May 11, 2021 By Mike Kruzman & Jon King / news@whmi.com
Several local schools have appeared on the stateâs School Outbreak report, while officials in Howell are confident things are getting better and they can continue in-person learning.
In a letter (posted below) to families of students in Howell Public Schools, Superintendent Erin MacGregor states that two schools are appearing on this weekâs Michigan Department of Health and Human Services School Outbreak Report. An outbreak in an educational setting is two or more cases linked by time and place. Howell High School will appear three times, affecting six students, with each instance being limited to the original case of a student testing positive and one additional case of another student that was linked. Hutchings Elementary also appears in the report for a case involving a staff member who tested positive, with 3 students who were identified as close contacts testing positive.
May 8, 2021 By Mike Kruzman & Jon King /news@whmi.com
Registration is open for an annual walk to help raise awareness of and fight a brain disorder that destroys memory and thinking skills, and a co-chair of the event is sharing his inspiration for taking part.
The Walk to End Alzheimerâs is the Alzheimerâs Associationâs largest fundraiser of the year. Money raised supports free educational programming, support groups, 1-on-1 care consultation, and their 24/7 helpline. In its 11th year locally, the Walk is moving forward with plans to host the October 2nd event in person, while continuing to monitor the pandemic and make decisions for the health and safety of everyone as needed.
May 3, 2021 By Mike Kruzman & Jon King / news@whmi.com
A local legislator is calling on the governor to reverse her mask mandate on young children.
Republican State Representative Bob Bezotte of Marion Township is criticizing Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the state health department for a mandate requiring children from 2 to 4 years old to wear masks.
Mondayâs order calls for kids in that age range to wear masks in public places and places like daycare centers. Previously that rule only applied to children ages 5 and up. Bezotte said, in a release, that even as other states loosen COVID regulations and restrictions, Michigan continues to impose new arbitrary limitations that now extend to the youngest Michiganders.
April 8, 2021 By Mike Kruzman & Jon King / news@whmi.com
A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit between a former fire marshal and Putnam Township.
In September 2019, the Putnam Township Board of Trustees voted 5-0 during a special meeting to terminate Fire Marshal Jennifer Koch, who had been with the department for 23 years. At the time of her firing, she attributed her termination to alleged harassment from Fire Chief Curt Ruf, which he denied. Ruf said the township investigated the claims and determined they were unfounded and that Koch was let go after she walked off the job following a meeting concerning a dispute and then did not call or show up for work the next day.
April 6, 2021 By Mike Kruzman & Jon King / news@whmi.com
Residents against a proposed chapel and sanctuary space in Genoa Township showed up en masse Monday night, causing the adjournment of the meeting due to pandemic restrictions.
With a space allowing for 18 members of the public in the Genoa Township Hall, and roughly 3 times that number showing up for the meeting, the Board of Trustees was forced to call off their meeting before they could conduct business. Under current health department orders, capacity is limited to 50% of normal room capacity, but social distance space must still be accounted for. Supervisor Bill Rogers said he was shocked when he pulled out the measuring tape and started distancing chairs to find that so few could fit in their space.