An elderly Brighton Township couple and their dog were able to safely escape harm after a morning fire damaged parts of their home and destroyed their garage. Brighton Fire Authority Chief Mike OâBrian confirmed firefighters responded to a home in the 200 block of Liddy Drive shortly after 9:30am. Since the neighborhood did not have a fire hydrant, a Howell Area Fire Department tanker was called in and firefighters with the Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority also delivered more water. The homeowners were awake and called 911 after noticing flames and smoke coming from the attached garage. They were able to get out safely with their dog. Paramedics treated the couple for slight smoke inhalation at the scene but they declined transport to a hospital. The fire was mainly limited to the garage and kitchen, and a 2004 Acura in the garage was destroyed. The cause of the fire remains under investigation but OâBrian noted the two-story home had working smoke detectors and overall, the couple was lucky that they were awake when the fire started and escaped. Photo: Brighton Area Fire Authority. (JM)
Elderly Brighton Township Couple & Dog Safe After Morning Fire Elderly Brighton Township Couple & Dog Safe After Morning Fire
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Howell Public Schools Director of Public Relations Receives National HonorHowell Public Schools Director of Public Relations Receives National Honor
A young professional who typically works behind the scenes in Howell Public Schools is being recognized front and center with a national honor.
Howell Public Schools Director of Public Relations Tom Gould has been selected as a member of the National School Public Relations Associationâs â35 Under 35 Programâ for the 2016-2017 year. The program recognizes outstanding members from across the United States who are age 35 or younger and have demonstrated excellence and leadership early in their school public relations career. Gould was nominated for the honor by the Michigan School Public Relations Association board of directors.
Howell Superintendent Erin MacGregor says Gould is a valuable member of team and each day he works to ensure that the community knows about all of the incredible things happening around the district. Additionally, MacGregor noted that Gould is always working to improve his skillset and knowledge base by attending professional development conferences and staying on top of new public relations and marketing trends.
Gould has worked for the district since 2013 and says heâs incredibly humbled and honored to have been named to the class. Gould noted the amazing students, teachers, staff and administrators in Howell, saying he feels incredibly lucky to have the responsibility of sharing their accomplishments with the community. (JM)
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SELCRA Director Resigns, Authority Set To Name Possible ReplacementSELCRA Director Resigns, Authority Set To Name Possible Replacement
After less than six months of serving as the director of the Southeastern Livingston County Recreation Authority, Phillip Biscorner is resigning.
Biscorner was brought on as the parks and recreation authorityâs director in August, but has received an offer from another community that he says he cannot refuse. Biscorner recently accepted a position as Parks and Recreation Director for Pittsfield Township, which is just south of Ann Arbor. He tells WHMI it was a difficult decision but he needed to do what was best for his career. The municipality, which is south of Ann Arbor, reportedly has a recreation organization that is seven times larger than SELCRA.
Biscorner says his favorite part of serving as director has been putting the pieces together to find that SELCRA has âa good thing goingâ. SELCRA Treasurer, Rich Everett, says there is no negativity surrounding Biscornerâs resignation and says he would be crazy not to take the new job offer. Everett tells WHMI Biscorner has been a great asset and that everyone is wishing him the best.
Everett says SELCRA already has a candidate to fill the director position in mind. Though SELCRA is waiting to release their name until the necessary paperwork is complete, Everett says the candidate had been another top choice when Biscorner was selected as director. Everett says the candidate has credentials that would âblow your socks offâ and will likely join the SELCRA board in early January. Biscorner says he plans to work with the incoming director in helping them understand where SELCRA is at, and how to keep the authority moving forward. (DK)
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Planning Commission Approves Apartment Site Plan With ConditionsPlanning Commission Approves Apartment Site Plan With Conditions
Final Site Plan approval for a large apartment complex in Hamburg Township has been approved upon conditions to be met.
