8/16/13 - About a hundred of LACASA's volunteers gathered for a recognition dinner last night at the Howell Opera House. The event included a short presentation followed by a catered dinner and socialization for the people who give their time free of charge to the organization. Community Education Director Nicole Matthews-Creech says the organization wanted to recognize and celebrate the activities of the past year and the people who made them happen. She tells WHMI LACASA is a 24/7 organization, and that level of community service could never be provided with just the paid staff. Matthews-Creech says about 750 volunteers in total worked for Lacasa last year, contributing over 24,000 hours of service. Matthews-Creech says that amount of effort is equal to about 11 full-time employees, meaning LACASA's paid staff would have to increase by almost a third to make up for the effort of the volunteers. She adds that over 16,000 of those hours involved direct client contact, making the volunteers a very visible and important part of LACASA's services. (TD)
LACASA Recognizes Volunteers at 5th Annual Appreciation DinnerLACASA Recognizes Volunteers at 5th Annual Appreciation Dinner
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Howell Grad Snags Coveted $50,000 ScholarshipHowell Grad Snags Coveted $50,000 Scholarship
8/16/13 - A Fowlerville teen is one of 20 incoming freshman to have won a coveted Medallion Scholarship to begin their studies at Western Michigan University this fall. Valued at $50,000 each over four years, they constitute one of the largest merit-based awards in American higher education. 18-year-old Jake Tholen graduated from Howell High School and was selected after competing for the awards in the 30th annual Medallion Scholarship Program Competition. Tholen plans to major in geology and political science and tells WHMI heâs excited to start looking into research and just see where things take him, noting there have been some really good minds that went through the program. As a senior, Tholen was a part of at Howell High Schoolâs âWe the Peopleâ team, which won the state championship and went on to compete in the nationals under the leadership of Teacher Mark Ogelsby. Tholen says he also tutors for the National Honors Society and volunteered for two summers at Potter Park Zoo. Thatâs in addition to helping out with DNR workdays at local recreation areas and training for triathlons. (JK)
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Brighton Council Mulls Taking Building Owner to Court Brighton Council Mulls Taking Building Owner to Court
8/16/13 - Owners of the Davis Office Center at West Grand River and Best Buy Drive in Brighton have been put on notice that they need to correct the building violations there or suffer the consequences. The Brighton City Council Thursday night was told the owners had done virtually nothing to rectify the code violations that have existed for an extended period of time at their buildings. City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI that the owners will be given 7-10 days to come up with a definitive proposal to redress the problems, and if they have not done so by that time, the city will go to court to force the corrections. Livingston County Building Official Jim Rowell, who is under contract to the city, told council in June that the office complex at has not been maintained properly over its 30-year life and is in violation of several maintenance and safety codes. The owner of the office complex, which includes mostly professional and medical offices, is Thomas Duke of Citation Investments. Duke has reportedly told Rowell that he has plans to demolish the four buildings that make up the complex, but could give him no timetable.
