Sentencing has been handed down to a local woman who is charged, along with her husband, in a drunken driving incident that involved their children.
36-year-old Siobhan Theresa Egnot was sentenced in 53rd District Court Tuesday to one year of probation, 30 days of community service, and two days in the county jail, which she has already served. She will also be required to complete substance abuse and victim impact classes. She pleaded guilty in April to operating a vehicle while intoxicated with occupants less than 16. Her husband, 39-year-old Matthew Egnot, was charged with operating with a BAC of .17 or more and operating while intoxicated, and entered a plea last month.
The Hamburg Township couple was charged in January after Hamburg Township Police received reports of a 2016 Ford Explorer that had gone off the road into the front yard of a home near Bass Ridge and Hooker Roads. Siobhan reportedly failed field sobriety tests and called her husband to come pick up their two young children who were passengers in her vehicle. However when Matthew Egnot arrived, officers suspected he was intoxicated as well. Both husband and wife were arrested and lodged in the county jail. Matthew Egnot is set to be sentenced June 20th. (DK)
Pinckney Woman Receives Probation For Driving Drunk With KidsPinckney Woman Receives Probation For Driving Drunk With Kids
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Religious School Loses Appeal In Lawsuit Against Genoa Township Religious School Loses Appeal In Lawsuit Against Genoa Township
A local religious school has lost its appeal in a legal fight against Genoa Township.
Livingston Christian Schools filed suit in 2015 against the township for its refusal to grant a special use permit that would have allowed the school to relocate to the Brighton Church of the Nazarene. The board cited traffic concerns, the schoolâs failure to follow the proper approval process and incompatibility with the township master plan. Despite claiming the denial violated their rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), LCS saw the case tossed out of court after a federal judge ruled the claims had no merit.
The school appealed that to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, which heard oral arguments in the case in April and issued an opinion Friday affirming the judgment of the U.S. District Court. Howell Attorney Roger Myers has been representing Livingston Christian Schools. First Liberty Institute has since joined the legal team to handle the appellate matters and brought in Washington D.C.-based Covington & Burling to be lead counsel.
The school has argued that the townshipâs denial of the permit placed a âsubstantial burdenâ on their ability to operate, which would be a violation of the federal statute. They further argued that the Pinckney location they had been occupying was no longer tenable for a variety of reasons, including finances and enrollment. The township has called the schoolâs claims, âunreasonable and groundlessâ and alleges the school contradicted itself by originally claiming the move to Brighton was necessitated by growing enrollment that required a larger space, but then later said the move was necessitated by âfinancial challengesâ and the new location was needed to spur enrollment growth. First Liberty is a non-profit legal organization that deals with religious freedom and First Amendment lawsuits. Deputy General Counsel Jeremy Dys tells WHMI itâs a shocking decision and it cannot be allowed to stand. He says the next step will be to ask for a review by the full court of the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. It can either grant or decline review. A final step would be to petition to have the U.S Supreme Court hear the appeal.
When the permit was denied, there was an oucry from officials and parents from both LCS and Light of the World Academy (LOTWA) , a formerly private religious-based Montessori school that obtained authorization to re-open as a public charter school. The academy planned to move into the old LCS facility once that school moved to Brighton Church of the Nazarene.
The recent opinion states LCS was not substantially burdened within the meaning of the RLUIPA. It says no credence should be given to any argument that LCS faces a substantial burden because LOTWA now occupies the Pinckney property, this preventing LCS from returning. It says any argument would have no merit because LCS leased the building only after the special use permit application was denied and litigation commenced. LOTWA purchased the building last year. The opinion states the fact LCS cannot use the property is due to its own actions and the evidence about the Academyâs decision to become a publicly funded charter school is insufficient because it does not explain the reason for LCSâs financial difficulties. It was also noted that LOTWA became a charter school because it was having a difficult time keeping enrollment numbers up at a tuition based school.
Former board member Todd Smith says he is glad to see the township has been vindicated and did not bow to special interest pressures brought by Buddy Moorehouse and the church, and it was the correct decision for the residents of Genoa Township.
