January 4
Longtime Addison Township building official John Elsarelli passed away at age 51 after an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Oxford High School’s varsity wrestling team takes first place at their invitational.
The Kotora family won an eight-day, seven-night vacation to sunny Montego Bay, Jamaica, courtesy of Channel 7 WXYZ-TV’s ‘Hot Coffee, Hot Beaches? contest.
January 18
Friday the 13 was unlucky in Oxford after a power outage left 2,000 residents in the dark. A fire started in the men’s bathroom at Casa Real after a candle was left lit sitting on a toilet paper dispenser.
New high school graduation requirements, called the Michigan Merit Curriculum, will require students to complete 18 credits mandated by the state instead of the one credit they require now.
Oxford High School senior Nick Murray received the honorable Academic All-State Football Award for 2005.
January 25
Oxford High School seniors Dylan Schweig and Mykala Salquist were crowned the Winterfest 2006 King and Queen.
Twenty-one-year-old Oxford resident Natalie Nance was killed in a car accident while traveling near Cadillac.
The North Oakland Transportation Authority decided to move its dispatch center, administrative offices and fleet of 13 vehicles to the 320-acre campus of Crossroads for Youth off of E. Drahner Rd.
Construction on the Polly Ann Trail pedestrian bridge was delayed due to a request from the Michigan Department of Transportation for a longer-lasting paint job.
February 1
Ian Smith, former coach of the Oxford varsity girls basketball team for 27 years, passed away at the age of 61. Smith had multiple myeloma, a blood-borne cancer that attacks bone marrow.
Steve Allen unexpectedly resigned from the Oxford Village Council.
A 16-year-old girl from Oxford was arrested after allegedly stealing a friend’s truck in Addison Township and leading sheriff’s deputies on a chase through Addison, Oxford and Orion townships.
A house fire at 2755 Curtis Rd. in Addison Township led to the discovery of almost two pounds of marijuana and other paraphernalia.
Oxford Village Manager Joe Young rejected a $90,000-per-year job offer from Pontiac to become the city’s deputy mayor and finance director.
Ken Sharp, founder of New Beginnings Baptist Church on the Oxford/Orion border retires.
Oxford gains certification as a Main Street community. The only other certified community is Rochester.
February 8
The First Baptist Church of Oxford voted to close the Oxford Christian Academy due to insufficient enrollment.
Approximately 8? inches of snow fell in Oxford the same week the groundhog puppet predicted an early spring.
Oxford Village Clerk Maureen ‘Moe? Helmuth took the plunge into the icy waters at Belle Isle, dressed as the Bride of Frankenstein, and raised $825 for Special Olympics.
February 15
Oxford teachers Marie Schneider, Pete Stremersch and Todd Bidlack were selected to be the school district’s nominees for the 2005-06 Oakland County Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award.
A request to lower the minimum age requirement at Hope Senior Apartments in order to maintain a tax exemption was unanimously rejected by Oxford Township officials.
Oxford Township officials decide to no longer contribute to charitable donations to Oxford/Orion FISH and the local Boys and Girls Club based on legal opinions from the Michigan Township Association.
The Oxford varsity competitive cheer team takes third place in the Flint Metro League.
February 22
Diana Lynn Maddren, a retired Oxford school teacher, was killed by her husband in a murder-suicide in Blount County, Tennessee. She and her husband were both found in their Maryville home by a maintenance man.
The Michigan Court of Appeals upheld a 2004 Oakland County Circuit Court ruling that the village ‘abused its discretion? by determining free parking was a necessity and therefore a reason to condemn two privately-owned parcels totalling approximately 28,086-square-feet in downtown’s northest quadrant.
Oxford resident Gage Hamilton was named a hero after the 7-year-old alerted his family that their Park St. home was on fire early in the morning. A cigarette butt tossed into a bottomless metal coffee can caught their back porch on fire.
Oxford’s varsity wrestling team was named district champs.
March 1
A 90-unit condo development located in both Oxford Township and Village has been proposed along N. Glaspie St. and N. Oxford Rd.
