5/20/13 - Safety belt enforcement zones will be seen across Livingston County starting today as the annual two-week Click It of Ticket campaign moves into full swing. Local police departments, sheriff offices and Michigan State Police Posts in 26 counties including Livingston will conduct federally funded safety belt enforcement zones through the busy Memorial Day travel weekend. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning coordinates the annual seat belt mobilization and enforcement zones are marked with large portable signs. Law enforcement officers are stationed throughout Livingston County looking for and stopping un-buckled motorists. Michigan law requires all drivers and passengers 15 years of age and younger in any seating position to be buckled up. Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8-years-old or 4 feet 9 inches tall. Although Michigan led the nation in seat belt use for two years running, state officials say it has declined for the last three years. Last yearâs belt use was at 93.6%. Of the ten people who died over the Memorial Day holiday period in 2012, three of the seven vehicle occupants were not wearing a seat belt. (JM)
Click It or Ticket Campaign Underway in Livingston County Click It or Ticket Campaign Underway in Livingston County
↧
↧
Corrective Plans Filed for Violations at Brighton Adult Care Facility Corrective Plans Filed for Violations at Brighton Adult Care Facility
5/20/13 - An adult foster-care facility in Brighton was the target of a complaint and subsequent state investigation earlier this year. Evelyn Longsworth of Genoa Township had her husband placed in building #3 at Ashley Court in Brighton in February of last year after his Alzheimerâs conditions progressed. He passed away last August. In January, she filed a formal complaint with the Michigan Department of Human Services alleging the ratio of direct staff care to residents was not adequate, and the staff shortage resulted in residents not receiving adequate supervision, personal care and protection. There were also allegations that residents fall frequently and injure themselves. The state conducted surprise on-site investigations earlier this year and issued an inspection report in April. Due to violations identified in two recent reports regarding Ashley Court in Brighton, a written corrective action plan was required. The licensee of Ashley Court, Rubin Chandok, has since submitted that plan to the Bureau of Child and Adult Licensing. A DHS spokesman told WHMI both reports have been addressed by the licensee to the satisfaction of the bureau and it did not take any disciplinary action beyond citing Ashley Court for the violations. A link to the investigation reports and related documents can be found below. (JM)
↧
Hartland Instrument Company Celebrates 25 Years in BusinessHartland Instrument Company Celebrates 25 Years in Business
5/21/13 - Following a buyout from a French company, a Hartland Township business is celebrating more than 25 years of producing meteorological measurement devices, growing from a basement start-up to an international subsidiary. Pete Szekeres began Dynamic Technology Incorporated in 1987 in his basement following four years in the Air Force and twelve years with Honeywell. He was quickly able to move into a strip mall storefront on Old US-23 and then eventually into a custom-made facility just down the road where the firm has been located since 1999. Since then, the company has expanded to Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas and Houston and employs more than 180 people making calibration devices for acoustics, electronics, pressure, temperature and vibration products. In 2011 the company was bought by the French firm Trescal, the worldâs largest provider of metrology services. To help celebrate this growth, Trescal is holding an open house tomorrow from 10am to 3pm with demonstrations, tours and contests. (JK)
↧
Four Charged After 2011 Dispensary Raid to Appear in Court in June Four Charged After 2011 Dispensary Raid to Appear in Court in June
5/21/13 - The criminal cases against four people charged with selling pot to an undercover officer at a now-closed medical marijuana dispensary in Handy Township are moving forward again. Alan Marshall and his wife Christi were the owners of Marshall Alternatives on Fowlerville Road, which was aided twice by police in 2011. They were charged along with two employees, Stephanie Baxter and April Smith, for allegedly selling marijuana illegally to an undercover officer. Defense attorneys say it was a case of entrapment and that undercover officers used a fake driverâs license and medical marijuana registry card to make the purchases, which their clients thought were legally protected.
