8/9/13 - Former members of the U.S. Marine Corps Band will perform at an event in Brighton this week hosted by the cityâs Kiwanis Club. The Bands of Americaâs Few will perform on Sunday at the Mill Pond Gazebo beginning at 7pm. They will play patriotic music to honor local servicemen and women, veterans, POWâs, and those missing in action. Kiwanis members will present more than 2,000 flags to military personnel past and present during the concert. West Street and St. Paul Street will be closed down for the concert, as will Main Street between Hyne Road and Grand River. The closures will make room for concert-goers and classic cars on display during the event. The performance will be only one of four the Bands of Americaâs Few will hold in the United States this year, with another scheduled in Colorado and two in Washington, D.C. (TD)
Marine Corps Band Members To Hold Brighton Concert SundayMarine Corps Band Members To Hold Brighton Concert Sunday
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Oak Pointe Chef Wins Gleaners' Iron Chef 2013Oak Pointe Chef Wins Gleaners' Iron Chef 2013
8/9/13 - Two local chefs went head-to-head last night to prove the greatness of their gastronomy and raise money for charity at the 9th annual Iron Chef competition. The event benefits the Gleaners Community Food Bank of Livingston County. Hundreds of spectators gathered to watch Mexicali Allies chef and owner Sandy Blake face off against Oak Pointe Country Club Executive Chef Patrick Srock in a contest to create the best appetizer, entrée, and dessert using a specially selected secret ingredient. This yearâs special ingredient was Better Made potato chips, chosen because it is a Michigan product with a plant very near the main Gleaners facility in Detroit. Although Blake took the peopleâs choice award and got the highest points for the dessert portion, it was Srock who won the competition with his crab cake appetizer, grilled salmon entrée, and liquid nitrogen ice cream. He says he was glad to redeem himself after losing last yearâs competition, but mostly is glad to contribute to the fundraising event and help the community. Last yearâs champion, Tammy Young, decided not to enter the competition again after winning for the second year in a row. The event raised money through a silent auction as well as ticket sales. With hundreds of people in attendance, organizers hoped to raise $100,000, which would fill five semi-trucks with food. The money will be used to fund Gleanersâ Shared Harvest Pantry, which stocks a retail-style store for families in need to gather food. (TD)
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Finnerty's Father: God Knows What Really HappenedFinnerty's Father: God Knows What Really Happened
8/9/13 - The father of a former college football star from Livingston County who died in the Michigan wilderness says only his son and God really know what happened. Tim Finnerty spoke Thursday after a medical examiner concluded Cullen Finnerty died of pneumonia caused by inhaling his vomit. A medical examiner says the former Brighton High School football star became disoriented in the woods after a fishing trip possibly because of painkillers combined with having a degenerative brain disease. A Boston University neuropathologist who studied Finnerty's brain says it's highly unlikely the brain disease was the sole cause of death, but it possibly affected his behavior. Tim Finnerty says it's important to keep researching chronic traumatic encephalopathy and links to sports-related head injuries. He says Cullen, who went to a record-setting career with Grand Valley State and then a short NFL run, loved football, though, and athletes learn "substantial" life lessons playing the sport. (JK)
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Humane Society Highlighting Breed Plagued By MisconceptionsHumane Society Highlighting Breed Plagued By Misconceptions
8/9/13 - Itâs no secret that the pit bull breed tends to get a bad rap and more negative publicity than others but a local animal shelter is working to change that. The Humane Society of Livingston County has been highlighting pit bulls and pit bull mixes at the shelter this month to hopefully generate a more positive perception about the breed. That can be a difficult task considering itâs usually the only breed to make the news. Just this week, a Rochester man lost part of his tongue after sticking out his tongue while face to face with a friend's pit-bull. Shelter Manager Sarah Mews tells WHMI that in the shelter industry, they donât like to label any dog as being bad or more likely than another to bite but in experience with handling dogs, itâs the smaller breed dogs like Chihuahuas that tend to bite someone but because they donât do as much damage, thereâs not as much coverage. She says unfortunately any publicity pit bulls receive is usually negative so it just reinforces a negative image with the public. With any dog, she says itâs more about their training, how theyâre treated and how theyâre raised. Mews says pit bulls are a very loyal breed and very intelligent and can be placed in homes with other dogs, although they should always be introduced prior. She says there doesnât need to be any different precautions for the breed, other than owners should be aware that neighbors may not necessarily appreciate it. In that situation, Mews suggests trying to educate and show them that the dog youâve adopted or rescued is friendly and can be in the neighborhood without posing problems. More information about the breed and the Humane Society can be found through the link below. (JM)
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Green Oak Woman to Receive U.S. Citizenship At 77Green Oak Woman to Receive U.S. Citizenship At 77
