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Bravata Sentencing Delayed Until SeptemberBravata Sentencing Delayed Until September

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8/2/13 - The financial victims of a Livingston County investment manager’s fraud scheme will again have to wait for justice. John Bravata of Brighton Township had been set for sentencing August 19th in U.S. District court in Detroit following his conviction for defrauding investors. However, that has now been rescheduled for September 23rd. Bravata was found guilty in March of a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 14 counts of wire fraud, while his son Antonio was found guilty on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Bravata’s business partner, Richard Trabulsy, previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud and testified against him. In exchange for the plea deal, prosecutors agreed to drop charges of conspiracy, securities fraud, and money laundering. The federal government says the three men misled 440 investors while collecting millions of dollars for BBC Equities, which operated out of Brighton Township. Bravata has repeatedly denied any fraud. His son will be sentenced three days after his father, with Trabulsy’s sentencing set for the day after that. Wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of twenty years in federal prison, along with up to a $250,000 fine.

Former State Employee Enters Plea to Charges Involving PrisonerFormer State Employee Enters Plea to Charges Involving Prisoner

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8/2/13 - A man who worked for the state Department of Corrections has entered a plea to reduced charges after a relationship with a female prisoner was discovered. 53-year-old Michael Paul Salyers of Manton, Michigan was originally charged with two counts of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct of a state prisoner. In Livingston County Circuit Court today, he entered no contest pleas to two reduced charges of 4th degree CSC. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such during sentencing, which has been scheduled for September 5th. Salyers previously worked as a mechanic for the Michigan Department of Corrections at Camp Brighton, which closed in 2007. He was accused of having a sexual relationship with a now-39-year-old woman, who has since been released from prison. The incidents were said to have occurred in 2006, spanning June through December of that year but the charges weren’t entered until March of this year. The Michigan Department of Corrections conducted an internal affairs investigation but no details were ever released. (JM)

Man Enters Plea to B&E Charges at Fowlerville Businesses Man Enters Plea to B&E Charges at Fowlerville Businesses

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8/3/13 - A man charged with breaking into several businesses in the Village of Fowlerville has entered a plea in the case. 43-year-old Michael Alan Gillespie Jr. of Ann Arbor pleaded no contest to three counts each of breaking and entering a building with intent and larceny in a building. A sentencing agreement calls for a guideline minimum of 34-months in prison and prosecutors have also agreed to not issue a separate charge of safe breaking. Gillespie will be sentenced as a 3rd-time habitual offender in Livingston County Circuit Court September 5th. Fowlerville Police responded to an alarm at a business on West Grand River shortly before 5am on June 12th and found the front door window broken out but then discovered that two other businesses had also been broken into. A witness provided a description of a man seen running between the buildings, which helped officers locate and arrest Gillespie in front of another business with visible injuries. (JM)

100-Acre Sports Complex Under Construction in Green Oak100-Acre Sports Complex Under Construction in Green Oak

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8/3/13 - A multimillion-dollar recreation complex that will include indoor and outdoor athletic fields, sports training and physical therapy services is being built on about 100 acres in Green Oak Township. Hamburg Township resident Rodney Goble is the co-owner of Michigan Rehabilitation Specialist, which is building the Legacy Center. He says he wanted to honor his family's sports legacy while helping others create their own. The project's first phase includes a 104,000-square-foot domed facility with a soccer and lacrosse field, outdoor fields and a 10,000-square-foot building for offices, concessions and fitness. Bordered by Whitmore Lake and Rickett roads off U.S. 23, it is expected to be completed by Nov. 1. The second phase includes a 170,000-square-foot field house, with a wellness center attached, softball fields, a baseball field and another outdoor field. Construction on that phase should begin in late 2014, with a fall 2015 opening.

