“Out and About” Eggs, paint, and bread
“The red and white and starry blue is freedom’s shield and hope.” -John Philip SousaAccording to Consumer Reports, there’s no nutritional difference between cage-free eggs and others. Cage-free means that hens weren’t raised in a cage, but there’s no guarantee…
Gittinger retires from Sturgis Public Schools
By Dennis Volkert Nicole Gittinger has announced her retirement from Sturgis Public Schools.Gittinger has worked at the district for 15 years. She served as principal at Wall and Eastwood schools, then was named assistant superintendent for SPS.She received a Bachelor…
Adjusted operating millage approvedby Sturgis City Commission
By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission last week approved an adjusted operating millage rate, following a public hearing and some discussion. To include the city’s millage rates on 2024 summer tax bills, the commission must set the operating property tax rate…
Sturgis Chamber announces parade winners
Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce has announced winning entries for “Electric Night Parade” at Sturgis Fest 2024. Selections were made in five categories. Most Beautiful: Kelly’s Creations. Most Creative: Sturgis District Library. Most Electrified: Morgan Olson. Chamber Choice: Sturgis Hospital. Best Use of Theme: First Presbyterian…
Clare freshman posted impressive softball season
By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE – Clare’s softball team had a memorable season which led the Pioneers to the state Division 3 semifinals where they lost 1-0 to Ottawa Lake Whiteford.Among the key reasons for the Pioneers’ success was the play…
Former Marion athlete performs for Michigan rowing
By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – Georgia Meyer was an extremely successful athlete at Marion in sports such as softball, volleyball and basketball before graduating in 2023. But this most recent season she had a unique and successful career on the…
Obituary: James “Jimmy” Travis Harville
James “Jimmy” Travis Harville, beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on July 1, 2024, at the age of 77. He was born on October 14, 1946, in Glen, MS, and most recently resided in Farwell, MI.Jimmy had a deep…
Obituary: James Peter Ritsema
James Peter Ritsema, age 65 of Marion passed away at his home on July 1, 2024 following a short illness. He was born on April 9, 1959 in Grand Rapids to Peter and Lois (Quist) Ritsema.He had worked at Herman…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Mid-summer – fairs, festivals and reunions!
Another holiday is over and the middle of summer – on my calendar anyway – is almost here.Actually that is kind of depressing.I count the summer season as three months long: June, July and August. The 15th of July is…
Postcard from the Pines: Still rockin’ after all these years…
In the ‘Where has the time gone?’ department, it was just the sixtieth anniversary of the release of the Beatles first album in Britain. It was swiftly followed by the Meet the Beatles album here. I own that album, all…
May I Walk with You? SYMPTOMS
When a person gets a cold they have symptoms. Usually they have a fever, runny nose, congestion, fatigue, chills, and sleepiness. The common folk diagnosis is that they have a cold, and the symptoms point to it. One of the…
Downtown Clare crash knocks out power, leaves two injured
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Downtown Clare was “in the dark” Saturday night after a two-car crash around 9:45 pm caused a power outage that lasted about eight hours, according to Clare Police Chief Dave Saad. He said the traffic light was…
MyMichigan’s Clare hospital to break ground on expansion project
MyMichigan Health will break ground on MyMichigan Medical Center Clare’s Expansion and Revitalization Project on Monday, July 15. The community is invited to join in the celebration set outside the Medical Center’s Emergency Department from 4 to 5:30 p.m.“MyMichigan Health…
Misunderstanding leads to tense meeting in Village of Marion
By Genine Hopkins What started as a misunderstanding between the new campground manager and citizens trying to utilize the park and path on the village owned portion of the fairgrounds in Marion, blew up Facebook and resulted in an extremely…
Redding Township sees changes in Transfer Station contracts
By Genine Hopkins At the June 19th regular board meeting in Redding Township, a vote was made to sign new contracts with Waste Management for the eight, 8 yard dumpsters that provides the township with free recycling, but a move…
Carlin excels in track and wrestling for Gobles
By John RaffelCorrespondent Finn Carlin was among the four Gobles freshmen who placed at their sports respective state championships.The others were Libby Smith, Daisy Estrada, and Lauren Shaffer.Carlin placed a school best third place at the MHSAA Wrestling State Finals.1-…
Obituary: Peggy “Peg” Nicholas
Peggy “Peg” Nicholas, 87, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, June 26, 2024, with her son and daughter-in-law at her bedside following a courageous battle with cancer. Peggy was born in her family’s home on June 21, 1937, in…
Three fire departments fight Paw Paw Tuesday morning blaze
The Paw Paw Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire, Tuesday morning, July 2, at KPEP, 38266 West Red Arrow Highway, Paw Paw. Arriving at the scene at approximately 9 a.m., fire department members found heavy smoke coming from…
Man stabbed in alcohol-fueled fight
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer ALMENA TWP. – An alcohol-fueled fight between two men in Almena Township late Friday night, June 28, resulted in one man being stabbed and the other charged with assault with intent to commit murder, according to…
Five arrested in Sheriff’s Office “Clean Streets”
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer PAW PAW – Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported the arrest of five individuals with outstanding felony warrants by detectives from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations and Narcotics Division.During the execution of…