8/9/13 - A local woman will become a US citizen on Monday at the age of 77 after decades of living in the country. Born and raised in Ireland, Teresa Cummiford now lives in Green Oak Township. Jaclyn Cronin is her granddaughter, and she tells WHMI that Teresa has lived in America for much of her life. She met her American husband in the late 1950âs while he was stationed with the U.S. Army in London. The pair got married and had two children in England before moving to America and having another three. Cronin says Cummiford is very patriotic and has wanted to vote for years, but has been residing in the country on a green card. Recently, the family did the research to find out how she could become a naturalized citizen. Cronin helped her grandmother study for the citizenship test, but says Cummiford already knew the answers to a vast majority of the questions that were asked. She passed the test, and so will become a citizen during a formal oath-taking ceremony on Monday. It will be held in the federal courthouse in Detroit. Cummiford is far from the oldest person to become a naturalized citizen of the United States, with that honor going to a 117-year-old Turkish immigrant in Los Angeles in 1997. (TD)
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LCJ Inmate Arraigned on Escape Attempt, Faces CSC ChargesLCJ Inmate Arraigned on Escape Attempt, Faces CSC Charges
8/9/13 - A Northville man accused of attempting to escape from the Livingston County Jail has been arraigned in Circuit Court. 30-year-old Anthony Thomas Gabourie is charged with escaping from a felony jail sentence as well as being a 4th time habitual offender. He was arraigned in circuit court on Thursday. The charge stems from an incident on June 18th, when Gabourie was serving a one-year stint in the jail from a prior conviction. He has since had three charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim under the age of 13, and one charge of third-degree CSC with a victim between the ages of 13 and 15, filed against him in Washtenaw County. A pretrial hearing on those charges has been scheduled for August 29th in Washtenaw County Circuit Court. (TD)
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Full, Overnight Closures Start Monday on I-96 at Latson Road Full, Overnight Closures Start Monday on I-96 at Latson Road
8/10/13 - The Michigan Department of Transportation has revised the schedule for overnight closures that start Monday 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 Monday through Thursday each week so crews can set beams for the new bridge. When the freeway is closed, traffic will be re-routed off and on the freeway using the new ramps at the Latson Road interchange. Next week, eastbound I-96 will be closed each night starting Monday, August 12th through Thursday, August 15th between 10pm and 4am. Prior to the full closure each night, there also will be a double lane closure on eastbound I-96 starting at 7pm. Then the following week, westbound I-96 will be closed each night starting Monday, August 19th until Thursday, August 22nd between 11pm and 5am. Prior to the full closure each night, there also will be a double lane closure on westbound I-96 starting at 8pm. M-DOT advises motorists to watch for slow traffic and to also plan extra time when traveling through the corridor during the work. (JM)
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Guilty Plea Entered For Green Oak Man in Home Invasion CasesGuilty Plea Entered For Green Oak Man in Home Invasion Cases
8/10/13 - A Green Oak Township man has entered a plea after being accused of breaking into houses and robbing them to feed a drug addiction. 18-year-old Joshua Alan Woy was charged with three counts of second-degree home invasion for breaking into his neighborsâ houses in the Woodland Ridge community near the intersection of Nine Mile and Rushton Roads. The South Lyon Herald reports he pleaded guilty as charged at his arraignment and will be sentenced on September 5th. Woy admitted to breaking windows or walking in through sliding glass doors at the houses, then searching them for electronics to pay for prescription drugs. He says his drug of choice is Xanax, which is used to treat anxiety disorders and carries a strong risk of dependence. Woy faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, but is attempting to be sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which would leave him with no criminal record following the successful completion of his sentence. (TD)
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Golf Outing to Raise More Funds For Hartland Teen CenterGolf Outing to Raise More Funds For Hartland Teen Center
8/10/13 - After a successful first fiscal year, organizers of the Hartland teen center are looking for more support from the public to improve the facility. The center brought in more revenue than it spent during the fiscal year that ended June 30th according to a report delivered to the Hartland Township Board by Trustee Joe Petrucci. He attributed this success in part to the donation of materials that the township would otherwise have had to buy, which exceeded expectations. He says the township is now looking for monetary donations to buy things people rarely donate, such as up-to-date gaming equipment, as well as to construct volleyball and basketball areas. To help raise funds to operate and upgrade the teen center, the township will hold a golf outing event at the Majestic on Sunday, August 25th. The 9-hole golf event will cost $40 per person to play, and $100 to sponsor a hole. Anyone interested in taking part can contact the Majestic to sign up. (TD)
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Marion Township Opens New 24/7 Recycling BinsMarion Township Opens New 24/7 Recycling Bins
