After 40 years of making the Clarkston area safe, Lt. Dale LaBair is ready to ride off into the sunset, heading for the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. LaBair, commander of Oakland County Sheriff’s Independence Township substation, plans to retire this year and move to Greenback, Tenn., with his wife, Lisa, and daughter Lauren, where they […]
For teapot collector Judy Ableser, the fun is in the never-ending search. ‘People ask me if I look on Ebay ? absolutely not,? said Ableser, who lives in Independence Township with her husband, Jeffrey. ‘I love the hunt.? She has about 500 teapots of all sizes, shapes, and materials displayed throughout the house. They recently […]
In her first crack at Clarkston Schools’ budget, new business director Mary Beth Rogers found the shortfall to be less than half what was expected. “Now we know the full federal allocation,” said Rogers, executive director of business services. Federal funding, mostly for at-risk student programs, was $335,474 more than expected. State funding was also […]
In the wake of a legal presentation on board of education ethics, Feb. 13, Clarkston schools administration sent a memo to all school employees listing “specifics” on the role of school board members. The rules, approved unanimously by the school board Feb. 13, include: ? Board members cannot advocate in a manner contrary to a […]
Capt. Mike Fahrner saw major changes in firefighting in his 37 years of service on the Independence Township Fire Department, but one thing that never changed was strong community support. “When we’d go to the people for something, they always supported us,” said Fahrner, who retired last month. “I’m entirely grateful they’re behind us.” He […]
A snow storm blanketing the Midwest Sunday closed almost every school Monday, including those in the Clarkston area. Fortunately, the weather improved by midday so sledders could enjoy some high-speed fun at local hills, such as the one next to Clarkston High School. It wasn’t long before the slope resembled a ski resort, with steps […]
All seven Clarkston Community School’s elementaries, as well as Sashabaw Middle and Clarkston Junior High School, earned “A” grades in this year’s Annual Yearly Progress report card, issued by the state. Clarkston High School’s “B” score was good enough for AP accreditation. Renaissance High School received a “D-alert” score. According to Michigan Department of Education, […]
For Kathy Sabol of Clarkston, her talent for poetry is a gift from God. Her religious faith demands that she share that talent. “I believe we’re here to help each other, uplift people, let God work through us,” said Sabol, 48. Her new book, “Heart, Soul, & Inspiration ? A Collection of Spiritually & Personally […]
Students at Sashabaw Middle School donated about 1,209 toys, books, clothing, and food for families in need. Challenged to “fill those stockings” as a Academic Service Learning project, the sixth and seventh graders’ donations filled the middle of a school gym Friday, as students completed their work with musical performances and presentation to Lighthouse Emergency […]
Marty Zimmerman of Independence Township is a top leadership consultant, motivational speaker, and author, but he wasn’t always that successful. He learned the lessons he teaches the hard way, falling victim to corporate downsizing five years ago. “I watched people go to work and go to school, then watched them all come back,” said Zimmerman, […]