Big News Around You: Incentive Money for Schools, Income Taxes and Photo Contest Winner

1. Livingston County public schools could receive more state funding, based on proposed incentives for student achievement, the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus reported Friday. These measures could decrease local control of school districts, however.

2. On Wednesday, reported on the income tax season. People have until April 17 to file, and Michiganders should expect some big changes in state tax laws to affect their filings next year.

3. A Springfield Township woman, Carol Ann Malear, 58, died Thursday when her minivan struck a Waterford school bus as it was turning west onto Big Lake Road from Dixie Highway, the Holly Express reported Thursday. The bus driver suffered minor injuries, and the approximately 26 students received medical examinations as a precaution.

4. One year later, Fenton father Sam Jawhari is still mourning the death of his daughter, Briona Jawhari, who died of a heroin overdose at age 17 on Feb. 14, 2011. reported on Thursday that Community Parent is planning a vigil at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Fenton Township Hall, for Briona Jawhari and her friend Erika Schlosser, who died of a heroin overdose two days after Briona.

5. Rochester’s Jessica Long is the winner of Her last-minute photo contest entry on Wednesday morning netted her an overnight stay at Rochester’s Royal Park Hotel. Long’s winning photograph is of a sunset on Lake Michigan in Leland. Readers should keep checking their local Patch websites for more fun photo contests! It’s easy to enter, and completely free of charge to you.

About this column: Each Sunday, Hartland Patch picks five big stories that occurred around the area during the week.