(TT)
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Hartland Teen Gets Probation After Alcohol-Fueled ChaseHartland Teen Gets Probation After Alcohol-Fueled Chase
8/16/13 - One of two boys who had been drinking and led police on a high-speed chase has been sentenced. In juvenile court Thursday, the 14-year-old from Hartland was ordered to serve one year of intensive probation and will remain in his parentsâ custody. He previously entered a plea to charges of Minor Operating a Motor Vehicle with Bodily Alcohol Content with an Occupant Less than 16 and Joyriding. He originally faced five counts following the June 19th incident, including fleeing and eluding police, assaulting/resisting police and unlawful driving away of a vehicle but those were dismissed as part of the plea. A review hearing has been scheduled in October. Meanwhile, the teenâs then 13-year-old passenger from Howell also faces charges of unlawful driving away of a vehicle and two counts of resisting and obstructing police in juvenile court. Heâs since turned 14. The boys are not being identified because of their juvenile status and were lodged in the Washtenaw Juvenile Detention Center after the incident, but were released back into parental custody. The incident began when a state police trooper attempted to stop an SUV without tail lights on Clyde Road. When the driver refused to stop, a chase began that ended up drawing in units from the sheriffâs department as they traveled along M-59 and I-96 in excess of 100 miles per hour. The Hartland boy eventually lost control and crashed into a stand of trees in Lyon Township. Both he and the passenger attempted to flee but were apprehended after a short foot chase. The three female passengers in the back seat, ages 14 and 15 and all from Fenton, were turned over to their parents. (JM)
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Fatal House Fire in Downtown HowellFatal House Fire in Downtown Howell
8/16/13 - A house fire in downtown Howell claimed the life of a man found inside Thursday night. Firefighters were called out to the house fire in the 500 block of Clinton Street at 10:44pm. Upon arrival, police and fire units found the building heavily involved, with flames coming from the back of the home and smoke coming from the front. Deputy Fire Marshall Les Rodwell tells WHMI they were also informed that it was possible a person was still trapped inside. Crews began their firefighting efforts and gained entry to the home through the front door. They were able to find the man inside and bring him out to be treated by Livingston County EMS paramedics, but he was declared dead at the scene. The fire made its way into the attic of the home, and crews worked well past midnight to completely extinguish it. An aerial assist was requested from the Fowlerville Fire Department, but was canceled before it could contribute to the effort. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. (TD)
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Big Red Barrel Heads To Hartland Walgreen's on SaturdayBig Red Barrel Heads To Hartland Walgreen's on Saturday
8/16/13 - The Livingston County Community Alliance will be bringing the Big Red Barrel program to the Walgreen's location in Hartland tomorrow. The Big Red Barrel, which is currently located at seven police departments around the county, allows residents to anonymously dispose of prescription medications in an environmentally safe way. Leftover and unused prescription drugs are one of the leading ways for young people to begin experimenting with substance abuse, and can lead to addiction to illicit drugs like heroin and other opiates. Organizers say the Big Red Barrel is a way to curb that trend by getting rid of those prescription drugs, and have taken the program on the road around the county to increase its exposure. Walgreen's is the Community Alliance's first major corporate partner, and has hosted the Big Red Barrel at various locations throughout the summer. Last month it was in Brighton, and tomorrow it will make an appearance at the Hartland Walgreen's from 10am to 2pm. Alliance Coordinator Kaitlin Fink says some people can be too intimidated to bring their old prescriptions to police departments, and some communities, including Hartland, do not have a police station nearby. The Walgreen's appearances allow those residents to dispose of their old drugs in a familiar environment. The Big Red Barrel will continue to make appearances in the coming months. The next will take place at the Walgreen's at Cross Street and Grand River in September. (TD)
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22 New Firefighters Graduate Livingston County Fire Academy 22 New Firefighters Graduate Livingston County Fire Academy
8/16/13 - Nearly two dozen firefighters fresh from some intensive training are now able to get to work and help serve local communities. The Brighton Area Fire Authority hosted the Livingston County Fire Academy over the past eight months and 22 new firefighters graduated recently. Theyâll now go to work as paid-on-call firefighters throughout seven fire departments across Oakland and Livingston Counties. Brighton Fire Chief Mike OâBrian says the Fire Academy is a true testament to the cooperation of area departments and provides each new firefighter with exposure to different organizations. He says their departments are not only providing the best training for new firefighters but also setting the trend for government cooperation across Southeast Michigan. (JM)
