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Completion Of West Grand River Project In Brighton Moved Back Completion Of West Grand River Project In Brighton Moved Back

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The completion date of the Grand River project in Brighton has been extended until July 28th. According to Department of Public Works Director Marcel Goch, the project originally was to have been finished by now, but a few glitches in the schedule have pushed the project back. One problem that is yet to be corrected is “synching” all the traffic lights. Goch says his office has received complaints from some motorists that the traffic is backed up too far – particularly at morning and afternoon rush hour times. He says the traffic lights at West Grand River intersections such as Challis Road, Cross Street and Main Street, are normally synchronized with the Michigan Dept. of Transportation-controlled traffic signals at the I-96 Grand River exit ramps and Hilton. However, the electronics – which are embedded in the pavement – had to be removed for the project and now need to be re-installed. Goch says the project – involving a mill-and-fill along with drainage and other improvements from I-96 to the Mill Pond underpass – is 99%-plus completed. The project was mostly paid for by the federal government and administered through MDOT, with a $300,000 local match from the city of Brighton. (TT)

Driver Crashes Into Pond, Witnesses Pull Him FreeDriver Crashes Into Pond, Witnesses Pull Him Free

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Authorities say an incident involving a vehicle that crashed into a pond in Hartland Township was the result of the driver suffering a medical event. Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy says a 45-year-old Hartland man was driving a 2010 Mazda westbound on M-59 around 5:30pm Friday when went he went off the roadway and into a pond near Oakbrooke Apartments. Murphy says the man had just purchased the vehicle and was driving it home when he suffered a medical event that resulted in him losing control and causing his vehicle to leave the roadway, where it ended up in the retention pond. The pond is estimated to be about 8 to 10 feet deep, and the vehicle was completely submerged. Murphy says three witnesses were instrumental in getting the driver out of the vehicle. The driver was transported to the University of Michigan hospital in Ann Arbor and is expected to recover. Murphy says the three good Samaritans who helped extricate the driver informed emergency personnel upon their arrival that they were not sure if anyone else was in the car. A responding fireman had dive equipment with him and was able to ascertain that there was no one else in the vehicle. Murphy says the true story here is the good Samaritans’ willingness to help. He feels this is a “don’t wanna get involved type of world”, and gives a “hats-off and big atta boy” to the Samaritans for stopping and helping the man in the vehicle. Livingston County EMS and firefighters from Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority assisted county sheriff's deputies at the scene.(DK)

Green Oak Police Provide Answers To Explain Gravestones Found In Local LakeGreen Oak Police Provide Answers To Explain Gravestones Found In Local Lake

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Authorities say there is a logical explanation behind the recent discovery of several gravestones in a local lake. Questions arose after a Green Oak Township resident found a number of gravestones in the shallows of Briggs Lake two weeks ago. The stones ranged in dates, from as far back as 1882 to as recently as 1980. Bob Tyrer, the individual who found the stones, wondered how they got there and why they were put there. But Green Oak Township Police Chief Jason Pless says while strange, the discovery of gravestones in odd places isn’t as unusual as one might think. Pless took a similar complaint about gravestones found in a lake about 20 years ago while on patrol. Pless says an individual who owned a monument company based out of Detroit lived on the south shore of Briggs Lake and likely disposed of the stones there. Monuments with writing errors are usually offered first to the family of the deceased person, but if not redeemed by the family, must be disposed of by the company. That includes monuments that are replaced with new or improved headstones. Pless says the monument company’s owner has since moved from the area and believes he is now deceased. While he’s not sure it’s necessarily ethical of the unwanted stones to be disposed of this way, Pless says he learned the individual used them as boat anchors or to reinforce the shoreline. As for a veteran’s headstone that was among those recently found, Pless says he has confirmed with the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Detroit that the headstone was replaced many years ago. Though the explanation kills any mystery surrounding the finding, Pless says it’s good for the public to know the backstory should they come across marked stones. (DK)

