the planner, township officials and neighbors. She says she submitted requested information and thought it was approved but was informed this week that they canât proceed. Fisher says she doesnât understand the objection as it would be five goats with a secured, portable electric fence for 48 hours maximum in her backyard. Fisher recognizes it wonât work in every subdivision but says all of the lots are different and hers has a drop off and is not visible from the road. Fisher tells WHMI she suffers from chronic health issues and felt goats were the perfect solution to get rid of the ivy, in a non-toxic and environmentally safe way. The township maintains there are a number of issues with having goats in a residential neighborhood and the method is not appropriate, noting there are numerous non-chemical ways to eradicate poison ivy and nuisance plants. Supervisor Mark St. Charles tells WHMI zoning ordinance prohibits livestock and electric fences in residential districts. He says a legal opinion determined "livestock and electric fences are not allowed on residential lots except under the Right to Farm Act, which this is not and does not qualify. Further, to remove poison ivy, you must remove of kill the root. Goats only eat the top. There are commercial vendors who will remove the problem with out chemicals or violating the township zoning ordinance". He further noted there is a means to appeal through the Zoning Board of Appeals. AP Photo - Bill Wolf (JM)
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Effort To Remove Gilbert From Ballot Expected To Begin SoonEffort To Remove Gilbert From Ballot Expected To Begin Soon
Now that Melissa Gilbertâs name is officially on the ballot for Congress in November, Democrats are preparing to try and replace it. Itâs expected that the Michigan Democratic Party will make a formal request soon to have Gilbertâs name taken off of the 8th District ballot for the November contest against Republican Incumbent Mike Bishop. Gilbert, a Brighton-area resident, previously said she had to withdraw from the campaign due to health reasons. Democrats want to replace her with Assistant Macomb County Prosecutor Suzanna Shkreli, who lives in Clarkston. The request will have to come sooner rather than later as ballots will be set for printing by mid-September. The ultimate decision will be up to the Michigan Secretary of State's office. Michigan Republicans, meanwhile, have hired legal counsel to review their options. The Detroit Free Press reported party spokeswoman Sarah Anderson saying that there is no precedent for someone declaring for office, raising money and then running for that office, and then deciding they are physically incapable. There have also been questions circulating about Gilbertâs rationale for dropping out, most especially after a June Facebook post in which it is alleged she mentioned attending a yoga class. As for Shkreli, she reported raising over $100,000 in the first week of her campaign. That would still place her far behind Bishop's more than $855,000 cash on hand.
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Brighton Gets New Human Resources Manager...Sort OfBrighton Gets New Human Resources Manager...Sort Of
There is a new head of human resources at Brighton city hall. She is Michelle Miller, who has served in various capacities for the city. Miller replaces Jennifer Burke, who left in late July to accept a position in private industry. However, whereas Burke was HR director and deputy city clerk, Miller tells WHMI her job description will be a bit different, her new title being "organizational relations manager." Although her primary function will be in the human resources area, Miller will also be working as a quasi-public relations director, working with the downtown merchants, chamber of commerce, schools and the community at large. Most recently, Miller held a position in the cityâs economic and community development dept. She performed development-related functions and worked with the Brighton Downtown Development Authority, Principal Shopping District and Brighton Arts and Culture Commission. Prior to that, she was employed by the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce. Miller started her new job on Monday.(TT)
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Green Oak Township Officials Want Traffic Study For Legacy ParkGreen Oak Township Officials Want Traffic Study For Legacy Park
Officials in Green Oak Township are hoping to provide guidance in the planning process for a new development that will complement The Legacy sports complex. 285 acres bordered by Rickett, Whitmore Lake and Winans Lake Roads will be home to the recreational, commercial and residential project known as Legacy Park. Plans are underway for the development of the Vortex Gymnastics Center within Legacy Park and the townshipâs Planning Commission met Thursday to discuss some recommendations theyâd like to make to the development team. Chairman Lamberto Smigliani says the Planning Commission is not telling the Vortex development team how to design the center or what theyâd like to see, but simply helping them understand some concerns. One of the townshipâs biggest concerns is traffic. Smigliani says traffic near the property doesnât naturally flow because the intersections were constructed too close together. This could cause problems for the development, especially as it grows. Developers will be required to produce a traffic study thatâs inclusive of the entire area as part of a motion that received unanimous approval from the Planning Commission. Developers must also address issues listed in planner and engineer reports and provide an updated area plan to the Planning Commission. Smigliani says they have expressed what was in the original Planned Unit Development and what was intended for the space, as well as the Planning Commissionâs expectations. He says that leaves the ball in the developersâ court. (DK)
