2024
4th of July Celebrations around the Allegan County area
By Gari Voss The 4th of July 2024 falls on a Thursday. Several communities are celebrating Independence Day with extra activities on days other than the 4th. In addition, popup fireworks will be happening. Several things to remember:It has been…
Paw Paw players stay active
By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW – It’s the middle of summer and typically high school sport teams stay active with open gyms, camps and many other activities.Paw Paw baseball coach Derek Vanderburg is coming off a very successful spring season…
Obituary: Gerald W Michels
Gerald W Michels, the only child of Lester William and Sena Edith (McGrew) Michels, born September 6, 1942 passed into every lasting life on Monday June 17, 2024.As a member of the McGrew Family who still reside in the area,…
Life as Performance Art
On late cold nights when I was growing up, I would listen to my father’s shortwave radio receiver. I could not make sense of the amateurs sending Morse Code but delighted in finding an English-speaking commercial station. There were many, but the…
Van Buren County Poorhouse Museum reopens following June 2022 storm that damaged building
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer HARTFORD – Following a June 2022 wind and rainstorm that damaged the Van Buren County Poorhouse Museum, a grand re-opening of the museum, the 140th anniversary of the poorhouse building and the 50th anniversary of the…
Mike’s Musings: Lawmakers misbehavior goes unpunished
Nobody knows who, nobody knows why, but $17 million of our money (taxpayers) has been paid out to federal lawmakers accused of sexual (as well as other types of discrimination) misdeeds from 1997 to 2017.Personally, I think this is despicable.…
Community reacts to shootings in Valley leading to six arrests
By John BriceCorrespondent Arrests made by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office of six suspects involved in drive-by shootings across Chambers and Lee counties were announced in a press release on Monday, June 17th of 2024. In a post to the…
Juneteenth celebrated with block party in LaFayette
LaFayette hosted its 1st annual Juneteenth block party celebration. The celebration was hosted on the National Holiday Juneteenth Day on Wednesday June 19th. The day started out in downtown LaFayette behind Krave Korner restaurant. The DJ was on the ones…
Sturgis superintendent Ebert receives contract extension
The contract for Art Ebert, superintendent at Sturgis Public Schools, has been extended through June 30, 2028. The board of education approved the measure June 24. According to documents provided to the board, Ebert’s compensation for 2024-25 is $178,500. For…
Road Comm. in progress of developing Safety Action Plan for roads; public input requested
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — The St. Joseph County Road Commission is looking to make streets in the county safer for the future. The agency is currently working on what is called a Comprehensive Transportation Safety Action Plan (CTSAP),…
City shoots down Brownfield redevelopment plan for Coolidge housing development
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A proposed housing development that was controversial among those who lived near the area it would go in seemingly hit a dead-end Tuesday. In a 3-2 vote, the Three Rivers City Commission voted…
‘Another successful year’ for Water Festival in 2024
New events, high participation highlight festival; parade postponement, wrestling show cancellation explained By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Another Water Festival is in the books in Three Rivers, and another one that was deemed by organizers to be a…
Looking Out: Oops
Yard work must be done, so I’m out pruning and clipping when my old pal Tikins calls. As we talk, I stroll up into the shade next to the garage door. Tikins begins telling me a funny story which is…
TR’s Forman named First Team All-State in softball
THREE RIVERS — A key contributor to the Three Rivers softball team’s success received a glowing honor yesterday.Senior first baseman Ava Forman was named First-Team All-State in Division 2 by the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association Tuesday. She was…
Obituary: Jack Ford Pearson
Jack Ford Pearson, 80, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2024, at his home with his wife at his side after a long and courageous fight with Parkinson’s Disease. Remaining to cherish Jack’s memory are his loving…
Obituary: Betty Jean Garrison
Betty Jean Garrison, 97, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully in her sleep Thursday, June 13, 2024 at LakeHouse Three Rivers. She was born October 1, 1926 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Arthur C. and Irene (Fox) Acker, and…
Out and About: S.S. Badger, pickleball, and gardening
The Mighty Mac opened for traffic in 1957. This meant you could drive directly from the lower peninsula of Michigan to the upper peninsula. You no longer had to wait hours to get on the ferry that transported everyone between…
Schultz, VanMeter honored as Citizens of the YearKeynote speaker Tremblay gives overview of the life and career of Walt Disney
By Dennis Volkert Sturgis Fest kick-off dinner was held Tuesday at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.Mary Kay Schultz and Doug VanMeter received their plaque and statuette as 2024 Citizens of the Year. Each gave a brief thank-you speech. State Sen.…
Family Night a huge success at Sturgis Fest
Story and photos byDennis Volkert Scenes from “Family Night” at Sturgis Fest, held Wednesday at Sturgis High School.The popular annual attraction featured carnival rides, train rides, tricycle races, bounce-house and water games.A signature feature is the vintage baseball game, Sturgis…
Russell posts solid season for Clare soccer
By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE – Ivy Russell had a solid year for a Clare soccer team which finished as runners-up this season in the Divison 3 district tournament.“The key is communication and talking to each other,” Russell said, adding after…
