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Two Local Teachers Receive Free Gun TrainingTwo Local Teachers Receive Free Gun Training

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4/24/13 - Two Livingston County teachers plan to take advantage of free firearms training offered by a local Tea Party group. Hartland-based RetakeOurGov announced that Kirsten Eichhorn of Hartland and a male teacher from Howell who wished to remain anonymous have been selected to receive free concealed pistol license training. The pair participated in a contest sponsored by RetakeOurGov in which area teachers submitted a short essay explaining their reasons for wanting a CPL. A committee evaluated the essays and selected the two best. The group’s founder, Wes Nakagiri, said the contest was offered as a proactive response to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in which 20 children were gunned down by an intruder. The contest was also conducted in preparation for the possible implementation of legislation that would provide school boards with the authority to allow employees to carry a concealed pistol on school grounds. (JK)

New Walking Path to Connect Areas of Downtown HartlandNew Walking Path to Connect Areas of Downtown Hartland

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4/24/13 - A new walking path through Settlers Park in Hartland was the focus of a work session at the township board’s regular meeting last night. Settlers Park is a 160-acre parcel located between Clark and Dunham Roads just north of the Meijer on M-59 near US-23. It was purchased by the township about four years ago and is currently in a natural, undeveloped state. The township plans to build a path spanning the area to promote walkability and interconnectivity in Hartland’s downtown area. The township is currently weighing the benefits of two different construction offers, priced at about $330,000 and $450,000 for the basic improvements. Both plans would create a cart path out of asphalt with grass shoulders on both sides. The less expensive path would be eight feet wide, while the costlier path would be ten feet. The planned route for the path will be about a mile long, staying on the high ground around the marshy or watery areas of the park. Entrances would be placed on Dunham Road near the high school, at the Meijer parking lot near a sidewalk into downtown, and on Clark Road near the township hall. The township board will make a decision about how to proceed with the new path at its next meeting. (TD)

Maple Road Closed in Milford Due to Collapsed Drainage Culvert Maple Road Closed in Milford Due to Collapsed Drainage Culvert

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4/24/13 - A portion of Maple Road in Milford Township remains closed to traffic while work continues to replace a failed drainage culvert under the road. The Road Commission for Oakland County expects to keep Maple Road closed overnight, just east of Childs Lake Road. It was closed Tuesday when a section washed out after a drainage pipe under the road collapsed. The road commission says it has been working to replace the pipe since then, but efforts have been slowed by the amount of water present and the work is taking longer than originally planned. Officials say the current expectation is that the road will re-open to traffic sometime tomorrow. In the meantime, the established detour route is Wixom Road to Pontiac Trail to Old Plank Road and then back to Maple, and vice versa. (JM)

Victim Advocates Recognized at Above & Beyond Ceremony

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4/24/13 - This week is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, and Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt presented awards to local victims’ rights advocates today to recognize their services. Among the recipients of the annual Above and Beyond award was the Court Appointed Special Advocate program run through LACASA. Known as CASA, the program utilizes volunteers who are assigned to advocate for children involved in the legal and social service system. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. The program currently has 34 volunteers overseeing 29 cases involving more than 50 kids. Valerie Webster is one of the volunteers who were recognized for her efforts and told WHMI that having served as a special education instructor for 20 years, she always felt that children's rights were often overlooked in the court system and was eager to actively help change that once the CASA opportunity came along. Also recognized was Daniel Chepeska, the Supervisor of the Livingston County Probation and Parole Office who credited his staff with making sure that the rights of crime victims, no matter who they were, were always paramount in their work. An award was also given to Unadilla Township Investigator Ryan Hamlin, who was honored for his assistance to Kim and Chuck Gauthier after they were robbed and the thieves tried to extort more money via threatening text messages. (JK)

Police Find Woman's Body In Marshy Area Off US-23 in Fenton Twp. Police Find Woman's Body In Marshy Area Off US-23 in Fenton Twp.

