7/19/13 - The Brighton City Council moved a step closer Thursday night to asking the voters this fall for a Headlee override millage. Council discussed at length the need for a millage to address the problem of an aging and deteriorating infrastructure, particularly streets. Council says the city has been on an extremely tight budget for the last several years and simply doesnât have the money in the general fund to take care of needs such as streets, sidewalks, trash pickup and other city services. City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI that council will decide at the next meeting on August 1 whether to go to the voters with a Headlee override request. Foster says under the scenario most likely to be approved by council, the millage, if approved by voters, would be increased incrementally until it reaches 17.2 mills. The four areas to be addressed would be elimination of the trash pickup user fee, infrastructure, public safety and city beautification, including improvements to Mill Pond Park. A decision soon on whether to proceed is necessary because the city would have to submit the ballot proposal to the county clerkâs office by August 27th in order to place the issue on the November election ballot. Last year the city presented a street millage proposal to the voters that would have replaced the street millage which expired last year, but it was defeated. Although that millage would not have increased city property ownersâ taxes, the one being discussed for the ballot this fall would increase taxes by two mills over the current 15.2 mills now levied, which is the Headlee limit. The Headlee Tax Limitation Amendment limits tax increases to 5% or the inflation rate â whichever is lower. (TT)
Brighton Council Mulls Ballot Request on Headlee OverrideBrighton Council Mulls Ballot Request on Headlee Override
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Appeals Court Rejects Request in Synthetic Pot CaseAppeals Court Rejects Request in Synthetic Pot Case
7/19/13 - The state appeals court has rejected a request to reverse a decision disqualifying an attorney from representing two women charged with illegally selling synthetic marijuana in Genoa Township. The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled this week against the appeal filed by Timothy Corr. Heâs the defense attorney who had sought to overturn a November ruling by 53rd District Court Judge Suzanne Geddis that it would be a conflict of interest to simultaneously represent two clients - the owner of Smokers Depot, 41-year-old Ronda Lee Roszak as well as the storeâs manager, 27-year-old Melissa Ann Dzierwa. The ruling came after the Livingston County Prosecutorâs Office said it planned to offer a plea deal to one of the two suspects. Corr argued that the decision was a violation of his clients Sixth Amendment rights to select representation of their choice. But the state appeals panel ruled that the right to choose an attorney was not absolute and that courts must, ââ¦balance the defendantâs right to counsel of choice against the publicâs interest in the prompt and efficient administration of justice.â It upheld the ruling by Judge Geddis, saying it was not an abuse of her discretion. Corr said both women previously consulted with separate attorneys and had no plans to accept a plea deal. They maintain that the material which State Police confiscated during a raid in April of 2012 had been purchased at a trade show, along with a lab report indicating it did not contain any illegal chemicals. (JK)
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Bentivolio Hoping For Campaign Fundraising SurgeBentivolio Hoping For Campaign Fundraising Surge
7/20/13 - A former Fowlerville High School teacher who is now serving in Congress is expected to soon see his campaign war chest start to fill up. While Congressman Kerry Bentivolio of Milford continues to lag behind the rest of Michiganâs congressional delegation when it comes to fund-raising, the 11th District Republican is hoping some big-name hitters will soon make a financial difference. Recent campaign finance reports indicate Bentivolio had raised just over $142,000 for the six-month period that ended June 30, with only about $43,000 cash on hand. That compares to fellow Republicans Mike Rogers of Howell, who raised more than $584,000 in the same six months or Midlandâs Dave Camp, who pulled in over $1.1 million. While Bentivolio was at the bottom of the stateâs delegation in fundraising, and in fact still has about $112,000 in campaign debt, the one-time Fowlerville teacher and reindeer rancher is expecting a better second half of the year with planned fundraising visits from House Speaker John Boehner and Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, who was Mitt Romneyâs vice presidential nominee last year. By the way, the Michigan Congressman who led the way in raising donations in the first six months of 2013 is Democrat Gary Peters of Bloomfield Township with more than $1.4 million as he prepares to campaign for the US. Senate seat currently held by Carl Levin, who announced earlier this year he would not run for a seventh six-year term in 2014. (JK)
