4/8/13 - After its facility was destroyed by fire, a local medical clinic is looking to re-open in a temporary and familiar location. Faith Medical Clinic serves those in need without medical insurance and is in talks to lease the old Pinckney library building on Mower Road, which has been on the market since November. The Pinckney Library Board held a special meeting last Friday to entertain a proposal from Mitch and Laura Goldman, who founded the clinic that operated previously out of the Putnam Township annex building where a fire broke out in February. A formal lease agreement is now in the process of being drawn up to rent the old library building out for $2,000 per month. The lease would be up for renewal every four months, in case the building was to sell. Pinckney Library Board President Kate Pratt says the Goldmanâs canât afford to buy the building outright but the board canât afford to give it to them for free because itâs their only equitable asset. She tells WHMI the proposal is a good compromise for both parties, being that itâs affordable for the Goldmanâs but also ensures the building isnât just sitting empty. The library board will meet next on Wednesday, April 17th and Pratt says she expects the lease will be approved at that time. (JM)
Lease Deal Would Allow Medical Clinic to Use Old Pinckney LibraryLease Deal Would Allow Medical Clinic to Use Old Pinckney Library
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Howell City Council Adopts Ordinance Rezoning Scrap YardHowell City Council Adopts Ordinance Rezoning Scrap Yard
4/9/13 - A rezoning marks the start of a multi-phase process to address the expansion of an auto-salvage operation in the City of Howell and violations deemed to be occurring there. The Howell City Council met Monday night and formally adopted an ordinance rezoning property owned by Regal Recycling at the south end of Lucy Road, just north of I-96. Operations at the site have been expanded and Owner Vern Brockway will be appearing before the Planning Commission with a corrected site plan and special use request. However, city staff has expressed concerns about current operations on the site and whether it can be brought into compliance with ordinances. The property was annexed into the City under a 425 agreement with Genoa Township. When that happened, the property automatically reverted to the lowest zoning of residential. Therefore, city officials say the property had to be rezoned back to the previous industrial classification as a first step to the other business. Meanwhile, Howell Township officials are also working to deal with a similar situation on property owned by Brockway in the area of M-59 and Tooley Road, where a number of un-authorized uses are also said to be occurring. (JM)
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Sewer Work North of Golf Club Not Part of Planned Latson Widening
4/9/13 - Latson Road will be widened north of Grand River in anticipation of the new I-96 interchange, but plans only for about 1,200 feet. Over the winter, crews worked to move utility lines around the intersection to make room for the changes to Latson. Work on utilities has since taken place along the road and north of Golf Club Road, leading some to speculate that Latson will be expanded more than a mile north of Grand River. Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine tells WHMI that is not in the plans at this time, and the work being done north of Golf Club is unrelated to the intersection. The new turn lanes will extend back to Hampton Ridge Boulevard, about 1200 feet from Grand River, and then taper to Aster Boulevard. Turn lanes will be added to the south side as well. (TD)
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Howell Council Exploring Ways to Regulate Transient Housing Howell Council Exploring Ways to Regulate Transient Housing
4/9/13 - The Howell City Council met Monday night and reached consensus in exploring possible strategies to regulate transient housing in the community. Staff has been looking into group housing arrangements for transient individuals in multi-family zoning districts and after review, concluded the only means of addressing the issue in those areas is to regulate the transient nature of the use. Staff has since been in discussions with municipal planners at the request of Mayor Phil Campbell and Council authorized a $1,500 estimate that was provided to draft transient housing ordinance language and prepare it for adoption. Campbell says with more state budget cuts and prisons closing, more prisoners are being released and communities are becoming inundated with parolees, some of which are sex offenders and housed in these types of transient homes. Since Howell is the county seat and in close proximity to the court system, Campbell tells WHMI he expects to see an increase in these types of homes and wants to have some regulations governing what comes into the city. A home on Washington Street is grandfathered in under current zoning and houses both general parolees and others with mental health issues who are placed by Professional Consulting Services. The home no longer contracts for placement with the Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Program, following resident concerns raised last year after it was discovered that a home on Jewett Street (pictured) had been housing parolees in violation of zoning ordinances. (JM)
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Brighton Board Gets First Look At Debt-Eliminating BudgetBrighton Board Gets First Look At Debt-Eliminating Budget
