2024
Obituary: Kathryn Pearle Mankin
Kathryn Pearle Mankin, 97, died July 10th, 2024, in Wings Home hospice of Allegan.Kathryn was born November 25, 1926, in Mendon Illinois to Earl B and M. Grace (Hawe) McCelland. She married Bernard J. “Bud” Mankin on October 3, 1947,…
Obituary: Jeanne Sands
Jeanne Sands, 93, passed away Monday, June 24,2024, at Fountain View Assisted Living in Grant, Michigan. Jeanne was the second of two daughters born to Charles and Pauline Owen. She grew up in Springfield, Missouri, graduating from Springfield High School in…
Obituary: Reverend Paul Newell Ray
Reverend Paul Newell Ray, a cherished minister and pillar of the Rochester, Wisconsin community, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, July 4, 2024 at the age of 85. Pastor Ray’s journey of faith and service touched the hearts…
City of Allegan awarded $1 million for dam improvements
By Gari Voss The City of Allegan was announced as one of 22 projects that would receive funding through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE’s) Dam Risk Reduction Grant Program. EGLE stated that a high-hazard dam…
Allegan native Tyler Merren set to make fifth Paralympic appearance
By Donald Talonen Allegan native Tyler Merren is making headlines as he prepares for his fifth trip to the Paralympics, representing Team USA in goalball at the 2024 Paris Games. Despite being diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease as a…
August Primary offers many candidates, particularly on GOP side
By Gari Voss Absentee/Early Voting ballots for the August 6, 2024, Primary Election have been made available. Voters who are Early Voters have received their ballots, and completed ballots are rolling into precinct offices. This is an extremely important election…
CA Dance Team on the move
The Chambers Academy Dance Team has had some exciting things happening this summer. The team has a new home studio to practice in with mirrors and a ballet bar and has been visiting with local dance studios to expand their…
LaFayette Main Street holds inaugural youth pageant
By John BriceCorrespondent Contestants, event staff, families and members of the media gathered in the auditorium of LaFayette High School for the first Miss LaFayette Main Street Pageant during the afternoon hours of Saturday, July 13th of 2024.Chambers County Probate…
Memorial Gazebo dedicated at Handy Cemetery
By John BriceCorrespondent Community leaders and local residents gathered for a dedication of the memorial gazebo and brick walkway of remembrance at Essie J. Handy Memorial Cemetery on B Street in LaFayette during the afternoon hours of Thursday, July 11th…
Obituary: Carolyn “Joyce” Sage
Carolyn “Joyce” Sage, passed away peacefully at Bronson Commons, Mattawan, July 6, 2024. Joyce’s family is extremely grateful to the staff at Bronson Commons and Centrica Care Navigators Hospice for the care they provided to her during her final weeks.Born…
Obituary: Thomas Arthur Janecke
Thomas Arthur Janecke passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at the age of 76. Born on December 14, 1947, in Mason, MI, Tom was the beloved son of Arthur and Marie (Heiber) Janecke. He grew up on the family…
Mike’s Musings: Tone down political Rhetric demand answers from ss
Like many of you I was in shock when I heard there was an assassination attempt on former president Trump’s life while he was speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania. It had been 43 years since the barbaric act of…
Life as Performance Art
Another “Old” in the grocery checkout lane ahead of me asked the clerk, “Is this the airport?”“What do you mean?” she asked, baffled.“I’d expect to pay this much for a bottle of water there, but not here,” he said.She rolled…
Paw Paw’s football summer has been busy
By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW – Paw Paw football coach Dennis Strey and his Red Wolves have less than a month to go before the practice season officially kicks off on Aug. 12. But there’s still work to be done.“We’ve…
Two Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers honored
PAW PAW – On Wednesday, July 10, the 911 Advisory Board recognized two Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers with awards.Dispatcher Alison Dean was recognized with a Commendation/Life Saving Award for her handling of a fire call on May 7,…
Lawrence Public Schools announces new superintendent
LAWRENCE -The Lawrence Public Schools Board of Education has announced the appointment of Ryan Williamson as the new superintendent of schools, effective Aug. 1, 2024.Williamson brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of educational leadership to the…
Paw Paw Days 2024 – The Fabulous 50s set for July 26-28
PAW PAW – The Paw Paw Area Chamber of Commerce is putting the finishing touches on Paw Paw Days 2024 – The Fabulous 50s, set for the weekend of July 26-28. The traditional Classic Car & Truck Show and Marketplace…
Lawrence names new director of athletics and dean of students
LAWRENCE – Lawrence Public Schools has named Noah Wiswary as the district’s new director of athletics and dean of students, according to a press release from the school district.A graduate of Olivet College, Wiswary achieved a bachelor’s degree in criminal…
Contributions accepted at Patronicity for Sturgis downtown lighting project
Sturgis “Electric City” lighting project is live at crowdfunding site Patronicity. Each dollar donated is matched by the state, up to $50,000. The contribution period closes Aug. 12. DDA received approval to use grant funding from Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s…
Disaster assistance now available for those impacted by May tornado, storm
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — Residents and businesses impacted by the tornado and severe storm event that occurred in early May in St. Joseph County now have federal resources available to them. The United States Small Business Administration (SBA)…
