With much banter throughout the past year about big box stores in Independence Township, the New Year appears to be ushering in another development debate. The latest twist involves a presentation for a large medical facility including a hospital made by representatives of McLaren Health Care Corporation to the Independence Township officials on Dec. 22 […]
An Independence Township man was arrested and arraigned recently on five counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct involving a 9-year-old Indepenence Township girl. Mark Owen Erickson, 44, was arraigned on Dec. 23 in 52-2 District Court after Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies arrested him on Dec. 22. His bond is set at $500,000 per count, […]
With a mix of ice and precipitation Clarkston area roads were more like ice rinks this weekend leading to a rash of accidents. Fortunately for drivers, no major injuries were reported from accidents caused by the slick roads. ‘We were fortunate because they came driving around I-75 like a pinball machine,? said Deputy Wayne Cobb, […]
A Clarkston man faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges following his arrest when he attempted to meet who he thought was a 14-year-old girl for sex. Roderick Duane Gronlund, 48, pled guilty in Macomb County Circuit Court to one count of illegal use of the internet to commit a […]
Just getting along seems to be on everyone’s mind in the 52-2 District Court now that the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission’s case against Judge Dana Fortinberry is settled. Fortinberry was publicly censured by the Michigan Supreme Court on Jan. 12. The court issued an order agreeing with the terms of a settlement Fortinberry reached with […]
Mike Witkowski’s struggle with cancer made watching his 20-year-old daughter perform with the New York String Orchestra at Carnegie Hall all the more sweeter. After being diagnosed with level three colon cancer in April of 2004, doctors gave the Springfield Township resident and father of five a 40 percent chance of survival. While Witkowski was […]
In two separate incidents on Jan. 4 and 13, Clarkston students reported seeing a suspicious vehicle loitering around schools in Independence township. The suspicious episodes prompted Clarkston Community Schools to send a letter home to parents and additional police patrols as further investigation by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department is conducted. ‘We’re continuing the investigation. […]
With a chance to sneak back home to Alpena a few weekends ago, I couldn’t stop thinking about a major hospital coming to Clarkston. During the three plus hour drive, I concluded bringing the medical complex here was the best decision. The rate of development spiraling around I-75 is not my favorite thing in the […]
The Clarkston City Council extended the intergovernmental fire agreement with Independence Township for three years, but several council members want at least an explanation of where administration fees the city is charged go. Council members discussed the administration fee at the Jan. 9 council meeting as they were approving bills, which included the payment to […]
Don’t bring sloppy plans to a board meeting was one of the messages from the Jan. 12 Springfield Township Board meeting. The following are some of the actions at the meeting as well as an announcement for those concerned about the budget. ‘The Springfield Township Board will hold a special meeting to review the 2006 […]