Oxford residents Brandon Lee Franzel, Kyle Edward Turley and Ortonville resident Michael John McClellan were arrested after allegedly trying to steal alcohol from Devil’s Ridge Golf Club on Metamora Rd.
Oxford Township Parks and Rec. developer Phil Castonia was awarded the ‘New Professional Award? from the Michigan Recreation and Park Association.
Oxford High School senior Karen Offer is the only member of the Oxford-Brandon Varsity Ski Team to compete in the state competition at Boyne Highlands. She placed 29th in the slalom event.
Oxford High School senior wrestling captain Mike May advanced to state finals.
March 8
Pastor Bob Service celebrates 40 years at Oakwood Community Church, which is located on the Oxford-Brandon border.
The Oxford Village Council voted 3-0 to terminate its relationship with Next Generation Computers, which is owned and operated by Tracy A. Miller, Sr. ? husband of village President Renee Donovan.
Oxford residents Debbie and Chuck Walleman became the new owners of Art & Dick’s Party Store on W. Burdick St.
March 15
Eight students at Oxford High School were suspended after marijuana and drug paraphernalia was found in their lockers and one car by Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputies.
Village President Renee Donovan announced she’s leaving council to pursue drag racing in Lapeer County.
Oxford Village resident Teri Stiles was appointed to council to fill the seat vacated by Steve Allen.
A man robbed the Addison Foods store on E. Elmwood St. in Leonard at gunpoint. He stole $600 in cash from the register and a Lottery machine.
Mark A. Young, owner of the downtown jewelry store bearing his name, was elected as the new chairman of the Oxford Downtown Development Authority.
March 22
Two CAD (Computer Aided Design) classes that were temporarily suspended after enrollment decreased were reintroduced at Oxford High School.
Polly Ann Trail project manager Larry Obrecht withdrew his request to be reimbursed $1,439 for six ceremonial shovels he purchased in September of 2005.
A new quilt shop called Aunt Nan’s Fabrics opened up in downtown Oxford.
Oxford Bank employees collect $850 for both Habitat for Humanity and HAVEN during their ‘Dress Down for Charity? program.
March 29
Christopher Bishop was named ‘council’s designate? to replace Oxford Village President Renee Donovan when her resignation becomes effective May 10.
Addison Township resident David Anthony Torto was charged with forcing his girlfriend’s 6-year-old son to perform sexual acts.
Oxford Village Police Reserve Officer Doug Kennedy passed away at the age of 63.
Leonard resident Mike Boisvert was named the new building official for Addison Township.
April 5
The Oxford School Board decides to make Kindergarten an all-day, alternate day affair for the 2006-07 school year. The move would increase the students time in the classroom and save the district money in transportation costs.
The Village of Oxford proposed allowing buildings in the downtown area to increase to 64 feet tall and five stories on Washington St., between East and Broadway, and to 52 feet and four stories on Washington, between Broadway and Ensley streets.
The Oxford Village Police Department purchased $20,306 in new dispatch console furniture.
Oxford High School students pose as live mannequins in Centennial Park to promote a drug-free lifestyle. The Oxford Addison Youth Assistance implemented the program.
Oxford High School graduate Erinn Williams practices equine medicine in Ireland.
Nine Oxford High School students competed in the Computer Aided Design/Drafting contest at Oakland Community College’s Auburn Hills Campus.
Joyce Denton, a founding member of the Addison Township Library, turned 60.
April 12
Clear Lake Elementary fifth-graders read enough books to reach the planet Pluto. The students read 15-30 minutes a night, which equaled 10 million miles on each class’s journey from the sun to Pluto.
The Village of Oxford decides to take the Grove parking lot issue to the Michigan Supreme Court.
Oxford Township resident Donald Frederick Ward III shot and killed his estranged wife Vanessa Joyce Ward, then turned the gun on himself on E. Manor St.
Longtime Oxford resident Bob Willobee lost 308 lbs. after having bariatric surgery. He weighed 515 lbs. before the surgery.
Jeff’s Tire and Auto Service was demolished to make way for commercial development. The building was constructed sometime in the late 1930s.