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Kraft Foods Looks Into Howell Woman's Juice Pouch ClaimKraft Foods Looks Into Howell Woman's Juice Pouch Claim
8/16/13 - A Livingston County woman says she sucked up what appears to be a wiggling white worm when taking a sip of her son's packaged juice drink. Emmie Field of Livingston County's Howell Township says she spit it out Sunday and saved it, adding that there "wasn't enough mouthwash in the worldâ to get the feeling out of her mouth. Illinois-based Kraft Foods Group says it's investigating, and laboratory officials are expected to visit Field's home today. Kraft Foods says in a statement that it can't be sure of what was found without examining the Capri Sun drink pouch. The drink was for Field's 18-month-old son Carter. The store where it was sold says it also has contacted Kraft Foods. (JK)
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Police ID Howell Man Killed in House Fire; Not Yet Releasing NamePolice ID Howell Man Killed in House Fire; Not Yet Releasing Name
8/16/13 - Authorities have confirmed the identity of the man killed last night in a house fire in downtown Howell but are not yet releasing the victimâs name. Howell Police Chief George Basar tells WHMI they have positively identified the 76-year-old man, but are not releasing his name until next of kin is notified. The victimâs only next of kin is his daughter, who is out of the country in Canada and authorities have not yet been able to make contact with her. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. It started at about 10:45 Thursday evening at a home on Clinton Street. Firefighters found the man inside and brought him out where paramedics tried to revive him, but he was eventually declared dead at the scene. (JM)
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Alleged I-96 Shooter Not Seeking Insanity Defense; Trial Date SetAlleged I-96 Shooter Not Seeking Insanity Defense; Trial Date Set
8/16/13 - A Wixom man charged with a series of shootings along I-96 will stand trial early next year in Livingston County. The Michigan Attorney Generalâs Office is prosecuting 44-year-old Raulie Casteel on terrorism and other charges in Livingston County. He's accused in two-dozen random shootings in a four-county area in October of last year. The defense had been awaiting the results of an independent psychiatric exam, which was provided to the parties and Livingston County Circuit Court Judge David Reader. Casteel was present for Fridayâs court hearing and Attorney Douglas Mullkoff commented briefly following the hearing, saying their defense will be outlined in court but there will not be any notice of intent to assert the insanity defense when they do go to trial. He says their independent psychiatric evaluation confirmed Casteel clearly suffers from a serious mental illness and delusional disorder. Meanwhile, Casteel faces attempted murder among 60 other charges in Oakland County that are linked to shootings in Commerce Township and Wixom. Heâs to stand trial there in November and the defense requested that case be allowed to proceed first. The parties agreed and Judge Reader scheduled a January trial date in Livingston County. (JK/JM)
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Prescription Fraud Investigation Leads to Drug Bust in Pinckney Prescription Fraud Investigation Leads to Drug Bust in Pinckney
8/17/13 - A search warrant executed at a home in Pinckney in connection with a prescription drug fraud case turned up mushrooms and marijuana. Pinckney Police launched an investigation Thursday after receiving a report of prescription drug fraud by Rite Aid Pharmacy on Dexter Street. A search warrant was obtained and executed at a home on Sunrise Ridge in Putnam Township and police seized large quantities of illegal narcotics, computer equipment and a vehicle. A 25-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were arrested and police are seeking multiple charges against them for Prescription Fraud, Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, Possession of Analogues and Steroids, as well as Distribution/Manufacturing Marijuana and Hallucinogens. Pinckney Police Chief Jeff Newton tells WHMI the incident was properly reported and great job done by the pharmacist. The department was assisted in the search by the Unadilla and Hamburg Township Police Departments, the Livingston County Sheriffâs Office as well as a Michigan State Police K-9 unit. The investigation is continuing and anyone with information is encouraged to notify the Pinckney Police Department or send an email to drugtips@villageofpinckney.org. (JM)
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Fowlerville Firefighters to Raise Funds for Muscular DystrophyFowlerville Firefighters to Raise Funds for Muscular Dystrophy
