Investigators now officially believe alcohol was a factor in a two-vehicle crash that killed five people last week in Oceola Township.
Michigan State Police at the Brighton Post say three people remain hospitalized but are now in stable condition. They include the driver of the Subaru, 22-year-old Matthew Carrier of Fenton, his passenger 23-year-old Kyle Lixie, and the driver of the Cadillac CTS struck by Carrier, 39-year-old Albert Boswell.
Several interviews have been conducted and accident investigators are reviewing findings and physical evidence. State Police are also awaiting completion of toxicology reports and say it is now believed alcohol was a factor in the crash. Once the report is completed, it will be forwarded to the Livingston County Prosecutorâs Office for review.
Police say Carrier failed to stop at the intersection of Argentine Road and M-59 before crashing into the Cadillac on M-59. Two people in Carrier's vehicle were killed. Three others in the Cadillac also died, including a probation agent who had been honored that same night at a Corrections Department banquet.
Today's announcement that alcohol was officially a factor came days after Carrier's mother had posted on social media that her son had been drinking that night and couldn't remember what had happened. (JM/JK)
Alcohol Deemed Factor In Deadly Crash, Condition Of Three Survivors ImprovingAlcohol Deemed Factor In Deadly Crash, Condition Of Three Survivors Improving
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TRW Tax Abatement Approved By Fowlerville Village CouncilTRW Tax Abatement Approved By Fowlerville Village Council
Mondayâs council meeting with the Village of Fowlerville saw the approval of an application that could lead to TRW Automotive receiving a tax break.
TRW Automotive is adding 6,000 square feet to their facility in Fowlerville. The Village of Fowlerville agreed to send an application to the State of Michigan giving TRW an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for their new facility over a twelve year period. Should the state approve the application, TRWâs real estate property tax would be replaced with the Exemption Certificate Tax which would cut their property tax in half. Village Attorney, David Stoker says the tax break would do positive things for Fowlerville, such as create several local jobs.
With the approval of the application, the Village of Fowlerville now awaits the ruling of state officials until further action can be taken. (DF)
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Switch To New Voting Equipment Will Reduce Election Service FeesSwitch To New Voting Equipment Will Reduce Election Service Fees
The implementation of new voting equipment in Livingston County will not only modernize the system, but also reduce programming charges for each precinct.
Voter precincts in the county are currently charged $275 per precinct for election services administered by the County Clerk, which includes ballot programming. The County Clerk has provided election services to municipality clerks since 2006. The fee to do so hasnât been changed since 2011. Equipment vendors use a formula to calculate the cost of the programming. County Clerk Betsy Hundley chose a new vendor for the county last month, Hart InterCivic Verity, who will supply updated equipment.
The new vendorâs programming fees are less than the old vendors, which Hundley says allows her to happily pass along the savings to township and city clerks. A resolution approved by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners last night authorized a fee reduction, dropping the current charge to $225 per precinct.
Hundley says the benefit from switching vendors and equipment will provide more than cost savings. She says the modern systemâs tabulators wonât jam, allowing officials to receive election night results much more quickly. Paper ballots will still be used however, as it is a state requirement for all voting systems.
Hundley says a grant agreement with the state still has to be signed before the actual purchase of the new equipment can be implemented. The county will receive approximately $710,000 in state funding from the grant. The old equipment will be removed and destroyed, and the new equipment will arrive in time for this yearâs November election.
Hundley says she had the opportunity last week to try the new system out at an acceptance testing in Oakland County and that sheâs âvery excited about it.â (DK)
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No Jail Time For Driver In Crash That Severed Howell Man's LegsNo Jail Time For Driver In Crash That Severed Howell Man's Legs
Sentencing has been handed down to a Howell man charged in connection to a car crash that severed another manâs legs.
78-year-old Malcolm Darryl Steider was sentenced in 53rd District Court Monday by Judge Suzanne Geddis to two yearsâ probation and 10 days of community service. He was charged for his involvement in the November 2016 crash that ultimately resulted in the loss of both legs for Chris Alvarado of Howell.
