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Online Bus Tokens Herald Changes to County WebsiteOnline Bus Tokens Herald Changes to County Website

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3/18/13 - The first real system for purchasing products and services in the new county website went up and running last week. The county has now launched a program to allow residents to purchase bus tokens on the Livingston Essential Service agency buses. Denominations between $1 and $3 are available and purchases can be made with card or electronic check. They will then be delivered by the driver during the purchaser's next bus ride, mailed to the buyer, or available for pickup at the LETS facility. County Financial Analyst Darren Speer says this may seem like a small change, but this is the just the first of many the county website may get in the near future. Speer says the county is discussing the future of the website and what else could be provided. While dog licenses can be renewed online and traffic tickets can be paid using an external system, this is the first product to be sold through the website. Speer says the county is considering setting up a system in which developers can submit plans and pay for permits online without setting foot inside a county building. (JK)

Internet Safety Class For Parents Planned At Fowlerville Junior HighInternet Safety Class For Parents Planned At Fowlerville Junior High

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3/18/13 - With the spread of the Internet giving rise to the threats of online predators, cyber-bullying, and online identity theft, a seminar this week will teach parents how to keep their kids safe while online. The office of Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette will be putting on an Internet safety seminar Thursday from 7 to 8pm at Fowlerville Junior High School. The event is designed to teach parents how to protect their children from online threats even as their access to the unfiltered Internet increases at home, at school, and on mobile devices. Fowlerville Junior High School is located on Sharpe Road just east of Fowlerville Road. (TD)

Brighton Township Borrows From General Fund to Pay Sewer DebtBrighton Township Borrows From General Fund to Pay Sewer Debt

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3/19/13- Brighton Township will manage their Sewer and Water Debt by borrowing money from the township’s General Fund. About 10 years ago prior board members built a wastewater treatment plant and a sewer collection system in anticipation of rapid growth within the community. However, the expected growth was held up by the economic recession. To help manage the township’s sewer and water debt, the board has resolved to loan funds from the General Fund to both the Sewer and Water Debt Service Funds until they are proven to be financially solvent. Supervisor Tom Murphy says that the township will certainly be able to pay the debt off regardless of future growth. The Sewer and Water Debt Service Funds will each receive a loan of about $1.2 million dollars. Interest will be paid from these funds at a rate of 1% annually. Principle on the loan will begin repayment once the funds are financially solvent and have a consistent positive cash flow. (SO)

Trial Begins for Tyrone Twp. Man Charged in Sexual Assault Case Trial Begins for Tyrone Twp. Man Charged in Sexual Assault Case

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3/19/13 - A local jury will hear testimony this week during the trial of a Tyrone Township man facing sexual-assault charges. The trial of 43-year-old Timothy Andrew Pickett began Monday in Livingston County Circuit Court, with the first oath to the jury and preliminary instructions being given. Pickett is accused of accosting a child for immoral purposes on January 27th, 2012 and failing to register as a sex offender for a prior conviction of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim under the age of 13. Pickett had recently been paroled for the previous conviction when the most recent offense allegedly occurred. It involved a 14-year-old female victim who said Pickett repeatedly asked to touch her inappropriately and made comments to her on a trip to the store. The defense maintained the teen made up the story to keep her mother and Pickett apart. The trial picks back up today in Judge Michael Hatty’s courtroom. (JM)

County Gives Official OK To Howell High EMT Training ClassCounty Gives Official OK To Howell High EMT Training Class

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3/19/13 - A program that teaches Howell High School students how to be emergency medical technicians got formal approval from the County Board of Commissioners last night. The program being offered through Livingston County Emergency Medical Services and provides students with the skills and training necessary to work as EMT’s. At the end of the class they will be certified to take the state licensing exam, which will be organized for them by EMS. If they pass, they will be ready to look for jobs with ambulance companies. Even though county approval was only made official last night, the class began in the fall and is being taught at Howell High by a state-certified EMS instructor. It currently has about two dozen students from around the county, who are also getting credit toward their graduation requirements. Howell High School also offers classes to provide students with professional training as small-airplane pilots and volunteer firefighters. (TD)

