News
Douglas man is pickleball champion
Peter Colvin of Douglas and doubles partner Mark Mark Kenworthy of Grand Rapids, who qualified for the U.S. Senior Pickleball Nationals Dec. 5-9 in Daytona Beach by winning the Northern Regionals Doubles Tournament. But they placed just ninth. “It wasn’t…
Douglas OKs Wildwood entry sign
By Scott Sullivan Editor The Wildwood Lane Association can place a new monument sign at its entrance after Douglas City Council Monday a planned unit development amendment allowing it. The site condominium development, city planning and zoning administrator Sean Homyen…
Eder joins Trail Friends board
Bob Eder of Saugatuck Township has joined the Friends of the Blue Star Trail board of directors. Eder and his wife Janet relocated here from Chicago in 2020, moving into a vacation home they have owned since 2008. He is…
Downhill duck
Not all ducks fly, though this one did at least metaphorically down the Schultz Park sled hill last week. (Photo by Scott Sullivan
Last call for old Red Barn Playhouse
By Jim HaydenCorrespondentThe final curtain call for a Saugatuck barn that hosted summer plays for almost 50 years is coming in 2026.The former Red Barn, at 6357 63rd St. northeast of town, is expected to be razed and replaced with…
Otsego NHS continues ‘Share the Warmth’ partnership with Kalamazoo Gospel Mission
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor As winter settles in across Southwest Michigan, members of the Otsego High School National Honor Society are once again working to help ensure those in need have the proper clothing to stay warm.Throughout January, the OHS…
My Future Fund program launching for PCS kindergarten students
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorAre you the parent or guardian of a kindergarten student who attends Plain-well Community Schools? If so, you may want to mark your calendar for an upcoming informational meeting introducing the My Future Fund program, which will…
Plainwell meeting set for Jan. 12
By John RaffelCorrespondent PLAINWELL — The next meeting of the Plainwell City Council is set for 7 p.m. on Jan. 12.At the council’s most recent meetings the council was to consider Plainwell City Charter having an annual audit of all…
Governor orders flags at half staff in honor of Chief Haverdink
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered all U.S. and Michigan flags to be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday to honor the late David Haverdink, who died on Christmas after being hit by a vehicle while on duty as the chief of the Hamilton…
Dorr Township residents oppose, question potential data center
By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher In the latter half of 2024, Microsoft Corporation completed one of the largest single-use land purchases in Dorr Township history, paying approximately $48 million for a 272-acre parcel off 144th Avenue near U.S. 131. The property…
Revelers usher in 2026 at Allegan riverfront and elsewhere
By Gari Voss The traditional welcoming of 2026 in Allegan was designed to accommodate all ages. The celebrations began at the Allegan District Library as the youth, their caregivers, and young-at-heart gathered for fun activities that culminated at high noon…
South Haven responds to Carlotto’s lawsuit
By James Windell The City of South Haven responded to Pat Carlotto’s employment lawsuit alleging discrimination. The lawsuit was filed in late November 2025 in Federal District Court.The formal answer to the initial suit was filed with the Court on…
Area fire department honor guards pay tribute to fallen fire chief
The Paw Paw Fire Department Honor Guard, shown above, and the Lawton Fire Department Honor Guard, both assisted with the visitation and funeral service for Hamiliton Fire Department Chief David Haverdink on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 5 and 6. The…
PPFD brings dogs to safety after falling thru ice
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Two dogs that ventured out on Ackley Lake, Paw Paw, on New Year’s Day and fell through the ice, were both successfully rescued by the Paw Paw Fire Department.Paw Paw Fire Chief Kyle…
PPHS Hall of Fame induction ceremony to be held January 16
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – This year’s Paw Paw High School Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Jan. 16, between the girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball games, approximately 7 p.m. at Paw Paw High School.A reception…
Falcon Fund established to help Constantine students afford career exploration, extracurriculars
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CONSTANTINE — As a student at Constantine High School in the mid-to-late 2000s, Casey Smagala and his family weren’t able to afford many extracurricular opportunities that would have enhanced his educational experience, in particular the school’s…
HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK: ALBION WATER WORKS AND CITY JAIL BUILDING
By Frank Passic Happy New Year everyone. It was heartening to learn recently of the establishment of an Albion Arts Center in the old Water Works building at 107 E. Cass St. This historic building has been modernized and…
How a small-town Jackson County farm boy impacted the world
By Ken Wyatt Every small town knows about its forgotten generations. These are the young people small towns raise – but then lose to big cities with jobs and better opportunities. Walter C. “Chris” Heisler was one such small-town product.…
One 12-year-old responds to the work of Friends of Albion’s Animals this holiday season in a big way
By Sylvia Benavidez During the Cookie Walk and Gift Wrapping for the Friends of Albion’s Animals at the Albion District Library, 12-year-old Taylor Weston, Clarence Township, brought $240.00 to the event and handed it over to one of the volunteers.…
Board reviews revisions to marijuana business site-transfer provision
At the Dec. 17 Sturgis City Commission meeting, the board OK’d a first review of amendments to the city’s marijuana ordinances. Will Prichard, community development director, outlined proposed revisions. One is for medical cannabis and the other adult-use, to clarify and expand…
