Changes on Main Street highlight 2021 year in review

Changes on Main Street highlight 2021 year in review

BY MATT MACKINDER
Clarkston News Editor

As we turn the calendar to 2022, let’s take a look back at the top stories from the pages of The Clarkston News during 2021.
January 6
Heroic holiday rescue at DTE
What could have been a tragic situation turned into a nine-year-old girl’s life being saved last month during the DTE Energy Music Theatre Magic of Lights drive-thru light display.
The girl accidentally became stuck in a seatbelt mechanism, causing her to begin to choke. Her parents pulled over, called for help, and two staff members, Rich Doran and Chuck Nelson, ran over to the car and were able to free the child from the seatbelt.
January 13
Clarkston grads embrace COVID times with drive-thru wedding shower
Wes Petrimoulx and Ally Reynolds are getting married in June and had their wedding shower venue cancel recently.
Not to be deterred, the 2017 Clarkston High School graduates and Grand Valley State University students, who have been together six years this month, enjoyed their shower on Saturday, January 9, at the Independence Township Senior Center.
Local businesses surviving, thriving
Snow is on the ground, it’s now 2021, and cash is still zipping out most of our wallets.
Seems like a typical year, but it is far from that as masks hide our smiles and an economic shutdown decays our years of savings.
Clarkston, close to heart and home of several locally established businesses, has been overwhelmed by the difficult times brought to us by COVID-19. No matter your opinion on the issue, we have all been affected by it, whether it is personally or those around us.
January 20
Falling concrete from I-75 bridge
Clarkston resident Tracie Moonen was driving on Dixie Highway Tuesday, Jan. 12, when she said a falling piece of concrete hit the windshield of her car under the I-75 bridge in Springfield Township.
January 27
Still home sweet home in Clarkston
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit about a year ago, lives and businesses changed considerably as regulations forced people into accepting the “new normal.” However, many businesses forged ahead, including real estate, with two area realtors saying the local housing market never really slowed down.
February 3
Clarkston school buildings reopen, with safety the No. 1 priority
Clarkston Community Schools reopened this week after being in a distance learning environment since November.
The district started the school year in a virtual mode before opening the buildings in October. A month later, schools closed again due to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases.
Now, the schools are back open.
February 10
Restaurants getting needed help
Back in early December, Oakland County officials approached the city of Clarkston, as well as other cities, letting them know there were approximately $10-11 million in funds remaining from the CARES Act grant program that could be used to help ailing local restaurants.
Legal changes in ongoing Bisio FOIA case
The ongoing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) case between Susan Bisio and the city of Clarkston took another turn last month when the city decided to utilize additional legal services in the proceedings.
During the January 6 Clarkston City Council meeting, due to an undisclosed conflict with City Attorney Tom Ryan, the council approved the retention of attorney Mark Peyser of Howard and Howard of Royal Oak to represent the city in the current facilitation of settling the ongoing lawsuit.
February 17
Clarkston schools remaining focused on staff, student safety
As Clarkston Community Schools went into mid-winter break Feb. 15-16, Superintendent Dr. Shawn Ryan said he remains “cautiously optimistic” as the district is “holding strong” more than three weeks into in-person learning.
Ryan noted virus rates in the immediate area continue to trend in a positive direction, and staff and student quarantine levels are stable and manageable. As of Feb. 12, more than 35 percent of CCS staff secured an appointment to be vaccinated or are already in the vaccination cycle, and new appointments continue to open up for educators as part of the state’s prioritized vaccine rollout.
February 24
Resident calls out Clarkston government for apparent financial snafus
Susan Bisio has been embroiled in a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit with the City of the Village of Clarkston since 2015.
She was recently offered a $35,000 payout from the city, but her attorney and husband, Richard Bisio, would not go into detail, saying, “$35,000 is not a settlement amount. As of now, the case is not settled. I anticipate discussions will continue.”
Independence Township makes fitness grade
Want to be in shape and be healthy?
Living in Independence Township can help with that.