Their cases were on hold pending a ruling from the Michigan Supreme Court, which finally came in February when the justices affirmed the state's right to shut down dispensaries that sell marijuana on the grounds that they are a public nuisance. The decision allowed the case against Marshall Alternatives to move forward. All four defendants are scheduled to appear for a pre-trial hearing in Livingston County Circuit Court June 21st. The registered caregiver-to-patient transaction remains legal but the high courtâs ruling banned both compensated and un-compensated transactions between patients with state-issued cards. The state's 2008 medical marijuana law makes no mention of dispensaries, nor does it indicate how people should obtain the drug. (JM/JK)
↧
Despite Brief Debate, Howell City Council Adopts Budget Despite Brief Debate, Howell City Council Adopts Budget
5/21/13 - The Howell City Council adopted the budget for the upcoming fiscal year at Monday nightâs meeting, which basically maintains status quo to get through the year and see how things look down the road. The budget did include a continuation of the city garbage tax, which was why Councilman Doug Heins voted against it. The overall budget does not raise taxes and maintains the same millage rate as the year before although the fund balance will be reduced by $51,000, bringing it to just over $1.5 (m) million. The budget includes the hire of a police officer but prior to approval, Councilman Al Schlittler had sought to amend the budget and shift funds from other areas to hire a second officer. He also sought to reduce the garbage tax, which sunsets at the end of next year. Some members were surprised by the suggestion since it never came up during multiple budget work sessions. Many expressed that they were open to future discussions but didnât feel comfortable the City has the money right now. Last nightâs budget adoption does not preclude Council from looking at adding an officer in the future and the amendment failed to pass, although Mayor Phil Campbell and Heins voted in favor of it. Council considers budget amendments based on revised financial projections, typically on a quarterly basis. New personal property tax exemptions begin in the 2014/2015 year, which spell a loss of $50,000 per year in tax revenue for the city. City Manager Shea Charles says they are seeing signs of positive tax base growth for the first time but the budget still included another 5% reduction in overall taxable value, mostly due to the various tax tribunal cases the City went through last year. With tax tribunals due at the end of the month, he says they should be able to get an idea of what kind of exposure the City may or may not have this year. (JM)
↧
↧
County Board of Commissioners Urges State to Fix RoadsCounty Board of Commissioners Urges State to Fix Roads
5/21/13 - A motion urging Governor Snyder and state lawmakers to take action to repair Michiganâs deteriorating roads and bridges was approved by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners last night. The board has received briefings on the topic from several sources, including Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, and the Michigan Association of Counties. The resolution states that 32% of the stateâs roads are currently in poor condition and that number will jump to 65% by 2018 if action is not taken. It also says one third of all fatal and serious traffic accidents in Michigan are linked in part to the poor condition of the roadway. The commission says improving the roads will improve the economy and save the lives of Michigan drivers. Commissioner Steve Williams tells WHMI that the county spends all of its road money as efficiently as possible, and it is up to the state government to make a bigger effort to maintain our roads and bridges. He says the board does not mean to tell the state government how to do its job, nor to encourage tax increases. However, the resolution points out that the 6% sales tax goes to the state governmentâs general fund rather than road repair projects, and suggests that a $10 billion investment over ten years could prevent 100 traffic-related deaths and create 12,000 local jobs. (TD)
↧
Brighton Schools to Borrow $2 Million Until State Aid ArrivesBrighton Schools to Borrow $2 Million Until State Aid Arrives
5/21/13 - The Brighton Area Schools will be borrowing $2 million in a short-term loan to be able to meet payroll and other obligations before state school aid starts coming in next fall. The Board of Education Monday night approved the loan through Comerica Bank at an interest rate of 0.625, or slightly over six-tenths of a percent. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that normally the district would go through the state to borrow the money, but that was not possible this time around. Gray told the board that loans are normally negotiated at an interest rate of over two per cent, explaining that the tiny interest rate is due to the short-term nature of the loan, which he says will be paid off by this fall. Assistant Superintendent of Finance Maria Gistinger says the loan will cost the district about $12,000 in interest. (TT)
↧
Schillinger Withdraws from Brighton Council RaceSchillinger Withdraws from Brighton Council Race
