Faces in the Crowd: Amanda Gilde
For Falmouth resident Amanda Gilde, it’s all about the hugs and the high fives.A 1994 McBain graduate, Amanda has always had a passion for kids. She’s spent much of the last 25 years teaching preschool and providing daycare for local…
Young appointed new Osceola EMS director
By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – The Osceola County EMS has a new director.County commission chairman Mark Gregory said the county coordinator hired Steve Young of LeRoy to the position. He previously was working for Mecosta County EMS.His first day was…
Osceola adds several issues to Aug. ballot
By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – The Osceola County Board of Commissioners acted at its county commissioners meeting on Tuesday to put various issues on the August 2022 election ballot.The board approved placing MSU extension on the August 2022 ballot to…
Mike’s Musings: Release Assange now, he has endured enough punishment
There are so many innocent people jailed for crimes they haven’t committed. I worked for a time, helping to expose some that were incarcerated, yet innocent. One of those, a man I truly admire is Julian Assange, and I hope…
Snowfest returns to Marion after two year hiatus
By Steve Landon On a snowy day way back in 2001 a bunch of area vintage snowmobile enthusiast gathered to show and race their sleds at the Marion Fairgrounds / Veterans Memorial Park, it would mark the first time since…
Obituary: Robert “Rob” Miller
Robert “Rob” Miller, age 65, of Haines, Alaska, (formerly of Clare) passed away suddenly on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at his home. He was born the son of Duane and Betty (Severson) Miller on Feb. 16, 1956. He graduated from Clare…
Obituary: Jeffrey R. Witbeck
Jeffrey R. Witbeck; age 67 of Beaverton; formerly of Shepherd, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2022 at his home with family by his side. Jeff was born March 9, 1954 the son of Robert and Gladys (Kenny) Witbeck. He enjoyed…
Obituary: Paul Kevin Morgan
Paul Kevin Morgan age 67 of Marion passed away at Autumnwood of McBain on Sunday, February 6, 2022. He was born on February 19, 1954 in Mt. Clemens to Sylvan Henry and Betty Lou (Ragsdale) Morgan.Paul moved to the Marion…
May I Walk With You? Synod 2021-2023
Pope Francis has called the whole church to participate in Synod 2021-2023. A synod is simply an assembly of the People of God-the Church. Generally, synods have been gatherings of Bishops and clergy, along with others of special expertise. With…
Postcard from the Pines: What’s that got to do with the price of butter and eggs?
In each of my numerous computers I’ve kept a document file titled ‘IGA’. It was/is for the purpose of collecting and saving Marion Food Market/Bernie’s IGA Foodliner advertising, photos, clippings and memories. I’ve been at it a long time, but…
Pat’s Bits & Pieces: Valentine’s Day Monday
I was nearly 19 before I got my first heart-shaped box of chocolates from a boyfriend for Valentine’s Day. I was totally thrilled.Of course, I got loads of elementary school style “Valentines” (which were required) from classmates from Kindergarten days…
Farwell girls tame Harrison in season opener
by Ben MurphySports Writer The Farwell girls basketball team built an early double digit lead in its season opener with Harrison Wednesday night. The Lady Eagles didn’t play quite as well as the night rolled on, but still managed to…
Marion girls hang on for season opening win
by Ben MurphySports Writer It was a good start to the new season for the Marion girls basketball team Tuesday night. The Lady Eagles, playing at Manistee Catholic Central held a lead for most of the contest, and hung on…
Late Darren Acton named Irish Fest Grand Marshal
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent For the first time ever, Clare’s famous Irish Parade will have a posthumous Grand Marshall.Darren Acton, who wore many Civic Hats throughout his life in the Clare Community and “volunteered” for a multitude of events and fundraisers,…
One injured in Clare High Rise fire
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A Gateway Village Apartments resident was injured last Saturday when a fire started in her apartment on the third floor of the High Rise., located at 235 Gateway Village Drive.The Clare Fire Department was called to the…
Faces in the Crowd: James “Jimmy” Johnson
Jimmy Johnson, the son of George and Bonnie Johnson, grew up in much the same way many locals do:Living in town, riding bikes with friends, and hanging out at the local basketball court.He’d listen to some of his dad’s stories,…
Mike’s Musings: A day I don’t want to repeat
Sometimes it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed. One of those days was last week, when I boarded anairplane in Orlando to Detroit.Now all I had heard days before is how this once-in-a-decade blizzard was blanketing Michigan. Iassumed…
Postcard from the Pines: Groundhog Wins Again
It’s only the 4th of February and already we’ve had Groundhog Day, occurring this year on the melodic 2-2-2022, a series of whopping storms, mostly missing us and some very cold arctic air that did not miss.All of the various…
China King destroyed by fire
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent The China King Restaurant at 406 East 5th Street in Clare was completely destroyed in a fire on Saturday, Jan. 29th.The Clare Fire Department was called at 10:22 a.m. when a passerby saw flames coming out of…
Area fire departments donate to Kentucky stations
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Four area fire departments, Clare, Surrey Township, Garfield Township and Lincoln Township, got together to help out a fire department in Kentucky which was recently destroyed by a tornado.Clare Chief Jim Chapman said, “We were contacted by…
