3/20/13 - Howell High Schoolâs Highlander Restaurant will be hosting a special event Thursday night to benefit local students who have won a chance to represent Michigan in a national competition. The 2nd Annual Wild Game Dinner is raising funds to help send Howell High Schoolâs constitutional competition team, We The People, to the national competition in Washington D.C. after taking first place at the state championship. All of the food that will be served at the dinner is wild game that has been donated to the restaurant. The auction that follows the dinner will contain numerous gift certificates donated by local business as well as tickets to upcoming Pistons and Red Wings games. There will also be a special dinner up for auction in which the culinary students will prepare a dinner in the winnerâs home. Tickets for Thursdayâs Wild Game Dinner are $30 each and $50 per couple and are available at The Highlander Restaurant located at Howell High School, or you can contact Chef Brian LeBoeuf at 517-540-8312. (JK)
Dinner Will Raise Money for Howell's "We The People" TeamDinner Will Raise Money for Howell's "We The People" Team
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Open Ended Contract Approved For Hartland Township ManagerOpen Ended Contract Approved For Hartland Township Manager
3/20/13 - The Hartland Township Board approved a new contract for Manager James Wickman last night. Trustee Joe Collaianne tells WHMI the township decided to review the terms of the contract over the past month in anticipation of its expiration at the end of March. The township made changes to the terms of Wickmanâs employment to more closely match its employee handbook guidelines. This included increasing Wickmanâs pension compensation to 6% and changed his vacation days plan, both in keeping with typical township employee contracts. The new contract has no expiration date and will be automatically renewed every March 31st. Collaianne says the contract also puts provisions in place to terminate the deal if necessary. He also confirms that the board of trustees is satisfied with Wickmanâs performance as township manager. (TD)
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Jury Deliberating Case Against Brighton BusinessmanJury Deliberating Case Against Brighton Businessman
3/20/13 - The fate of a Brighton-area businessman is now in the hands of a federal jury. John Bravata is accused of misleading investors as he collected millions of dollars for BBC Equities, which he operated out of Brighton Township. Prosecutors say the father and son, along with their business partner, raised more than $50 million from 440 investors for the purpose of purchasing real estate as an investment. Instead, authorities say they spent the money on luxury homes, vacations and cars. Bravata has denied any fraud and says he was taking legitimate stakes in real estate that simply turned sour during the recession. The jury trial began in late January, with Bravata taking the stand in his own defense. He is charged with a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 14 counts of wire fraud. His son, Antonio Bravata, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. John Bravata's partner, Richard Trabulsy, previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud in a plea deal that called for him to testify for the prosecution. Bravataâs 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)
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Lake Trust Credit Union to Construct New Headquarters in Brighton Lake Trust Credit Union to Construct New Headquarters in Brighton
3/20/13 - Lake Trust Credit Union has announced plans to construct a new $30 million headquarters in the Brighton area. Lake Trust intends to purchase an approximately 17-acre site adjoining US-23, just north of I-96. President and CEO David Snodgrass says the new headquarters will unite its workforce at a more central location while offering a more reasonable commute for most of its current employees. Officials noted that maintaining current operations in old facilities became increasingly expensive and would have cost credit union members an estimated $7 (m) million more over the next 20 years, compared to a new energy efficient and flexibly designed facility. The planning and construction process for the new headquarters could be completed by 2015 and will include a new 100,000-square-foot building. Officials say the site has many natural features including a pond and designers are looking to create a first class campus with several amenities for employees such as walking trails and picnic areas. In addition to the new headquarters, Lake Trust officials say the company is committed to expanding its retail network and has plans to invest a total of $40 million in Michigan over the next five years. (JM)
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Brighton Forward Meeting Highlights Economic DevelopmentsBrighton Forward Meeting Highlights Economic Developments
