Oakwood Art Studio

Ortonville — Oakwood Art Studio, a new go-to place for fun and artistic expression is open! “Our mission is all about having fun while making art together,” says owner Deb Scott. With a BFA, an MFA in digital imaging and design, and 20 plus years of experience in graphic design, animation, and teaching, Deb is […]

Brandon School District state assessment scores

By Shelby Stewart-Soldan ssoldan@mihomepaper.com Brandon Twp. — During the regular Monday night meeting, principals in the Brandon School District presented their spring 2024 state assessment achievement data and the 2023-2024 local assessment growth data. The scores are based on M-STEP, SAT and PSAT assessments. At the high school level, students out-preformed the state average proficiency […]

Local ghost hunters take aim at Ortonville’s Old Mill

By David Fleet dfleet@mihomepaper.com Ortonville — For more than 170 years Amos Orton’s gristmill has stood along Mill Street near the center of Ortonville. Over the years a multitude of farmers, workers and townsfolk have passed through the doors of the historic building. If the walls of the Old Mill could speak there would certainly […]

Emery Bennett at 90 years old

By David Fleet dfleet@mihomepaper.com Atlas Twp. — Back in the 1980s, Emery Bennett found himself at odds with Atlas Township board policies and ran for office. “I felt I wanted a chance to try to make a difference,” recalled Bennett who will celebrate his 90th birthday on Nov. 1. “Over the years I did what […]

Northern Lights appear locally

By David Fleet dfleet@mihomepaper.com Laingsburg — The sun is currently rather rambunctious and that activity has been on display. The Northern Lights or aurora borealis, which are typically reserved for areas nearer the poles has dipped farther south much to the pleasure and curiosity of those which happen to be night sky gazers. Kevin Kacan, […]

A polar bear experience before it melts away

By David Fleet dfleet@mihomepaper.com Churchill, Manitoba — They are the largest bear species in the world up to 12 feet tall and weighing in at 1,700 pounds the largest land carnivores. Yet despite their immense size and location near the peak of the food chain, polar bears are in trouble. Real trouble. An area family […]

Blackhawk keeper forgoes shutout record for kindness

By David Fleet dfleet@mihomepaper.com Brandon Twp. — One goal. As the clock ticked down in the first round of the Division 2, District 27 playoff game on Oct. 10, the Brandon Blackhawks and Port Huron Redhawks varsity soccer teams provided a notable finish to a rather mundane game. Shorthanded due to illness the Redhawks trailed the Blackhawks by 10 goals in the first […]

Brandon Youth Mountain Bike Club

By David Fleet dfleet@mihomepaper.com Adrian — On Oct. 12-13, the Brandon Youth Mountain Bike Club completed their six-race season at the Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association (MiSCA) Heritage Park MTB XC Race in Adrian, Mich. The event drew competitors from across the region including Brandon High School Freshman Ryan Savoie, finished fourth in his age category and […]

Local Boilermaker twirler now oldest Golden Girl

By Shelby Stewart-Soldan ssoldan@mihomepaper.com West Lafayette, Ind. — At 81 years old, June Ciampa Lauer can still twirl. On Sept. 28, Lauer went back to Purdue University for the alumni half-time show against the University of Notre Dame where she got to join over 900 alumni on the field and twirl her baton as the […]

GMS kicks: One step toward creativity

By David Fleet dfleet@mihomepaper.com Atlas Twp.— Goodrich Middle School students are putting their best foot forward. Earlier this school year Ryan Dukes, a Michigan resident who specializes in customized sneakers agreed to donate his talents to create shoes based on the student’s design. More than 90 middle school students entered their own design and last […]