BarBend.com, a strength training resource website, compiled a comprehensive list of the top fittest cities across Michigan, using data backed by studies based on a variety of factors.
March 3
CCS back in buildings, with distance learning nixed
Clarkston Community Schools returned to in-person learning five days a week on Monday. Superintendent Dr. Shawn Ryan said in his weekly communication that improving COVID-19 numbers in the area helped make this decision an easy one.
March 10
New ownership for downtown Clarkston building
The windows were covered at 5 South Main Street in downtown Clarkston as new owners Robert Esshaki and Christopher Thomas took over what was once home of The Clarkston News.
“It felt like it was time,” said Jim Sherman, Jr., The Clarkston News publisher and former building owner, about selling.
Clarkston Road issue goes viral, but township says there is zero danger
When Joshua Turcsak posted a video on his personal Facebook page last Wednesday showing what appeared to be an impending sinkhole on Clarkston Road near Clintonville and Eston roads, it quickly went viral.
March 17
Local food pantry helping out families, individuals in need
In times of need, communities like Clarkston seem to always step up to help their neighbors. This has never been more evident than with the free food pantry roadside at 7058 Ridgewood Road, just north of Big Lake Road off of Clark Road, and south of I-75.
Independence robotics team qualifies for states
The BroncoBots, Independence Elementary’s Lego Robotics Team, competed last Saturday at a qualifying tournament and has advanced to the state tournament, set to be held on March 27. The team, which has been working together since October, posted a perfect score on their robot design evaluation.
March 24
Superintendent says current COVID-19 numbers cause for concern
In his March 19 communication to Clarkston Community Schools families, Superintendent Dr. Shawn Ryan said he wanted to provide the “full picture” of where the district is in terms of current COVID-19 rates and resulting quarantines in CCS heading into the last week before spring break.
Independence Township man jailed on criminal sexual conduct charges
An Independence Township man accused of sexually assaulting a woman during a New Year’s Eve gathering was arraigned last Wednesday on a third-degree criminal sexual conduct charge in 51st District Court in Waterford Township.
Ian Wilson, 20, is being held in the Oakland County Jail on $400,000 bond set by Magistrate Russell Anderson.
Resident questioning township, supervisor responds
The Independence Township Board of Trustees recently made changes to the township administrative infrastructure that has one resident miffed.
At the March 2 board of trustees meeting, the board unanimously approved a proposal to restructure the current Building Department into two distinct but interconnected departments – a separate Building Department and a separate Planning, Zoning and Code Enforcement Department.
“It was very disappointing that the board agreed to make a new high-paying position we don’t need,” said Sam Moraco, also a longtime member of the township planning commission.
March 31
Toxic burn pit effects affecting Clarkston veteran’s quality of life
Jared Enochs enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2007 to serve his country and to get away from his small hometown in Tennessee.
Now 14 years later, the 31-year-old Clarkston resident has a laundry list of health issues and says no assistance is available after he was exposed to a toxic burn pit while serving in Iraq.
April 7
After more than five years, Bisio FOIA suit settled for $160K
Back on March 30, the Clarkston City Council agreed to settle the ongoing Freedom of Information Act lawsuit between resident Susan Bisio and the City of the Village of Clarkston for the amount of $160,000.
In 2015, Bisio sued the city for documents pertaining to land developments that were not stored on city-owned computers and were instead stored on City Attorney Tom Ryan’s personal computer.
Local arraigned on weapons charges
Clarkston resident Maxwell Wyckoff, a known member of the Wolverine Watchmen, was arraigned on two felony weapons charges March 22 at the 52nd District Court, Division 3 in Oakland County.
The 22-year-old is charged with one count of converting a semiautomatic weapon to an automatic weapon, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine, and, one count of possessing a muffler or silencer device, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a $2,500 fine.
April 14
Former fire chief remembered
Gar Wilson worked 72 hours with no sleep during a bad winter one year plowing the streets.
It’s his dedication, work ethic and being a great friend those close to him will remember after the former Independence Township fire chief passed away March 8, 2021.
Clarkston man arraigned after ‘new level of disturbing actions’
