The pillar of a Livingston County political dynasty has passed away.
John Rogers died Saturday. He was 87. He served twice as Brighton Township supervisor from 1985 to 1988 and then again from 2001 to 2004, when he said he was retiring. But the pull of politics brought him back in 2008, when he was elected as a trustee. He served until 2012. But the Rogers familyâs involvement dates back decades before that. His first wife, Joyce served on the Livingston County Board of Commissioners from 1985 to 1988 as well as the longtime executive director of the Brighton Chamber of Commerce. She passed away in 2009.
His eldest son Bill Rogers also served as a county commissioner, then as a state representative and currently is the Genoa Township supervisor. His other son, Mike Rogers, served as a state senator and then seven terms as a U.S. Congressman, and one-time chair of the House Intelligence committee. Another son, Jim Rogers, retired from the military in 2012 as a two-star general.
Visitation for John Rogers will take place Tuesday from 2-4pm and from 6-8pm at the Keehn Funeral Home in Brighton. Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 10:30 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Brighton. (JK)
John Rogers Passes AwayJohn Rogers Passes Away
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Brighton Area Schools Commended During Annual Audit Brighton Area Schools Commended During Annual Audit
The Brighton Board of Education received a glowing report from auditors at its meeting last week.
Auditors from the firm Maner Costerisan and Ellis told the board that Brighton is unique in coming back from an $8.5 (m) million deficit in 2013 to a fund balance of $3.5 (m) million this year. Auditor Jeff Strauss told the board that no other school district in the state has seen a $12 (m) million turnaround in its finances. Strauss called it a âphenomenal jobâ on the part of the district, crediting Assistant Superintendent Maria Gistinger, Superintendent Greg Gray and the board for bringing the district out of deficit.
Brighton is not alone, but itâs the dollar amount of the turnaround that has impressed the districtâs auditors. 16 school districts or charter schools eliminated deficits between June of 2015 and December 2016, most of them after years of being a deficit district. However, 27 others remain deficit districts. A study by Michigan State University last year revealed that districts in Michigan that became deficit districts did so due to factors largely outside their control, such as the recession that began in 2008 and resulted in enrollment declines, as Michigan families sought jobs elsewhere.
Since per-pupil state aid is based on school enrollment, declining enrollment means less revenue for local districts. However what some have called overly generous teachersâ contracts was also a factor in the money drain. However, teachers in many Michigan districts â including Brighton - subsequently took voluntary pay cuts, absorbed higher health insurance costs and reduced health savings account contributions from the district, in order to help it out of deficit. The MSU research paper was published in the Journal of Education Finance. (TT)
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South Lyon Man Pleads To Lesser Charge In Baseball Bat AttackSouth Lyon Man Pleads To Lesser Charge In Baseball Bat Attack
A South Lyon man charged in a baseball bat assault has entered a plea in the case.
18-year-old Malachi Collins had been charged with one count of assault with intent to murder after the July 30th incident, in which police say he used a bat to severely beat a man in the South Lyon Woods Mobile Home Park. But court records show that he entered a no contest plea last week to a reduced charge of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder. The lesser charge carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, while the original count could have landed Collins behind bars for life.
Police say Collins got into a dispute over $7 in cash and some clothing when he attacked the victim. A baseball bat with blood smears was found at the residence of one of the witnesses to the attack. Collins was then identified as the alleged assailant and arrested several days later at a motel near Ann Arbor.
Collins remains jailed without bond as he awaits sentencing December 4th. The victim of the attack continues to recover after undergoing facial reconstruction surgery. (JK)
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Kensington Woods Closed Tuesday Kensington Woods Closed Tuesday
Kensington Woods will be closed Tuesday, November 21st due to building issues.
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Pinckney Woman Crashes Into Power Pole On Grand RiverPinckney Woman Crashes Into Power Pole On Grand River
A morning crash involving a power pole shut down a portion of Grand River in Genoa Township.
The Livingston County Sheriffâs Office reports a 30-year-old Pinckney woman was driving eastbound on Grand River near Kellogg Road when she left the roadway and struck a power pole, which sheared it in half. The crash happened around 9am and power lines fell onto Grand River, which caused the roadway to be temporarily shut down. The vehicle involved was a 2014 Ford Transit Van.
