WHMI 93.5 FM - Latest News Headlines

Marine Division Steps Up Patrols On Local Lakes This Weekend

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:15:00 EDT

7/5/08 - Especially with such beautiful weather in the forecast, fireworks, parties and boating are part of typical Independence Day celebrations in Michigan, but authorities are warning not to over do it. Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte tells WHMI residents should be prepared to deal with the consequences if they drink and drive a vehicle or a boat as their Marine Division will be out on the lakes this holiday weekend. Bezotte estimates they have about ten times the vessels out on various lakes throughout the county looking for drunken drivers and conducting boat saftey checks. He adds that they want everyone to have a good time but to do it safely and stay at a friend's, designate a sober driver or take a cab. (LS)

Milford Police Department Hooked Up To OakVideo

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:01:00 EDT

7/5/08 - Milford Police are finally starting to appreciate incredible savings of both time and money after being linked up to OakVideo; a teleconferencing technology that links court rooms, prosecutor divisions, jails, and public safety departments through Oakland County. Instead of driving to the 52nd District Court in Novi, now officers can perform duties like arraigning suspects and swearing to warrants at the Milford Police Department. Since they handle roughly 200 arraignments a year, the system should prove to be more convenient and cost-efficient. Milford Police is one of 54 units hooked up to OakVideo, which kicked-off about two years ago and has been paid for by an Oakland County bond and a grant from Community Oriented Policing Services. (LS)

Howell Teen Sentenced In Fatal Car Crash

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:48:00 EDT

7/4/08 - A Howell teen charged in the fatal accident that killed her best friend in Iosco Township last November has been sentenced to one year of probation. 17 year old Kayla Kuikahi-Lalonde pleaded guilty in May to negligent homicide and the unlawful driving away of an automobile. She allegedly took a classmate�s 1998 Dodge Neon before crashing it into a tree on Bull Run Road at Coon Lake Road during a snowstorm. 16 year old Sarah Campanelli (pictured), who died of her injuries Christmas Eve, was a backseat passenger in the crash. None of the four teens in the car were wearing seatbelts. Kuikahi-Lalonde, who sentenced in Livingston County Juvenile Court Thursday, was also ordered to complete a University of Michigan Health System Real Life Tour and speak at a driver's education program. She must also undergo a psychological evaluation and counseling. (JM)

Howell Man Pleads Guilty To Drug Possession Charges

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:18:00 EDT

7/3/08 - A Howell man has entered a plea in a drug case. 23 year old Joseph Tulip was already on parole when he was arrested in Fenton in May after a search of his truck turned up psychedelic mushrooms. Tulip was pulled over for speeding by an officer who searched his car and discovered the mushrooms in the glove box. After being interviewed by a detective the next day, he admitted to owning the drugs. A subsequent search of his home in Livingston County turned up seven bags of the mushrooms in a safe, along with 30 vicodin pills, 13 bags of marijuana and marijuana buds. Tulip was already on parole for possession of cocaine and 2nd degree home invasion in Livingston County. He pleaded guilty to possession of the controlled substances with intent to deliver and being a fourth time habitual offender. Tulip will be sentenced by Circuit Court Judge David Reader August 7th. (LS)

Local Authorities Initiate Holiday Crackdown On Drunk Drivers

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:54:00 EDT

7/3/08 - The 4th of July holiday weekend is here and whether you�re on sand or land, the message from local authorities is clear � don�t drink and drive. During the holiday period last year, there were four fatal traffic crashes. Local authorities will be out all weekend waiting to bust drunk drivers and will be taking a zero tolerance approach to anyone operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Authorities also remind local residents that you'll face charges if your caught drinking and driving on a boat or jet ski. Hamburg Township Police, Michigan State Police, the Sheriff�s Department as well as the Brighton and Howell Police Departments will be out conducting various patrols through Sunday. A list of specific patrols may be found by Clicking Here (JM)

