Beth's Planet

I am a freelance editor and writer who rarely takes on new clients. If you want to discuss potential work, drop me a line.

I was a full-time writer and editor for the Midland (MI) Daily News for 19 years, 1989-2008. Some of my later stories are filed under clips, and you also can see my first stab at interactive fiction. My blog posts from ourMidland.com, the Daily News’ online home, are here.

I spent about seven months of 2012 as a city and county government reporter for MLive.com. You can find those stories here.

I also edited for and contributed occasionally to Rene Syler’s Good Enough Mother:
Guest Posting: How A Little Bullying Went A Long Way

I returned to freelance for the Daily News between 2012 and 2017, and most of those stories are listed below:

Dow Corning keeping an eye on sustainability
A strong heart
Mack honored by Modern Woodmen for work with Camp Centaur
St. Louis Citizen Task Force to DEQ: Hold EPA accountable with Scope of cleanup work in St. Louis detailed
Transportation Odyssey makes visit to Midland
Saginaw Art Museum renovations bring life to collections
Bats topic of CNC BioBlitz program
Currie Parkway Bridge renovations continue
Dogs use local site for disaster training
BioBlitz begins today at Chippewa Nature Center
Nesting pair of peregrine falcons made MCV home this summer
Midlander describes life during her time in Saudi Arabia
Motorcycles of all sizes invade Midland County Fair grandstands
Dow Chemical employees help renew Bay City park
Midland County Historical Society hosting Hands-On History Days
Cooking creatively on display at MCFTA
DEQ three years ahead of dioxin cleanup schedule
ChefSteps brings cooking knowledge to MATRIX
Freeland board dismisses kindergarten teacher; 100+ attend meeting
Women’s Health Initiative: Doctor discusses non-traditional therapies for heart health
Michigan gardeners have lots to be grateful for
SwingShift and the Stars closes its inaugural season
Compliments shine bright at Freeland
Models show off rhythm at Northwood University Style Show
Northwood University Style Show ‘Runway Rhythm’ set for Friday
River Roar introduces new lineup
‘Walk in Our Shoes’ supports women
Freeland continues to offer school of choice to kindergartners; meeting Wednesday
Winter Indoor Kids League program concludes
Diaper Alliance benefits from SwingShift
Menu Manager serving people who serve
GED payment help available for Midland, Bay, Saginaw residents
Legacy Center hosts Mardi Gras feast
Freeland board OKs teacher contract
Let’s dance: Event raises thousands for non-profits
Weinert to dance for Great Lakes Bay Region charity
Oxbow group hears about latest Nature Center finds
Midlanders brave cold for Right to Life vigil on Roe vs. Wade anniversary
Area auto representatives will strut their stuff for judges
Dow Chemical Co. helps with design of USA Olympic luge
Freeland robotics moving up
Freeland principal getting to know the students
Memorial Presbyterian to offer quieter service
Public health study begins in St. Louis
No contract for Freeland teachers this year
Sculptures become permanent at Dow Gardens
St. Louis testing residents for contamination
Northwood University hosts annual Family Enterprises Forum
Midlander’s letter to Jackie ends up in book
Freeland teachers, officials disagree on finances
Bullock Creek pumpkin catapult smashes record
Alton Brown wows MCFTA crowd
Hindu festival of lights celebrated
ZENTX Media Group aids young entrepreneurs in chamber program
Staff pickets Freeland board of education meeting
Bullock Creek voters facing millage
American Girl comes to life in Midland this weekend
Tombstone marks an ending for St. Louis contamination
World cultures center stage at Northwood
Residents talk about understanding, nonviolence
Students have fun learning about STEM at Delta College festival
McGuire retiring; Dow Gardens looking for new director
Rwandan genocide survivor speaks in Midland
Toyota North America CEO speaks at Northwood
Auto show draws fans of all kinds
50th annual auto show opens
Louganis inspires, advocates at local AIDS Walk
More Midland students biking to school
No drawdown for Wixom Lake this year
Save Brian’s House event Saturday
Navy vet surprised with trackchair
Wolverine Bank turns 80 years old
Bay County elephant rides go on, despite protests
Modern Made Knights
Bird banding under way at Chippewa Nature Center
Youths shine at iCan bicycle camp in Midland
Youths explore trades at Delta College camp
Freeland Habitat makeover: One home will get a few more days of attention
Shirlene’s co-founder Shirley Tegels remembered
SVSU president search firm hired
Habitat blitz starting Friday in Freeland
Joyful Celebration: Catholic Diocese of Saginaw marks 75th anniversary with Mass at SVSU
Saginaw Diocese celebration on Thursday to feature huge choir
FERC revisiting Wixom Lake dam issue because of high cost for improvements
SVSU students to pay 3.73% more for tuition
Longtime SVSU president, Eric Gilbertson, retiring
Freeland church plans food giveaways for youths
FreeMusic Fest combines art, music and fun
