Renovations are under way at the Commerce Township Community Library, but Library Director Connie Jo Ozinga expects disruptions to library patrons will be kept at a minimum. “They should not see much sign of construction until the bitter end, when we begin cutting through the walls,” she said. The library is currently housed in the old El Dorado Golf Course clubhouse and banquet facility off Martin Parkway near Pontiac Trail. The building consists of 20,000 [...]

From Eric Nagler, Commerce Township: It’s great that Don Donigan likes George Santayana and likes to learn from history (“Letter was ‘right on,’” Spinal Column Newsweekly, Nov. 2, 2011). Even better than history is to learn from today’s events. So to Mr. Donigan and Dan Ruetenik I say this — look at what’s happening in Greece and Europe today with its unsustainable welfare state, high taxes, out-of-control spending, rioting, and the people’s never-ending sense of [...]

Huron Valley Schools officials are investigating how an Oak Valley Middle School bus careened into a ditch while traveling on Commerce Road between Duck Lake and Burns roads in Milford yesterday, Tuesday, Nov. 1. The single-vehicle accident occurred around 4:30 p.m. All children, along with the bus driver, safely exited after the bus rolled into the ditch. However, some children experienced minor injuries and one was transported to DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital for shoulder pain. [...]

A 17-year-old Commerce Township girl was arraigned on Tuesday, Oct. 18 on charges that included resisting arrest and causing injury to a police officer after allegedly attempting to strike Oakland County Sheriff’s Department deputies with a vehicle. Causing injury to a police officer is a 4-year felony, while resisting and obstructing arrest is a 2-year felony. The suspect is also charged with reckless driving. The girl was allegedly acting as the getaway driver for two [...]

From Joe Hargrove, Commerce Township: I completely support (President Barack Obama’s) American Jobs Act. We need teachers teaching, firefighters fighting fires, and police officers policing the streets. As our economy declined, our crime increased. Let’s hire the good guys and fire the bad guys — now and in November.

The Commerce Township Board of Trustees has approved an amendment to the Code of Ordinances that will slightly change how requests for public information are handled. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law ensuring public access to local government records. Upon written request, local, county, state and federal governments and agencies are required to disclose certain records and information unless the requested material falls within one of nine exemptions outlined in the law. [...]

The Commerce Township Fire Department was called to Long Lake off of Cooley Lake Road on Wednesday, Oct. 12 in response to a pontoon boat that had caught fire in the middle of the lake around 11:37 a.m. When the firefighters arrived, the pontoon was fully in flames while still remaining afloat. The operator of the boat had been picked up by another boater. The flaming boat was then towed by the other boater to [...]

For four days starting on Thursday, Oct. 20, lakes area residents will have a chance to get great deals on various books, movies, and music. The Friends of the Commerce Township Library will be hosting its Fall Used Book Sale from Oct. 20 through Sunday, Oct. 23. The sale will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 20; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 22; and 1 [...]

From Hannah Provence Donigan, Commerce Township: As a longtime resident of the lakes area, I appreciate the news coverage the Spinal Column provides. However, I am bothered by trends I have noticed lately in the Mail Bag section of the paper. One is the inclusion of long, rambling, often incoherent and negative letters. Examples: “Blue laws are ‘crap’” and “Atlas shrugged” (Oct. 5-11). I wonder how many shorter, more succinct and concrete letters on important [...]

A “Miracle Box” Packing Party hosted by Desert Angels will be held Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Multi-Lakes Conservation Association, located at 3860 Newton Road in Commerce Township. While U.S. soldiers continue to battle insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan, putting their lives at risk daily, the Desert Angels campaign is working to pack and distribute supplies to U.S. military personnel serving overseas. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is always seeking volunteers [...]