A grand opening of the Pinckney Cyber Training Institute welcomed the community last night to explore the areaâs newest addition.
The PCTI is a cybersecurity training center that offers hands-on experience with exercises and certification courses to become qualified in the cyber security field. The institute is located inside of Pinckney Community High School and is now officially open. Community members, partners and institute leaders came together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and to get a glimpse of the cyber hubâs setup. Classrooms for learning techniques, participating in challenging exercises and video conferencing are just a few of the instituteâs amenities. Cyndi Millns, Cyber Curriculum and Instruction Specialist, says bringing the project to fruition has been a long haul, but all the work was worth it to see it benefiting students and leading them to success.
Pinckney is the only school district in the country hosting a cyber training institute that is connected to a cyber range. The program offers advanced training and government recognized and certified credentials. Max Carstensen is a high school senior and PCTI Student. He has been accepted to Purdue University and is pursuing a bachelorâs degree in cyber security. He tells WHMI the institute has helped grow his interest in the field. Matthew Lawson, a high school junior and PCTI student, is currently taking courses in the instituteâs robotics program and echoed that notion.
Pinckney Community Schools Superintendent Rick Todd says the institute grows the talent pool and the hope is to keep that talent local. Todd says through the institute, students can learn, achieve certification, find jobs in that market and hopefully re-invest back into the community. Todd says this is just the beginning for the institute that has great potential. (DK)
Pinckney Cyber Training Institute Greets Community With Grand OpeningPinckney Cyber Training Institute Greets Community With Grand Opening
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Federal Judge Lifts Order, Recount EndsFederal Judge Lifts Order, Recount Ends
A federal judge has lifted an order that had allowed Michigan's recount, effectively ending it.
Mark Goldsmith, the Federal Judge who ordered Michigan to start recounting presidential votes, dropped his decision Wednesday night, effectively ending a second look at ballots statewide. Earlier Wednesday, the Michigan elections board said the recount would end if Goldsmith extinguished his earlier order. It was Goldsmith's midnight ruling Monday that started the recount in Michigan. But his order dealt with timing - not whether a recount was appropriate. A recount of ballots in the presidential election got underway Wednesday morning in Livingston County. Election workers started recounting individually the more than 106,000 ballots in each of the countyâs 102 voter precincts at 9am.
The state appeals court said Tuesday that Jill Stein doesn't qualify as an "aggrieved" candidate under state law because she got only 1 percent of the Michigan vote and can't win with a recount. Stein is appealing to the Michigan Supreme Court. (DK)
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Mitten Drive Underway At Highlander Way Middle School Mitten Drive Underway At Highlander Way Middle School
Some local middle-schoolers are hosting a mitten drive to help those in need this holiday season.
The mitten drive is being organized by the Highlander Way Middle School SPARK club or Students Promoting Acceptance Respect and Kindness. Club Advisor Carole Colburn said they hope to be able to spread the SPARK of kindness towards others this holiday season and with the weather turning colder, the club thought a mitten drive would be a good way to help those in need. The club will be accepting donations of new hats, mittens, scarves and gloves through Tuesday, December 20th. Donations can be dropped off at the Highlander Way Middle School main office or media center between the hours of 7:30am and 3pm.
All of the collected items will be donated to various local charities. Each person who makes a donation will have their name featured on the SPARK clubâs âWall of Warmthâ across from the schoolâs cafeteria. (JM)
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Salvation Army of Livingston County Desperately Needs Bell Ringers Salvation Army of Livingston County Desperately Needs Bell Ringers
'Tis the season to be merry but itâs also a time of struggle for many in the local community and it takes an army to help address the need.
The Salvation Army of Livingston Countyâs Red Kettle Campaign is in full swing but bell ringers are much needed to cover the various sites. Major Prezza Morrison says people might have noticed empty sites and thatâs because they donât have enough volunteers signing up. She says theyâre hanging in there but recognize colder days are approaching and donât know how that will impact them. Without the help of organizations and individuals, Morrison tells WHMI they wonât be able to meet their much needed goal of $380,000, which is up about $2,000 from the previous year. As of late last week, the local Corps had reached around 26% of that goal.