4/9/13 - The proposed 2013-2014 budget for Brighton Area Schools was presented to the Board of Education last night. With planned revenues of $55.3 million and expenditures totaling about $49.2 million, the budget is intended to eliminate the legacy debt that the district has been battling for years. It includes the cuts outlined as part of the recently-submitted deficit elimination plan, including the reinstatement of pay-to-play fees, eliminating teacher positions, and laying off administrators and paraprofessionals. A significant portion of the districtâs revenue in the proposed budget is a projected increase of 728 student FTEâs, despite the fact that most Michigan school districts are losing students. Assistant Superintendent of Finance Maria Gistinger says that gain in students will come from partnerships with schools that are not part of the Brighton district, but which send their students to Brighton for non-core classes like music and art. The districtâs original deficit elimination plan was rejected by the state in part because it included an increase of 1,400 shared-services students, which was deemed unrealistic. Gistinger says a 728 student FTE increase next year is realistic with this program, which brought in 80 students its first year and more than 350 in the second. Superintendent Greg Gray also told the board that he was communicating with two potential buyers for the vacant Lindbom School, the sale of which was included in the current fiscal year. (TD)
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Livingston County Court Hearing Delayed for Alleged I-96 Shooter Livingston County Court Hearing Delayed for Alleged I-96 Shooter
4/9/13 - A court hearing in Livingston County for the man accused of two dozen random shootings last fall has now been postponed while his attorneys arrange for further psychiatric testing. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is prosecuting Raulie Casteel of Wixom on terrorism, attempted murder and other charges in Livingston County, where a pre-trial hearing was scheduled this Friday. A statement has since been released from his office that says Casteelâs first pre-trial hearing before Circuit Court Chief Judge David Reader has been adjourned to May 31st at the request of the defense. Casteel was previously found competent to stand trial following state forensic testing but his defense team is seeking out an expert to perform an independent psychiatric evaluation. The findings of separate evaluations that were previously ordered to determine criminal responsibility also remain outstanding. A pre-trial in Oakland County Circuit Court was also recently moved out to May 30th, where Casteel faces 60 charges including attempted murder for shootings in Commerce Township and in Wixom. Photo courtesy of WLNS.(JM)
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Fenton Man Sentenced in Mortgage Fraud SchemeFenton Man Sentenced in Mortgage Fraud Scheme
4/9/13 - A local man charged in connection with multi-million dollar mortgage fraud scheme has been sentenced in federal court. A U.S. District Court Judge in Detroit ordered Ronnie Duke of Fenton to serve 13 years in prison and ordered him to pay nearly $95 million in restitution along with a $1 million fine. He had been facing up to 30 years in prison, but because Duke cooperated with prosecutors, they agreed to a 15-year cap on his prison term. Duke was charged in the scheme along with several others, including William Camsell Wells III of Oceola Township who was previously sentenced to 8 and a half years in prison. Duke was at the center of the scam in which fake loans were used to generate cash for travel, upscale homes, expensive boats and even a helicopter. Authorities say the fraud triggered losses of more than $100 (m) million and involved roughly 180 homes in the region between 2004 and 2007. Court records indicate Wells recruited so-called âstrawâ buyers, who filed fraudulent loan applications. Duke would then arrange the loans, which ranged in size from approximately $350,000 to $600,000. Wells also admitted to setting up bank accounts to receive the loan dollars, some of which authorities say was used to finance Hardcore Motorsports, a Hartland-based business that he owned. Duke is expected to report to prison by June 3rd. (JK)
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Huron River Cleanup Day Is Now Winkelhaus Park Cleanup DayHuron River Cleanup Day Is Now Winkelhaus Park Cleanup Day
4/9/13 - With the Huron River clean enough to keep on flowing this summer, Hamburg Township has scheduled a different cleanup project for community-minded residents. The annual Huron River Cleanup Day gathers volunteers to remove obstructions from the river to prevent backups that can lead to flooding in the low-lying township. This year the Huron River has no major obstructions, so officials have canceled the cleanup day and scheduled a cleanup of the Winkelhaus Park in its place. This will be the 2nd cleanup day for the park. Last year the township did extensive brush and tree removal and created a trail. More recently, a new gazebo was added along with the installation of some landscaping and flowers. If the work day is rained out, it will be postponed to April 28th. Volunteers are asked to bring any implements that might be useful in the cleanup, including shovels, rakes, and work gloves. (TD)
