A local church is getting back at least half of the money they offered up to honor an alleged agreement made between them and two townships nearly 40 years ago.
Hacker Road in Howell was paved last September as part of a joint project between Hartland and Oceola Township. Hartland Township Supervisor Bill Fountain told WHMI that there was a âlegendâ going back to 1978 that if the road ever got developed, churches in the area would contribute a percentage to the project. Fountain said he learned that Oceola Township had sent a bill to St. John the Bapist Catholic Church, on Hacker a few weeks ago. The church sent both townships checks for $25,000 with Hartland receiving theirs on January 20th.
At Tuesday nightâs special meeting of the Board of Trustees, Hartlandâs leaders agreed to send their portion back. Fountain said the whole board felt it was the right thing to do. He said they never anticipated sending an invoice to the church because they didnât have anything in writing. He added that none of the other subdivisions or other residents in the stretch contributed additionally to the project.
Treasurer Kathy Hornung agreed with the decision noting that it was probably a lot of money for the church. Trustee Joe Petrucci said that nearly 100% of the churchâs parishioners were from the two townships and accepting the money would be like double dipping on its members. Trustee Glenn Harper suggested that someone talk to the Oceola Board of Trustees because asking the church to contribute additionally to this project was wrong. Fountain said that he was waiting for final word from his board before contacting Oceola Township, but will shortly to learn what they intend to do with their share. (MK)
Hartland Township Returning $25,000 Check To Local ChurchHartland Township Returning $25,000 Check To Local Church
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Festival In Downtown Howell This Saturday Celebrates Asian New Year Festival In Downtown Howell This Saturday Celebrates Asian New Year
An Asian New Year celebration and unique cultural experience is being offered for the community and visitors in Downtown Howell this weekend.
The Howell Lunar New Year Festival takes place Saturday, offering family friendly activities at the Howell Opera House with an educational twist. Now in its 4th year, Howell Downtown Development Authority Director Cathleen Edgerly tells WHMI the promotions team works to focus on what the Lunar New Year Festival is all about. She says exposing local residents, visitors and families to another culture helps them understand and build a greater appreciation for how others celebrate the new year. Edgerly commented everyone can always use a better appreciation of other cultures and celebrations and the Howell Lunar New Year is the perfect way to do it.
The Dragon Run 5K is open to both runners and walkers and kicks off at 10am from Challenger Elementary, with the course winding throughout the entire Howell Public Schools grounds. After the race, Edgerly says everyone moves over to the Howell Opera House for the rest of the festivities. Those include a lion dance and a blessing of the businesses, hands-on Asian themed activities, interactive cooking demonstrations for youth. Godiko drummers are performing a concert as a new feature this year.
The majority of festivities are free, with the exception of the Dragon Run 5K and the now sold out Lunar New Year six-course dinner event. Information and a schedule is attached.
Edgerly notes that Howell Main Street Incorporated is now its own separate 501-C3. All of the volunteer-led initiatives and projects put on such as Lunar New Year, Rock the Block, and the art and bicycle racks around downtown are all now operating under a non-profit so they can continue the positive programming and release a little bit of the burden on the City so more of the DDA funds can go toward infrastructure. (JM)
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Howell District & LOC Credit Union Expand PartnershipHowell District & LOC Credit Union Expand Partnership
A local school district and financial institution are growing a program designed to teach financial literacy to students.
LOC Federal Credit Union and Howell Public Schools have announced an expansion of the student-run credit union program in the district. LOC President and CEO James Dickinson said they were approached last year by Howell Superintendent Erin MacGregor about expanding the joint program that has been in Howell schools since 2005. As a result, three more student-run credit unions will join programs currently operating at Voyager and Three Fires elementary schools. Operations began on January 20 at Hutchings Elementary, while Northwest Elementary School will open their branch this Friday, February 3. Highlander Way Middle Schoolâs student-run credit union is expected to open in the next couple of months. Dickinson said the goal is to be in every Howell elementary and middle school by June of 2018.
Each student-run credit union is open one day a week, with an LOC employee always present to supervise operations. Students must apply for their positions and are responsible for conducting daily transactions and opening accounts for other students, although the branch is available for students, parents, and faculty alike. But the programâs focus is on encouraging students to make a habit of saving while practicing basic math skills in a practical way.