Detroit Rock Radio Personality Bob Bauer Passes Away At 63 Detroit Rock Radio Personality Bob Bauer Passes Away At 63

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A longtime Detroit rock DJ who lived locally has passed away. Radio Personality Bob Bauer died at his home in Pinckney at the age of 63. His death was confirmed Friday by the Livingston County Medical Examiner's office. Bauer spent years on the airwaves and is likely most remembered for his time at 98.7 when it was WLLZ Detroit's Wheels. In more recent years, he hosted an internet radio show and spotlighted local music. The retired radio DJ was known to many as “Uncle Bob” and had a heart for giving. He started a canned food drive in 1984 that turned into a huge annual event called Marathon for Meals in which he would camp out in a parking lot. The outdoorsman was also known for hosting an annual Wild Game Buffet. Funeral arrangements are pending. Facebook photo. (JM)

Anti-Drug Coalition Raises Funds To Support Local Youth InitiativesAnti-Drug Coalition Raises Funds To Support Local Youth Initiatives

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A successful fundraiser put on by a local anti-drug coalition will allow the organization to further substance abuse prevention efforts in Livingston County. The Livingston County Community Alliance, or LCCA, aims to reduce and prevent youth substance use, while promoting a safe and drug-free lifestyle. LCCA held its first golf outing at the Whispering Pines Golf Club in Pinckney last month and raised approximately $2,000. LCCA plans to use the funds to give back to the community in the form of mini-grants. The grants will be awarded on a competitive basis at $500 per grant and will fund youth-designed and implemented substance abuse prevention activities in the area. LCCA also works with the Big Red Barrel, an organization that provides a collection bin for unused or unwanted prescription medication. LCCA reports that the Big Red Barrel was present at their golf outing and that it allowed for the disposal of over one pound of drugs.

Howell City Hall To Undergo HVAC Balancing Howell City Hall To Undergo HVAC Balancing

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Problems with air circulation and temperature shifts are prompting work at Howell City Hall. The Howell City Council met recently and accepted a proposal to proceed with the HVAC balancing of the entire City Hall building for a price not to exceed approximately $13,000. The City currently contracts with Livingston County Facility Services to perform HVAC and other building maintenance. City Manager Shea Charles says over the last two to three years, they’ve had trouble in City Hall with some areas of the building not being able to handle the weather and extreme temperature fluctuations. He says it will either get really hot or cold and there’s no rhyme or reason to it. Then over the last month and a half in particular, Charles says there have been some humidity problems in the basement. Charles says speaking with maintenance professionals and staff through their partnership with the county group, it was identified that what the City is dealing with is a balance issue, not an equipment issue. He says typically you don’t have to rebalance a building once a new system is in but they’ve had a number of activities and basement issues. Charles says they think between moving all the equipment around something got out of whack so after doing this work over the next few weeks; hopefully things will be a lot more comfortable. The basement sustained flooding and water damage on different occasions over the past few years, leading to extensive and expensive remediation efforts. That also involved months of renovations to address elevated levels of mold. A vibration and measurement study also was discovered that the existing third floor exterior brick wall on the east end of City Hall was separating away from the building, resulting in more repairs. The new work to balance the HVAC system will adjust system units, valves, fans and other equipment to insure consistent airflow throughout the building. (JM)

Traffic and Environmental Concerns Aired at Brighton City Council MeetingTraffic and Environmental Concerns Aired at Brighton City Council Meeting

