Latest News
Election Recap: Sturgis bond renewal fails; Colon, Vicksburg proposals approved
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director STURGIS — Two out of the three local school districts with proposals on the Tuesday, May 5 ballot were successful with voters. The one failed proposal was also the biggest out of the three monetarily. Sturgis…
Saugatuck names Ondersma new DPW head
By Scott SullivanEditorThe City of Saugatuck is pleased appointed Mark Ondersma its new Director of Public Works, with a start date of May 26.Ondersma, who replaces 9-year DPW head Scott Herbert, brings nearly two decades of municipal and military public…
Douglas manager seeks clearer contract terms
By Scott SullivanEditorDouglas City Manager Lisa Nocerini asked council Monday to review and perhaps revise her contract re:
Tangram: completing pieces in building boom
By Scott SullivanEditorChicago builder Johnny Walker — after nine years as a self-employed real estate investor focusing on evolving assets, per his LinkedIn website page — and his family fell in love, as many do, with Saugatuck.“My wife was in…
Plainwell Farmers’ Market opens Thursday in new downtown location
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A familiar community favorite returns this week with a fresh look and a new home.The Plainwell Farmers’ Market opens its 2026 season today (Thursday, May 7), with a move to Hicks Park in downtown Plainwell.The market…
Sports
Trailblazers split twill bill against host Martin
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorMARTIN—After letting a late lead slip away in a tough extra-inning loss, Saugatuck responded in a big way.The Trailblazers dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker to Martin in eight innings in the opener of a SAC doubleheader Tuesday, but…
Hamilton soccer goes 1-1
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor HAMILTON—A diversified scoring attack coupled with a stingy defensive effort proved to be a winning combination for the Hamilton girls soccer team against visiting South Haven on Friday, May 1.Joselyn Paskvan, Emma Slotman, Ellery Rietema, Ashlyn…
Otsego softball drops two to Paw Paw after sweeping Hastings
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PAW PAW—Otsego’s softball team was competitive throughout a Wolverine Conference doubleheader Monday, May 4, but came up just short in both games against Paw Paw.The Bulldogs dropped the opener 4-3 in a tightly played contest. Otsego…
Lawton soccer blanks Coloma
By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWTON — Lawton’ soccer team delivered a dominant performance Friday night, shutting out Coloma 8-0 to improve to 5-3 on the season.Junior Lilleonah Mandujano paced the offensive surge with a hat trick, while Senior Maya Tag and…
Golf Roundup Sturgis breaks three-year losing streak in County Cup
STURGIS — The Sturgis Trojans boys’ golf team won their County Cup golf match against Three Rivers Wednesday afternoon, scoring 5.5 to the Wildcat’s 2.5, breaking a three-year streak by Three Rivers in the match play competition.Gavin Lewis won five…
Columns
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorCracking CodesThe mugger who demanded “What’s the frequency, Kenneth?” while assaulting CBS News Anchor Dan Rather Oct. 4, 1986, was only identified eight years later as William Tager.Rather, having wrapped up another broadcast, was walking to his Manhattan…
Life as Performance Art
It turns out I’m a rarity: of all the last or surnames in the U.S., Stoppel ranks at 52,970th from the top of the charts. Still, with some 6.2 million Stoppels, it’s not surprising to discover at least two more…
Mike’s Musings: RIP Spirit, you were mocked by many, but this frequent traveler loved you
The news that Spirit Airlines has shut down operations after more than three decades in the sky feels like the end of an era—and not just for bargain travelers. For this frequent Spirit traveler, the news was devastating. I woke…
Historical Notebook: ALBION 100 YEARS AGO: MAY, 1926
By Frank Passic We continue with our theme of “Albion, 100 Years Ago.” May 1, 1926: Chris Petroff, proprietor of the West End Grocery, 619 Austin Avenue, has purchased the grocery of Charles Sprague, 306 Crandall St. Mr. Petroff…
May I Walk with You? AN ACT OF LOVE
Why do we take care of a disabled or elderly friend, spouse, or family member? The answer is simple, because we love them. In my work as a psychologist, I have never been more impressed than when hearing the stories…
