2024


Do you need help? Write Us!

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20243 min read

By Mike WilcoxPublisher We know that the holidays, “the most wonderful time of the year,” can actually be a bummer for some.We know that lack of essential food and clothing, not being able to buy meaningful Christmas gifts for your…

Obituary: Martin Wayne Colosky (Marty)

Obituary: Martin Wayne Colosky (Marty)

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20242 min read

Martin Wayne Colosky (Marty) age 52 passed away in Barryton, Michigan on October 24, 2024. Marty was born to Johnny and Shirley Colosky on August 6, 1972 in Clare, MI. He attended Farwell Area Schools. He lived in various places…

Obituary: Jackie Vasich

Obituary: Jackie Vasich

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20242 min read

Jackie Vasich passed away peacefully at home on November 5, 2024, at the age of 81. Jackie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, known for her warm smile, generous spirit, and unwavering devotion to her family and community.…

Obituary: Vickie Vander Velpen

Obituary: Vickie Vander Velpen

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20242 min read

Vickie Vander Velpen, age 72, of Farwell passed away with her son and daughter-in-law by her side on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, under the care of McLaren Hospice after a long-fought battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia.In following with Vickie’s wishes,…

Obituary: Mildred “Millie” Vanacker

Obituary: Mildred “Millie” Vanacker

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20243 min read

Mildred “Millie” Vanacker, age 93 of Clare, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at the North Woods Nursing Center of Farwell.  She was born the daughter of Carl and Hazel (Blake) Recker on February 5, 1931 on their family…

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: I’ll never be a hunter

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: I’ll never be a hunter

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20243 min read

I can’t believe Deer Hunting (gun season) is only one week away now.I grew up in an honest to goodness hunting family.Dad taught me gun safety before there were classes for such things and I have very fond memories of…

May I Walk with You? WHERE ARE THE MEN?

May I Walk with You? WHERE ARE THE MEN?

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20242 min read

In a conversation I had with a fellow teacher years ago, she lamented that all the good men had been taken. She was a single mom, with a young son, who was doing her best to hold down a teaching…

Rail – Trail Ribbon cutting held at Clare Depot

Rail – Trail Ribbon cutting held at Clare Depot

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20245 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent The highlight of Monday night’s City Commission meeting was a report, and pictures of the completion of the Pere’ Marquette Rail trail project, completing the ‘Clare Gap’ through the City.City Manager Jeremy Howard’s report to the Commission…

Farwell pastor charged with sexually assaulting youth

Farwell pastor charged with sexually assaulting youth

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20241 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A months long investigation led to the arrest of a 57-year-old pastor of the Trinity Baptist Church in Farwell, Harold Norman Cole, Jr.The Clare County Sheriff’s Office got the report of Criminal Sexual Conduct second degree on…

Holiday Happenings around the area

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20245 min read

Elvis at the VFWElvis Tribute Artist, Jake Slater, will be performing at the Clare VFW, 145 Wilcox Pkwy, on November 8th from 7-9pm! (call 989-386-7221 to purchase tickets). Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. Ideal Theatre to provide…

Clare volleyball advances to district finals

Clare volleyball advances to district finals

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20242 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent BIG RAPIDS — Clare (17-15-2) extended its season by at least one more match on Wednesday.The Pioneers advanced to Thursday’s title match against Reed City with a 25-16, 25-17, 25-10 win over the Warriors (5-20) at Big…

Do you Need Help?

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20243 min read

By Mike WilcoxPublisher We know that the holidays, “the most wonderful time of the year,” can actually be a bummer for some.We know that lack of essential food and clothing, not being able to buy meaningful Christmas gifts for your…

2024 Election Results

2024 Election Results

JordanNov 7, 20242 min read

2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS WINNER – DONALD TRUMP  MICHIGAN 2024 ELECTION RESULTS PRESIDENT – DONALD TRUMP Donald Trump – 2,794,257, 49.7%Kamala Harris- 2,713,281, 48.3% SENATOR – ELISSA SLOTKIN Elissa Slotkin – 2,690,225, 48.6%Mike Rogers – 2,671,872, 48.3% 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT – JOHN…

Familiar faces return to local offices

Familiar faces return to local offices

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20242 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVANEDITOR Saugatuck voters returned three incumbents and added a former mayor to four open two-year city council seats in the Tuesday Nov. 5 election In Douglas, all four incumbents withstood two challengers, also for four available two-year seats.…

St. Joseph County Election Recap: Kane wins Probate Judge, WP school bond passes, Constantine operating millage fails

St. Joseph County Election Recap: Kane wins Probate Judge, WP school bond passes, Constantine operating millage fails

Robert TomlinsonNov 6, 20247 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — St. Joseph County placed new officeholders in a few contested races on Election Day Tuesday, while also voting on a few local school and city proposals. Turnout in the election in St.…

Saugatuck football gets past White Pigeon

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20243 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorWHITE PIGEON—Entering the fourth quarter of its Division 8 opening-round playoff game against White Pigeon on Friday, Nov. 2, coach Bill Dunn’s Saugatuck football team seemed to have the game well in hand.After all, the Trailblazers had…

Obituary: Lucy Kuipers

Obituary: Lucy Kuipers

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20242 min read

Lucy Kuipers of Holland died peacefully in the early morning hours of Monday, Oct. 28 in the company of her sister and granddaughter. She is preceded by her husband Glen, daughter Laura and mother Wilhelmina.“Grama Kuipers” was adored by 4…

Obituary: Robert Miller

Obituary: Robert Miller

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20242 min read

Robert Miller, 49, of Oak Park, Ill. passed away on Oct. 15, 2024.Rob was born July 23, 1975 and grew up in Lapeer and Saugatuck. He was a band member from junior high through high school, graduating from Saugatuck in…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20244 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorAll Things PassAh, joys of being a weekly print paper. We go to press on election Tuesdays long before polls close, so our Thursday-dated issues come out sans outcomes.Of course, readers who care can learn them on our…

Campaign finance complaint clouds city vote

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20243 min read

Tuesday’s general election vote fell under late-breaking Michigan Board of Elections confirmation it was investigating the entity EPIC — which funded ads, signs and mailings for three Saugatuck City Council incumbents — based on a complaint about campaign-financing violations.The vote…