All five lanes of Grand River were shut down for approximately two hours. One lane then re-opened in each direction, allowing DTE Energy to make repairs. The Sheriffâs Office was assisted on scene by the Brighton Area Fire Department and DTE. The accident remains under investigation but alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a factor. (JM)
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Howell City Council Approves Recycle Livingston LeaseHowell City Council Approves Recycle Livingston Lease
The Howell City Council met Monday night and approved a new lease agreement with Recycle Livingston as the organization prepares to improve facilities.
The non-profit operates out of what has been described as a very an old trailer on city-owned property off Catrell Street, which it has done since the early 1990âs. Since the non-profit was looking to construct a permanent building on the property, Council raised some concerns should it ever sell and decided it was a good time to reexamine the existing lease agreement. Recycle Livingston has secured significant funding from a local foundation, hence why a longer lease term was sought, and plans to fund the rest of the project through its own contributions and additional fundraising efforts.
Howell City Manager Shea Charles tells WHMI Recycle Livingston is looking to upgrade facilities and a large donor will be assisting with roughly $200,000 in improvements that will be made to the property. Charles says there will be an enhanced benefit for Howell City residents since it is City property as part of the ten year lease. That could result in either discounted memberships or free services on a go-forward basis that would evolve over time as recycling changes or other things of that nature, giving both parties flexibility to do what makes sense based on where the market is at.
The new lease will be effective January 1st and if all goes as planned, Recycle Livingston could be under construction this coming spring. Recycle Livingston officials have said the additional space is needed for current operations but also expanded services and general improvements, including handicap accessibility and better security for confidential materials. The new facility would also be significantly more energy efficient, in keeping with the non-profitâs overall mission.
The lease was already approved by the Recycle Livingston Board of Directors and was executed with the city attorney following Council approval on Monday. (JM)
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Sheriff's Office Seeks Witnesses To Fatal CrashSheriff's Office Seeks Witnesses To Fatal Crash
The Livingston County Sheriffâs Office is seeking public assistance with the investigation into a fatal crash in Tyrone Township last week.
The crash happened around 7:30am on Monday, November 13th on northbound US-23, north of Center Road. A tan Chevy Trailblazer and a white semi-tractor and trailer were traveling northbound on US-23 when the two vehicles collided, sideswiping each other. The Office says both vehicles went off the roadway and onto the shoulder of the freeway. The Trailblazer overturned while the semi struck the embankment and then a tree.
67-year-old Michael Joseph Martus of South Lyon was driving the semi and passed away at a hospital. The driver of the Trailblazer, a 45-year-old Highland Township resident, refused treatment at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation. The Office says public assistance would be greatly appreciated and anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Deputy Harmison with the Livingston County Sheriffâs Office Traffic Safety Bureau at (517) 546-2440. (JM)
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County Approves One-Year Contract With Economic Development CouncilCounty Approves One-Year Contract With Economic Development Council
A partnership promoting economic development in Livingston County will continue, though not with the level of funding it had been supported with before.
Discussions have been ongoing regarding the countyâs contract with the Economic Development Council of Livingston County (EDC), which is due to expire next month. The county has partnered with the EDC for five years, helping fund the EDCâs contract with Ann Arbor SPARK to provide business recruitment and retention services to the area. A proposed agreement sought an annual $200,000 contribution from the county for a period of three years. Instead, the countyâs Board of Commissioners took up a resolution for a one-year contract at an annual rate of $175,000 at their meeting Monday, as well as discussion about their different ideas in terms of the contractâs length and level of funding.
Commissioner Carol Griffith motioned to amend the resolution for a three-year contract instead, but still at an annual rate of $175,000. Her motion failed in a 5 to 4 vote. The board then voted on the original resolution for one year at $175,000, which passed unanimously. Commissioner Doug Helzerman, an original supporter of the one-year contract, says the board should stay open to restoring the level of funding to $200,000 after the year has passed.
