State-level guidance shapes proposed Albion charter revisions
By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer Proposed changes to Albion’s city charter moved forward May 18 as City Attorney Cullen Harkness guided council through two amendments that could appear before voters on the November 2026 ballot, and council followed his guidance…
Broad agenda moves forward amid construction season and charter discussions
By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer Following a severe thunderstorm warning earlier in the afternoon, Albion City Council moved through a broad but largely orderly agenda Monday evening, taking up charter amendments, infrastructure projects, downtown redevelopment and operational changes during the…
Out and About: Memorial Day, regrets, and summer
“Luck is the residue of design.” -Branch RickeyBuddha was not a Buddhist….Jesus was not a Christian….Muhammad was not a Muslim….They were teachers who taught Love….Love was their Religion.This next Monday, May 25, is Memorial Day. On this day we honor…
’Trojan Heroes’ honored, ISD budget resolution approved by Sturgis school board “Trojan Heroes” were named this week at the meeting of Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education.
Toni Andrews (administrative assistant), Amanda Carpenter (substitute teacher) and Kristin Woods (bus driver) were honored.Here are select comments from nominators. Andrews: “Toni is amazing. Toni has always been super helpful, reliable, approachable and knowledgeable. Between managing calendars, dates, handling communication, the…
Proposal approved for Doyle roof project, pending bond attainment
By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on May 13 approved a proposal from Newbury Square Construction of Shipshewana, Ind., to complete a roof overhaul at Doyle Community Center, at a cost of just over $729,000.The plan hinges on securing a…
Sturgis City Commission to seek interim city manager Decision for permanent successor to Andrew Kuk delayed until after November election
By Dennis Volkert On May 13, Sturgis City Commission held a work session, prior to its regular meeting, to explore next steps in organizational structure. The primary focus was the process of finding a successor for outgoing city manager Andrew Kuk.…
Celebrating TRHS Seniors
Three Rivers High School held their seventh annual Senior Salute parade through downtown Three Rivers Wednesday, May 13, with many senior (and underclassmen) students being escorted by police and fire trucks as a final sendoff to the graduating Class of…
Proposal approved for Doyle roof project, pending bond attainment
By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on May 13 approved a proposal from Newbury Square Construction of Shipshewana, Ind., to complete a roof overhaul at Doyle Community Center, at a cost of just over $729,000.The plan hinges on securing a…
May I Walk with You? WHICH DIRECTION?
It seems part of Christian faith that all men and women, sooner or later must make a choice to follow Jesus or not to follow Jesus, to do our best to conform to his teaching the best we can or…
Two arrested on child abuse charges
On Monday, May 18, 2026, the Clare County Sheriff received a report of a suspected child abuse incident that occurred in Redding Township. The reporting party provided Deputies with disturbing video footage of the incident.Deputies reviewed the video and observed…
Hayes Township man arrested for allegedly selling meth
On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Deputies with the Clare County Sheriff Office received information regarding the possession and sales of narcotic s occurring at 4111 Valley View Road located in the Township of Hayes, in Clare County. Deputies were advised…
Yoder’s Flea Market enjoys another massive turnout
By Christopher Johnson Favorable weather, consistent vendor participation and a loyal base of returning visitors combined to make this year’s Amish flea market another successful weekend, organizers said.According to Simon Yoder, the event’s host, he estimates between 12,000 and 15,…
Harrison Memorial Day honors those who gave ultimate sacrifice
By Genine Hopkins It began as Decoration Day, a time to decorate the graves off fallen soldiers with flowers, wreaths, and flags. First observed more widely on May 30, 1868, it was a day to remember all of those soldiers…
Days to not forget
On hand for this year’s Saturday, May 16 Armed Forces Day Luncheon at Community Church of Douglas were (clockwise from top right: keynote speaker Winnie Fritz, post-centenarian real Rosy the Riveter andand event founder/organizer Chris Yoder. (Photos by Erin K.…
Trek For Vets makes stop in Otsego during 500-mile Michigan journey
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A statewide journey aimed at raising awareness for veteran mental health and isolation made a stop in Otsego over the weekend.Trek For Vets, a 500-mile, 25-day journey across Michigan, stopped at the Otsego Fire Department on…
Festival Fridays coming to Plainwell on June 12
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Festival Fridays is coming to downtown Plainwell next month.The community pop-up festival, hosted by Kalamazoo Food Truck Rally, is scheduled for Friday, June 12, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Hicks Park and surrounding downtown areas…
Blue Star
By Scott Sullivan,EditorWater MusicLast week’s Part 3 of our tentatively-titled “Tangram/Canary” series left off with developers Johnny Walker, of Tangram LLC, and his Enclave project near-neighbor Joe Novakowski, COO of Elzinga & Volkers builders, sharing differences near the end of…
Otsego boys earn regional crown in dramatic fashion
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor STURGIS—Going into the final event of the night, the Otsego found itself looking up at Three Rivers in the team standings at the Division 2 boys regional track meet at Sturgis on Friday, May 15.A few…
Allegan wins all eight flights to claim regional title
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Allegan girls tennis team added another regional championship to its impressive program history Thursday.But this one came with a historic twist.For the first time in program history, the Tigers captured all eight flight championships at…
Life as Performance Art
Memorial Day Monday, May 25 this year, is nigh upon us. Don’t mistake it for the Fourth of July, when our nation’s 250th birthday will deservedly be feted later in 2026, or Veterans Day Nov. 11 each year.Memorial Day began…
