LIVINGSTON COUNTY

Tuesday marks 32 years since Paige Renkoski disappeared.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI -- A traffic stop in Livingston County uncovered a potential drug trafficking operation, police said. At about 11:30 a.m May 17, troopers from the Michigan State Police Third District Hometown Security Team conducted a traffic stop on a Georgia-plated Ford Fusion driving north on U.S.-23 near Clyde Road in Hartland Township, eastern Livingston County, police said. During a search of the vehicle, troopers found about 20 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, valued at about $40,000, police said. Drug trafficking charges for both men are pending, police said. More from the Jackson Citizen Patriot:Sephora ready to open in Jackson’s Kohl’s storeDecision Day highlights Jackson High students’ many future pathsCOVID relief funds will help with renovations to Jackson County Animal ShelterArson suspect told police he started fatal Jackson fire, officer testifies

Several Metro Detroit counties have been upgraded to a “high” COVID-19 risk category and are being urged to practice mask wearing in public by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Eight GOP Gubernatorial hopefuls had a chance to woo primary voters at the Livingston County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner. A debate, of sorts, was the feature of the evening.

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The criminal case against Clerk-Register John Gleason is headed to Livingston County after district court judges here disqualified themselves from hearing the case. The State Court Administrator’s Office made the assignment in an order issued Thursday, May 12, sending the case to Livingston County District Judge Daniel B. Bain’s courtroom. The charges were filed after the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office investigated allegations that Gleason pressured county employees to backdate a marriage affidavit and license for the wedding. Prior to taking the bench, he was in private practice with the firm of Bain and Bain for 25 years, according to the Livingston County District Court website. He stood mute on the criminal charges when he was arraigned in Genesee County.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI – A Pinckney High School senior is currently in stable condition after surviving a head-on crash with a pickup on M-36 in Hamburg Township Monday morning. Rescue crews were called at 9 a.m. Monday, May 2, to M-36 east of Merrill Road for a reported head-on crash with injuries, according to the Hamburg Township Public Safety Administration. A Chevrolet Silverado going east on M-36 crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a Ford Fusion being driven by a 17-year-old Pinckney High School girl, officials said. Calls made to the Hamburg Township Police Department have not been returned. A Chevrolet Silverado going east on M-36 crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a Ford Fusion being driven by a 17-year-old Pinckney High School girl, officials said.

Michigan police say they arrested nine people early Monday morning after suspects led police on a chase along I-96 with several vehicles stolen from a Lansing automotive plant.

Last Friday, the family of Terance Calhoun was shocked, confused and saddened when they learned the hearing to exonerate him had been delayed.

Welcome to Sunday, Motown.

HOWELL, MI — Litigation between the state of Michigan and the former owner of a Brighton factory contaminated with toxic PFAS chemicals will be tried this winter. Livingston County Judge Michael Hatty set a Dec. 12 trial date in a case filed against Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, (APNA), by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The trial date was previously pushed from June to September. More: First Michigan PFAS trial set for 2022“They backhandedly got their extension,” said Joseph Callow, a partner at Keating Muething & Klekamp, an Ohio firm which is part of a group of outside firms called the Fields Team that’s litigating Michigan PFAS cases under special contract. “This is going to be the first PFAS trial in the state and we’re excited that, whatever happens in the next couple months, that we’ve got a pretty firm trial date,” Callow said.

ANN ARBOR, MI — No new candidates have filed since last month to compete in Michigan’s new 48th state House district, leaving Ann Arbor Township Democrat Jennifer Conlin unopposed in the Aug. 2 primary. The new district created by Michigan’s independent redistricting commission stretches from northern Ann Arbor to points north and west, including to Whitmore Lake and Pinckney. The Ann Arbor News/MLive will be providing more in-depth candidate coverage leading up to the elections. Read more Ann Arbor-area election coverage here and Jackson-area election coverage here. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:4 competing in new Michigan House district stretching from Ann Arbor to JacksonAnn Arbor-Ypsilanti transit tax proposal headed to votersAnn Arbor council member suspends reelection campaign, drops out of raceWith ridership still down, Ann Arbor transit expansion is banking on future demandSee who’s running for Michigan’s new 15th District Senate seat in Ann Arbor area

Your mental health is an important part of your overall health. It includes your emotional, psychological and social well-being.

