Two area fire departments will now have permanent memorials to the 9-11 terror attacks. The Brighton Area Fire Authority commemorated its memorial to the September 11th attacks on the 10th anniversary of the tragedy, when an actual steel beam from one of the collapsed World Trade Center towers was installed as the centerpiece to a monument that sits in front of Station 31 in downtown Brighton. As they do every year, the Brighton department will mark the 15th anniversary with a ceremony on Sunday at 6pm. But earlier that day, the City of Fenton Fire Department will hold an official dedication of their new 9/11 memorial, located on the south lawn of the fire station at 205 E Caroline Street. Fenton Fire Chief Bob Cairnduff says the newly constructed memorial site features three different designs aspects, one for each of the three locations that suffered losses on 9/11; the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and the field in Shansksville, Pennsylvania where Flight 93 crashed after passengers fought to regain control of the aircraft from hijackers. Just as in Brighton, the Fenton memorial will also feature a piece of steel from the World Trade Center given to the department by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The public is invited to attend the Fenton dedication ceremony, which is set for 1:30pm on Sunday. Local leaders and clergy will be among those speaking at the ceremony. Facebook photo. (JK)
Fenton To Dedicate New 9-11 Memorial On 15th Anniversary Of AttacksFenton To Dedicate New 9-11 Memorial On 15th Anniversary Of Attacks
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Bomb Threat Forces Lockdown At Linden High School Bomb Threat Forces Lockdown At Linden High School
A bomb threat marked the second day of classes at Linden High School. The high school went into âshelter-in-placeâ mode around 7:30am after a threat indicating a bomb was received via email. The high school was placed on âlockdownâ while the Argentine Township Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Genesee County Sheriffâs Office K-9 Unit conducted a thorough building sweep and investigation. The all-clear from authorities was given around 9:30am and the lockdown was lifted. While Linden High School was on lockdown, other district buildings were in âshelter-in-placeâ. While incidents of this nature are disruptive to the educational process, Linden Interim Superintendent Russ Ciesielski tells WHMI all security protocols were followed and went pretty smoothly. He says the district treats all threats as credible until they are notified otherwise, stressing they are in constant communication with authorities and the school resource officer. Ciesielski noted students and staff remained very calm during the situation and were supportive as they went through the district processes in place for these types of situations â adding parents were very cooperative as well. Any students or individuals who have information about the email threat are being asked to report it to Linden High School administration or text the Eagles Hotline anonymously. (JM)
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Hartland Townsip Receives Unqualified Opinion On AuditHartland Townsip Receives Unqualified Opinion On Audit
The Hartland Township Board of Trustees received the results of their 2015-16 fiscal year audit and passed with flying colors. Independent auditors Pfeffer, Hanniford, and Palka gave the township an âunqualified opinionâ as they presented their findings at a special meeting Tuesday night. An unqualified opinion is best a township can receive and will factor in favor of the community when it comes to bond ratings and state shared revenue. The auditors praised the board for bringing in revenues that were slightly higher than their state shared revenues received and having enough money in the General Fund to cover one yearâs cost in a worst case scenario. The township was even able this past year to transfer some of the General Fundâs surplus into their Capital Improvements Plan and parks budgets. The firm was impressed at the smart growth promoted within the township that is helpful towards remedying situations many townships face like the rising cost of water and sewer. When asked by Trustees if there were any areas they could improve upon, the firmâs representative said that any suggestions he might have would be nitpicks and very minor. Trustee Joe Petrucci voiced concerns he said he heard from the public on whether the township was too top heavy on personnel and was charging higher fees than other townships. The assessor explained that they were âin the middleâ and have shown a capability to accomplish needed tasks and serve the community admirably. Township Manager James Wickman said that âthe audit presentation was boring and we like it that way.â (MK)
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School Board Candidate Says She Can't Serve If Elected In NovemberSchool Board Candidate Says She Can't Serve If Elected In November
A local school board race apparently has a candidate no longer running for office but her name will remain on the November ballot. The Howell Education Association or HEA, which represents the districtâs teachers, has been conducting candidate screening interviews and extended an invitation to Colleen Ontko. Ontko is the director of religious education at Our Lady of the Woods. She indicated to HEA President Zach Kasprzak that she would not be running due to family-related reasons and would try at a different time. However, the deadline for school board candidates to withdraw from races passed on July 29th. Therefore, Ontkoâs name will remain on the November ballot even though she cannot serve if elected. Kasprzak tells WHMI out of fairness for the other candidates and voters of Howell Public Schools; he feels the information needs to be made public. He says there are four open seats on the school board â two incumbents are running along with one appointee who is trying to retain his seat so there will be at least one newcomer. Kasprzak says the HEA has been speaking with the various candidates and will ultimately be making a recommendation to members. Calls for comment placed by WHMI with Ontko have gone unreturned. (JM)
