A Tyrone Township man hoping to construct a cemetery offering green burials has submitted revised plans due to resident concerns.
Last fall, cemetery director Hasan Siddiqui submitted plans for a 10-acre graveyard on Germany Road near Denton Hill Road (pictured). At a public hearing in November, more than 30 residents showed up expressing concerns for soil and water quality, noise pollution, traffic, and negative effects on property values. Siddiqui, who is a Sufi Muslim, will open the cemetery to all, but a large percentage of those resting there will be Muslim. The cemetery will offer green burials, which is a traditional method Muslims use where the body is wrapped in wrapped in a shroud and placed into the ground with no embalming fluid or casket. Siddiqui said it is safest and most environmentally safe method.
Township Supervisor Mike Cunningham said he wasnât going to speculate on whether the residential outcry was religiously motivated. He said from his standpoint, his oath of office requires everyone to be treated equally no matter what their religion is. He said that Siddiqui has applied, and as long as he meets the criteria, he and the township can move forward.
At Marchâs meeting of the Planning Commission, Siddiqui submitted revised plans, which the commission then passed on to the Livingston County Planning Department. In the new plans, Siddiqui reduced the number of gravesites from 3,847 to just under 1,600. The grave sites will be farther from the road and hours of operations for heavy machinery and burials has been set to 9am to sunset. Siddiqui said heâs still waiting to hear back from the county, and wants residents to know that their concerns have been heard. Picture courtesy of Google Street View. (MK)
Cemetery Director Submits Revised Plans For Site In Tyrone TownshipCemetery Director Submits Revised Plans For Site In Tyrone Township
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Brighton Schools To Make-Up Snow DayBrighton Schools To Make-Up Snow Day
The winter weather this past season has resulted in students in Brighton Area Schools having to make up one school day.
A district communication was issued by Brighton Superintendent Gray Gray informing parents that the snow day held on Friday, March 2nd pushed them over the limit allotted by the State of Michigan by one. As a district, Gray says theyâve selected Monday, April 2nd as the make-up day. It will be a regular full school day as if previously scheduled.
Barring any future snow days, Gray says that will get the district back on track with the required days and clock hours needed for the 2017/2018 school year. Gray stressed attendance on Monday will be crucial as they need 75% attendance, both as a district and by individual building to be able to count the day. If they are not able to reach that number, then the day will not count and theyâll have to schedule another make up day. (JM)
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Tyrone Township Officials Getting A Salary Boost In 2018-19Tyrone Township Officials Getting A Salary Boost In 2018-19
Officials in one local township are getting an $8,000 raise for the upcoming budget year.
The Tyrone Township Board of Trustees voted on new salaries at their regular meeting, Tuesday night. Township Supervisor Mike Cunningham said they appointed a salary committee to get a better gauge on what officials in similar communities are making. Cunningham said the township had been in rough times in the past and had not had salary increases for quite some time until recently. He said the salary committee still found that they were behind municipalities of similar size and make-up, and have come up with a number and recommendation.
The number they came up with for the Supervisor, Treasurer, and Clerk for 2018-19 was an even $43,000. This is up from $34,839 last year. Trustees were recommended for $205.82 per meeting. This is up from $164.66 last year. The votes for the Supervisor, Treasurer, and Clerk all passed separately, 6-1, with Treasurer Marcie Husted voting against it in all three. The vote for Trustees passed 4-3, with Husted, and Trustees Al Pool and David Walker dissenting. (MK)
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Brighton Fire Authority Looking at Transfer of Station OwnershipBrighton Fire Authority Looking at Transfer of Station Ownership
The Brighton Area Fire Authority is exploring some components of its master plan where changes could be made to help them reach long and short-term objectives.
BAFA provides fire services to the City of Brighton, and Genoa and Brighton Township. The authority recently had a consultation performed to evaluate the departmentsâ operations, response times and planning and administrative functions. It was determined BAFA is well within acceptable practices for some components; however a list of recommendations from the consultation firm identified a few areas for them to look into.
