A school threat turned out to be a false alarm this past week.
Deputies with the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office Lyon Township Substation responded Thursday to South Lyon East High School on Ten Mile Road for a threat complaint. Deputies were advised by the school administration that a student had threatened to bring a gun to school and shoot his fellow students. Contact was made with the suspectâs father, who brought the suspect to the school to meet with deputies, including the school liaison deputy and high school administration staff.
The 15-year-old Lyon Township teen admitted to making the threat but claimed he did not mean to carry it out. The Office says the teen stated he was just angry over the possibility of being assigned homework over the weekend. The suspect further stated that he did not want to hurt anyone nor did he own a firearm or have access to one. The suspectâs father is said to have confirmed the information and gave consent to deputies to search his home. The home was searched and no firearms were located.
Authorities say the school liaison deputy will handle the follow-up investigation and referral to youth assistance. (JM)
Student Angry Over Homework Makes False Threat Against School Student Angry Over Homework Makes False Threat Against School
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Howell DPW Complex To Undergo Renovations Howell DPW Complex To Undergo Renovations
Plans are in the works to upgrade the DPW complex in the City of Howell.
Designs for the renovations are complete, which will upgrade the facility to make it more efficient and user friendly. The DPW complex is located on the corner of Marion and Michigan Streets, where the wastewater treatment plant and various buildings are located. City Council met Monday night and reached consensus to proceed with going out to bid.
Improvements have been made slowly to the facility over the past five years. Design work is complete for the next phase of improvements, which are said to be extensive and complex. The project will address multiple deficiencies including inadequate power sources resulting in frequent outages, no public restrooms, outdated and inoperable plumbing, and a 35-year-old residential grade HVAC system. Plans call for expanding the existing area, so no square footage will be added.
Director of Public Services Erv Suida tells WHMI they plan to update the facility to current standards, incorporate a locker room and bathroom for female employees, create some additional office space and make improvements to the electrical system. As for the electrical system, Suida says during the process of reviewing the facility, they noticed the transformer and switch gear location is really improper for whatâs out there so it will need to be updated. Itâs around a $30,000 expense that was not anticipated but Suida says itâs something that is necessary even if the project werenât to go through. It was described as a significant piece of equipment that switches over to a generator in the event of power outages.
Staff plans to go out to bid for the project within the next two weeks and contingency costs were built into the proposal. Once bids are received, the project will be back before City Council for potential approval. Photo: Google Street View. (JM)
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Livingston County's Jobless Rate Up Slightly In September Livingston County's Jobless Rate Up Slightly In September
After multiple months in the top spot, Livingston Countyâs unemployment ranking fell in September.
Livingston Countyâs jobless rate stood at 3.3% in September, moving up one-tenth of a percentage point from August. While the increase was minimal, it was enough to bump Livingston County to the number two ranking out of all 83 counties in Michigan. The county was able to maintain the lowest statewide jobless rate for four months in a row. The number one spot is now held by Mackinac County, which has a jobless rate of 3.2%.
The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget reports unemployment rates fell seasonally in 14 of the 17 major labor market areas in September. The rate for the statistical area that includes Livingston County was unchanged. The state says overall, labor market indicators displayed seasonal and typical trends in September and the majority of Michiganâs metropolitan regions continue to show solid job gains over the year. (JM)
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Howell Pharmacy Technician Admits To Stealing Pills From HospitalHowell Pharmacy Technician Admits To Stealing Pills From Hospital
A plea has been entered by a Howell-area pharmacy technician charged with stealing more than 30,000 prescription pills from a local hospital.
35-year-old Kelly Leanne Hodge pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling between $50,000-$100,000 in Livingston County Circuit Court Friday. Hodge is said to have stolen approximately $107,000 worth of prescription medications from St. Joseph Mercy Brighton hospital over the course of about a year and a half. She has agreed to pay the hospital $107,698.30 in restitution and is no longer employed there.
