Lifting the blinders

Pine Knob Elementary students learned about disabilities and how people deal with them at their Jan. 31 Disability Day. Co-chaired by Sue Barnes and Megan Ferer, fourth graders learned how people without sight, hearing, use of their legs, and other disabilities live their lives. “It raises awareness and sensitivity to others,” said Principal Valerie Grimes

Survey says:

The good news: cigarette, alcohol and other drug use is lower than average among younger Clarkston students. The bad news: drug use goes up as students get older. ‘It’s alarming, even when they’re below the state numbers,? said Dr. Al Roberts, superintendent. ‘There are a number of issues we can deal with as a school […]

MRI makes knee surgery less painful

Two weeks before Arlene Jensen of Independence Township was due for knee replacement surgery, she got a call from her doctor. “He asked if he could try something new ? I said sure, as long as it doesn’t hurt anymore,” said Jensen, 57. Dr. Safa Kassab, orthopedic surgeon, successfully performed a custom-fit knee replacement procedure, […]

Truth to power

Gary Taylor of Independence Township has seen his property taxes increase to more than $4,000 a year, and he’s had enough. ‘I’m tired of the mumbo-jumbo from the township,? said Taylor, who has lived in the township with his family since 1976. ‘They (Township Board) are all Republicans ? Republicans are supposed to be for […]

Not just K-12 at Clarkston schools

With OSMTech, IB, AP, Young 5s, and an array of other acronym programs, you might need a decoder ring to know what Clarkston Community Schools offer. They’re all programs offered for students outside traditional, K-12 instruction. ‘We have an obligation to offer programs that meet students? needs ? take advantage of their strengths,? said Dr. […]

Phil in the Blank A column by Phil Custodio

In the news lately have been efforts at the state level to fight global warming. Impatient with Bush and the federal government, states are forming coalitions to cut energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. Michigan is right in there among them. Apparently, we use too much coal and release too much CO2. Hopefully, state leaders […]

To arms!

A local unit of the Massachusetts Provincial Battalion was back in action Saturday, fighting off an incursion by the French at Sorenson Park in Holly. The battalion will be in town in a couple weeks to recruit new members. The reenactment group recreates historic battles, or just fights new ones, using period-correct clothing, weapons, and […]

Mission accomplished

Retired automotive engineer Joe Rohovsky of Independence Township enjoyed mentoring fifth-graders so much, he re-upped for fourth-graders, too. He joins about a dozen other volunteers in A World In Motion at Clarkston Community Schools. “I read a piece in The Clarkston News that they were looking for volunteers, so I called them up,” said Rohovsky, […]

Don’t need arms to Reach for the Stars

To deliver the message that disability is only in the mind, Brett Eastburn only has to take a drink of soda. ‘When your next speaker comes up, ask them to take a drink of soda, then cheer wildly when they do,? said Eastburn, who can open and drink the canned beverage despite no arms or […]

Local idol makes it to Hollywood round

Clarkston native Elizabeth Stalker is receiving lots of press recently due to her successful audition on American Idol, broadcast Jan. 15 on Fox. Readers of The Clarkston News have known about her talent for years. Stalker was our Millstream feature story on April 7, 2004. She was also featured in 2005 for winning six Detroit […]