Pat’s Bits and Pieces: The 141st Clare County Fair is winding up this weekend

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: The 141st Clare County Fair is winding up this weekend

Editorial Staff Jul 26, 2024 4 min read

It will be all over again tomorrow so if you want some fun to liven up your summer, there’s still time to catch a bit of it at the fairgrounds in Harrison where the 141st Clare County Fair has been…

Postcard from the Pines: It’s Odd Love Story

Postcard from the Pines: It’s Odd Love Story

Editorial Staff Jul 26, 2024 5 min read

Marion, Michigan has a mystical hold on those who come from here, no matter where they may be. I’ve spent considerable time thinking about the Marion phenomena, trying to understand. I’ve written about it more than once and I still…

May I Walk with You? WITNESS

May I Walk with You? WITNESS

Editorial Staff Jul 26, 2024 3 min read

When I read these words, I was reminded that in many evangelical churches, members give their “testimony” as a witness to their faith in Jesus. It has been a long time since I heard anyone give a personal testimony, sharing…

Clare Superintendent Walter on administrative leave

Clare Superintendent Walter on administrative leave

Editorial Staff Jul 26, 2024 3 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Following a second closed session at the end of the regular board meeting July 15, Clare Board of Education President Loren Cole released a statement, citing an “employment issue” as the reason for an ongoing investigation using…

Two seriously injured in hit-and-run in downtown Clare

Two seriously injured in hit-and-run in downtown Clare

Editorial Staff Jul 26, 2024 2 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A late evening motorcycle ride through Clare last Thursday, July 18, turned into a tragic crash when they were hit by a speeding driver on McEwan Street.Clare Police Chief David Saad said in a press release, “A…

Jury finds Ketner guilty of meth charges

Jury finds Ketner guilty of meth charges

Editorial Staff Jul 26, 2024 2 min read

William August Ketner, of Harrison, was charged with three counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine, 2nd or subsequent offense; one count of Delivery of (Cocaine, Heroin, or another narcotic) under 50 grams, 2nd or subsequent offense; and one count of Maintaining…

Marion District Library millage is on August Primary ballot

Marion District Library millage is on August Primary ballot

Editorial Staff Jul 26, 2024 2 min read

By Genine Hopkins As parents, we all know the strain summer vacations can have on our nerves with the kids home and often complaining of being bored, despite not really missing school yet. It is wonderful to know that there…

McBain Heritage Days brings community together

McBain Heritage Days brings community together

Editorial Staff Jul 26, 2024 2 min read

By Genine Hopkins McBain Heritage Days took place this past Friday and Saturday, July 19th and 20th, under sunny skies and perfect summer days. While the event has had a few hiccups in the past couple of years, from being…

Mecosta-Osceola Transit Authority offers new service for non-emergency care

Mecosta-Osceola Transit Authority offers new service for non-emergency care

Editorial Staff Jul 26, 2024 2 min read

By Genine Hopkins The Mecosta-Osceola County Transit Authority (MOTA) is pleased to offer a new service for residents within the two-county region they serve, with non-emergency medical transport. Mobility Director Marsha Cornelius believes this is a great program that will…

Festival of light, life here!

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 6 min read

To arms, legs and hearts: The Venetian Fest is coming! The community’s annual celebration of life on our waterways arrives this weekend starting with a dance party Friday, July 26 in Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park; continues Saturday with an afternoon dinghy…

Audit shows Laktown in solid shape

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 3 min read

By Jim Hayden Correspondent Laketown Township is in solid financial shape, per its recently-completed audit. Siegfried Crandall principal accountant Joshua Gabrielse presented the 2023-24 fiscal year audit to the township board Wednesday, July 10. Highlights: • Laketown’s total net position…

‘Million Dollar Quartet heat up at SCA

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 3 min read

The Million Dollar Quartet — rock’n’roll legends Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins — met in Memphis Dec. 4, 1956 for an epochal 1-day gig you can see re-created starting Aug. 10 at the Saugatuck Center…

City taps Thompson as new planning/zoning head

City taps Thompson as new planning/zoning head

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 2 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVANEDITOR Saugatuck has appointed South Haven planning and zoning assistant Luke Thompson as its new cityhead of both. As planning and zoning director, Thompson fills a post city manager Ryan Cummins has doubled in since replacing former manager…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 3 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe Big Wave“One in five Michiganders,” says the Vertical Cherry website, “turn to alcohol for making big financial decisions.” Well, that explains things.“Do I dare to eat a peach?” I’d say in the day, overlooking the produce aisle.…

Venetian Fest brings back boom!

Venetian Fest brings back boom!

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 6 min read

To arms, legs and hearts: The Venetian Fest is coming!The community’s annual celebration of life on our waterways arrives this weekend starting with a dance party Friday, July 26 in Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park; continues Saturday with an afternoon dinghy poker…

Alps and Mediterranean Tour Provides Hands-On Learning

Alps and Mediterranean Tour Provides Hands-On Learning

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor School is currently out of the summer.But that didn’t stop a group of Plainwell High School students from adding to their knowledge base through some first-hand experience.A contingent of 42 individuals from PHS participated in an…

Obituary: Ronald Edward Dziekan

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 2 min read

Ronald Edward Dziekan passed on July 12, 2024, with his family by his side in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ronald was born to Casmir and Helen (Maciaszek) Dziekan on November 1, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois. Ron attended Catholic school in Allegan,…

Suspect burglarizes Smoke Shop in Plainwell

Suspect burglarizes Smoke Shop in Plainwell

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Officials with the Plainwell Department Safety are trying to identify the suspect in a burglary that took place in the early hours of Thursday, July 18.At approximately 4:07 a.m., officers were dispatched to Smoke City Smoke…

Obituary: Donald Dean Lickley

Obituary: Donald Dean Lickley

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 3 min read

Donald Dean Lickley of Lawton, Michigan and Venice, Florida, our beloved husband, brother, brother-in-law, son, uncle, cousin and friend died unexpectedly in his home on Sunday, July 07, 2024. He was 68 years old. He was born on February 14,1956…

Obituary: Herman Warren DeLano

Obituary: Herman Warren DeLano

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 2 min read

Herman Warren DeLano, aged 91 years old passed away on July 11th, 2024. He was born on May 14th, 1933 to Herman and Betty DeLano in Allegan Michigan. He attended the Allegan Episcopal Church of Good Shepard. He graduated from…

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.