Buddy Moorehouse told WHMI heâs âjust a guy who writes blogsâ and claims to have no connection to the case or church, other than when LOTWA was involved. His wife, Kathy Moorehouse, is director of the Academy and his daughter attends school there. He also works as Vice President of Communications for the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA). He is a guest blogger on the Livingston Post and says he worked really hard to try and get Smith, board member Linda Rowell and former Supervisor Gary McCririe kicked off the board, saying he thought they were terrible board members. All three voted to deny the Churchâs permit application. Moorehouse, who is not a Genoa Township resident, says LCS was a big issue in the election and voters clearly made their voices known. Both Rowell and Smith were voted off the board last November while McCririe retired.
The full court opinion and press release from First Liberty Institute are attached. (JM)
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Upcoming Workshop Will Help With Arts And Culture Grant WritingUpcoming Workshop Will Help With Arts And Culture Grant Writing
An upcoming seminar will help people interested in landing a grant for their works in the arts begin the process.
The Arts Alliance is hosting the free workshop at the Howell Opera House on Wednesday, June 14th, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Members of the Alliance will be on hand to guide interested parties through the basics of obtaining programming and professional development funds in the form of mini-grants from the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs. The MCACA aims to support art education, encourage new and innovative artists, and broaden cultural understanding. They believe that an arts and culture scene can play an important role in the fabric of a strong community.
The grants they offer are available to nonprofit organizations, schools, and municipalities in 6 Michigan counties, including Livingston and Washtenaw. An RSVP is requested and can be made by calling (517) 540-0065, or by sending an email to sharon@howelloperahouse.com. (MK)
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2017 Comprehensive Master Plan Focus Of Joint Meeting 2017 Comprehensive Master Plan Focus Of Joint Meeting
Representatives of several Brighton governmental bodies will be in attendance at a joint session next Monday, June 5th.
The Brighton City Council, City Planning Commission and Downtown Development Authority will all be represented at the special meeting. There will be only one item on the agenda: the kickoff of the 2017 Comprehensive Master Plan. Mayor Jim Muzzin tells WHMI that Michigan municipalities are required by the state to update their master plans every five years.
Muzzin considers the Master Plan a blueprint for maintaining the cityâs quality of life and proactively addressing future growth and development. The purpose of a Master Plan is to provide a tool for maintaining the prosperity and quality of life of the citizens of the city. Muzzin says the new Master Plan, which will replace the one approved in 2012, will, for the first time, include a Recreation Master Plan for the city.
Once adopted, the Master Plan will be the official policy guide used by city officials to resolve existing and anticipated community development issues, and will specify the goals and objectives of the city toward future growth and development. Muzzin points out that Brighton has undergone many changes since adoption of the previous Master Plan, and the new document will be designed to respond to existing conditions and projected trends to make Brighton a more attractive place to live and work.
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in council chambers of city hall, and the public is invited to attend. (TT)
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Police Stepping Up Foot Patrols In Brighton This Summer Police Stepping Up Foot Patrols In Brighton This Summer
The Brighton City Police Dept. will be increasing foot patrols this summer.
The increased foot patrol presence will take place on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The foot patrols will be assigned to Main Street business fronts, the Imagination Station Playground area, the Mill Pond and the Tridge footbridge.
Chief Bradford adds that âshiftâ foot patrols will be increased during the week, and the department will again be having bicycle patrols this summer in the downtown area. He says the bicycles are being tuned up and will be ready for use by the 4th of July parade. The bicycle patrols are used during the summer and for home football games in the fall. He says there will be between four and six officers on bicycle patrol this year. The department also is taking applications to add more reserve officers who would be available for duty. (TT)
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Highland Man Arraigned On B&E Charge For Incident At Local ChurchHighland Man Arraigned On B&E Charge For Incident At Local Church
A Highland Township man has been arraigned in connection with a breaking and entering incident at a local church.