8/11/13 - Marion Township has entered into a new agreement to provide around-the-clock recycling options for its residents. New recycling bins have been placed behind the Marion Township hall by the Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority. Residents can bring all their recyclable items and drop them off, unsorted, at any time of day and any day of the week. The township is responsible for a fee of $150 every time the bins need to be dumped, but Clerk Tammy Beal says the deal is worth it to give residents an opportunity to dispose of their recyclables. Beal says a conversation with the Putnam supervisor is what prompted Marion officials to install the new bins behind the township hall. The authority will accept most kinds of recyclable materials, including paper, plastic, and aluminum, but it will not accept plastic bags, styrofoam, or blue glass. Beal says the township still participates with Recycle Livingston, but that it can be difficult to reach their facility during hours of operation, so the new bins will provide an anytime alternative for Marion residents. She adds that there are no lights near the new recycle bins, and officials would prefer if residents would limit their drop-offs to daylight hours. (TD)
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Brighton Teen Raising Money to Open Student CenterBrighton Teen Raising Money to Open Student Center
8/11/13 - A Brighton Township teenager is trying to raise $12,000 to open a nonprofit student center in downtown Brighton. 15-year-old Scott Mixer calls the center Colab and sees it as a place where students can hang out, do homework and work on projects. It will have computers, video equipment and a T-shirt printer, and sell coffee and smoothies. Mixer, whoâs a sophomore at FlexTech High School in Genoa Township, and two classmates are raising funds online. Theyâve also been selling coffee drinks and smoothies, most recently hauling their serving cart by bicycle to sell to patrons as the Taste of Brighton and the Brighton Fine Art & Acoustic Music Festival. They hope to open Colab next year. (JK)
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Brighton Township Contemplates Sewer Ordinance Update
8/12/13 - Changes to Brighton Townshipâs sewer ordinance were discussed recently by board members. The current sewer ordinance dates back to the early 2000âs and officials say it needs to be updated for the current times and structures that are in place, particularly some along Old US-23. Board members noted that any ordinance updates must help ensure a financially sound system but also be enforceable. More users on the system also benefit the environment reducing maintenance. Some of the discussion focused on how connections to the system are handled, and not creating hardships but requiring users or potential users within 200 feet to hook in once their septic system fails. System management and how to address contiguous properties with easements that are within 200 feet of the system. All of the board input will be brought back to the townshipâs utilities committee for further discussion. (JM)
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Howell Nature Center Helps Heron Injured by Angry BirdHowell Nature Center Helps Heron Injured by Angry Bird
8/12/13 - An attack by ospreys left a local great blue heron injured, but he was returned to the Kensington Metropark on Friday thanks to the efforts of the Howell Nature Center. Witnesses report that on August 1st, the heron tried to land on the osprey nesting platform on Kent Lake. Although the heron posed no real threat, the ospreys defended their home from the larger bird. The heron ended up in the water with a gash on its head. Witnesses then paddled out to the bird in a canoe and pulled it from the water. It was sent to the Howell Nature Center's Wildlife Clinic, where it was treated for injuries and shock. After a week of recovery, the heron was released in the Metropark, where it was able to fly away on its own power. (TD)
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Green Oak Adds New Fire Truck to FleetGreen Oak Adds New Fire Truck to Fleet
8/12/13 - The Green Oak Township Board got to see the latest addition to its firefighting fleet last week. The township fire department presented and demonstrated a first-out duty truck purchased by the board last year. It had to be custom-ordered and constructed to meet the needs of the township, which is typical for newly-purchased fire trucks. The $435,000 truck was purchased using funds from the township's recently-approved fire millage. Fire Chief William Steele says it will be the first vehicle to respond to major incidents to begin controlling the problem until larger trucks and more personnel can be mobilized. The truck has a larger water tank than most because rural areas in the township rarely have water hookups for fire crews. It also has two water cannons mounted on the front of the vehicle that can be remote-controlled from the cab to douse fires on the move. The unit also has capacity for more field equipment than other rigs to make sure first responders have what they need as quickly as possible. Steele says the firefighters should be trained on the new rig and it should be ready to roll by the end of the month. (TD)
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Hartland Baseball Fan Set to Hit 30 Ballparks in 30 DaysHartland Baseball Fan Set to Hit 30 Ballparks in 30 Days
8/12/13 - A Livingston County man is attempting to do something many baseball fans dream of, but donât ever expect theyâll really be able to do; visit all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums in 30 days. Eric Mueller of Hartland is a Detroit Tigers season-ticket holder who says he wanted to do something special for his 50th birthday coming up in October. But he was really spurred on when he realized he could use the idea to raise money for an issue close to his heart. Mueller lost his father to leukemia 13 years ago, and another close friend is currently fighting the disease, so he has decided to use his quest to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Mueller has set up a website, 30parks30days.com, where followers can track his progress and make donations to the cause. Mueller plans to begin his trip with a day-night doubleheader that begins in Chicago Friday and ends in Milwaukee. By scheduling two cities in one day, Mueller has arranged for a day off in the event of a rainout. Picture courtesy of Eric Mueller. (JK)
