Postcard from the Pines: Up, up and away
February has arrived. It’s the month of hearts and flowers, presidential birthdays and often cold and snow. It is the shortest month, preceding March, which many consider one of the longest. March is all that stands between us and the…
Marion boys sneak past Pentwater
By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – Marion’s boys basketball team got the job done on Tuesday with a 54-44 West Michigan D League victory over Pentwater.The game was tied 11-11 after the first quarter and Marion led 18-13 at halftime and…
Clare boys basketball bounced by Meridian, take down Shepherd
The Clare boys basketball team lost their game against Sanford Meridian on Jan. 25 with a final score of 55-30. They also won their game against Shepherd on Jan. 30 with a final score of 56-44.In a Hudl highlights video…
Obituary: Ronald “Ron” Stephen Mitchell
Ronald “Ron” Stephen Mitchell age 90 of rural Harrison passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 13, 2024, surrounded by his family. Ronald was born January 12, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan the son of Arthur J. Kmieciak (Mitchell) and…
Obituary: Sandra L. Dewey
Sandra L. Dewey, age 64, of Gladwin, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024. She was born on May 20, 1959, to Harvey and Dorothy (Robertson) Miller in Greenville, South Carolina.Sandra dedicated several years of her life to Adult Foster…
Obituary: Danielle Joyce Slanker
Danielle Joyce Slanker- Our Queen, Tootie, Little momma, went to tend the gardens in heaven on January 26, 2024. She lived in Farwell with her husband Darrel Slanker. They married on June 14, 1980. He was the love of her…
Proud to be a Pioneer: Parenting – the Ultimate Test
Parenting is the world’s greatest honor and its’ most difficult task…all too often we experience both in the same day! We’re grateful for all the time, energy, and lessons you invest in your kids and we’ll continue to support and…
May I Walk with You? Have we Forgotten
I’ve been doing a little reading about the Eucharist, and I came across St. Thomas Aquinas who stated that one of the reasons Jesus gave us the Eucharist is so that we would not forget him. “Do this in remembrance…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: February Again
Well, it’s here – my least favorite month of the whole year.Yesterday was Groundhog Day and after they rousted the poor critter out of his “log,” reportedly “Punxsutawney Phil” did not see his shadow. Or maybe he did since the…
Cadillac man wins $100,000 in lottery drawing
A Cadillac man said winning a $100,000 500X Money Maker Second Chance prize from the Michigan Lottery is “life-changing.”Scott Jaworski, 48, won $100,000 after he was selected in a random drawing that took place Jan. 18. He earned entries into…
Faces in the Crowd: Patricia Michell
Patricia Michell is the matriarch of the Michell family which extends several generations. Both she and her husband, Max (now diseased), have left a legacy that has impacted the Marion Community deep and wide. Max and Patricia celebrated their 50th…
Kevin Eisenga named McBain School Board president
By John RaffelCorrespondent MCBAIN – The McBain Board of Education, at its recent meeting, voted to appoint the following officer positions for the Board of Education for 2024: President – Kevin Eisenga. Vice President – Ken Stahl Treasurer – Matt…
Gilliam let go as Three Rivers football coach
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers High School’s varsity football team will be in search of a new head coach for the 2024 season. TRHS Athletic Director Matt Stofer confirmed in an email to the Commercial-News Thursday that…
Emergency calls down 4.1 percent last year
By Scott Sullivan Editor The Saugatuck Township Fire District — which serves Douglas and Saugatuck cities in addition to the township — responded to 981 calls last year, down 4.1 percent from 2022’s record 1,023. Among them, emergent (Priority 1…
STFD eyes freeway safety truck
By Scott Sullivan Editor The Saugatuck Township Fire District is exploring acquiring an estimated $201,273.52 Traffic Management Apparatus to ensure staff and public safety, especially during freeway crashes. Individual donations toward that end total $9,500 so far. “Since 2019,” chief…
Interurban head Yff to retire
By Scott Sullivan Editor Interurban director Phyllis Yff is retiring. The 10-year transit authority head announced her decisions last week thanking the community for its support and vowing to assist finding and helping establish her replacement. “This service,” Yff said…
Saugatuck gets defensive in victory
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorIn the first half of its SAC contest against Gobles on Friday, Jan. 26, the Saugatuck girls basketball team played a smothering brand of defense.And the Trailblazers were even better in the second half.Saugatuck limited the Tigers…
Obituary: Barbara King Paxson
Barbara King Paxson was a lifelong artist and a lover and maker of lyric beauty. Her life was one of service to human existence. She was a soul most tender and aware, a woman who endured bravely and often alone…
Maggie’s Pantry
By Maggie ConklinIrish CreamRecently we had our annual “really bad winter” where we hunkered down and did anything we could to prevent going outside.This is what us Michiganders prepare for, why we can meals, fill the freezer with food, make…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorAll the FactsCats concern me. My wife and daughter surround me with three of them, plus two dogs, two bunnies, four birds and a fish the kitten tries to catch from outside its aquarium. What possible use could…