22-year-old Calvin Vallette has been arraigned on a charge of breaking and entering a building with intent in 52-1 District Court in Novi. He remains lodged in the Oakland County Jail on a $25,000 bond pending a probable cause conference hearing on June 7th. The incident happened at the Highland Hills Baptist Church on Woodruff Lake Road near Milford Road just before 7:30am Monday morning. The pastor had arrived to find that the building had been broken into and that the party responsible was possibly inside the church. The pastor found Vallette and held him until deputies arrived. The pastor told authorities that cash was missing from his drawer and a large quantity of cash in small denominations was found in Valletteâs pocket. He eventually admitted to breaking into the church on two prior occasions. (JM)
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Arraignment Set For Suspect Charged In Local Credit Card Thefts Arraignment Set For Suspect Charged In Local Credit Card Thefts
An Ohio woman facing charges connected to credit card thefts from adult care and rehab facilities in Livingston County is set to be arraigned.
Warrants were authorized last month for 30-year-old Kyiona Renee Coley and 25-year-old Ieasha Jate Williams, both of Toledo, Ohio, who are wanted for the thefts that affected three healthcare facilities in Livingston County within a 10-day period in February.
Williams, who is charged with four counts of illegal use of a stolen financial transaction device, is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday. Court records indicate the warrant for Coley remains active. Coley is charged as a habitual offender, and faces one count of larceny from a building and five counts of stealing/retaining a stolen financial transaction device.
A previously-released surveillance photo from The Willows assisted living center in Howell depicts one of the suspects entering the facility on the afternoon of February 10th. The suspect, wearing a scrub-style shirt similar to what healthcare workers typically wear, is said to have entered the office of staff and stole numerous credit cards. The other suspect waited in a vehicle outside. T
he stolen cards were used shortly after in Howell and at the Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor. After releasing the surveillance photo, one of the women was reportedly identified by a witness to a theft that occurred in Monroe County. Authorities say the two have been seen on surveillance video in other parts of the state and in Indiana and Ohio, also targeting similar facilities. (DK)
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Ceremony Set To Recognize Child Development GraduatesCeremony Set To Recognize Child Development Graduates
A Livingston County educational organization will recognize the achievements of more than two dozen child development students.
According to the group Child Connect for Family Success, the field of early childhood education has relied on the Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program since 1975 to form the foundation of professional development. A reception to formally recognize the 26 Livingston County graduates who recently completed the program will be held at the Howell Opera House this Wednesday, June 7th. It will feature presentations highlighting the success of the program partnerships and the achievements of the candidates in completing their training, which was funded by the Livingston United Way and the Kellogg Family Foundation.
Child Connect officials say the CDA credential reflects a foundational level of knowledge and helps early childhood educators meet current state and national professional requirements. Child Connect for Family Success provided 120 hours of training and onsite observation for the graduates. The organization links child care and family providers with needed services and resources to maximize the early childhood experience. (JK)
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Group Reconditions Used Laptops For Students In NeedGroup Reconditions Used Laptops For Students In Need
A program to help get students laptops is in need of some help from the community.
Connected Kidz is the brainchild of Jeff Hauk, an IT professional for 25 years. Over that time, Hauk accumulated numerous old laptops and gear and was looking for some way to make productive use of them. He realized they could be a great asset for Livingston County students who donât normally have access to a computer when theyâre not in school. Hauk cleans up the donated laptops he receives, checks the batteries and hard drives, and installs a version of Linux on them with programs and games to help kids learn IT skills. He believes they are perfect for 5th and 6th graders before they get into high school.
Hauk said the goal is to make getting one of these laptops as easy as possible for kids in need. All that is needed to qualify is to be on the school lunch program. Hauk said he purposefully didnât want a bunch of rules or costs; he just wanted to make getting them into the hands of kids and parents simple. Heâs currently working with 2 schools, one in Hartland and one in Brighton, and is in discussion with a third in the county. Hauk said the response has been overwhelming and the big challenge right now is obtaining enough inventory to match the schoolsâ needs.
Volunteers to help with the cleaning and installation of programming are needed, as well as cash donations for new hard drives and batteries. Details can be found through the link below. (MK)
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Grand River Improvement Project Nearing Completion Grand River Improvement Project Nearing Completion
A construction project in the busy City of Brighton is in the home stretch.
