Clare communities issue ‘Let-Run’orders for water
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Due to the extreme cold in the area lately, all three communities in Clare County have now issued water “Let Run” orders for the rest of the winter due to “excessively deep frost levels and extreme cold.”The…
Faces in the Crowd: Kevin Sisson
Kevin Sisson, the son of Kevin and Lisa Sisson, has made it a point to give back to the community that has given so much to him.A 2011 Marion graduate, Kevin is a volunteer firefighter for the Marion Fire Department…
Schonert, Hamilton crowned at McBain homecoming
By John RaffelCorrespondent McBain High School celebrated its homecoming last week and crowned King Dylan Schonert and Queen Karri Hamilton.The theme for the 2022 McBain Homecoming was Hollywood. The students participated in a spirit week leading up to Friday. There…
Farwell girls take down rival Clare in JPC action
by Ben MurphySports Writer The Farwell girls basketball team was able to get off to a fast start at rival Clare on Thursday, Jan. 27. The Lady Eagles never let up either, as they were able to claim an impressive…
Man jailed afterallegedly lighting wife’s house on fire
By John RaffelCorrespondent LAKE CITY – James Melvin Aldridge, 42, was arraigned on Monday in the 84th district court in Missaukee for one count second degree arson, one count fourth degree arson, one count interfering with an electronic communication device…
Fourth ranked NMC takes care of arch-rival McBain
by Ben MurphySports Writer The McBain Northern Michigan Christian boys basketball team continues to meet every challenge thrown their way. On Wednesday, the Comets were finally able to defeat crosstown rival McBain, 72-44.The host Comets led just 14-12 after the…
May I Walk with You? Little prayer
A friend who went to Florida for a few months, shared with me a little prayer that his priest shares with his congregation. The priest got the prayer from an elderly woman in his congregation. It is just too wonderful…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Things I’ve learned – Sometimes the hard way
In a couple of weeks, I will reach the ripe old age of 76…Yup, I’m one of those dreaded ‘baby boomers!’ Now I am also one of the more “senior” seniors, another little fact I’m not overly fond of as…
Mike’s Musings: Transgender athletes should not compete with females
It took years to pass Title 9, which essentially put women’s sports on an even keel with men’s. Now female athletes enjoy the same funding, facilities, etc, that male athletes have had since high school and collegiate sports were popularized…
Clare begins process to seek new school bond proposal
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Superintendent Jim Walter said in his Superintendent’s Corner column this week, “Over the past few months, we’ve begun exploring in earnest the physical needs of the District for the next several decades. The major emphasis has been…
One dies, One injured in Freeman Township crash
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent On the afternoon of January 22, a head-on collision on M-115 killed a Swartz Creek man and injured a Livonia teen.Clare County deputies were called to the crash scene on M-115 near Twin Lakes Avenue in Freeman…
Axe wielding suspect leads police on 10-mile chase
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Clare County deputies were called Sunday when a 26-year-old Evart man, Brandon Thomas Sayles, broke a home’s window with an axe and fled when a woman in the home called 911.A release from the Clare County Sheriff’s…
Marion cancels 12 days of school so far, may have to make up 5
By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – Marion school superintendent Steve Brimmer said the district has had to cancel 12 days in total this school year so far.“Some were due to weather, some were due to Covid, some were due to power…
Faces in the Crowd: Kelsey Vanderhoef-Schoch
Kelsey Vanderhoef-Schoch has always put family first.Growing up in Marion along with her 5 siblings, she learned how important it was to put your family first.And these days, along with her husband – who shares the same name, Kelsey Schoch…
Weather balloon drops in Marion resident’s back yard
On Monday, January 25th, at around 10 am, Marion resident Bob Friend was sitting in his living room when he noticed a small orange parachute falling into his backyard.“At first I thought maybe it was a balloon from a wedding…
Farwell girls top Pine River for fourth straight win
by Ben MurphySports Writer The Farwell girls basketball team didn’t have their best night defensively on Tuesday against visiting Pine River. Fortunately for the Eagles, they still had enough offense to win the non-league battle, 47-43.“We gave up a season…
Third-ranked NMC keeps on winning
by Ben MurphySports Writer McBain Northern Michigan Christian’s boys basketball team put their Division 4 third place ranking on the line Tuesday, in Roscommon. The Comets came away unscathed, taking down the Highland Conference foes, 75-62.NMC took a big 23-5…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Groundhog day is coming – could it mean spring?
I’ve been searching through old columns from the past few months of January hoping (unsuccessfully, I’m afraid) to find some inspiration for this week.It’s still winter out there and judging by the news this morning (Tuesday) I am glad I…
Postcard from the Pines: New Year, New Books
I love books. New books, old books. Books. As is his custom, the Gardener gifted me with a book at Christmas. What was different was that I had not requested one this year and so was utterly delighted and surprised.…
Missaukee board approves lease agreement
By John RaffelCorrespondent MCBAIN – Missaukee County Board of Commissioners, at its meeting last week, approved the proposed lease agreement with Huntington Bank for prosecuting attorney office space.Administrator Liz Vogel presented a request for an extension on the property lease…
