WHMI 93.5 FM - Latest News Headlines

Lack Of Interest Stalls Howell Non-Public Program

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:50:00 EDT

8/20/08 - A lack of eligible students will put a plan on hold this year to offer elective courses in the Howell Public School District to home-schooled and parochial students. A meeting Tuesday night to gauge interest in the courses only drew about 30 people; most of whom it turned out would be unable to take the proposed classes because of a new state law. The recently passed legislation prevents nonpublic students from taking courses outside their home districts if those districts already offer it. Superintendent Ted Gardella tells WHMI that many of those who came to last night�s meeting were indeed from outside the Howell district. However, he says there also just weren�t the number of students they need to offer the courses and still generate revenue for the district. That was one of the key rationales supporters of the plan had put forward. At least 25 students would be needed for each class, but only 21 were interested at the elementary level, with just five or six at the middle or high school level. Gardella says based on those factors, its unlikely the district will move ahead this year. Gardella says if other districts were interested in a regional approach, then they might be able to offer something in the future. (JK)

Howell Bicyclist Critically Injured In Clinton County Crash

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:53:00 EDT

8/20/08 - A Howell man remains in critical condition after being hit by a car Monday in Clinton County. The 22 year old man, who is not being identified by the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, was riding a bike Monday afternoon in Victor Township when he was hit by a 2006 Saturn Vue traveling westbound on Round Lake Road. The Howell man, who is a Michigan State University student, was transported to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing and last listed in critical condition. The driver of the Saturn, a 42-year-old Laingsburg woman, along with two young passengers, was not injured. An investigation is continuing. (JK)

Howell Twp. Officials Skeptical About Truck Stop Roundabout

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:38:00 EDT

8/20/08 - The Howell Township Planning Commission got a chance Tuesday night to get a look at preliminary plans for the Road Trip Oasis Project, which would construct a top-of-the-line truck stop near the Tanger Outlet Center. Markham Enterprises, the Okemos-based company behind the project, is awaiting rezoning of the area to build the truck stop, which they say would be completed within a year. Besides the rezoning, the biggest obstacle is a proposed roundabout to handle the increased traffic volume, and township officials expressed skepticism that such a configuration could work there. Planning Commission Chairman Marie Karas says the project isn�t likely to proceed until another solution is found. But according to developer Randy Markham the roundabout wasn�t in their original plan. He said it was proposed by the Livingston County Road Commission. Markham says he has no preference about how to handle traffic as a roundabout would cost roughly the same amount as a standrad intersection improvement. A public hearing to discuss rezoning the property will be held on September 7th. The proposed truck stop would be an environmentally-friendly building with a 1969-theme. (JK)

Aria Booksellers In Downtown Howell To Close Doors

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:28:00 EDT

8/20/08 - The Howell businesswoman who brought thousands of people downtown with the release of every Harry Potter book is closing up shop. Mary Ellen Aria, owner of Aria Booksellers for the past six years, was earlier was forced to cut every employee and manage the business on her own in addition to raising three teens as a single mom. The business has been on the market since April but it never sold and Aria says it�s simply time to put family first and move on. Aria was well known for her popular downtown events and tells WHMI she leaves with great memories. All of the books in the store are on sale along with furniture and toys. Some furniture will be auctioned off in a silent auction on September 15th. After the storefront closes, a date for which has yet to be set, the business will run as an internet and telephone sales business. (JM)

Meeting To Kick Soccer Project Forward In Hartland Postponed

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:43:00 EDT

8/20/08 - There�s been another delay in the collaboration between Hartland Township and the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association. The MSYSA earlier offered $35,000 per acre for just under ten acres of township-owned parkland at Fenton Road and M-59 to construct its state headquarters and soccer fields. The township then entered into a purchase agreement with the association for the property. However, the land is part of a 65 acre parcel that was bought in 2001 with the help of a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Because the grant stipulated the land be used only for recreation, the DNR must approve of any deal. The township has since submitted a parks plan along with the purchase agreement to state officials for review and was expecting to get a ruling from the DNR at a meeting today in Lansing. But Hartland Township Trustee Joe Petrucci told WHMI that they were again left off the agenda. Petrucci says the DNR has promised an October meeting. He says they remain in contact with the association, which has agreed to wait until October while it finishes up financing. Petrucci says the DNR has promised an October meeting and he anticipates approval so they can proceed with the sale. (JM)

