http://www.whmi.com WHMI 93.5 FM Radio Station for Livingston County Michigan with News, Traffic, and Weather Service for Howell and Brighton en-us Thu, 23 May 2013 15:07:00 EDT 5/23/13 - The on-ramp from M-59 to eastbound I-96 has re-opened in Howell Township after a semi-truck overturned earlier today. The semi was traveling on the eastbound on-ramp from Burkhart Road to eastbound I-96 at around 10am but lost control and flipped over. Michigan State Police at the Brighton Post tell WHMI preliminary investigation indicates the semi-truck was traveling too fast on the ramp. The driver reported minor injuries and was treated by Livingston County EMS and then transported to St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital in Howell. Police say the truck was hauling vehicle parts and was leaking fuel. The on-ramp from M-59 to eastbound I-96 was closed for a few hours while crews worked to upright the semi-truck. (JM) http://whmi.com/news/article/17177 http://whmi.com/news/article/17177 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17177/17177.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17177 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:07:00 EDT 5/23/13 - The Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced state incentives to five business expansions and four community improvement projects across the state, including one in Fenton. Corlin Builders was awarded an $880,000 Michigan Community Revitalization Program incentive to demolish an obsolete building on North Leroy Street in Downtown Fenton. It will be replaced by the proposed Cornerstone project; a new, four-story mixed use development. The project will include first floor dining and retail space with 23 residential units on the top three floors. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of approximately $5.2 million and create 75 full-time positions. The City of Fenton has provided $1.2 million in direct funding to the project from the Fenton Downtown Development Authority. The Cornerstone project is the first phase of the DDA long-range plan to build three buildings along the east side of North Leroy Street. Picture courtesy of Stephen Auger and Associates Architects of Lake Orion. (JK) http://whmi.com/news/article/17176 http://whmi.com/news/article/17176 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17176/17176.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17176 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:19:00 EDT 5/23/13 - The Brighton Area Schools’ Board of Education Monday night approved another technology bid, this time for new classroom audio-visual systems. Barton Malow, which is handling the technology portion of the bond issue passed by voters last year, recommended the $1.1 million bid by Digital Age Technologies, one of six bidders for the project. The recommendation was approved unanimously by the board. The bid was the second-lowest, not the lowest, but since Digital Age Technologies is the contractor on a related aspect of the technology upgrades, the board was told sticking with the same company would be the most efficient way to go about it. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI the audio-visual systems will go in all buildings, but primarily at Maltby Intermediate, Scranton Middle School and Brighton High School. With a $16 million price tag, technology comprises a big chunk of the total $88- million bond issue. Work will begin in earnest on the new athletic complex at Scranton Middle School and the outdoor athletic facilities at Brighton High School as another major part of the bond issue. (TT) http://whmi.com/news/article/17151 http://whmi.com/news/article/17151 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17151/17151.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17151 Thu, 23 May 2013 08:59:00 EDT 5/23/13 - According to new data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau, while approximately two out of three Michigan communities lost residents between 2011 and 2012, almost every municipality in Livingston County gained residents. Overall, the county’s population increased a little less than 1%, from 182,299 in 2011 to 182,838 last year. Green Oak Township saw the biggest increase, a 1.15% bump to 17,852. However, Hamburg Township is still the most populous in Livingston County with 21,383 residents, a quarter-point increase. In fact, the only municipality that saw a decline was the City of Howell, which saw a .08% population decline in 2012 to 9,505. As a whole, Michigan’s population increased by .07% — 6,559 people — year-over-year, for a total population of 9,883,360 in 2012. Detroit, the state’s largest city, dropped 0.67% — or by 4,726 people — from a 2011 estimate of 706,201 residents to a 2012 estimate of 701,475. Nationwide, eight of the 15 fastest-growing large cities and towns were in Texas, according to the Census Bureau. (JK) http://whmi.com/news/article/17175 http://whmi.com/news/article/17175 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17175/17175.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17175 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:58:00 EDT 5/23/13 - With many Michigan residents expected to travel over the Memorial Day weekend, the Michigan Department of Transportation will be shutting down construction sites around the state to relieve traffic, including along I-96 through the Latson Road Interchange project. Out of MDOT’s 130 active road construction sites, work will cease and traffic restrictions will be lifted on 83 beginning Friday afternoon. The department expects more than a million people to travel at least 50 miles over the weekend, and it has closed as many construction sites and opened as many lanes as possible to accommodate the extra drivers. Locally, work on the Latson Road interchange project will cease and I-96 will be kept at three lanes in both directions throughout the weekend. However, Arend says the lane restrictions at the Latson Road and Grand River intersection that is part of the interchange work will remain in place through the holiday weekend, and in fact, for most of the summer. Although traffic will be smoother throughout the state, drivers should still be on alert while traveling along Michigan highways. The Michigan State Police are urging motorists to buckle up and drive cautiously this weekend, and federally-funded seatbelt enforcement zones will be in place until Tuesday. Click the link below to visit MDOT’s website, which identified all of the construction sites halted for the weekend. (TD) http://whmi.com/news/article/17174 http://whmi.com/news/article/17174 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17174/17174.