Tornado confirmed near Sturgis during March 30 storm
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director STURGIS — The National Weather Service last week confirmed that an EF-0 tornado touched down near Sturgis during the severe storms that occurred on Sunday, March 30.The tornado, according to NWS data, had estimated peak winds…
Contingency OK’d for Franks Avenue project
At its meeting March 26, Sturgis City Commission approved a supplemental contingency bridge of $20,00 for the North Franks Avenue reconstruction project.Commissioner Marvin Smith cast the lone “no” vote.During approval of the N. Franks Avenue Reconstruction project on Feb. 14,…
New budget for courthouse renovation approved in close vote
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A new budget for the renovation of the St. Joseph County courts building in Centreville was narrowly approved 4-3 by county commissioners Tuesday.The new budget, referred to as the design development budget for the…
Clare boys win invitational
By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Clare’s women’s track team won the Doug Steward Memorial Invitational at St. Louis on Friday.The Clare women had 142.5 points to top the 10-team field. Alma took second place with 124.5 points.In the boys standings,…
May I Walk with You? GRACE PERFECTS NATURE
“Grace does not destroy nature but perfects it.” “Grace does not remove nature but fulfills it.” (St. Thomas Aquinas, 13th Century) The words ‘perfects’ and ‘fulfills’ refer to the notions of progress and growth. We often hear people say that…
Surrey fire truck t-boned by vehicle, one severely injured
On Sunday, April 13th, a Surrey Township Fire Truck, with two firemen on board, was involved in an accident on 115 while looking for a reported grass fire. As the truck was turning into a driveway, they were t-boned by…
Harrison man arrested, held rifle to girl’s head
On Friday, April 11, 2025 at 8:24 p.m., Deputies with the Clare County Sheriff Office were dispatched to an address on North Athey Rd in Hamilton Township, Clare County for an assault involving a firearm that had occurred. During the…
By Christopher Johnson
One of Clare’s latest metalworks, “Joe Galaxy” by Roger King (Midland)As the temperature heats up finally, the city of Clare is poised for a busy and exciting month ahead. With high school and college graduations on the calendar, as well…
Hydrant flushing starts next week
It’s spring hydrant flushing time for Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority customers. Work will start Monday, April 21 and continue weekdays from noon to 10 p.m. till complete. Additional flushing may take place the week of April 28 if…
Work brings more water to Riverside
By Scott Sullivan Editor Bringing water to Saugatuck Township’s Riverside Drive isn’t like taking coals to Newcastle. Homes along it and connecting Dugout Road have relied for nearly 100 years on a 2-inch water line patched together out of galvanized…
Old airport land has new name
By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck’s old airport land has a new name: Saugatuck Wilds Nature Preserve. City council Monday agreed to its Parks & Public Works Committee top recommendation, chosen from recommendations made by 98 respondents to a March 11-25…
Douglas Easter festivities return Satuday
By Scott Sullivan Editor Traditional Easter festivities will return to Douglas this Saturday, April 19. Fun will include a bonnet contest, parade and egg hunt in the downtown area. The combined events will be held from 1 to 3 p.m.…
Missing woman found dead in river
By Scott Sullivan Editor A Saugatuck Township woman was found dead in the Kalamazoo River Friday morning after being reported missing the day before near her home. Nancy Eichler-O’Connell, 67, was last seen living Thursday afternoon at her secluded home…
Laskowski named First Team All-State
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorWith the loss of All-State guard Brook Simpson to graduation, Saugatuck girls basketball coach Kevin Tringali knew he had some big shoes to fill heading into the 2024-25 season.Enter Tali Laskowski.A junior who had previously been home-schooled,…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorMandatory LifeI read the news today, oh boy: “No mandatory life for 19- and 20-year-olds, court decides.”When I was 19 and 20, I never thought life was optional. At that age, why would I want to? Of course,…
Gas outage leaves thousands in the cold
By Scott SullivanEditorThe heat is on again for some 5,200 local homes and businesses after a natural gas line was ruptured April 9 southeast of Fennville.Michigan Gas Utilities, which owns the line, and TC Energy, which operates it, were joined…
Firefighters rescue woman from house fire in Otsego
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, April 8, the Otsego Fire Department and other local agencies responded to a fire at a home in the 200 block of S. Grant St. in Otsego.According to Otsego Director of…
Plainwell plans third annual Spring Soiree on April 26
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Spring is officially here.And in the City of Plainwell, that means it’s time once again for the Spring Soiree.Now in its third year, the Spring Soiree will take place in downtown Plainwell beginning at 10 a.m.…
Construction project begins on M-89 between Plainwell and Martin
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Motorists travelling on US-131 between Plainwell and Martin should plan for backups and delays for the next several weeks.On Monday, April 14, the Michigan Department of Transportation began a $1.4-million construction project on the four-mile stretch…
Hart to be honored during Arbor Day Celebration at Ransom Library
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor On Friday, April 25, Ransom District Library, in partnership with the City of Plainwell, will celebrate “the beauty and importance of trees” with an Arbor Day ceremony beginning at 3 p.m.In addition to the City handing…
