7/13/13 - The familiar sight of the Salvation Armyâs red kettles and the sound of bells ringing will be heard at a variety of locations in the coming week. The Salvation Army of Livingston County has embarked on a new Christmas in July awareness and fundraising campaign to remind the community the need is there all year long, not just during the holidays. The new campaign kicked off Friday at Page Field near the Corps Lake Street offices in Howell with free food, activities and games. The new commanding officers, Lieutenants Tim and Julie Perkins, were able to meet with community members and encourage everyone to join in the fight and help serve those most in need as all of the funds raised go directly back into the community where needed most. The Salvation Armyâs Christmas in July week will run through Sunday, July 21st. Community projects and events are planned along with various fundraisers and volunteers are being sought, whether it's heading up a project or simply taking a couple of hours to ring a bell at a red kettle. Registration is also still underway for Clays for a Cause, which is a family-themed fundraising event at the Island Lake Shooting Range on Saturday, July 20th. Complete information about how to volunteer, donate or get involved can be found through the link below. (JM)
Local Salvation Army Kicks Off New Christmas in July Campaign Local Salvation Army Kicks Off New Christmas in July Campaign
↧
↧
No Charges Filed Against Grabowski in Alleged Jail Plot No Charges Filed Against Grabowski in Alleged Jail Plot
7/13/13 - The Livingston County Prosecutorâs Office has announced that it will not file any charges against a Hartland Township man who was accused of soliciting jail inmates in an alleged murder-for-hire plot. 53-year-old Mark Joseph Grabowski, a former football player who once played for the Detroit Lions, earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful retention of a child by a parent and served jail time. The kidnapping charge was filed after a massive search effort that began when Grabowski failed to return his then 11-year-old son Connor home to his mother prior to Labor Day weekend last year. He was arrested at a hunting ranch in South Dakota about a week later and ultimately served 90-days in jail. It was alleged that while incarcerated, Grabowski solicited inmates to murder his ex-wife and The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department conducted an investigation. After reviewing the report, Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt announced Friday that it was agreed the evidence in the case was insufficient to justify any charges at this time. A press release also states that based on comments Grabowski made to certain inmates, an undercover police officer contacted him and expressed an interest in carrying out such an act but Grabowskiâs response was to reject the approach and immediately contact authorities. The Prosecutorâs Office says it typically does not comment on charges that have not been authorized but did so based on previous press reports involving the allegations against Grabowski and the fact the matter was submitted for review. (JM)
↧
Swan Boats Return To Kensington MetroparkSwan Boats Return To Kensington Metropark
7/14/13 - Visitors to Kensington Metropark can now wing their way across Kent Lake aboard swan pedal boats. The white, fiberglass pedal boats are designed like a swan and hold up to five passengers on each journey. Metropark officials say this is not the first time the unique vessels have graced the park. Decades ago, similar boats were rented out for use at the Farm Center, and visitors pedaled their way around a pond that has since been removed. Complete details about the new attraction can be found by following the link posted below. (JM)
↧
Health Officials Caution Residents About Bats And RabiesHealth Officials Caution Residents About Bats And Rabies
7/14/13 - People and pets are spending more time outside now that warm weather has arrived, but local health and animal officials are cautioning residents about the increased risk of rabies that comes with the season. Animal Control Director Debbie Oberle says bats are the biggest carriers of rabies, with 4-5% of the bats sent in for testing coming back positive for the disease. Coming into contact with bats is rare, but becomes more common for humans and animals in the summer when there is an increase in outdoor activities, especially those that occur around sundown. Oberle says it is important to get pets vaccinated against rabies because they will interact with bats they find. It can also be difficult to tell if they have been bitten, since the disease can make a pet lethargic rather than aggressive. Oberle tells WHMI that if there is question about whether contact has been made with a bat, the animal should be tested. Their small, sharp teeth make it difficult to tell if a bite has even taken place. The rabies vaccine can be administered by a veterinarian, and Oberle says it typically costs about $20. (TD)
↧
Fenton City Fire Dept Rescues Senior Citizen From TreetopFenton City Fire Dept Rescues Senior Citizen From Treetop
7/15/13 - A 70-year-old man had to be rescued from the top of a tree by Fenton Firefighters last week. The senior citizen had been trimming the tree at about on July 10th when he got caught in a fork in the branches and suffered a broken ankle. The Tri County Times reports that Fenton firefighters got the call at about 5:10pm and within five minutes they were on the scene, where they found the man about 65 feet in the air. Firefighters accessed the top of the tree using the basket on their ladder truck. They lowered the man to safety using an orange rescue basket about an hour after they first received the call. The Fenton fire chief says tree-climbing equipment used by the department was essential to the rescue. (TD)
