57 percent of the township’s winter taxes collected

Brandon Twp.- Winter tax collection ends Feb. 14. Treasurer Terry Beltramo hopes to receive payments steadily in the next three weeks, and not all the outstanding bills on the last day. Two weeks ago, at the mid-point of collection, Beltramo was happy to have 57 percent of the township’s winter taxes collected. On Jan. 17, […]

Library needs twp. board support for millage vote

Brandon Twp.- The library is open only five days a week effective this month. If township residents approved a millage proposal this year, hours of service would likely be restored. But will voters get the opportunity to decide? ‘It’s important for us to show the Brandon Township Board why this is important,? said Library Director […]

Declutter, get organized in 2012

Groveland Twp.- Brigitte Todd knows that lost time is lost money. Lost keys, lost documents, and general clutter causes stress. A common New Year’s resolution is to get organized and not coincidentally, January is National Get Organized Month. ‘Being organized saves lots of money, stress, nerves,? says Todd. ‘The less stuff you have laying around, […]

How fast is too fast on gravel roads? Public responds

Brandon Twp.- It’s all about perception. When it comes to speed limits, 1st Lt. Thad Peterson, Michigan State Police traffic services commander, said that a 25 mph speed limit on gravel roads leads residents to believe they are safer, when in actuality they are not, nor are drivers obeying that speed. Conversely, a 55 mph […]

Firefighters called for swan trapped on ice

Brandon Twp.- Dogs, horses, and deer trapped in ice-covered lakes and ponds in the township have prompted calls to the fire department in the past. Jan. 4, however, was the first time Fire Chief Dave Kwapis had ever been summoned to rescue a swan. A concerned Bald Eagle Lake resident called the fire department in […]

Holiday tensions lead to family fight, arrest, jail

Brandon Twp.- A fight involving several females all related to each other started with alleged inappropriate behavior by a teenager on Christmas, and three days later, escalated to profanities, a slap, minor injuries to multiple parties and a drawn gun. By the time it was all over, police had issued a man a ticket for […]

Brandon Schools braces for $2 million plus deficit

(Editors note: This story was previously published in the Dec. 24 edition; however, a significant portion of the story was inadvertently cut off.) Brandon Twp.- If every employee in the school district took a 10 percent paycut for the 2012-2013 school year, the district could save $2 million. And it still would not be enough […]

Santa finds girls for first time; no shed this Christmas

Editor’s Note: The names in this story have been changed to protect identities. Brandon Twp.- Jim and Sally Smith have exactly what they want for Christmas, now they just hope they don’t have to return their perfect gifts. The township residents received news of their present in March, when a foster agency called to ask […]

‘It needs to be alarming…?

Brandon Twp.- If every employee in the school district took a 10 percent paycut for the 2012-2013 school year, the district could save $2 million. And it still would not be enough to cover the deficit the district is facing. During the Dec. 19 school board meeting, Executive Director of Fiscal Affairs Steve Lenar said […]

Rec employee retires after 23 years, reflects on changes

Candee Allen has seen plenty of changes in area recreation in two decades. The Brandon Parks and Recreation administrative assistant is retiring after nearly 23 years of employment by the township. A party celebrating her years of service is planned for 5 -8 p.m., Jan. 3 at the Edna Burton Senior Center, 345 Ball St. […]