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City of Brighton Hires New City ClerkCity of Brighton Hires New City Clerk

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The City Council Thursday night confirmed Tara Brown for the position of city clerk as the choice of City Manager Nate Geinzer for the position. She replaces former city clerk Pam Stewart, and comes to Brighton from Genoa Twp., where she has been deputy clerk since 2015. Brown, who also resides in Genoa Twp., told the City Council it is an honor to serve as clerk in the city of Brighton. Brown was hired by Genoa Twp. in 2013 as elections coordinator and has acted as clerk when the township clerk is not present. Brown also has been in charge of training all township election workers, serving as Freedom of Information Act coordinator, and maintaining the township’s records and legal documents. She says the city staff has been “very welcoming” and she “can’t wait to start.” Brown’s first day with the city of Brighton will be on Feb. 26. (TT)

New Recycling Standards In China Could Affect Local ResidentsNew Recycling Standards In China Could Affect Local Residents

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Changes in the overseas recycling market may soon have an impact on curbside services in Livingston County. Unbeknownst to many, a majority of the recyclable material that consumers put in bins ends up being shipped overseas to China for processing. With homeowners putting a wide range of recyclables in the same container, the sorting becomes a problem. Julie Cribley of Recycle Livingston said that labor is cheaper in China and it is easier to get people to sort there. But due to high contamination from items being put in bins that don’t belong there, China is changing their standards of what they will accept come March 1st. The new standard will be .5% contamination, which Cribley believes is almost impossible to meet. This could cause a reduction in accepted types of materials from curbside bins. She applauds China for what they are doing and thinks this might be the event that changes how we handle recycling practices state-side. Cribley said, “I see this as a perfect opportunity to finally do recycling right. We need to start looking at how we handle our materials. We need to put more money behind this and build an infrastructure that can handle our own recycling. We need to start educating people on the proper way to recycle and rethink how we do this. We need to change our mindset from ‘this is garbage,’ to ‘this is material that we need to take care of.’” Cribley said many recycling collectors in the United States have started looking at other options like India or Vietnam, but she can’t predict on whether they will eventually adopt the new standard China has. She also believes that the mindset has to be changed to accept that recycling is a service that should be paid for, stating that it never should have been free. If Recycle Livingston didn’t have membership and gate fees, Cribley said they would have been out of business a long time ago. Because of these fees, they have been able to monitor more closely what comes in. She said they could likely continue to do business with China and their new standard until proper infrastructure is in place to handle recycling locally. (MK)

Brighton Schools Now Have NARCAN for Drug OverdosesBrighton Schools Now Have NARCAN for Drug Overdoses

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The Brighton Area Schools Board of Education recently approved administering NARCAN in district secondary schools, including Brighton High School, the Bridge Alternative High School and Scranton Middle School. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that having Naloxone available is another way the Brighton Area Schools is working hard to protect its students. NARCAN, the anti-opioid the district now has ready for use at a moment’s notice, is the only FDA-approved nasal spray form of Naloxone. Gray says the district has never had an emergency situation which would warrant the use of NARCAN, and is doing it to be pro-active, in case an incident occurs in the future that would warrant its use. Gray says that Wendy Plave, the school nurse, is well versed in its use and has trained several other school employees so they know how to administer NARCAN properly. Brighton is the first school district in Livingston County to approve a policy allowing the use of NARCAN in district schools. However, most other school districts in the county rely on a close relationship with their emergency responders to get NARCAN to the patient to counteract the effects of an opioid. According to the National Institutes of Health, after marijuana and alcohol, prescription drugs are the most commonly misused substances by Americans age 14 and older. However, the 2016 Monitoring the Future survey of drug use among 8th, 10th and 12th graders offers some encouraging news. Although opioid-related deaths among Americans age 24 and under almost doubled from 2005 to 2015, past-year misuse of prescription opioids has declined among high school seniors, dropping from 8.7 to 4.8 percent. (TT)

