Two township positions reclassified

By Shelby Stewart Staff Writer Brandon Twp.- On Nov. 6 the township board of trustees voted to reclassify the positions of Senior Center Coordinator and Parks and Recreation Director as exempt. The decision changes the director’s wages from hourly to salary wages. The 6-0 vote will take effect Jan. 1, 2018. Trustee Dana DePalma was […]

Time to pause for Santa Dogs

By Shelby Stewart Staff Writer Groveland Twp.-On Dec. 13-16, the Santa dogs will be back at Bueche’s at 400 N. Ortonville Road, to raise money for the Genesee County Humane Society. Carl Liepmann, who has been organizing this fundraiser for 35 years, always looks forward to bringing in the dogs. “Usually I get ‘oh my […]

Competency exam ordered for man charged in deputies death

On Dec. 4, Judge Joesph Fabrizio at Clarkston’s 52-2 District Court ordered via video hearing that Christopher Berak, 22, be given a psychiatric evaluation. Berak, who allegedly killed Oakland County Sheriff Deputy Eric Overall early Thanksgiving morning, is being held at Macomb County jail without bond until his next hearing on Feb. 12. Though he […]

Deputy requested at Sunday service

By David Fleet Editor Atlas Twp.-At a special meeting on Tuesday night the board of trustees voted 5-0 to consider a tri-party agreement between the township, the River Church and the Genesee County Sheriff Department for a deputy on duty during Sunday service. The deal is expected to be discussed at 5:30 p.m., Dec. 18 […]

New Atlas Township fire chief named

By David Fleet Editor Atlas Twp.-On Tuesday night the township board of trustees voted 5-0 at a special meeting to appoint Steve Bullen as township fire chief. The position was vacated this past summer by Fred Forys who served as chief since 2006 and 34 years as a township firefighter. The opening was posted Oct. […]

Township recognizes fallen sheriff deputy

By Shelby Stewart Staff Writer Brandon Twp.-On Monday night, Kathy Thurman, township supervisor presented an award of recognition and appreciation to Oakland County Deputy Eric Overall. His son Ken Overall was present to accept the award. Deputy Eric Overall, assigned to the township substation, was killed early Thanksgiving morning by Christopher Barek who was fleeing […]

‘Never quit’

By David Fleet Editor In 2014 Deputy Eric Overall arrived at Brandon High School as a liaison officer. “I want the kids to feel safe, comfortable, and that I’m a person they can confide in if they have problems,” Overall told The Citizen newspaper his first day on the job. “A lot of times kids […]

Village, school banner project soon to include township

By Shelby Stewart Staff Writer Brandon Twp.- It’s been a banner year for area residents. Thanks to the efforts of a Brandon High School senior and school official street banners are popping up in Ortonville and very soon along M-15. “It all started off just looking for student volunteers,” said Taryn Vlad, a 17-year-old senior […]

Heavy police presence to shooter prompts questions

By Shelby Stewart Staff Writer Ortonville-On Nov. 14 and 15 much of the community was covered police officers, patrol cars, and even SWAT cars. Brandon, Goodrich and Oxford school district closed as a manhunt for a suspected shooter paralyzed the area. “On the night of the incident, we had 35 to 40 patrol cars up […]

Board OKs school bond refunding

By David Fleet Editor Goodrich- The school board of trustees voted 7-0 on Nov. 27 to pursue refinancing some of the school bonds. The district announce earlier this year the successful refinancing of a portion of their outstanding 2011 School Building and Site Bonds, dated May 11, 2011 and their current loan balance with the […]