A peek at 2010: You'll never guess who Michigan's next governor will be

There's no need to visit a news Web site in the coming year. There is no need to turn on the TV news or pick up a paper. I already know what's coming in 2010, and I'm here to share it with you. (It's a gift, I know.)

So, in looking ahead to the coming 12 months, these will be the big stories in Livingston County and beyond:

JAN. 24 – The made-in-Howell movie "High School" opens at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah and is an immediate hit. Producers announce that they've already started work on the sequel: "High School 2: Electric Boogaloo."

FEB. 8 – Noting that the Hartland area "doesn't have nearly enough department stores," J.C. Penney announces that it will be building a store at the intersection of U.S. 23 and M-59.

FEB. 16 – Still searching for an answer to their late-night woes, NBC officials decide to fire Jay Leno and hire a new host for "The Tonight Show." They settle on General Larry Platt (the "Pants on the Ground" guy).

FEB. 27 – At the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the U.S. hockey team skates to the gold medal, led by their new goalie, General Larry Platt.

MARCH 3 – After two months on the job, USC football coach Lane Kiffin resigns to become the new head coach at Michigan, replacing Rich Rodriguez.

MARCH 5 – Michigan football coach Lane Kiffin resigns to take the job at Notre Dame. He is replaced at U-M by General Larry Platt.

MARCH 7 – Although he's never actually made a movie, President Obama is awarded the Oscar for Best Picture.

MARCH 23 – Sears, Kohl's and Macy's all make announcements that they will be building stores in Hartland.

APRIL 8 – Notre Dame football coach Lane Kiffin resigns so that he can become the new host of "The Tonight Show."

APRIL 17 – Under pressure from local ministers, the southern Livingston County hamlet of Hell says that it's changing its name to "Heck."

APRIL 30 – After starting the season 2-23, the Detroit Tigers fire manager Jim Leyland. He is replaced by Lane Kiffin.

MAY 4 – The Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor announces that it's moving to Hartland.

MAY 14 – Still searching for a use for Parker High School, the Howell School Board  decides to turn it into a casino.

JUNE 5 – Former presidential candidate John Edwards admits that he's Tiger Woods' father.

JULY 9 – The Brighton City Council votes to fill in the Mill Pond with concrete and turn it into a roundabout.

AUG. 3 – Democrats in Michigan, desperate to find a popular candidate who can hold on to the governorship for them, decide to nominate General Larry Platt.

AUG. 28 – Although they went out of business years ago, Big Wheel and Ames both announce plans to build new department stores in Hartland.

SEPT. 13 – The Committee to Find a New Name For Pinckney Because Pinckney is Really Hard to Spell decides to rename the village "Cohoctah."

OCT. 2 – Late in the fourth quarter against Indiana, in their fifth game of the season, the Michigan defense finally forces the other team to punt.

OCT. 17 – Although he's never actually played Major League Baseball, President Obama is named the American League MVP.

NOV. 2 – Michigan voters elect Lane Kiffin as the state's new governor. He promptly resigns to become the governor of Illinois.

NOV. 22 – Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien agree to settle their differences in an Ultimate Fighting Championship Cage Match. Promoters decide to hold the bout at the Parker Campus Casino in Howell.

DEC. 10 – Although he's never actually played college football, President Obama is named the winner of the Heisman Trophy.

Buddy Moorehouse is the publisher of Livingstontalk.com. You can e-mail him at buddy@livingstontalk.com.

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Buddy Moorehouse's column is sponsored by: PJ's Hot Dogs LLC. Serving wienies since '01. Visit us Saturdays at the Howell Tractor Supply, at www.PJsHotDogs.com, or call 517-861-6628.

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