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Men Arrested In Hartland For Posession of Crack While BeggingMen Arrested In Hartland For Posession of Crack While Begging
4/9/13 - The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department arrested two men who they say were begging outside of the Hartland Target store on Sunday after they were found to be in possession of crack cocaine. Police responded to the Hartland Kroger store after a 911 call alerted them to a possible welfare check scam. Hartland Patch reports the officers were given information on the suspect, who was driving a vehicle with a disabled veteran license plate. The vehicle was found in the parking lot of the Target store, where police saw two men inside the vehicle speaking to a couple, who they say appeared ready to give them money. The police approached and spoke to the two men separately. They say both claimed that the other suspect was the wounded veteran and denied having ever served in the military. Police say the passenger, age 48, eventually told police he had a crack pipe hidden in his shoe, and the driver, age 51, told the police where to find another pipe hidden in the door of the car. Both men were taken into custody without incident and face charges of possession of crack cocaine along with outstanding warrants. (TD)
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I-96 Interchange Contractor Seeks Materials From Vacant LandI-96 Interchange Contractor Seeks Materials From Vacant Land
4/9/13- Genoa Township may allow the contractor for the Latson Road Interchange to borrow materials from vacant land to aid construction. K & R Excavating would like to extract materials from the vacant land at the Northeast corner of Crooked Lake and Nixon Roads to use for the interchange project. A site plan was presented to the Genoa Township Planning Commission at last nightâs meeting. The plan shows about an eight acre area where the contractor will excavate sand for the interchange project and then restore the vacant land as a flat area. The project would take place over a period of around three months and would also aid in the widening and paving of Nixon Road, which will soon become South Latson Road. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the agreement given the proper permits are obtained, a Performance Bond or guarantee of land restoration is made, and water trucks are on site to control dust in the area. Representatives for the project are expected to see the Board of Trustees at their next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, April 15th. (SO)
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Names of White Lake Township Murder-Suicide Victims ReleasedNames of White Lake Township Murder-Suicide Victims Released
4/9/13 - The names of the victims killed in an apparent murder-suicide in White Lake Township last night have been released. 37-year-old Jason Handy is accused of gunning down his wife, 33-year-old Lorian Handy, and then taking his own life at their residence on Danforth Drive at about 9pm Monday. Police were called after Lorianâs 8-year-old son ran to a neighborâs home and said his step-father shot his mother and then himself. Officers found the couple dead from gunshot wounds and a handgun was recovered from the scene. The boy has since been placed in the care of his biological father. Police are still piecing together what may have triggered the argument that led to the crime. White Lake Police Chief Ed Harris told area news outlets they know there was an argument because Lorian told her son to pack his backpack and that she was going to take him to his fatherâs home. Harris said his department had no prior incidents or criminal history on record with the couple. They reportedly moved into the home on Oxbow Lake two years ago. The Oakland County Medical Examinerâs office was conducting autopsies today and the investigation is ongoing. (JM)
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Howell's Champion We The People Team Demonstrates SkillsHowell's Champion We The People Team Demonstrates Skills
4/10/13 - Howell High Schoolâs state-champion We The People team held a public demonstration of their skills for sponsors and local judges last night before they head off to compete for the national title. We The People is a competition in which competing teams of students answer questions regarding the history and content of the United States Constitution, with their answers judged by professionals. The Howell team was deemed the best in the state in January, and with the help of local sponsors it will go to Washington, D.C. this spring to represent Michigan in the national championship. More than 50 people turned out for the demonstration at the high school last night. The event gave the teamâs sponsors a chance to see first-hand what they were sponsoring and gave the students a chance to practice their national-level responses in front of an audience. Judges at the event included representatives from sponsor organizations as well as officials such as County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt, Superintendent Ron Wilson, and State Representative Cindy Denby. The team practices for an hour every school day and holds longer practices twice a week to prepare for the national championship. If they are victorious, they will be the first team from Michigan to claim the national We The People title. (TD)
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Great Start Livingston Again Hosting County-Wide Diaper Drive Great Start Livingston Again Hosting County-Wide Diaper Drive