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17174 Thu, 23 May 2013 04:53:00 EDT 5/23/13 - A smoother path through the turbulent waters of divorce was the goal of a seminar last night at the Brighton District Library. The public event was put on by the Livingston Interdisciplinary Professional Association or LIPA, a local community organization that informs Livingston County on more positive approaches to divorce. LIPA is comprised of attorneys, counselors, mediators, therapists and other professionals who also deal with finances. LIPA’S goal is to educate on more positive and less costly ways to go about divorce, one of them being mediation before the legal proceedings. Mediation is a process in which divorcing couples sit down with a neutral third party to resolve issues in their divorce. Andrea M. Banfield, a family law attorney and mediator, attended the event and tells WHMI mediation is extremely beneficial and is actually recommended prior to going before the court. Several speakers attended the event, including Judge Carol Sue Reader, financial advisors, attorneys, mediators and a real estate appraiser. Attendees were able to directly ask the speakers questions about their specific case and what their next step should be. For more information about LIPA, including a brief video clip from a previous seminar, you can click the link below.(DK) http://whmi.com/news/article/17172 http://whmi.com/news/article/17172 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17172/17172.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17172 Thu, 23 May 2013 02:57:00 EDT 5/23/13 - Five of Fenton Township’s firefighters are getting extra training this spring to join the department’s dive team in the summer. The new firefighters were in Flint this week to practice safety procedures and get specialized instruction for joining the dive team. The Tri County Times reports that in March, the Fenton Township Board of Trustees approved a proposal from the Fenton Fire Chief to train and equip more dive team members. That proposal came after two drownings occurred in Fenton Township last year. More dive team members would mean a faster response to emergencies in local lakes during the swimming and boating season. The five firefighters will be ready for open-water diving by June 8th. (TD) http://whmi.com/news/article/17173 http://whmi.com/news/article/17173 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17173/17173.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17173 Thu, 23 May 2013 00:40:00 EDT 5/22/13 - A Howell Township man charged with open murder for a fatal shooting last year at a Brighton Township gun range appeared in court briefly this afternoon. 20-year-old Jessce Lincon Stearn is being held without bond and also faces a felony firearms count in the June 2012 death of 21-year-old Charles Kimball at the Livingston Conservation and Sports Association gun range. He was present for a brief hearing in 53rd District Court in Brighton where Judge Theresa Brennan determined there was good cause to exceed the 14-day rule for an exam, saying there’s a multitude of discovery that needs to be done. Stearn told authorities his replica AK-47 had jammed and that when he tried to clear it, it misfired and hit Kimball in the head, killing him instantly. He had pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge originally filed by prosecutors because there was no evidence to support that Stearn intended to kill Kimball. However that all changed recently when new evidence in the case surfaced, reportedly statements Stearn made to fellow inmates in the Livingston County Jail that he had intentionally killed Kimball over an unpaid debt, resulting in the current charges being filed. Following the crime last year, Sheriff Bob Bezotte said they were unable to reproduce the weapon malfunction and that witness statements contradicted the claim that it was an accident. An exam in the case has been scheduled for Thursday, June 13th. (JM) http://whmi.com/news/article/17171 http://whmi.com/news/article/17171 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17171/17171.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17171 Wed, 22 May 2013 16:32:00 EDT 5/22/13 - State officials are continuing their investigation into an explosion in Dexter last month that killed one man and injured a Livingston County man. The April 22nd explosion at the village of Dexter’s waste water treatment plant is thought to have happened after methane gas was ignited while workers were cutting a piece of steel off of a tank. The work was part of a $3.3 million project to enhance sludge handling at the plant. The Dexter Leader reports that details surrounding the incident came up at a Chelsea Area Fire Authority meeting Tuesday morning. Dexter Fire Chief Jim Payeur told the board the cutting of the tank lid was not properly permitted. He also said village employees were present during the work who should not have been there. 