
Mike’s Musings: Number of college administrators alarming
Many of you have read my rants concerning higher education. I believe the cost is outrageous and it certainly far outweighs the benefit most students receive.One of the reasons costs have risen extensively over the past decade is that universities…
Clare golfers second
By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Clare’s golf team shot a 340 on Wednesday to finish second in a Jack Pine Conference jamboree at Gladwin.Pinconning was first at 323 followed by Clare, Ogemaw Heights (344), Shepherd (344), Bullock Creek (347), Gladwin…
May I Walk with You? Your Response
Easter is over, or is it just beginning? For many of us, Holy Week, the week leading up to the Resurrection, was full of busyness and activity as friends and family gather to eat and drink and catch up. I…
Baskets Full of Joy: Clare’s Airport Enjoys Another Festive Success
By Christopher Johnson Hopefully everybody had a happy Easter this past weekend!This has been a great season for our county’s eggstravaganza events and the kids couldn’t appear more thrilled as our dip through April Valley peaks to a close. Seeing…
Pat Maurer honored by Clare City Council
By Genine Hopkins Spring is in the air and many exciting things are happening around the City of Clare, including receiving approval of a State of Michigan grant for work at the City Airport, resumption soon of the Shamrock Lake…
Police chase ends in capture of Chinese non-citizen
On Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 12:22 a.m., A Clare County Sheriff Deputy was on a traffic stop on Main St near Evergreen Trail in the Village of Farwell, Township of Surrey in Clare County. During this traffic stop, a…
Mike’s Musings: Quicksand drama turns in to romantic relationship
I was flipping channels the other night when a question was asked. What did you fear most as a kid? There were a variety of answers but one of the answers was quicksand.I immediately concurred. Quicksand was fear of mine…
Clare boys win invitational
By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Clare’s women’s track team won the Doug Steward Memorial Invitational at St. Louis on Friday.The Clare women had 142.5 points to top the 10-team field. Alma took second place with 124.5 points.In the boys standings,…
May I Walk with You? GRACE PERFECTS NATURE
“Grace does not destroy nature but perfects it.” “Grace does not remove nature but fulfills it.” (St. Thomas Aquinas, 13th Century) The words ‘perfects’ and ‘fulfills’ refer to the notions of progress and growth. We often hear people say that…
Surrey fire truck t-boned by vehicle, one severely injured
On Sunday, April 13th, a Surrey Township Fire Truck, with two firemen on board, was involved in an accident on 115 while looking for a reported grass fire. As the truck was turning into a driveway, they were t-boned by…
Harrison man arrested, held rifle to girl’s head
On Friday, April 11, 2025 at 8:24 p.m., Deputies with the Clare County Sheriff Office were dispatched to an address on North Athey Rd in Hamilton Township, Clare County for an assault involving a firearm that had occurred. During the…
By Christopher Johnson
One of Clare’s latest metalworks, “Joe Galaxy” by Roger King (Midland)As the temperature heats up finally, the city of Clare is poised for a busy and exciting month ahead. With high school and college graduations on the calendar, as well…
Mike’s Musings: Give tariffs a chance, they may work
Let’s give the tariffs time to work. If they don’t work I will be the first to admit I was wrong. President Trump seems to be backing off his hardline positions with a 90-day reprieve for most, and taking tariffs…
Michigan’s major railway project is back on track, with Clare at its core
By Christopher Johnson To some, the idea of a passenger railway connecting across Lower and Upper Michigan may not be unfamiliar. It’s an idea that’s been around for a hot minute but until recent years has been only that: A…
Farwell softball team set to resume action
By John RaffelCorrespondent FARWELL — Farwell’s softball team was scheduled to play on Thursday (April 10) in Vestaburg and Friday (April 11) at home against Houghton Lake.It all depends, of course, on the weather.“I know that both teams have started…
May I Walk with You? Losses
In the ten years between 2000 and 2010 the Diocese of Saginaw lost about a third of its mass goers. Also, during this time many Catholic Schools were permanently closed. Sacred Heart in Gladwin, St, Athanasius in Harrison, St. Cecilia…
Four arrested on drug charges
On Thursday April 03, 2025 at 10:07 p.m. a Deputy with the Clare County Sheriff Office observed a vehicle stopped on the shoulder of M-115 near Maple Grove Rd in the Township of Surrey, in Clare County. This vehicle, which…
Clare woman’s connection to the Clare comes full circle
By Genine Hopkins When Prudence Pembridge moved to City of Clare with her husband Robert in 2022, the choice was made for convenience more than anything else; the location was close to her own family in Northern Michigan in Bliss…
Mike’s Musings: Measles comeback? Stop the hysteria
I keep receiving emails from public health officials about the threat of measles. Just like a week ago, I read a release that announced two cases of measles had been diagnosed in Michigan. I had thought measles were a thing…
May I Walk with You? Open Our Eyes
When it comes do doing great and wonderful things for God, we often think of becoming a minister or priest or going to a foreign land. How wonderful it would be to travel to a distant land bringing the Good…

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By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher
Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.
It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.



























