Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area

Editorial Staff Aug 29, 2025 3 min read

RECURRINGSturgis Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. each Saturday through Sept. 27, Oak Lawn Park.  AUGUSTAug. 29No classes held at Sturgis Public Schools (Labor Day weekend). SEPTEMBERSept. 1No classes held at Sturgis Public Schools (Labor Day weekend).Sturgis Township Board of Trustees…

Constantine leaders get first look at wastewater treatment plant Facility expected to go online within next two weeks

Editorial Staff Aug 29, 2025 5 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CONSTANTINE — Constantine Village Council members Thursday got their first look at a newly-renovated wastewater treatment plant prior to its launch in the next couple of weeks.The $20 million facility, which took a couple of years…

Harrison’s 19th Annual Street Fair amazes attendees

Harrison’s 19th Annual Street Fair amazes attendees

Editorial Staff Aug 29, 2025 2 min read

By Genine Hopkins This year it seems like the Harrison Street Fair was bigger than it has ever been, with more activities, talent, and fun for kids of all ages. The musical talent lineup was amazing and got people up…

The Old 27 Motor Tour: Good times keep rolling

The Old 27 Motor Tour: Good times keep rolling

Editorial Staff Aug 29, 2025 3 min read

by Christopher Johnson This past weekend, Clare welcomed the return of the annual Old US 27 Motor Tour. Held every third week of August, the six-day event spans 13 cities along the historic route of the same name. Right here…

Clare hosts home invitational

Editorial Staff Aug 29, 2025 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — The Clare Invitational took place on Wednesday at Mid Michigan Community College for cross country runners.For Clare in the 5,000 meters 12th grade boys, it was a 24-31 win over Sanford Meridian.Clayton Peacock (17:43.77) was…

Fennville puts downtown land up for bid

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 3 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR The City of Fennville and Fennville Downtown Development Authority are seeking qualified proposals to buy and develop two downtown properties: • 0.8 acres straddling space between Main and Fennville streets. Owned by the DDA alongside an…

Labor Day Bridge Walk returns Sept. 1

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 1 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR The Labor Day Blue Star Bridge Walk will be back Monday, Sept. 1 — with a longer route this year. What would have been last year’s 26th annual crossing was canceled “due to challenges in gathering…

Laketown to quiz manager hopeful again

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 2 min read

The Laketown Township Board will interview manager candidate Stephanie Fox for a third time Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. in the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road. Members voted 4-1 July 21to begin contract negotiations with Fox pending a review…

Seven seniors lead the way for Saugatuck volleyball

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorAs she enters her first year as head coach at the varsity level for Saugatuck, Christina Lewis likes the mix of players on her team.“This season is shaping up to be an exciting one,” said Lewis, who…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorPsychoGreat news on the crazy front. A new website aims to share knowledge and lead discussions about psychopathy, a disorder characterized by fearlessness, difficulty inhibiting behaviors plus severe lack of empathy and remorse.We all know psychopaths. Charles Manson,…

Picking peaches

Picking peaches

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 1 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorIt’s prime time for pictures of people picking peaches. Bella Vista Farm west of Fennville is bursting with Allstar, Sweetstar, Loring and Blushing Star brands plus plums, raspberries, nectarines and early Sweet Maya apples.Mary and John Renaldi bought…

Township dedicates ‘Canary’ sculpture

Township dedicates ‘Canary’ sculpture

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 3 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorYou can’t miss Saugatuck Township’s first public art piece “Canary in a Coal Mine.”The 11-foot-tall yellow steel sculpture went up this May as centerpiece in the year-old Blue Star Highway/Old Allegan Road roundabout.At a dedication ceremony Wednesday, Aug.…

Plainwell Schools share transportation information

Plainwell Schools share transportation information

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The 2005-26 school year official began for Plainwell Community Schools on Monday, Aug. 25, with a half day of classes.And with the resumption of school, district officials wanted to share some reminders from the transportation department…

Gus Macker Tournament proves successful once again

Gus Macker Tournament proves successful once again

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament returned for its 10th appearance in the City of Otsego on Saturday, Aug. 23, and Friday, Aug. 24.And the event shows no signs of waning in popularity.To the contrary, the…

Otsego golf edges Plainwell

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 1 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PAW PAW—The Wolverine Conference portion of the girls golf season began for Otsego and Plainwell on Monday, Aug. 25, as Paw Paw hosted the first league jamboree at Lake Cora Golf Course.And it was the Bulldogs…

Allegan tennis wins home tournament

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Hosting the Tiger Duals on Saturday, Aug. 23, the Allegan boys tennis team won four flight championships to secure top honors.The Tigers, ranked eighth in Division 4, finished with 16 points, followed by Notre Dame Prep…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 8 min read

    Over the past few years, we have heard the phrases “sanctuary city” and “sanctuary state”many times.  In the US, it has become politically divisive because sanctuary cities and states have traditionally been labeled liberal or “blue states” where the…

Mike’s Musings: Is Cracker Barrel’s new strategy, doomed?

Mike’s Musings: Is Cracker Barrel’s new strategy, doomed?

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 3 min read

With Congress on vacation for the entire month of August (how dare they) and very little else happening, the Cracker Barrel rebranding hit center stage in last week’s news cycle. The CEO and Marketing Manager rolled out a new contemporary…

Allegan Ladder Truck returns to firehouse

Allegan Ladder Truck returns to firehouse

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 3 min read

By Gari Voss The buzz around the firehouse on Saturday, August 23, 2025, was not just about a wonderful pancake breakfast complete with eggs, hashbrowns, and sausage or the delicious spaghetti supper that followed, but about the 1951 Ladder Truck…

Council approves downtown apartments, water bill possible increase

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 9 min read

By Gari Voss During their August 25, 2025, meeting, the Allegan City Council accepted a Block Grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to create 10 new second story apartments in Downtown Allegan, approved a budget alignment to complete…