A gravel road and parking lot was constructed to make the township-owned Oakwood Lake Park more accessible to residents.
Oxford/Orion FISH opens a resale shop called the Clothes Closet inside the Thomas Community Hall.
April 19
Oxford resident Elizabeth Savage gets her dream home on Rolfe Dr. with the help of her parents, Greg and Pam Savage and the Oxford-based Father & Son Tree Services. Savage was diagnosed with stage-three ovarian cancer in May 2005.
Oxford Village clerk, treasurer and assistant manager Christine Burns is writing a research paper on cityhood for the village.
Oxford special education teacher, Effie Vitinaros, retires after 26 years of service.
The Oxford Township Board voted to begin billing its capital charges based on Residential Equivalent Units (REU’s) as opposed to system connections. The move would make the township’s payment of its $17.725 million water bond debt more fair and equitable.
April 26
Eastpointe resident Jeffrey Padot, 41, died after a trench he and a co-worker were working in collapsed on Rochester Rd. in Addison Township.
An unknown person broke into the Oxford Public Library through the skylight and used a 30-foot rope to climb into the building. Nothing was stolen.
Addison Township officials decide to charge residents $25 for their annual spring clean up and return close to $3,000 in donations that would’ve eliminated the fee.
May 3
Oxford residents Colleen Schultz and Sue Tombrella win seats on the Oxford School Board.
Thirteen members from the Oxford Free Methodist Church take a mission trip to Honduras to build a school.
The Oxford High School Improv Team raises $450 to send two Lakeville Elementary students to diabetes camp.
Longtime Oxford resident Margaret Stoddard was honored in Ann Arbor at the 75th Anniversary of the University of Michigan’s Avery Hopwood Award for being the oldest living winner of the award.
May 10
The Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce announces the Community Awards winners for the year. They are Citizen of the Year: Oxford Village Manager Joe Young, Adult Youth Volunteer: Chris Lamphear, New Business of the Year: Casa Real, Business Person of the Year: Kevin Wisely and Community Enhancement: Jim and Mary Lou Bielak.
Addison Township officials decide to eliminate the $25 fee they imposed last month for their annual Spring Clean-Up.
Oxford bus driver, Robin Wood, retires after 33? years of service.
May 17
A break-in at the Oxford school district’s maintenance garage resulted in a fire that caused an estimated $250,000 or more in damage.
To help make up for a proposed $1.4 million shortfall, the Oxford School District eliminates six positions.
Oxford High School students Autumn Pippenburg and Karrisa Lawrence started a petition to save the career resource center coodinator’s job at the school.
May 24
Addison Township firefighters shave their heads bald to show support for Sgt. Eric Harvester’s father, Jerry, who was diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma.
Oxford Republican Bill Patterson decided to run for his fifth term as Oakland County Commissioner representing District 1. His only opponent is Brandon Township Democrat Madalyn Miller.
Oxford Village Council votes to lower property taxes by 1.5 mills for 2006-07.
Oxford High School is evacuated as a precaution after police find homemade explosive devices at a teen’s home on Pontiac St.
May 31
The Oxford Athletic Boosters decide to fully fund a swim team and a bowling team for a full year.
Christ the King Church breaks ground on its new 18,400-square-foot Family Life Center.
Oxford Downtown Development Authority Chairman Mark Young, Vice Chair Lisa Farlin and Treasurer Paul Cervenak resign following a dispute with the village council over its 2006-07 budget.
Oxford High School Class of 2006 dedicates an iron bench in the school’s courtyard in memory of their classmate, Jamie Charles, who passed away in 2002.
June 7
Violet M. Kintz, former recording secretary for the Oxford School Board and financial secretary for the central office, passed away at age 88.
Oxford’s second annual Relay for Life raised more than $51,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Polly Hewitt and Lenora Udocon, employees at North Oakland Dental Group helped save an injured cat on the side of Lapeer Rd.
Oxford High School assistant principal, Ken Weaver, becomes the head principal at Oxford Middle School following Dr. Karen Sage’s retirement.
