Collaboration in Au Gres to install three bioswales
Mandi Hecht | May 18, 2022
AU GRES - Huron Pines and students from Au Gres-Sims schools will soon install a series of bioswale rain gardens along Michigan Avenue in Au Gres. The gardens, to be established later this month, will help capture, retain, and filter stormwater runoff...
Commissioners open for proposals
Danielle Beeler | May 18, 2022
During its meeting Tuesday, May 10 the Arenac County Commissioners decided to begin officially accepting proposals for the use of the marijuana tax money. The Commissioners will be taking proposals until 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 20, so the recommendations can be discussed at the Tuesday,...
Over $176,000 raised in bi-county fundraiser
Mandi Hecht | May 18, 2022
BAY/ARENAC – An annual fundraising event that helps serve 49 nonprofit organizations in Bay and Arenac counties has raised over $176,000. On May 3, the Bay Area Community Foundation's 8th Annual Give Local Bay event, powered by LiUNA-Local 1098, raised over $176,000 in just 24...
Arenac Choraleers host spring concert
Chorus performs in Arenac County for 55th year | May 11, 2022
STANDISH – A choral group that has performed in the area for 55 years gave an annual performance in Standish last Sunday. The Arenac Choraleers Spring concert, sponsored by the Northeast Michigan Arts Council and co-sponsored by Ben Welmers and Standish-Sterling Community...
Richardson Ford breaks ground on expansion
Mandi Hecht | May 18, 2022
STANDISH - Richardson Ford in Standish broke ground earlier this week on another expansion to its dealership at 3825 S. Huron Road. The business is converting the old Shopko building into a new Chevy and Buick automobile dealership. This 40,000-square-foot renovation includes a brand-new storefront...
Local clerk re-elected to state township association
Mandi Hecht | May 11, 2022
WHITNEY TWP. - Kimberly Anderson, Whitney Township Clerk, will remain on the Michigan Townships Association, MTA, Board of Directors after being re-elected as director of MTA District 10, including Arenac, Iosco, Ogemaw, and Roscommon counties. Anderson was re-elected to the position by her township peers at the...
Standish business to host pet adoptions
Mandi Hecht | May 11, 2022
STANDISH – A local business is collaborating with Arenac County Animal Control to find new homes for some furry friends. Standish Tractor Supply, 3931 S. Huron Road in Standish, along with Arenac County Animal Control, will host a Pet Adoption event on Saturday, May 21,...
Richardson Ford breaks ground on expansion
Mandi Hecht | May 18, 2022
STANDISH - Richardson Ford in Standish broke ground earlier this week on another expansion to its dealership at 3825 S. Huron Road. The business is converting the old Shopko building into a new Chevy and Buick automobile dealership. This 40,000-square-foot renovation includes a brand-new storefront...

