Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorGod’s HammerI repent many things: getting married, tearing labels off pillows, writing this column … And I’m better for it.Doesn’t mean I stop doing those things. But the guilt I harbor allays my fear I’ve become another mild-mannered…
Douglas eyes timely Ferry reconnect
By Scott SullivanEditorDouglas efforts to reopen north-south Ferry Street between West Shore Drive and Campbell Road continued apace last week, city manager Lisa Nocerini said.The city hopes to reopen the stretch by Memorial Day weekend if everything goes to plan.Douglas…
Cow Hill Bowl-A-Thon scores $6K for charity
Cow Hill Yacht Club’s third annual Bowl-A-Thon Feb. 16 at Alley’s in Douglas raised close to $6,000 for 501c3 nonprofit to distribute to area people in need of help for heating and electrical bills, gas money, car repairs, funeral costs,…
Autism program to move from OPS to home districts
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor For the past several years, Otsego Public Schools has served as host to a county-wide autism program.However, that will change at the conclusion of the current school year.Due to a space crunch faced by OPS, Level…
Otsego names three finalists for superintendent role
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor On Saturday, March 22, the Otsego School Board interviewed a pool of seven candidates for the district’s soon-to-be vacant superintendent position.That pool was narrowed to three finalists, who participated in a second round of interviews on…
Baseball Season Preview:
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANThe 2025 season will be the final prep campaign for Allegan seniors Nate Kuebler (pitcher/corner infield) and Elliot Leece (utility), both of whom have been in the program all four years of high school.Allegan coach Mike…
Girls Soccer Season Preview:
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANSince he started coaching high school soccer at Lowell in 2000, Paul Legge has racked up a 393-142-33 record, including an 87-21-7 mark in Allegan the past seven seasons.The 2025 campaign will mark Legge’s last stand.“I…
Wayland Union Schools breaks ground on new pool facility
Wayland Union Schools has begun construction on a new pool facility. This project is part of a $49.7 million bond that was passed by voters in May 2023.Wayland Union Board of Education accepted bids for this project in February 2025,…
Mike’s Musings: Destroying Tesla vehicles and dealerships makes no sense
Maybe someone can explain to me why firebombing a Tesla dealership or a Tesla car makes sense.Over the past week Tesla vehicles have been front and center in the resistance directed at President Trump and his DOGE leader. Elon Musk.…
Life as Performance Art
I sometimes glance at the marquee outside a church. Some give the worship hours and their cleric’s name; others have a pithy little maxim to amuse the motorists. A good example was one about wishing Noah had swatted the…
Volunteer Fair pinnacle of Allegan County Gives 2025
By Vicky Knuckles & Gari Voss Allegan County Gives means more than digging into pockets for loose change. A special Volunteer Fair promotes the wonderful work of volunteers who give their time and talents to non-profits across Allegan County. During…
Conagra to close in Fennville
A food plant in Fennville is expected to close this summer.Chicago-based Conagra Brands confirmed the pending closure to News 8 Wednesday, saying it told workers it would happen by the end of June.“This decision was based on the need to…
Lawton track teams expect to be strong again
By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWTON —Mike Meyer is head coach for a Lawton track and field program that expects to be strong again.Both teams last year were 4-1 in conference meets and finished second in the SAC.Girls team was third at…
South Haven hires new police chief again
James Windell For the second time this year, the City of South Haven has a new police chief.Dennis Honholt, currently the Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety for the city of Dover, Tennessee, will become South Haven’s police…
Gail Patterson-Gladney to retire from South Haven Memorial Library
By James Windell When Gail Petterson-Gladney retires from the South Haven Memorial Library on March 29, 2025, she can look back at a nearly 25-year career of helping children.Although she says it is a happy occasion because of her future…
South Haven Schools staged walk-in to raise awareness
By James Windell South Haven Schools joined thousands of other schools in Michigan and around the nation in sponsoring a School Walk-In on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.A protest initiated by the National Education Association, the Walk-In was intended to make…
Garage and car destroyed in Paw Paw blaze
The Paw Paw Fire Department responded Monday afternoon, March 24, to a garage and car fire at 48255 45th St., Paw Paw. A total of 23 fire department members responded to the fire which was reported at approximately 3:06 p.m.…
State VFW members travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with legislators
Kevin Conklin, a member of the Decatur VFW, and Veterans of Foreign Wars National Council member representing the State of Michigan, traveled to Washington, D.C., Feb. 28 through March 6 to meet with legislators concerning veterans’ issues and benefits. Conklin…
Hartford area woman in custody following fatal shooting
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com HARTFORD – A 41-year-old Hartford area man is dead following an early Monday morning, March 24, shooting in Hartford, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott…
Second trial to begin in 2007 Lawrence murder case
A Lawrence woman convicted of murdering her husband will soon begin the process of having a second murder trial.On Tuesday a jury trial was set to commence years after the January 2007 murder case of Todd Stermer.According to investigators, Todd…