Pictured is the LOC branch at Three Fires Elementary that opened in 2015.(JK)
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Lansing Bicyclist Injured In Handy Township CrashLansing Bicyclist Injured In Handy Township Crash
A bicyclist was injured in Handy Township Tuesday night after being hit by a car.
The Livingston County Sheriffâs Office reports that deputies were dispatched at about 6:15pm Tuesday to an accident scene on W. Grand River Ave., west of Nicholson Road. A preliminary investigation indicates a 46-year-old Lansing man was riding his bicycle in a manner described as âall over the roadwayâ when he was struck by a 2004 Buick Century. The 19-year-old driver was eastbound on Grand River when he hit the bicyclist. The Lansing man was taken by Livingston County EMS to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing with non-life-threatening injuries.
The roadway remained closed for four hours during the investigation. Alcohol and speed do not appear to be factors in the crash, which remains under investigation by the Sheriffâs Office Traffic Safety Bureau.
Deputies were assisted at the scene by personnel from the Fowlerville Fire Department and Michigan State Police. (JK)
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Howell Man Hit By SUV As He Walked To WorkHowell Man Hit By SUV As He Walked To Work
A pedestrian was critically injured this morning when he was hit by an SUV in Oceola Township.
State Police from the Brighton Post say that just after 6 oâclock this morning, 33-year-old Lucas Paul Lawhead of Howell was hit as walked along Grand River Ave. near University Drive. Troopers believe Lawhead was on his way to work at Burger King when the accident occurred. He was hit by a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling eastbound on Grand River. The driver stopped immediately and called 911.
Lawhead was transported by Livingston County EMS to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, where he is reportedly in critical condition. State Police are continuing to investigate the crash, and ask that any witnesses contact the Brighton Post at 810-227-1051. Troopers were assisted at the scene by Howell Police and Howell Area Fire personnel. (JK)
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Teams & Individuals Still Sought For OLHSA's Annual Walk For Warmth Teams & Individuals Still Sought For OLHSA's Annual Walk For Warmth
The recent cold, snowy weather is a solid reminder that winter is here, which is why many in the community are busy raising money to help keep local neighbors and families warm.
The Oakland Livingston Human Service Agencyâs Annual Walk for Warmth event is set February 18th at Hartland Educational Service Support Center. More than 240 families received utility assistance as a result of last yearâs event and officials are encouraging pre-registration for the Livingston County walk. OLHSAâs Assistant Director for Communications Ashley Yocum tells WHMI they welcome teams, individuals or families to take part. She says so far, 20 teams have registered with many familiar faces returning and some new teams joining the walk. Yocum tells WHMI they encourage people to pre-register online by February 10th to help cut down on paperwork at the event and help secure a particular t-shirt size as there is always a big push of people registering the day of the indoor walk-a-thon. She noted the registration process is done online through a secure site and is simple to use. The Walk for Warmth goal is $90,000 in Livingston County and $90,000 in Oakland County, for an overall combined goal of $180,000. Yocum reminds that everything raised in Livingston County at Walk for Warmth goes back into the county to assist residents who need help paying their utility bills. Yocum added that there is still a big need locally, especially with the deliverable fuels in Livingston County during the winter.
A link to registration and donation information is available below. (JM)
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Narcan Administered In Suspected Heroin Overdose In Lyon Township Narcan Administered In Suspected Heroin Overdose In Lyon Township
Police and fire personnel were able to save a Lyon Township woman from a suspected heroin overdose this week.
Deputies from the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office Lyon Township substation and the Lyon Township Fire Department responded around 10:37pm Tuesday to the 100 block of Manistee Street, located in the Kensington Mobile Home Community. Deputies and paramedics were called out on a report of a female who had possibly overdosed on drugs. The boyfriend of the 24-year-old Lyon Township woman called 911 after finding her lying on the floor unconscious and experiencing difficulty breathing. Once on scene, authorities located the victim in a back bedroom lying on the floor and two hypodermic needles were found next to her.
