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Clare, MI 48617
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Several contested races on Tuesday’s ballot

Editorial StaffAug 8, 20221 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent LAKE CITY – The primary election will be extremely light for the Missaukee County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday.There are seven county commission districts and six have only a Republican candidate who has filed. District 7 has…

$40 billion without oversight? I think not

$40 billion without oversight? I think not

Editorial StaffAug 8, 20223 min read

There is a different side to the Ukraine story than we’ve been told. Corruption has run rampant through the Ukrainian government ever since it gained independence from the former Soviet Union. One watchdog name Ukraine the second most corrupt nation…

Postcard from the Pines: Celebrations for Us!

Postcard from the Pines: Celebrations for Us!

Editorial StaffJul 22, 20223 min read

With July 4th behind us, the summer is in full swing. Most of us are driven by the still novel warm days and more freedom than we’ve had for the past two years. We’ve shifted into super summer mode; ready…

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: So what if it’s hot – no complaining allowed!

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: So what if it’s hot – no complaining allowed!

Editorial StaffJul 22, 20223 min read

It’s summertime – it’s hot and muggy but I am not complaining. Just turn up the air if it gets to you…At least if you go out, you don’t need a winter coat and boots and you don’t have to…

Faces in the Crowd: Roger Elkins

Faces in the Crowd: Roger Elkins

Editorial StaffJul 22, 20227 min read

Roger Elkins, an Evart resident for the last 53 years, has dedicated much of his life to public service.He taught science and math at Reed City for 32 years. He spent 10 years with the Evart City Council, much of…

Osceola buys Evart property for EMS base

Editorial StaffJul 22, 20222 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent The Osceola County Board of Commissioners, at Tuesday’s meeting, voted to purchase two acres of property from the county road commission at a cost of $8,000 for an EMS base in the Evart area.“That was contingent on…

Missaukee approves $935k in funding

Editorial StaffJul 22, 20222 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent LAKE CITY – The Missaukee County Board of Commissioners voted at its recent meeting to approve project funding worth $935,000.The projects are to be paid for from Fund 214.Fully funded projects are for $2,500 to Silent Observer…

Mike’s Musings: Airline travel woes, flying is frustrating

Mike’s Musings: Airline travel woes, flying is frustrating

Editorial StaffJul 20, 20223 min read

Editor’s Note: My friend wrote the following commentary about his experience flying to Florida. We have all been warned that flying is becoming more and more dicey. Personally, I fly back in forth monthly from Florida to Michigan, and luckily,…

‘Music and Art in the Alley’

‘Music and Art in the Alley’

Editorial StaffJul 15, 20221 min read

Visitors to the Clare Art Alley next weekend will have a real treat in store. Along with the recently refreshed Art Alley murals, and even a couple of new ones just added to the colorful alley behind McEwan Street’s west…

Art of Gardening Tour slated for tomorrow

Art of Gardening Tour slated for tomorrow

Editorial StaffJul 15, 20222 min read

Shown here is one of the beautiful gardens featured in a previous tour. By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Whether you have a “green thumb” or not, plan to be in Clare tomorrow, July 16 from 10 am to 3 pm for a…

Clare County Fair just one week away

Clare County Fair just one week away

Editorial StaffJul 15, 20225 min read

Clare County Fair Midway in 2021 By Pat MaurerCorrespondent In just nine more days, We will once again welcome one of the oldest fairs in Michigan to Clare County! County fairs are a family tradition for many. They provide great opportunities…

Postcard from the Pines: For Goodness and Snakes

Postcard from the Pines: For Goodness and Snakes

Editorial StaffJul 15, 20224 min read

We will soon mark a year in residence at our new home. We remain very pleased with our decision to leave the Pines for the other side of the river. It has been a win-win for all involved and it…

Obituary: Lori Leone Pritchard

Obituary: Lori Leone Pritchard

Editorial StaffJul 15, 20222 min read

Lori Leone Pritchard, of Marion passed away Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at her home. She was 62.She was born on September 9, 1959, in Zeeland, Michigan to Elwin Pritchard and Wava Leone (Richardson).  Lori worked as a house keeper. Lori was…

Obituary: Mearl Thomas Fetters

Obituary: Mearl Thomas Fetters

Editorial StaffJul 15, 20223 min read

Mearl Thomas “Tom” Fetters, age 69 of Farwell, passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at his home. On March 10, 1953, Tom was born one of three children to Mearl E. and Kathleen (Tiedeman) Fetters in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. …

Obituary: Angela Martin

Obituary: Angela Martin

Editorial StaffJul 15, 20223 min read

Angela “Angel” Martin – Age 66 of Lake, passed away at her home while under hospice care on Saturday, July 9, 2022, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Angel was born to parents Eugene and Gertrude Gorzelewski Sledz in Detroit,…

Obituary: Darlene J Symonds

Obituary: Darlene J Symonds

Editorial StaffJul 15, 20222 min read

Darlene J Symonds, 85, of Marion, passed away on July 6, 2022, surrounded by her family and her Pleasant Ridge Manor friends. She was the daughter of the late Leon and Jenny (Stambaugh) Gray. She was predeceased by her husband,…

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: July 15 already — Summer is slipping away

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: July 15 already — Summer is slipping away

Editorial StaffJul 15, 20224 min read

Summer, according to the Maurer calendar, is now half over again.I know, it is only July 15, but you know there’s only a few weeks left until school starts again, and then this year it will be Labor Day weekend.You…

Marion DPW finally receives new truck

Editorial StaffJul 15, 20222 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – Marion’s new DPW truck, that has been on order since last year finally arrived last month, it was reported at the monthly meeting earlier this month.It will be equipped with a safety light, new plow…

Marion council votes to amend water policy

Editorial StaffJul 15, 20222 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – Marion Village Council president Flora Grundy said the council at its monthly meeting earlier this month, amended a portion of the water policy to address and clarify nonpayment and shutoff issues.“Water bills are sent quarterly,…

Mike’s Musings: America at a Critical Crossroads

Mike’s Musings: America at a Critical Crossroads

Editorial StaffJul 13, 20223 min read

Editors Note: I wrote this one year ago, and now find it more relevant than it was when it was written.I’m growing more and more concerned that our republic will struggle to maintain its standing as a leader in this…