SHAES in 2024 had record year for responses

SHAES in 2024 had record year for responses

Editorial StaffJan 29, 20254 min read

SOUTH HAVEN — South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) responded to a record number of calls during 2024, according to the department’s Annual Report.Marking its 28th year, the SHAES Authority serves the city of South Haven and the townships of…

Black History Leadership Society presents at the Scott Club

Black History Leadership Society presents at the Scott Club

Editorial StaffJan 29, 20253 min read

By James Windell The members of the Black History Leadership Society have been persistent in their efforts to keep Black history alive. Each February, in celebration of Black History Month, the Black History Leadership Society (BHLS) presents a program at…

Bid to work on Dyckman Bridge approved by SH City Council

Editorial StaffJan 29, 20252 min read

By James Windell The South Haven City Council approved a quote from Davis Construction, Inc. to repair the Dyckman Avenue Bridge.Although it has been known for several years that the Dyckman Avenue Bridge over the Black River needed repairs, the…

City Council receives short term rental snapshot report

Editorial StaffJan 29, 20254 min read

By James Windell One sure fire way of generating discussion – and sometimes division – on the South Haven City Council is to place an item related to Short Term Rental (STR) on the agenda for a City Council meeting.That…

Thrift Shop pays tribute to two volunteers

Thrift Shop pays tribute to two volunteers

Editorial StaffJan 29, 20251 min read

Charlene Bare and Richard Szotek, volunteers at Community Thrift Shop, Paw Paw, recently celebrated their 90th birthdays with a birthday cake given in honor to the pair by the thrift shop. Bare has been a Community Thrift Shop volunteer for…

Mattawan has big plans for auditorium improvements

Mattawan has big plans for auditorium improvements

Editorial StaffJan 29, 20251 min read

Following the successful passage of the 2024 bond, Mattawan Consolidated School is currently undergoing changes and improvements throughout the district. The high school’s James A. Weeldreyer Auditorium is currently seeing microphone upgrades, industry standard LED lighting and a new AV…

Women Who Care donate $9k to Paw Paw robotics

Women Who Care donate $9k to Paw Paw robotics

Editorial StaffJan 29, 20251 min read

Paw Paw High School’s 2PawRobotics female team members gave a successful presentation to the 100+ Women Who Care of Van Buren County on Wednesday, Jan. 15, and were the recipients of $9,000. The 100+ Women Who Care of Van Buren…

Lawton names inductees for Hall of Fame

Lawton names inductees for Hall of Fame

Editorial StaffJan 29, 20251 min read

Lawton Community Schools have announced the 2024-25 Lawton Blue Devil Hall of Fame inductees. Named to this year’s Hall of Fame induction class are Troy and Janine Johnson (shown at far left) – Outstanding dedication in coaching, volunteerism, and supporting…

Looking Out: Off sides

Editorial StaffJan 24, 20253 min read

by Jim Whitehouse “Mom, what’s that bird?” says a boy sitting next to me on the sidelines of a futebol pitch, which I’ve been told by my Brazilian friend Sergio is the same thing as a soccer field. My beloved…

Jackson Public School Board elects officers; discusses budget

Editorial StaffJan 24, 20252 min read

The Jackson Public School Board convened its first meeting of 2025 Tuesday evening to elect new officers and discuss budgeting strategies. The motion for candidate selection of board president drew immediate appraisal from Board Trustee Kesha Hamilton in response to…

Jackson cold snap

Editorial StaffJan 24, 20252 min read

With seasonal temperatures approaching single digits and below this week, the importance of local partners in the community challenged with the task of intervening on extreme temperatures and those most vulnerable became apparent. The week began with frigid temperatures and…

Grass Lake, Lumen Christi remain undefeated in boys basketball

Editorial StaffJan 24, 20254 min read

The varsity basketball teams from Grass Lake and Lumen Christi Catholic high schools remain undefeated with wins last week. Both teams are 12-0 midway through the season. Here are basketball scores from local high school boys basketball teams. Waverly 74,…

Obituary: Lema Nell Smith

Obituary: Lema Nell Smith

Editorial StaffJan 24, 20253 min read

Lema Nell Smith, A rose named Lema Nell Smith, bloomed in Alamo, Georgia on Dec. 5, 1938. The eldest of eleven children from the union of Theo & Annie (Wood) Davis. She went home to be with the Lord on…

City approves contracts, discusses plans for Stoffer Plaza and hears the importance of the PIT Count Project

Editorial StaffJan 24, 20256 min read

At Tuesday’s Albion City Council meeting, Maurice Barry gave a presentation on the annual Point-in-Time count. The project is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. Albion participates in this annual count…

Obituary: Sharon Price

Obituary: Sharon Price

Editorial StaffJan 24, 20253 min read

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Sharon Price, a cherished mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and devoted partner. Sharon passed away on Jan. 11, 2025, at the University of Michigan Hospital, surrounded by her loved…

Obituary: Jesse Washington

Obituary: Jesse Washington

Editorial StaffJan 24, 20253 min read

Jesse Washington, age 37, of Albion, Michigan was called to be with the Lord on Jan. 20, 2025, due to natural causes. Jesse was born to Jerome and Delma Washington on Nov. 7, 1987, 10 minutes before his twin brother,…

Obituary: William Hastings Boyd “Bill”

Obituary: William Hastings Boyd “Bill”

Editorial StaffJan 24, 20252 min read

William Hastings Boyd “Bill” age 87 of St. Joseph, Michigan passed away Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. He was born May 18, 1937, the son of David Clare and Eunice Faye (Martin) Boyd. Bill was an only child and his family…

Jackson celebrates MLK with Diversity Celebration

Jackson celebrates MLK with Diversity Celebration

Editorial StaffJan 24, 20252 min read

Dr. Tonya Bailey told those in attendance at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Diversity Celebration that “change starts with us.” The annual Diversity Celebration took place last Friday morning at the American 1 Event Center. A sold-out center featured…

Despite bone-chilling temperatures 8th Annual MLK Community Celebration brings in pre-pandemic numbers and a poignant message by the keynote

Despite bone-chilling temperatures 8th Annual MLK Community Celebration brings in pre-pandemic numbers and a poignant message by the keynote

Editorial StaffJan 24, 20255 min read

By Sylvia Benavidez Monday night temperatures were quickly dropping throughout the evening to the eventual zero degrees at midnight, but that did not dissuade attendance at the 8th Annual MLK Celebration & Resource Fair. Cressie Vargo, one of the organizers,…

Sturgis bowling get wins over Vicksburg; compete in Mason, Zeeland invites

Editorial StaffJan 24, 20253 min read

PORTAGE — The Sturgis bowling teams hit the road to face Vicksburg at Airway Lanes in Portage Monday, and returned home with two wins. The boys prevailed 17-13, and the girls came up big, winning 29-1.Boys singles results: 812-709 (8-1), 865-776 (7-2),…