Shoplifter caught with $261 in goods
      An 18-year-old Roscommon man was arrested after he allegedly shoplifted nearly $261 worth of merchandise at the Houghton Lake Wal-Mart Aug. 3. A Wal-Mart loss control employee told Roscommon County Sheriff's deputies he watched as the man took computer games and hid them on a shelf in the shoe department.
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Deputies question youths about break-ins, joy-riding incident
      Two Houghton Lake youths are suspected of breaking into a Markey Township home that is for sale and vandalizing its contents. Roscommon County Sheriff's deputies investigated the burglary/ forced entry complaint Aug. 1. Police discovered a glass window had been pushed in and broken and the screen removed.
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Higgins Lake residents call for 'experts' to manage dam
By Glenn Schicker
      Although Higgins Lake residents expressed varied opinions on whether water is causing damage to their property and the environment, they agreed at a meeting with Roscommon County Commissioners July 31 that "experts" should manage the lake level.
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FATAL ACCIDENT
     Denton Township emergency workers tend to driver Keller Doyle, 73, of Southfield, whose vehicle hit a tree on Houghton View Drive near the intersection of Maplewood Street on the evening of Aug. 4. A medical condition was determined to have been the cause of the accident, as well as Doyle's death. Passenger Jeremy Robins of Orlando, FL, told Denton Township Police he was getting into the vehicle when it started to go forward before he sat down. He saw there was something wrong with the driver and tried to get out as the vehicle sped up and went off the road to the left, striking the tree. Robins, Doyle and passenger Nancy Doyle, 71, of Southfield were taken to the West Branch Regional Medical Center by Denton Township Ambulance. (Photo by Thomas Reznich)
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Village election line-up emerging
      Three candidates for six Roscommon Village positions had emerged as of early this week. Non-partisan candidates have until 4 p.m. Aug. 12 to file for village offices on the November general election ballot. Dawn M. Dodge, recently appointed to the village council, and incumbents Steven A. Morris and Joan L. Murphy have all filed for trustee.
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Family fund-raiser to benefit Costanza
      The family of James M. Costanza, 24, Rochester Hills and Houghton Lake, will host a fundraiser to help pay for medical expenses Costanza accumulated following a stabbing injury received June 5. A spaghetti dinner, donated by Coyles Restaurant, is planned for Saturday, from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Denton Township-Rotary Park pavilion, Co. Road 100, across from the soccer field.
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District hosting photo contest
      The Crawford-Roscommon Conservation District is reinstating its annual photo contest. All photos entered will be displayed and voted on by the public at the third Conservation Expo Sept. 13 at the Houghton Lake Historical Playhouse.
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Wii WINNER
     Michael Ignat, 11, was one of the grand prize winners in the Houghton Lake Public Library's summer reading program. Ignat won the Nintendo Wii in the children's drawing while Chet Schneider won the Wii in the adult drawing and David White won the T.J. Bearytales in the other children's drawing. The library had 169 children and 130 adults participate in the program. Pictured with Ignat is Kim Frazho, technology/training coordinator at the library. (Courtesy photo)
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Hartwick to host Forest Fest
      The Michigan Forest Visitor Center and Hartwick Pines Logging Museum has announced the 11th annual Forest Fest will be held Aug. 9, at Hartwick Pines State Park, northeast of Grayling. Activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All youngsters will receive a Natural Resource Passport in which they attempt to visit all of the activity stations.
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Loxley light to 'change'
      The light at the intersection of M-55 and Loxley Road will be changed to a flashing signal Aug. 11 for a Michigan Department of Transportation study. The study will help determine whether the light needs to be flashing or in "operation" mode, turning from red to green.
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Angel Food August menu has steaks, chicken
      The August menu of the Angel Food Ministries, to be distributed at Houghton Lake Wesleyan Church Aug. 23 consists of four ribeye steaks, chicken leg quarters, smoke sausage, frozen vegetables and waffles, rice and potatoes, a dozen eggs and more.
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RUNNING THE DRILL
     Rockford Middle School Teacher Cullen McCarthy taps out a drill Tuesday for the Roscommon Bucks Marching Band as Director Seth Kilbourn observes. The 80- member band is attending its five-day camp this week at the high school to prepare for its Beatles and Paul McCartney show for home football games. (CHP)
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Europe trip 'amazing,' 'worthwhile,' Ambassadors of Music report
By Cheryl Holladay
      The Houghton Lake Ambassadors of Music came home Saturday from a 16-day journey to Europe with an appreciation of history and new cultures and of their native land as well.
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Souder, three others unseated in primary
      Roscommon County Commissioner Lowell Souder, two officials in Markey Township and one in Gerrish Township lost their bids to remain in office in the primary election Tuesday.
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Big Bash means big clean-up
      Picking up the pieces the morning after a large party can be a big job, especially when there were over 5,000 guests, but Limberlost owner Bob Hallauer said clean-up from Bud Bash 2008 began in earnest at 7 a.m. on Sunday morning.
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