Livingston County Area News Archive

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Friday, July 31, 2020

Slotkin Secures Funding To Revive Report On Systemic Racism

The Holly Democrat’s measure, included in the appropriations package that passed the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday, provided funding that Michigan State University could access to produce the “State of Black Michigan,” an annual report on systemic inequalities compiled from the 1960s through 2007.

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Repairs Approved For Damaged Fire Paging Tower

The Livingston County Board of Commissioners approved a request from Central Dispatch for repairs to the Deerfield VHF paging tower that suffered major failure following an air conditioning line rupture in June.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Environmental Groups Call For Stronger Line 5 Response

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced last week that the pipeline company has not agreed to provide a minimum of $900 million in liability insurance to cover all damages and losses caused to property or individuals due to the operation of the pipelines through the Straits of Mackinac.

Search Continues For Driver Who Seriously Injured Teen

The suspect is described as a white male, between the ages of 25 and 30, with brown hair, standing about 6 feet tall and weighing between 150 and 160 pounds. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe account has been set up for 17-year-old Lewis Higgins, whose injuries included broken bones in his feet and legs and a fractured pelvis.

More COVID-19 Scams Targeting Senior Citizens

LCCC is warning about scammers claiming to be from Medicare. They offer to send seniors COVID-19 testing kits, vaccines, prescriptions, and supplies such as masks, creams, hand sanitizer - as well as a total Covid-19 treatment kit.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Brighton Teachers Skeptical Of Back-To-School Plan

The plan would involve four days of classroom instruction for the first semester — on Mondays and Tuesdays and Thursdays and Fridays, with Wednesdays consisting of at-home online learning. However, teachers who spoke at the online meeting were virtually unanimous in their opposition to resuming in-classroom learning, saying there are too many dangers associated with exposure to the coronavirus.

Monday, July 27, 2020

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Man Critically Injured In Moped Crash

The preliminary investigation revealed that a moped operated by a 60 year old Fowlerville man was traveling east on Grand River when he left the roadway, crashed on the gravel shoulder and was trapped under the moped.

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Howell Aquatic Center Closing

The closure was the result of difficult budget decisions made by the Howell Public Schools district. The Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority handles management and operations of the center.

Friday, July 24, 2020

Award-Winning BHS Band Marches On

Although their trip to Hawaii to commemorate the anniversary of the end of World War II was cancelled, the highly-touted Brighton High School Marching Band has plans to keep members engaged this summer.

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

SAD Proceeding For Woodland Lake Dam Repairs

The Brighton Township board adopted a resolution approving the SAD and directed preparation of the assessment roll. The Organization of Woodland Lake or Owl has been working for years to get the project going.

Rep. Vaupel Introduces Legislation To Lower Prescription Costs

Republican State Rep. Hank Vaupel is spearheading a bi-partisan plan to help reduce prescription costs in Michigan. It requires drug manufacturers to submit information about how their products are priced to the Michigan Department of Information and Financial Services.

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Monday, July 20, 2020

Saturday, July 18, 2020

Mt. Brighton Permanently Closes Golf Course

The 18-hole, par-71 golf course was added to the resort in 2001. The resort's website states that throughout the summer months, Mt. Brighton will continue to place its focus on the upcoming ski and snowboard season.

Friday, July 17, 2020

Two Thai Summit Employees Test Positive For COVID-19

Thai Summit America Corporation sent out a letter to employees last Friday confirming a positive case at the Howell location off McPherson Park Drive. The Livingston County Health Department has since confirmed a second case.

City Of Brighton To Explore Outdoor Social Districts

Council was somewhat split with opinions but ultimately voted to proceed with staff exploring the legal, physical and practical implementation of the new law that allows bars and restaurants to sell cocktails-to-go and expand outdoor social districts.

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Izzo Joins Whitmer In Urging Mask Wearing

Michigan State men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo, women’s coach Suzy Merchant and University of Michigan women’s coach Kim Barnes Arico joined Gov. Whitmer at a news conference to push mask wearing as Michigan on Wednesday reported its biggest increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases in nearly two months.

Fowlerville Man's Child Porn Plea Hearing Adjourned

Attorneys for 32-year-old Kevin Porter of Fowlerville say they have failed to gain access to information that could pertain to one of the charges he faces as well as impact sentencing, should a plea deal be reached.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Slotkin Upbeat About Prospects For Bill To Upgrade Medical Supply Chain

The Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act includes provisions originally introduced as part of Slotkin’s Made in America Medical Supply Chain Initiative, which would institute strict “Buy American” provisions for the National Strategic Stockpile while prioritize domestic manufacturing capacity for vital medical items

BAFD Among Recipients Of COVID-Related Grants

The fourth round of supplemental funding from the Department of Homeland Security's 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program was announced last week, with the Brighton Area Fire Department listed as one of the recipients.

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Police Identify Fatal Crash Victim

The Sheriff's Office says 26-year-old Skylar Renee Bryan of Bancroft was killed in the single vehicle rollover fatal crash on Oak Grove Road South of Barron Road in Howell Township.

Monday, July 13, 2020

Dexter Opera Singer Plans Porch Concert

Jason Duika performed live in a free “porch concert” in late June in front of his family’s home in Dexter and is planning on another porch concert on July 24th at 6:30pm.