Commissioner Dave Domas says there needs to be more due diligence before committing to a three-year contract. Speaking to what he feels is a lack of transparency, Domas says there needs to be a different working relationship between the county, EDC, and SPARK. Domas says itâs not been made clear what business partners the EDC and SPARK work with, or where the money goes. He added, âIf this was my business and I was spending this money, and I didnât know who got it, what they did with it and how much it was, thereâd be a come to Jesus meeting pretty quickly in my office.â
Hamburg Township Supervisor and EDC Executive Committee Member Pat Hohl took issue with the idea that transparency is lacking. He says the township has received information whenever theyâve asked for it and more. He added senior members of the countyâs board have approved six contracts in the past and heâs surprised that they have questions now. Hohl says he wouldâve hoped those questions wouldâve been answered in the first contract that the board engaged in.
SPARK Senior Vice President Phil Santer assured the Board of Commissioners providing them information isnât a problem. He says given the boardâs conversation, SPARK wants to be as transparent as possible, and that SPARK is happy to do that and looks forward to it. (DK)
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Fleeing Suspect In Stolen Car Causes Fatal Crash In ChelseaFleeing Suspect In Stolen Car Causes Fatal Crash In Chelsea
A woman was killed in a crash caused by a suspect fleeing from police in a stolen vehicle in Chelsea.
The Michigan State Police Fifth District Investigative Response Team is investigating the fatal, two vehicle crash that occurred on northbound M-52 near Old Manchester Road in Chelsea at approximately 2:45pm Monday. Initial investigation shows a MSP motor carrier officer was investigating a stolen vehicle, a Chrysler 300, traveling eastbound I-94 near Clear Lake Road at the Jackson / Washtenaw County line. The Chrysler 300 then exited from I-94 to northbound M-52.
The motor carrier officer activated his emergency lights for the traffic stop just north of I-94 on M-52, at which time the driver began to pull over to the shoulder of the road but then suddenly sped off. The motor carrier officer pursued the stolen vehicle for a short distance before the driver of the stolen vehicle struck a Chevy Traverse exiting the Country Market parking lot. The 52-year-old woman driving was pronounced dead at the scene. A trooper from the MSP Brighton Post arrived on scene for back up. The 34-year-old driver of the stolen vehicle was taken into custody and he is being treated for injuries.
Criminal charges are pending and the crash remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact MSP Fifth District Headquarters at 269-657-6081. (JM)
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Man Sought after Fleeing Police, Leaving Scene Of AccidentMan Sought after Fleeing Police, Leaving Scene Of Accident
Authorities are still searching for a man wanted for fleeing and eluding after a Friday afternoon chase.
A deputy with the Oakland County Sheriffâs Lyon Township substation was traveling on Napier Road near Ten Mile when he observed a black 2008 Ford Fusion with an expired registration plate and initiated a traffic stop. The driver, identified as 53-year-old James William Sebastianelli, pulled over but before the deputy could exit his patrol vehicle, he made a U-turn in an effort to elude him. The deputy then repositioned his patrol vehicle and stopped Sebastianelli for a second time, who again fled. A chase ensued to west Twelve Mile Road and then east on Grand River until the pursuit was terminated prior to reaching Wixom Road. Speeds never exceeded 55 mph. A be-on-the-lookout advisory was issued and the Oakland County Sheriffâs Operations Center was advised that Sebastianelli had struck two vehicles at Beck Road and Grand River and then fled that scene. There were no reported injuries and officers from the Novi Police Department responded and investigated that scene. His last known address was in Woodhaven but he is believed to be living in the Novi/Lyon Township area at this time. Sebastianelli was already wanted on an outstanding felony warrant for fleeing and eluding police in Lincoln Park and another warrant for failing to appear in court for an obscene conduct/indecent exposure incident at the Lyon Township Walmart. The Sheriffâs Office says Woodhaven Police and Lincoln Park Police have checked his address several times and he has not been located there. Detectives will be continuing with the investigation and additional arrest warrants for fleeing and eluding police are being sought, along with Novi Police for leaving the scene of their accident. Both agencies are currently looking for Sebastianelli.
Anyone with information on his location is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. There is a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest and tipsters remain anonymous. (JM)
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Nollar Road To Close Wednesday For Culvert ReplacementNollar Road To Close Wednesday For Culvert Replacement
A road closure starts tomorrow in Northfield Township.