Bravata on Recording Says Investors "Can Rot in Hell"Bravata on Recording Says Investors "Can Rot in Hell"

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3/19/13 - Closing arguments are expected today in the trial of Brighton businessman John Bravata. Bravata is accused of misleading investors as he collected millions of dollars for BBC Equities, which he operated out of Brighton Township. He denies any fraud and says he was taking legitimate stakes in real estate that simply turned sour during the recession. The jury trial got underway in late January. Bravata has taken the stand the last several days to testify in his own defense. The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus says that a recording of a conversation between Bravata and an investor was played in court Monday in which Bravata was heard to say that there are three types of investors, those who live on their dividends, those who didn’t need the money and a third type he said (quote) “can rot in hell.” Bravata’s defense has maintained his fundraising efforts were made in good faith and that his company only failed after the Securities & Exchange Commission filed suit against him, triggering an investigation that led to the criminal charges. (JK)

Alleged I-96 Shooter Waives Court Hearing; Case Headed to TrialAlleged I-96 Shooter Waives Court Hearing; Case Headed to Trial

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3/19/13 - A Wixom man facing life in prison after being charged in connection with two dozen shootings along the I-96 corridor last fall is heading to trial. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is prosecuting the case for Livingston, Shiawassee and Ingham Counties against 43-year-old Raulie Casteel. He waived his right to a preliminary exam in 53rd District Court in Howell yesterday but still faces 60 separate charges in Oakland County, where local authorities are prosecuting him. Court-ordered psychological tests in both jurisdictions have determined that Casteel is competent to stand trial but further tests are not yet complete. Casteel is being represented by two Ann Arbor attorneys, one of which is Charles Groh who spoke very briefly with reporters following the hearing to say he's still waiting on reports dealing with criminal responsibility. Groh says the case has been assigned to Livingston County Circuit Court Judge David Reader and he anticipates a pre-trial hearing in a few weeks. He added that Casteel is doing as well as expected while incarcerated and that his family visits him regularly. Casteel is married and has no criminal history, although the forensic exams that were ordered reportedly revealed that he suffers from delusional disorder. (JM)

Bank Heist Suspect Still Sought After Monday Armed Robberies

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3/19/13 - While police were able to make an arrest in one of two armed robberies Monday morning in the Brighton area, the second suspect remains at large. Brighton police say they took into custody a man believed to be responsible for holding up the BP gas station on W. Grand River near downtown Brighton at about 7:15 Monday morning. His name has not been released pending arraignment. Initially authorities thought he was also responsible for the armed robbery of a nearby bank more than two hours later, but now say that was a separate crime. The second incident occurred at the PNC Bank in Genoa Township at Grand River and Herbst Road at approximately 9:45am. The bank suspect is a white male in his 20’s standing between 5'5" and 5'7". He was wearing a black winter jacket with a hoodie underneath. The coat had unique black or blue and white stripes wrapped around the elbow area. The suspect also had a dark colored scarf around his mouth and wore dark colored sunglasses. Police say the man brandished a black semi-automatic handgun after entering the bank, jumped over the counter, grabbed an undetermined amount of cash and then fled the bank on foot, heading west on Grand River. A K-9 search failed to turn up anything. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jim McGinty at 517-540-7999 or CRIME STOPPERS at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. (JK)

Wages & Salaries for Brighton Township Employees Remain SteadyWages & Salaries for Brighton Township Employees Remain Steady

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3/19/13- Compensation will remain status quo for the elected officials and employees of Brighton Township. No major pay cuts or raises will take place for members in the upcoming 2013/2014 fiscal year, which officially starts April 1st. Individual resolutions approving the wages and salaries for the Brighton Township Board of Trustees was approved at last night’s regular meeting. The salaries for the Clerk, Treasurer, and Supervisor will remain the same while board trustees will be compensated per meeting. (SO)

Man Who Waived Gun at US-23 Motorist is Competent for TrialMan Who Waived Gun at US-23 Motorist is Competent for Trial