Fraud Suspect Thought To Be Missing Was In Jail All Along

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:53:00 EDT

7/3/08 - A man charged with three counts of 1st degree retail fraud for his alleged involvement in the theft of thousands of dollars in clothing from the Tanger Outlet Center has been located. Police took 28 year old Eliel Ramirez into custody last April but when he didn�t appear at a June 2nd pre-trial hearing the court was informed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, picked him up from the jail. At that time, WHMI contacted immigration officials who explained they never picked him up. In fact, more than one bench warrant was issued for him when he didn�t appear in court on other dates. It turns out that Ramirez was actually in the county jail the whole time. Sheriff Bob Bezotte tells WHMI Ramirez initially told authorities his name was Rodrigo Quinde. They were initially unable to verify that was really his name but eventually fingerprints proved his real identity. He says they then informed the courts of the mistake. Ramirez has been known to go by several different aliases. Bezotte says ICE does have a hold issued for him so once he goes through the justice system ICE will take him into their custody. No plea deal was reached earlier this week but he is set for a status conference July 11th. (LS)

Green Oak Board Considers 4 Day Work Week

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:39:00 EDT

7/3/08 - The notion of the standard work week in the United States has remained largely the same since 1938. That�s when the Fair Labor Standards Act was passed, standardizing the eight hour work day and the 40 hour work week. The idea of the shortened work week is not a new one to anyone old enough to have lived through the energy shocks of the 1970's but with the seemingly endless rise in gas prices, businesses and government agencies across the country are starting to actually implement the change. Oakland County made the switch last month to four ten-hour days and the Chairman of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners, Bill Rogers, says he�s instructed staff to look into the possibilities. At last night�s meeting of the Green Oak Township Board of Trustees, the issue was also up for discussion. All members expressed pros and cons relating to the issue however, Treasurer Susan Daugherty listed several concerns relating particularly to her office and said her staff wasn�t in favor of it. On the other hand, Clerk Mike Sedlak said he thought it would work well for his office and staff. As a next step, the board decided it was best to have a full staff meeting in order to gauge the overall support and brainstorm options to get around any problems. If there�s not much support St. Charles said they wouldn�t want to force it upon workers. (LS/JK)

Man Feels "Crazy" And Admits to Killing Dog

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:55:00 EDT

7/3/08 - A Hamburg Township man will undergo a psychological evaluation after killing his dog. Police were called out to Riverdale Street Wednesday afternoon to locate a man that reportedly killed his dog. Officers found an extensive amount of blood on the floor and walls inside the man's home and found a pit bull terrier named �Sole� dead on the living room floor. The dog�s head was almost completely severed and its throat had been cut. Officers soon found the 24 year old man wandering around the neighborhood covered in blood who explained that he killed his dog because he was �feeling crazy� and wanted to go to the insane asylum. The man was taken to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor and was being held for a psychological evaluation. His name is not being released at this time and police are seeking a felony charge against the man for willfully killing and torturing an animal. (JM)

Milford Board Grants Discount Paper Products Tax Abatement

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:05:00 EDT

7/3/08 - As expected, officials in Milford Township approved a tax abatement for a local business in exchange for the commitment of adding new manufacturing jobs. The owner of Discount Paper Products in New Hudson sought the 12-year 50% abatement in order to build a new $2.7 million facility on a 5 acre parcel in the township�s industrial district off Holtz Drive. The abatement has the potential to save the paper manufacturer from $250,000 to $300,000 over the period. Supervisor Don Green tells WHMI the board passed the abatement at a special meeting Tuesday night with the stipulation that he adds the 23 to 26 jobs he says he plans to, but there is one catch, if the economy can't support expansion the owner will not be considered at fault. The measure passed by a 5 to 1 vote with trustee Randal Busick casting the sole no vote. He tells WHMI to him, it's about being fair, "it strikes me as fundamentally unfair for the government to reach into the pocket of homeowners and businesses that have been in Milford for the long haul and force those people to pay a 100% more in taxes to subsidize someone who just got a special tax deal. In essence, this action is forcing (that)." If the positions are added they�d pay roughly $13 to $17 an hour. (LS)