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Sentencing Delayed in Pot Dispensary CaseSentencing Delayed in Pot Dispensary Case
7/20/13 - Sentencing has been delayed until next month for three people charged after a raid on a now-closed medical marijuana dispensary. Marshall Alternatives in Handy Township was raided in March of 2012 following an alleged sale to an undercover officer, who posed as a legal card-carrying medical marijuana patient. Owners Alan Marshall and Christi Marshall both pleaded guilty to charges of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver for three separate incidents. Former employee Stephanie Baxter also entered a plea to three reduced misdemeanor counts of delivering marijuana without remuneration. All three were to have been sentenced Thursday, but that has been rescheduled for August 22nd because Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty was unavailable. Their cases had been on hold while the Michigan Supreme Court reviewed a similar case, eventually ruling that dispensaries are not permitted under the Medical Marihuana Act approved by Michigan voters in 2008. A fourth defendant, April Sundie Smith, was previously sentenced to three days of jail and one year of probation for her guilty plea to a lesser included offense of delivering marijuana without remuneration.
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Hartland Jewelry Store Robbed; Sheriff's Dept. Investigating Hartland Jewelry Store Robbed; Sheriff's Dept. Investigating
7/20/13 - Local authorities are working to identify the person or persons responsible for a robbery at a jewelry store in Hartland Township. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department is investigating the incident that occurred on Saturday, July 13th at F.A.O. Jewelers in Hartland Township. The store is located at the southeast corner of Old US-23 and M-59 in the Fountain Square Plaza. Sheriff Bob Bezotte tells WHMI the robbery was reported shortly before 5am and it was a smash-and-grab. He says they're still waiting to receive an inventory total when it comes to the amount of stolen items as well as estimated building damage. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department at 517-546-2440. (JM)
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Motorcycle Run Benefits American Legion Scholarship FundMotorcycle Run Benefits American Legion Scholarship Fund
7/21/13 - A motorcycle event next month will help raise scholarship funds to assist children whom have lost a parent that was active in the U.S. Armed Services. Michigan's Legacy Run Poker Run on Saturday, August 10th will benefit the American Legions Legacy Scholarship Fund. Chapter 419 in Pinckney is hosting a 100 mile ride that will encompass Livingston County and parts of Genesee and Oakland counties. According to the Legion's website, over 11,000 children have lost a parent since 9/11 and the numbers are growing and many are now becoming of age for higher education. The cost for the ride is $20 per biker and $10 per rider and ends with a Parking Lot Party at TAGS Sports Complex in Hartland Township where food, drinks, prizes and 50/50 raffles will take place. The Parking Lot Party coincides with the "Child Hunger Ends Here!" softball tournament and the cost is only $5 to get in with those proceeds being split between Gleaners Community Food Bank and the Legacy Fund. For more information, call Gary Belleville at (734) 845-0179. (JK)
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County Approves Lease for New Howell Dog ParkCounty Approves Lease for New Howell Dog Park
7/21/13 - A lease approval by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners last week brought the Howl and Bark Dog Park one step closer to reality. The county authorized a property lease for the park to be located on the southern portion of Highlander Way, called McPherson Park Boulevard, in the countyâs West Complex. It will be situated on a 2.4-acre plot between the Central Dispatch and Animal Control buildings. The Friends of the Howell Dog Park recently received permission from the Howell Parks and Recreation Authority Board to use the site. Councilman Steve Manor tells WHMI securing a lease to the land will allow them to begin raising funds for the park. He estimates that they will have to raise about $35,000 to install a fence, gates, a paddock, water, and electricity for lighting. That amount will also cover the first year of operation for the facility, which will be called the Howl and Bark Dog Park. Follow the link below for the parkâs official website. (TD)