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Driver In Car B & E Attempt And Police Chase Arraigned Driver In Car B & E Attempt And Police Chase Arraigned
A Lansing man has been arraigned on charges in Livingston County for allegedly attempting to break into a car and fleeing from police. 20-year-old Moses Jamal Lingua is charged with receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle, third degree fleeing a police officer, breaking and entering a vehicle to steal property less than $200, no license and possession of marijuana. State Police at the Brighton Post say they received a call early Wednesday morning to the 2800 block of Ontario Court in Genoa Township for a report of suspicious subjects attempting to break into a car. The dispatched trooper observed a white vehicle leaving the area and attempted to make a traffic stop. The suspect vehicle, a 2007 Mercury Milan, refused to pull over and fled. A chase ensued down D-19 for approximately two miles until the Milan attempted to enter westbound I-96, at which point the trooper used a maneuver known as the Precision Immobilization Technique, which caused it to spin out of control into a ditch and rollover. The vehicle, which was reported stolen by the Lansing Police Department, was driven by Lingua, with 19-year-old and 18-year-old male passengers who are also Lansing residents. Lingua is being held on a $100,000 bond and is due back in court August 17th for a probable cause conference. The other two suspects have not been arraigned yet and are currently lodged in the Livingston County Jail pending charges. (DK)
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Mill Pond Escapees Arraigned On ChargesMill Pond Escapees Arraigned On Charges
Arraignment has been held for two Livingston County Jail inmates who tried to escape near the Brighton Mill Pond. 32-year-old Lisa Finlayson of South Lyon and 40-year-old Nicole Vermeylen of Flushing are both charged with one count of escape while awaiting trial for a felony. Vermeylen faces up to four years in prison on that charge alone, however Finlayson faces up to eight because she is charged as a habitual offender. The two female inmates had been transported over to the 53rd District Court in Brighton on Wednesday for hearings. Finlayson had been in custody for operating while intoxicated causing death. Vermeylen had charges of 2nd degree felony child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Livingston County Undersheriff Mike Murphy says a deputy was escorting them from the court building and into the patrol car when they made a break for it at around 11:30am. Both shed some of their jail attire in an attempt to better blend in and stripped off their clothing while running. Finlayson took off toward the Mill Pond and jumped in but they were able to get her back into custody roughly ten minutes later after using a dredger to pull her out. After Vermeylen took off, she broke into a house and helped herself to a change of clothes but was arrested as she was leaving the home just after noon. They are currently being held on a $500,000 bond and are due back in court August 16th for a probable cause conference. (DK)
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"Stuff A Blue Goose", Help Local Students"Stuff A Blue Goose", Help Local Students
Michigan State Police troopers are hoping to fill their patrol vehicles with school supplies for local kids at an event in Fowlerville later this week. The Michigan State Police Brighton Post is sponsoring a âStuff a Blue Gooseâ event on Friday at the Fowlerville Walmart from 10am to 2pm. âBlue Gooseâ is a nickname for the state police patrol vehicles and troopers are seeking the communityâs help in filling one of their vehicles with supplies and backpacks to benefit local students. The donated items will be used to help students start the school year off on the right foot.
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Pepsi Evaluation Study Underway In City Of Howell Pepsi Evaluation Study Underway In City Of Howell
A study is underway to determine if the City of Howellâs wastewater plant could be modified to accommodate Pepsi Bottling Company. Pepsi commissioned the study to determine what it would take to update the cityâs wastewater plant to potentially accommodate its wastewater stream. Pepsi currently has an industrial pre-treatment system for waste, which is treated before it is sent to the Cityâs wastewater plant. That equipment is up for additional capital improvements at the end of its life cycle and the company is looking to invest. Pepsi approached the city about possibly modifying the wastewater plant to accept that wastewater stream. City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI they agreed to take a look at it and Council authorized some additional funds for the evaluation study during its last meeting. The amount was related to some additional testing and work to determine what kind of improvements would be needed to accommodate Pepsi.
The motion to increase the study was from $39,500 to $54,500 and all costs are 100% reimbursed by the company. Charles noted they are still in the early stages of the study and evaluation to see if itâs something even feasible. (JM)
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