Latest News
13-year-old suspect held in the shooting death of a 16-year-old
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer A late breaking press release from the City of Jackson Police Department confirms the first murder of the year has occurred: on Jan. 15, at approximately 1 a.m., in the 500 block of Harris Street,…
Winter Storms Highlight Albion’s Public Works Challenges and Changes
By Maggie LaNoue The snowstorm that hit Albion around New Year’s brought more than icy roads and cold temperatures — it also put the city’s winter operations and aging snowplow fleet under a public spotlight. At the Jan. 5 Albion…
Montez White arraigned in Anthony Owens murder case
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer After being apprehended in Ohio, Montez Martees White was arraigned Jan. 14 by District Court Magistrate Jake Dickerson on charges of open murder, three counts of assault with intent to murder, and felony firearm. According…
Hayes Block Reopens, Linking Albion’s Past and Future
On Monday, December 30, 2025, Albion residents were invited inside one of downtown’s most recognizable historic buildings during a public tour of the newly completed Hayes Block Apartments at 106–108 E. Erie Street. The open house offered a first look…
Spring Arbor Police and Fire Departments rescue dog from pond
Quick thinking and inter-agency coordination between the Spring Arbor Township Police Department and Spring Arbor Township Fire Department led to the successful rescue of a dog that fell through ice on a private pond earlier this week. According to a…
Sports
Saugatuck boys come up short against Black River
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorAs far as second-year Saugatuck boys basketball coach Ty Rock was concerned, effort was not an issue in his team’s SAC Central contest with host Holland Black River on Friday, Jan. 9.“The guys played hard,” Rock said.Rather,…
Plainwell starts quick and holds off Otsego at end
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—Would the Otsego boys basketball team extend its winning streak, or would Plainwell bounce back from a tough loss to Mattawan three days earlier.That was the question when the Bulldogs hosted the archrival Trojans on Friday,…
Allegan cheer takes first at league jamboree
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor SCHOOLCRAFT—So far, so good for the Allegan competitive cheer team when it comes to its pursuit of a third straight SAC championship.The Tigers opened the conference schedule at the Schoolcraft Jamboree on Thursday, Jan. 8, placing…
Wrestling Roundup Three Rivers undefeated atTR Super Duals
THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers’ wrestling team earned an undefeated 5-0 record at the Three Rivers Super Duals Saturday.The Wildcats defeated Constantine 55-22, Thornapple Kellogg 68-10, Portage Northern 62-11, Hamilton 73-6, and Niles 69-9.Ten wrestlers earned medals on the day…
Bowling Roundup Three Rivers rolls past Vicksburg
KALAMAZOO — Three Rivers’ bowling teams took home victories against Vicksburg Monday at Airway Fun Center in Kalamazoo.The boys’ team defeated the Bulldogs 19.5-10.5, squeaking out the victory in the last few frames. Nick Allen led the Wildcats with a…
Columns
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorAge of InnocenceI can’t tell you how many women mistake me for Tom Brady. Is it my movie star looks? Seven Superbowl rings? Status as football’s GOAT? Untold millions?“No,” said Madge at the Pullman Tavern. “It’s your personality.…
Life as Performance Art
The year that my late wife Pat turned 95, MENSA sent a reporter to interview her about her nine decades as a professional artist and writer.The writer first asked who or what inspired her to become an artist. Pat explained…
Mike’s Musings: It’s 2026. Why Is the IRS Still Stuck in the Past?
Not long ago, I set aside part of my workday to ask the Internal Revenue Service a simple question. This wasn’t a complicated audit issue or a dispute over taxes owed. It was a basic inquiry that should have taken…
Out and About: New Year, grilled cheese, and a few facts
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” -Eleanor RooseveltWelcome 2026. May this year bring us all more together and more understanding…
May I Walk with You? WINTER TIME
I just had the experience of officiating at a friend’s funeral. Though not a frequent church goer, she professed a personal relationship with Jesus, prayed often, and though a sinner like the rest of us, did her best to live…
