McCown finds bottle that pre-dates Clare

McCown finds bottle that pre-dates Clare

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 3 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Sometimes little pieces of our history can be found buried in the ground in the most unlikely places. It just takes a dedicated treasure seeker to unearth them.In Clare that person is Matt McCown.When asked where he…

Clare applies for USDA grants for police, fire departments

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 3 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent The Clare City Commission gave the go-ahead to submit application for two United States Department of Agriculture grants at Monday’s meeting, one for approximately $62,431 to fund 75 percent of the cost of a new police vehicle…

Obituary: Nancy Pearl Hatfield

Obituary: Nancy Pearl Hatfield

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 3 min read

Nancy Pearl Hatfield, of Cadillac, passed away on Friday, 13 2022 in her home surrounded by her children at her bedside. She was 81. Nancy was born on April 22nd, 1941 in Pontiac, Michigan to Cecil and Dorothy Kenyon. She entered…

Postcard from the Pines: Old Friends and More Library Noise

Postcard from the Pines: Old Friends and More Library Noise

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 4 min read

Last week I had the opportunity to visit with an old friend. I mean a really long-time ago friend and one I have not seen in years. Our friendship goes back, first to the Methodist Sunday School, and then as…

NMC soccer remains undefeated with two wins

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 2 min read

by Ben MurphySports Writer The McBain Northern Michigan Christian girls soccer team added another lopsided Northern Michigan Soccer League win on Tuesday. Playing at Houghton Lake, the Lady Comets were able to return home with a 7-0 victory.“Had to play…

Clare track finishes second, third in own Invite

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 2 min read

by Ben MurphySports Writer The Clare track and field teams hosted another home invitational on Saturday. The Pioneers welcomed six other teams and were able to have the boys finish second and the girls finished up third.Highlights for the boys…

Obituary: Robert “Bob” Peters

Obituary: Robert “Bob” Peters

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 1 min read

Marion – Robert “Bob” Peters, of Marion, passed away on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. He was 81.Bob is survived by his sister, Wilma Gibbs of Clare; his son, Mark McConnell of Texas; daughter,…

Obituary: Sherril Dian Smith

Obituary: Sherril Dian Smith

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 2 min read

Sherril Dian Smith – Age 74 of Farwell, passed away at MyMichigan Medical Center in Midland on Friday, May 13th, 2022. Sherril was born to parents Nathaniel and Lucille (Dorman) Aaron on August 13, 1947, in Sipsey, AL. Following high…

Obituary: Anna Katherine Miller

Obituary: Anna Katherine Miller

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 3 min read

Anna “Kay” Katherine Miller, beloved wife of 56 years to the late Richard Charles Miller, mother, and grandmother passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at the age of 78. She was born the eldest daughter of nine children to…

Obituary: Edward “Dexter” Hubel

Obituary: Edward “Dexter” Hubel

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 3 min read

On May 16, 2022 Edward “Dexter” Hubel passed away peacefully on his farm in Clare, Michigan. He lived an adventurous 84 years. Dexter is survived by his wife Judy Hubel; his children Becky Gibbs (Tom), Connie Miller (John), and Edward…

Obituary: Ronald L. Merritt

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 1 min read

Ronald L. Merritt of Lake Station, Michigan passed away May 12, 2022 at the age of 84. He was born in Olivet Michigan on June 10, 1938 to the late Donald J. Merritt and the late Beatrice M. Field. He enjoyed camping,…

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: And so it begins…

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: And so it begins…

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 4 min read

The beginning of the summer season is now just one short week away, and it will be over again before we know it.I know, I know, the calendar says summer starts June 21st, but let’s face it, the season really…

Faces in the Crowd: Ashley and John Barron

Faces in the Crowd: Ashley and John Barron

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 8 min read

John and Ashley Barron have seen their fair share of heartache over the years.About 10 years ago, they lost their child, Carter, in a tragic accident. At the same time, their youngest child, Kaiden, was going through multiple surgeries after…

Gas prices sky high in Osceola, Missaukee

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – Gas prices continue to soar locally according to Triple AAs of May 19, the AAA national average was $4.589 per gallon while the state average was $4.579.As of that same day, average gas prices per…

Orvis faces felony charges in Marion shooting

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 1 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – The Mount Pleasant State Police Post announced in a press release that on Sunday, around 6:45 p.m. it responded to a shooting report on Main Street in the village of Marion.According to published reports, Gabriel…

Winchester arrested when meth found in vehicle

Editorial Staff May 20, 2022 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – The Michigan State Police post out of Cadillac investigated an incident earlier this month which involved two residents from Osceola County.The report indicates a trooper stopped a vehicle on Wright Street near Leeson Street for…

Following rainbow

Following rainbow

Editorial Staff May 18, 2022 1 min read

Marc and Cathy Smith of Chicago, copy of The Commercial Record in hand, followed the newly-painted rainbow sidewalk across Butler Street towards Saugatuck City Hall May 12. (Photo by Scott Sullivan)

Classic cars, memorabilia debut Saturday

Classic cars, memorabilia debut Saturday

Editorial Staff May 18, 2022 2 min read

Investment Classics is revving up to showcase and sell classic cars in Saugatuck Township one block west of Blue Star Highway on the corner of 135th Avenue. Owner Ron Levine plans an open house there at 3512 Commercial Blvd. featuring…

Douglas wins EPA Haworth cleanup grant

Editorial Staff May 18, 2022 6 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Douglas took a giant leap forward in its efforts to repurpose the former Haworth plant site May 12 when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency apprised city leaders their cleanup grant application has been accepted. The city,…

OHS joins Unified Champion Schools program

OHS joins Unified Champion Schools program

Editorial Staff May 18, 2022 5 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Student from the Otsego High School RISE (Reaching Independence through Support and Education) program took center stage on Thursday, May 12.Or, more accurately, they took center court.As part of the Special Olympics Michigan Unified Champion Schools…

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.