8/17/13 - The Fowlerville Fire Department will join dozens of other departments this month in a campaign to collect money for muscular dystrophy programs and research. The annual âFill the Bootâ campaign will take place on August 31st from 9am to 1pm. During that time, Fowlerville firefighters will be on the streets of the village asking motorists at stop lights to donate to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The money will go toward the MDA's services and muscular dystrophy research, including paying for children to attend MDA Summer Camp. South Central Michigan Office Executive Director Erica Bills says all of the money collected in Livingston County will be used to help local families in particular. She tells WHMI Fowlerville's firefighters are excellent partners in this campaign for numerous years, raising between $1,500 and $2,500 every year. It will be one of more than forty fire departments in 28 counties around the state raising money through the Fill The Boot campaign, with a goal of raising a total of $200,000. Those who want to donate directly can visit the Fowlerville Fire Department or the Muscular Dystrophy Association website. (TD)
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Brighton Man Charged After Police Chase Brighton Man Charged After Police Chase
8/17/13 - A police chase last week in Lyon Township has resulted in criminal charges against a local man. 31-year-old Tobias Robert Kenyon of Brighton was charged with fleeing and eluding following the incident early Monday morning. Deputies with the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office Lyon Township substation attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle driven by Kenyon at around 1:30am but he instead fled to a mobile home park near Kensington Road. Following a brief foot chase and an unsuccessful K-9 track, police say Kenyonâs passenger identified him driver and deputies located him at a home near where the car was abandoned. Sergeant Mark Venus tells WHMI when that information was received; one deputy went to the main door and knocked while a second deputy went to a rear side door in case he attempted to flee again, which he did. Venus says Kenyon ran out carrying a can of beer with him but was met by the deputy and taken into custody. A $25,000 cash surety bond was set for Kenyon, who is due in 52-1 District Court in Novi on August 21st for an exam. (JM)
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Brighton Police Seek Suspect in Library IncidentBrighton Police Seek Suspect in Library Incident
8/17/13 - Brighton police are asking for the public's assistance as they try and locate an 18-year-old male who allegedly exposed himself Tuesday at the Brighton District Library. The suspect, who exposed himself to a 14-year-old girl, was last seen about 4:30 Tuesday afternoon wearing a black shirt and carrying a green backpack as he rode away from the library on a bicycle. Police say he was headed toward the Brighton Meijer store. Heâs described as a white male with dark hair standing about 5'6" with a thin build and stubbly facial hair. Anyone with more information is asked to call Brighton Police at 810-227-2700. (JK)
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Final Push on For Backpack DonationsFinal Push on For Backpack Donations
8/19/13 - This week marks the final donation push for a program that collects backpacks and school supplies for local families and students in need. The Livingston Educational Service Agencyâs Backpacks for Kids program was started 13 years ago to help families in need as kids head back to school. Organizers say theyâre short backpacks right now, particularly for high school students, but also short some supplies such as spiral notebooks, two-pocket folders, erasers, glue sticks, kid scissors, rulers, highlighters and markers. New items can be dropped off at a number of collection sites, including the LESA building located at 1425 W. Grand River in Howell between 8am and 4:30pm on weekdays, even after the distribution event this Thursday. Wristbands have been incorporated for the backpacks, which will be distributed from 6 to 8pm at the LESA building. The Connect for Kids resource fair has also been expanded to run from 4 to 8pm in the parking lot. Complete details and a list of needed items can be found on the Livingston Educational Service Agencyâs website. (JK)
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Fleeing Felon Eludes Police in Lyon TownshipFleeing Felon Eludes Police in Lyon Township
8/19/13 - A wanted felon who eluded capture at a Lyon Township trailer park Saturday morning is being sought by the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office. Police say they attempted to apprehend 40-year-old Timothy Teddy when he drove his car into the Country Estates Mobile Home Park off of Eight Mile Road around 10:15 Saturday morning. Teddy crashed his car into a utility storage shed and a house porch on the 7000 block of Church Hill, at which point he jumped out and ran across Eight Mile into Salem Township in Washtenaw County. South Lyon police and sheriffâs deputies from both Oakland and Washtenaw counties searched for him, including using a K-9 unit, but were unsuccessful. Teddy was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, shorts, sneakers and a brown baseball cap. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office at 248-858-4911. (JK)
