Gratiot County Herald

07/01/2024

06/25/2024

On newsstands tomorrow, Wednesday, June 26. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Thursday.

06/18/2024

PUBLICATION NOTICE: With the closing of the Postal Service, tommorow, Wednesday, June 19, in observance of a federal holiday, this week's Gratiot County Herald will be out on newsstands on Thursday, and in subscriber's mailboxes on Friday.

06/11/2024

On newsstands tomorrow, Wednesday, June 12. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Thursday.

06/04/2024

On newsstands tomorrow, Wednesday, June 5. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Thursday.

06/01/2024

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS: St. Louis beat Central Montcalm, 4-1, in the district softball final. Sharks’ freshman Paige Luneack struck out nine. St. Louis will play Clare in a Division 3 regional semifinal June 8 at Standish.

05/28/2024

On newsstands tomorrow, Wednesday, May 29. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Thursday.

05/21/2024

On newsstands tomorrow, Wednesday, May 22. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Thursday.

05/14/2024

On newsstands tomorrow, Wednesday, May 15. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Thursday.

05/10/2024

Fatal Crash Claims Life of Driver; Speed and Alcohol Suspected Factors

Gratiot County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a fatal traffic crash on Thursday night in Emerson township at the intersection of State Road and Tyler Road.

According to a press release from Gratiot Undersheriff C. Roy McCollum, a preliminary investigation revealed a vehicle traveling east on Tyler entered State and did not stop at the signed intersection.

The driver, identified as Aaron Crispin, was pronounced dead at the scene. McCollum noted that speed and alcohol appeared to be factors in the crash. Crispin, whose age and residence were not provided in the press release, was not wearing a seatbelt.

First responders were dispatched at 9:08 p.m. The scene received additional support from Ithaca Fire and Rescue, MMR, and the Michigan State Police.

05/08/2024

Single-Vehicle Crash Claims Life of Ithaca Man

An early morning traffic crash resulted in the death of an Ithaca man, according to the Gratiot County Sheriff's Office.

At approximately 6:11 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the intersection of Barry and Grenlund Roads in Elba Township.

The victim, identified as 33-year-old Matthew Hoffer, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gratiot County Sheriff Mike Morris said a preliminary investigation indicates that Hoffer, who was not wearing his seatbelt, was driving a pickup truck northbound on Barry Road when he failed to properly negotiate the curve leading onto Grenlund Road. The vehicle subsequently left the roadway, entered a field, and rolled over.

Authorities believe that both alcohol and high speed were contributing factors in the accident.

Assisting at the scene were the Ashley Fire Department and the Michigan State Police.

05/08/2024

This week's Gratiot County Herald will be out on newsstands tomorrow, Wednesday, May 8. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Thursday.

04/30/2024

This week's Gratiot County Herald is sure to feature someone you know, with nearly 100 photographed faces from throughout the community. It will be out on newsstands tomorrow, Wednesday, May 1. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Thursday.

04/23/2024

32 pages of local news, sports, coming events, public notices and community advertising? You bet! Put down your phone and pick up this week's Gratiot County Herald, on newsstands tomorrow, Wednesday, April 24. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Thursday.

04/22/2024

JUST IN: Alma College President Jeff Abernathy to Step Down

By Tim Rath
Director of Alma College Communications

Alma College President Jeff Abernathy has announced he will step down at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. After nearly 14 years in the role, he shared his plans with the Board of Trustees and the campus community.

“Serving as Alma’s president has been a great privilege. I’m so proud of this community and all we have accomplished together. Despite the challenges before all colleges today, our future is bright.

“I have always intended to end my career as an English professor, and I look forward to returning to academic life,” added Abernathy, who shared in a campus town hall that he will return to the English faculty following a one-year sabbatical that will begin July 1, 2025.

Abernathy has provided a stable foundation of guidance at Alma through periods of unprecedented growth and tumult throughout the world. His legacy includes presiding over a successful "Our Time is Now" philanthropic campaign, which raised more than $125 million. It enabled Alma College to renovate key buildings during Abernathy’s tenure, including student housing facilities, the Hamilton Commons dining hall, the Hogan Center for athletics and the Greg Hatcher Learning Commons.

The Wright Leppien Opera House was also renovated in downtown Alma as a shared space for campus and community events, and student housing. The relationship between town and gown was further deepened with the founding of the Center for College and Community Engagement in 2021.

When Abernathy joined Alma College in 2010, the college had not launched a new major in 17 years. Since then, 27 new undergraduate programs and a new core curriculum have been launched. Alma College in 2021 launched the first graduate program in its history with the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree. Since then, its graduate degree offerings have expanded to include special education, communication, information technology and clinical mental health counseling.

Athletics now features nine new intercollegiate varsity teams — women’s and men’s wrestling, eSports, women’s and men’s lacrosse, women’s bowling, dance, Spirit Squad and competitive cheer have been added, bringing the number of sports teams at Alma to 30.

