6/5/13 - A special ceremony held at St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital last night is organized each year to help local residents cope with the loss of loved ones to suicide. For years, the Livingston County Survivors of Suicide Support Group has held a balloon launch at the hospital in June. Community Mental Health Social Worker Amy DeMare Burton says it got started when organizers realized the group was not doing any sort of formal honoring of the deceased, which can be beneficial to the grieving and healing process. She tells WHMI they chose to release helium balloons as a group to help bring the members of the support group together, and the activity is peaceful and cathartic for many. She says the group gets higher attendance for the meeting that includes the ceremony every year. The meeting also touched on the upcoming Walk to Prevent Suicide fundraiser, scheduled for late September in Kensington Metropark. For more information about the support group, contact Burton at (517) 546-4126 or Diane Heinlein at dheinlein@cmhliv.org. For more information about the Walk to Prevent Suicide, follow the link below. (TD)
Suicide Survivor Support Group Holds Annual Balloon LaunchSuicide Survivor Support Group Holds Annual Balloon Launch
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Howell Area Parks & Rec Names New Interim Director Howell Area Parks & Rec Names New Interim Director
6/4/13 - The Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority Board is moving forward with some leadership changes after a recent shake-up in the organization. The board met Monday to formally accept the resignation of Director Debbie Mikula, which was effective at the end of the day on May 28th. It then voted unanimously to hire Assistant Director Beth Schrader to serve as its acting interim director until a formal replacement can be found. Board Secretary Steve Manor tells WHMI says it has been a bit of a difficult time but everything is still on track and moving forward and the board has the utmost confidence in Schrader, who has been with the organization for years. The authority board also started the process of identifying a job description for the director position. A draft is expected to be brought before the board at its next meeting, before it formally posts the position and begins the search process. The board will also be working to identify and hire general legal counsel for the organization, as it has been operating without one. The board is looking to contract with an attorney who has experience with authority entities and is familiar with parks and recreation matters. (JM)
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Services Held for Cullen FinnertyServices Held for Cullen Finnerty
6/5/13 - Relatives, ex-teammates and coaches remembered Cullen Finnerty during a funeral Tuesday for the former Grand Valley State University star quarterback whose body was discovered last month in woods in western Michigan. Finnertyâs older brother Tim spoke during the Mass at St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Brighton Township, saying âGod must have had a bad season last year, because he took you as the No. 1 draft pick this year." Authorities found no obvious signs of trauma and have yet to determine a cause of death for the 30-year-old, who was with his relatives on a holiday weekend at a cottage in Lake County's Webber Township. He disappeared May 26 while fishing a river separately from other relatives. His body was found days later, about 65 miles north of Grand Rapids during a search by dozens of people including former teammates, coaches and current players from Grand Valley State. Finnerty, a star at Brighton High School, was one of the most successful quarterbacks in college football history. He led Division II Grand Valley to more than 50 victories and three national titles, the last in 2006. A Grand Valley State helmet and jersey were laid on Finnerty's casket. After college, Finnerty briefly was a member of the Baltimore Ravens and later the Denver Broncos. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer; son, Caden; and daughter, Makinley. Picture Credit: Ryan Garza/Detroit Free Press. (JK)
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Genesee County Couple Fighting To Keep Lilly the Deer PetGenesee County Couple Fighting To Keep Lilly the Deer Pet
6/5/13 - A Genesee County couple is continuing their fight with the DNR to keep the pet deer theyâve raised since birth. Lilly was one of two fawns born after her mother was hit and killed by car five years ago. She was rescued by the couple from the side of the road and has since become a part of the family. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division got involved after receiving a complaint the animal was being kept as a pet. Officers say there are public safety concerns and itâs illegal for the couple to keep Lilly, so she must be rehabilitated back into the wild or be put down. Since Lilly was born in the wild and not in captivity, state laws make placing her more difficult. A licensed wildlife rehabilitator with Wild Oat Rescue in Fenton Township told MLive.com she was unable to take in Lilly because of her size and the length of time she has lived with the couple, saying she should have been released years ago. The DNR is reportedly working with the coupleâs attorney to find a new home for Lilly, whether it be a farm licensed to handle wildlife, a rehabilitation facility or a petting zoo. An online petition to save Lilly and let the family keep her is circulating and a link is posted below. Meanwhile, anyone who might have a good home for Lilly is asked to call 248-359-9040. (JM)
