Livingston County Area News Archive

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Saturday, October 31, 2020

Free Veteran's Day Event At Local Dentist Office

Pinckney Family Dentistry is hosting its 4th annual Veteran's Day Event on Friday, November 6th from 7am to noon. Any Veteran is welcome to be seen on that day for any same-day dentistry services that would include fillings, extractions, cleanings, and denture adjustments.

Friday, October 30, 2020

COVID-19 Cases Linked To Brighton Church

According to the Livingston County Health Department, six individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 reported attending Brighton Church of Christ on Rickett Road during services on October 18th and during bible study on October 20th and October 21st.

Thursday, October 29, 2020

White Supremacist Leader Charged For Intimidating Dexter Family

25-year-old Justen Watkins of Bad Axe, the self-proclaimed leader of the group known as "The Base," and an associate, 35-year-old Alfred Gorman of Taylor, were arrested at their homes this morning following an investigation by Michigan State Police and the FBI.

Mueller Driver's License Extension Bills Signed Into Law

On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bills 5756 and 5757 into law. Republican State Representative Mike Mueller of Linden sponsored the legislation that would extend licenses and registrations that expired after March 1st to December 11th.

Four Candidates Seek Two Contested HPS Board Seats

The candidates include two incumbents: Michael Yenshaw and Marcus Wilcox and challengers Adam Doby and Crystal Zurek. In addition, two candidates are running without opposition for two, 6-year terms on the board. They are Stacy Pasini and Courtney Tarara - both of them incumbents.

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Benson Says Voters Need Assurance Of A Safe Election Day

Despite a judge’s ruling on Tuesday that blocked a ban on the open display of guns near Michigan polling places on Election Day, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson remains convinced that she has the authority to order the ban and will seek legal measures to enforce it.

Seven Candidates Seek Four Seats On BAS Board

Three are incumbents: Board Vice President Alicia Reid, Board Secretary Roger Myers, and Treasurer Bill Trombley. The other four candidates include former board member John Conely, along with newcomers Caitlin Perry Dial, Patti Dunbar, and Catherine Tilles.

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

COVID Cases Confirmed At BAS & St. Patrick's School

Two positive cases of COVID-19 were reported at Brighton High School and one positive test result — and possibly a second — occurred at Scranton Middle School. Meanwhile, more than a dozen students at a local private school are quarantining after a confirmed COVID-19 case.

Monday, October 26, 2020

Garbin's Attorney: 'Big Talk, No Action' Defense Planned

Attorney Mark Satawa represents Ty Garbin of Hartland Township, one of six men accused of conspiring to kidnap Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Satawa told the Associated Press that “Saying things like ‘I hate the governor, the governor is tyrannical’ ... is not illegal, even if you’re holding a gun and running around the woods when you do it.”

Slotkin Reports Violent Threat Made To Campaign Office

The 8th District Democrat said the caller, later identified as an Ingham County man, used sexually explicit and violent language. She said, “We cannot let it be normal that political differences are metered out with threats of violence.”

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Saturday, October 24, 2020

MDHHS Issues Holiday Safety Guidance Amid Pandemic

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said even though the way people celebrate may have to be different, the guidance issued shows there are still many ways to spend quality time with family and friends safely.

State Files Lawsuit Against Salem Township Landfill Operator

The suit is against the operator of the Arbor Hills Landfill on West Six Mile Road in Salem Township and seeks to require Advanced Disposal Services to operate it in compliance with state and federal law for air quality and solid waste management.

Friday, October 23, 2020

Online Workshop To Focus On Dismantling Systemic Racism

The Community Unitarian Universalists in Brighton or CUUB is hosting the virtual workshop for individuals to deepen their understanding of systemic racism and to strengthen connections between organizations in Livingston County through a shared experience.

Lottery Ticket Thief Sentenced

Christopher Bandy of Howell will serve 5 to 50 years for stealing over $100,000 in lottery tickets from a convenience store in Fowlerville.

Thursday, October 22, 2020

Eight Departments Battle Barn Blaze Near Whitmore Lake

The Dexter Area Fire Department was called to the scene of a barn fire just after 8am on Jennings Road in Webster Township. Upon arrival, crews found the large barn, which contained more than 1,500 bales of hay and various pieces of farm equipment, fully engulfed in flames.

Slotkin Takes "Made In America" Tour To Pinckney

Incumbent Democrat Elissa Slotkin continued her “Made in America” tour this week in Livingston County with a tour Tuesday of WYNN Innovations, a Pinckney-based company that has supplied personal protective equipment (PPE) to businesses and organizations across the country.

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Eric Trump Makes Campaign Stop In Brighton

The middle son of the President, Eric Trump spoke to supporters at Schlegel Sand & Gravel in DeWitt Township and then at Darling Farms in Willis. In between, he made a stop at the Livingston County Republican Party headquarters in Brighton, where he took a picture with about 100 supporters.

