The Michigan appeals court has ruled in favor of a Wixom business in a dispute over liability in the use of synthetic marijuana.
Terry Tuck sued Wixom Smokers Shop on behalf of his son, who burned down the family house in 2011 and threatened others after using synthetic marijuana, known as Spice or K2. Tuck says the product caused delusions, paranoia and erratic behavior. But the appeals court says it's "mere speculation" that spice from the Wixom shop caused the injuries. There's evidence that others used it but didn't experience similar problems. In a 3-0 decision, the court says there's also evidence that Tuck's son got Spice elsewhere.
In 2012, a year later, Michigan lawmakers banned the sale of mixes of dried herbs and spices sprayed with chemicals. (JM)
Court: No Liability For Shop In Synthetic Marijuana CaseCourt: No Liability For Shop In Synthetic Marijuana Case
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Brighton To Get Master Plan OverhaulBrighton To Get Master Plan Overhaul
The Brighton City Council has approved the hiring of Detroit planning consultant Giffels Webster to do a complete overhaul of the cityâs Master Plan.
Although the cost is steep, at $104,000, the lionâs share - $79,000 - will be paid for by the cityâs Downtown Development Authority. Brightonâs current five-year plan will expire in August, and every community is required by the state to update its master plan every five years. Rod Arroyo, director of community planning for the company, told council Thursday night that a master plan should be understandable by the average person. He says there will be plenty of opportunity for input from citizens and the business community as they slowly develop the master plan. He offered the example of the Detroit suburb of Clawson, for which his company updated its master plan. Arroyo said Clawson decided it didnât want to be another Royal Oak or Birmingham. they wanted it to be just what it is.
He said it will be up to the citizens of Brighton, through surveys, interviews and the public hearing process, to provide input on what kind f a community they want Brighton to be. That information will then be distilled and consolidated into a Master Plan. Giffels Webster has already been working with the Brighton City Planning Commission for the past several months updating the cityâs zoning ordinance. That process is nearly completed and will be put to a public hearing, and then to City Council, for final action. (TT)
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Local Hospital Welcomes New Surgical Suite To FacilityLocal Hospital Welcomes New Surgical Suite To Facility
A local hospital is expanding its patient care with new surgeons and services, as part of an investment into the community to transform the areaâs health care.
St. Joseph Mercy Livingston in Howell has added a surgical suite to their facility, which will officially open March 28th. A ribbon-cutting and blessing of the suite was held on Thursday, allowing community members and physicians to get a glimpse of the hospitalâs newest addition.
St. Joseph Livingston Hospital and Brighton Health Center President John OâMalley says full service surgical services will be offered in the suite, which includes three brand new, state-of-the-art operating rooms. OâMalley tells WHMI the addition will help the hospital serve more patients in the area, bringing "local care back local".
Based on a community-needs assessment, the hospital determined what services the areaâs residents were seeking. The surgical suite will help meet those needs, according to OâMalley, as it provides services like minimally invasive surgery and bariatric surgery. Three new surgeons have also been added to the hospital.
St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Brightonâs Chief of Staff, M.D. Angel Gomez, says patients can now recover even faster, complications will decrease, and comfort and privacy will be enhanced. Gomez says the ultimate goal is to provide advanced, high quality care, in a cost effective manner. (DK)
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Meetings Seek Public Input On Commuter Rail ProjectMeetings Seek Public Input On Commuter Rail Project
A series of meetings next week will try and further the effort to make a commuter rail proposal into reality.
The North-South Commuter Rail project has been a 10-year initiative comprised of several organizations working to create a public transit option in Livingston County. More popularly known as WALLY, for the Washtenaw and Livingston Line, the proposed 27-mile long commuter rail service would run on existing tracks that connect Ann Arbor and Howell, with several stops proposed between the two cities. Promoters say it is represents a cost-effective alternative to ease traffic congestion along US-23 and to promote economic development and job creation in the region. They note that nearly 75% of Livingston County residents commute out of the county to work each day.
A study is ongoing by the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority to assess the overall feasibility of the North-South Commuter Rail service and part of that process are community input meetings. The final series of those will start this Monday, March 20th at the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce. That will be followed on Tuesday the 21st at the Northfield Township offices and then on Wednesday the 22nd at Eberwhite Elementary School in Ann Arbor. All three meetings will run from 6:30 to 8:30pm.