Deputies were advised that the victim was a heroin addict.
Paramedics administered two doses of Narcan before the victim regained consciousness and began to breathe normally. Authorities say she was stabilized before being transported via ambulance to an area for further medical treatment. (JM)
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Howell High School Air Force Junior ROTC Program To Host Drill Meet Howell High School Air Force Junior ROTC Program To Host Drill Meet
Howell High School's Air Force Junior ROTC is hosting its very first Drill Meet this weekend.
A military drill team is described as a marching unit that perfect routines based on military drill and then competes against other programs. A total of eight teams are coming from as far away as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ohio to take part in the drill meet this Saturday at Highlander Way Middle School. Lt. Col. Lisa Franz, one of the Air Force JROTC instructors, says the event is Cadet planned and executed, with instructor guidance and sheâs really proud of the work everyone has done. Franz further noted all of the community and parent support received to make the drill possible, saying The Sons of the American Legion made a generous donation to help purchase trophies and medals.
Howell's Junior ROTC Drill Team has garnered numerous achievements, which can be viewed through the link below. (JM)
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Green Oak Holds Off Decision On Proposed Gymnastics Center Green Oak Holds Off Decision On Proposed Gymnastics Center
An amendment to plans for Legacy Park in Green Oak Township has been put on hold, as new traffic information recently came to light.
Traffic impacts have been a big item of contention surrounding the recreational, commercial and residential project. The Legacy Park Open Space Planned Unit Development, or PUD district, would be developed on 285 acres flanked by Rickett, Winans and Whitmore Lake Roads.
An amendment to plans for Legacyâs 45,370-square foot Vortex Gymnastics Center had been set to come before the townshipâs Board of Trustees on Wednesday. But Supervisor Mark St. Charles suggested postponing the amendment after he received information from developer Anthony Lombardo, who is constructing the residential portion of Legacy Park.
St. Charles says though it was short notice, Lombardo submitted traffic counts for the area that would be impacted by the project, along with solutions, suggested improvements and outcomes. St. Charles tells WHMI itâs exactly what the township and Livingston County Road Commission are interested in.
St. Charles says itâs important to get âahead of the curveâ because so many intersections in the area already operate with a level of service that he graded as an âFâ. St. Charles says Legacy developers and planners have a vested interest in moving traffic along and raising the level of service. The hope is that the traffic information can offer a solution that works for everyone.
The amendment is expected to come back before the board at their next meeting, February 15th. St. Charles says the hope is from there, they can come to an agreement of what needs to be done. (DK)
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Landmark Howell Building To Undergo Major Renovation Landmark Howell Building To Undergo Major Renovation
A local builder has plans to renovate a historic building reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties to become another jewel in Downtown Howell.
Jeff and Colleen Doyle purchased the old Howell Auto parts building on Grand River from James Young, a former Howell mayor whose family has owned the building since the 1950âs. The buildingâs art deco features reminded the couple of the Roaring Twenties and Jeff Doyle says the new name, The Pearl, represents the opulence of that era. The building was originally constructed in the 1920âs with three stories and has been home to a bowling alley and roller-skating rink. After suffering fire damage in 1935, it reverted to two stories and became the auto parts store in the 1950âs.
The new project would offer a convenient living environment for those that want to be in the center of a bustling downtown, which continues to see development and infrastructure improvements. Jeff Doyle tells WHMI theyâre very excited to come to downtown Howell and feel itâs one of the stateâs premiere walkable communities. The building will be renovated to reflect the art-deco theme, with work starting later this year. Doyle says itâs a unique building with an extremely large footprint and their goal is to recondition the entire front and restore the limestone to what it looked like when originally built in 1935.
Doyle noted itâs one of the few buildings downtown with dedicated parking and preliminary project plans include a roof-top deck overlooking Grand River and the historic Livingston County Courthouse. The first floor features 4,500-square-feet of lease space and will be a flexible venue ideally suited to a restaurant or business entrepreneur. A rear lot will feature dedicated parking. Plans call for fully restoring the second floor that will feature one large condominium and several smaller apartments. (JM)
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Woody the Woodchuck Predicts A Late SpringWoody the Woodchuck Predicts A Late Spring
A local legend is predicting another six weeks of winter weather in Michigan.
