Organizers are inviting concerned citizens, community leaders and other stakeholders in Livingston County to share their views on public transportation.
Dr. Leo Hanifin chairs the Livingston County Transportation Coalition, which will host the Livingston Transportation Summit later this month. Citizens and a multitude of stakeholders are being invited to come together to share and discuss different ideas to help shape a comprehensive vision for Livingston Countyâs public transportation future. Hanifin tells WHMI there are a myriad of reasons to expand services in the county and a very broad-based set of stakeholders involved, as improved transit could benefit anyone from commuters to businesses to senior citizens. Therefore, theyâre trying to attract anyone who feels there could be better transportation services in the county to the summit to get conversation started.
Hanifin says those behind the effort have been visiting various municipalities and the Cities of Brighton and Howell, along with Genoa and Hamburg Townships, have all unanimously passed resolutions recommending a Transit Authority be created in the county and to develop a comprehensive plan. He says investments in transportation can be highly leveraged through federal and state funds, which Livingston County currently puts money into but doesnât get the full amount back out.
The summit will feature different segments of the community and panels along with a keynote speaker. Participants will be able to express their views and ask questions. The discussions will ultimately be captured in a report to help guide future planning of transportation services. Further down the road, Hanifin says a plan would have to be put together by transportation professionals exploring all of the issues. Those include governance, funding, regulations, cost, scheduling, service and the ridership thatâs needed to sustain various modes.
The Livingston Transportation Summit will take place from 8am to noon on January 17th at Cleary Universityâs Johnson Center in Howell. There is no charge to attend but those interested are asked to RSVP as a continental breakfast will be served. The invite invite is attached with further details. (JM)
Livingston Transportation Summit Approaching Later This MonthLivingston Transportation Summit Approaching Later This Month
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South Lyon Council Hires Attorney To Investigate Conflict ChargeSouth Lyon Council Hires Attorney To Investigate Conflict Charge
South Lyon City Council has officially hired an outside attorney to investigate conflict of interest allegations pointed at one of their own members.
On August 8th City Council awarded a $42,000 contract to South Lyon-based Pullum Windows for the installation of new windows at the South Lyon Police Department and South Lyon Area Recreation Authority building. The unanimous vote included Councilman Glenn Kivell. However, it was only recently learned that he had failed to disclose that he worked for Pullum Windows, thus creating the conflict.
According to the South Lyon Herald, the city council voted last Monday to hire Melvin Muskovitz of Dykema Gossett to review the conflict of interest allegation. Kivell abstained from discussion, but earlier said that while he worked at the company manufacturing windows, had no ownership or involvement with sales. He said he gained no direct financial benefit from the contract. The attorney will now review whether the councilmanâs vote on the contract is at the level of criminal violation.
A conflict of interest is a misdemeanor charge under South Lyon city charter. Conviction on such a charge requires that the council member lose their seat. The attorneyâs report is expected to take a couple of months to be completed. (JK)
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Nominations Sought For Brighton Women's History Roll Of HonorNominations Sought For Brighton Women's History Roll Of Honor
Nominations are being sought for the 2017 Brighton Area Womenâs History Roll of Honor.
The Roll of Honor serves to bring awareness to the general public about the contributions women have made over the years to society. The group started recognizing women from the Brighton area in 2003 and its advisory council is looking for the next potential candidate to be inducted into the Roll of Honor. Joyce Powers, Chair of the Roll of Honorâs Advisory Council, says there is no limit to the number of nominations that can be made. Nominees can be a woman who has done something for the first time, has made significant contributions to the community, served the area or has distinctive accomplishments.
Nominations are due by January 31st. A committee meeting will be held in February where the advisory council will discuss each nominee and then hold a vote. The 2017 honorees will be announced in March as a part of National Womenâs History Month. Nomination forms can be found at the Brighton District Library, Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce or Brighton Area Schools. Forms can also be found at the Brighton Libraryâs website. Any questions may be directed to Brighton Area Womenâs History Roll of Honor, c/o Brighton District Library, 100 Library Drive, Brighton, MI 48116, telephone: 810-229-2149, or email BrightonWomensHistory@gmail.com. (JK)
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Commercial Rehab District Could Spur Redevelopment Along South Michigan Ave CorridorCommercial Rehab District Could Spur Redevelopment Along South Michigan Ave Corridor
A Commercial Rehabilitation District is being explored for the South Michigan Avenue corridor in the City of Howell.
