Brandon senior tops at science/engineering fair

Brandon Twp.- Jessica Laviolette has done it again. On March 8, the Brandon High School senior won the grand prize at the Science and Engineering Fair of Metropolitan Detroit, along with eight professional awards, including a grand prize from DTE Energy; six first-place prizes and a second-place prize. The wins repeat Laviolette’s success last year […]

Township eyes M-15 parcel for complex

By Susan Bromley Staff Writer Brandon Twp.- What began as a public hearing for the proposed township purchase of a 14-acre parcel of land ended with another purchase proposal on the table? a separate 54-acre parcel also located off M-15. More than 50 people turned out for the March 6 public hearing, with some residents […]

Alone across the Arctic, one woman’s story

Not many people can face an angry polar bear, temperatures as cold as 40 degrees below zero, and breaking ice underfoot and live to tell about it. Pam Flowers can. Flowers, 59, will speak about those experiences at 7 p.m. March 20 and 21 at the Brandon Township Library when she presents, ‘Alone Across the […]

Brandon man pleads no contest in drive-by shootings

By Susan Bromley Staff Writer A Brandon Township man has pleaded no contest to all charges in the November drive-by shootings of two of his neighbors? homes on Granger Road. Daniel Hunt, 18, made the plea March 1 during a final pre-trial hearing in front of Sixth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Wendy L. Potts. Hunt […]

‘It was a pretty spectacular tree?

Ortonville- The huge oak tree next to Schoolhouse Street was part of many family memories. Bob and Karen McArthur’s three daughters all had their prom pictures taken in front of it. A granddaughter had her photo taken in front of the tree. A Halloween skeleton hung from it every year. It provided great shade and […]

Villiage business septic woes mount

Ortonville- What started as an intended soil perk test on an easement next to the Village Pub on Feb. 28 yielded some surprises and more septic problems for the business. Owner Amy Guirey has been under increasing pressure from the Oakland County Health Division and the Department of Environmental Quality to bring their septic system […]

A celebration of differences

Ortonville- Music, clothes, food and games from around the world were found at Harvey Swanson Elementary on Feb. 24. The school hosted Festival Internationale, an entire day dedicated to teaching students about other countries, including Italy, Sweden, Mexico, Iraq, France, Africa, Japan, China, Poland, Switzerland, Ireland, Israel, Cuba, India and Russia (where kids also learned […]

‘Meals on Wheels’still delivers

Ortonville- After having quintuple bypass surgery last November, Janice Smith was confined to her home and unable to cook. However, the 69-year-old widow who lives with her dog Max soon had great hot meals delivered right to her door, courtesy of Meals on Wheels. Smith’s son-in-law signed her up for the program, run by staff […]

From Africa:’a life-changing experience?

Brandon Twp.-A recent trip to Africa has changed Catherine McGhee’s life. She spent nearly two weeks in early February in the impoverished nation of Mauritania, assisting in several births, holding dying and malnourished children, and receiving multiple marriage proposals- all at the tender age of 12. ‘I see the big picture now,? says McGhee, who […]

“Grease” at BHS

Brandon Twp.- Art imitates life in the new Brandon High School musical. Approximately 60 cast members from both BHS and Brandon Middle School take on roles as teenagers dealing with love, peers and discovering who they really are, in ‘Grease.? ‘Everyone can relate to high school,? says Bre’ann Davert, a BHS senior who plays ‘Sandy,? […]