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Oceola Woman Gets 10-15 Years for Child Abuse PleaOceola Woman Gets 10-15 Years for Child Abuse Plea

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3/22/13 - A Livingston County woman accused of severely abusing her young step-grandson has been sentenced to prison after accepting a plea deal in the case. 36-year-old Sara Rae Walters of Oceola Township pleaded no contest to first-degree child abuse in exchange for prosecutors dismissing a charge of torture involving the toddler. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such during sentencing. Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty sentenced Walters to 10 to 15 years behind bars, with credit for 411 days already served. Authorities say the 3-year-old boy suffered more than 60 different injuries, including blood on the surface of his brain, while in Walters’ care. His core body temperature was also just 88 degrees when he was examined. Walters was taking the child to the hospital on October 21st of 2011 when he stopped breathing. She pulled off US-23 and called 911. Paramedics revived the child and took him to the University of Michigan Hospital, where doctors discovered the injuries. The charges against her came after a three-month investigation. (TD)

Brighton School Board Passes New Deficit Elimination PlanBrighton School Board Passes New Deficit Elimination Plan

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3/22/13 - A new deficit elimination plan was approved by the Brighton School Board last night after the last one was rejected for being too optimistic. The district had about $7.3 million in legacy debt at the end of the last school year and is required to submit a plan to the state each year outlining how that debt will be reduced. This year’s plan was rejected by the Department of Education on March 5th, which cited the district's projection of a 1,400 student increase in shared-services students as unrealistic as well as a per-pupil funding increase of $100. To create a new deficit elimination plan district officials compiled a list of possible cuts to make to the district’s budget and gave it to school board members, who could vote for or against each one. The board went through the results line-by-line at an emergency meeting last night that attracted hundreds of parents and school employees. The items the board agreed upon were included in the deficit elimination plan, which was approved 6-to-1 last night, with only board member Nick Fiani dissenting. Brighton Education Association President Ellen Lafferty tells WHMI that she had some concerns coming to the meeting, but is satisfied with the results and feels the board acted responsibly. The proposed deficit elimination plan includes no outsourcing of employees, which was one of the chief concerns during the meeting’s call to the public. Superintendent Greg Gray says there will nonetheless be reductions in staffing, which he identified during the meeting as the district’s main expense. Those reductions include eliminating 10 teaching positions, laying off two administrators and reducing many paraprofessional positions. It would also reinstate pay-to-play fees for athletics and reduce the Community Education budget by $250,000. The plan covers the remaining budget year and the entirety of the next, and the board says creating the 2013-2014 budget will take very little time now since most of the work has been done. The deficit elimination plan was due today, so it will now be submitted to the Department of Education for review. (TD/JK)

January Jobless Rates Up Again Across the State & LocallyJanuary Jobless Rates Up Again Across the State & Locally

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3/22/13 - Jobless rates rose seasonally in all regional labor markets in January, including locally. The individual jobless rate for Livingston County stood at 9.5%, jumping one full percentage point from December. Livingston County’s ranking in terms of unemployment also fell three spots to 31st among Michigan’s 83 counties. State officials say the increases are typical during the winter months but noted that local regions have reported improvement since January of 2012. Over the past year, they say unemployment rates declined and payroll jobs were up in the majority of areas. Livingston County is included in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia region, which recorded an increase of only three-tenths of a percentage point over the month. (JM)

Green Oak Approves New, More Effective Township WebsiteGreen Oak Approves New, More Effective Township Website

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3/22/13 - Residents of Green Oak Township will have better access to municipal resources and government when a new township website is launched in the next fiscal year. Supervisor Mark St. Charles says the current township website is a bare-minimum resource that was put into place when the majority of the township was using dial-up Internet. He says it is difficult to navigate and cumbersome to update, and so is not an effective tool for residents. The township board recently approved spending $8,900 to create a new, more modern website. St. Charles tells WHMI in addition to being updated more frequently, the website will give the township new tools to serve the public. St. Charles says the township will be able to showcase photos and news from around area, increase access to official forms and permits, and serve as a more effective communication tool for the community. He says he is also excited about the possibility of frequent online surveys to improve feedback from residents. Work on the website should begin shortly after the start of the new fiscal year on April 1st. (TD)