↧
↧
South Lyon Teen Arrested After Hold-Up With a Pellet GunSouth Lyon Teen Arrested After Hold-Up With a Pellet Gun
7/15/13 - A South Lyon teen was taken into custody after police say he tried to rob people outside a Walmart store with a pellet gun. According to the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office, three people were walking into the Lyon Township Walmart near the Milford Road exit on I-96 when the 17-year-old suspect approached them. They say the teen, later identified as Jonathan Dahl, produced a handgun and demanded money, which he said was to pay off a drug debt. They say Dahl claimed the people who were owed the money would shoot up his neighborhood with AK-47âs if he did not deliver. Police say one of the victims convinced Dahl that they would go inside, get cash from the ATM, and bring it back outside. They say he agreed and waited outside the store while the three people went inside and called the police. A short foot chase ensued when the officers arrived, but Dahl was taken into custody. A CO2 pistol was recovered at the scene. Dahl was arraigned Friday on three counts of armed robbery and given a $250,000 cash bond. (TD/JK)
↧
Fenton Teen Earns Every Boy Scout Badge PossibleFenton Teen Earns Every Boy Scout Badge Possible
7/15/13 - It's one thing to make Eagle Scout, but John Trecha of Fenton didn't stop there. Trecha has earned all 135 merit badges in the Boy Scouts by a month after he turned 14. A Scout must earn 21 badges to reach the highest rank of Eagle Scout. Trecha's trek toward the milestone started after he earned his first badge. He then told his father, Jeff Trecha, that he wanted to earn at least 100. When he hit 100, John Trecha decided to go for all of them. His favorite was earning the cinematography badge. It required making a 5-minute, stop-motion movie. Badges for medicine and scuba diving were the most difficult to earn. Despite having no more badges to earn, he plans to remain active in scouting, saying that he enjoys being a leader and getting things accomplished. Photo Credit: Jake May/AP
↧
Pinkcney Woman's Nursing License SuspendedPinkcney Woman's Nursing License Suspended
7/15/13 - The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs last week announced they had suspended the nursing license for a Pinckney woman following her felony conviction for falsely reporting that her husband had assaulted her. 44-year-old Sheila Lynn Lepczynski was convicted in December of False Report of a Felony and sentenced to 121 days in jail, three yearsâ probation and ordered to pay fines and costs. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs issued the order July 2nd summarily suspending Lepczynskiâs license pursuant to the Public Health Code which provides for the mandatory summary suspension of a health professionalâs license upon the conviction of a felony. In addition, Lepczynski was convicted of Operating While Intoxicated in June of 2010 and then again in March of 2011, when she was also convicted on driving on a suspended license. Lepczynski was also convicted of Domestic Violence and Assault and Battery in June of 2012. However, those were all misdemeanor counts. Not until the false report charge was she charged with a felony. (JK)
↧
Local Camp Helps Kids Through Loss of Loved OnesLocal Camp Helps Kids Through Loss of Loved Ones
7/15/13 - When tragedy strikes, it is often the children involved who are hit the hardest. For the past five years, Camp Courage at the Howell Nature Center has provided a refuge for children who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The two-day camp is offered free of charge through the philanthropic Ted and Jane Von Voightlander Foundation, and hosted teens aged 13 through 17 this weekend. Camp Courage features typical summer camp activities like rock-wall climbing and zip-lining alongside more traditionally therapeutic activities. Like the campers, all of the counselors and therapists have lost someone close to them. This reassures campers that they are not alone in the grief and encourages an atmosphere of open discussion. Organizers say the camp shows young people that they are not alone in their grief and helps them understand and accept the passing of their loved ones. The effectiveness of Camp Courage can be seen in its former campers, many of whom return as one-on-one counselors to help other kids through their difficult times. Camp Courage features innovative therapy programs to help kids understand and talk about the tragedies that have affected them. A follow-up report tomorrow will examine specific therapies offered to campers as well as the results of the program. (TD)
↧
↧
Arraignment Set This Week for Suspected Bank RobberArraignment Set This Week for Suspected Bank Robber
7/15/13 - An arraignment is set this week against a Lansing man for two Brighton-area bank robberies.42-year-old Todd Bradley White is charged with five counts of armed robbery for the holdup of the PNC Bank in Brighton Township on March 18th and the April 26th robbery of the First National Bank in Brighton. In both cases, police say he brandished a gun, jumped over the counter and then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. White, who remains jailed in Ingham County for two bank robberies there, confessed to the Livingston County bank jobs. He has a lengthy criminal record dating back to 1987 when he was convicted for assault with intent to rob. White will be arraigned for the two Livingston County robberies on Wednesday in front of Magistrate Jay Drick. He is also set for a July 23rd pretrial hearing in Ingham County for a May 24th holdup of a bank near Williamston. (JK)
↧
Brighton Balloon Artist Sets Guiness World Record Brighton Balloon Artist Sets Guiness World Record
