Congress School receives recognition on ‘inclusive playgrounds’ list

Congress School receives recognition on ‘inclusive playgrounds’ list

Editorial Staff Jul 11, 2025 3 min read

Congress School in Sturgis was named to Soliant Health’s “10 Best Inclusive School Playgrounds in America.”Congress School is one of six elementary schools in Sturgis to receive an inclusive playground, with help from a community-supported bond passed in 2019.Each playground…

Commission approves special assessment, payment plan for sidewalk repair and replacement

Editorial Staff Jul 11, 2025 3 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday held two public hearings in connection with sidewalk projects. The first hearing was to consider a special assessment district to repair sidewalks in conjunction with “small urban street improvement” along Vinewood Avenue and East…

New assistant prosecutor hired by county

New assistant prosecutor hired by county

Editorial Staff Jul 11, 2025 2 min read

CENTREVILLE — St. Joseph County Prosecutor Deborah Davis announced in a press release Monday the hiring of Angelique Camfield as a new assistant prosecutor with the prosecutor’s office, giving the office near-full staffing levels.Camfield has experience in both private practice…

Multiple illegal drugs, firearm recovered in arrest at TR hotel

Editorial Staff Jul 11, 2025 1 min read

THREE RIVERS — A suspect was arrested at a Three Rivers hotel Wednesday, with multiple illegal drugs and a firearm seized.According to Michigan State Police’s Southwest Enforcement Team (SWET), police arrested an individual at the Super 8 Hotel in Three…

Red Cross on site helping fire victims

Red Cross on site helping fire victims

Editorial Staff Jul 11, 2025 1 min read

The American Red Cross is working with local officials and community partners to help meet the immediate needs of 25 people displaced by a fire at the Wagon Wheel Motel on Saturday in Harrison. The shelter at Hayes Township Hall…

Fire at Wagon Wheel motel leaves 26 homeless

Fire at Wagon Wheel motel leaves 26 homeless

Editorial Staff Jul 11, 2025 2 min read

By Genine Hopkins A devastating fire at the Wagon Wheel Motel in Hayes Township on July 5, 2025, left 20 people and 6 children homeless but had only one serious injury, the owner, who was burned on their hands and…

Horse Progress Days celebrates another great year at the Yoder farm

Horse Progress Days celebrates another great year at the Yoder farm

Editorial Staff Jul 11, 2025 6 min read

By Christopher Johnson If you stuck around town this Fourth of July weekend, you may have noticed Colonville Road had transformed into something of a rural autobahn—buzzing with both motorized traffic and horse-drawn rigs, all headed in the same direction.That’s…

Harrison basketball girls having busy summer

Editorial Staff Jul 11, 2025 3 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent HARRISON — A lot of high school coaches like to say winning programs are not built during the season but are determined by how much work they put into the summer months.That includes Ryan Carlstrom, the varsity…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 3 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorLightning StrikesJust when I thought life had gone to hell came word human deaths by lightning have dropped from 300-plus per annum in the 1940s to only 13 so far this year. Now there’s more people, or targets,…

July 4 rain ends in reign of flame

July 4 rain ends in reign of flame

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 1 min read

Rain and lightning reigned on the planned Friday, Fourth of July morning parade though Saugatuck, causing its cancelation to the disappointment of Saugatuck-Douglas Area Convention & Visitors Bureau sponsors, volunteers, participants and spectators. Among those showing up were colorfully-dressed Saugatuck-Douglas…

Lyrics on the Lawn returns to Otsego Library in August

Lyrics on the Lawn returns to Otsego Library in August

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Since making its debut more than a decade ago, the Lyrics on the Lawn concert series has become a summer tradition at Otsego District Public Library.And this year is no different.Lyrics on the Lawn is back…

City of Otsego adds another internet option

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor City of Otsego residents will soon have another option when it comes to internet service.On Monday, July 14, Surf Internet will begin install fiber internet throughout the majority of the City.A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to…

Otsego updates chicken ordinance

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 3 min read

By Aaron MitchellOtsego City Manager Since last March, the City of Otsego has been discussing the possibility of allowing residential property owners to own chickens for the provision of eggs.To kick things off, we had a few residents come to…

Goddard takes reins of Martin varsity volleyball

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Shannon Goddard and her family are deeply entrenched in the Martin community.Just how entrenched, you ask?Consider this: she’s a fourth-generation Martin High School graduate, making her children—Demetrius (class of 2020), Makala (class of 2024) and Kendra…

Mattawan boys track team looks ahead

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 1 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN — Among the top performers for Mattawan boys track and field in regional action this season was junior sprinter Connor O’Rourke, who was fifth in the 100-meter dash in 11.33 seconds. O’Rourke was fifth in the…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 5 min read

My sister Beverly is the family genealogist. She started some 60 years and has stayed with it ever since.It is not exactly an obsession, but she has converted a bedroom into her office, complete with walls lined with shelves, and…

Mike’s Musings: Legislators, lobbyists married to one another is a conflict of interest

Mike’s Musings: Legislators, lobbyists married to one another is a conflict of interest

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 3 min read

I was sent an article from the Lansing City Pulse written by Kyle Melinn, that claims there are four state legislators that are married to lobbyists.As Melinn says “that means in four households, one person works for the state to…

Mayor and city council candidates will appear at forum

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 4 min read

James Windell One thing is certain about South Haven Mayor Annie Brown, who was elected in 2023. She loves her job as mayor.“I love being mayor,” she says. “I love the people. And I like politics – because politics means…

Garden Walk scheduled for July 12

Garden Walk scheduled for July 12

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 3 min read

By James Windell The South Haven Garden Club wants to lead you down the garden path. But that’s a good thing.You can walk down the garden path on July 12, 2025 for the 27th Annual Garden Walk. The themed trip…

Wanted fugitive taken into custody after pipe bomb standoff

Wanted fugitive taken into custody after pipe bomb standoff

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 3 min read

On Monday, July 7, Morgan Scott Parish, 58, was arraigned in 7th District Court, Paw Paw, before Honorable Judge McKay. Parish was formally charged with 18 criminal counts, including terrorism, multiple counts of assault with intent to murder, explosive-related offenses, and assaulting/resisting…

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