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Fowlerville Board Holds Sendoff for Retiring SuperintendentFowlerville Board Holds Sendoff for Retiring Superintendent
6/5/13 - The Fowlerville School Board held a retirement party for Superintendent Richard Heinrich last night. The district hired Heinrich in 2009 with the understanding that he would only stay in the position for a few years. Effective June 30th, he will retire from the educational field after 36 years spent among six different districts. Dozens of people attended the retirement party last night, including Representative Cindy Denby. She presented Heinrich with a certificate signed by Governor Rick Snyder and local legislators thanking him and recognizing his years of service. School Board President Mike Brown says Heinrich steered the district through some difficult economic times. Heinrich tells WHMI that of all his accomplishments in office, he is most proud of how the district managed to handle the recession and ensuing state budget cuts. He says he plans to get a new job somewhere else, but for the summer he will be spending time at his vacation home on Lake Huron with his wife and family. His position will be filled by current Assistant Superintendent Wayne Roedel. (TD)
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Elias Motion Denied to Strike Affidavit From Public RecordElias Motion Denied to Strike Affidavit From Public Record
6/5/13 - A former realtor whose Brighton office was raided by the FBI has had a motion denied seeking to remove an affidavit from the public record. Attorneys for William Elias of Elias Realty had originally requested in April that the U.S. District Court in Detroit unseal the FBIâs affidavit used to obtain a search warrant for his offices in Brighton and Livonia, saying he wanted to âreview and inspectâ the information it contained. When federal authorities complied, the affidavit was then made available via the federal online court document system known as PACER. Despite being redacted to protect the names of cooperating witnesses and Elias employees, the document revealed that the FBI began investigating Elias Realty in January of 2012 for allegedly defrauding the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, known as Freddie Mac, through whatâs known as âbuy and bailâ scheme. Homeowners were purportedly encouraged to purchase a second home prior to completing a short sale on their first home and then coached on how to fraudulently represent their intentions through the process. Following the disclosure, Elias sought to suppress the document from public view. However, in a decision released Tuesday, a federal magistrate denied the request and agreed with prosecutors that there would be no practical effect to striking a document from the public record that had already been published at the request of Mr. Elias. To date, there have been no criminal charges filed against Elias or his company. However, a lawsuit he filed against Freddie Mac continues to be processed through the federal courts. (JK)
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Competency Exam Ordered for Man Charged in Gun Range Death Competency Exam Ordered for Man Charged in Gun Range Death
6/6/13 - A man charged in connection with a fatal shooting at a Brighton Township gun range has been ordered to undergo state forensic testing to determine if he is fit to stand trial. 20-year-old Jessce Lincon Stearn of Howell Township is being held without bond and also faces a felony firearms count in the June 2012 death of 21-year-old Charles Kimball at the Livingston Conservation and Sports Association gun range. At a hearing in 53rd District Court in Brighton Wednesday, Judge Theresa Brennan referred Stearn for a forensic competency and criminal responsibility evaluation. Stearn told authorities his replica AK-47 had jammed and that when he tried to clear it, it misfired and hit Kimball in the head, killing him instantly. Following the crime last year, authorities said they were unable to reproduce the weapon malfunction and that witness statements contradicted the claim that it was an accident. Stearn had pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge originally filed by prosecutors because there was no evidence to support that he intended to kill Kimball. However that all changed when new evidence in the case surfaced, reportedly statements Stearn made to fellow inmates in the Livingston County Jail that he had intentionally killed Kimball over an unpaid debt, resulting in the current charges being filed. (JM)
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Green Oak Takes Over Maintenance of Lee Road RoundaboutsGreen Oak Takes Over Maintenance of Lee Road Roundabouts
6/6/13 - The maintenance of the Lee Road roundabouts was taken over by Green Oak Township with a resolution by the Board of Trustees last night. The trimming and maintenance of the roundabouts was previously handled by the County Road Commission and local businesses, but due to financial difficulties and funding cuts the road commission told the township it would no longer be providing that service. The township board decided that it considers the area around US-23 a gateway to the community, so it will pick up the slack on that bill. The deal approved last night will cost the township $2,880 per year for the next three years to provide mulch, new plants, weed control, and other maintenance for the areas. Township Clerk Mike Sedlak says the Road Commission informed the township that the maintenance was not one of its statutory duties. Members of the board drew comparisons between this situation and the one involving the local county and state roads, which will be repaired by the township in the coming years using money from a recently-passed road millage. (TD)
