Archives: Episodes

On February 4, 1976, the body of Carol Wudarcki was found in Worth Township. She had been struck by a snow plow mere minutes before being discovered by Mark Ernst, making it near impossible for investigators to determine her cause of death. What was curious, however, were the marks found on her ankles and wrists. Just what does Ernst have to do in all of this, and is it possible that he may (or may not) have murdered others, including Iris Johnston and Gladys Barron? Find out on this week's episode of Thumbing Through the Archives.

Today on the show:

-Ken Holland might land another NHL gig?

-The NBA Draft Lottery is rigged and we all know it

-Unsolicited Advice!

-This List Is Trash!

Today on the show:

-The Lions didn't make the pick we were hoping for, but we're not mad at it

-Deion Sanders, however, might be mad at the picks made on Thursday night

-As the resident parent on the show, Adam might have a few things to say about this week's round of Unsolicited Advice

-The Pistons lose at home, but they might still have a chance

Today on the show:

-An update on the Tennesee QB who tried to hold his team hostage for more NIL bucks

-A postscript on the 2024-25 Red Wings season

-Adam gets put on blast for his take on AI

-Another reason not to go to the movies: popcorn throwing and... live chickens?

-The Pistons start their playoff run this week, and if you live outside of Michigan, you can't come

We recap our Opening Day shenanigans, and the Red Wings show signs of life?

With Esther McPhee deceased, the trial for her husband began on the afternoon of October 17, with Prosecutor RJ West calling her older brother, George, to the stand. He was joined by at least 25 other residents of Melvin, with much of his account detailing the gritty details surrounding the McPhees’ relationship, the fire, and “character indications of the defendant which he claims he will establish to indicate guilt on the part of the prisoner.” Again, his story was just one of many that would be spilled in the meantime. Who would ultimately be blamed for Esther's death, and what would that mean for Melvin itself?

Today on the show:

-The Detroit Red Wings season is... pretty much over

-Is there any product or service that hates its users as much as social media?

-A third Michigan/Michigan State basketball matchup may happen this weekend. Are you rooting for this?

-So much for paying 12 grand to be Gene Simmons' roadie

Today on the show:

-Who's scheduling these March Madness matchups? 10PM starts for Michigan and Michigan State?

-Have you given up on the Detroit Red Wings season?

-Unsolicited Advice!

A small village in Sanilac County's Speaker Township, Melvin boasts a hearty population of 148 residents, with it not being much bigger over 100 years ago. What began as a lone saloon built in 1862 quickly sparked the construction of a drug store, the Port Huron & Northwestern Railroad, and a church as the years drew on, but we're not here to talk that type of history. Today's episode centers around a married couple, Esther McPhee and William Jack McPhee, and the circumstances that led to one of their deaths on March 6, 1923. Was it a desire for vengeance that prompted 207 residents to accuse a man of murder, or was it something more?

Today on the show:

-The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame fan voting proves democracy doesn't work

-Unsolicited Advice!

-Could the NHL extend the regular season? Does literally anybody want this?

-If you could change any one thing in sports, what would it be? Sean and Adam are definitely on the same page

-This List Is Trash: Irish musician edition

Prohibition officially hit the United States in 1919 when the 18th Amendment was ratified. While it may have intended to veer people away from excessive drinking, within weeks, an underground market had sprung up across the country. This volatile period would last well into 1933, but until then, people had their own tricks to avoid detection. Just what did this time look like for those in the Thumb, and who were some of its key players? All that, and more!

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-Reckless Red Wings trade speculation!

-Could the most hated play in the NFL get banned?

-Justin Verlander thinks MLB rules should be changed so starting pitchers can get to 300 wins again

-NFL Free Agency Blitz!

The dog, the myth, the legend--it's about time Dogman got his own episode! That's right, we're diving head first into cryptozoology and exploring one of Michigan's most mysterious cryptids. While perhaps not as well-known as others like Bigfoot or Mothman, Dogman remains in the hearts (and minds) of many--especially those in Wexford County, where he is rumored to have made his first appearance. With a history spanning more than a century, join us as we get ready to "dig" for the truth.

-The Super Bowl did not go the way we all thought it would. Thankfully.

-Was this *really* the "worst halftime show ever"?

-There were a few decent ads, and a lot that weren't

-Michigan basketball's head coach is trying to negotiate a new contract after... half a season?

