May 3, 2021 By Mike Kruzman / news@whmi.com
A popular fundraiser is returning to Brighton for the benefit of those who served our country and their families.
After taking a year off due to pandemic restrictions, the Brighton Boots and Brews Pub Crawl is returning for its second run, Saturday, May 15th, from noon to 6pm. The event is being organized by the local Livingston County non-profit VETLIFE, whose mission is to provide veterans with sustainable solutions while promoting a safer, healthier, and prosperous civilian lifestyle.
VETLIFE President Joshua Parish said in a release, that is not your usual college town pub crawl. He said in 2019 they saw the community come together for 6 hours of camaraderie with people in ages ranging from their 20s to their 80s.
April 22, 2021 By Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com
Discussions are underway regarding the renewal of a millage dedicated to veteran services in Livingston County.
A three-year millage previously approved by voters to fund programs and services for local veterans is set to expire next year. The Livingston County Veterans Committee held a hybrid meeting Wednesday evening and talked about what millage amount to levy next year but also what ballot proposal to potentially put forward in 2022. It was clarified that funds can only be used for things like assisting with veteran relief and programs, not on roads.
The department also receives grant funding through the Michigan Veterans Services Administration and in order to keep that, the current .1127 rate is the lowest amount that can be levied. Information on next yearâs rate needs to be provided in February. For the past two years, the millage rate has been .1127 but there is the ability to go
April 15, 2021 By Jon King / jking@whmi.com
The investigation that led to an election charge against longtime Genoa Township Clerk Polly Skolarus determined that unapproved canvas bags had been used to store excess absentee ballots used in the November election.
A single, misdemeanor charge of Election Law - Failure to Perform Duty was filed against Skolarus last month following an investigation by Michigan State Police. A Freedom of Information Act request by WHMI turned over the 30-page police report and 45 additional pages of supporting documents.
According to the report compiled by Detective Sgt. Michael Baker, multiple witnesses, including Livingston County Clerk Elizabeth Hundley, County Elections Coordinator Joe Bridgman, all four members of the Livingston County Board of Canvassers, Brighton Township Clerk Joe Riker, Green Oak Township Clerk Michael Sedlak, and Hamburg Township Deputy Clerk Mary Kuzner all stated they witnessed Skolarus an
January 21, 2021 By Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com
The Livingston County Veterans Services Committee is pursuing a new site to hopefully relocate its offices and better serve local veterans.
The Committee met virtually Wednesday evening and discussed priorities for 2021, which includes signing a lease for a new office by the end of February. Also at play are $104,215 in grant funds that were awarded in 2020 by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency for office relocation and expansion. Those funds must be expended by April 30th or could be forfeited. The grant is to be utilized solely for the goal of enhancing and improving county veteran service operations to connect veterans with their benefits. Director Mary Durst commented that she felt it was best to go ahead and pick a good spot and hope it works out, otherwise there is high risk of losing that money.