One local township is proposing changes to an ordinance that will limit the number of some special event uses on a property. The Marion Township Planning Commission agreed on amendments to the general ordinance at their regular meeting Tuesday night. The new language would limit the number of for-profit special events on a parcel to 2 per year. With proper handling of the events, more could be granted by the township board. It also eliminates the minimum number of anticipated attendees which was previously 300. Planning Commission Chairman Larry Grunn said that recently some weddings in the area have caused some homeowners to become concerned about public safety and irritation to their own land. He also said this is all in the name of trying to keep the character of Marion Township and that the Commission is more than happy to help anyone with questions. Township Supervisor Bob Hanvey stated that the some of the goals of the ordinance were to make it permissive enough so that property owners can make use of their land in a reasonable manner, but not impose unreasonable impact on their neighbors. Grunn continued on by saying that they are trying to help maintain the rural character of the community while keeping their citizens and taxpayers happy. Concerns were addressed about how the township could enforce the ordinance on the weekends while the offices were shut down. The board realized they were still at the mercy of neighborsâ complaints in letting them know as Marion Township doesnât have a police force of its own. The amended special event general ordinance will now go before the board of trustees with a recommendation for approval. (MK)
Marion Township Proposing Changes To Special Events OrdinanceMarion Township Proposing Changes To Special Events Ordinance
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Howell Man Enters Plea To Charges In Scheme To Fake His Own DeathHowell Man Enters Plea To Charges In Scheme To Fake His Own Death
A local man awaiting sentencing on child pornography charges has entered a plea to separate charges related to a scheme to fake his death and run off. 23-year-old Jared Lockwood of Howell pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to a count of manufacturing an unregistered destructive device and a count of making a false statement while under oath. In exchange, three other related counts will be dropped. The charges stem from an investigation that began after an acquaintance of Lockwood told authorities that on May 9th the defendant arrived intoxicated at his home. He testified that during the course of an argument, Lockwood revealed plans to purchase over $600 of camping equipment online and claimed to have built a pipe bomb. He reportedly hoped to use the device to fake his death and then escape up the Shiawassee River to avoid prison for a previous plea he had entered to a count of possessing child pornography. That charge was the result of an FBI raid on his home last summer after it was learned he had been visiting known child pornography websites. He will be sentenced in both cases on December 1st and faces up to ten years in prison. (JK)
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Hamburg Man's Death At Rec Area Ruled Suicide Hamburg Man's Death At Rec Area Ruled Suicide
Police say reports confirm a Hamburg Township man who died from multiple stab wounds in a state recreation area committed suicide. Hamburg Township Police have received the medical examinerâs report, which lists the manner of death as suicide. The body was found June 18th 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. Police said there was significant trauma to his body and obvious signs the death was not of natural causes or accidental. An autopsy conducted on the body of the 43-year-old man determined the cause of death was âmultiple sharp force injuriesâ. The department had been waiting on various reports from different state labs, including toxicology and DNA tests. Toxicology reports have also been received but the results are not being released. Because the manner of death is suicide, the department is not releasing the man's name. (JM)
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Workplace Commute For Livingston Residents IncreasesWorkplace Commute For Livingston Residents Increases
The commute for many workers in southeast Michigan is getting a lot longer, including those who live in Livingston County, but work elsewhere. A new report by the Workforce Intelligence Network for Southeast Michigan indicates that 23.7%, or nearly one-fourth, of the region's workers traveled more than 50 miles a day to and from their jobs, up from 22.5% in 2011. In Livingston County, just over 42% travel at least 25 miles. Oakland County was the most traveled to destination of Livingston County workers, with 22.8% heading in that direction. That was followed by Washtenaw County at 17%. WIN's executive director, Lisa Katz, said the report, ââ¦underscores the critical need for logical thinking around regional public transportation, which is going to be more important than ever as these commuting patterns trend toward longer distances and more time spent on the road." The Workforce Intelligence Network is a partnership of six Michigan Works! Agencies and 10 community colleges and covers 16 counties including Livingston, Genesee, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne. (JK)
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Gun Range Moves Forward In New Hudson Instead Of Milford Twp.Gun Range Moves Forward In New Hudson Instead Of Milford Twp.