-Way too early Super Bowl odds!

-The Tigers aren't landing Alex Bregman, are they?

Replay of Sanilac Broadcasting's coverage of high school boys basketball, featuring Sandusky at Capac on February 7, 2025.

Replay of Sanilac Broadcasting's coverage of high school boys basketball, featuring Harbor Beach at Brown City on January 31, 2025.

Replay of Sanilac Broadcasting's coverage of high school girls basketball, featuring Ubly at Deckerville on January 30, 2025.

Replay of Sanilac Broadcasting's coverage of high school boys basketball, featuring Sandusky at Brown City on January 24, 2025

Replay of Sanilac Broadcasting's coverage of high school girls basketball, featuring Sandusky at Brown City on January 23, 2025.

Today on the show:

-Will you be watching the Conference Championship games this weekend?

-The Red Wings get back to their winning ways

-The long-awaited (?) return of the White Trash Beer Tour!

-Unsolicited Advice!

-The Picks!

Replay of Sanilac Broadcasting's coverage of high school girls basketball, featuring Yale at Croswell-Lexington on January 17, 2025.

Replay of Sanilac Broadcasting's coverage of high school boys basketball, featuring Yale at Croswell-Lexington on January 16, 2025.

Replay of Sanilac Broadcasting's coverage of high school boys basketball, featuring Deckerville at Peck on January 10, 2025.

Replay of Sanilac Broadcasting's coverage of high school girls basketball, featuring Harbor Beach at Sandusky on January 9, 2025.

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Thumb Sportsline Show returns from hiatus break with a recap of the Winter Sports season - of high school boys & girls basketball, plus other sports talk of high school hockey, bowling, wrestling in our coverage area.

Daniel Lewis Hazard made his way to Croswell on July 21, 1998, unaware that it would be his last day alive. Over 26 years later and there remains a question as to who murdered him. Was it a friendship gone awry or perhaps something more sinister? While currently inactive, this case remains curious in the minds of many--especially with it being so close to home.

On this special edition of Thumbing Through the Archives, we’re returning to our roots by taking some time to revisit the Sparlings and their confusing history. The topic might be the same, but the conversation sure isn’t! With almost 40 episodes under our belt, it’s time for some perspective.

This might be our final gambit regarding the drug trade in St. Clair County, but we're going out with a bang! One man has more history with the St. Clair County drug trade than any other: Dave Dean. Some of our listeners may be familiar with him while others may not. Either way, come listen in (or continue along with us) as we analyze Dean’s involvement.

The St. Clair County Drug Task Force officially began its operations on January 2, 1985, with its tip-line being installed the same month. Despite such a strong start, authorities had yet to discover what their residents were truly getting up to--both at home and across the world. In this episode, we're continuing our exploration into the turbulent history of St. Clair County's drug trade, so if you missed Part 1, be sure to take a listen before joining us.

Located within the region of the Thumb, St. Clair County has a complicated history as part of the drug trade. It’s one that spans several years across several nearby communities, including the likes of Canada. With cocaine at its core, just how deep does the rabbit hole go?

On April 10, 1974, President Nixon campaigned his way across the Thumb, visiting Saginaw, Bad Axe, Cass City, and Sandusky. Despite being in the midst of the Watergate scandal, hundreds were drawn in by his presence alone. Some were hoping to see him in person, while others were eager to protest his visit altogether. We've combed through the archives and are going to be jumping right into the pages of history by listening to a commemorative album from the event.

From Blue Moon to Superman to Moose Tracks, we’re scooping up another origin story on this week’s episode! Join us as we discuss some of Michigan’s iconic ice cream flavors. Where did they come from, what do they taste like, and just who is Tracks the Moose?

There is murder within today's case, but it's not the main focus of the story. This is a tale of a judge and his son, his friends and colleagues, and the many missteps made in St. Clair County. Many of which would see a man undergo three separate trials in two decades for one crime. There isn't a question as to whether a crime was committed or not but rather questions about possible motives (and motivators), with several actors having gone on to receive positions of power in the county’s legal system.

The story of January 9, 1993, might never have a conclusion. This day involves the death of a man in the kitchen he once called home, with those at its center being wealthy 39-year-old William “Bill” Paasche and his wife, 35-year-old Joann “Jodi” Paasche–two individuals with curious motives.