Staff has been evaluating different ways to encourage development within the corridor and after reviewing various options, it was determined the Commercial Rehabilitation Act appeared to be the best fit for the City. The concept was discussed during a December meeting of the Howell City Council and the Act would be applied to properties in the corridor that have had a commercial use within the last 15 years. It would allow the City to offer potential tax abatements of up to ten years for commercial properties in the district. The City of Howell is reportedly the first to move forward with this type of district. Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Manor commented that itâs another tool in the toolbox to help entice people in the corridor to redevelop but also attract new ventures.
Howell City Manager Shea Charles says the Act was passed by the state quite a few years ago and provides an opportunity for tax abatements for the redevelopment of commercial properties. Charles tells WHMI theyâre looking at establishing a district from Mason Road to I-96, which would include all the properties that have been previously used as commercial. He noted itâs slightly different than the tools they use for downtown and is intended more for these kind of corridor improvements. Charles commented establishing the district could really help keep the community competitive in trying to attract development into the area, as well as redevelopment of some of the included sites.
A public hearing on the creation of the district will take place during the January 9th meeting of the Howell City Council. (JM)
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Howell Man Killed In Indiana Truck Crash Howell Man Killed In Indiana Truck Crash
Vermilion County, Ind., Sheriffâs officials identify the victim in the pickup truck-semi crash as 47-year-old Michael J. Leech of Howell, Michigan. Deputies say that Leech was northbound on Route 63 when his pickup truck was struck by a semi tractor-trailer heading south in the northbound lanes. The driver, Kamaljeet Sangra, 41, of Ontario, Canada, was arrested at the scene for drunk driving. Police say that Leech did not survive the crash, while his 10-year-old son was treated and released from an area hospital for minor injuries. Sangra is charged currently with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, a Level 5 felony under Indiana law. Other charges could be added, according to the prosecutorâs office. He is being held in the Vermilion County jail without bond until his arraignment. Funeral arrangements for Leech are incomplete at this time. (TT)
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Volunteers Kept Brighton Playground In Tip-Top Shape During 2016Volunteers Kept Brighton Playground In Tip-Top Shape During 2016
According to statistics compiled by Brightonâs Imagination Station coordinator, the downtown playground got extensive use during 2016.
Brighton City Council Member Renee Pettengill presented her second annual report on the playground at a recent City Council meeting. Due to the volunteer efforts, Pettengill says the workers were able to save city taxpayers $4,000. Pettengill tells WHMI that over 1,000 volunteers spent innumerable hours keeping the playground in top condition. In her year-end report, Pettengill said that about 53 merchants provided prizes and other items for the Goodie Bags, and volunteers applied 40 yards of Fibar Chips to the playground. One element was removed last year â that being the popular climbing net, which simply wore out from so much use. And one new piece of playground equipment was added. That is the Expression Swing, which allows the child and parent to face each other from opposite sides. The Expression Swing - one of only two such swings in Michigan - was added as a result of donations by Cooper and Binkley Jewelers, Oh My Lolli, and Bink and Babs Boutique.
This year, two new playground items will be added as a result of donations by the State Bank and the Lancaster family. Pettengill says she is keeping which new pieces of equipment will be added under wraps at this time until the grand unveiling. Also this year, volunteers will be scheduling their biennial resealing of the playground, which is required every two years by the state Department of Environmental Quality. (TT)
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Livingston County Sheriff Officers to Train for Special Enforcement TeamLivingston County Sheriff Officers to Train for Special Enforcement Team
About 12 Livingston County Sheriff Deputies will be trained over the next year to handle special situations in the jail.
The Sheriffâs office was recently approved to create and implement a Special Response Team similar to that on the road patrol. Sheriff Mike Murphy tells WHMI although the team will be trained in the use of force, he hopes it wonât be necessary. Murphy says much like a special response team on the road, they specialize in correctional environments. The idea is not to utilize brute force, but in the event that it is needed, they will be specially trained to do that, not only for the protection of the deputies, but the inmates as well. Murphy says the bulk of the training, which begins in June, will be on communication skills. Deputies will use their communication skills as opposed to force to de-escalate situations before they get out of hand. Murphy says the jail environment has changed in the 26 years heâs been part of law enforcement. He says judges in Livingston County have worked toward delaying sentencing and alternatives to sentencing so the people in jail need to be there.
