Livingston County Area News Archive

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Saturday, July 31, 2021

Howell Council Threatens To Cancel Melonfest

Meeting in an “emergency session” Friday, the council unanimously voted to rescind the approval of the 2021 Howell Melon Festival Civic Event application put forward by the Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority (HAPRA) unless the organization agrees to close the festival’s beer tent at 4pm on Saturday.

Friday, July 30, 2021

Ann Arbor Man Heads To Trial In South Lyon Murders

21-year-old Fadi Jesus Zeineh of Ann Arbor was charged in January with ten felony charges including homicide in the December 30th shooting deaths of 17-year-old Dylan Stamper and his 43-year-old father, Kevin Stamper.

Summer Program To "Kick Start" BAS Students

Students in Brighton Area Schools who fell behind academically during the past year due to the coronavirus pandemic and its effects on learning will have a chance to catch up and be ready for the start of the coming school year as part of a new program called “Kick Start Camp 2021".

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Severe Blood Shortage Prompts Donation Incentives

Anyone who donates blood between August 1st and the 15th will automatically be entered for a chance to win an exclusive, VIP trip for two to the sold-out 2021 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, set for September 2nd through the 5th in Tennessee.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Local Dem Leader Says Uproar Over Drag Queen Bingo Is "Phony Scandal"

After the head of the local GOP alleged the misuse of public funds in regards to a fundraiser for the Livingston Diversity Council, her Democratic counterpart asks, "When you rail against diversity, equity, and inclusion, exactly which groups do you want to exclude from our community?"

Report: Jones Spent Campaign Cash At Strip Club

A campaign finance disclosure released Monday by Democratic State Rep. Jewell Jones of Inkster, who is facing several felony charges in Livingston County, indicated he spent $221 in campaign money at a Dearborn strip club for what was called a “constituent meeting.”

Huron River Chain Of Lakes SAD Posing Challenges

The Hamburg Township Board recently dscussed what were said to be some complicated issues and significant changes related to the renewal of the Huron River Chain of Lakes Special Assessment District Lake Improvement Project.

Tour Seeks To Protect Sacred Lands From Resource Extraction

The Lummi Nation group, called the House of Tears Carvers, held a blessing ceremony Tuesday at Michilimackinac State Park. The group has targeted the Line 5 dual pipelines that run under the Straits of Mackinac, which they say have spilled more than a million gallons of oil into the surrounding waters over the past 50 years.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Brighton School Board Hears From Parents On Mask Usage

Despite there being no plans to mandate masks for Brighton Area Schools this fall, about 35 people addressed the board at the first in-person meeting in many months, many of them saying mandated masking is detrimental to the student's mental and emotional health.

Cinderella's Closet Changing Location

The boutique that helps connect students with affordable formal wear for dances will take place August 19-28 at its new location, the LACASA Collection, in Howell.

Monday, July 26, 2021

Council Candidate Tweets Draw Questions

Tweets by Howell City Council candidate Lee Ann Blazejewski in which she said she was in the nation's capital on January 6th and described the events as "a beautiful peaceful day!!” are prompting questions about her beliefs as to what occurred on that day.

Howell Man Enters Plea In Child Sex Assaults

38-year-old Christopher Schroeder was charged last year with multiple counts of first and second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving several girls, all under the age of 16. At the time, he was already awaiting trial on a separate count of rape involving a victim under the age of 13.

Golf Outing To Raise Money For Police Scholarship Fund

The Patrick O’Rourke Memorial Scholarship Fund will hold its 7th annual golf outing on Friday, August 6th at the Hartland Glen Golf Course. O’Rourke was a West Bloomfield police officer living in Tyrone Township who was killed in the line of duty in 2012.

Saturday, July 24, 2021

Lawmaker Fined For Violating Bond A Second Time

A hearing was held Friday for Democratic State Representative Jewell Jones of Inkster on an emergency motion to revoke his bond. It was filed after he failed to make a payment for his ankle alcohol monitor, which was ordered after he violated his bond the first time.

Two Brighton Residents Receive State Appointments

Stephen V. Pontoni of Brighton was appointed to serve on the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority Board of Commissioners, while Michael B. Sullivan, also of Brighton, has been appointed to serve on the Elevator Safety Board.

Friday, July 23, 2021

Flyer Opposing Shredder In Howell Prompts Questions

The group Protect Livingston recently mailed out flyers that state “Stop the Shredder, Keep Howell Healthy” - opposing an already approved enclosed metal shredder at the Padnos recycling facility on Lucy Road.

Justice Department Won't Probe Michigan Nursing Home Deaths

Whitmer ordered that nursing homes not prohibit the admission or readmission of residents based on COVID-19 testing results. Her office told the Justice Department, however, that the policy never went into effect because the state health department did not issue necessary guidance due to nursing homes’ concerns.

Howell Man Enters Plea To Crash With School Bus

39-year-old Sean Purcell was charged after the February 19th incident involving a 2016 GMC Sierra pickup truck and a Livingston Educational Service Agency school bus at the intersection of Challis Road and Conrad Road.

Race To Honor Memory Of Brighton Teen Set For Saturday

The Dash for Darian will be held Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at Brighton High School. Now in its third year, it is held to honor the legacy of Darian Locklear, who was killed in a 2018 traffic crash, along with her best friend, Julianna Ward-Brown.

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Rollover Crash Sends Two To The Hospital

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office reports that deputies were dispatched at approximately 5:12am to eastbound I-96 east of Pinckney Road (D-19) for a rollover crash.

