Twp. employees wages cut 5 percent; budget deadline near

Brandon Twp.- After months of wrangling and a budget workshop meeting during which a 5-percent wagecut for all full-time township employees was authorized, boardmembers appear set to approve a balanced budget. A public hearing regarding the 2010 township budget will be held during the township board’s regularly scheduled meeting set for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. […]

War Games

Brandon Twp.- The Christmas season is seen by many as a time to promote peace, but on Dec. 26, there will be war here. No worries, it’s all in the name of fun and charity. The Warhammer 40K Team Event, a fundraiser for the library, is planned for 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Dec. 26, at the […]

Man robs woman at gunpoint, suspects sought

Brandon Twp.- Police are following leads in a recent armed robbery in the Sashabaw Meadows Mobile Home Park. According to police reports, Brandon deputies responded at about 11:01 p.m., Nov. 24 to the 4400 block of Hemlock Loop after a woman said she was robbed at gunpoint as she was getting out of her car. […]

Brandon teachers early retirement incentive considered

Brandon Twp.- In 2007, 21 teachers here took a buyout unanimously approved by the school board. Less than three years later, more teachers may be offered an early retirement incentive. During a meeting Dec. 1, finance committee members agreed to take the issue to the next school board meeting, set for 6:30 p.m., Dec. 14, […]

Threats to teachers prompt Brandon schools lockdown

An 18-year-old Brandon Township man is facing 20 years in prison after making threats this week that ultimately caused a 2-day lockdown of two Brandon schools. Christopher Thompson was arraigned Nov. 19 on a charge of making a terrorist threat or false report terrorism in front of 52-2 District Court Judge Joseph Fabrizio. Bond was […]

Athletes & artists rally for OCEF, hunger

Ortonville- The danger of lead paint in toys has led to the birth of a new local charity. Athletes Artists Against Hunger (A3Hunger) is a non-profit organization formed by some local men. Formerly, the Ortonville United Methodist Church’s men’s group held an annual garage sale to raise funds for charity, but with new state laws […]

OCEF volunteers create happier holidays

Brandon Twp.- All over the country, shoppers lined up outside retailers early yesterday morning, anticipating great deals on Black Friday. Last Monday afternoon, in a scene that may have looked the same, dozens of people lined up here, outside St. Anne Church, in chilly weather. They weren’t waiting for a chance to buy a big […]

Masons not so secret society

Ortonville- The history, symbolism, and mystery of the Masons are central themes in the recently released bestselling novel ‘The Lost Symbol,? by Dan Brown. Henry Lozier and Al Jawors, local Masons, say it is a common misconception, however, that the Masons are a secret society. ‘We’re not secret,? explains Lozier, treasurer of Ortonville Masonic Lodge […]

‘They did not feel our students were in imminent danger?

Brandon Twp.- Tonia Seling says she ‘flipped out? when her husband Mike, an Oakland County Sheriff’s Office deputy and township firefighter, came home and told her that Harvey Swanson Elementary was locked down Nov. 16 and a gun was involved. She later learned that no gun was on the premises, but the school was indeed […]

Township retains current deputies? for now

Brandon Twp.- Police protection in the township will remain the same? for now. The township board approved, by a 4-2 vote at their Nov. 16 meeting, to postpone indefinitely any staffing adjustments to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s Brandon substation. Supervisor Kathy Thurman and Trustee Charlene Carlson voted no. ‘We need more in-depth discussion of […]