The Toymaker

The Toymaker By Susan Bromley Brandon Twp.- Harold Dean makes toys. The 70-year-old retired welder stands in his workshop, next to a bench and shows works in progress’an airplane, a tractor, a race car, and several trucks. Inside his home are more finished toys, including trains, more trucks and cars, and games. His toys are […]

Prosecutor drops charge against ex-OHS teacher

Margaret Sullivan Keely, the Brandon Township resident and former Oxford High School teacher who introduced one of her students to her husband, a convicted sex offender later jailed on charges of sexually assaulting the girl, will not face any criminal charges. Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper confirmed Wednesday that the 93-day misdemeanor charge of failure […]

Longest serving Seymour Lake UMC pastor moving on

Brandon Twp.- After 10 years as the pastor of Seymour Lake United Methodist Church, the longest-serving full-time pastor in the church’s 135-year history is moving on. Debbie Line, who has helmed the church located at the corner of Seymour Lake and Sashabaw roads since her appointment in 1999, will give her last sermon there on […]

Brandon parapro honored

Brandon Twp.- H.T. Burt Principal Kristy Spann quotes the Greek philosopher Aristotle when talking about Lisa Gunnels. ‘Aristotle said we are what we repeatedly do? excellence is not an act, but a habit, and for Lisa, excellence is a habit,? says Spann. Gunnels was recognized for her excellence as an H.T. Burt special education parapro […]

Village council OKs new clerk, with 6-1 vote

Ortonville- The village has a new clerk. The council voted 6-1 at their June 8 meeting to hire village resident Heidi Barckholtz as the new part-time clerk at a rate of $17 per hour. ‘I am flattered and excited,? said Barckholtz, 36. ‘It’s a new opportunity and the village is important to me, so I […]

Ortonville man dies after Oakwood Road accident

Brandon Twp.- A 20-year-old township man died as the result of a three-vehicle accident June 8 on Oakwood Road. Josh Tolan, a 2007 graduate of Brandon High School, died June 9 at Genesys Regional Medical Center, the day after the crash. According to police reports, at about 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Tolan was driving a […]

School board OKs budget

Brandon Twp.- The school board approved by a 6-1 vote a preliminary 2009-2010 budget for the district during their June 8 meeting. Boardmember Debbie Brady voted no. The project budget has expected revenues of $30,145,107, which combined with a fund balance of $4,415,478, leaves $34,560,585 available for appropriation as of July 1. Projected expenditures are […]

Deputy treasurer termination disputed

Treasurer fires deputy By Susan Bromley Brandon Twp.- Teresa Karsney knew she was getting the axe. On the morning of Nov. 17, the former deputy treasurer told her boss, treasurer Linda Owen, that she felt she was going to be let go. Later that afternoon, she was. Karsney says Owen never gave her a reason, […]

Newshawk soars

Brandon Twp.- Stop the press. Well, sort of. Brandon High School did stop the press years ago, because of a lack of interest in a student-run newspaper. Two years ago, a student came to BHS English teacher Brian Moore wanting to start the newspaper up again. However, there were no means for a traditional newspaper […]

Library woes continue

Ortonville- A regular police presence is being considered for the Brandon Township Library. Library board members will meet with Brandon substation Sgt. Tim McIsaac, Brandon Township Supervisor Ron Lapp and a representative from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 6 in the library conference room to discuss the possibility of having a […]