A plea has been entered by a Milford woman charged with stealing credit cards and then using them to buy gift cards in Hartland Township.
20-year-old Avery Snyder pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts each of stealing and retaining credit cards. Snyder was arrested May 18th after police found store receipts in her car totaling more than $726 from purchases made with a stolen credit card at Meijer in Hartland. The cardâs owner, a 36-year-old Milford resident, told police his vehicle had been broken into overnight while it was parked in his driveway. The cards were then used for more than $2,000 in purchases at stores and gas stations in White Lake, Highland, Wixom, and Hartland.
When police reviewed the Meijer storeâs surveillance video, an officer recognized Snyder and 21-year-old Tyler Graves, who was wanted for cutting off his tether for being on parole from a 2014 home invasion conviction. They followed Snyder after she left her motherâs house, observed her pick up Graves, and then drive into downtown Milford, where the officer pulled over the car for a traffic violation and discovered the receipts. Snyder will be sentenced August 16th in Oakland County Circuit Court. (JK)
Milford Woman Enters Plea In Credit Card TheftMilford Woman Enters Plea In Credit Card Theft
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Credit Card Skimmer Found At Local Gas StationCredit Card Skimmer Found At Local Gas Station
An investigation has been launched following the discovery of a credit card skimmer at a local gas station.
Pinckney Police Chief Jeff Newton tells WHMI the skimmer was found on one of the pumps at the BP station on East Main Street in Pinckney Thursday morning. It was discovered by BP employees conducting a routine inspection, who then contacted the Pinckney Police Department. Once police confirmed the skimmer, it was confiscated and an investigation has been initiated in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Weights & Measures. Newton says there are no suspects at this time.
Authorities say anyone who may have used their credit card at the stationâs gas pumps within the last week is encouraged to contact their financial institution for a new card. Prior to using a card at the pump, police suggest checking to see if the seals on the pump are broken or have been tampered with.
Police advised many gas stations are becoming more aware of the pump skimmer issue around the state, and are using new locks, along with seals, as well as frequent employee inspections. (DK)
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Blessing Of The Ground For New Habitat For Humanity House In Howell Blessing Of The Ground For New Habitat For Humanity House In Howell
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday afternoon for the new Habitat for Humanity build in the City of Howell.
Livingston County Habitat for Humanity marked its next build with a blessing and prayer at an empty lot on North Street in Howell, which will be the new home of Becky Gremore and her two children â 12-year-old Anthony and soon to be 10 Dahlia. A prayer to bless the construction phase marked the event, which was well attended by local officials, donors, board members, and Gremore, who helped turn the dirt during the blessing of the ground.
Habitat for Humanity Habitat officials said there could not be a person more deserving. Gremore had a tough childhood and was in and out of foster homes but managed to graduate with honors from Howell High School and has held steady employment. She currently works at Toyology in downtown Howell.
After getting divorced, Gremore and her two children lived in her friendâs basement while trying to find something she could actually afford in the area as a working mom. She told WHMI that was no easy feat and she applied for a Habitat for Humanity home after seeing an ad in the ReStore. Gremore first qualified for a home and was shown a property on the edge of Livingston County and was extremely grateful but had to decline. Gremore told WHMI she didnât want her kids to go through any more change, saying the divorce was hard enough on them and she also wanted them to stay in Howell schools but everything fell into place and Habitat remembered the vacant but odd-shaped lot in Howell and she was sold.
While the lot where her new home will be built is a bit tiny, Gremore says itâs perfect for her and her two children, as well as others she hopes to foster one day. Gremore says it will have a cute front porch and her kids will be able to ride their bikes around the neighborhood, adding the home is blocks from the beach and her work.
Habitat for Humanity homes are not a hand-out but a leg up for someone right at the cusp where they just canât quite get ahead but have worked hard to get where theyâre at. Gremore has already invested more than 100 hours with Habitat and if all goes as planned, construction should proceed pretty fast and her new home could be done by November. (JM)
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Flint Congressman To Speak At Pair Of Weekend Events in 8th District Flint Congressman To Speak At Pair Of Weekend Events in 8th District
A Flint-area Congressman will be making a pair of appearances this weekend in the 8th Congressional District as Republicans try to replace the federal health care law.