5/21/13 - Larry Schillinger, a cheerleader for the Brighton community for many years, has announced that he has withdrawn from the City Council race. That leaves five people in the running for four council seats. Schillinger tells WHMI that after filing nominating petitions last week, he decided he had been on council long enough and it was time to give others the chance to serve. He withdrew in time to meet the 72-hour deadline for withdrawing, and as a result his name will not appear on the November election ballot. Schillinger served two consecutive 4-year terms starting in 1997, then took two years off, and in 2009 was elected to a 4-year term which expires this November. He has also served on Brighton's Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission and is currently a member of the Traffic Safety Advisory Commission. He was the city's liaison to the Brighton Area Fire Authority Board for several years, starting with its inception in 1999. Schillinger, who is 69, is a partner in 4windsrealty.com. (TT)
↧
Jury Convicts Man in Stabbing Death of Pinckney ResidentJury Convicts Man in Stabbing Death of Pinckney Resident
5/21/13 - A jury has convicted a man charged with murdering a Livingston County resident who had reportedly tried to help the suspectâs wife from an abusive relationship. An Oakland County Circuit Court jury on Monday convicted 38-year-old Ronald Lewis Kennedy of 2nd degree murder, assault with intent to murder and domestic violence against his wife. Charles MacDonald Shiffman of Pinckney was found dead of multiple stab wounds December 1st in the front yard of a home in northern Oakland County's Rose Township. Police say Kennedy stabbed the 34-year-old Pinckney man several times after finding him at the house with his wife, 31-year-old Jessica Kennedy. Shiffmanâs family say the two were long-time friends and that he had gone to the home at the womanâs request to help her get out of an abusive relationship. Kennedyâs mother claims her son was attacked inside his home and was merely defending himself. After stabbing Shiffman, Police say Kennedy stabbed his wife and forced her into a car before fleeing the area. He was later stopped by police and arrested. Following yesterdayâs verdict, Kennedyâs bond was revoked and he was ordered held pending his sentencing set for June 12th. He faces up to life in prison. (JK)
↧
↧
Warrant Issued for Man Charged w/ Local Catalytic Converter Thefts Warrant Issued for Man Charged w/ Local Catalytic Converter Thefts
5/21/13 - A Jackson man charged with stealing catalytic converters is now wanted locally after failing to appear in court. A bench warrant was issued for 32-year-old Jeffrey Kern Monday after he failed to appear in Livingston County Circuit Court. Judge David Reader also revoked his bond, and records showed he earlier posted 10% of a $50,000 bond that was set. Kern is charged with larceny of $1,000 or more and receiving and concealing stolen property. He was arrested with 23-year-old Heather Anders on January 28th after officers patrolling the area near Michaelâs Auto Salvage in Howell discovered 13 catalytic converters along Lucy Road that had been stolen off cars within the junkyard, along with saws and other tools. Anders was sentenced earlier this month to jail and probation for her role as the alleged getaway driver. (JM)
↧
Court Officials Give "State Of The Judiciary" PresentationCourt Officials Give "State Of The Judiciary" Presentation
5/21/13 - The Livingston County Board of Commissioners heard a âstate of the judiciaryâ presentation last night to learn the status and future goals of the local court system. Probate Court Administrator James Duquet says court officials decided to produce the presentation after other county departments began providing similar annual updates. Several court officials, in the presence of Probate Court Judge Miriam Cavanaugh and District Court Judge Theresa Brennan, provided the board with information on the caseload, revenues, and trends of the past year. Overall the number of court cases was down in 2012, while the general complexity of cases is on the rise. Duquet outlined five objectives that will be pursued by the courts over the next year; timely and efficient case processing, effective use of funding, positive outcomes for citizens in the courts, keeping staff well-trained and informed, and increasing accessibility of court services to the public. He tells WHMI administrators are still working out the best way to pursue those goals, but work is already being done to eliminate redundancy among court administration and improve efficiency. He says technological improvements are also a high priority. Duquet says this was the first âstate of the judiciaryâ presentation that involved all of the countyâs court systems, but he expects it to become an annual occurrence. (TD)
↧
Volunteers Prepare for Local & Regional Deployments to Oklahoma Volunteers Prepare for Local & Regional Deployments to Oklahoma
5/22/13 - The American Red Cross is preparing to deploy both local and regional volunteers following Monday's devastation in Oklahoma. The National Weather Service says the tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma was a top-of-the-scale EF-5 twister with winds of at least 200 mph. It flattened homes and demolished an elementary school, killing dozens. The American Red Cross currently has volunteers at the sites theyâre able to access and have opened up shelters while providing mass care and feeding. The Red Cross will also be starting distribution, which involves passing out items victims will need in the clean-up process. Regional Emergency Service Director for the Central and Northern Michigan Region Joan Meinke says she fully expects volunteers from the state and region will be deployed but they will need to wait until the system ramps up to that point and theyâre ready. She says the devastation is horrific and the best way individuals can help is to donate financially. Complete details can be found in the release below. Meanwhile, the youth ministries with the Community Bible Church of Brighton have put together a car wash this Saturday. Itâs being offered free to anyone who stops by and all donations will benefit the communities affected by the tornadoes in Oklahoma. AP Photo. (JM)
