‘Get Fit Challenge’ gets underway this weekend It’s the 20th year for Doyle’s fitness and weight-loss contest
By Dennis Volkert “Get Fit Challenge” opens Jan. 11 at Doyle Community Center in Sturgis, and continues through March 22.Time frame for registration and initial weigh-in is 8 a.m.-noon Jan. 11 at Doyle.Prizes are awarded for overall first- and second-place…
Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area
RECURRINGChildren’s story time, 10 a.m. each Tuesday and Friday, Sturgis District Library.Sturgis Area Model Railroaders winter hours at Sturgis Historical Museum, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. JANUARYJan. 10Jon Reep, 7:30 p.m., Sturges-Young Center for the Arts, part of…
Clare City grant app for Dam project moving forward
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent In his report to the City Commission Monday, City Manager Jeremy Howard reported that the dredging project at Lake Shamrock is still continuing “on a limited and weather permitted basis.”He explained, “We are continuing work at the…
CTE MILLAGE RENEWAL REQUEST SET FOR MAY 6
A decade ago, voters in Clare and Gladwin Counties approved a ten-year millage request that proved to be an enormous game-changer for high schoolers in those communities. Now, following unprecedented growth and student success, ClareGladwin CTE is asking voters to…
May I Walk with You? ACTION ITEMS
Those of us who are Christian have an obligation to share the Christian way of living with others. Easier said than done, or is it? Let me make some suggestions. The first is to faithfully live the Christian faith yourself.…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: The colors of January
The new year is here and already the middle of January is only a few days away – next Wednesday actually.We’ve had some bone chilling cold, a little snow and wind to greet it, along with the local TV weatherman’s…
Harrison basketball returns to action
By John RaffelCorrespondent HARRISON — Harrison’s boys basketball team will return to action on Jan. 13 at Houghton Lake for Jack Pine Conference play.Also for Harrison will be road games on Jan. 15 at Ogemaw Heights and on Jan. 17…
Girls postseason events set MHSAA attendance record
A record number of spectators at girls postseason events during the 2023-24 school year pushed Michigan High School Athletic Association attendance past 1.4 million fans for the second straight, with the total of 471,651 spectators for girls competitions.The previous all-time…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorMovingIt was time to downsize. Add keepsakes from my 69 years, my parents, their parents, my wife and daughter … It is daunting deciding what stays, what goes.Each photo and handwritten note was a talisman. I dwelt on…
Laketown may flip to Mersman as manager
By Jim HaydenCorrespondentWith Al Meshkin retired as of Jan. 3, Laketown Township is without a manager. The board at a special meeting Dec. 30 put contract negotiations for a new one on hold until Jan. 8.In the absence of a…
Ransom Library announces acts for Winter Concerts
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The annual Winter Concert Series at Ransom Library has become a favorite for library staff members and patrons alike.This year’s event kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 16, with the band The Rebel Eves. MexiCuba and Kanola…
Chocolate Stroll scheduled in downtown Plainwell
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor February is synonymous with Valentine’s Day, and Valentine’s Day is synonymous with chocolate.That’s what makes the Chocolate Stroll in downtown Plainwell such a fitting event.Scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the…
Plainwell boys swim & dive team breaks in new pool
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Christmas was over, but members of the Plainwell boys swim & dive team got one more gift on Monday, Dec. 30.That’s when the team took its first plunge into the district’s new pool, which is one…
Obituary: Jeffrey Mark Webb
Jeffrey Mark Webb, 67, of Allegan, MI passed away Monday, December 30, 2024. Born October 17, 1957 in Allegan, he was the son of the late Noel and Julia (Rockwell) Webb and on June 22, 1979 he married Julie Brosz.…
New Year’s Eve brought thousands for Ball Drop
By Gari Voss The air was crisp, and the precipitation magically stopped for the 8pm opening of New Year’s Eve 2025. Revelers began arriving early in anticipation of good food, music, and ice skating. Yup, the ice skating rink had…
Allegan wrestling wins tourney
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor GRAND RAPIDS—Another weekend, another tournament championship for the Allegan boys wrestling team.One week after earning the top spot in the Comstock Invitational, the Tigers finished first at the West Catholic Dunneback Memorial Tournament on Saturday, Jan.…
Allegan County Sheriff’s Office K9s receive body armor
By Sgt. Blair Kacos & G. Voss The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office announced the donation of body armor for two of Allegan County’s finest – K9s Zadok and Kyro.“Kyro and Zadok will receive bullet and stab protective vests thanks to…
Mike’s Musings: Congress should not ban TikTok
There has been a new push in Congress to out right ban or heavily regulate TikTok. I’m neither a user nor am I fan of social media in general. However, to ban or heavily regulate the most popular social media…
Life as Performance Art
What was once known as suicide has been renamed by some “Assisted dying.” Both terms make me uncomfortable.Western culture has long abhorred suicide. The ancient Romans considered it a serious offense against the person, their family and the empire. If…
Chambers boys, girls get runners-up in holiday tournament
By Katie McElvyJV GirlsAgainst Trinity, Peyton Earl knocked down a basket to get the Lady Rebels on the board. She followed with a steal and pass to Emmalee Jackson for another two. Blakely Allen added back-to-back baskets. Klancy Phillips added…