Brighton Man Facing Child Porn ChargesBrighton Man Facing Child Porn Charges

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A child pornography investigation has led to charges against a Livingston County man. 65-year-old Todd Burton turned himself in at 21st District Court in Garden City, following an investigation conducted by the Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Burton was arraigned Wednesday on three counts each of child sexually abusive activity and possession of child sexually abusive activity, as well as six counts of using a computer to commit a crime. The investigation stemmed from a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cyber Tip. Police say further investigation led to locating a residence, business and suspect between Brighton and Garden City. A search of both the home and business netted multiple devices and evidence. If convicted, Burton faces up to 20 years in prison for each count of child sexually abusive activity, four years in prison for each count of possession of child sexually abusive material and seven years in prison for each count of using of a computer to commit a crime. Anyone with information regarding possible child sexual exploitation is asked to report it to the CyberTipline at the link below.

Online Threat Closes Stockbridge Schools For Two Days While Rumors In Hartland Deemed "Not Credible"Online Threat Closes Stockbridge Schools For Two Days While Rumors In Hartland Deemed "Not Credible"

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While schools in one mid-Michigan district were closed for two days this week because of an online threat, a Livingston County district decided to hold classes today despite an unspecified rumor that they say turned out to not be credible. A threat through the Stockbridge Community Schools' technology department involved Stockbridge junior/senior high school. Superintendent Karl Heidrich says the message implying a threat of gun violence was reported Tuesday to police. The district's schools were closed Wednesday and Thursday. Stockbridge Police Chief Johnnie Torres says that an investigation led them to one student. Eventually, he says, another student - a 14-year-old boy - confessed Thursday. The school district says both students have been suspended and are banned from school property. Torres says investigators don't think the boy had access to weapons, but the Ingham County prosecutor's office is handling the case and charges were expected. Classes resumed today in Stockbridge. Classes are also taking place in the Hartland Consolidated School District today after “rumors and inappropriate comments of a threatening nature” were brought to the attention of administrators. According to a message sent out to Hartland parents by Superintendent Chuck Hughes, the district worked closely with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office to follow-up on their concerns, but that they were able to determine that there were “no threats of a credible nature.” Hughes tells WHMI that a few students made what he would call “very thoughtless comments to others in regard to school violence.” He says they acted on the concerns in the morning, but that as others heard the comments, things were said and posted on social media. That “rumor mill” caused him to feel it necessary to assure Hartland parents, students, and staff that their schools were safe and that their safety was always their top priority. Despite that, many parents have been posting to social media that they will be keeping their kids home today out of an abundance of caution. (JK)

Joint Venture Finalized For Operation Of St. Joe Chelsea HospitalJoint Venture Finalized For Operation Of St. Joe Chelsea Hospital

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Two competing health systems have finalized a deal to jointly own a regional hospital and fund an expansion. Saint Joseph Mercy Health System and Michigan Medicine, the academic medical center of the University of Michigan, have signed a definitive joint venture agreement for the 133-bed St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea hospital, effective immediately. As announced last March, the two health systems signed a letter of intent to examine the feasibility and structure of such a venture. Now that the two parties have completed the due diligence period and finalized terms, they will both have an interest in St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea. As both the majority and managing partner, the St. Joe Mercy Health System will provide leadership, nurses and staff and continue to oversee all hospital operations. The joint venture expands the surgical procedures that Michigan Medicine provides at St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea, as well as increases access to Michigan Medicine physicians for patients in Chelsea and across western Washtenaw County. Officials say that construction will begin shortly on the seventh and eighth operating rooms at the facility and that more services and surgical procedures will continue to be explored as the partnership advances. In addition, they say no staff reductions will take place as a result of the deal. The agreement between the two health systems is part of a larger cooperative venture between Livonia-based Trinity Health, the parent company of St. Joseph Mercy, and Michigan Medicine in which UM will provide cardiothoracic surgery, radiation oncology and graduate medical education services at Trinity hospitals in Grand Rapids and Muskegon. (JK)

