Second chance pays off: Otsego woman wins $1 million
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—An Otsego woman is $1 million richer after winning the grand prize in a Michigan Lottery second chance drawing earlier this month.Michelle Roemer, 58, won the $1 million prize during the Millionaire Maker Second Chance live…
Tornadoes leave widespread damage across Otsego, Plainwell
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A severe storm system moved through the Otsego and Plainwell area late Tuesday night, April 14, leaving behind widespread damage and power outages across both communities after two tornadoes touched down within minutes of each other.According…
Mike’s Musings: Artemis II gives me hope that Mars colony is possible
Artemis II isn’t just another spaceflight, it’s a statement about who we are, what we value, and whether we still have the will to push beyond the edge of the known.When astronauts swung around the far side of the Moon—the…
Lawrence track teams earn third place
By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWRENCE — The Lawrence boys and girls track and field teams each earned third place overall at the Bellevue Invitational on Friday, backed by a strong collection of top‑three finishes.For the boys, Evan Broyles led the way…
Renovation of Casco Township Hall is complete
By James Windell What used to be a six-bay garage for fire trucks has now been converted into a large room to be used as a community center. Located at the Casco Township Hall, the renovation includes new restrooms and…
Soccer team on a roll
By Tom Renner A fog shrouded Ratcliffe Field where players couldn’t see one end of the pitch to the other didn’t prevent a clear-eyed South Haven girls soccer team from rolling to a 6-0 victory Berrien Springs. South Haven scored…
Urgent Care facility to locate in South Haven
By James Windell Mayor Annie Brown has been advocating for urgent care in South Haven for more than two years. And when Tom Capps was waging his successful campaign for City Council from Ward 2, he often talked to citizens…
City Council votes to increase parking rates and fines
By James Windell Revenues into South Haven’s Beach Fund, which comes from parking fees, has remained consistent over the last several years.However, with a new lifeguard program going into effect this month, the Beach Fund needs to increase revenues.Along with…
New bridge connects Maple Island to Paw Paw
PAW PAW – A new pedestrian bridge connecting Maple Isle Park to the rest of Paw Paw will be opened to the public on Saturday, May 2, during a grand opening ceremony at noon. The new bridge replaces the former…
Parks millage renewal vote set for May 5
PAW PAW – The Village of Paw Paw will ask voters to consider renewal of its parks millage on Tuesday, May 5. The 1.5 mill levy was originally approved by voters in 2020 for five years. It provides the village…
Suspicious vehicle leads to rescue of missing man in Waverly Twp.
On April 16, 2026, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 35000 block of Riverview Drive in Waverly Township for a report of a suspicious vehicle.Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a vehicle had…
Antwerp Township rejects proposed addendum by Van Buren District Library
ANTWERP TWP. – At its regularly scheduled meeting on April 14, the Antwerp Township Board unanimously voted to reject the proposed addendum dated March 22 and demanded negotiation to the Van Buren District Library Board for the Van Buren District…
American Legion receives funds from 100+ Women Who Care
100+ Women Who Care recently awarded $8,400 to the Paw Paw American Legion Post 68. The donation will assist in the purchase of ballistic shields for the Village of Paw Paw Police Department. Shown in photo from left, Bob Adams,…
HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK
By Frank Passic DONNA MONTRAN—ALBION’S BATHING BEAUTY This week I’d like to feature another Albionite that appeared in the movies. She was actor, dancer, and “bathing beauty” Donna Montran (1893-1976). Madonna “Donna” Montran was born in Albion on February 20,…
Multiple arrests made after Wall Street shooting in Jackson
By KATHRYN PALON and ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writers Three men have been arrested in connection with a shooting that wounded one person during a gunfight between two groups on Wall Street, according to Jackson Police Chief Christopher A. Simpson. Police…
Jackson YMCA project receives 2026 AGC Build Michigan Award
Jackson, MI — The Jackson YMCA’s renovation and expansion project has been named a 2026 Associated General Contractors Build Michigan Award winner. The honor was presented at the AGC Annual Meeting in Detroit, where representatives from Granger Construction, Colliers Engineering…
Albion Moves Forward on Trees: Community, College, and City Join Forces By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer
On April 1, a community email landed in dozens of inboxes with a subject line that pulled no punches: “Albion Tree Apocalypse Now!” It described streets lined with red Xs, Victory Park looking like “a war zone and logging camp,”…
5th Precinct Meeting Covers Infrastructure, Transportation and Dementia Awareness
By Maggie LaNoue Contributing Writer Albion’s 5th Precinct meeting, chaired by Council Member Vivian Davis, drew up to 50 residents Tuesday evening with questions about roads, water service and leaf pickup, while also welcoming new City Manager Dr. Sheryl Mitchell…
Baseball Roundup Three Rivers 2-0-1 at Coldwater Quad; split with Plainwell
COLDWATER — Three Rivers went 3-2 in the past week, going 2-1 at the Coldwater Quad event Saturday, and splitting with Plainwell at home Tuesday.At the Coldwater Quad, the ‘Cats tied Brandywine 4-4, then won 12-1 over Coldwater and 12-2…
Golf Roundup Sturgis 20th at Coldwater, set career- and team-bests to open season
COLDWATER — The Trojan boys took part in the Coldwater Invite, and finished 20th out of 24 teams, shooting a 347 on the day. Gavin Lewis carded a round of 83, good for 48th spot, while Owen Frost shot a…