Genoa Man Enters Plea Deal In Teen Assault Case

34-year-old Marcus Wayne Nichols was charged in June of 2019 with the assault of a teen girl. Two months later, while free on bond, he was also charged with trying to run down the victim’s mother and her friend as they walked in their neighborhood.

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Slotkin Gets Re-Election Endorsement From The Detroit News

The Detroit News Editorial Page, which is known for its support almost exclusively of Republican candidates, has offered its endorsement for Democratic incumbent Elissa Slotkin, calling her a “strong retail politician who listens to the people of her district” who has “earned a second term in the 8th District.”

Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash In Handy Township

An 80 year old Fowlerville woman was pronounced deceased at the scene following an accident where she failed to yield to another vehicle while turning onto Grand River from Cemetery Road.

Schools Begin Reporting COVID Cases

Public school districts in Livingston County have started reporting the number of COVID-19 cases among students, teacher and staff; although it has become apparent some districts are doing more comprehensive reporting than others.

Monday, October 19, 2020

Prosecutor Candidate Touts Endorsement From Retired Police Chief

Ragan Lake of Hamburg Township says that Jeff Meussner, the retired Chief of Police for the Southgate Police Department and current Court Administrator for the Twenty-Eighth District Court in Southgate, has endorsed her campaign to be Livingston County’s next prosecutor.

Saturday, October 17, 2020

Friday, October 16, 2020

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Green Oak Girls To Be Charged For Throwing Rocks Onto Freeway

Charges are expected to be filed against a pair of 12-year-old girls who police say threw rocks onto US-23 near Lee Road. Green Oak Township Police Chief Jason Pless tells WHMI that the incident occurred on Tuesday just before 6pm. Picture courtesy of WXYZ-TV.

McQuade: Domestic Terrorism Bigger Threat Than ISIS Or Al-Qaeda

Former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Barbara McQuade says threats of domestic terrorism need to be taken seriously in the wake of an alleged plot to kidnap Governor Whitmer, attack the Capitol Building, take hostages, and target law enforcement.

Mason Road Paving Project Starts Sunday

The Road Commission advises that motorists can expect to encounter long delays due to the upcoming paving project on Mason Road between Burkhart Road and Truhn Road.

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Resolution Against Mask Requirements Fails

The Board of Commissioners was split 4-4 on a proposed resolution that would eliminate the mask requirement for visitors inside county facilities once the state health department's mandate is lifted.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Police Search For Suspect in Hamburg Township

Multiple agencies were searching for a suspect along the Lakeland Trail and nearby areas. Separately, eastbound I-96 was shut down at Fowlerville Road following a wrong-way crash involving multiple vehicles and a semi.

Hartland Man's Bail Hearing Delayed In Whitmer Plot

24-year-old Ty Garbin of Hartland Township is charged along with five others in a plot to kidnap and kill Michigan's Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Testimony today also indicated Virginia's Democratic governor was also a possible target.

Howell Twp. Neighbors Dispute Zoning Ordinance

Resident and ZBA member Tim Boal believes the township is willfully neglecting to enforce aspects of the zoning ordinance on Santa Rosa Drive, while the ZBA previously judged it was not subject to the ordinance because it was a private drive.

Pinckney Village Council Hears Presentation On Pot Ballot Proposal

Sam Pernick, the organizer of a group that got a marijuana ballot proposal on the November ballot in Pinckney, detailed the measure for Council Monday night. Officials remained skeptical, saying the effort has not been transparent and many of those who signed a ballot petition had no idea about the lengthy ordinance attached to it.

BAS Teachers Protest As Meeting Is Quickly Canceled

While about 200 teachers and their supporters stood outside to express their displeasure with the status of contract talks, the Brighton Board of Education met and then hurriedly adjourned its scheduled meeting Monday night.

Michigan Supreme Court Invalidates EOs Immediately

The Michigan Supreme Court on Monday rejected Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s request to delay by 28 days the effect of its decision striking down a law she had used to keep intact sweeping orders designed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Monday, October 12, 2020

Officials Push Back Against County Mask Resolution

The resolution, introduced by Commissioner Wes Nakagiri, would no longer require mandatory face coverings for people visiting Livingston County facilities. It has garnered opposition from fellow Commissioner Gary Childs and Retired Judge Daniel Burress.

Brighton Teachers Plan Protest Rally

Up to 100 Brighton teachers plan to take part in a rally this evening prior to the Brighton Board of Education meeting to show their displeasure with the lack of a resolution on the salary aspect of the current contract with the district.

Trump's Son, Harris' Husband To Campaign In Area

Doug Emhoff, the husband of Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris, is scheduled to be in Brighton today, while President Trump’s son Eric is scheduled to campaign at Huron Valley Guns in Lyon Township on Tuesday.

