High school gymnasium plans temporarily under water

High school gymnasium plans temporarily under water

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 2 min read

Summer at Allegan Senior High School has been busy with renovations related to the Allegan Public Schools bond passed by Allegan voters in 2021. The $87.5 million bond has three phases that stretch from school year 2021-22 to Fall 2026…

Fennville voters approve bond referendum for facility Improvements

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 2 min read

Fennville Voters Approve Bond Referendum for Facility ImprovementsOn August 5, 2025, voters in the Fennville Public Schools district approved a bond referendum to reinvest in the district’s facilities, focusing on improving air quality, safety, and learning environments for all students,…

Man drowns in Fennville pool

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 1 min read

A 78-year-old man drowned in a pool at a home in Fennville on Saturday afternoon, firefighters say.It happened around 1 p.m. at a home on 124th Avenue. Fennville Fire Department Chief Paul Hapke says firefighters received a call about the…

Lawrence cheer continues to have success

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent Melissa Pyle is head coach for sideline cheer at Lauren and recalls major highlights from a year ago.“Tripling the number of cheerleaders was a highlight/record/top moment of the season.” Pyle said. “Senior captain Kennedi Klock and junior…

Walker recognized for lasting impact on South Haven

Walker recognized for lasting impact on South Haven

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 2 min read

By Tom Renner A long standing tradition of the Bobby Walker Basketball Tournament in South Haven is to begin the summer weekend event with the presentation of Leadership Awards to civic leaders, organizations and sponsors. This year the ceremony had a…

Mike’s Musings: Michigan’s SNAP Fraud Crisis- fraud running rampant

Mike’s Musings: Michigan’s SNAP Fraud Crisis- fraud running rampant

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 3 min read

Michigan’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — a lifeline for roughly 1.4 million residents — is being chipped away, quite literally, by inadequate technology and sluggish enforcement.In fiscal year 2024, fraud in Michigan’s SNAP program surged by nearly 400%, reaching…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 5 min read

“A man is just about as happy as he makes up his mind to be,” said Abraham Lincoln. A contemporary French writer we’ll call “C” added, “It takes tremendous courage to be happy.”“C” has every reason to be miserable. She…

Hundreds attend National Night Out

Hundreds attend National Night Out

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 1 min read

By Tom Renner Haven marked National Night Out with an event that attracted hundreds to the downtown the downtown pavilion. Law enforcement and fire/EMS agencies were joined by several community organizations. The Van Buren Sheriff horse unit joined in the…

Brown, Hosley to face off for mayor in November

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 2 min read

By James Windell The South Haven primary election was held for mayor and city council candidates on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. The top two candidates for mayor and for city council in each ward will face each other in the…

Lawrence Township Fire Department holds a Centennial celebration

Lawrence Township Fire Department holds a Centennial celebration

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 1 min read

A centennial celebration was held Saturday, Aug. 9, in Lawrence for the Lawrence Township Fire Department. The event featured fire truck demos, food trucks, games, raffles, music and family fun. Shown in photo from left, Lawrence Township Supervisor, Donna Spenner,…

Gobles man faces several charges including strangulation

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 2 min read

A 31-year-old Gobles man faces several charges following an incident Wednesday, Aug. 6, according to a press release from eh Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.The incident took place at approximately 10 p.m. in the 25000 block of 36th Street.Deputies responded…

Grand Junction man faces charges following four-mile pursuit

Grand Junction man faces charges following four-mile pursuit

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 1 min read

Sheriff Daniel E. Abbott reports that on 08/07/2025 at approximately 7:30 p.m. a Deputy on patrol in Columbia township attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a pickup truck for multiple traffic violations. The driver of the vehicle failed to…

Former Van Buren County Specialty Court Administrator arrested on embezzlement charges over $100k

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 1 min read

PAW PAW – Michigan State Police (MSP) Fifth District Special Investigation Section an-nounced the arrest of Rachel Celeste Lindley, 42 of Bethesda, Maryland, for felony embezzlement over $100,000 and felony embezzlement by a public official.Lindley previously worked for Van Buren…

SUV crashes into Amish buggy in Bloomingdale Twp., multiple injuries reported

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 2 min read

BLOOMINGDALE TWP. – Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that Van Buren County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched Friday, Aug. 8, at 7:45 p.m. to the 45000 block of County Road 388 for a report that an SUV had crashed…

Albion faces a choice: Restore Washington Gardner School building or risk losing it

Editorial Staff Aug 8, 2025 6 min read

By MAGGIE LANOUE Contributing Writer Albion residents have an opportunity to help decide the future of one of the city’s most iconic buildings. A public study session is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 11, from 6-8 p.m. at Tennant Hall on…

Jackson County Fair continues through Saturday

Jackson County Fair continues through Saturday

Editorial Staff Aug 8, 2025 3 min read

By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer The annual Jackson County Fair rolled into town Sunday, Aug. 3 and continues through Saturday, Aug. 9 at the fairgrounds located downtown. Each year the fair boasts a combination of 4-H and other agricultural and…

Albion City Council faces costly sewer repairs

Albion City Council faces costly sewer repairs

Editorial Staff Aug 8, 2025 5 min read

By MAGGIE LANOUE Contributing Writer Communication and engagement were recurring themes at Albion City Council’s meeting Monday night, where members faced urgent infrastructure issues, updates on recreation and community projects, and calls to keep residents informed. The most pressing news…

Out and About: Events, eating greens, and health tips

Out and About: Events, eating greens, and health tips

Editorial Staff Aug 8, 2025 3 min read

“You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” -A.A. Milne The public is cordially invited to an Open House, Saturday, Aug. 23, at American Legion…

School food service director outlines menu process, looks forward to second year of partnership

School food service director outlines menu process, looks forward to second year of partnership

Editorial Staff Aug 8, 2025 2 min read

Dave Apthorpe, food service director at Sturgis Public Schools, recently addressed Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education regarding Taher’s nutrition guidelines.Taher, based in Minnetonka, Minn., is the district’s partner to provide food service management for the district.In June, the board…

City commission reviews zoning code adjustments for extreme weather centers, outdoor storage

Editorial Staff Aug 8, 2025 3 min read

At its July 23 meeting, Sturgis City Commission approved a first review of amendments to the zoning ordinance. One is an amendment to consider the establishment of extreme weather centers as a special land use. The other pertains to outdoor storage areas…

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