Organizers say the intent of the meetings will be to provide an update on the status of the project including cost and ridership projections, as well as information on governance and funding strategies. There will be a presentation at the beginning of all three meetings, followed by a discussion to answer questions and obtain public input.
For additional information, contact Michael Benham at AAATA at (734) 794-1851 or mbenham@theride.org.
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"Furstock Music Fest" To Raise Funds For Humane Society"Furstock Music Fest" To Raise Funds For Humane Society
The Humane Society of Livingston County is taking a step back in time to 1969 with a fundraiser for the shelterâs homeless pets.
Anyone who didnât get the chance to attend Woodstock back in the 60sâ will have an opportunity in May to experience an event of a similar nature. âFurstock Music Fest 2017â will be held May 29th from noon to 9pm at Rollerama in Brighton. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Humane Society of Livingston County.
Furstock will feature several groovy guest bands and guests are encouraged to show their spirit with tie-dye attire. The event will include a 50/50 raffle, silent and live auctions, a dance contest, autograph signings and a dunk tank. Tickets are $20 and are now on sale. More information about tickets, sponsorship and vendor information can be found at the link below or by calling 517-552-8050 ext. 10.
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Two Presentations Aim To Help Keep Kids Off DrugsTwo Presentations Aim To Help Keep Kids Off Drugs
Two presentations to help kids stay away from drugs are coming in May to the historic Howell Theater.
Project Opiate and Steered Straight, Inc. are bringing their âHelping Young People Help Themselvesâ program to town for a pair of dates. On May 7th at 6pm there will be a screening of the documentary âAn American Epidemic.â The movie brings a national perspective to the opiate and heroin problem they see growing in the country and offers a message asking for everyone to work together to help end it. On May 11th there will be a live presentation by Steered Straightâs founder, Michael DeLeon.
DeLeon suffered for 8 years with drug addiction and gang involvement and spent 12 years in jail. Since his release he has earned 3 Associateâs Degrees and has dedicated himself towards educating and helping youths stay on the right path when it comes to serious life issues, with an emphasis on drugs. These events are free and open to all members of the community. (MK)
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Health Department In Accreditation Process For State And National ProgramHealth Department In Accreditation Process For State And National Program
The Livingston County Health Department is working to maintain their public health accreditation through the state, while also looking to achieve it at a national level.
A resolution was approved by the countyâs General Government and Health and Human Services Committee Monday night for the Health Departmentâs 2017 Plan of Organization. The plan is a requirement from the Michigan Local Public Health Accreditation Program, which the department must go through every three years in the accreditation cycle.
The Plan of Organization outlines how the department is organized, where their legal power comes from, programs and services that are available to residents, and their goals and objectives for the next three years. The plan was approved unanimously by the committee, who sent it forward to the board of commissioners for approval.
Health Promotions Coordinator Chelsea Moxlow says the department has been accredited by the state for over 18 years and they are also working towards national accreditation. Moxlow tells WHMI documentation for the national level is due in August. After it is reviewed, the department will be assigned to a Health Accreditation Board Site Visit Team. The team will tour the Health Department and interview its staff over the course of several days.
The Health Department began the process to achieve national accreditation in 2015. (DK)
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Free Tax Help Available For MichigandersFree Tax Help Available For Michiganders
Tax season can be a stressful time for many, but free help is available across the state to ease some of that burden and make sure Michiganders get the refunds and credits they're entitled to.
Every year, hundreds of IRS certified, trained volunteers across Michigan devote their time to processing and filing more than 100,000 tax returns at no charge. Ross Yednock, program director for the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan, said without that assistance, many people would miss out on money due to them, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit.
"And that can be several thousands of dollars federally. And then Michigan has specific credits as well, and that's the Homestead Property Tax Credit, and then the Home Heating Credit,â Yednock said.
Michiganders can find the closest free tax site by dialing 211 or by logging on to MichiganFreeTaxHelp.org. Appointments are necessary at most sites, and it's important to bring proper documentation, including any W2 and 1099 statements, Social Security benefit statements and property tax information.