BAFA Fire Chief Mike OâBrian says one of the major items is station ownership. The authority has formal lease agreements for each of its five stations with the respective communities, but is interested in possibly transferring ownership from the municipalities to BAFA. OâBrian says the authority would work with the communities to determine if changing ownership would be mutually beneficial. The intent is for BAFA to be able to improve, modify or even re-locate stations in order to provide the best possible service.
Other recommendations the authority received from the consultation firm were to evaluate and stay on top of current trends for recruiting and training, remain financially responsible and develop a long-term solution for funding infrastructure improvements and potentially new fire station locations. OâBrian says the process has created a great discussion with the member communities to make sure residents are provided with the best service possible.
OâBrian says there is a desire for the authority to have long-term training capabilities for firefighters in their jurisdiction and plans to begin looking at costs and locations. The next step is for BAFA to update its strategic plan to address any concerns and to see how the issues can be incorporated into the upcoming budget cycle. (DK)
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Linden Schools Addressing Adult-Themed Book, Film MaterialLinden Schools Addressing Adult-Themed Book, Film Material
Changes are coming to help fix what many parents found to be the teaching of inappropriate material to students in one local district.
Many parents in the Linden Community Schools district have expressed a dissatisfaction with the book and movie choices offered to their kids in some classes at the high school level. At a recent Board of Education meeting, several spoke out believing too many of the choices were inconsistent with the values parents try to teach home. One parent, according to the Tri-County Times, said itâs not appropriate when the only reading choices for a class are between âA Clockwork Orange,â and âA Brave New World.â Another said itâs not an isolated incident, but that books and movies with explicit adult themes keep coming up again and again. A literature teacher from the high school responded saying that students have a more broad choice, and if they wished to use those two listed books, a signed permission slip for parents is required. Another teacher said it was important teach about the bad things in the world, but there are always alternative options for students in her class.
Superintendent Russ Ciesielski admitted the high school had not been following policy for approving movies and books to be taught in classrooms. Going forward, he proposed the exclusion of any film with nudity or sexually explicit activity. Also, all course material, including required reading and movies that will be watched, will be posted on the high schoolâs website with disclosure statements. Syllabi moving forward will additionally require a parental signature. The Superintendent asked for patience while these new policies are implemented, but some parents still expressed doubt, believing they were just âwords on paper.â (MK)
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Competency Exam Ordered For Suspect In Milford Carjacking AttemptCompetency Exam Ordered For Suspect In Milford Carjacking Attempt
A competency evaluation has been ordered for a Detroit man charged with attempting to carjack two vehicles in Milford.
21-year old Kamil Gillette of Detroit was arrested March 14th following the incident in the parking lot of the Prospect Hill shopping plaza at Highland Avenue and Summit Street. Gillette had reportedly stolen a vehicle from the Royal Oak area the night before and made his way to Milford where the car became disabled. Attempting to carjack a new vehicle, Gillette allegedly approached a car with an elderly female, which bystanders saw and called 9-1-1. As he made an attempt at a second car, officers pulled onto the scene and say Gillette began walking towards the Kroger store in the plaza.
Officers drew their guns after noticing he had an unknown object in his hand and asked him to show his hands. Police say Gillette repeatedly told the officers to shoot him and that he didnât want to live. Once officers saw the object in his hand was a pair of scissors, they used a Taser to get him into custody.
In court Wednesday for a probable cause conference, it was determined that Gillette would undergo a competency evaluation. A June 13th hearing was set to review the findings. (JK)
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35 Years Later & Still No Answers In Woman's Death35 Years Later & Still No Answers In Woman's Death
Yet another anniversary has arrived in the unsolved 1983 murder of a woman whose body was found near Cohoctah.
Today marks the 35th anniversary of the discovery of the body of 19-year-old Christina Castiglione. She was found near Fisher and Faussett Roads in the Oak Grove State Game Area. She was last seen alive in Redford in the Beech Daly and 5 Mile Road areas. No arrests have ever been made in her death, although through the years investigators have come close to what they thought would be a breakthrough only to be disappointed.
