Assistant Brandon superintendent resigns McKinney will be Berkshire Middle School assistant principal

Brandon Twp.- Assistant Superintendent and Curriculum Director Joanna McKinney’s last day in the district was June 30. McKinney resigned last month after accepting a position as assistant principal at Berkshire Middle School in the Birmingham School District. ‘Although it seems a step backward in educational positions, it’s a step forward in my total life,? she […]

Freedom of speech or offensive?

Ortonville- Many Americans will celebrate Independence Day Monday and the rights this country enjoys, but here in the village this past Monday, one of those freedoms, the freedom of speech, was debated. Outside the post office, 55 Pond St., on village property between the street and the sidewalk, Tarrajna Dorsey and Armando Cutino stood next […]

Just strolling along

For 25 days in May, every step that Beth Nuccio took counted. The Brandon Township resident and Oakland County Commissioner logged 432,827 steps from May 4-May 29 and by doing so, won the first-ever ‘Commissioners Count Your Steps Charity Competition.? As the winner, Nuccio earned $700 for her chosen charity, the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund. […]

New skate park rules take aim at safety, noise

Ortonville- Changes to Village Skate Park usage will begin this week. The village council unanimously approved changes at their June 27 meeting that they hope will reduce or eliminate complaints from neighbors as well as improve safety for park users. Those changes include constant supervision of the park while open and a fee and signed […]

Village coffers swell to 136 percent:’We have to be frugal…?

Ortonville- In the current economy, budget cuts have become the norm. Not in the village. In a time when many municipalities struggle to meet a recommended fund balance of at least 10 percent, the village has exceeded that amount. Exceeded it by far, in fact. The village council approved a 2011-2012 budget of $438,000 at […]

Brandon School Board debates budget at 11th hour

By Susan Bromley Staff Writer Brandon Twp.- The state requires that school districts have a budget for the next school year in place by July 1 or shut down. The school board here received a 2011-12 budget to review at 5:26 p.m., June 28 and at a special meeting June 29, a motion to pass […]

Two BHS youth credited for saving swimmer from pool

Brandon Twp.- A fun school day at the pool nearly turned tragic, but two Brandon High School students became heroes when they rescued a classmate. Allen Goeb and Tony Miettinen were honored June 9 for their actions in saving a female classmate from drowning. During a surprise presentation at the Brandon High School cafeteria, the […]

‘They will always have a place in your heart?

Brenda Timmermans always wanted six children. Her husband, Jos, wanted none. Their compromise is their only child, daughter Journey, 8. However, Brenda Timmermans found a way to give Journey a sibling, as well as expose her child to other cultures. Since 2007, she has ‘adopted? three children for nine months each as a host mom […]

Board meeting dates change; Lenar contract renewed

Brandon Twp.- Beginning in July, the school board will hold their regular meeting the third Monday of every month. The board has met the second Monday of the month for years, but unanimously approved the change during their June 13 meeting in order to accommodate Steve Lenar, acting executive director of fiscal affairs for the […]

Bingo no longer jackpot for sports boosters

Brandon Twp.- In its heyday, bingo raised nearly $100,000 per year for the All-Sports Brandon Boosters. The weekly events held at the Player’s Hall in Waterford drew 115-120 people on any given Saturday and were a boon for the Boosters, which supports athletes in the Brandon School District. But lately, attendance has been less than […]