Officials have dismissed the case against an Ohio woman charged in connection to credit card thefts from Livingston County healthcare facilities.
25-year-old Ieasha Jate Williams and 31-year-old Kyiona Renee Coley, both of Toledo, Ohio, were charged following credit card thefts that affected three healthcare facilities in Livingston County within a 10-day period in February.
The case against Williams has been dismissed without prejudice, meaning it can be refiled at any time. Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt says this is to allow for some additional investigation by police. Meanwhile a warrant remains active for Coley, who never appeared for her scheduled arraignment. 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.
One of the facilities affected by the thefts, The Willows assisted living center in Howell, captured the two women through video surveillance entering the building on the afternoon of February 10th. One of the suspects, 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. The stolen cards were used shortly after in Howell and Ann Arbor.
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)
Case Dismissed Against Ohio Woman Charged in Local Credit Card TheftsCase Dismissed Against Ohio Woman Charged in Local Credit Card Thefts
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Brighton Area Schools & BAS Hourly Workers Reach Agreement Brighton Area Schools & BAS Hourly Workers Reach Agreement
The Brighton Board of Education and its support union have reached tentative agreement on wages and other aspects of the union contract.
In addition, the district this summer is involved in a salary and benefits re-opener with the Brighton Education Association. BESPA - the Brighton Educational Support Personnel Association - includes about 100 secretaries, food service employees, para-professionals and ancillary service personnel. The employees are entering the fourth year of a five-year contract. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that if ratified by both sides, the contract changes will give the BESPA employees a 2% pay increase for the 2017-18 fiscal year. He adds the amount will be made part of the wage scale so that it wonât be a one-time increase.
The changes will also extend the contract through 2020, with wage and benefits re-openers each year. Gray says he is optimistic that the membership will ratify it in the near future and that it will come up for board ratification in August. On another front, Gray says only two formal negotiation sessions have been held with the Brighton Education Association - which represents the districtâs 300 teachers. The BEA will be in the fourth year of its five-year contract, with a salary and benefits re-opener this year and next. Gray says the two sides will get down to brass tacks after teachersâ union officials return from summer conferences and seminars. (TT)
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South Lyon Council Votes Against Kivell Suspension South Lyon Council Votes Against Kivell Suspension
Tensions ran high during South Lyonâs City Council meeting as officials debated a motion to suspend Councilman Glenn Kivell.
From the start of Mondayâs meeting, there was a strong sense of division and tension. All throughout the night, council members traded personal jabs and insults directed towards one another while discussing billing and taxing issues. Matters escalated once Councilwoman Margaret Kurtzweil requested the suspension of Councilman Kivell for his involvement in a conflict of interest case. Last August, Kivell was among those who voted to award Pullam Windows a $42,000 contract without disclosing that he was employed by the company. Earlier the Oakland County Prosecutorâs Office decided against filing criminal charges in the matter and last night the council voted 4-2 that he will also not serve a suspension either. Kurtzweil and Councilman Joe Ryzyi were the only two yes votes following a heated debate. Kurtzweil tells WHMI that she knew going in Kivellâs friendship with the other council members would save him from serving a suspension.
Kurtzweil later went on to describe Kivell as both âa deceitful liarâ and âpredator.â The council members who voted against the suspension said they felt too much money and time had already been spent on the issue and that Kivell has been punished enough by suffering a ruined reputation. Mayor John Galeas said that while he would like to think the Kivell issue is laid to rest, knowing the personalities involved he would not be surprised if the issue were to get brought up again. (DF/JK)
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Police Seek Whereabouts Of Cohoctah Woman Missing Since Last WeekPolice Seek Whereabouts Of Cohoctah Woman Missing Since Last Week
Authorities are asking for the publicâs help to locate a woman missing since last week.
The Livingston County Sheriffâs Office says 53-year-old Julia Bolter was last seen on Friday at about noon as she left for work at Tribar Manufacturing in Howell. The Cohoctah Township resident was last seen driving a red 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier with a Michigan registration plate DSL 5847.