↧
New Veterans Memorial Placed by Hartland American LegionNew Veterans Memorial Placed by Hartland American Legion
5/22/13 - Hartland Cemetery will have a new monument today to honor the veterans of all the veterans of American wars during the 20th century. The new monument was conceived and produced by American Legion Post 415 in Hartland after the idea for a World War II monument was suggested about three years ago. The post decided to make a monument instead to all of the veterans of the last century. It was designed by committee and constructed with the help of local skilled workers. The overall cost to Post 415 was about $2,000. The main portion is a four-foot pyramid made of aluminum. The images on the pyramid will include a doughboy soldier commemorating World War I veterans, the iconic âKilroy was hereâ image to commemorate World War II veterans, and bronze medallions for all the branches of the US military including the merchant marines. The fourth side of the pyramid is hidden by vegetation and will be left blank. The monument will be put in place at noon today and then formally dedicated at a ceremony on Memorial Day beginning at 11am. (TD)
↧
↧
Gregory Man Hospitalized After CrashGregory Man Hospitalized After Crash
5/22/13 - A Gregory man was hospitalized after losing control of his vehicle Monday night in Unadilla Township. Township police say the 30-year-old driver was southbound on Unadilla Road near Williamsville Road shortly after 9pm when he lost control, veered across the northbound lane and hit the northbound guardrail to a creek north of Williamsville Road. The driver, who had to be extricated by Unadilla Township Firefighters using the Jaws of Life, sustained leg injuries and was transported to the U of M Medical Center by Livingston County Ambulance. The incident remains under investigation by township police. (JK)
↧
Howell City Council Finalizes Historic District For The Opera HouseHowell City Council Finalizes Historic District For The Opera House
5/22/13 - The Howell City Council has adopted an ordinance creating a historic district for The Opera House. A public hearing was held at Monday nightâs meeting, followed by Council approval of the Opera House Historic District Ordinance. It was introduced earlier this month and includes language setting up the framework for creating historic districts, appointing study committees and historic district commissions, the duties of those, and the standards by which a historic district commission must review work. The historic district will consist of The Opera House building only and will not affect other properties. The creation of the district will allow The Livingston Arts Council to leverage potential tax credits and other grant opportunities. Council also approved the report completed by the Opera House Historic District Study Committee, which was sent to the State Historic Preservation Office in March and review comments were incorporated into the final report. Finally, Council approved appointments to the Historic District Commission, which will review all proposed work that impacts the exterior of the Opera House. (JM)
↧
Twin Brothers From Fowlerville Charged In Hamburg Home InvasionTwin Brothers From Fowlerville Charged In Hamburg Home Invasion
5/22/13 - Charges have been filed against twin brothers from Fowlerville who police say were involved in a home invasion in Hamburg Township last week. 25-year-old Kyle Norman Bennett and Kevin Michael Bennett were arraigned on charges of home invasion, unlawful driving away of a vehicle, receiving and concealing stolen property valued at less than $20,000, and possession of a stolen credit card. Hamburg Township Police officers were dispatched on May 13th to a break-in at a home on Bishop Lake Road near Chilson Road. They say the invasion occurred while the residents were at work and several items were stolen from the house, including the ownerâs 2006 Mercedes Benz. An investigation followed, which led Hamburg police and the Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team, or LAWNET, to observe the area near Ford Road and Haggerty in Canton Township. According to a press release, a Hamburg officer spotted the stolen car and gave chase to the location under observation by police. Officers from both agencies worked to stop the car and arrest the two men inside without incident. (TD)
↧
Rogers Praised For Bipartsian Work on Intelligence IssuesRogers Praised For Bipartsian Work on Intelligence Issues
