Too much fowl play? Township eyes chicken ordinance

Groveland Twp.-Like many residents, Tim and Sherri utilize the rural characteristics of the township to raise a few chickens. And while the birds have become part of the landscape’a few of the critters have been scratching some residents the wrong way. ‘We’ve had chickens here since 1997 when we moved here,? said Sherri. ‘We’ve never […]

Judge rules for McAbee

A circuit court judge has ruled former Goodrich village councilman David Lucik did not show damages when newly elected councilman Doug McAbee failed to sign the oath of office document within 10 days of the date he was notified of his election to office. Judge Geoffrey Neithercut, of the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, heard the […]

Amman named to township board

Atlas Twp.- When incumbent township supervisor Paul Amman lost the August 2010 primary election, as well as a November write-in bid to current Township Supervisor Shirley Kautman-Jones, his 14-year stint as a local official appeared to be over. It wasn’t. ‘There’s no sour grapes,? said Amman, 72, who was appointed by a 3-1 vote on […]

MSP/Groveland Township Post to close

Groveland Twp.-Since 1996 the Michigan State Police have been established in the township. This fall that’s set to change. On March 24 the Michigan State Police (MSP) announced the adoption of a regional policing model designed to provide increased services while relying less upon traditional ‘bricks and mortar? post buildings. The plan emphasizes enhanced technology […]

New burn law left smoldering for now

Michigan’s long-standing practice of burning household waste in rural communities may be close to going up in smoke. A law to ban burning household trash which has been allowed in burn barrels statewide for material such as wood, paper and foam for the past 30 years, was set to expire on April 1. If that […]

Atlas Township inks budget for 2011-12

Atlas Twp.-The township board of trustees OK’d a $1,201,005 budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year during the township meeting on Monday night. Highlights of the budget included drawing $90,478 from the fund balance to cover the Genesee County Sheriff Department contract for 2011. Township Trustee Barry June emphasized the police budget will be addressed in […]

Four candidates vie for township trustee seat

At 7 p.m., March 28, the Atlas Township Board of Trustees will interview four candidates for one trustee seat vacated following the resignation of trustee Scott Statson earlier this year. A total of 12 applications were received for the seat by the March 8 deadline. Statson stepped down due to work obligations. The term will […]

Warrant issued for eagle shooter

A 65-year-old man will be charged with shooting an endangered species and reckless discharge of a firearm in connection with a wounded bald eagle near his home in the area of Van Vleet and Ray roads in Genesee County, just west of Groveland Township. A law enforcement investigation by the DNR led them to James […]

Judge to hear village council oath case

Goodrich- A former village council member drive to challenge a procedural issue regarding the election of Councilman Doug McAbee will be heard by a circuit court judge on March 28. Judge Geoffrey Neithercut, of the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, will hear both sides of a dispute after McAbee failed to sign the oath of office […]

Lawmaker to schools: Use rainy-day funds now

According to an article in The Detroit News, Sen. Jack Brandenburg, R-Harrison Township, believes school districts should be required to spend down their fund balances just as the state has done. The Budget Stabilization Fund is down from $2.2 million from a high of $1.2 billion in 2000. Brandenburg told The Detroit News the state […]