Authorities say hospital officials noticed the theft after conducting an inventory which indicated approximately 12,000 pills had been taken over a five-month period. The hospital then contacted the Sheriffâs Office and a follow-up audit found nearly 32,000 doses had gone missing during an 18-month period that began in November of 2015. According to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Hodge's pharmacy technician license was issued in October of 2015, just a month before the theft reportedly began.
Hodge is set to be sentenced November 30th. (DK)
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BAS Adds Third Therapy Dog, With Plans For Two MoreBAS Adds Third Therapy Dog, With Plans For Two More
As a result of two private donations, the Brighton Area Schools will be getting another therapy dog.
The new therapy dog will be going to Spencer Elementary School. There are currently two therapy dogs in the district, and the addition will be the districtâs third therapy dog. Supt. Greg Gray says the dogs have been a tremendous help in calming students who are experiencing personal problems, are worried or anxious, or having trouble fitting in or making friends at school. Gray tells WHMI that the Brighton Area Schools will soon have a total of five therapy dogs, with two of them now in training.
The donations to purchase the dogs include $3,500 from the Ditto family and $6,000 from Buckley-Jolley Real Estate. According to district policy, any donation that exceeds $1,000 must go before the board for approval. Caesar â one of the two therapy dogs now in service â is in his 8th year of service to the district, and is assigned to Brighton High School, while Duncan (pictured) is at Maltby Intermediate School. At night, and during the summer months and holidays, the dogs go to the home of a volunteer staff member. (TT)
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Financially-Strapped Cancer Patients To Benefit From "A Night To Remember"Financially-Strapped Cancer Patients To Benefit From "A Night To Remember"
A Milford-based nonprofit will hold its yearly fundraiser Friday to benefit cancer patients facing financial difficulties.
Five Points of Hope is a 501(c)(3) that awards monetary grants from its cancer care fund to patients that are struggling financially. The organization works with licensed oncology social workers to identify which patients qualify and provides up to $500 a year to those patients to help them pay some of their bills. Five Points founder and board president Erin Welsh, speaking Sunday on WHMI's Viewpoint, says there is a real need as grant requests have doubled in recent years. Welsh was inspired to give back after losing her father to cancer and the diagnosis of a close friend.
Five Pointsâ cancer care fund is supported by a number of events, but its biggest fundraiser of the year is âA Night to Rememberâ. The 17th annual benefit will be held this Friday, November 3rd at 6pm at the Edgewood Country Club in Commerce Township. Guests can participate in charity gaming, auctions, pampering stations, and shop from a variety of vendors. All proceeds collected that evening, including the $5 admission, will go to the cancer care fundâs patients.
You can find more information about the organization and its fundraiser at the link below. (DK)
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Expert: Too Much Sugar At Halloween Is No Treat Expert: Too Much Sugar At Halloween Is No Treat
As goblins and ghouls prepare to hit the streets for trick-or-treating, health experts agree it's important to think about just how much sugar they're consuming on the holiday and every day.
Added sugar is hiding in many of the processed foods and beverages kids and adults eat regularly, with Americans taking in an estimated 20 teaspoons of it per day - more than five times the recommended amount. Stacy Sawyer, senior director of communications at the American Heart Association in Michigan, said when you throw in Halloween goodies, the health effects can be quite scary. "You put a candy on top of it, you are just in a sugar overload,â Sawyer said. âAnd sugar leads to a lot of health problems, including obesity and diabetes, and that can lead to cardiovascular disease."
To cut some of the sugar while still enjoying the holiday, Sawyer recommended ditching the car and walking between houses, encouraging kids to take only one piece of candy per house, and even having a contest to see who can get the most steps in when trick-or-treating. While a few days of increased sugar intake around Halloween might not be a make-or-break for long-term health, Sawyer said the much larger problem is general sugar consumption in the U.S. "This generation of children could have shorter lives - actually as much as five years shorter lifespan - than their parents, simply because of the risk factors that go along with obesity,â she said.
