Marion boys claim victory in first WMD jamboree
by Ben MurphySports Writer There is of course plenty of work to be done, but the Marion boys’ track and field team had a big win at the first West Michigan ‘D’ League meet at Big Rapids Crossroads on Wednesday.…
Postcard from the Pines: Is Spring ever going to be Sprung?
We’ve got some green grass here and there and the maples are definitely showing signs of wanting to pop. The daffodils range from budded to barely blades, migratory birds are returning in droves and as usual we all want more.…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Activities gear up even when the weather doesn’t
That’s it, I am not going to talk about spring anymore.That way maybe it really will finally, actually, arrive.Well maybe I will amend that “not talking about spring” to “after this week.”It snowed again (Monday) and despite the fact that…
Farwell woman dies in Surrey Township crash
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A two-vehicle crash on M-115 near Harding Avenue last Friday claimed the life of a Clare woman.A release from the Clare County Sheriff’s Office said Central Dispatch received the 911 call around 6:56 p.m. April 15 reporting…
Motorcycle rear ends school bus
By Pat MaurerCorrespondentA Harrison school bus that had stopped for a tree in the road last Thursday was hit from behind by a motorcycle.A release from the Clare County Sheriff’s Office said the school bus was eastbound on Townline Road…
Grimm named Marions’ Outstanding Educator
By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – At the school board meeting of Marion Public Schools on Tuesday there was an official recognition of the Outstanding Person in Education.Heather Deighton, Sixth grade teacher for Marion and MSEA president, pointed out the Outstanding…
Lee recognized as Friend of Education
By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – At the school board meeting of Marion Public Schools on Tuesday, there was an official recognition of Dan Lee and Farm Bureau Insurance as Friend of Education.Heather Deighton, sixth grade teacher for Marion and MSEA…
Faces in the Crowd: Maggie Southwick
Maggie Southwick, an ’04 Lake City grad, takes great pride in knowing that she can help brighten someone’s day.After all, she’s in the flower business.And after what seems like a never-ending winter, who couldn’t use a flower or two?For the…
Mike’s Musings: Flying and masks- time to move on
As a frequent flyer the last two years have been trying with the mask mandate put in place by our federal government. Flying this past Sunday only exacerbated the situation.Flying out of Orlando is always a challenge but Sunday “takes…
Marion baseball gets pair of one run wins
by Ben MurphySports Writer The Marion baseball team played a pair of close contests to get the year going in Bear Lake on Monday. Fortunately for the Eagles they were able to walk away with wins in both, getting 3-2…
Clare track teams hope to keep winning tradition alive
by Ben MurphySports Writer The Clare track teams have annually been some of the best in the state. Their veteran head coaches expect nothing different this spring, as they look to keep the team hardware and individual accolades pouring in.The…
Obituary: Virginia Irene Curtiss
Virginia Irene Curtiss- age 85 of Farwell, passed away on March 31,2022 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Virginia was born on January 26, 1937, to parents Charles and Iris (Green) Brown in Farwell, Michigan. She attended Farwell…
Postcard from the Pines: Coming of Age
Every ten years the Federal Census Bureau releases the information contained in a census. Most recently released, 72 years after it was taken, is the US Census of 1950.If you are a family history/genealogy/ancestry geek like I am, you already…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: I’m pretty sure spring has sprung…maybe
Well, after a brief peek at the coming summer weather earlier this week, we are back to just a bit cooler – and closer to average – spring temperatures again.Along with just about everyone else in town, we took advantage…
DPW says concession stand, sidewalk fix will soon be completed
By John RaffelCorrespondent Department of Public Works supervisor Derek Wing said the sidewalk by the Methodist Church needs to be fixed. He added the work on the concession stands at the ballpark has begun and he expects it to be…
Marion schedules clean-up days for May 5,6
By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – Discussion took place at the Marion Village Council earlier this month on a resident that has offered money to the village and fire departments.The resident wanted a list of things needed by the Village and…
Faces in the Crowd: Pastor Mike Leydet
In March of 2020, just days before the COVID pandemic started shutting down much of the country, Pastor Mike Leydet was preparing for his new role as pastor at Tustin’s First Baptist Church.After spending about 20 years in youth ministry…
Colleges should focus on more practical, less theory
By Mike WilcoxPublisherI read a report a few days ago that lamented the decline in college enrollment in the state of Michigan, and the United States for that matter.Here, Central Michigan University was down nearly 50 percent over the past…
Seniorless Marion softball hopes to compete
by Ben MurphySports Writer A quick glance at the Marion softball team’s roster and one might think they are in for a rebuilding year. The Eagles, who went 18-5 last year and won a district championship should still be in…
New Farwell softball coach hopes to keep winning tradition
by Ben MurphySports Writer The Farwell softball team had much success under longtime head coach Steve Klinge. Al Esterline, an assistant on last year’s team that went 23-15 believes that the program’s success should continue under his leadership as well.“The…