WHMI 93.5 FM - Latest News Headlines

Top Brighton Area Firefighters Honored at BAFD Awards Program

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:16:00 EST

2/5/12 - The annual Brighton Area Fire Department awards program, held Friday evening at the Brighton Performing Arts Center, gave the tight-knit firefighting community a chance to say good-bye to outgoing chief Larry Lane. His official retirement day was Friday. Lane came to Brighton in 1995 after serving as Westland fire chief. The popular Lane retired initially in 2005, but was coaxed back in 2009 after problems resulted in the ouster of a former chief. Lane, now 65, says he plans to do a lot of fishing at his vacation home in Alcona County in Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula. Friday night was also an occasion to recognize firefighters who went above and beyond the call of duty during the past year. The top award - firefighter of the year - was presented to Michel Harris, who was also handed a promotion yesterday, according to Michael O’Brian, who was formally installed as the new fire chief. Named firefighter of the year at the individual fire stations where they are assigned were Chris Benedict, Colin Tunison, Steve Hoyer, Joe Daniel and Don Bignall. Benedict is assigned to the Brighton fire station; Tunison, the Brighton Twp. Station on Old US-23; Hoyer, the Weber Street station off East Grand River; Daniel, the Dorr Road station and Bignall, the Chilson Road station. The latter two stations are located in Genoa Township. It was also announced that a resolution in the state legislature has been sponsored by State Senator Joe Hune and State Rep. Bill Rogers honoring Harris as overall BAFD firefighter of the year. Fire Captain Larry Dewachter was also honored for his 25 years of service. (TT)

Woman Charged With Abuse & Torture Of 3-Month-Old Grandson

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:49:00 EST

2/3/12 - A local woman has been charged in yet another disturbing child abuse case. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department says 34 -year-old Sara Rae Walters was arrested and lodged in the Livingston County Jail on charges of 1st degree child abuse and torture following an extensive three month investigation. Sheriff Bob Bezotte tells WHMI the 3-month-old boy suffered the abuse at the hands of Walters, his step-grandmother, at their Oceola Township home. Bezotte says Walters was purposely taking the baby to a hospital outside of Livingston County on October 21st when he stopped breathing, so she pulled off on US-23 and called 911. Deputies arrived and noticed bruises and marks all over the baby’s body and called in EMS paramedics who revived the child and transported him to the hospital where he was found to have more than 60 different injuries including head trauma, a core body temperature of 88 degrees and numerous other superficial lacerations and contusions. Bezotte says the investigation took a while because there were so many people living inside the home and no one was cooperating but detectives were eventually able to put the case together. Bezotte says the baby is doing much better and was removed from the home and Child Protective Services is involved. He adds that the baby was actually a twin and apparently had more health complications and challenges than the other child who was not abused. Walters faces life in prison if convicted on the torture charge. She is set to appear in 53rd District Court for an exam February 13th. (JM)

Howell School Board Set To Discuss Latson Interchange

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:55:00 EST

2/3/12 - The Howell Public School’s Board of Education will meet in special session next week to discuss the Latson Road interchange and approve a contract offer for an executive director of labor relations and personnel. A special meeting is set for 7pm next Wednesday, February 8th at the Livingston County Road Commission offices. However, a joint mediation session is scheduled earlier in the day between the teams representing Howell Public Schools and Genoa Township, which have been working to negotiate a land deal for a necessary parcel owned by the school district. Superintendent Ron Wilson tells WHMI that he believes they are close to an agreement and the mediation session will take place from 2 to 5pm Wednesday. He says the Board of Education will then meet at 7pm and is expected to discuss the interchange matter in closed session. In other business at the meeting, the board will consider and potentially approve a contract through June of 2014 for Cassandra Harmon-Higgins with an annual salary of $115,000. If approved, Harmon-Higgins would serve as the replacement for Kristen Clark, who resigned in December to take a job with the Washtenaw County Intermediate School District. Clark’s tenure had saved the district thousands of dollars in legal fees because of her status as a licensed attorney, a service Harmon-Higgins will also presumably be able to offer. She is currently the in-house counsel for Michigan AFSCME Council 25. (JK)