Cases of bird flu have now been detected in five Michigan counties, including Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston.

A person accused of stealing a car has been arrested Saturday after leading law enforcement on a chase through Metro Detroit.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI - Avian flu has been discovered in a non-commercial backyard poultry flock in Livingston County, state officials said. An investigation by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and testing by the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed the infection. The bird flu is considered high risk for poultry, and this alert on Friday, April 15, announced that the premises where the infected flock lives is under quarantine. Officials reported positive avian flu cases in Washtenaw County on Thursday, April 14. For more avian flu information, visit MDARD’s website or Michigan.gov/BirdFlu.

Grow Green MI, 10505 Plaza Drive in Whitmore Lake, is offering five gallons of free gas with any size purchase on Friday, April 15. The store plans to give five gallons of gas to 180 people, for a total of 900 gallons, starting at 1 p.m. on Friday. As of Thursday afternoon, roughly 65 people had reserved tickets, according to PJ McMillan, the marketing director for Grow Green MI. Grow Green MI offers a variety of gardening and hydroponic supplies, including soil, fertilizer, lights and other plant care items. Grow Green MI is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Trinity Health Michigan announced Wednesday that eight hospitals and hundreds of care sites are rebranding.

Three upcoming vaccine clinics at the Ann Arbor YMCA are free and open to the public.

So what if the groundhog saw its shadow, what do they know anyway?

PINCKNEY, MI – A construction foreman died Monday when he fell from the third floor of a residential building still under construction in Livingston County. MIOSHA officials stated the fatality is still under investigation and declined to release the name of the man or the place of business. There were 40 reported workplace fatalities in Michigan investigated by MIOSHA in 2021 and 74 investigated in 2020. Several of the deaths investigated involved workers dying of COVID complications, according to MIOSHA records. The state saw its lowest number of workplace related deaths in 2009 with 24 total deaths investigated.

Tim Edmunds, the CFO of UAW Local 412, admitted in open court that he diverted more than $2 million from the local account to his own personal funds.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI - “Support this, or we get another strip mall...”That’s the tag-line on a banner a local business owner and entrepreneur has displayed along a 17-acre property in Livingston County, between Brighton and Whitmore Lake.

Livingston County Judge Michael Hatty told Jones he had served enough jail time after being held in a Livingston County jail for two months fall, the lawmaker’s attorney, Bryon Nolen, said Thursday. Jones was sentenced to serve two-years of probation under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act and is required to perform 100 hours of community service. Jones was sentenced to 61 days in jail, but was credited with 61 days already served. When the Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office first offered Jones the plea agreement last fall, Nolen called it “disingenuous,” saying that Jones could have received a more favorable offer. Read more:‘Everybody’s kind of cringing’; How Michigan’s youngest-ever lawmaker went from promising to problematicRep. Jewell Jones to plead guilty to felony charges, lawyer says

Photo courtesy: Livingston DailyHOWELL — On Thursday, A judge sentenced State Rep. Jewell Jones (D-Inkster) to two years’ probation for an April drunk driving incident that led to a physical altercation with police on I-96 in Livingston County. Livingston County Circuit Judge Michael Hatty credited on the sentence the 61 days Jones served last fall as well as 100 hours of community service. A Black Michigan State Police trooper who tussled with Jones had requested to the court that he serve more jail time for the incident. On Sept. 14, Jones was charged with two felonies after prosecutors alleged that he brought a handcuff key into the Livingston County jail following his hearing for his third bond violation. On Thursday, Richards said that unless Jones has a significant revelation, she does not believe he will be successful in completing his probation.

Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones is going to spend the next two years on probation as part of a plea deal after a drunk driving arrest.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI—Officials said a stretch of a much-traveled road through northern Livingston County will remain closed Thursday, March 17, as crews continue to clean up after a natural gas pipeline explosion. Livingston County Emergency Management officials told MLive-The Flint Journal that Old US-23 will remain closed between Center and Hogan roads as Consumers Energy crews continue to clean up debris and repair a natural gas pipeline that exploded early Wednesday, March 16. Consumers Energy officials said in an email that crews are continuing their work at the scene but have not determined a cause of the gas leak and subsequent explosion. Related: Consumers Energy investigating natural gas pipeline explosion in northern Livingston CountyThe explosion took place before 10 a.m. Wednesday, prompting the closure of all lanes of US-23 and Old US-23 in northern Tyrone Township in Livingston County. In a statement to MLive-The Flint Journal, RoNeisha Mullen, Senior Communications Consultant with Consumers Energy, said crews are on-site and called the incident “a leak in a natural gas transmission line.”More: US-23 reopens after natural gas pipeline explosion; investigation into cause continuesNo injuries were reported in connection with the gas line explosion, according to the Michigan State Police.

There is a crater in a Livingston County field after a natural gas line ruptured on Wednesday.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI—US-23 in northern Livingston County is open in both directions after closing during the morning of Wednesday, March 16, following a gas explosion. The road was closed due to a gas explosion just north of Center Road in northern Tyrone Township. Police said it appears a natural gas pipeline exploded, spreading debris. In a statement, RoNeisha Mullen, Senior Communications Consultant with Consumers Energy, said crews are on-site and called the incident “a leak in a natural gas transmission line.”Related: Consumers Energy investigating natural gas pipeline explosion in northern Livingston County“We are working with local public safety officials to continue ensuring the safety of the situation and shut off the flow of natural gas,” the statement says. We appreciate the community’s patience and encourage any customers who smell natural gas to contact us at 800-477-5050.”The cause of the leak and explosion has yet to be determined, Mullen told MLive-The Flint Journal in an email.

A natural gas pipeline exploded Wednesday in Livingston County, shutting down US 23 and scattering debris across the area, police said.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI—All lanes of US-23 and Old US-23 are closed following a gas explosion Wednesday morning in northern Livingston County. Michigan State Police officials said the highways are closed due to a gas explosion just north of Center Road in northern Tyrone Township. Police said it appears a natural gas pipeline exploded, spreading debris. We appreciate the community’s patience and encourage any customers who smell natural gas to contact us at 800-477-5050.”In Fenton, just north of where the explosion was reported, police posted on Facebook to say residents and businesses may be without gas because Consumers Energy had to shut down a major gas line. Read more on MLive:Man accused of shooting teen over gas money to head to trialMt.

A Howell woman who took to Twitter to call out COVID misinformation at school board meetings will not be charged with cyberstalking.

We’re tracking snow totals for several SE Michigan cities on Friday, March 11.

A wind advisory has been issued for Southeast Michigan from Friday night into Saturday morning.

Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones pleaded guilty on Wednesday (Feb. 16) to several charges stemming from an April arrest along I-96 in Livingston County.

The attorney for Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones has confirmed that Jones will plead guilty to several charges in court on Wednesday.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI – A Brighton man will spend the next decade in prison and the rest of his life registering as a sex offender for repeatedly sexually assaulting children. Francis Winegarden II was sentenced Thursday, Feb. 10, to 10-20 years in prison and a lifetime of electronic monitoring as a sex offender for charges of sexual assault and incest of a child younger than 13, according to the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.

A Brighton man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to charges of criminal sexual conduct -- relationship and incest.

Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones was back in court on Monday for a hearing related to his controversial arrest on suspicion of drunk driving last April.

Roads are still a concern in parts of Metro Detroit as conditions on I-94 near I-75 where traffic was moving slowly for most of the night.

Two Republican candidates are under criticism for telling potential poll workers to unplug machines and come armed to the polls.

With most schools closed Wednesday (Feb. 2), some families are spending the snow day on the slopes.

A winter storm warning is in effect through Thursday (Feb. 3), and snow is continuously falling and building up across Metro Detroit.

The snow was slow to get going in some areas, but others have been getting hammered. We’ve seen reports of 6-7 inches in parts of Genesee County and 3-5 inches in Livingston County.

Several communities across Southeast Michigan have issued snow emergencies as a major winter storm approaches.

Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones is facing a slew of charges stemming from a motor vehicle incident along I-96 in Livingston County.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is asking the attorney general’s office to investigate an aspiring state Senate candidate.

Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones is facing a slew of charges stemming from a motor vehicle incident along I-96 in Livingston County.

