A lifelong legacy of service

Clarkston Residents remember a great community activist who served both Clarkston and God. Martha A. ‘Marty? Johnston, passed away Aug. 31 at age 72 after a battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband Rich Johnston. Clarkston resident Tom Stone said he had a lot of experience working with Johnston when he […]

A lifetime of service

After 65 years of doing the Lord’s work around the globe, how does Brother Bruno Karpinski spend his retirement? ‘I get up every morning at 5:15 and spend an hour talking with the Lord, (asking) ‘what do you want me to do, Lord,?? said Karpinski, 87, a Jesuit at Colombiere Center, off Big Lake Road […]

Celebrating 175 years of history

Residents young and old filled Depot Park Sunday afternoon to wish Clarkston a happy 175th birthday, and dedicate its new bridge. ‘This is something typical about small town Americana,? said Bart Clark. ‘This bridge will make the back area more accessible and it will add to the park, hats off to Jim and Ginni Schultz.? […]

Deficits no more?

Seven months ago, budget deficits threatened Deer Lake Beach and other parks programs. Now, Independence Township is posting a $700,000 budget surplus. What gives? According to Finance Director Susan Hendricks, it was a combination of three things. ‘We underbudgeted our state revenue because at the time we were preparing our budget, we were told our […]

Scouts clean park stream

Three Boy Scouts from Holly dedicated one of their last summer mornings to help Clarkston’s Depot Park. Mike Neal, Kevin Hopper and Jonathan Louingues of Boy Scout Troop 43 out of Holly, along with their mothers Sandy Hopper and Heather Neal, helped Ginni and James Schultz Aug. 29 clean up the mucky river in Depot […]

Diner worker returns as the new boss

BY TREVOR KEISER Clarkston News Staff Writer Taking over your own business at age 24 is a lot of work and responsibility to employees and customers. ‘But I love it, I love every minute of it,? said Joseph O’Hearn, Clarkston High School graduate and new owner of Mel’s Grill 2 in the Gateway Plaza off […]

By dawn’s early light

Friends, family, soldiers and students at Everest Academy remembered a local hero Friday, raising the flag in honor of PFC Joseph A. Miracle, who died fighting in Afghanistan. ‘It was difficult to bring it all back again,? said Judy Miracle, teacher at Everest and Joseph’s mother. ‘It’s like opening a wound, but it brought meaning […]

Locking up the lakes

Want lakefront access? Better get some lakefront property. On Tues. Aug. 21, Independence Township Board members voted unanimously for the first reading of a keyholing ordinance. Keyholing has been under discussion between Independence Township Board, Planning Commission, and lake residents for nearly 20 years. A sub-committee was formed back in March to study the issue […]

Supervisor doesn’t get $30k more for legal fund

Independence Township Supervisor Dave Wagner asked the township board for $30,000 more for the legal budget this year, but the board denied his request. According to Wagner, at the end of June the township spent $141,000 out of a $230,000 budget. ‘If we keep on the same track we will be at $282,000,? said Wagner. […]

Underused software not saving township money

A computerized accounting system purchased two years ago could save taxpayers? money, if only it were used. Independence Township Trustee Charles Dunn wants to know why it isn’t. On Tues. Aug 21 the Independence Township Board discussed implementing ‘point of sale? software that was purchased by the board in 2005. ‘We purchased an asset and […]