In the past few years, more families in Michigan and across the nation have opted to hand out non-food treats at Halloween, such as small toys and games, which Sawyer said also makes the holiday more inclusive for kids with food allergies. (Public News Service)
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Tentative Settlement Reached In Police Chase LawsuitTentative Settlement Reached In Police Chase Lawsuit
A lawsuit against a former Fowlerville Police officer connected to a fatal motorcycle accident has been settled.
Former Fowlerville Police Officer Frederick Miller was being sued by Mary Stamm on behalf of the estate of her son who died after his motorcycle crashed into Millerâs vehicle (pictured) during a high speed chase. Court records indicate a monetary settlement between the parties was reached last month, although the terms of the agreement were not released. The incident that spawned the lawsuit 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 from patrol cars indicated he was traveling at approximately 126 mph when he crashed into the back of Millerâs 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 that determined there were disputes of material fact regarding whether Miller intended to block Stamm and whether Stammâs conduct posed an immediate threat to others. It said because the evidence is such that a jury could return a verdict in Mrs. Stammâs 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.
The lawsuit remains officially active, pending a December 26th deadline to finalize the settlement agreement and file it with the court. (JK)
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Railroad Bridge Rehabilitation Project Delayed Two Days Railroad Bridge Rehabilitation Project Delayed Two Days
The completion date for the second phase of a railroad bridge construction project in Cohoctah Township has been pushed back.
The Livingston County Road Commission advises the final phase of a project to rehabilitate the railroad bridge on Jones Road is being pushed back two days. Officials say additional repairs were needed on the structure, requiring additional curing time for concrete. The work is being done under a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation. Jones Road is closed at the Great Lakes Central Railroad bridge, which is roughly 675 feet east of Oak Grove Road.
Jones Road will remain closed for the duration of the final phase, which is now scheduled to be completed November 1st. (JM)
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Volunteers Sought For Cemetery Clean-Up In Pinckney Volunteers Sought For Cemetery Clean-Up In Pinckney
The Village of Pinckney is looking for volunteers to help preserve local history by maintaining the community cemetery during an annual fall clean-up event.
Two dates have been scheduled for the clean-up this year, November 11th and 18th, which officials say allows for a rain date or the opportunity to finish projects. Volunteers will remove faded décor or plantings outside of regulations and also pick up downed branches and tree limbs. As always, officials say the biggest project will be focusing on leaf removal so the more people and leaf blowers, the quicker the job. The Pinckney Historical Cemetery is located at 647 W. M-36, just west of downtown Pinckney. Although not required, volunteers are asked to bring gloves, rakes, wheelbarrows, leaf blowers and clippers if possible. Officials say the event is a great opportunity for families, youth groups, seniors or students needing volunteer hours, as well as those seeking community service hours.
Anyone with questions should contact the Pinckney Village offices at (734) 878-6206.
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Howell Chamber President Awarded Chamber Professional Of The YearHowell Chamber President Awarded Chamber Professional Of The Year
The head of a local chamber of commerce has been honored at the statewide level.
The Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals awarded Pat Convery, President of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce, with the Michigan Chamber Professional Award at their annual meeting in Grand Rapids last week. Convery is the first chamber professional to receive the designation twice since its inception in 2014. Bob Thomas, Director for MACP, said Convery, âwas recognized for her continued professional development, service to the association, and her contributions to the chamber of commerce industry,â adding that the, âdesignation is a reflection of her passion for chambers of commerce and the regard her professional peers have for her across the state.â
Convery has worked for the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce for twenty-seven years, the last 14 as President. In 2016 Convery led the chamber to recognition as the Outstanding Chamber of the Year. The Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals is the industry association for over 300 chambers in Michigan. (JK)
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Brighton Council Candidates Respond To Laundry List Of Questions At ForumBrighton Council Candidates Respond To Laundry List Of Questions At Forum
The Forum - which involved Brighton City Council Candidates in next week's election - was organized and hosted by the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce.
The questions ranged from the parking problem in downtown Brighton and what the solution is â without burdening the taxpayer â to a solution for the funding shortage in Michigan communities such as Brighton. Incumbents were also asked what they have done for the city, and the challengers, what their top two goals would be if elected.
