DPW completes hydrant maintenance

DPW completes hydrant maintenance

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 1 min read

In late September, Sturgis Department of Public Services spent a week conducting a twice-yearly flushing of hydrants.The process typically takes place each April and September.The fall ’24 flush involved work by 10 crew members, rotating three or four each day…

Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 4 min read

RECURRINGChildren’s story time, 10 a.m. each Tuesday and Friday, Sturgis District Library.Timberly pumpkin patch, open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 27. Hayrides offered throughout the day, final ride departs at 5 p.m.Sturgis Area Model Railroaders winter…

HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK

HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 3 min read

By Frank Passic LAKE SHORE RAILROAD ONCE SERVICED ALBION             With the mention of Jackson County railroads a few weeks ago in this publication, we are reminded that Albion has its own memorable railroad history which was a part of…

Marshall wins Calhoun County XC Invitationals

Marshall wins Calhoun County XC Invitationals

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 4 min read

By Jeff Steers Contributing Writer The Marshall High School boys and girls cross country teams won the Calhoun County Invitational at home Saturday. The Redhawks placed all five runners in the top 10 at Turkeyville in both of the 5K…

Double fatality highlights dangers of Pulaski Road

Double fatality highlights dangers of Pulaski Road

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 5 min read

By Ken Wyatt A western Jackson County couple perished in a fiery crash near Swains Lake in Pulaski Township Sunday morning (Oct. 6). Here’s what the Michigan State Police report had to say, based on both troopers’ on-site investigation and…

Looking Out: The best thing about autumn

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 4 min read

by Jim Whitehouse “What’s your favorite season of the year?” I ask my pal Snooker. I’m hoping he says winter so I don’t have to feel like the Lone Ranger about my own preference. “Fall,” he says, taking a sip…

Obituary: Nancy Lee Blodgett

Obituary: Nancy Lee Blodgett

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 1 min read

Nancy Lee Blodgett, a resident of Albion, peacefully passed away on Oct. 3, 2024 at the age of 89. She is survived by her loving husband, Ken, and their children: Mary Spencer, LeAnn (Ron) Hugeback, Dean Blodgett, and Dan (Kristine)…

Obituary: Jill Anita Kidder

Obituary: Jill Anita Kidder

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 3 min read

Jill Anita Kidder, age 73, lost her battle with cancer Oct. 6, 2024, at Bronson Battle Creek surrounded by loved ones. She was born to John and Helen Alexander on April 16, 1951, in Marshall, MIichigan. Jill graduated from Marshall…

Obituary: Stanley Duane Sommer “Stan”

Obituary: Stanley Duane Sommer “Stan”

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 2 min read

Stanley Duane Sommer “Stan” age 83 of Albion passed away Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Ascension Borgess hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born Sept. 28, 1941, in Albion the son of Oscar and Leona (Rustenholtz) Sommer. Stan was preceded in…

Rail-Trail Ribbon Cutting October 23

Rail-Trail Ribbon Cutting October 23

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 1 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent In his report to the Clare City Commission last Monday evening, City Manager Jeremy Howard reported that, “The [Pere’ Marquette Rail-Trail] project is pretty much complete, barring a couple of punch list items. Bridge railings have been…

No injuries in Union Township fire

No injuries in Union Township fire

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 1 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent No injuries were reported in a house fire in Union Township Tuesday afternoon.Mt. Pleasant Firefighters had a house fire in Union Township under control in minutes Tuesday afternoon and no one was injured in the blaze.Firefighters were…

Assault leads to attempted murder charges for Vandenbos of McBain

Assault leads to attempted murder charges for Vandenbos of McBain

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 2 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A 41-year-old McBain man, Timothy Vandenbos, was arrested in Winterfield Township for attempted murder, assault, domestic violence, weapons and more at a Clam River Road home last Thursday, (October 3 rd ).Clare County Sheriff’s Office deputies were…

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: You can sure tell it is October in an election year

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: You can sure tell it is October in an election year

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 3 min read

I know I’ve written quite a lot about fall lately, but this has sure been a beautiful week. Lots of sunshine, cooler weather, low humidity and trees are beginning to show color all over the area. I believe the color…

Obituary: Allen Wayne Campbell

Obituary: Allen Wayne Campbell

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 2 min read

Allen Wayne Campbell, 62, passed away in his own home, surrounded by people he loved in Farwell, Michigan, on Friday, September 27th at 3:45 am. Allen’s heart was full and overflowed on all that knew him. Allen was always accompanied by…

May I Walk with You? WAR AND RELIGION

May I Walk with You? WAR AND RELIGION

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 3 min read

Someone said to me recently that most of the wars ever fought were over religion. It was as if he was blaming war on religion and that if we did away with religion and religious people that there would be…

Farwell girls runners second

Editorial Staff Oct 14, 2024 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent FARWELL – Farwell girls were second and Harrison third in the Pumpkin Patch Invitational on Tuesday.Elk Rapids was first (26) followed by Farwell (38) and Harrison (56).For Farwell, Isabella Eppert was first (20:19.53), Addyson Thormeier was seventh…

Douglas eyes bond to reset old hospital

Editorial Staff Oct 9, 2024 2 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Douglas City Council agreed Monday to hire Miller Canfield as legal counsel to help issue $4 million in improvement bonds to renovate 415 Wiley Road as a new city hall and police department. The city Aug.…

Saugatuck soccer sets record for wins

Editorial Staff Oct 9, 2024 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorWith its 7-0 win over Lawton on Wednesday, Oct. 2, the Saugatuck boys soccer team set a record for wins in a season with 12.On Monday, Oct. 7, the Trailblazers added to that total.Hosting Schoolcraft, Saugatuck secured…

Obituary: Kathryn ‘Kit’ Lane

Obituary: Kathryn ‘Kit’ Lane

Editorial Staff Oct 9, 2024 4 min read

Kathryn ‘Kit’ Lane was lovingly welcomed into Heaven gates on Oct. 1, 2024, following years of courageously battling Parkinson’s disease.Kit was born Friday, Oct. 13, 1939 to Mabel and Lawrence Erickson. She would grow up telling everyone that Friday the…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Oct 9, 2024 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorDating BaseWhy do I need DatingAdvice.com? At my age I do only blind dates and carbon dating. Still, for us fossils, there’s always something new.The website says “hardworking” is the one word single women use most to describe…

By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher

Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.

It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.