4/10/13 - Great Start Livingstonâs 3rd annual county-wide diaper drive is underway and aims to lessen the burden on local parents in need. A large number of local parents and families are still struggling to provide the basic essentials and are seeking out assistance. The drive was created after learning that thousands of diapers are handed out through Gleaners Community Food Bank of Livingston County. Great Start Parent Coalition Liaison Sarah Smith is again helping organize the drive and tells WHMI theyâll accept any size diapers, so long as they are in a new package. There are dozens of collection sites across Livingston County serving as drop-off sites through the end of the month. More information can be found in the attachments or link below. (JM)
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Frontal Lobe Welcomed in Downtown Howell During Ribbon Cutting Frontal Lobe Welcomed in Downtown Howell During Ribbon Cutting
4/10/13 - The doors to Frontal Lobe, the co-working space located in downtown Howell, were officially opened this morning at a ribbon cutting in front of the business. Howell Mayor Phillip Campbell and the Howell Downtown Development Authority, along with family members of the owner and friends welcomed the new business which is right next to Dairy Queen. Fabrizio Tarara, the managing member of Frontal Lobe, tells WHMI their goal is to introduce co-working to downtown Howell. Tarara says the idea for the space came from members of the Chamber in the city who had visited businesses such as these. The spaces that allow for these business brainstorms to take place are doubling nationally each year. Tarara says they have already seen quite a bit of interest in the spaces available. Diane Larkin, Director of the Howell DDA, tells WHMI there are several benefits to opening Frontal Lobe in the heart of downtown Howell. Tarara says while the spaces are always a work in progress, they have made several renovations to the building, such as painting the walls and bringing back the original wood flooring.(DK)
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Tornado Siren Testing This Saturday In Brighton & Genoa TownshipTornado Siren Testing This Saturday In Brighton & Genoa Township
4/10/13 - With severe weather season upon us, local fire officials have planned some additional tornado siren testing this weekend in the greater Brighton area. The Brighton Area Fire Authority will be testing tornado sirens located in the City of Brighton, as well as Genoa and Brighton Townships this Saturday at noon. Itâs an additional test, beyond the typical one conducted on the first Saturday of every month. Officials say the test is precautionary in nature and being done to ensure the sirens are fully operational during severe weather season. The authority is asking that residents take time out to review standard tornado safety and shelter locations, emergency preparedness, and response when a tornado siren is activated in a true emergency. (JM)
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Minor Flooding Predicted for Huron River by WeekendMinor Flooding Predicted for Huron River by Weekend
4/10/13 - The Huron River in Hamburg Township may reach flood stage before the weekend is over. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for all of Southeast Michigan, including Livingston County until Friday morning as several rounds of heavy rainfall are expected to move through the area. Currently the Huron River is well below flood stage at just under four feet. However, National Weather Service predictions indicate the level will rise through the end of the week and exceed the 6.5 foot flood stage by Saturday night or early Sunday. Itâs then expected to top out at 6.8 feet by Monday afternoon before levels will begin to recede. If the water does hit flood stage, water will begin to flood yards or homes along the Huron River and Ore Lake. As it moves beyond that towards the cresting point, many boat docks will become submerged. However, if the predictions remain accurate, the water levels should go back down before reaching foundations and crawl spaces. (JK)
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Hartland & Tyrone Considering Scenarios for Police Services Hartland & Tyrone Considering Scenarios for Police Services
4/10/13 - Hartland and Tyrone Townships are continuing work to identify options and deliver improved law enforcement services within the communities. Both municipalities have been reviewing the level of law enforcement required and exploring possible solutions for police services, which have historically been provided through a contract with the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department. The longstanding agreement expired at the end of March after the municipalities deemed the extra patrols and level of service was too expensive for the level of benefit received. Since then; Hartland and Tyrone Townships have basically been trading service proposals back and forth with county officials. The Hartland Township Board met last night and members provided feedback on four different scenarios, all of which are predicated on the two municipalities sharing the cost of a deputy. Hartlandâs preference was one in which basic road patrols are provided and any extra services are paid for. Clerk Larry Hopkins tells WHMI the one common remaining theme is that the board wants to see tangible benefits for the amount of money being spent, and something over and above basic coverage. The Tyrone Township Board meets next Tuesday and Clerk Keith Kremer tells WHMI the board will discuss the four approaches and decide if it concurs with Hartlandâs preference, before pitching any formal proposal to the sheriffâs department for acceptance, rejection or further negotiations. Meanwhile, basic road patrol service is still being provided by the sheriffâs department in the two communities and Michigan State Police troopers also respond to calls as needed. (JM)