Open Burning Ban In Effect In Hartland & Deerfield Townships

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:39:00 EDT

8/20/08 - Due to the recent dry weather, an open burning ban is in effect for the areas serviced by the Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority. All outdoor burning is to be stopped until further notice, including campfires and fireworks. At Tuesday night�s Hartland Township Board meeting, Supervisor Bill Fountain stated that there was a brush fire at the Majestic Golf Course over the weekend, which was the result of a cigarette along with the dry and windy conditions. While the burning ban is in effect until significant rain hits in Hartland and Deerfield Townships, officials expressed that it would be best if all county residents abided by it. (JM)

Congressman Rogers Protests No Vote On Off-Shore Drilling

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:23:00 EDT

8/19/08 - As House Republicans began the fourth week of their floor protest Tuesday, Brighton Congressman Mike Rogers says the effort is beginning to have an impact. A handful of Republicans began the protest August 1st when Congress adjourned for its summer recess by remaining in Washington and holding ad-hoc sessions on the House floor while demanding that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi call legislators back into session and vote on expanding offshore oil drilling. Rogers was one of those congressmen making speeches today. He tells WHMI that Russia�s recent incursion into Georgia is proof positive that the United States needs to stop sending its money to foreign countries that harbor ill-intent. Rogers says that House Republicans are committed to getting a vote on opening up offshore oil drilling. While Speaker Pelosi said over the weekend that such a vote would take place when Congress returns to session in the first week of September, GOP leaders say it isn�t enough and want her to call an emergency session now. (JK/JM/LS)

ASE Survey: Local Employers Seek Cost Containment

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:10:00 EDT

8/19/08 - With the continued stagnant economy in Michigan, a recent survey of area businesses indicates that cost controls are a major priority. The 2008 Livingston County Benefit Survey was compiled by the American Society of Employers and polled 55 local companies, representing more than 12,000 workers. It�s a cooperative effort of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Michigan Works Livingston Service Center. Perhaps the biggest change from the last survey in 2006 concerned retirement plans. 83% of respondents this year said they offered a defined contribution plan like a 401K, a substantial increase over the 36% who said so two years ago. Defined contributions offer a much lower bottom line for employers compared to a traditional pension plan. Other results showed that 41% of the employers surveyed have increased the cost employees are paying for their health care benefits, while 32% have implemented or expanded wellness plans to help decrease health care costs. Additionally, more than 80% of local employers have instituted a smoking policy, with 31% banning it entirely. Coincidentally, the number of companies offering health care coverage has declined by 3% since 2006; dental coverage is down 7%. The survey also showed tuition reimbursement becoming a popular benefit being offered because so few employees can actually take advantage of it. Highlights of the survey will be posted at www.howell.org. (JK)

Livingston County EMS Re-Organizing Department

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:39:00 EDT

8/19/08 - The Livingston County EMS department is expanding to better serve the community. The Board of Commissioners Monday night approved the department�s hiring of six new full time paramedics, one full time operations manager and the upgrading of a business manager, two shift coordinators and a clerk. This will allow the department to staff ambulances at peak times which will in turn, reduce response times and improve service according to EMS Director Jeff Boyd. He says call volume has increased by nearly 6% or around 600 calls annually and this will ensure five ambulances are on 24/7 and eight others will be on at peak times. Boyd says the implementation phase will begin immediately with the posting of positions and hiring. Boyd anticipates it will take four months or so to re-organize staff and he hopes to have everything complete by January or February. Meanwhile, commissioners also approved a contract through 2013 that will allow for the installation and implementation of electronic patient care reporting software. That will allow medics to input patient information directly into a computerized database. (JM)

Village Of Fowlerville Appoints New Clerk From Within

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:08:00 EDT

8/19/08 - The Village of Fowlerville has a new clerk, but she�s likely to be a very familiar face to anyone who�s stopped by during office hours. The council unanimously appointed Kathy Arledge to the position at the recommendation of Village Manager Joseph Merucci. Arledge has been working in various office staff positions over the last 4 and a half years. Merucci tells WHMI it was clear he made the right selection when he started getting the word out to village council members about who he was thinking about promoting; many suggested her name to him before he could get a word out. All council members spoke highly of Arledge. She replaces former Clerk Doreen Murphy who resigned two weeks ago for personal reasons. (LS)

County Commissioners Approve 1.7% In Department Reductions

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:50:00 EDT

8/19/08 - County Commissioners met last night and approved a budget amendment that finalizes reductions in all county departments. Chairman Bill Rogers tells WHMI they�ve been working on this for the better part of four months now and they are actually looking at a five year projection due to the state of affairs across Michigan and all municipalities. The immediate response to the situation was an across the board 1.7% in reductions for every department, at the discretion of individual department heads. Rogers says that target could also be achieved through revenue enhancers. As part of an overall plan, no general fund positions are being replaced that become vacant and county offices are being consolidated. (JM)