Marshall Hunt, director of tax policy and advocacy at the Accounting Aid Society of Detroit, said they've been offering free tax assistance since 1976, and each year they typically help about 20,000 people - most of modest means. He said it's important to note there is no state regulation of paid tax preparers, and like many industries, there are some bad apples out there.
"I think any time anybody can so-called guarantee you a certain amount of refund, or say 'I can get you $4,000' or something like that, that should be a real red flag,â Hunt said.
Also noteworthy - this year's tax deadline isn't the usual April 15th. That date is a Saturday, and Monday is a holiday in Washington D.C., pushing the deadline to either file taxes or apply for an extension to midnight on Tuesday, April 18th. (Public News Service)
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Competency Review Ordered For Milford Man In Attempted ArsonCompetency Review Ordered For Milford Man In Attempted Arson
A Milford man has been ordered to undergo a competency review after his arrest on arson charges earlier this month.
23-year-old Giovanni May walked into the Milford Police Department shortly after 3:30am March 8th and reportedly told officers he tried to set a postal truck on fire using a lighter fluid-soaked sock. Police say May admitted stuffing the sock into the opening of the truck's gas tank and lighting it just minutes before he turned himself in. It failed to ignite when the sock broke into two and the burning portion fell to the ground. The Milford Times reports May talked to police about hearing voices in his head and that he wanted to go to jail, saying he had considered setting a police car on fire initially, but chose the postal truck because he hoped it would set off a chain reaction explosion of nearby vehicles. May also said he may have been pushed over the edge by the election of Donald Trump.
Court records show that May was arraigned on a felony charge of attempted arson. He was subsequently ordered to undergo a competency evaluation. A review of that is set for May 24th. He remains lodged in the Oakland County jail. (JK)
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Brighton's Crespi Wins Mr. Hockey AwardBrighton's Crespi Wins Mr. Hockey Award
The Brighton hockey team, which won the state Division 1 title nine days ago, picked up more honors on Sunday, when forward Jake Crespi (pictured) was named Mr. Hockey and Logan Neaton won the Most Valuable Goaltender award.
Both Crespi and Neaton were named to the stateâs Dream Team, as was Hartland junior Josh Albring, who tied for the state lead in assists this season with 51 and whose 74 points were 10th overall. Crespi is the first area player to win Mr. Hockey since Brightonâs Zach Hitch did it in 2006, when Brighton won its first state title. (TR)
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Program To Celebrate Inductees On Brighton Womenâs History Roll of HonorProgram To Celebrate Inductees On Brighton Womenâs History Roll of Honor
The diverse accomplishments of women of the greater Brighton area will be recognized during a weekend program.
In conjunction with Womenâs History Month during March, The Brighton Area Womenâs History Roll of Honor Advisory Council will be celebrating the 2017 Honorees during a program at the Brighton District Library this Saturday. Candidates for admission to the Brighton Area Womenâs History Roll of Honor must have achieved prominence or significantly contributed to the Brighton community while having lived, worked or been affiliated with the area for an extended period of time.
Joyce Powers is among the founders of the Brighton Area Womenâs History Roll of Honor, which since 2003 has grown to include 87 women, including the 2017 class of honorees. She tells WHMI the program was specifically coordinated to take place on March 25th - the official date of the founding of the City of Brighton. The library will join with the Brighton Area Womenâs History Roll of Honor to recognize the Cityâs Sesquicentennial while honoring the new members of the Roll of Honor.
The 2017 honorees include Education Specialist Gloria Klepser Downing; WWII Veterans Priscilla Luce Durante and Lucy Newman Lyon; Brighton businesswoman Claudia Ann Roblee; and Pat Schuch, the first woman engineer in several auto plants. Brighton resident Abby Krzywiecki, who was named 2016 Miss Softball, will be included with Athletic Championship Honorees. More information is attached and Durante is pictured.
The program will run from roughly 3:30pm to 5pm in the A/B room at the Brighton District Library. The public is welcome to attend. (JM)
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Grand River Road Work Starts In Brighton This Week Grand River Road Work Starts In Brighton This Week
There will be intermittent lane closures on Grand River on the northwest side of Brighton this week. The lane closures will be to allow repair work by MDOT on the bridge underneath the Grand River I-96 overpass.
