An event later this month aims to connect local veterans with the services and information they need.
Veterans Community Action Teams will present a Veterans Info Session on Monday, February 20th at the Livingston County Public Safety Headquarters on Tooley Road in Howell. The event aims to connect veterans with community, state and federal resources. Veterans will be able to have various questions answered at the event. Region 9 Coordinator for the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Joshua Parish tells WHMI theyâre trying to attract area veterans that might not completely understand what benefits theyâre entitled to or who may have questions about the different programs offered through county, state and federal service offices. Parish says the event will run from noon to 2pm. Then from 2 to 3pm, Parish says local resources will be on hand.
Among the featured panel will be a representative of the Ann Arbor Veterans Administration, Veteran Representative Joe Reiker, County Commissioners Bob Bezotte and Dave Domas, and State Representatives Hank Vaupel and Lana Theis. No registration is necessary. (JM)
Informational Session For Veterans In Livingston County Informational Session For Veterans In Livingston County
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Hamburg Man Enters Plea In Drunk Driving Case Hamburg Man Enters Plea In Drunk Driving Case
A Hamburg Township man who allegedly drove drunk to the police station has entered a plea.
Daniel Heise pleaded guilty as charged to operating while intoxicated in 53rd District Court last week. Heâll be sentenced March 14th. The incident occurred on January 26th when Heise followed two newspaper carriers to the township police station off Merrill Road.
Heise allegedly told police he came home to find a suspicious vehicle in his private subdivision and followed it. The newspaper carriers called 911 and officers met them in the back parking lot. Police said Heise appeared highly intoxicated and that he failed field sobriety tests and was subsequently placed under arrest. Heise remains free on bond pending his sentencing. (JM)
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Fenton Police Chief Resigns To Take New Job Fenton Police Chief Resigns To Take New Job
After 13 and a half years, Fenton Police Chief Rick Aro is resigning and says heâll certainly miss the City.
Aro says he and his wife moved closer to his daughter in the Belding/Rockford area about a year and a half ago. Heâs been making the commute for a while now and says a great opportunity presented itself at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Aro has been hired to serve as the police chief of the full time department with sworn officers. Aro says heâs pleased to get the opportunity and will be resigning as chief from the City of Fenton. He says Fenton is a beautiful community and a great place to work, noting the community, citizens, staff are all supportive. Aro tells WHMI itâs tough to leave and he will miss everybody but circumstances and family obligations made it necessary.
Aroâs last day will be this Friday, February 17th. Lt. Jason Slater has been selected by the city manager to serve as the interim chief until a decision is made as to how theyâll proceed. (JM)
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Water Main Break In Brighton, Situation Isolated Water Main Break In Brighton, Situation Isolated
UPDATE: The City of Brighton reports that crews have the situation isolated and that only a "handful of houses" are being impacted. Officials say there is not a boil water advisory but they do know sediment entered the system. Residents who notice water discoloration are advised to turn cold water faucets on and let them run for five minutes to clear any traces of sediment.
Crews are on scene at a large water main break on Washington Street between 2nd and 3rd Street in the City of Brighton. The City is asking that residents and motorists stay clear of Washington, 2nd and Franklin Street as the area is closed until further notice. The City says they will provide updates as they become available.
Photo Courtesy of The City of Brighton's Facebook.
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Crews Repair Water Main Break In BrightonCrews Repair Water Main Break In Brighton
A section of water main had to be replaced after a rupture flooded a Brighton street and caused a disruption to traffic for several hours.
Crews responded to the scene of a large water main break on Washington Street between 2nd and 3rd Street in the City of Brighton shortly after 3pm. Officials asked residents and motorists to stay clear of the area while the issue was repaired. Within two hours, crews had the situation isolated so that only a "handful of houses" were being impacted. While official say sediment did enter the system, no boil water advisory was issued. However, they say residents who notice water discoloration are advised to turn cold water faucets on and let them run for five minutes to clear any traces of sediment. A crew eventually cut out the broken main and replaced it, restoring service. A cause for the main break is not known. (JK)
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Pinckney Couple Facing Drunk Driving ChargesPinckney Couple Facing Drunk Driving Charges
Charges have been authorized against a local man as a result of a drunken driving incident that included his wife and children.