3/20/13 - The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2nd annual Brighton Forward meeting to inform community members of economic developments in Livingston County. One of the featured speakers was a representative from VAIL Resorts, the company that recently purchased Mt. Brighton, who spoke about VAILâs values and goals for the mountain. Eric Simon (pictured), the Vice President and General Manager of Urban Ski Area, says VAILâs mission statement is âExperience of a Lifetimeâ. VAIL is investing $10 million dollars into the âfaceliftâ of Mt. Brighton and Simon says âthey know itâs going to be successfulâ. Simon tells WHMI VAILâs motive for buying Mt. Brighton was based largely on the community. VAIL owns 7 destination mountain resorts and is the largest retailer in the U.S. While Simon says VAIL does not plan to build any hotels in the area, they do want to employ more people year round. Simon says their goal is to always have management present on the mountain and is planning uniforms for all employees. Simon says The Jackal, the golf course located on Mt. Brighton, will remain open, with minor interruptions. Also at this morningâs meeting was Michael Perry, the owner of the new WellBridge of Brighton rehabilitation center on Dorr Road. Perry informed community members the rehabilitation center will have resort accommodations and should be opening and accepting residents by the middle of May. Genoa Township Supervisor Gary McCririe also spoke about the progress on the Latson Road Interchange. McCririe tells WHMI the date of completion on the project still has not changed from November 15th. McCririe says the rest area has been taken out and pedestrian access will be added, in order to reach local businesses. (DK)
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Woody Admits She Was Wrong As Snow Flies On First Day of SpringWoody Admits She Was Wrong As Snow Flies On First Day of Spring
3/20/13 - Michiganâs official groundhog, who resides locally, is facing the facts that she was incorrect and this is definitely not the early spring she predicted. Behind sunglasses, Woody fessed up today during a press conference at the Howell Conference and Nature Center where she resides. Like all female woodchuck prognosticators, Woody is not afraid to admit when sheâs wrong. Nature Center Director Dick Grant tells WHMI that Woody did have some hesitation when she exited her home the morning of the prediction, went back in and then came out again just in time to indicate an early spring. He says it was a really close finish and she only came back out at the very last second, so they called an early spring and perhaps they actually had it wrong. Regardless of who is to blame, Grant says Woodyâs record stands on its own and sheâs been correct 75% of the time. While Woody did correctly pick the Baltimore Ravens to win the Super Bowl, she has since decided to avoid March Madness entirely. (JM)
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Pinckney Coalition Offers Tips For A Safe Spring Break
3/21/13 - Now that winter is over, a local anti-drug group is reminding parents and students to stay safe during spring break. The Pinckney Coalition will offer a free seminar tonight at St. Mary Catholic Church tonight to offer tips for parents, college students, and high schoolers on how to remain safe while they celebrate their time off school. The Coalition cautions that many teens view spring break as a time when there are no rules, and this can lead to destructive behavior. It urges parents to set rules and discuss expectations with their high school and college students before the holiday arrives. The seminar will take place from 6:30 to 8:00 tonight and is free and open to the public. (TD)
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Prosecutor Examining Hartland High School Student Assault Case
3/21/13 - Police have finished their investigation into an incident last week when one Hartland High School student attacked another from behind. The incident, which was caught on video and posted online, occurred on March 12th in a hallway at Hartland High. The video of the incident shows one female student arguing with another before grabbing her from behind, pulling her to the ground, and attacking her. Sheriff Bob Bezotte says the two girls had been arguing about a personal issue in the assailantâs life in the classroom before the fight, and the argument escalated into violence when they got into the hallway. Bezotte says the family did not originally plan to press charges, but has changed its position on that and now wants to pursue prosecution. The police have completed their investigation and submitted a report to the prosecutorâs office, which will make the decision whether to bring charges against the accused assailant. It will now be up to the prosecutorâs office to bring charges against the student. Bezotte says the assailant would be tried in juvenile court. (TD)
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Tyrone Man Acquitted on Accosting ChargeTyrone Man Acquitted on Accosting Charge
3/21/13 - A jury yesterday refused to convict a Tyrone Township man facing sexual assault charges, but did find him guilty on a lesser charge. The Livingston County Circuit Court jury acquitted 43-year-old Timothy Andrew Pickett of accosting a child for immoral purposes, but did bring back a conviction for failing to register as a sex offender. Prosecutors said Picket had been on parole for a prior conviction of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim under the age of 13 when he tried to inappropriately touch a 14-year-old girl in January of 2012. The defense maintained the teen made up the story to keep her mother and Pickett apart. During the trial, police testified Pickett waited three weeks to change his address when he moved from Brownstown Township to Tyrone Township. Pickett will be sentenced on the registration charge April 25th by Judge Michael Hatty. (JK)
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The Root Restaurant Taking Over Historic Howell TheaterThe Root Restaurant Taking Over Historic Howell Theater