Sheriff Mike Murphy says while they are concerned for her safety, he does note that Bolter has âhas been on a sabbatical or two in the past without telling anyone she was going.â Anyone with information is asked to call Livingston County Central Dispatch at 517-546-9111. (JK)
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Health Department Reports STD's On The Rise In Livingston CountyHealth Department Reports STD's On The Rise In Livingston County
While the number of residents living with sexually transmitted diseases is going down throughout Michigan, the number is going up in Livingston County.
The Health Departmentâs latest volume in their informational series, âLivingston Countyâs Road To Community Health,â addresses the importance of STD screening and the prevalence of them among county residents. According to the report, despite recent declines in Michigan, this is the second straight year Livingston County has seen a rise in all three nationally reported STDs - those being chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Health Promotion Coordinator Chelsea Moxlow believes educating youths is a key towards reversing this trend. She said that it is imperative that the word gets out to young adults that testing is important, safety is important, and prevention is important.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that half of the nearly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections in the United States each year occur in young adults, aged 15-24. Moxlow said that 29% of Livingston County cases were found in youths aged 15-19, and 58% we in the 20 to 29 age group. Sexually transmitted diseases can lead to chronic pain and reproductive health complications. Anyone who has further questions or would like help with referrals for testing is encouraged to call the Health Department. A copy of the Road to Community Health Report can be found below. (MK)
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Rezoning of Former Softball Complex Site Opens Door For New OpportunitiesRezoning of Former Softball Complex Site Opens Door For New Opportunities
Owners of a piece of property in Hartland Township say a change in zoning for the parcel will be âadvantageousâ.
The Turnin 2 Softball Complex was set to be developed on property at the southwest corner of Clyde Road and US-23 until the project fell through last year. As it was in the middle of construction when plans halted, building materials were left behind and some neighbors feel those materials are an eyesore.
Hartland Township Manager James Wickman says there is someone interested in purchasing the property and intends to construct a building similar to the one originally designed for the softball complex. Bearing that in mind, the township is allowing the propertyâs current owners to keep the materials on the site pending a purchase agreement so the potential buyer could use the materials.
Wickman says the owners have one month to come up with a plan to relocate the materials to another part of the site where they wonât be as visible to the public.
On Tuesday, the townshipâs Board of Trustees unanimously voted to rezone 75 acres of the site from Conservation Agricultural to Light Industrial. Property owners had sought the zoning change because they felt it would make the parcel more marketable to potential buyers. The aforementioned interested party plans to meet with township staff next week to review his vision for the site, according to Wickman. Following the meeting, Wickman says the next step would be for the buyer to submit a site plan for preliminary approval.
In addition to helping sell the property, township officials say the new zoning is in line with the municipalityâs long-term master plan. (DK)
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Closures On US-23 At Silver Lake Road This Week Closures On US-23 At Silver Lake Road This Week
Closures are planned on US-23 in the Green Oak Township area this week.
There will be nightly single lane closures on southbound US-23 from Silver Lake Road to the CSX railroad both tonight and tomorrow for crack sealing. Work will be done between 8pm and 5am each night. Then on Thursday and Friday, there will be ramp closures at the Silver Lake Road interchange between 11pm and 5am each night.
The Michigan Department of Transportation advises that only one ramp will be closed at a time. (JM)
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New Fenton Police Chief Sworn InNew Fenton Police Chief Sworn In
The City of Fenton has named a new police chief and officials say theyâre confident heâll continue to provide leadership, professionalism and integrity for the department.
Jason Slater was named the new police chief during Monday nightâs Fenton City Council meeting and officially sworn in.
Slater has been with the department since July of 1995. Since then, heâs moved up the ranks serving as an officer, detective, sergeant and lieutenant.
City Manager Lynn Markland made the appointment based on Slaterâs dedication, training and experience, which was supported by Council. Markland commended Slater in a memo, saying heâs confident Slater will do an outstanding job and continue proud traditions.
Slater has been serving as interim chief since February, following the retirement of longtime Chief Rick Aro who was with the Fenton Police Department for more than 13 years. He previously moved out of the community with his wife to be closer to family and accepted a position as chief of police for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Photo: Fenton City Facebook. (JM)
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Fenton Man Held Without Bond In Fatal Oceola Township CrashFenton Man Held Without Bond In Fatal Oceola Township Crash
An arraignment was held today for the man police say was intoxicated when he crashed into another car in Oceola Township, killing five people.
