Raleigh convicted of murder in Brandon baby’s death

An Oakland County jury deliberated less than one hour before finding Donald Kyle Raleigh guilty of murdering a 4-month-old boy in Brandon Township last fall. The Citizen has withheld the name of the victim in order to protect the family’s privacy. Besides one count of felony murder, the jury also found Raleigh guilty of first […]

Three charged following attack in park

Three Brandon Township women were arraigned April 3 at 52-2 District Court in Clarkston on charges of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and felonious assault. According to police reports, Jennifer White, 23, Kristen Gallus, 20, and Vanessa Smith, 18, were involved in an attack on a 21-year-old woman on […]

Township man convicted of CSC, assault

A 50-year-old Hadley Township man was found guilty last month of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct (force or coercion) and assault for actions taken against a neighbor at the woman’s retirement party. Gerald Lloyd Hurst was convicted March 30 by a jury in Judge Nick Holowka’s courtroom in Lapeer County 40th Circuit Court on the […]

Grants aid in Twp. park growth

Brandon Twp.- The new recreational park at Oakwood and Hadley roads will soon be sprouting new trees, with the help of volunteers. The township has received three tree grants? a $10,000 grant from the Department of Natural Resources to replace trees killed by the Emerald Ash borer; a community forestry grant for $3,000 to beautify […]

Police pride: Brandon deputies honored with 16 awards

Brandon Twp.- Deputies here are being recognized with 16 awards for their exceptional work, particularly in two extraordinary cases in the township. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office recently released a list of 2013 OCSO Awards recipients, and officers from the Brandon substation were well-represented. ‘We have 11-and-a-half deputies (one deputy is shared with Independence Township) […]

Fact finder backs teacher wage cuts

Brandon Twp.- A state-appointed fact finder has recommended that teachers in the district accept a 7.5 percent wage reduction for two years. Ralph Maccarone, appointed by the Michigan Employment Relations Committee as a neutral party to help in contract negotiations between the Brandon Education Association and school district, issued on May 5 an 18-page report […]

Township disc golf changes course

Brandon Twp.- A proposed disc golf course here may take a detour for a change of scenery. During a May 6 meeting, the township board discussed the possible installation of a 9-hole disc golf course at the community park, 1414 N. Hadley Road. The development of the course has been touted as a way to […]

Frost free

Michigan weather is notoriously unpredictable. This has been glaringly evident in the past few weeks in this area as temperatures swung from the high 70s early in the month down to freezing in the early morning hours of May 13. Area fruit crops seem to have escaped damage from the fickle weather. At Middleton Berry […]

Township recreation reaction

Brandon Twp.- Jay Reynolds brought a lengthy list of complaints regarding recreation to the township board meeting May 6, including displeasure with uniforms, equipment, soccer fields, and overall disorganization in the department. ‘It is my goal and my intent on the behalf of dozens and dozens of parents and children to bring to the attention […]

‘We have highways and expressways, they have the Amazon?

Nathan Woolley was in a boat on the Amazon River in 2008 when he saw two boys sitting on a cliff watching him leave Brazil. ‘I remember thinking, ‘This isn’t the end,?? said Woolley. ‘This isn’t the last time I will be here or the last time I will see my friends.? It wasn’t. Woolley […]