January 7
Doped-up suspect hit tree with car Operating on a tip, Lake Orion police arrested Garnett Hall, 24, who allegedly crashed a vehicle into a village tree in July while under the influence of a powerful drug cocktail, which included heroin. Sought for the July crash as well as an earlier heroin-related infraction in the village, Hall was taken into custody Dec. 29 in Pontiac.
LO defenseman skates to Finland Troy Milam signed a contract with the Ilves (“lynx” in Finnish) in Tampere, Finland, marking his sixth year in professional hockey. Milam, primarily a defenseman, began playing hockey as a Mite – the level reserved for 4-to-6-year-olds. Now 28, Milam moves around the world playing for highly-skilled and fast-paced teams.
Bait shop reopens after fire Hook Line & Sinker Bait Shop reopened after a September fire shut the business down for 11 weeks. For owner Ron Jedlicki, it wasn’t a moment too soon; ice fishing season-one of his busiest times of year-was underway in Lake Orion.

January 14
Board approves Polly Ann Trail contract The Polly Ann Trail will run a little longer thanks to the Orion Township Board of Trustees who unanimously approved a contract to extend the trail by three-and-a-half-miles, beginning at Joslyn and Heights. The township getting involved with the work was singular in that most of the 14-mile trail is maintained by the Polly Ann Trail Management Council.
Local student inspires state legislation The State Senate passed Lake Orion High School Senate Resolution No. 219, which proclaimed Sept. 20 to 28 as Deaf Awareness week after LOHS student Emily Kollaritsch initiated state legislation aimed at recognizing accomplishments of the hearing-impaired.
LOHS ‘produces’ award-winning class ‘Spartans’ lined the walls in LOHS’s TV Production Workshop room, but not because students are Michigan State fans. Spartan awards are given by the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association, and the class achieved the top award two of the last three years. In addition to their 2008 Spartan, 28 students won individual awards.

January 21
Schools approve all day kindergarten The school board voted unanimously for all-day, every-day kindergarten. Previously, kindergartners attended all day on alternating days.
A ‘Grand’ old time at the high school Detroit Tigers mascot, Paws, helped Kid Rock celebrate his birthday at Lake Orion High School on Saturday. The musician was on hand to play in Tigers centerfielder Curtis Granderson’s charity basketball game along with football stars like Herman Moore and Lomas Brown.
Blanchard gone after scandals After a yearlong unpaid medical absence, Director of Parks and Recreation Rock Blanchard “amicably” parted ways with Orion Township. Over four years, Blanchard was tied to the alleged dumping of potentially harmful fill dirt at Friendship Park and was accused of requesting kickbacks from contractors.

January 28
Workers return, but Orion plant not at full throttle After being shut down for the month of January, the Orion General Motors assembly plant was slated to get back to work Feb. 2–but not at full gear. GM announced it would cut 2,000 jobs at plants in Michigan and Ohio. Production will halt at nine plants over the next six months, as well.
Ring snatcher snatched The suspect who made off with two pricey engagement rings at a Lake Orion Kohl’s was recently arrested for attempting the same crime at Great Lakes Crossing Mall. The suspect, identified as Jason Mark Thompson, walked into the Kohl’s on Baldwin Road and asked a salesperson to show him diamond engagement rings. The sales clerk brought them out from under the glass to show them to Thompson when he allegedly snatched two of the rings from her hand and walked out of the store.
Bank warns about counterfeit bills Oxford Bank recently issued a warning for retailers and individuals to be on the lookout for a new, crafty type of counterfeiting. According to Cindy Edgett, who works in loss prevention for Oxford Bank, branches in the Lapeer area and Orion have seen several counterfeit hundred dollar bills.