3126 residences hooked up to county broadband so far

3126 residences hooked up to county broadband so far

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20242 min read

ALLEGAN — The $65 million project to bring broadband, hi-speed internet access to unserved areas of Allegan County, continues to connect residents to the world wide web. The county organized the project using $17 million in federal ARPA funds to…

Small Business Saturday brings wonderful surprises and a sad goodbye

Small Business Saturday brings wonderful surprises and a sad goodbye

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20244 min read

By Gari Voss Even with solid Black Friday sales and specials, the streets of Allegan were lined with vehicles belonging to shoppers taking advantage of Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30, 2024. Full parking spaces may have meant walking a…

Bulldogs win against Long, but drop heartbreaker to Handley

Bulldogs win against Long, but drop heartbreaker to Handley

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20241 min read

By Pamela Whitlow The LaFayette Bulldogs basketball teams traveled during the holiday Thanksgiving break to Dale County to take on George W. Long.The Boys Junior Varsity team crushed the Rebels with a 44-29 win.The Varsity Bulldogs boys eeked out a…

Obituary: Ms. Barbara (Short Cake) Calloway Ashford

Obituary: Ms. Barbara (Short Cake) Calloway Ashford

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20241 min read

Ms. Barbara (Short Cake) Calloway Ashford, 53, of LaFayette died Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at White Hall Baptist Church, LaFayette at 12:00 p.m. (CST)…

Christmas Committee kicks off holiday season

Christmas Committee kicks off holiday season

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20243 min read

By John BriceCorrespondent Seasons greetings were in full swing with a tree lighting event outside the courthouse entrance in downtown LaFayette hosted by the Christmas Committee during the evening hours of Sunday, December 1st of 2024.LaFayette Christmas Committee Chair Adrian…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20245 min read

 When it started getting cold this year and snow was in the air, someone spotted me walking and wanted to know why my coat was unbuttoned. “Don’t you know it’s cold?” she asked. If I don’t happen to have on my…

Mike’s Musings: Words to live by

Mike’s Musings: Words to live by

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20243 min read

I found this post on Facebook. I unfortunately don’t know who the author is, but I haven’t read anything lately, that expresses best, how to live our life. Follow these basic tenets and you will be a great person. Personally,…

Marion Gains a Grocery Store and Pharmacy

Marion Gains a Grocery Store and Pharmacy

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20246 min read

By Genine Hopkins The Village of Marion lost its pharmacy over a decade ago. This year, the village lostboth its grocery store and newspaper. Many people have been very disheartened about losing somuch in their hometown. Residents of the Village…

Firefighters from six departments battle apartment fire

Firefighters from six departments battle apartment fire

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20241 min read

Firefighters from six departments responded to a blaze in a two-story residential structure at the Picture Lake Apartments, 62nd Street south of County Road 388, Geneva Township at 6:05 p.m. Monday.The occupants safely evacuated the building. The fire was reported…

Executive Director of Chamber announces her retirement

Executive Director of Chamber announces her retirement

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20243 min read

James Windell Kathy Wagaman, who has been Executive Director of the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce since 2011, announced her plans to retire on February 28, 2025.“I am proud of the consistent growth that we have enjoyed as a…

Area Communities to usher in holiday season this weekend

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20243 min read

PAW PAW – Downtown Paw Paw’s “Christmas in the Village begins Dec. 6.Community Tree Lighting – Festivities begin at 6 p.m. in front of the Carnegie Center, 129 S. Kalamazoo St. Come together for cookies, hot cocoa, entertainment and caroling…

Major pileup closes I-94 on Monday

Major pileup closes I-94 on Monday

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20241 min read

I-94 was shut down at Mile Marker 46 near Hartford in both directions Monday afternoon, due to a multi-vehicle crash. State Police said one person was injured. Drivers were asked to seek an alternate route until the crash scene was…

80-year-old admits to trafficking drugs

80-year-old admits to trafficking drugs

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20242 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmailcom ALMENA – Charges are pending for an 80-year-old Paw Paw man who was allegedly trafficking narcotics from his Almena Township residence, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office. Van Buren County…

Mattawan girls have new coach

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20242 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN — Rob Kuhtz ready to have a strong season with Mattawan’s girls basketball team as the new coach.Last year the team was 11-10, 3rd in SMAC West. The season featured the retirement of varsity coach Chad…

Lumen Christi advances to D-6 Football Finals

Lumen Christi advances to D-6 Football Finals

Editorial StaffNov 29, 20241 min read

The Titans advanced to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 6 state finals with a 35-6 semifinal win at Novi last Saturday. Lumen Christi faces Lansing Catholic Friday at Ford Field beginning at 4 p.m. It is the third…

Looking Out: Compound angles

Editorial StaffNov 29, 20243 min read

by Jim Whitehouse “Are you working on anything in your shop these days?” says old friend Lyle Pratt. “Ugh,” I say. “Ugh?” “Yes.  Ugh. I need to go back to school and take more math,” I say. “Shop class, you…

Calhoun County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit members do more than parades

Calhoun County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit members do more than parades

Editorial StaffNov 29, 20246 min read

by Sylvia Benavidez Members of the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit come from all over the county to become an important part of Calhoun County’s law enforcement team, and they choose to do it without garnering a salary. Although the…

Hundreds Attend Jackson Downtown Parade Nov. 22

Hundreds Attend Jackson Downtown Parade Nov. 22

Editorial StaffNov 29, 20242 min read

Hundreds of local residents attended the Jackson Downtown Parade in Jackson last Friday. Local bands, service groups, and businesses highlighted the 75-minute parade on Michigan Avenue. Santa Claus brought up the rear of the parade – much to the chagrin…