Looking Out: Eccentric

Editorial StaffAug 19, 20243 min read

by Jim Whitehouse “There’s Benny walking by on the sidewalk,” says my friend Lyle Pratt. We’re sitting in the café having coffee. “I haven’t seen him in a long time,” I reply, turning my head just in time to see…

Voters to get third vote on a Jackson County Jail millage

Voters to get third vote on a Jackson County Jail millage

Editorial StaffAug 19, 20242 min read

By Ken Wyatt Fresh from a Monday morning special meeting of the county board, Commissioner Earl Poleski reported to township boards to expect a 0.25-mill proposal on the Nov. 5 ballot. It will be smaller, shorter, more focused – and…

Obituary: Deborah L. Herwarth

Obituary: Deborah L. Herwarth

Editorial StaffAug 19, 20242 min read

Deborah L. Herwarth passed away on Aug. 11, 2024. She was born on May 03, 1957, in Albion, Michigan to Billy and Dolores Hurdelbrink. Deborah enjoyed bowling, golf, and volleyball. She was a member of Professional Business Women and Albion…

Amtrak empties train in Albion; passenger arrested for false bomb threat

Amtrak empties train in Albion; passenger arrested for false bomb threat

Editorial StaffAug 19, 20245 min read

By Sylvia Benavidez One little girl’s first train ride to Detroit was memorable this weekend, but not for the usual reasons of going on holiday or watching the beautiful scenery fly by while riding the rails. A woman is awaiting…

Looking Out: Eccentric

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20243 min read

by Jim Whitehouse “There’s Benny walking by on the sidewalk,” says my friend Lyle Pratt. We’re sitting in the café having coffee. “I haven’t seen him in a long time,” I reply, turning my head just in time to see…

Obituary: Deborah L. Herwarth

Obituary: Deborah L. Herwarth

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20242 min read

Deborah L. Herwarth passed away on Aug. 11, 2024. She was born on May 03, 1957, in Albion, Michigan to Billy and Dolores Hurdelbrink. Deborah enjoyed bowling, golf, and volleyball. She was a member of Professional Business Women and Albion…

Obituary: Lawrence Gene “Larry” Slaughter

Obituary: Lawrence Gene “Larry” Slaughter

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20243 min read

Lawrence Gene “Larry” Slaughter, 96, of Elkhart, passed away on Monday, August 12, 2024, at his home surrounded by loving family. He was born on October 6, 1927, in Albion, MI, to the late William James and Jennie Bertha (Austin)…

Out and About: County Fair, fiber, and local events

Out and About: County Fair, fiber, and local events

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20243 min read

The St. Joe County Grange Fair is a little more than a month away. I’ll be volunteering as a Courtesy Cart driver, so if you see me, flag me down and I’ll take you anywhere you want to go on…

Food service, cell phone policy among changes at Sturgis Public Schools

Food service, cell phone policy among changes at Sturgis Public Schools

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20244 min read

By Dennis Volkert The 2024-25 academic year official begins Aug. 19 at Sturgis Public Schools.Superintendent Art Ebert recently provided an overview of changes, enhancements and programs the district will install in 2024-25.School meals partnershipSPS entered a partnership with Taher to…

Burr Oak delays start of school year by two weeks

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20241 min read

Due to delays in construction and the safety concerns for students, the Burr Oak Board of Education announced they have chosen to delay the start of the 2024/25 school year.Classes which were scheduled to begin on Monday, August 19th, are…

Multiple kids, adults hospitalized in Nottawa Twp. crash

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20241 min read

NOTTAWA TWP. — Multiple people were hospitalized following a crash that occurred in Nottawa Township late Saturday.According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, the crash occurred at the intersection of Nottawa Road and Wasepi Road Saturday night. Police say…

Farwell varsity volleyball season opens season on Aug.19

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20241 min read

By John RaffelCorespondent FARWELL – Stephanie Brown is varsity volleyball coach at Farwell and anxious to see what the team will b ale to accomplish this season.“The first week of practice will entail team building and strategy work,” Brown said.Practices…

Obituary: Thomas Cradit

Obituary: Thomas Cradit

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20242 min read

Thomas Cradit of Clare passed away on the evening of August 7, 2024 after a full life well-lived. He was born in Mt. Pleasant on March 5, 1943 to the late Jean and Neilan Cradit. Tom called Clare home for…

Obituary: Norman D. Cooper

Obituary: Norman D. Cooper

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20243 min read

Norman D. Cooper, age 91 of Clare, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 12, 2024 at the MyMichigan Medical Center of Alma, with his wife by his side. On April 9, 1933, Norman was born one of twelve children to…

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: An interesting age we live in

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: An interesting age we live in

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20244 min read

You have to admit we live in an interesting age – the technical revolution.These days you can’t even comprehend what we would do without our computers, tablets and cell phones.In fact, those “housebound” weeks as we muddled through the pandemic…

May I Walk with You? HOLY COMMUNION/ALTAR CALL

May I Walk with You? HOLY COMMUNION/ALTAR CALL

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20242 min read

What happens when you go to communion? Almost all mass-goers receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, each time they go to mass. Wow!Often, I have witnessed Evangelical Christians, at the end of their services, walk forward…

Old 27 Motor Tour comes to Clare, Harrison Street Fair next week

Old 27 Motor Tour comes to Clare, Harrison Street Fair next week

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20243 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent This year’s 18th annual Old U.S. 27 Motor Tour arrives in Clare County August 22nd for an evening visit in the City until they leave on the morning of the 23rd to head for an afternoon visit…

“Lake Shamrock Dredging going well,” Howard says

“Lake Shamrock Dredging going well,” Howard says

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20244 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent “Dredging (on Lake Shamrock) is continuing with good progress,” Clare City Manager Jeremy Howard told the Commission at the August 5th City meeting.He said, “Our mechanical dredge has ben undergoing some repairs from normal wear and tear…

Zebra Mussels confirmed in Budd Lake

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20243 min read

By Genine Hopkins Unfortunately, zebra mussels were confirmed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and reported to local authorities regarding their appearance on Budd Lake. The invasive species has made its way throughout Michigan’s beautiful lakes and rivers since…

Toast raises $100K+ for Blue Star Trail

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20242 min read

Nearly 150 local supporters of Friends of the Blue Star Trail gathered Aug. 5 at Modales Wines in Fennville to raise more than $100,000 at their annual “Toast to the Blue Star Trail.”   A variety of Modales offerings grown in…