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State Grant Will Assist Chem-Trend Expansion PlansState Grant Will Assist Chem-Trend Expansion Plans
A local company has received a major grant from the state to assist with the expansion of its manufacturing facility. Chem-Trend plans to expand its research and development facilities at its Howell headquarters, investing nearly $7.7 million and creating 25 professional, scientific, and technical service jobs. As a result, the company, which describes itself as a global leader in the development and production of high-performance release agents, purging compounds and other molding products, has been awarded a $250,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. The City of Howell has also offered support to the project in the form of a property tax abatement, and Ann Arbor SPARK supported the company's application for incentives and says it will continue to provide talent and related services as Chem-Trend grows in the region. Devanir Moraes, the companyâs president and CEO, says the expansion reconfirms their commitment to continue delivering advanced product technologies that address the evolving needs of our customers, adding that they are focused on increasing Chem-Trend's R&D and technical support capabilities. (JK)
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Livingston County Clinton Campaign Kicks Off With Office Grand OpeningLivingston County Clinton Campaign Kicks Off With Office Grand Opening
The Livingston County Clinton Campaign kicked off in Brighton last night with a packed office at party headquarters. The Livingston County Democratic Party says itâs a âsprint over the next two monthsâ as they reach out to voters before the election. Party Chairwoman Judy Daubenmier says she has had a ton of people express interest about helping out with the Clinton Campaign. Local Democrats certainly turned out for the officeâs grand opening and many expressed excitement about the campaignâs momentum. Daubenmier says she wasnât surprised with the large turnout, but was amazed that there were so many area Democrats that she didnât know. Guests got to know one another at the grand opening and Daubenmier says they all seem to share a passion for Hillary Clinton and what they believe is the best path for the country. Suzanna Shkreli, who is hoping to win the vote of Michiganâs 8th District for Congress, attended the event to share her campaign goals and enthusiasm with the crowd. She tells WHMI she enjoyed the interaction with voters and is working to get to know them better. An open house is scheduled later this week for those on the other side of the political fence. The Livingston County Trump Campaign will open its office in Brighton on Saturday, September 10th, from 10am to 2pm. The building is located across from Remax on Grand River Avenue. (DK)
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Three Killed Locally In Labor Day Weekend Vehicle CrashesThree Killed Locally In Labor Day Weekend Vehicle Crashes
While traffic fatalities statewide were down this Labor Day weekend as compared to last year, it was a deadly weekend on local roadways. Michigan State Police say that across the state there were 9 traffic deaths from 9 separate crashes during the extended weekend. While thatâs down from last yearâs tally of 15 deaths from 12 crashes, Livingston County saw three deaths over the holiday weekend, up from zero in 2015. The first was a 26-year-old Indiana woman, who was killed when the vehicle she was a passenger in rolled over early Friday morning on I-96 near Latson Road. Just a couple of hours after that, a 19-year-old Whitmore Lake man was struck and killed as he walked along Whitmore Lake Road. Then on Saturday morning, a 34-year-old Fowlerville man was killed when his scooter hit a rock and crashed into a tree in Cohoctah Township. Of the nine deaths statewide, only one has been ruled to be alcohol-related, 3 have been confirmed to be not-alcohol related, while the rest remain under investigation. (MK/JK)
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Green Oak Township Police Identify Victim And Driver In Fatal Crash Green Oak Township Police Identify Victim And Driver In Fatal Crash
The driver of the vehicle involved in a fatal hit and run pedestrian collision in Green Oak Township and the victim have been identified. Police say they have located and identified the driver of the vehicle involved in the fatal pedestrian traffic crash on September 2nd. The pedestrian that was killed as a result of the collision has been identified as 19-year-old Ambrose Ian Sullivan of Whitmore Lake. Green Oak Police and Fire and Rescue Personnel responded to a call for an unresponsive man on Whitmore Lake Road, north of Eight Mile Road, just before 6pm last Friday. They found Ambrose deceased on the shoulder of the roadway. Police believe he was struck around 2am as he walked home from his job at the Whitmore Lake McDonalds. Police say the investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing. (DK)