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4/24/13 - The discovery of a woman’s body Tuesday evening led to a slew of police and fire activity along northbound US-23 in Fenton Township, resulting in significant traffic delays. The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office reports that 46-year-old Jacqueline Key of Davison Township had separated from her husband recently and was staying with family in the Fenton area. Undersheriff Chris Swanson tells WHMI that Key borrowed her grandmother’s car to go to the store Monday but never returned, which is when the family filed a missing persons report with Davison Township Police. On Monday night, he says they had two different callers who reported seeing a female running in and out of traffic in that same area and cruisers were sent out but a search turned up nothing. Swanson says police tracked Key's cellphone to a location on northbound US-23, a little north of the rest area at around 5pm Tuesday, hence the traffic delays. He says her cell phone and purse were found in different locations and authorities continued a canvass of the area before discovering the victim lying face down in about two feet of water in a marshy area, ten yards off the shoulder of northbound US-23. An autopsy was conducted today and the results of that along with toxicology reports are expected to take six to eight weeks. Swanson says preliminary investigation has been conducted along with interviews and they’re pretty confident there are some other personal issues that could have played a role in Key’s death. However, he says the investigation is not considered closed until they receive the medical examiner’s report. (JM)

Fenton Chosen For Flouridation Funding By Michigan DOCHFenton Chosen For Flouridation Funding By Michigan DOCH

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4/25/13 - The state has chosen the City of Fenton as one of nine communities to receive water fluoridation equipment funding. Flouridation is the process by which fluoride is added to municipal drinking water as a way to prevent cavities and improve the oral health of the local population. Its implementation is considered one of the most important achievements in public health of the past century. This year, $100,000 was awarded by the Michigan Department of Community Health to Michigan communities. Those included the City of Fenton, which got the smallest share of the funding with only $1,154. The other communities each got at least $2,600, with Marquette and Traverse City both receiving more than $20,000. The funding is intended to allow the communities to replace or improve their fluoridation equipment. This is the fourth year that this kind of funding has been available. (TD)

Local GOP Legislators Hail 2014 State Budget; Dems ScoffLocal GOP Legislators Hail 2014 State Budget; Dems Scoff

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4/25/13 - With a goal of finishing the 2014 state budget by June, the Republican-controlled House passed its spending plans yesterday and local democrats are weighing in. Republican State Representatives Bill Rogers of Genoa Township and Cindy Denby of Handy Township voted in favor of the budget, which they maintain cuts government waste and prioritizes state funding for schools, roads and public safety. Denby said, "We have been able to deliver tax cuts, increased school funding, a healthier economy and an improved credit rating. Our long term plan is working and we must continue with it to keep Michigan's comeback on course." Rogers chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee and commented on the K-12 funding that was included in the budget, which he says is balanced and fair. "Investing in our children and prioritizing education funding is a top priority of mine. We were able to focus on continuing to improve our education system and increase the school fund budget by $50 million over last year, which is the highest it’s been in the past three years. I am happy that we are able to continue our strong commitment to the children in Michigan." Schools and colleges would get an overall 2% funding boost in the budget, but Democrats say that is not enough. Livingston County Democratic Party Chairwoman Judy Daubenmier says schools in Livingston County are some of the lowest-funded in the state and says they are being short-changed year after year, alleging Rogers refuses to stand up for his own constituents and school children. House Bills 4228 and 4328 now move to the Senate for consideration. The GOP-led Senate plans to complete the rest of its budget next week. Daubenmier’s complete statement and a press release from Rogers and Denby can be found below. (JM)

Hundreds Of Runners Show Support For Boston At Run/Walk EventHundreds Of Runners Show Support For Boston At Run/Walk Event

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4/25/13 - A local running event to show solidarity for the City of Boston attracted hundreds of runners to Kensington Metropark yesterday. The Runners for Boston event was one of many taking place across the country this month to show support after the bombing attack on the Boston Marathon. More than 700 people preregistered for the event and many more joined in the 4.15 kilometer run/walk. The distance was chosen to commemorate the date of the April 15th attack. The event was organized by Randy Step from Running Fit in Ann Arbor. He says the event was a show of unity with the people of Boston as well as a way to welcome home the local runners who returned safely. Runners who had participated in any past Boston Marathon were encouraged to wear the race’s signature blue-and-gold as they ran. The park entry fee was the only cost to enter the race, but organizers sold tee shirts and collected donations from attendees to donate to One Fund Boston, which benefits the victims of the attack. Early estimates indicate more than $10,000 was raised for the charity. (TD)