The candidates include four incumbents: Shawn Pipoly, Kristoffer Tobbe, Renee Pettengill and Jon Emaus. Pettengill and Emaus were appointed last year to fill unexpired terms. There are also two challengers: Susan Bakhaus and write-in candidate Joyce Powers. Bakhaus had run unsuccessfully several times previously for city council under her former name - Susan Walters-Steinacker.
Former Brighton Mayor Kate Lawrence, who currently chairs the Livingston County Board of Commissioners, told WHMI that she thought the forum was a success and the questions were good ones. Some representative comments from the candidates: Bakhaus said the city council needs to update the city charter, should adopt a pay-as-you-go policy to pay for projects and should eliminate charges to residents for trash pickup. 8-year council member and Mayor Pro Tem Shawn Pipoly was critical of the state legislature in its funding to local communities, saying Michigan is âdead lastâ in that category among the 50 states.
Joyce Powers, a former Brighton school board member, praised the school administration for getting the district out of debt, and said the city should collaborate with the school district about ways to save money and generate revenue. Tobbe said the city is landlocked and canât grow in area, it should concentrate on the redevelopment of existing properties. Pettengill emphasized the many cutbacks the city has made to balance the budget, and stressed the need for streets on the northwest side of the city to get curb and gutter. And Emaus said the city has trimmed all the fat it can and needs to find new ways to generate revenue.
Four of the six hopefuls will be elected to terms on the city council in the Nov. 7th election . (TT)
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MSP Detective Retires Amid Investigation Of Affair With JudgeMSP Detective Retires Amid Investigation Of Affair With Judge
The timing of a Michigan State Police detectiveâs retirement is being called into question, as it comes during the ongoing investigation into his affair with a local judge.
After more than 27 years with the Michigan State Police, Sgt. Sean Furlong retired on September 22nd. Furlong and 53rd District Court Judge Theresa Brennan are at the center of an investigation being carried out by the Michigan Attorney Generalâs Office, State Police, and Judicial Tenure Commission. The investigation stems from allegations that the two engaged in a sexual affair during a 2013 trial that Brennan presided over and Furlong served as chief witness. Phone records indicate the two had extensive contact during the trial, which alone has been described as a violation of judicial ethics. Both admitted to having an affair during testimony in divorce proceedings between Brennan and her now ex-husband Donald Root earlier this year. However Brennan and Furlong maintain the affair did not begin until after the double-murder trial of Jerome Kowalski, which ended with Kowalskiâs conviction and life prison sentence.
Attorney Tom Kizer says heâs hoping there will be answers from âeveryone who participated in corrupt behavior surrounding a capital murder offense.â Kizer has long been an outspoken critic of Brennan and represented Root in their divorce. "I'm not shocked that he (Furlong) would retire. I'm surprised at the timing given the fact that man was still very young and was in a good position, but for these issues that have been raised. Being a former prosecutor I'm certain if there was any focus on him, he would no doubt be trying to do his best to make sure that he didn't lose his pension."
Kizer says heâs been assured those investigating the affair take the matter seriously and will make their decision in their own time. (DK)
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Oakland County K9's Honored With MemorialOakland County K9's Honored With Memorial
The heroics and dedication of K-9's from the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office were honored at the Michigan War Dog Memorial in Lyon Township this past weekend.
A monument to the officeâs K9âs was dedicated Saturday with an âEnd of Watchâ ceremony. 21 of the sheriffâs K9's are now memorialized on the monument. Memorial President Phil Weitlauf says several K9 handlers gave them items associated with their K9 to be buried in front of the monument. Weitlauf called it, âan emotional day with some tears, as the bond between the handler and their K9 partner is way over the top.â He added that the Michigan War Dog Memorial, located at the corner of Milford Rd and 11 Mile in Lyon Township, has been tagged as "The Michigan Arlington for K9 Heroes" which he thinks is fitting.