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Brighton Man Being Held In Stabbing Death Of Taylor WomanBrighton Man Being Held In Stabbing Death Of Taylor Woman
7/21/13 - A Brighton man is in custody after police say he murdered a Taylor woman this weekend. According to police, 22-year-old Summer Lynn Faulkner was stabbed to death on Friday night. WXYZ reports the incident happened at about 10:30pm at her apartment in the 23000 block of Rosewood Avenue near Telegraph. Police say her sister dialed 911 and said Faulknerâs ex-boyfriend entered the apartment and stabbed her. She was pronounced dead at the scene. A suspect is now in custody. Police report that he is a 31-year-old man from Brighton who turned himself in to the Fenton Police Department. (TD)
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New Fee For Pet Owners Who Do Not Follow Rabies Safety RulesNew Fee For Pet Owners Who Do Not Follow Rabies Safety Rules
7/22/13 - The Livingston County Board of Commissioners has approved a new fee for pet owners who do not follow rabies quarantine protocols after a bite. After a dog or cat bites someone, the protocol is to quarantine the animal from other people and animals for ten days. This can be done at the animalâs home. However, at the end of that waiting period, the owner is supposed to bring the animal in to Animal Control for examination. If it shows no signs of rabies, the bite victim can be assured the disease has not been transmitted by the bite. Unfortunately, some pet owners fail to bring the animal in for examination, which means Animal Control personnel have to go out to the animalâs home and examine it there. To encourage compliance and recoup the cost of the house calls, the County Board authorized a $50 fee last week for pet owners who do not bring their pet in for examination after the 10-day quarantine. This covers the wages and vehicle expenses associated with the home visit. The fee can be avoided completely by bringing the animal in for examination, which is free and takes less than five minutes. Rabies is usually fatal if untreated, and although it is rare and usually transmitted by bats, humans can contract the disease from any mammal larger than a small rodent. (TD)
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Anti-Drug Advocates Warn of Negative Health Effects of HookahAnti-Drug Advocates Warn of Negative Health Effects of Hookah
7/22/13 - With Brighton Township officials working to incorporate hookah lounges into its zoning ordinance, local anti-drug advocates are warning about the dangers of the practice. Hookah is a large variety of pipe that burns tobacco over charcoal. The smoke is then sucked through a reservoir of water, cooling it before it is inhaled by the user. The World Health Organization reports that many people believe hookah smoking to be safer than other kinds of tobacco use, but that this is not the case. The organization reports that a single session with a hookah can see users inhale the equivalent of 100-200 cigarettesâ worth of smoke. Livingston County Community Alliance Coordinator Kaitlin Fink tells WHMI that hookah smoke could actually be more harmful than traditional cigarette smoke, with carbon monoxide levels 2.5 times higher than in cigarette smoke. Carbon monoxide is linked to decreased lung function as well as oral, lung, and stomach cancer. The WHO also warns that sharing mouthpieces among multiple users can increase the risk of certain diseases, such as tuberculosis and hepatitis. (TD)
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Brighton Man To Be Arraigned On Murder ChargesBrighton Man To Be Arraigned On Murder Charges
7/22/13 - A local man is expected to be arraigned on charges today after stabbing his former girlfriend to death over the weekend. The 31-year-old Brighton man turned himself in to Fenton Police. Heâs said to have entered the residence of his ex-girlfriend off Rosewood Avenue in the Taylor Park Townhomes and stabbed 22-year-old Summer Lynn Faulkner to death. Taylor Police say Faulker was pronounced dead at the scene on Friday night and her sister called 911. Police are not releasing the Brighton manâs name pending his arraignment, which is expected this afternoon. (JM)
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Howell DDA Board Chairwoman Departing for New OpportunitiesHowell DDA Board Chairwoman Departing for New Opportunities
7/22/13 - The Chairwoman of the Howell Downtown Development Authority Board is expected to formally resign later this week. In a letter to board members, Stephanie Schlittler says she has had an amazing experience the last seven years and enjoyed her time working in the DDA. She says she submitted her resignation due to new things on the horizon and feels her focus needs to be elsewhere. The resignation will be effective at the adjournment of this Wednesdayâs DDA Board meeting. (JM)
