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Village mourns passing of Don Gilmore

Editorial StaffSep 22, 20231 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – The Marion Village Council is looking to fill a vacancy.“Sadly, there is a vacancy on the council due to the passing of one of our beloved council members, Don Gilmore,”council president Flora Grundy said. “This…

Mike’s Musings: Pull them I say, if it means pain goes away

Mike’s Musings: Pull them I say, if it means pain goes away

Editorial StaffSep 20, 20233 min read

It’s no fun getting old. Although your mind remains sharp your physical attributes begin to deteriorate.In my case it is my teeth, that seem to be rotting away at a rapid clip. I’ve been to the dentist a dozen times…

Mike’s Musings: A Mothers Cries Out for Help

Mike’s Musings: A Mothers Cries Out for Help

Editorial StaffSep 14, 20233 min read

I received a phone call from a distraught reader and mother a few days ago, that really hit home. She called me because of the strong positions I have taken in past columns about Big Pharma, opioids and doctors that…

Mike’s Musings: Culturally insensitive – these words, phrases are banned

Mike’s Musings: Culturally insensitive – these words, phrases are banned

Editorial StaffSep 6, 20233 min read

I recently obtained a list of words that a certain company is demanding their employees cannot use, or they will be subject to dismissal. The list was passed on to me after the confidential informant attended a diversity training seminar…

Alger man waves gun at Clare couple on U.S. 127

Editorial StaffSep 1, 20231 min read

By Kaitlyn Campbell An Alger man who refused to let a Clare couple merge onto U.S. 127 at Rosebush on August 19 later led to a road rage incident and the man waving a gun out his window. Isabella County…

Stark named Veteran of the Year

Editorial StaffSep 1, 20232 min read

Vince Stark of Farwell was awarded the “Clare County Veteran of the Year” by Veterans4USA.  Stark served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956 after volunteering for the draft.  Stark spent 13 months in Germany helping refuges flee…

Bear, cubs spotted on Mid Michigan College campus trails

Editorial StaffSep 1, 20232 min read

By Kaitlyn Campbell There have been recent sightings of bears on walking trails at Mid Michigan College in Harrison, and it has prompted the school to issue safety precautions.Mid Michigan College spokeswoman Meghan Keen told The Morning Sun that there…

Clare falls to Freeland in close game

Editorial StaffSep 1, 20232 min read

By Kaitlyn CampbellThe Clare Pioneers lost their first game of the season at home against the Freeland Falcons with a final score of 29-26.The Falcons were the first to score in the game, taking an early lead after a two-yard…

Comets edge Roscommon 1-0

Editorial StaffSep 1, 20232 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MCBAIN – McBain Northern Michigan Christian on Monday blanked Roscommon 1-0.Gideon Curell had one goal. Dries VanNoord had one assist. Blair DeZeeuw had 14 saves in net.“Tonight was another step in the right direction,” NMC coach Taylor…

May I Walk with You? WATERED DOWN CHRISTIANITY

May I Walk with You? WATERED DOWN CHRISTIANITY

Editorial StaffSep 1, 20233 min read

Many of us grew up in a kind of watered-down version of Christianity. While our parents and our religion teachers may have done their best to raise us as good Christians, others offered us a less orthodox version of our…

Proud to be a Pioneer: Runnin’ Down the Dream

Proud to be a Pioneer: Runnin’ Down the Dream

Editorial StaffSep 1, 20234 min read

In the words of the indomitable Tom Petty, we’re “runnin’ down the dream” here in Clare. The summer was a very busy one for the Board of Education: processing May election results, retooling the bond proposal, seeking state approval of…

Postcard from the Pines: Back To School—Some Things Never Change

Postcard from the Pines: Back To School—Some Things Never Change

Editorial StaffSep 1, 20235 min read

Marion Twp Unit School abt 1950 They sneak up on you. First one, then two and before you know it, television and the print media have fired up a frenzy. Yes indeed, we’re all being hit with the dreaded Back…

Obituary: Ronald “Ronnie” Scott Andreas

Obituary: Ronald “Ronnie” Scott Andreas

Editorial StaffSep 1, 20232 min read

Ronald “Ronnie” Scott Andreas, age 66, of Farwell, Michigan, passed away on August 26, 2023, at home with his wife and children. Ronnie’s final days consisted of spending time with friends and family at home, and he peacefully passed away.…

Obituary: Kenneth “Ken” Archie Beatty

Obituary: Kenneth “Ken” Archie Beatty

Editorial StaffSep 1, 20232 min read

Kenneth, “Ken” Archie Beatty, age 86, passed away on August 28, 2023, in Alma. Ken was a lifelong resident of Isabella County.  He worked at Beaverton Plastics for years, the father of 8 children.  He had a passion for horses,…

Faces in the Crowd: Steve Boven

Faces in the Crowd: Steve Boven

Editorial StaffSep 1, 20237 min read

Steve Boven, pastor at Chapel Hill Wesleyan Church in Pisgah Heights, has a saying: “Ministry is in the marketplace.”And for Steve, a 1966 McBain graduate, that’s been his life experience.Whether it was during his time with the Michigan State Police,…

McBain school board accepts bid to replace track

Editorial StaffSep 1, 20232 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MCBAIN – The McBain Board of Education voted at its recent special meeting, to accept the proposal from William A. Kibbe and Associates Inc. for school track replacement.The board also voted to approve a new bank account…

County considers soil erosion permit fee structure review

Editorial StaffSep 1, 20231 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent LAKE CITY – Lake County Administrator Liz Vogel, at a recent buildings and ground committee meeting, reviewed a request from the Building Department to review the soil erosion permit fee structure.It was noted the proposed fee structure…

Infected bone graft leads to tragedy and a call to action

Editorial StaffSep 1, 20232 min read

By Alaynah Pelton Shandra Eisenga was 57 years old when she passed away from complications of tuberculosis after receiving an infected bone graft from a doner.This preventable tragedy has pushed lawmakers to call for the FDA to enhance regulations, especially…

Mike’s Musings: Fearmongers seeking more COVID restrictions, again

Mike’s Musings: Fearmongers seeking more COVID restrictions, again

Editorial StaffAug 30, 20233 min read

Here we go again- or I would like to say, I hope not. I continually hear rumblings that COVID vaccinations are again going to be required and masks mandatory in some locations. Will this lead to more schools and business…

Harrison celebration this weekend

Editorial StaffAug 25, 20234 min read

By Kaitlyn Campbell The Old U.S. 27 Motor Tour is coming back for its 17th year, and it’s going to be making stops in Clare and Harrison.The motor tour is going to be starting in Coldwater and ending in Cheboygan,…