Man drowns in Fennville pool
A 78-year-old man drowned in a pool at a home in Fennville on Saturday afternoon, firefighters say.It happened around 1 p.m. at a home on 124th Avenue. Fennville Fire Department Chief Paul Hapke says firefighters received a call about the…
Lawrence cheer continues to have success
By John RaffelCorrespondent Melissa Pyle is head coach for sideline cheer at Lauren and recalls major highlights from a year ago.“Tripling the number of cheerleaders was a highlight/record/top moment of the season.” Pyle said. “Senior captain Kennedi Klock and junior…
Walker recognized for lasting impact on South Haven
By Tom Renner A long standing tradition of the Bobby Walker Basketball Tournament in South Haven is to begin the summer weekend event with the presentation of Leadership Awards to civic leaders, organizations and sponsors. This year the ceremony had a…
Mike’s Musings: Michigan’s SNAP Fraud Crisis- fraud running rampant
Michigan’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — a lifeline for roughly 1.4 million residents — is being chipped away, quite literally, by inadequate technology and sluggish enforcement.In fiscal year 2024, fraud in Michigan’s SNAP program surged by nearly 400%, reaching…
Life as Performance Art
“A man is just about as happy as he makes up his mind to be,” said Abraham Lincoln. A contemporary French writer we’ll call “C” added, “It takes tremendous courage to be happy.”“C” has every reason to be miserable. She…
Hundreds attend National Night Out
By Tom Renner Haven marked National Night Out with an event that attracted hundreds to the downtown the downtown pavilion. Law enforcement and fire/EMS agencies were joined by several community organizations. The Van Buren Sheriff horse unit joined in the…
Brown, Hosley to face off for mayor in November
By James Windell The South Haven primary election was held for mayor and city council candidates on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. The top two candidates for mayor and for city council in each ward will face each other in the…
Lawrence Township Fire Department holds a Centennial celebration
A centennial celebration was held Saturday, Aug. 9, in Lawrence for the Lawrence Township Fire Department. The event featured fire truck demos, food trucks, games, raffles, music and family fun. Shown in photo from left, Lawrence Township Supervisor, Donna Spenner,…
Gobles man faces several charges including strangulation
A 31-year-old Gobles man faces several charges following an incident Wednesday, Aug. 6, according to a press release from eh Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.The incident took place at approximately 10 p.m. in the 25000 block of 36th Street.Deputies responded…
Grand Junction man faces charges following four-mile pursuit
Sheriff Daniel E. Abbott reports that on 08/07/2025 at approximately 7:30 p.m. a Deputy on patrol in Columbia township attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a pickup truck for multiple traffic violations. The driver of the vehicle failed to…
Former Van Buren County Specialty Court Administrator arrested on embezzlement charges over $100k
PAW PAW – Michigan State Police (MSP) Fifth District Special Investigation Section an-nounced the arrest of Rachel Celeste Lindley, 42 of Bethesda, Maryland, for felony embezzlement over $100,000 and felony embezzlement by a public official.Lindley previously worked for Van Buren…
SUV crashes into Amish buggy in Bloomingdale Twp., multiple injuries reported
BLOOMINGDALE TWP. – Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that Van Buren County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched Friday, Aug. 8, at 7:45 p.m. to the 45000 block of County Road 388 for a report that an SUV had crashed…
Albion faces a choice: Restore Washington Gardner School building or risk losing it
By MAGGIE LANOUE Contributing Writer Albion residents have an opportunity to help decide the future of one of the city’s most iconic buildings. A public study session is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 11, from 6-8 p.m. at Tennant Hall on…
Jackson County Fair continues through Saturday
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer The annual Jackson County Fair rolled into town Sunday, Aug. 3 and continues through Saturday, Aug. 9 at the fairgrounds located downtown. Each year the fair boasts a combination of 4-H and other agricultural and…
Albion City Council faces costly sewer repairs
By MAGGIE LANOUE Contributing Writer Communication and engagement were recurring themes at Albion City Council’s meeting Monday night, where members faced urgent infrastructure issues, updates on recreation and community projects, and calls to keep residents informed. The most pressing news…
Out and About: Events, eating greens, and health tips
“You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” -A.A. Milne The public is cordially invited to an Open House, Saturday, Aug. 23, at American Legion…
School food service director outlines menu process, looks forward to second year of partnership
Dave Apthorpe, food service director at Sturgis Public Schools, recently addressed Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education regarding Taher’s nutrition guidelines.Taher, based in Minnetonka, Minn., is the district’s partner to provide food service management for the district.In June, the board…
City commission reviews zoning code adjustments for extreme weather centers, outdoor storage
At its July 23 meeting, Sturgis City Commission approved a first review of amendments to the zoning ordinance. One is an amendment to consider the establishment of extreme weather centers as a special land use. The other pertains to outdoor storage areas…
Music, magic, comedy highlight Sturges-Young Performance Series
Sturges-Young Center for the Arts has announced its 2025-2026 Performance Series. It involves a variety of entertainment: ‘90s pop music, ballet, magic, big-band nostalgia and comedy.Here is the schedule:Oct. 25: Deep Blue Something. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Anniversary Tour.Dec. 3: Dance Alive…
School operating millages, Nottawa emergency services millage pass; Colon school bond fails
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Nearly all of the local proposals and millage requests on the ballot in St. Joseph County and Cass County, except for one, were approved by voters in the Tuesday, Aug. 5 election.Local…