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House Resolution Marks 69th Anniversary of D-Day InvasionHouse Resolution Marks 69th Anniversary of D-Day Invasion
6/6/13 - Today marks the 69th anniversary of D-Day and an area lawmaker is commenting on a House Resolution that was passed recognizing it. June 6th marks the anniversary of the D-Day invasion of France during World War II as the Allies took on Adolph Hitler's Nazi forces in 1944. State Representative Joe Graves, a Republican from Argentine Township, says itâs important that the sacrifices of D-Day are never forgotten. 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion but the cost was high with more than 9,000 Allied soldiers killed or wounded on June 6th alone. Photograph from the U.S. Coast Guard Collection in the U.S. National Archives. (JM/JK)
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Michiganders Feel Pump Pain with New Record High for GasMichiganders Feel Pump Pain with New Record High for Gas
6/6/13 - Local motorists are being forced to drive and bear it as gas prices soar to the highest level on record across the state of Michigan. It's now one of just a few states where motorists are paying more than $4 for a gallon of gas. AAA Michigan completes an updated gas price survey once every day, based on the previous dayâs sales and spokeswoman Nancy Cain says prices are going up quite a bit, with some stations charging $4.29 a gallon, which to date is the highest on average since May of 2011 when motorists were paying $4.25 a gallon. AAA doesnât anticipate that the high prices will last throughout the summer but spokeswoman Nancy Cain says unfortunately the state is very dependent on several refineries in the Midwest that are aging and need maintenance, including one each in Indiana and Illinois. Cain says theyâre hearing that the maintenance should be done by mid-June and once the refineries are back on-line, prices should start moderating again. While we canât control the price at the pump, Cain says local motorists can lessen the pain by filling up when they spot a good price and pay with cash if possible. Meanwhile, a local lawmaker says something must be done to combat the skyrocketing gas prices. State Representative Bill Rogers said âwhile he does not have a specific solution in mind, he is determined to work towards finding oneâ. The Genoa Township Republican says he found it shocking that gas in Michigan is so much more expensive than the rest of the country and there is obviously a flaw in the system. He says itâs clear that current resources are not working and solutions must be identified, noting the Keystone XL Pipeline may be one to consider. That proposed pipeline system would transport oil sands bitumen from Canada and the northern United States to refineries on the Gulf Coast of Texas. It's been opposed by a variety of environmental groups concerned about the risk of oil spills along the pipeline route, which passes through highly sensitive terrain, as well as the higher greenhouse gas emissions that come from the extraction of oil sands compared to conventional oil. (JM)
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Calling All Muggles; Quiddich Coming to BrightonCalling All Muggles; Quiddich Coming to Brighton
6/6/13 - There will be no flying involved, but that won't stop the University of Michigan Quiddich Team from giving a presentation and holding a game for local teens at the Brighton Library this month. Quiddich began as a fictional sport played on flying brooms in the Harry Potter book series, but it has since been adapted into a real sport at more than 300 colleges and high schools around the world. The University of Michigan team was founded in 2010 and pays visits to communities to demonstrate and promote the sport. They will visit the Brighton District Library on Tuesday, June 18th to teach local teens aged 11 through 18 about real-life Quiddich, demonstrate how it is played, and let the local kids give the game a shot in a live match. The Quiddich demonstration is just the first in a planned series of teen-oriented events that will be put on for free by the library as part of its Summer Reading Program. There is no cost to participate, but the library does ask teens to register. For more information, follow the link below. (TD)
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Fowlerville Man Charged With Sending Illicit Texts to 11 Year Old Fowlerville Man Charged With Sending Illicit Texts to 11 Year Old
6/6/13 - Hundreds of sexually explicit texts and pictures sent to an 11-year-old girl have resulted in felony charges against a Fowlerville man. 29-year-old Matthew Lewis Colston is charged with child abuse commercial activity, accosting a child for immoral purposes and using a computer to commit a crime. The childâs parents told State Police that Colston sent their daughter over 500 explicit photographs, which they discovered by using a cell phone app installed on her phone. The parents reportedly became concerned after their daughter started receiving multiple late-night messages. Colston remains jailed on a $500,000 bond pending a June 10th preliminary exam conference. (JK)
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Howell High School's Mark Ogelsby Departing with Fond MemoriesHowell High School's Mark Ogelsby Departing with Fond Memories