48-year-old Michael Koch of Brooklyn was killed by the blast, while 23-year-old David McBridge of Howell was injured. Both the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the blast. However, sheriff’s officials have reportedly said they don’t believe any criminal charges will be filed in the case. (JK) http://whmi.com/news/article/17169 http://whmi.com/news/article/17169 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17169/17169.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17169 Wed, 22 May 2013 16:07:00 EDT 5/22/13 - A monument to honor the veterans of America’s wars over the past century is now on display at Hartland Cemetery. The monument was put in place this afternoon by the American Legion Hartland Post 415, which has been working to design and construct a new memorial for about three years. Skilled workers from the community helped obtain and assemble the materials for the monument. It is a four-foot pyramid made of aluminum. The eastern face features the image of a doughboy to honor the soldiers of World War I, the northern face features the iconic “Kilroy was here” image from World War II, and the western face has bronze medallions honoring every branch of military service including the merchant marines. The southern face is backed by vegetation and was left blank. The overall cost paid by the Legion Post was about $2,000. The monument will be dedicated at a ceremony at 11am on Memorial Day. (TD) http://whmi.com/news/article/17170 http://whmi.com/news/article/17170 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17170/17170.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17170 Wed, 22 May 2013 16:01:00 EDT 5/22/13 - Security in the Howell school district will be internalized this fall now that the Howell School Board has approved the creation of a school resource officer position. The district currently contracts with the Howell Police Department for $43,000 per year to provide a security officer to the district. A motion passed by the board last week will replace that contract with a new SRO employed exclusively by the district with the money that would otherwise have gone toward the contract. Superintendent Ron Wilson says the job will go to a security officer and retired policeman who currently works at Parker Middle School and is the husband of a Howell teacher. Wilson says with the recent issues related to school security going on nation-wide, it is important for the district to have someone who can perform building assessments, examine safety procedures, and provide training for other staff members. The SRO will also have a full set of keys and maps for every building in the district, so if an incident does occur he can provide access and layout information to emergency responders. The new position will begin in August. (TD) http://whmi.com/news/article/17104 http://whmi.com/news/article/17104 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17104/17104.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17104 Wed, 22 May 2013 12:50:00 EDT 5/22/13 - Some single-family homes in Howell Township will be rezoned if a proposed “airport service” zoning district is approved. The township planning commission held a public hearing at its regular meeting last night, although no members of the public attended. The new zoning district will include portions of the township’s heavy commercial and regional service commercial zoning districts north of the intersection of Grand River and M-59, covering the entire area currently occupied by the Spencer J. Hardy Airport. It will also include a small portion of the single-family residential district north of Bowen Road and east of Burkhart. Township Planning Consultant Ben Carlisle tells WHMI those parcels were included because they have redevelopment potential for the growing airport, but residents there will be grandfathered in as a residential use in perpetuity, allowing residents to live in their homes and sell them as single-family residences as long as they like. However, the nonconforming use for a home in the airport district will expire if it goes unoccupied for too long. Carlisle says it is the hope of the township that allowing residents to sell their parcels as something other than single-family homes will increase their property values. The township planner is currently researching concerns of the commission and will report back on the proposed district next month. (TD) http://whmi.com/news/article/17165 http://whmi.com/news/article/17165 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17165/17165.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17165 Wed, 22 May 2013 12:49:00 EDT 5/22/13 - Three students from Howell Public Schools were the winners of a Memorial Day essay contest. The Grant Sweet Memorial Essay Contest is sponsored annually by the Friends of the Hartland Cromaine District Library and American Legion Post 415 of Hartland Township. The contest is in memory of the library's former building manager Grant Sweet, who passed away in 2010. Livingston County students in grades 7-12 were invited to write about friends and loved ones in the military. The grand prize winner was Howell High School 10th-grader Zachary Palmieri, who wrote about his grandfather. He won $300. Second place went to Ashley Dunn, a seventh-grader at Highlander Way Middle School, who won $200 writing about her friend. Third place went to Morgan Holt, an eighth-grader at Highlander Way, who wrote about her brother and received $100. All three also received commemorative medals. The essays will be printed in the 2014 Hartland Memorial Day parade booklet. Pictured from left to right: Dwight Sachau (Hartland American Legion Post), Morgan Holt, Ashley Dunn, Don Smith (Hartland American Legion Post), and Zachary Palmieri. (JK) http://whmi.com/news/article/17168 http://whmi.com/news/article/17168 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17168/17168.