An event later this month will feature former Michigan Governor John Engler to culminate a local charter schoolâs 20th anniversary celebration.
The Charyl Stockwell Academy in Howell has been celebrating its 20th anniversary all year long with various events. The theme is âCelebrating Innovation, Choice and Characterâ which is why Former Republican Governor Engler will be appearing as the featured guest at the commemoration event. Engler launched the charter school movement and paved the way for the establishment of what is now the K-12 Charyl Stockwell Academy District. It started out in Hartland in 1996 and has continued to grow since its founding. It serves more than 1,075 K-12 students, and employs 103 staff, including 50 teachers, on two campuses. Founder Chuck Stockwell says theyâre proud of the support of parents and teachers who are responsible for the significant accomplishment and milestone. Stockwell and his wife Shelley will both be guests on WHMIâs Viewpoint program this Sunday morning at 8:30.
Meanwhile, the invitation-only anniversary event featuring Engler will take place on Thursday, April 27th at the Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy in Brighton. (JM)
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Former Governor John Engler To Headline Charyl Stockwell Academy's Anniversary EventFormer Governor John Engler To Headline Charyl Stockwell Academy's Anniversary Event
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Livingston County Participating In Statewide Tornado Drill April 19th Livingston County Participating In Statewide Tornado Drill April 19th
Livingston County citizens, families, organizations and businesses are being encouraged to take part in next weekâs voluntary statewide tornado drill.
The drill is designed to be a preparedness activity as Governor Rick Snyder has proclaimed April 16th through the 22nd as Severe Weather Awareness Week. The statewide tornado drill is scheduled to take place at 1:00pm on Wednesday, April 19th.
Livingston County Emergency Manager Therese Cremonte says everyone should have a disaster preparedness plan that covers all hazards such as severe weather, fire and hazardous materials. She says now is a good time to look at current plans or create one for a family, business or organization covering what if scenarios. Participants in the drill should determine in advance where they should go if a tornado were to strike, have a plan for all of your common locations such as home, work, and school and keep an emergency kit in those areas.
While tornadoes can occur any time of the year, they are especially common during the late spring and early summer months. As one of natureâs most violent storms, they can devastate homes and property in just seconds. The average lead time for tornadoes to develop is 10 to 15 minutes, which means citizens need to be ready to react quickly when a warning is issued.
Cremonte pointed out that three tornados come through southwest Michigan on the last day of February, which is almost unheard of. She tells WHMI they can happen anytime, anyplace and in any quantity so people really need to be ready and prepared and aware of surroundings. Cremonte reminds that outdoor warning sirens are for just exactly that â people who might be outside in the garden, golfing or farmers in the field when severe weather comes through and a tornado is spotted. If it does, individuals should get indoors and to the lowest level possible.
Livingston County Emergency Management is still encouraging residents to sign up for the countyâs emergency alert system on their website. The link is provided. Information can also be found on their Facebook page. Cremonte says itâs a simple process and their number one priority is always life safety. She says individuals can pick and choose different warnings but the tornado warnings advise when people need to take shelter. (JM)
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New Counts Filed Against Fowlerville Man Charged In Boy's DeathNew Counts Filed Against Fowlerville Man Charged In Boy's Death
A Fowlerville man already charged for his role in a head-on crash that killed a young boy last year is now facing several new charges.
49-year-old Robert Earl Wilson was arraigned in 66th District Court in Corunna last month on one count of operating a vehicle under the influence causing death. But court records show that three new charges have been filed on operating a vehicle under the influence causing incapacitating injuries. The charges stem from the October 9th incident on Fowlerville Road, north of Lovejoy Road in Antrim Township.
