8/19/13 - Itâs a solid hit so far for a Livingston County man trying to visit all 30 Major League Baseball parks 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. He came up with the idea to visit all 30 ballparks, but almost as quickly decided to make it a fundraising effort 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 heâs soliciting donations during his trek for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Mueller, who began on Friday, says itâs been better than he ever expected as he's been interviewed by the Atlanta Braves flagship radio station and Fox Sports. He was also treated to a bag of Chicago Cubs goodies when he was spotted in the stands. Mueller has set up a website, 30parks30days.com, where followers can track his progress and make donations to the cause. (JK)
Hartland Man's Baseball Quest/Fundraiser UnderwayHartland Man's Baseball Quest/Fundraiser Underway
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Howell Man Sentenced to Prison For Role in Embezzlement SchemeHowell Man Sentenced to Prison For Role in Embezzlement Scheme
8/19/13 - A Howell man has been sentenced for his role in an embezzlement scheme involving a locally-based General Motors contractor. 54-year-old Kevin Bowles of Howell was ordered to serve a minimum of one year and three months in prison and a maximum of 20 years. He received one day credit for jail time already served. The downward departure of sentencing guidelines was tied to a deal previously reached by Bowles with prosecutors in exchange for his testimony at trial against the said ring-leader of the group. Jeffrey Eastom was convicted by a local jury of embezzling more than $100,000 and will be sentenced August 29th. 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. Bowles was one of four co-defendants in the case. They have all now been sentenced to jail time on embezzlement charges and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $471,369. (JM)
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Body Found in Burned-Out Genoa Twp. HomeBody Found in Burned-Out Genoa Twp. Home
8/19/13 - A body has been found in the charred debris from a fire early this morning that completely destroyed a 1,500 square foot home in the 5600 block of East Crooked Lake Road, west of Dorr Road in Genoa Township. Brighton Fire Chief Mike O'Brian says they were dispatched at 2:42am after receiving a call from a passerby. Upon arrival, the structure was fully engulfed in flames. OâBrian says the fire was pretty extensive, with a lot of the interior structure collapsing. He says it took about an hour to get the fire out utilizing the county's tanker task force, which comprises tanker trucks from surrounding departments as the home was in an area without fire hydrants. He says investigators continue to look at evidence and fire patterns to see if they can make a determination as to the cause but noted nothing right now leads them to believe it was suspicious. which comprises tanker trucks from surrounding departments as the home was in an area without fire hydrants. O'Brian says the body that was found was that of a male, but that it will be up to the Medical Examiner to determine a positive identification. Photo Credit: Jane Williams. (JK)
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Hartland Appearance Nets 17 Pounds of Drugs for Big Red BarrelHartland Appearance Nets 17 Pounds of Drugs for Big Red Barrel
8/20/13 - The Big Red Barrel collected 17 pounds of prescription medication by making an appearance at the Walgreen's location in Hartland last weekend. 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 disposing of the drugs in an environmentally safe manner. They 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. 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. Last month it was in Brighton, and this past Saturday it appeared in Hartland. Over four hours, the barrel collected 17 pounds of prescription medications. 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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Howell High School Purchases Firetruck For New Program Howell High School Purchases Firetruck For New Program
8/20/13- Howell High School students taking the Firefighter program offered this year will have a hands-on training experience with a recently acquired fire truck. The truck, purchased for $20,000 from Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority, was delivered to the school yesterday and is parked in what used to be the schoolâs shop room. The shop classroom has been divided, keeping part of it for shop, and the rest for the Firefighting class. The garage is equipped with locker rooms, thousands of dollars in donated firefighter gear and the schoolâs newest purchase. Used firefighting helmets, coats, pants, boots, air tanks and gloves were donated from Fire Departments across Southeast Michigan. The course is a Firefighter 1 and 2 program that is available to juniors and seniors. Michael Witt, President of the Howell School Board, has been overseeing the creation of this class and presented the check to the Fire Authority yesterday. Witt tells WHMI the students are taking a state certified course, making them marketable post-graduation. The course will be opened up to the entire county next year, which Witt believes will bring in over 400 applicants. Witt says they received the truck at such a good price due to the partnership they are doing with local fire departments, who hope to acquire juniors from this program. The course is the second of its kind in Michigan. (DK)
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12th Annual Day of Caring Wednesday Across Livingston County 12th Annual Day of Caring Wednesday Across Livingston County
