July 4 whacked

After an extensive ‘bumping process? and layoffs last year, Independence Township Supervisor Dave Wagner was ‘glad? to propose a 2011 budget without cuts to employment staff. However, Parks and Recreation’s special programs are once again on the chopping block. ‘The budget is a plan and we’re always trying to outperform it to make it look […]

Haunted happenings for Halloween

If you’re looking for a scary fun night out then get out Terror at Townsend Forest or Haunted Fountains Walk of Terror. ‘It’s just a hoot getting all this stuff ready to go,? said Don Brown, who’s volunteered at Townsend for the past five years. ‘I love the camaraderie of all the people that come […]

Books don’t balance – auditor hired

With finance director out sick, Independence Township board authorized Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen to bring in auditors Plante & Moran ‘to assist in finance functions of the township for the next month at cost not to exceed $2,500.? Trustee David Lohmeier has been asking for a status update on a number of deficiencies found in the […]

Board approves meetings to be shown on internet

After Independence Township Supervisor Dave Wagner had prohibited the posting of township board meetings via the internet, as well as shut down discussion on the matter at the Sept. 21 board meeting, Trustee David Lohmeier decided to approve it through board action. The board voted 5-1 in favor of the motion. Wagner was absent from […]

State honors for local playwright

After writing and performing her first play ‘Downward Dog? at Clarkston Village Players last June, Wendy Hedstrom decided to enter it into a contest by the Community Theatre Association of Michigan (CTAM). She won first place. ‘I’m thrilled. It’s the first play I ever wrote and I’m really proud of it,” Hedstrom said. “I’d like […]

One man for mayor

History is repeating it self as the race for city mayor is an unopposed one man show for the Nov. 2 election. When Joe Luginski heard City Mayor Steve Arkwright was not running for reelection and no one else was stepping forward, he decided to throw his hat in the ring. Luginski had originally considered […]

Keiser’s Role A column by Trevor Keiser

Since May, Independence Township Trustee Dave Lohmeier has asked for the 2009 audit deficiencies to be fixed. Lohmeier was basically told by Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen at the Oct. 5 meeting that his request would just have to wait because the Finance Director Susan Hendricks was going to be out ‘for the next couple weeks? due […]

Family hosts benefit dinner for son with cancer

While attending a friend’s wedding, Joe Freed thought it was strange when he found a swollen lymph-node in his neck, but just assumed it was his body ‘fighting an infection.? Come to find out Freed was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkins Lyphoma Cancer. Freed said he decided to get himself checked out after hearing his […]

Hot Yoga heating up

Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed Clarkston Hot Yoga into the neighborhood with a ribbon cutting on Oct. 6. The event included healthy snacks and special speaker L. Brooks Patterson who spoke on how Oakland County is promoting heath, wellness and excercise.

State honors for Ortonville playwright

After writing and performing her first play, ‘Downward Dog,? at Clarkston Village Players last June, Wendy Hedstrom decided to enter it into a contest by the Community Theatre Association of Michigan (CTAM). The Ortonville resident won first place. ‘I’m thrilled. It’s the first play I ever wrote and I’m really proud of it,” Hedstrom said. […]