Morrison notes the campaign accounts for one-third of their budget, which is why itâs so important to reach that goal. Morrison says she tries to make the goal realistic so that it can be reached but noted it is not realistic to the community need, which always outweighs the Christmas goal. The funds raised during the Red Kettle Campaign help people in Livingston County throughout the year with things like rent, utilities, shelter, food and clothing. Morrison noted utilities are always a need for people in the community, especially as the weather changes. She says it seems as though shelter is always a major issue when it comes to keeping people in their homes or for those in a state of homelessness, a facility until they can find something more long term.
Morrison says the need never thins out when it comes to helping take care of people in the community thus they are desperately looking for bell ringers. Those interested in volunteering to ring a bell can visit www.registertoring.com. The less tech savvy are welcome to contact Liz Welch at the local Corps on Lake Street in Howell at 517-546-4750 to set something up. For those who might be financially struggling, Morrison says the local Corps will hire individuals to ring bells during the campaign. She says locations are available throughout Howell, Fowlerville, Pinckney, Hamburg, Hartland and Brighton so community members donât have to go too far out of their way to find a site to ring. (JM)
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Prison Time Ordered For Former Prison Guard From BrightonPrison Time Ordered For Former Prison Guard From Brighton
A state corrections officer from Livingston County has been sentenced on drug and firearms charges.
31-year-old Lawrence David Tylutki of Brighton was found guilty in September on multiple counts of delivery and or manufacture of a controlled substance and possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony. Tylutki was arrested February 25th in Farmington Hills after agents with the Oakland County Narcotics Enforcement Team witnessed him deliver 250 Roxicodone, Adderall and Xanax pills to an undercover informant near a high school at 11 Mile and Middlebelt roads. An additional 290 pills and prescription slips were later found in his car.
On Wednesday, he was ordered to serve a 1-20 year prison sentence for the drug charges, plus an additional two years on the felony firearm counts. Tylutki was working as a corrections officer at Parnall Correctional Facility in Jackson and was still on probationary employee status at the time of his arrest. He was in uniform and armed with a .40 caliber handgun when he tried to sell the pills. (JK)
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Local Students Helping Those In Need Through Community Events Local Students Helping Those In Need Through Community Events
Student Government students at Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy in Brighton are working to help those in need this holiday season through various events.
Middle School Student Government members held their annual Adopt-a-Family event in November. Students and families donated food items and Student Government members assembled the baskets, each of which contained the contents for a Thanksgiving meal. The baskets were distributed to families in need in the districtâs community.
Meanwhile, the CSPA High School Student Government is organizing Hike for Heat, a walk/run fundraising event in Kensington MetroPark on Wednesday December 21st. All proceeds will be donated to THAW (The Heat And Warmth Fund), a non-profit organization that provides aid to metro-Detroit families in need of energy assistance. Organizers say the event ties in with the schoolâs emphasis on living core democratic values such as the common good. (JM)
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Health Department Official Named 2016's Champion For ChildrenHealth Department Official Named 2016's Champion For Children
A local health department official and childrenâs advocate has been named the recipient of the 2016 Champion for Children Award.
The Champion for Children Award is a joint effort between LACASAâs Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Council and the Great Start Collaborative of Livingston County. The award honors individuals who devote significant time and energy to the communityâs children. This yearâs recipient is Elaine Brown, Deputy Health Officer and Personal Preventive Health Services Director of the countyâs Health Department. CAP Council Coordinator Holly Naylor tells WHMI there were many compelling nominations this year, making it the best kind of difficult decision.