He says the team will be trained to deal with individuals who are extremely non-compliant, but the last thing he wants to see is the use of force to settle an issue. He says although the team, which will have members on every shift, will focus on communication first, the use of force will be an option to make sure everyone is safe in the end. Murphy says although the training is set to begin this summer, he is unclear when the SRT will be in place. (DS)
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Housing Development Proposed For Popular Lyon Twp. OrchardHousing Development Proposed For Popular Lyon Twp. Orchard
A proposal set to come before the Lyon Township Planning Commission would turn a long-time apple orchard into a housing development.
The Erwin Orchards Planned Development is being proposed on a 182 acre site in the Northwest quadrant of Lyon Township where Kent Lake Road, Silver Lake Road and Pontiac Trail intersect. Developers propose over 67 acres of open space amidst 364 proposed housing units that will be built in three phases of 100-140 units at a time. The site is currently occupied by the existing Erwin Orchards Farm and Cider Mill, which will be razed to construct the development. The land is master planned as single family residential, which the developers say supports their proposal. They also anticipate that there will be "no economic burden" placed upon the South Lyon school district by the proposed development. With a proposed density of 364 units, they say that approximately 50% of the households will likely not require use of the school system, while their tax contributions would still result in excess revenue for the schools.
The applicant, Pulte Homes, estimates it will spend over $34 million in construction costs and that sewer and water will have to be brought to the property, while road improvements will be necessary both on and off the site with access for the development proposed via multiple driveways to Kent Lake Road and Silver Lake Road. That issue is likely to be a key concern for existing residents concerned about further adding to the township's traffic burden.
The plan will come before the Lyon Township Planning Commission for initial discussion on January 23rd. (JK)
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Services Set For Howell Man Killed In Indiana Truck CrashServices Set For Howell Man Killed In Indiana Truck Crash
Services have been set for a Livingston County man killed in a truck crash last week in Indiana.
Vermilion County, Ind., Sheriffâs officials say 47-year-old Michael J. Leech of Howell was killed in the crash when his pickup truck was struck by a tractor-trailer driving south in the northbound lanes of Route 63. The driver, 41-year-old Kamaljeet Sangra, of Ontario, Canada, was arrested at the scene for drunk driving. Police say that Leech did not survive the crash, while his 12-year-old son was treated and released from an area hospital for minor injuries. The boyâs mother tells WHMI that her son is alive because of the actions of his father. Sangra is charged currently with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, although officials say other charges could be added.
Funeral arrangements for Leech, a U.S. Navy veteran and local carpenter, are being handled by the Borek Jennings Funeral Home. Viewing will be held this Friday, January 6th from 2pm to 8pm, with a public farewell set for Saturday, January 7th at 10am. A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help with funeral expenses. Youâll find that link below. (JK)
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Report Says Lake Michigan Contains Half Of Great Lakes Plastic PollutionReport Says Lake Michigan Contains Half Of Great Lakes Plastic Pollution
Environmental groups are hoping a New Year's resolution for 2017 will be to keep the Great Lakes cleaner.
A report by the Rochester Institute of Technology estimates that 22 million pounds of plastic ends up in the water every year. It also showed that debris travels differently in the Great Lakes than in the ocean. The ocean has floating "garbage patches," but plastics in the Great Lakes are carried by wind and lake currents to shore and often end up in another state or even across the U.S.-Canada border. Lead author Matthew Hoffman, an assistant professor at the institute's School of Mathematical Sciences, said this study is the first picture of the true scale of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes. "Just sort of seeing the scale, I think, is sort of eye-opening and that's sort of one of the things we hope to convey with this."
The study found that more than half of the plastic pollution entering the Great Lakes goes into Lake Michigan, followed by lakes Erie and Ontario. Hoffman's team used math to determine where the garbage is coming from and where it ends up. Cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and Toronto pollute the most. Previous studies highlighted the pollution coming from micro beads, which are used in cosmetic products. "There was a lot of interest in micro beads when some of this research came out a couple of years ago. They've been banned, I know, in Illinois and a number of places, but there's still a lot of plastic floating in the lakes and that didn't necessarily solve the input of plastic."
Last year, scientists discovered masses of floating plastic particles in lakes Superior, Huron and Erie. This summer, they're expanding the search to lakes Michigan and Ontario. They are trying to determine whether fish are eating the particles, which may come from city wastewater, and passing them up the food chain to humans. A link to the study is posted below. (The Public News Service)
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Local Big Brothers Big Sisters Set To Hold Annual BreakfastLocal Big Brothers Big Sisters Set To Hold Annual Breakfast
A local organization will honor its supporters at a breakfast celebration later this month.