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Groundbreaking Held on Brighton Church Expansion ProjectGroundbreaking Held on Brighton Church Expansion Project
8/19/13 - About 100 parishioners and guests attended groundbreaking ceremonies Sunday for a major expansion project at St. Paulâs Episcopal Church in Brighton. The Rev. Father Deon Johnson, who is pastor at St. Paulâs, tells WHMI that the expansion project will effectively double the size of the church. The picturesque, red brick building that was constructed in 1880 will be completely renovated, and a 1952 addition which houses the parish hall will be converted into a new worship space. The new space â which will be directly connected to the original building â will house the main worship sanctuary, a parish hall and classrooms. The current church is closed during the construction process and the congregation has been conducting Sunday services since July in the chapel at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Brighton Township. The St. Paul project, costing $1.7 million, is expected to be completed by mid-or-late May of next year. After ceremonies Sunday that included addresses by church leaders and hymns, parishioners settled down to an old-fashioned potluck supper. Pictured left to right; Fr. Deon Johnson, Robert Chenoweth and India Smith. Bob is a WWII Vet and one of the longest serving members of the congregation and India is one of the youngest members of the congregation representing the generations present in the St. Paul's Community. (TT)
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State Police Search for Hit & Run DriverState Police Search for Hit & Run Driver
8/19/13 - State Police from the Brighton Post are searching for the driver of a sedan that hit a Brighton bicyclist Saturday in Hartland Township. Authorities say a 40-year-old Brighton woman was riding her bicycle northbound along Old U.S. 23 near Bergin Road at about 6am Saturday when she was hit by a car believed to be a 2001 or 2002 Chrysler Sebring or Dodge Stratus. The driver did not stop after the crash. Itâs believed the car has front passenger-side bumper damage and is missing the passenger-side mirror as well as other damage. The woman was transported to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor and treated for her injuries. Anybody with information about the crash is asked to call the Brighton post at 810-227-1051. (JK)
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Pinckney Schools Deficit Elimination Plan Rejected By StatePinckney Schools Deficit Elimination Plan Rejected By State
8/19/13 - The state has rejected the latest deficit elimination plan submitted by the Pinckney Community School District. The district ended the last school year with a $2.4 million deficit, and it must now submit plans to the state every time it makes changes to its budget to ensure that it is doing everything it can to get out of debt. Originally the district projected an $800,000 deficit for this year, down two-thirds from last year. However, Superintendent Rick Todd says the numbers in that plan had to be revised when it became clear that declining enrollment and a lack of help from the state would leave the district with a higher deficit than expected. The state has rejected the most recent deficit elimination plan, which includes a projected $2.8 million deficit, and is expecting a new one with a smaller deficit to be submitted by August 23rd. Todd tells WHMI it will be difficult to cut $2 million from the budget with expenditure cuts alone, but there are other options. The district is now working to sell the Pinckney Elementary and Hamburg Elementary buildings, which together could bring in about $1.6 million. In addition, an open parcel of land on the Farley Hill Elementary campus is up for sale and would bring in an estimated $2.2 million. Todd says it is possible for the district to submit a deficit elimination plan which includes the theoretical sale of those properties during the year, thereby reducing the budget deficit for the year. (TD)
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Howell Schools Names Two New AdministratorsHowell Schools Names Two New Administrators
8/19/13 - Two new administrators have been named in Howell Public Schools for the coming school year. David Cherry is the new principal of Challenger Elementary School. He came to the district last year as the dean of students for Parker and Highlander Way Middle Schools, later becoming interim principal of Northwest Elementary School. He had previously served as an elementary school teacher in South Lyon. He says he plans to establish a culture of trust and collaboration among the staff, as well as review the security procedures for the elementary school. In addition, Sharon Lenard will be taking over as the food service director for the entire district. She will be in charge of all aspects of food service, including staffing, purchasing, menu planning, and maximizing the profitability of the program. Lenard has 17 years as a food service director, most recently with Owosso Public Schools. (TD)
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