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17168 Wed, 22 May 2013 10:46:00 EDT 5/22/13 - Congressman Mike Rogers, the Howell Republican who is chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, is being credited by colleagues on the opposite side of the political aisle with pulling off a rare feat in a bitterly divided Congress: creating a working, productive relationship with Democrats in overseeing the nation's 16 spy agencies. The camaraderie of the four leaders of the House and Senate Intelligence panels - Rogers, Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md., and Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga. - is so unusual that they even traveled together recently on a four-country, five-day Mideast trip. What they got was a better understanding of the unfulfilled promises of the Arab Spring - from Egypt, where the West wonders about economic stability and human rights under Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, to Jordan, which is grappling with a growing refugee crisis from the two-year civil war in Syria. There were stops in Saudi Arabia and Israel, and plenty of discussions about strategy for getting a cybersecurity bill through Congress. Feinstein, a California Democrat who is Rogers' Senate counterpart, describes him as "a positive leader, which we need." She adds: "We don't need more negative." Rogers laments the partisanship that he says has crept into the national security arena - a region he feels should be a political "neutral zone." The question now is whether Rogers sticks around in the House or fulfills GOP hopes and runs for the U.S. Senate seat from Michigan. Rogers - a seven-term House member - says he's weighing a Senate run but has made no decision. He has also been mentioned as a possible successor to lead the FBI. (JK) http://whmi.com/news/article/17167 http://whmi.com/news/article/17167 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17167/17167.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17167 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:06:00 EDT 5/22/13 - Charges have been filed against twin brothers from Fowlerville who police say were involved in a home invasion in Hamburg Township last week. 25-year-old Kyle Norman Bennett and Kevin Michael Bennett were arraigned on charges of home invasion, unlawful driving away of a vehicle, receiving and concealing stolen property valued at less than $20,000, and possession of a stolen credit card. Hamburg Township Police officers were dispatched on May 13th to a break-in at a home on Bishop Lake Road near Chilson Road. They say the invasion occurred while the residents were at work and several items were stolen from the house, including the owner’s 2006 Mercedes Benz. An investigation followed, which led Hamburg police and the Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team, or LAWNET, to observe the area near Ford Road and Haggerty in Canton Township. According to a press release, a Hamburg officer spotted the stolen car and gave chase to the location under observation by police. Officers from both agencies worked to stop the car and arrest the two men inside without incident. (TD) http://whmi.com/news/article/17164 http://whmi.com/news/article/17164 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17164/17164.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17164 Wed, 22 May 2013 06:48:00 EDT 5/22/13 - The Howell City Council has adopted an ordinance creating a historic district for The Opera House. A public hearing was held at Monday night’s meeting, followed by Council approval of the Opera House Historic District Ordinance. It was introduced earlier this month and includes language setting up the framework for creating historic districts, appointing study committees and historic district commissions, the duties of those, and the standards by which a historic district commission must review work. The historic district will consist of The Opera House building only and will not affect other properties. The creation of the district will allow The Livingston Arts Council to leverage potential tax credits and other grant opportunities. Council also approved the report completed by the Opera House Historic District Study Committee, which was sent to the State Historic Preservation Office in March and review comments were incorporated into the final report. Finally, Council approved appointments to the Historic District Commission, which will review all proposed work that impacts the exterior of the Opera House. (JM) http://whmi.com/news/article/17162 http://whmi.com/news/article/17162 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17162/17162.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17162 Wed, 22 May 2013 05:10:00 EDT 5/22/13 - A Gregory man was hospitalized after losing control of his vehicle Monday night in Unadilla Township. Township police say the 30-year-old driver was southbound on Unadilla Road near Williamsville Road shortly after 9pm when he lost control, veered across the northbound lane and hit the northbound guardrail to a creek north of Williamsville Road. The driver, who had to be extricated by Unadilla Township Firefighters using the Jaws of Life, sustained leg injuries and was transported to the U of M Medical Center by Livingston County Ambulance. The incident remains under investigation by township police. (JK) http://whmi.com/news/article/17166 http://whmi.com/news/article/17166 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17166/17166.