Maryalene Laponsie

Lowell

Freelance Writer at Freelance

Articles

Letter to the Editor: Clock is Ticking for Girls State Applications

1 day ago | lowellsfirstlook.com | Maryalene Laponsie

Letters to the editor may be sent to [email protected]. All opinions stated in letters to the editor and guest columns are those of the author and should not be construed as an endorsement by Lowell’s First Look. The American Legion Auxiliary’s Girls State is an excellent one-week program that will be held this year at MSU, from June 22 through June 28. Girls MUST be a high school Junior.
Missing Along Main Street: Lowell Cutter Company

1 day ago | lowellsfirstlook.com | Maryalene Laponsie

The Lowell Area Historical Museum presents a new weekly online series. Missing Along Main explores the buildings that once occupied Main Street but are no longer there. The Lowell Cutter Company was founded by Robert Flanagan and A. J. Peckham in 1886. The Cutter Company buildings stretched from South Monroe westward to the Flat River. All of the buildings were painted red with white trim. Waterpower was delivered from the Flat River under Main Street to the factory.
FROM: Affordable Housing Makes a Positive Impact on Community

2 days ago | lowellsfirstlook.com | Maryalene Laponsie

Flat River Outreach Ministries provided this article as part of a series highlighting the need for affordable housing in the community. The greater Lowell community is in the midst of a housing shortage, similar to the rest of our state and nation. Housing is complex, and housing that is affordable even more so. But how did we get here and what does it mean?
Golden Hour Bookshop Celebrates Independent Bookstore Day

3 days ago | lowellsfirstlook.com | Maryalene Laponsie

We received the following press release from Golden Hour Bookshop. Lowell, Michigan — Golden Hour Bookshop is happy to announce our participation in the 12th Anniversary of Independent Bookstore Day! Join us from 9am – 2pm at the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce located at 113 Riverwalk Plaza.
Police Chief Dennis Albert: Settling into a New Role

3 days ago | lowellsfirstlook.com | Maryalene Laponsie

Dennis Albert knows a thing or two about law enforcement. A 26-year veteran with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, he has done everything from road patrol to undercover detective work to supervising a team of sworn officers. Now, he’s trying his hand at a new role: Chief of the Lowell Police Department. “It’s exciting,” Albert says.
The Real Estate Corner with Rick Seese: April 2025 Edition

3 days ago | lowellsfirstlook.com | Maryalene Laponsie

Rick Seese has 50 years experience working in real estate market, and each month, he shares the latest news and outlook for Lowell-area housing market. Inflation – Today or Tomorrow? As inflation has depleted household budgets, perhaps nowhere is the pinch felt more strongly than in grocery aisles. However, depending on where you live, the resulting pain can be sharper than in other areas. Inflation rates differ greatly depending on where you live in America.
Planning Commission Recap: First Look at New Housing Development

6 days ago | lowellsfirstlook.com | Maryalene Laponsie

The Lowell Planning Commission met for about 45 minutes on Monday night to discuss three pieces of business. One of those was a preliminary review of an apartment complex proposed for the west side of town. All commissioners were present for the meeting except Colin Plank. Lowell Flats: 72 Units PlannedRyan Wheeler of the Wheeler Development Group was at Monday’s meeting to discuss his firm’s plans to build a 72-unit apartment complex on property behind Greenridge Realty on W. Main Street.
Furry Friday: Padme, Melvin and Fiona

6 days ago | lowellsfirstlook.com | Maryalene Laponsie

The following animals are available for adoption. If you find an animal you’d like to adopt please contact the organization directly. Lowell’s First Look does not assist with the adoption process. And if you’re looking to add to your family and don’t see an animal below, each organization has additional animals looking for new homes. Pet profiles and photos are provided by each organization.
Ax MI Tax Presentation Comes to Lowell

1 week ago | lowellsfirstlook.com | Maryalene Laponsie

About two dozen people gathered at The Old Theater last Wednesday to hear a presentation from Karla Wagner, founder of the Ax MI Tax proposal. She is currently leading an effort to get the initiative on the 2026 ballot. “What we’re trying to do is to eliminate the ability of the government to tax and seize our property,” Wagner told Lowell’s First Look before the presentation.
The Restless Viking: Lonely St. Helena Island

1 week ago | lowellsfirstlook.com | Maryalene Laponsie

Da Viking and Poppins — aka Chuck and Martha Hayden — take a trip to the lonely St. Helena Island and find it’s not so lonely in this video that premiered on July 22, 2021. Click play to learn the history of the St. Helena lighthouse and see the amazing work of an Ann Arbor Boy Scout troop in restoring it to its previous glory.

Contact details

Emails

[email protected]

Socials & Sites

Try JournoFinder For Free

Search and contact over 1M+ journalist profiles, browse 100M+ articles, and unlock powerful PR tools.

Start Your 7-Day Free Trial →

Coverage map

X (formerly Twitter)

Followers: 475
Tweets: 1K
DMs Open: No

Maryalene LaPonsie @themightywidow

26 Feb 19

There are robins in my backyard. They must be so confused. #FebruaryinMichigan #ItsStillCold

Maryalene LaPonsie @themightywidow

16 Feb 19

Can confirm.

Twitter User @user

Maryalene LaPonsie @themightywidow

14 Feb 19

Corny pick-up lines really are the best thing about Valentine's Day.

H&R Block @HRBlock

@betsy_klein Hey Betsy, we’ve got your back today. Here are some pick-up lines you could use to possibly change your filing status in the future. https://t.co/PAJ3hJNN0L