Island City Fest returns as one-day event for 2025

Island City Fest returns as one-day event for 2025

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Island City Festival is returning to Plainwell this summer … albeit with some changes compared to last year’s event.Organizers announced on Sunday, April 27, that this year’s Island City Festival will be a single day…

Otsego baseball drops twin bill with Wyoming

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor WYOMING—In the first game of a doubleheader against Wyoming on Thursday, April 24, the Otsego baseball team held a 7-3 edge in hits.That, however, wasn’t enough to produce a win, as the Bulldogs fell 4-1.Otsego also…

Allegan tennis beats Brandywine

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor NILES—The girls tennis teams from Allegan and Brandywine met for a SAC/Lakeland match on Monday, April 28, and the battles and No. 1 and No. 2 doubles were fierce.And while the teams split those flights—Allegan’s No.…

Adjacent tenant makes own door to restaurant

Adjacent tenant makes own door to restaurant

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20252 min read

On Thursday April 24, 2025 at 11:10 p.m. the Clare County Central Dispatch received a call from the owner of the Jack Pine Restaurant located at 231 E. Main St in Harrison, reporting seeing a subject inside the restaurant on…

Allegan ends consideration of contracting out police services

Allegan ends consideration of contracting out police services

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20253 min read

The City of Allegan has ended its consideration of contracting out police services. After community input sessions and a review of a potential agreement with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office, the City decided to end further discussion of a budget option…

Sheriff Department shuts down illegal marijuana grow

Sheriff Department shuts down illegal marijuana grow

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20253 min read

Blackman School By Gari Voss Trowbridge Township announced that the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department shut down illegal marijuana grow operations at the old Blackman School and in a pole barn behind it. Trowbridge established a marijuana ordinance, but there are…

South Haven Area Emergency Services honors members

South Haven Area Emergency Services honors members

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20253 min read

SOUTH HAVEN – When Ron Wise retired as Executive Director (Chief) of South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) in 2020 he didn’t put away his helmet and boots.Instead, he changed from wearing the traditional white helmet of Chief to the…

South Haven police chief quits after he failed to resign previous job

South Haven police chief quits after he failed to resign previous job

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20254 min read

By James Windell After new revelations came to light, the South Haven Police Chief resigned on April 23, 2025.The second police chief to resign this year, Dennis Honholt began his duties on April 1, 2025. Just 23 days later, Honholt…

Ship grounded due to low river / lake level

Ship grounded due to low river / lake level

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20251 min read

Friends Goodwill was unable to leave port in South Haven for a Holland Tulip Time visit next week due to the low river/lake water level.

Two to oppose Brown for South Haven mayor

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20252 min read

James Windell Several candidates in the races for South Haven’s Mayor and for open City Council positions met the filing requirements and will appear on the August Primary ballot.Incumbent Mayor Annie Brown will be opposed by present City Council member…

City Council approves Community Recreation Director agreement

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20253 min read

By James Windell After the South Haven Area Recreation Authority presented the South Haven City Council with an amended Community Recreation Director agreement, the City Council unanimously approved the agreement on Monday, April 21, 2025.Scott Reinert, SHARA Recreation Administrator director,…

Seventy walk to overcome poverty

Seventy walk to overcome poverty

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20251 min read

With temperatures in the mid-60s, the 43rd annual Van Buren County CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk was held Sunday afternoon, April 27. Stepping off at the Paw Paw United Methodist Church, the walk made its way through Downtown…

Paw Paw winery demolishes building for expanded parking

Paw Paw winery demolishes building for expanded parking

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20251 min read

The demolition of a former auto dealership, then converted to several small shops, took place last week in Paw Paw on Kalamazoo Street. The building, owned by St. Julian Winery, located adjacent to the site, was razed to make way…

Volunteers honored for longtime service

Volunteers honored for longtime service

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20251 min read

Retired Paw Paw business owners, Mike and Marlene Lake, who operated M & M Sweet Shop in downtown Paw Paw for 21 years, retiring in 1993, retired last week from their volunteer jobs at Lakeview Foundation Community Thrift Shop. Mike,…

Destination Paw Paw builds momentum at community recap event

Destination Paw Paw builds momentum at community recap event

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20252 min read

PAW PAW – Destination Paw Paw, a division of the Van Buren County CVB, gathered community members and partners at St. Julian Winery, here, on April 24 to celebrate the early successes of its newly launched brand. Destination Paw Paw officially…

Gobles boys have big day in Fennville

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20252 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — On April 23 the Gobblers Tigers boys track team traveled to Fennville to compete against Coloma and Fennville in this week’s double dual.The Tigers came away with some outstanding performances and 2 more team wins…

Mike’s Musings: Number of college administrators alarming

Mike’s Musings: Number of college administrators alarming

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20253 min read

Many of you have read my rants concerning higher education. I believe the cost is outrageous and it certainly far outweighs the benefit most students receive.One of the reasons costs have risen extensively over the past decade is that universities…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20256 min read

If there is anything good to be said about doing mindless work such as blowing leaves out of the ground cover, it is that I allow my brain to wander off and play. When it comes back and we reengage,…

HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK

Editorial StaffApr 25, 20254 min read

By Frank Passic THE BEGINNINGS OF RIVERSIDE CEMETERY             The land upon which Riverside Cemetery in Albion is located was once part of an original 80-acre plot located in Albion Township. The first two owners of the property were women,…

Soccer Roundup TR wins, loses, draws on week

Editorial StaffApr 25, 20252 min read

THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers’ girls’ soccer team had an even week this past week, as they had a record of one win, one loss, and one tie.On Wednesday, April 16, the team played to a 2-2 tie against Niles…