by Ben MurphySports Writer Now that is an exciting way to start a new year. Clare, playing their first boys basketball game of January on Tuesday, hosted Reed City in a non-conference game and used a drive to the lane…

by Ben MurphySports Writer Harrison got off to a fast start in its non-conference boys basketball game at Marion on Tuesday. The Hornets were able to keep the Eagles at arms-length the entire way, allowing them to claim a 60-47…

by Ben MurphySports Writer The Farwell boys basketball team wasn’t able to get much going in their road non-conference loss at Lake City on Monday. The Eagles fell behind by double digits after the first quarter and never recovered, falling…

by Ben MurphySports Writer A big night on offense and an impressive defensive effort led to a lopsided home victory for the McBain Northern Michigan Christian girls basketball team Tuesday. The Lady Comets, hosting Houghton Lake, dominated their way to…

Late into the night on Friday, many of us will be celebrating the beginning of a new year. Or perhaps we’ll be celebrating the end of an old year. Either way, 2021 will be in the history books. Good, bad,…

by Ben MurphySports Writer Last spring, as a junior on Farwell’s softball team, Madison Travis was able to blast a school record nine home runs. As a senior, her final high school season is looming, but she has plenty of…

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,”…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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, 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, 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…