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Northfield Township Considering Zone Changes In Whitmore LakeNorthfield Township Considering Zone Changes In Whitmore Lake
One townshipâs planning commission is looking to make life for some of their local businesses easier. The Northfield Township Planning Commission discussed bringing the twelve parcels of downtown Whitmore Lake that fall under Enterprise Service zoning under the General Commercial umbrella. The area in question lies on the west side of Main Street between Horseshoe Lake and Whitmore Lake. Planning Commission Chairman Ken Dignan said that they originally had some idealistic visions for the district, but none of the businesses that have moved in truly fit what that vision was. A representative for one of the businesses that would affected spoke during public comment and praised the board for looking to be as accommodating to business owners as they can be. The new zoning would reduce the minimum lot size for parcels with sanitary sewers in half to 10,000square feet. It also would reduce the minimum amount of front and rear yard setback required, while potentially eliminating the maximum floor area ratio. Dignan said that 1 or 2 existing businesses might not conform to the new zoning, but they are very willing to work with them and have no will to drive anybody out. The township planner will now work on ironing out the draft text so that the board may schedule a public hearing. (MK)
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Project Semi-Colon Friday In Howell Project Semi-Colon Friday In Howell
A local tattoo shop is again hosting a fundraising event Friday to open minds and end stigmas about mental health issues, suicide and depression. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people, with statistics showing 90% of those who take their own lives had a mental illness. A statewide campaign underway emphasizes that everyone can play a part in ending the stigmas that prevent those experiencing mental health issues from seeking help. Locally, five artists at Eternal Tattoos on Grand River in Howell will be taking part in Project Semi-Colon. The artists will be doing semi colon tattoos from 11am to 10pm this Friday for a minimum donation of $5. The semi-colon tattoo represents an individual choosing not to end their life story, is easily identifiable and helps promote understanding and awareness without words. Last yearâs event raised more than $7,000 for Livingston County Community Mental Health and helped remodel the lobby of the agency. Artist Stelios Chimpouras, a suicide survivor, told WHMI it's a good way for the community to unite and do something to create chnage locally, noting individuals can actually see the change from last year's event just by walking into the lobby of CMH. Details about Project Semi-Colon can be found through the link below. (JM)
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South Lyon Man Enters Plea To Stealing Car With Child InsideSouth Lyon Man Enters Plea To Stealing Car With Child Inside
A local man has entered a plea to charges after stealing a car with a 1-year-old boy inside. 52-year-old Eric Lynn Scheffer of South Lyon pleaded guilty Wednesday in Oakland County Circuit Court to two counts of unlawful driving away of an automobile and stealing a financial transaction device. Police say Scheffer stole a car August 22nd that was parked in a driveway on Hagadorn Street in South Lyon. The owner of the vehicle said he had momentarily left his son inside the running car while he went inside his father-in-lawâs home to retrieve some items. The father said he saw the car being driven away and called the police before jumping in his father-in-lawâs truck to give chase. Police said Scheffer eventually abandoned the vehicle on Calkins Road, north of 10 Mile with the 1-year-old still inside. South Lyon Police Chief Lloyd Collins soon spotted Scheffer in the area and stopped him. He claimed to be looking for his cellphone, which was later found inside the stolen vehicle. Scheffer later confessed, claiming he didnât know there was a child in the car when he stole it. Heâll be sentenced September 28th. (JK)
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Bond Modified For Suspect In School Shooting PlotBond Modified For Suspect In School Shooting Plot
One of the three teens charged with plotting to shoot up a local school will be allowed to live at home while he awaits trial. 16-year-old Cody Brewer of Wolverine Lake is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and false report or threat of terrorism for the incident last October in which authorities say he conspired with two co-defendants to bring guns to Linden High School, kill a student who had disrespected one of them online and then shoot the school up. Since his arrest, Brewer has been lodged in the Genesee Regional Detention Center in Flint on a $100,000 bond, but in court Wednesday a judge agreed to amend the conditions to a 10% alternative with the stipulation that Brewer be confined to his parentsâ home while wearing a GPS electronic tether. Heâs also prohibited from using a cell phone or computer and must stay away from Linden school property. Brewer is the last of the three defendants to face trial after 19-year-old Ryan Stevens pleaded guilty last month to false report or threat of terrorism, a five-year felony. Heâll be sentenced September 13th. 16-year-old co-defendant Lamarr Dukes was expected to enter a similar plea in juvenile court. The threats came to light after the student being targeted by the three contacted authorities. Argentine Township Police then discovered social media postings about carrying out a potential school shooting. Stevens and Dukes are expected to testify against Brewer as part of their plea deals. (JK)