Charter School Staff Member Test Positive For COVID-19

The Charyl Stockwell Academy Elementary School in Hartland says they are working with the Livingston County Health Department to identify close contacts of the staff member, and that the health department was reaching out to all identified close contacts.

Saturday, October 10, 2020

Slotkin Calls On Junge To Cancel Campaign Event

8th District Democrat Elissa Slotkin called on Republican Paul Junge to cancel his scheduled campaign event Friday night with Alan Hoover, who posted to social media that Gov. Whitmer is responsible for the plot unveiled this week to kidnap and kill her, while also comparing the arrests to the “tyranny” of Saddam Hussein.

Friday, October 9, 2020

Whitmer - ‘Domestic Terrorists’ Targeted Her

“There’s no question that these hate groups are domestic terrorists, and I think we need to call them that,” Whitmer said. “This is a group of people that are acting on bigotry and prejudice and acting with violence with intent to harm their fellow Americans.”

Hartland Man At Center Of Whitmer Plot

24-year-old Ty Garbin’s property in Lake County was the training site for the group that called themselves the Wolverine Watchman, who planned to carry out a plan to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, put her on trial for treason, and then possibly kill her.

Meeting Plans Change In Wake Of MSC Ruling

Last week’s ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court that invalidated the 1945 law which Gov. Whitmer was using to issue her pandemic executive orders, has created some confusion among two local governmental bodies about plans for public meetings next week.

National Coming Out Day Sunday

Pride Alliance of Livingston (PAL) is hosting watch parties and other activities throughout the day to engage the community in fun but meaningful opportunities to gather, chat and learn.

National Fire Prevention Week Underway

The Brighton Area Fire Authority has turned the week into a virtual event with crews interacting on social media and uploading new videos on home safety tips every day.

Slotkin Says Plot Against Whitmer Is "Terrorism"

8th District Democrat Elissa Slotkin, who sits on the House Homeland Security Committee, says the arrests confirm that law enforcement and intelligence agencies which have been warning “with increasing urgency about the threat of violent domestic extremism” were right.

Thursday, October 8, 2020

Feds Say Hartland Raid Tied To Plot To Kidnap, Kill Whitmer

FBI agents executed a search warrant Wednesday night at a property near Lansing Avenue in the Hartland Meadows manufactured housing community, which federal officials say was part of their efforts to break up an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Second Write-In Candidate Steps Up For South Lyon School Board

Ann Rimanelli is also running as a write-in candidate for a partial term on the South Lyon Community Schools Board of Education that runs through 2024. Rimanelli says her background in the financial services industry has provided her “professional experience in balancing risk and reward to benefit all stakeholders.”

Head-On Crash Sends Two To Hospital

The Brighton Area Fire Authority responded to a head-on crash on Grand River Wednesday afternoon and continues to investigate a separate incident involving vehicle fires.

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Geologists Share Concerns About Line 5 Tunnel

As a Canadian-based energy company continues its effort to construct a tunnel for its oil pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac, environmental advocates argue that the company has not adequately demonstrated it is ready for the task at hand.

Monday, October 5, 2020

Superintendents Say They Await Further Guidance On COVID Measures

The superintendents of the county's six public school districts note that while a Michigan Supreme Court decision provides clarity on Gov. Whitmer’s scope of authority, “it has caused some confusion with the strategies that have been implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID-19” in area school.

Surprise Homecoming Greets Retiring Howell Teacher

Cathy Hengesbaugh retired on Friday from Howell High School after teaching for 20 years. As she returned home, Hengesbaugh found her street lined with family, friends, students and colleagues (past and present) to celebrate the impact she made on the Howell Public School community.

Saturday, October 3, 2020

Two Kids Injured In Handy Township Crash

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were dispatched at about 9:30pm to a two vehicle personal injury crash at the intersection of Grand River Avenue and Cemetery Road in Handy Township.

Friday, October 2, 2020

Thursday, October 1, 2020

BAS Teacher Contract Talks At An Impasse

The bargaining committee for the Brighton Education Association session walked out of a bargaining session with the Brighton Board of Education negotiating team Wednesday afternoon.

Decision Delayed On New Rape Trial For Genoa Man

A motion alleges an Assistant Livingston County Prosecutor of soliciting perjured testimony during the trial of 22-year-old Zachary Lally, who was found guilty in the October 2018 sexual assault of a teenage girl.

Michigan Could Lift Food Assistance Ban For Drug Felons

Data show full eligibility for SNAP benefits reduces the probability that someone with a drug conviction will return to prison within a year by 13%. 26 states and DC have waived the ban, which was created under federal welfare reform in 1996.

Rent A Night In Hell On Airbnb

Just in time for Halloween, Livingston County residents and others have a chance to spend the night in Hell and serve as Mayor.