A man stole a woman’s purse outside a Brighton grocery store and then shot her in the face with a BB gun when she chased after him, police said.

Police are seeking charges against a 10-year-old student who brought a knife to a Brighton school and then made up a story about a man with a gun, according to authorities.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI – A now-former Livingston County undersheriff facing drunken driving charges has pleaded guilty and opted to be sentenced immediately. Former Livingston County Undersheriff Jeffrey Warder pleaded guilty to operating while visibly impaired Monday morning, Jan. 31, before Livingston County District Judge Daniel Bain, according to the Michigan Attorney General’s Office. After pleading guilty, Warder moved for immediate sentencing and was sentenced to pay $300 fine and court costs as this was his first offense, officials said. “We must hold public servants accountable when they fall short of their oath,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. Former Livingston County undersheriff faces drunk driving chargesThe trooper noted he looked intoxicated and could smell alcohol in the car.

A former Livingston County undersheriff has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge after he was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk, officials said.

A Howell insurance agent who embezzled nearly $375,000 from her clients has been sentenced to one year in jail.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI – A Howell insurance agent charged with embezzling more that $375,000 from clients has been sentenced to jail and probation. Livingston County Circuit Judge Michael Hatty sentenced Alicia Holbrook-Bloink Thursday, Jan. 27, to serve one year in jail and three years of probation after pleading guilty to conducting a criminal enterprise, embezzlement and tax evasion, according to a statement from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Two teenagers were killed and three others were hospitalized over the weekend when a pickup truck went through a stop sign and caused a collision in Livingston County, deputies said.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI – Two Howell High School students were killed in a crash Saturday night in Genoa Township, police say. Emergency crews were called at about 10:50 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, to the area of S. Hacker Road and McClements Road north of Brighton for a report of a two-vehicle crash, according to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office. The driver and one passenger were ejected during the crash and suffered fatal injuries. The two teens killed in the crash have been identified as Josh Pennala and Len Eskola, police said. Take a look inside the new $52M High Point School in Washtenaw County

Michigan reported 33,551 new coronavirus cases, about 16,776 a day, and 210 deaths on Thursday, Jan. 20, and Friday, Jan. 21. The cases include new referrals of confirmed cases to the Michigan Disease Surveillance System since the last update on Wednesday, Jan. 19. There have now been 1,866,267 confirmed cases and 29,190 confirmed deaths since the start of the pandemic. Following were: Marquette County (542), Delta County (528), Bay County (523), Iron County (516), Saginaw County (461), Shiawassee County (452), Keweenaw County (440), Houghton County (439) and Mackinac County (434). Oakland County reported 21, Macomb County had 18, Genesee County had 12, Washtenaw County had 10, Kalmazoo County reported nine.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI – A Michigan State Police trooper was injured Saturday night when he was rear-ended by another vehicle sliding out of control on U.S. 23, police said. At 10: 36 p.m. Jan. 8, the trooper was investigating a crash on northbound U.S. 23 near Spencer Road, east of Brighton, when a northbound vehicle lost control and crashed into the back of the trooper’s patrol SUV, according to Michigan State Police. The trooper suffered minor injuries in the crash and was taken to an area hospital where he was later released, police said. The driver of the other vehicle was uninjured and the sole occupant of the vehicle, police said. Michigan State Police remind all motorists to be aware of emergency vehicles on the roads and slow down during adverse weather.

A conservative sheriff in Michigan who wanted charges to be filed against a Howell woman for calling out anti-maskers on Twitter won’t get his way....

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI – Drunk driving charges have been filed against a now former Livingston County undersheriff who resigned shortly after being arrested. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Wednesday, Dec. 22, that charges have been submitted against former Livingston County Undersheriff Jeffrey Warder, who was arrested by Michigan State Police in October under the suspicion he was driving while intoxicated. Warder was arrested Oct. 26 after a Michigan State Police trooper pulled him over on D-19 in Livingston County, officials said. Warder consented to a breath test on scene, which resulted in a preliminary blood alcohol content of .123. A blood test was later drawn showing he had a blood alcohol content of .133, officials said.

A former Livingston County undersheriff has been charged with two misdemeanors after he was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk, officials said.

Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones will face a jury trial in February.

The Livingston County Sheriff Department has filed a criminal complaint against me related to the Twitter posts I made this week about the nurses who publicly spread health misinformation. (THREAD) — Kasey Helton (@FlummoxedAunt) December 14, 2021A Michigan sheriff’s department that previously said it would not enforce statewide mask laws, is attempting to enforce a seldom-used law against a woman who has called out anti-mask nurses online. Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy confirmed an investigation into the conduct of a Kasey Helton, a Livingston County resident, began Monday, Dec. 13, and a warrant review request has been submitted to the Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office. “As a healthcare professional, I do know that the masks you are wearing do not work,” the woman said. “At no point have I attempted to contact or encouraged others to contact any of the parties involved,” Helton wrote on Twitter.

Most Southeastern Michigan counties are under a high wind warning all day Saturday.

LANSING, MI -- A Livingston County woman is planning to invest after she won a $1 million jackpot playing the Michigan Lottery’s Millionaire Maker II instant game. For the latest on Michigan Lottery, check out the official Michigan Lottery site, which also offers more information on instant tickets, raffles and other lottery games. The ticket was purchased at the Speedway in Hartland, but the winner never came forward to claim the prize. If you’d like to be the next player from Michigan to win a huge lottery prize, take a look at these tips from lottery expert Richard Lustig. The author of “Learn How To Increase Your Chances Of Winning The Lottery” has won more than $1 million in Florida by winning top jackpot prizes in smaller games.

Winning $1 million playing the Michigan Lottery’s Millionaire Maker II instant game left a Livingston County woman shaking.

The school board of Brighton Area Schools entertained a mask mandate to be implemented by the superintendent when there is a higher risk of transmission of COVID.

The Christmas tree could always use another ornament -- especially when it’s for a good cause.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI – A man accused of slaying his grandparents has been charged with murder. Chance Raymond Hallam was arraigned Sunday, Nov. 21, on two counts of open murder for the deaths of his grandparents Dale Dormanen, 75, and Joan Dormanen, 79, according to the Michigan State Police. After the couple were found dead in the home, the Michigan State Police Forensic Lab was called to the scene to collect evidence, police said. Investigators have not released the manner in which the couple were found dead and the incident remains under investigation. Hallam is being held in the Livingston County Jail without bond.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI – Michigan State Police are investigating a death reported near Howell Friday morning. A notice was issued at 10 a.m. Nov. 19, saying troopers from the MSP Brighton Post were investigating the death of a person in Oceola Township, northeast of Howell in Livingston County.

LANSING, MI — State Rep. Jewell Jones is back on social media after a 59-day stint in a Livingston County jail. The lawmaker told MLive via Instagram Thursday night that he’s “taking it by day day,” since being released from jail on Nov. 12.

Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones has be released from the Livingston County Jail, where he was since mid-September when a judge revoked his bond for violations.

The distinction from the independent national watchdog organization recognizes how hospitals prevent medical errors and harm to patients.

Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones is expected to be released from the Livingston County Jail, where has has been since mid-September, when a judge revoked his bond for violations.

Darian Locklear will be remembered as many things: bright, warm, kind, athletic and beautiful. But she was shy, too. Or as her mother phrased it with a laugh, “just a little socially awkward.” Even as a teenager, Darian was uncomfortable doing things like ordering at a restaurant.

The following charts show confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths in Livingston County, Michigan dating back to January 2020.

Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones will remain behind bars after a judge revoked his bond. Thursday (Nov. 4) morning the judge decided to keep Jones in custody for at least another week.

BRIGHTON, MI — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is nixing plans to develop a conifer seed orchard in Livingston County after neighbors opposed plans to flatten the land by leasing it for a gravel mine. The 127-acre orchard was intended to produce large volumes of jack pine and red pine cones for planting seedlings on state forest land elsewhere in Michigan. A short-term mining lease was seen as the most cost-effective way to prepare the land, the DNR said. The 50-acre and 77-acre parcels in Genoa Township near the Brighton State Recreation Area are contaminated by a sodium and chloride plume and old township dump. The DNR manages 3.9 million acres of state forest.

Michigan’s 2021 General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2, with hundreds of jurisdictions holding races. Find Livingston County results here.

