News

Otsego Library summer program sees record participation

Otsego Library summer program sees record participation

Editorial StaffAug 20, 20252 min read

The Otsego District Library’s Summer Reading Program was deemed a huge success by ODL assistant director/program coordinator Diane DeVries.“Patrons embraced the theme–Color Our World—which showcased the creativity and artistic spirit of the Otsego community,” DeVries said. “All summer long, the…

Local teen ready for Allegan County Fair Rodeo

Local teen ready for Allegan County Fair Rodeo

Editorial StaffAug 20, 20253 min read

By Gari Voss The Flying Star Rodeo will be at the Grandstand of the Allegan County Fair on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, beginning at 7pm. Waiting for his time to enter the bull riding chute will be Ashton Prolo, a…

South Haven salutes veterans with flotilla, band, large crowd

South Haven salutes veterans with flotilla, band, large crowd

Editorial StaffAug 20, 20251 min read

by Jim Windell, The South Haven fishing community took Veterans out on Lake Michigan for the morning. Returning with their catch, they were greeted at noon by a flotilla of boats led by the SHAES fireboat. A large American flag floated…

Community Recreation Director hired for South Haven

Community Recreation Director hired for South Haven

Editorial StaffAug 20, 20253 min read

By James Windell Although the South Haven City Council approved hiring a Community Recreation Director, it wasn’t until June, 2025 that the council approved making it a fulltime position with benefits.Scott Reinert, South Haven Area Recreational Authority (SHARA) Administrator, thought…

South Haven Planning Commission approves Master Plan

Editorial StaffAug 20, 20253 min read

By James Windell When the South Haven City Hall City Council Chambers are packed for a Planning Commission meeting, you can assume two things: One, this will not be a brief meeting; two, there will be controversy.This was the case…

National Night Out/Public Safety Professional Night Out attracts many to Paw Paw

National Night Out/Public Safety Professional Night Out attracts many to Paw Paw

Editorial StaffAug 20, 20254 min read

“It was a good turnout for National Night Out/Public Safety Professional Night Out in South Haven and Paw Paw. A huge thank you to the community for coming out and all the continued support, it’s appreciated more than you know,”…

Village Market Food Centers to be acquired by Harding’s Friendly Markets

Village Market Food Centers to be acquired by Harding’s Friendly Markets

Jordan WilcoxAug 19, 20253 min read

All four will soon be sold to Harding’s Friendly Markets. Photos from Google Maps. By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher In late June, major news broke when SpartanNash announced their sale to a New Hampshire grocery conglomerate. As a Byron Center-based wholesaler…

Victim identified in suspicious Lockport Twp. death

Robert TomlinsonAug 19, 20252 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LOCKPORT TWP. — A person found unresponsive in Lockport Township last week has now been identified by authorities. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Zachary Zuk said in a release Tuesday that the victim found…

County Transportation Authority driver killed in crash

Robert TomlinsonAug 16, 20252 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director MENDON TWP. — A driver for the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority (CTA) was killed in a crash that occurred Friday in Mendon Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to…

Police seek Antonio Green as suspect in death of Mia Sims

Police seek Antonio Green as suspect in death of Mia Sims

Editorial StaffAug 15, 20253 min read

By Elizabeth Ferszt Contributing Writer Antonio Treyvonne Green has been identified but is still at large regarding the death of 18-year-old Mia Sims on July 27 in Jackson. City of Jackson Chief of Police, Christopher Simpson, and Jackson County Prosecuting…

Albion debates future of Washington Gardner: Attainable housing or tax revenue priority?

Albion debates future of Washington Gardner: Attainable housing or tax revenue priority?