A Milford businessman has dumped his plans to build in Milford Township and is constructing a gun range in New Hudson instead. Huron Valley Guns owner, Ed Swadish, says he has already broken ground on the 18-acre parcel located in Lyon Township on Grand River, east of Milford Road. The gun range will be a recreational and educational center. The planned 39,500-square-foot facility will have lanes for individual use as well as training lanes for local police departments. The facility will sell firearms and accessories, and will also have a 3D archery course set in a natural environment. Swadish has plans for a grand opening of the $5(m) million center in April 2017. Swadish had originally proposed to construct the gun range in Milford Township on Milford Road, north of Pontiac Trail. After some discussion with the Milford Township Board of Trustees, Swadish found that he did not think his facility could be in compliance with some of their regulations, specifically in regards to allowable noise levels. Milford Township Supervisor Don Green says itâs a shame because he felt the gun range wouldâve benefited the community and its economy greatly. Green says he had worked in depth on the proposal with Swadish and expected it to come to fruition. However Green also says Swadish got a better deal with the Lyon Township parcel which has 10 more acres than Milfordâs and is located in a Downtown Development Authority district. Green says he thinks Swadish âmisinterpretedâ what the Board of Trustees was trying to do by laying out the regulations. (DK)
Photo courtesy of Huron Valley Guns Website
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Torch Back To School Bash In Fowlerville TodayTorch Back To School Bash In Fowlerville Today
A local non-profit organization is traveling around Livingston County helping families in need get ready for the school year. The Torch is a Brighton-based mobile food truck that prepares and serves healthy, free meals across the state. This week they are helping students get ready for the fall with their 3rd annual Back to School Bash. Monday evening was spent in Howell, last night they were in Brighton, and tonight the Bash will be in Fowlerville. Co-founders Rhonda Callanan and Sarah Ruddle told WHMI that this was an idea that grew organically from a generous donation back in 2014. Following a large clothing donation, school supplies started coming in, followed by a series of hairstylists who wanted to help how they best could. The two wanted to do something different than just a regular giveaway, and the Bash was born.The haircuts are scheduled by appointment only, but Callanan said that families are more than welcome to ask about a walk-in tonight and that stylists are usually happy to accommodate if they can. Kids will be able to play fishing and Plinko-type games for tokens that they can then turn in for school supplies or exercise their creative skills in the craft room. There is even scavenger hunt called Torch Go which is based off the popular mobile game Pokemon Go. Tonightâs event in Fowlerville is free and will be held at the United Brethren Church at 9300 Grand River Avenue from 5pm to 7, rain or shine. For more information on the Torch or how to donate to their efforts, visit their website at www.mobiletorch.org. (MK)
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Judge Rejects Township's Motion To Recover Legal FeesJudge Rejects Township's Motion To Recover Legal Fees
Genoa Township has been rejected in its attempt to recover legal fees from a religious school that filed a lawsuit against it. In a decision Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge George Caram Steeh denied a motion by Genoa Township to recoup legal costs from Livingston Christian Schools. LCS filed suit last year against the township for its refusal to grant a special use permit that would have allowed the school to relocate to the Brighton Church of the Nazarene. The board cited traffic concerns, the schoolâs failure to follow the proper approval process and incompatibility with the township master plan. The LCS lawsuit claimed the denial violated their rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, but had the case tossed out of court in June after Judge Steeh ruled the claims had no merit. While the school is appealing in the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, the township filed a motion seeking repayment of more than $80,000 in legal fees incurred fighting the lawsuit, citing the initial ruling by Judge Steeh that the suit had no merit and was unlikely to succeed. The motion furthermore called the schoolâs claims, ââ¦frivolous, unreasonable and groundlessâ and alleged the school had contradicted itself by originally claiming the move to Brighton was necessitated by growing enrollment that required a larger space, but then later said the move was necessitated by âfinancial challengesâ and the new location was needed to spur enrollment growth. The township called that, ââ¦a proverbial âHail Maryâ passâ to keep the schoolâs case alive in court. But Judge Steeh ruled Tuesday that while the case didnât have grounds to proceed, it was not âfrivolous, unreasonable or without merit,â and rejected the motion for recovery of fees.
