Douglas man is pickleball champion

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 3 min read

Peter Colvin of Douglas and doubles partner Mark Mark Kenworthy of Grand Rapids, who qualified for the U.S. Senior Pickleball Nationals Dec. 5-9 in Daytona Beach by winning the Northern Regionals Doubles Tournament. But they placed just ninth. “It wasn’t…

Douglas OKs Wildwood entry sign

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 2 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor The Wildwood Lane Association can place a new monument sign at its entrance after Douglas City Council Monday a planned unit development amendment allowing it. The site condominium development, city planning and zoning administrator Sean Homyen…

Eder joins Trail Friends board

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 2 min read

Bob Eder of Saugatuck Township has joined the Friends of the Blue Star Trail board of directors. Eder and his wife Janet relocated here from Chicago in 2020, moving into a vacation home they have owned since 2008. He is…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorMr. Sunshine“In the depth of winter, I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus Good ol’ Al, Mr. Sunshine. Camus’ opening for “The Stranger”: “Mother died yesterday. Or perhaps today. I’m not sure,”…

Downhill duck

Downhill duck

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 1 min read

Not all ducks fly, though this one did at least metaphorically down the Schultz Park sled hill last week. (Photo by Scott Sullivan

Last call for old Red Barn Playhouse

Last call for old Red Barn Playhouse

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 2 min read

By Jim HaydenCorrespondentThe final curtain call for a Saugatuck barn that hosted summer plays for almost 50 years is coming in 2026.The former Red Barn, at 6357 63rd St. northeast of town, is expected to be razed and replaced with…

Otsego NHS continues ‘Share the Warmth’ partnership with Kalamazoo Gospel Mission

Otsego NHS continues ‘Share the Warmth’ partnership with Kalamazoo Gospel Mission

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor As winter settles in across Southwest Michigan, members of the Otsego High School National Honor Society are once again working to help ensure those in need have the proper clothing to stay warm.Throughout January, the OHS…

My Future Fund program launching for PCS kindergarten students

My Future Fund program launching for PCS kindergarten students

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorAre you the parent or guardian of a kindergarten student who attends Plain-well Community Schools? If so, you may want to mark your calendar for an upcoming informational meeting introducing the My Future Fund program, which will…

Plainwell meeting set for Jan. 12

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent PLAINWELL — The next meeting of the Plainwell City Council is set for 7 p.m. on Jan. 12.At the council’s most recent meetings the council was to consider Plainwell City Charter having an annual audit of all…

MHSAA postseason attendance remains near 1.4 million

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 3 min read

Attendance at Michigan High School Athletic Association postseason tournaments remained near 1.4 million spectators for the third straight school year in 2024-25. An overall attendance record in baseball and several additional all-time bests for specific tournament rounds helped keep totals…

Martin leads area schools in multi-sport participation

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 4 min read

Martin High School is among the state’s leaders in multi-sport participation, according to the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s latest Multi-Sport Participation Survey, which shows continued growth statewide during the 2024-25 school year.The survey, conducted last spring, marked the seventh…

Mike’s Musings: Airing the Grievances: The Worst of Washington’s Waste

Mike’s Musings: Airing the Grievances: The Worst of Washington’s Waste

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 4 min read

Every December, Sen. Rand Paul releases his annual Festivus Report, a nod to the fictional holiday made famous by Seinfeld. The tradition includes an “airing of grievances,” and for taxpayers, there is no shortage of them.I just got the opportunity…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 5 min read

When the holiday season began to wind down I checked the little recipe box that contained the names and addresses of people on our Christmas card list. Every year a few new names are added. Every year a few more names get…

Governor orders flags at half staff in honor of Chief Haverdink

Governor orders flags at half staff in honor of Chief Haverdink

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 2 min read

 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered all U.S. and Michigan flags to be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday to honor the late David Haverdink, who died on Christmas after being hit by a vehicle while on duty as the chief of the Hamilton…

Dorr Township residents oppose, question potential data center

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 5 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher In the latter half of 2024, Microsoft Corporation completed one of the largest single-use land purchases in Dorr Township history, paying approximately $48 million for a 272-acre parcel off 144th Avenue near U.S. 131. The property…

Revelers usher in 2026 at Allegan riverfront and elsewhere

Revelers usher in 2026 at Allegan riverfront and elsewhere

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 2 min read

By Gari Voss The traditional welcoming of 2026 in Allegan was designed to accommodate all ages. The celebrations began at the Allegan District Library as the youth, their caregivers, and young-at-heart gathered for fun activities that culminated at high noon…

Mattawan girls off to 2-2 basketball start

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 1 min read

By John Raffel MATTAWAN — Rob Kuhtz’s girls basketball team is off to a 2-2 start as Mattawan gets ready to come out of the holiday break.“We are much improved from a year ago and we’ve had opportunities to win…

South Haven responds to Carlotto’s lawsuit

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 4 min read

By James Windell The City of South Haven responded to Pat Carlotto’s employment lawsuit alleging discrimination. The lawsuit was filed in late November 2025 in Federal District Court.The formal answer to the initial suit was filed with the Court on…

Area fire department honor guards pay tribute to fallen fire chief

Area fire department honor guards pay tribute to fallen fire chief

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 1 min read

The Paw Paw Fire Department Honor Guard, shown above, and the Lawton Fire Department Honor Guard, both assisted with the visitation and funeral service for Hamiliton Fire Department Chief David Haverdink on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 5 and 6. The…

PPFD brings dogs to safety after falling thru ice

PPFD brings dogs to safety after falling thru ice

Editorial Staff Jan 7, 2026 2 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Two dogs that ventured out on Ackley Lake, Paw Paw, on New Year’s Day and fell through the ice, were both successfully rescued by the Paw Paw Fire Department.Paw Paw Fire Chief Kyle…