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3/19/13 - A Genesee County man who police say brandished a weapon at a motorist while driving on US-23 last year in Hartland Township has been found competent to stand trial. 67-year-old Clarence Leroy Murphy Jr. of Flint is charged with two counts of carrying a concealed weapon for an incident last fall in Hartland Township. A driver told police she and her 12-year-old daughter were driving northbound on US-23 last October 29th when a minivan driven by Murphy tried to pass her near Crouse Road, then pulled alongside at which point he waived a handgun while laughing. In 53rd District Court Monday, a competency report was accepted and entered into the record without comment. A pre-trial hearing in that case is expected next week. Murphy was also recently found competent for trial in Genesee County for a separate incident September 6th in which he was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in Flint Township. A pre-trial hearing in Genesee County district court is set for Thursday. (JK)

Public Invited to Plant Pinwheels for Child Abuse Prevention MonthPublic Invited to Plant Pinwheels for Child Abuse Prevention Month

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3/19/13 - A special ceremony will be held in front of the Howell Carnegie District Library to kick off April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The annual Pinwheels for Prevention event will take place on the library’s front lawn at noon on April 1st. It’s organized by the Child Abuse Prevention Council and LACASA. Pinwheels were chosen by Prevent Child Abuse America as a symbol of the joy and hope of childhood. CAP Council Program Director Deanna Norris says all community members are invited to attend and plant blue pinwheels on the library lawn which will remain in place through the month of April as a show of support for Livingston County children and families. She says the special 30-minute event will feature the voices of students from Voyager Elementary School in Howell, local Junior and Cadet Girl Scouts and words of inspiration from local leaders and child advocates. (JM)

Big Brothers/Big Sisters Looks to New Revenue OpportunitiesBig Brothers/Big Sisters Looks to New Revenue Opportunities

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3/19/13 - A local social service agency says they’ll have to look at new ways to raise money after their annual fundraiser fell short of expectations. This year’s Bowl For Kids Sake was held earlier this month to benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Livingston County. Executive Director Shari Davis-Schoech tells WHMI that the gross income from the three-day bowling event was just shy of $51,000. Combined with the nearly $5,000 raised through a new on-line donation option and $1,500 in team grant donations, the total is expected to be approximately $57,300. However, that’s more than $10,000 less than was raised last year. Davis-Schoech says the Board of Directors for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Livingston County is currently exploring other fundraising options to make up the loss in revenue to insure they are able to provide the same mentoring programs as last year. (JK)

One More Meeting To Be Held Before Hartland/Tyrone Patrol EndsOne More Meeting To Be Held Before Hartland/Tyrone Patrol Ends

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3/19/13 - The contract between the sheriff’s department and the townships of Hartland and Tyrone is about to expire, and the county hopes to organize one more meeting before that deadline to try and renew the deal. More than 30 years ago the two townships began contracting with the county to keep a dedicated road patrol in their borders to respond to emergency calls. Several years ago the counties began subsidizing about 38% of the contract to help the townships through difficult financial times. This year the county asked the townships to increase their contribution to the deal, but was refused. The county then agreed to the same rates as in previous years as the townships requested, but the township boards rejected this deal as well. They say that a cost-benefit analysis of the contract has shown that it is not worth the expense, even with the large subsidy. They also say Hartland and Tyrone have inferior response times compared to other townships, and that their payments subsidize improved police service in municipalities that pay nothing. Sheriff Bob Bezotte told the County Board at its meeting last night that he would organize a meeting with leaders from the townships to try and reach an agreement before the current deal expires on March 31st. He tells WHMI that he does not believe the townships are concerned about price so much as service, and he intends to present statistics that support the value of the arrangement and quality of the service. He says comparing average response times between the townships and surrounding communities is misleading since every call gets a personal response in Hartland and Tyrone. Minor issues in other municipalities would be handled over the phone, which is recorded as a response time of only a few seconds. Bezotte hopes that by listening to the concerns of the townships and providing answers to their questions, a new deal can be reached. He has warned that allowing the arrangement to come to an end would significantly increase Hartland and Tyrone response times. (TD)

Five Inducted into the Brighton Area Women's History Roll of HonorFive Inducted into the Brighton Area Women's History Roll of Honor

