8/6/13 - A private memorial service is planned Friday for two Michigan men, including one from Livingston County, missing since they went to Canada for a fishing trip last month. 70-year-old Earl Zellen of Brighton (pictured here from Facebook page) and his 40-year-old son Matt, a Bloomfield Hills resident, left July 21 and were reported missing on a lake in Nunavut after they failed to show up July 29 for a charter aircraft flight. Police on Aug. 1 called off the search for the men. Their boat and fishing gear were spotted, and the boat had run out of gas. Two Canadian Air Force C-130 Hercules helped searched the Dubawnt Lake area last month. Others searched the shore of the large remote lake, but found no trace of them. Authorities suspect the men fell in the frigid water and died. Matt Zellen was the owner of the Detroit Outfitters store in Warren. Earl Zellen was a retired Ford executive, who had become an avid housing volunteer. (JK)
Brighton Man & Son Presumed Dead in Canadian WildernessBrighton Man & Son Presumed Dead in Canadian Wilderness
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Technology Purchase Readies Voyager Elementary for New TestsTechnology Purchase Readies Voyager Elementary for New Tests
8/6/13 - Voyager Elementary will receive more than 200 new high-tech devices this fall thanks to a purchase of more than $100,000 approved by the Howell School Board last night. The purchase will provide and install 32 data projectors, 175 desktop computers with displays, and 32 Google ChromeBook tablets to the school. Some of the desktops will replace units at Howell High School, but the majority of the purchase will go to Voyager Elementary to enable the new Northwest Evaluation Association assessments. The NWEA system was adopted by the district for K-11 schools, and it requires students to have access to high-tech devices. School Board President Mike Witt says the new system will provide a more timely alternative to the traditional MEAP testing, which administers tests in the fall and returns data in the spring. Under that system, he says teachers only find out how their students are performing or in need of attention near the end of the school year. Because they are so heavily based on technology, the NWEA assessments provide test data back to teachers within two weeks and can be administered multiple times per year. Witt says this will give teachers a better understanding of where their students are having difficulty. (TD)
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Funeral Services Saturday for Brighton Man & Son Presumed Dead Funeral Services Saturday for Brighton Man & Son Presumed Dead
8/6/13 - Funeral services are scheduled this weekend for a Brighton man and his son who are both presumed dead following a fishing trip in the Canadian wilderness. The family has a private memorial planned on Friday for 70-year-old Earl Zellen of Brighton and his 40-year-old son Matt Zellen of Bloomfield Hills. Funeral services are then planned Saturday at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Brighton Township. Visitation is at 9:30am, to be followed by a 10:00 funeral mass. The father and son left July 21st for the trip, a couple hundred miles from the Arctic Circle. They failed to show up a week later for their scheduled charter flight home and authorities suspect the two men fell into the frigid water and died. Extensive ground and aerial searches were conducted but later called off. Canadian news outlets report that their boat was found about eight miles from their camp and out of fuel, with all of their survival gear and life jackets still inside. Earl Zellen was a retired Ford executive while Matt owned the Detroit Outfitters store in Warren. (JM)
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Former Principal from Brighton Sentenced in Drunk Driving Case Former Principal from Brighton Sentenced in Drunk Driving Case
8/6/13 - A former elementary school principal from the Brighton area who authorities say was found drunk on school property and originally charged under the stateâs so-called âsuper drunkâ law has been sentenced. 44-year-old Kim Warren was ordered to serve 18 months of probation and complete 50 hours of community service in lieu of jail time. She must also undergo intensive substance abuse counseling and an outpatient treatment program. Warren was arrested April 8th after returning to Deerfield Elementary School in Novi from her lunch hour. She later resigned from her position. Police said they received two separate calls from concerned motorists regarding her driving on Wixom Road and a breathalyzer indicated the Brighton resident had a blood-alcohol content of 0.21%, which is more than two-and-a-half times the state limit for driving. She was originally charged with operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of at least 0.17% and possessing open intoxicants. Those were dismissed in exchange for her no contest plea to an operating while intoxicated charge. Warren apologized following todayâs sentencing hearing in Oakland Countyâs 52-1 District Court, saying she has an illness and is looking forward to healing. (JM)
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Genoa Township Moving Forward with November Road Millage Genoa Township Moving Forward with November Road Millage