3/21/13 - The owner of a popular restaurant and a Howell native are embarking on big plans to renovate a historic spot in the downtown area. The owner of The Root Restaurant and Bar in White Lake, Ed Mamou, has purchased the Howell Theater. Plans have been in the works for a couple of weeks but yesterday marked the official closing. The building will be completely renovated and restored with an upscale menu featuring local, natural ingredients. The Rootâs Executive Chef James Rigato says the theater is very personal to him, having grown up right across the street from the historic landmark, which sat vacant for years. Rigato tells WHMI he feels this is an opportunity to reinvent the space into something that will draw visitors from across the region. He stressed theyâre not trying to bring in anything over-the-top but they want to showcase the community and feel the theater has run its course, which has been bank-owned for a few years. He's anticipating a lot of questions from the community and acknowledged that change can bring sadness or some resistance but promised not to disappoint with the new venture. Rigato says the theater has some obligations left to fulfill and will continue operations until then. There was talk of The Root moving into The Heart of Howell development but a formal agreement never came to fruition. Meanwhile, The Root has captured the coveted âRestaurant of the Yearâ title by the Detroit Free Press and Rigato was a recent finalist in Food and Wine Magazineâs People's Best New Chef contest this month. Although he didnât win, he was the only Michigan chef nominated from the Great Lakes region. (JM)
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Officials Say New Lake Trust HQ Will Have Major Economic ImpactOfficials Say New Lake Trust HQ Will Have Major Economic Impact
3/21/13- Lake Trust Credit Union is looking to move its company headquarters to Livingston County, and local officials say it marks significant news and economic opportunity for the region. Ann Arbor SPARK, which contracts with the county and many local municipalities for economic development services, has been working with Lake Trust since November on its site selection process. SPARK CEO Paul Krutko says they connected with the company early in its process, promoted the regionâs assets and showed how the region can meet Lake Trustâs needs now and in the future. Its corporate headquarters are in Lansing but the company is looking to build a new $30 (m) million facility in Brighton Township on a 17-acre site with direct visibility to southbound US-23, just north of the I-96 interchange. President and CEO David Snodgrass says Lake Trust is the product of a merger that occurred about three years ago and the search for a new location has been in the works for well over a year now. He says theyâre in the process of securing the purchase agreement, which will launch a due diligence period to ensure the property can support what theyâre looking to do. Snodgrass says they could possibly begin construction in about one year from now, which would likely take between 12 to 15 months. (JM)
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Suspect Arraigned in Brighton Gas Station RobberySuspect Arraigned in Brighton Gas Station Robbery
3/21/13 - A Brighton man has been charged for the armed robbery of a gas station earlier this week. 34-year-old David Kenneth Rentsch was arraigned Wednesday in the hold-up of the Brighton BP gas station Monday morning. Bond was set at $200,000 and exam conference set for March 25th. Police say Rentsch walked into the gas station at 204 W. Grand River about 7:15 Monday morning. After pulling out a handgun, heâs then alleged to have demanded money. After receiving an undetermined amount of cash, Rentsch fled the station. He was later spotted near the Brighton Education and Community Center and taken into custody. Rentsch, who has an extensive criminal record including for armed robbery, could also face a parole-violation charge. (JK)
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Fowlerville Ratifies Two Year Teacher ContractFowlerville Ratifies Two Year Teacher Contract
3/21/13 - Teachers in Fowlerville have a new contract that officials say achieves the school boardâs financial goals, but also provides a give-back to instructors. The two-year pact was ratified unanimously by the Fowlerville Community Schools Board of Education at a special meeting Tuesday. The districtâs 164 teachers had voted to approve the deal earlier that day. According to Superintendent Rich Heinrich, the contract does not include a step increase in teacherâs pay, but does include a 1.25% salary restoration following a 7.5% salary concession by teachers the previous two years. Heinrich says compensation in the second year of the deal utilizes a formula-based plan that is tied to state aid and enrollment as opposed to the districtâs fund balance. He says that at least offers some hope to teachers that if the districtâs financial fortunes remain on the positive path, there will be future compensation increases. Heinrich adds that per legislation passed in Lansing, the contract doesnât contain any language pertaining to layoffs, recalls, staffing, placement or teacher evaluation. The deal replaces the current contract, which expires in June, and will run through June of 2015. (JK)
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SEMCOG And Green Oak Collaborate on Township Strategic PlanSEMCOG And Green Oak Collaborate on Township Strategic Plan
