8/21/13 - A county-wide leadership training program is enrolling participants as it enters its third decade. Leadership Livingston immerses those who take part in all things Livingston while also offering professional development credit. Business, non-profit, and government leaders participate in a nine-month series of day-long sessions on topics such as serving community needs, building economic capacity, making and enforcing laws, facing educational challenges, and strategic thinking. The program has been helping mold leaders since 1992. The deadline to apply is September 1st. Youâll find details through the link below. (JK)
Leadership Program Seeking ParticipantsLeadership Program Seeking Participants
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Seminar Answers Questions About Becoming A Foster ParentSeminar Answers Questions About Becoming A Foster Parent
8/21/13 - Livingston County Catholic Charities answered question from local residents last night about the licensing process for foster parents. Five people attended the free meeting last night to learn more about how to become involved in the foster care system. Their questions were answered by Child Welfare Supervisor Beverly Tullar, who says there are more than 100 children in Livingston County in need of foster parents. She says the need is also very diverse, and includes foster parents looking to adopt, those who want to provide temporary housing, and those who want to provide emergency or relief housing for just a few days or weeks. She also says Catholic Charities will work with foster parents to determine what kind of emotional, physical, or social challenges they would be willing to accommodate, since many children in the foster care system came from troubled homes and need extra support. The first step in becoming a foster parent is to attend a nine-part program called PRIDE that will instruct potential applicants on what a foster parent is expected to do, how to grow and improve as a parent, and whether foster parenting is a good fit for them. Anyone thinking of applying for a foster parent license is encouraged to attend the free seminar, which begins on September 12th and is held every Thursday through October 24th. All of the instruction and licenses to become a foster parent are free of charge, but the licensing agency will conduct a detailed and personal examination of the applicant and the home before determining that they are safe and fit for a foster child. Anyone interested in beginning the process or attending PRIDE can contact Livingston County Catholic Charities. (TD)
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Democratic Party Chair Criticizes Milford Congressman's CommentsDemocratic Party Chair Criticizes Milford Congressman's Comments
8/21/13 - Michigan's Democratic leader is criticizing a former Fowlerville teacher who is now a member of Congress for saying it would be a "dream come true" to seek the impeachment of President Barack Obama. U.S. Representative Kerry Bentivolio made the comments to supporters in Birmingham and the talk was posted on YouTube. The Milford Republican said he can't move on impeachment because he lacks evidence that Obama committed any crimes. State Democratic Chairman Lon Johnson said Wednesday the statement made by Bentivolio shows that "he would rather wage tired ideological political battles that give us more Washington dysfunction than do anything to create jobs or focus on Michigan's middle class". 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. The video and our original story on Bentivolio's statements can be found below in our archive. (JM)
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I-96 Closures Continue Next Week for Latson Interchange WorkI-96 Closures Continue Next Week for Latson Interchange Work
8/21/13 - Construction of the Latson Road interchange continues on I-96 and overnight freeway closures have been extended into early next week. There will full overnight closures of westbound I-96 near Latson Road between 11pm and 5am both tonight and tomorrow for beam setting at the new bridge. Work was done on the eastbound side last week and then switched over. However, The Michigan Department of Transportation says the westbound closures will resume next week with full, overnight closures on Monday and Tuesday, again between 11pm and 5am each night. Traffic is being re-routed off and on the freeway during the closures using the new ramps at the Latson Road interchange. However, motorists are advised to watch for slow traffic and to plan extra time when traveling through that corridor during the work. (JM)
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Brighton Man Arraigned on Indecent Exposure ChargeBrighton Man Arraigned on Indecent Exposure Charge
8/21/13 - A Brighton man who police say exposed himself to a girl at a local library has been arraigned. 23-year-old Robert Matthew Iafano was arraigned late this afternoon on a charge of indecent exposure and posted bond shortly thereafter. Heâs scheduled to appear in court September 9th for a hearing. The charge was filed in connection with an incident last Tuesday at the Brighton District Library in which he is alleged to have exposed himself to a 14-year-old girl. Brighton Police Chief Tom Wightman says he was arrested after returning to the library Tuesday, and staff recognized him and called 911. Most recently in June, Iafano was arrested him for a separate indecent exposure incident at the Brighton Mall. Wightman says they suspect his involvement in numerous similar incidents throughout the Brighton, Green Oak Township, and Novi areas. Anyone who recognizes him from prior encounters is asked to contact the Brighton Police Department at 810-227-2700. (JM)