Cold Weather Slows Fenton Fire House Rebuild, Schedule HoldsCold Weather Slows Fenton Fire House Rebuild, Schedule Holds

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3/22/13 - A few setbacks in the construction of the new Fenton Fire Hall restaurant have not changed the planned opening date of June 30th. The old fire station on Leroy Street in Fenton was recently purchased by Curt Catallo, owner of the Clarkston Union restaurant in Clarkston. Although the renovation of the building to turn it into a restaurant is currently underway, Catallo says the lingering cold weather has prevented crews from laying the foundation for a planned addition to the fire hall. The addition is the only planned change to the exterior of the building and will house the mechanics of the restaurant. Catallo says he was not expecting snow on the first day of spring, but he fully expects to open the restaurant on June 30th as planned. He tells WHMI that this is just one of the road bumps they have encountered in the renovation process. Construction on the new addition got off to a rocky start when the soil was found to be too soft to provide a base for the structure. Catallo says this was not unusual since the building is located just off the Shiawassee River, but in order to continue he had to purchase $17,000 in fill soil. Opening day will include rooftop dining, but the retractable roof planned to go over the dining area will have to be finished and installed at a later date. (TD)

Trial Date Set for Alleged I-96 ShooterTrial Date Set for Alleged I-96 Shooter

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3/22/13 - A trial date has been set for the man accused of a series of shootings along the I-96 corridor in southeast Michigan, including Livingston County. 43-year-old Raulie Casteel of Wixom is charged in Livingston County with numerous felonies, including one count of terrorism, which carries a life sentence if convicted. Those charges were filed in connection with shooting incidents in Ingham, Shiawassee and Livingston Counties and are being prosecuted by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office. Circuit Court Judge David Reader is hearing the case and has set a May 6th trial date if no plea deal is worked out prior to that. Casteel also faces 60 charges in Oakland County Circuit Court that are being prosecuted separately and are linked to shootings in Wixom and Commerce Township. An April 4th pre-trial is set there. Casteel was previously found competent to stand trial following forensic testing although his defense attorney says they are still awaiting the findings of separate evaluations ordered to determine criminal responsibility. (JK)

Sheriff Says Westland Murder Suspect Caught in Livingston County Sheriff Says Westland Murder Suspect Caught in Livingston County

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3/22/13 - A woman wanted in connection with a murder in Westland was captured in Livingston County Thursday night. That's when an argument between a 26-year-old Westland woman and a 30-year-old Inkster woman turned deadly. The Inkster woman is accused of running over the Westland woman with her vehicle, killing the mother of four who was on foot. The suspect fled and the victim was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte tells WHMI a “be-on-the-lookout” advisory was issued as the female suspect has relatives locally. He says deputies and Brighton Police went to investigate in the area of Kellogg Road at around 7:40pm and soon found the vehicle hidden in the woods as well as the female suspect walking down Hughes Road. She was taken into custody and turned over to Westland authorities. An investigation is ongoing and criminal charges are pending. (JM)

SATURDAY: Trial Date Set for Man Charged in Pinckney Man's DeathSATURDAY: Trial Date Set for Man Charged in Pinckney Man's Death

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3/23/13 - The man charged with stabbing a Livingston County man to death last year will go to trial in May. 37-year-old Ronald Lewis Kennedy will go to trial May 13th in Oakland County Circuit Court on charges of 2nd degree murder in the death of Charles MacDonald Shiffman. The Pinckney resident was found dead of multiple stab wounds December 1st in the front yard of a home in northern Oakland County's Rose Township. Police say Kennedy stabbed the 34-year-old Pinckney man several times after finding him at the house with his wife, 31-year-old Jessica Kennedy. Shiffman’s family say the two were long-time friends and that he had gone to the home at the woman’s request to help her get out of an abusive relationship. Kennedy’s mother claims her son was attacked inside his home and was merely defending himself. After stabbing Shiffman, Police say Kennedy stabbed his wife and forced her into a car before fleeing the area. He was later stopped by police and arrested. In addition to the 2nd degree murder count, Kennedy is also charged with assault with intent to murder and domestic violence against his wife. Kennedy remains jailed with no bond. (JK)