3/21/13 - A new strategic plan was outlined for Green Oak Township last night by representatives from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, which helped the township lay the groundwork for the plan. A strategic plan is a set of guidelines used by a municipality to plan how it will offer and manage services offered to its residents, ranging from public safety to recreation. It is different from a master plan, which focuses on zoning and land usage. SEMCOG drafted the new strategic plan after discussing the priorities of the township with the board during an eight-hour retreat. Township Supervisor Mark St. Charles says the new strategic plan includes some specific conclusions, such as the need to improve the townshipâs police building, increase bike paths and non-motorized trail access, and improve communication with residents through township newsletters and online. The township would also like to offer more activities that would help define the identity of the community. (TD)
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$180,000 Scholarship Latest Achievement for Howell Senior $180,000 Scholarship Latest Achievement for Howell Senior
3/21/13 - A local high school senior is already dealing with the kind of schedule many adults find difficult to master, but she recently learned her next ten years are also spoken for. Heather Buja is the Senior Class President at Howell High School and also competes on the schoolâs We The People Constitution competition team. In addition, Buja is a star on the schoolâs cross country team, takes Advanced Placement courses and works at a boutique in Brighton. Sheâs also in the running to be the classâs Valedictorian. But last night, it was announced at the Howell High School Scholarship Night that she has also received an $180,000 Navy ROTC scholarship to attend Boston University. Buja says she received the scholarship last November when she visited the school and an official made an on-the-spot decision to offer it. While the full ride to college was certainly great news to her parents, Buja says that also comes with a six-year commitment to the Navy and Naval Reserves afterwards. Buja says she hopes to double-major in chemistry and political science as those have been her passions in high school. But while the scholarship is certainly an important part of her future, her immediate priority is preparing to join her We The People teammates and represent Michigan next month at the national competition in Washington D.C. (JK)
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Howell Teen Center Recognized for Leadership & Creativity Howell Teen Center Recognized for Leadership & Creativity
3/21/13 - Thereâs a lot going on at the Howell Teen Center lately, from awards to fundraising and new activities. The Howell Teen Center is being recognized for not only the passion of its leadership but out-of-the-box thinking and activities. Tim Church is one of two Supervisors at the Teen Center, located on Barnard Street. He was recently named the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association Youth Council Advisor of the Year. Officials say heâs an exceptional leader who not only mentors but motivates and inspires the local teen population. Church tells WHMI on any given day, around 30 teens can be found at the center but on a nice, warm Friday, they see between 80 to 100 kids. He says the teens have been getting more and more involved in the community and volunteering. One new addition that was made possible through community grants and fundraising efforts on the part of the teens is a new gaga pit that was delivered this week, which can be compared to a new form of dodge ball. Church says theyâre always looking for new and creative ways to raise funds for the center and the kids are up for the challenge, along with the other Teen Center Supervisor Jeff Dunham. Heâs 6-foot-6 with red hair and has grown his hair and his beard out during the winter for the past three years to raise funds for the center. Then every St. Patrickâs Day, the individual who raises the most money is allowed to cut it any way they want. Officials say he looks a lot like Friar Tuck from Robin Hood this week, after a careful bowl cut with a large bald spot in the center. (JM)
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Plans for New Senior Care Facility Proposed in Howell Township Plans for New Senior Care Facility Proposed in Howell Township
3/22/13 - Planning Commissioners got a first glance at plans from a national healthcare provider for a new senior care facility in Howell Township. Kentucky-based Trilogy Health Services is proposing a single building with approximately 100 beds and 68 employees. It owns a 10-acre parcel at the corner of M-59 and Byron Road but is looking to divide off two acres located on the northeast corner of the site for some proposed future use, which is not yet known. Itâs currently zoned multiple but is master planned to be commercial and Trilogy is not seeking any zoning changes since itâs considered a residential type live-in facility. Mike Powell is the design engineer for the project and made a presentation to the Planning Commission this week in an effort to get feedback prior to the formal submittal. He says the facility would include a memory loss area, assisted living/senior care facility, as well as a skilled care portion with rehabilitation services. During the meeting, Powell indicated Trilogyâs intent was to present plans about a year ago but the existing skilled care facility in the community challenged the state of Michigan for the certificate of need pertaining to the skilled care portion of the facility. He said that has now been heard and state agreed the 60 skilled care beds were needed in area and Trilogy was authorized to begin the municipal process. Powell says Trilogy is anxious to get going on the project and hopes to break ground in late summer, so the new facility could be operational by spring of next year. Formal site plans will be submitted at the April 16th Planning Commission meeting. The preliminary plans can be found in the attachment below. (JM)
