This week’s edition of The Meridian Weekly leads with a heartfelt front-page tribute to Douglas Gaylord “Doug” Long, a beloved Ovid-Elsie teacher and coach who dedicated 42 years to shaping young lives. Doug passed away April 14 at age 67, just hours before his mother, Shirley Long, who is remembered alongside him in our obituary pages. Their joint visitation is being held April 19, 2026, with funeral services scheduled for later this week.
Elsewhere in the paper, we’ve got plenty of local news to catch up on: the Elsie Village Council tackles water meter upgrades, leaf disposal issues, and a proposed 0.75-mill increase for emergency services. Ovid Township’s board talks road contracts, mole control, and a new printer lease, while the City of Ovid moves forward with a DNR grant application and hires a new code enforcer. In sports, Laingsburg’s softball team opens CMAC play with a sweep, Ovid-Elsie track impresses at Fowler, and the Marauders baseball team notches its first wins of 2026. Plus, don’t miss Earth Day history, a Cinco de Mayo taco dinner, volunteer opportunities at the Ovid Historical Museum, and a native plant sale at DeVries Nature Conservancy. As always, thank you for reading — and supporting your community paper.
Cover Photo: New Assistant Fire Chief, Nate Pease
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