Howell School Board Sets Special MeetingHowell School Board Sets Special Meeting

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8/3/13 - As the Howell School Board prepares for a special meeting Monday night, the panel’s president says closed-session talks last week about the district's teachers' union contract went well. Monday’s meeting will be the second special session in as many weeks. The board went into a closed session last Tuesday to discuss the contentious issue of collective bargaining strategy for the teachers' union contract. Afterward, Board President Mike Witt told WHMI he was optimistic of progress. In March, the board rejected a new teacher’s contract by a 3-2 vote, with Trustees Mike Moloney and Deborah McCormick and Treasurer Doug Moore voting against the measure despite recommendations from Superintendent Ron Wilson and the district’s lead negotiator. Mike Witt and his wife Kim, who serves as the board’s secretary were excluded from voting by a new conflict of interest law because Kim's sister is a teacher in the district. Moloney has proposed allowing teacher’s the option of switching to Blue Cross of Michigan for their health coverage. But that has not gained traction with the board’s majority. Monday’s meeting, which includes the closed session to discuss bargaining, begins at 6pm. (JK)

Local Senior Arraigned in Circuit Court For Shooting at WifeLocal Senior Arraigned in Circuit Court For Shooting at Wife

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8/4/13 - Authorities say an elderly Highland Township man has been arraigned in circuit court after police say he took a shot at his wife in a dispute over checks he'd written. 87-year-old Homer Miller was arraigned in Oakland County Circuit Court on July 30th for charges of felony assault and discharging a firearm in or at a building following the July 13th incident at a home on Woodruff Lake Road. The couple's daughter called police after overhearing her parents arguing about checks her father had signed. She says her 73-year-old mother went to the mailbox to retrieve the checks and returned to find Miller pointing a handgun at her. The daughter says her mother wrestled the gun from him, but he got another handgun and fired at her. (TD)

Brighton Drops Lawsuit Againt Downtown RestaurantBrighton Drops Lawsuit Againt Downtown Restaurant

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8/5/13 - The Brighton City Council has voted to drop a lawsuit against a local restaurant for violating the city ordinance. Following an executive session Thursday night, council voted to direct the city attorney to dismiss charges against Buon Gusto restaurant at the corner of West Main and First streets. City officials say this past spring, Buon Gusto Italian restaurant owner Sal Viviano installed a film on his windows that creates the effect of mirrored glass. As a result, drivers complained to police that the reflected light was shining back on them, making it hard for them to see approaching vehicles at the busy intersection. The city ordinance requires transparent, tinted window glass at downtown businesses. After the matter was brought to the attention of council, the city gave notice to Viviano that he must comply and take down the window treatment. At its June 6th meeting, after Viviano had failed to comply, council voted to give him 14 days to take corrective action, and failing that, the city would take the restaurant to court to force compliance. At the executive session Thursday it was noted that Viviano has since taken all necessary steps to conform with the ordinance, resulting in the decision to drop the suit. (JK)

Parenting Education Workshop Kicks-Off Next WeekParenting Education Workshop Kicks-Off Next Week

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8/5/13 - A free workshop program is focused on supporting parents of local teens. Creating Lasting Family Connections is a free seven week parent education workshop with a substance abuse prevention trained facilitator. It runs on Wednesday evenings beginning August 14th and targets parents with teens who are age 11 to 17. Polly Mallory is the Director of Family Prevention Services at LACASA and says it makes a big difference when parents are educated and sensitive about how to connect and communicate with their teen so that any intervention can happen early. She says the workshops provide parents with strong pointers on how to connect with their kids and keep them on the right track, without using any drugs or substances. Mallory tells WHMI the best mode of prevention for kids comes from homes and families with strong support, communication and understanding. She adds that it’s easy for anyone to be fooled by behavior that looks normal but could actually be covering up addiction or a very serious problem. She says the program will detail current trends in drug use and abuse, which is always changing but will also help parents become aware of typical adolescent behaviors along with signs and symptoms of others that are not and could be written off as typical teenage behavior. Anyone interested in attending the workshops must register through LACASA. More information can be found through the link below. (JK)

County Commission Seat & Library Millage on Ballot TuesdayCounty Commission Seat & Library Millage on Ballot Tuesday

