LaFayette festival features food trucks, huge crowds
The LaFayette Main Street hosted its Largest Friday Food Truck Festival in downtown LaFayette yet.There were over 28 food trucks and vendors with all types of foods and sweets and drinks.You had a different variety to choose from, from catfish,…
Attempted fraud thwarted at Renfroe’s Market
By John BriceCorrespondent Local residents were shocked to learn that an electronic “skimmer” device had been installed by criminals to steal credit/debit card information this past week at Renfroe’s Market in LaFayette. In a press release posted to the official…
Three sister musical group to appear at Michigan State Fair
LAWRENCE – A Lawrence-based, three sister musical group, Vineyard Chicks, will be one of 10 bands from throughout the state who will compete in the Michigan State Fair Superstar contest Labor Day weekend. The top winner will win an artistic…
County-wide road millage renewal successful
LAWRENCE – The county-wide Road Millage renewal was successfully passed by voters in Van Buren County at Tuesday’s Aug. 6 Primary Election. The vote represented a renewal of a previous millage, not a request for additional revenue. The renewal will…
25% vote in county primary election
PAW PAW – Just over 25 percent of the registered voters in Van Buren County went to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 6, to cast their ballots on many local millage renewals as well as candidates seeking political offices.With unofficial results,…
MDARD confirms first case of EEE in state, in county horse
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reporting Michigan’s first case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a domestic animal for 2024. The disease was detected in a Standardbred filly from Van Buren County; the horse was…
Obituary: James Paul Dietz Sr.
James Paul Dietz, Sr., 78, of Lawton, passed away peacefully in his home with his family at his side, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. He was born Oct. 8, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Thaddeus and Ann Dietz.For the…
Obituary: Katherine L. Alderman
Katherine L. Alderman, Age 93 Of Bangor Passed away Monday, July 29, 2024 at Bronson Lakeview Hospital, Paw Paw.Katherine was born July 7, 1931 in South Haven the daughter of Edward and Thelma (Brouse) Brant, and has lived all of…
Life as Performance Art
Many of our parents cautioned us to “Be nice” when playing with other children, talking with adults or any other social interaction. From the 1940s until May 1985, the Ivy Room was Durham, N.C.’s foremost and only kosher Jewish deli. It also served…
Mike’s Musings: I’m disgusting and stupid- so readers say
I take a lot of flack for my opinion column, Mike’s Musings, from time to time. Readers (and I’m so happy you read the paper) often disagree with what I have to say. That’s all right- everyone is entitled to…
Paw Paw football team focusing on opener
By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW – Paw Paw head football coach Dennis Strey had his agenda set on Aug. 12 as he was starting practices.“We will be working on fundamentals and focusing on Big Rapids,” he said, referring to the…
Upton, Dingell highlight Sept. 5 SH talk
Retired 34-year local U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R) and current Detroit area rep. Debbie Dingell (D) will present “Voices from Across the Aisle: Getting Things Done in a Toxic Political Environment” at the next South Haven Speakers Series event Thursday,…
Commission vice-chair Kapenga dies from storke
Allegan County Commission vice chair Dean Kapenga, who since 2020 redistricting has represented Saugatuck Township among others on the commission, died early Monday, Aug. 5, at Grand Rapids U-M Health West surrounded by his wife Jan and family. He had…
Freeway pickup flips, crushes driver
Central Dispatch took the Saturday 5 a.m. call summoned emergency first responders to reports of a rollover west of southbound I-196 near the 38-mile marker. When officers appeared on scene, they found a white the white Ford F250 pickup (shown,…
Douglas hopes to cap Point Pleasant demo Friday
By Scott Sullivan Editor It seemed like a good idea when Douglas, with help from a $1,001,400 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant, bought the 1-acre, 14-slip Point Pleasant Marina from Max Matteson and Bud Baty in March 2021 for…
Obituary: William ‘Bill Beery
William ‘Bill Beery It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Mr. Bill Beery. Born on Aug/ 25, 1950, to Donna and Harold Beery, Bill lived a full and vibrant life until his peaceful departure on…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorRoad ChatterOnboarding freeway to Saugatuck, goose gas, shoot gap, tuck in behind truck, patient, read plates, speculate-state-to-state, there’s a space, swing left, boost speed to 80, patient, bottleneck clears past where M-6 scissors inAway to the shining sea,…
Chow Time
Doe eyes late light sunflower patch July 30 south of Hutchins Lake. ((Photo by Scott Sullivan)
Taylor takes over as principal at Dix St. Elementary
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Growing up, Sarah Taylor was certain of one thing: she did not want to go into the field of education.“Having had two parents as teachers—my father was a middle school teacher in Vicksburg and my mother…






NOTICE TO BIDDERS
The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging (COA) is accepting sealed proposals for an interior remodel of a portion of the Rivers Enrichment Center located at 1200 W. Broadway Street. The project involves renovation of an interior area that was part of the building’s former hotel use and was not included in the renovation completed approximately seven years ago when the building was converted into the Rivers Enrichment Center. Proposals must be received by Wednesday, February 25, 2026 by 2:00pm EST. Bid documents may be obtained by contacting the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging. The COA reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
All communications regarding this RFP shall be directed to:
Pamela Riley
Executive Director, St. Joseph County Commission on Aging
Phone: (269)279-8083 Email: priley@sjccoa.com
OR
Gary Oberlander
Maintenance Department
Phone: (269) 279-8083 Email: goberlander@sjccoa.com