8/20/13 - Over 1,000 volunteers will be working at more than 100 project sites in the community tomorrow to provide direct help to those in need and increase local awareness. The Livingston County United Wayâs 12th annual Day of Caring offers an opportunity for businesses, individuals, service groups or clubs to reach out and assist those who might need some extra help. Volunteers will be tackling a number of projects at work sites scattered throughout the county Wednesday. The United Way works to identify the most critical needs in the community and mobilizes the resources required to meet those. The Day of Caring is one example that puts volunteers to work, both young and old, helping out with indoor or outdoor submitted projects, such as power washing or working in area community gardens. Home repair work and some light construction made this yearâs list early on. Committee Chairman Pete Lindhout tells WHMI the community really steps up on the Day of Caring and shows a tremendous amount of concern for neighbors and others and it seems as though there are a lot of people that just canât quite keep up with their home and maintenance. He says the economic times make it hard but the community is also getting older, and it can be tough to take care of things as people age. Last yearâs Day of Caring was dubbed a huge success with more than 1,300 shifts filled by community volunteers on 105 projects. A picnic is also held at Howell City Park every year for those who give of their time in between the morning and afternoon shifts. For more information, click on the link below. (JM)
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Road Millage to Appear on November Ballot in Genoa Township Road Millage to Appear on November Ballot in Genoa Township
8/20/13 - It wasnât unanimous but the Genoa Township Board is moving ahead with putting a road millage on the November ballot, saying everyone has valid views and it's only fair to give voters a choice. The board met Monday night and approved a resolution with ballot language for improvements on some specific projects that were determined based on accidents, complaints, safety, traffic counts and the anticipated traffic increase the Latson Road interchange will bring once complete. The 1.5 mill proposal would span 15 years, which members say is tied to the life expectancy of roads. Board members Jean Ledford and Jim Mortenson voted against it. He commented that the road fund in Lansing needs an emergency manager based on how itâs handled and said he would do everything he can to see the road millage defeated in November. Only a handful of people attended Monday nightâs meeting and public hearing, including some who were pretty vocal and repeatedly interrupted board members, alleging they had to be making money under the table somewhere or had been made promises by the Road Commission. Dorothy Zayan-Coppola has lived off Hughes Road for 40 years and questioned the reasoning behind work on some roads based on their close proximity to certain subdivisions and larger homes. With improvements few and far between on Hughes Road, she also questioned maintenance. Others commented about the state road funding formula, how that money is dispersed and feel the county should fix county roads. Legislators have also been talking about increasing the state sales tax to raise new revenue for roads, which is just another unnecessary tax to resident Robert Egan, who felt some of the proposed projects were needed but not all. Board members in favor of putting the issue before voters expressed that now is the time to do the work considering favorable interest rates, the number of accidents, future traffic, demands from those with school children and overall safety. Supervisor Gary McCririe tells WHMI thereâs strong feelings on both sides and theyâve heard for many years from residents who want something done about the roads so this will let them decide. The road millage will appear before voters on Tuesday, November 5th. If approved, it would generate an estimated $1.4 (m) million the first year levied. More information can be found through the link below. (JM)
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Authorities Continue to Investigate Second Fatal Fire in Five DaysAuthorities Continue to Investigate Second Fatal Fire in Five Days
8/20/13 - While authorities work to identify the victim from Mondayâs house fire in Genoa Township, theyâve formally identified the Howell man killed in a late-night house fire last week. Howell Police Chief George Basar tells WHMI that an autopsy has confirmed the victim of last weekâs fire was 76-year-old Ronald Leroy Sakay. Firefighters found Sakay inside of the home on Clinton Street last Thursday night and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. The cause of that fire remains under investigation. Chief Basar says they positively identified Sakay last week but could not release his name until next of kin had been notified. Sakayâs only next of kin is his daughter, who is out of the country in Canada and it took some time for authorities to make contact with her. Meanwhile, the investigation continues into Monday morningâs blaze that destroyed a home on East Crooked Lake Road in Genoa Township. A body was found in the debris hours after the fire was extinguished. Authorities are working to identify that person. Brighton Fire Chief Mike Oâ Brian says a cause of the Genoa Township blaze is also still being determined. (JK)
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Environmental Sanitarian Sought By County To Meet Local DemandEnvironmental Sanitarian Sought By County To Meet Local Demand