Castiglione's body was originally discovered by Ron Latilla and the circumstances by which Latilla was in the area were deemed suspicious early on. Latilla's brother owned property near the place where Castiglione was last seen alive and although he said he found the body while fishing and shooting in the woods, he had neither a rifle nor a fishing rod. However, a DNA test did not match him.
The cold case team has also examined the possibility that Castiglioneâs murder may have been the work of a serial killer, pointing to the case of Kimberly Louiselle, who was 16-years old and was hitchhiking home from Redford when she disappeared in 1982. Her body was found on state land at the Island Lake Recreation Area in Green Oak Township and she had also been sexually assaulted and murdered. Yet still, nothing definitive has been uncovered.
Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy says they remain hopeful that someone will eventually come forward to break the case. Tips can be offered through the Sheriffâs Office or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. (JK)
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Renowned Author To Discuss Dylan, Guthrie, Calumet MassacreRenowned Author To Discuss Dylan, Guthrie, Calumet Massacre
A Grammy-nominated author is coming to Howell to discuss his book on the connection between folk singers and an early 20th century Upper Peninsula tragedy.
The Howell Carnegie District Library will be hosting author Daniel Wolff as he holds conversation about his book, Grown-Up Anger: The Connected Mysteries of Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and the Calumet Massacre of 1913. Wolff and singer-songwriter Chris Buhalis will take the audience on a journey to learn what binds the 3 together and hear the music inspired by it. Wolff, a rebellious teenager in the â60âs, connected with Bob Dylanâs music and involvement in the civil rights movement. Through Dylanâs work he discovered Woody Guthrie, whom Wolff said was fighting for a more open and liberal America than what he saw following World War II.
Intrigued by Guthrieâs song, 1913 Massacre, Wolff learned about the Calumet Massacre and begin to see through-lines connecting Dylan, Guthrie, and the mining town in the U-P. On Christmas Eve, 1913, striking copper miners wanting to unionize threw a party for their children. At some point following the gift giving and caroling, somebody ran into the second story room they were gathered in, falsely yelling âFire.â The crowd panicked, and as they tried to escape down the stairway, 73 people, mostly children, were crushed and smothered, losing their lives. The event became legendary with people trying to organize unions.
Wolff believes one connection between the miners, Guthrie, and Dylan, is that they were all fighting for something they believed in. He says there are lessons to be learned from it, still, today. Wolff said the strike was to get recognition for a union. Guthrie fought for something he called one big union. Dylan was trying to organize and be part of the civil rights movement. The idea of people getting together to work for what they believe in is important, Wolff, says, and stays important, and has been stymied over and over again. Wolffâs hope is that if we know the history, we just might not do it again and again.
The event takes place on Friday, April 6th, from 6-7pm. Light refreshments will be available.
Wolff will also be a guest this Sunday morning at 8:30 on WHMI's Viewpoint program. (MK)
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Confirmed Infected Tick Puts Livingston County In "Red Zone"Confirmed Infected Tick Puts Livingston County In "Red Zone"
Livingston County has been labeled as a âknown riskâ for contracting Lyme disease, following confirmation that a deer tick in the area carried the disease-causing bacterium.
The case itself is from last summer, when a two-year-old was thought to have come into contact with the infected tick at a park in the Howell area. The child began showing symptoms and was treated by a pediatrician who also decided not to test the child for the disease.
Dr. Donald Lawrenchuk, medical director for the Livingston County Health Department, says the decision not to test the child means there was never a confirmed case, only that a deer tick was confirmed to have carried the bacterium that causes the disease. Because of that confirmation, the county is now considered to be in the "red zone", meaning it's possible to contract Lyme disease from an infected deer tick in Livingston County.
The countyâs new âred zoneâ status appears on the 2018 Lyme disease risk map from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The mapâs legend depicts counties that either have negative or no information regarding tick sampling, as one with a potential risk or, like Livingston County, as an area with a known risk. Had the case been confirmed, it wouldâve been the countyâs first endemic case.
