City agrees to move forward with new city hall

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20244 min read

By John BriceCorrespondent The LaFayette City Council met on Monday, July 22nd of 2024 at the Chambers County Farmers Federation Agricultural Center at the ALFA building in LaFayette. In attendance were Mayor Kenneth Vines, Councilman Terry G. Mangram, Councilman David…

Obituary: RAYBORN, Willard “Will” Of Breedsville

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20241 min read

Age 72, passed away in his sleep on July 21, 2024. Will was born May 8, 1952 in Greenville, AL the son of Beder and Mary (Walker) Rayborn. He retired from Knouse Foods as a forklift driver and was able…

Lawton running back eager for college career

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20242 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWTON –Kal Motter was a talented three-sport athlete in track, basketball and football at Lawton.Football was his best sport and Motter will be going to Hope College as a running back.His strengths as a running back, Motter…

Fireworks end busy day at Youth Fair

Fireworks end busy day at Youth Fair

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20241 min read

Fireworks were held Friday night, July 19, at the Van Buren Youth Fair in Hartford Friday night. In the photo above, an inflatable alien staged at a vendor’s tent is shown in the foreground, while fireworks burst in the background.Courier-Leader…

Paw Paw Village Planning Commission addresses concert issues at Warner Vineyards

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20241 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer PAW PAW – A standing room only crowd voiced compliments and concerns Thursday, July 18, about recent concerts at Warner Vineyards during the Paw Paw Village Planning Commission meeting held at the Paw Paw Township Hall.…

Deer, deer, they’re everywhere!

Editorial StaffJul 17, 20243 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Douglas deer complaints keep rolling in. May Street resident Debbi Larsen wrote city council July 8: “Hello, I live in Douglas and have for the last 25 years. The deer population in the last 5 years…

Locals guide to Venetian Fest fun

Editorial StaffJul 17, 20246 min read

The Saugatuck Venetian Festival, a perennial summertime celebration of life on our waterways, returns to town next weekend July 26-28. Fun will begin Friday with a dance party in Coghlin Park featuring ‘80s cover band Star Farm. The festival continues…

SPS Superintendent Travis to retire

Editorial StaffJul 17, 20242 min read

Tim Travis is retiring as Superintendent of Saugatuck Public School effective Dec. 31. The school board accepted his retirement at Monday’s meeting. Travis has been an educator for 40 years, the last 20 here, including as middle/high school principal before…

Obituary: Victoria Anne “Vicki” Mayer (nee Thompson)

Obituary: Victoria Anne “Vicki” Mayer (nee Thompson)

Editorial StaffJul 17, 20242 min read

Victoria Anne “Vicki” Mayer (nee Thompson) passed away on July 6, surrounded by her loving family, after a five-year battle with fronto-temporal dementia, and primary progressive aphasia.Vicki was born June 9, 1962, in Chicago, the daughter of Jerry Thompson and…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffJul 17, 20244 min read

NuclearLast week’s “STR cap may go nuclea’ anyway” story already has. Then came the shooting in Pennsylvania.I applaud Saugatuck City Council for trying to protect peace, quiet and safety in Community Residential neighborhoods. That’s what R-1 zoning is meant to…

You can get there from here!

Editorial StaffJul 17, 20242 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe new roundabout at Blue Star Highway and Allegan Road opened formally Monday, but more than one motorist jumped the gun.“Look at them,” said Woodland Nursery owner Joe Migas, who for 39 years has kept alive John Mann’s…

Fire destroys home on Mariette St. in Plainwell

Fire destroys home on Mariette St. in Plainwell

Editorial StaffJul 17, 20242 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Fire destroyed a home in the 100 block of Mariette Street in the City of Plainwell on Sunday, July 14.The blaze was reported at approximately 7:40 p.m., and firefighters from Plainwell Public Safety were on the…

Ransom Library seeks renewal of operating millage

Editorial StaffJul 17, 20244 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The future of Ransom District Library in Plainwell will be decided when voters head to the ballots on Tuesday, Aug. 6.The library is seeking a renewal of its operating millage that was initially passed in 2014.The…

Nieuwenhuis places runner-up at Nationals

Editorial StaffJul 17, 20242 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor FARGO, N.D.—Winning a championship is hard.Repeating as champion might be even harder.Yet that’s exactly what Plainwell High School wrestling standout Madison Nieuwenhuis had the opportunity to do at the Junior & 16U Nationals last weekend.One year…

Allegan’s Garvin garnering plenty of attention

Editorial StaffJul 17, 20245 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 300 pounds, Allegan junior Sully Garvin makes quite the impression when he walks in a room.He’s also made quite an impression on college football evaluators and coaches.Listed as a three-star…

Obituary: Hazel Marie (Russell) Guigue

Obituary: Hazel Marie (Russell) Guigue

Editorial StaffJul 17, 20242 min read

Hazel Marie (Russell) Guigue passed peacefully on July 13, 2024, in South Haven. Hazel was born to her late parents Harold and Francis (Bushee) Russell on July 30, 1930, at her family homestead. Graduated 1948 from South Haven high school…

Obituary: Kathryn Pearle Mankin

Obituary: Kathryn Pearle Mankin

Editorial StaffJul 17, 20242 min read

Kathryn Pearle Mankin, 97, died July 10th, 2024, in Wings Home hospice of Allegan.Kathryn was born November 25, 1926, in Mendon Illinois to Earl B and M. Grace (Hawe) McCelland. She married Bernard J. “Bud” Mankin on October 3, 1947,…

Obituary: Jeanne Sands

Obituary: Jeanne Sands

Editorial StaffJul 17, 20242 min read

Jeanne Sands, 93, passed away Monday, June 24,2024, at Fountain View Assisted Living in Grant, Michigan. Jeanne was the second of two daughters born to Charles and Pauline Owen. She grew up in Springfield, Missouri, graduating from Springfield High School in…