The Crossings at Lakeland Trail will be a 208-unit apartment complex stretching over 16.1 acres near the site of the old elementary school. Planning Commission chairman Fred Goetz believes this will be an important addition to the area, stating that Hamburg was short on options for both senior citizen housing and families that are starting up. The main entrance to the complex will be off of M-36. It was a proposed secondary access point at Washington Street, however, that caused debate among Planning Commission board members. Zoning Administrator Scott Pacheco was of the opinion that the road could handle the predicted amount of new traffic the complex would create. Board members were more skeptical, stating its narrowness, poor condition, and intrusiveness to existing residents.
Pacheco explained the goal of the village was to create a community that was interconnected and not segregated. Board members recognized this, but felt that Washington Street and connecting Livingston Street still needed to be improved before they could allow it in good conscience. They ultimately decided to add a condition to the site plan approval that breakaway bollards be installed to allow pedestrian traffic and emergency vehicles access if needed. The bollards will be removed if the existing streets are resurfaced.
If in the case that 5 years has passed without that happening, it will also come back to the Planning Commission for reassessment. Washington and Livingston Street are county roads and the decision to improve them falls upon the Livingston County Road Commission. Other conditions added were that the lighting structures be consistent with existing light poles throughout the village, and that developers continue to work out details on landscaping issues with the township. The site plan recommendation was approved by a 6-1 vote and will now go to the Board of Trustees for final approval in January. (MK)
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Howell Student's Artwork Chosen In Statewide Auto Show Poster ContestHowell Student's Artwork Chosen In Statewide Auto Show Poster Contest
One local high schoolerâs creation stood out in a statewide contest seeking artwork to be displayed at Detroitâs North American International Auto Show.
890 entries from across the state were submitted in this yearâs NAIAS poster contest, which is open to grades 10 through 12. For the third consecutive year, a Howell High School student was named a winner in the contest. Junior Hogan Taylor took first place in the 11th grade category for his work, which will be on display at Cobo Hall during the 29th annual auto show. Taylor will also receive a $500 scholarship.
Taylorâs poster depicts a car that is covered. He says no one has ever done a poster with a cover over the top of the car, and wanted to keep his design simple. Taylor thought the contest was fun, and a good chance to earn scholarship money. Howell High School graphic arts teacher John Mozdzierz says the contest is very competitive and that an HHS student winning for the last three years speaks to the studentâs talent and the quality of the schoolâs visual arts program.
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DDA Puts Brakes On Downtown Brighton Parking Garage ProposalDDA Puts Brakes On Downtown Brighton Parking Garage Proposal
Due to the high cost involved, the Brighton Downtown Development Authority has decided to put a proposed 3-or-4-story parking structure on the back burner.
The DDA, meeting in monthly session Tuesday, tabled the parking garage issue for now, and it will not likely be reconsidered for another year. The structure would be located at North and West streets, on the former Johnson property. A large commercial building there was demolished a few years ago to make way for a parking lot or parking structure. But so far, the site has been used only for street-level parking. As a multi-level building, the parking structure would need to have stairways and elevators, increasing the cost considerably. The city had hoped that a 3-story parking structure could be built for around 4 or 5 million dollars. However, DDA Chairman Bob Herbst says the structure would have to be big enough to accommodate at least 200 vehicles to give the city enough of a return on parking fees to make it affordable.
Architect Piet Lindhout says to be large enough to hold 200 cars, the parking structure would need to be at least 3 stories, and possibly 4 stories, in height, pushing the estimated cost to 7-8 million dollars. The annual payment on a 25-year bond would be over half-a-million dollars, which Herbst says is something the DDA canât afford at the present time. (TT)
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County Dental Clinic Set To Open Next Month In HowellCounty Dental Clinic Set To Open Next Month In Howell
After a year of negotiations and construction, a new county-owned dental center will open next month in Howell for under-insured residents.
My Community Dental Centers, in partnership with the Livingston County Health Department, is set to open a newly-renovated clinic in early January that will serve children and adults enrolled in Medicaid, including Healthy Kids Dental and MiChild, the Healthy Michigan Plan and low income uninsured persons. The center will also serve persons with private insurance. It will be the 32nd clinic in Michigan that My Community Dental Centers operates on behalf of local health departments. A full range of general dentistry services will be offered with oral exams, cleanings, fillings, tooth removal, crowns, partials and dentures.
