Sewer project blocked

Workers got 27 feet into a drain-repair project on Washington St. before they had to stop. “There’s a 15-inch diameter piece of concrete that’s flowed downstream from the failure and gotten crossways in the sewer. The only way to fix it is with excavation,” said Gary Tressel of Hubble, Roth, and Clark engineering firm at […]

Expert teaches tax tribunal tips

When it comes to filing an appeal on your assessment value of your house, it helps to know what you’re talking about. “Don’t appeal your value unless you know what you’re appealing,” said Michael Lohmeier. Lohmeier, Michigan Certified General Real Estate Appraiser and former tax tribunal judge, hosted a Feb. 5 seminar, “Understanding Property Assessments […]

Sewer deal in the works

After four years of talk, Clarkston and Independence Township are ready to settle their sewer-rate differences. “It’s not good for the township, it’s not good for us,? said Clarkston Mayor Stephen Arkwright. ‘We just need to get this taken care of, so we can move forward.? For the past 28 years, Clarkston residents have been […]

Negotiations over collapsed sewer break down

Negotiations collapsed over a broken storm sewer on Washington Street, and the case may end up in court. On Jan. 27, Clarkston City Manager Dennis Ritter hand delivered an easement agreement, along with a ‘Good Faith Offer? of $892, to resident Norm Cristea. Cristea had three business days to accept, or Ritter was authorized by […]

Clarkston Cafe retooling for the future, Catallo says

Another sign of Michigan’s economic woes can be found in the front window of Clarkston Cafe, where a sign annouces the Main Street restaurant ‘closed for retooling.? ‘It was a different Michigan two-and-a-half years ago when we restored it,? said Curt Catallo, owner of Clarkston Caf? and Clarkston Union. ‘I think now it requires some […]

Supervisor Wagner’s agenda policy prevails

What was a bad practice is now a bad policy, according to Trustee David Lohmeier. ‘I’m concerned we (trustees) won’t have as much influence to talk about things that are really important, like the town hall and other major expenditures,? said Lohmeier at the Jan. 20 Independence Township Board meeting. The new policy, approved 4-3, […]

Dixie Highway is the talk of the town

It’s Dixie Highway’s turn for attention With more than 600 invitations mailed out, the public was not short on numbers or suggesting ideas to improve Dixie Highway at the Jan. 22 Planning Commission meeting. Some of the major ideas included, signage issues, speed limit, removal of abandon structures, excessive berm and tree heights now blocking […]

Parks work earns honors

Around Independence Township Parks and Recreation, Mike Navarre and Eric Bryan were known as ‘The Ball Crew,? working for the past three years on maintaining 18 baseball and softball fields at six sites. Now attending college, Navarre and Bryan received the Youth Sports Staff of the Year Award, Jan. 7, from the Michigan Recreation and […]

Live from Clarkston

Clarkston Film Studio owner Norman Pardo, along with his wife, Jill, are looking at new ways to feature the Clarkston area through Clarkstontv.org. “What we want to do is be the local spot for Clarkston for businesses to talk to the Clarkston people and for people to come in and have their own shows,? Norm […]

VIP Training offers variety

After working at big health clubs, Jerry Lockwood and his partner Dr. Michael Sartorius were looking for something a little more personal, so a little over a year ago they opened VIP Training. “We got tired of the big health club atmosphere, where people walked around aimlessly, so we decided to open a place that […]