Newly-appointed Brighton Department of Public Works Director Marcel Goche says there will be one lane closed on eastbound Grand River and one lane closed on the westbound side through Friday. The closures will take place between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. so as to interfere as little as possible with morning and afternoon commute times. Goche says the cost of the project will be paid for entirely by the Michigan Dept. of Transportation.
Meanwhile, MDOT will be embarking on a project this spring to repave West Grand River in the city. Grand River has been deteriorating the last couple of years due to the effects of the constant freeze-thaw cycle. Another factor is curb cuts by local businesses along Grand River which â when patched up â result in bumps on the road and a rough ride for motorists. Goche tells WHMI the project is set to start on April 17th.
The work will encompass the area from north of the I-96 overpass to Ore Creek. Goche says MDOT contractors will do the work at night in order to cause as little of an interruption for motorists as possible. Goche assures that even while the work is being done, there will be lanes open to traffic. The project will take place over three weeks, depending on the weather, and is scheduled to be completed by June 30th. The rest of Grand River in the city â from Ore Creek to the east Brighton city limits â is slated to get a re-do next year. (TT)
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Howell Chamber Accepting Nominations For Margaret Starkey ScholarshipHowell Chamber Accepting Nominations For Margaret Starkey Scholarship
Nominations are once again being accepted by the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation for the annual Margaret Starkey Scholarship.
Named in honor of the chamberâs executive assistant for more than 30 years, Starkey retired from the chamber in 1987 and passed away in 2002. The foundation will award a total of up to $15,000 in scholarships to worthy students of all ages who are nominated by their employers. Some of the criteria used to evaluate candidates will include self-motivation and creativity, customer service, leadership and self-confidence.
Nominees must have been employed since at least September of 2016 with the nominating company, which must also be located within Livingston County. The deadline to apply is May 15th. Youâll find details through the link below. (JK)
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Love Inc. 10-Year Anniversary Open House In Howell Thursday Love Inc. 10-Year Anniversary Open House In Howell Thursday
A local non-profit is celebrating ten years with an anniversary open house this week.
Love Inc. or Love in the Name of Christ as a whole is celebrating 40 years. The local office in Howell has continued to grow over the last ten years and provides a collaborative connection and clearinghouse for churches to help individuals and families with various needs. Love Inc. makes the connection and verifies people are living in poverty or distress, thus taking a lot of work off the pastors, so they can better focus on their missions. It works to fill all basic needs except for housing itself. That includes assistance with utility bills, rent, churches rides to doctor appointments, personal items and gas vouchers.
Executive Director Katherine Janego tells WHMI itâs an important ministry for the community and sheâs in awe at how theyâve grown over the past ten years, and grown so collaboratively. She says itâs fun to be working with people who love to serve and care so much about people in the community. Janego says Love Inc. hears the cry of the poor and volunteers reach out to match and bring them together. She says they initially started out with 10 churches and now have 62 to fill basic needs. While the need might not be as strong as it was, she says itâs still there and always will be, adding what Livingston County does best is serve people collaboratively and itâs done well because people care about one another.
Love Inc. has 48 different ministries and one exciting, new venture on the horizon according to Janego. She says Love Inc. is in the process of opening a resale store in the Promenade plaza in Howell, which is expected to happen by late May.
As Love Inc. depends on volunteers and takes over 800 phone calls a month, Janego says they want to thank the community with a party. Thursdayâs anniversary open house will run from 4 to 6pm and feature live music, appetizers and beverages. Love Inc. is located near the historic county courthouse at 820 East Grand River in Howell. (JM)
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New Simple Recycling Program Offered In City Of Howell New Simple Recycling Program Offered In City Of Howell
Residents in the City of Howell have a new option to recycle clothing and other home goods.
The City is the first local community to take part in the free program through Simple Recycling. The Howell City Council approved participating in the program during its meeting last Monday. The City was approached by Recycle Livingston about participating in the free program that recycles clothing and other home goods not typically part of residential recycling programs.