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Brighton Eateries to Seek Redevelopment Liquor Licenses
8/22/13 - The Brighton Downtown Development Authority's rejection of applications for escrow liquor licenses in Brighton Tuesday has paved the way for possible state approval of downtown redevelopment liquor licenses for two local businesses: Kathleen's Cookies and Mi Zarape, a new Mexican restaurant. Kathleen's Cookies is located at East Grand River and North streets in the former Leaf, Barley & Vine building, while Mi Zarape opened last month in the Brookside Mall on West Grand River. The escrow license comes by way of the former Mexican Jones restaurant, which closed a few years ago when the DDA bought the property, including its liquor license. The DDA then sold the building to the Wooden Spoon earlier this year, but kept the liquor license. DDA Chairman Bob Herbst says the DDA may hold the license in escrow until plans are developed for a downtown theater in a couple years. DDA Director Matt Modrack says as a result of the escrow license denial, Kathleen's Cookies and Mi Zarape now have the green light to proceed with their applications for redevelopment liquor licenses, which are considerably cheaper at only $20,000, compared to as much as $100,000 or more for other types. State Liquor Control Commission regulations require businesses to seek an escrow license before consideration will be given for a redevelopment license. Modrack says the legislation creating redevelopment liquor licenses has been "incredibly effective" in helping downtown Brighton become a destination. (JK)
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Livingston County United Way Day Of Caring Services CommunityLivingston County United Way Day Of Caring Services Community
8/22/13 - Livingston County received a makeover from 107 different community service projects yesterday for the United Way Day of Caring. The 12th annual event worked to address critical needs for Livingston County residents with the help of volunteers. Outdoor sheds at the Pregnancy Helpline in Brighton were painted by Howell High School 10th graders who are apart of student council. 10th grade student council adviser, Gabrielle DiNatale, oversaw the group and tells WHMI the students have gone over and above. The Livingston County United Way focuses on three areas: Every Child Ready, Community Wellness and Financial Stability. For every $1 donated, $2.12 goes back to needed local services. One of the local services that received attention was the St. Johnâs Episcopal Church in Howell, which was serviced by the Howell High School Varsity Tennis team. St. Johnâs was improved with yard work, such as cutting branches and cleaning the playground area. The church was also touched up from the inside out, which included the cleaning of 52 windows. Lindsay Silver, coach of the tennis team, tells WHMI volunteering is important for the team. Last year, 1,300 volunteer shifts took over 105 worksites, assisting 32 non-profit organizations. The Livingston County United Way began recruiting volunteers back in January and continued to do so leading up to yesterday, proving it is never too late or too early to get involved. (DK)
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Heart Screenings Paired Up With Annual Kenzie KlassicHeart Screenings Paired Up With Annual Kenzie Klassic
8/22/13 - In partnership with this weekendâs Kenzie Klassic at Parker Middle School in Howell, there will be a special Heart Screening Event for student athletes, their parents and district faculty and staff. The Kenzie Klassic is an annual swim meet held in honor of Mackenzie Watts, who was just 15 when she collapsed and died in November of 2005 after suffering a seizure on the deck of the Howell High School pool while competing in the teamâs season-ending relay event. The invitational was created by Wattsâ parents, George and Laurie. The heart screenings will be performed by National Diagnostic Services, which will set up a mobile clinic in the Parker Middle School parking lot off of Wright Road in Marion Township Friday from 10am-6pm and Saturday from 9am-5pm. An Adult CardioGram costs $199, while a student screening is $75. However, a free student screening will be provided for every paid adult screening. Watts says that need-based scholarships are also available courtesy of the Livingston Sunrise Rotary. In addition, for every Adult Cardiogram, National Diagnostic Services will donate $10 to the Mackenzie Watts Memorial Scholarship Fund. To schedule an appointment, call 1-877-444-1544. An informational flyer can also be downloaded below. (JK)
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Livingston's Vaccine Waiver Rate More Than Double the StateLivingston's Vaccine Waiver Rate More Than Double the State