June 14
Two-hundred and thirty-nine Oxford High School students graduate as the Class of 2006.
A 4,300-square-foot historical home at 19 W. Burdick may be moved and transformed into a bed-and-breakfast by Jeff Gerds, owner of the Oxford-based Mitchell Corporation.
Daniel Axford Elementary teacher Ella Mae Schultz retired after 20 years of service in Oxford.
Oxford Christian Academy closes its doors after 33 years of educating the minds and illuminating the spirits of its students.
June 21
U.S. Army Spc. Sara Frank, of Oxford, returns after spending seven months in Iraq.
Plans to install a new traffic signal on M-24 at Market St. and install new turnaround medians upset Gary Lepak, owner of Kalloway’s Restaurant & Pub.
Oxford firefighters rescue a small cat trapped inside a stone wing wall of a Mausoleum at the Oxford Township Cemetery.
Two ordinance amendments designed to change the makeup of the Oxford Village Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) were approved. It would decrease the number of village council persons required to serve on the commission from two to one. The ZBA membership would change from five to six.
June 28
Legendary bluesman Billy Davis (pictured above) takes first place at the Second Annual Hot Blues & BBQ Festival at Scripter Park.
Oxford residents voice concerns at the village planning commission meeting about a possible outdoor patio proposed by the developer of the Centennial Commerce Center (formerly Pat’s Place) next to Centennial Park. The outdoor area would encroach about 30 ft. into the park.
Eugene ‘Beanie? Walker retired after 25 dedicated years at Patterson’s Pharmacy.
July 5
Roger Oberg, a former teacher and superintendent in Oxford Schools for 37 years, passed away June 28. He was 88 years old.
The Oxford school board approved a $35 million budget for 2006-07.
Doug McMunn is the new pastor of Oxford United Methodist Church.
July 12
Several proposed rezonings in and around downtown Oxford will be the subject of a public hearing next week.
U.S. Army National Guard Specialist Ryan Giroux, a 2002 Oxford High School graduate, returned home after serving a year in Iraq.
Former Oxford Police Officer Dan Miller, who worked here from 1977-1997, died July 4. He was 50 years old.
Kevin Stephison, Kurt Kuehn and Chris Hendrix were all appointed to the Oxford Downtown Development Authority.
July 19
Both Oxford and Addison township officials have approved putting a bond and operating millage on the November ballot to build and run a tri-township senior center. Orion would be the other township.
Clear Lake Elementary will become peanut-free this fall due to the enrollment of a student with a life-threatening airborne peanut allergy. Some parents are upset.
A fire at Upland Hills Farm on Lake George Road in Addison sent two employees to the hospital. There was no structural damage.
Oxford Village officials approve connections between the village and township water systems to be used only in emergencies.
July 26
A new state law which takes effect Nov. 9 will increase the speed limits on many gravel roads in Oxford and Addison townships.
To help those in need of material aid and spiritual guidance, ten local churches in Oxford and Orion churches have pooled their resources and formed the North Oakland affiliate of Love In the Name of Christ or Love INC for short.
Lakeville United Methodist Church is 150 years old. A celebration is planned for next week.
August 2
After learning its lost $300,000 in federal and state funding for next year, the North Oakland Transportation Authority decided to cut weekend service and take one bus off the road during the week effective Sept. 1
A fugitive’s run from the law that began in Oakland Township, then continued through Orion and Oxford townships, ended in Oxford Village. Thomas Scott Ulch, 42, of Clarkston, is now in custody and facing numerous charges.
August 9
Addison voters passed an eight-year, 0.75-mill tax for fire and rejected an eight-year, 0.75-mill tax for police.
On the eve of Celebrate Oxford, the Knauf family blocked off the 28,000-square-foot parking property it owns in downtown Oxford’s northeast quadrant. The Knaufs want to turn the land into a pay-to-park facility and commercial development.
Immanuel Congregational United Church of Christ rededicated its sanctuary following a six-month renovation project underwritten by an anonymous donor.
Addison wants back on the Polly Ann Trail Management Council after leaving last year due to budget cuts.