With a countdown of 30 seconds, Howell Nature Center directors Dana DeBenham and Dick Grant waited for Woody the Woodchuck to emerge from her stump. When she didn't, the prediction came; six more weeks of winter.
Woody the woodchuck saw her shadow this morning at the Howell Nature Center thus cementing the conclusion of a late spring. Despite frigid temperatures dozens of people, including a group of school children from Dearborn, waited in hopes that this yearâs prediction would bring better news than the last one. In 2016 woodchuck Murray took Woodyâs place, giving a similar forecast. During the 19th annual ceremony, Woody was back as the star, following a costume contest where six children were awarded tee-shirts and camp scholarships. Marilyn McGowan was disappointed by the prediction. She says she was hoping for an earlier spring, but trusts Woody to know what she's doing. McGowan wasnât the only one disappointed. Several children in the crowd voiced their disappointment saying they were ready for spring. Woodyâs unscientific prediction of a late spring has been correct 14 of the last 18 years, compared to her counterpart in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Phil has only been accurate 50% of the time. This year both prognosticators gave the same opinion; that winter will last at least another six weeks. (DS)
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Final Downtown Strategic Plan Report Presented to Brighton PSDFinal Downtown Strategic Plan Report Presented to Brighton PSD
Cristina Sheppard-Decius of POW! Strategies in Royal Oak gave her final report to the Brighton Principal Shopping District Board at its monthly meeting on Tuesday. Among the reportâs recommendations are attracting more condos and apartments to the downtown area, adding bicycle lanes to Grand River and Main Street, having more festivals, erecting banners for Grand River such as the one on Main Street, and staging light shows at the Mill Pond. The strategic initiative is a three-year plan designed to make downtown Brighton even more of a destination than it already is. PSD Board Chairman Mark Binkley tells WHMI that to implement all of the facets of the plan would be far too ambitious and expensive for the PSD alone, and probably for all three local governmental entities combined. As a result, in the near term the PSD, DDA, and City Council will review the report and subdivide its recommendations into those that are more feasible for a particular body, be it the City Council, DDA or PSD.The plan calls for creating partnerships with such entities as Mount Brighton, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Authority â due to the proximity of metroparks such as Island Lake and Huron Meadows, and the University of Michigan, because of the new, nearly 300,000-square-foot medical facility under construction on Challis Road. Binkley says the idea is not to create another Royal Oak or Northville, saying Brighton is already in a sense a destination for folks in Livingston County and in nearby communities like South Lyon, Milford and Whitmore Lake. The report also suggests incorporating strategies to encourage the development of more condominiums and apartments. But Binkley says the city has been encouraging more residential units in the downtown area for a long time. He says a lot of things in the report are elements the city, its DDA, Planning Commission and PSD have already known and, in his words, âsubstantiates that what weâre already dong is right, but gives us the tools for growth in the future.â Binkley says PSD members, along with the City Council and DDA, will each get copies of the report and it undoubtedly will be a prime subject of discussion in the coming weeks and months. (TT)
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South Lyon Firefighters Respond To Carbon Monoxide Incident South Lyon Firefighters Respond To Carbon Monoxide Incident
A father and son from South Lyon had to be hospitalized after critical levels of carbon monoxide were discovered inside of their home in a senior housing community.
The two men reside in the Colonial Acres senior housing community and smelled natural gas inside of their home this past Sunday. They contacted Consumers Energy initially and a responding representative quickly discovered elevated levels in the unit on Franklin Terrace Drive. Both men reported feeling very ill and the South Lyon Fire Department arrived on scene around 11am.
Fire Chief Mike Kennedy confirmed for WHMI that firefighters discovered carbon monoxide levels as high as 340 parts per million inside of the unit, which is closest to the identified source - boiler. He commented that the boiler was blocked with soot and not burning correctly, causing carbon monoxide to back up into the building. The father and son both had critical carbon monoxide levels and were transported to an area hospital. Kennedy says other residents in the six-unit building, which was evacuated, had elevated levels but declined transport. High-pressure fans were used to ventilate the building before residents were allowed back inside.