8/6/13 - A road millage will likely be put before voters in Genoa Township this fall. Board members met Monday night and reached consensus to move forward with the millage request, which would appear on the November ballot. The township does not currently have any road millage in place and spends between $500,000 and $600,000 every year out of the general fund for road improvements. The township has grown but the road system canât handle it and between it's contributions and what the Road Commission is able to do, Manager Mike Archinal says itâs not enough to keep roads in an acceptable condition. He says residents also expect better roads and a survey showed 67% of respondents would approve increased taxes to support them. From that survey, Archinal says a plan of proposed projects was developed that are spread out geographically and would be completed between 2014 and 2016. Archinal says it would result in a dramatic improvement on a large number of well-traveled roads, although some of the proposed work is related to upgrades underway at the Mount Brighton resort and the eventual completion of the Latson Road/I-96 interchange project. Once the interchange opens, he says it will dramatically impact traffic patterns and how people get to work, especially since many are commuters so they will have to address roads in that area. Archinal says the others in the proposed plan are gravel roads and their capacity has far exceeded what theyâre able to handle due to continued development over the years. He says conceptual estimates call for around a one-and-a-half mill proposal that would generate roughly $22.6 (m) million for the three years of construction work. For the average homeowner, that would mean a tax of around $150 a year. The ballot proposal, financing term and schedule of projects will be reviewed at the boardâs August 19th meeting. If approved, the language must be submitted August 27th. (JM)
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Man Appeals Prison Sentence for Sexually Abusing Children in HaitiMan Appeals Prison Sentence for Sexually Abusing Children in Haiti
8/7/13 - A former Livingston County man is appealing his prison sentence in a child sex abuse case at a residential center he operated in Haiti. Last week, a U.S District Court Judge imposed the maximum 165-year prison sentence sought by prosecutors for 68-year-old Matthew Andrew Carter of Brighton. He filed his appeal Monday with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. A federal jury in Miami convicted Carter in February on five counts of traveling from Florida to Haiti for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with minors, along with one count of attempting child sex tourism. Prosecutors said he targeted poor and vulnerable children who lived at the home he ran from 1995 through 2011. At sentencing, Carter disputed the credibility of victims who testified against him and questioned the lack of physical evidence presented during trial. (JM)
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Attorney Plans to Appeal Disqualification to State Supreme CourtAttorney Plans to Appeal Disqualification to State Supreme Court
8/7/13 - A defense attorney seeking to overturn a ruling that disqualified him from representing two women charged with illegally selling synthetic marijuana in Genoa Township plans to take the issue to the state Supreme Court. In November, District Court Judge Suzanne Geddis ruled that it would be a conflict of interest for attorney Timothy Corr to simultaneously defend two clients in the same case. The defendants, 41-year-old Ronda Lee Roszak and 27-year-old Melissa Ann Dzierwa, respectively owned and managed the Smokers Depot in Genoa Township. The court made its ruling after the County prosecutorâs Office said it planned to offer a plea deal to one of the two suspects. Corr challenged the ruling in the Michigan Court of Appeals, saying the Sixth Amendment gave his client the right to choose any attorney she wanted, but the court ruled in favor of Geddis. Corr tells WHMI he now plans to appeal the decision to the Michigan Supreme Court. Corr says both defendants 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. (TD)
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Library Millage Easily Passes; Parker Wins County Board SeatLibrary Millage Easily Passes; Parker Wins County Board Seat
8/7/13 - A millage proposal to benefit the Howell Carnegie District Library was approved by a wide margin of voters in several Livingston County municipalities Tuesday. Unofficial results from the Livingston County Clerk's Office (see link below) had 3,802 votes in favor and 1,696 against. The 0.4 mill property tax will provide additional revenue to the library for the next 20 years, allowing officials to address various problems with the facility itself. These included a leaking roof, an aging heating and cooling system, and various other structural problems. It is estimated that the millage will cost the average household 58 cents per week, or $30 per year. Less than 14% of voters in the library district came out to vote, but of those who did approved the millage by a margin of more than two-to-one. Library Director Kathleen Zaenger says she is extremely grateful to the community for the outpouring of support, saying she knew two different families that delayed their vacations in order to vote in the election. Meanwhile, the vacancy in the 5th District of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners will be filled by Don Parker, who beat Democrat Mike Tipton and Libertarian Mike Brennan with about 56% of the vote. Also, voters in Green Oak Township and portions of Washtenaw County voted down a $12.3 million bond proposal for Whitmore Lake Schools by a margin of more than two-to-one. The proposal would have allowed the district to purchase remodeling, technology, buses, and athletic facilities for the districtâs buildings. (TD/JK)