Flint Democratic Congressman Dan Kildee, an outspoken critic of the GOP efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, will be in Howell on Saturday to speak at the Operating Engineers 324 Retiree Picnic and Health Fair. Then on Sunday he will take part in a town hall session in Orion Township being hosted by the Michigan Democratic Party and the activist group Indivisible 8. Kildee points to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office report which predicts 23 million people would lose health insurance if the Republican plan is implemented and tells WHMI that even though the events are not in his Congressional district; this is an issue all Michigan residents have a right to be informed about.
Both appearances are being held ahead of a vote expected next week on the Senate version of the bill to repeal and replace the ACA, more commonly referred to as Obamacare. Kildee refutes GOP assertions that their bill, which he calls âTrumpcare,â will guarantee coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, saying that it will either make the cost âastronomicalâ or give states the ability to deny those protections.
8th District Republican Congressman Mike Bishop has said that claims millions will lose coverage âis extremely disingenuousâ and insists Congress has made it a priority to strengthen protections for those patients. Sundayâs town hall will be held at the Wildwood Amphitheatre, 2700 Joslyn Court, in Orion Township from 4-6pm.
Indivisible 8, which is hosting Sundayâs gathering, has openly criticized Congressman Bishop for what they say is his lack of holding public town hall sessions. Kildee declined to do so, saying itâs up to each elected official to decide how they want to interact with their constituents. But Bishop for Congress spokesman Stu Sandler told WHMI that, "Seeing that Dan Kildee has offered no solutions on how to fix a health care system that Obamacare has caused to collapse, it's surprising he is going to other districts. There are plenty of issues Dan Kildee has to deal with in his own district for him to be campaigning in other districts." (JK)
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Event Seeks To Raise Funds For Construction Of Fallen Officers Memorial Event Seeks To Raise Funds For Construction Of Fallen Officers Memorial
A fundraiser later this month is asking the community to contribute to an effort that would construct a memorial for Michiganâs fallen law enforcement officials.
Michigan is one of the few states in the country without a monument honoring its fallen officers, according to Event Organizer Sharon Lollio. She hopes to change that with the help of funds raised at the event, set for Tuesday, July 25th, at the Crystal Gardens Banquet Center in Genoa Township from 6:30 to 9:30pm.
Lollio tells WHMI the monument would honor the officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty at a time when she feels law enforcement is under attack and facing much resistance. The Michigan Law Enforcement Memorial would be designed as a walkway lined with 8 x 4 glass panes etched with the names of every fallen officer.
The state will provide appropriation matching funds at a rate of two for one for the memorial, as long as the money is raised before October 1st of 2018. Lollio says currently, a commission dedicated to garnering funds for the monument is about $900,000 short of their goal.
The fundraising dinner is free, but Lollio says a minimum $50 donation would be appreciated to help bring the project to fruition. The event will include presentations from individuals with ties to the law enforcement community. Call 313-468-5260 for reservations and other event details. More information about the proposed monument can be found at the link below. (DK)
Photo Credit: Michigan Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Monument Fund Commission
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Hartland Township Dairy Queen To Be Razed, RebuiltHartland Township Dairy Queen To Be Razed, Rebuilt
Little Leaguers and people trying to beat the heat in Hartland Township will have one less option as an ice cream shop is preparing to be rebuilt.
The Dairy Queen on M-59 will soon be razed to the ground and then rebuilt from scratch. The Hartland Township Planning Commission approved the site plan for rehabilitation of the site at their regular meeting, Thursday night. The new building will be located in the same spot, and consist of an 11,200 square foot multi-tenant building. Dairy Queen will be one of three tenants and a have a drive through window and patio for customers to sit out on. A representative for the developer said they are hoping to get major furniture company that sells mattresses into one of the other 2 spots, but nothing is concrete yet. The planning commission required 41 parking spots for the site, and 46 will be available.
Township Planner Troy Langer said one concern brought up by the planning commission was that the green space between the business and M-59 fell roughly 9 feet short of township standards. To fix this would most likely eliminate a row of parking and could stop the project from happening. The Commissioners discussed it, and came to the conclusion that there would still be a large enough shield from the road and waived the requirement. No traffic impact study will be necessary either as Langer said that generally is not required when rebuilding a property on a commercial site.