Steider pleaded no contest last month to a moving violation causing serious impairment of body function, indicating he does not accept or deny responsibility for the charge, but agrees to accept punishment. Steider must also complete safe driving classes and counseling, and restitution in the case has been reserved.
Steider previously indicated that he âdidnât seeâ a stopped vehicle or Chris Alvarado pushing a car before hitting him on Grand River in Genoa Township November 15th. Alvarado had stopped to help push a car that had run out of gas into a nearby parking lot in front of the 2/42 Community Church. The car was driven by a Fowlerville woman, who was driving with her infant child. Alvarado was hit shortly thereafter by Steider. The woman, infant, and Steider were not injured.
Alvarado, who had a lengthy hospital stay, improved over time. Donations to cover his medical expenses poured in from the community to help the father of five who had another child on the way at the time of the incident. Hearings for a civil lawsuit in the case are set for later this year. (DK)
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Damage From Water Main Break Discussed By Fowlerville CouncilDamage From Water Main Break Discussed By Fowlerville Council
Plans to repair road damages caused by a water main break in Fowlerville are now being discussed.
Last Friday morning, a water main break in the Village of Fowlerville left several people without water service. The break occurred at the corner of Church and Benjamin Street. Water services were repaired later that evening, but multiple roads were damaged and are now left in need of repair.
The Fowlerville Village Council met on Monday to discuss a potential road project to repair North Grand Avenue. The Department of Public Works crew leader, Cathy Elliott, stressed that the damages caused by the water main break presented a more pressing issue as opposed to repairing North Grand Avenue.
The DPW has already addressed three roads that are in need of repairs due to the water main break. The roads include Church Street, Cedar River Drive, and Daily Street. These repairs would consist of cleanup and possibly repavement. On Monday, May 29th, the DPW will be presenting their top priority road projects to the council for further action. (DF)
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Activist's Complaint Against Cromaine Library Dismissed By State Activist's Complaint Against Cromaine Library Dismissed By State
A complaint filed by a local activist against the Cromaine District Library in regard to a sinking fund proposal has been dismissed by the state.
Hartland resident Wes Nakagiri filed a total of three complaints in connection with the May 2nd Sinking Fund proposal in the Hartland Consolidated School district. Two were against the district itself, one for not allowing him personal access to use their email server and website to disseminate his opposition viewpoint. The second was for a mass mailing by the district on the issue. Those two complaints remain under investigation by the state. However, a third complaint he filed against the Cromaine District Library was dismissed outright.
Nakagiri claimed the library violated state election law when its email system was used to distribute information on the Sinking Fund, but denied him equal access. Director Ceci Marlow has said the intent of her letter was not to sway or tell anyone how to vote, but to encourage people to get out and vote. The Michigan Bureau of Elections agreed and tells WHMI that the evidence provided was reviewed carefully and it was determined that the information distributed did not contain express advocacy and did not constitute an expenditure.
All three complaints are based on Nakagiriâs belief that state campaign laws mandate public facilities, which he insists includes the email server and website, must be made available on an equal basis. (JM/JK)
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Maltby Students Make Blankets For Local SeniorsMaltby Students Make Blankets For Local Seniors
A group of Brighton students recently blanketed local senior citizens with a show of love and support.
The leadership program at Maltby Intermediate School prepared 30 tie fleece blankets for the residents of Village Manor in Hartland. The leadership group is run under the care of Maltby teachers Karen Storey and Jody Witte, who say the students decided to make the blankets for local seniors as a way to make a difference.
The leadership program at Maltby is composed of about 90 5th and 6th graders with a focus on kindness and creating a culture where all people are treated with respect. (JK)
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Emergency Practice Drill To Be Held At Local School Wednesday MorningEmergency Practice Drill To Be Held At Local School Wednesday Morning
The Livingston County Emergency Management Department is alerting the public that an event at a Pinckney school on Wednesday is only a drill.
A school reunification drill will take place on Wednesday between 8am and 12pm at St. Maryâs Catholic School on Dexter-Pinckney Road in Pinckney. The drill will include 18 of Livingston Countyâs Medical Reserve Corps volunteers practicing their part of the countyâs School Reunification Plan.