Five Mile Road between Nollar Road and North Territorial is scheduled to close around 7:30am Wednesday to conduct a culvert replacement. The Washtenaw County Road Commission advises that the road will be closed to all traffic.
The closure will remain in effect until approximately 3pm. However, dates and times could change depending on weather conditions. (JM)
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Brighton Drum Major Prepares To Lead Marching Band In Macy's Day ParadeBrighton Drum Major Prepares To Lead Marching Band In Macy's Day Parade
A Brighton High School senior will be front and center of the 91st annual Macyâs Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
17-year-old Jack Newcomb, a BHS Drum Major, will lead the Macyâs Great American Marching Band in the worldâs largest parade. 185 of the top high school music students from every state in the union make up the band, including Newcomb, who will serve as Drum Major.
For the past three summers, Newcomb has attended drum major clinics at Eastern Illinois University with fellow BHS Drum Majors. After returning home from this past summerâs clinic, he received an invitation to serve as the paradeâs Drum Major from Barry Houser, Director of the Marching Illini at the University of Illinois. Newcomb immediately accepted. He tells WHMI he is humbled to march in the honored position and to be able to represent his hometown and Brighton Bands.
Newcomb arrived in New York City Saturday and did some sightseeing with some of the other band members on Sunday. The bandâs first big rehearsal was Monday from 9am to 5pm, followed by a student leadership seminar. They will be working with Band Directors from Auburn University this week as they prepare for Thursdayâs event. Newcomb says heâs enjoyed sharing the experience with people who have a common passion. He says heâs also had great exchanges with other band members as they learn about one another and the music opportunities theyâve had. (DK)
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Four Families Celebrate Michigan Adoption Day Four Families Celebrate Michigan Adoption Day
Today marked a very special day for several families in Livingston County.
At proceedings in Livingston County Probate Court, five children were formally adopted into four Livingston County families. Today is being observed as the 15th annual Adoption Day in Michigan. State Supreme Court Justice Brian Zahra was the special guest again this year, as he was last year.
Probate Court Judge Miriam Cavanaugh â who will become Chief Livingston County Judge â presiding over the probate, district and circuit courts on January 1st - presided over the event.
Judge Cavanaugh tells WHMI that todayâs adoption procedures were a âgood, representative groupâ, adding that the word âfamilyâ encompasses many definitions. She says itâs an awesome day that brings families together, noting each brings a different story, history and struggle but everyone is happy and itâs a great celebration.
Erin Russell, who â with her husband Chris - adopted 1 ½-year-old Pauley today â says the adoption process only took eight months, although having to meet with the birth parents can prove to be stressful and pretty nerve wracking.
Justice Zahra says it was a pleasure for him to return to Livingston County, especially since he has a second home at Lake Tyrone in Tyrone Township. In his opening remarks, Zahra said although over 2,000 children have been adopted in Michigan this year, there remain 12,600 kids still in the foster care system. He said the stateâs goal in its adoption program is to find a home for every child who needs one. Justice Zahra added that adoption procedures have a special meaning for him because his oldest sister was adopted by his parents. (TT)
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Recently Elected Howell City Council Members Sworn InRecently Elected Howell City Council Members Sworn In
Newly elected Howell City Council members have been sworn in.
Mayor Nick Proctor and Councilwoman Jan Lobur were re-elected in the November General Election, along with newcomer Andrew Yost, who replaced incumbent Jeff Hansen. All three were sworn in during Monday nightâs City Council meeting. Yost is a Howell native, local business owner and active community volunteer. Mayor Proctor welcomed Yost and went through the general process of how meetings proceed for his benefit.
Proctor told Council heâs looking for no political rancor and wants to avoid the drama that comes out of Washington every day and occasionally, Lansing. Proctor commented there is no âRâ or âDâ behind anyoneâs names and he thinks council has been very successful the last couple years and works well together as a team âadding thereâs no partisanship and everyone sees the issues clearly. Proctor says council still has much strength in diversity of thought and is looking forward to that continuing in managing the affairs of the city.