Howell DDA Approves Design Plans And New GuidelinesHowell DDA Approves Design Plans And New Guidelines

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4/25/13 - The new design plan for Swann’s, one of the historic buildings of downtown Howell, was approved at last night’s Downtown Development Authority Board meeting. The redesign is part of the Heart of Howell project, which redevelops historic buildings in the downtown area. Buildings that are part of the project include Swann’s, Spag’s, Thistledown and the newly opened Frontal Lobe. Frontal Lobe is a membership based, co-working space used for small businesses and entrepreneurs to brainstorm. Some of the highlights of the renovated buildings include a multi-use complex, projected open green space and elevator access to all floors. Eric Conn, Vice President of the DDA, tells WHMI the board did in fact approve the new design plan at last night's meeting. Also approved at last night’s meeting was revised guidelines for Howell Main Street DDA’s sponsorships. The DDA puts out a yearly sponsorship for non-profit events that happen in downtown Howell. From the applications for the sponsorship the DDA determines its relevance to Downtown Howell and make sure it will benefit everyone. Stephanie Schlittler, the President of the Howell DDA, says they take all these things into consideration before divvying up the sponsorship funds. Schlittler and the Board approved the new guidelines, which make sure everything is in order according to the budget and where the funds will be going. (DK)

Sentencing Adjourned For Man Convicted in Gun Range ShootingSentencing Adjourned For Man Convicted in Gun Range Shooting

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4/25/13 - Just days after affirming a sentencing date this week for a Howell man charged with a fatal shooting at a Brighton Township gun range, court officials now say it has again been adjourned. Howell attorney James Buttrey had been representing 19-year-old Jessce Lincon Stearn, who earlier pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter and felony firearms counts. But he withdrew as counsel on Monday citing a conflict of interest and was replaced by attorney David Prine. The nature of the conflict was not disclosed, but officials now say the sentencing that was set for this Friday has been moved to May 20th. Stearn faces up to 15 years in prison on the manslaughter charge and an additional two years on the felony firearm charge. Police say he was holding a replica AK-47 on June 30th, 2012 at the Livingston Conservation and Sports Association gun range when it discharged and hit Charles Robert Kimball in the head, killing him instantly. Stearn told police the gun discharged while he was cleaning it, but authorities say witness accounts contradicted his claim. In addition, experts were unable to reproduce the malfunction when they tested the weapon. Prosecutors say they filed the manslaughter charge because there was no evidence Stearn intended to kill Kimball, but did deliberately aim the weapon when it fired. Stearn is seeking sentencing under the state’s Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which would erase his conviction from public records if he successfully completes probation. (JK)

Whitmore Lake-Based Firm Proposes New MagLev SystemWhitmore Lake-Based Firm Proposes New MagLev System

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4/25/13 - A locally-based entrepreneur is again proposing a multi-million dollar elevated rail system, this time to connect Willow Run and Detroit Metro airports. Justin Sutton, founder and managing partner of The Interstate Traveler Company of Whitmore Lake says he wants to use the former Willow Run GM Powertrain plant in Washtenaw County's Ypsilanti Township to build components and rail cars for the $919 million system, which would utilize magnetic levitation technology. Back in 2009, Sutton had proposed a similar transportation line between Detroit and Lansing. A state House task force, co-chaired by Genoa Township Republican Bill Rogers, was formed to look into the idea and ultimately said it was feasible, as long as it was funded privately. However, that plan never came to fruition. Word of this latest proposal from Sutton comes after it was announced this week the Yankee Air Museum was launching a $6 million campaign to make its new home at part of the Willow Run facility that produced the B-24 bomber during World War II. Sutton says he supports the museum's idea as well. (JK)

City of Howell Celebrating 25 Years as Tree City USA on Friday City of Howell Celebrating 25 Years as Tree City USA on Friday