Chelsea Moxlow, Health Promotion Coordinator with the Livingston County Health Department, says that a community open house will be announced soon. In the meantime, they are pleased to announce that Dr. Paymon Dorri D.D.S. and staff have officially joined the Livingston County Dental Center, which will be located at 1335 Byron Road. Just south of M-59 in Howell. The Center will be open Monday through Friday and is now scheduling new patients. To schedule an appointment, prospective patients are advised to call (877) 313-6232 or pre-register online through the link below.
Moxlow adds that they intend to work in coordination with the VINA Community Dental Center in Brighton, which will continue to provide affordable dental care to qualified low-income, uninsured adults in Livingston County. She says MCDC is looking forward to complementing the services currently offered by VINA so that access to care is being met for all Livingston county residents. (JK)
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Sleep Well, Eat Right To Avoid Holiday Stress & IllnessSleep Well, Eat Right To Avoid Holiday Stress & Illness
This time of year, many people focus on fun parties, quality family time and gift-giving, but it can lead some to get caught up in the chaos and consumerism of the holiday season - and that can leave them stressed out, tired and even sick.
Dr. A.K. Misra, an internal and sports-medicine physician and medical director at U.S. Health Works, offered a few suggestions for staying healthy and stress-free during the holidays. First, get your sleep, Misra said, because no amount of holiday chores or events are worth losing sleep over. Misra warned that the lack of rest eventually has an effect on your body. "Be it headaches, be it being just slower, having a shorter temper," he said, "people should be able to cue in on the signs that we know about ourselves."
Misra added that people also are indoors and in close quarters, so germs spread quickly. He recommended washing hands frequently and trying not to spend too much time in crowded places. He said it's the time of year when we eat more than we should, and that can add to the problems. To keep energy up, he recommended eating balanced meals and healthy snacks, rather than relying on caffeine, fast food and holiday sugar fixes. "Yes, what people do is, they'll 'stress-eat' - they'll eat poorly in response to stress," he said. "If you're putting bad fuel in, you're going to make this a lot worse."
Even though the weather is cold, exercise is key. Misra said taking a brisk walk outdoors or squeezing in a visit to the gym will help work off some of the stress associated with holidays. (JK/Public News Service)
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Suspect In Attempted Car Break-In And Police Chase Enters PleaSuspect In Attempted Car Break-In And Police Chase Enters Plea
A Lansing man who authorities say attempted to break into a car in Genoa Township before fleeing from police has entered a plea.
The trial of 20-year-old Moses Lingua began Monday, but didnât last long. Lingua was one of three suspects arrested in the August 3rd incident in which police said they tried to break into a car near the 2800 block of Ontario Court in Genoa Township. State Police from the Brighton Post were dispatched to the call and attempted to stop a vehicle leaving the scene. The suspects refused to pull over and fled, with a chase ensuing through downtown Howell and then down D-19. When the vehicle attempted to enter westbound I-96, the trooper used a maneuver that caused the suspect vehicle 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 Malachi Irving and 18-year-old Laron Wilcox as passengers.
On Tuesday, the second day of Linguaâs trial, the prosecution continued with presentation of their witnesses. However a plea agreement was ultimately reached with Lingua. He pleaded guilty as charged to receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle, third degree fleeing a police officer, breaking and entering a vehicle to steal property less than $200, and driving without a license. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a count of possession of marijuana and a one-year cap in the Livingston County Jail. Probation will be determined by the court at his sentencing January 19th and Lingua is not allowed to seek or receive sentencing under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which would expunge his record if he successfully completes probation.
As for his co-defendants, Irving and Wilcox were both charged with one count of breaking and entering a vehicle. Irving was recently sentenced to 93 days in the county jail. Wilcox has pleaded guilty and will be sentenced January 10th. (DK)
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Howell Public Schools Collects 13,000 Canned Goods For Gleaners Food BankHowell Public Schools Collects 13,000 Canned Goods For Gleaners Food Bank
A canned food drive involving six Howell Public Schools buildings resulted in a large donation to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Livingston County.
