By Dennis Volkert Following a closed session June 9, Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education gave superintendent Art Ebert a rating of “effective” in connection with his performance during the 2024-25 academic year.“Effective” is the highest rating in the evaluation…

A swear-in session was held June 11 for two new members of Sturgis Department of Public Safety: firefighter Julian Alldredge and police officer Alexander Klever.Ryan Banaszak, director of public safety, led the presentation, with city clerk/treasurer Ken Rhodes conducting the…

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday approved amendments to two sections of the community’s zoning ordinance. One  revision pertains to updates to rules for color of roofing and siding to match between principal and accessory buildings. The other is connected to…

Recurring Sturgis Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. each Saturday through Sept. 27, Oak Lawn Park.  JuneJune 13“Comedy Night” with Craig Tornquiest, 7 p.m., Sturges-Young Center for the Arts; $5.Through June 14Book sale at Sturgis District Library, during regular library hours.…

Pictured is a quiet midway at the Three Rivers Water Festival Wednesday, one day before the official opening of the annual festival Thursday. A number of rides and games are set up at the midway, which will be open all…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director KALAMAZOO — A settlement in the proceedings against St. Joseph County Prosecutor Deborah Davis before the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board could happen soon. On June 3, the Attorney Discipline Board granted a stipulation to adjourn what…

By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Bryce Wieferich competed in the MHSAA D3 Golf Finals at the Meadows at Grand Valley State University on June 6-7.On Friday, Wieferich had a 75, placing him in eighth in the field of 108 golfers.Wieferich…

Christianity is more than the Nicene Creed or a set of commonly held beliefs. Holiness is a lifestyle. In the time of the Apostles, when Christianity was just getting started, maybe even before the followers of Jesus we called Christians,…

Summerfest 2025: June 20th–21st – A weekend of fun for the whole family at Shamrock Park. Music, s’mores, crafters, trucks, kid events, fireworks and so much more. Learn More on our fb page. Fun Day in the Park: June 27th,…

By John RaffelCorrespondent CHEBOYGAN — It was a nailbiter between the top two-ranked Division 3 teams in the state, Clare, No. 1, and Gladstone No. 2, on Tuesday in Cheboygan for the quarterfinal round.Clare (38-2) prevailed 1-0 against the Upper…

By Christopher Johnson Communities in Clare and Gladwin counties enjoyed some dino-mite tremors this past week with the arrival of realistic dinosaurs of the likes of something you’d see on the big screen.Kids of all ages came out to the…

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorBIG RAPIDS—It was another top-10 finish for the Saugatuck boys golf team at the Division 4 State Finals Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7.Competing at Katke Golf Course on the campus of Ferris State University, the…

By Scott SullivanEditorWe’re No. 119Great news! The latest clickbait poll — this by Careerminds — ranks Saugatuck No. 119 among U.S. spots to micro-retire, i.e. take timeout before you burnout.Tell the boss to shove it, grab your foam rubber fingers…

Days of the Rainbow lit up the lakeshore June 1-7 as Community Pride MI rang in Pride Month celebrating theLGBTQ+ community with activities and events including:• A Tea Dance at the Dunes Resort in Douglas, Sunday, June 1;• A Rainbow…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor It was a record-setting year for the Otsego High School Class of 2025 when it came to academic achievement.Each year, OHS bestows special recognition on seniors who are graduating with a grade point average of 4.0…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor For each of its graduating classes, Plainwell High School honors students who compiled a grand point average of 4.0 or higher.This year, 21 members of the PHS Class of 2025 fit that criteria and graduated with…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The driver who caused a deadly drunk-driving crash on US-131 near Plainwell last August received his sentence on Monday, June 2.Mattawan resident Joshua William Bommerscheim, 20, was sentenced to 48 months to 15 years in prison…

A strong defensive unit has been the calling card for the girls soccer team throughout the season.Just how good has the Bulldogs’ defense been?Consider this: Through its first 17 games of the season, Otsego had 12 shutouts with the Bulldogs…

    Over the past three decades and a sprinkling of years I have been fortunate to know a now-retired professor of mathematics at a small university here in Michigan.  Someone once said, “Math is just numbers,” but the subject is…

(I wrote this a few years 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…