James Lumber consolidation closes Ortonville store

Ortonville- James Lumber is not going away. That’s the message from Doug Graham, grandson of company founder John R. James and one of the family owners, following an announcement last week of a plan that includes closing five of their six area locations. The closing includes the Ortonville location. ‘Our business has gone full-circle we’re […]

District eyes Oakwood property

Brandon Twp.- At a cost of $500,000, the Brandon School Board is considering the purchase of about 23 acres just north of Leece Road along Oakwood Road, for the construction of a new elementary school. The building project will include a 62,000 square-foot building to replace the aging H.T. Burt Elementary School, a soccer field, […]

Local business owner charged in auction scam, check fraud

A Goodrich woman was arrested on Jan. 24 by Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies for allegedly writing bad checks to pay sellers at her former consignment business. Bernadette Jacobs, 34, was arrested in her driveway and later charged with four felony counts of check fraud. On Jan. 25 Jacobs was arraigned in 67th District Court in […]

Goodrich School Board OKs new trustee

Goodrich-By a vote of 6-0 on Monday night, the school board of trustees approved Greg Main to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Trustee Ryan Starski in January. Prior to the formal vote, Main was selected from eight candidates that applied for the temporary board position. After posting the seat opening the school […]

Tequila: A taste of Mexico at Escamilla Amigos

Distilled from the blue agave plant from the highlands of the northwestern Mexican state of Jalisco, tequila is the signature drink of the country. While the brands may vary, Tomas Escamilla, owner of Escamilla Amigos Restaurant, says the drink of Mexico is the perfect match for the dishes at his local eatery. ‘Age is a […]

Military service a family affair for local man

Goodrich- Village resident and Air Force veteran Jim Pless says his family mantra, proclaiming obedience to ‘God, country and family,? was the key to an outpouring of patriotism during a time of war. Between 1915 and 1939, Jim’s parents, Tyra and David Pless, residents of central Alabama, raised 11 children including two sets of twins. […]

‘Great? firearm deer opener expected

Brandon Twp.-Three hours before dark is the prime time, says township resident Joe Garza, a veteran bow hunter for more than 30 years. ‘This year I’ve seen more bucks then ever,? said Garza, who bagged a 260 pound, 10 point buck near Rattalee Lake Road and M-15 on Tuesday afternoon. ‘There were only three days […]

Two inches of snow in Atlanta

It honestly was pretty bad. That’s the report from Goodrich native Rob Freer regarding the late January snow storm that dumped a minuscule, by Michigan standards, two inches of snow the Atlanta area. ‘The economy is very good down here,? said Freer, 27, a 2005 Goodrich High School graduate who moved to Kennesaw, Ga., about […]

Township man facing charges for poaching four deer

An area man is facing thousands of dollars in restitution and jail time for allegedly poaching four deer. Last fall Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Ben Shively responded to a poaching complaint in Rose Township during a winter storm regarding a local man who had allegedly shot two fawns that were still alive. […]

Propane prices stable, supply now sufficient

A mix of frigid weather, pipeline issues and uncertain supply lines has resulted in a spike in propane costs as winter rolls into February. Jeremy Kratt of Hamilton’s Propane, 300 Ortonville Road, said prices for product topped out in mid-January and have been flat since then’even dropping just slightly. ‘We’re at the mercy of the […]