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The planned 76-unit assisted living facility at Rickett Road and Oak Ridge Dr. in Brighton elicited a complaint from the audience at last week’s City Council meeting. April Wyncott of Cobblestone Court told council that the facility would result in considerably more traffic in the area and posed environmental concerns. Wyncott said there is a pond on the site, which City Manager Nate Geinzer later identified as a stormwater detention pond. Wyncott said the pond harbors sandhill cranes, snapping turtles and other waterfowl and wildlife. The development – after initially being rejected by the Planning Commission due to several issues – was ultimately approved by the PC, and then council at the July 6th meeting. Geinzer told Wyncott the site is zoned appropriately for such a commercial use, and been vacant for many years with development in mind, and therefore could not be rejected by the city as long as all the conditions had been met by the applicant. Council Member Jim Bohn added that he thinks even though Brighton already has a few such facilities such as nearby Care Tel, the new assisted living facility, to be called Hampton Manor of Brighton, was needed. He also thought that, with just 76 units, the traffic impact would be less than would be expected for such a facility. Lapham Associates planner Scott Bell told council the facility would generate little additional traffic because of the types of clientele it will draw. Preliminary work at the site has already begun and construction is expected to get into full swing in the near future, with completion sometime next summer. (TT)

Power Restored to Parts of Livingston, Shiawassee, Genesee CountiesPower Restored to Parts of Livingston, Shiawassee, Genesee Counties

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Power has been restored to about 2,300 homes in Livingston County’s Cohoctah Township, plus customers in a small portion of Shiawassee and Genesee counties. Affected were homes on Allen, Argentine, Beard and Gannon roads, along with connecting roads. Consumers Energy spokesman Bryan Wheeler says the cause of the outage was a flock of birds that came into contact with equipment at a substation in the Byron area, knocking out the substation. The outage, lasting nine hours, occurred at 3:40 a.m., with power being restored just before 1 p.m. this afternoon. (TT)

Local Women Sought To Help Set New Rosie The Riveter World RecordLocal Women Sought To Help Set New Rosie The Riveter World Record

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Livingston County women are being recruited to help the Yankee Air Museum set a Rosie the Riveter world record. Based in Belleville, the Yankee Air Museum set the Guinness World Record for “Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Rosie the Riveter” at Willow Run Airport in 2014, and then again in 2015. A group in Richmond, California set the record last year with 2,229 Rosies and is planning to rally to do it once again in August. However the Yankee Air Museum isn’t letting Rosie go down without a fight. The museum has launched a registration website and is looking for women from all over to join in their effort to retake the Rosie world record. Rosies from near and far will gather at Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Center at 9am on October 14th, which has been proclaimed “R-Day”. Museum officials say they are holding the event to celebrate women in the workforce and to inspire next generations with the “We Can Do It” spirit. Women of all ages are encouraged to attend the free event and costume requirements include dark blue work clothes, red socks, closed-toe dark shoes, and the quintessential red and white polka dot bandana. Registration is required and can be done by clicking on the link below. (DK)

Flex Route Project Along US-23 Corridor Halfway Done Flex Route Project Along US-23 Corridor Halfway Done

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Construction of Michigan’s first Flex Route has hit the halfway point. Crews with the Michigan Department of Transportation have been busy with multiple work zones along US-23 from M-36 to M-14 and visible progress is being made. Once complete, the new traffic system will manage congestion and promote safety. 18-foot-high gantries are going up along the corridor and 22 out of 30 have already been installed. The North Territorial Road interchange and ramps are now open; which includes two new roundabouts and the existing bridge has been demolished. The new roundabout to 8 Mile is also open but 6 Mile remains under construction. M-DOT Spokeswoman Kari Arend says there are still ramp and bridge closures, with work taking place at certain interchanges to extend the acceleration and deceleration lanes. Arend tells WHMI for as big of a project as it is, the contractor is really moving along. She says a lot of different operations are taking place throughout the corridor, with work progressing on the median lane that will eventually become the Flex Route in both directions. Crews are also working on other components including the Intelligent Transportation System or ITS, which is all of the electronic signage that will be going in to help control the Flex Routes. Arend notes a lot of that is already in place and motorists have likely noticed the large overhead signs. M-DOT will be rolling out an awareness campaign in the future to educate motorists about the new traffic management system. In the meantime, Arend says M-DOT is continuing with off-peak lane closures along US-23 to minimize the impact to motorists. She says a lot of overnight, single lane closures can generally be expected, along with some weekends for concrete patching. The goal is to have work mostly wrapped up by mid-November. Construction updates and the July project newsletter can be found through the link provided. M-DOT photo. (JM)