According to the Shiawassee County Sheriffâs Department, Wilson was driving northbound when his minivan crossed the center line and hit a car carrying a family of four from Byron. 10-year-old Brody Rocco was killed in the crash. His parents, Marc and Casya, were hospitalized with injuries ranging from severe to critical. Roccoâs sister, a 3rd grader at Smith Elementary School, was also injured. Brody attended 5th grade at Kreeger Elementary in Fowlerville. No new court dates for Wilson have been scheduled. (JK)
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Belleville to join KLAA for 2017-18Belleville to join KLAA for 2017-18
The Kensington Lakes Activities Association, which recently voted Grand Blanc out of the league after the 2017-18 school year, announced Wednesday that Belleville will join the league that year.
The addition of Belleville eases the travel burden on most of the league's schools. Only the Livingston County schools â Brighton, Hartland and Howell â are more than 40 miles away from Belleville.
In contrast, Grand Blanc is 45 miles or more from 10 current KLAA schools.
The first contest between Belleville and a KLAA team will come in late August, when Belleville and Brighton meet in a football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.
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Huron River Revivalists Holding Fundraiser ConcertHuron River Revivalists Holding Fundraiser Concert
Students from Pinckney are performing a fundraiser concert for a fiddle student scholarship and music books.
The Huron River Revivalists are an after-school group from Pinckney Community High School that specializes in playing music from Celtic, Canadian, and American Bluegrass traditions. Founded in 2015 by violinist Grace Reynolds, the ensemble consisting of string, wind, and occasionally percussion instruments has played many venues around the community.
On Saturday May 6th the Revivalists are holding their next concert at the White Steeple Stage at Community Congregational Church, in Pinckney. Helping a student with a scholarship and buying new books are the goals of the show.
The show begins at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10, with 12-and-under and 85-and-older getting in free. Additional donations will be accepted. For more information, contact Deb Reynolds at (989) 944-2626. (MK)
L to R - Grace Reynolds, Kylie Taft, Emily Carlson, Shannon Lewinski, Isabelle Hanshue, Mariana Sierra, Macie Levellier at PCHS 2016 Homecoming Parade
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Fenton Man's Trial On Child Sexual Assault Delayed Until OctoberFenton Man's Trial On Child Sexual Assault Delayed Until October
Following his conviction in Oakland County, a Fenton manâs trial in Genesee County on charges of child sexual assault has been delayed until later this year.
41-year-old Robert Lee Dennis was bound over in February to stand trial in Genesee County Circuit Court on eight counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a defendant under the age of 13. Court records show a trial date has been set for October 31st. Dennis is reported to have assaulted someone he knew over a three-year period in Fenton. Dennis was sentenced by an Oakland County judge in December to serve 30-50 years in prison on multiple counts of 1st degree CSC. Oakland County authorities say Dennis was leasing a home in Rochester Hills when he began sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl who was known to him.
Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Potbury with the Genesee County Prosecutorâs Office tells WHMI that the victims in the Oakland and Genesee County cases are not the same and that the process for the Fenton case has been slowed down by Dennisâ attempts to modify his sentence in Oakland County. If convicted on the latest charges, Dennis could face up to life in prison. (JK)
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Softball Team's Veterans Game Raises Funds For Wounded WarriorsSoftball Team's Veterans Game Raises Funds For Wounded Warriors
A high school softball game in Pinckney Wednesday served as more than just a competitive event.
Pinckneyâs high school varsity softball team played Brighton in a double header with a philanthropic mission to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. The organization connects and serves wounded warriors by providing free services and programs to address their needs. The proceeds garnered from a $2 admission fee into the game will be donated to Wounded Warriors. The idea to host a fundraiser for the organization as part of the game came from one of the teamâs captains.
Pinckneyâs team wore shirts designed by senior Kennedy Kunnert emblazoned with the logo âSupport Our Troopsâ. The game kicked off with a gun salute from the American Legion, followed by the singing of the National Anthem and unfurling of a large American flag.
