Farwell wrestlers set to resume season

Editorial StaffJan 3, 20252 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent FARWELL — Farwell wrestling coach Ryan Butler continues his efforts to build a solid wrestling program at the school.It’s a busy slate of wrestling coming u for the Eagles who are at the Lakeview varsity Wrestling Invitational…

Mike’s Musings: Dose of DOGE needed to curb government spending

Mike’s Musings: Dose of DOGE needed to curb government spending

Editorial StaffJan 3, 20253 min read

Maybe DOGE has a good thing going. DOGE, the acronym for Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has been charged with eliminating waste and inefficiency at the federal government level.I have been a…

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: All about January

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: All about January

Editorial StaffJan 3, 20254 min read

After Mother Nature briefly flirted with Spring temperatures last weekend, with temperatures in the 50s for a couple of days and in the 40s at the start of the week, the snow is now all gone and the thermometer is…

Coin dealer Burton’s trial set for February 10 for gambling away customer’s money

Editorial StaffJan 3, 20255 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Matthew Joseph Burton, 52, a coin dealer and business owner in Isabella, Clare and Bay Coun-ties, is facing a “settlement conference” January 24 and a trial beginning February 10 in Isabella County for “false pretenses.”The owner of…

2024 – The Year in ‘Review’

Editorial StaffJan 3, 202514 min read

Another year is behind us. They seem to go by so fast and we are now beginning 2025. Time for a look back at the year just past. Here are some highlights from the front pages of the Clare County…

Obituary: Michael R. Piotrowksi

Obituary: Michael R. Piotrowksi

Editorial StaffJan 3, 20252 min read

Michael R. Piotrowksi, age 68, of Lake passed away Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Carriage House. Per Michael’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal services are planned at this time. Michael was born on November 18, 1956,…

Obituary: Donald Stuart Wentworth

Obituary: Donald Stuart Wentworth

Editorial StaffJan 3, 20252 min read

Donald Stuart Wentworth, age 86 of Clare, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at home. On November 12, 1938, Don was born to Will and Mildred (Derby) Wentworth in Clare, MI. Before Don graduated from Clare High School…

Obituary: Don David Papesh

Obituary: Don David Papesh

Editorial StaffJan 3, 20253 min read

Don David Papesh went to celebrate Christmas with his Lord and Savior on December 21, 2024. He was born on March 17, 1950 to Andrew and Jo Maxine (Seibt) Papesh. He graduated from Clare High School in 1968 where he…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20243 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorMaking WayFor Christmas my head exploded. An abscess between my left eye and brain threatened both and hurt like hell till they gave me morphine. Then I could even endure Ohio State winning in football as much as…

Guitar workshop offered at Ransom Library

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20241 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Is learning how to play a musical instrument on your list of New Year’s resolutions?If so, then the Ransom District Library just might be the place for you on Mondays beginning Jan. 6.Library director and former…

Otsego XC alumni compete at the collegiate level

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20245 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Alex Comerford wrapped up his collegiate cross country career in November at the NCAA Division 1 Championship in Madison, Wis.And a strong finish it was, as the 2019 Otsego High School graduate finished the 10k with…

Allegan wrestling competes at Comstock Invite

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20241 min read

The Allegan wrestling team took a break from its Christmas break to compete in the Comstock Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 28.The Tigers had a good showing, winning the tournament from a team standpoint, while seven Allegan grapplers claimed weight-class titles.Allegan…

Obituary: Katherine Harrison

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20241 min read

Katherine passed away, Saturday, December 21, 2024, at her home in Allegan. She was born on August 12, 1965, in Plainwell, the daughter of Carl and Marie (Opperman) Petersen. Over the years Katherine worked at many area factories. In her…

Obituary: Sidney Leroy Carns

Obituary: Sidney Leroy Carns

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20243 min read

Sidney Leroy Carns passed away peacefully on December 26, 2024, at the age of 89, in Portage, Michigan. Born on August 13, 1935, in Allegan, Michigan, he was a cherished son to the late James and Bertha Carns. Sidney’s formative…

Obituary: Neil Girke

Obituary: Neil Girke

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20241 min read

Neil Girke, age 83 of Gobles, passed away Friday, December 27, 2024 at the Wings Home in Allegan with very loving care and has gone on to be with our Lord.He loved fishing, hunting, golf and singing hymns and songs…

Obituary: Kevin Gene Krotz

Obituary: Kevin Gene Krotz

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20242 min read

Kevin Gene Krotz, 64, of Hopkins, MI passed away Saturday, December 21, 2024 at University of Michigan Health West. Born April 20, 1960 in Allegan, he was the son of the late Robert and Geraldine Louise (Grauman) Krotz. Kevin had…

Obituary: Donald Huff

Obituary: Donald Huff

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20243 min read

Donald Huff passed peacefully on December 21, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was born in Kalamazoo, MI to Louise (Jones) and Claude Huff.Don’s elementary years were spent at the Foster and Clifford Schools before graduating at 16 from Allegan…

Goodbye 2024… Hello 2025!

Goodbye 2024… Hello 2025!

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20245 min read

By Cindy Sasser When I think about moving forward into 2025, that old 1968 song by Tommy James & The Shondells plays in my mind…“Look over yonder… what do you seeThe sun is a risin’… most definitelyA new day is comin’……

Man who robbed Plainwell bank pleads guilty

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20241 min read

A man who threatened to blow up an Allegan County bank pleaded guilty to armed robbery las week.Police said Paul Donnelly robbed the Plainwell PNC Bank in June by claiming to have a bomb in his bag.The response caused several…

Otsego Library hosts ‘Garfield Glow Games’ event

Otsego Library hosts ‘Garfield Glow Games’ event

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20244 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Since being created by Jim Davis in the mid-1970s, Garfield the cat has become a household name.Not only did the comic strip that bore his name become the most syndicated strip in the world, but the…