Track live election results for Howell in the 2021 Michigan General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI – Police have identified the motorist killed in a crash along I-96 near Brighton Tuesday morning. William Rickerman, 52, of Novi, died Oct. 19, in the single vehicle crash on westbound I-96 near Kensington Road in Brighton Township, according to Michigan State Police. Novi man killed in I-96 crash in Livingston CountyEmergency crews were called to the area at 7:35 a.m. Tuesday after a fellow motorist reported a vehicle that had run off the freeway, police said. Crews arrived and found the crashed vehicle with Rickerman inside. No other vehicles appeared to be involved and the cause of the crash remains under investigation, police said.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI – A Novi man was killed Tuesday morning in a crash off I-96 in Livingston County, police said. Crews arrived to find a single vehicle had crashed on the side of the freeway, police said. The vehicle’s driver, a 52-year-old Novi man, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicles appeared to be involved and the cause of the crash remains under investigation, police said. The man’s name is not being released at this time pending notification of next of kin.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI - A utility worker repairing a wire on the ground died by electrocution Sunday morning in Livingston County, police said. Troopers responded to investigate a possible electrocution around 10:30 a.m., Oct. 17 in Brighton Township, said Michigan State Police’s Brighton Post. Investigators determined a utility worker, a 41-year-old South Lyon man, was repairing a wire on the ground when he suffered a fatal injury, police said. MSP was assisted at the scene by Livingston County EMS, both Brighton and Howell fire departments and the Livingston County Sheriff Department. If you spot a grounded wire, you can report them to 911, Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050 or DTE online here.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI — A survey will help Livingston County officials determine how internet access and quality can be improved in the region. The survey is being conducted by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners through a partnership with the Michigan Moonshot initiative, which is run by Merit Network. Data collected from Livingston County residents via the survey will help officials develop a realistic representation of current broadband coverage and speeds. The goal is to help Livingston County achieve its goal for faster internet speed, officials said. Livingston County residents are asked to visit Michigan Moonshot’s website to complete the brief survey, regardless of whether or not they are paying for internet access.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI – Residents living in Livingston County and the surrounding area will have to start using their area codes for all calls, local or otherwise, before the end of the month. Beginning Oct. 24, all phone customers with area codes 616, 810, 906 and 989 must use their whole 10-digit phone number when making local calls due to the upcoming roll out of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline becoming a three-digit emergency number, according to a release from Livingston County Central Dispatch. In July 2020, the Federal Communications Commission designated 988 as the abbreviated dialing code to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources, and best practices for professionals. Customers in other Michigan area codes aren’t affected by these changes, officials said. The change affects all forms to telecommunication that use the area codes including fax machines, voicemail services, medical monitoring devices and alarms.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI - After nearly 20,000 gathered for a country music concert in a Livingston County hayfield on Sept. 18, health officials have confirmed at least 27 people tested positive for COVID-19,Other attendees of the outdoor concert near Fowlerville, where country singer Luke Bryan performed, may have been exposed, according to the Livingston County Health Department. Health officials aren’t aware of any COVID-19 requirements that might have been in place for attendees of the event. That includes mandated masking, or the requirement to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result to attend, Livingston County Health Department spokesperson Courtney Rynkiewicz said in an email. People with the virus may not display symptoms or they can appear two to 14 days after exposure, health officials said. Developers unveil plans for 2.2-mile ‘European-inspired’ race course, ‘garage condos’ in HowellWashtenaw County Health Department to offer Pfizer booster shots for eligible adults

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI – Federal investigators have determined what caused a plane to crash, killing two, shortly after takeoff near Howell two years ago. Philip Henry Colmer, 64, of Chelsea and James Tafralian, 68, of Webberville, died Aug. 20, 2019, when their single-engine plane crashed shortly after taking off Livingston County’s Spencer J. Hardy Airport, northwest of Howell. With airflow to the engine blocked, the plane’s engine stalled out midair causing the plane to lose all power and crash, the report states. The pair were on their second test flight of the day when the filter became dislodged, the report states. Engine modifications are typically recorded on an FAA form and adopted with a field approval, but no FAA form or maintenance records were found regarding the recent engine maintenance, the report states.