There were not any working smoke or carbon monoxide detectors in the building and Kennedy says there would have likely been multiple fatalities had the incident happened at night. He added that citizens should always call 911 first if they smell natural gas. (JM)
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Deerfield Township Couple Sentenced In Child Abuse Case Deerfield Township Couple Sentenced In Child Abuse Case
A Deerfield Township couple convicted of felony child abuse will avoid further jail time.
In June, Angela and Eric Corcoran were convicted of 2nd degree child abuse for mentally and emotionally abusing their 16-year-old adopted son. Sentencing proceedings took place Thursday in Livingston County Circuit Court. Each was ordered to serve three years of probation but received credit for the 32 days of jail time already served. They originally faced up to ten years in prison. 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. (JM)
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Project Opiate To Host Addiction Event From "A Parent's Perspective"Project Opiate To Host Addiction Event From "A Parent's Perspective"
An event later this month hopes to shine the light on a growing problem in many local neighborhoods.
Heroin overdose deaths continue to rise in Livingston County, and as a way to combat the problem, a program is being held in Brighton in mid-February. Project Opiate, a collaborative effort involving families of those lost to heroin overdose, local law enforcement, and the Brighton Center for Recovery has been working for the last 6 years to curb the number of overdose deaths in the county.
On February 15th, the organization will present âA Parentâs Perspective Focusing on Collaboration and Hopeâ at St. Paulâs Episcopal Church in Brighton. Anyone with an interest in helping curb the heroin problem is welcome to attend. According to a fact-sheet produced by the Livingston County Collaborative Body, overdoses have quadrupled over the last two decades, and involve more than heroin. The document also indicates that unintentional drug overdoses from prescription pain medications are also on the rise and are not just affecting young people; parents and even grandparents are overdosing on medications.
The program will feature frank and honest discussion designed to reduce the stigma of addiction, as well as a welcoming atmosphere for dialog. For more information on Project Opiate or this program, contact 53rd District Court Administrator Francine Zysk at fzysk@livgov.com or by calling 517-540-7637. (DS/JK)
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Northfield Twp. Planning Commission Moves To Consolidate Zoning MapNorthfield Twp. Planning Commission Moves To Consolidate Zoning Map
Northfield Township is rezoning 3 of their districts in an effort to make doing business in the Whitmore Lake area more friendly.
The Planning Commission has spent the past few months trying to fold their Enterprise Service, Highway Commercial, and Local Commercial districts into one General Commercial district. Following a public hearing in December, they made a couple amendments and sent a recommendation to the township board. Commission chairman Larry Roman told WHMI the township board sent it back to the commission with concerns over 3 uses. Roman said the hangup was on hotels, gas stations, and auto service shops being proposed to become permitted uses within a half-mile of highway interchanges.
The Board of Trustees wanted the Planning Commission to consider leaving them as conditional uses so that the township would have more control over what went up and how it looked. The Planning Commission was presented two options by their planning consultant with a third being to scrap the whole idea. They chose unanimously to restore the recommendation to its pre-hearing status, making the three mentioned services conditional again. It is the belief of the board that this will speed up the re-zoning process and more quickly allow businesses waiting to get into Northfield Township to get started.
The new recommendation will now go back to the Township Board of Trustees for discussion and a possible vote before being put into effect. (MK)
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Oceola & Howell Townships Interested In Sharing Costs For Road WorkOceola & Howell Townships Interested In Sharing Costs For Road Work
Necessary rehabilitation for a local road in bad condition could be funded by two townships each willing to come together and chip in.
Oceola and Howell Township are discussing sharing the cost of work on the stretch of Fisher Road between Clyde and Allen Road. The idea was presented at the Oceola Township Board of Trusteesâ meeting Thursday night. Supervisor Bill Bamber says the discussion was meant to determine whether the board was interested in participating in the project, which resulted in a unanimous yes.
Portions of Fisher Road have been repaired before and Bamber tells WHMI this would be the final piece. Bamber says the townships originally discussed adding six inches of gravel, but are now talking about doing some minor ditching. He feels they need to continue working on the roads that âneed it the worstâ, especially as the road lies between the two townships.