7/15/13 - A Brighton balloon sculptor managed to break four world records in one day. Balloon Artist Tim Thurmond surpassed the Guinness World Record for the most balloons blown up and twisted into sculptures in a 24-hour period. He also broke the 3-hour, 6-hour, and 10-hour world records that have stood since the 1990s. The marathon began Friday in conjunction with the Taste of Brighton festival and the final total was 8,298 balloons, with official observers monitoring progress the entire 24 hours. (JM)
↧
Teen Charged in Drunken High-Speed Chase Enters PleaTeen Charged in Drunken High-Speed Chase Enters Plea
7/15/13 - A plea has been entered in the case last month in which two boys who had been drinking led police on a high-speed chase. The 14-year-old from Hartland was charged with five counts, including fleeing and eluding police for the June 19th incident. Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt tells WHMI that he entered a plea last week to Minor Operating a Motor Vehicle with Bodily Alcohol Content with an Occupant Less than 16 and Joyriding. A disposition is set for August 15th in juvenile court. Meanwhile, the 13-year-old passenger from Howell is due back in juvenile court July 23rd for a pre-trial hearing on charges of unlawful driving away of a vehicle and two counts of resisting and obstructing police. Both boys, who arenât being identified because of their juvenile status, were lodged in the Washtenaw Juvenile Detention Center after the incident, but have since been released into parental custody. The incident began when a state police trooper attempted to stop an SUV without tail lights on Clyde Road. When the driver refused to stop, a chase began that ended up drawing in units from the sheriffâs department as they traveled along M-59 and I-96 in excess of 100 miles per hour. The Hartland boy eventually lost control and crashed into a stand of trees in Oakland County's Lyon Township. Both he and the front seat passenger from Howell attempted to flee but were apprehended after a short foot chase. The three female passengers in the back seat, ages 14 and 15 and all from Fenton, were turned over to their parents. (JK)
↧
Fireworks May Have Caused Hartland Garage FireFireworks May Have Caused Hartland Garage Fire
7/15/13 - A fire early Sunday morning nearly destroyed a detached garage in Hartland Township, and fireworks may to be blame. Deputy Hartland Fire Chief Mike Eckert says they were dispatched to a fire on Independence Lane at 12:39 Sunday morning. Upon arriving, flames were already showing through the front of the structure. It took about 20 minutes to bring the fire under control. Eckert says fortunately there were no injuries and they managed to save the back portion of the garage, including two vintage cars. However, the front of the structure containing tools and heavy machinery suffered serious damage, which he estimated at about $25,000. Eckert says their preliminary investigation is that fireworks that had been shot off earlier were improperly disposed of in an outside garbage can that sat next to the garage. They think thatâs where the fire started and then spread to the structure itself. They were assisted at the scene by the Howell and Brighton fire departments, while Green Oak covered their station. Livingston County EMS and the Disaster Assistance Response Team also responded to the blaze. Picture courtesy of Roy Seifried. (JK)
↧
↧
Heat Wave Hitting Livingston County Heat Wave Hitting Livingston County
7/15/13 - With hot and humid conditions expected to persist throughout the week, the Livingston County Department of Public Health is reminding citizens to protect themselves against heat-related disease. Medical Director Dr. Donald Lawrenchuck says itâs a good idea to check on neighbors and relatives during times of extreme temperatures and reminds that children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles. With heat index values climbing above 100 degrees during peak times, he tells WHMI its best to stay out of the sun, drink plenty of fluids, and try to stay in an air conditioned place if possible. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the next couple of days across southeast Michigan and the high temperatures and humidity have also prompted Recycle Livingston in Howell to close this Wednesday. Executive Director Linda Berch says the decision was made for the well-being of volunteers and the non-profit recycling organization typically skips one or two volunteer days every summer when the heat index gets close to 100. (JM)
↧
Design Work Half-Done On Handy Township Sewer ExtensionDesign Work Half-Done On Handy Township Sewer Extension
7/13/13 - Design work is progressing on schedule for the West Grand River Sewer Extension, which is a product of litigation rather than necessity and has been called the âSewer to Nowhere.â After developers defaulted on sewer assessments, Handy Township was left with about $2.9 million in chargebacks to the county and twice that in unpaid bonds. The chargebacks will come due in 2014, and the township is currently working with the county to help mitigate the impact on Handy residents. Litigation is ongoing with all parties, but in the meantime the township is still required under contract to complete the portion of the sewer project on West Grand River. The County Department of Public Works has been providing monthly updates on the project, which is currently being designed by a new engineering firm. That update was provided last week by DPW Coordinator Robert Spaulding, who says a meeting will be held on Thursday to discuss the engineering work, which is now 50% completed and on schedule to be finished by the end of July. Another review meeting will be held when the designs are 90% completed. Spaulding says the project itself is relatively small and should be finished about a month after construction begins in September. With no new developments, a total of five houses are expected to be serviced by the completed sewer. (TD)