SUNDAY: Fundraising Dinner Planned For Family Of Lake Fenton FatherSUNDAY: Fundraising Dinner Planned For Family Of Lake Fenton Father

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3/24/13 - A fundraising dinner for the family of a Lake Fenton man who died in December will be held later his spring. 44-yer-old Kirk Beauchamp and his wife Amy both came down with flu symptoms just after Christmas. Amy made a full recovery but over the next three days Kirk only got worse. He passed away on December 29th. Beauchamp was the father of five children who are now being cared for by his wife. A dinner scheduled for May 18th will benefit the Beauchamp family. It will take place at Legends Sports Café from 4 to 8pm. Admission is $6.99 per person and includes dinner and door prizes. A silent auction and raffles will also be held. The café is located at 3235 West Thompson Road in Fenton. Click on the link below to make a donation online. (TD)

Gas Leak Prompts Evacuation In Green Oak Village Place MallGas Leak Prompts Evacuation In Green Oak Village Place Mall

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3/25/13 - Four stores had to be evacuated at the Green Oak Village Place Mall on Saturday due to a natural gas leak. The Green Oak Fire Department says a steel gas line on the side of a vacant store broke off of its meter, probably due to a hardware failure. This resulted in what is described as a fairly large gas leak, and four stores in the mall had to be evacuated while the problem was addressed. The gas was shut off within two minutes of the fire department arriving on the scene. There was no property damage and nobody was injured. (TD)

Pay Raises For Green Oak Officials Enacted Without ChallengePay Raises For Green Oak Officials Enacted Without Challenge

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3/25/13 - New pay increases for the elected officers of the Green Oak Township Board were put in place last week after no challenges were raised by the board. A compensation commission is formed every other year to examine the salaries and benefits given to the township’s elected officials for their services. It is made up of Green Oak residents, and the recommendations it makes are put into effect unless challenged by the board. Dan Rainko was one of the commission members, and he says they reviewed the duties performed by the supervisor, clerk, and treasurer, as well as the compensation provided in other communities, before coming to their decision. He tells WHMI that one of the major issues they saw was that the clerk and treasurer were being paid much more than the supervisor, which they felt was inappropriate given the duties of that position. Their recommendation was to increase the supervisor’s salary by $4,000 in the fiscal year beginning on April 1st. They also recommended raises for all three officers amounting to 6% in the first year and 4% in the following year. With no challenges by the township board, the recommendations will now be put into effect. Rainko adds that he is satisfied with the performance of the officers as they worked to get the township through the difficult financial climate of the past few years. (TD)

Annual Huron River Clean-Up Day Canceled

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3/25/13 - The annual Huron River clean-up day in Hamburg Township has been cancelled this season, and officials say that's a good thing. The township’s Flood Hazard Prevention Committee organizes the event every year in an effort to help the river flow and prevent flooding issues. Volunteers tackle different sections of the river and work to remove trash, trees and other debris that block the river’s natural flow from Portage Lake to Ore Lake. Township Trustee and committee member Bill Hahn tells WHMI they’ve been doing the river clean-ups for about eight years now and there was a huge amount of trash and debris in the river when they first started. He says they’ve managed to clean it up considerably over the last few years through the efforts of everyone involved. He says a recent survey indicated no major obstruction sites and it just made sense to cancel the clean-up day with really nothing to actually clean-up. Hahn anticipates that small crews will be sent out periodically in the summer and fall to clear any debris or trees that come down, which he says inevitably, happens every year. (JK)

Hune Backs Bill to Repeal GOP Pension TaxHune Backs Bill to Repeal GOP Pension Tax

