The Meridian Weekly

09/04/2026

This week’s edition of The Meridian Weekly is brimming with exciting community progress, health advancements, and the much-anticipated return of fall sports coverage. We’re thrilled to share news of a major environmental win: Caledonia Township has secured an $87,573 state grant to remove an abandoned causeway from the Shiawassee River, reopening miles of water trail and improving aquatic habitat. Meanwhile, the Laingsburg United Methodist Church is gearing up for a chili cook-off on September 19th to raise funds for packing 12,000 meals for hungry families overseas—a wonderful example of our community reaching out to help those in need. We also welcome a new dermatologist, Dr. Wyatt Boothby-Shoemaker, and headache specialist Nasima Omar, PA-C, to Memorial Healthcare, expanding access to specialized care right here in our region.

On the local scene, the Elsie Lions Club is selling tickets for their annual beef raffle, the St. Cyril’s Rummage Sale is coming up, and our libraries are buzzing with activity—from the Laingsburg Library’s free Book Nook and Costume Swap to the Elsie Library’s scavenger hunts and craft programs. And for sports fans, this is our big Fall Sports Preview edition! We’ve got full team rosters and season outlooks for Laingsburg Wolfpack and Ovid-Elsie Marauders football, cross-country, volleyball, soccer, and cheerleading. Plus, our Gridiron Guru football contest is heating up with week one winners already claiming prizes. As always, thank you for supporting local journalism and keeping our communities strong.

Cover Photo: Ovid-Elsie Varsity Football

Front row (l-r): Brody Howard, Maddi Bushard, Julian Medina, Walker Lover, Mitchell Blaha, Kellen Garcia, Chandler Hart-Butcher, Chase Fabus, Trey Palatka, Toby Brown. Second row (l-r): Joie Fabus, Wyatt Lover, Jason Harrell, Cade Fabus, Maxon Fabus, John Kelly, Landen Vanconant, Eyan Fabus, Peyton Harris, Braedyn Barnard. Third row (l-r): Will Baese, Evan Anderson, Nick Topping, Bryce Fabus, Hunter Smith, Levi Stewart, Bryce Krueger, Elijah Willbanks, Gabe Lohr, Kane Pupava. Fourth row (l-r): Logan Mason, Jaydon Ford, Brooks Lohr, Henry Remenar, Dylan Henning, Payton Stewart, Dal­las Kusnier, Kavin Ream, Bennet Throop. Fifth row (l-r): Christian Chapko, Thayden Raish, River Minarik, Ashton Gilbert, Todd Fox, Caleb Cannon, Michael Anderson, Jaycen Hunt, Kaden Levey, Brent Spitzley, Royce Orta. Back row: Coaches include: Head Coach Travis Long; Asst. Coach DJ Chapko, Asst. Coach Damien Miller, Asst. Coach Mike Klingbell. Student trainers: Lauren Phillips, Grace Long, Brielle Howard.

Photo by Ortman Production LLC

This week’s edition of The Meridian Weekly is brimming with exciting community progress, health advancements, and the much-anticipated return of fall sports coverage. We’re thrilled to share news of a major environmental win: Caledonia Township has secured an $87,573 state grant to remove an aba...

08/28/2026

This week’s edition of The Meridian Weekly is packed with heartwarming community wins, important public health updates, and the exciting return of fall sports. We start by celebrating the Ovid and Laingsburg Lions Clubs, who teamed up once again to present checks totaling $6,800 to the Lions of Michigan Foundation and Bear Lake Camp—truly embodying their motto, “We serve.” In other news, we’re urging residents to be cautious as a harmful algal bloom was confirmed at Lake Ovid in Sleepy Hollow State Park, and the Mid-Michigan District Health Department is recommending people and pets avoid affected areas. Meanwhile, the Greater Laingsburg Recyclers shared exciting updates about their growing operations, and our Elsie Public Library is gearing up for a full fall schedule of programs and events.

On the sports front, fall athletics are officially underway! Our cross-country teams from Ovid-Elsie and Laingsburg opened their seasons at the Early Burg Beach Run, while the Laingsburg girls golf team is already making waves in the CMAC. We also have full coverage of the opening football games, where both the Marauders and Wolfpack battled hard in season-opening losses. And don’t forget, our Gridiron Guru contest is back and in full swing, so get your picks in! From recycling updates and community events to health alerts and school news, there’s something for everyone in this week’s issue. As always, thank you for supporting local journalism and keeping our communities strong.

Cover Photo: Ovid and Laingsburg Lions Club Again Team Up to Benefit Michigan Foundation, Bear Lake Camp. Pictured (right) Lions Terry Fraidenburg presented a check for $3,400 to Traci Tribley representing Bear Lake Camp Board of Directors. Pictured (left): Lions Terry Fraidenburg presented a check for $3,400 to Chad McCann representing LMF.