The memorial is a nonprofit organization with a mission to continue restoration of hallowed ground into a maintained, park setting to allow interment of retired Military Working Dogs and retired Service Dogs. (JK)
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Fenton Man Sentenced For Genesee Sexual AssaultsFenton Man Sentenced For Genesee Sexual Assaults
A Fenton man already convicted in Oakland County of child sexual assault has been sentenced on similar charges in Genesee County.
42-year-old Robert Lee Dennis had been charged in Genesee County Circuit Court with eight counts of first and second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a defendant under the age of 13. In September, he entered a no contest plea to a single count of first-degree CSC in exchange for the other seven charges being dropped. In court Monday, he was ordered to serve 25 to 50 years in prison, a sentence to run concurrent to a 30-50 year sentence he received in Oakland County last year on multiple counts of 1st degree CSC.
Police say Dennis assaulted someone he knew over a three-year period in Fenton, while Oakland County authorities say Dennis was leasing a home in Rochester Hills when he began sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl who was known to him. Dennis is likely to serve the remainder of his life behind bars as two of the 30-50 year terms he received in Oakland County were ordered to run consecutively, meaning his earliest release date is 2076, when he would be 101 years old. (JK)
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Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority Names New Executive DirectorHowell Area Parks & Recreation Authority Names New Executive Director
A very familiar face has been hired as the new head of the Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority.
The Authority Board met Monday night and voted to appoint Tim Church as the next executive director. Church is entering his seventh year with the authority and currently serves as youth services manager for The Hive, the community teen center. Church has served in many roles with the authority from day camp staff and site supervisor to sports director and operations manager before moving into youth services. He says he tried to give himself vast knowledge to enter a role like this and has been working with current Executive Director Paul Rogers on a daily basis, so it will be an easy transition for the authority to move forward.
Church is looking forward to the new position and has worked his way up to being a familiar face in the community. Heâll miss working with the kids but says itâs time for a new path and wants to turn the passion heâs given to The Hive into something great for the whole community, adding he wants to build relationships and grow as a community. Church says itâs about trying to make a community effort and making sure everyone is all on the same page and active while also getting a facility to house people whether that be for sports or something else. Also in moving forward, Church says he wants to understand what diversities are in Livingston County and how they can reach those populations that maybe they arenât serving correctly, currently.
Knowing the people heâs going to work with, Church thinks theyâll make a really great impact, not just for Howell parks and recreation but surrounding communities and Livingston County as a whole. Church says he actually had a nice send off from his current role as youth services manager at The Hive or teen center, as the kids heâs been working with since they were in 6th grade all graduated last year so it was a good transition year for him to get into the administrative role, meet community members and partners.
There is no official start date yet for Church and his contract with the a\Authority is being finalized. Church will move into his new role gradually as Rogers prepares to retire. His last day will be December 22nd. Meanwhile, the process to hire a new youth services manager will be starting. Church says that person will work to grow something that he and a team have put a lot of time and effort into making it a safe and functional place for youth.
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Highland Township Man Killed When He Walks Into TrafficHighland Township Man Killed When He Walks Into Traffic
An accident left a Highland Township man dead Monday after authorities say he walked into traffic.
The Oakland County Sheriffâs Office says the incident happened at about 8:50pm on M-59, west of Milford Road, when the 54-year-old pedestrian walked into the road and was hit by a 2005 Dodge Ram pickup truck traveling westbound. The 50-year-old driver from Fenton told officials he did not see the man before hitting him. Paramedics performed life-saving measures but were unable to revive the man. He was pronounced dead by a physician at McLaren Hospital-Oakland after paramedics provided telemetry from the scene.
The pedestrian, who was crossing in or near the cross walk, appeared to have failed to yield to westbound traffic. The sheriff's office says the pedestrian may have been under the influence of alcohol. The crash remains under investigation. (JK)
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Man Facing Marijuana Charges After Lyon Twp. Traffic Stop Man Facing Marijuana Charges After Lyon Twp. Traffic Stop
An Ypsilanti man is facing potential charges after a traffic stop in Lyon Township turned up marijuana.
