By Scott SullivanEditorMr. Sunshine“In the depth of winter, I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus Good ol’ Al, Mr. Sunshine. Camus’ opening for “The Stranger”: “Mother died yesterday. Or perhaps today. I’m not sure,”…

Not all ducks fly, though this one did at least metaphorically down the Schultz Park sled hill last week. (Photo by Scott Sullivan

By Jim HaydenCorrespondentThe final curtain call for a Saugatuck barn that hosted summer plays for almost 50 years is coming in 2026.The former Red Barn, at 6357 63rd St. northeast of town, is expected to be razed and replaced with…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor As winter settles in across Southwest Michigan, members of the Otsego High School National Honor Society are once again working to help ensure those in need have the proper clothing to stay warm.Throughout January, the OHS…

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorAre you the parent or guardian of a kindergarten student who attends Plain-well Community Schools? If so, you may want to mark your calendar for an upcoming informational meeting introducing the My Future Fund program, which will…

By John RaffelCorrespondent PLAINWELL — The next meeting of the Plainwell City Council is set for 7 p.m. on Jan. 12.At the council’s most recent meetings the council was to consider Plainwell City Charter having an annual audit of all…

Attendance at Michigan High School Athletic Association postseason tournaments remained near 1.4 million spectators for the third straight school year in 2024-25. An overall attendance record in baseball and several additional all-time bests for specific tournament rounds helped keep totals…

Martin High School is among the state’s leaders in multi-sport participation, according to the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s latest Multi-Sport Participation Survey, which shows continued growth statewide during the 2024-25 school year.The survey, conducted last spring, marked the seventh…

Every December, Sen. Rand Paul releases his annual Festivus Report, a nod to the fictional holiday made famous by Seinfeld. The tradition includes an “airing of grievances,” and for taxpayers, there is no shortage of them.I just got the opportunity…

When the holiday season began to wind down I checked the little recipe box that contained the names and addresses of people on our Christmas card list. Every year a few new names are added. Every year a few more names get…

 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered all U.S. and Michigan flags to be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday to honor the late David Haverdink, who died on Christmas after being hit by a vehicle while on duty as the chief of the Hamilton…

By Gari Voss The traditional welcoming of 2026 in Allegan was designed to accommodate all ages. The celebrations began at the Allegan District Library as the youth, their caregivers, and young-at-heart gathered for fun activities that culminated at high noon…

By John Raffel MATTAWAN — Rob Kuhtz’s girls basketball team is off to a 2-2 start as Mattawan gets ready to come out of the holiday break.“We are much improved from a year ago and we’ve had opportunities to win…

By James Windell The City of South Haven responded to Pat Carlotto’s employment lawsuit alleging discrimination. The lawsuit was filed in late November 2025 in Federal District Court.The formal answer to the initial suit was filed with the Court on…

The Paw Paw Fire Department Honor Guard, shown above, and the Lawton Fire Department Honor Guard, both assisted with the visitation and funeral service for Hamiliton Fire Department Chief David Haverdink on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 5 and 6. The…

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Two dogs that ventured out on Ackley Lake, Paw Paw, on New Year’s Day and fell through the ice, were both successfully rescued by the Paw Paw Fire Department.Paw Paw Fire Chief Kyle…

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – This year’s Paw Paw High School Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Jan. 16, between the girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball games, approximately 7 p.m. at Paw Paw High School.A reception…

By Frank Passic             Happy New Year everyone. It was heartening to learn recently of the establishment of an Albion Arts Center in the old Water Works building at 107 E. Cass St. This historic building has been modernized and…

By Ken Wyatt Every small town knows about its forgotten generations. These are the young people small towns raise – but then lose to big cities with jobs and better opportunities. Walter C. “Chris” Heisler was one such small-town product.…

By Sylvia Benavidez During the Cookie Walk and Gift Wrapping for the Friends of Albion’s Animals at the Albion District Library, 12-year-old Taylor Weston, Clarence Township, brought $240.00 to the event and handed it over to one of the volunteers.…