Genoa Man Heads To Trial In Drunken Golf Cart Escapade

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:54:00 EDT

7/2/08 - A Genoa Township man who ran over a State Police sergeant with a golf cart last month has been bound over for trial. 43-year old Scott Cote waived his preliminary exam in court Wednesday, sending the case to circuit court for trial. On June 14th, Troopers from the Michigan State Police Brighton Post noticed a golf cart speeding down Coon Lake Road near Chilson Road and gave chase. When Cote went through a private yard, Sergeant �Lew� Taylor chased him on foot but was eventually run over. Taylor, who was not injured, caught up with the golf cart and jumped on the back before Cote finally stopped. He is facing charges of operating under the influence third offense; possession of suspected marijuana, resisting and obstructing a police officer and driving on a suspended license. Cote told police he had six beers and was heading to his home after visiting a friend. He also apologized to the sergeant, who was not injured. (JM)

Hartland Township Approves Water And Sewer Rate Increase

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:32:00 EDT

7/2/08 - Hartland Township residents will see a hike in the rate they pay for water and sewer services. By a 5 to 1 vote the township�s board of trustees made official a new rate structure that should alleviate a $117,000 deficit that was discovered when the Livingston County Drain Commissioner�s Office took over the system and found the previous contractor underbid the operations. It�s been more than 12 years since rates were raised in the township and more than 22 years for non-residential users. Manager James Wickman tells WHMI the move was necessary to remain fiscally responsible. He adds that the rate increase will vary for residents and businesses depending on whether they are a water meter, grinder or gravity user. Clerk Ann Ulrich cast the lone no vote. She tells WHMI she had concerns about pending procedural issues regarding the sale of land relating to the funding of the original project and felt the many new developments in the works that are expected to contribute to the fund may have helped a considerable amount. With the sagging economy, she also added that many people are struggling saying, "this to me just isn't the timing (for the increase), until we have all of our ducks in a row." For more information Click Here. (LS)

New Commander Appointed For MSP Brighton Post

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:42:00 EDT

7/2/08 - A new commander has been named for the Michigan State Police post in Brighton. 1st Lt. Gene Kapp (pictured) is currently assigned to the State Police headquarters in Lansing, but has also worked at posts in Detroit and Manistee as well as with the Criminal Investigative Division. His first day on the job will be Monday, July 14th. He succeeds Thomas Sands, who commanded the Jackson Post before taking over in Brighton in 2004. Sands left last week to become Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for the state of Michigan. Detective Sean Furlong has been serving as acting post commander in the interim. (JK)

Emrich Retreat Center In Brighton Closes

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:41:00 EDT

7/2/08 - The decision to close down the Emrich Retreat Center in Brighton was years in the making according to officials. The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan operates the center and the Diocesan Council voted to suspend the center�s operations last week. The 26 acre facility on Teahen Road is surrounded by 5000 acres of state land and was purchased by the Diocese in 1967. Spokesperson Herb Gunn tells WHMI that this was never a for-profit enterprise. He says maintenance costs have gone up over the years while use has decreased and council felt the best step forward was to suspend operations and evaluate the finances. He says council actually made the decision to close the facility three years ago in the summer of 2005 but held off on finalizing it to see if the center could return to profitability. Gunn says a new task force is expected to be created to evaluate the property and determine if it can be profitable in its current use or if a different use is more appropriate. He adds that there are no plans to close or sell the center or the property. (JM)

Changes To Hartland Towne Square Development Approved

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:28:00 EDT

7/2/08 - A few changes will be made to the plans for the Hartland Towne Square development. The 650,000 square foot development currently under construction at Hartland Road and M-59 includes retail shops, restaurants and a hotel with a Meijer store set to open in the late summer of 2009. Township Trustee and Planning Commissioner Larry Hopkins explained a driveway was requested to be moved by the Livingston County Road Commission in order to improve traffic flow on the reconstructed Hartland Road. That caused a sort of domino effect as other driveways, landscaping, and some building layouts had to also be relocated. Meijer also relocated some of their parking for employees, added a separate entrance for bottle returns and moved the construction of the gas station into a separate phase. The changes were approved by the board of trustees at Tuesday night's meeting. (LS)