City Council holds capital improvements workshop

Editorial StaffApr 23, 20253 min read

By James Windell In a special workshop meeting on Monday, April 14, 2025, the South Haven City Council received a capital improvement plan.Presenting a 90-minute slide presentation on capital improvement for the years 2026 to 2032 was Department of Public…

Harbors may be affected by EGLE mandate

Harbors may be affected by EGLE mandate

Editorial StaffApr 23, 20254 min read

By James Windell Earlier this month Michigan Congressman Bill Huizenga released a statement regarding the Whitmer Administration’s “ill-defined” EGLE requirements for PFAS testing as a condition for harbor dredging.EGLE is the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. It…

County man wins $1 million playing Michigan Lottery’s Cashword

Editorial StaffApr 23, 20252 min read

A lucky mistake led to a big payday and a treasure hunt for a Van Buren County man who won $1 million playing the Michigan Lottery’s Major Cashword instant game.“I play Cashword tickets occasionally, but purchasing this ticket was a…

Hartford teenagers honored by Sheriff for putting out fire

Hartford teenagers honored by Sheriff for putting out fire

Editorial StaffApr 23, 20252 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com HARTFORD – Two Hartford teenagers, students at Hartford High School, were recently honored by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office for their quick actions in putting out a construction trailer fire.Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott…

Protest raises $863 for Eleanor’s Food Pantry

Protest raises $863 for Eleanor’s Food Pantry

Editorial StaffApr 23, 20252 min read

PAW PAW – More than 150 people demonstrated in Paw Paw as part of the Take America Back protests held around the country on Saturday, April 19. The protests are in opposition to the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s DOGE.Protest…

Paw Paw softball sweeps Three Rivers

Editorial StaffApr 23, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — Paw Paw is 8-1 in girls softball after sweeping Three Rivers 13-9 and 11-9 on April 18.Paw Paw had 18 hits in the first game. Elizabeth Vanderburg had a home run. Bella Clemons was…

Local production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ does not disappoint

Local production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ does not disappoint

Editorial StaffApr 18, 20257 min read

A Review By Aaron Riddle Special to the Morning Star Attending Jesus Christ Superstar was my first experience with the recently renovated Michigan Theater of Jackson. It did not disappoint. This historic structure once again shines as the beacon of…

Public helps ID hit and run suspect; Albion man arraigned on felony charges

Editorial StaffApr 18, 20252 min read

By KARA DECHALK Contributing Writer Chad Blair, a 39-year-old Albion man has been arraigned on one count of failure to stop at a scene of a serious personal injury accident and one count of lying to a peace officer. Both…

Albion development project funded through state program

Albion development project funded through state program

Editorial StaffApr 18, 20254 min read

 LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced in a press release two redevelopment projects have received support from the bipartisan Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program, which will see the rehabilitation of vacant buildings in Albion and Hillsdale to create…

Three Rivers softball 2-1 at Mary Jo Tavernier tournament; split with Mattawan

Editorial StaffApr 18, 20254 min read

THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers’ softball team started their 2025 campaign with a 3-2 record, splitting a doubleheader with Mattawan on Friday, April 11 and going 2-1 at the Merry Jo Tavernier Memorial Tournament at the Armstrong Park Sports Complex…

Soccer RoundupTR mercied by Harper Creek, defeats South Haven and Dowagiac

Editorial StaffApr 18, 20252 min read

BATTLE CREEK — Three Rivers’ girls’ soccer team went 2-1 this past week, losing 9-1 at Harper Creek in non-conference action Thursday, April 10 before rebounding on Friday, April 11 with a 4-2 win at South Haven and then a…

“Out and About” Hugs, a baby shower, and health tips

“Out and About” Hugs, a baby shower, and health tips

Editorial StaffApr 18, 20252 min read

I’ll never understand why employers will spend thousands of dollars on hiring new employees that will quit in a week, but won’t promote loyal employees with a raise they deserve.Here’s a marriage tip that I’m sharing free of charge. There’s…

Norton Elementary slated to lose 4th, 5th grade as part of TR schools ‘restructure’

Norton Elementary slated to lose 4th, 5th grade as part of TR schools ‘restructure’

Editorial StaffApr 18, 20253 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Fourth and fifth grade classes at Norton Elementary are slated to be eliminated and moved to a different school as part of a “restructure” of Three Rivers Community Schools’ elementary placements that were…

Tornado confirmed near Sturgis during March 30 storm

Editorial StaffApr 18, 20252 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director STURGIS — The National Weather Service last week confirmed that an EF-0 tornado touched down near Sturgis during the severe storms that occurred on Sunday, March 30.The tornado, according to NWS data, had estimated peak winds…

Contingency OK’d for Franks Avenue project

Contingency OK’d for Franks Avenue project

Editorial StaffApr 18, 20252 min read

At its meeting March 26, Sturgis City Commission approved a supplemental contingency bridge of $20,00 for the North Franks Avenue reconstruction project.Commissioner Marvin Smith cast the lone “no” vote.During approval of the N. Franks Avenue Reconstruction project on Feb. 14,…

New budget for courthouse renovation approved in close vote

Editorial StaffApr 18, 20256 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A new budget for the renovation of the St. Joseph County courts building in Centreville was narrowly approved 4-3 by county commissioners Tuesday.The new budget, referred to as the design development budget for the…

Clare boys win invitational

Editorial StaffApr 18, 20252 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Clare’s women’s track team won the Doug Steward Memorial Invitational at St. Louis on Friday.The Clare women had 142.5 points to top the 10-team field. Alma took second place with 124.5 points.In the boys standings,…

May I Walk with You? GRACE PERFECTS NATURE

May I Walk with You? GRACE PERFECTS NATURE

Editorial StaffApr 18, 20253 min read

“Grace does not destroy nature but perfects it.” “Grace does not remove nature but fulfills it.” (St. Thomas Aquinas, 13th Century) The words ‘perfects’ and ‘fulfills’ refer to the notions of progress and growth. We often hear people say that…

Surrey fire truck t-boned by vehicle, one severely injured

Surrey fire truck t-boned by vehicle, one severely injured

Editorial StaffApr 18, 20251 min read

On Sunday, April 13th, a Surrey Township Fire Truck, with two firemen on board, was involved in an accident on 115 while looking for a reported grass fire. As the truck was turning into a driveway, they were t-boned by…

Harrison man arrested, held rifle to girl’s head

Harrison man arrested, held rifle to girl’s head

Editorial StaffApr 18, 20252 min read

On Friday, April 11, 2025 at 8:24 p.m., Deputies with the Clare County Sheriff Office were dispatched to an address on North Athey Rd in Hamilton Township, Clare County for an assault involving a firearm that had occurred. During the…