MSU Trustee Candidate To Speak In Livingston County Next WeekMSU Trustee Candidate To Speak In Livingston County Next Week

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As an investigation continues into the sexual abuse scandal at Michigan State University, a candidate seeking a seat on the university’s governing board will speak in Livingston County next week. East Lansing resident Dennis Denno will be a guest speaker at the Livingston County Democratic Party’s executive committee meeting on Thursday, February 22nd at 7pm. Denno is running as a Democrat for the MSU Board of Trustees, which has been under fire for its handling of the Larry Nassar scandal, in which the disgraced former sports doctor was sentenced to life in prison after more than 150 women testified that he sexually abused them under the guise of providing medical care. The fallout has forced the resignation of the university’s president and athletic director and a vote of no-confidence of the trustees by the faculty. An investigation is also underway by the Michigan Attorney General’s office. While voters statewide will have an opportunity this November to elect members of the MSU board, the candidates themselves are nominated at the political parties’ nominating conventions. Denno is owner of the political consulting firm Denno Research, LLC and previously served as the communications director for the Michigan Democratic Party. In 2007, he helped create a new union at MSU, the Union of Non-Tenure Track Employees. Denno has been endorsed by the Michigan Democratic Party Arab-American Caucus, the Michigan Democratic Party Faith-Based Caucus, former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, and Michigan State University (MSU) Trustee Brian Mosallam, among others. The meeting will be RE/Max Platinum Auditorium, 6870 Grand River, in Genoa Township. For more information, call 810-229-4212 or email livcodems@gmail.com (JK)

PUD Amendment Paves Way For Culver's In Green Oak TownshipPUD Amendment Paves Way For Culver's In Green Oak Township

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An amendment to a planned unit development will help an increasingly popular “fast casual” restaurant break ground in Green Oak Township. The Planning Commission held a public hearing and site plan review for a Culver’s to be located off of Whitmore Lake Road in Green Oak, between the TGI-Fridays and Olive Garden. An amendment was needed because the original PUD passed in 2003 only allowed for 1 restaurant with a drive-through window, which Wendy’s fulfills. Township Clerk Mike Sedlak said back when the PUD approved, that area was only 2 gas stations, a McDonalds, and whole lot of farmland. Green Oak officials were concerned about the area becoming a “fast food row” like Grand River in Brighton and made the stipulation. The area is very commercialized now, and with Culver’s not relying heavily on drive-through service, the Commission was open to the amendment. A representative for the developer also had a request for extra signage, wanting 4 signs, one on each side of the building. The PUD only allows for 2. The Planning Commission held firm with this, stating equality for the other businesses already in the area adhering to it, who coincidentally, also asked for more signs. Questions about traffic that another restaurant in the area might produce were also posed. Township Planner Paul Montagno said it was something to consider, but the rest of the PUD is already developed and he didn’t think that Culver’s would add any conflict. Following the review, the Planning Commission passed a motion to have the planner draft a formal recommendation for approval to be passed and sent to the Board of Trustees. (MK)

Sheriff: Get Information From The Source, Not Social MediaSheriff: Get Information From The Source, Not Social Media

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The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is commenting on perceived threats in a local school district and says its best to get the facts straight before jumping to conclusions on social media. Concerns about a potential threat in Hartland Consolidated Schools were thoroughly investigated and turned out to be unfounded but the rumor mill started swirling on social media. As a result, Sheriff Mike Murphy says resources were expended to investigate another complaint, which turned out to be the same incident. Murphy called it a “prime example of the telephone game” and assured the public in an online video that there is no active investigation occurring in any school district in Livingston County and students are safe. He stressed that school districts have excellent means of communicating with parents and students, which is where people should be getting their information – not social media. As for the initial complaint, Hartland Superintendent Chuck Hughes said a few students made what he would call “very thoughtless comments to others in regard to school violence.” Due to all of the rumors, Hughes issued a message to assure Hartland parents, students, and staff that their schools were safe and that their safety was always their top priority. Regardless, many parents posted on social media that they would be keeping their kids home today out of an abundance of caution. (JM)

