County votes to renew Amwaste contract

Editorial StaffJun 8, 20221 min read

LAFAYETTE- Despite some reservation, the Chambers County Commision voted in favor of extending the Amwaste Solid Waste, and Water Disposal contract. The contract is good for three years, and despite reservation all commisioners with exception to Commissioner James “Moto” Williams…

Farwell VFW honors World War ll vet on Memorial Day

Farwell VFW honors World War ll vet on Memorial Day

Editorial StaffJun 3, 20222 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Floyd Schmid, of Farwell, is one of the few World War II veterans left. As a special tribute on Memorial Day Monday morning, Mr. Schmid was honored during the ceremonies conducted by the Sparta Esterline VFW Post…

Student’s comment leads to Farwell Schools shutdown

Editorial StaffJun 3, 20225 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondents Comments from two students looking for books in the Farwell High School library during school hours May 26 prompted what a school employee perceived as a threat and led to an employee seeking charges against one student…

Postcard from the Pines: The ‘Season’ is here

Postcard from the Pines: The ‘Season’ is here

Editorial StaffJun 3, 20224 min read

We hope that everyone had a great ‘official’ start to the summer season. Mom Nature pulled her usual Memorial Day tricks, giving us half good and half so-so weather for the long weekend; then turning up the heat to miserable…

Obituary: Lee H. Greenacre

Obituary: Lee H. Greenacre

Editorial StaffJun 3, 20223 min read

Lee H. Greenacre, age 73 of Clare, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.  On June 8, 1948, Lee was born the youngest of six children to Lee and Gertrude (Rhynard)…

Obituary: Helen Ann Bardallis

Obituary: Helen Ann Bardallis

Editorial StaffJun 3, 20223 min read

Helen Ann Bardallis, age 91 of Clare, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 27, 2022 at the Pioneer Golden Estates Living Facility of Clare.  On July 6, 1930, Helen was born the daughter of George and Sally (Ykimoff) Raicoff in…

Obituary: Ila Mae Schumacher

Obituary: Ila Mae Schumacher

Editorial StaffJun 3, 20222 min read

Ila Mae Schumacher, age 90, of Clare, passed away on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at MyMichigan Medical Center in Midland.  Ila was born the daughter of Louis and Genevieve (Davis) Fancon on Sept. 3, 1931, on the family farm on Surrey…

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Holiday is over — Summer has Begun

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Holiday is over — Summer has Begun

Editorial StaffJun 3, 20223 min read

We just returned from our first official trip to the campsite at Roscommon, where we had an absolutely lovely, if much too short weekend.Even the weather cooperated this time, with mostly sunshine, and only a brief rain in one evening…

Administrators have fond memories of 2022 graduates

Administrators have fond memories of 2022 graduates

Editorial StaffJun 3, 20222 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent BIG RAPIDS – Local administrators have expressed the fond memories they’ll have to the Class of 2022 graduating seniors at various schools.“Graduation was a great time for our students,” Marion K-12 principal Danyel Prielipp said. “It was…

Faces in the Crowd: Dan Kingsbury

Faces in the Crowd: Dan Kingsbury

Editorial StaffJun 3, 20227 min read

Dan Kingsbury has lived in Alaska, Colorado, and Hawaii.But he calls northern Michigan home.As Store Manager at the Marion Village Market, Dan enjoys getting to know the friendly faces that make a northern Michigan community go. After all, he’s one…

Armstrong new Ox-Bow development head

Armstrong new Ox-Bow development head

Editorial StaffJun 1, 20222 min read

Former Columbus (Ohio) Area Arts Council executive director Kathryn Armstrong has been named new development director at Saugatuck’s Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency. She will oversee fundraising and manage patron, sponsor and foundation relationships for the 111-year-old School…

Does LHD plan single out owners’ land?

Editorial StaffJun 1, 20229 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR The Saugatuck Township Planning Commission, wary of history repeating, May 23 declined activists’ urging to establish a Local Historic District at and around the Kalamazoo River mouth by a 2-2 vote. Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance members…

Area spring sports teams close out May

Editorial StaffJun 1, 20227 min read

by Ben MurphySports Writer Lawton track and field takes seventh at D3 team finals The Lawton girls track and field team competed in the MITCA Division 3 track and field team state finals on Saturday, in Clare. The Lady Blue…

LaFayette leaders make presentation to Mainstreet

LaFayette leaders make presentation to Mainstreet

Editorial StaffJun 1, 20223 min read

A small group from Vision LaFayette went to Birmingham last Wednesday to do a presentation before the Mainstreet Selection Committee. It was the second step necessary to obtain a Mainstreet designation. Mainstreet is a popular downtown revitalization program which will…

Hunter resigns from LaFayette City Council

Hunter resigns from LaFayette City Council

Editorial StaffJun 1, 20221 min read

A city of LaFayette council seat has become open after a surprising announcement from city councilman Shannon Hunter announcing his decision to step down from city council last Friday. It was in an email sent to the mayor, council and…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffJun 1, 20224 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorIn AirI knew when I saw kids plant a redwood at River Bluff Park in just centuries salamanders would skydive from it. How? From a story in The Smithsonian.Like flying squirrels, Aneides vagrans or wandering salamanders stretch their…

Community Pride Week in full gear

Community Pride Week in full gear

Editorial StaffJun 1, 20222 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorCommunity Pride Week is underway celebrating not just the local LGBTQ population but all people with educational and fun gatherings.Community Pride Committee-sponsored events Thursday June 2, include drag bowling at Alley’s Classic American Diner, 229 Center St., Douglas.The…

Would LHD single out owner’s land?

Would LHD single out owner’s land?

Editorial StaffJun 1, 20229 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe Saugatuck Township Planning Commission, wary of history repeating, May 23 declined activists’ urging to establish a Local Historic District at and around the Kalamazoo River mouth by a 2-2 vote.Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance members and other neighbors…