Music performer guide for ‘Winter Blues’

Editorial StaffJan 17, 20251 min read

“Winter Blues” takes place 5:30-9 p.m. today in downtown Sturgis. The event opens the 2025 festival season. The series is presented by Downtown Development Authority. Tentative lineup of music performers, listed alphabetically by host business:Ascend Computer: Rhonda HarperB&D Travel: Mike & BobDesigns…

Clare bowlers defeat Harrison

Editorial StaffJan 17, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Clare’s bowling team picked up a 21-9 win over Harrison on Wednesday in Jack Pine Bowling Conference action.Clare had baker games of 78 and 144 for 222 total and had four total team points. The…

Obituary: Robert Alton “Bob” David

Obituary: Robert Alton “Bob” David

Editorial StaffJan 17, 20252 min read

Robert Alton “Bob” David, age 77, of Clare, passed away at his home on January 1, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born the son of Alton and Elnora (Kleiner) David on Feb. 21, 1947, in Gladwin, Michigan. After…

Obituary: Philip D. Cooper

Obituary: Philip D. Cooper

Editorial StaffJan 17, 20252 min read

Philip D. Cooper, age 84 of Clare, went to be with his Lord. He passed away at his home on Thursday, January 9, 2025 surrounded by his family. Philip was born 1 of 12 children to John and Leona (Foster)…

Obituary: Walter “Bill” William Gamble

Obituary: Walter “Bill” William Gamble

Editorial StaffJan 17, 20252 min read

Walter “Bill” William Gamble, age 80, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice Campus in North Venice, FL.Funeral Services for Bill will be held at Brown Corners Church, 5540 South Clare Avenue, Clare, Michigan 48617, on…

Obituary: Jean M. Schiemann

Obituary: Jean M. Schiemann

Editorial StaffJan 17, 20252 min read

Jean M. Schiemann, age 85 of Clare, passed away peacefully Thursday, January 9, 2025, at the Horizon Senior Living Center of Clare. She was born November 9, 1939, in Mt. Pleasant, MI., daughter of the late H.O. and Rose (Sheahan)…

Obituary: Patricia “Patty” Gruber

Obituary: Patricia “Patty” Gruber

Editorial StaffJan 17, 20253 min read

Patty, 62, passed away at home surrounded by her family on December 28, 2024. She was born in Saginaw, Michigan on April 15, 1962, to parents Aveary and Becky (Rigg) Clark.Patty was predeceased by her father Aveary Clark and her…

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Winter bits

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Winter bits

Editorial StaffJan 17, 20254 min read

Our brief un-Christmassy weather seems to be over now. With the arrival of the New Year, temperatures have dropped back to the 20s (and teens) and snow is gently falling outside.It’s pretty. I just wish it wouldn’t fall on the…

May I Walk with You: OPPOSITE OR Compliment

May I Walk with You: OPPOSITE OR Compliment

Editorial StaffJan 17, 20253 min read

What is the opposite of femininity? What is the opposite of management? What is the opposite of clergy? What is the opposite of wife? What is the opposite of white? What is the opposite of democrat? How many of us…

Charges dismissed for 2023 Republican fight at Doherty

Charges dismissed for 2023 Republican fight at Doherty

Editorial StaffJan 17, 20253 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Charges against Republican Activist James Chapman of Wayne County, for allegedly kicking Republican Party Chair Mark DeYoung in the groin during an altercation at a State GOP meeting in the Doherty Hotel in July of 2023, have…

Lake couple sentenced for loan fraud scheme over $5 million

Editorial StaffJan 17, 20252 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A husband-and-wife team – Gregory Hite and Bridget Bureau, of Lake – were recently sentenced to federal prison for defrauding almost 40 victims of more than $5 million dollars over a four-year period from 2016 to 2020.They…

12-year-old caught in Clare County with dad’s Blazer

Editorial StaffJan 17, 20252 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Charges are pending against a 12-year-old Grant Traverse County youngster, who “took” his father’s mid-sized Blazer, and was apprehended with a gun, ammo and some marijuana early Sunday, July 12th.According to a release from Clare County Sheriff’s…

Saugatuck soars past Black River

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorA balanced scoring attack.That was one of the keys to success for the Saugatuck boys basketball team in its home showdown with Black River on Friday, Jan. 10.Six Trailblazers scored at least eight points—led by 14 from…

Obituary: Kathryn McLeod Tripp

Obituary: Kathryn McLeod Tripp

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20253 min read

Kathryn McLeod Tripp, R.N., N.P., age 84, of Macatawa passed away peacefully on Jan. 6 at her home on South Shore Drive after a brief illness.“Kathy” was born on July 10, 1940, in Duluth, Minn., the eldest of two children.…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20254 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorStarlight by ProxyHow many photons have there been in the history of the universe? 4,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, say astrophysicists. More or less.Since we don’t know when — or even if — time started, nor where/if the universe ends, this could…

Coach notches 200 wins and counting

Coach notches 200 wins and counting

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20251 min read

Saugatuck High School recognized girls varsity basketball coach Kevin Tringali, shown flanked by assistants Marlene Capotosto and Brian Graves, for reaching 200 wins in his 14 seasons here Friday, Jan. 10. His Trailblazers raised their record to 7-1 this season…

City walks on eggshells re: chicken ask

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorIf Douglas allows backyard chickens, why not Saugatuck? Resident Sevryn Nowicki is lobbying city council to create a new ordinance to do just that.Keeping a small flock of yardbirds offers benefits, said Nowicki, including:

SPS thespians slate sweet treats

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20251 min read

The Saugatuck Middle School/High School Drama Club will present “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in the school auditorium Friday and Saturday, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 2 at 5 p.m.Tickets may be bought for…

Church hires pastoral pair

Church hires pastoral pair

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ has offered interim pastors Rev. Jody Betten and Rev. Daniel Plasman joint fulltime pastor duties. Betten has served DUCC since April 2024, taking the congregation through exercises of historic research, present circumstances and future planning…

OPS asks for input in search for new superintendent

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Otsego Public Schools superintendent Jeff Haase recently announced his plans to retire following the conclusion of the current school year, thereby bringing to an end his 11-year tenure with the district.And while Haase will remain on…