The Howell City Council met recently and approved the proposal from Simple Recycling, which does not cost the city anything nor is there any work involved for staff. Several municipalities that currently work with the company were said to have all been pleased with the service.
City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI the program fills that weird gap with items that donât go in the recycle bin but someone might not necessarily want to put it in a landfill either. He says the company will be reaching out to residents offering free bags. Residents should put the bags out on their normal trash day and the company will pick it up and provide replacement bags at that time.
Mayor Nick Proctor and Councilwoman Jan Lobur opposed the motion to participate in the program, saying they were âuneasyâ about it. Lobur commented she was concerned it could impact local non-profits such as LACASA and Love Inc. Photo: Facebook. (JM)
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Home Depot Incident Prompts Police Chase & School Lockdowns In BrightonHome Depot Incident Prompts Police Chase & School Lockdowns In Brighton
Police in Brighton searched for a suspect in a retail fraud incident this morning that forced several schools to go on lockdown.
Brighton Police Chief Rob Bradford tells WHMI that two suspects, who he referred to as "an organized retail fraud pair," entered Home Depot around 9am and loaded up a cart with generator panel switches and nail guns, valued at over $2,000, and attempted to leave the store. Loss Prevention officers, who were aware of the pair, stopped them outside the store. The suspects, who refused to go back inside, left the merchandise before getting into a vehicle and driving away. When responding officers made a traffic stop on the vehicle, the passenger fled the scene, while the driver was taken into custody. A perimeter was set up, and local schools, including the Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy and St. Patrick's Catholic School, were placed on lockdown while a K9 unit from the Fowlerville Police Department assisted with a track, which was ultimately unsuccessful.
Area buildings and businesses were also checked without finding the suspect and eventually both schools lifted their lockdowns. The driver was lodged on charges of organized retail fraud while his vehicle was impounded. Chief Bradford says the case remains under investigation. (JK)
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UM & St. Joe's Seek Joint Venture For Chelsea HospitalUM & St. Joe's Seek Joint Venture For Chelsea Hospital
Two competing health systems are exploring the possibility of teaming up to jointly own a regional hospital and fund an expansion.
The St. Joseph Mercy Health System and the University of Michigan's Michigan Medicine have entered into a 90 day investigative period for a proposed joint venture to co-own St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital. According to Crainâs Detroit Business, UM would take a minority position with a 49% stake. St. Joe's would still manage operations and Chelsea would remain a Roman Catholic hospital. Rob Casalou, regional president and CEO of St. Joseph Mercy, said the two systems are expected to invest about $20 million in improvements in Chelsea, adding two operating rooms for a total of eight and increasing bed space to the licensed capacity of 133 beds from the current level of 100. Minimally invasive robotic surgery would also be added. Casalou said UM approached St. Joe's about a year ago with an initial proposal to utilize Chelseaâs excess capacity.
The agreement between the two health systems is part of a larger cooperative venture between Livonia-based Trinity Health, the parent company of St. Joseph Mercy, and Michigan Medicine in which UM will provide cardiothoracic surgery, radiation oncology and graduate medical education services at Trinity hospitals in Grand Rapids and Muskegon. No layoffs are anticipated as part of the proposed agreement. St. Joseph Chelsea has more than 1,200 employees, including about 500 physicians. Trinity Health is the nation's second largest Catholic system with more than 43 hospitals, including St. Joe Mercy Livingston in Howell. (JK)
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Volunteers Take Oath & Join Local Childrens' Advocacy ProgramVolunteers Take Oath & Join Local Childrens' Advocacy Program
LACASAâs Court Appointed Special Advocate or CASA program, added new volunteers to its ranks Monday.
Training began over a month ago to learn how, as CASA volunteers, they can be an advocate for a childâs best interest in cases of abuse and neglect in the Livingston County court system. They spent several weeks training in various aspects that a CASA encounters in their role, including legalities, how to connect with the child to whom they are assigned, and taking steps toward the end goal of family reunification.
Eight members of the group were sworn in Monday morning by Judge Miriam Cavanaugh at the Judicial Center in Howell. Each new CASA was presented with a pin, after they took their oath. Judge Cavanaugh read a poem called âThe Advocateâ, reminding them that their mission as a CASA is to do what is just and right, and not always easy.