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Novi Principal Arrested for Alleged Intoxication Resides in Brighton Novi Principal Arrested for Alleged Intoxication Resides in Brighton
4/10/13 - A Novi elementary principal who was arrested for alleged drunk driving and being intoxicated on school property this week resides locally. Deerfield Elementary School Principal Kim Warren has been placed on paid administrative leave from the Novi Community Schools district. The 44-year-old Warren lives in Brighton and was taken into custody Monday afternoon after returning from lunch by Novi Police, who reportedly received two separate calls from concerned motorists regarding her driving while on Wixom Road. She was arrested in the school parking lot and never entered the building while allegedly intoxicated. Novi Superintendent Dr. Steve Matthews says âthis is an unfortunate set of circumstances and out of character for Ms. Warren, saying up until this event Ms. Warren has served the Deerfield Community and our district wellâ. Novi Police are investigating and a report is expected to be forwarded to the Oakland County prosecutorâs office for review. Warren served as principal at Deerfield Elementary for two years and was previously a principal in the South Lyon Community Schools district. (JM)
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Sparks In The Park Gets Big Donation, But Still Seeking FundsSparks In The Park Gets Big Donation, But Still Seeking Funds
4/11/13 - With a long-running annual celebration hurting for funds, the Highland Township Board approved donating $9,000 to sponsor a fireworks show planned for June 29th. The Sparks in the Park event has been held each year for more than a decade and is described as a major draw for the community. The family-oriented fireworks festival is held on the last Saturday of June at Milford High School. It includes food, vendors, live bands, and activities for children before the setting off the pyrotechnics. Highland Lake Business Association Administrator Molly Pulka tells WHMI that major corporate sponsors of the event pulled out this year, and organizers have to start paying bills to get the event off the ground. About $15,000 is needed by May 1st to cover initial expenses and a final total of about $22,000 will be needed to pay for the event. Last night, with only about $3,000 raised, Pulka went to the Highland Township Board to ask for a donation from the township board. Several possible plans and dollar amounts were discussed by the board before a motion was made to donate $9,000, which would completely cover the cost of the fireworks display. The motion narrowly passed by a vote of 4-to-3. Treasurer Judy Cooper was among the dissenting trustees, and she tells WHMI that she is definitely in support of donating to the event but would have done so in a different way. She says she would have made a motion for a $5,000 donation that could be increased to $9,000 to make up for any fundraising shortfall, thereby giving the community a greater chance to contribute to the event. In addition to the $9,000 donation, the Highland Fire Department agreed to waive its fees for the event, saving an additional $1,000. Several trustees also pledged personal donations to the cause, including a $1,000 donation from Trustee Russ Tierney. Pulka says the board was much more generous than she expected, but additional sponsors will be needed to get the association to its $22,000 goal. Follow the link below to donate.(TD)
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The Michigan Stiltwalker Treking Into Livingston County on FridayThe Michigan Stiltwalker Treking Into Livingston County on Friday
4/11/13 - A stilt walker plans an elevated trek about 400 miles around the state for a cause and will be arriving in some local communities this week. Neil Sauter is calling the trip the "Walk for No Limits". Itâs part of a six-week effort that kicks off this morning in Dundee to raise money for the non-profit United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan. Sauter, who has mild cerebral palsy, says his feet turn inward slightly, and that gave him "a little bit of an advantage" in stilt walking. The stilts lift him 10 feet off the ground and the walk will proceed in stages. Sauter will travel through Ann Arbor and along Pontiac Trail into South Lyon on Friday afternoon before taking Grand River into Brighton and ending the day at the Brighton District Library. Thatâs where heâll pick back up at 7am on Saturday and first head into Howell around 11am to make balloon animals at Bob Evans on Grand River during a âDine to Donateâ event. A noon presentation is planned in the courtyard of Cobb Hall Insurance and the public is encouraged to walk with Sauter through Howell, eventually moving onward to the Fowlerville District Library. Sundayâs leg of the stilted journey takes Sauter from Fowlerville to Lansing. A complete list of stops and updates along the trip can be found through the link below. (JM)
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