6/6/13 - Itâs a bittersweet time for a Howell High School Teacher who will be leaving the district but taking along years of fond memories. Today marked the last day of class for not only students but for Mark Ogelsby, who will be moving to Dallas, Texas with his family after accepting a similar position at a private school. Ogelsby is well known for his passion about the subjects he teaches but even more so for his overall focus on the success of students. In addition to teaching government, constitutional law and U.S. history classes in the Howell district over the years, Ogelsby has also coached boys and girls tennis. He says he feels that helps build better relationships with students and in turn, prompts them to challenge themselves more. He tells WHMI itâs been a great 13 years and he has loved his experiences here but the upcoming move is best from a family standpoint and he has years of memories that he will always cherish. Ogelsby received the 2011 âAmerican Civic Education Teacherâ award, which is given to teachers who have demonstrated exceptional expertise and creativity in motivating students to learn about the Constitution, Congress and public policy. He also led Howellâs We the People team to the national competition in Washington D.C. this year â a first in the schoolâs history. (JM)
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Rogers Defending NSA Collection of Telephone RecordsRogers Defending NSA Collection of Telephone Records
6/6/13 - A Howell Congressman is finding himself in the unique position of defending The Obama administration and an ongoing collection of a massive amount of telephone records. The U.S. government obtained a top secret court order that requires Verizon to turn over the telephone records of millions of Americans to the National Security Agency, re-igniting a debate over privacy. Congressman Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, defended the records collection at a Capitol Hill news conference today. He says the information culled from the records enabled U.S. authorities to stop a "significant case." Rogers says the ongoing NSA search thwarted an attempted terrorist attack in the United States in the last few years. He declined to provide additional details but said he was in touch with U.S. officials about providing more information. He said the NSA search is for business records and is constantly being reviewed; saying nothing is done without court approval. The surveillance appears to have involved the phone records of millions of Americans. Privacy advocates and others blasted the order as unconstitutional government surveillance and called for a review. (JM)
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Fenton Man Convicted in Fraud Scheme Fails to Report to PrisonFenton Man Convicted in Fraud Scheme Fails to Report to Prison
6/6/13 - A local man convicted of running a multi-million dollar mortgage fraud scheme appears to have skipped out on his federal prison sentence. A U.S. District Court Judge in Detroit ordered Ronnie Duke of Fenton to serve 13 years in prison and pay nearly $95 million in restitution along with a $1 million fine in April. He was free on an unsecured $20,000 bond and failed to report to prison as scheduled this week to begin serving his sentence. A federal magistrate signed an order today issuing a bench warrant for his arrest and forfeiture of bond. Duke had faced up to 30 years in prison, but because he cooperated with prosecutors, they agreed to the lesser prison term. Duke was charged in the scheme along with several others, including William Camsell Wells III of Oceola Township who was previously sentenced to 8 and a half years in prison. Duke was at the center of the scam in which fake loans were used to generate cash for travel, upscale homes, expensive boats and even a helicopter. Authorities say the fraud triggered losses of more than $100 (m) million and involved roughly 180 homes in the region between 2004 and 2007. Court records indicate Wells recruited so-called âstrawâ buyers, who filed fraudulent loan applications. Duke would then arrange the loans, which ranged in size from approximately $350,000 to $600,000. Wells also admitted to setting up bank accounts to receive the loan dollars, some of which authorities say was used to finance Hardcore Motorsports, a Hartland-based business that he owned. (JM)
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Man Charged With Fleeing Flip-Flops On Plea During SentencingMan Charged With Fleeing Flip-Flops On Plea During Sentencing
6/7/13 - A Fowlerville man charged with fleeing from police last year was sentenced yesterday, but tried to change his guilty plea and dismiss his attorney after hearing the sentence. 39-year-old David Kluesner pleaded guilty May 3rd to charges of 3rd degree fleeing police, driving on a suspended license, and assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer. He had the option to withdraw his plea if he did not like the sentence, which is what happened yesterday. The court denied a motion by Kluesner to remove his attorney, but agreed to allow him to send the case to trial. However, just after 12 noon, the case was recalled to the courtroom. Kluesner asked to reinstate his guilty plea, which the court accepted. He was then ordered to serve two years of probation, the first six months of which would be in the Livingston County Jail. Prosecutors say Kluesner was stopped by police July 29th, 2012 for driving on a suspended license. Police say he refused to cooperate or provide identification before trying to flee from the officer, who deployed a Taser with no effect. They say Kluesner then got back in his car and fled at a high rate of speed through a residential area to his home, where he again fled from officers. Police say he eventually returned to his residence and was arrested shortly thereafter. (TD)
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Howell Veteran Sets Off on Fundraising Trek Across U.P.Howell Veteran Sets Off on Fundraising Trek Across U.P.