The 3rd annual Dream Big Breakfast will be held January 20th from 7:30 to 9 am at the Chemung Hills Golf Club and Banquet Center. The public is invited to attend the breakfast which will acknowledge proponents of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Livingston County. January is National Mentoring Month and the program works year round to guide and be an example to the youth within the community.
Several recipients at the breakfast will be awarded for their role in sponsoring and partnering with the agency. Tickets are $30 per individual and $50 per couple. Tickets can be purchased through the link below or by calling 517-546-1140. (JK)
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Fillmore County Park Awarded Grant Funds Through MDNRFillmore County Park Awarded Grant Funds Through MDNR
Plans for a county park in Genoa Township got a boost from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently.
Fillmore County Park is owned by Livingston County and located on 198 acres between Howell and Brighton. It is one of 17 park projects to receive a share of over $2 (m) in Land and Water Conservation grants. County Planning Director Kathleen Kline-Hudson tells WHMI the $86,000 will help get the first phase of the $172,000 development started. She says it will be minimal development, but a nice start to the project. The grant will be put toward building a 5 acre multi-purpose playing field, for sports including softball, kickball, soccer, and lacrosse. She says there will also be a gravel drive and entry way, parking lot and restrooms and accessible walkway. She says they will also build a 5-K natural surface trail for walkers, hikers and hopefully cross country runners.
Kline-Hudson says the county has been working collaboratively with local townships and several agencies. She says Marion Township, the City of Howell and Genoa Township, as well as the Livingston County Foundation and Livingston County Board of Commissioners provided matching funds, while the Sheriff Office and Building Department will be providing âin-kindâ donations. Kline-Hudson says they have been working collaboratively with the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority and Southeastern Livingston County Recreation Authority to help determine the best way to meet the needs of the community. She says eventually she hopes to see an agreement in place with the two parks authorities to provide programming in the park. No definite timeline is set yet for construction to begin, but Kline-Hudson says she hopes for sometime in spring or summer 2017. Picture courtesy of Dane Morris. (DS)
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Trial Starts This Week For Man At Center Of Deadly Meningitis OutbreakTrial Starts This Week For Man At Center Of Deadly Meningitis Outbreak
After more than four years, the man authorities say is most responsible for the deadly meningitis outbreak that killed dozens of people, some from Livingston County, will go to trial later this week.
Barry Cadden, the owner and head pharmacist of the now-closed New England Compounding Center, will stand trial starting Thursday on federal racketeering, murder and other charges stemming from a nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis in 2012. The trial will be held in U.S. District Court in Boston. The outbreak killed 76 people nationwide, with at least 15 of those deaths related to tainted steroid injections received in Livingston County. Federal prosecutors in 2014 charged Cadden and twelve others, alleging that drugs distributed by the pharmacy contained expired, untested ingredients and that officials mass produced drugs for fictitious patients.
Cadden, who faces a potential sentence of life in prison, will be the first of the defendants to go to trial. Last month, NECC's national sales director, Robert Ronzio, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to defraud the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He is cooperating with prosecutors and is expected to testify at the trials of other NECC defendants before his sentencing in September. (JK)
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Brighton's Director of Public Works Set To Retire Next WeekBrighton's Director of Public Works Set To Retire Next Week
The City of Brightonâs Director of Public Works is retiring next week.
Dave Blackmar has made the announcement of his intent effective on January 10th, following 27 years of service with the city. Blackmar, a Michigan State University graduate, joined the city staff as Director of the Department of Public Works in 1989 after previously working with the DPW in Fowlerville. While in Brighton he worked on a number of large projects and is credited with being instrumental to the improvements made to the streetscape and many public facilities. He also built and developed the current 9-member public works department staff, many of whom have over 20 years of service with the city.
Blackmar said in a release that appreciated the opportunity to work with and grow the many relationships he made with community leaders, business owners, and residents. Brighton Mayor Jim Muzzin said the city is extremely grateful for his dedication and service, while wishing him the best during his retirement.(MK)
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County Board Of Commissioners Name Committee To Explore Broadcasting MeetingsCounty Board Of Commissioners Name Committee To Explore Broadcasting Meetings
The Livingston County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday night and discussed the concept of broadcasting meetings.