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3/25/13 - A bill to undo the changes to middle-class families that resulted from eliminating the Michigan Business tax is being backed by five Republican lawmakers, including a local state senator. In 2011, a bill backed by Governor Rick Snyder changed the state tax code to eliminate the business tax with the aim of improving Michigan's business environment. Other changes to the tax code had to be made in order to make up for the eliminated tax, including a first-ever tax on pensions in Michigan and limiting homestead property credits. A group of five senators, who voted against the changes, including Joe Hune of Hamburg Township, are now trying to get them repealed. They say the pension exemptions are crucial for retirees and homestead credits are particularly important to widows and widowers. At the time the tax was first proposed, Hune said he didn't expect it would pass, but indicated he had been clear with the Snyder Administration he could not support any new taxes. Senate Democrats, who have strongly opposed the tax from the beginning, have proposed similar legislation for nearly two years and a spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, said the GOP bill "reeks of opportunism." (JK)

Brighton Council Mulls Future Budget Cuts to Remain in BlackBrighton Council Mulls Future Budget Cuts to Remain in Black

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3/25/13 - If the Brighton City Council intends for the city to remain in the black and out of a budget deficit in the coming years, it's going to have to do some serious budget-trimming, and combine it with new sources of revenue. City Manager Dana Foster unveiled three different proposed multi-year city budgets at last Thursday night's City Council meeting. They include the baseline 6-year budget forecast and two 6-year future deficit elimination plans. Foster stresses that the city is not operating at a deficit at this time and projects a surplus of $1.4 million at the end of the current fiscal year on June 30th. However, he cautions that the forecast for future years isn't so rosy, and predicts deficits - without some serious spending reductions. Foster says the city is getting less tax revenue because of the decline in property values and that - combined with losing a large number of tax cases that were appealed to the Michigan Tax Tribunal - is what's causing the budget crunch. Foster told council that "version one" of the future deficit elimination plan takes into consideration projected new revenue sources, combined with spending reductions. Foster says "version two" of the future deficit elimination plan assumes no new revenue sources, and therefore is Draconian in the spending cuts and personnel reductions it would require. But in the short term, the budget picture is much more positive. Foster says the proposed general fund budget for next year totals $7.6 million, a relatively slight, $330,000 reduction from the current year. Council will conduct three budget workshop sessions this week, tonight, Tuesday and Wednesday, to go over the different budget scenarios with a fine tooth comb. The meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. each evening at city hall and are open to the public. (TT)

Pinckney Schools Considering Property Sale to Village For ParkPinckney Schools Considering Property Sale to Village For Park

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3/25/13 - The Village of Pinckney is talking with the local school district about purchasing the land behind the new library building for the creation of a new park. The new Pinckney Community Library is located inside a building formerly owned by the Pinckney school district. Behind the library is a 3.7-acre plot of land, including a playground, which the library did not want. It remains the property of the school district, which is responsible for the maintenance and legal liability of the property. The village made a friendly offer to the district to purchase the property for one dollar, which would relieve the district of the liability and maintenance costs associated with plot. That offer was rejected, and Salowitz says the district could be planning to have the plot assessed for sale. The state Department of Education recently announced that Pinckney Community Schools would soon become a deficit district. Salowitz says the property could be used as a municipal park if purchased by the village. (TD)

Green Oak Township Approves Expanded Legal BudgetsGreen Oak Township Approves Expanded Legal Budgets

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3/25/13 - After a year of unexpectedly high legal fees, Green Oak Township has approved increasing its legal budget in several areas of its government. Supervisor Mark St. Charles says the township has had a lot of litigation in the past year, resulting in part from the state’s decision to rezone portions of the township from industrial to commercial. That change included a tax increase of 1.8 mils, which landowners have challenged in court and the township assessing department is forced to defend. Litigation involving ordinance enforcement, including the legal battle with the Barnstormer entertainment venue, contributed to the increased attorney cost as well. Attorneys were also employed to revise township ordinances. St. Charles says the legal budgets for the township board, ordinance enforcement, and assessing department budgets were increased by approximately $65,000 for the current budget year to prevent overages. He says the township does not budget all of its revenues, so there is enough money left over to absorb these larger budgets. St. Charles says the ongoing litigation involving Liquid Manufacturing did not contribute to this problem, since those legal fees are paid for through the sewer system budget. (TD)

Linden Woman Killed in Deerfield Car/Tree CrashLinden Woman Killed in Deerfield Car/Tree Crash

