Clare track teams win home invitational
By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Both Clare track teams won their home invitationals on Saturday with 10 total schools competing.For the boys, winners included Jacob Halicek in the 200 meters, Conan Weeks in the 110-meter hurdles, the 4×100 relay, the…
May I Walk with You? WINNING
Some people don’t believe that Satan is real. They don’t believe that Satan is causing much of the evil in our world today. I am not one of them. Bishop Gruss said recently at a Diocesan gathering of men that…
Storms ravage Clare County, many areas flooded
By Genine Hopkins Multiple storms have poured rain and damaging winds on Michigan over the past several days and it looks as though we will continue seeing drenching rain for the foreseeable future in our area. Twin tornados touched down…
Clare Public Schools undergoes significant overhaul
By Christopher Johnson If you’ve driven past Clare Public Schools lately, you’ve noticed. Roads are closed. Equipment is moving. Ground is breaking, and buildings that have stood largely unchanged for decades are finally getting some loud company. Just in time…
Mike’s Musings: Here’s why a printed weekly newspaper is important
Robert Tomlinson, our news director in Three Rivers, gave a terrific speech to the local Rotary Club about the importance of your local newspaper. I thought I would share a portion with you.“With our twelve weekly newspapers the mission is…
Farwell senior ready for softball season
By John RaffelCorrespondentFARWELL — Karleigh Ames was a senior for Farwell’s basketball team during the winter in her first year of varsity basketball.“It was a spur of the moment decision,” Ames said.But she and her teammate were happy she decided…
May I Walk with You? PRESENCE
Not long ago a person gave me an answer to what happens when he is at adoration in church before the crucifix and the exposition of the Eucharist in the monstrance. The answer was simple, but not simplistic. He said,…
Coker pre-trial hearing wraps with May 7 ruling date set
By Christopher Johnson A second day of preliminary examination testimony in Lansing added sharp new financial detail to the embezzlement case against David Coker Jr., whose attorney is asking a district court judge to dismiss the charges before trial. Judge…
Easter in Clare County: April Valley meets April showers
by Christopher Johnson The Easter Bunny may have had to ditch his usual flight plan this year, but he still made the long haul to Clare. This past weekend, while adults were waking up to the wildest tweets ever tweeted,…
Mike’s Musings: Rescues are an Easter weekend miracle
There are moments when a nation is reminded, in the clearest possible terms, who it is and who it chooses to be. The rescue of two American airmen from enemy territory is one of those moments. Not just because it…
Farwell wrestler completes his first year
By John RaffelCorrespondent FARWELL — Anthony Amerson was a first-year wrestler for Farwell who picked up some valuable experience as a freshman.He was also in football and said early in the season he was eager to test out his talents…
May I Walk with You? WHAT HAPPENS
On Holy Thursday we celebrate the institution of two sacraments. While at supper with his disciples Jesus instituted the sacraments of Holy Orders and Eucharist which are intimately related to each other. In the few words of consecration Jesus says…
Clare Train Derailment: New tracks underway
By Christopher Johnson Fresh-cut timber, uniform and unweathered. Metal switches with a mint-condition shine. APC crew members in hi-vis yellow move quietly alongside the track near Clare’s Ann Arbor Trail crossing, driving ties not by hammer anymore but with much…
MUSICAL SHAMAN: Dixon’s violin enchants Clare audience
By Christopher Johnson The Ideal Theatre was packed Tuesday night.In recent years, Clare’s historic venue has been quietly expanding what a night out means in this town. Country artist Kari Lynch has frequented its stage. Folk musician Mike Fornes, a…
Mike’s Musings: Shame on Congress, sexual harassment, misconduct claims will remain secret
There are few things more corrosive to public trust than the appearance that those in power play by a different set of rules. Congress’s long-standing practice of shielding the identities of lawmakers who used taxpayer-funded settlements to resolve sexual harassment…
Farwell girl wrestler has success
By John RaffelCorrespondent FARWELL — Millie Mcaulay has had quite a career for Farwell wrestling so far.She was 17-11 for the 2025-26 season. Her high school record is 31-26. She was a junior this past season and was in her…
Mike’s Musings: Scrap Current System if we can’t figure out how to pay TSA agents
This logjam that has TSA agents not being paid is absurd. We are now going on week 5 and those providing security at the nation’s airports- our TSA agents haven’t been paid. That’s because they are beholden on Congress to…
May I Walk with You? Life- Changing Events
It is with sadness that I noticed that some in our culture claim that there is a great discrepancy between what they call the historical Jesus and the Jesus of faith. Their thought is that while the man Jesus really…
Harrison Family Fare celebrates re-grand opening
By Genine Hopkins As many smaller towns are losing their local grocery stores, Family Fare in Harrison just got a major facelift in renovations to the unit. Built in 2006, the store has not had a remodel since and was…
New playground equipment arrives in Hayes Township
By Genine Hopkins Looking like big presents for a huge Christmas tree, Hayes Township’s new playground equipment has been delivered and the anticipation is thrilling! As the weather continues to warm, construction will begin on the new playground leaving the …