State Rep. Jewell Jones (D-Inkster) was recently removed from all legislative committees due to his ongoing legal battles in Livingston County.

A 2.2 mile “European-inspired” driving circuit is envisioned for a 270-acre property in Howell, part of what developers are calling an “automotive country club.”Motorsports Gateway Howell, as father-son team Mark and Jordan Dick have christened the project, has been five years in the making. Plans for the development on vacant property along I-96 include a clubhouse and 1,200-square-foot “garage condos” inside a gated community, where members can store automobiles and take in the race course from exterior balconies. The site has been the subject of previous failed development, and city officials have been trying to sell it since 2012, according to news reports. In February, city leaders OK’d a 2-year lease agreement with Mark and Jordan Dick, which can transition into a $3-million purchase agreement if certain milestones are met. The team behind the development intends for future phases to include an “automotive innovation park” and entertainment district.

HOWELL, MI — A Livingston County judge has ordered state Rep. Jewell Jones to undergo a mental health evaluation after the Inkster Democrat was accused of bringing a handcuff key to jail. Hammoud told Livingston County Chief Judge Michael Hatty that walking away as Jones’ attorney was in the best interest of Jones and himself. Attorney Byron Nolen will stay on Jones’ case, and asked the court for a mental health evaluation, which was granted Friday. But in court, Jones admitted to the allegations of drinking and was sentenced to three days in jail. ALSO ON MLIVE:State Rep. Jewell Jones avoids jail after another bond violationMichigan lawmaker Jewell Jones charged with resisting police, possessing gun during ‘super-drunk’ traffic stopRep. Jewell Jones suspended from Inkster auxiliary police following drunken driving arrestDemocratic lawmaker draws criticism for promoting vaccine misinformation

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI – A pilot walked away from his plane unscathed after making an emergency landing in a Livingston County field Thursday afternoon. Emergency crews were called at 3:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, to a field in the in the area of Layton and Fowlerville Roads in Handy Township for a reported single-engine plane that had crashed in a field, according to the Michigan State Police. The pilot, 33, reported experiencing engine trouble while in the air and was able to successfully make an emergency landing in the field, police said. There were no reported injuries and no significant damage reported, police said. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office and the Fowlerville Fire Department assisted at the scene.

HOWELL, MI — New felony charges against state Rep. Jewell Jones accuse the Inkster Democrat of bringing a handcuff key to the Livingston County jail. Jones has been charged with bringing a weapon into jail and attempting to escape custody, and his bond has been set at $100,000, according to the 53rd District Court in Livingston County. The 26-year-old state lawmaker was placed in police custody Tuesday over a bond violation and is currently awaiting trial for felony drunken driving charges. Livingston County Sheriff Michael Murphy described Jones as “a real piece of work, and an embarrassment to all elected officials,” in a statement released Wednesday. ALSO ON MLIVE:State Rep. Jewell Jones avoids jail after another bond violationMichigan lawmaker Jewell Jones charged with resisting police, possessing gun during ‘super-drunk’ traffic stopRep. Jewell Jones suspended from Inkster auxiliary police following drunken driving arrest

Vladimir Duthiers goes on a culinary tour of New York's Times Square, visiting an iconic comfort food mecca, the locals' lunch spot, and even an oasis in the middle of the chaos.