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New Director of Special Education Hired For Howell Public SchoolsNew Director of Special Education Hired For Howell Public Schools
Howell Public Schools has a new director of special education. Malissa Patrick will replace Doug Haseley, who was recently hired as the Livingston Educational Service Agencyâs executive director of special education. Patrick has worked in Howell as a special education supervisor for three years. While she will work in Howell, Patrick is an employee of LESA. Patrick says sheâs excited and honored to continue to serve students and families in the new role, and her goal is to ensure that all students can find success while at Howell Public Schools. Howell Superintendent Erin MacGregor said heâs been incredibly impressed with Patrickâs dedication. He says her knowledge, skills and experiences have prepared her for the new role and is confident she will excel in it. (JM)
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Main Street Sidewalk Project Underway In Whitmore LakeMain Street Sidewalk Project Underway In Whitmore Lake
New sidewalk is being installed on Main Street in the Whitmore Lake area as part of a project that has been in the works for about three years. The Main Street Sidewalk project includes an extension of the existing sidewalk that runs in front of the Northfield Township Office and the Westbrook Apartment complex, as well as a marked crosswalk to connect the new sidewalk to the existing sidewalk on the opposite side of Main Street. Work began last week. Crews have begun pouring concrete and anticipate it will be complete by next week. Lighted signs for the crosswalk have been ordered and should be installed shortly. Northfield Township officials say they frequently hear from citizens that itâs very difficult to walk or bike around downtown Whitmore Lake. A newsletter states there are few sidewalks and those that exist donât all connect, leaving pedestrians to brave walking along the roadway. Officials say they realize itâs a problem in the area and are working toward bettering the situation. Officials say it was determined that putting a sidewalk in the area would be beneficial in ensuring the safety of not just children walking to school but to everyone whether walking their pets to the Bark Park or biking downtown. The sidewalk project is being fully funded through Community Development Block Grant funds. (JM)
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Ground-Breaking For Community Dental Clinic Slated For SeptemberGround-Breaking For Community Dental Clinic Slated For September
Construction will soon begin on the much-anticipated public dental clinic in Howell. Located on Byron Road, My Community Dental Clinic (MCDC) will provide dental services on behalf of the Livingston County Department of Public Health. The clinic will mostly serve Medicaid patients, low income residents and community members in need of a dental home. The existing 3,500 sq. foot building that will be home to the clinic will be completely renovated. Diane McCormick, Director of the Department of Public Health, says they are on track and are hoping to break ground sometime in September, once permits are secured and all the contracts are in place. Looking further ahead, McCormick says MCDC may start taking appointment requests in December or January with plans to begin providing services by early February. A contract was awarded and approved Monday by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners to Envision Builders Incorporated of Wixom for the project. Of the six companies that submitted qualified bids, Envision came in as the lowest bidder. The buildingâs complete renovation is not to exceed $716,000 with $72,000 for contingencies. McCormick says the project is covered by a fund balance from the Livingston Health Plan. The state and federally run program dissolved once Obamacare came into being. McCormick says this is putting the programâs fund balance to good use in order to meet a gap and service need for individuals in the community who donât have access to dental care. MCDC will be the 28th dental center in the state that is operated by a local health department. (DK)
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Bridge Demolition Set Saturday As Interchange Project Nears Completion Bridge Demolition Set Saturday As Interchange Project Nears Completion