Trial Ordered For Genoa Teen Charged In Pontiac Murder

18-year-old Max Bastien was charged last year with second-degree murder for the October 9th incident in which police say he shot 18-year-old Christopher Grant Alexander in the head in a dispute over a marijuana transaction in Pontiac.

Pinckney Exploring Creation Of Social District

The Putnam Township Board unanimously approved a motion to support the concept the Village is exploring, which could include the Township Square and allow alcoholic beverages to be consumed in the park.

A Small Victory: Used-Car Prices Slip From Dizzy Heights

Prices had rocketed more than 40% from their levels just before the viral pandemic struck, to an average of nearly $25,000. But now, a sliver of hope has emerged. The seemingly endless streak of skyrocketing used-vehicle prices appears to be coming to a close.

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Michigan AG Says Jury Should Decide Cadden's Fate

A 38-page brief filed by Attorney General Dana Nessel claims that the arguments made by attorneys for Barry Cadden seeking to dismiss charges related to the deaths of 11 residents are “incorrect”, “misplaced”, and “unpersuasive”.

Howell City Council Extends Agreement For Motorsports Project

Council approved ab extension to an earlier agreement between the City and JD Racing Indoor Karting LLC for the Highland-Howell property that totals 216-acres along I-96 between Lucy Road and Michigan Avenue, as well as two additional parcels to the north.

Brighton Lions Club Awards Scholarships To BHS Grads

Three June graduates of Brighton High School have each won $1,000 scholarships toward the college of their choice. The scholarships were presented to the students at a special ceremony held last week at the Brighton Lions Den on West Main St. in downtown Brighton.

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Monday, July 19, 2021

Fowlerville Family Fair Returns Next Week

The fair will feature a host of activities and entertainment, a carnival, harness racing, monster truck shows, the popular demolition derby, food vendors and new nightly "pop-up" concerts.

Saturday, July 17, 2021

Friday, July 16, 2021

Nakagiri Urges "High Impact" Participation At School Board Meetings

An email from Livingston County Board Chair Wes Nakagiri to supporters urges them to attend area school board meetings claiming that “DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION (DEI) and IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING, MASK MANDATES, COVID TESTING, UNIVERSAL MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS, LGBTQ ED & CRITICAL RACE THEORY (are) in Livingston County Schools!!!”

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Public Meeting Again Consumed By Drag Queen Bingo Controversy

The Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority had scheduled a special session to approve the required liquor license for the festival. But what should have been a routine license approval instead became a platform for those both for and against the event to air their grievances.

BAS Students Take Part In Unique Summer Internship

A small but select group of Brighton High School graduates is involved in a summer partnership with a major computer software firm that is striving to attract bright, motivated high school graduates interested in engineering careers.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Crowd Jeers & Cheers Proposed Health Curriculum Change

The Howell Public Schools Board of Education was inundated with nearly two straight hours of public comment concerning a proposed change to the Health Education curriculum, much of it coming from residents adamantly opposed to what they believe will be indoctrination of their children with ideologies ranging from Marxism to Satanism.

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Slotkin, County Board Discuss Universal Broadband

Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin spoke before the Board of Commissioners asking them to consider using part of their $37.2-million in federal relief funding towards making high speed internet accessible and affordable throughout the county.

Fund A Life To Host Heart Of Hope 5K Saturday

The event features a combination of options including a 5K run, a one-mile walk and/or yoga. A portion of proceeds will go to support a local 8-year-girl girl who recently underwent a heart transplant.

Monday, July 12, 2021

Saturday, July 10, 2021

Friday, July 9, 2021

MDOT Seeks Public Comment On STIP Plan

The Michigan Department of Transportation is inviting the public to provide comments on its 2023-2026 draft Public Participation Plan for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan or STIP.

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Saturday, July 3, 2021

Hartland Schools Under DOJ Investigation As Students Arraigned In Racial Incident

Following an incident earlier this year in which a Black high school student said she was threatened with lynching, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is involved in investigating allegations of race discrimination "specifically to the District's handling of alleged incidents of student-on-student harassment based on students' race."

Friday, July 2, 2021

Former Child Care Employee Enters Plea To Embezzlement

Amy Rollins of Fenton was charged last year with embezzling by an agent or trustee an amount between $1,000 and $20,000. At the time, she was an employee of the Hartland Community Education Child Care Center, which is a part of the Hartland school system.

Two Long-Time Hartland Educators Retire

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Scott Bacon is stepping down after 35 years with the district, while Sue Pearson, Director of Special Education, is retiring after 22 years in Hartland.

Hindu Temple Proposed In Lyon Township

The Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple would total approximately 65,840-square-feet with associated parking and utilities is being proposed on 11.67 acres of property located at the northwest corner of 9 Mile and Napier Road.

BAS Approves New Budget Ahead Of Historic K-12 Funding

The spending plan for Brighton totals $86.5 million, an increase of less than $1 million over last year, in which they received $8,111 in per-pupil funding. But the recently approved $17.1 billion K-12 budget will mean a hefty increase of $589 in per-pupil funding for Brighton and other districts.

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Prison Time Ordered In Outlet Mall Purse Robbery

22-year-old Adrian Harrell was originally charged with armed robbery and 3rd degree fleeing and eluding a police officer for the July 2020 incident, but entered a plea last month after prosecutors agreed to lower the armed robbery charge to unarmed robbery.

Northfield Township Board Adopts Broadband Resolution

The township board has been discussing how to best utilize federal funds it will be receiving through the American Rescue Plan, which specifically identifies the construction of high-speed broadband infrastructure as an encouraged use of the funds.