News

Third suspect arraigned in Anthony Owens murder case

Third suspect arraigned in Anthony Owens murder case

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 1 min read

By KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writer Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Kelsey A. Guernsey said Dion Jamel Flowers Jr. was arraigned March 9, before District Court Magistrate Jake Dickerson on charges of open murder, three counts of assault with intent to murder…

Albion Town Hall Maps Out Busy Season of Street Reconstruction

Albion Town Hall Maps Out Busy Season of Street Reconstruction

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 4 min read

By Maggie LaNoue Contributing Writer Residents filled the meeting room at Marshall Opportunity High School on March 5 for a Town Hall meeting that outlined four major street projects, utility upgrades, and expected detours across Albion during the coming construction…

Albion Public Works Update Brings Practical Answers — and Some Humor

Albion Public Works Update Brings Practical Answers — and Some Humor

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 4 min read

By Maggie LaNoue Questions about roads and underground utilities took up much of Albion’s March 5 Town Hall meeting, but one of the liveliest portions of the evening came when local officials turned to everyday concerns residents notice first: leaves,…

Four arrested, two sought in Hanover Horton armed robbery

Four arrested, two sought in Hanover Horton armed robbery

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 3 min read

By KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writer Four suspects have been arrested in connection with a Feb. 24 armed robbery in Hanover Horton, and authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating two others who remain at large, the Jackson County…

‘An experience that you don’t ever want to live’ Three Rivers devastated by weekend tornado

‘An experience that you don’t ever want to live’ Three Rivers devastated by weekend tornado

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A severe storm that produced a strong tornado swept through Three Rivers Friday night, causing severe damage to multiple houses and businesses.Three Rivers, Fabius Township, and areas east and northeast of Three Rivers…

‘Art Around Town’ auction underway Entry period for new selections opens April 1

‘Art Around Town’ auction underway Entry period for new selections opens April 1

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 2 min read

Sturgis DDA is auctioning works from 2025 “Art Around Town.”The auction is part of “Winter Wine Down,” which takes place 5:30-9 p.m. March 20.Online bidding is accessible at bit.ly/40QLrDM. Artwork also is displayed at Open Door Gallery.“Winter Wine Down” features…

Sturgis happenings

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 4 min read

MARCHMarch 16Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education meeting, 5:30 p.m., Sturgis Central Commons.March 17St. Joseph County Commission meeting, 5 p.m., historic courthouse, third floor. Some exceptions to schedule may apply. Eastwood fourth grade group A concert, 7 p.m., Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.March…

Dr. Seuss party draws more than 200

Dr. Seuss party draws more than 200

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 2 min read

More than 220 people attended “Dr. Seuss Birthday Party” on March 6 at Sturgis District Library.Children gathered to hear readings of popular Seuss books by Madison Pueschel and Julia Johnson, and participated in games and contests.Pueschel, special education teacher at…

Whitmer issues state of emergency, tours damage from tornadoes

Whitmer issues state of emergency, tours damage from tornadoes

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 4 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LANSING — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a state of emergency on Sunday morning, following the multiple tornadoes that hit southwest Michigan Friday night.The state of emergency was officially declared for Branch, Cass and St. Joseph…

It’s here! 51 Years of Green: Faces Behind Irish Fest!

It’s here! 51 Years of Green: Faces Behind Irish Fest!

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 11 min read

By Christopher Johnson If there’s one thing that can be said for certain about Clare this time of year, it’s that there’s no shortage of Irish pride as the 51st Irish Festival approaches. Just about everywhere in town is decked…

I&M suspends service disconnections in Three Rivers through end of March

I&M suspends service disconnections in Three Rivers through end of March

Robert Tomlinson Mar 12, 2026 1 min read

THREE RIVERS — In response to the tornadoes that passed through March 6 in Three Rivers, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) said in a release Thursday it would suspend service disconnections in the Three Rivers area through March 31. “Our hearts…

Troll tracks bridge launch ramps

Troll tracks bridge launch ramps

Editorial Staff Mar 11, 2026 3 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorBig Lake winter gales make for whiteouts sweeping over and under north-south bridges here. Rescuers call these wind funnels.When lightly-loaded trailers with high profiles are engulfed in these blasts, they turn into sails, jackknife but bring nouveau Evel…

Christian Neighbors hosting Stuff the Bus food drive

Christian Neighbors hosting Stuff the Bus food drive

Editorial Staff Mar 11, 2026 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Christian Neighbors is asking the community for help stocking its food pantry to help those in need.The organization will host its latest Stuff the Bus food drive on Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21, at…

Siblings celebrate state championships

Siblings celebrate state championships

Editorial Staff Mar 11, 2026 1 min read

Saturday, March 7, is a day that will always hold a special place in the hearts of the members of Nieuwenhuis family from Plainwell.Because it was on that day that siblings Madison and Dylan each earned a Michigan High School…

3300 customers to be without power as Consumers upgrades

3300 customers to be without power as Consumers upgrades

Editorial Staff Mar 11, 2026 2 min read

By Gari Voss Consumers Energy and ITC Michigan are partnering to make upgrades to electrical equipment in the Wayland area that will improve electric service for customers in the community.The overnight work will impact about 3,300 customers in the area…

Full house at Monterey meeting to contest solar project

Editorial Staff Mar 11, 2026 3 min read

By Joseph Schultz It was a full house Monday night as the Monterey Planning Commission reviewed NorthStar Clean Energy – Allegan Solar LLC’s plans for a 101-megawatt solar energy system and a battery energy storage system (BESS) in Monterey and…

Boss sentenced to13.5 years in prison

Boss sentenced to13.5 years in prison

Editorial Staff Mar 11, 2026 2 min read

Judge Emily Jipp says it was because of the ‘justice and mercy’ of a family that the man who killed their eight-month-old daughter in a fatal drunk driving crash would not be spending life in prison. Terry Boss, 56, was sentenced to 13.5…

SH swimmers to compete in eight state championship events

SH swimmers to compete in eight state championship events

Editorial Staff Mar 11, 2026 1 min read

By Tom Renner South Haven High School swimmers will compete in eight events at the MHSAA Division 3 State Championships to be held March 13-14 at the Holland Aquatic Center.Zander Duncan has qualified in the 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly…

SHAES constructs historical table

SHAES constructs historical table

Editorial Staff Mar 11, 2026 1 min read

By Tom Renner The firehouse is “home” to first responders whose 24-hour shifts include eating meals together. A growing staff at South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) created a challenge of getting everyone around the table at mealtime.Some imaginative thinking…