With lighting, the impact the building will impose, while slightly higher than allowed, was agreed to be by such a negligible amount that it wouldnât be noticeable. The developerâs next step is to submit their construction plans to all the appropriate parties, and once approved, may begin the rehabilitation. (MK)
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"Passion For Fashion" New Summer Runway Event "Passion For Fashion" New Summer Runway Event
A new summer-friendly runway fashion event is coming up in August, challenging participants to create a fabulous outfit out of recycled items and non-traditional components.
Passion for Fashion is described as an unconventional challenge from trash to triumph. The new event on August 19th is specifically for avant garde designs, so clothing can be made out of anything from tape to paper or metal. Designers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate and encouraged to not only be creative but think outside of the box and have fun. The event will be held at Cleary University on Grand River in Genoa Township. Funds raised will support a scholarship program for the arts.
Individuals can register as a designer or purchase tickets for the event through the link provided. (JM)
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Fallen WWI Soldiers Honored at Wreath-Laying Ceremony in HowellFallen WWI Soldiers Honored at Wreath-Laying Ceremony in Howell
The names of Livingston County soldiers who gave their lives during World War I were read aloud on the lawn of the historic courthouse in Howell this morning. Flags were presented by the Sons of the Revolution Color Guard and a wreath was laid beneath a bronze plaque on the courthouse in honor of the 26 soldiers from Livingston County who perished.
The event was led by the Philip Livingston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, or DAR, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the United Statesâ entry into the First World War. Chapter Regent Laurie Mentley says the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has joined the United States WWI Centennial Commission with a goal to educate people about the war, lest we forget the lessons that were learned.
Mentley says the Chapter decided to hold this event upon learning of local soldiersâ involvement in the war. 16 of the 26 local fallen soldiers fell in France and were buried there. Of the remaining 10, seven died of influenza or ammonia, and there is no record of the fate of the last three. Though this event is the first that the local DAR chapter has hosted, Mentley says they plan to hold more in the future, noting that 2018 is the centennial anniversary of The Armistice. (DK)
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Pinckney Woman Granted Release From Jail For Infant Son's Funeral Pinckney Woman Granted Release From Jail For Infant Son's Funeral
A judge allowed a Pinckney womanâs release from jail today to attend the funeral of her infant son.
In court Thursday, Probate Court Judge Miriam Cavanaugh granted a request allowing 28-year-old Ashley Bell of Pinckney to be released from the Livingston County Jail to attend the funeral of her infant son. Bellâs mother was allowed to transport her to the funeral and cemetery and then directly back to jail. As part of her conditional release for the funeral today, Bell was ordered to not have any unsupervised contact with children, including her own. She reported back to jail as ordered.
Michigan State Police at the Brighton Post are investigating the July 11th death of Bellâs son. Lt. Mario Gonzalez tells WHMI the death is under investigation, which is standard protocol with any death that occurs at a home, but it is not believed to be suspicious and police are awaiting autopsy reports.
Meanwhile, Bell is facing charges of 3rd degree child abuse and domestic violence from an incident in which she allegedly beat her other 9-year-old son with a leather belt until it broke after becoming angry with him. A family member reported the incident on May 25th, although the incident occurred several days prior. Authorities say Bell told officers she worked at a domestic violence shelter in Washtenaw County and also volunteered there as an advocate.
Bell has been jailed on a $150,000 bond since her arrest. She is set to appear for a pre-trial hearing July 24th. (JM)
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Dexter Doctor Appointed To Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind & Hard of Hearing Dexter Doctor Appointed To Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind & Hard of Hearing
A Dexter man has been appointed to the Michigan Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing.
Governor Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Dr. Michael McKee earlier this week. The 13-member council is housed within the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and advises the department on matters pertaining to deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons. A minimum of seven members must be deaf or hard of hearing. He will replace Helmi Maria Lepisto.