39-year-old Matthew David Egnot of Pinckney was arraigned in 53rd District Court Monday on one count each of Operating with a Blood Alcohol Content of .17 or more and Operating While Intoxicated. His wife, 36-year-old Siobhan Theresa Egnot, was charged recently with operating a vehicle while intoxicated with occupants less than 16.
Hamburg Township Police arrested the woman on suspicion of drunken driving on January 29th, after receiving reports that a 2016 Ford Explorer had gone off the road into the front yard of a home near Bass Ridge and Hooker Roads. Siobhan Egnot reportedly failed field sobriety tests and had called her husband before the police arrived to come pick up their two young children who were passengers in her vehicle.
Upon his arrival, officers suspected Matthew Egnot was intoxicated as well. Both were arrested and lodged in the Livingston County Jail. Matthew Egnot is due back in court March 6th for a pre-trial hearing. Siobhan rejected a plea offer Monday and will return to District Court for a status conference March 2nd. (DK)
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Local K9 Hero Celebrates Retirement With Reception & RecognitionLocal K9 Hero Celebrates Retirement With Reception & Recognition
Heâs been retired since October, but the Village of Pinckney wanted to recognize its K9 hero with an official sendoff.
On Monday night, the Pinckney Village Council and police chief Jeff Newton presented K9 Kizer and his handler Officer Steve Hart a plaque in recognition of the German shepherdâs 8 years of service to the community. Hart says the nearly 11 year old Kizer retired in October even though he still performed well. Hart tells WHMI that Kizer was the first K9 in service in Pinckney. Hart says they went into service in July of 2008 as Pinckney's first patrol narcotics K9 team. Kizer is certified with tracking, trailing, area search, building search and also handler protection. He is also certified in five major narcotics, including marijuana, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and methamphetamine. Hart says since they've been in service Kizer has put quite a number of people in jail. They work in various jurisdictions around the county, including Pinckney, Hamburg, Green Oak Township and Unadilla Township. Hart says thanks to Chief Newton, when they get a call for service, they are allowed to just go.
Hart says several years ago Pinckney was called âHeroin Highâ on national television and he asked what they could do to combat that. Newton was very supportive of bringing Kizer into service. Hart says they were able to get the dog and his training donated. He says the only thing the village was responsible for was his insurance and Hartâs training. Hart says since that time Kizer has helped track down and arrest a number of individuals throughout Livingston County, and has helped curb the heroin problem in both the village and the township.
Over the last two years, Hart says Kizer had started to slow down, so he started training a new dog. 2-year old Duke took over on October 6th after receiving certification and Hart says he is just as effective as Kizer. Like the older dog, Duke is trained in among other things narcotics and tracking, but Hart says he hopes the younger dog will grow into a similar temperament as Kizer. He says he could take Kizer into the elementary schools, have 30 kindergartners climb all over him and leave the school to go track a suspect. Hart says though the dog doesnât much care for retirement, he has been spoiled and will spend the rest of his life as a family pet. (DS)
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WHMI Celebrates 60 Years On The AirWHMI Celebrates 60 Years On The Air
Today is the 60th anniversary of being on the air for Livingston Countyâs own 93.5 WHMI and weâre taking a step back in time to reminisce.
Johnny Thiel attended the WWJ School of Radio Announcing in 1955, and began his career at WKLA in Ludington before moving to the area in March of 1957, when the WHMI Studios were brand new. Thiel was one of WHMIâs first morning DJâs, back when the studio sat on the corner of Walnut Street and Grand River Avenue in Howell above the Silver Lead Paint Store.
His son, John M. Thiel, says his father would announce the news, ads and commercials himself live on the air. Then, he would sit next to the window with a microphone, watch people walk up and down the street and comment about what he saw. He also hosted a teen dance on Saturday nights at the Howell Armory, later moving to Southeast School and the Howell High School School. At its peak, the dance would bring out 500 people.
Thiel says at that time, there were very few things west of town beyond the Citizens Insurance building, as the area didnât develop until the early 1960's. Johnny Thiel was only 50 when he passed away on June 5th, 1967.