21-year-old Matthew Jordan Carrier of Fenton openly cried as he was arraigned via video link this morning on 19 counts, including five counts each of second-degree murder and operating while intoxicated causing death. He was ordered held without bond and faces life in prison if convicted. The charges arise out of a traffic crash at M-59 and Argentine Road on May 9th that resulted in the deaths of five individuals and serious injury to two others.
Investigators say Carrier ignored a stop sign as he traveled south on Argentine Road and smashed into a vehicle as it traveled eastbound on M-59. Two people in Carrier's car died. Three people in the other vehicle died, including a probation agent who had been honored at a Corrections Department banquet earlier that night. Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt says that under Michigan law, second degree murder applies to circumstances where someone commits an act with a high probability that it will result in death and does so in obvious disregard for human life.
Carrier was arrested by police without incident and remains lodged in the Livingston County Jail. A July 26th probable cause hearing was scheduled as well as an August 2nd preliminary exam. (JK)
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Brighton Township To Host Large Item Disposal SaturdayBrighton Township To Host Large Item Disposal Saturday
An event in Brighton Township Saturday will serve as a one-stop shop for residents looking to free themselves of large, unwanted items.
âLarge Item Drop-Off Dayâ will take place at the Brighton Township Fire Hall on Old US 23 at Hyne Road between 8:30am and 12:30pm. Residents of the municipality will be allowed to drop off most unwanted large items, which frequently includes washers, dryers, TVâs, patio furniture, grills, computer equipment, bed springs, and mattresses. Items that will not be accepted are waste items, car or boat parts, construction debris, or tires.
The event is only open to the townshipâs residents and proof of residency is required. More information about item eligibility can be found at the link below.
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Lucy Road Parkland Exchange With DNR Looks Favorable For Howell CityLucy Road Parkland Exchange With DNR Looks Favorable For Howell City
It appears the state is comfortable with a proposed recreation property exchange in the City of Howell.
The City historically had a landfill on Lucy Road in the 1960âs and 70âs, a portion of which was converted to a park through a state grant. However, the park eventually closed and the property was sold for future industrial development but replacement property was never provided.
Howell City staff has been completing necessary work to resolve the Lucy Road Park issue with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which resulted when the City closed the Lucy Road Park back in 1988 due to the landfill contamination. Since then the City has been âout of favorâ with the DNR and in order to apply for future grants, a land swap is being pursued.
The City previously proposed a vacant piece of property adjacent to the Howell Memorial Cemetery on M-59 as a possible piece to trade for the previous grant the City had received. City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI feedback was received from DNR indicating the preliminary look was favorable for the City to potentially use the property as a trade.
Staff has been in the process of doing formal appraisals and soliciting surveys to show they are trading property of equal value for the land swap to satisfy conditions from the grant the City received. Contracts will be brought back before Council for approval if the cost exceeds $5,000 for each, although that was not expected to be the case.
Once the conversion is done and approved by the state, then the City will be eligible to apply for grants for other park improvements throughout the community. (JM)
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Authorities Locate Woman Missing Since Last Week Authorities Locate Woman Missing Since Last Week
A local woman missing since last week has been located by authorities.
53-year-old Julia Bolter of Cohoctah Township was last seen on Friday as she left for work at Tribar Manufacturing in Howell. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Office says it received information today that that Bolter had been located out of state. The information was verified through law enforcement and it was confirmed that Bolter was safe and left voluntarily.
Authorities say the incident is closed and no longer under investigation by Sheriffâs Office. (JM)
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Michigan Philharmonic To Perfrom At Kensington Metropark SaturdayMichigan Philharmonic To Perfrom At Kensington Metropark Saturday
A concert and outdoor experience is being offered at Kensington Metropark this weekend.
The Michigan Philharmonic will perform Saturday at Maple Beach, offering the sounds of talented musicians in a natural, scenic setting. Officials say the fun begins at 5pm with hospitality vendors, continuing with the Greenwood Farms Clydesdale parade, and then the performance at 7:30pm. This year's concert will feature movie music. The Philharmonic will perform magnificent âMovie Music Magicâ featuring classics like "Singin' in the Rain" and Frozen's "Let It Go".
