Osceola parks study pins county population at 23k, Marion 890
By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – A draft of Osceola County’s Recreation Plan, inserted into the commissioner’s packet for next week’s meeting, includes a lengthy Osceola County community profile and provides unique aspects about Marion.“Osceola County has a population of 23,290,”…
U.S. population is still growing, but slower
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent The year 2021 marked the slowest population growth since the nation was founded, a report from the U.S. Census recently said. “Estimates show the slowest growth on record,” the release said.According to their report the United States…
Clare County Apportionment Commission ratifies plan
By John RaffelCorrespondent HARRISON – The Clare County Apportionment Commission ratified a plan for apportionment of county commission districts recently and filed it with the clerks’ office to be forwarded to the Secretary of State.The Clare County Board of Commissioners…
Moolenaar announces re-election bid
Congressman John Moolenaar, this week, announced he is running for re-election in the new Second Congressional District.Moolenaar is a common sense leader who has fought for conservative policies and values in Congress, a press release from Moolenaar’s campaign states.“It is…
Osceola County parks looks to improvements in 2022
By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – It’s going to be winter for the next few months but Osceola County parks officials realize it’s not too early to start discussing facilities and improvements for 2022.Commissioner Roger Elkins, of Evart, noted there was…
Evart school administrator tells city council different approach needed
By John RaffelCorrespondent EVART – Long-time Evart schools administrator Jason O’Dell attended an Evart city council meeting in early December and said, after looking back on the Oxford school shootings, he believes it’s time to approach kids’ issues in a…
Victim’s advocate now certified for crisis response
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A recent Facebook post from Clare County Prosecutor Michelle Ambrozaitis said that the office’s Victim Advocate Stacy Newman has now been certified as a crisis response advocate.Newman recently completed a three-day training provided by the National Organization…
Postcard from the Pines: Tracking the Days
Ah, once again, it’s a shiny New Year. January 1 is not only the beginning of a new calendar year, but is considered by many as the perfect time to commence new things. A good many diets, vows to cease…
COVID cases level off in Osceola County
By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – COVID-19 total case numbers in Osceola County rose to 3,886 cases last week.Death numbers increased to 62.The previous weeks, the numbers were: 3,845 cases and 60 deaths; 3,784 cases and 54 deaths; 3,568 cases and…
Commissioners pleased with new county coordinator
By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – Osceola County Commissioners are getting ready for a New Year are hopeful it’s going to be a good one, according to Evart-area commissioner Roger Elkins.“So far everything is off and running and everyone seems pleased…
Andrew “Andy” Ochss
Andrew “Andy” Ochss 72 of Farwell, Michigan passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at Toni & Trish House, Auburn, Michigan. Andrew was born September 18, 1949, in Bad Hall Austria the son of Jacob Ochss and Eva (Dewald)…
Perry H. VanSickle
Perry H. VanSickle, age 62 of Farwell, passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, December 24, 2021. Perry worked hard his entire life with the majority of his career being a laborer and Assistant Chief on the pipeline. On the off season…
Erma Maxine (Ott) Kleinhardt
Erma Maxine (Ott) Kleinhardt, 96, passed away peacefully December 23, 2021 in her home with her loving family by her side.No mother wishes to leave her family, but confidently she taught them many important lessons. She was ready to meet…
Ruby Mae (Reed) Abbas
Ruby Mae (Reed) Abbas, age 90 of Lake, passed away Monday, December 27, 2021. Ruby was born in Maryville, TN and eventually settled in Clarkston, MI where she raised five children; finally retiring to Lake, MI with her loving husband.Ruby…
Agnes May Shilling
Agnes May Shilling, age 97 of Inverness, Florida formerly of Farwell, passed away Monday, December 20, 2021 in Lecanto, Florida. Agnes was born the daughter of Gabriel and Larilla (Clark) VanBuskirk on October 22, 1924 in Farwell. She was united…
Letter to the Editor: A New Years Resolution
Dear Editor,With Christmas and Hanukkah behind us, we look forward to the new year and New Year’s resolutions: to step away from social media, lose some weight, and, perhaps, to go vegan. Yes, that.A third of consumers report reducing consumption…
May I Walk with You? Tabula Blanka?
Tabula Blanca is a term often debated in social sciences to answer the question of the influence of culture on the behavior of human beings. Simply stated, tabula blanca refers to the idea that infants are a “blank slate”, except…
Proud to be a Pioneer: We believe students are ‘packed’ with potential…
Clare has long been a champion of the potential of each individual. Regardless of the attributes you bring to the table, in the eyes of teachers and our community each Pioneer is packed with potential. A big part of the…
Pat’s Bits & Pieces: 2021 comes to a close, nothing changes…
Thank God!Believe me that wasn’t profanity. I am very thankful that our second year of living with COVID is now over and a new year, hopefully with new better times begins tomorrow.I think we certainly need it.There were a few…
Mike’s Musings: Remember When? Growing up in a Small Town
Life is so much better in small town America. The pace is somewhat slower and friendships much more real. I grew up in a small town and ever since have always lived the rural community life. I know nothing of…