The interchange improvement project at I-96 and US-23 in the Brighton area is in the final stage of construction, with a planned demolition scheduled Saturday that will close Old US-23. The Michigan Department of Transportation has been making steady progress on the project, which involves major safety and operational improvements to interchange. M-DOT spokeswoman Kari Arend says they realize it has probably been a long two years for motorists and overnight lane and ramp closures will continue for the next few weeks as crews finalize the work. Arend tells WHMI the good news is that crews are in the final stage and the end is in sight. Before that, however, drivers will have to deal with a bridge demolition this weekend. MDOT says that this Saturday, August 27th, Old US-23 at I-96 will be closed between 5am and 5pm to remove the current bridge structure. The detour route will be Grand River Avenue to Pleasant Valley Road to Spencer Road. The multi-year interchange project has involved constructing new through-lanes on I-96, building new bridges over northbound and southbound US-23 and over Old US-23; changing the existing lanes of I-96 to collector-distributor lanes for easier and safer lane changes for ramp traffic; and rebuilding the existing six bridges over US-23 and Old US-23. Frequent lane and ramp closures have been associated with the latest construction stage. Arend says work should be wrapped up in a couple months and they hope to have everything re-opened sometime in late September or early October. Meanwhile as that project is wrapping up, another will be starting soon along the US-23 corridor in Livingston County. M-DOT is hosting a public open house Tuesday from 5 to 7pm at the Green Oak Township Hall to inform interested residents, businesses and other stakeholders about several bridge repair projects taking place this fall along US-23. The first bridge that will be under construction is Lee Road over US-23, which will be fully closed for a minimum of 21 days starting in September. (JM)
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Livingston County Chorale Family Of Choirs Celebrating 25 YearsLivingston County Chorale Family Of Choirs Celebrating 25 Years
The Livingston County Chorale Family of Choirs is celebrating its silver anniversary with a series of special performances in the upcoming year. The chorale was formed in 1991 as the dream of Dr. Marilyn Jones to help better serve the needs of local singers, and while doing so, help enrich the community. Looking for 50 people to fill out a choir, Jones was pleasantly surprised to have over 100 people audition. It wasnât long before the Womenâs Chorus was born with a Youth Choir following it up. Their annual United in Song concert kicks off the celebration in Fowlerville on October 9th. Area high school choirs will join the Chorale on stage with a featured performance by their 2016 scholarship winner. The family Christmas concert also returns the first weekend of December. Chorale Director Kellie Falls said that these events are all building up to special concert on April 8th. For it, the Chorale has commissioned a brand new piece from composer Jed Scott. Scott has had multiple arrangements appear in jazz publications and specializes in vocal jazz, a capella, and traditional choir music. The 25th anniversary concert will be followed up by a performance with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra in May, followed by a performance of Beethovenâs 9th with the Livingston Symphony Orchestra. All three groups have spots open for anyone interested in participating. Falls said they have non-threatening, easy voice placement auditions and can help find the right spot for anyone. The deadline to sign up for auditions is September 14th. More information on this or anything regarding the chorale can be found on their Facebook page or by visiting www.livingstoncountychorale.org.(MK)
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Howell Fire Department And District Bus Drivers Receive Evacuation TrainingHowell Fire Department And District Bus Drivers Receive Evacuation Training
Howell Public Schools offered their resources to the Howell Area Fire Department earlier this week for critical bus evacuation training. On Wednesday, the school district and fire department held a joint training session involving a bus that had flipped. For the training, a decommissioned school bus was placed on its side at the Howell bus yard. Bus drivers and transportation employees entered the bus to experience what it would be like if their bus was to be involved in an accident. The bus drivers also acted as accident victims during the fire departmentâs training exercise. For their training exercise, the fire department worked to evacuate injured passengers using the emergency exits as well as gaining access through the windshield and roof of the bus. Firefighters also set up a triage area and assessed each victimâs injuries. Howell Superintendent Erin MacGregor says the training provided bus drivers with a unique opportunity to observe and interact with first responders to learn how that situation would be handled. Fire Chief Andrew Pless says the department does not get training opportunities like this often and the hands-on experience is invaluable. The two authorities want to remind motorists that a new school year is just around the corner and to be aware of school buses, students crossing the street and speed limits.