8/20/13 - The County Department of Public Health's Environmental Health Division is now seeking a new environmental sanitarian. The position is a professional-level employee that would assist with the operations of the division, including examining the safety of water supplies, sewage disposal, surface water, swimming beaches, and public pools. The County Board of Commissioners approved the creation of the new position last night. Environmental Health Director Diane McCormick says the division has seen a large increase in demand around the county, leading to an expected increase of about $100,000 in revenue. The division is increasing its staffing level to keep up with the increase in activity. McCormick says the position will be advertised, and the starting salary is $41,000. (TD)
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Green Oak Clerk Named Chairman of SEMCOG CommitteeGreen Oak Clerk Named Chairman of SEMCOG Committee
8/20/13 - An active Southeast Michigan Council of Governments supporter and local municipal clerk has been selected to head up one of the organizationâs committees. Green Oak Township Clerk Michael Sedlak has been named chair of SEMCOGâs Bylaws and Legal Committee. He has had strong involvement with SEMCOG for many years, having served as Chairman of the regional government organization last year. Officials say he has a thorough understanding of how SEMCOG works, which will serve him well leading the committee, which meets as needed to review, amend, and/or adopt organizational policy. It reports to SEMCOGâs General Assembly. The committee will convene later this year to deal with bylaws amendments related to the potential addition of new geography to the organization. Sedlak has served as Clerk in Green Oak since 2000 and also serves on the township's Planning Commission. In addition to his elected position, Sedlak is a captain with the Green Oak Fire Department whereâs heâs been since 1986 and an EMT-Specialist for Livingston County. (JM)
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Fenton Teen Faces Drunk Driving Charges Following CrashFenton Teen Faces Drunk Driving Charges Following Crash
8/20/13 - Police believe the 19-year-old Fenton Township man who crashed an SUV into a house this weekend was drunk at the time. Fenton Township Police got reports after 6pm on Saturday that a dark green Yukon pulling a trailer was driving recklessly at excessive speeds on Eastview Drive and North Road. The Tri County Times reports the officers got a call at about 6:25 that the vehicle had been involved in a crash. They responded to the scene to find that the SUV had collided with a house on the north side of South Long Lake Road. The driver was reportedly laying in the yard, speaking incoherently and apparently intoxicated. He told officers, quote, âI was not driving the boat.â He was transported to a hospital for treatment, where he reportedly became violent and had to be restrained. He now faces charges of driving while intoxicated. (TD)
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Highland Massage Parlor Workers Cited for ProstitutionHighland Massage Parlor Workers Cited for Prostitution
8/20/13 - Two female workers at a local massage parlor have been cited for prostitution by the Oakland County Sheriffâs Office. The illegal activity was discovered during a sting operation at the Acupuncture and Laser Therapy Clinic in Highland on August 1st. The Milford Times reports the Sheriffâs Office became suspicious of the business after numerous complaints from nearby residents beginning in the spring, which included reports of women hanging around behind the business and men entering through the back door. During the sting operation, police say it was found that the two White Lake women, a 40-year-old and a 31-year-old, would occasionally provide illegal services to customers during massage sessions. They were cited under the townshipâs prostitution ordinance and told that it would be in their best interest to seek employment elsewhere. The owner of the building is currently taking action to shut down the business. (TD)
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Autopsy Results Still Pending for Man Found Dead Inside of Van Autopsy Results Still Pending for Man Found Dead Inside of Van
8/20/13 - It will be a few weeks before local authorities can determine exactly what happened to a man found dead inside of a van on wooded property near Ore Lake in Hamburg Township. The body of 56-year-old Timothy Mark Gilders was discovered one week ago on rural property near Hamburg and Cowell Roads. His last address was in South Lyon but family and friends say he had been living out of the van. Preliminary autopsy results proved inconclusive and toxicology reports typically take between six and eight weeks, which Hamburg Township Police Chief Rick Duffany says will help them determine an official cause of death. Duffany previously said it appeared Gilders died of asphyxiation and not suicide but they were awaiting results before making any definitive statements about whether or not foul play was involved in the death. Duffany adds that theyâve conducted numerous interviews and multiple searches of the vehicle, reviewed cell phone records, and the investigation continues. (JM)
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County Suggests Millage For Handy to Pay Off Sewer DebtCounty Suggests Millage For Handy to Pay Off Sewer Debt