On a chilly November day in 1985, the boom from a single shotgun blast cut through the air of the student parking lot at St. Clair County Community College (SC4). A few minutes later, 20-year-old Scott Macklem was found dead next to his car. The son of Croswell’s mayor, his murder would spark a statewide manhunt that remains unsolved.

Having peeked at all of the available information concerning Collins’s trial, including the tricky jury selection and testimony from over 50 people, we're giving our final words on the Michigan Murders. In the years following his conviction, he has maintained his innocence and contact with both women and family members outside of the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility. Next time, we're going to be taking a look at something a bit more current, so be sure to stay tuned!

Today’s episode features all of the details surrounding the jury selection, testimony, and the defense's case in relation to the Michigan Murders. Collins ended up changing his lawyers twice during this process with the results of his polygraph test having altered the stakes of the trial and his defense. As a sneak peek into our final part on this case, we’ll be discussing the aftermath of the trial and Collins’s time in jail.

What started in July of 1967 would go on to last nearly three years, culminating in the conviction of John Norman Collins on August 19, 1970. Even before the death of 18-year-old Karen Sue Beineman, John Norman Collins was on police's radar, having been identified as the last person with Beineman prior to her murder. He was ultimately arraigned on August 1, 1969, resulting in a trial that was anything but simple.

On our last episode, we headed across the country to California, touching upon the murder of 17-year-old Roxie Phillips and her possible ties to this case. With over two years of dead ends and false leads, the last two months of police investigation were some of the busiest for detectives, resulting in the crucial break that they needed.

A brief reminder that listener discretion is advised due to the graphic nature of this case. We spoke extensively about Alice Kalom and her death in June of 1969 last time, along with the chaos felt by Washtenaw County’s colleges in light of the murders. This time though, we’re going out-of-state and retracing some of the final months of police investigation leading up to Collins’s capture.

As this is the third part in our longest series to date, we recommend starting from the beginning if you're just joining us. With less than a month between the murders of 16-year-old Maralynn Skelton and 13-year-old Dawn Basom, police must account for a confusing timeline and a growing number of victims. How does "in loco parentis" tie into everything, and what did this mean for the surrounding colleges impacted by the Michigan Murders? It is advised that any listeners sensitive to descriptions of violence against women or graphic crime scenes skip this entry.

We’re back with our second part on our deep dive on the Michigan Murders. Last time we focused our attention on the murders of Mary Flezar in 1967 and Joan Schell in 1968. We'll be covering the death of a third victim by the name of Jane Mixer in March of 1969--a year that would see the killings of at least four other women. This episode has a content warning due to its subject matter. If you are sensitive to descriptions of graphic crime scenes or violence against women, we advise that you skip this one.

From 1967 to 1969, one person terrorized southeastern Michigan, leaving five (or potentially six) victims in their wake. Join us as we unravel the many details of one of the most infamous murder trials to have ever occurred in Michigan. The likes of which may have impacted California, as well. Due to the timespan and nature of these events, this is the first of eight episodes on the Michigan Murders.

A very early (or late) Happy Halloween! On this special episode, we’ll be exploring the haunted tales of two semi-famous Michigan sites: the Loop-Harrison Mansion and the Bruce Mansion. They’re so creepy, you just might want to visit them.

As we near the end of our first three-parter, there are still several questions left remaining in this confusing case . . . and several loose ends that need tying up. Those questions (and more) to be answered as the police close in on the Lord brothers. Be sure to stay tuned for next week's episode, where we'll be moving on from Charles Lord and tackling an even more obscure topic.

Last time we left off, the Lord brothers had fled from the scene of the crime, leading to a country-wide goose chase. With the police left searching for answers and the community still reeling from the events that had transpired, it seemed like the case was as good as unsolved. The brothers weren’t content staying out of the limelight for long, though.

The Lord family arrived in Elk Township around 1899, almost three decades after the Thumb’s first towns had already been established. Well-liked, well-renowned, and well-known–all that would change after a grisly murder (and robbery) rocked the family to their core. What shocked everyone, however, was that the perpetrator may have also been part of the family.

Come discover the origins of Snover, a place often overlooked in Michigan’s history. With a population of 300 in 2020, this community might seem sleepy, but its story is certainly not a snoozer. What lies hidden beneath its surface? Stay tuned to find out more!