The drive was organized by Howell High Schoolâs leadership class. Joining the high school in the drive were Hutchings Elementary, Northwest Elementary, Southwest Elementary, Highlander Way Middle School and Parker Middle School. Together the schools collected 13,000 canned goods that were donated to Gleaners Community Food Bank. Howell High School Senior Emily Clevenger served as chairperson of the canned food drive. She says the goal was to collect 4,000 canned goods so all of the schools and Gleaners were thrilled with the outcome.
The food bank provides those in need with access to sufficient nutritious food and resources, operating five distribution centers across Southeast Michigan including one in Howell. Clevenger is pictured moving one of the several pallets of canned goods that were collected during the drive. (JM)
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Annual "Pigs 4 Wigs" Fundraiser Garners Highest Donation Amount YetAnnual "Pigs 4 Wigs" Fundraiser Garners Highest Donation Amount Yet
A local police departmentâs annual facial hair fundraiser had its most successful year yet in raising money for Wigs 4 Kids.
Wigs 4 Kids is a grassroots non-profit organization based in Michigan. Created in 2003, it provides wigs and services to children from across the state who struggle with diseases that cause hair-loss. Throughout November, employees of the Milford Police Department grew their facial hair out to raise money and awareness to support the charity, in their yearly fundraiser called Pigs 4 Wigs.
Jennifer Fisher, Development Director at Wigs 4 Kids, tells WHMI the communityâs generosity made 2016 the fundraiserâs most successful year yet. Milford Police partnered with the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Police, Orchard Lake and Romeo Police Department and raised over $9,000 for the organization.
Fisher says this support is important because of the costs involved with Wigs 4 Kidsâ mission. It costs approximately $800 each time to provide a wig to a child, and Fisher says itâs usually not a one-time deal. For children with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy, the need for a wig is about once every year. Wigs 4 Kids does not turn anyone away and does not charge the families they serve, so Fisher says the funds are used to keep up with the growing and continuous need.
Since the Milford Police Department started Pigs 4 Wigs, they have raised enough funds to sponsor 30 children through the organizationâs Adopt-a-Kid program. Milford Police Officer Daniel Caldwell says he is exceptionally proud of the departmentâs employees and the generosity of the community.
You can find out more information about Wigs 4 Kids by calling 586-772-6656 or visiting www.wigs4kids.org. (DK)
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Dates Set For Brighton's 150th Birthday CelebrationDates Set For Brighton's 150th Birthday Celebration
The Brighton 150th Committee, formed to make plans for the cityâs 150th Anniversary celebration, set the dates for the festival at a meeting Thursday night at the Chamber of Commerce building. The festivities will take place Aug. 17-20 of 2017. The meeting was the committeeâs last of the year before the sesquicentennial year starts on Jan. 1.
Committee Chairman Shawn Pipoly tells WHMI the meeting produced many good ideas in formulating plans for the event. Some of the ideas brought forth which garnered support were old-time softball games at Sloan Field, a historical tour of the Old Village Cemetery, a time capsule, a scavenger hunt, a golf outing, a community picnic on Main St., and a huge parade on Sat., Aug. 19. which will include two grand marshals who have contributed greatly to the community over the years or made an impact in a significant way.
In the near future the committee will be looking at ways to pay for the celebration, including corporate sponsorships and private donations. Although the City Council will be asked to contribute financially, Pipoly, who is also Brighton mayor pro tem, says the city has a very tight budget right now and the bulk of the costs will have to be covered by other means. Any marketing and advertising costs will be borne by the Brighton Principal Shopping District, which is in charge of the cityâs 150th birthday bash. The next meeting of the 150th Anniversary Committee will be on Thur., Jan. 12. (TT)
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Livingston Transportation Summit To Cruise In January 17th Livingston Transportation Summit To Cruise In January 17th
Organizers are hoping that concerned citizens, community leaders and other stakeholders in Livingston County will share their views on public transportation during an event in the new year.
The Livingston Transportation Summit will take place at the Cleary University Johnson Center in Howell on Tuesday, January 17th from 8am to noon. Itâs hosted by the Livingston County Transportation Coalition, which is made up of a number of local stakeholders and organizations.