8/22/13 - Local health officials are encouraging parents to get their kids vaccinated after discovering Livingston County has an alarming rate of waivers for state requirements. Michigan law requires that all school age children receive vaccines against certain diseases but waivers are allowed for religious, medical or philosophical reasons. Itâs the latter that health officials believe has led to Michigan having the countryâs 4th highest rate of waivers for the vaccine requirements. In Livingston County, the waiver rate was more than double the state rate at 13% in 2012. The Livingston County Department of Public Health says the diseases are recognized as serious public health problems that are important to prevent and it recommends people get the vaccines. Medical Director Dr. Donald Lawrenchuk says there are many myths and a lot of misinformation out there. He says some believe the vaccines apply to diseases that havenât surfaced in years so thereâs no need but in the case of busy, working parents, getting their child immunized may just fall further down on the to-do-list. Regardless, Lawrenchuk says an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of prevention with these diseases and the high waiver rates locally are very concerning because that means there are a significant percentage of school age children who are at risk. Medical Director Dr. Donald Lawrenchuk tells WHMI the vaccines not only help keep children healthy and prevent disease but every dollar spent on immunizations help save down the road with long term healthcare costs. This year alone there have been 30 reported cases of Pertussis, also known as the Whooping Cough in Livingston County but since not all cases are reported, officials say conservative estimates put the actual number closer to 300. In nearby Washtenaw County, Lawrenchuk says there have been hundreds of pertussis cases reported in school age children this year. He says thereâs a lot of scientific research about the effectiveness of the vaccines, all of which go through extensive steps and processes before being made available for general population use. He encourages parents to get their questions answered but rely on sources of information from credible sources and research the facts before making the decision to not get their children vaccinated. Complete information can be found in the attachment. (JM)
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Livingston County United Way Says Day of Caring A Huge SuccessLivingston County United Way Says Day of Caring A Huge Success
8/22/13 - The Livingston County United Way says Wednesdayâs Day of Caring once again exceeded expectations. United Way Executive Director Nancy Rosso says the large number of volunteers and support really shows just how much everyone cares in the community. 1,300 volunteer shifts were filled in yesterday's Day of Caring and 107 projects took place. Rosso says thatâs up from last year and a big thank you is owed to all who participated, noting more than 500 people were fed as part of volunteer picnic lunch at Howell City Park. Rosso added that while the number of projects continues to increase and differ in scope, the community still springs to action to help those in need. Now that another successful Day of Caring is on the books, the Livingston County United Way will be gearing up for its campaign kick-off and airport open house event on Tuesday, September 17th. (JM)
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Newspaper Delivery Woman Credited With Saving Genoa Man's LifeNewspaper Delivery Woman Credited With Saving Genoa Man's Life
8/22/13 - Authorities are crediting a newspaper delivery woman with saving the life of a Genoa Township man after discovering a fire at his home early this morning. Brighton Fire Chief Mike OâBrian tells WHMI that the woman came across the fire about 4:45am at a home in the 3500 block of Pineridge Lane. She ran to the rear of the home and pounded on the doors and windows until the home's lone occupant was awakened and fled the structure. OâBrian said the woman was very much a hero for waking the man up as the homeâs internal smoke detectors didnât go off until the smoke had actually reached the interior. Firefighters were able to get the blaze under control within about ten minutes. OâBrian estimated the damage at about $30,000. The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental in nature and related to outdoor electrical appliances. Photo courtesy of Brighton Area Fire Authority. (JK)
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Brighton Man Critical Following Motorcycle Crash in PontiacBrighton Man Critical Following Motorcycle Crash in Pontiac
8/22/13 - A Brighton man is listed in critical condition following a motorcycle accident in the City of Pontiac yesterday. Deputies with the Oakland County Sheriff Officeâs Pontiac Substation responded to the crash that happened shortly before 2pm at the intersection of Huron and State Streets. Preliminary investigation reveals a 65-year-old Brighton man was traveling west on Huron Street on a 1995 Honda motorcycle when a motorcyclist he was riding with, a 73-year-old Brighton resident on a 2011 CanAm Spyder, turned right onto State Street in front of him. The two motorcycles collided, causing the 65-year-old man on the Honda to fall off. Deputies found him unconscious and suffering from head trauma at the scene. He was transported to McLaren Hospital, where he is listed in critical condition and was undergoing surgery. The 73-year-old man was not injured. Authorities say both motorcyclists were wearing helmets and alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation. (JM)