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8/5/13 - Howell-area voters will cast ballots in a special general election tomorrow that will determine both a county commission seat and a library millage. Voters in the City of Howell as well as Cohoctah and Howell Townships will be deciding from three candidates in the running to represent District 5 on the Livingston County Board of Commissioners, which became vacant due to a resignation. Libertarian candidate Mike Brennan of Howell Township has a teaching and education background. He feels that his libertarian views set him apart with an emphasis on transparency, while still maintaining a fiscal conservative nature. Howell Township Trustee and Democrat Mike Tipton says his family values and business background would serve the county well and says the commission needs diversity to bring relevance back to the people and accountability back to the board. He believes that vital accomplishments can be made without resorting to tax increases. Howell attorney Donald Parker, a Republican, previously served on the county board and was appointed to fill the vacancy on an interim basis. Parker tells WHMI he brings priorities, perspectives and experience to the table and it’s a great privilege to serve. He feels the foundation has been laid for a successful future. Meanwhile, Howell Area voters will also be casting ballots on a millage request from the Howell Carnegie District Library. Officials say the average homeowner in the library district would pay around $30 more per year in taxes, or 58-cents a week, likening it to the purchase of a typical hardcover book. Officials says those who do use the library like the flexibility of it being open seven days a week, but also the unique services, valuable research materials and other resources it provides for free that would be rather expensive otherwise. Director Kathleen Zaenger tells WHMI there’s been a concerted effort to try and shield the public from the problems, which are becoming more and more visible. She says the millage increase is a reasonable expense in terms of what it will provide and a real bargain to keep a community gem going. Should the millage not pass, Zaenger says the immediate change the public would see is the library closing its doors two days a week, which would allow some extra funding to make limited repairs to the building and get the emergency things done, although not in the quality manner they hope for should the millage pass. Zaenger says the finance committee has been meeting regularly for the past two years and if defeated, they’ll likely come back to voters because it’s really the only option with the amount of money needed to do the necessary work. Polls open at 7am and complete election information can be found on the Livingston County Clerk’s webpage. (JK)

Brazilian Man Killed in Howell Township Motorcycle CrashBrazilian Man Killed in Howell Township Motorcycle Crash

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8/5/13 - A Brazilian man was killed over the weekend in a motorcycle crash in Howell Township. 20-year-old William Naatz died Saturday after his motorcycle, which was traveling west on Grand River, was hit by a 2007 Ford Edge that had pulled out from the VG’s parking lot. Naatz was taken by Livingston County EMS to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Naatz, who was attending college in Michigan, is the son of a city councilman in Blumenau, Brazil. The driver of the Edge, a 51-year-old Howell resident, was treated and released at the scene. The investigation into the crash continues. Photo: Agency RBS(JK)

City of Howell Extends Garbage ContractCity of Howell Extends Garbage Contract

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8/5/13 - After some discussion about whether to seek bids from other companies, the City of Howell voted to extend its garbage collection contract with Waste Management for another two years. The city's 5-year contract will come to an end in the near future, and the city was given the option to extend it for another two years. That extension would include a 1.5% increase in cost both years, but Waste Management approached the city and offered to waive that increase for the first year. At its meeting last week, the council discussed whether to accept the contract extension or seek more bids. Councilman Doug Heins was in support of letting the contract out to bid as a way to find lower prices and keep Waste Management honest. Mayor Phil Campbell said the recent increase in the garbage millage means the council has a responsibility to find the best value available. City Manager Shea Charles says the city had surveyed surrounding communities and found that the Waste Management contract is very competitive. Eventually the council voted to extend the current contract by two years, but to seek new bids at the end of that period. (JK)

Upcoming Events Planned to Support LESA's "Backpacks for Kids"Upcoming Events Planned to Support LESA's "Backpacks for Kids"

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8/5/13 - As many families work to squeeze in last minute summer fun, the Livingston Educational Service Agency is gearing up for the back to school rush with some special events this week. LESA’s “Backpacks for Kids” project collects backpacks and school supplies for students whose families are experiencing financial difficulties. Supplies and back-packs can be dropped off at the LESA building, along with a number of other partner sites across the county. Great Start Livingston Coordinator Robin Schutz tells WHMI two collection events and a fundraiser will help support the campaign. This Thursday, a Stuff the Shuttle event will be held at MC Sports in Brighton from 10am until 6pm followed by a Stuff the Bus event Friday at the Howell Wal-Mart from 10am until 2pm. Finally, a fundraiser is planned this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Five Below store in the Green Oak Village Place mall in which 10% of dollars spent will be donated back to LESA for the backpack program. A flyer must be presented and is available for download below, along with a link to a supply wish and site drop-off information. The distribution date for everything this year is August 22nd.(JM)

Man Sentenced After Embezzlment Scheme at Howell WarehouseMan Sentenced After Embezzlment Scheme at Howell Warehouse