“The Board of Trustees deeply appreciates President Abernathy’s service to Alma College during his long tenure as its leader,” said Darryl G. Schimeck ’82, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “His vision for the college and unwavering dedication to the campus community have resulted in new academic and athletic programs, a record-breaking philanthropic campaign, and deepening connections with the local community. On behalf of the entire board, we wish him well as he transitions to a new phase of life focused on family and friendships.”

Schimeck said the board plans to begin a national search for the 14th president of the college in fall 2024 and will communicate plans for the search as they develop.

04/16/2024

This week's Gratiot County Herald will be out on newsstands and available for PDF digital download, tomorrow, Wednesday, April 17. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Thursday.

04/09/2024

DID YOU KNOW: The Gratiot County Herald features more news, local profiles and community interest articles than what is presented here on the front page? And at $1.50 per issue, compared to the $3+ that other publications charge, it's the best value on newsstands. Check for yourself. This week's edition is out tomorrow, Wednesday, April 10. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Thursday.

04/08/2024

WHEELER TOWNSHIP MAN DEAD AFTER TRUCK VS MOTORCYCLE COLLISION

A Wheeler Township man is dead following a truck vs motorcycle crash in Pine River Township Monday morning.

The incident occurred at Monroe Road and Alger Road with first responders dispatched at 6:41 a.m.

According to Gratiot County Sheriff Mike Morris, a preliminary investigation indicated that a westbound motorcycle had stopped at a red light. Meanwhile, a pickup truck traveling eastbound was in the turning lane, awaiting to turn northbound on Alger Road. Upon receiving the green arrow, signaling the right of way, the pickup truck began its turn northbound. However, at the same time, the motorcycle driver proceeded through the red light and collided head-on with the pickup truck.

The motorcycle driver, identified as Duncan Clark, 30, sustained critical injuries and was later pronounced dead at MyMichigan Medical Center in Alma.

No information about the pickup truck driver was provided.

Following the incident, the intersection was closed for two hours to facilitate the investigation.

The Sheriff's Office received support from Alma Police Department, Michigan State Police Accident Reconstruction Team, Alma District Fire Department and MMR.

04/02/2024

This week's Gratiot County Herald will be out on newsstands and available for PDF digital download, tomorrow, Wednesday, April 3. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Thursday.

03/26/2024

This week's Gratiot County Herald will be out on newsstands and available for PDF digital download, tomorrow, Wednesday, March 27. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Thursday.

03/19/2024

Out on newsstands and available for PDF digital download, tomorrow, Wednesday, March 20. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Thursday.

03/13/2024

1 Dead in Emerson Twp Traffic Crash

A two-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of Lincoln and Wisner roads in Emerson Township this morning resulting in one fatality.

According to Gratiot County Sheriff Mike Morris, the incident involved a westbound passenger car on Lincoln Road, which, upon stopping at the stop sign, proceeded into the intersection, colliding broadside with a southbound commercial van.

David Wilder, 47, of Clio, the driver of the passenger vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Meanwhile, the 42-year-old driver of the commercial van from Ithaca sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

First responders were dispatched to the scene at 10:50 a.m. The intersection was temporarily closed for several hours as authorities, including the Breckenridge/Wheeler Fire Department, Michigan State Police Accident Reconstruction Team, and Breckenridge Police Department, conducted an extensive investigation.

03/12/2024

This week's Gratiot County Herald will be out on newsstands and available for PDF digital download, tomorrow, Wednesday, March 13. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Thursday.

03/09/2024

DISTRICT CHAMPS! Breckenridge senior Megan Goward made four-straight fourth quarter 3s, banking in the last with 12 seconds to play, as the Huskies rallied from nine down to beat Lutheran Seminary in a Division 4 district final, 46-44.

03/06/2024

GRATIOT SHERIFF: Breckenridge House Fire Leaves One Dead, Two Injured

Gratiot County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a deadly house fire at 710 E Chestnut St. in the Village of Breckenridge at 3:33 a.m. this morning.

Upon arrival, deputies encountered a 35-year-old man with severe burns outside the engulfed residence. Inside, a 34-year-old woman and a 7-year-old girl were trapped. Firefighters managed to rescue both from the flames.

According to Gratiot Sheriff Mike Morris, efforts were made to resuscitate the woman and the girl; however, the woman was declared deceased at the scene. The girl was successfully resuscitated and transported to a local hospital before being moved to Hurley in Flint. The injured man was also taken to a local hospital and later flown for further treatment.

An autopsy is planned for the deceased woman to confirm her identity.

The Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Division has been tasked with determining the fire's cause and origin, with preliminary findings suggesting an explosion occurred in the house.

Multiple fire agencies, including units from Breckenridge, Alma, Ithaca, and St. Louis, responded to the incident. The Breckenridge Police Chief also provided assistance at the scene.

03/05/2024

This week's Gratiot County Herald is one you don't want to miss! Out on newsstands and available for PDF digital download, tomorrow, Wednesday, March 6. Local subscribers (only $1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Friday.

02/28/2024

This week's Gratiot County Herald, delayed in publication by an internet service provider outage, will be out on newsstands and available for PDF digital download, tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 29. Local subscribers ($1 per week for a one-year subscription) can expect the newspaper to be in their mailbox on Friday.