Meanwhile, Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Manor was re-appointed to that position in a unanimous vote. Mayor Proctor also took time during the meeting to highlight the work of former Councilman Hansen, noting his many contributions and services to the citizens of Howell. Proctor said Hansen will be missed and told Council he tried to entice him to consider serving on future boards or commissions and that Hansen was receptive. (JM)
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Beauchamp Offers Reward In Theft Of Snow PlowsBeauchamp Offers Reward In Theft Of Snow Plows
A Hartland-area business owner is offering a reward for information that leads to an arrest in the theft of $36,000 worth of equipment stolen over the weekend.
Jerrad Beauchamp of Beauchamp Landscaping says that eight of their front plows were stolen from their water treatment and supply location on Old US-23 in Hartland Township sometime between 3:30 and 6am Sunday. He says video surveillance, which has been turned over to Michigan State Police, shows what appears to be a lookout car parked at the end of the driveway, while a truck and trailer pulled in with a small mini-loader, which they used to lift the eight plows onto the trailer before leaving.
Beauchamp says each plow, which fits onto the front of a truck, costs approximately $4,500 each. He is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone who may have information about the thefts that leads to an arrest and is hoping that someone may have seen a trailer full of plows stopped anywhere in the vicinity. (JK)
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Livingston County Habitat For Humanity Completes Homes For Three Local FamiliesLivingston County Habitat For Humanity Completes Homes For Three Local Families
Several local families who were in need of a new home can now look forward to spending their Thanksgiving with a roof over their heads.
Homes built by Livingston County Habitat for Humanity were completed for three families just in time for the holidays. But the nonprofit organization says itâs about more than just building homes. With a roof over their heads and a solid foundation under their feet, Habitat for Humanity also hopes to help the families build strength, stability, and independence through their repaired housing projects.
Leaders say in the spirit of the season, they are reminded there is so much to be thankful for, noting the simple joy the families will feel celebrating this Thanksgiving in their new space.
Habitat for Humanity isnât slowing down either, as they move ahead in constructing another home. The organization reports it is expected to be finished in the spring. Habitat for Humanityâs mission is to build quality, affordable homes for families in need. The organization also owns a ReStore, located in Brighton, which is a nonprofit home improvement and donation center. The ReStore sells new and gently used furniture, appliances, and building materials to the public at a fraction of the cost.
Earlier this year, Livingston County Habitat for Humanity celebrated its 25th anniversary of being a part of the community. (DK)
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Milford Researcher Says Recently Released JFK Files Add Nothing NewMilford Researcher Says Recently Released JFK Files Add Nothing New
The release of new files from the National Archives does nothing to support conspiracy theories around the JFK assassination according to a nationally recognized, local expert.
Today marks the 54th anniversary of the infamous shooting of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. Born from that event have come near endless conspiracy theories around assassin Lee Harvey Oswald, whether he was acting alone or with others, and the governmentâs own involvement.
Milfordâs Dale Myers is an award winning author and animator whose work on recreating bullet trajectories within Zapruder film footage has been seen nationally. Myers said the latest batch of files has little that wasnât already known for years and is mostly tangential to the actual event. He said he believes the truth has been out there for decades, some people just donât want to look. Myers said that 5 million pages of documents on the assassination have been available to the public for the better part of 40 years and that weâre getting the bottom of the barrel for what could even be covered up anymore. He added that there continues to be no evidence supporting Oswald being an agent or informant of the CIA. He claims Oswald was a sociopath who didnât or wouldnât allow anyone to become close enough to him to be included in on his plans.
Myers did admit that the ideas and conspiracy theories have become American legend and that any hopes of everyone coming to a consensus agreement are farfetched. You can find more about Myers, his discoveries within the assassination, and his work on the Zapruder film through his website, a link for which is below. (MK)
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Hamburg Officials Upset After Wet Concrete Ends Up In Storm DrainHamburg Officials Upset After Wet Concrete Ends Up In Storm Drain
A company that dumped wet concrete down a storm drain in Hamburg Township will be receiving a bill from the municipality to cover the cost of cleanup.
Township officials say they were perplexed as to how an employee of Hornet Concrete Co. Inc. dumped the material down a storm drain on November 6th. Township Supervisor Pat Hohl says residents noticed a âlarge amount of concreteâ blocking a storm drain in their subdivision near the intersection of Brighton Lake Road and Edinborough Drive. A complaint was made to the Hamburg Township Police Department, who in turn contacted the Fire Department.
