Farwell baseball team upends Clare
By John RaffelCorrespondent FARWELL — Farwell’s baseball team defeated Clare 7-0 in the second game of a doubleheader on April 21.Mason Esterline stymied Clare on the mound with a complete game shutout. He struck out the side on nine pitches…
May I Walk with You? STAY WITH US
Many times, in the New Testament, when people encounter Jesus, they want him to stay with them, and he does, even if it is for just a relatively short time. One of these incidents is when Jesus asks the Samaritan…
Brushfire on James Hill announces seasonal shift
By Christopher Johnson A brushfire broke out near the corner of James Hill Ranch and Adams Rd this past Tuesday. The blaze, which seemed threatening at first, was swiftly contained by fire crews in under an hour after getting away…
Flawless Prom Night enjoyed by Clare students
By Christopher Johnson This past Saturday was prom night in Clare. The venue was Tobacco Ranch, right here in town. Idyllic as ever, it hosted the 2026 evening which yielded a record attendance. It has been described by key organizers…
The Taste of Clare returns for another portion
By Christopher Johnson When it comes to eating out nowadays: cheap or free–that’s what we like.The Taste of Clare returns on May 2 and that means more free food for some springtime gladness. It’s an annual tradition that gets people…
Mike’s Musings: Artemis II gives me hope that Mars colony is possible
Artemis II isn’t just another spaceflight, it’s a statement about who we are, what we value, and whether we still have the will to push beyond the edge of the known.When astronauts swung around the far side of the Moon—the…
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…
