School policy for violence

Clarkston Board of Education approved revised school safety policies at their Dec. 14 meeting. The policy will now include threat assessments at school, following guidelines created by the U.S Secret Service and U.S Department of Education. Threats include crime and violence inside and outside the school system. ‘We want to interact with and engage students […]

Andrea’s Anecdotes A column by Andrea Beaudoin

In August I began a mental journey which was deeply environmentally focused. It was a process in which I felt funding by those charged with protecting our environment could be much better spent. I have written much in recent columns on how I believe our schools and local governments would handle these funds much better. […]

Schools against Detroit bailout

If Gov. Rick Snyder’s plan to bail out Detroit public schools goes forward, Clarkston Community Schools would lose $400,000 a year, about $50 from every student. “Thats not fair to our students,? said Superintendent Dr. Rod Rock. ‘We keep talking to legislators to voice our concerns.? The 10-year state plan would pay off Detroit Public […]

Embezzled bank taken over by feds

An independent federal agency now has control of Clarkston Brandon Community Credit Union while an embezzlement investigation remains ongoing. Antothy LaJoice drew nationwide attention last week when he confessed to taking $20 million from the community bank. According to a statement released by the bank, a routine audit raised red flags about transactions a day […]

Investigation continues into bomb threat

Officers and police dogs from several counties responded to clear Clarkston High School after a bomb threat was called in at about 7 a.m., Jan. 13. “We have strong leads, but we are still investigating, and getting proof together,? said Lt. Dirk Feneley, Oakland County Sheriff’s Independence Township substation commander. ‘Depending on the circumstances, the […]

Township takes actions on water quality

After an Independence Township family found their well contaminated by petroleum, officials are beginning to take local action. “We are implementing more oversight locally rather than relying on state or county officials,” said township Supervisor Pat Kittle. The Robinson family live on Maple Road, off Dixie Highway, and received shipments of bottled water from the […]

2016 Election Year: locals signing up to run

All seven seats on the Independence Township Board are up for election this year. So far, Supervisor Pat Kittle, Treasurer Paul Brown, and Clerk Barb Pallotta said they running for re-election. ‘I have enjoyed my time as supervisor, so yes, I have in fact decided to run again.? Kittle said, adding he turned in signatures […]

Concerns about water quality in area

Stories about water quality in Flint have nabbed national headlines, but local water quality is a hot topic too after an Independence Township resident found her well water contaminated with petroleum. Independence Township Supervisor Pat Kittle said residents on private wells are not protected by the same water treatment system the township’s 14 wells are. […]

Poets impact world with their words

A Poetry Slam at Clarkston High School began with a message from thousands of miles away in Afghanistan, but the issues addressed by poets throughout the night, connected humanity, despite any distance. Poet Marzia from the Afghan Women’s Writing Project spoke to the crowd at the high school via video message before young poets from […]

State help sought for water safety

For now, let’s forget about Flint’s water woes. Independence Township Supervisor Pat Kittle is thinking the problem is much more local. The supervisor met with Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to discuss water quality issues stemming from leaking underground storage tanks (see “Water quality is national news, is our water safe?,” on page 19.) ‘This […]