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3/25/13 - A Genesee County woman was killed in a weekend crash in Deerfield Township. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department says deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash at about 10 o’clock Sunday night near the intersection of Bennett Lake Road and Clairmont Drive. Upon arrival deputies located a 2013 Ford Focus that had been westbound on Bennett Lake Road when it left the roadway and struck a tree. The lone occupant and driver, 46 year old Susan Porter-Tyson of Linden, was found trapped and unresponsive in the vehicle. Rescue attempts were unable to revive Porter-Tyson and she was pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation indicates Porter-Tyson was traveling at a high rate of speed prior to losing control and striking a tree. She was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and initial indications are that alcohol and drugs were not a factor. However, a final determination will be made once toxicology reports are obtained. The area of Bennett Lake Road and Clairmont Drive was closed for approximately three and a half hours while deputies investigated. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department was assisted at the scene by personnel from the Hartland / Deerfield Fire Authority and Livingston County EMS. (JK)

Local Authorities Seeking Tips After Diamond Store Heist Local Authorities Seeking Tips After Diamond Store Heist

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3/25/13 - A local diamond store has been burglarized again and tens of thousands of dollars in jewelry was stolen. Pendants, rings, earrings and precious stones valued at approximately $230,000 were stolen during the March 9th incident at The Ultra Diamond Store, located in the Tanger Outlet Center in Howell Township. Michigan State Police at the Brighton Post and a Sheriff’s Department Deputy responded to a burglary alarm that sounded at around midnight. Police found the front door of the business broken out and discovered that numerous glass display cases had been broken into but no suspects were located. The most recent incident appears to be similar to one that occurred last December at the same store in which police found the front window broken in, display cases smashed, and about $80,000 in merchandise stolen. MSP Sergeant Mark Thompson told WHMI they're are not releasing any further details due to the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper Joseph Pendergraff at 810-227-1051. (JM)

"Funeral Bandit" Apprehended By Colorado Authorities Monday"Funeral Bandit" Apprehended By Colorado Authorities Monday

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3/26/13 - A man wanted in connection with a series of burglaries across five Michigan counties including locally was apprehended at a pawn shop in Colorado yesterday. 44-year-old Todd Lloyd Griffin, dubbed the "funeral bandit" by police, was taken into custody without incident and found to be in possession of numerous jewelry items. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office says deputies found a large stash of stolen jewelry, electronics and other items while executing a search warrant last Thursday at a home in Pontiac. Many of the items were stolen during 16 reported burglaries in Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Shiawassee and Genesee Counties. Authorities say many of the victims were targeted by Griffin during funerals for deaths in the family as well as estate sales that had been advertised. Officials say warrant requests on the known cases will be forthcoming and any information developed on other cases will be actively investigated for prosecution. (JM)

Brighton School Board Makes Staffing Cuts to Reduce DeficitBrighton School Board Makes Staffing Cuts to Reduce Deficit

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3/26/13 - The Brighton Board of Education Monday night performed an aspect of its duties that is not pleasant, but nonetheless unavoidable in times of skin-tight budgets. At its regular meeting the board voted to send termination notices to three administrators and three food service program support staffers. Both groups are members of unions, and minimum, 90-day layoff notices are required by contract. The notices will likely be followed by action to terminate at least two of the three administrators next month. The three administrators include Hornung School Principal Susan Johnson, Maltby Intermediate School Assistant Principal Jeff Eisele and Community Education Director Ann Rennie. The administrators are represented by the Brighton Area Schools’ Administrators’ Association and the support staff by the Brighton Educational Support Personnel Association. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that because of the impending reductions, current administrators – even Gray himself – will likely have to pitch in and spend part of their time at one of the two affected schools. Gray says the staff reductions are not related to the performance of those involved, but are necessitated by the district’s deficit elimination plan. The school district is under the gun by the state to eliminate its $7.4 million legacy deficit by the end of the ‘13-‘14 fiscal year. Gray says the food service support staffers are being eliminated because the food service program has been negatively impacted by new, federally-mandated nutritional standards. Gray says that many of the students simply don’t like the taste of the food choices they are now being given and no longer purchase lunch in the school cafeteria. (TT)
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