District opts to leases buses

Brandon Twp.- Lease or buy? For the school district, for at least the next three years, the answer is lease. The school board unanimously voted at the Dec. 19 board meeting to approve the leasing of seven buses (with a capacity of 77 passengers per bus) at a cost of $11,990 per bus per year […]

Board opts for VARtek Services

Brandon Twp.- School board members voted 6-1 at their Dec. 19 meeting to contract with VARtek Services, Inc. for technology support services. Board Vice-President Kevin McClellan voted no, citing concern over a lack of companies providing similar services with which to compare. ‘In five years, I believe that we will have many more alternatives for […]

Hundreds benefit from toy store

Brandon Twp.- Adele Ferguson knows what it is like to struggle. To not have two nickels to rub together. To have to decide between whether to buy gas or groceries. As a single mother in Pontiac more than 40 years ago, at Christmastime she did not have the resources available to her that are available […]

‘You’re getting a best friend and you’re saving a life.?

Ortonville- Still looking for a special family gift this holiday season? If everyone in the household is in agreement, you could save lives by rescuing a dog or cat, puppy or kitten that needs a home, while receiving much love in return. According to humanesociety.org, about 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized at U.S. […]

Former Brandon residents sentenced in home invasions

Two former area residents have been sentenced in connection with a string of local home invasions. Danie Vore, 31, formerly of Groveland Township, was sentenced Dec. 9 in front of Sixth Circuit Court Judge Rudy Nichols to seven to 30 years in prison after being convicted of four counts of home invasion, second degree, as […]

D.L. Bonner Jewelers will close doors after 29 years

Ortonville- After 29 years, Dec. 24 will be the last day that D.L. Bonner Jewelers, 431 Mill St., will be open for business. David Bonner opened his jewelry store in the village in 1983, with about $18,000 in jewelry, kept in three counters. Over the years, that inventory grew to more than $350,000 worth of […]

Christmas miracle baby

Ortonville- Last Christmas, Heather Wills received the most devastating news of her life? it was very likely that the baby she was carrying inside her was going to die. Just two days before Christmas, doctors at the University of Michigan Mott Children’s Hospital told Heather and Jason Wills that their unborn child had critical aortic […]

Brandon student found unconscious in middle school restroom; assault suspected

Brandon Twp.- Police are investigating whether an 8th grade boy found bloody and unconscious in a Brandon Middle School restroom was attacked by a fellow student. ‘We are investigating this as an assault,? said Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Pete Burkett, commander of the Brandon substation. ‘We have a suspect who is being questioned. We […]

Twp. fund balance grows; employee wages restored

Brandon Twp.- Employees at the township offices will have their wages restored to 2008 levels. At their Dec. 5 meeting, the township board unanimously approved a motion to reinstate full-time employees? wages to the levels they were in 2008, prior to a 5 percent wage cut. The cut will be reversed effective Jan. 1. The […]

Brandon Township Library gears up for millage campaign

Brandon Twp.- The library board will gauge support of a millage increase by forming a campaign committee. At the board’s Nov. 28 meeting, Director Paula Gauthier said the board stopped short of declaring they would go to voters next year asking them to return to a 2.0 operating millage rate previously approved. That rate has […]