Participants will have an opportunity to express their views and ask questions but also help shape a comprehensive vision for the countyâs public transportation future.
Coalition Chair Dr. Leo Hanifin tells WHMI theyâre trying to attract anyone who feels there could be better transportation services in the county. As for those who might benefit from improved transit; Hanifin points to businesses, employees, students, millennials, anyone with a physical condition that prevents them from driving, those who might want to safely walk or bicycle, commuters dealing with traffic or seniors who want to âage in placeâ but not be stranded in their homes if they canât drive anymore.
Hanifin says there are a myriad of reasons to expand transportation services in the county, thus the summit will feature different segments of the community and panels. Paul Childs, the Chief Operating Officer for the M1 Rail in Downtown Detroit will be the keynote speaker and offer perspective on the project, which Hanifin noted is the only modern transit being built in Southeast Michigan right now. Attendees will break into small groups for discussion but also rank areas they deem of personal of importance. The deliberations and discussions will ultimately be captured in a report to help guide future planning of transportation services.
There is no charge to attend the Livingston Transportation Summit but those interested are asked to RSVP as a continental breakfast will be served. Details are available in the attachment and the link to RSVP is provided. (JM)
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Sentencing Adjourned For Local Couple Convicted Of Child AbuseSentencing Adjourned For Local Couple Convicted Of Child Abuse
Sentencing has been postponed for a Deerfield Township couple convicted of child abuse.
In June, Angela and Eric Corcoran were convicted of 2nd degree child abuse for mentally and emotionally abusing their 16-year-old adopted son. The alleged abuse reportedly began in 2012 and continued through February of 2015. Authorities say the couple kept the teen isolated in their basement, with only a camper toilet to use as a bathroom and a dirty mattress without any sheets, blankets or pillows. The teen also claims he was mistreated by the coupleâs biological children and was forced to eat alone.
The Corcoranâs have maintained their innocence and their defense attorney had previously said the case amounts to the government overstepping its bounds with the coupleâs parenting style. The couple was scheduled to be sentenced Thursday, but their hearing has been adjourned because the pre-sentence investigation is not yet complete. They each face up to ten years in prison at their sentencing February 2nd. (DK)
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Livingston County Catholic Charities Delivers Presents & Packages To Local SeniorsLivingston County Catholic Charities Delivers Presents & Packages To Local Seniors
Christmas has come early for some local senior citizens in need.
Livingston County Catholic Charities recently conducted its annual Christmas project this month, bringing food and gifts to homebound and low income seniors across the county. The program, which has been running for more than 20 years, distributed care packages and Christmas presents to 113 Livingston County seniors this year. Those seniors are homebound or live at or below 150% of the national poverty level.
The care packages and presents came from individuals, schools and numerous community organization holiday giving drives. Suzanne Snyder, Director of Senior Services, says not only did volunteers deliver the presents and packages, but also provided companionship and social interaction to seniors who are homebound and often lonely this time of year.
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Donations Down For Annual Red Kettle CampaignDonations Down For Annual Red Kettle Campaign
As Christmas quickly approaches donations remain down for this yearâs Red Kettle campaign to help people in need in Livingston County.
Livingston County Salvation Army Commander Major Prezza Morrison says they are 17% behind last yearâs total. While the annual campaign will run into next month for those who want to donate online, the familiar red kettles will be out at local stores through 4pm Saturday. Major Morrison says they understand that in this electronic age, fewer people have cash or coins on them, so they do accept checks in the kettles if thatâs easier. This yearâs goal is $380,000, which she says makes up about one-third of their annual budget.
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. You can find additional details online through the link below. (JK)
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Cuts Could Be Coming To Programs Benefitting Seniors Cuts Could Be Coming To Programs Benefitting Seniors
New budget rules proposed for Congress could bring deep, automatic cuts to benefit programs for Livingston County seniors that been exempt from such actions until now.