Details can be found through the link. (JM)
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Mixed Use Development With Parking Gains Rezoning Recommendation In MilfordMixed Use Development With Parking Gains Rezoning Recommendation In Milford
A new development which includes a parking deck in a prime location in downtown Milford has been recommended for rezoning approval.
The Milford Planning Commission heard a presentation from the Downtown Development Authority and held a public hearing to discuss the property at 505 North Main Street, Wednesday night. The DDA has been considering options for adding relief to parking, while also offering new business and housing opportunities on the site for more than a decade. With a public-private partnership now in the works, the DDA has worked with a developer to design a structure that will add 16 condominium units, commercial business space, and 103 new public parking spaces. To do so, they need the parcel rezoned from B-3 to a planned unit development, or PUD.
DDA Exectutive Director Ann Barnette explained the need, stating that they were trying to do a lot with a very small space, which she said is part of the challenge and also delight with the property. She said that in order to make the building appropriately scaled and get enough parking, the developer needed a 4th story, which could only be permitted under a PUD. The 4th story will be set back 19feet-7inches on Main Street, and 15feet-8inches on Commerce Road. The setback will make the floor virtually unseen from the ground level in the surrounding area. The development also calls for the removal of contaminated soil left from the gas station that formerly operated on the property.
The Village Planning Consultant spoke on the legislative matters and environmental impact of the development and considered all of the conditions for a PUD agreement to have been met. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend to Village Council that the rezoning be allowed. (MK)
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Brighton Board of Education OKs Contract for Police Liaison Officer Brighton Board of Education OKs Contract for Police Liaison Officer
The Brighton Area School District will again utilize the Brighton City Police Department for police liaison services.
The Board of Education Monday night approved a 3-year contract with the dept. for police services at the districtâs nine school buildings. That particularly involves Brighton High School, which occupies the majority of the liaisonâs time and attention because of its 2,000 students and over 400,000 feet of space. However, the services are also utilized at Scranton Middle School, Maltby Intermediate, the four elementary schools, and the BECC building â which houses the Bridge Alternative School program. The officer assigned is Chris Parks, who returns from the position he held last year.
Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that theyâve had the Brighton Police Dept. for a number of years now and itâs been a productive and cordial relationship. The contract approved will be for three years, extending to 2020. The majority of the Brighton Area School buildings are in adjacent townships, and not in the city, where city police technically donât have jurisdiction. However, Gray says when the liaison officer is called to a school in one of the townships, the police dept. that has jurisdiction is contacted and permission is given so that the liaison officer has authority. The Brighton Area School District has two schools each in Green Oak Township, Genoa Township and Brighton Township. The cost to the school district for the police liaison officer in the coming academic year will be about $82,000. (TT)
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Work Begins On Hamburg Road, With Several Other Roads To FollowWork Begins On Hamburg Road, With Several Other Roads To Follow
A project to improve several roads in Hamburg Township kicked off this morning, with more work anticipated to follow in the coming weeks.
Township Supervisor Pat Hohl says the work on Hamburg Road has begun, which includes crushing and reshaping the road from Strawberry Lake Road south to Old Hamburg Road. Then on Monday and Tuesday, the rest of Hamburg Road from
M-36 to the county line and two streets in the village will be milled. Depending on the weather, Hohl says those streets will all be paved as soon as possible once they are milled.
Hohl tells WHMI more work is anticipated for Cordley and Rush Lake and Kress Road later this year, though a firm date hasnât been set at this time. The Livingston County Road Commission is in the process of scheduling the project, according to Hohl. The work is expected to be completed sometime this fall.
Subsequent to that work, Hohl says the next road to receive improvements is Winans Lake Road, between Chilson and Hamburg Road. The township is also looking into a road maintenance program for some of the other primary county roads in the municipality that need crack-filling and chip sealing. Another potential endeavor is collaborating with the Road Commission and several subdivisions to fund repairs to county roads located in those subdivisions.
Improvements to Hamburg Road will be funded from the December 2016 tax collection. The township is tentatively considering borrowing from their general fund to cover the work on Kress Road and Cordley and Rush Lake Road, and then reimbursing the fund with money from the December 2017 tax collection. (DK)
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Big Brother/Big Sisters Online & Text Fundraiser UnderwayBig Brother/Big Sisters Online & Text Fundraiser Underway
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Livingston County is asking for help raising money to better support area children.