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Unopened Fenton Fire Hall Seeks Employees At Job FairUnopened Fenton Fire Hall Seeks Employees At Job Fair
8/22/13 - With its grand opening drawing near, the Fenton Fire Hall took part in a job fair yesterday to find new recruits. The restaurant is opening in the former fire department hall on Leroy Road in downtown Fenton. Owners originally planned to open in April, but a series of construction hurtles and delays forced them to push the opening date back to late summer. A firm opening date has yet to be announced for the Fire Hall, but the restaurant took part at a job fair in downtown Clarkston. The job fair took place at the Union Woodshop restaurant and included the Clarkston Union and Vinsetta Garage restaurants, which are all owned by Fenton Fire Hall owner Curt Catallo. The restaurantâs Facebook page indicates workers for all parts of restaurant operation were being sought. The head chef from the Union Woodshop has already been selected to develop the menu for the Fire Hall. (TD)
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Bloomfield Police Apprehend Brighton Twp. Man Following Chase
8/23/13 - A Brighton Township man who police say led them on a high-speed chase this month has been tracked down and apprehended. 48-year-old William Smith faces charges of fleeing and eluding as well as driving with a suspended license in Oakland County, where he is currently being held on a $20,000 bond. Bloomfield Patch reports the charges stem from an incident at about 1am on August 3rd, when police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in a Bloomfield Township restaurant parking lot. Officers say the driver appeared to be intoxicated, and that he drove off as soon as they left their vehicle. They say he drove on southbound Telegraph Road, and they followed until they confirmed his license plate near 14 Mile Road. Police in Franklin, Farmington Hills, and Novi also pursued the vehicle as it went through their jurisdictions. Police say the vehicle belonged to Smith, who was arrested on Wednesday with help from the Michigan State Police. (TD)
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LESA Distributes Backpacks & Other Services in Time For SchoolLESA Distributes Backpacks & Other Services in Time For School
8/23/13 - The 13th annual Backpacks for Kids distribution event took place at the Livingston Educational Service Agency yesterday. Every year, the program collects backpacks and school supplies for students at all grade levels over the summer, then distributes them to help the students of the county can be ready for school. More than 1,200 backpacks were collected this year, a slight increase over last year. New this year was a wristband system, allowing families to be identified by what time they arrived without having to stand in line for the backpacks. This freed them up to take part in the Connect for Kids program, which was offered for several hours before the backpack giveaway. Great Start Livingston Coordinator Robin Schutz says community partners come forward to help provide even more assistance to local families while they wait for their backpacks, including activities, information, and giveaways like fresh produce, helmets, toothbrushes, and fingerprinting. She says the two events are designed for the same group of families, and so it made sense to schedule them together. Although the collection drive has technically ended, LESA is still accepting donations through the beginning of the school year to help assist local families in need. (TD)
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Jobless Rate for Livingston County Improves Jobless Rate for Livingston County Improves
8/23/13 - Michigan says the seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate increased in nearly all regional labor markets in July but not Livingston County. The jobless rate for Livingston County fell from June to July, which was not the case with the majority of Michiganâs major labor markets. The Department of Technology, Management & Budget said Thursday that the statewide unadjusted jobless rate was 9.7% in July and the increases reflect typical seasonal employment changes in education, temporary help and manufacturing. Bucking that trend though was Livingston County, where the individual jobless rate dropped by just more than one full percentage point from 8.3% in June to 7.4% in July. Thatâs also below the national unadjusted rate of 7.7%. Livingstonâs overall ranking also jumped up a dozen spots to 8th in terms of unemployment among Michiganâs 83 counties. The department says over the year, the only notable rate reduction was a 1.8 percentage point drop in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia metro statistical area, which includes Livingston County. (JM)
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Probation Ordered for Owners of Defunct Pot DispensaryProbation Ordered for Owners of Defunct Pot Dispensary