Brown has been instrumental in bringing regular certified car seat checks to the health department in order to prevent child injury or deaths in car accidents. She is also credited with promoting infant safety by distributing Pack ân Plays to clients in need to ensure safe sleep environments for babies. Naylor says Brown has worked tirelessly to guarantee the health and welfare of children and it is a joy to recognize her.
During her career with the Health Department, Brown has been a proponent of immunizations, hearing and vision screenings, and access to health insurance and dental care. Naylor says Brown has worked with a number of local agencies to ensure the physical health and safety of area children, while also going above and beyond to make sure kids receive the support they need.
Brown was recently recognized at a Great Start Collaborative meeting in front of her peers and some of the agencies she has worked with. Naylor says though it was obvious to all that Brown is deserving of the award, she was still surprised and appreciated the recognition. (DK)
Pictured left to right: Holly Naylor, Elaine Brown, Robin Schutz.
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Three Confirmed Dead After Thursday Morning Pileup On I-96 Near Fowlerville Three Confirmed Dead After Thursday Morning Pileup On I-96 Near Fowlerville
UPDATE: Westbound I-96 re-opened around 10:20pm Thursday night.
A massive pileup on I-96 Thursday morning near Fowlerville involved approximately 40 vehicles and three fatalities.
It happened around 9:47am when a snow squall was moving through the area and reduced visibility to less than 50 feet. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Office responded to westbound I-96 for a serious injury accident involving approximately 40 vehicles that took place near the 125 mile marker, west of the Fowlerville exit but east of Wallace Rd, the Livingston County border.
The office says there are three confirmed fatalities with the accident but they have not yet been identified. Eleven victims were transported from the scene by Livingston County Ambulance, Meridian Township Fire Department, and NIESA EMS to both Sparrow Hospital in Lansing and St. Joseph Livingston Hospital. None of the injuries were believed to be life threatening. Others involved in the crash were taken from the scene by Livingston Essential Transportation Services or LETS to the Fowlerville Police Department and Village Offices to give statements and be unified with their loved ones.
The eastbound lanes of I-96 were re-opened at approximately 2:50pm and the westbound lanes around 10:20pm.
The Sheriffâs Office says accident is believed to be weather-related and alcohol does not appear to be a factor at this time. (JM)
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Suspect Arraigned On Gun & License Charges After Highland Twp. Police StopSuspect Arraigned On Gun & License Charges After Highland Twp. Police Stop
An Oakland County man has been arraigned after a Highland Township traffic stop that turned up a gun and a variety of suspicious items.
21-year-old Noah Johnson of Waterford Township was arraigned Tuesday in Oakland County Circuit Court on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, driving with a suspended license as well as a violation for an improper license plate. A pretrial hearing was set for January 6th. Johnson was arrested October 25th by Oakland County Sheriffâs deputies after pulling over his car at Hickory Ridge Road and M-59. Police say the vehicle, which was slow to stop for deputies, had an improper plate that had no record in the system. They say Johnson told them his license was suspended and he was on probation but kept reaching under the front seat while he was talking to the deputy, who demanded he keep his hands on the wheel.
After being taken into custody, a search of the vehicle revealed an unregistered handgun under the driverâs seat. Also discovered were two pairs of black gloves, a pair of goggles, a knit hat with two small eye holes cut out and six zip-ties in an open plastic bag. Also discovered was the valid license plate that belonged to the vehicle. (JK)
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Hartland Man Receives New State-of-the-Art ProstheticHartland Man Receives New State-of-the-Art Prosthetic
A local man who lost his leg in a firefighting accident several years ago was the first in Michigan to receive a state of the art new prosthesis.
David Dunville of Hartland was fitted for his new empower Prosthetic Ankle on Thursday morning. Dunville lost his leg in 2003 after an accident while he was on duty firefighter. He is also the National President for The Amputee Firefighters Association and is a certified Peer Visitor through the Amputee Coalition, a nonprofit organization that advocates for amputees with healthcare insurers. A prosthetist from BionX (Bioniks) Medical Technologies programmed Dunvilleâs new ankle so it moves more freely and keeps pace with him. Dunville says it has taken a lot to get to this point in technology.