Crash Shuts Down Portions Of I-96 Near WebbervilleCrash Shuts Down Portions Of I-96 Near Webberville

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An accident impacted traffic for those traveling in the Webberville area on Friday afternoon. The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office reports that a vehicle traveling on eastbound I-96 near the Webberville exit in Leroy Township went into the median, became airborne and landed in the westbound lanes on its roof. It was the only vehicle involved. The driver was identified as a 20-year-old Lansing woman and the passenger as a 40-year-old Holt man. The Office says both suffered head injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment. One lane of I-96 was shut down in each direction for measurements and all lanes re-opened before the evening rush hour. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. (JM)

Negotiations Continue For Man Charged In Foreclosure ScamNegotiations Continue For Man Charged In Foreclosure Scam

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Plea negotiations are ongoing for a Tyrone Township man charged in an alleged mortgage foreclosure scam that affected a number of Michigan residents. 54-year-old Lawrence Adell Sefa, who is facing a total of 30 charges, appeared in Livingston County Circuit Court Friday for a pretrial hearing. In case negotiations a number of points are considered, including the defendant’s criminal history, the severity of the crime and the likelihood of conviction at trial. A plea agreement could not be reached at Sefa’s hearing, which led to a request from his attorney, Joshua West, that a trial date be set. His request was followed by a request for adjournment by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, who is prosecuting the case. Their request was granted. Sefa returns to court March 2nd. Sefa is charged with 15 felonies, including conducting a criminal enterprise and false pretenses, and 15 counts of Credit Services Protection Act violations, which is a misdemeanor. He is said to have stolen tens of thousands of dollars from Michigan residents facing mortgage foreclosures in a scam he operated through his company. An investigation was launched after multiple complaints were made regarding Sefa and his company, LAS Loan Assistance Centers. Clients claim Sefa and LAS took money from them up front for mortgage assistance and/or debt settlement, but never provided the promised services. Sefa and LAS allegedly guaranteed specific outcomes, such as lower monthly mortgage payments, which is impossible to do. Sefa is also accused of withholding his clients’ personal financial documents when asked to return them. (DK)

Legislature Grants Tax Relief Bills Final ApprovalLegislature Grants Tax Relief Bills Final Approval

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Tax relief legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Ken Horn received final approval from the Legislature Wednesday. The set of bills will ensure Michigan residents are able to claim personal exemptions on their state taxes. Senate Bills 748 and 750 will ensure all personal exemptions remain, while Senate Bill 748 will guarantee Michigan taxpayers can continue claiming the personal exemption on their state income taxes. Senate Bill 750 will make the same assurance for city income tax exemptions. Senator Horn, who represents the 32nd District that includes Fenton Township and Linden, says “People are already starting to see the effects of the recent federal reforms in their paychecks and I think we need to keep that relief coming for Michigan residents.” Some confusion has surrounded the recently approved Tax Cuts and Jobs Act because of language that sets the federal personal exemption to zero. Though the exemption is not explicitly eliminated by the new law, Michigan’s current state income tax law ties the state’s personal exemptions to the federal number of exemptions. Without a revision to state law, Michigan taxpayers would no longer be able to claim the personal exemptions on their state taxes. Horn says the state’s budget has stabilized and the bills, coupled with the recent federal changes, “…will provide much-deserved relief” to Michigan families. Both bills will now move to Governor Rick Snyder’s desk for consideration.