Someone who knew Thiel and often worked with him was former Howell Mayor Paul Streng, who was a high school student working his way toward graduation and college in the early-to-mid-1960's. Streng says in those days WHMI was an AM station, with its tower south of Howell on Mason Road. Streng recalls that the station was completely different back then, signing on and off the air during daylight hours.
Streng says that in order to be on the air on Sunday mornings there were times he slept on the studio floor, and another time when he climbed a telephone pole behind the building through a window to make sure he was on the air on time. He says at the time WHMI was the only station around and many people counted on the station signing on at 6 am each day.
Streng says while he studied at Michigan State University he worked weekends and holidays at WHMI, fully intending a career in media. While at school, his plans changed and he ended up staying at MSU for a career in education. Despite leaving the media, Streng says he has hundreds of fond memories. Streng says he is still grateful for those years at WHMI, particularly working with owners Frank and Ann Bignell, who owned the station at the time. He says Ann was very committed to the community and there arenât many people like her anymore.
Ann Bignell initiated the station's move to studios near Howell High School in 1980. After her husbandâs death, she ran the radio station until she sold it to Greg and Marcia Jablonski in 1989. Greg Jablonski had been the station's chief engineer since 1970 and was instrumental in switching the station from AM to the FM band. The couple later moved the station to its current location on Grand River, east of Latson Road in Genoa Township in 2001. The Jablonskis owned the station until December of 2015, when they sold it to Krol Communications.
Thanks to the Howell Area Archives for their assistance in putting this story together and for the articles that we've posted below. (DK/DS/JK)
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Howell Woman Receives Delayed Sentence For Identity TheftHowell Woman Receives Delayed Sentence For Identity Theft
A Howell woman charged with identity theft for using her friendâs credit card behind her back has been sentenced.
Last March, 60-year-old Glenda Sue Price pleaded guilty as charged to one count each of identity theft, larceny from a building and stealing/retaining a financial transaction device without consent. Prosecutors agreed to delay Priceâs sentencing 11 months, a hearing for which was held last week.
Price was sentenced to 30 days in jail with a credit of three days served and five yearsâ probation. She will be allowed to serve her jail sentence on weekends and owes just over $3,600 restitution. Price originally owed approximately $13,544 â the majority to Discover Card Services and $1,174 to the victims, Chere and Robert Wolf of Oceola Township.
The Wolfâs had hired Price as a caregiver for their family and Chere reportedly even considered her a friend. When Chereâs card was declined at a location she hadnât used it at, she found that over $12,000 had been charged to her card. Price reportedly used the card without the Wolfâs permission for over 3 months in 2015. Priceâs criminal history includes theft charges that were eventually dismissed due to a lack of evidence and a conviction of embezzlement. (DK)
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Local Parochial School To Receive Security Upgrade FundingLocal Parochial School To Receive Security Upgrade Funding
A Livingston County school will be among dozens statewide that Michigan State Police say will get a share of about $2 million to improve safety and security at school buildings.
The grants announced this week are going to 25 public school districts, 24 private schools and three charter schools to purchase equipment and technology. State police say more than 62,500 students will benefit from the security improvements, including those at St. Joseph Catholic School in Howell, which will receive $11,377.
There were 84 applications received, totaling over $4.6 million in requests. Grant applications were reviewed by a committee that included representatives from the MSP, the Michigan Sheriffsâ Association, Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools and the Executive Office of the Governor. The review committee gave priority to proposals that sought to secure access points at school buildings, as this is one of the best and most cost effective ways to improve school safety and security. The Huron Valley School district in Oakland County also received $38,265. (JK)
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BHS Junior Joins EMU Women's Softball TeamBHS Junior Joins EMU Women's Softball Team
A Brighton High School junior with cerebral palsy has joined Eastern Michigan Universityâs womenâs softball team through a national program that seeks to join youth facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses with deserving sports teams.
Alyssa Feiler of Brighton, who joined the EMU softball team two weeks ago, was recognized as a Shining Star Monday night at the Brighton Board of Education meeting. EMU softball coach Melissa Gentile says the team had been looking to partner with Team IMPACT for some time and tells WHMI that Alyssa was the perfect match. Although having cerebral palsy since birth, Alyssa has been in the regular Brighton Area Schools program from the beginning, and is on her way to graduating with her 11th-grade classmates next year.