He says advancement in most prosthetic technology only occurs during times of war. He says it has advanced during World War I, World War II, and Korea from the old wood prostheses; getting into newer components and capabilities. Then he says, unfortuntately during the the Persian Gulf further advancements have taken place. Dunville says that's what it took unfortunately to create newer prosthesis that make it easier for people and make it more natural, so they're not without a body part. They are actually given it back, in a mechanical way, but they have it back.
Dunville says the when he received his previous prosthetic it felt as though he had his leg back, but this new one feels like he received his foot back. Like his old prosthesis, the new one is connected to a socket or the portion that creates his calf, through a pin attached to a liner that fits over his own knee. His two socket portions boast child friendly themes of the Disney character Mickey Mouse and the Minions. He says because he often wears shorts in the summer, the themed portions of the prosthesis are less frightening to children. He also encourages dialog to help people understand that he lives a fairly normal life with his prosthesis. With his new ankle prosthetic he says it feels like he is ready to go out and do whatever he wants. Dunville says there are over 2 million amputees in the U.S., and that number increases by an average of over 500 per day; a great number of those are first responders. (DS)
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South Lyon Man Arrested For Driving Drunk With Pistol And Marijuana In VehicleSouth Lyon Man Arrested For Driving Drunk With Pistol And Marijuana In Vehicle
Authorities have arrested a South Lyon man they say was driving with a blood alcohol content of more than twice the legal limit with marijuana and a pistol in his vehicle. On Tuesday, an officer with the South Lyon Police Department pulled the 31-year-old man over after noticing he was speeding and swerving over the center line of the road. Authorities say the man admitted he was coming from a bar where he had had two or three alcoholic drinks and that he had had two more drinks earlier that day. The arresting officer says the man also informed him that he had a firearm under his seat. The suspect was submitted to field sobriety tests and was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated. Officers searched the suspectâs vehicle and discovered a .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol, as well as a mason jar containing what they suspected to be marijuana. It was confirmed that the suspect had both a Concealed Pistol License and a medical marijuana card. The suspect reportedly has a prior OWI from 2011. Per Michiganâs repeat offender law, his license plate was confiscated and destroyed, as well as his driverâs license. He was also arrested for possessing a firearm while intoxicated. A breathalyzer test found that the suspect had a BAC of .20% and he was lodged until sober. The department submitted its report to the Oakland County Prosecutorâs Office for review and potential charges. (DK)
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Public Transportation Plan Presented In Green Oak TownshipPublic Transportation Plan Presented In Green Oak Township
Leaders in Green Oak Township were presented a vision of making easier transportation options a reality throughout Livingston County. Dr. Leo Hanifin is the former Dean of Engineering and Science at the University of Detroit Mercy and currently chairs the Livingston County Transportation Coalition. The Coalition is a group of 40 government and business leaders dedicated to bringing mass transit to the county. Hanefin reported that any combination of bus and train services would be a benefit to the growing number of senior citizens in the county. He said it would also help attract the younger, millennial generation to the area, as studies show that as many as 80% of them want to live in an area where public transportation is an option. Hanefin reported that that the current working class would benefit as well. According to his study, 60% of the workers in Livingston County commute from outside, while 75% of residents work in a different county. He presented to the board that every $1 spent on transit generates $4 in local economic investments, leading to better business growth and more jobs. It also tends to raise property values in areas that adopt it. So far, the City of Howell, city of Brighton, Hamburg Township, and Genoa Township have passed resolutions recommending the creation of a Livingston County Transportation Authority. St. Charles said that he would have a similar resolution ready for the boardâs next meeting on December 21st. The Coalition, meanwhile, has scheduled and invited elected officials to the Livingston Transportation Summit where they can gather more information and ask further questions. The summit will take place on January 17th at Cleary University. The press release recently issued about the summit is attached. (MK)
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Authorities Identify Three People Killed In I-96 PileupAuthorities Identify Three People Killed In I-96 Pileup
Authorities have identified the three people killed in the pileup on I-96 near Fowlerville yesterday.