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3/19/13 - Five women who have contributed much of their time and talent to the Brighton area community were added to the Brighton Area Women History Roll of Honor Tuesday at the annual induction ceremony. The noon award luncheon, hosted by the Brighton Rotary Club, was held at the Brighton Community Center. Retired teacher Joyce Powers co-founded the event 12 years ago. The 2013 honorees are Barb Binkley, Sue Cherry, Jeannine Default, Carol Griffith and Dorothy Musch. Binkley, a local business owner, is active in the ARC of Livingston’s annual Celebrity Fashion Show for children with disabilities and is co-founder of the award-winning Brighton Bulldogs Jump Rope team. Sue Cherry established the Maple Tree Montessori School, is on the board of Child Connect for Family Success and is an active volunteer with Great Start Livingston. Jeannine Dufault helped organize girls’ softball in Brighton. In 2000, one of the premiere softball tournaments in the state was renamed the “Jeannine M. Dufault Softball Tournament” in her honor. Carol Griffith, co-owner of E.R.A. Griffith Realty, is current chairman of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners and is president-elect of the Michigan Association of Realtors. And Dorothy Musch, who is 100 years old, is a retired Brighton teacher who helped develop a Title I program to improve the academic achievement of disadvantaged children. Also inducted into the honor roll were the 2011 Brighton High School girls’ Lacrosse team, which won the state title, and three past Bulldog girls’ cross country teams. The mission of the Roll of Honor is to honor the diverse accomplishments of women in the Brighton area. Picture courtesy of Cooper & Binkley Jewelers. (TT)

Senator Hune Re-Introduces Welfare Reform LegislationSenator Hune Re-Introduces Welfare Reform Legislation

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3/19/13 - A local Senator is again working to get his welfare reform bills through the legislature. Senate Bills 275 and 276 were both introduced today by Republican sponsor Joe Hune of Hamburg Township. SB 276 would require cash assistance recipients who are not exempt from the Jobs, Education and Training program to participate in community service. The other measure requires welfare applicants to submit to a drug test if their caseworker has reasonable suspicion they may be abusing drugs. The bills were originally introduced last fall but failed to pass. They came under fire from children and family advocates when first introduced for language that required the state to test welfare recipients for substance abuse if a reasonable suspicion of abuse exists. That language was later removed. The new bills were referred to the Senate Families, Seniors, and Human Services Committee for further consideration. (JM)

Issues Persist with Former Hayes-Lemmerz Plant in Howell Twp. Issues Persist with Former Hayes-Lemmerz Plant in Howell Twp.

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3/20/13 - The Howell Township Planning Commission met Tuesday night and ultimately tabled site plan review and permit requests for the Lucy Road Resources property, the site of the former Kelsey-Hayes Lemmerz manufacturing plant. There are a number of uses occurring at the site, which is in the area of M-59 and Tooley Road and grandfathered in under industrial zoning. The township has been working for some time to determine what all is going on and ensure it’s consistent with zoning. Some uses are not permitted and special permits are required to allow them to continue at the location such as outdoor storage, landscape supply, tire sales and truck and equipment storage. There have also been violations related to signage. Regal Recycling owner Vern Brockway is seeking multiple special use permits to continue current activities and met with neighbors prior to last night’s meeting. Planning Commission Chairman Matt Ikle tells WHMI that Brockway has been working with the township and other entities in the county and the meeting with residents was very cordial but a number of issues remain. Municipal planners completed a cursory review of the site plan and are recommending that areas of outdoor storage be clearly identified, which is a special use and requires approval. The site plans and permits will be discussed in further detail at the April 16th meeting. A public hearing will also take place at that time. Picture courtesy of Google Street View. (JM)

Cromaine District Library Hosting Big Read Kick-Off SaturdayCromaine District Library Hosting Big Read Kick-Off Saturday

