Sitdown-showdown

Brandon Twp.- The removal of Michael Ferguson as Brandon High School principal sparked controversy this week that included protests by students and teachers alike and left questions unanswered. Superintendent Tom Miller said he told Ferguson on Jan. 17 he would be transferred to the position of Assistant to the Director of Special Education and the […]

Men arraigned in Brandon converter thefts

Two men found stealing a catalytic converter from a park and ride lot two weeks ago, in Independence Township, have been arraigned in the thefts of numerous other converters in Brandon Township. Jason Brian Morgan, 23, of Clarkston was arraigned Jan. 22 in front of 52-2 District Court Judge Dana Fortinberry on a charge of […]

Board OKs fire department thermal imaging camera

Brandon Twp.- A new tool is about to be added to the fire department’s arsenal of life-saving equipment. The township board unanimously approved Fire Chief Bob McArthur’s request to purchase a thermal imaging camera during their Jan. 22 meeting. The camera and accessories, which will be purchased from Southeast Equipment Company for $8,200, allows a […]

Volunteers needed for township CERT training

Brandon Twp.- The Community Emergency Response Team is seeking volunteers. CERT Leader Lee Stewart says the group is accepting names of people interested in taking a 6-week training course this spring. ‘They will learn about disaster preparedness and coping with disasters such as large snowstorms, hot spells, ice storms, tornadoes, major power outages, and how […]

Village names new clerk, treasurer

Ortonville- The village council unanimously approved the hiring of a part-time clerk and part-time treasurer during their Jan. 14 meeting. The move comes more than two months after Village Clerk/Treasurer Mary Clark resigned during an investigation into her accounting practices. The council later decided to divide the full-time position into two part-time jobs. The new […]

Ortonville woman sentenced to prison for embezzlement

A 40-year-old Ortonville mother will spend at least 23 months in prison for embezzling more than $108,000 from an Oxford gym’s parent club. Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Rudy Nichols sentenced Cheryl Ann Zardus to 23 months to 10 years in prison on Jan. 11 for a felony charge of embezzlement over $20,000. The sentence […]

Parents at bar while kids home alone

Brandon Twp.- A local mother and stepfather who left four children alone while they were drinking at a bar returned home to find deputies waiting for them. Charlotte Bennett, 40, and John Baird, 37, were arraigned Jan. 15 at 52-2 District Court on charges of operating while intoxicated (first offense for Bennett, second offense for […]

Village opts for two-man DPW crew

Ortonville- The village will have two Department of Public Works employees instead of three from now on and there will be no DPW supervisor position. The village council voted 4-3 at their Jan. 14 meeting to have a two-man DPW staff and voted unanimously to eliminate the supervisor position. The move means Jim Early, a […]

Learning begins at Nature Kids Preschool

Brandon Twp.- Pajamas and penguins. Those were the themes on a recent Wednesday morning at Nature Kids Preschool, where children ages 3-5 play, learn, and build self-confidence in a center-based program. ‘Our job is to prepare children for Kindergarten,? says Cindy Purkey, a certified teacher and owner of Nature Kids Preschool. ‘One of our goals […]

Twp. man pleads guilty in attempted rape

A 26-year-old Brandon Township man is facing 9-20 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges relating to an attack on a neighbor in September. Michael Lee Friske pleaded guilty on Jan. 16 to charges of first degree home invasion, assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, and felonious assault, in front of Sixth Judicial […]