Case Proceeding Against Fenton Township Teen In Fatal ShootingCase Proceeding Against Fenton Township Teen In Fatal Shooting

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A previously missing autopsy report has been provided allowing the case against a Fenton Township teen who fatally shot his friend to proceed. 17-year old Abdurrahman Ahmed Akl is charged as an adult with open murder in the shooting death of 18-year-old Brady Morris. Police arrested Akl March 4th, 2017 after responding to a 9-1-1 report of a male with a gunshot to the head. Authorities say evidence indicates that Akl and Morris, who were friends, were alone on the first floor of the residence when the shooting occurred. According to the autopsy report, Morris was shot from behind at point blank range on the top left side of his head. However, in court last month, both the defense and prosecuting attorneys said they lacked a copy of the report from the medical examiner’s office and could not proceed without it. A previous ruling that Akl was competent to stand trial prompted his attorney to request an independent review, which also required the autopsy report. The judge then adjourned the probable cause conference. However, the report has since been provided and a March 22nd exam has been scheduled in the case. Akl, who is also charged with receiving and concealing a stolen firearm and two counts of felony firearms, remains in juvenile detention without bond. (JK)

Brighton to Lose Assistant to the City ManagerBrighton to Lose Assistant to the City Manager

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Brighton Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Leinhardt announced at Thursday night’s City Council meeting that she will be leaving, effective March 2, to accept a position with a Canadian government agency. Leinhardt will become Foreign Policy and Diplomacy Officer at the Canadian Consulate, whose offices are located in the Renaissance Center in Detroit. Leinhardt tells WHMI she will miss working in the city of Brighton but is looking forward to her new position. City Manager Nate Geinzer says he will be sorry to see Leinhardt leave, remarking that she has excelled at her position. Leinhardt has been working for the city of Brighton for about two years, being hired as an administrative assistant and recently being elevated to the position of assistant to the city manager. In her new position, Leinhardt will work for Canadian Consul General Douglas George. The Consulate General of Canada in Detroit serves as an intermediary between Canada and the Midwest region of the US. In her new job, Leinhardt will focus on communications and building relationships throughout the Midwest. She starts in her new position on March 5. (TT)

Family Fun Day Coming To Parker Middle SchoolFamily Fun Day Coming To Parker Middle School

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A community event centered on early literacy will take place next month. Kids, families, and friends are being invited to Family Fun Day: Celebrate Reading on Saturday, March 10th from 11am–12:30pm at Parker Middle School on Wright Road in Howell. Entertainment and activities will kick off the celebration and highlight the five practices for early literacy success - reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing. Organizers say the event supports the idea that families are their child’s first teacher, and parents can help set the foundation for their child’s reading success in school with engaging activities. The Merry Music Maker will perform in concert and the event will feature hands-on children’s activities, an early literacy scavenger hunt, free books, storytelling, and a chance to meet the storybook characters Elephant & Piggie and Pete the Cat. Throughout the event, tables will be set up with fun activities and games for kids. Additionally, each family will be given an early-literacy activity bag geared toward their 0-5 year-old that can be taken home and used. The free event is open to everyone and is sponsored by the Livingston Early Literacy Collaborative. That includes the six Livingston County libraries, Child Connect for Family Success, Great Start Livingston, LESA Early Childhood Program, and Michigan State University Extension. More information is available in the attachments. (JM)

Pete Hegseth To Headline Annual Lincoln Day DinnerPete Hegseth To Headline Annual Lincoln Day Dinner

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The Livingston County Republican Party will host a popular conservative media commentator for its annual Lincoln Day Dinner. Army Major Pete Hegseth will serve as the keynote speaker during the 2018 Lincoln Day Dinner in May. Hegseth is the co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend but also frequently appears as a guest co-host for Fox & Friends during the week. He is the senior political analyst for Fox News and has served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay. Hegseth has been deployed three times since 9/11 and holds two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge for his time in Iraq and Afghanistan. The dinner will also feature John James as the master of ceremonies; a combat veteran and businessman who is running for the United State Senate. The Lincoln Day Dinner will take place on Thursday, May 24th at 7pm at Crystal Gardens Banquet Center in Genoa Township. A VIP reception will be held prior to the dinner from 5:30 – 6:30pm. Tickets, tables and event sponsorships are available and can be purchased online through the web link provided or by calling Meghan Reckling at (517) 672-6823. (JM)

Rezoning For Adult Foster Home Will Allow Double CapacityRezoning For Adult Foster Home Will Allow Double Capacity