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8/5/13 - A Lansing man has been sentenced in connection with an embezzlement scheme involving stolen equipment from a Livingston County-based General Motors contractor. Joseph Shuler of Lansing was sentenced Friday to 1 to 15 years behind bars and remanded to custody. The downward departure of sentencing guidelines was tied to a deal previously reached with prosecutors in which Shuler pleaded guilty to a reduced embezzlement charge but was required to testify against the said ring leader of the group Jeffrey Eastom, which he did. Last month, Eastom was convicted by a local jury of embezzling more than $100,000. He worked as a supervisor for Ideal Setech in Howell, which housed property for General Motors at a time when it was closing plants. Prosecutors maintained that Eastom would manipulate inventory lists of machinery, tools and metal materials between March of 2008 and January of 2010, which were then sold for scrap. Shuler was one of four co-defendants charged in the case - two have already been sentenced to jail time on embezzlement charges and ordered to pay restitution of $471,369. Kevin Bowles of Howell also testified against Eastom as part of plea deal and is set to be sentenced August 15th. (JM)

Police Identify Brighton Township Man Killed in Head-On Crash Police Identify Brighton Township Man Killed in Head-On Crash

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8/5/13 - Michigan State Police have identified the man killed in a head-on crash last week in Brighton Township. 55-year-old James Louis Kling of Brighton Township was pronounced dead at the scene while his passenger, 28-year-old Miesha Neely of Detroit, sustained critical injuries and remains hospitalized at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor where she was taken by Survival Flight. The crash happened last Thursday morning on Pleasant Valley Road, north of Buno Road. Kling was traveling southbound on Pleasant Valley in a red Honda Civic when he is said to have crossed the centerline, striking a silver Chevy Volt head-on. The driver of the Volt, identified as 57-year-old William Thornburgh of Fowlerville, was also hospitalized for treatment of his injuries and was last listed in good condition. The crash closed Pleasant Valley Road for several hours as police investigated. It’s still unknown if drugs or alcohol were factors. (JM)

Owner of Brighton Business Helps Organize Anti-Bullying Seminar

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8/6/13 - An upcoming conference in Flint organized by the owner of a Brighton business aims to teach students how to take action against bullying in practical ways. The “Hero Round Table” is a two-day conference that will take place at Swartz Creek High School on November 9th and 10th. Its organizers include Matt Langdon, founder of the Hero Construction Company in Brighton. MLive.com reports Langdon will also be one of the speakers at the event, which will advocate “heroism” as an alternative to current anti-bullying messages being brought to schools. He says these traditional messages encourage students to be passive and remain bystanders, while the message at the Hero Round Table will teach students specific actions for actively opposing bullying. He and other organizers are hoping for a turnout of 650 students at the conference. (TD)

Crop-Destroying Pest Detected In Livingston CountyCrop-Destroying Pest Detected In Livingston County

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8/6/13 - An invasive pest that destroys fruit crops is on the rise in Michigan, and was detected in Livingston County last week. Spotted wing drosophila is a species of fruit fly native to Southeast Asia, but which spread to the continental United States in 2008. It made its way west from California and was first detected in Michigan in 2011. The fly lays its eggs in soft summer fruits like plums, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, ruining hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth or crops every year. Michigan State University uses a system of traps to measure the fly’s population around the state, and in the last week of July it reported capture rates that were, on average, five times higher than the previous week. This included captures within Livingston County, which had not been mentioned in any of the university’s weekly reports this year. Michigan State recommends that farmers learn how to trap and identify the flies themselves, and if they are detected farmers should make sure to remove over-ripe fruit, eliminate native host plants like wild blackberry or raspberry bushes, and harvest crops in a timely fashion. For information on the pest and how to control it, follow the link below. (TD)

Circuit Court Arraignment Held For South Lyon Murder SuspectCircuit Court Arraignment Held For South Lyon Murder Suspect

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8/6/13 - An arraignment was held yesterday in Wayne County Circuit Court for a South Lyon man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend. 31-year-old Eric Frederickson stood mute during his arraignment on charges of first-degree premeditated murder and felony murder. A plea of not-guilty was entered on his behalf. He is charged as a second-time habitual offender and is currently on probation in connection with a 2009 case of aggravated stalking. Police say Frederickson stabbed to death his ex-girlfriend, 22-year-old Summer Lynn Faulkner, in her Taylor apartment on July 19th. Faulkner’s younger sister and a friend were home at the time and called police to report the attack. Faulkner was pronounced dead at the scene. Frederickson’s friends eventually convinced him to turn himself in to Fenton Police, who then turned him over to authorities in Taylor. The pair had broken up in February and police confirmed that Faulkner was being stalked by Frederickson for months. Frederickson is being held without bond in the Wayne County Jail and, if convicted, faces life in prison without parole. (TD)

