South Haven cheerleader set for strong season

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent SOUTH HAVEN — Jada A. Lewis-Suggs is a key member of South Haven’s competitive cheer team this season.“We have performed really well together and connect really good,” Lewis-Suggs said. “I would say I performed well so early…

South Haven Board of Education selects new officers

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By James Windell With the resignation of long-time School Board President Laura Bos, the South Haven Board of Education selected Shawn Olney as their new President.Other officers chosen by the Board were Claire Bodtke as Vice-President, Doug Ransom as Treasurer…

Lakefront Roofing to buy property from the City

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By James Windell The South Haven City Council on January 6, 2025 approved Resolution 2025-04 authorizing a purchase development agreement with Lakefront Roofing, LLC.Lakefront Roofing company, now located in Covert, will buy three acres of land from the city in…

Sheriff’s Office investigates series of scams

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that a series of scams are still being at-tempted and occurring in Van Buren County. On Friday, Jan. 10, a victim was contacted at approx-imately 1:48 p.m. by an…

Sheriff’s Office investigates series of scams

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that a series of scams are still being at-tempted and occurring in Van Buren County. On Friday, Jan. 10, a victim was contacted at approximately 1:48 p.m. by an…

Senate Republican Leader Nesbitt launches campaign for governor

Senate Republican Leader Nesbitt launches campaign for governor

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

On Tuesday, Jan. 14, Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt of Porter Township announced he is running to become Michigan’s 50th governor, becoming the first announced Republican candidate in the 2026 gubernatorial election.Nesbitt grew up on a sixth-generation family farm and earned…

Sheriff’s Office investigates contractor fraud

Sheriff’s Office investigates contractor fraud

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

An area builder is facing criminal charges following an investigation by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office. Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott said Gordon Leighton, 58, of the Lawton area, faces one count of contractor – fraud, a felony,…

Paw Paw Public School receives MEC grants

Paw Paw Public School receives MEC grants

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

Officials from Midwest Energy & Communications, (MEC) Cassopolis, visited Paw Paw Later Elementary and Paw Paw Middle School on Thursday, Jan. 9, to present surprise grant award checks to Paw Paw Middle School teacher Kaylah Laurian and Paw Paw Public…

PPPS notified of cybersecurity incident involving third party vendor

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20251 min read

Paw Paw Public Schools issued a statement about a recent unauthorized ac-cess of information that occurred involving PowerSchool, the district’s third-party student information system.Paw Paw Public Schools Superintendent Jeremy Davison said, “We were recently informed that an incident took place…

Guernsey becomes first female lead prosecutor in Jackson County

Editorial StaffJan 10, 20253 min read

By Jeff Steers Contributing Writer New Jackson County Lead Prosecutor Kelsey Guernsey did something interesting before Circuit Court Judge John McBain officially signed her to the position. Guernsey asked people in the audience to stand up if they were part…

Columbia Central has solid week in girls basketball

Editorial StaffJan 10, 20254 min read

by Jeff Steers Contributing Writer The Columbia Central High School girls basketball team won three games last week. The Golden Eagles defeated Ann Arbor Pioneer, Concord, and Napoleon. Here are scores from area teams. Columbia Central 56, Ann Arbor Pioneer…

Cooper Street in Downtown Jackson closing for bridge replacement

Editorial StaffJan 10, 20251 min read

The Michigan Department of Transportation is closing the Cooper Street bridge over the Grand River in Downtown Jackson starting Monday, Jan. 13. MDOT is fully replacing the street’s deteriorating bridge and outdated water main. According to an MDOT press release,…

Light agenda at city council meeting includes further discussion on EDC budget

Editorial StaffJan 10, 20253 min read

At Monday’s meeting, Albion City Council again tabled the discussion on the request of the Albion Economic Development Corporation to transfer $150,000 from the TIFA (tax increment finance authority) fund into the EDC budget. The reason for this request is…

Looking Out: An alarming story

Editorial StaffJan 10, 20253 min read

by Jim Whitehouse “Ringggggggg” sounds my roommate Otter’s alarm clock. We are sophomores in college. Otter sets his alarm clock for very early each morning. I lift my head from my pillow and see him slap the snooze button on…

Obituary: Vennie Ree (Gibson) Williams

Obituary: Vennie Ree (Gibson) Williams

Editorial StaffJan 10, 20252 min read

Vennie Ree (Gibson) Williams, born on March 3, 1933, in Chester, Georgia, peacefully departedthis life on Dec. 25, 2024, at her residence in Greensboro, North Carolina, surrounded byher loving family. She was the cherished daughter of the late Ammie Lee…

Obituary: James Leland Manthei

Obituary: James Leland Manthei

Editorial StaffJan 10, 20252 min read

James Leland Manthei, age 89, of Albion, Michigan passed on Jan. 2, 2025. He was born July 01, 1935, in Parma, Michigan to Paul and Thelma (Hubbel) Manthei. Jim was a quiet man that loved wood working, building furniture, collecting…

Community Table of Albion helps fight food insecurity

Editorial StaffJan 10, 20253 min read

The Community Table of Albion had their last food pantry distribution of 2024 on Friday, Dec. 20. Operated by the Albion Health Care Alliance, CTA is the largest food distribution program in Eastern Calhoun County. In 2024 CTA held 35…

Out and About: Clever comments, quotes, and roadkill

Out and About: Clever comments, quotes, and roadkill

Editorial StaffJan 10, 20253 min read

A very Happy New Year to all! I’m finally scheduled for my open-heart surgery on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 a.m. This means that for the rest of this month, my columns will include more items from my files of…

Obituary: Nancy Ann Marek

Obituary: Nancy Ann Marek

Editorial StaffJan 10, 20254 min read

Nancy Ann Marek, of Three Rivers, Michigan, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2024 with her beloved friend and caregiver, Earl Allison, by her side.She was born November 2, 1946, in Lyons, IL, the daughter of Robert and Lorraine “LAM”…