News
Otsego Arts Competition seeks to draw artists from SW MI
By Elizabeth Abbott The Otsego Arts Council is excited to host the fourth Otsego Arts Competition, formerly known as The Art Thing.Beginning in 2021, this event has been an opportunity for local artists to display art and compete for cash…
Con Agra closure puts Fennville on edge
By Piper Raab The million square foot fruit canning and frozen fruit processing manufacturing plant, Con Agra Foods, located in the city of Fennville, officially announced a future closure plan, slated for June 27th, 2025. City Administrator, Katie Beemer said,…
Seven inmates honored at graduation ceremony
By Piper Raab The Community Reentry Unit Program for qualified inmates at the Allegan County Corrections Center is a quarterly intensive education and life skills preparation program with a Christian foundation. The program is directed and managed by Lead Jail…
Planwell mill strongly damaged in latest storm
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The storm system that swept through the area during the evening on Sunday, March 30, brought with it heavy rain and damaging winds.Among the casualties of those winds was Building 2 of the mill complex on…
New youth librarian has big shoes to fill
By James Windell Jen LaRowe has no illusions about becoming the new Youth Librarian at the South Haven Memorial Library.She admits that following Gail Patterson-Gladney, who retired recently after nearly 25 years as the Youth Librarian, is not going to…
Vietnam veteran finally feels welcomed home
By James Windell After two tours in Vietnam and being shot more than seven times, Albert Anthony was not welcomed home when he returned more than 50 years ago.Maybe that’s one reason Anthony, a South Haven resident, stayed in the…
Comedy show, art auction to benefit We Care
By James Windell For the second year in a row, We Care Community Resource Center is bringing in a comedian to headline a fundraiser. But in addition to comedy, the event on Friday, April 11, 2025 will also feature an…
Rain and high windstorm pounds area
Paul Garrod, Staff WriterJordan Wilcox, Assistant Publisher On Sunday night, March 30, a fast-moving storm brought high winds and heavy rain to southwestern Michigan.In Paw Paw, a portion of the St. Julian Winery roof was blown off, causing damage. The…
SUV and Amish buggy crash claims life of young girl
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWRENCE – An eight-year-old girl was killed early Wednesday morning, March 26, in Lawrence Township when the Amish horse and buggy she was a passenger in, was rear-ended by a vehicle, according to a press release…
Suspect in custody in Hartford shooting
Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Response and detectives from the CID Unit handled a shooting/homicide in the City of Hartford. “I cannot go into details being it’s an open pending case with the suspect in custody. I can disclose an…
Demonstration held in Sturgis to protest government policies
A demonstration was held March 28 near the intersection of U.S. 12 and Centerville Road in Sturgis, protesting some policies that are unfolding during the early phase of Donald Trump’s second administration. An estimated 80 people took part, organizers said. …
Resolution of most Sturgis power outages expected by end of day
Electric crews in Sturgis have power outages down to fewer than 100 customers, as they continue to work to restore service in the aftermath of the March 30 storm. The majority of the remaining outages are small clusters of a…
Brush collection begins April 2 in Sturgis
In aftermath of the March 30 storm, the city of Sturgis will begin brush pickup on April 2, instead of the scheduled April 7 start. Crews from Department of Public Works will begin on the north side of the city…
Sunday storm damages homes, businesses in St. Joseph County
Updated 4:01 p.m. March 31, 2025 By Robert TomlinsonNews Director ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — A powerful thunderstorm rolled through St. Joseph County Sunday evening, causing numerous power outages, downed trees, and property damage in spots around the county. According to…
Sturgis outages reduced to about 300 customers
City of Sturgis electric crews, aided by workers from other communities, continue to work to restore power in the aftermath of the March 30 storm, officials said. Much of the work is within neighborhoods, involves replacing broken poles or is…
Breen named new superintendent at Constantine schools
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CONSTANTINE — Constantine Public Schools has a new superintendent at the helm, and it’s one that’s very familiar with the district already. In a press release Thursday, the district announced that current Interim Superintendent Patrick Breen…
TR DDA breaks ground on new downtown amphitheater
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Shovels were dug into the ground for the first time this week on a new project in downtown Three Rivers.An official groundbreaking event for a new amphitheater in downtown Three Rivers was held…
Out and About: A generation gone by, pancakes, and things to make you smile
It’s funny how fast life goes! I was born in 1944 and when I was growing up, hearing stories of people who were born in the 20s and 30s seemed so foreign and old to me. Now, when younger people…
Sturgis commission approves purchase of weather siren, to replace failed unit
By Dennis Volkert After extensive discussion on Wednesday, Sturgis City Commission narrowly approved approved a request from the Department of Public Safety for a bid waiver for purchase of a new weather-alert siren, in the amount of $29,200.Andy Strudwick, deputy…
‘A new chapter in the storied history of Glen Oaks’ Newton inaugurated as ninth GOCC president
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — After just less than a year on the job, the newest president of Glen Oaks Community College was officially inaugurated into the position.On Friday, March 21, an inauguration ceremony was held for Dr. Bryan…