Fenton Robotics Team Seeks Votes In Worldwide Challenge

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:37:00 EST

2/3/12 - A Fenton robotics team taking part in a worldwide competition is asking for some community support. The White Wolves Lego Robotics Team is based out of Fenton and comprised of nine students in grades 4th through 8th. The team competed locally and placed 8th overall statewide and has since entered the First® Lego® League Challenge. White Wolves Coach Kim Weber says the team had to discover a problem in food safety and then create a way to solve it. When researching their idea, she says the kids discovered there are no expiration dates on meats purchased from the deli department in grocery stores so they surveyed people and spoke with local restaurant delis for input. After discovering that spoiled meats emit methane gas, she says they determined a way to detect it. Members of the USDA, U of M, and MSU’s food safety divisions looked at their test strip idea. MSU referred them to a chemical testing facility to test the strips for them and Weber says not only did they work, but there is currently no patent for them. The team is now asking for the community to vote for its project in the competition and a link to the site may be found below. The team with the most votes will win funding that can be used to patent the product. (JM)

Committee to Seek Alternative to Pinckney Elementary Closing

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:25:00 EST

2/3/12 - A committee of parents, staff, and administrators from the Pinckney school district will offer a recommendation for how to handle the district’s declining enrollment before the end of the school year. Pinckney Schools have lost almost one fifth of their student body since peaking in the 2003-2004 school year at 5,200 students. This has caused a loss of millions of dollars in funding and several school buildings operating well below capacity. Last month, Superintendent Dan Danosky recommended that the district close Pinckney Elementary and restructure the district to include three K through 3 schools, with 4th and 5th grades in their own building and 6th through 8th in another. Parents and school staff expressed displeasure at the recommendation, and some claimed that the school board is required by its own bylaws to seek input from a community advisory committee. The board’s executive committee recommended that such a committee be formed. School Board President Anne Colone tells WHMI that the board approved the creation of such a committee last night, and that it will consist of a parent and a staff member from every school in the district, two principals, both assistant superintendents, school board liaison George Rogers, and Personnel Director Brian Higgins as its chair. The 22 committee members will be chosen by school principals and PTO leaders. The board expects to have a recommendation from the committee by May 3rd for implementation next school year. (TD)

Brighton Council Changes Course on Vets Memorial Project

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:31:00 EST

2/3/12 - The city of Brighton will no longer act as the collection agency for funds donated toward the Mill Pond Veterans’ Memorial project. Following an executive session, council moved Thursday night to rescind the original resolution creating the project and naming the city as the collection agency. Instead, the city will be asking a group – preferably a veterans’ organization - to step forward and volunteer to collect the funds so the project can move forward. The vote wasn’t unanimous, with City Council Member Jim Bohn voting no. Council had been presented with two possible options by City Attorney Paul Burns, with the first option being for the city to take ownership of the project and conduct public bidding. That option was rejected by council in favor of asking a private group to take it over. The action followed criticism in some quarters over the city’s involvement, saying a municipality should not be the collecting agency for a project funded through private donations. Bohn tells WHMI he favored the city retaining its involvement primarily because of the time factor, saying the change in direction will set the project back several months or more. The donations collected so far will be returned to the donors. The Veterans’ Memorial is one of several planned improvements listed in the Mill Pond master plan, which was revised last December, after months of study and public meetings. The city is looking for an organization with 501(c)3 non-profit status, which would make the donor’s contribution tax-deductible. The two main veterans’ groups in the area – the VFW and the American Legion – do not currently have 501(c)3 status. (TT)

Bid Accepted to Make Green Oak Township's Lighting Greener

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:30:00 EST

2/2/12 - The Green Oak Township Board awarded a bid Wednesday night for the replacement of all the lights in its municipal buildings with high-efficiency LED’s. Township Accountant Linda Vance sought out the $75,000 grant that was awarded to Green Oak in November and will be used to provide LED lights that will use less power and last longer than the fluorescent lights currently installed. The upgrade will take place before the end of June and will apply to the township’s three fire stations, police station, and township hall. The township itself must pay about $21,000 for the labor to install the lights, which will be made up through a 70% reduction in the township’s lighting bill. This is estimated to equal $1,000 per month in savings. The bid accepted by the township board was not the lowest offered, but provided materials produced exclusively in Michigan while others used Chinese materials. The bidder will also provide education and instruction on high-efficiency lighting to the township board and citizens, which is a requirement of the grant. The township will be required to dispose of the old fluorescent lights in an environmentally-safe manner, but the board will also explore the option of donating the still-functional bulbs to local schools. (TD)