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Fishing Tournament Raises Money for Nature Center ExhibitFishing Tournament Raises Money for Nature Center Exhibit
8/7/13 - A new habitat exhibit at the Howell Nature and Conference Center was made possible after a successful fundraiser last month. The 9th annual Family Fishing Derby was held July 27th on the Portage-Zukey Chain of Lakes and raised a record $1,000 to support the construction of a new mink habitat at the nature center. Proceeds of the fundraiser will be added to other donations to fund the construction, which is needed to make way for a permanently injured saw-whet owl adopted from a licensed rehabilitator in Oregon. Because of the center's national reputation for handling birds of prey, officials say they were a logical choice for the placement. The tiny owl is well-suited to the existing mink habitat with minimal renovations. The mink will move to an expanded habitat that will include a larger, deeper pond for the mammal to catch fish. The new habitat will cost an estimated $2800,
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Gleaner's Iron Chef Set to Battle Local Hunger NeedsGleaner's Iron Chef Set to Battle Local Hunger Needs
8/7/13 - The culinary skills of two local chefs will once again be tested as they compete in the 9th annual Iron Chef competition to benefit the Gleaners Community Food Bank of Livingston County. Patrick Srock, executive chef of Oak Pointe Country Club returns to battle Sandy Blake, chef and owner of Mexicali Allies in Howell. Each chef will be challenged to create an appetizer, entrée and dessert incorporating a specially selected secret ingredient. Last year, over 500 people attended the cook-off with bacon as the secret ingredient. Tickets for the competition are $50, which include beverages and appetizers as well as a chance to win a taste of one of the chefâs three competing dishes. Last yearâs event raised nearly $95,000, equating to more than 280,000 meals. For more information or to purchase tickets, click the link below. (JK)
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Audit Report Praises Hartland Township, Warns Of Health Care ActAudit Report Praises Hartland Township, Warns Of Health Care Act
8/7/13 - Hartland Township got a glowing audit report at its regular meeting last night for the 2012-2013 budget year. The report indicated that the township was able to increase its fund balance while paying off debt in the last budget year. Township Manager James Wickman says the township revenue saw an increase of about 2.5% during the last fiscal year due to a corresponding increase in taxable property values, a sign of economic recovery. Wickman says aggressively paying off debt has saved the township tens of thousands of dollars in recent years. The auditor also warned the township about the Affordable Health Care Act, which he said could create complications for local municipalities in the next fiscal year. Wickman says the IRS does tend to create unexpected rules and procedures related to the act, but at the moment the township is in compliance. (TD)
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Michigan Logo Adorns New Survival Flight Hangar RoofMichigan Logo Adorns New Survival Flight Hangar Roof
8/8/13 - Michigan Wolverine fans in the Howell area will be cheered by a new block M that has recently made an appearance. However, theyâll need to be airborne to see the signature Michigan insignia that has surfaced at the new EMS Public Safety Complex in Howell. The new, 70,000 square foot building will house Livingston County EMS as well as a helicopter hangar for University of Michigan Survival Flight. The block M was recently painted on the hangarâs roof. Project Manager Brad Alvord said the Survival Flight pilots were very enthusiastic about the idea when it was first proposed. The safety complex project is scheduled for completion later this fall. It also is in line for an energy rebate from DTE based upon the building "envelope" or enclosure, ground source heating & cooling and efficient light fixtures. Photo courtesy of Dave Richardson - Lindhout Associates architects. (JK)
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Woman Enters Plea in 2010 Death of Homeless Man Woman Enters Plea in 2010 Death of Homeless Man
8/8/13 - More than three years later, one of two people charged with felony murder in the death of a homeless man has entered a plea in the case. 52-year-old Antoinette Bea Hix of Gaines pleaded guilty to a charge of 2nd degree murder in Livingston County Circuit Court Wednesday. In exchange, separate charges of 1st degree pre-meditated murder and abuse of a vulnerable adult were dismissed. Prosecutors also agreed to recommend a sentencing cap on the minimum guidelines of 18 years and 9 months in prison. If Judge David Reader feels the sentence should be greater than the cap, Hix can withdraw her plea at sentencing October 7th. Hix admitted that on April 11th, 2010, she assisted 45-year-old Mitchell Judd Hall of Byron in loading the victim into Hallâs vehicle with the intention of Hall driving the victim to an isolated location. Hix also admitted that knowing the victims age, his injuries, and the 30-degree temperature outside