News
Surrey Board unhappy with GFL, BS&A contracts Clerk says BS&A contract is a nightmare
By David Hutchinson The Regular Meeting was held in the Surrey Township Hall on September 9 at 6 p.m. All five board members were present—Mike Coon, Mindy Campbell, Glenna Bradbury, Dixie Adams, and Paul Ghinelli. More than 20 people attended.The…
Lakeshore Harvest Riders outlast rain
More than 400 riders were undeterred by early morning showers Saturday, venturing out to enjoy the 14th annual Lakeshore Harvest Ride fundraiser for the Friends of the Blue Star Trail.Once the rain abated mid-morning, cyclists were able to more fully…
Township OKs 30-home Singapore Retreat
By Scott SullivanEditorNeighbors did not back down from opposing the proposed Singapore Retreat development.But the Saugatuck Township Board Sept. 10 approved granting applicants Koetje Builders LLC and Exxel Engineering PUD (planned unit development) approval to build 30 homes on 8.97…
Northside Park reopens 60 hours after big blaze
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Well, that didn’t take long.Less than three days after the large wooden playground structure at Otsego’s Northside Park was engulfed in flames—the result of suspected arson—the park was open to the public once again.The fire took…
Otsego royalty
During Otsego High School’s homecoming football game on Friday, Sept. 12, Colin Fitzpatrick was crowned king, while Grace DeBoer was named queen. (Photo provided)
Pumpkins in the Park set for Saturday, Oct. 4
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Pumpkins in the Park is turning 20.That’s right. The annual autumn tradition in downtown Plainwell is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, with the event scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4.The fun is scheduled to take place…
Lake Allegan, Calkins dams to be purchased by Hull Energy
By Gari Voss Homeowners around Lake Allegan are releasing a sigh of relief thanks to the announcements by Consumers Energy and Hull Street Energy, LLC (HSE) affiliate Confluence Hydro have reached an agreement on the purchase of the 13 Michigan…
Dive teams from several counties train at Kalamazoo River event
By Gari Voss When the alarm is sounded that a swimmer or boater is in trouble on the water, the call goes to emergency management who puts in motion the appropriate response team. These teams train to ensure that they…
Police seek information regarding Otsego playground fire
The Otsego Police Department is actively investigating an arson fire crime and is requesting anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Otsego Police department at (269)692-6111.On September 2nd, 2025 at approximately 12:18am, Allegan County Dispatch received a call…
Planning Commission approves variance to allow new STR
By James Windell When Melissa Schlinger appeared before the South Haven Planning Commission on Thursday, September 4, 2025, she requested that the Planning Commission approve her property at 307 Spruce Street for a variance. The reason for the request was…
SH Food Pantry has been serving needy for over 50 years
By James Windell By 9:45 am on a recent Wednesday morning, the cars were lined up in the parking lot of the First Congregational Church on Phoenix Street.That’s the way it has been every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning for…
Beacon to Feature a Series of Stories on Housing in South Haven
In a series of stories starting in this issue of the South Haven Beacon, we will be exploring the problem of a shortage of affordable houses and apartments in South Haven. In this series, we will feature the personal stories of…
Housing shortage in South Haven affects real people
By James Windell Trenton Bulat isn’t looking to buy a house in South Haven. He merely wants an apartment that he and his boyfriend can live in for a long time.But just as there is a shortage of houses in…
Paw Paw’s Briggs Dam receiving makeover
Following the partial failure and subsequent repair of Briggs Dam in 2017, the State of Michigan’s Dam Safety Division recommended the complete replacement of the spillway as a long-term solution.The Village of Paw Paw has been working with a team…
Bloomingdale’s Oktoberfest opens Friday, September 19th
Bloomingdale’s Oktoberfest 2025 will kick off on Friday, Sept. 19, at Augustus Haven Park, here, for a three-day run, and will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 21. The festival will feature a wide variety of events and activities for all ages.On…
State Police investigate fatal crash
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com ANTWERP TWP. A 41-year-old Paw Paw man was killed Saturday afternoon, Sept. 13, in a head-on crash in Antwerp Township, according to a press release from the Michigan State Police Paw Paw Post.Troopers said the crash…
Young girl allegedly steals truck, vehicle pursuit by authorities follows
GENEVA TWP. – An adolescent girl faces several charges after she was arrested after allegedly taking a stolen truck on a vehicle pursuit Thursday, Sept. 11, in Geneva Township, according to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.At approximately 10:20 a.m.,…
Dam removal talk highlights long road to river renewal
By MAGGIE LANOUE Contributing Writer Blueprints showing the future of the Kalamazoo River in Albion, both the north branch and the south branch, took center stage at the Sept. 2 City Council meeting as a consultant outlined 43 pages of…
O’Rourke pleads not guilty by self defense in murder of Emarion Flowers
by ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Joseph O’Rourke was at a pre-trial conference on Tues. Sept. 9, at 9 a.m. with Hon. John McBain. He has been charged in the killing of Emarion Flowers on May 16 at the Southridge Park…
Antonio Green in Jackson County Jail
by ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Antonio Treyvonne Green, age 2), the only suspect in the July 27 shooting death of Mia Sims, age 18, was arraigned by Magistrate Christopher Dickenson on Sept. 4, on charges of Homicide—2nd Degree Murder; Discharging…
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