The reunification plan has been developed over the past few years with input from local school and government representatives, as well as first responders. The planned functional drill is the next step in testing the Reunification Plan.
Due to the drill, there will be emergency vehicles visible to the public on the St. Maryâs School campus. Emergency Manager Therese Cremonte says it is important for the public to know that this is only a functional exercise and that there is no emergency on the campus.
The school and the participating agencies are practicing the reunification plan to find what will work best in the event of a disaster or an emergency. The drill is intended to test capabilities such as communications, public information and warning, and volunteer management.
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Ohio Officials Say Pipeline Company Has Missed Promised PaymentOhio Officials Say Pipeline Company Has Missed Promised Payment
The company currently installing a natural gas pipeline through Livingston County is accused of failing to honor an agreement in Ohio concerning historic preservation.
Ohioâs State Historic Preservation Office says the Rover Pipeline agreed to pay $1.5 million annually for five years to pay for harm done to historic properties but hasn't made the first payment, which was due two months ago. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has jurisdiction over the project and has been asked to handle the dispute. Rover says some details about the agreement were misleading or wrong. It says it already contributed significant money, thinks further contributions are unwarranted, and will fight efforts to compel such payments. Rover already paid $2.3 million for tearing down an historic home in Carroll County, southeast of Cleveland.
The pipeline under construction will run from West Virginia into western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, before it turns north into Michigan, coming into Livingston County as it passes through Putnam, Marion, Iosco and Handy townships. (JK)
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Court Action Being Pursued Against Owner Of Brighton Township Home Court Action Being Pursued Against Owner Of Brighton Township Home
Three residents who live near a vacant home arguably beyond repair in Brighton Township pleaded their case to the Board of Trustees Monday night.
Feral cats, smells, falling trees and tall grass are among a few of well documented issues with the home at 5907 Felske. Blight related concerns date back to 2005 but various violations gradually morphed into more significant issues. The home has been vacant for at least the last couple of years. A large amount of feral cats were said to be taking over underneath the home at and are roaming onto nearby properties that have homes with families and children. One neighbor said the smell is terrible and cats urinate on the cars of guests parked at his home, which is now up for sale.
After hearing from residents, the board voted unanimously to seek code enforcement compliance against the owner, who was said to be very unresponsive to past efforts to gain compliance with health and safety standards. Township Manager Brian Vick says the many years of code enforcement efforts have not brought it into compliance and the township attorney got involved but was unsuccessful. He tells WHMI the board has now agreed to proceed with formal court action against the homeowner. Vick noted that itâs not an uncommon situation involving a property owner who hasnât maintained a home and is not living in it, neighbors are fed up and the board took action to try and help them out by pursuing the legal route.
It was noted during Mondayâs meeting that the home is now in such a bad state that it likely cannot be restored. Township Attorney John Harris said based on experience, he would anticipate that the home will likely be ordered torn down by the courts but it wonât be an overnight process. (JM)
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Howell Fire Academy Cadets Train in "Live Burn Scenario"Howell Fire Academy Cadets Train in "Live Burn Scenario"
Cadets from the Howell Public Schoolsâ Fire Academy smoldered in their final training exercise this morning.
The Hamburg Township Fire Departmentâs Training Tower hosted the hands-on experience for the programâs cadets. The academy, run by Lieutenant Tom Kiurski from the Brighton Area Fire Authority, provides high school students from Livingston and Oakland County with the training they need to pass the stateâs firefighter certification exam.
Cadets geared up in their full turnout gear and participated in several exercises inside of the tower. âBurn roomsâ in the three-story tower were stocked with wood pallets and hay bales that were set on fire so cadets could experience the development of a fire, the build in smoke and heat, and the reduction in visibility. Another exercise entailed dragging hoses into the building to put the fires out and performing a search and rescue operation with dummies.
Mara Hickman, one of the programâs cadets and a Junior at Howell High School, says she couldnât sleep last night in anticipation of the exercise. She admits she was worried about smoke getting into her mask and how hot the small rooms can get, but thought it was fun and that everything went well. Elise Moor, Academy Cadet and Junior at Howell High School, agreed and says the burn lab was âkind of terrifying at firstâ. Moor says she was nervous and felt some pressure as smoke started to make its way through the tower, but that it was a cool, first-time experience.