Joel Mason Thomas, 16, of Oxford, pleaded responsible in Oakland County Circuit Court’s Family Division for the arson of the Oxford Schools Maintenance Garage on Pontiac, two break-ins at the garage and breaking into the Oxford Public Library.
Nancy Kammer was named assistant superintendent of Oxford Schools. She replaces the retired Ron Franey.
August 16
New York Life Insurance, a Fortune 100 company, wants to open an office in Oxford.
Oxford’s Head Start Program is in need of students.
Oxford Township officials agreed to place a five-year, 2.9152-mill tax renewal for police services on the November ballot.
For the second time in 40 years, the home at 1800 Metamora Road suffered a fire.
The northeast quadrant parking saga continued as the village cleared the rusted barrels the Knauf family used to block off the parking lot they own.
August 23
Addison officials shot down the idea of placing a four-year, 1-mill tax proposal to improve local roads on the November ballot.
Oxford DDA Director Amanda Cassidy announced she’s resigning Aug. 28 because the job is not her ‘cup of tea.? She was hired in March 2005.
Fulfilling a life-long dream, Mike Bono, 51, of Oxford, is one of four reserve officers added to the village police department.
Addison officials voted to place another police millage proposal on the November ballot. This time it’s 3.5 mills for four years. If it doesn’t pass, the township will have no money for police services next year.
August 30
A man wanted for attempted child abduction in Canton may have been sighted at a daycare facility in Oxford.
Private wells serving the Lake Villa Manufactured Home Community on Lakeville Road will become part of the township water system Sept. 1
Oxford DDA member Sue McGinnis resigned from the board citing poor relations with the village government as the reason.
Oxford Township agreed to cut one sheriff’s deputy from its substation in October.
The Oxford football team beat Holly 14-10 in the season opener.
September 6
Oxford Village is proposing a new zoning classification for property owners along S. Washington St. Called ‘Commercial Office? (CO), it would allow for various retail and office service uses, but prohibit any and all drive-through businesses.
Ground was broken for a new 3,075-square-foot commercial development in the parking lot of the Oxford Mills shopping center. It will be occupied by two tenants, one of which could be a Caribou Coffee.
September 13
A proposed rental fee for the use of school facilities by individuals and groups has some like the Girl Scouts worried.
The Oxford Village Council granted the Orion-based Promark Properties an approximately 303-square-foot easement on village property for the building its constructing next door to Centennial Park. In exchange for the easement, the village will receive $15,000 to help improve the park
The Auto-Matic Press Products building at 402 N. Glaspie St., a fixture in the Oxford industrial community since the early 1960s, was torn down to make way for an 83-unit condo development.
September 20
Iraq veteran Dave Zanin’s flag from Camp Bucca was stolen from his yard in the Lake Villa Manufactured Home Community.
Oxford Township is considering a pit bull ban in light of an August attack in the Oxford Meadows subdivision.
Crossroads for Youth agreed to donate 10 acres of its E. Drahner Road property should Oxford, Addison and Orion voters approve a bond and millage in November for a tri-township senior center.
OHS science teacher Scott Couch was named the new head coach of the Oxford varsity boys wrestling team.
Former Oxford Township and local political activist Trustee Virginia Piluras passed away Aug. 29. She was 83 years old.
September 27
OHS Freshman Jalen Seawright was named the 2006 Oxford Idol after winning the annual talent competition.
John Hubbard, founder, designer and builder of the Oxford Hills Golf and Country Club, passed away Sept. 26. He was 90 years old.
Oxford resident Diane Giroux is planning to donate a kidney to co-worker John Bray, of Oxford, who suffers from Polycystic Kidney Disease. They work together at Coldwell Banker Shooltz Realty in Oxford.
OHS Council President Kaity Fischer and Vice President Janelle Grai approached the township board about having the words ‘Oxford Wildcats? painted on the new 1-million gallon water tower being constructed on N. Oxford Rd. across from the high school.
October 4
Oxford High School seniors Brandon Dugan and Jacque Magdaleno were named Homecoming King and Queen for 2006.