Today through Wednesday, crews will close off the outside lanes of Grand River and begin adjusting manholes. They will also finish right-of-way rehabilitation behind the curbs and sidewalks, or anywhere they need to add topsoil, clean-up or seed. Department of Public Works Director Marcel Goch tells WHMI if things go well and they get curing time on concrete for the structures, then the final coat of asphalt can begin Wednesday night. Paving work will be done between 8pm and 6am and the hope is to be done early Saturday morning, June 10th. Goch says they did pretty good last week because of the favorable weather and the project is moving along.
Goch says for the most part motorists have been pretty good and really patient but itâs definitely a struggle since there is a lot of traffic going through Brighton. He asks that motorists be patient a little bit longer, especially Monday through Wednesday since it gets a little tight when crews close off the outside lanes. Goch says they appreciate everyoneâs time and patience, and it will be nice when the roadway itâs finished.
If all goes as planned, road markings will be applied to the fresh pavement next week. The project contract actually calls for a June 30th finish date, but remaining work will be mostly restoration and minimal impact on traffic. All of the work remains weather dependent. (JM)
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Fire Damages Colasanti's Market In Highland TownshipFire Damages Colasanti's Market In Highland Township
A fire has destroyed a greenhouse and a portion of a popular Highland Township market this morning.
A fire this morning has forced the closure of Colasantiâs Market on South Milford Road. Authorities say they received a call around 12:40am about a fire at the market, which includes a gift shop, greenhouse and butcher shop. Upon arrival, firefighters found flames engulfing the greenhouse. Itâs believed the fire started in the storeâs gift shop and then moved to the greenhouse, which appears to be destroyed. However, the main building is said to have only suffered smoke damage.
Several birds inside the building were reportedly safely removed. There were no injuries reported. Crews from Commerce Township and Milford assisted at the scene. Facebook photo courtesy of Dana Shaw. (JK)
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Former Church Youth Group Volunteer Sentenced To JailFormer Church Youth Group Volunteer Sentenced To Jail
A former youth group leader has been sentenced to jail after a conviction involving a sexual relationship with a teenage boy.
36-year-old Kendra Marie Brown of Howell was ordered to serve nine months in the Livingston County Jail by Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty last week. Brown was convicted on a single count of 4th degree criminal sexual conduct by a jury in April, after acquitting her of three counts of 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct.
Brown worked with a youth group at the Centerpointe Nazarene Church in Howell, where she met the then-15-year-old victim in 2015. Prosecutors said Brown eventually manipulated the teen into sex. The boy, who is now 17, testified that he did not say no, but did feel forced throughout the entirety of the relationship. (JK)
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9th Annual Pink Party Set To Take Over Howell Thursday9th Annual Pink Party Set To Take Over Howell Thursday
Downtown Howell will be turning pink later this week for an annual celebration to help fund local cancer research.
This Thursday, June 8th, the city will be taken over by the 9th annual Pink Party. The annual event sells passports to local women, which gives them access to exclusive giveaways and deals at participating downtown retailers for the night. Women who purchase the $25 passports in groups of eight or more will get personally escorted around town by one of the tuxedo-clad men who volunteer for the event. Various forms of entertainment including a flash mob, cardio drumming and Livingston Repurposed fashion show will also take place during the event, which will run from 5 to 10pm, ending with a Queen of the Night contest.
The Pink Party partners with St. Joseph Mercy Health System of Livingston County, with the funds raised designated for a stereotactic biopsy table at the St. Joe Brighton Cancer Center that makes will make the testing process much more comfortable for women, while also providing more detailed results.
Pink Party President Diana Biermann says the Pink Party has raised nearly $180,000 through the years, but still owes $85,000 for the biopsy table. Biermann says thatâs why theyâre hoping for a bigger then ever turnout Thursday. Details are online through the link below. (JK)
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Reward Offered After Thefts At Brighton Area Motorsports RetailerReward Offered After Thefts At Brighton Area Motorsports Retailer
A reward is being offered after a brazen break-in over the weekend and the theft of three motorcycles.