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4/25/13 - The City of Howell is celebrating its 25th year as a Tree City USA recipient, demonstrating its continuous commitment to caring for and managing public trees. The City has planned a public Arbor Day celebration Friday evening to mark the occasion and encourage the community to plant and care for trees. The Tree City USA program provides the framework for community forestry management for cities and towns across the country. Communities achieve the status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forestry management that include maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day. The public celebration will feature speakers who will discuss Howell’s status as a Tree City USA recipient and city contractors will also be on site to answer questions about proper tree care. The gathering begins at 6:30pm tomorrow at the Bennett Recreation Center off Grand River. (JM)

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Set This SaturdayNational Prescription Drug Take Back Day Set This Saturday

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4/25/13 - Another opportunity is being offered to community members this weekend to safely dispose of prescription drugs and keep them from falling into the wrong hands. The Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday. There are a number of drop-off locations for those who may have missed previous events or just accumulated un-wanted or un-used prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked. Officials say one of the biggest issues facing Livingston County is prescription drug abuse and this is an easy, anonymous way to dispose of medications at a variety of convenient locations. As an added incentive this year, Michigan State Police will offer tours of the new Brighton Post. Sergeant Mark Thompson tells WHMI they managed to collect 85 pounds of prescription medication last year and are hoping to beat that record this year. A number of local law enforcement agencies are taking part this Saturday where medications can be disposed of, along with the Walgreens located at Grand River and Golf Club Road in Howell. Big red barrels can also be found year round at a number of locations for safe disposal. All of the drugs collected at sites will later be properly destroyed in an environmentally safe manner. A list of sites and more information can be found in the attachment below. (JM)

Man Accused Of Brandishing Gun On US-23 Bound Over For TrialMan Accused Of Brandishing Gun On US-23 Bound Over For Trial

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4/25/13 - A man has been bound over to circuit court after police allege to have waived a gun at a motorist on US-23 in Hartland Township last year, while out on bond from another gun charge. 67-year-old Clarence Leroy Murphy Jr. of Flint was charged with two counts of carrying a concealed weapon for an incident last fall in Hartland Township. He was bound over to circuit court this week, and the charges against him were amended to two counts of felonious assault. A driver told police she and her 12-year-old daughter were driving northbound on US-23 last October 29th when a minivan driven by Murphy tried to pass her near Crouse Road, then pulled alongside at which point he waived a handgun while laughing. Murphy remains free on bond and no new court dates have been set. (TD)

Death of Woman Found Under Deck of Iosco Home Ruled Accidental Death of Woman Found Under Deck of Iosco Home Ruled Accidental

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4/25/13 - The death of a young woman whose body was found underneath the deck of her mother’s home in Iosco Township has been deemed accidental. The body of 24-year-old Kalin Rose Woods was found February 5th by a neighbor in what authorities described as an odd position, underneath the back deck of the home on Dutcher Road. Woods had no shoes or coat on despite the winter weather and there were no obvious signs of trauma to her body. Earlier autopsy findings failed to offer any conclusive explanation for her death but the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department says toxicology testing detected extremely high concentrations of alcohol in her blood of .324%. The department says investigation determined that the cause of death in totality was “hypothermia due to environmental cold exposure with a contributing condition of acute ethanol intoxication”. The department says based on all information from the crime scene and the earlier autopsy report; her death has been classified as an accident. Woods is said to have moved to the area from Western Pennsylvania to care for her ill mother, who had been hospitalized in Ann Arbor at the time of her death. Her mother had asked a neighbor to check on her daughter after she hadn’t heard from her in several days. (JM)

St. Patrick Science Olympiad Team Heads To State ChampionshipSt. Patrick Science Olympiad Team Heads To State Championship

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4/26/13 - About 400 schools took part in regionals for the 31st Science Olympiad. The competition involves testing the scientific knowledge of students and putting that knowledge to use by building various projects. Cecilia Canavan, who originally brought the program to St. Patrick School and is the mother of one of the local competitors, says the team had to build a helicopter device, a trajectory device, and an egg drop machine as part of the competition. A total of 15 students between 6th and 8th grades are on the team, and having taken first place at the regional competition at Mott Community College earlier this year they will go on to compete against 95 other schools for the state title. Tomorrow’s competition will include middle school and high school events at MSU’s auditorium building from 9am to 3pm. The top two teams will go on to represent Michigan at the national championship competition in Dayton, Ohio on May 18th. (TD)