Among other known risk counties are Ingham and Washtenaw County. Lawrenchuk says their proximity means it was only a matter of time before the risk spread to Livingston County. Lawrenchuk says âprevention paysâ, advising residents to be on the lookout for possibilities of infection and to conduct body examinations. If someone suspects theyâve been infected, Lawrenchuk recommends they contact their physician immediately for removal and treatment.
The Livingston County Health Department also offers free testing for suspected Lyme disease organisms. Live ticks can be brought into the Health Department at 2300 East Grand River Avenue in Howell. Calling ahead is recommended: 517-546-9850. (DK)
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State Supreme Court To Hear Arguments In Lawsuit Against Howell SchoolsState Supreme Court To Hear Arguments In Lawsuit Against Howell Schools
Oral arguments are scheduled in a case before the Michigan Supreme Court filed by a real estate broker and agent against Howell Public Schools.
North American Brokers, a real estate agent and real estate broker, filed suit against Howell Public Schools in 2015, alleging that they had engaged a buyer to purchase the former Latson Road Elementary School property owned by the district but received no broker commission for the sale. St. John Providence, which purchased the land and constructed a medical center on the site, is also named as a defendant in the case.
Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty granted a motion by the school district to dismiss the case on grounds that the statute of frauds barred plaintiffsâ claims. That statute requires certain types of agreements to be in writing and signed by the party against whom it will be enforced. The plaintiffsâ case essentially relied on the understanding of a verbal agreement between the parties. In February of last year, the Court of Appeals reversed Hattyâs decision, saying it was compelled to reach the result by binding precedent, but opined that it was the wrong result, and urged the Michigan Supreme Court to address the issue.
The Supreme Court has since ordered oral argument on the districtâs application for leave to appeal to address whether promissory estoppel is an exception to the statute of frauds. Promissory estoppel is a legal principle that a promise is enforceable by law, even if made without formal consideration. The Michigan Supreme Court will hear arguments during an afternoon session on Wednesday, April 11th. (JM/JK)
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Submissions Being Accepted For Howell Art ProjectSubmissions Being Accepted For Howell Art Project
Local and national artists are invited to submit artwork for a popular downtown Howell competition.
The Howell Main Street Design Committee has announced that the Howell Art Project is returning for 2018. All artists 18 and up are invited to submit original artwork created in any media in 2 categories: two-dimensional design, or three-dimensional design. 8 finalists in the 2-D category and 3 in the 3-D category will have their work reproduced and exhibited on the outside several downtown Howell businesses. Three pieces will be chosen as Best of Show, with their artist receiving a prize of $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place.
On August 15th a guided tour will take participants around the downtown area to see and hear about the pieces on display. Following that, the art will be auctioned at an Auction Party at the Howell Opera House. Sponsors for the event are also being accepted at this time. To view rules and eligibility, or learn more about the event, visit the link below. (MK)
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Livingston County's February Jobless Rate 3.9%Livingston County's February Jobless Rate 3.9%
February jobless rates were little changed locally and across the state.
Michiganâs regional labor markets were said to be steady in February and local area jobless rates logged only marginal changes in most regional markets. However, The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget says payroll job counts moved upward in nearly all metropolitan areas over the month.
Regional unemployment rates across the state ranged from 3.6% to 11.3% in February. Livingston Countyâs unemployment rate stood at 3.9% - marking a very slight drop from 4% in January. Livingston currently ranks fifth among Michiganâs 83 counties in terms of unemployment rates. The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn statistical area, which includes Livingston County, was among those with the most pronounced over-the-month jobless rate reductions. (JM)
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Outdoor Tornado Warning Siren Testing Starts Saturday, April 7thOutdoor Tornado Warning Siren Testing Starts Saturday, April 7th
Storm season is approaching, and local emergency services are preparing to begin weather warning siren testing.
Outdoor tornado siren testing starts on Saturday April 7th. After that, testing will be performed on the first Saturday of each month at noon, lasting through October. Livingston County Emergency Manager Therese Cremonte reminds that outdoor warning sirens were specifically developed to warn people who are outside; so that they can move inside and take cover in case of any severe weather or a tornado warning. Cremonte says the sirens are only activated if there is a warning or an actual sighting of a tornado in Livingston County. In times of bad weather, she encourages residents to monitor radio and television stations or consider investing in a NOAA weather radio. Should there be inclement weather in the area during the upcoming testing time April 7th, then the test will be cancelled.