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Voters to Cast Ballots for Howell Library Millage in AugustVoters to Cast Ballots for Howell Library Millage in August
7/22/13 - The Howell Carnegie District Library is asking voters to approve a millage that will appear on the August 6th primary ballot. A point-4 mill proposal is being sought to help fund some major repairs and continue operations. Officials say despite sound stewardship by the library board, the perfect storm of declining revenues and a significant need for library maintenance has occurred. Director Kathleen Zaenger says the need became evident a few years ago with critical infrastructure failing and continued revenue declines due to a drop in property values. The taxable value of property in the library service area is the same this year as it was eight years ago. Zaenger tells WHMI the library's roof and heating and cooling systems are well beyond their usable life span and on the brink of complete failure. She says they want to continue to function in the way people have come to expect and repair the building, which was originally completed in 1906. Zaenger says theyâve implemented cuts and furloughs but are now facing closing two days per week on Sunday and Monday to try and operate and maintain the building at a minimum. The millage that supports the library was passed 25 years ago at 1 mill, but it has been reduced by 31% due to Michiganâs Headlee amendment. Based on average home values if the millage passes, it would cost an additional 58 cents per week. Complete details about the proposal can be found through the link below. (JM)
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Sheriff's Department Investigating Fatal Crash on US-23 Sheriff's Department Investigating Fatal Crash on US-23
7/22/13 - The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department is investigating a fatal crash on US-23 this morning in Hartland Township. Sheriff Bob Bezotte tells WHMI the accident was reported at around 10:30am involving a 2004 Chevy Express work van which was traveling northbound on US-23, about a mile south of M-59. He says that although the investigation continues, theyâve been able to piece the accident together to some extent based on witness statements, which indicate the driver failed to negotiate a curve, lost control, went off the shoulder, and then returned back into the median where it flipped several times before finally coming to rest. The driver, who was ejected, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the passenger was hospitalized with unknown injuries. Bezotte says both men were 25-years-old and from the Sterling Heights area. Their names are being withheld for the time being and the investigation continues. (JM)
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Kensington Metropark Plans Butterfly-Themed Events Next MonthKensington Metropark Plans Butterfly-Themed Events Next Month
7/23/13 - The life cycle of butterflies will be the focus of three separate events at the Kensington Metropark next month. On Saturday, August 3rd, the parkâs Nature Center will host a Monarch Butterfly Egg Hunt. Participants will be instructed in how to search the surrounding area for Monarch butterflies in all of their life cycles, including their eggs, for close-up examination. The following week will have an event for children ages 3 to 5 focused on finding and learning about caterpillars. Then, on August 18th, the âButterflies & Bloomsâ program will teach residents how to identify full-grown butterflies and wildflowers, as well as which flowers are the most effective at attracting butterflies to your garden. All of the events require preregistration to participate. Follow the link to visit the Kensington Metropark calendar. (TD)
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Home Sales Jump Again in Livingston County Home Sales Jump Again in Livingston County
7/23/13 - Home sales continue to climb in Livingston County. Farmington Hills-based Realcomp II Limited reported that the June median sales price Livingston County was $177,450 - marking an increase of 10% from June 2012. Overall residential and condo sales rose nearly 4% locally over the year and the listing service reports that the June sales prices in Livingston and Macomb Counties were at their highest level since 2008. The number of foreclosure sales locally was down 23% while non-foreclosure sales were up nearly 12% from a year earlier. The median sale price of both was also up over the year. Across the metro Detroit area - defined by Realcomp as the four-county region of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Livingston Counties - prices were up more than 50% over last year, while sales slowed just slightly. Inventory was also down nearly 30% from June 2012. Realcomp reports homes were on the market for an average of 61 days before getting sold in June â five fewer days than homes sold in May. (JM)