Panthers, Wolverines head to track regionals
By Keith Salisbury Keith@arenacindependent.com | May 18, 2022
The Standish-Sterling and Au Gres-Sims track teams will head into the postseason with the regional competition this week. On Thursday, May 19, the Panthers will head to Charlevoix for their Division 3 regional. Also competing will be Beaverton, Boyne City, Charlevoix, Clare, East Jordan, Farwell,...
Lady Panthers skewer Sharks in lopsided contests
By Keith Salisbury Keith@arenacindependent.com | May 18, 2022
STANDISH – The Lady Panther varsity softballers cruised to an easy doubleheader sweep over visiting St. Louis in Tri-Valley Conference 10 Division action on Wednesday, May 11. Both were mercy-shortened games. The Standish-Sterling girls won the opener 12-2 in five innings. The Panthers tallied five...
Wolverines take two from Mio
By Keith Salisbury Keith@arenacindependent.com | May 18, 2022
AU GRES – The Wolverine hurlers took both ends of a doubleheader from visiting Mio on Thursday, May 12, in North Star League Little Dipper action. In the opener, Au Gres-Sims prevailed in a 6-5 contest. Each team tallied a run in the first inning....
Next steps
By Jocelyn Garza | May 18, 2022
It’s the time of year when young adults start looking forward to the next step in their life. They can see the light at the end of the tunnel while also reflecting on the hard work they put in to get themselves to that point....
Misinformation crisis
Mandi Hecht | May 11, 2022
Are cat litter boxes installed in public school bathrooms to help those who identify as cats or "furries" feel more included? This conversation occurred at a family gathering on Mother's Day last Sunday. Someone started the conversation by saying that this is happening in schools...
Back to the movies
By Danielle Beeler | April 27, 2022
The one thing I truly missed during the pandemic was going to the movies. I love movies and I love going to the theater and being fully immersed in the story while eating the delicious popcorn. It is one of the main things that my...
Rotary News
Staff | May 18, 2022
On April 28, members of the Rotary Club of Pinconning and Standish heard a presentation by Kirsten Clemens, Scrap Tire Coordinator for the Michigan Department of the Environment, Great Lakes and Energy [EGLE], on the severe problem of what to do with used tires. In...
Out and About
Mandi Hecht | May 11, 2022
VFW #3724 and Auxiliary news The Arenac County VFW Post #3724 and Auxiliary will hold their next regular meeting on Tuesday, May 17th at 6:30 p.m. at the Arenac County Veterans Club building. Before the meeting, at around 5:30 p.m., there will be a potluck...
Out and About
Mandi Hecht | May 4, 2022
I-75 to detour May 4 The Michigan Department of Transportation will detour northbound I-75 to accommodate bridge beam removal at the Lincoln Road overpass in Standish beginning Wednesday, May 4 at 8 p.m. with an estimated end date of Thursday, May 5 at 5 a.m. Northbound...
SSC boys take second at Hurd Invitational
By Keith Salisbury Keith@arenacindependent.com | May 4, 2022
VASSAR – On Friday, Apr. 29, the Panther track team traveled to Vassar to compete in the Hurd Invitational. The Standish-Sterling boys finished second out of 15 teams with 70 points. DeWitt was first with 103 points. Panther 1600-meter relay team of Brayden Sullivan, Brody...
Arenac County History Highlights
April 1 - 30Staff | April 27, 2022
Most dateline items are quoted from the Arenac County Independent. Information sourced from the Arenac County Historical Society. April 4, 1907: A train left the rails at Alger and 16 cars plunged through the depot. The depot and cars were destroyed by fire that followed the...

Charles Clifford Cottrell
Died May 14, 2022Staff | May 16, 2022
Charles Clifford Cottrell, age 88, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 14, 2022. He was born on July 11, 1933, to Lawrence D. and Shirley (Brown) Cottrell in Turner, Michigan. Charles married Susan E. Morgan on October 27, 1956. He...

Elsie M. McMann
Died May 8, 2022Staff | May 11, 2022
Elsie Margaret, age 85, passed away Sunday, May 8, 2022, on Mother’s Day. According to Elsie, Mother’s Day was the most important day of the year. She was all about her kids and grandkids. Elsie loved her pets and enjoyed watching the birds. She was...

Louie Emmons “Ted” Haynes
Died April 23, 2022Staff | May 6, 2022
Louie Emmons “Ted” Haynes, of Sterling, Michigan, passed away at age 92 on April 23, 2022, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on May 29, 1929, in Susquehanna County, PA to William and Nettie Haynes. Louie worked as a lineman for International...

Donald James Cunningham, Sr. “Don”
Died April 26, 2022| May 4, 2022
Donald James Cunningham, Sr. “Don”, age 94, of Sterling, Michigan passed away on April 26, 2022, at his home in Maple Ridge, Michigan surrounded by his loving wife and their family. He was born on December 24, 1927, to the late Seymore H. and Alice...

Bradley Edward Revord
Died May 1, 2022Staff | May 3, 2022
Bradley Edward Revord, age 47, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on May 1, 2022. Bradley loved many things, but nothing more than his entire family. His wife and children were his world. Bradley was an avid fisherman and loved to camp....