Public safety departments around the county previously consolidated severe weather sirens under a single system as a way to ensure uniform standards and prevent false alarms during storm season. The sirens previously sounded independently for tornado warnings, but they are now connected county-wide and will also sound for severe thunderstorm warnings and sustained winds over 70 miles per hour.
Meanwhile, Livingston County will again be participating in a statewide tornado drill happening on Wednesday, April 11th at 1pm. Residents and businesses are being encouraged to participate if possible. Drills are deemed important to help people prepare for an event and minimize chaos, should something occur. Drills are further said to be especially important for teens and children, in case a tornado strikes when parents are not home and unable to instruct their kids. (JM)
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Former Director Of Rescue Group Charged With Animal CrueltyFormer Director Of Rescue Group Charged With Animal Cruelty
**Article updated to include comments from Kizer's attorney.
The director of a local non-profit pet rescue organization has been charged as a result of unsanitary shelter conditions and a lack of animal care.
70-year-old Sharon Anne Kizer of Howell is charged with abandoning/cruelty to 10 or more animals. She is set to be arraigned in 53rd District Court April 11th. Kizer was charged as a result of violations found at Last Chance Rescue in Howell Township. Livingston County Animal Control had received complaints about the facilityâs conditions and care of animals.
In December, Animal Control officers found violations that prompted them to seize about 120 animals. Animal Control Director Aimee Orn previously told WHMI when on scene, there were great concerns for the safety and well-being of the animals and they were not comfortable leaving them there. Sharen Kizer is the only known defendant at this time.
Attorney Steven Lacommare is representing Kizer and told WHMI itâs very unfortunate she was charged at all, adding he finds it very upsetting she was charged with a felony considering her more than 20 years of serving the community and helping animals. He felt there were other avenues to handle the situation instead of charging an elderly woman in poor health.
As for the animals seized, Lacommare noted that some were not owned by Kizer or Last Chance Rescue and they should have been returned to their rightful owners immediately. He says that has not been done and the animals have been in a shelter for months now. (DK/JM)
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Diocese Insurer Sues Okemos Priest Accused Of EmbezzlementDiocese Insurer Sues Okemos Priest Accused Of Embezzlement
A priest accused of embezzling money from a Roman Catholic Church in Okemos is being sued.
Reverend Jonathan Wehrle is charged with six counts of embezzling $100,000 or more from St. Martha Church in Okemos. Heâs accused of embezzling more than $5 (m) million. The charges allege Wehrle used the money to pay for home construction, maintenance and other personal purchases. He is now facing a civil lawsuit filed by the insurance company for the Catholic Diocese of Lansing.
A judge recently approved the Princeton Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Corporation's request to place Wehrle's more than $1 (m) million estate into receivership. The insurance provider says it's paid out about $2.5 (m) million to the diocese to cover its losses so far. Princeton's attorney Randy Marmor says they want to protect the property from damage before it can be forfeited while the lawsuit is pending. Photo: WLNS. (JM)
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Deadline Approaching For Brighton Rotary ScholarshipsDeadline Approaching For Brighton Rotary Scholarships
The Rotary Club of Brighton is offering graduating seniors a chance to earn some scholarship money for college, but the deadline to apply is approaching.
Established in 1989 to honor the memory of veterinarian Thomas Anderson and dentist Donald McGregor, the Brighton Rotary Anderson-McGregor Scholarship recognizes graduates or graduating seniors of Brighton Area Schools with scholarship awards to aid in financing their education. Both long-time Rotarians, club officials say Anderson and McGregor were very active in the community, dedicated professionals, and sincerely believed in the value of education.