Professional Theater Set To Open In Brighton This Spring

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:23:00 EST

2/3/12 - An empty warehouse is expected to be transformed into a new arts theater in Livingston County. The Dionysus Theater is set to open up in a space off of Grand River this spring. Owner/Artistic Director Steve DeBruyne says the plan is to put in 370 seats, build a stage, add lighting and sound equipment, hire great local talent and start putting on some shows. The name is based on a Greek god who DeBruyne says was a theater patron said to be surrounded by muses of all types, which he felt was a good fit. The 32-year-old DeBruyne grew up here and attended high school in Howell before moving to New York and attending a performing arts school but now resides in Pinckney. As a young actor, he tells WHMI he always wanted the opportunity to do more work professionally before making the jump to the big city but never got that chance so the goal is to build a professional theater company in Livingston County around the people that want to be a part of it. DeBruyne says this will be an opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy professional quality theater at home without having to travel so far away. He says they intend to put on plays and musicals and bring the classics to life. However, he says they also want to bring new productions to the area, which can be a challenge since many people don’t know the titles but he hopes the local community will be open to seeing new stuff and re-thinking their old musicals. DeBruyne adds that with so many different aspects of theater, they’ll be hosting open auditions March 4th and 5th to meet everyone in the community whether they’re old or young, can sing or dance, do impressions or otherwise. He says they’re planning to start rehearsals for their first production April 2nd and have a show opening in early May on the books, although the title has yet to be revealed. Six shows every season are anticipated with all funding for the operation coming from ticket sales. To learn more about the new theater, click on the link below. (JM)

Man Who Helped Capture Saddam To Speak In Brighton

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:41:00 EST

2/3/12 - An event later this month in Brighton will feature one of the men involved in capturing Saddam Hussein. Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Steve Russell will be the featured speaker Saturday, February 18th at a men’s luncheon at Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Russell served 21 years in the United States Army as an infantry officer in Kosovo, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq. During his command of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, he was widely covered in the media during the first year of the Iraq war. He and his unit were also featured in a BBC documentary about Hussein’s capture. Currently a state senator in Oklahoma, Russell is the author of a book about his experiences called “We Got Him! A Memoir of the Hunt and Capture of Saddam Hussein”. The luncheon is free, but registration is required. Call 810-227-9411 for details or e-mail; information@cornerstoneforlife.com. (JK)

Rogers Says Military Needs To "Scare" Iran

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:43:00 EST

2/2/12 - Congressman Mike Rogers says the U.S. military needs to do more to "scare" Iran away from pursuing nuclear weapons. The Howell Republican, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, made the comment to CNN in response to a new report by the Bipartisan Policy Center that says the United States must put more teeth into its threat to use military power to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions. While stopping short of advocating military action, Rogers indicated tangible military preparations need to go hand-in-hand with the Obama Administration’s sanctions and diplomatic efforts. He echoed those thoughts in an interview last week with WHMI. "We've gotten to a very strange place here internationally and I argue that this is a good time to reset the administration's policy so that they (Iran) understand that we have some certainty on what we will do and won't do. I would never tell them what we won't do and we just haven't quite gotten there yet so a lot of these problems are brewing because I think the administration is perceived as fairly weak and not in a position to do anything overseas and that's caused us a little bit of a problem." Rogers said the United States is obligated by treaty to defend Israel from attack even if such an attack were to follow an Israeli raid on Iran’s nuclear facilities. He says that’s why it’s imperative to make clear to Iran its pursuit of a nuclear weapon won’t be tolerated. (JK)

