Neighborhood Stabilization Plan moves ahead

Ortonville- Village officials have closed on a deal to purchase the home located at 61 Narrin Street? now all that is left to do is demolish it. Village Manager Ed Coy said the home is the first deal to be closed as part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The federal program established last October provides […]

Ortonville council inks dangerous animal ordinance

Ortonville- The village council pushed through an ordinance in perhaps the fastest time ever at their Aug. 24 meeting. The council passed the dangerous animals ordinance by a 6-1 vote. Council President Ken Qusienberry was the sole dissenter. ‘This is the quickest an ordinance has ever gone through this council,? said Councilmember Melanie Nivelt. ‘It […]

Council votes to hire seasonal employee, foggy on DPW solution

Ortonville- The village remains without an official Department of Public Works, but the council will hire a seasonal employee to assist the current part-time employee who is taking care of critical village services. The village council voted 5-2 at their Aug. 24 meeting to hire the seasonal employee to ‘get us through as necessary,? said […]

Caribbean care

Two local nursing students recently got a crash course in caring for impoverished patients in the Dominican Republic. Susan Gajdos, a 2005 Brandon High School graduate, and Stacy Luttrell, a 2005 Goodrich High School graduate, were in the developing Caribbean nation from Aug. 2-9 as part of an annual mission trip with their church, New […]

‘I was soul-searching to do something different with my life?

By Susan Bromley Staff Writer PFC Dan Rathburg enlisted in the Army in June of last year? at the age of 35. Unlike most new recruits, Rathburg, a 1992 Brandon High School graduate, had been married for 10 years, already had three children, and was established in the civilian world as a business owner. ‘I […]

Council meeting draws ire of pet owners, neighbors

Ortonville- Residents and representatives from various dog organizations turned out in defense of pit bulls at the Aug. 10 village council meeting, as the council considers remedies to a dog problem involving the breed. ‘It’s a shame to punish a breed for some people’s stupidity,? said Carrie Fenton, a village resident who came to the […]

Crim ready

Laura Burmeister ran her first Crim in 1997, just a few short years after losing her mother to breast cancer, her inspiration to start running. The 43-year-old Brandon Township resident still remembers vividly the bands and the people cheering her on during the 10-mile race in Flint. As she turned and hit the bricks on […]

Village DPW questions linger as winter woes near

Ortonville- The status of the village’s Department of Public Works has been up in the air since February, after the two DPW employees were fired. How village services will be taken care of long-term will remain in question for at least two more weeks as village councilmembers research the cost of contracting out work, as […]

Coy to step down

Ortonville- Village Manager Ed Coy is retiring. Coy announced his plans to step down after four years of overseeing the village during a special meeting with the council last week. ‘It’s time,? he said simply. ‘I think it’s the best thing for me.? His retirement will be effective Sept. 30. Coy, 64, came to the […]