Facility upgrades detailed as Paw Paw Schools prepares ballot issues

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20221 min read

Representatives from TowerPinkster, architecture, interior design and engineering firm for Paw Paw Public Schools (PPPS), and Owen-Ames-Kimball (O.A.K.), PPPS construction management partner, presented district-wide facility upgrades and project highlights Thursday, Jan. 27, at the high school’s Performing Arts Center (PAC)…

Paw Paw Township Residence Damaged by Smoke

Paw Paw Township Residence Damaged by Smoke

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20221 min read

On Saturday, Jan. 29, at 8:40 p.m., the Paw Paw Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 38000 block of 64th Avenue, Paw Paw Township. Upon arrival, firefighters found a single-family residence well involved with fire. Firefighters…

Strong second half lifts Otsego over Vicksburg

Strong second half lifts Otsego over Vicksburg

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20222 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—With less than a minute to play in the first half, the Wolverine Conference North boys basketball contest between Otsego and Vicksburg couldn’t have been any closer. Literally.The teams were locked in a 22-22 tie after…

Allegan boys bowling sets school record at Rockford Invitational

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20222 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ROCKFORD—Talk about starting strong.In its first game at the Rockford Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 29, the Allegan boys bowling team posted a 1,062 to set a new school record by seven pins. Andrew Snyder (249), Trenton…

Student sues PCS for violating his religious freedoms

Student sues PCS for violating his religious freedoms

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20224 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A federal lawsuit filed on Thursday, Jan. 27, claims Plainwell Community Schools suspended a high school student for sharing his Christian beliefs with other students.Great Lakes Justice Center filed the complaint on behalf of Plainwell High…

Plainwell hosts Chocolate Stroll

Plainwell hosts Chocolate Stroll

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20222 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Chocolate lovers, rejoice.Just in time for Valentine’s Day weekend, the City of Plainwell is hosting The Chocolate Stroll on Saturday, Feb. 12. The event will combine sweet treats with sweet deals at participating businesses in the…

Sheriff receives large donation for new K-9

Sheriff receives large donation for new K-9

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20222 min read

The Holland Michigan Kennel Club and President Kim Caines presented Sheriff Baker with a check for $13,500 last week during a gathering at the Sheriff’s office. This large donation was for the purchase of a new police K9. This will…

Residents mixed about Roundabout

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20222 min read

By Leslie Ballard After people studied the conceptual drawing for the proposed roundabout at M-89/M40/Hubbard St./Ely St, they had this to say:“That’s a dangerous spot so I’m glad they are doing something. It takes awhile to figure them out, but…

Elementary rebuild nears Completion

Elementary rebuild nears Completion

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20222 min read

Douglas Elementary School construction Phases 1-3 are completed. “Students and teachers,” said Saugatuck Public Schools Superintendent Tim Travis last week, “are excited to begin learning in the beautiful new art, music and science rooms and four renovated early elementary classrooms.”…

Student sues PCS for violating his religious freedoms

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20224 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A federal lawsuit filed on Thursday, Jan. 27, claims Plainwell Community Schools suspended a high school student for sharing his Christian beliefs with other students.Great Lakes Justice Center filed the complaint on behalf of Plainwell High…

Saugatuck quintuples trail pledge

Saugatuck quintuples trail pledge

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20227 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Nowhere was it more evident what difference a new Saugatuck City Council makes than Jan. 24 when members voted 4-1 to quintuple the city’s Blue Star Trail contribution. The city, acting as lead agent for fellow…

Obituary: Daniel Sullivan

Obituary: Daniel Sullivan

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20224 min read

Daniel Sullivan, 27 Daniel William Sullivan died at 27 years young on Jan. 27, 2021 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A lifelong swimmer, he suffered a sudden cardiopulmonary attack while working out at a local pool. His final act…

Obituary: Norman Deam

Obituary: Norman Deam

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20225 min read

Norman Deam, 89 Norman Arthur Deam passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at his home in San Luis Obispo, Calif. on Jan. 8, 2022. He was 89. Norm will be remembered by his free spirit, intellect and wit. He was…

Obituary: Frances Myers

Editorial StaffFeb 2, 20222 min read

Frances Myers, 78 Frances Inez Myers, nee Voris, known for her kindness and generosity, passed on Jan, 17, 2022. She considered herself as a citizen of Saugatuck and spent as much time as she could in the family’s second home.…

Clare begins process to seek new school bond proposal

Editorial StaffJan 28, 20223 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Superintendent Jim Walter said in his Superintendent’s Corner column this week, “Over the past few months, we’ve begun exploring in earnest the physical needs of the District for the next several decades. The major emphasis has been…

One dies, One injured in Freeman Township crash

One dies, One injured in Freeman Township crash

Editorial StaffJan 28, 20222 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent On the afternoon of January 22, a head-on collision on M-115 killed a Swartz Creek man and injured a Livonia teen.Clare County deputies were called to the crash scene on M-115 near Twin Lakes Avenue in Freeman…

Axe wielding suspect leads police on 10-mile chase

Axe wielding suspect leads police on 10-mile chase

Editorial StaffJan 28, 20222 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Clare County deputies were called Sunday when a 26-year-old Evart man, Brandon Thomas Sayles, broke a home’s window with an axe and fled when a woman in the home called 911.A release from the Clare County Sheriff’s…

Marion cancels 12 days of school so far, may have to make up 5

Editorial StaffJan 28, 20222 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – Marion school superintendent Steve Brimmer said the district has had to cancel 12 days in total this school year so far.“Some were due to weather, some were due to Covid, some were due to power…

Faces in the Crowd: Kelsey Vanderhoef-Schoch

Faces in the Crowd: Kelsey Vanderhoef-Schoch

Editorial StaffJan 28, 20224 min read

Kelsey Vanderhoef-Schoch has always put family first.Growing up in Marion along with her 5 siblings, she learned how important it was to put your family first.And these days, along with her husband – who shares the same name, Kelsey Schoch…

Weather balloon drops in Marion resident’s back yard

Weather balloon drops in Marion resident’s back yard

Editorial StaffJan 28, 20222 min read

On Monday, January 25th, at around 10 am, Marion resident Bob Friend was sitting in his living room when he noticed a small orange parachute falling into his backyard.“At first I thought maybe it was a balloon from a wedding…