Alyssaâs mom, Shannon Feiler, says her daughter has adapted to her special challenges very well and is a happy, well-adjusted adolescent girl. Feiler credits Alyssaâs dedicated teachers in the Brighton school district for her success in being able to continue with her classmates in the regular school program and not fall behind.
Alyssa, who is 17, after receiving an athletic scholarship to EMU is considered a full-fledged member of the EMU softball team who attends practices and goes to social events with her teammates. Alyssa will also have the honor of throwing out the first pitch when the Eagles open their home season on March 24 in Ypsilanti. Since it began in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched 1,100 youths to over 450 colleges and universities throughout the country. (TT)
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Man Facing Assault & Battery Charges After Allegedly Pushing Protestors Man Facing Assault & Battery Charges After Allegedly Pushing Protestors
A man who âforcefullyâ pushed some protestors outside of a local congressmanâs office is facing criminal charges.
Another protest was held Monday afternoon in front of Congressman Mike Bishopâs Brighton office on Grand River. Brighton Police Chief Rob Bradford says the group was protesting peacefully when an older, retired male walked down stairs and forcefully pushed some protesters out of the way. The man was apparently not happy about the protestors being on the sidewalk and pushed them. No injuries resulted, just lengthy paperwork. Bradford tells WHMI there have been no problems with the group, which has contacted the department prior to all protests being held. He says reports have been completed and 12 counts of assault and battery referred to the Livingston County Prosecutorâs Office for review.
Constituents have been protesting outside of Bishopâs office to oppose what they say is his âcontinued refusal to respond to concerns about his support for several pieces of the dangerous Trump agenda, including a repeal of the Affordable Care Act and the executive order banning Muslim immigration from seven nations.â
Congressman Bishopâs Spokesperson Kelli Ford says "Congressman Bishop respects the right of all citizens to peacefully protest without the threat of violence." Photo: Fox 47.(JM)
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BAS Music Open House Tonight At MaltbyBAS Music Open House Tonight At Maltby
The Brighton Area Schools is embarking on an orchestral program next fall, and with that in mind, is hosting a âMusic Open Houseâ tonight.
The event will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Maltby Intermediate School at Brighton and Bauer roads. Superintendent Greg Gray says that parents of students in the third through eighth grades are particularly invited to come, since the orchestra program will start in the lower grades. The instrumental program will be integrated into the school curriculum one grade at a time, starting with fifth grade. As a result, it will take several years to develop a full high school orchestra which can sustain itself from year-to-year, with new students coming in each year from the lower grades.
The open house is for string and band instruments, and will have what is referred to as an instrument âpetting zooâ, meaning students who attend will be allowed to handle and even play the instruments, which are being provided by music stores from Ann Arbor and other area communities. The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra String Quartet will also be on hand to perform musical selections. Those with questions about the Brighton Area Schoolsâ Music Open House are asked to contact: leonm@brightonk12.com (TT)
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CASA Trainees Look To Better Understand Families & Children CASA Trainees Look To Better Understand Families & Children
A group of community volunteers training to be advocates for children in the court system are learning they must understand the dynamics of a family in order to help them to the best of their ability.
Week 2 of training is underway for the Howell LACASA Centerâs CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate program. Those that complete the training sessions will represent the best interests of abused and neglected children whose cases make their way into the court system.
I have been training with the nine other volunteers and on Tuesday, we focused on how to understand the families we will be serving. Program Director Sara Applegate says CASAs must consider a familyâs stressors, cultural background and strengths. She tells WHMI CASAs need to address each case with a lens of positivity. A CASA must believe the situation can improve, utilizing resources to help move the family forward and achieve permanency for the child. By focusing on a familyâs strengths instead of deficits, CASAs leave the negative situation that brought them to the child behind, and look ahead to all the good yet to come.
Another aspect is the risk factors within each family that can contribute to abuse or neglect of a child. That could include a parentâs mental illness, substance abuse or domestic violence within the household.