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17166 Wed, 22 May 2013 04:48:00 EDT 5/22/13 - Hartland Cemetery will have a new monument today to honor the veterans of all the veterans of American wars during the 20th century. The new monument was conceived and produced by American Legion Post 415 in Hartland after the idea for a World War II monument was suggested about three years ago. The post decided to make a monument instead to all of the veterans of the last century. It was designed by committee and constructed with the help of local skilled workers. The overall cost to Post 415 was about $2,000. The main portion is a four-foot pyramid made of aluminum. The images on the pyramid will include a doughboy soldier commemorating World War I veterans, the iconic “Kilroy was here” image to commemorate World War II veterans, and bronze medallions for all the branches of the US military including the merchant marines. The fourth side of the pyramid is hidden by vegetation and will be left blank. The monument will be put in place at noon today and then formally dedicated at a ceremony on Memorial Day beginning at 11am. (TD) http://whmi.com/news/article/17163 http://whmi.com/news/article/17163 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17163/17163.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17163 Wed, 22 May 2013 02:46:00 EDT 5/22/13 - The American Red Cross is preparing to deploy both local and regional volunteers following Monday's devastation in Oklahoma. The National Weather Service says the tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma was a top-of-the-scale EF-5 twister with winds of at least 200 mph. It flattened homes and demolished an elementary school, killing dozens. The American Red Cross currently has volunteers at the sites they’re able to access and have opened up shelters while providing mass care and feeding. The Red Cross will also be starting distribution, which involves passing out items victims will need in the clean-up process. Regional Emergency Service Director for the Central and Northern Michigan Region Joan Meinke says she fully expects volunteers from the state and region will be deployed but they will need to wait until the system ramps up to that point and they’re ready. She says the devastation is horrific and the best way individuals can help is to donate financially. Complete details can be found in the release below. Meanwhile, the youth ministries with the Community Bible Church of Brighton have put together a car wash this Saturday. It’s being offered free to anyone who stops by and all donations will benefit the communities affected by the tornadoes in Oklahoma. AP Photo. (JM) http://whmi.com/news/article/17160 http://whmi.com/news/article/17160 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17160/17160.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17160 Wed, 22 May 2013 00:14:00 EDT 5/21/13 - A jury has convicted a man charged with murdering a Livingston County resident who had reportedly tried to help the suspect’s wife from an abusive relationship. An Oakland County Circuit Court jury on Monday convicted 38-year-old Ronald Lewis Kennedy of 2nd degree murder, assault with intent to murder and domestic violence against his wife. Charles MacDonald Shiffman of Pinckney was found dead of multiple stab wounds December 1st in the front yard of a home in northern Oakland County's Rose Township. Police say Kennedy stabbed the 34-year-old Pinckney man several times after finding him at the house with his wife, 31-year-old Jessica Kennedy. Shiffman’s family say the two were long-time friends and that he had gone to the home at the woman’s request to help her get out of an abusive relationship. Kennedy’s mother claims her son was attacked inside his home and was merely defending himself. After stabbing Shiffman, Police say Kennedy stabbed his wife and forced her into a car before fleeing the area. He was later stopped by police and arrested. Following yesterday’s verdict, Kennedy’s bond was revoked and he was ordered held pending his sentencing set for June 12th. He faces up to life in prison. (JK) http://whmi.com/news/article/17158 http://whmi.com/news/article/17158 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17158/17158.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17158 Tue, 21 May 2013 17:49:00 EDT 5/21/13 - The Livingston County Board of Commissioners heard a “state of the judiciary” presentation last night to learn the status and future goals of the local court system. Probate Court Administrator James Duquet says court officials decided to produce the presentation after other county departments began providing similar annual updates. Several court officials, in the presence of Probate Court Judge Miriam Cavanaugh and District Court Judge Theresa Brennan, provided the board with information on the caseload, revenues, and trends of the past year. Overall the number of court cases was down in 2012, while the general complexity of cases is on the rise. Duquet outlined five objectives that will be pursued by the courts over the next year; timely and efficient case processing, effective use of funding, positive outcomes for citizens in the courts, keeping staff well-trained and informed, and increasing accessibility of court services to the public. He tells WHMI administrators are still working out the best way to pursue those goals, but work is already being done to eliminate redundancy among court administration and improve efficiency. He says technological improvements are also a high priority. Duquet says this was the first ‘state of the judiciary’ presentation that involved all of the county’s court systems, but he expects it to become an annual occurrence. (TD) http://whmi.com/news/article/17156 http://whmi.com/news/article/17156 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17156/17156.