Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorEternal BosomI get no respect. Being in media I’m entitled to none. But at least, in the land of the free, I can mock politicians as they do me, elevating the discourse level. That’s why I’m heading for…

New owners share LakeVista vision

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorBuying LakeVista Supervalu, the Saugatuck-Douglas area’s only full-service grocery store, seemed like Kismet for Pete Heinz and Darlene Bond.“We’d been dating for about a year and loved visiting here,” Darlene recalls. “On July 23, 2003 — my 40th…

Plainwell Middle School gymnasium dedicated in memory of Ryan Meert

Plainwell Middle School gymnasium dedicated in memory of Ryan Meert

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A beloved teacher, coach and community member was honored on Tuesday, Feb. 3, as Plainwell Community Schools formally dedicated the gymnasium at Plainwell Middle School in memory of Ryan Meert.Surrounded by family, friends, former students, colleagues…

Otsego residents, your water rates are going up

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 5 min read

By Aaron MitchellOtsego City Manager Telling customers that their water rates are going to increase is never a popular thing to do in a small town. Many will pull out their torches and pitchforks and head down to City Hall.However,…

Child support clinic offered for county residents

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Individuals in Allegan County who are behind on child support payments or have a bench warrant related to arrearages will have an opportunity later this month to seek help without fear of arrest.Christian Neighbors and the…

Stolen taxidermy bear found, still no suspects

Stolen taxidermy bear found, still no suspects

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 1 min read

A six-foot taxidermy bear that was stolen off of an Allegan County (Fennville) porch last month has been found, Michigan State Police (MSP) announced Monday. Wearing a fake sheriff’s badge, a holstered toy gun, necklace and ring, troopers said the…

Full speed ahead for low-cost new housing on Lowe Street

Full speed ahead for low-cost new housing on Lowe Street

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 7 min read

By Gari Voss A full compliment of Allegan City Council Members gathered on Monday, February 9, 2026, to address the business of the municipality. Much of the meeting was spent learning more about the financing process for the anticipated construction…

Boss convicted of murder after hitting 8-month-old baby with his truck

Boss convicted of murder after hitting 8-month-old baby with his truck

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 1 min read

A 56-year-old man will learn his sentence next month after pleading no contest to second-degree murder of an 8-month-old baby, after hitting and killing her with his truck.Terry Lee Boss had two charges dropped following his no contest plea on…

Mattawan ski team continues to succeed

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 3 min read

By John Raffel Coach Jennifer Roethlisberger’a Mattawan/Paw Paw Ski Team had a conference meet on at Timber Ridge.“This was a makeup race from the race two weeks ago that had to be called off due to poor snow conditions,” Roethlisberger…

Paw Paw wrestlers enjoy place finishes

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 1 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — Paw Paw’s wrestling team had some Wolverine Conference varsity placers from Saturday’s meet.Kholby Armijo was 165-pound Wolverine Conference champion with Team all-conference honors. Kameron Armijo was fourth placeGunner Gale was also fourth place.Victor Armijo…

Mike’s Musings: Why the U.S. Needs Voter ID

Mike’s Musings: Why the U.S. Needs Voter ID

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 4 min read

Few issues in American politics spark as much debate as election integrity. Yet beneath all the noise, there lies a straightforward truth: in a system built on trust, legitimacy, and the belief that every eligible vote counts, we should embrace…

Take precautions to avoid a trip to the ER – stay off ice

Take precautions to avoid a trip to the ER – stay off ice

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 4 min read

By James Windell The extreme winter conditions we have experienced in South Haven this winter has made walking outside dicey – to say the least.However, with popular beaches in South Haven ice shelves have formed which attract people to take…

Former Mattawan School bus driver sues school district

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 2 min read

MATTAWAN – A former Mattawan school bus driver is suing the Mattawan Consolidated School District, alleging that she was wrongfully terminated after passing out holiday candy bags to students on her school bus, some of which contained religious messages.A 12-page complaint was filed…

Paw Paw Village Council approves Culver’s site plan

Paw Paw Village Council approves Culver’s site plan

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 3 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – The Paw Paw Village Planning Commission met Thursday, Feb. 5, for two public hearings – a site plan review for Culver’s restaurant, which has proposed building on County Road 665, near the Shell…

Doroh elected BOC chairman

Doroh elected BOC chairman

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 1 min read

Kurt Doroh, left, was recently elected the new Van Buren County Commissioner chairman, while Paul Schincariol, was elected vice chair.

Chief of Police gives praise to his officers following area’s recent harsh weather conditions

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 2 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff writernew4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – In a memo to the Paw Paw Village Council at its Monday night Feb. 9 village council meeting, Paw Paw Chief of Police Eric Rottman conveyed to the council “the excellent work your…

Protestors show support of Steve Tucker at Super Bowl 60 at Michigan Theater

Protestors show support of Steve Tucker at Super Bowl 60 at Michigan Theater

Editorial Staff Feb 10, 2026 4 min read

By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer Protestors braved the freezing temperatures with hand-made signs to show their supportfor Steve Tucker, former executive director of the Michigan Theater of Jackson, Sunday, Feb. 8,from 5:30-6:30 p.m., as the theater was hosting a free Super…

Volunteers brave extreme cold for Albion’s annual Point-in-Time Count

Volunteers brave extreme cold for Albion’s annual Point-in-Time Count

Editorial Staff Feb 6, 2026 5 min read

By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer Volunteers gathered at a building on Austin Avenue in Albion Thursday night, Jan. 29 to take part in the annual Point in Time Count — a nationwide effort to count individuals and families experiencing homelessness…

Steve Tucker fired from Michigan Theatre

Steve Tucker fired from Michigan Theatre

Editorial Staff Feb 6, 2026 6 min read

By KATHRYN PALON and ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writers The long-time executive director of the Michigan Theatre of Jackson, Steve Tucker, was abruptly fired by the Board of Directors late last month and former Board Chair Nan Whitmore has been named…

Albion resubmits $1.1 million grant to rehabilitate downtown apartments

Albion resubmits $1.1 million grant to rehabilitate downtown apartments

Editorial Staff Feb 6, 2026 3 min read

By MAGGIE LANOUE Contributing Writer Albion City Council approved the resubmission of a $1.1 million Community Development Block Grant application during its Feb. 2 meeting, advancing plans to rehabilitate 10 downtown apartment units across four properties, with the majority reserved…

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging (COA) is accepting sealed proposals for an interior remodel of a portion of the Rivers Enrichment Center located at 1200 W. Broadway Street. The project involves renovation of an interior area that was part of the building’s former hotel use and was not included in the renovation completed approximately seven years ago when the building was converted into the Rivers Enrichment Center. Proposals must be received by Wednesday, February 25, 2026 by 2:00pm EST. Bid documents may be obtained by contacting the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging. The COA reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

All communications regarding this RFP shall be directed to:
Pamela Riley
Executive Director, St. Joseph County Commission on Aging
Phone: (269)279-8083 Email: priley@sjccoa.com
OR
Gary Oberlander
Maintenance Department
Phone: (269) 279-8083 Email: goberlander@sjccoa.com