Irvin “Skip” Clifford, Jr., 60
Irvin “Skip” Clifford, Jr., 60, of Allegan, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, June 8, 2022 in Allegan, Michigan. Born May 21, 1962 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he was the son of the late Irvin Sr. and Jacqueline (Brabon) Clifford and the…
My father, my hero
(I wrote this a year ago but wanted share it again. Heck I might share this column over and over for years to come. The man meant so much to me)This week I give pause to reflect on my hero,…
Life as Performance Art
I have been waking up well before dawn this spring, and it is all my wife’s fault. No, she is not pulling the blankets over to her side on cool mornings, or sprawling across the bed, shoving me closer to the…
Otsego Arts Council hosts first Artisan Market
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor When the volunteer-led Otsego Arts Council formed last year, it did so with a mission to “empower artists and expand arts programming in our community.”One way the council is fulfilling that mission is by hosting the…
Irving retires as pantry director at Christian Neighbors
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor One hour.That’s how long Dorothy Irving’s friend asked her to commit to volunteering at Christian Neighbors Food Pantry. That was in 1999.“My neighbor Patsy was in charge of the pantry—which was located in a small garage-sized…
Summer reading programs start at local libraries
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Students who attend Otsego Public Schools and Plainwell Community Schools are officially on summer break.And that, among other things, means it’s time once again for the annual summer reading programs at the local libraries.The programs at…
Jump Into Summer
Seven local ourtdoor arts installations, including this one in Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park, are part of the Saugatuck Center for the Arts’ 20th anniversary celebration commencing this Friday with a free concert and more fun at the Center. Kelli Jacobsma gets…
July 4 show, revised, to go on
By Scott SullivanEditorIs an Independence Day free from threats possible? Saugatuck’s July 4 parade will go on, Mayor Garnet Lewis told city council Thursday, with her leading in lieu of the Saugatuck-Douglas Rotary Club stepping down claiming it could not…
Wayland Schools seek $48.5 million bond approval
Wayland Union Schools will have a bond proposal on the August 2, 2022 ballot focusing on improved learning environments and technology in all school buildings, upgrades to Career Tech spaces, a new pool for district and community use, larger instructional…
Trestle bridge to remain closed, summer events kick-off successful
By Leslie Ballard Infrastructure issues continue to be a major concern for the Allegan City Council, who spent most of the June 13 Study Session discussing the status of the trestle bridge near Jaycee Park.The Council voted to close the…
One dead, one critical when motorcycle crashes in to ditch
By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN – Allegan County sheriff department deputies reported on Sunday at 8:50 p.m., first responders were dispatched to a personal injury crash on 130th Ave near 24th St in Monterey Township.A Hopkins Fire Department member came across a single…
Soaring gas prices cause budget cuts for Isabella Sheriff
By Pat MaurerGas prices, now over $5.00 a gallon, the highest ever, have caused a cutback in in-person response to non-life-threatening calls at the Isabella County Sheriff’s Office.Sheriff Michael Main posted the reduced travel for officers on Facebook Tuesday. He…
CGRESD selects Mager as new superintendent
The Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District has a new leader. Tara Mager will come aboard as CGRESD Superintendent on July 1, and she’s eager to get started.At a special meeting of the CGRESD Board of Education Tuesday, board members voted…
Harrison looking at a new hotel
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent “A hotel “has been on the Harrison wish list for a long time,” new Harrison City Manager Justin Cavanaugh recently posted in an email. “We are closer than ever to make that wish a reality.”The city’s wish…
Summerfest plans underway
By Pat MaurerCorrespondentIt’s now only ten days away!Seven days’ worth of events are planned for this year’s Summerfest celebration in Clare. All week long the Consumers Energy Ice Cream Social will be ongoing. Get your ticket at the different events…
Soaring gas prices cause budget cuts for Isabella Sheriff
By Pat MaurerGas prices, now over $5.00 a gallon, the highest ever, have caused a cutback in in-person response to non-life-threatening calls at the Isabella County Sheriff’s Office.Sheriff Michael Main posted the reduced travel for officers on Facebook Tuesday. He…
Lady Pioneers nudged by Beaverton in district championships
by Ben MurphySports Writer A memorable season for the Clare softball team nearly turned into a district championship. The Lady Pioneers, taking on Beaverton in the Division 3 district championship game at Meridian on Friday, came up painfully short however,…
Postcard from the Pines: Totally Forgotten and almost gone
I had the chance to talk with Doug and Sharon Cutler last week. In the course of our conversation Doug told me that he’s been curious about a certain old, unoccupied (on private property) house west of town. He’s been…
Marion softball lose heartbreaker in district championships
by Ben MurphySports Writer The Marion softball team had a late lead against Mesick in the two’s Division 4 district championship game on Friday. The Lady Eagles, who were the visiting team on their home field, gave up two late…
Obituary: Marion Eva Drake
Marion Eva Drake, age 99, of Marion passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 peacefully at her home surrounded by her children. She was born in Rock Lick, Kentucky on November 13, 1922 to Albert and Hattie (Deaton) Crawford. She…