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17156 Tue, 21 May 2013 15:57:00 EDT 5/21/13 - A Jackson man charged with stealing catalytic converters is now wanted locally after failing to appear in court. A bench warrant was issued for 32-year-old Jeffrey Kern Monday after he failed to appear in Livingston County Circuit Court. Judge David Reader also revoked his bond, and records showed he earlier posted 10% of a $50,000 bond that was set. Kern is charged with larceny of $1,000 or more and receiving and concealing stolen property. He was arrested with 23-year-old Heather Anders on January 28th after officers patrolling the area near Michael’s Auto Salvage in Howell discovered 13 catalytic converters along Lucy Road that had been stolen off cars within the junkyard, along with saws and other tools. Anders was sentenced earlier this month to jail and probation for her role as the alleged getaway driver. (JM) http://whmi.com/news/article/17153 http://whmi.com/news/article/17153 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17153/17153.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17153 Tue, 21 May 2013 14:52:00 EDT 5/21/13 - Larry Schillinger, a cheerleader for the Brighton community for many years, has announced that he has withdrawn from the City Council race. That leaves five people in the running for four council seats. Schillinger tells WHMI that after filing nominating petitions last week, he decided he had been on council long enough and it is time to give others the chance to serve. He withdrew in time to meet the 72-hour deadline for withdrawing, and as a result, his name will not appear on the November election ballot. Schillinger served two consecutive 4-year terms starting in 1997, then took two years off, and in 2009 was elected to a 4-year term which expires this November. He has also served on Brighton's Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission and is currently a member of the Traffic Safety Advisory Commission. He was the city's liaison to the Brighton Area Fire Authority Board for several years, starting with its inception in 1999. Schillinger, who is 69, is a partner in 4windsrealty.com. (TT) http://whmi.com/news/article/17150 http://whmi.com/news/article/17150 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17150/17150.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17150 Tue, 21 May 2013 13:56:00 EDT 5/21/13 - The Brighton Area Schools will be borrowing $2 million in a short-term loan to be able to meet payroll and other obligations before state school aid starts coming in next fall. The Board of Education Monday night approved the loan through Comerica Bank at an interest rate of 0.625, or slightly over six-tenths of a percent. Superintendent Greg Gray tells WHMI that normally the district would go through the state to borrow the money, but that was not possible this time around. Gray told the board that loans are normally negotiated at an interest rate of over two per cent, explaining that the tiny interest rate is due to the short-term nature of the loan, which he says will be paid off by this fall. Assistant Superintendent of Finance Maria Gistinger says the loan will cost the district about $12,000 in interest. (TT) http://whmi.com/news/article/17152 http://whmi.com/news/article/17152 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17152/17152.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17152 Tue, 21 May 2013 04:01:00 EDT 5/21/13 - A motion urging Governor Snyder and state lawmakers to take action to repair Michigan’s deteriorating roads and bridges was approved by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners last night. The board has received briefings on the topic from several sources, including Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, and the Michigan Association of Counties. The resolution states that 32% of the state’s roads are currently in poor condition and that number will jump to 65% by 2018 if action is not taken. It also says one third of all fatal and serious traffic accidents in Michigan are linked in part to the poor condition of the roadway. The commission says improving the roads will improve the economy and save the lives of Michigan drivers. Commissioner Steve Williams tells WHMI that the county spends all of its road money as efficiently as possible, and it is up to the state government to make a bigger effort to maintain our roads and bridges. He says the board does not mean to tell the state government how to do its job, nor to encourage tax increases. However, the resolution points out that the 6% sales tax goes to the state government’s general fund rather than road repair projects, and suggests that a $10 billion investment over ten years could prevent 100 traffic-related deaths and create 12,000 local jobs. (TD) http://whmi.com/news/article/17157 http://whmi.com/news/article/17157 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17157/17157.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17157 Tue, 21 May 2013 01:59:00 EDT 5/21/13 - The Howell City Council adopted the budget for the upcoming fiscal year at Monday night’s meeting, which basically maintains status quo to get through the year and see how things look down the road. The budget did include a continuation of the city garbage tax, which was why Councilman Doug Heins voted against it. The overall budget does not raise taxes and maintains the same millage rate as the year before although the fund balance will be reduced by $51,000, bringing it to just over $1.5 (m) million. The budget includes the hire of a police officer but prior to approval, Councilman Al Schlittler had sought to amend the budget and shift funds from other areas to hire a second officer. He also sought to reduce the garbage tax, which sunsets at the end of next year. Some members were surprised by the suggestion since it never came up during multiple budget work sessions. Many expressed that they were open to future discussions but didn’t feel comfortable the City has the money right now. Last night’s budget adoption does not preclude Council from looking at adding an officer in the future and the amendment failed to pass, although Mayor Phil Campbell and Heins voted in favor of it. Council considers budget amendments based on revised financial projections, typically on a quarterly basis. New personal property tax exemptions begin in the 2014/2015 year, which spell a loss of $50,000 per year in tax revenue for the city. City Manager Shea Charles says they are seeing signs of positive tax base growth for the first time but the budget still included another 5% reduction in overall taxable value, mostly due to the various tax tribunal cases the City went through last year. With tax tribunals due at the end of the month, he says they should be able to get an idea of what kind of exposure the City may or may not have this year. (JM) http://whmi.com/news/article/17155 http://whmi.com/news/article/17155 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17155/17155.