Brighton Township Adopts Capital Improvement PlanBrighton Township Adopts Capital Improvement Plan

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Brighton Township has adopted a plan that focuses on the municipality’s spending prioritization and economic well-being. The township’s Capital Improvement Plan, or CIP, is used as a planning tool for municipality expenditures and was officially adopted in 2009. Since then, it has been discussed frequently as officials worked to revise it based on economic and development changes. Manager Brian Vick says one component of the updated plan includes managing the township’s Sanitary Sewer System. The system has been under fire in recent years by residents who claim they’re being overcharged on assessment fees. Vick says there is a light at the end of the tunnel in regards to the financial status of the sewer fund. The CIP includes plans to pay off a bond used to construct the sewer system in October of 2020. It also figures the general fund will be reimbursed from the sewer fund in 2021. User and longtime critic of the sewer system, Mike Palmer, spoke during the public hearing held prior to the board’s adoption of the CIP. Palmer called the CIP program “illegal” and the township board a “fascist government”. He, among several other residents, also complained about the township’s lack of sidewalks and pathways, and the inability to keep the ones that do exist maintained. Vick did not indicate there are any pending sidewalk projects, but does say the CIP will be updated over time to include any that have been added or completed. Following the public hearing, a majority vote from the board resulted in the adoption of the CIP. Trustees Mike Slaton and Steve Combs voted against its adoption. (DK)

Hartland Man Killed In Crash With Livonia Police VehicleHartland Man Killed In Crash With Livonia Police Vehicle

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A Livingston County man was killed Sunday after crashing into a police car. Livonia Police say an officer was conducting a traffic stop on the right shoulder of westbound I-96 between Merriman and Middlebelt roads Sunday afternoon when a vehicle driven by a 43-year-old Hartland Township man rear-ended the patrol vehicle. A preliminary investigation indicates that the Hartland man's vehicle crossed all lanes of traffic before the collision and then rolled over after hitting the cruiser. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not identified by police, but friends of the victim have identified him as Mike Gregory, whose Facebook page indicates worked as a dock supervisor with the Salvation Army who also played drums with several groups. The officer involved was struck by his own vehicle after it was hit and thrown back onto the pavement. He was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, but is scheduled to have surgery today. Police say the Hartland man may have experienced a medical emergency, but that remains under investigation. The crash forced the closure of westbound I-96 for several hours.Facebook photo. (JK)

LESA Seeks School Supply Donations At Upcoming "Stuff the Bus" EventLESA Seeks School Supply Donations At Upcoming "Stuff the Bus" Event

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The Livingston Educational Service Agency’s yearly Backpacks for Kids campaign is underway, and its major collection event is set for next week. Now in its 16th year, the annual Backpacks for Kids campaign is an effort that provides backpacks filled with school supplies to local children whose family may need some assistance. Great Start Livingston Coordinator Robin Schutz says school supplies can be expensive, and the campaign aids families in need by allowing kids to start the school year with all of the necessary equipment. Supplies to fill the backpacks can be donated at the Stuff the Bus event, which is set for Friday, August 4th, at the Howell Wal-Mart. An LESA bus will be stationed at Wal-Mart from 10am to 2pm so that community members wishing to donate can purchase supplies there and help fill the bus right outside the store. Schutz says LESA is looking for standard-type school supplies and a wish list of those supplies is posted on their website. Then on August 4th through the 6th, community members can also donate by shopping at Five Below at the Green Oak Mall. Shoppers can print off a Backpacks flyer from LESA’s website and hand it in when making their purchase. The flyer guarantees that 10% of the proceeds will be donated to LESA to help purchase backpacks and school supplies. LESA will fill the backpacks with the donated items on August 16th, which is Livingston County United Way’s annual Day of Caring. The filled backpacks will be distributed at LESA on August 17th at an event that also includes a community resource fair. You can find more information about the collection events and Backpacks for Kids campaign at the link below. (DK)