This week’s edition of The Meridian Weekly is packed with heartwarming community wins, important public health updates, and the exciting return of fall sports. We start by celebrating the Ovid and Laingsburg Lions Clubs, who teamed up once again to present checks totaling $6,800 to the Lions of Mi...

08/22/2026

This week’s edition of The Meridian Weekly is full of heart, community milestones, and important planning for the future. We start by honoring the Elsie Fire Department, which recognized two retiring members after decades of combined service while also promoting new lieutenants and pinning the newest members of the team. We also congratulate Bill and Bob Fuller, the father-son duo inducted into the Michigan Country Music Hall of Fame, whose incredible musical talent has been enjoyed by local audiences for years. In education, Ovid-Elsie Area Schools is beginning a thoughtful planning process for its facilities, working with construction and architectural firms to evaluate options for the future—with no decisions made yet and no financial commitment unless a bond proposal moves forward.

Around the communities, there’s plenty to keep you busy and engaged. The Ovid Public Library is hosting a classic movie screening of The Music Man, while the Elsie American Legion is actively seeking new members to join their patriotic work. The Ovid City Council is moving forward with tree removals, new farmer’s market banners, and a pavement evaluation, while Victor Township invites residents to a public hearing on managing aquatic weeds in Round Lake. We’re also thrilled to kick off another season of our popular Gridiron Guru football contest—so grab your picks and join the fun. As always, thank you for making our communities such wonderful places to live, work, and serve.

Cover Photo: Retirees, Promotion to Lieutenant and Newly Pinned Firefighters in Elsie.

Front row left to right: Chelsie Crossley, Donnie Peterson, Heath Arnett. Back row left to right: Lieutenant Keigan Ormes, Mackenzie Lee, Lieutenant Nick Brock, Chief Jason Bowen, Assistant Chief Rob Saul, Lieutenant Garrett Tabor, Karli Tabor, Cooper Brock and Boyd Cook

This week’s edition of The Meridian Weekly is full of heart, community milestones, and important planning for the future. We start by honoring the Elsie Fire Department, which recognized two retiring members after decades of combined service while also promoting new lieutenants and pinning the new...

08/14/2026

This week’s edition of The Meridian Weekly is packed with stories of community spirit and forward momentum, from our golf greens to our village council chambers. We lead with the success of the annual joint Lions Golf Outing in Laingsburg, which raised over $7,000 for local charities. The event continues to be a major local highlight, honoring the legacies of longtime members while showcasing the generosity of our local businesses. Meanwhile, in Elsie, the Village Council accepted a substantial $15,000 donation from Jim Hyland to complete Heroes Park with the final statues, while also discussing new business opportunities and the future of the Elsie Area Fire Authority.

Beyond the headlines, there’s plenty of news to keep our community connected. We welcome Pastor Gerard Liett and his family to the Elsie United Methodist Church, celebrate the support of the Elsie Masonic Lodge, and prepare for the launch of our annual Gridiron Guru football contest. We also share important updates on public safety—from deer crash statistics and a waterfowl hunt in Clinton County to a reminder about an upcoming skin cancer screening event. As always, thank you for supporting local journalism and keeping our communities strong.

Cover Photo: Members of the Elsie Masonic presenting donation to the Elsie United Methodist Church represented by Pastor Gerrad Leifelt and Dawn Levey.

08/07/2026

This week’s edition of The Meridian Weekly delivers the full results of the August 4th Primary Election, with Clinton County seeing a 35.5% turnout and Shiawassee County at 30.6%. Voters approved several emergency services millages across the region, including in DuPlain and Fairfield Townships, the City of Ovid, and Victor Township, while the Briggs District Library millage also passed. In local races, Dave O’Berry defeated incumbent John Plowman in the Shiawassee County Road Commission primary and will face Emily Olson in November. Meanwhile, Jocelyn Benson and John James will square off for Governor, Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers for Senate, and William Lawrence will face Tom Barrett for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District seat.

In other news, former Elsie Village Manager Shane Grinnell was arraigned on felony embezzlement and misconduct charges following a forensic audit and Michigan State Police investigation into the village’s financial deficit. On a brighter note, the City of Ovid has completed a new 9-hole disc golf course at Roy Gumear Memorial Park, along with basketball and pickleball courts available for public use. We also celebrate our local student-athletes—Ovid-Elsie’s Jake Bowen and Tryce Tokar are making their mark at Alma College, while the Laingsburg Anchor Track Club brought home an impressive 16 medals from the State Games of America. With the Shiawassee County Fair in full swing this week and the St. Johns Concert in the Park series featuring Super Trooper—the ABBA Experience—on Wednesday, there’s no shortage of summer fun to be had. Enjoy the week ahead, and we’ll see you around the community!

This week’s edition of The Meridian Weekly delivers the full results of the August 4th Primary Election, with Clinton County seeing a 35.5% turnout and Shiawassee County at 30.6%. Voters approved several emergency services millages across the region, including in DuPlain and Fairfield Townships, t...