LACASAâs Community Education Director and Volunteer Coordinator Nicole Matthews-Creech attended Tuesdayâs training and says what matters is the impact these risk factors can have on the children. The impact can vary, depending on a childâs age, experience or coping mechanisms. Ultimately, Creech says a CASA must help a child understand that what is happening is not their fault. In taking all of this into consideration, CASAs can be an objective party in the case and aid in creating a brighter future for the child they will represent. (DK)
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Bishop Selected To Join House Ways & Means CommitteeBishop Selected To Join House Ways & Means Committee
Congressman Mike Bishop has been selected to serve on a powerful congressional committee that on Tuesday found itself in the center of the debate over the Presidentâs tax returns.
The Rochester Hills Republican was chosen by the House Republican Steering Committee to serve on the Ways and Means Committee, filling a seat left open by newly-confirmed Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price. Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives and has jurisdiction over issues including health care, trade, Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security and welfare. Bishop said he was âgrateful for this opportunity to fight for Michigan,â noting that the state âis home to one of the most diverse economies in the nationâ with a âpivotal role in international trade.â He said he was, âready to get to work withâ¦the committee to simplify our tax code, create more jobs and replace Obamacare with a health care law that works for more hardworking Americans.â But during Tuesdayâs organizational meeting of the committee, Democratic lawmakers attempted to use the committeeâs power to probe the links between Russia and President Trump by forcing the release of the presidentâs tax returns. That measure failed on a party line vote. Democrats argued that reviewing Trump's tax returns is important for national security, in light of national security adviser Michael Flynn resigning following reports that he misled White House officials about conversations he had with the Russian ambassador. But committee chair Kevin Brady of Texas declined to do so, saying it would weaken taxpayers' privacy rights.
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Man Facing Assault Charges For Pushing Protestors Man Facing Assault Charges For Pushing Protestors
A man who shoved peaceful protestors gathered outside of a local congressmanâs office is facing criminal charges.
8th District constituents have been protesting outside of Congressman Mike Bishopâs Brighton office on Grand River. The group was interrupted by a man who came walking through and started pushing people. Organizer Derek Stephens says the man had a cigar in his mouth and proceeded to push people in the crowd. He says someone confronted him but he just walked away but was eventually located by police. Then not long after the man shoved people, Stephens says another belligerent woman came by and started screaming at the crowd and getting in peopleâs faces. He says she tried to take a womanâs megaphone and proceeded to knock a cell phone out of someoneâs hand who was recording her before walking away.
Stephens tells WHMI safety is top priority and it was an unfortunate incident since he tries to be prepared but you canât plan for everything. He says the protests are done within the confines of the law, adding itâs important to always video record a protest for the safety and protection of those participating.
Acting Brighton Police Chief Rob Bradford told WHMI reports have been completed and 12 counts of assault and battery against the male suspect are being pursued through the Livingston County Prosecutorâs Office. His name has not been released. Bradford noted there have been no problems with the group, which has contacted the department prior to all protests being held.
Congressman Bishopâs spokesperson Kelli Ford told WHMI "Congressman Bishop respects the right of all citizens to peacefully protest without the threat of violence."
A link to the video is provided. The man shows up in the video around the 5:29 mark, followed by the other woman around 6:45. (JM)
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Handy Township Fixes One Treatment Plant Problem, Focuses On AnotherHandy Township Fixes One Treatment Plant Problem, Focuses On Another
Handy Township has solved one problem with their waste water treatment plant and is now looking towards fixing another.
The good news delivered from the Board of Trustees during their meeting Tuesday night was that the rotating biological contactor, or RBC, that was not working properly has been repaired. The bad news was that there is a sludge buildup in the tank under the RBCs that needs to be addressed in order to repair a valve that isnât functioning as well as it could be.
Supervisor Ed Alverson told WHMI that this is merely an obstacle and doesnât hurt the repair of the plant. He said they do want to clean it up 100%, however, and that it is going to take some special attention. The main hurdle for getting the cleanup done is the weather. Trustee Gordon Munsell confirmed that it needs to be warmer before they can get a crew in there to clean the sledge out. He said that odds are the tank hasnât been cleaned since the township took over the plant and that there is no way to know what is in there. He and Alverson estimated there is 12,000 gallons of sludge that needs to come out in order to repair the valve, which will cost $800 to $1,100.
