Local company eyes military contract

Brandon Twp.-For the past several years township-based Technical Directions Inc. has been working on a compact missile engine that is low-cost and easy to assemble. The TDI engine was designed to utilize automotive turbocharger parts for the compressor and turbine wheels, jet fuel to lubricate and cool the bearings, eliminating the need for heavy lubricating […]

Emerald ash borer treatment offered

Brandon Twp.-Jim Cowen now has plenty of firewood. But while thoughts of plenty of fuel for his fireplace may seem like a good idea’it’s not his choice after cutting about 13 trees from his Oakwood Road home yard. ‘I hate the trees being cut,? said Cowen. ‘I love having the trees to block the road […]

Neighbors come to aid of two Gale Lake ice fisherman

Atlas Twp.- A sunny, early spring day nearly turned tragic for a pair of local men. A veteran ice fisherman and Gale Lake resident said he should not have ventured out on the ice Saturday for some late March fishing. The resident, 78, who asked not to be identified, said he headed out on the […]

Utility upgrades key in township property sale

Groveland Twp.-From an artillery range to a water park to even a prison’a 191-acre parcel of township-owned property has been considered over the years for a host of projects. Now that same property near Grange Hall Road and I-75 will be on the market this spring in hopes of attracting just the right buyer for […]

The Ortonville Masonic Lodge announces BHS scholarship recipients

Ortonville- The Ortonville Masonic Lodge #339 recently awarded three scholarships to Brandon High School students for their scholastic achievements and contributions to the community. Last week Brandon High School Seniors, Katy Lawson, Sherri Lawrence and Amanda Grix were each awarded a $500 Masonic Scholarship. The education program is funded through area events including a pancake […]

Area home prices sag, sales stable

Existing home sales declined in both Brandon and Groveland townships while rising slightly in Atlas Township in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2007, according to a report issued by Realcomp Data Services. The average sales price dipped by about 6 percent in both Atlas and Brandon townships but […]

Local man charged with child pornography

Groveland Twp.-Township resident Melvin Lesperance, 41, was arraigned Monday at 52-2 District Court on two counts of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, each count a seven-year felony, two counts of Child Sexually Abusive Activity’Distributing or Promoting, each count a seven-year felony, and three counts of Child Sexually Abusive Material, each count a four-year […]

Board inks tighter budget; projects dashed

Groveland Township-The township budget belt just became a little tighter. The 2008-09 township budget will be $160,000 less compared to last year, with no new capital expenditures, and no pay hikes for elected officials and office staff. The township board OK’d the $986,007 budget by a 5-0 vote on Monday night. ‘The new budget reflects […]

Area man jailed on four counts of CSC

David Michael Bowman, 37, was arraigned on Feb. 29 at 52-2 District Court before Judge Kostin on four counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct first degree stemming from a relationship with his 14-year-old niece. According to police reports, in 2006 the niece was living with Bowman after the death of her parents. The victim was a […]

Brandon’s first Head Start teacher remembered

Deana D. Barrick, of Oxford, died March 3. She was 84. Barrick was born in Juanita, N.D. the daughter of Ora (Ground) and Charles Dean. The family moved to Flint in 1933. She married George Barrick in 1953. She taught school in the Flint area and in New Jersey with the public schools, and at […]