Village Of Fowlerville Mulls Paying More For School Liaison

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:35:00 EDT

8/19/08 - Though the school district is facing tough financial times, Fowlerville Community Schools is hoping to reinstate their liaison officer to a full time position with the financial help of the village. Last year the officer was downgraded to part time from full time in previous years. He worked for 20 hours at the school and 20 hours for the village and the two entities split the cost 50/50. This year the school district is hoping to get him back to full time with them but they can only afford to pay 60% of the cost and have asked the village to pick up the remaining 40% of the tab. The issue was up for discussion at Monday night�s village council meeting. Manager Joseph Merucci and the village attorney are expected to hammer out a deal to bring to the village council at their next meeting set for Tuesday, September 2nd. If the agreement is approved, it would prompt the police department to hire another full time officer to replace the liaison. That�ll cost between $53,000 and $68,000. Merucci tells WHMI either way, they are planning to visit other municipalities included in the school district to see if they'll chip in since the set up has village residents paying twice for the service. (LS)

Marion Township Man Facing Attempted Murder Charges

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:22:00 EDT

8/19/08 - A Marion Township man facing attempted murder charges after an incident late Sunday night has been identified. 40 year old Paul William Smith was arraigned on one count of assault with intent to murder, three counts of felonious assault, possession of a firearm while under the influence and killing or torturing an animal. Deputies with the Livingston County Sheriff�s Department responded shortly before midnight to Clearview Drive off of Pingree Road on a report of a resident shooting a dog and firing at his neighbors. Livingston County Undersheriff Mike Murphy told WHMI that Smith had become upset over a property-line dispute and had come out of his house with a rifle that he fired at his neighbors. He then shot and killed the neighbor�s dog and pointed the rifle and made death threats against the woman and her children. Smith�s brother was able to disarm the man and subdue him until deputies arrived. He was then arrested without further incident and lodged in the Livingston County Jail. Authorities say that alcohol appears to be a factor in the confrontation. (JK)

Livingston Economic Development Council Seeks Funding

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:08:00 EDT

8/19/08 - The Livingston Economic Development Council made a presentation to the County Board of Commissioners Monday night about where it�s been and where it needs to go. The complete EDC presentation is attached below. Director Fred Dillingham tells WHMI that the county is its largest funding partner but also a major benefactor through the tax base the EDC brings to the community. In 2007; there were 37 projects, $177 (m) million made in investments, 760 new jobs created and 1,240 jobs retained. He says the goal of the presentation was to update commissioners on the past year�s accomplishments but to also indicate that the EDC is experiencing some troubling times. Dillingham says whenever the economy goes south, the work they do becomes even more important but it does require commitments from public and private sector partners. The EDC is also looking to create a five year funding plan to sustain growth and tangible objectives. Meanwhile, Commissioners have scheduled a joint bus tour with the EDC on September 10th to visit with local companies. (JM)

Suspects Arrested In Fowlerville Wal-Mart Robbery

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:32:00 EDT

8/18/08 - Fowlerville Police have announced the arrest of two suspects in an armed robbery last week. Both men entered the Fowlerville Wal-Mart last Wednesday night and robbed a cashier at gunpoint before fleeing in an SUV. Subsequent investigation led to information that both men lived in the Jackson area. On Saturday, one of the suspects was arrested on unrelated charges and is currently being held in Jackson County. Then yesterday, the second suspect was arrested on armed robbery charges and is currently being held in Genesee County. Fowlerville Police Sgt. Everett DeGrush said the suspects are also wanted for at least half a dozen similar robberies in Genesee and Ingham counties. DeGrush says they expect the pair will be back in Livingston County later this week to be charged in the Wal-Mart robbery. (JK)

Gas Prices Reverse Downward Trend In Michigan

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:37:00 EDT

8/18/08 - After a more than a month of steady decreases, gas prices have bumped up slightly both across the state and in Livingston County over the last week. The latest survey from AAA Michigan shows that out of the 2800 stations they surveyed statewide, the average price went up a cent to $3.87 a gallon. A survey of 29 stations in Livingston County showed gas prices went up a nickel to $3.93 a gallon. Although pump prices have gone up a bit, AAA Spokeswoman Nancy Cain tells WHMI she expects that trend to change because the price of crude oil has gone down significantly. The highest price locally registered in the City of Brighton at a station near I-96 at $4.03 a gallon while the lowest price of $3.86 was recorded at a station in Green Oak Township off Whitmore Lake and Lee Roads. (LS)