that he was probably going to die. Hix and Hall were each charged in the death of 71-year old Clarence Elijah Hines and their trial dates have been pushed back several times, in part due to a number of motions filed as to what arguments could be made by either side during trial and what could be introduced as evidence. More recently, Judge Reader authorized the defense in Hallâs case to expend $3,000 for a forensic pathologist. Hix has offered to testify against Hall during his trial, which is now scheduled for August 26th, but that is not a part of any plea agreement. Police say the couple left Hines at the side of Sober Road in Conway Township on April 11th, 2010, where he was found dead the following morning. Authorities say Hines died due to a combination of hypothermia and multiple blunt trauma injuries. Authorities say the couple wanted to rid themselves of caring for Hines due to his failing health and discussed various options to do so, eventually deciding to drop him off on a rural dirt road. (JM)
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Final Site Plan Approval Granted For River Church BuildingFinal Site Plan Approval Granted For River Church Building
8/8/13 - A new $7.5 million church building has received final site plan approval in Hartland Township. The River Church has been meeting in the Hartland High School Performing Arts Center for the past several years, and now plans to build a new church building on a 74-acre property located on M-59 west of US-23. The 40,000 square foot facility will seat 900 congregants. The project includes a new left-turn lane on M-59 and egress lanes out of the church property. After recommending a few minor changes to the site plan, the township planning commission recommended approval for the church on July 25th. The Township Board of Trustees granted that approval on Tuesday. River Church Director of Operations Mark Frego tells WHMI organizers are still finalizing construction documents and looking for land use and right-of-way permits from MDOT, but they hope to begin construction later this month. If everything goes as planned, the new River Church building should open by October of next year. (TD)
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Full Closures on I-96 Next Week to Set Latson Interchange Beams Full Closures on I-96 Next Week to Set Latson Interchange Beams
8/8/13 - The Michigan Department of Transportation is entering into the next big phase of construction on I-96 as part of the Latson Road Interchange project. Over the next two weeks, there will be a full, overnight closure on I-96 at Latson Road so that crews can set beams for the new bridge. When I-96 is closed, M-DOT Spokeswoman Kari Arend tells WHMI traffic will be diverted off and on the freeway using the new ramps at the interchange. Eastbound I-96 will be closed starting Monday, August 12th between 10pm and 4am. Prior to the full closure though, there will be a double lane closure on eastbound I-96 that will start at 7pm. Then the following week on Monday, August 19th, there will be a double lane closure on westbound I-96 starting at 8pm, followed by the full closure between 11pm and 5am each night. Arend says overall, work is progressing on the Latson Road Interchange project. She says theyâre still hopeful that theyâll be able to the majority of the project done this construction season and everything back open, but work will likely go later into November or December. Photo courtesy of Ron Staley/The Christman Company (JM)
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Strategic Plan Ideas and New Fund Discussed by Green Oak BoardStrategic Plan Ideas and New Fund Discussed by Green Oak Board
8/8/13 - Items for inclusion in the townshipâs strategic plan were discussed by the Green Oak Township Board at its regular meeting last night. A strategic plan was developed by the board several months ago as a way for the township to designate projects, events, and capital improvements to be accomplished on behalf of the citizens. Supervisor Mark St. Charles tells WHMI each member of the board brought forward elements for inclusion in the plan. He says the most important element being considered for the plan right now is the extension of the Lakeland Trail to Whitmore Lake Road, but other things like the utilization of township land are being considered as well. He brought up during the discussion the fact that the township has a budget surplus of $466,000 as well as a healthy fund balance. He suggested that the board should consider setting up a capital projects fund specifically earmarked for improvements to township facilities and events, like those to be included in the strategic plan. The possibility of a new police station was specifically mentioned as part of that discussion. (TD)
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Boy Run Over by Mother in Cohoctah Township AccidentBoy Run Over by Mother in Cohoctah Township Accident