McKee is an assistant professor in the department of family medicine at the University of Michigan and is a physician at Dexter Family Medicine Center. He holds a bachelorâs degree from Lynn University, a medical degree from the University of Florida, and a masterâs in public health from the department of community and preventive medicine at the University of Rochester.
Governor Snyder thanked Dr. McKee for his service on the council and said heâs confident McKee will be a positive voice for this community. He will serve a three-year term expiring January 18th, 2020. (JM)
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Fenton Twp. Man Charged For Unlawfully Keeping Chickens On His PropertyFenton Twp. Man Charged For Unlawfully Keeping Chickens On His Property
28-year-old Andrew Charlesworth of Fenton Township is charged with possessing chickens on property and no zoning permit. Charlesworth, who resides on Grove Park Road, has kept the chickens on his property since August of 2016.
Township officials say Charlesworth is violating the municipalityâs zoning ordinance as his property is not zoned to allow for farm animals. The ordinance is only enforced on a complaint basis, meaning a neighbor would have to bring the issue to the township for them to act.
Charlesworthâs attorney says this selective enforcement makes the law confusing and vague. He questions whether it is constitutional for a municipality to criminalize a zoning ordinance violation. An attorney for the township says itâs actually quite common.
The issue will come down to whether a judge feels the ordinance is invalid. If it is found to be valid, Charlesworth faces a $500 fine and two yearsâ probation for the violation. He is scheduled to be arraigned in 67th District Court Monday. (DK)
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Local Couple Wins $3K Scholarship For Duct Tape Prom AttireLocal Couple Wins $3K Scholarship For Duct Tape Prom Attire
A national prom duct tape contest turned out to be a not-so-sticky situation for a Fowlerville couple.
18-year-old Rozlin Opolka and 19-year-old Conner Hawry, a 2016 Fowlerville Grad, took 3rd place in the Stuck on Prom Scholarship Contest. The contestâs winners were chosen based on online voting. The couple was awarded $3,000 each in scholarship money for their hand-crafted prom attire made out of duct tape.
Using 34 rolls of Duck Tape brand, the couple spent about 50 hours crafting a dress and tuxedo with a steampunk theme. Their outfits included tiny gears sprinkled throughout that had to be meticulously cut out. Opolkaâs skirt featured alternating ruffles to create a bustle and train in the back, and a mini skirt in front. They also made a top hat and steampunk goggles. Altogether, Opolka guesses they spent about $90 creating their attire.
The couple has been dating for about a year and both have college plans that will allow them to utilize the scholarship prize. Opolka intends to study art at Western Michigan University in the fall, while Conner, who just finished a year at Lansing Community College, plans to transfer to Michigan Technological University. (DK)
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Group Protests Tree Removal For Brighton Millpond RenovationGroup Protests Tree Removal For Brighton Millpond Renovation
A group of concerned residents is expected to be in attendance at the Brighton City Planning Commission Monday to protest the recommended removal of trees to make way for a planned Mill Pond band shell and amphitheater project.
The group says the project would result in the destruction of several âheritageâ trees, and they assert that the city should alter the plans in order to save the trees. Joyce Powers of Hickory Dr. and Beth Walker of Hillcrest Dr. addressed council at its June 6th meeting and criticized the plans. Powers, a former member of the Brighton Board of Education, told council she was shocked when she was told the trees wouldnât fit in the design plans for the band shell and amphitheater and would have to be removed. Last Sunday at the Kiwanis Gazebo concert, Powers and Walker distributed a âletter of concernâ addressed to City Council, asking those in attendance to sign if they agreed the trees should not be cut down. Walker says no one refused to sign it and they gathered about 200 signatures.
âThere is some misinformation (being circulated),â says City Manager Nate Geinzer about the opposition to the tree removal. Geinzer says the master plan had been presented at previous meetings, with the design and plans for the bandshell and amphitheater. Geinzer adds there will be "no catastrophic destructionâ of trees between the area behind the planned bandshell and the Old Village Cemetery, which is also city property. Initially, Geinzer previously said five trees would be removed under the proposal: three Northern Oak and two Black Locust, which may be considered an invasive species. However, two arborists were at the site Thursday and concluded that one of the Northern Red Oaks can remain, reducing the tree impact to four. The proposal also calls for 11 new trees to be planted, including Redbud, Dogwood and Little Leaf Linden. More details are posted on the cityâs Facebook page, a link for which is posted below.