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Donations Sought For Howell Nature Centerâs Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic Donations Sought For Howell Nature Centerâs Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic
The Howell Nature Centerâs Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic is getting close to achieving a donation goal after a huge spike in numbers of injured and orphaned animals. The clinic takes in everything from hummingbirds to coyotes but has been closed this week after experiencing an unprecedented number of injured and orphaned animal cases in 2016. The clinic is a community service that takes in injured and orphaned birds, mammals and reptiles and tries to give them a second chance back out into the wild once healed and healthy. An urgent fund drive was launched with a goal of raising $15,000 to help offset the unforeseen expenses. Wildlife Director Dana DeBenham tells WHMI the fund drive is going well and they are about two-thirds to their goal. She says the $15,000 will help the clinic get over this hump and the way it looks right now, they should be able to open on Monday the 29th for new animals. The clinic cares for hundreds of animals at any given time and is staffed 95% by volunteers. Itâs separate from the Howell Nature Center, which remains open. By closing their doors for a week and trying to send animals to other rehabilitators, DeBenham says it helps them catch up, cut some costs and get animals processed through so they can be released. As for the influx, it could be attributed to last yearâs mild winter and more animals that survived and thrived. DeBenham also feels there might be fewer licensed wildlife rehabilitators in the state now since animals come to them from over 28 counties, even the Upper Peninsula. The clinic does not charge individuals who bring in an animal but DeBenham says many times people are generous and will leave a donation but others feel their responsibility ends when they drop the animal off as these are wild animals that donât have an owner. She says the only way the center can survive in rehabilitation is through fundraising and donations. Both monetary and in-kind donations are being accepted but another way to support the wildlife clinic is through special events to support the non-profit wildlife clinic. Details can be found through the link below. (JM)
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Police Investigate Locker Room Theft From Howell PlayersPolice Investigate Locker Room Theft From Howell Players
Lansing Police are investigating the theft of cell phones and other items belonging to Howell High School junior varsity football players from a locker room at Everett High School Wednesday night. Police say that someone entered the locker room during the second half of the game and stole bags and backpacks belonging to the Howell players. WLNS reports that in all, ten of the players lost items ranging from equipment bags, $600 cellphones and football equipment to headphones and shoes. Although the Howell players were told the locker room would be secured, it was apparently left unlocked. Howell schools Superintendent Erin MacGregor told the Lansing State Journal that the district is working with police and school officials in Lansing to try to recover the stolen merchandise. MacGregor said while the event is unfortunate, they are, âhappy with the diligence being shown by authorities and staff at Everett," adding that the Everett athletic director had personally contacted Howellâs AD and apologized for the incident. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Lansing Police Sgt. Jeromy Churchill at 517-483-6816. Picture courtesy of WLNS. (JK)
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Fiani Seeks Seat On Wayne State University's Governing Board Fiani Seeks Seat On Wayne State University's Governing Board
âIf at first you donât succeed - try, try againâ is a fitting motto for one local resident making yet another attempt at elected office. The Michigan Republican and Democratic Party state conventions are being held this weekend, where delegates will select candidates who will appear on the November ballot for Michigan Supreme Court, State Board of Education, and the governing boards of the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Michigan State University. Brighton resident Nick Fiani is among five Republican candidates looking to get on the ballot for Wayne State University. Fiani holds a degree in business administration from Wayne State University and tells WHMI he currently works at Ford Motor Company. He was elected to the Brighton Board of Education at the age of 24 but resigned in late 2014 after serving only two years of his four-year term. Fiani regularly butted heads with some board members and parents during that time and openly criticized other local districts. He was a 2014 Republican candidate for District 42 of the Michigan House of Representatives and later unsuccessfully sought a seat on the Livingston Educational Service Agency Board of Education. Most recently, Fiani ran for Genoa Township treasurer and was defeated by incumbent Robin Hunt in the August Republican primary election. (JM)
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Livingston County's Jobless Rate Improves In July Livingston County's Jobless Rate Improves In July
