February fire recalled in downtown Goodrich

Goodrich- It’s been more than 90 years since a late February fire scorched businesses in downtown Goodrich. In the early morning hours of Feb. 22, 1916 three businesses and a residence in the downtown area of the village were destroyed by fire, according to a newspaper report in The Oxford Leader. The fire started in […]

Camping in the cold and snow: The challenge of winter survival

The challenge: spend two mid-February nights in the remote Pigeon River State Forest. The payoff: Cold but accomplished students. With nighttime temperatures dipping to 10 below zero, Brandon Middle School science teacher Dave Green along with ten Brandon Middle School students and seven adults hiked deep in the pristine forest of Otsego County. ‘If you […]

Always ‘Good Times in Goodrich?

On Aug. 24-25, Good Times returns to Goodrich for another annual weekend of fun for the whole family. Hundreds are expected to converge downtown on Saturday and Sunday to watch the parade, jam to a band or two and visit with some of the townsfolk during the late summer event. The array of entertainment also […]

Central Michigan eyed for area charter school academy

An area charter school moved one step closer this week as a phase one application is near completion. The American Charter Educational Services (ACES) is nearing completion of the application to Central Michigan University on behalf of North Oakland Charter Academy (NOCA). ACES is a team of individuals, providing support services for charter schools and […]

Drain Commissioner eyes village- owned culvert as flooding culprit

Goodrich-A 6-inch culvert has been identified as a possible factor in flooding some village homes and businesses. Despite several heated exchanges during the Goodrich Village Council meeting on Monday night, Jeff Wright, Genesee County Drain Commissioner, expressed his opinion of the causes of numerous flooded basements in the village and the prognosis for future drainage […]

The Fiji Islands: Another look at paradise

(Editor’s note: Former Goodrich resident Jillian Zirnhelt is a Peace Corps volunteer on one of the Fiji Islands. She has corresponded with The Citizen when possible over the last few months via e-mail.) Where Jillian Zirnhelt now lives and works there are no white sandy beaches, she rarely sees the ocean and electricity is a […]

Many of the same drivers return to district bus routes

Goodrich- When many of the more than 1,000 district students get on the bus on Sept. 3’they should see a familiar face behind the wheel. About 10 of the 15 drivers that were released earlier this year by the district have reapplied and were hired by Portland-based Michigan Education Transportation Services (METS). In June the […]

Elsworth, Spartans ready for Rose Bowl run

Chances are, when the Michigan State Spartans take the field for the 2013 Big 10 season the legions of fans will once again hear a common name on defense’Kyler Elsworth. Elsworth, a 6?1?, 220-pound, 2009 Goodrich High School graduate, is a fifth-year senior for the Spartans and although he likely won’t start, he will get […]

Despite tough economic decade, township coffers swell by $1M

Atlas Twp.- Bradley DeVries, a CPA for Yeo & Yeo, presented the annual financial statements and auditor’s report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 at Monday’s township meeting. ‘There’s two years of expenses in the coffers in the bank,? he said. ‘You just don’t see that too often, even in the other nearby […]