House budget chair Tom Price has said he would like to see reductions in Social Security and Medicare benefits. David Reich with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says Price has proposed strict caps on all spending that would kick in if the deficit goes up, even due to tax cuts. Reich says unlike past budget battles, it looks like Price wants Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block. Reich said, âWhat if Congress decides to enact large additional tax cuts? His document says we really shouldnât exempt anything. You wouldnât say, âWell, this is how we want to change Medicareâ or âhow we want to change Medicaidâ or veterans benefits. And indeed the limits could be set very low to try and force reductions.â Price, who has been selected by President-Elect Donald Trump to be his Secretary of Health and Human Services, has said that the government cannot afford the current programs. Both Medicare and Social Security have their own dedicated sources of revenue and as a result, have been largely exempt from recent congressional tax and spending debates.
According to Reich, Priceâs plan would break a precedent from Congress, which under current budget rules, does not allow itself to increase spending or cut taxes without offsetting the cost. Itâs unclear what will happen to Priceâs proposed legislation if he moves into the executive branch, as Reich says it may face opposition in the Senate. (MK)
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Michigan War Dog Memorial Sets Goals For 2017Michigan War Dog Memorial Sets Goals For 2017
2016 was one of many achievements for the Michigan War Dog Memorial.
Located in Lyon Township, the Michigan War Dog Memorial serves as a final resting place for service dogs that fought alongside our countryâs military or law enforcement agencies. Memorial President Phil Weitlauf says the MWDM accomplished 90% of their goals for 2016. Weitlauf says the memorialâs progress is governed by funding and that the funding was available to finance cemetery and memorial improvements.
The organization hosted their year-end committee meeting just last week, and Weitlauf says they discussed what went right this year and what did not. The committee also set goals for 2017 which includes installing the Vietnam K-9 Memorial Wall, installing a platform stage, seeding the west side of the cemetery, planting pine trees and installing a fence. Weitlauf says it is the communityâs support that has helped the organization achieve its past goals and will help them accomplish what comes next. (DK)
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Final Resolution Approved For Downtown Howell Facade Rehabilitation ProjectFinal Resolution Approved For Downtown Howell Facade Rehabilitation Project
A final resolution has been adopted that should push a downtown façade rehabilitation project forward in the City of Howell.
The Howell City Council met recently and adopted a resolution authorizing the City to formally apply for Community Development Block Grant or CDBG funds for the project. The process has been lengthy and delayed in part by some changes in personnel at state departments. The City has already received a letter of intent for funding to rehabilitate the exterior of the three buildings in downtown Howell. The three in line for funding include Uptown Coffee, 1st National Bank and Cobb Hall Insurance. City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI the resolution was what they understand to be the final step in the process, which allows the City to officially apply for it even though the grants have been awarded. As importantly, he says it designated the mayor as the official signee for the assorted documents.
Charles says it was really just a formality and one of the final pieces of paper the State of Michigan was looking for. The façade rehabilitation project aims to help solidify Howellâs core downtown, which will ultimately lead to more investment in the community. The City has received a commitment from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for $275,703 for the project. The City has committed $22,000 through the Downtown Development Authority and private investment is expected to exceed $200,000. (JM)
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LACASA Looking To Open Charity Boutique To Serve Clients And CommunityLACASA Looking To Open Charity Boutique To Serve Clients And Community
A donation drive that begins in January will gather items for one local nonprofit organizationâs planned charity resale boutique.
LACASA Center will open a charity resale boutique next year and is launching a âShop with Dignity Donation Driveâ beginning in January, 2017. LACASA provides domestic violence victims and their children with emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, transitional housing, and a variety of support programs. Currently, LACASA provides used clothing for clients, which is donated by members of the community throughout the year. This means victims and their children must take what is available at the time, which can be extremely limited.
Bobette Schrandt, LACASAâs president and CEO, says the boutique will not only benefit the community, but will also help victims from Livingston County shop with dignity. The boutique will be open to the public, and LACASA clients will receive shopping vouchers. LACASA Board Chair David Morse says the organizationâs board of directors has been exploring the viability of a charity boutique for nearly two years. The Board of Directors is currently looking for a suitable location for the boutique within the county.
Items for the âShop with Dignity Donation Driveâ can be dropped off at LACASAâs administrative office from 9:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Their office is located at 2895 West Grand River in Howell. (DK)
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