8/20/13 - Representatives from the Livingston County Board of Commissioners presented a plan to the Handy Township Board last night to pay off the millions of dollars the township owes to the county. In the recent economic downturn, some developers walked away from projects I Handy Township, leaving behind unpaid taxes and special assessment district bonds. As is usual for unpaid taxes, the county stepped up and provided the township with the unpaid balance, effectively buying the delinquent taxes. The county would then typically try to collect the taxes to make back its money, and whatever it could not recover that way would be made up by selling off the properties at tax sale. However, if the county still has not made back the money it gave the township, the township would have to pay back the balance plus interest. Because the developers in this case are either bankrupt or currently in litigation with the municipalities, the county has not been able to recoup $2.5 million worth of unpaid taxes. The two municipalities have been working together to concoct a plan to help the township pay off this debt as well as about $1 million in interest. The county presented a plan to the township last night. It would involve the township paying $1.2 million out of its fund balance, taking a low-interest $2 million loan from the county, and putting a 1.5 mill property tax on the next election ballot. The county would also slash the interest rate on the unpaid taxes in half, saving the township $500,000. Some members of the board were receptive to the plan, while others were openly against it, and in the end no action was taken. The county warns that if the township does not put a plan in place to pay off the debt, the county treasurer will be obligated to attempt to collect, and the issue would move on to the courts. This could result in an financial manager being assigned to the township, and officials say a millage levied by such a manager would be several times larger than the one proposed under the deal. (TD)
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Brighton Council Discusses Headlee Override Ballot Proposals
8/21/13 - The Brighton City Council last week discussed the four Headlee override millage issues that will on the November election ballot. City Manager Dana Foster outlined various possible ways in which the revenues could be spent if any, or all, of the requests pass. Voters will have four separate requests on the ballot: A 1.25-mill proposal to improve streets, sidewalks and storm drainage; 38-hundredths-of-a-mill for new city police patrol cars and other department needs; 37-hundredths-of-a-mill to maintain and improve public buildings and parks and 1.16 mills for trash collection. The latter, if passed, would replace the current trash collection fee. All of the millages would be for 10 years. City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI itâs important for residents to remember that regardless of whether one, two, or all, of the Headlee override requests pass, the cap on the cityâs operating millage levy would remain the same. Foster says he will have the finalized plans on specific street and other projects for any ballot requests that pass by the second meeting in September. That will give the city time to schedule at least one public meeting to explain the millage requests to city voters before the November general election. (TT)
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Millage Renewal Offered To South Lyon School District VotersMillage Renewal Offered To South Lyon School District Voters
8/21/13 - The South Lyon Community School District has approved placing a non-homestead millage renewal on the November 5th ballot. The current 18-mill levy will expire in 2014, and the ballot issue would extend that by another 10 years. The South Lyon Herald reports that the issue was approved for the ballot by the district Board of Education on Monday. Non-homestead millages do not affect primary residences, but are levied against commercial properties, industrial properties, and secondary residences within the district. The state considers the capped non-homestead millage to be a regular part of a school districtâs funding. If it is renewed, the millage would provide the district with $7.6 million, or 14% of its annual revenue, during its first year in 2015. District officials say the ten-year time frame was chosen because the millage does not impact the majority of voters. (TD)
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Local School Districts Get New Performance Scorecards from State Local School Districts Get New Performance Scorecards from State
8/21/13 - While kids are enjoying whatâs left of summer vacation, local educators are busy reviewing their new report cards from the state. The Michigan School Accountability Scorecards are being released for the first time as a result of the state receiving flexibility to the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The scorecards replace âreport cardsâ that gave letter grades and measured adequate yearly progress, utilizing a five-color code system for districts and buildings to indicate school performance. Green is highest and means most goals were met. Red is the lowest, indicating few objectives were achieved and the area needs attention. Of Livingston Countyâs public school districts, Howell had the highest overall performance percentage at 73.1% but Brighton was close behind at 73%, followed by Hartland at 72.2%, Fowlerville at 68.8% and Pinckney at 67.6%. No local district received higher than yellow, but the Fowlerville and Pinckney districts received orange. Howell Public Schools Superintendent Ron Wilson says itâs been a goal to improve student achievement and continue to move the district forward academically and the score speaks volumes to the hard work being done by staff as well as he importance of educational excellence for parents and kids. Although Howell received the highest points, it received an overall yellow ranking because it did not proficiently meet targets in two subgroups. Wilson says the red category for the high school includes the special education and at-risk population, which is an issue theyâve recognized and are addressing. He says theyâve recently brought on a counselor to deal with kids struggling academically who are at-risk for failure and overall, feels staff is focusing on the issue and they will continue to see marked improvement over the next two years. A link to the complete list of local rankings can be found below. (JM)