Editorial StaffAug 15, 202510 min read

By MAGGIE LANOUE Contributing Writer Taxes were on the minds of some property owners at Albion’s City Council study session about Washington Gardner School on Monday, Aug. 11. For others, housing concerns took priority. Mayor Victoria Garcia-Snyder called the meeting…

More PCE testing approved at county jail

More PCE testing approved at county jail

Editorial StaffAug 15, 20256 min read

Updated 12:02 p.m. Aug. 19, 2025 By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — Following initial environmental tests at the St. Joseph County Jail, there will soon be more tests conducted there for a harmful contaminant.During their Executive Committee meeting Monday, St.…

Incident involving unresponsive person being investigated in Lockport Twp.

Editorial StaffAug 15, 20251 min read

LOCKPORT TWP. — The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help after finding an unresponsive individual in Lockport Township Tuesday.Deputies were dispatched Tuesday to the 17000 block of South River Road for a report of an…

U.S. 12 resurfacing project nears conclusion in Sturgis

U.S. 12 resurfacing project nears conclusion in Sturgis

Editorial StaffAug 15, 20254 min read

By Dennis Volkert Michigan Department of Transportation’s resurfacing of U.S. 12 in Sturgis is nearing completion.All major elements are finished. Within the past week, pavement markings were finished.Among final details is installation of traffic signal loops to return the sequence…

First ‘engagement session’ held for Sturgis schools strategic plan

First ‘engagement session’ held for Sturgis schools strategic plan

Editorial StaffAug 15, 20252 min read

Sturgis Public Schools on Aug. 6 held a “community engagement session” at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.It was the first of an expected three-session process to develop a student-centered bond proposal.According to superintendent Art Ebert, 110 people attended session 1.Attendees…

Commission approves Sturgis fiscal-year budget Support to continue recycling program received from numerous residents

Editorial StaffAug 15, 20252 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday held a public hearing regarding the fiscal year 2025-26 budget. After city manager Andrew Kuk provided an extensive overview of notable items on the budget, the commission approved adoption of the budget summary,…

Sturgis mother accused of killing child pleads no contest to child abuse, assault charges; murder charge dropped

Sturgis mother accused of killing child pleads no contest to child abuse, assault charges; murder charge dropped

Editorial StaffAug 15, 20252 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A murder charge has been dropped in the case of a Sturgis mother accused of killing her 2-year-old child. According to court records, a plea deal in the case against Paige Nichole Bohne was…

Old US 27 Motor Tour hits City of Clare August 21st

Old US 27 Motor Tour hits City of Clare August 21st

Editorial StaffAug 15, 20253 min read

By Genine Hopkins Before heading to Harrison Street Fair on Friday, August 22, the Old US 27 Motor Tour heads to the City of Clare on Thursday, August 21, from 6 to 8 p.m., allowing car enthusiasts to view hundreds…

Harrison Street Fair August 22nd and 23rd

Harrison Street Fair August 22nd and 23rd

Editorial StaffAug 15, 20253 min read

By Genine Hopkins It’s coming! The 19th Annual Harrison Street Fair is almost upon us and this year looks to be even bigger and better than ever!The ever popular Kid’s Carnival will be returning this year, on Saturday, from 11…

PUBLIC NOTICE
2026 ALLEGAN COUNTY PROPOSED FINAL BUDGET

The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allegan will hold a budget hearing on Thursday, October 9, 2025, for all interested citizens to comment and discuss the proposed budget.

The hearing will take place at 7:00 PM in the Board Room, County Services Building, 3283–122nd Avenue, Allegan, Michigan, to discuss the proposed budget. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. The public may also participate in the meeting/public hearing by calling 1-929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 891 6032 7098, and Meeting Password 471420. For other options connecting to the meeting, please visit the meeting calendar website at www.allegancounty.org or contact the County Administrator’s Office.

The proposed budget may be examined online at www.allegancounty.org under News Media Room or on weekdays at the Office of the Allegan County Administrator (address below), between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. All interested citizens will have the opportunity to give written and/or oral comments.

County will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the public hearing upon one (1) week notice. Individuals requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the following in writing or by telephone:

Robert J. Sarro,
County Administrator,
3283 – 122nd Avenue,
Allegan, Michigan, 49010
269-673-0239