July jobless rates increased seasonally in Michiganâs regional labor markets, although Livingston County was among the exceptions. Livingston Countyâs July unemployment rate stood at 4.6%, down more than one full percentage point from Juneâs rate of 5.8%. The jump helped improve Livingstonâs ranking to 14th among Michiganâs 83 counties. Regional labor markets displayed typical seasonal trends in July according to the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. It says jobless rates increased throughout the state due to summer staffing adjustments in local government education and due to temporary layoffs in the stateâs auto industry, coinciding with the annual vacation shutdown/retooling period at some plants. Since July of 2015, jobless rates have declined in all major labor markets. The most pronounced percentage point drops over the year were recorded in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn statistical area, which includes Livingston County. (JM)
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Michigan State Police Sergeant Charles Bachmeier Retires Michigan State Police Sergeant Charles Bachmeier Retires
A longtime sergeant from the Michigan State Police Brighton Post is onto lifeâs next adventure. Sergeant Charles Bachmeier retired after more than 26 years in law enforcement. Heâs been around the Livingston County area for a long time and grew up in Howell. Bachmeier says heâll probably end up taking another job but plans to just take it easy for a while as he still has children in high school and college. He resides in Hamburg Township with his family, where he previously coached football. After all the years, itâs not so much the incidents he remembers but the people along the way. Bachmeier tells WHMI heâll miss the interactions with co-workers, residents, store and business owners and everyone who knew him by name whether on-duty or off. When it comes to words of wisdom for up and coming state police troopers, Bachmeier says âalways be confident, never arrogant and thereâs a big difference between the twoâ. Fellow co-workers in blue describe Bachmeier as a person of high integrity, dedication, and ability who had a common sense approach to law enforcement and the people he served, saying âHe always treated people with respect and dignity. His greatest quality though was the ability to bring a calming influence to a stressful situation. When he showed up to assist you, he would approach you with the same smile and positive attitude no matter the situation. Nothing ever seemed to be too stressful or hard for him to handle. He would just get to work.â July 29th was Bachmeierâs official last day with the Michigan State Police Brighton Post. (JM)
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Friday Morning Crash Closes US-23, Person Airlifted To HospitalFriday Morning Crash Closes US-23, Person Airlifted To Hospital
An early morning crash closed northbound US-23 in the Whitmore Lake area and sent a person to the hospital. The crash involving a car and semi-trailer was reported at around 12:19am on northbound US-23 near 6 Mile Road. Huron Valley Ambulance was among the responding agencies. MLive.com reports a person in one of the vehicles was airlifted by Survival Flight to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor. The individual was listed in critical condition and the crash shut down US-23 for more than an hour. It re-opened shortly before 2am. Further details have not been released. (JM)
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Repairs Desperately Needed For Handy Twp Waste Water Treatment Plant Repairs Desperately Needed For Handy Twp Waste Water Treatment Plant
Several operational problems have been found in Handy Townshipâs waste water treatment plant, which officials are working to address. On Thursday, the townshipâs Board of Trustees received an assessment report regarding the condition of their waste water treatment plant. Consulting engineers identified nine issues affecting the plantâs operations and the rough estimates of the cost of repairs are pricey. Some of the major problems found were with ventilation, sludge removal and dysfunctional rotating biological contactors, or RBCâs. RBCâs treat wastewater after a primary treatment and of the two that the townshipâs plant has, only one is working. The one that is working isnât even operating at 100%. Supervisor Ed Alverson says one of the townshipâs main priorities is to have both RBCâs functioning as soon as possible. Time is an issue because different components of the plant that is over 10 years old could fail at any time. Alverson tells WHMI thatâs why the board is working quickly to address the issues. The board plans to meet to discuss the issues and funding after Labor Day. Alverson says the township started to focus on the treatment plant after a visit from the Department of Environmental Quality. The DEQ found two violations which Alverson says have since been addressed. The violations are not directly related to the plantâs need for repairs, but while their focus is on the plant, the board wants to correct what problems they can. Though Alverson admits funding is always an issue for local government, he says the funds will be available to fix the priority items. (DK)
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