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Charity Car Show Benefits Hartland BoyCharity Car Show Benefits Hartland Boy
8/21/13 - Family, friends and Hartland community members supported a good cause at a cruise in car show at Kahuna Coffee last night. The event showcased classic, custom and race cars while simultaneously raising money for 6 year old C.J. Meckes Jr. of Hartland, who was born with spina bifida. Donations, registration fees, a percentage of the sales and 50 percent of the raffle from the show went towards C.J.âs medical expenses. Cathy Jones, a partial owner of Kahuna Coffee, tells WHMI she was approached by several people about having CJ as this yearâs charity recipient. Spina bifida is a case in which the spinal column does not close properly around the developing nerves. C.J. had surgery last month on his spine due to a growth spurt and is expecting another within the next three months on his knees and ankles to help him walk. Jones says her recipients âchoose themselvesâ in a sense, and approached musician Bob Clark several years ago about helping her with her event. Clark is a founder of The Michigan Musicians Collective, which is a group of local musicians ranging from amateur to professional. Several performed at last nightâs car show and Clark tells WHMI this is his 4th year helping Jones. Many people were touched by C.J.âs positivity considering his condition and his determination. Jones says C.J. âwonât let anything stop him.â C.J. is going to be a first grader at Creekside Elementary School this year and has 5 brothers and sisters. (DK)
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Bentivolio; Writing Impeachment Bill Would Be "Dream Come True"
8/21/13 - A former Fowlerville teacher who is now a member of Congress says it would be a "dream come true" to seek the impeachment of President Barack Obama but says he lacks evidence of crimes to back such a move. Republican Congressman Kerry Bentivolio of Milford made the comment to supporters in Birmingham. The talk was posted on YouTube. In response to a woman's question about impeaching the president, Bentivolio says he wishes he could submit an impeachment bill. He tells her he feels her pain about Obama because he "stood 12 feet away from the guy" and "couldn't stand being there." Bentivolio says it's his job to respect the office of the presidency and says anyone who seeks his impeachment without evidence would "become a laughing stock." Nevertheless, Bentivolio said he invited lawyers to his office, who advised him that he must have evidence before taking such a controversial stand. Bentivolio served for a short time as an English teacher at Fowlerville High School before resigning following a reprimand for aggressive behavior toward his students. (JK)
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Man in Custody for Indecent Exposure Incident at Brighton Library Man in Custody for Indecent Exposure Incident at Brighton Library
8/21/13 - A Novi man was taken into custody yesterday in connection with an indecent exposure incident at a local library. Brighton Police Chief Tom Wightman says the 23-year-old suspect returned to library and staff called 911. Further details are expected to be released later Wednesday. The Novi man is alleged to have exposed himself to a 14-year-old girl while inside of the Brighton District Library last Tuesday afternoon, August 13th. He fled on a bicycle immediately afterward. Director Nancy B. Johnson says the girl was with a parent at the time of the incident, who was notified first, and they then contacted police at the request of the family. She says no one, including senior staff members, recognized ever seeing the suspect before. Johnson says the library is a public place with between 750 and 1,000 people coming in and out of the building every day and itâs a wonderful range of the public so itâs disappointing this happened but they encourage people to be aware and talk to their kids. Johnson says they will continue to look at resources in connection with the safety and security of the public, visitors and the staff while in the library, noting building security equipment and polices are under review as planned this year. She tells WHMI a security system was installed when the building was constructed 16 years ago but surveillance cameras were added about 12 years ago following a separate incident involving two minors. Johnson says theyâre now working with their regular security vendor and Brighton Police as planned to upgrade the outdated system. Johnson also noted how helpful the Brighton Police Department was, saying the responding officer was very thoughtful and careful as he worked with the girl and her parent while the detective assigned to the case, Mike Arntz, was very good about keeping everyone informed and apprised of what was going on. (JM)
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