OCEF’s needs continue to grow

A poor economy and higher food prices have increased the number of families seeking assistance from the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund. But those factors are also straining the local food pantry. ‘We’re down to about three months worth of money to stay in existence,? said OCEF Treasurer Margaret Lee. ‘I suspect this is the worst […]

‘History of a Mystery?

Brandon Twp.- In 17th century England, criminals would often confess before they were hung during public executions and publishers would print the confession on a broadsheet. ‘They couldn’t always get the confession, so they would make it up and you got the beginnings of mystery,? said Jamie Agnew, who has co-owned Aunt Agatha’s New and […]

Goodrich mom to give birth to daughter’s twins

Crystal Sirignano never expected to be pregnant with twins at 52. Even more surprising is that the babies she is eight months pregnant with are her grandchildren. “Every day I’m so amazed,” said Crystal, who is a surrogate for her daughter, Kendra Sirignano, and son-in-law, Aaron Simpson. “This is such a miracle. People say it’s […]

Meeting set to counteract underage drinking

By Susan Bromley Staff Writer Brandon Twp.- As graduation approaches and a season of parties begins, school officials and concerned citizens are hoping to prevent tragedy amid joyous celebrations. Parents and community members are invited to attend a town hall meeting to increase the understanding and awareness of underage drinking and its consequences, and to […]

BHS exchange students reflect on life in America

Brandon Twp.- They don’t like the bread, they love s’mores, the bonfires are better, the dancing is risque, and the people are very open and friendly. These were some of the conclusions about the United States reached by three foreign exchange students after spending all or half of the school year here. Julia Barta, 17, […]

‘I know much less about the world than I thought I did?

Editor’s Note: This is the second installment in a 2-part series about the Peace Corps. To view the first story, ‘The Peace Corps: Area mom reflects on El Salvador,? visit www.thecitizenonline.com. When Ryan LaPrairie joined the Peace Corps in 2006, he never imagined he would have to defend his two-room, mud brick house in Ghana, […]

F-16 featured in Memorial Day observance

Ortonville- A parade, ceremony and a fly-over are planned to honor veterans on Memorial Day, May 26. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 582 is hosting the event. Lee Stewart, VFW member, said Memorial Day has been observed in this community since the 1870s, after the founding of the Grand Army of the Republic post, […]

Groveland to pay tab for Memorial Day flags

On Memorial Day, there will be flags placed on each of the 416 graves of veterans buried in the Ortonville Cemetery. Beginning this year, those flags will be paid for by Groveland Township, within whose boundaries Ortonville Cemetery lies. Previously, under a verbal agreement with the Ortonville Cemetery Association, Brandon Township paid for the flags. […]

Local sheriff’s deputies honored

Brandon Township police personnel took seven honors at the annual awards ceremony for the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office on May 12 at the Board of Commissioners Auditorium in Pontiac. Detective Chris Pacholski was named Investigator of the Year; Sgt. Pete Burkett and Deputies Mike Garrison and James Saunders were cited for professional excellence; Deputies James […]

Business Professionals of America winners

A Chicago website helped put Brandon Township on the map nationally. Brandon High School seniors Ahmad Dandachi and Chelsea Perry won first place in the web applications event at the Business Professionals of America National Leadership Conference held May 7-9 in Reno, Nev. They were competing against 20-30 teams from 15 different states. ‘I was […]