However, Jeff LaChance, owner and CEO of Hornet Concrete, tells WHMI that the cement was not intentionally placed down the drain, but instead accidentally spilled out from a truck that had to make a sudden stop. "When in route to the site where the concrete was to be poured, the driver came around a somewhat blind curve in Brighton Lake Road to find a car stopped in the left hand turn lane that he was to use, and had to apply the breaks rather hard, as you know, concrete is a liquid load and sloshed forward and out of the barrel, the truck being on a downhill slope did not help." He says it's not a situation that happens often, but when it does, their drivers are instructed to move to the side of the roadway to minimize roadway spillage.
Hohl says the drain was âalmost totally pluggedâ. Residents attempted to shovel away as much of the concrete as they could until the fire department arrived. Fire Marshal Jordan Zernick quickly responded to the report and found the concrete was in the process of setting. Using a high-pressure fire hose, he was able to blast the concrete out and dislodge it to open up the drain before the material hardened. After removing the storm drain cover, a large amount of concrete was found to be blocking a discharge pipe, which was also blasted with the hose and cleared.
After it was determined the material had come from Hornet Concrete, a company dispatcher told Hamburg Township Police a crew had been on location cleaning up from the previous dayâs work. Fire Chief Mark Hogrebe asked the township to invoice the company on behalf of the fire department to recover costs associated with the use of their services. On Tuesday, the townshipâs Board of Trustees unanimously voted to send the invoice, which is in the amount of $365. The invoice will serve in place of a fine, as Hohl says the township does not have the mechanisms to ticket the company, and any litigation would be far more expensive than the cost to resolve the problem.
LaChance says it is unfortunate the driver did not see the storm drain, and that much to his disdain, the office was not notified immediately of the spill. "When we were notified, we dispatched a clean up crew at that time, unfortunately it was the next day and the township fire department had already been dispatched. Upon arriving at the spill, we found a large lump of concrete up on the grass away from the storm drain, I personally was on the clean up crew, and cleaned the spill to the best of our ability, not knowing concrete had reached the storm drain." LaChance says Hornet Concrete "...would never intentionally dump wet concrete into any roadway drain or runoff area, and are always mindful of our wash-down sites." (DK/JK)
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Fatal Crash Near Dexter Under InvestigationFatal Crash Near Dexter Under Investigation
The investigation continues into a crash near Dexter this morning that claimed the life of the driver.
Washtenaw County Sheriffâs deputies responded to the scene of the crash, reported around 5:45am on Dexter-Pinckney Road near Alice Hill Road, between North Territorial and Island Lake roads. Authorities say the driver was pronounced dead at the scene by Huron Valley Ambulance paramedics.
An initial investigation indicates the vehicle left the roadway and hit a tree, coming to rest on its side. Dexter-Pinckney Road was closed for several hours as a result. Thereâs no word yet on the identity of the victim. (JK)
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Green Oak Man Charged After Run-In With Police, Hospital StaffGreen Oak Man Charged After Run-In With Police, Hospital Staff
A Green Oak Township man has been arraigned on charges after a run-in with police earlier this month.
24-year-old Thomas Dean Blackledge is charged with a felony count of resisting/obstructing or assaulting a police officer, along with misdemeanor counts of operating while intoxicated, assault and battery and indecent exposure. Green Oak Police Chief Jason Pless says officers responded about 4:45am on Sunday, November 12th to the scene of a car crash at Leman Road and M-36 in Green Oak Township. Officers found that the vehicle Blackledge was driving had gone off the roadway into a ditch, sustaining significant front end damage. Pless says Blackledge told officers another vehicle had crossed the centerline and hit him, but there was no evidence that was true. After failing sobriety tests at the crash scene, Blackledge was taken to the St. Joseph Mercy Brighton Medial Center for a blood draw. Once there, however, Pless says he became belligerent and refused to have his blood drawn, resisting an officer and a nurse and kicking a security officer attempting to assist. Pless says Blackledge also kept exposing himself and screaming obscenities. Following his arraignment, a probable cause conference was scheduled for November 29th in front of 53rd District Court Judge Suzanne Geddis.
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