Kids learn the code to success in life

Kids like playing computer games. Students at Pine Knob Elementary spent the year learning how to make them. ‘They taught me a lot of things with coding ? they became the experts on technology,? said fourth grade teacher Lisa Drew during the Coding Club’s presentations to parents, June 4. Lori Banaszak, technology integration specialist for […]

School budget deadline approaches

With about two weeks left to approve the 2014-2015 school budget, the Clarkston Board of Education members still have questions. Board Secretary Craig Hamilton asked if administration could remove a technology staff restructuring from the proposed budget. ‘Personnel changes, eliminations, new positions, I’d like to come before the board as separate items,? Hamilton said. The […]

Investigation continues into fatal dog attack

A 10-month-old Springfield Township baby was killed in a dog attack, June 8. Deputies and Springfield Township paramedics were called to the 8200 block of Tindall in Springfield Township, 11:45 a.m., June 8. According to police, the baby was being held on the couch by a teenage relative when the family dog, a 75-pound Catahoula […]

Local hip-hop group ready for big time

Summer’s heating up for Clarkston’s Matt Floyd Music. The hip-hop, rap group ? Floyd, Kyle O’Grady, Press Kampe, and Michael Wayne ? is getting ready to release an EP, with 5-6 original, summer-themed hip-hop rap songs. ‘What’s cool about it is we’re sitting in the studio making our own music,? said O’Grady, 18. ‘We learned […]

School board OKs budget free of pink

For the first time in years, Clarkston school budget was approved with no layoff notices for teachers. ‘I’m thrilled not have to sit here and approve pink slips ? I think this is the first time I’ve been on the board I didn’t have to lay off teachers,” said Treasurer Joan Patterson, member of the […]

Phil in the Blank A column by Phil Custodio

In what has become a tradition at Independence Township’s Fourth of July festival in Clintonwood Park, veterans are invited to share photos, mementos, uniforms, and other items from their time in service. I’ll be there at the Carriage House with my bucket of stuff from my service in the U.S. Army during the first Gulf […]

Developer interested in school property

Clarkston School Board will review the district’s master plan in light of a proposal to purchase some property. Superintendent Dr. Rod Rock said a developer approached the district about buying about six acres of school district property behind Clarkston Independence District Library. The potential sale, which was discussed at the June 9 and 23 meetings, […]

New royals reign over county fair

Kicking off this year’s County Fair season was a crowning for its king and queen. Noah Peterson and Katlynn Kroll received the honors at the June 27 Oakland County Fair Royalty Banquet at Springfield Oaks fairgrounds, along with other fair royalty. “It’s a very cool experience ? it’s great to be a part of making […]

Fresh food, family-friendly atmosphere at Lakes Grille

With updates from top to bottom, The Lakes Grille on Dixie Highway is a go-to place for the entire family. That’s the way the family-run restaurant was created. ‘At our Commerce restaurant, we’re very hands-on,? said Irene Lock, who owns the restaurant with her husband Hank Lock. ‘Customers become our friends. We know about their […]

Garden secrets on walking tour

For Patsy and Jim Carlson of Independence Township, their garden has been a refuge and little bit of Up North for the past 30 years. People will have a chance to check it out themselves during this year’s Garden Walk. “We like to sit out here with all the birds,” Patsy said. “We enjoy it. […]