Great Start Diaper Drive Collection Events Planned Saturday Great Start Diaper Drive Collection Events Planned Saturday

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4/26/13 - Community members are being encouraged to help address a critical need while making a difference in the lives of local parents and babies during a weekend diaper collection event. A large number of local parents and families are still struggling to provide the basic essentials and the drive was created by the Great Start Livingston Parent Coalition after learning that thousands of diapers are handed out through Gleaners Community Food Bank of Livingston County. There are more than thirty drop-off sites across the county in which packaged diapers are being collected this month and will then be provided to Gleaners for distribution. However as the month comes to the close and the drive nears completion, Parent Coalition Liaison Sarah Smith says they’re hoping local residents will pick up a package of new diapers when out and about this Saturday from 10am until 2pm at at the Howell Wal-Mart, as well as the VG’s and Kroger stores in Brighton. She says they've teamed up with the 5th and 6th grade leadership team from Maltby school in Brighton to help stuff buses with diapers outside of Vg's and Kroger while the Parent Coalition will be outside of the Howell Wal-Mart with a Gleaners vehicle collecting diapers as well. More information and a complete list of locations can be found below. (JM)

Howell Man Sentenced to Prison for Operating Meth Lab Howell Man Sentenced to Prison for Operating Meth Lab

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4/26/13 - A Howell man who admitted to operating a methamphetamine lab is headed to prison. 29-year-old Andrew Auxier was sentenced yesterday to serve a minimum of three and a half years and a maximum of 20 years behind bars. The sentence was handed down by Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty, following Auxier’s earlier guilty pleas to two counts of operating the lab, as well as possession of narcotics and delivering a controlled substance. Those charges stemmed from incidents in July and August of last summer. As part of the plea, a separate, third file was dismissed in which Auxier was charged with possessing methamphetamine last September. Undercover narcotics officers testified during earlier court proceedings that they found components commonly used in making meth last August in his garbage at a residence in the Howell Estates mobile home park. That led to an August search warrant. A second search warrant was later executed in September at a two-story barn Auxier had moved to in Iosco Township. That also turned up materials commonly used in the production of meth. (JM)

March Unemployment Rates Drop in All Regional Labor Markets March Unemployment Rates Drop in All Regional Labor Markets

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4/26/13 - Total employment levels rose in all of Michigan’s regional labor markets in March, marking jobless rate declines locally. The individual jobless rate for Livingston County dropped three-tenths of a percentage point to 8.3% in March and now ranks 22nd in terms of unemployment among Michigan’s 83 counties - a ranking that has shown continued improvement during the first quarter of the year. The Department of Technology, Management and Budget says local area unemployment rates have trended downward from January to March, while area employment levels have risen. Over the year, the state says jobless rate declines in nearly all local areas were comparable to the national jobless rate reduction. Of the major sectors in Michigan, the state says only trade, transportation and utilities reported a decline in March. (JM)

Howell's We The People Team Competing at Nationals in D.C Howell's We The People Team Competing at Nationals in D.C

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4/26/13 - After some hardcore fundraising efforts, Howell High School’s “We the People Team” is in Washington, DC for the national competition. it's the first time in the school's history that the team will compete in the nationals. Approximately 1,300 high school students from across the country take part in the academic competition, which tests students’ knowledge and understanding of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The competition takes the form of simulated congressional hearings, where students serve as “experts” on one of the six units of the curriculum. This marks the 26th Anniversary of the finals hearings, which are set for this Saturday and Sunday at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. The ten highest-scoring classes from the first two days of hearings move on to the championship round on Monday in congressional hearing rooms on Capitol Hill. Five teams will compete in the morning and five in the afternoon. District officials say the top ten finalists will be posted online after 10pm this Sunday and anyone interested in keeping up with the team and its activities can do so through its Facebook page. A link can be found below. (JM)
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