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Alleged 96 Shooter Case Back in Court FridayAlleged 96 Shooter Case Back in Court Friday
8/12/13 - The case against the alleged I-96 shooter is due back in Livingston County Circuit Court this week. 44-year-old Raulie Casteel of Wixom is facing a number of charges including terrorism that were filed by the Michigan Attorney Generalâs Office following a series of shootings last October. The case has been on hold since June when Casteelâs defense attorney Douglas Mullkoff said he was still awaiting the results of independent competency and criminal responsibility evaluations. A November trial date has been scheduled in Oakland County where Casteel also faces charges, and the defense had sought to allow that case to proceed to trial first. Circuit Court Judge David Reader stated that whether or not a trial date is set before or after what is done in Oakland County is premature and heâll wait to see what results come from the defense examination, which he will review at the hearing Friday afternoon before determining what might be appropriate for future dates. (JK)
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Man Bound Over in Alleged Road Rage Incident in Hartland Man Bound Over in Alleged Road Rage Incident in Hartland
8/12/13 - A Flint man has been bound over to circuit court after allegedly firing a gun on a local freeway in a road rage incident. 23-year-old Finus James Harvey is facing two counts of felonious assault for the July26th incident. A check of court records late this afternoon showed that he was bound over to circuit court for trial at an exam earlier today. Harvey is alleged to have brandished a gun at another motorist and his passenger while traveling on US-23 in Hartland Township. He was said to be agitated because the driver was going too slow in the fast lane and slammed on his brakes, nearly causing a rear-end collision. The three men proceeded to argue, and the two men who reported the incident claim that Harvey pointed and fired the weapon at them at one point. Harvey denies this claim. He is currently out on bond. No date has been announced for his circuit court arraignment. (TD)
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Memorial Golf Outing to Benefit Pinckney Couple's Granddaughter Memorial Golf Outing to Benefit Pinckney Couple's Granddaughter
8/12/13 - A golf outing and entertainment event is planned later this week in memory of a Pinckney couple's son who lost his battle to brain cancer earlier this year. However, the legacy of 23-year-old Austin Nichols will live on through his daughter London who is going on seven months old now. Christine and Jeff Nichols say despite a valiant fight, Austin lost his battle this past March and they've since organized a golf outing and entertainment event this Friday at the Oak Pointe Country Club to help support a trust fund established for London and her education going forward. Austin studied automotive design and had graduated from college and was moving ahead with his career when he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in early 2011. It was at that point Jeff says his son put his life on fast forward and fought through radiation and chemotherapy. He got married in May of 2012 and soon announced he would be a father, with his daughter London being born last December. He tells WHMI they appreciate anyone who would like to help support the cause in honor of Austin, who he says loved the game of golf and was proud to be a father despite knowing he had some pretty sincere challenges ahead of him. Both golfers and sponsors are still being sought for this Fridayâs outing, where donations will also be accepted for the American Cancer Society and/or The University of Michigan Brain Tumor Society. An evening of entertainment is also planned and individuals can attend just that, the golf outing or both. Complete details can be found in the event flyer attached below. (JM)
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Howell City Council Revokes Tax Abatement for Former Business Howell City Council Revokes Tax Abatement for Former Business
8/13/13 - A tax abatement previously granted for a business in the City of Howell was revoked by Council on Monday night but strictly as a legal formality. In 2006, Council granted an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption certificate for Marelco Power Systems. The company has ceased manufacturing operations at its Howell location and was fully dissolved on August 1st. As a result, Marelco requested revocation of the IFT certificate. A letter of agreement that was reached stated specific performance requirements for the term of the abatement and since it is no longer operating in the City, it is considered non-compliant with the terms of its tax abatement. Council approved a resolution Monday night requesting that the State Tax Commission revoke the abatement, which was in the amount of $1.3 (m) million for real property and $162,500 for personal property. It began on December 31st, 2006 and was to end in December of 2018. (JM)
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Sewer Problems Tied to Flushable Wipes in Fenton
8/13/13 - The Fenton Township sewer system is experiencing blockages, and officials say flushable cleaning wipes are largely to blame. The wipes are advertised as being flushable, but they do not break down quickly enough and can create backups in the system. The Tri-County Times reports that township officials want residents to throw out the wipes and flush only toilet paper into the system. Other cities, including San Francisco and London, are experiencing sewer backups and clogging as a result of the wipes as well. The township also struggles with tree roots, which have a tendency to get inside the pipes of the sewer system and make the problem worse by clinging to the flushable wipes. Officials also ask residents to stop pouring hot grease down their drains. The grease solidifies as it cools and can add to the blockages. (TD)
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