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A rezoning request that will help a business owner expand his adult foster care services has met the approval of the Green Oak Township Planning Commission. Dennis Dubuc is owner of Blue Heron Pond , an adult foster home located on 4.35 acres off of Rushton Road. Currently Dubuc can accommodate 6 residents because of single-family residential zoning. He came before the commission last month asking to be rezoned into residential-multifamily that would allow him to bring on an additional 6 residents. Township Clerk Mike Sedlak is the Board of Trustee’s liaison to the Planning Commission. He said Dubuc took initiative towards getting this done following the January meeting. He met with the Township Planner and drafted conditions to the request. The conditions ensure that at no time any other homes, apartments, duplexes, or domiciles will be constructed on the property. It also limits the number of residents at the home to 12. The rezoning would allow for a higher density, but as Sedlak explained, Dubuc’s self-imposed conditions would keep the site in line with the future land use map and master plan. Sedlak said he himself spent 90 minutes at Blue Heron Pond earlier this week which gave him time to look around and see how Dubuc’s plans could come together. He said it’s a nice facility, the residents look like they’re well taken care of, and he can’t see this as anything other than an enhancement. The rezoning request will now go to the Township Board of Trustees with a recommendation of approval. (MK)

Howell Manufacturing Plant Fire Causes Minor DamageHowell Manufacturing Plant Fire Causes Minor Damage

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Damage was termed minor in a fire Saturday morning at the Groupo Antolin North America plant – formerly Atreum – in Howell Township. The company is located on West Grand River, across the road from the Livingston County Spencer J. Hardy Airport. The Howell Area Fire Department responded to the scene and remained for about an hour. Fire officials say the blaze started when a blower motor on the roof caught fire. Damage was confined to the roof and smokestack and there were no injuries. The company, headquartered in Auburn Hills, makes interior components for the automotive industry including seats, doors, lighting and overhead systems. (TT)

Brighton Twp. Clerk Announces Candidacy For 42nd House SeatBrighton Twp. Clerk Announces Candidacy For 42nd House Seat

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Brighton Township Clerk Ann Bollin has filed to run for a soon-to-be open state representative’s seat. Bollin is seeking the Republican nomination to the 42nd state representative seat being vacated by State Representative Lana Theis, who is running for the State Senate. Bollin says she is committed to serving the district with integrity and a strong fiscal conscious. Among the issues she is passionate about pursuing are fair elections, filling the gap in skilled trades, equitable infrastructure programs and addressing community mental health issues. Bollin served on Brighton Township’s Planning Commission before being appointed to complete a term as clerk. She has held that position since 2004. Speaking to a state representative’s term limits, Bollin says six years is a short amount of time but believes her experience will help her “hit the ground running”. Bollin wears many hats that she feels have given her a variety of perspectives for how decisions made by state officials affect residents. Bollin says her roles as a community leader, mother of millennials, wife of a small business owner and local official have showed her that, “…the decisions in Lansing do not stay in Lansing.” Referencing her role as a township clerk, Bollin says elections are “near and dear to her heart” and wants to ensure “fair, not fixed elections.” Bollin will be up against Joe Riker from Brighton Township, who was the first to announce his candidacy for the Republican nomination to the 42nd state representative seat. Riker served in the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2007 and the U.S. Navy from 2008-2013. He is the community liaison for 8th District Congressman Mike Bishop. (DK)

Howell Manufacturing Plant Fire Causes Minor DamageHowell Manufacturing Plant Fire Causes Minor Damage

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Damage was termed minor in a fire Saturday morning at the Groupo Antolin North America plant – formerly Atreum – in Howell Township. The company is located on West Grand River, across the road from the Livingston County Spencer J. Hardy Airport. The Howell Area Fire Department responded to the scene and remained for about an hour. Fire officials say the blaze started when a blower motor on the roof caught fire. Damage was confined to the roof and smokestack and there were no injuries. The company, headquartered in Auburn Hills, makes interior components for the automotive industry including seats, doors, lighting and overhead systems. (TT)
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