Phil In The Blank

The mournful moan of the infected, stumbling toward the living en masse with no desire except to ease their pain and spread their infection. Zombies. Lots of them. They walk the earth at Haunted Fountains, Terror in Townsend Forest, and local haunted houses, and fill movie and television screens this Halloween season. I like the […]

Quick questions on Fast ForWord

In a letter to school board trustees, attorney Marke D. Gilbert questioned its decision to approve the Fast ForWord computer-based learning program. ‘There is an underlying current among the faculty members ? fear of reprisal if they question too vocally,? wrote Gilbert, representing ‘a fairly substantial group of Clarkston parents and faculty who expressed deep […]

Eagle Scout shows the way to O.A.T.S.

For Boy Scout Drew Niederluecke, state government proved the biggest challenge in his Eagle Scout project. ‘I had to fill out paperwork, show them the plan, wait for them to approve it, then fill out a lot more paperwork,? said Niederluecke. He signed up his project, constructing a new entrance for O.A.T.S. of Brandon Township, […]

Phil in the Blank A column by Phil Custodio

There are many new veterans to honor this Veterans? Day. I don’t see them as either victims to be coddled or deranged timebombs requiring treatment. I see them as what this country needs to get us out of our financial, healthcare, environmental, etc. messes. I see that in the Nov. 5 shootings at Ft. Hood […]

Whole lot of reading to do

Twenty pounds of paper, 1,990 pages in H.R. 3962 health reform bill ? that’s what the U.S. House of Representatives approved Saturday night. Clarkston area residents can read them all at the Independence Township Library, courtesy of U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers. “When I saw it, I was like, are you kidding,” said Keegan Sulecki, head […]

Letters link author to Civil War general

For Lt. Col. Jack Mason, researching the life and times of a Civil War officer from Michigan was a hobby, a good way to keep busy while off duty in Kabul, Afghanistan. But with hard work and a fortuitious discovery, he’s now a published author, with the book “Until Antietam, the Life and Letters of […]

Fantasy meets reality for young actors

Fantasy worlds of magic princesses meet the real world of high school in Notre Dame-Marist Academy’s ‘Mirror Image, A Real Enchanted Musical.? ‘It rocks ? it’s all unique and different,? said Hadley Bonello of Davisburg, who plays Gloria, a student running for class president. ‘It’s fun to watch. I’m the awesomeist person in it.? She […]

Drawing for weekend getaway

As cars and deer continue to meet in unfortunate circumstances, Clarkston Auto Body and Towing hopes to help. The shop offers a Deer Hit Drawing for a free weekend getaway. Anyone who brings their deer-damaged vehicle in for repair qualifies for the drawing. “We fix a lot of deer hits, and wanted to give something […]

Kids brighten up parking lot

About 35 young artists stopped by for a chance to leave some lasting artwork in downtown Clarkston, Nov. 7. ‘The kids like to work with bright colors ‘they’re really enjoying it,? said artist Michelle Tynan, who invited local youth to help her finish her mural project on the 5 S. Main Street building, home of […]

Cop loss?

Declining tax revenues could cost Independence Township five deputies and lead to a millage-increase vote next year. “Tax revenue is down, everything is down,” said township Supervisor Dave Wagner. “When the police millage comes up in 2010, we may need to look at an increase.” The township reports a $79.7 million drop in taxable property […]