Coulter, Kittle at odds over regional plan

BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer A regional transit system is needed to attract business and younger talent, according to Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “The county executive has the goal to have a transit question on the ballot this fall. However, he wants to get the plan right first,” said Bill Mullan, media […]

Push back on RTA

BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer Independence Township does not want anything to do with the 2020 Regional Transit Authority millage proposal, with the Township Board unanimously passing a resolution to opt out of RTA, Jan. 7. “What do we get for that $2 million a year,” asked Independence Township Supervisor Pat Kittle. The […]

Massage law

BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer Massage establishments in Independence Township face stricter regulations now that Independence Township Board voted unanimously to approve the second reading of a new ordinance, Jan. 7. Trustees Jose Aliaga and Ron Ritchie were absent. First reading was Dec. 17. “I know we had a meeting with the sheriff’s […]

GoFundMe for deputy’s battle with cancer

GoFundMe for deputy’s battle with cancer

BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer A GoFundMe account has been started for longtime Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Gary Garza, who is battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer. According to the GoFundMe page, Garza was having some severe stomach pains and went to a doctor with concerns about his issues. Doctors thought he may have […]

New safety path coming to township

New safety path coming to township

BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer A new safety path will soon be installed in Independence Township. At the Dec. 17 regular meeting of the township Board, a 1,600-foot-long safety path was unanimously approved for the east side of Clarkston Road, connecting existing pathways at Clintonville Road and Greenview Drive. The Safety Path Committee […]

Township cracks down on massage

BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer The massage parlor business is under more scrutiny after the Independence Township Board voted unanimously, Dec. 17, to approve first reading of new regulations. “This came about because of occurrences in this township and other municipalities that indicate the spread of criminal action, including human trafficking, in Oakland […]

Tips to stay safe during the holiday season

This holiday season, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office has some tips to stay safe. • Beware of phishing websites designed to steal your username, passwords, and payment card information. Cyber criminals commonly build webpages which look like popular internet shopping and banking websites, even using valid digital certificates to make the websites appear legitimate. Although […]

Sashabaw work done for winter

Sashabaw work done for winter

After more than seven months of construction, Sashabaw Road is now open from I-75 to just south of Clarkston Road in Independence Township. The majority of the funding for the $4.8 million-dollar project was provided by the township, while the remainder was funded by Road Commission for Oakland County and Oakland County general government through […]

ITFD offers lock boxes to residents

ITFD offers lock boxes to residents

BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer Having elderly loved ones living in town can be stressful, but the Independence Township Fire Department has a way to give family members peace of mind with new Roper Lock Boxes. A Roper Lock Box is a small box installed on a hanging bracket that fits over the […]

Community support after family tragedy

BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer School, church, and community gathered to offer comfort and support as the tragic news of a classmate’s suicide spread last week. Clarkston High School Principal Gary Kaul and a support team of counselors stayed in close contact with the Oakland County Crisis Response Team and put a plan […]