The theft happened just after 3am on Sunday at C&C Sports on Grand River in Genoa Township. Surveillance video shows three young males wearing hoodies using a rock to smash open the front door, run inside and then quickly wheel out three dirt bikes, which they then ride away on. The entire incident took less than a minute.
The store is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the return of the bikes. The theft was reported to the Livingston County Sheriffâs Office, which is still investigating. The surveillance videos have been posted to Facebook and can be found through the links below;
Video 1 Video 2 Video 3
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Popular Highland Township Market Open After Early Morning FirePopular Highland Township Market Open After Early Morning Fire
A popular Highland Township market is mostly intact after an early morning fire.
It occurred on property that includes Colasantiâs Market on South Milford Road, according to Highland Township Fire Chief Ken Chapman. He tells WHMI says they received a call around 12:49am about a fire at the address, which includes the market, a gift shop and a greenhouse. Fire departments from Milford, White Lake, Commerce and North Oakland assisted with fighting the fire.
Itâs believed the fire started in the Casa dâAmici gift shop, which was destroyed, and then moved to the English Gardens greenhouse, which suffered moderate damage. However, several birds inside the greenhouse were rescued and are fine. There were no injuries reported from the fire, which took about three hours to get under control. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Colasantiâs, meanwhile, is open today after an inspection visit from the Oakland County Health Department. (AS/JK)
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New Blood Donors For Summer MonthsNew Blood Donors For Summer Months
The American Red Cross is asking for new donors to step up and help prevent a summer blood shortage.
The Red Cross reports that roughly 38% of the population is eligible to give blood, but less than 10% actually do. Last summer they saw 44% fewer new donors in Michigan compared to summer 2015. This decline, which traditionally happens each year when the weather warms up, puts a strain on their supply of blood and platelets. As a result, they are offering these tips to help make the experience of giving blood better for both new and current donors. Eat a healthy meal, including iron-rich foods leading up to the donation, and drink an extra 16 ounces of liquid both before and after. Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that can be raised above the elbow. Also, remember to bring picture ID, a blood donor card, or 2 other forms of identification to the donation site.
Donors can also complete a RapidPass on the day of donation, prior to arriving, to help save time. Appointments to give blood can be scheduled by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting the link below or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. (MK)
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Lyon Township Getting Two New Ballfields In Atchison ParkLyon Township Getting Two New Ballfields In Atchison Park
The Lyon Township Board met Monday night and held a lengthy discussion on a partnership to construct two ball fields on the James F. Atchison Memorial Park property.
Lyon Township and the South Lyon Junior League, a non-profit youth recreation organization, are coming together to fund the project as fields currently utilized are nearing capacity. All board members were in favor of the project and felt it would be a beneficial endeavor for the community, saying the need is definitely there. A joint agreement is being finalized with each party contributing to the estimated $180,000 cost. The township would maintain ownership and control of the new ball fields, with a use agreement to be worked out with the League.
Supervisor John Dolan tells WHMI itâs a quality project and theyâre looking forward to it, adding the fields will be well used. He says theyâve got a lot of great things going on and the partnership with the League is basically like getting a grant.
League officials have been busy obtaining cost estimates and bids on different portions of the project, which would feature two baseball fields with an irrigation system. The park is located behind the Lyon Township Municipal Center, off Grand River, and able to handle an increase in traffic. The fields will be on a hill behind the fire station. Since games draw families, friends and relatives; one board member commented various park amenities could be enjoyed by those who might not necessarily be as into the sport as others. The ball fields could also have tournament potential, bringing in additional visitors and revenue into the community.
Conversation during the meeting focused on preliminary project plans, costs, and contract terms. Both board members and league officials expressed a desire to not scrimp on the project but build something that will last and benefit the community. As proposed, two ball fields would be constructed, along with an irrigation system. It was noted bathrooms currently on site at the park are in working order. A concession stand is also on the property and could prove to be a beneficial fundraising tool.
