BHS Hall of Fame inductee to speak at commencement

Ortonville-When Jenny Olsen graduated from Brandon High School in 1986, she recalls that no one wanted to admit they were from Ortonville. ‘Everyone made fun of it because it’s a hick town,? she remembers. ? But if it weren’t for Ortonville and growing up in the country, I wouldn’t have been exposed to all the […]

Farm Bureau Insurance office opens

Brandon Twp.- Jim Hazel’s company takes care of people when they need it most. As owner and agent Hazel opened Farm Bureau Insurance 1201 S. Ortonville Road on May 2. ‘I’d much rather be insured by Farm Bureau, because our old-fashioned method of taking care of people is different than larger companies,? said Hazel, a […]

Schools of Choice escalating in Brandon

Brandon Twp.-Noressia Sockwell lives in Pontiac, but is experiencing life in a rural setting. Sockwell is a junior at Brandon High School, a school of choice. ‘There’s more to life than Pontiac,? says Sockwell. ‘I get to go to school in Ortonville. I experience the city and the country.? Sockwell said her mother chose Brandon […]

Business:’Creating a Vision of Greatness?

Brandon Twp.- Success in business, and in life, starts with a vision. Ann Lofgren will expound on this theory during the presentation ‘Creating a Vision of Greatness,? at 2 p.m., Jan. 17, at the Brandon Township Library, 304 South St. Lofgren is a consultant with ZingTrain, a company specializing in training, service, merchandising, specialty foods […]

Library woes draw community debate

Ortonville? A community/teen center. Use of a church building. Parental involvement. An enforced code of conduct. These were some of the solutions discussed at a library forum May 5 that addressed large numbers of children in the Brandon Township Library after school. The forum was attended by approximately 60 members of the community, including township […]

Hunt is on for village manager

Ortonville-The search is underway. About ten applications for the position of village manager have been received since the opening was posted on the Michigan Municipal League website on April 29. Sue Bess, village council president, said applicants are from as far away as Wisconsin, Ohio and the Upper Peninsula. Several local people have also applied […]

Brandon senior seeks dream with CD

Brandon Twp.- Amanda Halula has learned how to dream again. The Brandon High School senior is about to graduate, a time when many young people have goals and dreams. But Halula is heading in a different direction than many of her classmates and she couldn’t be happier? she has a recording contract and her own […]

Sweeping education reforms trickle down to local educators

Education reforms signed by Governor Jennifer Granholm Jan. 4 have local educators feeling some trepidation. Brandon Schools Superintendent Lorrie McMahon is conflicted over the five-bill legislative package which reforms the state’s education system and allows Michigan to compete for up to $400 million in federal funds. ‘In general, my concern is that we don’t know […]

Economical Choices

The economic outlook may be gloomy, but you can brighten your own financial picture in the new year by taking some simple steps, say two local advisors, one financial and one spiritual. Lon Bone, vice-president of public relations and community involvement for Genisys Credit Union, 250 N. Ortonville Road, said the first step in improving […]

105-year tradition:The Ortonville Woman’s Club

Ortonville- The Ortonville Woman’s Club is one of the oldest organizations in the community, formed 105 years ago. At that time, the primary purpose of the club was to educate women and offer them the opportunity for socialization. The service organization has also offered scholarships to local students through the years. ‘Years ago, it used […]