8/23/13 - There will be no jail time for the owners of a now-closed medical marijuana dispensary. Marshall Alternatives in Handy Township was raided in March of 2012 following an alleged sale to an undercover officer, who posed as a legal card-carrying medical marijuana patient. Owners Alan Marshall and Christi Marshall both pleaded guilty to charges of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver for three separate incidents. In court Thursday, Circuit Judge Michael Hatty sentenced them each to one year of probation. However, Hatty added ten days in jail along with a year of probation for former employee Stephanie Baxter because she had violated bond by drinking alcohol. Baxter, who can serve the sentence on weekends, earlier pleaded to three reduced misdemeanor counts of delivering marijuana without remuneration. A fourth co-defendant, April Smith, was previously sentenced to three days of jail and one year of probation for her guilty plea to a lesser included offense of delivering marijuana without remuneration. Their cases had been on hold while the Michigan Supreme Court reviewed a similar case, eventually ruling that dispensaries such as theirs were not expressly permitted under the Medical Marihuana Act approved by Michigan voters in 2008. (JK)
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Latson Interchange Project Progressing SlowlyLatson Interchange Project Progressing Slowly
8/23/13 - The construction in the intersection of Latson Road and Grand River will probably not see any improvements until sometime in October. Traffic is currently slow-moving through the intersection due to the elimination of the left-turn lanes in all directions and a signal light that runs on a slow cycle 24 hours a day. Officials say that's necessary for crews to perform utility work and add lanes to the roads in preparation for the new I-96 interchange. Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine says the disruptions will continue in some form or another for another 7 to 8 weeks. He says there is a lot of inefficiency in the work there because, although it looks like the crews have taken large parts of the road, the area is actually very confined for the kind of work being done. Craine says utility delays and unseasonal rains in June have delayed the construction of the actual bridge by about 45 days, pushing the completion date back into November. Right now, crews have placed the pillars and are now placing the frames for the actual bridge, referred to as âhanging the tin,â to construct the overpass. Craine says there is still substantial fill work to do on the south part of the interchange on what is now known as Nixon Road, but which will soon become South Latson Road. (TD)
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Brighton City Manager and Wife in Foster Parenting ProgramBrighton City Manager and Wife in Foster Parenting Program
8/23/13 - Brighton City Manager Dana Foster may be best known for managing the Livingston County town of 7,000, but he and his wife Molly have an avocation that keeps them more than busy in their spare time. The foster parent program in which the Fosters are involved is operated by Bethany Christian Services, which serves a 3-county area, including Livingston County, from its East Lansing offices. The children come into the program via Child Protective Services and the Michigan Department of Human Services, which contracts with Bethany to provide temporary care. The children the Fosters have been foster parents to range in age from infants to 5. Foster tells WHMI that sometimes the kids placed in foster homes have no more than the clothes on their back. The Fosters have been in the program for about a year, going through an intensive training program to prepare them for the rigors and sometimes unexpected surprises in the program. All who successfully go through the training are licensed as a foster parent home. The Fosters have had a child for as little as a few days and as long as a month or more. Bethany Program Director Nancy Willimen says the organization â which is in over 30 states and many foreign countries - provides foster care, adoption and in-home family services to disadvantaged children and families on five continents. The goal is ultimately to return children to their birth parents whenever possible. Willimen says if the child cannot return home because it continues to be unsafe â which is determined by the court â then he or she is placed for adoption. (TT)
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Governor Praises Howell DDA President For Melonfest SuccessGovernor Praises Howell DDA President For Melonfest Success
8/23/13 - Howell Main Street DDA President Stephanie Schlittler has worked to make the Howell Melonfest a success, and now the governor of Michigan has recognized those efforts. Rick Snyder has issued a proclamation to pay special tribute to Schlittler, commending her for âher exceptional leadership and commitment to creating a better community.â It states that the growing success of Melonfest is due to the eventâs donors, sponsors, and volunteers, and that Schlittlerâs contributions have been essential in the past few years. Schlittler is leaving the Howell DDA this year to get married to her fiancé, who travels frequently between Michigan and China as part of his work with the Ford Motor Company. She will no longer be in the community often enough to lead up the DDA, but says she still plans to volunteer whenever the opportunity arises. (TD)
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