Lt. Kiurski says cadets had the opportunity to try different positions in the scenario, learn hose movements, extinguishments, and build confidence in utilizing their gear. Cadet Blake Vershum, a Senior at Whitmore Lake High School, says the exercise was fun and that it was pretty cool to see how fast the fire and heat escalated inside of the tower. He says just by standing up, the group could feel and see the difference in heat and visibility levels.
Cadet Brandon Patterson is a Senior at Hartland High School and a member of the Hartland-Deerfield Fire Authorityâs Junior Cadet program, which allows students in the academy to actually participate as a paid on-call firefighter. Patterson, who says he "highly, highly" recommends the academy, felt the exercise was beneficial as a good starting point thatâs not too extreme. He believes the observation was helpful because being told something repeatedly and reading it in a book is â⦠completely different when you actually see it.â
Lt. Kiurski says in addition to the cadets applying their training in a realistic situation, their reactions in the high-intensity environment were monitored too. Kiurski says learning by âplaying with fireâ made it a good end of the year lesson. (DK)
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Longtime Community Leader Barb Barden Celebrates RetirementLongtime Community Leader Barb Barden Celebrates Retirement
A longtime community leader who has made it her job to promote Livingston County is welcoming her âbittersweetâ retirement.
Barb Barden, Executive Director of the Livingston County Convention & Visitors Bureau, has watched the destination marketing organization she helped start grow over the last 25 years. Barden says in that time, the LCCVB has gone from a part-time operation to an amazing machine with a $250 million annual impact on the local economy. She attributes much of its success to the friends sheâs made through the Bureau who, along with family, helped celebrate her retirement at the Crystal Gardens Banquet Center in Genoa Township last night.
Barden, who resides in Ann Arbor, says sheâs looking forward to coming back to visit her âsecond homeâ and dropping some tourism dollars into Livingston County, while continuing to volunteer at events. Her plans for retirement also include gardening, traveling, and time spent with friends and family.
Reflecting on her career, she says one of her favorite memories was working with Good Morning America to bring Diane Sawyer to âHell and backâ to promote the Putnam Township community and Livingston County as a vacation destination. Barden says, ââ¦those are the kinds of days you live for. When anybody shines a bright light on Livingston County, itâs great for everybody.â
Barden says she has always been in awe of the number of people that care in Livingston County and believes there is great leadership here that will carefully guard the investment that has been made into the region. Her successor, Mary Zucchero, is scheduled to start her first day with the LCCVB May 22nd. (DK)
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Lane Restrictions In Effect On US-23, Northbound US-23 Ramp To 8 Mile To CloseLane Restrictions In Effect On US-23, Northbound US-23 Ramp To 8 Mile To Close
New freeway ramp closures start Friday as part of the US-23 Flex Route project.
Daily flag control operations will be in effect on 8 Mile Road at US-23 through Friday, between 9am and 3pm each day. The lane restrictions on 8 Mile Road are needed for temporary widening work.
Starting Friday, the entrance ramp to northbound US-23 from 8 Mile will be closed for one week for ramp reconstruction. The ramp is anticipated to re-open next Friday at approximately 3pm. A detour will be posted that directs traffic westbound on 8 Mile Road, then northbound on Whitmore Lake Road to M-36, back to northbound US-23.
There will also be a full time, single lane closure this weekend on southbound US-23 from Silver Lake Road to 6 Mile starting at 8pm Friday through 5am Monday. Overnight, single lane closures throughout the work zone will then continue next week for paving and concrete patch work.
M-DOT further advises area motorists to prepare for additional closures next week. Monday through Friday, there will be intermittent 15 minute freeway closures nightly between 1am and 4am on northbound US-23 from North Territorial Road to M-14 for truss installation.
Finally starting on Monday but lasting through June 15th, the entrance ramp to southbound US-23 from North Territorial Road will be closed to reconstruct the interchange. The posted detour is northbound US-23 to 6 Mile to southbound US-23.
