150 years: The Civil War at home

A pair of old black boots, a Union belt buckle and musket balls? a few of the Civil War relics on display at the Old Mill in Ortonville. The historical artifacts belonged to some of the 15 area Brandon Township residents who served in the Civil War. April 12 marked the 150th anniversary of the […]

Medical marijuana moratorium extended

Groveland Twp.-A medical marijuana dispensary company that is eyeing opening a facility in the township was raided last week at their Walled Lake location. The Caregivers of America dispensary was raided by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency on Monday. No details were released by the DEA. In January, Sean Robinson, a spokesperson for Caregivers of […]

Atlas, Brandon populations up, Groveland drops

Two out of three local townships have seen an increase in the number of residents in the past 10 years. Population growth has occurred in Atlas and Brandon townships, while Groveland Township has seen a dip. The number of minorities including Asians, blacks and Hispanics, increased in all communities, according to the new 2010 U.S. […]

Sweet results after slow start to sap run

Even with the right mix of warm days coupled with cold nights, Jim and Faith Aseltine still say Mother Nature decides when their hundreds of sugar maple trees relinquish sweet sap. ‘If it’s too cold or too warm during the day, the sap just stops running,? said Jim, 80, who has been tapping sugar maple […]

Too much fowl play? Township eyes chicken ordinance

Groveland Twp.-Like many residents, Tim and Sherri utilize the rural characteristics of the township to raise a few chickens. And while the birds have become part of the landscape’a few of the critters have been scratching some residents the wrong way. ‘We’ve had chickens here since 1997 when we moved here,? said Sherri. ‘We’ve never […]

Judge rules for McAbee

A circuit court judge has ruled former Goodrich village councilman David Lucik did not show damages when newly elected councilman Doug McAbee failed to sign the oath of office document within 10 days of the date he was notified of his election to office. Judge Geoffrey Neithercut, of the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, heard the […]

Amman named to township board

Atlas Twp.- When incumbent township supervisor Paul Amman lost the August 2010 primary election, as well as a November write-in bid to current Township Supervisor Shirley Kautman-Jones, his 14-year stint as a local official appeared to be over. It wasn’t. ‘There’s no sour grapes,? said Amman, 72, who was appointed by a 3-1 vote on […]

MSP/Groveland Township Post to close

Groveland Twp.-Since 1996 the Michigan State Police have been established in the township. This fall that’s set to change. On March 24 the Michigan State Police (MSP) announced the adoption of a regional policing model designed to provide increased services while relying less upon traditional ‘bricks and mortar? post buildings. The plan emphasizes enhanced technology […]

New burn law left smoldering for now

Michigan’s long-standing practice of burning household waste in rural communities may be close to going up in smoke. A law to ban burning household trash which has been allowed in burn barrels statewide for material such as wood, paper and foam for the past 30 years, was set to expire on April 1. If that […]

Atlas Township inks budget for 2011-12

Atlas Twp.-The township board of trustees OK’d a $1,201,005 budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year during the township meeting on Monday night. Highlights of the budget included drawing $90,478 from the fund balance to cover the Genesee County Sheriff Department contract for 2011. Township Trustee Barry June emphasized the police budget will be addressed in […]