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Fenton Township Fire Department Could Form New Dive Team Fenton Township Fire Department Could Form New Dive Team
3/22/13 - With nearly two dozen bodies of water in the community, the Fenton Township Fire Department is looking at forming a dive recovery team. Since the department is dispatched first when calls come, firefighters are the first to arrive on scene but in the case of a drowning or rescue, the Genesee County Sheriff Departmentâs Dive Team is called in. Fire Chief Ryan Volz tells WHMI everything is preliminary right now but the goal would be to create a dive team of six certified firefighters, with the main priority being immediate recovery. The department is looking to secure $25,000 in the budget for the cost of equipment, gear and training. Volz says with all of the lakes in the area, the largest being Lake Fenton, it only makes sense to have firefighters that arrive on scene first be able to get someone in the water as quickly as possible. Just last year, the department dealt with two back-to-back drowning deaths last July. Volz says a workshop is planned with the township board Monday evening to further discuss the concept. (JM)
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Local Students Tackle Hunger IssueLocal Students Tackle Hunger Issue
3/22/13 - In addition to attending classes and doing homework, students at a local charter high school have also been working to tackle a big, local issue; hunger. Earlier this month, students at Kensington Woods High School in Howell completed a special 2-day project focused on developing solutions for the issue of hunger and food insecurity in Livingston County. While the schoolâs juniors were taking state exams, the remainder of the 7th through 12th grade student body took part in the project in which they were presented with specific challenges that the schoolâs staff developed in conjunction with the Livingston County Hunger Council. The challenges addressed three points of view: awareness, reaching hungry children and getting kids and teens to eat more healthfully. They then learned about the issue of hunger in Livingston County and the role the Hunger Council plays working to end it. Students were divided into multi-age teams and worked as a team through the 5-step design process that began with empathy by focusing on real life experiences. After defining the issue, the students brainstormed potential solutions, which they then prototyped and tested. Each team then presented their solution to other students, which ranged from food stands and gardens to social media campaigns and school assemblies. Hunger Council members, who were present during the process, plan to take those ideas back to their strategy sessions and work on making some of them become reality. You can find out more about the Livingston County Hunger Council at www.livingstonhunger.com. Pictured: Sophomore Chase Peterson works with Senior Deepika Schild on their prototype to address hunger in Livingston County. (JK)
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Brighton Council Discusses Remedies for Choked Mill PondBrighton Council Discusses Remedies for Choked Mill Pond
3/22/13 - The city of Brighton could end up having to spend $700,000 or more to dredge the Mill Pond, a favorite downtown attraction for both residents and visitors alike. The picturesque Mill Pond has been a magnet, drawing people to the downtown area for years â people who then often shop and dine while they are in the downtown area. But in the last few years, with periodic dry spells and invasive species coming in such as the purple loosestrife â and with tight budgets that reduced the number of chemical treatments to inhibit the growth of algae â the Mill Pond hasnât always looked its best. Last year, after numerous complaints from the public about the weed-choked status of the Mill Pond, the city restored the number of chemical treatments to the level in prior years, and the complaints subsided. But treating the water doesnât solve the basic problem â that being a huge amount of dead, decaying vegetation at the bottom of the pond that needs to be removed. And the most efficient, although expensive, way to remove it is by dredging. Council voted to direct City Manager Dana Foster to consult with City Engineer Gary Markstrom of Tetra Tech before proceeding any further with the matter. City Attorney Paul Burns warned that dredging sometimes can uncover problems the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality would require the city to pay for correcting, such as contaminants at the bottom. Burns gave as an example the situation that occurred in 2011 at the Imagination Station Playground â where arsenic was found in the soil. The city immediately closed the playground and embarked on an extensive mitigation program. With the help of many volunteers, the playground was reopened the following spring and the cleanup cost was kept to a minimum. A body of water like the Mill Pond, however, is a different matter. City Manager Dana Foster says Tim Corrigan of Corrigan Oil Co. and Corrigan Development has offered to donate $300,000 toward the cost of dredging, but that is contingent on no contaminants being found. (TT)
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