The Arenac County Independent

12/26/2025

The Herald/Independent office is closed today, Dec. 26, due to poor driving conditions.
For assistance with subscriptions or classified ads, contact Michelle Driscoll at [email protected]
Due to a power outage, you may not get an immediate response
For editorial assistance, contact Amy Hensel at [email protected]
For assistance with display ads, contact Jessica Ashbrook at [email protected]

Send a message to learn more

12/25/2025

MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT: Pinconning Boys & Girls Club members and their families were spotted at the Reindeer at Your Library event. Children of all ages were able to feed real reindeer, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, and even catch a glimpse of the Grinch.

Here's our favorite scenes from the event.

12/25/2025

Thanks so much for your continued support of your local newspaper! From all of us at CherryRoad Media to all of you, have a safe and merry Christmas!

12/24/2025

🎁❤️ That’s a wrap on our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway! ❤️🎁

A huge THANK YOU to our amazing sponsors Relevant Electronics & Appliances, Sunrise Family Credit Union, Sunrise Market, Treasures Forever and Wiltse Insurance Agency for making this holiday tradition possible — your generosity helps spread joy throughout our community! 🌟

And a big CONGRATULATIONS to all our lucky winners who took home fabulous prizes this season:
Summer D.
Angie M.
Michelle P.
William D.
Isabella C.
Morgan A.
Rebecca L.
Keri D.
Avery L.
Michelle S.
Sandra S.
🥳🎅
We loved celebrating the holidays with you — thank you to everyone who entered and shared the fun. Stay tuned for more community giveaways and good cheer in the new year! 💚

12/24/2025

The Pinconning celebrated the season with the Just for Kids gang — decorating cookies, crafting snowmen, and receiving gifts provided by Just for Kids for the members in attendance.

12/23/2025

HOLIDAY SPIRIT: Check out these festive photos from local visits from Satna in Au Gres.

12/04/2025

Dear children,
Please send:
1) Portrait photograph
2) Name and hometown
3) Gift wishlist for Santa
to our office by email at [email protected]; by mail at P.O. Box 247, West Branch, MI 48661; or in person at 215 West Houghton Avenue in West Branch.
We must receive letters no later than Dec. 19.
Thanks,
Editors at the Herald-Independent

11/26/2025

Thank you to all who submitted names for our Polar Bear. The contest is closed and the Winners will be announced at the Depot Lighting after the Santa Parade Friday, November 28th.

11/24/2025

11/11/2025

Saluting all veterans on
See the comments for more photos from around the county. Photo by Andrew Kent

11/04/2025

The 2026 raffle is going on tickets are $25.00 each. Please consider buying one and help support the SSA. All proceeds go right back to the club!

10/24/2025

First seen in Ogemaw County Herald before follow-on reporting by MLive and ABC12 ;)

The city council for the City of West Branch unanimously approved an agreement between the West Branch Police Department and the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) department at their regular meeting Monday, Oct. 20.