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17155 Tue, 21 May 2013 01:45:00 EDT 5/21/13 - The criminal cases against four people charged with selling pot to an undercover officer at a now-closed medical marijuana dispensary in Handy Township are moving forward again. Alan Marshall and his wife Christi were the owners of Marshall Alternatives on Fowlerville Road, which was raided twice by police in 2011. They were charged along with two employees, Stephanie Baxter and April Smith, for allegedly selling marijuana illegally to an undercover officer. Defense attorneys say it was a case of entrapment and that undercover officers used a fake driver’s license and medical marijuana registry card to make the purchases, which their clients thought were legally protected. Their cases were on hold pending a ruling from the Michigan Supreme Court, which finally came in February when the justices affirmed the state's right to shut down dispensaries that sell marijuana on the grounds that they are a public nuisance. The decision allowed the case against Marshall Alternatives to move forward. All four defendants are scheduled to appear for a pre-trial hearing in Livingston County Circuit Court June 21st. The registered caregiver-to-patient transaction remains legal but the high court’s ruling banned both compensated and un-compensated transactions between patients with state-issued cards. The state's 2008 medical marijuana law makes no mention of dispensaries, nor does it indicate how people should obtain the drug. (JM/JK) http://whmi.com/news/article/17154 http://whmi.com/news/article/17154 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17154/17154.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17154 Tue, 21 May 2013 00:40:00 EDT 5/21/13 - Following a buyout from a French company, a Hartland Township business is celebrating more than 25 years of producing meteorological measurement devices, growing from a basement start-up to an international subsidiary. Pete Szekeres began Dynamic Technology Incorporated in 1987 in his basement following four years in the Air Force and twelve years with Honeywell. He was quickly able to move into a strip mall storefront on Old US-23 and then eventually into a custom-made facility just down the road where the firm has been located since 1999. Since then, the company has expanded to Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas and Houston and employs more than 180 people making calibration devices for acoustics, electronics, pressure, temperature and vibration products. In 2011 the company was bought by the French firm Trescal, the world’s largest provider of metrology services. To help celebrate this growth, Trescal is holding an open house tomorrow from 10am to 3pm with demonstrations, tours and contests. (JK) http://whmi.com/news/article/17159 http://whmi.com/news/article/17159 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17159/17159.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17159 Tue, 21 May 2013 00:10:00 EDT 5/20/13 - An adult foster-care facility in Brighton was the target of a complaint and subsequent state investigation earlier this year. Evelyn Longsworth of Genoa Township had her husband placed in building #3 at Ashley Court in Brighton in February of last year after his Alzheimer’s conditions progressed. He passed away last August. In January, she filed a formal complaint with the Michigan Department of Human Services alleging the ratio of direct staff care to residents was not adequate, and the staff shortage resulted in residents not receiving adequate supervision, personal care and protection. There were also allegations that residents fall frequently and injure themselves. The state conducted surprise on-site investigations earlier this year and issued an inspection report in April. Due to violations identified in two recent reports regarding Ashley Court in Brighton, a written corrective action plan was required. The licensee of Ashley Court, Rubin Chandok, has since submitted that plan to the Bureau of Child and Adult Licensing. A DHS spokesman told WHMI both reports have been addressed by the licensee to the satisfaction of the bureau and it did not take any disciplinary action beyond citing Ashley Court for the violations. A link to the investigation reports and related documents can be found below. (JM) http://whmi.com/news/article/17149 http://whmi.com/news/article/17149 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17149/17149.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17149 Mon, 20 May 2013 17:22:00 EDT 5/20/13 - Safety belt enforcement zones will be seen across Livingston County starting today as the annual two-week Click It or Ticket campaign moves into full swing. Local police departments, sheriff offices and Michigan State Police Posts in 26 counties including Livingston will conduct federally funded safety belt enforcement zones through the busy Memorial Day travel weekend. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning coordinates the annual seat belt mobilization and enforcement zones are marked with large portable signs. Law enforcement officers are stationed throughout Livingston County looking for and stopping un-buckled motorists. Michigan law requires all drivers and passengers 15 years of age and younger in any seating position to be buckled up. Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8-years-old or 4 feet 9 inches tall. Although Michigan led the nation in seat belt use for two years running, state officials say it has declined for the last three years. Last year’s belt use was at 93.6%. Of the ten people who died over the Memorial Day holiday period in 2012, three of the seven vehicle occupants were not wearing a seat belt. (JM) http://whmi.com/news/article/17147 http://whmi.com/news/article/17147 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17147/17147.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17147 Mon, 20 May 2013 13:30:00 EDT 5/20/13 - A local veteran is looking to help other vets with a journey next month across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Joe Ostervik, a Vietnam veteran from Howell, will be walking over 200 miles beginning June 6th in Munising to support Operation Injured Soldiers. He is calling the fundraiser JOIS Walkabout, which stands for Joe’s Operation Injured Soldier Walkabout. Ostervik says the trek, which will end at the Mackinac Bridge, should take about 20 days and cover 215 miles. He will be camping out nights. Ostervik is gathering pledges and donations for his trip, all of it to benefit South Lyon-based Operation Injured Soldiers. The organization provides hunting, fishing, sporting events and camping trips, along with many other outdoor recreational activities, to disabled veterans to help with their physical and mental rehabilitation. Ostervik says he'd like to raise $20,000. Tax deductible checks can be sent to; Operation Injured Soldier, 22645 Pontiac Trail South Lyon, MI 48178. Specify the donation is for JOIS Walkabout. You can find details online through the link below. (JK) http://whmi.com/news/article/17145 http://whmi.com/news/article/17145 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17145/17145.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17145 Mon, 20 May 2013 13:28:00 EDT 5/20/13 - A Handy Township man who led police on a chase and then crashed the vehicle has pleaded guilty in a deal reached with prosecutors. 26-year-old Andrew Keeler pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful driving away of a vehicle, 3rd degree fleeing a police officer and operating with a high blood alcohol content of .17% or more, which is double the legal limit. The deal stipulates that he will be referred to the drug court program and may withdraw his plea if that is not granted. Keeler also agreed to pay full restitution and will be sentenced on June 13th in Livingston County Circuit Court. The Livingston County Sheriff's Department says Keeler was clocked traveling 121 mph along westbound I-96 near the Lake Chemung exit on April 4th and fled when a unit tried to stop him. A chase ensued and Keeler led police into the Howell area and along Mason Road. Deputies eventually terminated the pursuit for the safety of the public but were notified shortly thereafter that Keeler crashed on Mason near Truhn Road. Police say he sustained minor injuries and was jailed. (JK) http://whmi.com/news/article/17146 http://whmi.com/news/article/17146 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17146/17146.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17146 Mon, 20 May 2013 13:07:00 EDT 5/20/13 - Local residents have a chance to make their opinions or concerns known to state government officials during two events planned in Brighton and Howell. Officials from Republican Governor Rick Snyder's administration are planning to travel across the state this week to take suggestions and answer questions from residents. Representatives from the Office of Constituent Services will visit locations in Livingston, Washtenaw, Ingham, Shiawassee, Clinton and Ionia Counties this Thursday and Friday. Snyder's office says topics that are open for discussion include the state budget and opportunities for getting involved in state government. Snyder says his goal is to make government as accessible as possible and is encouraging everyone interested to attend the meetings. Staff will meet with constituents this Thursday from 8 to 10am at Bagels & Bites on Whitmore Lake Road in Brighton Township and then from 11am until 1pm at Howelling Coffee on M-59 in Howell. (JM) http://whmi.com/news/article/17148 http://whmi.com/news/article/17148 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17148/17148.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17148 Mon, 20 May 2013 13:01:00 EDT 5/20/13 - The Howell Board of Education heard a presentation last week on a program that is helping improve the lives of students with special needs. The Teaching, Interacting, and Encouraging Students program, or TIES, began last fall at Howell High School. It is a peer-mentoring program wherein students with special needs are each connected with another student for support. The mentor accompanies the TIES student to one class each day to encourage them in positive academic, social and behavioral skills. Following a video presentation at its May 13th meeting, the school board heard from several of the TIES students and their mentors. All of them gave strong endorsements for the program, which they say improved their school experience and helped them form new friendships. Organizers say the program has resulted in better attendance, grades, social skills, and overall behavior, as well as allowing the participants to better connect to their peers. They thanked the board for allowing its creation and hoped that it could continue helping students with special needs for years to come. (TD) http://whmi.com/news/article/17141 http://whmi.com/news/article/17141 http://whmi.com/news/photo/small/17141/17141.jpg http://whmi.com/news/article/17141 Mon, 20 May 2013 04:32:00 EDT