Some minor language revisions from the township attorney will be worked into the contract agreement with the league and the parties will then sign off. (JM)
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Brighton Twp. Officials Review Updates To Capital Improvement PlanBrighton Twp. Officials Review Updates To Capital Improvement Plan
Documents used to plan and spur economic well-being in Brighton Township are under review by the municipalityâs governing bodies.
Members of the townshipâs Board of Trustees and Planning Commission took part in a joint meeting Monday to discuss the updated version of their Capital Improvement Plan, or CIP. The townshipâs CIP was adopted in 2009, but has been a work in progress the last two years as officials sought to revise it taking the last eight years into account. The CIP serves as a planning tool and is used to earmark funds in order to address expenditures during the budget process.
Township Manager Brian Vick shared the most significant components of the updated plan, which included road improvements, water main infrastructure installation, and the establishment of an asset management plan for the townshipâs Sanitary Sewer System. The system has been under fire in recent years by residents who claim theyâre being overcharged on assessment fees. During Vickâs presentation, he focused on the financial improvement of the systemâs fund rather than residentsâ allegations. Vick says that aspect is just one of the high points that are noteworthy in the CIP.
Vick says overall, itâs a âpositive documentâ, noting strides the township has made specifically in the last five to six years. He feels the municipality has taken âmajor stepsâ with infrastructure improvements, investments into the townshipâs road system, and improvements made with the financial condition of their Sanitary Sewer System fund. The system was built in 2003 based on projections that indicated a user increase; however growth stagnated after the recession, making it the âmost challenging problem facing the townshipâ. When the CIP was written in 2009, Vick say the situation was much more serious. Now, he believes âeverything is trending in the right directionâ.
After hearing Vickâs report, planning commissioners chose to take time to review the document amongst themselves and at their meeting next week before recommending it to the Board of Trustees for approval. Though a public hearing for the plan has not been held yet, residents have already voiced concerns about what they say is a lack of community input and the need for an additional audit of township expenditures. During the meeting, Trustee Sam Theis stated that the township already has an independent audit annually, but the auditing firm was called into question by residents claiming itâs not removed from bias based on campaign contributions. (DK)
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Fentown Township Girl Recovering After Being Struck By BoatFentown Township Girl Recovering After Being Struck By Boat
The Genesee County Sheriffâs Office is investigating an incident over the weekend in which a 12-year-old Fenton Township girl was struck by a speedboat while she swam in Lake Ponemah.
Witnesses say that the speedboat which hit Cora Rae Thomas Sunday night did not stop. The incident happened at about 8:45pm just north of the DNR public launch. Thomas, who continues to recover at Mott Childrenâs Hospital in Ann Arbor, had to undergo surgery to repair tendons and to hold bones together for what appeared to be two large lacerations of her foot. The Tri-County Times reports that marine patrol deputies were observed cruising slowing around Lake Ponemah and Squaw Lake shining spotlights along the shoreline for several hours in search of the boat, which was eventually located.
Meanwhile a gofundme page has been set up to assist with Thomasâ medical bills. Youâll find that link below. Her mother says that the tendons to four of her toes were severed in the accident and doctors say she has permanently lost feeling in the right side of her foot, but should be able to walk eventually. However, the concern now is with infection. (JK)
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Howell School Board Honors Art Students For Shoe Contest Success Howell School Board Honors Art Students For Shoe Contest Success
Howellâs Board of Education recognized the High Schoolâs Advanced Digital Imaging Class for their successful efforts.
Earlier this year, Mr. Mozdzierzâs Advanced Digital Imaging Class submitted their shoe designs for the 2017 Vans Custom Culture Art Competition. The competition featured over 3000 designs submitted from all 50 states. Howell High School was the only school in the state of Michigan to make it into the top 50. Students needed to create four different designs for categories in sports, art, music, and local flavor. At Mondayâs board meeting, each student was presented with a certificate for their accomplishment.
Mozdzierzâs class used what he refers to as a ârevolutionary 3-D designâ, created with a 3-D printer pen. Although his class didnât win the competition, he feels as though it wonât take long for Vans to start using their 3-D design method. (DF)
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