The Livingston County Sheriffâs Office says all three of the victims have been identified, however, they have been unable to notify the next of kin of one of the deceased as of yet. Two of the victims were identified as a husband and wife and were traveling in the same vehicle. They are identified as 69-year-old Homer Leon Tew and 62-year-old Theresa OâConnor Tew of Ann Arbor. The third victim was a 28-year-old man believed to be out of Hollywood, Florida and was the driver of one of the vehicles involved. 11 people sustained non-life threatening injuries and the total number of vehicles believed to be involved in the crash is 53.
The incident occurred yesterday morning around 9:47am on westbound I-96 near Wallace Road when a snow squall was moving through the area and reduced visibility to less than 50 feet. At least one semi-truck jackknifed and blocked the freeway, with several dozen vehicles then becoming entangled in the pileup. The interstate was shut down for approximately 12 hours for rescue, investigation and vehicle/debris removal.
The incident remains under investigation by the Livingston County Sheriffâs Office Accident investigation team. The Sheriffâs Office says new information will be dispersed as it becomes available.
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Weekend Lane Closures On US-23 Weekend Lane Closures On US-23
Construction continues along US-23 and upcoming lane closures could result in some travel delays for area motorists.
The Michigan Department of Transportation says single lane closures are planned this Saturday between 8 Mile Road and Barker Road to set up a barrier wall. The lane closure will be in place from 2am to 9am on northbound US-23 and from 2am to 8am on southbound US-23.
Then on Monday starting at 7pm, there will be a single lane closure on southbound US-23 between Barker Road and 6 Mile Road. M-DOT says the lane closure is needed so that crews can implement a traffic shift, which will be in place until 1am on Tuesday. (JM)
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Missouri Man Charged In Hartland Hotel Robbery Due In Court In FebruaryMissouri Man Charged In Hartland Hotel Robbery Due In Court In February
A Missouri man facing local charges related to a hotel robbery will appear in court in February. 35-year-old Broderick David Savage is charged with armed robbery, unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle, assault with a dangerous weapon, carjacking and four felony firearms counts. He was scheduled to appear in Livingston County Circuit Court Friday for a possible plea but the hearing has since been adjourned out to February. The charges are tied to the June 4th robbery of the Best Western off M-59 in Hartland Township in which Savage allegedly used a BB gun and pepper sprayed the clerk. He reportedly stole her keys, wallet, and Chevy Impala before fleeing the scene. A police officer later spotted Savage sitting in the parking lot of a pharmacy on Telegraph Road wearing a mask, became suspicious and ran the vehicleâs plates. The officer discovered the car had been stolen, and he and his partner tracked Savage down at a nearby business. A gun, knife, pepper spray and over $350 were all found in the vehicle and with Savage. Heâs due back in court February 10th for a final settlement conference. (JM)
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Deputies Help Recover Stolen Vehicle In Highland Township Deputies Help Recover Stolen Vehicle In Highland Township
Deputies with the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office Highland Township substation aided in recovering a stolen vehicle. The City of Sandusky Police Department contacted the Oakland County Sheriffâs office Communications Center to request that Deputies with the Highland Township substation check a residence in the 500 block of Fisher Road for a stolen vehicle. Police noted the suspect had stolen the vehicle from a family member in Sandusky on Tuesday. Police say the owner of the home on Fisher Road contacted the victim and advised them that the stolen vehicle and the suspect were currently at his home. Deputies located the stolen vehicle parked at that home. Deputies made contact with the homeowner and the suspect, identified as a 23-year-old Sandusky woman. Police say the suspect admitted that she had stolen the vehicle from her grandmother. Detectives from the sheriffâs Auto Theft Unit were contacted and the suspect was lodged at the Oakland County Jail for the City of Sandusky Police Department. (JM)
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Hune Welcomes Fowlerville Pastor To Michigan Senate Hune Welcomes Fowlerville Pastor To Michigan Senate
A Fowlerville pastor was at the state Capitol this past week to deliver the invocation at the start of Senate session.