At the last council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Shawn Pipoly told those in the audience that itâs not the cityâs general fund but the Downtown Development Authority (using captured local commercial tax dollars) that will pay for the bulk of the $700,000-plus project, augmented by a âvery generous private donation.â However, Council Member Jim Bohn responded that since all city taxpayers are impacted by DDA projects, they deserve to be part of the decision-making process.
If approved by the Planning Commission, the master plan for the project will go on to the City Council for final approval. The bandshell is slated to replace the current gazebo, and the adjacent amphitheater will be an upgraded version of the one that already exists. (TT)
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Construction of New South Lyon Hotel Nears CompletionConstruction of New South Lyon Hotel Nears Completion
Owners of the South Lyon Hotel are hoping to reopen the iconic building by the end of August as construction draws to a close.
Corry Bala, who partners with the Baker family in hotel ownership, says crews are working as fast as they can in anticipation of finishing construction by the end of July or beginning of August.
A fire that began on the hotelâs second floor in June of 2016 damaged the building so extensively that the owners chose to demolish what was left and start fresh in rebuilding. The work began over the winter and Bala says they are currently working on the hotelâs interior and bar, as well as its outdoor patio.
Bala feels the new building will add a great deal to the business, but the focus is on bringing the community back together. He says he could talk for âa day and a halfâ about the tremendous amount of support from the community who frequently reminds him how much the hotel is missed.
The majority of the hotel will be stone and steel to ensure its longevity. It will be furnished by a combination of new pieces, and older, recognizable decorations.
With such a busy construction site, Bala notes itâs a bit hectic with a lot going on. Ultimately, he is ready for things to return to the way they were. Bala says, âI guess Iâm just really looking forward to being able to get back to what we doâ¦get back to what we know.â (DK)
Facebook Photo
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Fire Damages Grand View Inn Friday Night Fire Damages Grand View Inn Friday Night
A large fire damaged the Grand View Inn in Genoa Township Friday night.
Crews from the Brighton Area Fire Department responded to the blaze, which was reported around 10:37pm. The Howell Area Fire Department provided mutual aid on scene. The inn is located on Grand River, near Lake Chemung.
Brighton Fire Chief Mike OâBrian tells WHMI crews arrived to find smoke coming from units four and five. 16 units in all were impacted and have been vacated. Six had significant damage, while nine sustained damage from fire, smoke and water. OâBrian says no injuries resulted but nine residents were displaced and assisted with lodging by the American Red Cross.
The main building is closed and the fire appears to have started from a malfunctioning bathroom fan. Photo: Brighton Area Fire Department. (JM)
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High School Students To Participate In Moot Court ProgramHigh School Students To Participate In Moot Court Program
Students from the around area will be at the Michigan Supreme Court to take part in a statewide judiciary learning event.
The âExploring Careers in Lawâ program will be held at the Michigan Hall of Justice, Monday, July 17th, and carry on each morning through the 21st. Students from Linden and Williamston will be on hand along with others for this opportunity to learn about the judicial system and develop important reasoning and presentation skills. Legal professionals and members of the judiciary like Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Amy Krause and 17th Circuit Court Judge Christopher Yates will have presentations and speak to participants.
On the last day, students will take part in Moot Court inside the Supreme Court courtroom and give mock oral argument and render opinion on a practice lawsuit regarding a plaintiff who claims he became ill from a nearby oil spill. (MK)
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State Rep. Lana Theis Officially Announces Senate BidState Rep. Lana Theis Officially Announces Senate Bid
A local state rep has officially announced her candidacy for higher office.
42nd District Representative Lana Theis is currently serving her second term in the state House. The Brighton Township Republican is seeking the seat currently represented by Senator Joe Hune of Fowlerville. Hune is term limited and therefore not eligible for re-election in 2018. The 22nd State Senate District includes all of Livingston County and western Washtenaw County, including part of Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Northfield and Dexter Townships. The official announcement was made Friday, although the âThe Committee to Elect Lana Theisâ was formed back in March, which allowed Theis to receive campaign contributions and solicit endorsements. Theis says sheâs gained a tremendous understanding of the complexities of state government over her two terms as state representative, adding sheâs proud of her reputation of digging deep into issues and making informed, educated votes. Theis is hosting a campaign kick-off fundraiser on Thursday, July 27th from 6 to 8pm at Triple Diamond Ranch in Howell.
