New service tax draws mixed reaction locally

A tax on some services approved by state lawmakers on Oct. 1 is drawing mixed reviews from local business owners. Services to be taxed at a 6 percent rate beginning Dec. 1, according to news reports, include a variety of services considered luxuries, or not essential for day-to-day living. The services tax is one-half of […]

Woman in custody after fleeing deputies

A 19-year-old Brandon Township woman wanted by police was captured in Pontiac last week and arraigned on charges of felonious assault and malicious destruction of property. Samantha Leighann Layman was arraigned on the charges on Sept. 29 at Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, the day after police located her at her grandmother’s home. Bond was set […]

The Village Photographer

Ortonville- A blend of the old with the new is offered at The Village Photographer, 421 Mill St. ‘Our focus is good, clean, quality photography, along with keeping up with trends, at an affordable price,? says Bob Flath, who officially opened the studio with son Robert on Oct. 1. ‘We’re giving a new look to […]

Cameras reported stolen from school

Brandon Twp.- After four cameras were stolen from the cable studio at Brandon High School in August, the township board at their Oct. 1 meeting approved the replacement of two cameras, at a cost not to exceed $5,100. A report of the theft was filed on Aug. 27 after Cable Coordinator Greg Normand discovered the […]

Brandon Township Library art auction

Brandon Twp.- An art-filled evening is planned for this year’s major library fundraiser? an art auction set for 6 p.m., Oct. 20 at the library, 304 South St. ‘We chose an art auction because we thought it would be different and fun,? said Zoe Pearson, public relations director for the library. ‘There is no obligation […]

STARS program:’It doesn’t seem like schoolwork?

Brandon Twp.- Wanted: Caring adult or teenaged volunteers to work with children in grades K-4 one-on-one, helping with homework and reading skills one or two hours a week. The STARS program, which began last month, is popular, has reached full enrollment capacity and now has a waiting list, but volunteers are needed to assist the […]

Community honors longtime township poll workers

Poll worker Bea Richards will never forget the primary election with the angry voter. The ballots that year had Republican candidates on one side of the ballot and Democrats on the other. The man did not realize the ballots were two-sided, with Republican candidates on one side and Democrats on the other. ‘He said, ‘What’s […]

Township library hosts: ‘Investing Fundamentals?

Brandon Twp.- Want to learn about investing without any sales pitch or pressure? The Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Services will present the free program ‘Investing Fundamentals? as part of Investor Education @ Your Library, from 10-11:30 a.m., Oct. 13, to be followed by an optional non-commercial counseling session. The library is located at […]

Residents reporting asphalt scam in community

Ortonville- Buyer beware. That is the message Larry Roberts, the public safety aide of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, has for local residents after recently hearing from two citizens who called the Brandon substation and said men had come to their doors offering to lay asphalt at a bargain price. Roberts says the men go […]

Council to replace all village sidewalks

Ortonville- It’s back to square one on the village sidewalks. The newly installed village council is scrapping plans to have engineering firm Rowe, Inc. evaluate sidewalks in the village at a cost of about $2,750. Instead, a sidewalk committee headed by Council Trustee Aileen Champion will walk the village and pick which street’s sidewalks should […]