Fireworks at Cascades Park marred by teens fighting
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Hundreds of people gathered at Cascades Park in Jackson to kick off the July 4th holiday with fireworks, food trucks, and live music on Thursday, July 3. At dusk, right before the fireworks show began,…
Red, White and Blue Cruise-In
Albion’s 25th Annual Red, White & Blue Cruise-In Car Show on the bricks was once again a treat for car enthusiasts and the community alike. The annual event takes place every year downtown Albion on July 3 right before the…
Out and About: Lake life, open house, and parades
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.” -Robert Louis StevensonThe Fourth of July weekend is now in the history books and the local lakes are now resting from all the busy…
Independence Day celebrations bring patriotism, family fun to local area
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CONSTANTINE — The 249th birthday celebrations for the United States were very much well-attended in a number of local municipalities.On July 4, three local communities held celebrations for Independence Day that brough crowds from all around…
Sturgis Fest: Chamber director reflects on week, looks ahead to ’26
By Dennis Volkert Sturgis Fest 2025 wrapped June 28.It was the festival’s 13th year.As a recap and look-ahead, Kari Hatt, executive director at Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce, took part in a Q&A with Sturgis Sentinel, to reflect on this…
Congress School receives recognition on ‘inclusive playgrounds’ list
Congress School in Sturgis was named to Soliant Health’s “10 Best Inclusive School Playgrounds in America.”Congress School is one of six elementary schools in Sturgis to receive an inclusive playground, with help from a community-supported bond passed in 2019.Each playground…
Commission approves special assessment, payment plan for sidewalk repair and replacement
By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday held two public hearings in connection with sidewalk projects. The first hearing was to consider a special assessment district to repair sidewalks in conjunction with “small urban street improvement” along Vinewood Avenue and East…
New assistant prosecutor hired by county
CENTREVILLE — St. Joseph County Prosecutor Deborah Davis announced in a press release Monday the hiring of Angelique Camfield as a new assistant prosecutor with the prosecutor’s office, giving the office near-full staffing levels.Camfield has experience in both private practice…
Multiple illegal drugs, firearm recovered in arrest at TR hotel
THREE RIVERS — A suspect was arrested at a Three Rivers hotel Wednesday, with multiple illegal drugs and a firearm seized.According to Michigan State Police’s Southwest Enforcement Team (SWET), police arrested an individual at the Super 8 Hotel in Three…
Red Cross on site helping fire victims
The American Red Cross is working with local officials and community partners to help meet the immediate needs of 25 people displaced by a fire at the Wagon Wheel Motel on Saturday in Harrison. The shelter at Hayes Township Hall…
Fire at Wagon Wheel motel leaves 26 homeless
By Genine Hopkins A devastating fire at the Wagon Wheel Motel in Hayes Township on July 5, 2025, left 20 people and 6 children homeless but had only one serious injury, the owner, who was burned on their hands and…
Horse Progress Days celebrates another great year at the Yoder farm
By Christopher Johnson If you stuck around town this Fourth of July weekend, you may have noticed Colonville Road had transformed into something of a rural autobahn—buzzing with both motorized traffic and horse-drawn rigs, all headed in the same direction.That’s…
Harrison basketball girls having busy summer
By John RaffelCorrespondent HARRISON — A lot of high school coaches like to say winning programs are not built during the season but are determined by how much work they put into the summer months.That includes Ryan Carlstrom, the varsity…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorLightning StrikesJust when I thought life had gone to hell came word human deaths by lightning have dropped from 300-plus per annum in the 1940s to only 13 so far this year. Now there’s more people, or targets,…
July 4 rain ends in reign of flame
Rain and lightning reigned on the planned Friday, Fourth of July morning parade though Saugatuck, causing its cancelation to the disappointment of Saugatuck-Douglas Area Convention & Visitors Bureau sponsors, volunteers, participants and spectators. Among those showing up were colorfully-dressed Saugatuck-Douglas…
Lyrics on the Lawn returns to Otsego Library in August
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Since making its debut more than a decade ago, the Lyrics on the Lawn concert series has become a summer tradition at Otsego District Public Library.And this year is no different.Lyrics on the Lawn is back…
City of Otsego adds another internet option
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor City of Otsego residents will soon have another option when it comes to internet service.On Monday, July 14, Surf Internet will begin install fiber internet throughout the majority of the City.A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to…
Otsego updates chicken ordinance
By Aaron MitchellOtsego City Manager Since last March, the City of Otsego has been discussing the possibility of allowing residential property owners to own chickens for the provision of eggs.To kick things off, we had a few residents come to…
Goddard takes reins of Martin varsity volleyball
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Shannon Goddard and her family are deeply entrenched in the Martin community.Just how entrenched, you ask?Consider this: she’s a fourth-generation Martin High School graduate, making her children—Demetrius (class of 2020), Makala (class of 2024) and Kendra…
Mattawan boys track team looks ahead
By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN — Among the top performers for Mattawan boys track and field in regional action this season was junior sprinter Connor O’Rourke, who was fifth in the 100-meter dash in 11.33 seconds. O’Rourke was fifth in the…