Iosco Township Republican Senator Joe Hune welcomed Tom and Gloria Tarpley of Fowlerville to the Michigan Senate on Tuesday. Tom Tarpley serves as the pastor of Fowlerville United Brethren and delivered the prayer at the beginning of Senate session.
The Michigan Legislatureâs âlame-duckâ session kicked into full gear this past week with a number of controversial bills, including some that were ultimately shelved for the 2017 session when new lawmakers will take office. The Senate was not up for re-election this year but the House of Representatives was. (JM)
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Local Townships Choose To Cover Employees' Healthcare CostsLocal Townships Choose To Cover Employees' Healthcare Costs
Tyrone Township has joined other municipalities in the area to opt out of a healthcare provision in order to spare their employeesâ out-of-pocket medical costs.
Senate Bill #7 is legislation that requires townships and government agenciesâ employees to pay 20% of their healthcare costs. However on Tuesday, the Tyrone Township Board of Trustees unanimously voted to opt out of this provision. Supervisor Mike Cunningham says the township took this approach to show gratitude to their employees for their hard work during a tough time. Cunningham says during the economic downturn, the township asked their employees âto do a lot more, for a lot lessâ. That led the township to choose to cover their employeesâ healthcare costs. Cunningham tells WHMI the township has stood by this decision for several years now.
Cunningham says because the townshipâs employees only work 32 hours a week, it âdidnât seem right to cut into their payâ. Townships offer this benefit because it helps offset their employeesâ lower pay. Under the provision, public employers have three options, one of which includes opting out of the provision all together. Many townships choose to opt out due to the fact that health insurance premiums are age-based and the townships tend to have a more mature workforce with higher insurance premiums. And, in fact, Green oak Township opted to do the same thing at their meeting Wednesday. The option to opt-out was tied to revenue sharing at one point, but is not any longer. The townshipâs resolution to opt-out will be in effect for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. (DK/JK)
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Council Moving Ahead With Next Phase In DPW Building Renovation Project Council Moving Ahead With Next Phase In DPW Building Renovation Project
A renovation project to the City of Howellâs public works building is entering the next phase. The Howell City Council met Monday night and gave the green light to proceed with the necessary work required to move ahead with the project. Council authorized having Lindhout Associates of Brighton perform architectural services at a cost not to exceed approximately $9,000. Work completed to date has included the front office, waiting room and outside building maintenance. The DPW building is located at 150 Marion Street and the City began budgeting funds for renovations a few years ago pursuant to a 2010 facility master plan. The next phase of the project is budgeted for $175,000 and is included in the 2016-2017 DPS Fund. City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI they are now entering what is about phase three of a multi-phase project to update the public works facility, which has been kind of cobbled together over the years. He says Council authorized Lindhout to develop construction documents for the project so once they have that and a refined cost estimate, both will be brought forward to Council for final approvals to proceed with design and bidding. Photo Google Street View. (JM)
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Warrant Authorized For Former County Employee On Embezzlement ChargeWarrant Authorized For Former County Employee On Embezzlement Charge
A former employee of the Livingston County Clerkâs Office is being charged with embezzlement. In May, County Clerk Elizabeth Hundley says she discovered a financial irregularity involving the clerkâs office. An internal investigation was immediately initiated and an employee of the clerkâs office was placed on unpaid administrative leave. The employee resigned prior to the completion of the investigation. That employee has been identified as 46-year-old Colleen Marie Fortier, who is being charged with embezzlement by a public officer. A warrant was authorized for her Wednesday. Fortier has reportedly worked for the county for approximately four years. The details surrounding the case have not yet been released. (DK)
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