Howell School Board Tables Action on Teacher ContractHowell School Board Tables Action on Teacher Contract

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8/6/13 - No action was taken, but Howell School Board President Mike Witt says there was positive momentum during a closed session last night regarding teacher contract negotiations. The board has not given administrators a clear direction for negotiations with the teachers' union since it rejected a contract in March. Negotiations were suspended earlier this summer, with a majority of the board agreeing that without direction the district could not negotiate in good faith. However, at its last meeting, the board held a closed session to discuss how to negotiate the contract. That closed session followed a special presentation on board governance and cooperation, and board members agreed that progress was made on deciding on a direction for negotiations. That conversation was continued during a closed session last night. No consensus was reached and the resulting action was tabled, but Board President Mike Witt says they once against produced positive movement on the topic. He says another closed session discussion will take place at the board's regular meeting next week, but it is unlikely a new direction will be agreed upon and a new contract for teachers signed before classes begin later this month. (TD)

Low Voter Turnout Anticipated at Local Polls This Election DayLow Voter Turnout Anticipated at Local Polls This Election Day

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8/6/13 - Any local residents that plan on casting ballots in today’s special election likely won’t have to worry about long lines at the polls. Livingston County Elections Coordinator Joan Runyan says unfortunately a very light voter turnout is expected, which is typically associated with elections that fall during this time in the summer when voting doesn’t seem to rank very high on the to-do-list for residents. Runyan says there will likely be more absentee ballots than polling ballots to count in this election, which is just the way she says it tends to work out in an off-year, August election. However, she says even during an even-year election, they’re lucky if they see a 25% voter turnout in the county. Despite the low turnout projected, Runyan says it’s still an important day in Livingston County. Green Oak Township voters will be casting ballots on a $12 million bond issue that would fund improvements and upgrades to technology, facilities and grounds in in the Whitmore Lake Public Schools district. The Howell Carnegie District Library has a millage proposal on the ballot that affects roughly 19 voting precincts in the county and falls mostly along the same boundaries of the Howell school district, with the exception of Putnam Township. Finally, voters will be casting ballots for the next District 5 Livingston County Commissioner, which is considered a partisan race with three different candidates that have filed for the single open seat. Polls will be open between 7am and 8pm. Further information about requirements and the issues appearing on the ballot in today’s special election can be found through a link to the County Clerk’s website, which is posted below. (JM)

Livingston County and Tyrone Twp. Finalize New Patrol ContractLivingston County and Tyrone Twp. Finalize New Patrol Contract

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8/6/13 - The Livingston County Board of Commissioners authorized an agreement for road patrol services between the Sheriff’s Department and Tyrone Township at its meeting Monday night. For more than 30 years, both Tyrone and Hartland Townships contracted for dedicated road patrols to maintain low response times and deter crime. However, both declined to renew the agreement when it was up in March and felt the costs were outweighing the benefits. Both have been negotiating with the county for different terms since then and the deal with Tyrone was reached recently. The new two-year contract calls for 56 hours of dedicated road patrol service for Tyrone residents, eight hours a day and seven days a week. The new contract also went into effect Monday and runs through August 2015. The price of the patrols is roughly the same as before but the new contract reduces service from around-the-clock to peak hours. Commission Chairwoman Carol Griffith tells WHMI they’re looking forward to continuing the good relationship between the Sheriff’s Department and Tyrone Township. Commissioner Dave Domas says both sides were keenly aware of protecting the safety and welfare of residents while negotiations were occurring and he’s pleased with the deal. Hartland Township still does not have a contract for dedicated patrols but is continuing discussions with the county. Domas says the sheriff’s department will also be increasing activities with respect to traffic enforcement and Tyrone will be participating in a program in which its ordinance will be utilized when traffic tickets are issued, allowing the township to capture some annual revenues. He says the department will also be looking at examining liquor licenses throughout the township. (JM)
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