A committee consisting of Commissioners Dave Domas, Gary Childs and Doug Helzerman has been tasked with investigating the different aspects of broadcasting meetings and will bring back a recommendation and costs.
Tuesday marked the second meeting a group of concerned progressives have attended, which is comprised of some local Democrats and members of Forward Action Michigan. The group has been strongly urging the board to consider broadcasting at least board and finance committee meetings. Roughly a handful of citizens in favor of broadcasting meetings spoke during call to the public, telling the board not to get bogged down in the details as the goal is to better inform the public of county business and increase transparency.
Among those behind the effort is Dan Luria, who serves as vice chair of strategy for Livingston County Democrats. He presented the board with a petition of 157 signatures gathered in roughly five days of those who support the concept. Luria told WHMI most people canât name their commissioner and donât follow board business, although itâs the most important decision making body in the county and deliberations are essentially invisible to the public, adding many decisions are made at the finance committee level that meets in the early morning when many canât attend. Luria was fine with a committee being set up but preferred it should have been given some definite time period to bring forth findings and a recommendation. Luria noted they are trying to have only a few citizens speak during call to the public at this time but if the board continues not to do it, then theyâll make good on promises and continue to have more and more speak to use up significant time at future meetings.
Board chair Kate Lawrence commented during the meeting that the board understands the importance of transparency and has been working to increase it, noting meeting minutes are updated on the county website and a newsletter is also available.
County Chief Information Officer Rich Malewicz commented there are multiple options if the board chooses to pursue any technology and a lot of questions to be addressed before deciding on a solution. Some options include streaming live, having multiple cameras recording in a room or even hiring a camera crew to come in and record or stream to a website with archives. Malewicz told the board they could take it small or go very high tech but cautioned the higher they go, the more money it will cost. (JM)
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Extent Of Groundwater Contamination In Hartland Still UnknownExtent Of Groundwater Contamination In Hartland Still Unknown
The extent of a groundwater chemical contamination in Hartland Township is still unknown, despite being discovered a year and a half ago.
Merit Energyâs gas processing plant was once located at Lone Tree and Pleasant Valley Road, which is just south of M-59. It was dismantled in the summer of 2015 and at that time it was discovered that a chemical called sulfolane had leached into the soil and groundwater. Monitoring wells were installed at the site in early June as the company worked to identify just how far the contamination reached.
Since then, the company has also been working on remediation plans to clean the site up. Trustee Matt Germane provided the Hartland Township Board of Trustees with an update on Tuesday. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is providing regulatory oversight to the testing. Germane says a work plan has been submitted to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and that it was approved Friday.
Germane also says the groundwater investigation is continuing, as the contaminationâs extent is still undefined. Sulfolane sinks because it is heavier than water and the highest concentration is being found in the soilâs clay layer, which is 35 feet below the ground. Germane reported the contamination appears to be following the soilâs confining clay layer and water appears to be flowing towards the southwest and west.
Germane reports additional monitoring wells need to be installed on the west and south sides of the property to see how far the sulfolane has been carried in that direction. The extent of the contamination has been defined to the north and east, but not to the south and west yet.
Results from the monitoring wells are expected to become available in early February. Germane says the good news is that the Merit Energy site is âquite isolatedâ from any nearby residences. Hartland officials have said it is their understanding that the contaminated groundwater is confined to the five acre parcel where the gas plant operated. (DK)
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Vaupel Posts Perfect Voting Record In 2015-2016 Legislative Term Vaupel Posts Perfect Voting Record In 2015-2016 Legislative Term
One local lawmaker completed his first term in office with a perfect voting record.
State Representative Hank Vaupel took part in all 1,261 roll-call votes since he was sworn into office in January 2015. The Handy Township Republican commented that he made a commitment to represent the people of the 47th District in Lansing and by voting on every issue he ensures their voices are heard, adding he takes that responsibility to the residents of Livingston County very seriously.
The 2017/2018 legislative term begins later this month and Vaupel noted some areas of priority in moving forward. Vaupel says he remains passionate about removing age limits for Michigan judges, spina bifida legislation, do not resuscitate designations on state IDâs and allowing parents who are on active military duty to transfer parenting time to another family member.