A switch in health insurance plans is expected to yield more than enough savings to give Oxford Schools? four central administrators a 1.5 percent salary increase, which equals a total of $6,929.
An Oxford Wildcats logo that’s 20-feet in diameter will appear on the township’s new water tower. The OHS student council has agreed to pay the $9,108 cost. The Auburn Hills-based Christopher Investment Co., owner of the Lake Villa Manufactured Home Community, donated $1,000 to the effort.
After years of planning, controversy and waiting, the $1 million-plus Polly Ann Trail pedestrian bridge was finally erected over M-24 in Oxford Village. A crowd gathered to watch the construction, which began on a Saturday night and wrapped up early Sunday morning.
Oxford Schools has gained 132 new students, giving the district a total of 4,320 pupils.
October 11
Mark Hickmott, 45, of Oxford, was killed in an apparent work-related accident on the American Aggregates property just south of Oakwood Road. He drowned when the dredging machine he was operating capsized, leaving him trapped.
Oxford resident Randy Davisson’s five-year journey riding his horse in all 50 states plus all the provinces of Canada was featured in a Ripley’s Believe It or Not! book.
A group of Oxford residents came together to save a horse trapped in the mud near Seymour Lake Township Park.
October 18
Oakland County Commissioner Bill Patterson (R-Oxford) passed away Oct. 16. He was 75 years old. Patterson owned the pharmacy bearing his name in downtown Oxford from 1964-94. He served on the county board of commissioners since 1998 and was in the process of seeking his fifth consecutive two-year term.
Steve Zuhlke, of Berlin Twp. in St. Clair County, won the 6th annual pumpkin weigh-off at Louie’s Food & Spirits in Lakeville. His winning pumpkin was 824 pounds. A 1,302-pound pumpkin he grew this year set a new state record.
Oxford had its first snow of the season on Oct. 12. Flakes fell on and off, but none of it stuck around.
October 25
The Oakland County Republican Party has selected Brad Jacobsen, son-in-law of the late Bill Patterson, to be the GOP’s new District #1 county commission candidate. The 49-year-old Oxford resident and vice president of Jacobsen’s Flowers in Orion served on the Oxford Township Board from 1984-2000. Jacobsen’s name will appear on the reprinted ballots for the Nov. 7 general election.
The Michigan State Supreme Court has ruled in Oxford Village’s favor by reversing two previous court decisions (both of which the village lost) and sending the northeast quadrant parking condemnation case back to Oakland County Circuit Court for further proceedings.
Plans to build permanent restrooms to serve Centennial Park were nixed by the Oxford Village Council.
The OHS Drama Club is set to perform ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.?
November 1
Nancy Hunger, of Sylvan Lake, was hired by the township to be the Oxford Fire Department’s new Emergency Medical Services instructor/coordinator.
Mark Elsarelli, of Addison, returned home after spending two months as a deck hand aboard a commercial fishing vessel catching cod in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia.
Oxford Township officials decided against enacting any breed-specific bans against pit bulls or any other dogs. The board was considering a ban in light of an August attack involving a pit bull mix and an Oxford woman.
A silent protest against abortion at OHS sparked controversy between pro-life and pro-choice students and conflict the school’s administration.
November 8
The proposed tri-township senior center bond and millage proposals overwhelmingly failed in Oxford, Addison and Orion townships.
Brad Jacobsen, of Oxford, was elected to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to represent District #1. He replaces his father-in-law Commissioner Bill Patterson, who died Oct. 16.
A four-year, 3.5-mill tax for police services passed in Addison by a margin of 1,781 to 1,005.
Voter turnout in Oxford Township was high at 61.5 percent causing many precincts to run out of ballots and use photocopied ones that had to be counted by hand.
Oxford/Orion FISH is closing its resale shop in Thomas due to a lack of community participation, a shortage of volunteers and scheduling problems. The shop opened in February 2006.
November 15
James Lumber announced it’s closing its Oxford location on E. Burdick St. along with stores in Ortonville, Grand Blanc and Flint as part of a consolidation plan. The state’s poor economy was cited as the reason.