8/8/13 - A Wayne County child is in good condition after police say his mother accidentally ran him over Wednesday night in Cohoctah Township. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department says deputies were dispatched about 7:30 Wednesday evening to the Waterâs Edge Camp Ground off of North Burkhart Road on the report of a four year old child being struck by a vehicle. A preliminary investigation revealed that 27-year-old Stephanie Wade of Flat Rock was driving a minivan eastbound on a roadway in the campground with her three children unrestrained in the rear of the vehicle. Wade was reportedly heading to the front of the campground to drop off garbage with the sliding doors to the van left open. Wadeâs four year old son fell from the minivan and was subsequently struck before she could stop. Witnesses reported Wade was traveling at a very slow speed at the time of the incident. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor in the crash. The boy was flown by U of M Survival Flight to Mottâs Children Hospital and was originally listed in stable but temporary serious condition. He was last listed in good condition. None of the other children were injured. Deputies were assisted at the scene by personnel with the Howell Area Fire Department and Livingston County EMS. The incident remains under investigation by the Livingston County Sheriff Department Traffic Safety Bureau. (JK)
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Concussions Linked to Finnerty's DeathConcussions Linked to Finnerty's Death
8/8/13 - A record-setting college quarterback from Livingston County died of pneumonia, complicated by chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is linked to concussions. Thatâs according to the Detroit Free Press, which is citing the autopsy report on former Grand Valley State quarterback Cullen Finnerty. According to the paper, Dr. Stephen Cohle also believes a build-up of oxycodone in Finnerty's system played a role in his death. Finnerty was reportedly prescribed the pain medication for back injuries, possibly suffered during his football career. Finnerty was found dead May 28th in a wooded area in Lake County, two days after he disappeared. According to the report, Finnerty likely suffered anxiety, disorientation and paranoia from being alone in the woods while he waited for his family to pick him up after his solo fishing trip. The medical examiner believes he then became incapacitated and inhaled vomit, which caused pneumonia. According to the report, alcohol did not contribute to Finnerty's death. (JK)
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Second Suspect Enters Plea In 2010 Death of Homeless Man Second Suspect Enters Plea In 2010 Death of Homeless Man
8/9/13 - Both suspects have now entered pleas in connection with the death of an elderly homeless man whose body was found in 2010 along a rural road in Conway Township. 45-year-old Mitchell Judd Hall of Byron pleaded guilty Thursday morning to 2nd degree murder. A sentencing agreement of 270 months or 22-and-a-half years on the minimum guideline was reached with prosecutors and the court will set the maximum. Hall will be sentenced as a third-time habitual offender October 7th in Livingston County Circuit Court. Thatâs the same day 52-year-old Antoinette Bea Hix of Gaines will learn her fate in the case. She pleaded guilty just yesterday, also to a 2nd degree murder charge. Both Hix and Hall originally faced charges of 1st degree pre-meditated murder and abuse of a vulnerable adult but those were dismissed in exchange for the pleas. Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt says he hopes the guilty pleas will bring some measure of finality and justice to his family, noting that this was a very difficult case to investigate and solve and the Sheriff's Department deserves special recognition. He tells WHMI that Hines was an honorably discharged U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran who lived a tough life but did not to deserve to die the way he did. Police say the couple left Hines at the side of Sober Road on April 11th, 2010, where he was found dead the following morning. Authorities say the couple had been caring for Hines and receiving his Social Security benefits but later wanted to rid themselves of Hines due to his failing health. Hix admitted that knowing the victims age, his injuries, and the 30-degree temperature outside that he was probably going to die when they dropped him off. (JM)
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Local Kids & Families to Benefit from Health Care GrantLocal Kids & Families to Benefit from Health Care Grant
8/9/13 - A grant will allow for a unique collaboration on a two year project that will serve both Washtenaw and Livingston Counties. The grant was the only one awarded in Michigan by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and totals $593,587. The project is called âCoverage Counts: Connecting Teens, Immigrant and Homeless Familiesâ and will be coordinated through the Washtenaw Health Plan. The focus is bridging health coverage disparities by reaching out to sub-groups of children that exhibit lower than average health coverage rates. The project will focus on three sub-groups in particular: immigrant children and their parents, homeless children and their parents, and teenagers and their parents. Those groups were prioritized because they are less likely to be enrolled in health coverage, even when they are eligible. Officials say families with older teens, in particular, may not realize their children are still eligible for Medicaid while immigrant and homeless families face a variety of barriers, including literacy challenges and challenges in accessing technology. Ted Westmeier, Health Officer for the Livingston County Department of Public Health, is enthusiastic about the projectâs potential and says theyâre delighted to be included and expect it will offer even more opportunities for outreach to families. (JM)
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