Woody Contradicts Phil, Says Spring Is On The Way

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:02:00 EST

2/2/12 - The Howell Nature Center's Woody the Woodchuck has again contradicted her better known weather prognosticator Punxsutawney Phil and predicted an early Spring. Woody stayed outside her plastic stump for the requisite 30 seconds this morning at the Howell Nature Center to affirm the forecast. That was in contrast to Punxsutawney Phil, who reportedly saw his shadow and returned to his burrow, meaning six more weeks of winter. Woody's handlers at the Howell Nature Center have touted her superior record in years past when compared to Phil and say this year should only improve on that. With the unseasonably mild weather, about 150 people turned out for the ceremony. That compares to the dozen or so last year that came out following a winter snowstorm that dumped at least six inches of snow. (JK)

Medical Marijuana Next Topic In County Planning Series

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:01:00 EST

2/2/12 - Medical marijuana will be the next featured topic in a local planning series. The Livingston County Department of Planning is continuing its Brown Bag Lunch Series, which is a quarterly event that brings together planning professionals and local governments in an informal setting to share ideas and network. Jill Thacher, the City of Ann Arbor’s Historic Preservation Coordinator and MSU Extension Educator James Ribbron will be speaking on the topic of medical marihuana. Organizers say both speakers have been instrumental in the creation and modification of community ordinances regarding medical marihuana and the impacts the controversial issue can have on individual municipalities. The informational event is being hosted this quarter by Brighton Township and will take place at the township hall on Buno Road on February 22nd at noon. Anyone interested in attending should RSVP with the Livingston County Department of Planning. (JM)

Suspect Heads To Trial On Felony Home Invasion Charges

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:37:00 EST

2/2/12 - A suspect charged in connection with two home invasions at a legal marijuana grow operation inside of a Highland Township residence is heading to trial. 17-year-old Rakeem Givens was bound over for trial on two felony counts of 2nd degree home invasion following an exam this week in 52-1 District Court in Novi. The charges stem from incidents on December 1st and 10th at a residence on Glengarry Court in the Highland Greens Estates Mobile Home Park. Authorities say the homeowner is a licensed medical marijuana caregiver who has a secured grow operation in his home. It was reported that some dried marijuana and $350 in cash was stolen during the first incident and two marijuana plants were taken the second time. The owner identified Givens as a possible suspect and he was later picked up and found to be in possession of marijuana and scales. Police say he admitted his involvement during an interview with a detective from the Oakland County Sheriff Department’s Highland Township substation. Givens will be arraigned in Oakland County Circuit Court February 10th. (JM)

Work To Begin On Transforming Fenton Fire Hall Into Brewery

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:38:00 EST

2/2/12 - Construction should be getting underway very soon on a new brewery in Fenton. Michigan Brewing Company is leasing the old fire hall building at South Leroy and Ellen Streets from the city. The city has worked out a seven-year lease agreement with the owners in which they pay $1 per year, plus property taxes on the 73-year-old building. The Fenton Downtown Development Authority is supplying up to 33 percent of the project costs, not to exceed $400,000. Deputy City Manager and DDA Director Michael Burns tells WHMI that the company is in the process of getting construction estimates and can pick up their building permit. Once they get estimates, Burns says he thinks they’ll be ready to begin construction so hopefully pretty soon and be operational by the end of the year. The Fenton brewery and restaurant will sell beer, wine and whiskey that will be produced on site. (JK)

Citizen Input Sought in Parks and Open Spaces Plan

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:52:00 EST

2/2/12 - The opinions of Livingston County residents are being sought before the County Parks and Open Spaces Committee submits its new five-year plan to the state. The plan is updated every five years by state mandate and outlines the county’s intentions for the parks, as well as the projected cost and timing of any plans or improvements. The newest form of the plan takes into account the new Fillmore property in Genoa Township, which was recently gifted to the county and will open to the public following some signage and financial changes, as well as planned improvements to the Lutz County Park (pictured). Public opinion on the five-year plan is being sought through the county planning commission and local libraries. A public hearing will also be held on the topic at the planning commission’s regular meeting on February 15th. The committee plans to put the plan before the County Commission for approval later this month and send it to the state before April 1st. This will allow the Parks and Open Spaces Committee to seek additional funding from the state called Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund and Passport Grants. To read the Parks and Open Spaces Master Plan and contact the committee with your opinions, go to the Planning Commission's website by clicking here. (TD)