Afghanistan
Pfc. Joseph A. Miracle, a 2003 Brandon High School graduate, died July 5 from wounds sustained from hostile enemy fire in the Watapor Valley of Kunar Province, Afghanistan. He was 22.
‘He was well-respected by his classmates and teachers,? said BHS Principal Michael Ferguson. ‘I’m sure everyone appreciates what he was trying to do for our country… It’s a huge loss for his family, school alumni, the community and for our country.?
Miracle had been in Afghanistan for just 35 days when he was killed. His fellow soldiers told his family the reason they got out alive was because of actions Miracle took when they were surprised by 30-40 insurgents. Miracle was given several awards posthumously, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and NATO Badge.
Miracle’s sister, Jeanette Leshan, said her brother loved the Army and was very proud of himself.
‘We feel he died a hero doing what he believed in, and we couldn’t be prouder of him,? she said.
Hegel bridge work begins
Goodrich – In July, construction began on the Hegel Road Bridge which brought the 80-year-old bridge up to safety standards. The bridge, built in 1927, was brought back up to code, and many welcomed the traffic light installed in conjunction with the project at the intersection of Erie Street and M-15. Becky Baker, a representative from village engineer Wade Trim, said the bid for the project went to Walter Toebe Construction for $489,000. The bridge was funded by a State of Michigan grant and the state covered 95 percent of the cost of construction.
No charges in Patterson snowmobile death
Atlas Twp. – In July, criminal charges were not filed in relation to the snowmobile accident that resulted in the death of Brooks Patterson – son of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. According to a press release from Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton, it was concluded that probable cause could not be shown in the accident. Patterson, 28, died in the Feb. 10 accident on Lake Shinanguag.

August 2007
Hart out as superintendent
Goodrich – In August, Goodrich School District Superintendent, Kimberly Hart was officially ousted from her position. A vote of 6-1 placed Hart on administrative leave at a July 26 special meeting of the board of education. Trustee Michael Thorp dissented, citing cost issues with the decision. President Michael Tripp did not give a reason for the administrative leave and refused comment to reporters. Hart herself said she was unaware of the reason for her dismissal. The decision to place Hart on leave came on the heels of several setbacks for Hart, including a lukewarm review from the board and tensions with the teachers? union and their sympathizers concerning contract issues. The board appointed Larry Allen, former superintendent for Mt. Morris schools, as interim superintendent. Allen was paid the same salary as Hart? $119,000 per year, or about $2,288 per week. Hart, too, continued to receive the salary, which caused some frustration at the way taxpayer August 2007 (continued from page 5)
dollars were being spent in the situation. There was also some controversy about Hart’s contract not stating that she could be placed on an administrative leave.
Village Skate Park closed
The village council closed the Skate Park after several problems at the park, including indecent exposure, public urination, profanity and trespassing. The issues have resulted in 27 complaints to the sheriff’s office since March.
‘We must have a solution,? said Village Council President Sue Bess. ‘Kids are coming in to the skate park and are being disruptive. We need a solid plan with limited hours right now? the park is just not safe.?
Solutions to resolving the problems have included security lights, higher fences, and a concrete wall between the park and a neighbor.
The park is located at Cedar and Ball streets and has been open for about five years.
Trail proposal dumped
A proposed trail on village property was voted down by the council at their Aug. 13 meeting.
The less-than-a-mile recreational trail was proposed in November 2006 by village resident Rick McAvinchey and Lois Robbins, both members of the North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy. At that time, the council voiced interest and support for researching the trail, which would have been located on 40 acres of village property adjacent to the Crescent Hills subdivision. The property was deeded to the village by the developer of the subdivision, with the stipulation that the land be used as a park.
However, Council Trustee Kay Green said vocal opposition by the subdivision residents is what led to the demise of the trail.
‘The residents we heard from are not in favor of the trail,? Green said. ‘The Crescent Hill residents have been the most vocal, and we represent all of the village residents. We did not hear from anyone in favor of the trail.?
Ortonville woman arraigned on embezzlement charges
Cheryl Ann Zardus, an Ortonville mother of four, was arraigned on a felony charge of embezzlement more than $20,000 on Aug. 21. She would plead no contest to the charge on Nov. 16.
According to police reports, several months of investigation found she stole approximately $108,000 from the Elite Gym Starz Parent Club in Oxford. Since 2001, Zardus was treasurer of the club, and as such, was trusted with money raised by 80 families to pay gymnastics meet fees for their children. The parent club contacted police March 28 after several checks bounced.
‘She has been doing this for several years and it has cost the parent club several thousand dollars,? said Detective Kevin McNally of the Oxford substation. ‘The account was completely drained. She used the money for bills and for extras, at restaurants and retail stores, all for personal use.?
The thefts began in 2005, when Zardus opened an he parents? club account, accessing money by establishing a debit card. She also allegedly wrote checks to herself from the account.
Zardus later admitted to McNally that she did this to cover personal expenses due to a divorce she was going through.
‘Divorce doesn’t give you a license to steal other people’s money,? said Jeni Ochoa, owner of Elite Gymnastics. ‘I’ve lost business, staff… The people here want justice done. It affected so many people, her children, my child, people in the club and their families. She’s a dream crusher.?
Zardus has a previous criminal history. In 2005, she was convicted of forgery in federal court in Detroit for an unrelated incident, but through a plea agreement entered a diversion program.
Tornado devastates Hadley residents
A tornado tore through Hadley Township on Aug. 24, leaving several residents with damaged homes and pole barns, and downed trees.
According to the National Weather Service, the EF1 tornado, with maximum winds of 110 mph, touched down at about 6:16 p.m., cutting a path 4 miles across Hadley, from one-half mile southwest of Gregory and Brigham roads to one-half mile west of the Pratt and Herd road intersection.
On Gregory Road, Debria Meadows was one of several residents who recalled the devastation, in which no injuries were reported.
‘It sounded like a train was coming,? said Meadows, who got into a crawlspace with her grandson and dog and then called her husband. ‘I told him I could hear the house creaking, and then I felt it moving. Things were breaking and hitting the house and I just kept saying, ‘Oh my God, oh my God.??
They would ultimately lose their pole barn, a 130-year-old hickory tree in their back yard, and a bedroom ceiling.
Brandon man arraigned in death of police officer
Ramon Felix Pineda, 25, of Brandon Township, was arraigned Aug. 28 on charges of second degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident causing death, and driving while license suspended. The charges stemmed from a fatal crash that occurred on Sashabaw Road south of Clarkston Road at about 8:07 p.m., Aug. 26.
According to Oakland County Sheriff’s reports, Vincent Owen D’Anna, a 26-year-old off-duty Flint police officer and Goodrich resident, was operating a 2007 Suzuki motorcycle southbound on Sashabaw Road south of Clarkston Road. Witnesses indicated that an adult male was driving a 1992 Camaro and ran into D’Anna’s motorcycle from behind. D’Anna was pinned under the Camaro and dragged about 70 feet. Pineda exited the vehicle, and tried to run away on foot when one of the witnesses tackled him and detained him on scene until responding deputies arrived.
‘He’s here illegally, he took the life of a young man, there are lots of witnesses,? said Kelly Chard, assistant prosecuting attorney, of Pineda, who moved to the United States illegally 12 years ago from Mexico. ‘He fled to avoid prosecution.?
Several bystanders lifted the Camaro off D’Anna who was transported to Genesys Medical Center in Grand Blanc where he died. D’Anna was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Alcohol appeared to be a factor in the crash.