BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer The annual Sparkle Awards is a jewel of an event, usually held in March to celebrate everyone during an always emotional evening full of support and encouragement. That’s just one thing Clarkston Community Schools special education works on. “We are very proud of our special education programs and […]
BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer For some Clarkston High School students, summer vacation had a little extra travel this year. After students from Japan visited and lived in Clarkston this past spring, Clarkston High School students returned the favor over the summer by flying to Chiba, Japan, for two weeks, June 30-July 14. […]
BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer More school renovations and roadwork are coming to town in 2020. At the Independence Township Board of Trustees regular meeting, Sept. 10, Supervisor Pat Kittle gave the details. Clarkston High School will have some building renovations starting the summer of 2020, and the Waldon Road parking lot will […]
BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer More elderly housing is a step closer to reality in Independence Township, after a proposal was unanimously approved at the Sept. 10 township Board of Trustees regular meeting. The 18-acre development will be located on the west side of Sashabaw Road, south of Moody Drive and across the […]
BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer The soon-to-be-opened Alex’s Market and Grill on White Lake Road may have an LED sign after all. The Independence Township Board voted unanimously, Sept. 10, to approve first reading of their Planned Unit Development Amendment. Second reading will be at the board meeting next week. The Planning Commission […]
BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer Residents might notice law enforcement and firefighters converging on DTE Energy Music Theatre next Wednesday morning. It’ll just be a drill, said Independence Township Supervisor Pat Kittle. “It is just good business to plan for the worst and hope for the best,” Kittle said. “If something really bad […]
BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer The Independence Township Fire Department and Independence Firefighters Local Union 2629 are still at odds over department finances. According to a statement released by the union in response to last week’s story “Fire budget woes pinned on pensions” and column “Keep the promises you make, don’t make promises […]
BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer The Clarkston Community Schools construction technology program is getting a boost for the upcoming school year after recently being awarded a Marshall Plan for Talent grant along with Brandon and Holly schools. “We need to encourage more of our students to look at high-demand careers and ensure they […]
Staffing changes could improve service, chief says BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer Increasing pension costs are close to crashing the Independence Township Fire Department’s budget, warns township Supervisor Pat Kittle and Independence Township Fire Chief Mitch Petterson. The fire department operates on a $6 million yearly budget, and its 2019 labor expenses are […]
Welcome, September! Well, goodbye to you, summer. We hardly knew ya. Bring on the fall, I suppose. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. As a lifelong resident of Michigan, fall in our state is beautiful, even breathtaking at times. That’s a main reason Stephanie got married in the fall – for the colors. We also […]