Preliminary quotes indicate that the Livingston County Road Commission would lay surface gravel, perform tree work and add limited drainage for approximately $95,000. Culver Excavating reportedly offered to lay gravel for $51,900, but Bamber says the gravel wonât do much good unless the road has some sort of drainage. The townships are still waiting on a quote from Culver for ditching work, but Bamber believes Culver will be the cheaper option.
For now, the board is postponing a formal decision until their next meeting when they hope to have the final numbers. The townships would equally split the project cost, which will vary depending on the amount of ditching work thatâs done. Oceola Trustee Robert Henshaw says, âItâs always nice to leverage with another township to get it done.â (DK)
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Fowlerville Man Sentenced For Role In Baseball Bat AttackFowlerville Man Sentenced For Role In Baseball Bat Attack
Sentencing has been handed down to a Fowlerville man charged in the attack of a former employee from a local restaurant. 23-year-old Timothy Borg had been charged in Livingston County Circuit Court with assault with intent to murder in the April 22nd attack of an employee in the parking lot of the former Bubba Changâs restaurant in Genoa Township.
Earlier this month, he pleaded guilty instead to the reduced charge of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder. Borg was sentenced on that charge Thursday to three to ten years in the Michigan Department of Corrections. He also received 117 days in the county jail for felonious assault and 93 days for assault and battery, though both sentences have already been served.
Borg was employed as a dishwasher at the restaurant where authorities say 51-year-old Guan Han Chen (aka Andy Chen) had recently been fired from, but had returned to the business in an attempt to collect back wages and personal belongings. An argument escalated in the parking lot and a 21-year-old man, believed to be Chenâs son, suffered a skull fracture and injuries on his back after being attacked with a baseball bat.
The Chinese-American buffet was owned by John and Jeremy Hamilton. Jeremy Hamilton allegedly used a baseball bat to smash up Chenâs 2008 Honda Odyssey while Chen testified Johnnie used it to attack his son as Borg held him in a bear hug. Johnnieâs wife, Angela Hamilton, is charged with tampering with evidence for allegedly hiding the bat afterward. All three of their cases are expected to go to trial February 28th. (DK)
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Brighton Mulls How to Pay for $1 Million in Upgrades for U/M FacilityBrighton Mulls How to Pay for $1 Million in Upgrades for U/M Facility
At a study session Thursday night, the Brighton City Council discussed how to pay for about $1 million worth of road improvements that will be needed because of the new U of M medical facility, now under construction.
The facility, to be called Brighton Health Center South, has a $175 million price tag and will be about 300,000 square feet in size. It is scheduled to open in late 2018 at the southwest corner of the intersection of Challis Road and Karl Greimel Drive. In conjunction with the project, the city will be upgrading the intersection, just as the Livingston County Road Commission will be making major improvements to Challis Road in that area. City Manager Nate Geinzer tells WHMI that he wants to make sure that the city can afford to do the work without jeopardizing projects that are needed â some of them, overdue - in the city.
Geinzer says the city will have to bond for the intersection improvement project, either with a 15-year or 20-year bond. The annual payment on the bond will be in the neighborhood of $250,000-$350,000, depending on how soon the bond will be paid off. Geinzer says that could put a serious crimp on the 2017-18 budget that he, and city Finance Director Gretchen Gomolka, are in the process of preparing.
The Challis-Greimel improvement project wonât take place until the 2018 construction year, which gives the city a little more time to figure out a way to pay for it. (TT)
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Howell Man Struck By SUV Dies From Injuries Howell Man Struck By SUV Dies From Injuries
A Howell man has died from the injuries he sustained Wednesday when he was hit by an SUV.
33-year-old Lucas Paul Lawhead was hit as walked along Grand River Avenue near University Drive in Oceola Township. He was initially hospitalized in critical condition, but according to friends and family he passed away on Thursday. State Police from the Brighton Post say Lawhead was on his way to work at Burger King when he was hit by a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling eastbound on Grand River. The driver stopped immediately and called 911.
State Police are continuing to investigate the crash, and ask that any witnesses contact the Brighton Post at 810-227-1051. (JK)
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