Island in the Sun’for tanning choices

Brandon Twp.- Summer is the time for tans, but you don’t have to bake in blistering temperatures to get brown. At Island in the Sun, 1591 S. Ortonville Road, new owner Kayla Peck offers spray tanning or clients can achieve nice even skin tones by using one of seven tanning beds with four levels for […]

Despite battles, recalls, lawyers Goodrich operating efficiently CPA Karl Haiser: There is no basis for any allegations of deficit spending or loss of fund balance.?

Goodrich- Not only did the village not have a loss of fund balance for the fiscal years ending in June 2009 and June 2010, they actually increased the fund balance between the two years by more than $100,000. More than 70 percent of this increase will be cancelled, however, by the expected loss of $73,117 […]

Library cuts to impact hours

Brandon Twp.- Every summer, the library is closed on Sundays and when school begins in September, the library is once again open seven days a week. Not anymore. In fact, come January, the library will be open to patrons only five days a week. Faced with cutting $52,000 from the budget, Library Director Paula Gauthier […]

Destination: Guatemala

Guadalupe Zamora Lopez believes the means of breaking poverty is education. Born and raised in a poor village in Guatemala, Guadalupe was offered an opportunity to escape his situation and go to college with the help of missionaries. He did? earning a degree after seven years. But unlike another village youngster offered the same opportunity […]

Schummer steps down as school board president

Brandon Twp.- Debbie Schummer has resigned as school board president, citing conflict with Superintendent Lorrie McMahon. Although she is relinquishing her post as president, Schummer will continue to serve on the board through her term that ends in 2012. ‘I’m not leaving the board, I just can’t express support of the superintendent’s fiscal policies or […]

Senior facility OK’d; August construction eyed

Goodrich- The village council unanimously approved the final site plan for two senior citizen facilities, paving the way for construction to begin next month. ‘I would say that this is the highest value commercial project in the Village of Goodrich in more than 10 years,? said Bill Delaney, the interim planning and zoning administrator for […]

Weather delays Brandon fireworks

Brandon Twp.- A line of storms that sprang up on July 2 put a damper on the planned Ortonville fireworks. Further confusion arose over the rain date, but ultimately, the show must go on, and did? the next night. ‘There was a mix-up, but we had a great fireworks show, no one got hurt, and […]

Council names village manager

Ortonville- The village council has unanimously agreed to approve the hiring of John Lyon as the next village manager. He will start work Aug. 1, pending background and reference check approval. ‘He was the council’s top choice and we extended an offer that he accepted,? said Council President Wayne Wills. ‘I think he will do […]

‘A Footpath in Umbria: Learning, Loving and Laughing in Italy?

Brandon Twp.- By her own admission, Nancy Solak is an uptight, nervous person. On a trip to Europe with her husband Richard for their 25th wedding anniversary, Solak was on a train in Italy when she had a moment of clarity. ‘It was loud, dirty, the windows were open and people were loud,? she recalls […]

Brandon School District ekes out 11th hour budget

Brandon Twp.- The school board approved by a 6-0 vote a budget for the 2011-2012 school year on June 30, squeaking in just hours under the state deadline of July 1 and avoiding a shutdown of the district. The vote, while unanimous, did not come easily or without dissatisfaction. The day before, following a public […]