Just for Teens

Brandon Twp.- The Brandon Township Public Library has hired a new librarian especially for teens. Katie Hickson, 28, began her part-time position as teen librarian last week. ‘I’m excited to get involved and get started,? said Hickson, who has a master’s degree in library information science from the University of Western Ontario and previously worked […]

Council meeting draws ire of pet owners, neighbors

Ortonville- Residents and representatives from various dog organizations turned out in defense of pit bulls at the Aug. 10 village council meeting, as the council considers remedies to a dog problem involving the breed. ‘It’s a shame to punish a breed for some people’s stupidity,? said Carrie Fenton, a village resident who came to the […]

Crim ready

Laura Burmeister ran her first Crim in 1997, just a few short years after losing her mother to breast cancer, her inspiration to start running. The 43-year-old Brandon Township resident still remembers vividly the bands and the people cheering her on during the 10-mile race in Flint. As she turned and hit the bricks on […]

Village DPW questions linger as winter woes near

Ortonville- The status of the village’s Department of Public Works has been up in the air since February, after the two DPW employees were fired. How village services will be taken care of long-term will remain in question for at least two more weeks as village councilmembers research the cost of contracting out work, as […]

Caribbean care

Two local nursing students recently got a crash course in caring for impoverished patients in the Dominican Republic. Susan Gajdos, a 2005 Brandon High School graduate, and Stacy Luttrell, a 2005 Goodrich High School graduate, were in the developing Caribbean nation from Aug. 2-9 as part of an annual mission trip with their church, New […]

‘I was soul-searching to do something different with my life?

By Susan Bromley Staff Writer PFC Dan Rathburg enlisted in the Army in June of last year? at the age of 35. Unlike most new recruits, Rathburg, a 1992 Brandon High School graduate, had been married for 10 years, already had three children, and was established in the civilian world as a business owner. ‘I […]

Police patrol at the library

Library By Susan Bromley Ortonville- The police have been called in. Brandon deputies are making the Brandon Township Library a regular stop during after school hours after being called to the location three times within a recent one-week period. ‘We’re stepping up patrol and will involve our school liason officer (Arnie Terrell),? said Oakland Sheriff’s […]

Main Street officials: Community needs sewers

Ortonville- Sewers and a plan to keep big-box stores out of the community are two components of a developing master plan for the village. During a Main Street resource team visit from Sept. 13-15, officials from the program which aims to revitalize the downtown met with area property owners, downtown merchants, industry leaders, and members […]

A”Peel”ing Apples

Autumn and Apples By Susan Bromley Atlas Twp.- Fall has arrived and with it, the fruits of Ray Porter’s labor. Apples are ripe for the picking at Porter’s Orchard, 12160 Hegel Road. Roger Porter died in July, but Ray is continuing his father’s work at the family-owned orchard, with a few extras. He has remodeled […]