The 3rd annual High 5 for Littles campaign is underway with a goal of raising $15,000. Officials say the goal is reachable if everyone donates just $5. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides a variety of school-based programs and mentoring for kids from the age of 5 and up, including those in the foster care system. Officials say the money raised during the High 5 for Littles campaign will better allow the organization to support their one-on-one community based mentor program as well as site-based programs, including Rockinâ Readers, which pairs up a young student who may have trouble reading, with a high schooler.
To make a donation, text $5, or any donation amount, to 517-227-5090. First time text-giving donors will be prompted to visit a secure URL with a registration link where they can enter credit card information. Donors can also give directly on their website. Youâll find that link below. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Livingston County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization so all donations are tax deductible. (JK)
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Preliminary Site Plan For 70 Homes In Hamburg Township Reccommended For ApprovalPreliminary Site Plan For 70 Homes In Hamburg Township Reccommended For Approval
A planned unit development for 70 single family homes has been recommended for preliminary site plan approval in Hamburg Township.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing at a special meeting Tuesday night to gather feedback, comments, and concerns from residents regarding the proposed Regency Village subdivision. Developer Progressive Properties presented the site plan which sprawls over a 52 acre parcel on the north side of M-36, just west of Ace Hardware, with the railroad tracks on the east boundary. Less than 30% of the acreage will be used for the homes, with the developer leaving the rest, which are primarily wetlands, undisturbed. Chairwoman Joyce Priebe said this fell in line with their open space ordinance, which was put in to protect Hamburg Townshipâs natural resources. Because of the developerâs willingness to accommodate, Priebe said they have granted them a higher density. The original proposal to build 35 homes is now set at 70.
The biggest concern from residents who spoke during the hearing was about traffic. Many expressed a feeling that it was already difficult to turn out onto M-36 in that area, and that the additional traffic this subdivision would bring in would only make it worse. Priebe said that is going to be looked at more closely as the project progresses. Preibe stated there would likely need to be traffic studies done and given to the Michigan Department of Transportation for their approval. The developer stated he expects there to be a deceleration lane going in, an acceleration lane going out, and possibly a passing lane added to aid through-traffic. The commission voted 4-1 in favor of recommending approval to the Township Board of Trustees. Commissioner Amy Cyphert cast the lone oppositional vote. The preliminary site plan will go before the board at their July 25th regular meeting. (MK)
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Lightning Stikes Lyon Township Home, No Injuries ReportedLightning Stikes Lyon Township Home, No Injuries Reported
A lightning strike caused a house fire this morning in Lyon Township.
The Lyon Township Fire Department responded to the call and while enroute, central dispatch advised it was possible people were still inside. Upon arrival, a resident told crews everyone made it out of the home but the closet on the second floor was on fire. Crews made entry and found a fire smoldering in the wall. Officials say a water can was used to extinguish the fire, noting the department uses a mixture of foam and water in their water extinguishers to allow for better penetration and fire extinguishment. The house and attic were checked for fire extension.
The South Lyon Fire Department and chief provided mutual aid on scene. Photo: Lyon Township Fire Department. (JM)
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Putnam Township Looks To Establish "Green Infrastructure"Putnam Township Looks To Establish "Green Infrastructure"
Putnam Township is working towards developing a plan to preserve its natural resources and areas, while still keeping room open for development.
On Wednesday, the townshipâs planning commission met with the Huron River Watershed Councilâs Kris Olsson, a Watershed Ecologist. Olsson is guiding the township in their effort to create a Green Infrastructure Vision.
The process begins by labeling large and smaller natural areas on a map of the township, then connecting them with existing waterways and other natural areas to form a network. The interconnected network helps support native species, ecological processes, and water and air resources.
The map outlining the Green Infrastructure can be adopted and/or added to the municipalityâs master plan. Olsson says this map helps the townshipâs leaders determine what areas should be preserved for natural purposes, and which areas can allow for future development.
About 10 residents offered their input at Wednesdayâs workshop, contributing to the discussion among commissioners and Olsson. Olsson intends to present a map and draft of the Green Infrastructure plan at the planning commissionâs next meeting. Commissioners can then decide if thereâs anything theyâd like to change, further include, and what their next steps are in implementing the plan. (DK)
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