Railroads from the Past

The last train left Ortonville April 25, 1931. Only a handful of residents can still recall the era when steel track was the major mode of transportation in Southeastern Michigan. Those interested in learning more about local railroads are invited to attend a special presentation by historian Ken Schramm. ‘The Detroit United Railway went north […]

Goodrich Michigan Merit Exam scores sag

The Michigan Merit Exam scores declined or remained unchanged for juniors in the Goodrich School District in 2011, compared to the 2010 test scores. In the 2011 MME results released eariler this month, Goodrich had 66 percent mastery in math, (down 7 percent), 72 percent in reading (down 7 percent), 75 percent in science (even), […]

Just call it home

For most area residents, cell towers are a common fixture of the urban landscape’needed to keep cell phones chirping. However, a handful of local osprey have found another use for the steel behemoth’a highrise home. On Wednesday afternoon, Eric Schmitt, site supervisor for American Tower Corporation, helped coordinate a visit to a local osprey nest. […]

District hammers out budget

Goodrich-On Monday, the school board voted 6-1 to accept a budget for the 2011-2012 year’yet despite the approval of the new outline of spending and expenses’trustees, teachers and residents are still unsure of the financial future of the district. ‘When I see a 1 percent fund balance on the horizon for the district, it’s troublesome,? […]

Just tugging along

At 12 knots or about 13 mph, most boats would not win many races. Unless it’s a tugboat. On Saturday, Brandon Township resident and tugboat owner Paul Vassall piloted his vessel the ‘Jessie T? to a second place finish in the 35th Annual International Tug Boat Race in Detroit. Vassall, 60, was one of 13 […]

Fall apple crop looks ‘appealing?

With summertime just heating up, it’s difficult to think of the cool days of autumn and apple season. But for at least some apple growers, fall can’t get here fast enough. The Michigan Apple Committee is estimating the state’s apple crop this year will be about 28 percent bigger than average. Holly Whetstone, marketing and […]

When the Woody meets the road

Groveland Twp.-Produced just after World War II’the 1948 Ford wood-sided station wagon, which required wood varnish as part of the yearly maintenance program, often creaked and was rather unstable. ‘The roof was made out of wood with a metal floor pan, metal cowl, and metal around the rear-wheel housings along with the fenders,? said Bob […]

Township takes aim at solicitors ordinance

Atlas Twp.- The township board of trustees is considering an ordinance that would require a permit for hawkers, vendors and peddlers that decide to work in the community. Currently the township only bans solicitation in regards to prostitution. The proposed ordinance, presented by Township Attorney David Lattie at Monday night’s board of trustee meeting may […]

New 9-1-1 tower in Hadley Twp.

Fox Lake Road will be the new site of a 9-1-1 tower. Lapeer County Central Dispatch Director Vic Martin said on July 5, the Hadley Planning Commission will consider a 150-foot tower on about one acre near the intersection of Fox Lake and Hadley roads. ‘The site selected is one of the highest elevations in […]

Twp. dust control, grading delayed

Groveland Twp.- A late, wet spring has delayed dust control and grading on township roads. Township Supervisor Bob DePalma said some of the more than 45 miles of the townships dirt roads are still rough and dusty. ‘There will be five applications of chloride,? he said. ‘The county rotates five area communities including Groveland and […]