Group members and now official CASAs Lisa Howe and Alice Cakebread both shared with WHMI that the ceremony was an emotional experience and that they are excited for what comes next.
CASA leaders expressed gratitude for all of the programâs volunteers, which now amounts to over 60 members after the newest addition. Program Director Sara Applegate tells WHMI the ceremony is always touching, as it finalizes the opportunity for the graduates to make a difference. Now that each member of the group has become official officers of the court, they must conduct in-service training but are able to take on cases. Applegate says there are a few pending that she hopes to disperse to the new volunteers.
Before administering the oath, Judge Cavanaugh shared a thought tied to the words of poet Maya Angelou. She reminded the group that âthese kids might not remember what you tell them, or what you do for them, but they may never forget how it makes them feelâ.
The group of once trainees, now official CASAs, seemed to agree the journey has been eye-opening, full of learning, and now offers the opportunity to make a difference. (DK)
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Family Escapes House Fire Near Mt. Brighton Monday Family Escapes House Fire Near Mt. Brighton Monday
A family managed to escape harm during an afternoon fire in Genoa Township Monday.
The Brighton Area Fire Department responded to the 4600 block of Mt. Brighton Road, off Brighton Road near Bauer at 3:06pm. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a working fire on the first floor in the kitchen area on the back side of the single family home.
Deputy Brighton Chief Mike Evans says smoke was visible upon arrival from the kitchen area and back side of the house. Crews were assisted by the Green Oak Township Fire Department and had the fire under control in about 10 minutes. Evans tells WHMI it was a quick knockdown and everyone got out safely Evans says one of the adult children of the homeowner was there with dogs and ended up being transported to a hospital for smoke inhalation by Livingston County EMS as a safety precaution. The American Red Cross is assisting with temporary shelter for the family.
Evans says fire damage was contained to the first floor kitchen area. There was smoke damage throughout the entire home but he says very little water damage since the fire went out pretty quick. Evans said the cause of the fire appeared to be accidental but remains under investigation. (JM)
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Commissioners Name New Livingston County 911 DirectorCommissioners Name New Livingston County 911 Director
Livingston County has a new 911 Director.
Chad Chewing previously served as deputy director and was promoted to the new position during Monday nightâs meeting of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners. The position is said to be essential to insure the coordination of operations and administration of the department. The new position came after a reorganization of 911 Central Dispatch and EMS, which separates the two departments as in the past. EMS Director Jeff Boyd has been overseeing 911, Emergency Management, EMS and the Medical Examinerâs Office.
Chewning has been with the county for over two years working under Boyd and heâs seen a lot of interest in Livingston County. He feels his being appointed this early demonstrates theyâre ready to move forward and continue to do so with the dispatch center. He says the board felt that Central Dispatch was ready to be on their own under the guidance Boyd provided and decided to separate the department out, back to the way it originally was a few years ago.
Chewning tells WHMI heâs focused on moving the department forward, noting they just received their ACE accreditation in medical. He says there will be more exciting stuff coming up in 2017 with work to become an ACE for emergency fire dispatch and then in early 2018, move to become an emergency police dispatch in ACE. If accomplished in early 2018, then Chewning says Central Dispatch would become tri-ACE which would put it in the top ten centers in the world. Chewning acknowledged they have some large goals for the center and moving forward in continuing to provide the best service they can for the residents of Livingston County.
911 Operations Manager Joni Harvey tells WHMI theyâre very excited about the hire as staff wasnât sure which way the county would go. She says theyâve been wanting this to happen and now that it has, theyâre very happy and pleased with the direction Chewning is taking the department. Harvey says theyâve had so much interest from long term employees who had kinda lost interest in things before and theyâre back seeking leadership roles. She says they have people wanting to train to become part of new ideas and developments for the center. She thanked all of the departments and everyone who has been behind them in supporting Chewning and the direction theyâre heading. She says they couldnât have picked a more qualified individual as he is definitely doing a great service to the citizens and first responders in Livingston County so theyâre happy.
The vote to promote Chewning was unanimous with four commissioners absent Monday night. Both the Personnel Subcommittee and 911 Dispatch Administrative Oversight Board recommended and supported the appointment. (JM)
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