Dix Street Elementary adds StoryWalk

Dix Street Elementary adds StoryWalk

Editorial StaffJun 12, 20242 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Near the end of last school year, Otsego Public Schools’ Alamo Elementary School received a StoryWalk on its playground.Now, Dix Street Elementary School in the district has followed suit.Students from the Allegan Area Tech Center recently…

Otsego golf teamcompetesat D2Finals

Editorial StaffJun 12, 20244 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor EAST LANSING—As sophomores last year, Spencer Shearer and Landon Eastman represented Otsego in the Division 2 Boys Golf State Finals after qualifying as individuals.The duo returned to the Finals again this season. Only this time, they…

Rain fails to dampen Bridgefest as crowdsenjoy rides, booths, music

Rain fails to dampen Bridgefest as crowdsenjoy rides, booths, music

Editorial StaffJun 12, 20243 min read

By Gari VossAllegan Bridgefest 2024 is now in the books. The combination of community tents, arts & crafts, rides, games, food and music equaled downhome FUN.Allegan District Library Director Pam Armstrong shared, “Bridgefest was phenomenal. I was so happy to…

Bulldogs undefeated at Troy tourney

Bulldogs undefeated at Troy tourney

Editorial StaffJun 12, 20241 min read

After hosting a 10 team basketball summer playdate last week, the LaFayette High School Bulldogs basketball team traveled to Troy, Alabama to participate in a playdate at Troy University. The Bulldogs played on Friday and Saturday. The Bulldogs are in…

Council discusses 2nd St. Bridge- to repair or not

Council discusses 2nd St. Bridge- to repair or not

Editorial StaffJun 12, 20246 min read

By John BriceCorrespondent The LaFayette City Council met on Monday, June 10th of 2024 at the Chambers County Farmers Federation Agricultural Center at the ALFA building in LaFayette. In attendance were Mayor Kenneth Vines, Councilman Terry G. Mangram, Councilman Toney…

Lanett to host Juneteenth festival including fireworks

Editorial StaffJun 12, 20242 min read

On Saturday, June 15th, the City of Lanett, and the Greater Valley Juneteenth Committee will celebrate 159th anniversary of Juneteenth on streets near the fountain at North Lanier Avenue and 1st Avenue, Lanett. The streets will be filled with great…

Lawton track athletes shine at state meet

Editorial StaffJun 12, 20241 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWTON – At the recent Division 3 state finals 12 of our Lawton’s athletes competed very well in several events. Here is a summary of their efforts:Mason Mayne 1st in discus with 166-9; 2nd in shot with…

Mike’s Musings: My Father, MY Hero

Mike’s Musings: My Father, MY Hero

Editorial StaffJun 12, 20243 min read

(I wrote this a year ago but wanted share it again. Heck I might share this column over and over for years to come. The man meant so much to me) This week I give pause to reflect on my…

Life as performance Art

Life as performance Art

Editorial StaffJun 12, 20246 min read

    About a week ago, on a hot and humid afternoon, I was doing some work on the lawn and gardens. I was close to the sidewalk when a couple of visitors to town paused and commented on the amount of…

Paw Paw Alumni issued 9 scholarships worth $27k

Paw Paw Alumni issued 9 scholarships worth $27k

Editorial StaffJun 12, 20241 min read

The 2024 Paw Paw Alumni Scholarship winners this year are: From left to right: William Webster $6,000 PPAC Platinum Scholarship, Ian McDonald $5,000 PPAC Gold Scholarship, Addison Roy $3,000 PPAC Silver Scholarship, Emma Kenyon $2,000 PPAC Bronze Scholarship, Chloe Kooi…

County Museum to hold grand reopening, Sunday, June 23

County Museum to hold grand reopening, Sunday, June 23

Editorial StaffJun 12, 20243 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer HARTFORD – Following two years of repairs to the roof and structure of the Van Buren County Historical Museum in June of 2022, following a high wind and rainstorm that damaged the roof, the museum will…

Area News Briefs

Area News Briefs

Editorial StaffJun 12, 20243 min read

Watervliet man arrested following high-speed chaseBy Paul GarrodStaff Writer BANGOR TOWNSHIP – A 43-year-old Watervliet man faces several charges after he led authorities on a high-speed chase, Thursday afternoon, June 6, through two townships in a stolen vehicle, according to…

Michigan Poor Homes: A Librarian’s Personal Quest

Michigan Poor Homes: A Librarian’s Personal Quest

Editorial StaffJun 7, 20244 min read

By Ken Wyatt Adam Oster is what you would call a poor-home historian. It isn’t a field of inquiry that attracts many historians – nor apparently many large audiences at a lovely Saturday afternoon lecture in mid-May. But it was…

ALBION HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1924

ALBION HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1924

Editorial StaffJun 7, 20243 min read

Each year at this time we feature the Albion High School Class of 100 years ago. The Class of 1924 had 94 members; 39 were boys, and 55 were girls. Most of them had been born around 1906. It was…

Delinquent water bills to be added to summer tax bills, Senior Housing coming closer to reality for Albion

Editorial StaffJun 7, 20245 min read

Those who owe delinquent water bills can expect to see them added to their summer tax bill. At Monday’s meeting, the Albion City Council voted to approve the addition of delinquent water bills and receivables owed to the city to…

Obituary: Laureen Ann (Lark) Thomason

Obituary: Laureen Ann (Lark) Thomason

Editorial StaffJun 7, 20242 min read

Laureen Ann (Lark) Thomason was 69 when she passed peacefully surrounded by family at her side on May 5, 2024. Laureen was born July 28, 1954, in Albion Michigan. After graduating high school, she went right into the workforce in…

180 graduate at Marshall High School Commencement

Editorial StaffJun 7, 20246 min read

Albion High School graduate, Dr. Chris D. Coleman, is guest speaker, urges graduates to “focus on the task and the effort at hand, but don’t limit your possibilities” By John Hendler On a sunny, cloudless evening, 180 students were given…

Looking Out: The Mick

Editorial StaffJun 7, 20243 min read

Two days ago I met a guy from Chicago.  He was trying to sell me a car and must have thought it was important to tell me that he used to be a major league baseball pitcher. I needed new…

Track and Field State Finals RoundupSturgis crowns three individual D1 state champions

Editorial StaffJun 7, 202410 min read

EAST KEN TWOOD — Keyanna O’Tey of Sturgis has been one of, if not the fastest high school female runner in the state of Michigan all season. And once again, the junior has the hardware to go with that title.With…

Obituary: Paul William Coffman

Obituary: Paul William Coffman

Editorial StaffJun 7, 20244 min read

Paul William Coffman, 50, of Three Rivers, passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2024 in Jefferson Township.Paul was born April 4, 1974 in West Palm Beach, Florida, the son of Daniel Coffman and Cathrine Anne Baker. Paul grew up in Berryville,…