5/22/13 - Congressman Mike Rogers, the Howell Republican who is chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, is being credited by colleagues on the opposite side of the political aisle with pulling off a rare feat in a bitterly divided Congress: creating a working, productive relationship with Democrats in overseeing the nation's 16 spy agencies. The camaraderie of the four leaders of the House and Senate Intelligence panels - Rogers, Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md., and Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga. - is so unusual that they even traveled together recently on a four-country, five-day Mideast trip. What they got was a better understanding of the unfulfilled promises of the Arab Spring - from Egypt, where the West wonders about economic stability and human rights under Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, to Jordan, which is grappling with a growing refugee crisis from the two-year civil war in Syria. There were stops in Saudi Arabia and Israel, and plenty of discussions about strategy for getting a cybersecurity bill through Congress. Feinstein, a California Democrat who is Rogers' Senate counterpart, describes him as "a positive leader, which we need." She adds: "We don't need more negative." Rogers laments the partisanship that he says has crept into the national security arena - a region he feels should be a political "neutral zone." The question now is whether Rogers sticks around in the House or fulfills GOP hopes and runs for the U.S. Senate seat from Michigan. Rogers - a seven-term House member - says he's weighing a Senate run but has made no decision. He has also been mentioned as a possible successor to lead the FBI. (JK)
↧
↧
Howell Students Sweep Memorial Day Essay ContestHowell Students Sweep Memorial Day Essay Contest
5/22/13 - Three students from Howell Public Schools were the winners of a Memorial Day essay contest. The Grant Sweet Memorial Essay Contest is sponsored annually by the Friends of the Hartland Cromaine District Library and American Legion Post 415 of Hartland Township. The contest is in memory of the library's former building manager Grant Sweet, who passed away in 2010. Livingston County students in grades 7-12 were invited to write about friends and loved ones in the military. The grand prize winner was Howell High School 10th-grader Zachary Palmieri, who wrote about his grandfather. He won $300. Second place went to Ashley Dunn, a seventh-grader at Highlander Way Middle School, who won $200 writing about her friend. Third place went to Morgan Holt, an eighth-grader at Highlander Way, who wrote about her brother and received $100. All three also received commemorative medals. The essays will be printed in the 2014 Hartland Memorial Day parade booklet. Pictured from left to right: Dwight Sachau (Hartland American Legion Post), Morgan Holt, Ashley Dunn, Don Smith (Hartland American Legion Post), and Zachary Palmieri. (JK)
↧
New Howell Township Airport Zoning Will Include ResidencesNew Howell Township Airport Zoning Will Include Residences
5/22/13 - Some single-family homes in Howell Township will be rezoned if a proposed âairport serviceâ zoning district is approved. The township planning commission held a public hearing at its regular meeting last night, although no members of the public attended. The new zoning district will include portions of the townshipâs heavy commercial and regional service commercial zoning districts north of the intersection of Grand River and M-59, covering the entire area currently occupied by the Spencer J. Hardy Airport. It will also include a small portion of the single-family residential district north of Bowen Road and east of Burkhart. Township Planning Consultant Ben Carlisle tells WHMI those parcels were included because they have redevelopment potential for the growing airport, but residents there will be grandfathered in as a residential use in perpetuity, allowing residents to live in their homes and sell them as single-family residences as long as they like. However, the nonconforming use for a home in the airport district will expire if it goes unoccupied for too long. Carlisle says it is the hope of the township that allowing residents to sell their parcels as something other than single-family homes will increase their property values. The township planner is currently researching concerns of the commission and will report back on the proposed district next month. (TD)
↧
Howell School Resource Officer Position Approved For Fall 2013Howell School Resource Officer Position Approved For Fall 2013
5/22/13 - Security in the Howell school district will be internalized this fall now that the Howell School Board has approved the creation of a school resource officer position. The district currently contracts with the Howell Police Department for $43,000 per year to provide a security officer to the district. A motion passed by the board last week will replace that contract with a new SRO employed exclusively by the district with the money that would otherwise have gone toward the contract. Superintendent Ron Wilson says the job will go to a security officer and retired policeman who currently works at Parker Middle School and is the husband of a Howell teacher. Wilson says with the recent issues related to school security going on nation-wide, it is important for the district to have someone who can perform building assessments, examine safety procedures, and provide training for other staff members. The SRO will also have a full set of keys and maps for every building in the district, so if an incident does occur he can provide access and layout information to emergency responders. The new position will begin in August. (TD)
↧
More Pages to Explore .....