Prior to being elected to the state House, Theis served as Brighton Township treasurer. Local Democrats targeted Theis earlier this year after learning she was fined $2,000 for campaign finance violations and inaccurate accounting of campaign contributions from her 2016 re-election campaign. Theis defended that she had a new treasurer who was learning how to file Michigan Campaign Finance reports and inadvertently left out some important information from the initial reports filed.
The official announcement from Theis is attached. (JM)
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Putnam Twp. Modifies Ordinance To Allow Businesses To Hold Outdoor EventsPutnam Twp. Modifies Ordinance To Allow Businesses To Hold Outdoor Events
Putnam Township has revised one of the municipalityâs ordinances in order to allow businesses to hold large, outdoor events.
The townshipâs planning commission recently discussed an ordinance that prohibits restaurants, taverns, and bars from holding temporary outdoor events with entertainment or live music. Zoning Administrator Ken Damrel tells WHMI commissioners reviewed the ordinance and decided to change it, after receiving a request from a local business to hold such a gathering.
Damrel says The Pinckney Pub holds those types of events about five times per year. After the business sought permission to hold one, planning commissioners realized it was prohibited under the current ordinance. That led them down the path to change the rule, and Damrel expects it will affect a handful of other businesses in the township.
Damrel says officials decided not to over-complicate the matter and made the change, eliminating the prohibition of similar functions associated with those businesses. The change is specific to the smaller, short-duration events, and Damrel says the township is not altering existing regulations for exceptionally large events. Commissioners decided reviewing the facilities holding the function will be left at the discretion of the municipalityâs Fire Marshal.
A public hearing on the amendment to the ordinance was held Wednesday, though none of the residents attending the planning commission meeting spoke for or against it. Commissioners voted to unanimously approve it. (DK)
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Brighton Area Schools Improves Bond RatingBrighton Area Schools Improves Bond Rating
The Brighton Board of Education has been informed that its bond credit rating has improved again, to a rating of A-minus, which is considered âupper medium gradeâ and "investment quality.â
Assistant Superintendent of Finance Maria Gistinger informed the board Monday that the districtâs bond rating is now just six steps from the top, Triple-A, called the âprime rateâ. Gistinger told the board that the higher rating gives investors assurance that they will get their investment back, with a good yield.
When Superintendent Greg Gray arrived in 2009, Brighton was in the throes of a huge deficit. However, through a combination of cost-cutting and creating new revenues, the district has been able to not only get out of debt but build a healthy fund balance. In addition, voters passed an $89 million bond issue in 2012 that has resulted in major upgrades to physical facilities and technology hardware and software. Gistinger says a higher bond rating also results in lower costs to the district in arranging to have the bonds issued and sold on the open market.
Last year, the districtâs bond rating was triple B-plus âwith positive outlookâ â also an improvement over the previous year. Triple B-plus is considered the lowest investment grade. (TT)
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EMS To Partner Again With Local Hospital To Offer Student Clinical ExperienceEMS To Partner Again With Local Hospital To Offer Student Clinical Experience
Livingston County EMS will once again be teaming up with a local health system to ensure experience for EMT students.
A training division of Livingston County EMS teaches Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) courses, which EMS Director Jeff Boyd says have been successful in the first five years of the endeavor. For successful completion of an EMS course, students are required to have clinical experience in a hospital setting.
Saint Joseph Mercy Hospitals has agreed to be the clinical site to fulfill this requirement, which Boyd believes is a helpful and long-term relationship. A one-year clinical contract between Livingston County EMS and the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System was approved last week by two of the countyâs subcommittees.
Boyd says EMS is âvery happy to work with a local hospital to provide experienceâ to students working to complete EMT courses. The contract will be reviewed by the countyâs board of commissioners tonight, and approval is expected. (DK)
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