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Recruiter Hendrik Witherell threw the gameâs first pitch and several other service members were in attendance. Witherell says he has several friends that were wounded or killed in Afghanistan and Iraq, so the donation to Wounded Warriors has a personal connection to him. He says it means a lot that the team appreciates the sacrifice made by veterans and that they
ââ¦still love the flag even with all the turmoil going on.â
Staff Sergeant Recruiter Nick Schultz, also of the U.S. Army, says the event was "...really something special, especially now days because you really donât get high schoolers thinking about adding to the community."
Athletic Director Brian Wardlow says the event was organized entirely by the team without any prompting. Wardlow says the school encourages its student athletes to be involved with philanthropy and that their efforts made him very proud. (DK)
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Activist Alleges Hartland Consolidated Schools Violating Election Law Activist Alleges Hartland Consolidated Schools Violating Election Law
A local âtea partyâ activist has filed a complaint against the Hartland Consolidated Schools district for not allowing him access to the districtâs email system and website to share his opposing views on a sinking fund ballot proposal.
Wes Nakagiri filed Freedom of Information Act requests in which he sought to use the district email system and website to disseminate information with his opposing viewpoint on the proposal the district has placed on the May 2nd ballot. Both requests were denied and Nakagiri says he informed the district he would file a complaint if an unfavorable response was received. Nakagiri says he filed a complaint Monday through the Michigan Secretary of State office alleging violations of a section of Public Act 388. That pertain to the use of a public facility owned or leased by a public body if any candidate or committee has an equal opportunity to use the public facility. The statute does not define public facilities. Nakagiri tells WHMI after reading the dictionary definition; he interprets the email system and website as being a public facility because they are taxpayer funded so therefore, the district is obligated to provide equal access.
District officials maintain the ballot proposal would not result in a tax hike. The districtâs debt fund levy is currently set at 8.55 mills. If the half-mill proposal passes, then the Board of Education in June has said it would lower the current levy to 8.05 mills, thus creating a net change of zero mills. The ballot language is said be misleading though and includes the word âincreaseâ, which was the way it legally had to be written. Superintendent Chuck Hughes earlier told WHMI they could not legally include the piece related to board action but they want to reassure the public there is no tax rate increase. Nakagiri, however, says that, "lowering the debt levy costs Hartland families and business additional money because it extends the time required to pay off the current loans."
Nakagiriâs press release is attached and a link is provided to an earlier story by WHMI on the sinking fund proposal. (JM)
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Fitness Challenge Will Benefit Disabled VeteransFitness Challenge Will Benefit Disabled Veterans
An opportunity to help out local disabled veterans will take place next month in the form of a fitness challenge.
The MURPH Challenge will be taking place at The Commons located at 7526 Grand River Avenue, in Brighton on May 29th. The challenge is complete a one-mile run, then do 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, then another one-mile run. There are 3 different ways to complete this, if it initially sounds difficult.
A âmodifiedâ workout will be available with pull-up stations of various heights, boxes and balls available to help with squats, and push-ups being allowed in a number of different ways. A âteamâ option is also available where participants can split up the required exercises among themselves. But those feeling confident in their abilities can attempt the âprescribedâ option and do the workout as originally stated with no assistance.
There is no minimum donation, and all proceeds will go the Disabled American Veterans of Howell. More information on this event can be found through the link below. (MK)
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Handy Township Looking To Stop Potential Medical Marijuana FacilitiesHandy Township Looking To Stop Potential Medical Marijuana Facilities
Handy Township is moving towards removing an ordinance that would let medical marijuana facilities grow and operate.
