Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Summer Nights – I’m missing living on the Tobacco

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Summer Nights – I’m missing living on the Tobacco

Editorial StaffJun 28, 20244 min read

This time of year the newspaper business is pretty hectic.Even though I do all of my work out of this “home office” now, some weeks it seems like I am just about glued to this computer chair.I find I have…

Postcard from the Pines: A chip off the old Block

Postcard from the Pines: A chip off the old Block

Editorial StaffJun 28, 20245 min read

It’s no secret that I am fond of old things and have, through the years, gathered a rather unusual collection of bits and pieces of Marion memorabilia. For example, I have a galvanized piece from a windmill ‘tail’ with Morton’s…

Man rescued after falling into corn storage bin

Man rescued after falling into corn storage bin

Editorial StaffJun 28, 20241 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A man who fell into a corn storage bin Wednesday was safely rescued by emergency personnel.The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department got the call to assist in the rescue in northeast Isabella County at 7:31 am June 26…

4th of July celebrations, events all over area

Editorial StaffJun 28, 20244 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Farwell Figure 8 and moreFarwell has some big plans in the works for the holiday weekend this year.TNT will present a Figure 8 Derby, Bump & Run, Gut n’ Go and a front wheel drive Demo Derby…

Payment issues, lack of attendance scar Marion Fair

Payment issues, lack of attendance scar Marion Fair

Editorial StaffJun 28, 20245 min read

By Genine Hopkins After this year’s Marion Fair ended on Saturday, June 15, 2024, concerned citizens and some concerned Fair Board members brought up serious concerns about how the finances were handled for the fair. This included a cancellation of…

Monday storm knocks power out to more than a thousand homes

Editorial StaffJun 28, 20241 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent According to reports from Consumer’s, downed trees Monday caused a power outage for 1,266 customers in Clare, Gladwin and northern Isabella Counties, with the most outages (749) listed in Clare County and 198 in Isabella County. Gladwin…

Area July 4thcelebrations and events plentiful around Marion

Editorial StaffJun 28, 20243 min read

By Genine HopkinsArea communities will be holding numerous, family fun events.  Below are just some of the incredible things to do in our area (Fireworks events are bolded and red): Saturday, June 29, 2024Fireworks in Houghton Lake at dusk. The show will…

Share River Bluff Park ideas Thursday

Share River Bluff Park ideas Thursday

Editorial StaffJun 26, 20243 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Want to help restore Saugatuck Township’s River Bluff Park? A public open house Thursday, June 27, in the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library, 174 Center St., Douglas, will be your chance. From 5:30 to 7 p.m., township parks…

July 4 fun to pack full weekend

July 4 fun to pack full weekend

Editorial StaffJun 26, 20242 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Holiday weekends in Saugatuck-Douglas mean serious fun. With July 4 falling on a Thursday this year, why not expand your fun two or three more days? Saugatuck’s annual July 4 parade has returned post-Covid to smalltown…

E. Coli advisory receives mixed reception

E. Coli advisory receives mixed reception

Editorial StaffJun 26, 20242 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Last week’s Oval Beach E. Coli warning didn’t keep everyone out of Lake Michigan. Five days of 90° heat sent many into the waves regardless, witness the photo above taken June 19.  The City of Saugatuck…

Two if by sea

Two if by sea

Editorial StaffJun 26, 20241 min read

Saugatuck, Holland and Park township fire crews hit Lake Michigan June 18, joined by a county marine division craft and U.S. Coast Guard chopper prepped for airborne transfer. Swimmers at risk, caught in rip currents, happen. Efficient, quick and practiced…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffJun 26, 20243 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorHeat WaveThe book “Ban This Book” has been banned by the Indian River County (Fla.) school board. Members voted 3-2 to ax Alan Gratz’s 2017 children’s tome after Jennifer Pippin, local Moms for Liberty chair, complained it was…

Help make River Bluff Park dreams real

Editorial StaffJun 26, 20243 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorWant to help restore Saugatuck Township’s River Bluff Park? A public open house Thursday, June 27, in the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library, 174 Center St., Douglas, will be your chance.From 5:30 to 7 p.m., township parks committee leaders will…

Plainwell’s Randall chosen to attend Grammy Camp

Plainwell’s Randall chosen to attend Grammy Camp

Editorial StaffJun 26, 20244 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Maryn Randall can’t imagine her life without music.“I would say I fell in love with music at an early age, probably before I could even talk,” the Plainwell High School senior said. “My parents, especially my…

The Buck Stops here: Judge Buck announces retirement

Editorial StaffJun 26, 20243 min read

Judge Buck noted, “April of this year marked 45 years that I have had the pleasure of working in the courthouse for the people of Allegan County. I proudly served as an assistant prosecuting attorney for the first 21 years…

Obituary: Evelyn Faye Grigg

Editorial StaffJun 26, 20242 min read

Our beloved Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, and Great-Great-Grandma, Evelyn Faye Grigg (Fasig), age 82, passed away peacefully at her home June 17, 2024. She was born and raised in Illinois and then chose to plant her roots in Fennville, MI where…

Obituary: Angeline Brown

Obituary: Angeline Brown

Editorial StaffJun 26, 20242 min read

Angeline Brown, a loving wife, mother, and cherished soul, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2024, at the age of 77 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Born on July 7, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, Angie’s life was one of vibrancy, love,…

Obituary: Rebecca Sue Cornelia

Obituary: Rebecca Sue Cornelia

Editorial StaffJun 26, 20242 min read

Rebecca Sue Cornelia (Dykstra), age 57 of Hopkins, went to her heavenly home June 16, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She is preceded in death by her father, David Jay Dykstra; brothers David Mark Dykstra, and Todd Alan Dykstra;…

Obituary: Alicia D. Anes-Haist

Obituary: Alicia D. Anes-Haist

Editorial StaffJun 26, 20241 min read

Alicia passed away, Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Borgess Hospital, from injuries she sustained in a motorcycle accident in April. Alicia was born July 20, 1998, in Allegan to Amy Stitt and Dannon Anes and was adopted and raised by…

4th of July Celebrations around the Allegan County area

Editorial StaffJun 26, 20245 min read

By Gari Voss The 4th of July 2024 falls on a Thursday. Several communities are celebrating Independence Day with extra activities on days other than the 4th. In addition, popup fireworks will be happening. Several things to remember:It has been…