Clarkston resident Kevin Wayne VanLuven was unwittingly recorded during a home inspection allegedly pleasuring himself with an Elmo doll on March 12. The 59-year-old man was arraigned on April 7 on two misdemeanor counts – aggravated indecent exposure and malicious destruction of property under $200.
April 21
Former Springfield teacher to be sentenced for sexual assault
A former teacher at Cedar Crest Academy in Springfield Township school who engaged in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old female student in 2010 is to be sentenced May 20 in Oakland County Circuit Court.
Jason William Dean, 37, of Livonia, pleaded no contest on April 15 to five counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct before Circuit Judge Yasmine Poles. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but treated as such for sentencing purposes.
April 28
Clarkston schools plowing through unconventional year
Clarkston Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Shawn Ryan continues to stay positive and keep families aware of how the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the district. In his April 23 email communication, Ryan discussed challenges CCS continues to face regarding positive cases of the virus and associated quarantining.
May 5
Pair of ‘creative, enthusiastic’ staffers join library
Walk into the Clarkston Independence District Library these days, and two new faces will be there to greet you. Last month, the library brought aboard Manda Carr as the head of youth and teen services and Sissy Phillips as community relations and volunteer coordinator.
May 12
New city signs
Clarkston’s signage contractor, ASI Signage, is making progress on the installation of the new city signs, as the six entryway signposts and entryway signs have been installed.
May 19
Residents upset with new development; supervisor clarifies issue
After local residents emailed The Clarkston News to bring attention to what they called “poor planning” at the Insignia development (formerly Steeplechase) at Clintonville and Mann roads, Independence Township Supervisor Pat Kittle put any concerns to rest.
May 26
Medical marihuana to be allowed in township
Medical marihuana will soon be allowed in Independence Township, but only in industrial zoning districts, and not in commercial or residential districts.
June 2
SMS educator humbled by Teacher of the Year accolades
Monica Phillips didn’t think she would be named the Clarkston Foundation Teacher of the Year, so she told her husband to stay home and not attend the ceremony last Wednesday at the Clarkston Community Schools Administration Building.
Turns out, she had reason to celebrate after all when she heard her name called by Matt Evans, the Teacher of the Year Committee chair.
June 9
Fire ravages local Chinese restaurant
In the early-morning hours of Friday, June 4, the New York Minute Chinese restaurant, located at 9770 Dixie Highway near Davisburg Road, was engulfed in flames and burned to the ground, only the walls still standing. The cause is under investigation. No one was injured in the fire.
June 16
Clarkston graduates class of nearly 600
There were no masks. There was no social distancing. There were plenty of smiles and sighs of relief, though, as the Clarkston High School Class of 2021 celebrated graduation June 7 as part of their commencement at DTE Energy Music Theatre. A total of 576 students graduated this year.
June 23
Township development getting makeover
The proposed Waldon Village development, located on the north side of Waldon Road between Sashabaw and Walters roads, has been revised by the developers to reduce the density of the project.
June 30
Critical Race Theory not part of Clarkston schools’ upcoming curriculum
The topic of Critical Race Theory has become a hot topic in recent months, especially when it comes to education in schools.
Generally defined as “an academic movement of civil-rights scholars and activists in the United States who seek to critically examine U.S. law as it intersects with issues of race in the U.S. and to challenge mainstream American liberal approaches to racial justice, CRT examines social, cultural and legal issues as they relate to race and racism in the United States and, more recently, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia,”the topic has not been presented for consideration to Clarkston Community Schools, however, and is not part of the 2021-22 curriculum within CCS or at Clarkston Everest Collegiate High School and Academy.

PHOTO: Two big changes in downtown Clarkston happened in 2021, as the building at 5 South Main Street, home to The Clarkston News since 1970, was sold to the owners of next-door Rudy’s Market, and then in August, Rudy’s closed as the building at 9 South Main will undergo renovations with plans to reopen as a restaurant and speakeasy in both the Rudy’s building and Clarkston News building. File photo by Matt Mackinder

Read the January 5 edition of The Clarkston News for Part 2 of our year in review!

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