↧
Tips Lead Authorities to Suspect in Attempted VehicleTheft Tips Lead Authorities to Suspect in Attempted VehicleTheft
7/16/13 - Tips from the public have helped to identify the suspect involved in an attempted vehicle theft at a car dealership. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department published two surveillance photographs last week and requested the publicâs assistance in identifying the suspect who damaged the windows of four used cars in the parking lot of Champion Chevrolet in early June. After the photos were made public, the department says over a dozen tips were received that led detectives to a common suspect. The suspect is a 34-year-old Genoa Township resident and police say he ultimately confessed to breaking into the vehicles. A warrant request was submitted to the Livingston County Prosecutors Office and the suspectâs name is being withheld pending his arraignment. (JM)
↧
Pinckney to Begin Process of Finding New SuperintendentPinckney to Begin Process of Finding New Superintendent
7/16/13 - The Pinckney Community Schools Board of Education will begin the process this week of seeking a replacement for Superintendent Dan Danosky, who recently accepted the job as superintendent of the Livingston Educational Service Agency. Thursdayâs board meeting will be the only one before Danosky assumes his new position on August 1st. Discussions are expected to range from deciding on whether or not to appoint an interim superintendent and the process that will be used to search for and select a full-time replacement. Danosky, who leaves Pinckney after seven years at the helm, was the unanimous choice of the LESA board in their search for a replacement for former Superintendent David Campbell, who left to take a similar position in the Kalamazoo area. Thursdayâs board meeting will take place in the Staff Development Room at Pathfinder School on East M-36 at 7pm. (JK)
↧
↧
Camp Helps Kids Cope With Loss of a Loved One
7/16/13 - Dozens of teens gathered at the Howell Nature Center this weekend to take part in Camp Courage, offered for free by the Ted and Jane Von Voigtlander Foundation. Along with traditional summer camp activities, the program offers a variety of counseling and therapy activities aimed at helping the campers handle and express their grief. These include group counseling sessions like âask a doctor,â where campers got the opportunity to pose questions to medical professionals about the diseases and injuries that affected their loved ones. They also took part in art therapy, remembrance discussions, and a miniature boat launch in homage of their lost loved ones. A musical therapy session had the campers rewrite the lyrics to a popular song to reflect their own feelings and struggles. The group sang the new version of the song for their parents at the end of the camp. The camp has been operating for the past five years, and one of the best indicators of its success is the fact that many of its counselors were campers in previous years, and even some of the teen campers from this weekend will return later this month to counsel younger children. (TD)
↧
Heat Prompts Wednesday Closure of Recycle LivingstonHeat Prompts Wednesday Closure of Recycle Livingston
7/16/13 - The regionâs heat wave has prompted Recycle Livingston to cancel their Wednesday drop-off session. The nonprofit recycling organization is typically open two days a week, but Executive Director Linda Berch says the high temperatures and humidity have prompted them to keep their doors closed on Wednesday, July 17th. She says the decision was made for the well-being of the volunteers, and the organization typically skips one or two volunteer days every summer when the heat index gets close to 100. The next drop-off day will be Saturday, July 20th from 9am to 1pm at their location on Catrell Street in Howell. Details are available through the link below. (JK)
↧
Wind Turbines on Genoa Township Hall Property to Come Down Wind Turbines on Genoa Township Hall Property to Come Down
7/16/13 - The wind turbines that were installed on the Genoa Township hall property will be coming down for safetyâs sake. The Genoa Township Board met last night and approved a contract with a local company that specializes in renewable energy to take down the turbines within the next few weeks. Michigan-based Windspire manufactured the turbines but is now bankrupt so the township has been unable to get any support or find parts for the last three years. Officials say the monitoring software continually loses historical data so a full accounting of wind generation is impossible. Township Manager Mike Archinal tells WHMI the turbines were a test project and did increase knowledge and visibility about renewable energy with the highly visible site but in terms of production, even at the very onset, the solar panels were out producing wind by about three to one. He says the middle turbine hasnât been working for some time and it actually disintegrated on a really windy day and sent parts of aluminum scattering. He says theyâve made it safe for now but really, all of the turbines need to come down. The township received a $94,000 grant in 2010 for the installation of the hybrid solar panels and the wind turbines. Archinal says they're still getting a benefit from the solar panels, which are connected to the township hall and subsidizing energy there. The contract with the Green Panel firm of Brighton to remove the turbines and augment the panels was approved at a cost not to exceed $9,625. (JM)
↧
More Pages to Explore .....