In addition to taking part in every vote during the last legislative session, Vaupel served as vice chair of the House Committee on Health Policy, and as a member of the Committees on Family, Children and Seniors, Agriculture, Local Government, and Insurance. (JM)
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Lawrence, Griffith To Remain Chair & Vice Chair Of County Board Of Commissioners Lawrence, Griffith To Remain Chair & Vice Chair Of County Board Of Commissioners
The Livingston County Board of Commissioners has named new leadership for the coming year.
The board met Tuesday night and unanimously nominated Kate Lawrence to the board chair position and Carol Griffith to the vice chair post. Griffith told WHMI sheâs very honored to have been nominated and accepted by the board to again serve as the vice chair of the board of commissioners. Griffith says itâs a real privilege and sheâs looking forward to 2017 and working together again as a good board. She says they all have a nice working relationship; everyone supports one another and does their homework so itâs going to be a very good year again - adding she does very much appreciate the leadership role to represent the board.
Both nominations had unanimous votes, although Commissioner Bob Bezotte put forth a separate nomination for Dave Domas to serve as the vice chair position. The matter was not controversial though as Domas immediately interjected to ask that it be withdrawn, stating he was flattered but there was already a very suitable and qualified vice chair candidate in reference to Griffith.
In addition to electing the chair and vice chair positions, the board approved a resolution adopting rules of the board and establishing meeting dates for 2017. Only some minor changes were made regarding the dates of parks and recreation committee meetings. (JM)
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Hartland Township Tables Idea For Single-Hauler Trash CollectionHartland Township Tables Idea For Single-Hauler Trash Collection
A proposal for single-hauler trash collection in Hartland Township is being put on the back burner for now.
The township does not provide a township-wide garbage service or yard waste pickup, thus residents must contract their own refuse company. It was suggested that a single hauler system would better preserve the quality of local roads, and that residents would receive the same or better service at comparable or lower costs than they are currently paying.
Last month, Hartland Township held a public hearing seeking input from residents in regards to the idea of bringing all trash services under one contract. The Board of Trustees shared the results of surveys taken in 2012 and 2015, which suggested that the community was virtually split on the issue. Supervisor James Wickman says the board heard many good reasons in favor of it, a lot of understandable objections, and plenty of unanswered questions.
Wickman says prior to the hearing, the board posed a more direct question- whether residents were for or against trash service consolidation. He says the results from that survey were roughly 50/50.
Wickman says the board is appreciative of all the citizen feedback theyâve received, which led them to their final ruling at their regular meeting Tuesday night. He says it was an âeasy decisionâ for the board to agree that now is not the right time for township-wide trash service consolidation.
However board members were split on a secondary issue. Some felt the idea should be tabled entirely, while others felt staff should draft an example package of what the consolidation option could look like and present it to residents for further discussion. Some board members felt that numbers were too unstable for that or that it could create hard feelings amongst trash service companies that were not chosen for the example package.
Wickman says a happy medium was reached. Staff plans to collect information to answer questions and dispel myths, then provide that information to the public. Wickman says residents will have more information and the township can reevaluate the merits of the approach in a couple of years. (DK)
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Restaurant Crash Likely The Result Of Diabetic EpisodeRestaurant Crash Likely The Result Of Diabetic Episode
Officials say a diabetic episode is likely to blame for the incident Tuesday night in which an SUV drove almost into the middle of an area restaurant.
Fowlerville Police Chief John Tyler says they were dispatched shortly after 7:30pm to the Fowlerville Farms Restaurant on the report of a vehicle that had crashed into the building. When they arrived on scene, they found a large hole on the southwest corner of the restaurant, with an SUV approximately 20 feet inside. The 74-year-old Muskegon Heights woman, who is diabetic, was driving her sonâs Jeep Laredo to her home in west Michigan when she pulled off the freeway at Fowlerville after having symptoms of low blood sugar. After her daughter purchased some candy for her, the woman began to pull out when she mistook the accelerator for the brake pedal and panicked. Chief Tyler says before she knew what happened; she had crashed through the wall into the restaurant. He tells WHMI that it is a miracle, and very fortunate timing, that no one was injured. "According to one of the waitresses, one of the patrons was just walking up to the counter to pay and that was the booth where the individual was sitting at that the vehicle came through."
Tyler says no charges are anticipated as they believe the woman had a diabetic episode and was also unfamiliar with the vehicle. Despite the gaping hole in the outside wall and significant damage to a portion of the buildingâs interior, Fowlerville Farms is back and open for business today. (JK)
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