People gather in Bay City for 350 event promoting reducing carbon dioxide levels
Grow Saginaw looking for new land for community garden
Artists prepping for weekend’s Summer Art Fair
Former Scoutmaster calls ruling a good first step
Wixom Lake may be drained due to lack of funds for Boyce Hydro dam repairs
King’s Daughters celebrates centennial
Discount tickets on sale Saturday for Rockin’ the River
Women’s Health Initiative speaker: Red, green, yellow or blue? What color are you?
Diverse Ultrabrication exhibition takes over Saginaw Art Museum
500 attend Chefs for Shelterhouse event at Midland Center for the Arts
Freelanders raise funds for Habitat project
Freeland, Saginaw and Bay City also facing potential flooding
Wines Around the World event Friday
DDT exhibit opens at Alma College
USS Edson moving to final home as soon as weather cooperates
Midland Catholic churches receive new leadership
River Roar returns to Bay City
Tax credits become available in 2014 for health insurance
Wixom Lake to be lowered 8 feet during summer of 2014
Citizens rally against violence
Freeland schools considering staff cuts
SVSU speaker: People must work together
One-stop shop for summer camps today at MCFTA
Tall Ship Celebration returning to Bay City
‘Joseph’ at Bullock Creek a community production
‘Chillers’ creator leads ‘writeshop’ at Auburn Elementary
Freeland schools to consider teaching cuts
Local Catholics gather in prayer for new pope
Cosmetologists train for Look Good … Feel Better program
Midlanders offer thoughts at Delta College energy forum
Langrill honored for flight instruction in region
World Spay Day Tuesday: Humane Society of Midland County offering half-off special on adoptions
Star Wars theme during Ren Fair 2013: The Saga Continues
Dow Corning among honorees at Saginaw Future luncheon
There’s partnering to be done with local Indian tribes
Coleman participates in a Week of Nonviolence
Joyous dancing at the Tridge draws attention to violence against women
Saginaw Promise moves closer to $1 million goal
Campaign seeks to prevent wolf hunts in state
Ash Wednesday marks beginning of Lenten season
People need treatment of their ‘symptoms, feelings, hopes, fears’
Speaker: Engaging patients can improve health care
SVSU senior performing at Kennedy Center
Western High student attends Obama inauguration second time
Our Redeemer Evangelical Free Church celebrates 60th year
SVSU, Northwood have new competitor: Concordia University
Pro-choice supporters see threats, need for action
’40 Years of Tears’ memorial vigil held in Freeland
Saginaw Diocese announces plans for Catholic churches
Just how important is a college degree for jobs?
Bay City Western junior Lezlie Koch heading to the inaugural in Washington, D.C.
Central Middle School radio club students work on projects
Times are changing for St. Louis Pine River CAG
Recall legislation requires statements to be factual
77 years strong: Former Midlanders celebrate anniversary today
Sparkling surprise: Anonymous gift reunites Wheeler girl with dress
Farmer: Milk price won’t jump over fiscal cliff
Hard to plan for fiscal cliff
Christmas village comes to life
Orange fences signifying contamination come down in St. Louis
Midland County Historical Society’s Bradley House dressed ‘to the nines’ for holiday event
Bustle By the Bay kicks off in Bay City
Family musical this weekend at 1874 Bradley Home
Time running out in fight against Blue Cross deregulation
Former Midland County administrator a finalist for Tittabawassee Township post
Northwood University students look to make Midland boy’s wish come true
Creative 360 hosting performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ on Sunday
Power of Dad seeks a few good fathers
White Pine Middle School principal dressing as cow to promote online contest
Latter-Day Saints Church Nativity display features hundreds of scenes, opens today
Local dancers part of production of ‘The Nutcracker’
History buff now tackling human health problems
Dealing with the grief of children
‘Steal this property!’ land still for sale; 4.5 acres sold benefits Midland Christian School
Dow High performing ‘Schoolhouse Rock!’
Bay County voters approve three of four millages; elect Democrats
Food Pantry Network, Diaper Bank, SAMS Pantry open new facility
Bay County could see party majority shift on county board
‘Last Call’ movie argues a water crisis has arrived
EPA to sample yards in St. Louis’ Pine River area
DDT, PBB fences in St. Louis to finally come down
Sampling planned in St. Louis neighborhoods to be discussed tonight
Young Life wants community to join 50th celebration
Many Midlanders part of Bay City theater scene
Tour buses showcasing Great Lakes Bay Region today
Local AIDS walk nets $55,000
Today is American Business Women’s Day
Social media conference Thursday in Midland
Parkapalooza at Sanford Lake Park draws geocachers, nonprofits, bands and more
Freeland residents take in sights at Arts in the Park fundraiser
Parkapalooza a late summer Sanford Lake tradition
Freeland’s new turf the talk of the town