While medical marijuana was legalized by Michigan voters in 2008 there was a lot of grey area as to how patients could get it. Last December, state legislature passed the Medical Marijuana Facilities Licensing Act which provides a set of guidelines for growers, sellers, and all related entities. A state board, that has not been selected yet, will also review all applications, licenses, and develop a system to track all product from âseed to sale.â
The new law says that no one can apply or obtain a license unless the municipality has adopted an ordinance that allows a facility. Handy Township had passed one under old law, due to worries of exclusionary zoning. The new act, however, allows them to opt out and remove the ordinance, effectively shutting down facilities coming into the community. Supervisor Ed Alverson said this shouldnât have any effect on current patients, and âthat those who are currently using medical marijuana will be able to continue doing so, itâs just that the township will not be participating as we know it today in allowing commercial enterprise to come in regarding medical marijuana facilities.â
Alverson said the township has much more pressing matters to attend to right now, namely water and sewer, and doesnât see how they would have the time or staff needed to take on this venture. Trustee Gordon Munsell agreed, saying they should âabandon the ordinance and get out of Dodge.â It is now up to the Planning Commission to set up a hearing, and if they pass the removal, it will then come to the Township Board. Handy Township, and all municipalities in the state, have until the Act goes into effect on December 15th to make the decision on potentially allowing facilities or not. (MK)
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Intoxicated Man Who Entered Local School Wearing Body Armor Receives JailIntoxicated Man Who Entered Local School Wearing Body Armor Receives Jail
Sentencing has been handed down to a Whitmore Lake man who was found intoxicated in the parking lot of a local school.
20-year-old George Brenizer was charged with multiple counts as a result of the February 15th incident at the Charyl Stockwell Academy on M-59 in Hartland Township.
Brenizer was lodged in the Livingston County Jail earlier this week after he was picked up on a bench warrant which was issued for his failure to appear at a bond hearing. He was originally set to be sentenced April 25th, however 53rd District Court Judge Carol Sue Reader was prepared to sentence him Tuesday. Brenizer, who pleaded guilty last month to operating a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Content of .17 or higher and trespassing, received 180 days in jail.
Authorities say the day of the incident, the mother of a 7-year-old female student at Charyl Stockwell had called the school to say Brenizer was coming to visit her daughter. When he arrived, he was wearing body armor and acting suspiciously, which prompted school officials to ask him to leave.
Upon arrival, Sheriffâs Deputies found Brenizer in his pickup truck in the parking lot and determined he was intoxicated. While Brenizer did not have any weapons on him or in his vehicle, he would not tell authorities why he was wearing the body armor. (DK)
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Brighton City Council Discusses Poor Road Conditions At Budget SessionBrighton City Council Discusses Poor Road Conditions At Budget Session
Roads were on the minds of Brighton City Council members as they held study session in preparation of finalizing their 2017-18 budget.
More time at Wednesday nightâs special meeting was spent on roads, their conditions, and what, if anything could be done about them, than any other topic. Brighton City Manager Nate Geinzer told WHMI that a recent road study graded the cityâs streets as a 52, on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being brand new and 1 being completely failed. 68% of the cityâs roads are currently in poor condition or worse. Discussion revealed that around $1.4-million was needed annually just maintain that 52 rating. To raise the rating would require an additional $100,000 for each point, which is money the city doesnât have. The neighborhoods in the northwest portion of Brighton also drew notice for needing work that has been neglected for too long. Council debated on whether spending $60,000 for an engineering study there was responsible while they might not be able to begin any repairs for a few years. It was the opinion of advisors that the results of engineering design should remain stable for some time, and that only the costs should fluctuate due to inflation.
When asked what residents might see with roadwork in the next fiscal year, Geinzer said that staying on top of potholes and performing minor repairs is about all they can do with existing funds. The manager said that City Council wants to do better, but that the missing equation is revenue. The recent successes of road millages in Hartland and Hamburg gave some councilmen hope that Brighton taxpayers may come to be more open to that option. Other options brought up were exploring different design alternatives like narrower roads. The city budget needs to be finalized and ready for adoption in time for their May 4th meeting. (MK)
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St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Receives âAâ Grade for Patient SafetySt. Joseph Mercy Livingston Receives âAâ Grade for Patient Safety
A local hospital has received top marks when it comes to patient safety.
Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades assigns various letter grades to hospitals nationally for patient safety. St. Joseph Mercy Livingston in Howell received an âAâ ranking for spring 2017. John O'Malley, president of St. Joseph Mercy Livingston and Brighton, says the recognition reinforces what they already know and theyâre proud to have received the highest mark possible for patient safety.
