Action

Ortonville- Coming soon: ‘Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.? The family film starring Gene Wilder and based on the Roald Dahl novel ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,? will be shown during the third annual Ortonville Night at the Movies on Aug. 5. Showtime is 9 p.m. with activities for the entire family beginning at 6 […]

Brandon firefighter assists in rescue

On Wednesday, Brandon Firefighter Jerry Wivo was called to assist in the trench rescue of a Bay City Department of Public Works employee who was trapped during a repair of an underground utility line. Wivo, an 18 year veteran and member of the North Oakland Technical Rescue Team said he arrived in the early afternoon […]

Good health all in stride for transplant recipient

Brandon Twp.-Carol Woodbridge was near death when she got the call. Her phone rang at 11 p.m. on July 18, 1996. It was her doctor, telling her to get to Hurley Hospital in Flint. She was going to receive a kidney transplant. Next week, Woodbridge will celebrate the ninth anniversary of her life-saving operation when […]

Ortonville to Juarez, building bridges, homes, love

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico- The pictures show a desolate wasteland. Garbage is strewn across a wide expanse of sand. In the background is a high wall topped by barbed wire that is the outer perimeter of a juvenile detention facility. Homes consist of cardboard boxes and thrown together building materials. They appear to be falling down. […]

Fear no factor for me, maybe

I’ve never been on a plane. Not for fear of flying or of heights, just because the opportunity had never presented itself. I consider myself fairly adventurous. I like roller coasters; I’ve petted pythons and a wild black bear; hosted sleepovers for my daughter Katie and a dozen of her friends; and my philosophy on […]

The nose knows

Ortonville– There’s a new cop in town– and he smells a million times better than any other officer in Brandon Township. It’s not soap that puts him over the top, it’s his 225 scent glands. Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Garrison’s new partner is K-9 Bodi, a German Shepherd who uses his nose to fight […]

Groveland Township youth hits just the right note

By Susan Bromley Staff Writer Groveland Twp.- She was playing songs on the piano as a toddler. By 5, she was taking violin lessons. At age 13, she was competing and winning music awards. She has traveled to Europe to play concerts. But it is only now, at the age of 18, that Laurie Matheson […]

New look at Ortonville Citgo

Ortonville-Despite a few orange barrels the Citgo station, 495 S. Ortonville Road is open during some re construction. The barrels, equipment and mounds of soil indicate coming improvements to Citgo. The station is keeping the same number of gas pumps, but will soon add an approximately 2,000 square-foot convience store. ‘We just wanted a bigger, […]

Looking for a forever home

Sammy Jo was about to get a new name and a new family. She seemed pretty happy about it, if a wagging tail is any indication. Jan and Brett Saunders of Lake Orion were signing papers to adopt the dog recently from the K-9 Stray Rescue League in Oxford. The 2-year-old female was going to […]

Students develop strength, stamina, ‘I can? attitude

Brandon Twp.- Jacob Green loves the pool. Not so unusual for a 12-year-old, until you learn that Jacob isn’t your average seventh grader. While most kids will jump, dive, or climb into the pool, Jacob needs adults to help him into the water. But just the fact that he is able to walk once he […]