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Local Traveling Church Looks To Oceola For Permanent HomeLocal Traveling Church Looks To Oceola For Permanent Home
A traveling church hopes to make its permanent home in Oceola Township as early as November. The Road Community Church of Howell asked the Oceola Township Planning Commission last night for a special use permit to hold services on a property it recently purchased. The 8.7 acre property on Clyde Road already has the amenities the church needs to get started, but it is zoned Agricultural Residential. The Planning Commission agreed to the special use permit for up to two years, but asked the church to come back next month with site plans. Senior Pastor Chris Vitarelli says the church has been on the move since it started nearly 10 years ago. He says they've been in Howell in the Historic Howell Theater and Voyager School. He says they have been in a couple of elementary schools and Kensington, and then we were actually sharing space with Centerpoint Church. He says they've been in a number of different locations over the years and now finally are just able to get some place permanent. Vitarelli says really it's like 2 pole barns stuck end on and and one of them the previous owner finished and put bathrooms, a meeting room and classrooms in. He says it is perfectly designed for a church our size to just move right in and use it to bless the community. Vitarelli says itâs not uncommon for a church to start out the way The Road Community Church did, packing up from week to week and moving from one location to another. He says although they wonât be able to hold services in the new location until November, they already have plans to make it a community center. The church currently has about 60 members who will use what Vitarelli says amounts to two pole barns constructed end-to-end as the church, meeting room and classrooms. Before they can use the facilities, the planning commission is requiring the buildings to be brought up to code as far as fire suppression, smoke detectors and emergency lights. Planning Commission chair Gary Markstrom says the church will now have to acquire permits from the Livingston County Building Department and come back to the township in October to get approval to move forward. (DS)
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Free Day & Open House At Livingston Dog Park Saturday Free Day & Open House At Livingston Dog Park Saturday
An event Saturday will again offer a free day for dogs and their owners to experience an off-leash dog park. The Friends of the Livingston Dog Park committee is hosting its second annual free day at the park, which is located on South Highlander Way, near the Livingston County Animal Control building. The location was leased from Livingston County by the Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority in order to create a much-needed dog park within the Howell area. This Saturdayâs open house is from 9am to noon and there are separate areas for large and small dogs. Those looking to attend need to bring proof of current dog license and vaccinations. Anyone interested in more information about the dog park is asked to contact the Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority. Facebook photo. (JM)
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Police Say Fake Movie Money Being Circulated LocallyPolice Say Fake Movie Money Being Circulated Locally
Retailers and financial institutions in Livingston County are being warned to be on the lookout for fake $100 bills making their way through the area. The currency, which "looks and feels" real according to Livingston County Undersheriff Mike Murphy, is stamped with "For Motion Picture Use Only" and was used as props in movies. The bills can reportedly be purchased online. One of the fake $100 notes was passed off Saturday at the Outback Steakhouse in Brighton Township. Authorities are asking cashiers at area stores and tellers at local banks to be on the lookout for the counterfeit money. Anyone who receives one of the fake bills is directed to contact their local police department. (JK)
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Lyon Township Approves Construction Of Private Road For Planned Gun RangeLyon Township Approves Construction Of Private Road For Planned Gun Range
Plans to construct an indoor gun range in New Hudson are moving forward, now that a request regarding the property in question has been approved. Huron Valley Guns Owner, Ed Swadish, is looking to construct a 39,500-square-foot gun range on an 18-acre parcel located in Lyon Township on Grand River, east of Milford Road. The recreational and educational facility will have lanes for individual use as well as training lanes for local police departments. However, just getting to the facility posed a problem. Huron Valley Outfitters, LLC acquired the property on August 19th and has submitted their plans for site plan and special land use review. One of the requirements of the townshipâs Zoning Ordinance is that all lots front on a publicly dedicated road right-of-way or onto a private road. The subject property does not meet that requirement, hence Huron Valleyâs request to construct a private road to access it. The proposal came before the Lyon Township Board of Trustees on Tuesday. Trustee Sean OâNeil says without the road, the property has no value no matter who owns it and currently there are no other means of accessing the property. The Township has previously approved private roads in extenuating circumstances, though they are no longer permitted. The Road Commission can consider public roads but has indicated that they have no interest in making an adjacent drive a public street. The proposal received approval from the Board of Trustees, who is requiring that the private road be built to public road standards. Swadish has previously stated that he is planning a grand opening of the $5 (m) million center in April 2017. (DK)