M-DOT asks that motorists to drive with caution in the work zone and be alert for traffic slowdowns. (JM)
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County Board Approves Creation Of Bailiff Unit For Judicial CenterCounty Board Approves Creation Of Bailiff Unit For Judicial Center
Officials are taking local courtroom security one step further with a decision to appoint a bailiff unit.
In a letter to the Livingston County Board of Commissioners, Chief Judge David J. Reader says in the last few years there have been ââ¦too many incidents of courtroom violence occurring not only in Michigan but across the nation as well.â Judge Reader says he has discussed with his fellow judges, Sheriff Mike Murphy, personnel from the State Court Administrative Office, and court administrators about how to address the ââ¦growing concern for safety within our court system.â
Readerâs resolution, in concurrence with Sheriff Murphy, is to have courtroom security handled by Court Security Officers reporting directly to the Courts. Each of the six courtrooms would have a dedicated, full-time Court Security Officer responsible for court security, bailiff, and related duties. One of the six officers would be classified as a Lead Court Security Officer who would coordinate schedules and training, while also providing the same courtroom duties. The officers would be deputized by the Sheriff, as opposed to courtroom security currently being handled by the Court Service Unit Deputies reporting to the Sheriff.
The cost to appoint a bailiff to each judge for a total of six full-time officers will be $320,000. $140,000 of that will be transferred from the Sheriffâs budget into the courtâs budget, and another $180,000 will be added to the courtâs budget. Judge Readerâs request to authorize the unit was unanimously approved by the countyâs Board of Commissioners Monday night. (JM)
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Hartland Township Board Discusses Tax Break For Emagine TheaterHartland Township Board Discusses Tax Break For Emagine Theater
Officials are hoping the creation of a commercial rehabilitation act in Hartland Township and the tax breaks it would offer will bring a major movie theater chain to the area.
The Board of Trustees discussed the details of a how a proposed Emagine Theater would impact the area at their meeting Tuesday night. The theater chain had originally asked for a 10-year tax abatement, but the township found by crunching numbers that a 7-year break would be enough to fit both sides needs. Hartland Township Supervisor Bill Fountain explained that there will still be taxes coming in from the development. The abatement would be only on the building. The personal property and the land under it would still be taxed by the township. The board estimates that the abatement would save Emagine around $500,000 over the 7 years.
Many board members expressed an opinion that this kind of development was a benefit to the community and could ignite excitement into the area. The theater, which would be located next to Meijer, could bring in up to 500,000 people per year, by estimate, and in doing so help support nearby businesses, especially restaurants. Board members, during their discussion recognized needs like informing the community on why the tax break would be a good thing, and making sure an incident like Wal-Mart coming in and then leaving quickly doesnât happen again.
Trustee Matt Germane said he was for the theater, but had heard concerns from residents that the business should be able to make it on its own and without breaks. Trustee Joe Colaianne offered that government has historically gotten involved in enterprises that benefit the community, and that these abatements are here for when the right business comes along. A public hearing has been set for next Tuesday, May 23rd, at 7pm for the board to gather residents input before deciding whether or not to continue along the process. (MK)
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Howell Students Advance To National Career And Technical Competition Howell Students Advance To National Career And Technical Competition
Five local students have earned top honors in state from at a competition held by a national career and technical organization.
The National Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, or FCCLA, have invited 5 Howell High School Students to compete at their national conference in July. FCCLA members aim to be difference-makers in careers and communities by taking a large focus on the family aspect. The students recently claimed the highest scores and gold medals at the state level of the Students Taking Action with Recognition event.
Hale Attard was recognized in the Career Investigation category for her research into the job of a child life specialist. Corin Becker and Morgan Rollins presented a small business plan for a coffee shop in the Entrepreneurship category. Finally, Jordan Champagne and Julia Armbruster excelled in the Life Event Planning category for a spring break trip they planned.
This is the 2nd year in a row that Howell High School students have advanced to the national competition. (MK)
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Brighton Rotary's 3rd Annual Dash Or Crash Set This WeekendBrighton Rotary's 3rd Annual Dash Or Crash Set This Weekend
The Brighton Rotary Club is once again holding a one-day, family-friendly athletic competition that includes a 5k obstacle run, kids run and live entertainment.
