Hocter, Burns win state wrestling individual titles

Hocter, Burns win state wrestling individual titles

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 3 min read

B Jeff Steers Contributing Writer Local wrestlers Austyn Hocter of Hanover-Horton and Wyatt Burns of Springport high schools won MHSAA state individual wrestling titles Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit. They did it in different fashions. Hocter dominated his match…

Third suspect arraigned in Anthony Owens murder case

Third suspect arraigned in Anthony Owens murder case

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 1 min read

By KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writer Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Kelsey A. Guernsey said Dion Jamel Flowers Jr. was arraigned March 9, before District Court Magistrate Jake Dickerson on charges of open murder, three counts of assault with intent to murder…

Albion Town Hall Maps Out Busy Season of Street Reconstruction

Albion Town Hall Maps Out Busy Season of Street Reconstruction

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 4 min read

By Maggie LaNoue Contributing Writer Residents filled the meeting room at Marshall Opportunity High School on March 5 for a Town Hall meeting that outlined four major street projects, utility upgrades, and expected detours across Albion during the coming construction…

Albion Public Works Update Brings Practical Answers — and Some Humor

Albion Public Works Update Brings Practical Answers — and Some Humor

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 4 min read

By Maggie LaNoue Questions about roads and underground utilities took up much of Albion’s March 5 Town Hall meeting, but one of the liveliest portions of the evening came when local officials turned to everyday concerns residents notice first: leaves,…

Four arrested, two sought in Hanover Horton armed robbery

Four arrested, two sought in Hanover Horton armed robbery

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 3 min read

By KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writer Four suspects have been arrested in connection with a Feb. 24 armed robbery in Hanover Horton, and authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating two others who remain at large, the Jackson County…

Colon wins first-ever boys’ basketball regional title

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director MARCELLUS — Fans of the Colon Magi could feel that history was happening with every shot taken in the last few minutes of Thursday night’s MHSAA Division 4 boys’ basketball regional finals game against Battle Creek…

Colon boys eliminated in close state quarterfinals match by Concord

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 4 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director PORTAGE — It has been a historic year for Colon’s boys’ basketball team, reaching the state rounds for the first-time ever as a program.However, it came to an end in Portage Tuesday night, as the Magi…

Out and About: Outgrowing life, Daylight Saving, and babies

Out and About: Outgrowing life, Daylight Saving, and babies

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 2 min read

“The sun himself is weak when he first rises, and gathers strength and courage as the day gets on.” -Charles DickensSix Signs You Are Outgrowing Your Life

‘An experience that you don’t ever want to live’ Three Rivers devastated by weekend tornado

‘An experience that you don’t ever want to live’ Three Rivers devastated by weekend tornado

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A severe storm that produced a strong tornado swept through Three Rivers Friday night, causing severe damage to multiple houses and businesses.Three Rivers, Fabius Township, and areas east and northeast of Three Rivers…

‘Art Around Town’ auction underway Entry period for new selections opens April 1

‘Art Around Town’ auction underway Entry period for new selections opens April 1

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 2 min read

Sturgis DDA is auctioning works from 2025 “Art Around Town.”The auction is part of “Winter Wine Down,” which takes place 5:30-9 p.m. March 20.Online bidding is accessible at bit.ly/40QLrDM. Artwork also is displayed at Open Door Gallery.“Winter Wine Down” features…

Sturgis happenings

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 4 min read

MARCHMarch 16Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education meeting, 5:30 p.m., Sturgis Central Commons.March 17St. Joseph County Commission meeting, 5 p.m., historic courthouse, third floor. Some exceptions to schedule may apply. Eastwood fourth grade group A concert, 7 p.m., Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.March…

Dr. Seuss party draws more than 200

Dr. Seuss party draws more than 200

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 2 min read

More than 220 people attended “Dr. Seuss Birthday Party” on March 6 at Sturgis District Library.Children gathered to hear readings of popular Seuss books by Madison Pueschel and Julia Johnson, and participated in games and contests.Pueschel, special education teacher at…

Whitmer issues state of emergency, tours damage from tornadoes

Whitmer issues state of emergency, tours damage from tornadoes

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 4 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LANSING — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a state of emergency on Sunday morning, following the multiple tornadoes that hit southwest Michigan Friday night.The state of emergency was officially declared for Branch, Cass and St. Joseph…

Clare girl wrestler second in the state

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 1 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent AnnMarie Green was a state runner-up for the Clare Pioneers girls wrestling team on Friday and Saturday during the girls division finals at Ford Field in Detroit.Green started the tournament at 235 pounds by pinning Elloise Norman…

It’s here! 51 Years of Green: Faces Behind Irish Fest!

It’s here! 51 Years of Green: Faces Behind Irish Fest!

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 11 min read

By Christopher Johnson If there’s one thing that can be said for certain about Clare this time of year, it’s that there’s no shortage of Irish pride as the 51st Irish Festival approaches. Just about everywhere in town is decked…

Trailblazers claim district title with comeback win

Editorial Staff Mar 11, 2026 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorWinning a district championship.That’s good. Really good. But it could be better.How about winning a district championship in comeback fashion?That’s getting closer … but still not quite good enough.Winning a district championship in comeback fashion in front…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Mar 11, 2026 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe WendigoA pickleball brawl broke out on Spruce Creek Country Club courts Feb. 8 in Port Orange, Fla. Seems Tony Sapienza, 63 and wife Julianne, 51 and a rival senior couple fought over rules, Tony hammered plaintiff in…

Troll tracks bridge launch ramps

Troll tracks bridge launch ramps

Editorial Staff Mar 11, 2026 3 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorBig Lake winter gales make for whiteouts sweeping over and under north-south bridges here. Rescuers call these wind funnels.When lightly-loaded trailers with high profiles are engulfed in these blasts, they turn into sails, jackknife but bring nouveau Evel…

Christian Neighbors hosting Stuff the Bus food drive

Christian Neighbors hosting Stuff the Bus food drive

Editorial Staff Mar 11, 2026 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Christian Neighbors is asking the community for help stocking its food pantry to help those in need.The organization will host its latest Stuff the Bus food drive on Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21, at…