Former Marion athlete performs for Michigan rowing
By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – Georgia Meyer was an extremely successful athlete at Marion in sports such as softball, volleyball and basketball before graduating in 2023. But this most recent season she had a unique and successful career on the…
Obituary: James “Jimmy” Travis Harville
James “Jimmy” Travis Harville, beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on July 1, 2024, at the age of 77. He was born on October 14, 1946, in Glen, MS, and most recently resided in Farwell, MI.Jimmy had a deep…
Obituary: James Peter Ritsema
James Peter Ritsema, age 65 of Marion passed away at his home on July 1, 2024 following a short illness. He was born on April 9, 1959 in Grand Rapids to Peter and Lois (Quist) Ritsema.He had worked at Herman…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Mid-summer – fairs, festivals and reunions!
Another holiday is over and the middle of summer – on my calendar anyway – is almost here.Actually that is kind of depressing.I count the summer season as three months long: June, July and August. The 15th of July is…
Postcard from the Pines: Still rockin’ after all these years…
In the ‘Where has the time gone?’ department, it was just the sixtieth anniversary of the release of the Beatles first album in Britain. It was swiftly followed by the Meet the Beatles album here. I own that album, all…
May I Walk with You? SYMPTOMS
When a person gets a cold they have symptoms. Usually they have a fever, runny nose, congestion, fatigue, chills, and sleepiness. The common folk diagnosis is that they have a cold, and the symptoms point to it. One of the…
Downtown Clare crash knocks out power, leaves two injured
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Downtown Clare was “in the dark” Saturday night after a two-car crash around 9:45 pm caused a power outage that lasted about eight hours, according to Clare Police Chief Dave Saad. He said the traffic light was…
MyMichigan’s Clare hospital to break ground on expansion project
MyMichigan Health will break ground on MyMichigan Medical Center Clare’s Expansion and Revitalization Project on Monday, July 15. The community is invited to join in the celebration set outside the Medical Center’s Emergency Department from 4 to 5:30 p.m.“MyMichigan Health…
Misunderstanding leads to tense meeting in Village of Marion
By Genine Hopkins What started as a misunderstanding between the new campground manager and citizens trying to utilize the park and path on the village owned portion of the fairgrounds in Marion, blew up Facebook and resulted in an extremely…
Redding Township sees changes in Transfer Station contracts
By Genine Hopkins At the June 19th regular board meeting in Redding Township, a vote was made to sign new contracts with Waste Management for the eight, 8 yard dumpsters that provides the township with free recycling, but a move…
Carlin excels in track and wrestling for Gobles
By John RaffelCorrespondent Finn Carlin was among the four Gobles freshmen who placed at their sports respective state championships.The others were Libby Smith, Daisy Estrada, and Lauren Shaffer.Carlin placed a school best third place at the MHSAA Wrestling State Finals.1-…
Obituary: Peggy “Peg” Nicholas
Peggy “Peg” Nicholas, 87, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, June 26, 2024, with her son and daughter-in-law at her bedside following a courageous battle with cancer. Peggy was born in her family’s home on June 21, 1937, in…
Three fire departments fight Paw Paw Tuesday morning blaze
The Paw Paw Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire, Tuesday morning, July 2, at KPEP, 38266 West Red Arrow Highway, Paw Paw. Arriving at the scene at approximately 9 a.m., fire department members found heavy smoke coming from…
Man stabbed in alcohol-fueled fight
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer ALMENA TWP. – An alcohol-fueled fight between two men in Almena Township late Friday night, June 28, resulted in one man being stabbed and the other charged with assault with intent to commit murder, according to…
Five arrested in Sheriff’s Office “Clean Streets”
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer PAW PAW – Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported the arrest of five individuals with outstanding felony warrants by detectives from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations and Narcotics Division.During the execution of…
New Welcome Sign for LaFayette revealed
By John BriceCorrespondent Community leaders, local officials, members of the media and area residents gathered for a city welcome sign reveal ceremony on Highway 50 adjacent to New Mount Sellers Missionary Baptist Church during the late morning hours of Thursday,…
Obituary: Mr. Jeffrey (Jeff) Ray Mann
Mr. Jeffrey (Jeff) Ray Mann, 62, of Penton, Al, passed away Friday, June14, 2024 at Tallasse Nursing Home. Graveside services were held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at Penton Church of God. Rev. Gerald and Veronica Roesly officiated. Jeff is…
Pavilion completion, community outreach event at Health Center
By John BriceCorrespondent Local officials, community leaders and nonprofit staff gathered for a new pavilion project completion celebration along with a community outreach event at the Chambers County Community Health and Wellness Center in LaFayette during the afternoon hours of…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorGrand ValleyHalf a league, half a league, Half a league onward … into Grand Valley, where Ottawa Impact lies.“Siri says go straight,” said my daughter Flannery. I switched lanes from the Saugatuck exit to continue due west towards…
July 4 fun is here!
By Scott SullivanEditorHoliday weekends in Saugatuck-Douglas mean serious fun. With July 4 falling on a Thursday this year, why not expand your fun two or three more days?Saugatuck’s annual July 4 parade has returned post-Covid to smalltown epic proportions, packed…