The 3rd Annual Top of the Mountain Dash or Crash will be held this Saturday, May 20th at Mt. Brighton. The course will include a climbing wall, a tire bridge and a vertical rope climb, all ending with a sprint down the main hill as the runners are soaked with water from the Mt. Brighton snow guns.
There will also be live bands along with food and beverages served throughout the day at the base of the ski hill. Kids entertainment will include face painting, a bounce house and the Howell Nature Center Wildlife Bus and a bounce house. Funds raised will support Brighton Rotary projects including the Rotary Raiders that builds residential ramps for low-income residents, literacy programs, Gleaners Community Food Bank and college scholarships for Brighton-area students.
Youâll find registration details through the link below. (JK)
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Brighton Township Board Amends "Call To The Public" Meeting PolicyBrighton Township Board Amends "Call To The Public" Meeting Policy
The Brighton Township Board met Monday night and voted to amend administrative policy regarding the amount of time members of the public speak during meetings.
Almost every meeting prior to call to the public, citizens are advised to avoid personal attacks on board members, officials and staff. Among some of the particularly vocal residents that regularly hurl insults at the board include Mike Palmer, an original sewer user who is among a group involved with litigation filed against the township for alleged overcharges. At the beginning of Mondayâs meeting, Palmer informed the board that he would now be using the full three minutes allowed per agenda item under how the current policy is worded. Normally, three minutes is granted to speak on items at the beginning and end of meetings.
The board discussed the issue at the very end of Mondayâs meeting along with different avenues that could be pursued, ultimately voting to align the administrative policy with how it has been applied for years. That means citizens will have three minutes to speak at the beginning of the meeting, and three minutes at the end if they choose.
Questions were about the legality of doing so were raised, and the township attorney advised that the board was within its rights. Clerk Ann Bollin and Trustee Mike Slaton voted against the written change. (JM)
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Summer Lunch Bunch Kickoff Event Coming To BrightonSummer Lunch Bunch Kickoff Event Coming To Brighton
A program designed to help put to food on the tables of families-in-need is holding a big kickoff event this weekend.
The Salvationâs Armyâs Summer Lunch Bunch is back for its ninth year of providing meals and activities for children around the area. Salvation Army Major Preza Morrison said the Summer Lunch Bunch is also a great tool for helping people find information, resources, and other opportunities that will occur in the community that might help them through the summer months.
This year, thanks to a $145,000 grant to the Livingston County Hunger Council, more agencies are able to get involved and pitch in. The grant came from the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan and will allow for the purchase of a mobile pantry truck and expansion of programs and services in the community. As a result, the 2017 Happy Healthy Summer Kickoff event is almost double in size from previous years. It will be held this Saturday, May 20th, from 10am to 1pm at The Commons at 2|42 Church in Brighton, and is free for the whole family.
The Detroit Pistons Mascot and Dance Team will be there, along with free samples of food, educational demonstrations, and lots of activities for kids. More information can be found through the link below.(MK)
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Highland Township Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash Highland Township Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash
A Highland Township man was killed in a fatal motorcycle crash early this morning while his passenger remains hospitalized in serious condition.
Deputies with the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office Commerce Township substation and the Commerce Township Fire Department responded to a motorcycle crash near the intersection of Oakley Park Road and Sutton Lane around 3:18am. Assistance from the Crash Reconstruction Unit was requested.
Authorities say a 2000 Honda motorcycle was traveling westbound on Oakley Park Road when the driver lost control and left the roadway to the north. The roadway is said to curve to the south at that location. The driver of the Honda motorcycle was not wearing a helmet and was identified as a 26-year-old Highland Township man. He was transported to a hospital and pronounced deceased a short time later. Police say the rear passenger, a 24-year-old Commerce Township woman who was wearing a helmet, was transported to Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak by Michigan Survival Flight. She remains hospitalized in serious condition.
Police say alcohol and/or drugs do not appear to be a factor. However, they say speed does appear to be a contributing factor in the crash. (JM)
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