Federal Funding For County Drug Court Receives Three-Year RenewalFederal Funding For County Drug Court Receives Three-Year Renewal

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An application by the local adult drug court for continued federal grant funding has been approved. The Livingston County Drug Court was established to take into account the addictions of eligible defendants and connect them with the substance abuse treatment programs they need, resulting in lighter sentences. The court recently learned that a request for the renewal of grant funding through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration was approved. According to John Evans, the Circuit/Probate Court Administrator, the grant will provide $317,764 per year, over the next three years. The program is approximately one year long, with an additional year of follow-up. Graduates are then recognized for their commitment to sobriety. Evans added that the grant renewal was only possible through the work that Chief Judge David Reader and Circuit Judge Michael Hatty had shown in administering the funds. (JK)

One Local Nonprofit Provides Major Finacial Boost To AnotherOne Local Nonprofit Provides Major Finacial Boost To Another

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A local nonprofit was recognized for its work in the community with a major donation last week. Special Ministries of Livingston County received a check Friday for $11,000 from the Livingston County chapter of 100 Women Who Care, which brings together women from across the area to hear a presentation from three local nonprofits. The women, who each write a check for $100, then vote on which group should receive funding. Special Ministries provides support and activities for individuals living with cognitive and physical disabilities offering growth in personal relationships, continuous learning, recreation, and spiritual development. Interim Executive Director Sabrina Musko says the money will be used to lower transportation and program costs, sponsor more participants and ultimately to provide more programs for participants. The organization was started in 1972 by the wife of the minister at St. George Lutheran Church in Brighton and was originally known as St. George Special Ministries. It eventually became the Special Ministries of Livingston County in 2008. The agency serves roughly 250 people each year, organizing about a dozen activities and events each month. (JK)

Iraq War Veteran Announces Run For 22nd State Senate SeatIraq War Veteran Announces Run For 22nd State Senate Seat

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There are now candidates on both sides of the ballot running for a local State Senate seat next year. Howell-area attorney and Iraq War veteran Adam Dreher announced today that he plans to run for the Democratic nomination for the 22nd State Senate seat. The seat is currently held by Republican Joe Hune of Iosco Township, but he is term-limited and cannot run again. Dreher said the “22nd District needs a leader in the State Senate that will take care of the needs facing…families; not just the issues facing the rich people who pay for the campaigns of Republican lawmakers.” The 33-year-old is an assistant Ionia County prosecuting attorney who lives in Oceola Township. He served two tours in Iraq, where he served as a Cavalry Scout with the First Cavalry Division. Dreher said that experience taught him how to be a leader, adding that the strongest leaders he saw “were able to take the ideas from those around them, and put the best ones into action” and believes it’s that kind of leadership that is “desperately needed in Lansing.” Dreher, who grew up in Ypsilanti and graduated from Lincoln Consolidated Schools, returned to Ypsilanti after his honorable discharge in 2008 and used the G.I. Bill to earn his Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and the graduate from the Michigan State University College of Law. He and his wife Rachel moved to Oceola Township in 2015 and have one son, Daxton, born in 2016. Dreher is the first Democrat to announce for the 22nd State Senate nomination. He joins Republican State Representative Lana Theis of Brighton Township, who filed to run for the GOP nomination earlier this month. The 22nd district covers all of Livingston County and the western two-thirds of Washtenaw County. (JK)

Trans Man From Howell Shares Story To Inspire OthersTrans Man From Howell Shares Story To Inspire Others

