‘I will truly miss this community?

Brandon Twp.- Phyllis McCaffrey believes social work was her destiny, but she will leave the profession this month for a new path in life. ‘I really think I was born to be a caseworker,? says McCaffrey. ‘But I’ve waited a long time to be a grandmother.? The Oakland County caseworker is retiring Oct. 31, after […]

Services at stake in township millage restoration

Brandon Twp.- Without passage of an Aug. 8 ballot proposal, the township would be able to levy less than one mill on residents, likely to result in officials? inability to continue the current level of services, says supervisor Ron Lapp. Voters in 1978 authorized township officials to levy 1.41 mills. But 18 years later, the […]

Street Machine Super Show

Ortonville- Ken Chapman first saw the car he wanted when he was a senior in high school in 1959, but couldn’t afford it. Now, nearly half a decade later, Chapman stands beside a turquoise ?55 Chevy Bel-Air sport coupe, his dream car. ‘I’ve always liked classic cars,? says Chapman, 63. ‘I found this at a […]

Village awards drain bid to Roger Engels Construction

Ortonville- The village will pay $27,995 to reroute a storm drain, enabling the Village Pub to move ahead with a water treatment system. Roger Engels Construction, Inc. of Lake Orion won the low bid on the project at the July 24 village meeting. The village plans to pay for the rerouting by using their fund […]

Survey says: Kids want more activities in community

Brandon Twp.- The kids just want to have fun. A survey in May of Brandon students in grades K-8 by the Community After School Task Force garnered 1,374 responses, and showed what kids are doing after school and what they wish they were doing. Among the findings: 86 percent of students go home after school, […]

Council OKs term extension

Ortonville- In a split decision, the village council approved changing the village election schedule to match up with the township, school board, state and federal elections. The 4-3 vote at Monday night’s council meeting angered some village residents, who wanted an opportunity to vote on the change. ‘I think they’re ignoring the democratic process,? said […]

Board OKs rec master plan

Brandon Twp.- A universally accessible playground, concession stands, softball fields and more parking at the township community park are all part of a 5-year master recreation plan approved by the township board Wednesday night. The recreation plan, which covers 2009-2014, details development for the community park and goals of the department as a whole and […]

McCain or Obama? Locals usually vote GOP

Sherrie VandePutte is proud to display a political sign declaring her support for presidential candidate Barack Obama in her front yard in Groveland Township. If polls at presstime are any indication, VandePutte is in a possible nationwide majority in her support of Obama; however, she is likely in the minority among her neighbors. As national […]

Overtime in twp. clerk’s office questioned, answered

Brandon Twp.- A contentious election season has raised charges that employees of the clerk’s office have racked up more than $10,000 in overtime this year. Linda Cotton, the current township deputy treasurer who is running as a write-in candidate for township clerk, says payroll records from January to September show that the township has paid […]

Drug overdose probable cause in township man’s death

Brandon Twp.- The death of a 51-year-old township man last weekend was likely the result of a heroin overdose. According to police reports, deputies responded to a home in the 3700 block of Birch on Oct. 26. Brandon Fire Department medics were at the scene, called by a woman who arrived home to find her […]