A minimum of two $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to a 2018 graduating senior from within the Brighton Area School District boundaries. Applicants must be accepted into and attend an approved Michigan school or institute of higher learning. Applicant selection will place emphasis on personal and scholastic achievement, financial need and personal qualities. Applications are due to the Brighton High School Counseling Office by 2:30 pm on Wednesday, April 4th. Youâll find a copy of the application through the link below. (JK)
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Assistance Available To Local Residents & Businesses Affected By FloodingAssistance Available To Local Residents & Businesses Affected By Flooding
A request from Governor Rick Snyder to the U.S. Small Business Administration has led to financial assistance for local residents and businesses affected by recent flooding.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved a disaster declaration for four Michigan counties affected by severe flooding in February. Governor Snyder announced Friday that the declaration covers Arenac, Berrien, Ingham, and Kalamazoo counties, along with neighboring counties including Livingston.
Residents and businesses that sustained un-insured, flood-related losses of 40% or more are eligible to apply for low-interest loans. The money could be used to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment and business assets that were damaged or destroyed. Additional information is available at www.sba.gov. (JM)
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April 2-8 Is National Public Health WeekApril 2-8 Is National Public Health Week
Next week the Health Department is shining a light on how to keep communities healthy and celebrating the workers who make it happen.
âChanging Our Future Togetherâ is themes for this yearâs National Public Health Week, happening April 2nd through the 8th. The Livingston County Health Department is getting involved with the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a long, healthy life, free of preventable disease and injury. Theyâre also recognizing public health care workers who lay the foundations for necessary good health. Their goal is to help America become the healthiest nation by 2030.
Each day of National Public Health Week will focus on a different public health topic. Officials are inviting residents to check out their Facebook page during the week to find ways to get involved and engage in the conversation on many of the subjects. Topics highlighted include behavior health, communicable diseases, injury and violence prevention, and more. Health Prevention Coordinator Chelsea Lantto says health workers in the county are highly collaborative and that that positions them well to tackle many of these things. She said that some of the topics are already being worked on through the departmentâs Community Health Improvement Plan, but though while they are moving in the right direction, there is still a lot of work to be done.
More information on the Livingston County Health Department can be found at www.lchd.org. Learn more about National Public Health Week through the link below. (MK)
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New Hudson Man Jailed In Alleged Child Abuse CaseNew Hudson Man Jailed In Alleged Child Abuse Case
An alleged child abuse case in Lyon Township is under investigation.
A detective with the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office Lyon Township substation responded to assist Childrenâs Protective Services at an area hospital on Thursday evening regarding a 5-month-old suffering from multiple injuries consistent with child abuse. The Sheriffâs Office reports the child had internal injuries and visible injuries to the face, head, and abdomen.
It was determined that the mother and child reside with the motherâs boyfriend in New Hudson, and the mother confirmed the child has only been in the care of herself or her boyfriend over the last several days. The mother reported she had begun noticing bruising on the child earlier in the week and contacted the childâs physician. As the childâs bruising became more pronounced, she sought immediate medical care. The motherâs boyfriend was located at his place of employment and transported to the substation to be interviewed. At the conclusion of interviews, the childâs mother was returned to the hospital and her boyfriend was lodged in the Oakland County Jail. The Office says it was determined he had physically abused the baby while the mother was gone from the home.
Criminal charges are pending against the 23-year-old New Hudson man and the child remains hospitalized. Childrenâs Protective Services and Sheriffâs Detectives are continuing the investigation. (JM)
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Assistance Available To Local Residents & Businesses Affected By FloodingAssistance Available To Local Residents & Businesses Affected By Flooding
A request from Governor Rick Snyder to the U.S. Small Business Administration has led to financial assistance for local residents and businesses affected by recent flooding.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved a disaster declaration for four Michigan counties affected by severe flooding in February. Governor Snyder announced Friday that the declaration covers Arenac, Berrien, Ingham, and Kalamazoo counties, along with neighboring counties including Livingston.
Residents and businesses that sustained un-insured, flood-related losses of 40% or more are eligible to apply for low-interest loans. The money could be used to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment and business assets that were damaged or destroyed. Additional information is available at www.sba.gov. (JM)
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