Sunday, July 12, 2020

Rollover Crash Kills Shiawassee Resident

A 26 year old Bancroft resident operating a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee was attempting to overtake another vehicle. The driver lost control and left the roadway to the left and went into the ditch.

Saturday, July 11, 2020

Slotkin Kicks Off Campaign For Re-Election

Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin stopped at Huron Meadows Metropark Friday as part of a three-county tour that officially kicked off her summer campaign for Michigan's 8th District House seat.

Friday, July 10, 2020

Whitmer Toughens Mask Mandate

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday toughened a requirement to wear masks during the coronavirus pandemic, mandating that businesses open to the public deny service or entry to customers who refuse to wear one.

Detmer Says He Had "No Choice" In 2016 Bankruptcy Filing

Court records show that in 2016, 8th District Congressional Candidate Mike Detmer filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy with the United State Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, an action he blamed on "the Obama economy".

Judge Rules For Prosecution On Motion In Kowalski Case

Shiawassee Circuit Court Judge Matthew Stewart ruled that the defense for Jerome Kowalski "hasn't connected the dots for the court" due to a lack of evidence that actions by a former State Police Detective were part of a plan to obtain a conviction through illicit means.

Thursday, July 9, 2020

30K Labor Day Race Cancelled In Milford

After 19 years, the annual 18.6 mile race has been cancelled forever. However, unlike other cancelled events this year, it wasn’t coronavirus pandemic that is being cited as the main reason.

Drain Commissioner Submits Annual Report

Livingston County Drain Commissioner Brian Jonckheere shared insights on the state of infrastructure, PFAS, the impact of COVID-19, and more in his report to County Commissioners.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Michigan Schools Left With Uncertainty On Reopening Plans

News that the Trump administration is looking at withholding federal funds from districts that refuse to reopen amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has left educators with more answers than questions about how to safely return to classes next month.

Wednesday Is 4th Ozone Action Day In A Row

Meteorologists with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality say that levels of ozone will continue to increase as a stagnant air mass remains over the region due to higher humidity and light winds.

Police Chase Suspect Skips Out On Court Hearing

22-year Dustin Lee Sweet was charged with multiple counts for the May 5th incident including fleeing and eluding police, driving on a suspended license, heroin possession and being a felon in possession of a weapon.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Salem Twp. Landfill Operator Seeks Permits To Release Leachate

Advanced Disposal Services submitted a pair of permit applications to perform onsite treatment and discharge of what is called leachate from its Arbor Hills landfill. Leachate usually contains both dissolved and suspended material that percolates via precipitation through waste deposited in a landfill.

Conway Man Heads To Trial On New Video Peeping Charges

33-year-old Joseph Daniel Busha of Conway Township was originally charged for a January incident in which police say he videotaped a teenage girl in the dressing room at the Fowlerville Walmart. He has since been charged for two similar incidents at the Tanger Outlet Center in 2018 and 2019.

Monday, July 6, 2020

Ozone Action Day Declared For 2nd Consecutive Day

According to Michigan Department of Environmental Quality meteorologists, a stagnant air mass remains due to higher humidity and light winds. The combination will make conditions right for formation of smog pollution with high levels of ozone.

Saturday, July 4, 2020

Sunday Is Ozone Action Day

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, known as SEMCOG, is asking people to avoid mowing their lawns over the next few days to keep ozone levels down.

Reckling Endorsed By Small Business PAC

Meghan Reckling has picked up the full endorsement of the Small Business Association of Michigan's Small Biz-PAC in her race to become the GOP nominee for 47th State House.

Motorcyclist Killed In Howell Township Crash

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal 2-vehicle crash that occurred at around 6 p.m. Friday evening in Howell Township, taking the life of a West Michigan man.

Friday, July 3, 2020

Thursday, July 2, 2020

Oakland County Prosecutor Will Handle Motion To Dismiss Rape Conviction

Livingston County Prosecutor Bill Vailliencourt says that in order to avoid any potential conflict of interest, he asked the Michigan Attorney General to handle the case. They appointed the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office to deal with the motion seeking a new trial for Zachary Lally, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl.

Brighton 4th Of July Parade Cancelled

Brighton Fire Chief Mike O’Brian said they are fearful that having the parade could aid in spreading coronavirus and their priority has always been to keep the community healthy.

Utility Offers Tips, Smart Thermostats For Summer Heat

Holiday weekend temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s, but Consumers Energy is giving away 100,000 Google Nest Thermostat E’s through the end of July if they enroll in the Peak Power Savers Smart Thermostat Program.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Online Event Seeks To Promote Civil Discourse

In partnership with the Civility Campaign of Highland Township, The Civility Project with Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson will provide insights, tips, and hands-on skill-building to a July 30th Zoom session.

Genoa Teen Dives Into Home Baking Business

Splashy Sweets by Noah Shand is a home-baking business that will "bake for good.". Shand, who has been baking and decorating sweets since he was a toddler, will offer an array of custom cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, brownies, and other treats, with a portion of each purchase going to charity.

Bezotte Boycotts GOP Candidate Forum

Local Republican Party Chair Meghan Reckling and Marion Township resident Yvonne Black were the only two candidates in attendance. County Commissioner Bob Bezotte later stated his reason for not participating was a perceived bias by the party’s election committee in favor of Reckling.