Obituary: Jeffrey R. Witbeck

Obituary: Jeffrey R. Witbeck

Jordan WilcoxFeb 11, 20221 min read

Jeffrey R. Witbeck; age 67 of Beaverton; formerly of Shepherd, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2022 at his home with family by his side. Jeff was born March 9, 1954 the son of Robert and Gladys (Kenny) Witbeck. He enjoyed…

Obituary: Paul Kevin Morgan

Obituary: Paul Kevin Morgan

Jordan WilcoxFeb 11, 20222 min read

Paul Kevin Morgan age 67 of Marion passed away at Autumnwood of McBain on Sunday, February 6, 2022. He was born on February 19, 1954 in Mt. Clemens to Sylvan Henry and Betty Lou (Ragsdale) Morgan.Paul moved to the Marion…

May I Walk With You? Synod 2021-2023

May I Walk With You? Synod 2021-2023

Jordan WilcoxFeb 11, 20222 min read

Pope Francis has called the whole church to participate in Synod 2021-2023. A synod is simply an assembly of the People of God-the Church. Generally, synods have been gatherings of Bishops and clergy, along with others of special expertise. With…

Postcard from the Pines: What’s that got to do with the price of butter and eggs?

Postcard from the Pines: What’s that got to do with the price of butter and eggs?

Jordan WilcoxFeb 11, 20223 min read

In each of my numerous computers I’ve kept a document file titled ‘IGA’. It was/is for the purpose of collecting and saving Marion Food Market/Bernie’s IGA Foodliner advertising, photos, clippings and memories. I’ve been at it a long time, but…

Pat’s Bits & Pieces: Valentine’s Day Monday

Pat’s Bits & Pieces: Valentine’s Day Monday

Jordan WilcoxFeb 11, 20224 min read

I was nearly 19 before I got my first heart-shaped box of chocolates from a boyfriend for Valentine’s Day. I was totally thrilled.Of course, I got loads of elementary school style “Valentines” (which were required) from classmates from Kindergarten days…

Farwell girls tame Harrison in season opener

Jordan WilcoxFeb 11, 20222 min read

by Ben MurphySports Writer The Farwell girls basketball team built an early double digit lead in its season opener with Harrison Wednesday night. The Lady Eagles didn’t play quite as well as the night rolled on, but still managed to…

Marion girls hang on for season opening win

Jordan WilcoxFeb 11, 20222 min read

by Ben MurphySports Writer It was a good start to the new season for the Marion girls basketball team Tuesday night. The Lady Eagles, playing at Manistee Catholic Central held a lead for most of the contest, and hung on…

Late Darren Acton named Irish Fest Grand Marshal

Late Darren Acton named Irish Fest Grand Marshal

Jordan WilcoxFeb 11, 20223 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent For the first time ever, Clare’s famous Irish Parade will have a posthumous Grand Marshall.Darren Acton, who wore many Civic Hats throughout his life in the Clare Community and “volunteered” for a multitude of events and fundraisers,…

One injured in Clare High Rise fire

One injured in Clare High Rise fire

Jordan WilcoxFeb 11, 20222 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A Gateway Village Apartments resident was injured last Saturday when a fire started in her apartment on the third floor of the High Rise., located at 235 Gateway Village Drive.The Clare Fire Department was called to the…

Faces in the Crowd: James “Jimmy” Johnson

Faces in the Crowd: James “Jimmy” Johnson

Jordan WilcoxFeb 11, 20227 min read

Jimmy Johnson, the son of George and Bonnie Johnson, grew up in much the same way many locals do:Living in town, riding bikes with friends, and hanging out at the local basketball court.He’d listen to some of his dad’s stories,…

Douglas seeks to clear PCB block holdup

Douglas seeks to clear PCB block holdup

Jordan WilcoxFeb 9, 20225 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” has nothing on the ex-Douglas Haworth Plant. Melching Demolition, which in December began razing the 150,300 square-foot ex-factory and two utility buildings above ground at 200 Blue Star Hwy.,…

Township Defranco operations coordinator

Township Defranco operations coordinator

Jordan WilcoxFeb 9, 20222 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Resident and planning commission member Daniel DeFranco has been hired by the Saugatuck Township Board as operations coordinator on a month-to-month basis to fill the staffing gap left when members parted ways suddenly with ex-manager Joe…

Township weighs multi-color brand

Jordan WilcoxFeb 9, 20222 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Could the above be Saugatuck Township’s new logo? The board, after close to six months of deliberating, was slated Wednesday, Feb. 9 — too late for this week’s Commercial Record print deadline — to decide. The…

City ranks Felkers, Main projects tops

Jordan WilcoxFeb 9, 20224 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR So little money, so many needs. Douglas City Council, not alone facing said situation, has prioritized a Main Street water main and Felkers water, road and sewer issues tops amongeight projects members  have discussed addressing in…

New vendor to float Douglas boats

Jordan WilcoxFeb 9, 20224 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Douglas will have a new kayak and stand-up paddleboard rental vendor at Wade’s Bayou after 18 years. Council Monday approved granting St. Joseph-based Third Coast Surf Shop a 3-year lease to operate out of the waterfront…

Mike’s Musings: A day I don’t want to repeat

Mike’s Musings: A day I don’t want to repeat

Jordan WilcoxFeb 9, 20223 min read

Sometimes it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed. One of those days was last week, when I boarded anairplane in Orlando to Detroit.Now all I had heard days before is how this once-in-a-decade blizzard was blanketing Michigan. Iassumed…

Superintendent, consultants ask audience to consider school consolidation

Superintendent, consultants ask audience to consider school consolidation

Jordan WilcoxFeb 9, 20222 min read

By Jody Stewart Tuesday night in front of a large crowd the Chambers County Board of Education held a meeting at the Alfa building to discuss school consolidation with the public. Casey Chambley Chambers County School Superintendent opened the meeting…

Obituary: Mrs. Elizabeth Lamb Jackson

Jordan WilcoxFeb 9, 20223 min read

Mrs. Elizabeth Lamb Jackson of LaFayette, Alabama passed away at 83 years of age, on Monday January 31, 2022 at her residence. She is preceded in death by her husband George Allen Jackson, son William “Allen” Jackson and grandson Ryan…

Obituary: Mrs. Lue Staples

Jordan WilcoxFeb 9, 20222 min read

Mrs. Lue Staples, 70 of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at Sacred Journey Hospice in McDonough, Georgia.Public Visitation will be held Friday, February 4, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. CST until 1:00 p.m. CST, at Seroyer Funeral…