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Weekend Closures At I-96/US-23, Spencer Road On-Ramp Re-Opens MondayWeekend Closures At I-96/US-23, Spencer Road On-Ramp Re-Opens Monday
A flurry of construction activity will be taking place this weekend at the I-96/US-23 interchange in Brighton as part of the final phase of the reconstruction project. The Michigan Department of Transportation has scheduled total ramp closures on westbound I-96 to northbound US-23 and on northbound US-23 to eastbound I-96. Those total closures will be in effect from 9pm Friday to 5am Monday. The Spencer Road on-ramp to eastbound I-96 will actually open this weekend but because of the ramp closures at the interchange, it will only be open for ramp detour traffic. Spencer Road traffic itself will be detoured this weekend and motorists will not be able to go over the bridge as M-DOT wants keep the ramp detour traffic free-flowing from westbound to eastbound. In addition to the ramp closures, M-DOT advises there will be a total closure of the westbound I-96 CD route for bridge beam setting this weekend that will impact various ramps. More closures are planned next week. M-DOT Spokeswoman Kari Arend recommends motorists plan extra travel time but also take into account traffic associated with this Saturdayâs U of M football game in Ann Arbor. Details and closures can be found on M-DOTâs MI Drive website and in the attachment below. (JM)
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Milford Man Sentenced For For Home Invasion Of Officer's HouseMilford Man Sentenced For For Home Invasion Of Officer's House
A man convicted of breaking into a Milford police officerâs home has been sentenced. 30-year-old Alexander Jay Odden of Milford pleaded no contest last month to 2nd degree home invasion and assault and battery in connection with the January incident. On Wednesday, he was sentenced to serve two to 15 years in prison. Police say the officer and his wife had fallen asleep inside their home in the village while watching a movie when they awoke to find Odden inside. Odden got into a scuffle with the homeowner and then ignored orders to stop. The officer was able to restrain him until he was taken into custody. Odden has various prior convictions and violated his bond in the case when he failed to appear for court-ordered drug and alcohol testing, as well as testing positive on seven separate occasions. (JK)
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Hearing To Determine Fate Of Dangerous BuildingHearing To Determine Fate Of Dangerous Building
The fate of a building in one local township will be in question at a special hearing later this month. The Green Oak Township Board will hear evidence on September 21st about whether or not what remains of a building at 11795 Grand River should be demolished. The building, which is located east of Pleasant Valley Road, was partially demolished over the last two years. Township Supervisor Mark St. Charles says a hearing was held during the summer and it was determined that the building is dangerous. He says the townshipâs Dangerous Building Officer requested the hearing to uphold the earlier decision. St. Charles says Julie Fielek issued a decision on July 22nd and although he didn't have the exact wording, he says in essence, she declared it a dangerous building. At this time nothing's been done to the rest of the building, so it's up to the board to make a determination. St. Charles says they will have to offer the the owner of the property or any interested parties the opportunities to offer up any evidence or testimony to the township in defense of why the building should or shouldn't be torn down. St. Charles wouldnât say what his recommendation would be in order not to prejudice any decision made by the board. He says although he doesnât know the latest business to occupy the property it has been home to several businesses over the years. Along with the property owners, the hearing will give otherâs interested the chance to speak out about the building. St. Charles says the board will ultimately make the decision as to whether the building will be razed. He says that decision will come on the night of the hearing. (DS)
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Theis Named "Most Conservative Member" Of Michigan House For 2016 Theis Named "Most Conservative Member" Of Michigan House For 2016
With less than two months before the November election and all state house seats on the ballot, a non-partisan political publication is again offering definitive rankings of the most liberal and conservative legislators. Inside Michigan Politics has released its 2016 Michigan House of Representatives rankings. Brighton Township Republican Lana Theis earned the title of âmost conservative memberâ with a 10.7% liberal rating. In 2015, she tied for third place in the most conservative category. Oak Park Democrat Robert Wittenberg was named the most liberal member this year, who scored a 92.9% liberal voting record. Inside Michigan Politics has been compiling the list for more than 25 years. The ratings are based on 28 litmus test roll-call votes this year for an array of social, economic, taxation, environmental, civil rights and public health/safety issues. (JM)
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