Alverson told WHMI that the sludge is not an environmental concern. He said it is monitored by the Department of Environmental Quality and that the companies in charge of hauling it know what it is in it and have agreements with the farmers to which it will be delivered. (MK)
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Pinckney Woman Waives Exam To Embezzlement ChargesPinckney Woman Waives Exam To Embezzlement Charges
After being accused of stealing more than $1 million from a Bloomfield Township computer staffing firm, a Livingston County woman has been bound over for trial on multiple embezzlement counts.
53-year-old Debbie Broich of Pinckney worked as a bookkeeper at Blue Chip Talent and its related company, Computer Consultants of America. According to Bloomfield Township police, she embezzled the money over a period of six years âfor personal living expenses,â including buying new vehicles and paying credit card bills. Broich, who is free after posting a $250,000 bond, waived her exam on Monday in 48th District Court.
Her case now heads to Oakland County Circuit Court, where sheâll be arraigned February 27th on five felony counts of embezzlement over $100,000 and one count of embezzlement between $50,000 and $100,000. Police say the owner of the company became suspicious after reviewing the companyâs checking account and finding multiple checks issued to Broich. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison. (JK)
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Local GOP Activist Pushes Kid Rock Candidacy For U.S. Senate Local GOP Activist Pushes Kid Rock Candidacy For U.S. Senate
A Livingston County Republican Party activist has floated the name of musician Kid Rock as the next GOP candidate for U.S. Senate.
Meeting this past weekend in Lansing for their annual convention, Michigan Republicans were looking back over a highly successful 2016 campaign and planning for the next election cycle in 2018. While the GOP racked up big wins last November, including delivering the state for a Republican presidential nominee for the first time since 1988, one office has eluded them for nearly 20 years; that of Senator Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat.
One solution to that was suggested by Wes Nakagiri, a Livingston County Tea Party activist, who was elected to the GOP central committee. He said Kid Rock, whose legal name is Robert Ritchie, would be an âout of the boxâ candidate who could help the GOP get rid of its âstodgyâ image. Ritchie has not commented on the suggestion, which garnered instant media attention, but was a supporter of Donald Trump last year and Mitt Romney in 2012. (JK)
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Couples Tie The Knot With Valentine's Day Wedding At Coffee ShopCouples Tie The Knot With Valentine's Day Wedding At Coffee Shop
Things heated up in downtown Howell Tuesday, as couples said âI Doâ at a local coffee shop.
Valentineâs Day was also âFree Wedding Dayâ at Uptown Coffeehouse, thanks to the services of Howell firefighter, resident and wedding officiant Bill Fenton. The ordained minister usually charges $50 for his services, but offered âfree marriagesâ at Uptown yesterday as his way of giving back to the community. Couples say âI Doâ before witnesses, sign paperwork and it becomes official.
Fenton says he had a âsteady streamâ of people come through the coffee shop that he married. He tells WHMI each couple has their own reasons for getting married in a non-traditional fashion. In his experience, he says some want the marriage to be done out of state but still legal. Fenton says others have told him having it done at the courthouse is âcold and informalâ. Others are already married but want a simpler event.
April and George Scarbrough made the trip from Lansing to be married by Fenton. The couple has been together for 16 years and had planned on getting married in June. The Scarbroughsâ tell WHMI they decided not to wait, and were married surrounded by family and friends. George says the ceremony may not be traditional, but it was nice, comfortable and less stress.
Susan and Mark Bakhaus of Brighton have been together for four years. Susan has known Fenton for a while and says she called him last month for an emergency wedding that needed to be performed that very day, January 17th. The couple had tickets to the inauguration of President Donald Trump in Washington D.C. and wanted the trip to be their honeymoon. The couple decided to re-do the ceremony at the coffee shop yesterday to include witnesses and pictures.
Fenton says the âCoffee Shop Weddingsâ caught on when he realized some couples just needed a simple and affordable way to legalize a marriage. Heâs been a minster for five years and guesses heâs married between 750 and 1,000 couples in that time. Fenton says thereâs no better way to spend Valentineâs Day than marrying happy couples. (DK)
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