Summer:’Catch the Reading Bug!?

Brandon Twp.- You don’t need to be a fan of insects to enjoy catching the reading bug. Fran Runnells, head of youth services at the library, 304 South St., has planned a series of events for this year’s summer reading program, the theme of which is ‘Catch the Reading Bug!? ‘It’s a lot of fun,? […]

No millage hike despite sagging revenues for fire department

Brandon Twp.- Firefighters in the township have not had a raise since 2008, the department is about to replace two aging ambulances at a cost of more than $100,000 each and property values have been declining for the past several years, resulting in a loss of revenue. Despite these challenges, Brandon Fire Chief Dave Kwapis […]

Enbridge response spurs more questions than answers

Brandon Twp.- A 2-page letter from Enbridge appears to possibly be a response to a recent township resolution requesting higher standards for the company’s planned replacement of a petroleum pipeline here. However, the letter, dated Aug. 31, does not specifically mention the township resolution and instead defends Enbridge’s current design standards and emphasizes that pipeline […]

Brandon begins school facilities review process

Surveys will be e-mailed to residents of the Brandon School District this week, seeking input regarding possible restructuring of buildings. The surveys are the first step in a 4-month review of facilities in the district, led by a team from the Michigan Association of School Boards. The district has hired MASB at a cost of […]

Groveland Township family built on love

Groveland Twp.-Most parents have a story to tell about their child’s arrival. But township residents Mike and Carol Verville have three unique stories of how their children joined the family. All three are adopted? one daughter through private adoption, one daughter from China and a son adopted in November after the Vervilles were his foster […]

Local scout soars to eagle honor

Brandon Twp.-About 4 percent of all Boy Scouts achieve the highest ranking of Eagle Scout. ZacYingling, a Brandon High School senior should reach that goal by the end of January. ‘Personally, just to show I’ve completed it will make me feel successful,? said Yingling,17. ‘I will be honored to receive it.? To be an Eagle […]

Consumers Energy begins plans for more gas main extensions

Consumers Energy is bringing a natural gas main extension project to Atlas Township. Josnelly Aponte, a customer attachment program leader for Consumers, said the utility is awaiting the results of gas load studies, after which an estimate for costs to individual customers will be finalized. While a timeframe has not been established, Consumers will eventually […]

Home run

Lori Mancini celebrated her 56th birthday on Aug. 25 by running 10 miles at the Crim Festival of Races, every step bringing her closer to her best present ever. She ran in a T-shirt that proclaimed her as the birthday girl and as spectators yelled, ‘Happy birthday!? Mancini invariably responded, ‘Guess what I’m getting for […]

‘Weed factory? or beauty?

Ortonville- The Heritage Garden is getting a one-year reprieve. The village council voted 6-0 during their Aug. 27 meeting to keep the garden’s current configuration and provide mulch to garden volunteers as needed for one year, at which time the state of the garden will be reevaluated. Councilmember Tom Peters held up images of more […]