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3/20/13 - The Cromaine District Library in Hartland will host a kick-off celebration this weekend to mark another edition of The Big Read for 2013. The program encourages the community to start reading together and talking about it. The library received another grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to host The Big Read. A kick-off is planned Saturday and free copies of The Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe will be given out while supplies last. Copies of Cromaine’s first anthology of community art and writing will also be premiered. Library Director Ceci Marlow says staff has been working hard since November to create programs and activities that really communicate and enrich the literary experience of Poe, noting they’re especially excited to feature him in conjunction with April as National Poetry Month and bring the different experiences of literature alive for individuals. Attendees are able to dress in period costume for a photo booth, brick up loved ones in a cellar that was created from the Cask of Amontillado or create a Raven mask. The larger overall program will feature a magician, a blood drive and series of lectures about Poe’s life and themes while the Howell Nature Center has a presentation on crows and night birds. All of The Big Read activities are free and open to anyone regardless of residency but some require registration. The kick-off celebration takes place from 10am to 2pm this Saturday. Complete details can be found below. (JM)

Closings Arguments Today in Tyrone Man's Assault TrialClosings Arguments Today in Tyrone Man's Assault Trial

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3/20/13 - Jury deliberations could begin as early as today in the trial of a Tyrone Township man facing sexual assault charges. The trial of 43-year-old Timothy Andrew Pickett began Monday in Livingston County Circuit Court. The prosecution entered one piece of evidence and testimony from two witnesses before resting its case. A motion for directed verdict was denied, and the defense provided testimony from two witnesses of its own before the end of the day. Both sides are expected to make closing arguments this morning before the case goes to the jury for deliberations. Pickett is accused of accosting a child for immoral purposes on January 27th, 2012 and failing to register as a sex offender for a prior conviction of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim under the age of 13. Pickett had recently been paroled for the previous conviction when the most recent offense allegedly occurred. It involved a 14-year-old female victim who said Pickett repeatedly asked to touch her inappropriately and made comments to her on a trip to the store. The defense maintained the teen made up the story to keep her mother and Pickett apart. (JK)

No New Hartland/Tyrone Patrol Deal Expected Before AprilNo New Hartland/Tyrone Patrol Deal Expected Before April

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3/20/13 - Hartland Township officials say a new deal with the sheriff’s department for dedicated patrols may be worked out, but not before the current one expires. For more than thirty years the two townships had contracted with the Livingston County Sheriff to keep a patrol car inside their borders, first for 16 hours a day and then around-the-clock. The arrangement kept response times down while providing the townships with a cheaper alternative to forming their own police department. Despite a subsidy of about 38% from the county, the townships have repeatedly rejected offers to renew the deal this year. The township boards say the benefits of a dedicated patrol are not worth the extra cost, and that other townships that are not paying for contracts are benefitting from their arrangement with the county. Sheriff Bob Bezotte is attempting to organize one last meeting to hammer out a deal this week, but Township Manager James Wickman tells WHMI a new agreement almost certainly will not be reached before the current contract expires on March 31st. He says new conversations will need to be held with the county to find a way to improve the service provided by the contract. He confirmed that the township is making inquiries with other police forces, including those in Brighton, Green Oak, and Fenton, to see if they would be able to provide a similar service. (TD)

Livingston Among Top 5 Healthiest Michigan CountiesLivingston Among Top 5 Healthiest Michigan Counties

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3/20/13 - A new ranking of Michigan's healthiest places to live ranks Livingston County in the top five. The study, released today by researchers at the University of Wisconsin, ranks counties against each other within each state. In Michigan, Leelanau County topped the list, followed by Ottawa and Clinton counties. Livingston County ranked fourth and Washtenaw County rounded out the top five. University of Wisconsin associate researcher Angela Russell said that the survey makes it clear that communities with higher incomes and higher education levels are more likely to be healthier. That paradigm seems to be in play for Livingston County, which was first in Michigan when it came to income, with the lowest percentage of children in poverty. Livingston was also first in low teen birth rates and sexually transmitted diseases. Livingston ranked third in education, with a high rate of residents experiencing at least some college education. The county scored lowest in the areas of alcohol use, ranking 48 out of 83 counties in the state. That was based on a combination of drinking rates and motor vehicle crash deaths. The county also ranked 59th in environmental quality, based on drinking water safety and daily fine particulate matter. Amber Myers, a health data analyst with the Michigan Department of Community Health, says the goal of the study is to nudge health organizations into taking action by highlighting differences in longevity and in health behavior -- such as smoking, heavy drinking and exercise. (JK)
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