Clarkston Cafe retooling for the future, Catallo says

Another sign of Michigan’s economic woes can be found in the front window of Clarkston Cafe, where a sign annouces the Main Street restaurant ‘closed for retooling.? ‘It was a different Michigan two-and-a-half years ago when we restored it,? said Curt Catallo, owner of Clarkston Caf? and Clarkston Union. ‘I think now it requires some […]

Supervisor Wagner’s agenda policy prevails

What was a bad practice is now a bad policy, according to Trustee David Lohmeier. ‘I’m concerned we (trustees) won’t have as much influence to talk about things that are really important, like the town hall and other major expenditures,? said Lohmeier at the Jan. 20 Independence Township Board meeting. The new policy, approved 4-3, […]

Dixie Highway is the talk of the town

It’s Dixie Highway’s turn for attention With more than 600 invitations mailed out, the public was not short on numbers or suggesting ideas to improve Dixie Highway at the Jan. 22 Planning Commission meeting. Some of the major ideas included, signage issues, speed limit, removal of abandon structures, excessive berm and tree heights now blocking […]

Parks work earns honors

Around Independence Township Parks and Recreation, Mike Navarre and Eric Bryan were known as ‘The Ball Crew,? working for the past three years on maintaining 18 baseball and softball fields at six sites. Now attending college, Navarre and Bryan received the Youth Sports Staff of the Year Award, Jan. 7, from the Michigan Recreation and […]

Live from Clarkston

Clarkston Film Studio owner Norman Pardo, along with his wife, Jill, are looking at new ways to feature the Clarkston area through Clarkstontv.org. “What we want to do is be the local spot for Clarkston for businesses to talk to the Clarkston people and for people to come in and have their own shows,? Norm […]

VIP Training offers variety

After working at big health clubs, Jerry Lockwood and his partner Dr. Michael Sartorius were looking for something a little more personal, so a little over a year ago they opened VIP Training. “We got tired of the big health club atmosphere, where people walked around aimlessly, so we decided to open a place that […]

Sewer plan mired in negotiations

Bids are in and workers ready, but sticky negotiations are clogging up resolution of a collapsed storm sewer situation. “We need the easement before we can work on this,? said City Manager Dennis Ritter, at the Jan. 12 Clarkston City Council meeting. Three construction companies submitted two bids each to repair Washington Street resident Norm […]

Stimulus plan hurts in long run, Ottman says

When it came time for City Council to approve the final stimulus plan package, Councilwoman Kristy Ottman wanted no part of it. ‘As much as I love the idea of us going through and getting this grant money, I am opposed to the actual stimulus plan. I think that it’s a band aid on a […]

Eagle Scout helps people see better

After collecting nearly 2,800 pairs of old, unwanted eyeglasses for the poor, Michael E. Inch has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. ‘It felt good,? he said. ‘I know that a lot of people in developing countries need glasses to see and if they can’t see very well they won’t be able to get jobs, […]

Keiser’s Role A column by Trevor Keiser

This past Friday I showed up at Coats Funeral Home in Ortonville to pay my respects and to give my support to the family members of a gentleman by the name of Bill Cobb. Mr. Cobb passed away on Jan. 11 at 92 years old. He was a 71-year resident of Independence Township. He served […]