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A transgender man from Livingston County is getting national attention for telling his story of transformation. The path from country girl to aspiring musician and openly trans male has been anything but easy for 21-year-old Jaimie Wilson, who was born a girl and grew up near Howell, the youngest of four children. His journey to becoming a man has been chronicled in Cosmopolitan magazine and at Medium.com, where he tells his story of knowing from age 5 that he wanted to be a boy. When he came out to his deeply religious and conservative family while a senior in high school, he says they didn’t react well, forcing him to eventually move out and finish high school while living with a friend. That was right around the time that he began taking testosterone to begin the transformation. Jaime said that his love of music helped him through the break with his family. As he’s gone through the surgical transformation, Jaimie has become an outspoken Trans activist, trying to help others in the position he once was, letting them know that there is hope. Jaimie has been on tour with his music and was scheduled to play at the Howell Opera House last week, but the show was canceled due to what he called “a drastic change in events” but hoped to make it back in the future. But as he continues to gain online followers, which number in the hundreds of thousands, Jaimie uses the stage to continue his forceful Trans advocacy. (JK) Here this story by Clicking Here.

Community Sharing Pantry Re-Opens In New Duck Lake Center Community Sharing Pantry Re-Opens In New Duck Lake Center

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A food pantry and outreach center that serves the Milford and Highland Township areas is making moves. The new Community Sharing location opens this week at 5061 Duck Lake Road in Highland Township. It’s primarily a food pantry but has clothing, support and special programs to assist those in need including the unemployed, the working poor, families in poverty, low income seniors, people with disabilities and others who qualify. Staff and volunteers have been busy in recent weeks, packing up and moving everything from the old location to the new Duck Lake Center. It opened Monday to serve clients by appointments while the pantry will officially open Tuesday. Community Sharing board members commented that growth requires change, which is never easy, but there are many positives to the new location – namely three times more space for storage and private meeting space to ensure confidentiality for staff and clients. The non-profit has gone from serving 30-40 families per month to as many as 360. It had been renting space in the Huron Valley School’s Apollo Center. Officials say the move was necessary because the district will be expanding childcare and preschool programs there. HVS Superintendent Nancy Coratti said the district was fortunate to have maintained a decade-long relationship with Community Sharing and looks forward to continuing the partnership. Facebook photo. (JM)

Trauma Support Group Graduates First Class In Brighton Trauma Support Group Graduates First Class In Brighton

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Family, friends, and graduates were treated to a special ceremony Monday night for trauma survivors. 2/42 Community Church in Brighton played host to a graduation ceremony in honor of 22 graduates who completed the REBOOT Combat Recovery Program. The 12-week faith-based program is geared towards military veterans, first responders, and individuals who suffer from any form of trauma. Along with their family and friends, the graduates enjoyed food, musical performances, and received their certificates for completing the program. Class leader and former U.S. Marine, Dave Ferris, said that that 22 vets commit suicide every day, but that since its inception, not one of the 1,700 graduates of the REBOOT program nationally has done so. A fall program is already being organized along with future programs at other locations within Brighton, Livonia, and Milan. If you or someone you know may be interested in participating in the program, all information can be found through the link below. (DF/JK)

Trial Date Set In Lawsuit Over Fatal Police ChaseTrial Date Set In Lawsuit Over Fatal Police Chase

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A lawsuit against a former Fowlerville Police officer connected to a fatal motorcycle accident is set to go to trial later this year. Former Fowlerville Police Officer Frederick Miller is being sued by Mary Stamm on behalf of the estate of her son who died after his motorcycle crashed into Miller’s vehicle during a high speed chase. The incident began in the early morning hours of May 17th, 2011 on westbound I-96 when police say 20-year-old Carl Albert Stamm IV failed to pull over for speeding. Video recordings from patrol cars indicated he was traveling at approximately 126 mph when he crashed into the back of Miller’s patrol car. The U.S. Supreme Court in June declined to hear an appeal by Miller, which followed a ruling by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati in December of 2016 that determined there were disputes of material fact regarding whether Miller intended to block Stamm and whether Stamm’s conduct posed an immediate threat to others. It said because the evidence is such that a jury could return a verdict in Mrs. Stamm’s favor, the lawsuit against him could continue, denying his contention that he was immune from liability because he was acting in his role as a police officer. Court records show a settlement conference in the case is set for August 31st. If no settlement is reached, a trial is scheduled November 13th in U.S. District Court in Ann Arbor.
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