Atlas Twp.- On the side of Jim Betzing’s red 1957 Chevy Sedan Delivery are the words ‘Rare Breed,? fitting because he says the classic car is one of only 30 in the country. On Feb. 19, Betzing’s unique vehicle was saved from extinction, as he and kind passersby pushed it out of his garage, which […]
People around the world scrambled to offer whatever aid they could when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti last month. Two local men were among the few that were able to reach the devastated country in the chaotic days immediately following the tragedy. Bob Lambert, a Village of Ortonville resident, and Adam Stith, a Brandon […]
By Susan Bromley Staff Writer Brandon Twp.- The days before computers may seem like a distant memory, but for students and staff in the district it was a reality for about 24 hours this week as technology failed. At around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, every computer in the district, roughly 1,600 of them, went down when […]
Brandon Twp.- If the school board approves a recommendation to provide busing to home schools only next year, it could devastate two local businesses. Jenny Smotherman, director of Stepping Stone Child Development Center, stands to lose a quarter of her business under the plan. ‘We have to have a latchkey program to stay in business, […]
Brandon Twp.- The treasurer’s office collected nearly a million dollars on Tuesday as residents paid their property taxes on the last day to pay without penalty. But even with the $902,000 collected that day added to the $7.5 million collected previously for winter taxes, the township was still short about $1 million, with only 89 […]
Brandon Twp.- After months of discussion and amidst protests from several parents, the finance committee is recommending busing students in the district to home schools only. The committee voted 2-1 at their meeting Feb. 16 to recommend to the school board that busing be discontinued for in-district transfer students. Greg Allar and Luke Frye voted […]
By Susan Bromley Staff Writer Brandon Twp.- Businesses may soon have an opportunity to market directly to high school students and sports fans here. The school district is struggling with making cuts to eliminate a $2.5 million budget deficit and seeking additional revenue sources. Permitting advertising at the high school and the Brandon Athletic Activities […]
Brandon Twp.- Audiences are invited to go ‘Into the Woods,? as the Stephen Sondheim musical comes to the stage at the Brandon High School Performing Arts Center on Feb. 25, 26, and 27. BHS Musical Director Debbie Sebetic describes ‘Into the Woods? as a musical that intertwines and gives a twist to three well-known fairy […]
By Susan Bromley Staff Writer As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund has the chance to experience the luck of the Irish again. Last year at this time, an anonymous donor challenged the community to participate in ‘Sharin? o? the green,? offering to match community donations to OCEF up to $2,000. That […]
By Susan Bromley Staff Writer Brandon Twp.- There are no easy answers, simple fixes, or solutions that won’t affect students after the school board approved an amended budget that reduces the district’s rainy day fund balance to 9 percent and makes cuts imminent. ‘Without cuts, the fund balance will be eroded completely,? said Jamie Cowan, […]