Albion Elks Lodge Donates $6,000 to Local Food Access

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 4 min read

By Maggie LaNoue The Albion Elks Lodge #1798 recently presented a $6,000 donation to the Community Table of Albion, marking the largest single contribution the lodge has made to the local food assistance program and bringing its three-year total support…

Wrestling Roundup Three Rivers undefeated atTR Super Duals

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 2 min read

THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers’ wrestling team earned an undefeated 5-0 record at the Three Rivers Super Duals Saturday.The Wildcats defeated Constantine 55-22, Thornapple Kellogg 68-10, Portage Northern 62-11, Hamilton 73-6, and Niles 69-9.Ten wrestlers earned medals on the day…

Bowling Roundup Three Rivers rolls past Vicksburg

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 2 min read

KALAMAZOO — Three Rivers’ bowling teams took home victories against Vicksburg Monday at Airway Fun Center in Kalamazoo.The boys’ team defeated the Bulldogs 19.5-10.5, squeaking out the victory in the last few frames. Nick Allen led the Wildcats with a…

Out and About: New Year, grilled cheese, and a few facts

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 2 min read

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” -Eleanor RooseveltWelcome 2026. May this year bring us all more together and more understanding…

Flower power Constantine grad, former Sturgis flower shop owner leads floral design for award-winning Rose Parade float

Flower power Constantine grad, former Sturgis flower shop owner leads floral design for award-winning Rose Parade float

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director PASADENA, Calif. — One of the great American traditions on New Year’s Day has been the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., which has been held on New Year’s Day nearly every year since 1890.The parade features…

Dog rescued from icy water south of Colon

Dog rescued from icy water south of Colon

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 1 min read

COLON — A dog was rescued by from an icy channel by local firefighters Sunday near Colon.According to a post on Facebook from the Colon Community Fire and Rescue, at 10:19 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to Long Lake Road south…

TR celebrates New Year’s Eve with Riviera’s ‘Midnight on Main’

TR celebrates New Year’s Eve with Riviera’s ‘Midnight on Main’

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 3 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A group of revelers rung in 2026 with an annual celebration at the Riviera Theatre in downtown Three Rivers last week.The Riviera hosted its 17th “Midnight on Main” event on New Year’s Eve,…

Clare welcomes new officer James Chinavare

Clare welcomes new officer James Chinavare

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 2 min read

By: Lindsey Ashley At this Monday’s meeting of the City of Clare Commissioners, City Clerk Diane Lyon formally introduced the city’s new hire, Officer James Chinavare.Recently, the city identified a vacancy for a patrol officer job with the Clare Police…

Clare High School team wins Titan Challenge

Clare High School team wins Titan Challenge

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 3 min read

Junior Achievement of North Central Michigan (JANCM) announces the winners of the 2025 JA Titan Business Challenge. This immersive business simulation tests high school students’ strategic and critical decision-making skills by placing them in the role of CEO of a…

Tommy House and Friends: Still packing the house with debut album

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 8 min read

by Christopher Johnson Every community has their guy when it comes to music. That local celebrity everybody knows by name and nickname. That can shred a guitar, dispense knowledge like an encyclopedia, and recount some fascinating lore from a rich…

May I Walk with You? WINTER TIME

May I Walk with You? WINTER TIME

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 3 min read

I just had the experience of officiating at a friend’s funeral. Though not a frequent church goer, she professed a personal relationship with Jesus, prayed often, and though a sinner like the rest of us, did her best to live…

Farwell loses to Saginaw A&S

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 1 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent FARWELL — Farwell boys lost to Saginaw Arts & Sciences in overtime 48-46.Farwell had quarter totals of 9, 19, 25 and 43 going into the overtime while Saginaw A&S had 16, 30, 36 and 43“We started off…

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…