Cabin fever buster opportunities around the county

Editorial Staff Jan 28, 2026 5 min read

By Gari VossAllegan, Michigan offers much more than just food and drink. There is no need to be disappointed about missing the sold out Comedy Night at Tantrick Down Under or the January Pub Quiz or the beginning of Pinball…

Mattawan hockey remains in first place

Editorial Staff Jan 28, 2026 1 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN — Mattawan’s hockey team entered this week with a record of 16-3-1 overall and was tied for first place in the South Central High School League with a 4-0-1 record.Kalamazoo Loy Norrix is in second place…

Person falls into Lake Michigan while walking on ice shelf

Editorial Staff Jan 28, 2026 2 min read

“The Lake Michigan shoreline snow shelves and ice-covered piers are beautiful and inviting. And very dangerous!” South Haven authorities wrote in a Facebook post.A person fell through the ice shelf near the South Haven pier on Wednesday, plunging them into…

Sub-zero temps create emergencies for public works

Sub-zero temps create emergencies for public works

Editorial Staff Jan 28, 2026 1 min read

The recent sub-zero temperatures that have swept the area have proven to be a challenge in many ways, including burst water pipes. Public works employees have the unenviable task of responding to those types of emergencies as pictured here on…

South Haven Speakers Series announces its 12th season speaker lineup

South Haven Speakers Series announces its 12th season speaker lineup

Editorial Staff Jan 28, 2026 4 min read

By James Windell The South Haven Speakers Series just announced its lineup for the 2026 season – its 12th year of bringing topnotch speakers and compelling topics to South Haven.The four programs this year address major issues that shape our…

South Haven School Board unanimously approves teachers salary agreement

Editorial Staff Jan 28, 2026 3 min read

By James Windell The South Haven School Board unanimously approved the salary agreement for teachers at the regular School Board meeting on January 21, 2026.The teacher’s union had already ratified the agreement on January 13, 2026 after the School District…

Upgrades made at Lawrence Township Emergency Services

Upgrades made at Lawrence Township Emergency Services

Editorial Staff Jan 28, 2026 1 min read

Lawrence Township Emergency Services has upgraded the capabilities of one of its vehicles. Utility truck 1780 was equipped with a plow to help not only maintain the township’s emergency services facility, but also to ensure if inclement weather occurs, township…

Van Buren County Dispatch Director to retire

Van Buren County Dispatch Director to retire

Editorial Staff Jan 28, 2026 1 min read

The Van Buren Chief’s of Police Association presented soon to be retired Van Buren Dispatch Director Tim McGee with a plaque recognizing his dedicated years of service to Van Buren County. McGee began his career in law enforcement as an…

Mike’s Musings: Greenland Matters to U.S. Security — But Its People Should Choose Its Future

Mike’s Musings: Greenland Matters to U.S. Security — But Its People Should Choose Its Future

Editorial Staff Jan 28, 2026 4 min read

My son and I have always toyed with the idea of living in Greenland. I being drawn to the heat, couldn’t survive 50 degrees below zero. My son on the other hand is drawn towards the cold and has fancied…

Woman charged in overdose death of two people found dead at Jackson motel

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 2 min read

By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Angela Marie Chapman, 41, of Jackson was arraigned by 12th District Court Magistrate, Christopher Dickerson on Jan. 20 on charges that include two counts of delivery of a controlled substance causing death, and two counts…

Family seeks answers in deadly hit and run

Family seeks answers in deadly hit and run

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 2 min read

By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Norman Joseph Heim, age 76, was struck and killed while walking by a vehicle traveling on Lansing Avenue near South Oak Creek Drive in Rives Township at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 15. According to…

City reviews inspection requirements for city-owned housing

City reviews inspection requirements for city-owned housing

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 5 min read

By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer During the Jan. 5 Albion City Council meeting, council members discussed how the city’s rental certification and inspection requirements apply to city-owned housing, raising questions about potential overlap with existing federal inspections and the impact…

Jackson man arrested after alleged arson injures two roommates

Jackson man arrested after alleged arson injures two roommates

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 3 min read

By Kathryn Palon Contributing Writer JACKSON, Mich. — A Jackson man was arrested after police say he admitted to setting fire to a residence at 324 Clinton St., injuring his two roommates. The incident occurred at approximately 10:07 p.m. on…

From sewer lines to city leadership, Albion finds unexpected answers

From sewer lines to city leadership, Albion finds unexpected answers

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 5 min read

By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer Albion officials used a lightly attended Jan. 20 meeting to advance several significant initiatives, moving forward on infrastructure planning, economic development and a pivotal leadership decision, while also pausing to recognize community contributions during a…

Al the Albion Squirrel’s creator Aiden Wade celebrates five years

Al the Albion Squirrel’s creator Aiden Wade celebrates five years

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 6 min read

By SYLVIA BENAVIDEZ Contributing Writer The comic strip Al the Albion Squirrel made its debut twice a month in The Recorder five years ago and a hundred strips later, is still being read in both The Recorder and the Morning…

Out and About: Dogs, Icebreaker, and winning at life

Out and About: Dogs, Icebreaker, and winning at life

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 2 min read

“Where liberty is, there is my country.” ~ Benjamin FranklinStrange but true facts about dogs:

Remanded Lowry annexation on agenda for Boundary Commission

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 4 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LANSING — An annexation request that was remanded to the State Boundary Commission via court order last month is now officially on the agency’s agenda.On Feb. 11 at 10 a.m., Michigan’s State Boundary Commission will take…

Proposed revision to zoning district structure reviewed by city commission

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 3 min read

At its Jan. 14 meeting, Sturgis City Commission reviewed proposed zoning district changes that could affect 32 properties. The proposal is organized into three groups. Group 1 involves two properties that were purchased by Economic Development Corporation several years ago, with the…

Longtime Doyle director Mike Liston retires

Longtime Doyle director Mike Liston retires

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 5 min read

By Steve Eldridge STURGIS — After almost 28 years of working for the City of Sturgis, the last 18 as the director of the Doyle Center, Mike Liston has retired. His last official day on the job was Thursday, Jan.…

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging (COA) is accepting sealed proposals for an interior remodel of a portion of the Rivers Enrichment Center located at 1200 W. Broadway Street. The project involves renovation of an interior area that was part of the building’s former hotel use and was not included in the renovation completed approximately seven years ago when the building was converted into the Rivers Enrichment Center. Proposals must be received by Wednesday, February 25, 2026 by 2:00pm EST. Bid documents may be obtained by contacting the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging. The COA reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

All communications regarding this RFP shall be directed to:
Pamela Riley
Executive Director, St. Joseph County Commission on Aging
Phone: (269)279-8083 Email: priley@sjccoa.com
OR
Gary Oberlander
Maintenance Department
Phone: (269) 279-8083 Email: goberlander@sjccoa.com