6/7/13 - A local veteranâs walk across Michiganâs U.P. to raise money for injured soldiers is underway. Joe Ostervik of Howell headed out from Munising Thursday to begin "JOIS Operation Injured Soldier Walkabout" in support of Operation Injured Soldiers. The Vietnam veteran says the trek should take about 20 days and cover 215 miles, ending at the Mackinac Bridge. He plans to camp along the way and wants to raise $20,000. South Lyon-based Operation Injured Soldiers provides hunting, fishing, sporting events and camping trips, along with many other outdoor recreational activities, to disabled veterans. Its work aims to help with veterans' physical and mental rehabilitation. Ostervik thinks he has the support of his wife Ginger, telling WLUC-TV in the U.P. "I've been married 45 years and I want to say this too. If she's not there at the bridge when I get there, well, I guess I get the hint." Ginger Ostervik says sheâll be there and told the station that sheâs excited for him and worried for him, but thinks he will do great. Youâll find a link to donate to Operation Injured Soldiers below. (JK)
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Marion Township Heritage Days Celebration Starts Saturday Marion Township Heritage Days Celebration Starts Saturday
6/7/13 - Old tractors and steam engines, animal displays along with free wagon and barrel rides are just some activities planned during the Marion Township Heritage Days this weekend. The event takes place this Saturday and Sunday on the township property on Coon Lake Road and includes a number of activities designed to reflect the history of Marion Township, including displays of antique tractors with plowing, sawmill and thrashing demonstrations, steam engines, and other machinery. Most activities are free and geared toward all ages according to Township Clerk Tammy Beal. She says this marks the sixth year of the event, which was started by longtime community member Jack Lowe, who passed away in May, and wanted to teach the younger generation about the past and history of the township. New this year is a consignment auction featuring old tools and sports memorabilia while entertainment will be provided by a folk country band on Saturday night to coincide with a contra dance. The cost is $5 per person or $10 per car. Complete details about Marion Township Heritage Days can be found in the link or attachment below. (JM)
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Brighton Council Threatens Court Action vs. Office Complex OwnerBrighton Council Threatens Court Action vs. Office Complex Owner
6/7/13 - The Brighton City Council Thursday night approved action to force compliance by a company which owns an office complex that they say is woefully lax on safety issues. Livingston County Building Official Jim Rowell, who is under contract to the city, told council that the 30-year-old Davis Office Center at West Grand River and Best Buy Drive has not been maintained properly and is in violation of maintenance and safety codes. City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI that council decided to give the owner two weeks to come up with a plan and a timetable to correct the violations or the city will file a lawsuit in circuit court. Rowell said his staff has been patient with owner Thomas Duke of Citation Investments, having been in contact with him since February, but that Duke has not made any attempt to rectify the code violations. According to Rowell, Duke would only say that he has plans to demolish the four separate buildings that make up the complex, which includes mostly professional and medical offices, but has no timetable. If the owner does bring the buildings into compliance, the motion states that the city will assist the company in exploring redevelopment opportunities for the property. (TT)
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New Airport Terminal Opens Soon; EMS Facility in October
6/7/13 - Economic development and improved emergency response training and efficiency are the goals of two new buildings at the Livingston County Spencer J. Hardy Airport. Later this month, a new terminal building for airport users and passengers will open, providing a much larger and more user-friendly facility. Built at a cost of $850,000, 95% of the terminalâs cost was paid for using improvement funds from the Federal Aviation Administration. The remaining 5% was split between MDOT and the county, according to Airport Manager Mark Johnson. Among the amenities is a passenger lounge with fireplace, including a beam over the mantle that was relocated from the old terminal building off of Grand River, which was originally built in 1967. It will also include a conference room, lockers and shower facility for pilots and ground crew and space for rental car companies. Johnson said the new terminal provides a first-class facility to welcome people and companies into the county and was much needed as the airport had essentially been re-built in the last 15 years, while the old terminal remained unchanged and outmoded. Johnson said all manner of corporate jet can now use the airport, while local companies often ship their products through as a rapid means of transport.
Also shown off yesterday, was the still under-construction Livingston County EMS headquarters, that will also house a team from the University of Michigan Survival Flight, including a hangar for a medical helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft. The $11 million dollar, two-story building uses geo-thermal heating, while providing space for both EMS crews on 24 hour shifts and those on the regular 12 hour shifts. EMS Director Jeff Boyd says the real advantage of the facility is the state-of-the-art training center that they will be able to use to educate as many as 150 students at a time, with the ability to recreate emergency scenarios in real-time. The EMS facility, which is owned by the county and leasing space to Survival Flight, is expected to open in October. (JK)
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