News

Shop ‘Til You Drop through the decades this weekend

Shop ‘Til You Drop through the decades this weekend

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20243 min read

By James Windell What better way to kick off the holiday season in South Haven than by going on a shopping spree. And to make it even more enjoyable, more than 40 business in the downtown area will be decked…

Bill Clinton trumps for Harris in South Haven

Bill Clinton trumps for Harris in South Haven

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20242 min read

By James Windell Former President Bill Clinton came to South Haven on Wednesday, October 30 for a quick campaign speech promoting Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.Appearing in Michigan for the first time during this campaign season, Clinton gave a speech…

The Great Lakes Coalition (GLC) hopes to improve area shoreline

The Great Lakes Coalition (GLC) hopes to improve area shoreline

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20245 min read

By James Windell Michigan can boast a unique distinction among all the states in U.S. We have 3,288 miles of freshwater shoreline. Van Buren County alone has nearly 14 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.While this is great for tourism, the…

Spooky courthouse invited trick-or-treaters

Spooky courthouse invited trick-or-treaters

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20241 min read

The second annual “Fall in the Courthouse Celebration” was held Thursday, Oct. 31, at the Van Buren County Courthouse, 212 East Paw Paw St. Van Buren County Courts and partners continued the court-to-community event as area residents, young and old,…

Injured adolescent bald eagle rescued

Injured adolescent bald eagle rescued

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20241 min read

Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott said that on Nov. 3, at approximately 9:35 a.m., a passerby called in to Van Buren County Central Dispatch regarding what appeared to be an injured bald eagle near the intersection of County Road…

Son kills mother following early morning home break-in

Son kills mother following early morning home break-in

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20241 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com SISTER LAKES – A 23-year-old Benton Harbor man was arrested and charged with the death of his 55-year-old mother, following an early morning Oct. 31, break-in at the woman’s Sister Lakes home, according to a press…

Van Buren County early voting sees more than 6,500 at the polls

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20241 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Early voting in Van Buren County for this year’s general election has been one for the county record books, according to the Van Buren County Clerk.On Monday, Nov. 4, the day before the…

Contractor error at lift station causes sewage spill at TR lift station

Robert TomlinsonNov 2, 20242 min read

10k gallons leaked into storm sewer, no sewage leak into river By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A sewage spill occurred at a Three Rivers lift station Friday, this time due to an error by a contractor. According to…

Lawsuit filed against Ox Paperboard for alleged PFAS contamination in White Pigeon [UPDATED]

Lawsuit filed against Ox Paperboard for alleged PFAS contamination in White Pigeon [UPDATED]

Robert TomlinsonNov 1, 20247 min read

Updated 9:21 a.m. Nov. 4, 2024 By Robert TomlinsonNews Director WHITE PIGEON — A local paper mill has been sued by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office for allegedly discharging PFAS-contaminated wastewater into the White Pigeon River. The lawsuit, filed Friday…

What is on the ballot in St. Joseph County in the November election?

What is on the ballot in St. Joseph County in the November election?

Robert TomlinsonNov 1, 202423 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director This article has been updated with the new voting location for Constantine Township. The Commercial-News apologizes for the error. ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — The November election in St. Joseph County is coming up in just a…

Group stages protest in Brittany Shank case

Group stages protest in Brittany Shank case

Editorial StaffNov 1, 20243 min read

By Rick CordesC-N correspondent CENTREVILLE — Supporters of a proposal to have the Michigan State Police take over the investigation into the 2018 disappearance of Brittany Wallace Shank gathered in Centreville Saturday afternoon, Oct. 26 to voice their concerns about…

Constantine schools operating millage, White Pigeon school bond on November ballot

Constantine schools operating millage, White Pigeon school bond on November ballot

Editorial StaffNov 1, 20248 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Two local school districts will be seeking funding proposals that look to have minimal impacts on residents’ taxes on the Nov. 5 ballot.White Pigeon Community Schools will be seeking a bond proposal…

DAR and LOPA donate to veteran’s relief

DAR and LOPA donate to veteran’s relief

Editorial StaffNov 1, 20242 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Clare County Veteran’s Services were recently the recipients of $1,650 donated by members of the Michilimacinac Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and with the “very generous support” of the Lake of The Pines…

Last chance to vote Tuesday!

Editorial StaffNov 1, 20244 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent After months of political wrangling on TV with commercials beyond count and signs and banners everywhere, all between candidates on the ballot November 5th, the big day is nearly here – only four days away in case…

South Haven Writer Experiences a Renaissance

South Haven Writer Experiences a Renaissance

Editorial StaffOct 31, 20244 min read

By James Windell Johanna Nauraine is enjoying her writing success lately. “This period of my life is my personal renaissance,” she commented recently during an interview in her South Haven apartment. “I was just notified that my short fiction horror…

Neidlinger is SPS super- pick

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20242 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Mark Neidlinger will succeed Tim Travis seven years ago stepping from Middle/High School principal to superintendent of Saugatuck Public Schools. The school board picked Neidlinger Oct. 22, on heels of a public interview, to succeed Travis,…

Bond ask won’t mean new taxes, mayor says

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20244 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Douglas Mayor Cathy North issued a statement Oct. 24 emphasizing city council’s proposed $4-million bond request to renovate 415 Wiley Road into a city hall/police station will not require new taxes for residents and businesses. The…

Bulldogs treated to new locker room

Bulldogs treated to new locker room

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20241 min read

The LaFayette Bulldogs were treated to a surprise a few weeks ago.The players were brought out to the fieldhouse with their eyes closed and Head Coach Juan Williams revealed a totally new renovated locker room with flashing lights and music…

Plans for new quarry in Cusseta spark outrage

Plans for new quarry in Cusseta spark outrage

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20243 min read

By John BriceCorrespondentNews of plans to construct a new rock quarry in the portion of Cusseta located in Chambers County spread on social media this past week, leaving many local residents shocked and upset. According to the description on a…

LaFayette City Council approves smoke alarm program, other contracts

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20245 min read

By John BriceCorrespondent The LaFayette City Council met on Monday, October 28th of 2024 at the Chambers County Farmers Federation Agricultural Center at the ALFA building in LaFayette. In attendance were Mayor Kenneth Vines, Councilman Terry G. Mangram, Councilman David…