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI – Kalamazoo County residents should be cautious about the spread of disease through mosquitos. Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or EEE, has been found in a Barry County mosquito pool and a Livingston County horse this summer, the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department said in a news release. Related: First Michigan mosquito discovered with Eastern Equine Encephalitis in 2021No EEE has been reported in Kalamazoo County, but residents should still take precautions, the department said. If people are outside during dusk and dawn, they should take precautions to protect themselves from mosquitos, the release said. Ripped window screens should be repaired to keep mosquitos outside and outdoor lighting should be minimized after dark, the release said.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI -- Hartland Consolidated Schools Superintendent Chuck Hughes has instituted a mask policy for Round Elementary School after six students had probable or positive cases of COVID-19 and 122 others were put under quarantine. There has also been one case each at Village Elementary School, Hartland Middle School and among district-wide staff. In addition to the 122 students in quarantine from Round Elementary, more than 200 other students across the district are also quarantined. Hughes also addressed an air conditioning issue at Hartland High School that led to classes being cancelled on Friday due to high temperatures in the building. The chiller arrived on Friday morning, Aug. 27, according to a post on Hartland Schools’ Twitter page.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI - Michigan’s first case this year of the mosquito-borne viral disease Eastern Equine Encephalitis has been found in a Livingston County horse. The disease, transmittable to both animals and humans, typically emerges in late summer to early fall each year. State officials want to warn horse owners and Michigan residents to take precautions to protect themselves from the disease, including vaccination. It has a 90% fatality rate in horses and a 33% fatality rate in humans who become ill, state officials said. To protect animals from mosquitos and the disease, the state recommends discussing vaccinations and any potential symptoms with a veterinarian.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI-- A recent Genoa Township resolution has sparked controversy with animal rights activists concerned for the area’s mute swans. The resolution passed on July 19 comes after several resident complaints about overabundant mute swans, Township Supervisor Bill Rogers said. Mute swans aren’t native to North America, said DNR Waterfowl and Wetland Specialist Barbara Avers. According to the foundation’s research, mute swans are a sentinel species that helps scientists tell if something is wrong with the environment, Bolin said. “(Mute swans) have been labeled arbitrarily and capriciously by wildlife officials because they want the public to buy into the killing program,” Bolin said.

Here are the top-five climbers and fallers in population in both Washtenaw and Livingston counties over the last decade. 7 Drone photos of Ann Arbor developments - June 2021Washtenaw County ClimbersAnn Arbor, plus 9,917 residents, grew 8.7%In terms of raw numbers, no city has grown as much as Ann Arbor in either Washtenaw or Livingston counties. Read more: Downtown Ann Arbor on the rise: Latest look at development projects taking shapeThis is despite Ann Arbor’s rising housing costs. “Ann Arbor is a walkable, bikeable, and diverse community with a great downtown and great neighborhoods.,” he said. “We work hard to maintain a high quality of life and so we’re not surprised to see people moving into town and helping to grow our community.”Others:Pittsfield Charter Township, plus 4,484 residents, grew 12.9%Ypsilanti Charter Township, plus 2,308 residents, grew 4.3%Superior Township, plus 1,774 residents, grew 13.6%Salem Township, plus 1,391 residents, grew 24.7%A 43-acre luxury lot is available for purchase in the Delhi Metropark area of Scio Township off Delhi Road.

Out of Michigan’s 83 counties, Washtenaw and Livingston are two of the top-six fastest growing ones by percentage increase over the last decade. New population data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that both of the southeast Michigan counties experienced more than 7% growth since 2010. Demographic and localized population data collected for the 2020 Census was released Thursday and reveal how communities changed in the 10 years since the last census count. Both Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County’s biggest city, and the townships around it and Ypsilanti drove the county’s population growth. The new census data helps inform the process of redrawing political boundaries ahead of 2022 elections and influence the allocation of millions of dollars in federal funds.

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms rocked southeast Michigan Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, leaving more than 75,000 residents without power in Washtenaw and Livingston counties. Read more: Overnight storms roll through Washtenaw, Livingston counties, causing heavy floodingAdditionally, NWS issued a flood warning at 6:43 a.m. for the Huron River in Hamburg Township in Livingston County until further notice. About 51,000 Washtenaw County residents are without power, according to the DTE Energy Outage Map. An additional 24,000 residents are without power in Livingston County, DTE reports. Do not update by phone, as DTE Energy is reporting problems with its phone carrier.

HOWELL, MI - There will no longer be a Drag Queen Bingo event next to the main area of Howell Melon Fest after a month of pushback from Livingston County Republicans. The pushback on the Drag Queen Bingo event started with Livingston County Republican Party Chair Meghan Reckling questioning the appropriateness of a drag event. Council members voted to move the Drag Queen Bingo event away from the festival’s main district to the Howell Historic Theater. Read more: Howell Melon Fest will be canceled unless organizers agree to early alcohol cut offThe other move from that meeting threatened to cancel all of Melon Fest unless HARPA agreed to close the beer tent by 4 p.m. The “Drag Bingo” event was set for Aug. 14 and was limited to those age 21 and up.