A deputy with the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office Lyon Township substation was traveling in the area of Lyon Center Drive and Milford Road shortly before 3am Monday morning when he observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation. The Deputy conducted a traffic stop and a report states he could smell a strong odor of Marijuana emanating from inside the vehicle. The driver reportedly admitted that he was in possession of one pound of Marijuana clippings.
A subsequent search turned up two clear trash bags containing Marijuana clippings and buds, 25 small vials of Marijuana oil used for Vapor pens, Marijuana wax, and Tupperware container of Marijuana buds. The report states the suspect, a 30-year-old Ypsilanti man, possessed a valid Marijuana patient card but was not an authorized care giver. The suspect refused to answer any of the Deputies questions and was lodged in the Oakland County Jail pending the issuance of criminal charges. The Marijuana was confiscated and placed into a property room as evidence while the suspectâs vehicle was subsequently impounded.
Detectives from the Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) were contacted and advised of the circumstances and will be continuing with the investigation. (JM)
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LACASA CEO Expresses Concern Over Shared Parenting BillLACASA CEO Expresses Concern Over Shared Parenting Bill
A gathering Thursday in Howell is looking for public input and support for legislation that would require judges to award joint legal custody of children to divorcing parents. But local anti-domestic violence advocates say it has the potential to do more harm than good.
White Lake Republican State Representative Jim Runestad sponsored HB 4691, which in June passed the House Judiciary Committee along party lines, with Democrats opposed. Runestad, who chairs the committee, said that reform of the current system is needed in light of how much parenting has changed in the past 40 years, including same-sex marriage and an increasing number of people having children out of wedlock. He says that statistics show that most custody arrangements are not determined by how good a parent someone is as opposed to what judge they are assigned. His bill would also prohibit a parent from moving more than 80 miles away from the other parent and giving substantial weight to the childâs custody preference if theyâre 16 or older.
But the bill is opposed by a variety of groups representing judges, anti-domestic violence advocates and family court employees. They say it will shift focus away from what is best for the child. Bobette Schrandt is President and CEO of LACASA Center, the countyâs anti-domestic violence agency. She says the main problem with the current system is a lack of adequate resources. "We're advocating for the public policy to increase resources and reduce caseloads for judges in the Friend of the Court so they're better able to address those needs of children and families in an individualized kind of way that are involved in those custody proceedings." Schrandt also thinks that bill would, "replace the current provisions of the Child Custody Act with a confusing array of presumptions and standards. It redefines the best interest of the child and despite adding domestic violence as a factor, it fails to clearly indicate when that factor or any other factors like this would apply."
Runestad disputes that and is hoping to move the bill through the full House before the end of the current session in 2018. In order to gather support, heâs taking part in a series of âTownhall Hearingsâ sponsored by the National Parents Organization, which supports the legislation. One is set for Thursday from 6-8pm at the Howell Opera House. Details are below. (JK)
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Island Lake Apartments Water System Has State's Highest Lead Levels Island Lake Apartments Water System Has State's Highest Lead Levels
An apartment complex in Livingston County has the highest level of lead of all water systems in the state.
State records revealed that Island Lake Apartments on Grand River in Brighton Township had the highest lead levels at 82 parts-per-billion or ppb, but also had elevated lead in water levels during testing at the end of 2016. The water system serves a population of less than 50. The apartments are adjacent to the Island Lake Recreation Area, and near Kensington Metropark. The complex is managed by NCDG Realty & Property Management. The federal Environmental Protection Agency regulates lead and copper in drinking water under a 1991 rule that requires water system sampling every six months, based on the population the system serves. Health Promotion Coordinator Chelsea Moxlow with the Livingston County Health Department told WHMI that the state regulates these types of systems but they were aware of the situation and the state is working with the owner to correct the issues.
Meanwhile, a measure has been introduced to lower the federal lead action level from 15ppb to 10 by 2020, and then further to 5ppb in 2026. The National Opportunity for Lead Exposure Accountability and Deterrence Act of 2017 was introduced by Democratic Congressman Dan Kildee of Flint Township in the wake of Flintâs lead tainted water crisis. Photo: Michigan Housing Locator. (JM)
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