Oxford Township signed on to Wireless Oakland.
A copper thief struck a cellular tower off Metamora Road and stole nearly 1,800 feet of wiring.
The Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Association has asked Oxford Township to take over its approximately 7-acre historic cemetery on Baldwin Road, north of Oakwood Road.
Judy Kubina resigned from the Oxford Board of Education after 10 years of service.
November 22
A 10-year, 0.25-mill to establish, construct and maintain safety paths in the unincorporated portions (outside the village) of Oxford Township was proposed to officials. The township board agreed to consider it.
Jennifer Duncan has resigned her position as the executive director of the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce after nearly 10 years. She quit for undisclosed reasons.
The Addison Township Board removed Phil Stackpoole as chairman of the fire board at the request of Supervisor Bob Koski, who said it was time for a change. Stackpoole claimed it was for political reasons.
Addison officials voted to increase their contribution to the North Oakland Transportation Authority by $3,500.
November 29
The Polly Ann Trail Management Council accepted a $100,000 private loan from Larry Obrecht (to be repaid at a 5.99 percent interest rate) to help pay off some contractors and in turn be reimbursed with grant money from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Fred Mester ordered Knauf Family Properties to clear out all of the barrels, parking blocks, etc. it was using to barricade the 28,000 square feet of the northeast parking lot the family owns. The lot is to remain open until the court battle with the village is decided possibly in January.
The Polly Ann Trail Management Council voted to allow Addison Township back on.
Septic systems in the Village of Leonard are failing and the town may eventually need to build a waste water treatment plant.
December 6
No official action’s been taken or discussion had, but the Oxford Downtown Development Authority may be interested in buying the James Lumber property on E. Burdick St. James Lumber is selling the site for a reported $1.6 million.
A bill to keep gravel road speed limits at 25 miles per hour despite a new state law raising most of them to 55 mph has passed the state House and is on its way through the state Senate.
Oxford resident and environmental activist Henry Gleisner will help decide the fate of the village’s cityhood petition as a member of the state Boundary Commission.
December 13
Oxford/Orion FISH’s AngelFISH program collected Christmas gifts for 192 needy children this year. Seventy-two individuals along with 28 groups, churches and businesses donated this year.
Blake Alan Harlow, 22, of Clarkston is facing charges of armed robbery out of Orion and fleeing and eluding after leading Oxford Village Police on a chase that ended at I-75 and Baldwin Road.
Teachers at various Oxford schools secured $8,000 in grants to further their students? educations.
A property line dispute sparked by the location of a brick wall and some damage done to a tree was brought before the Oxford Village Council. At odds, are developer Fred Hadid, owner of the new Broadway Plaza under construction, and Paul Phelps, an Ensley Street resident who lives next door to the development.
December 20
Oxford Township officials are unhappy with the way things are going on the Polly Ann Trail Management Council, from the $100,000 loan it accepted from Larry Obrecht with no contract to the rude behavior of the trail council’s chairman Geno Mallia, Jr.
Major Murray, of Brandon, was appointed to the Oxford Board of Education to replace Judy Kubina who resigned in November.
The Oxford Fire Department’s Advanced Life Support program is now up and running.
Oxford Township resident Sherry Marie Burke, 24, was killed in an auto crash on M-24, just north of Brown Road, in Orion Township.
Oxford Township officials agreed to give the North Oakland Transportation Authority an additional $15,000 so it can keep a seventh bus on the road next year.
December 27
A stop work order was issued against construction of an Oxford Village well house that was started with no building permit, no site plan approval from the planning commission and no inspections.
A bill designed to restore the 25 mile-per-hour speed limits on gravel roads was vetoed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
An Oxford man who was a close friend of Henry Ford, met Thomas Edison, invented many gadgets and installed this town’s first-ever radio system for dispatching police and fire died last week. Alfred H. Oberstaedt passed away Friday, December 22, 2006. He was 91.
Unless the Polly Ann Trailway Management Council (PATMC) agrees to let Addison Township use in-kind services to help pay for their 2007 dues, the council will remain one member short.