Developed under the guidance of an expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 30 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice every year. Officials say itâs is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.
St. Joseph Mercy Livingston's full grade can be viewed through the link. (JM)
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Local Youth Advocate Named 2017's Champion for ChildrenLocal Youth Advocate Named 2017's Champion for Children
A local individual has been recognized for her dedication to helping children in Livingston County.
Robin Schutz was named as the 2017 Champion for Children at the Power of One Luncheon held at the Howell Opera House earlier this month. The Champion for Children Award is a joint effort between the CAP, or Child Abuse Prevention Council of LACASA and the Great Start Collaborative of Livingston County.
Schutz is the Coordinator of the Great Start Collaborative, but is not a part of the selection committee that chooses the recipient of the Champion for Children award. Committee members say Schutz was named the winner in honor of her personal and professional commitment to working for children and her tireless efforts to bring together multiple agencies and resources who share the common goal of supporting youth in the community.
Holly Naylor, CAP Council Coordinator, says Schutzâs nomination letter stood out because of how she works in so many ways and with so many organizations to get things done for kids. Naylor says Schutz has also developed relationships with local representatives, which in turns allows her to advocate for good early childhood public policies.
Photo from left: CAP Council Coordinator Holly Naylor, Champion Award Winner Robin Schutz, LACASA President and CEO Bobette Schrandt, and Howell Mayor Nick Proctor.
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Controversial Author David Barton Speaks To Area RepublicansControversial Author David Barton Speaks To Area Republicans
Livingston County Republicans heard from a controversial religious and history expert at their annual Lincoln Day Dinner. David Barton is the head of WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization and has authored best-selling books on Americaâs history with an emphasis on the countryâs moral, religious, and constitutional heritage. Thursday night he spoke to local Republicans at the Crystal Gardens Banquet Hall in Genoa Township. Barton delivered a keynote speech explaining his belief that the principals of the Founding Fathers in the writing of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution made America special above others. Barton discussed the importance of God as an influence in the way they were written and highlighted 5 immutable principles of the documents. He discussed issues like abortion, homosexuality, and the transgendered from religious and historical contexts. Barton has generated controversy during his career. The Southern Poverty Law Center describes Barton's work as "anti-gay" and "historical revisionism", noting that Barton has no formal training in history. Before the speech, Barton was given a challenge coin, often associated with the military, representing the Armor the God, and State Representative Hank Vaupel from Handy Township recognized 3 TARs, or âteenage republicans.â (MK/JK)
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Hartland Twp. Park Improvement Project Moves ForwardHartland Twp. Park Improvement Project Moves Forward
Hartland Township is working to upgrade two of its community parks through a project officials say they hope to complete this year.
The project will include additions and improvements to Settlerâs Park, located on Clark Road, and Heritage Park off of M-59. The township plans to add playscapes, restroom facilities and a picnic pavilion to both parks, as well as a concession stand at Heritage Park.
Public Works Director Robert West says the projects are ready to go out to bid and the hope is to start construction once the weather breaks, which he expects will be around the beginning of June. The goal is to have the estimated $1.4 (m) million project completed this year. A millage or bond was not needed as it will be paid for out of the municipalityâs general fund. Township officials say each year, a percentage of the budget is put away for capital improvements such as this.
Both parks were constructed within the last five years and the improvements are considered phase two. West says the community has invested as much into the parks as the township has, and itâs important the municipality delivers. Site plans for both of the parks were approved by the townshipâs Planning Commission Thursday night and will now move to the Board of Trustees for approval. (DK)
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Lake Fenton Sailor Earns Department Of The Navy Tester AwardLake Fenton Sailor Earns Department Of The Navy Tester Award
A sailor from Lake Fenton has received the 2016 Department of the Navy Small Program Outstanding Tester Award.
Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Dill is assigned to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division and was recently selected as the military recipient of the award. The 2001 Lake Fenton High School graduate said it represents the hard work and dedication of the team that works on unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) technology on a daily basis at the division. Dill said he was honored to receive the award, but it is a testament to all the team members required to make a program successful. He says the commandâs test staff saw value in having a military Test Director and mentored him along the way, and he will continue to seek out their knowledge and experience to develop his skills.
Dill is a 2005 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Heâs designated as a Civil Engineer Corps Officer with a specialty in Ocean Engineering and diving operations and has been recognized with multiple awards. (JM)
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Plans Moving Forward for Brighton 150th Birthday Celebration Plans Moving Forward for Brighton 150th Birthday Celebration
The Brighton 150th Birthday Committee met Thursday evening to discuss some of the activities that will take place.
The Brighton 4th of July Parade will also be tied to the 150th anniversary, and will officially kick off the sesquicentennial festivities, which will be interspersed with other downtown events during the summer months. According to committee chairman and Brighton Mayor Pro-tem Shawn Pipoly, perhaps the highlight of the celebration will be a laser light show in August. Some of the other events include a mayorâs pancake breakfast, a historical tour of the Old Village Cemetery, old time baseball games, a time capsule, scavenger hunt, and a golf outing. There will also be a community picnic and a community block party, which will include food, the Brighton Ballet, cloggers, a photo booth, a blacksmith booth, candlestick dipping, cow milking, a carnival, and a square dance.
Brighton Area Historical Society President Jim Vichich says the historical society and the Brighton Art Guild are also planning on some projects and activities including lifesize plywood cutouts of people in 19th Century garb scattered around the downtown area.(TT)
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Livingston County Resident Second Confirmed Measles Case Livingston County Resident Second Confirmed Measles Case
A second case of measles in Michigan has been confirmed as a Livingston County resident.
The stateâs first case was confirmed in late March. The local individual is an adult and was a passenger on the same flight when the first individual was contagious. Further information about the individual is not being released.
County Medical Director Dr. Don Lawrenchuk tells WHMI measles is unusual and it has been a long time since the county has seen measles. Lawrenchuk says the individual was on the same airplane as a young child who was not vaccinated and returning from a country where a lot of cases were reported.
Measles is a viral infection deemed highly contagious. It spreads through the air through coughing and sneezing. Officials say measles can result in pneumonia, brain inflammation, hospitalization and death.
Lawrenchuk says someone will typically start out with cold-like symptoms such as a cough or runny nose and think theyâre coming down with something. Itâs during that time the individual is likely spreading it through coughing and sneezing. He says once a rash develops, the person goes to a doctor, gets diagnosed and is then put into strict isolation.
State and local health officials say the best line of defense is vaccination and encourage it for all persons, especially those traveling internationally. Photo: Centers for Disease Control. (JM)
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Plea Deal Offered To Howell Student Who Threatened To Shoot Up SchoolPlea Deal Offered To Howell Student Who Threatened To Shoot Up School
A Howell High School student charged with threatening to shoot up the school has been offered a plea deal.
17-year-old Sarah Hiler appeared in Livingston County Circuit Court Friday for a pre-trial hearing. That hearing was further adjourned to April 28th while she considers a possible plea deal from prosecutors. The details of the offer are unknown at this time.
Hiler was charged last month with Making a Threat of Terrorism and Using a Computer to Commit a Crime as a result of the March 2nd incident. Howell Police were contacted by Howell High School administrators concerning an anonymous threat on Twitter that referenced âshooting up the school.â Police Chief George Basar says investigators were able to confirm Hiler as the individual who posted the Tweet, which was made on an account using a fake name.
Basar says even though they determined the threat itself was not credible, Hiler was arrested and jailed. Hilerâs family has previously said she was being bullied through text messages and social media, but felt that she couldnât talk to school counselors about the harassment. If Hiler does not accept a plea deal and is convicted on the current charges, she faces up to 20 years in prison. (DK)
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