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South Lyon Man Accused of Stabbing Ex Faces Murder ChargesSouth Lyon Man Accused of Stabbing Ex Faces Murder Charges
7/22/13 - A local man was arraigned on murder charges today after stabbing his former girlfriend to death over the weekend. 31-year-old Eric Frederickson of South Lyon is charged with first-degree murder in the Friday death of his ex-girlfriend, 22-year-old Summer Lynn Faulkner. The victimâs sister says he entered the Faulknerâs apartment off Rosewood Avenue in the Taylor Park Townhomes and stabbed her to death. Taylor Police say Faulkner was pronounced dead at the scene on Friday night and the sister called 911. Fredericksonâs friends convinced him to turn himself in to Fenton Police on Friday. At his arraignment this afternoon, the judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and ordered him held without bond in the Wayne County Jail. The plea is standard practice for capital crimes, and if the case goes to trial he will have opportunities to enter a different plea during that process. (TD)
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Pinckney School Board Picks Rick Todd As New SuperintendentPinckney School Board Picks Rick Todd As New Superintendent
7/23/13 - The principal of Pathfinder Elementary has been chosen as the new superintendent of the Pinckney Community School District. Dan Danosky, the current superintendent, will take over as the superintendent of the Livingston Educational Service Agency beginning next month. He has been grooming Pathfinder Principal Rick Todd to be his successor, and the Pinckney School Board chose to interview Todd at a special meeting last night rather than go through a complicated search for an outside candidate. Board President Anne Colone tells WHMI the board was under no requirement to advertise the position, and she called Todd following the interview to inform him that the board would like to hire him for the position. He accepted, pending contract negotiations. Colone says the board was impressed with Toddâs presentation, vision, and history of leadership within the district. Todd describes his leadership style as one of service, cooperation, and collaboration with the districtâs staff. He has been the principal of Pathfinder for the past nine years, and currently has not picked a successor to that position. He first came to the district as a middle school math teacher at the age of 27. (TD)
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Garden City Celebrating Return of Prominent Willy the Pig Sculpture Garden City Celebrating Return of Prominent Willy the Pig Sculpture
7/23/13 - The Garden City community is getting ready to go hog wild to celebrate the return of a pig sculpture to its downtown. The Garden City Downtown Development Authority says a Friday celebration will mark the return of ''Willy the Pig" a year after his disappearance. The bright red, shiny sculpture was swiped in broad daylight in June of 2012 and damaged by vandals. However, some pieces were later found in Green Oak Township. The base was found in a field near Mallard Lake along with other evidence of the dismantled aluminum casting of the pig. Red fragments were also found along a bike trailhead at Silver Lake and McCabe Roads. The Garden City DDA commissioned the Canadian sculptor who made the original Willy for a replacement, making the second pig the property of the DDA. The centerpiece of Fridayâs activities is to be a 7pm unveiling of the newly casted sculpture. The previous one was valued at more than $6,000 and leased through the Sauve Foundation, whose founder and acting curator John Sauve lives in Brighton. (JM)
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Motorcycle Ride to Benefit Local Woman Injured in Bonfire AccidentMotorcycle Ride to Benefit Local Woman Injured in Bonfire Accident
7/23/13 - A motorcycle fundraiser to benefit a young Putnam Township woman who suffered third-degree burns over most of her body in a bonfire accident in March will take place this weekend. The Putnam Township Fire Department will host the fundraising motorcycle ride and luncheon this Saturday to benefit Sarah Grundy, a 2012 Pinckney High School graduate who was severely burned in the accident and remains hospitalized recovering. The fundraiser aims to help defray some of the mounting medical bills the family is facing. The ride begins and ends at the department and will cruise throughout western Livingston County, with a hot dog and hamburger lunch included at noon. The cost is $20 per bike and $15 per passenger in advance or $25 per bike and $20 per passenger on the day of the ride. Those who donât plan on riding are welcome to provide donations and join the riders for lunch. For more information, contact the Putnam Township Fire Department. (JM)
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