News
Man drowns at TriPonds resort
An incident occurred at the TriPonds Family Camp Resort in Valley Twp at 3:30 on Saturday where a 60-year-old man drowned.Officials from the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the man was found unresponsive in the water by people at the…
New recycling barn added to Antwerp Township Transfer Station
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com ANTWERP TOWNSHIP – The Antwerp Township Transfer Station recently saw the completion of a Recycling Barn last fall that has improved the Township’s recycling efforts, according to the Antwerp Township supervisor.Daniel Ruzick said the township received…
Mattawan police officer killed in line of duty remembered during 20th anniversary memorial service
LAWRENCE – The Lawrence Township Fire Department will hold a Centennial Celebration, Saturday, Aug. 9, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Lawrence Township Fire Station, 205 N. Paw Paw St., Lawrence.The event will feature fire truck demos, food trucks,…
Man who shot himself while being tased is sentenced to at least 9 years in prison
Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wilson sentenced James Mitchell Kerr III on the charges of Assault with Intent to Murder, Assaulting/Resisting/Obstructing a Police Officer, and Felony Firearms on July 31. According to a press release from, Jackson-Prosecuting Attorney Kelsey Guernsey Kerr…
Swingin’ at the Shell opens its 21st season Aug. 3 with Allentown
By KARA DECHALK Contributing Writer The Victory Park bandshell in Albion will once again be alive with music on Sunday evenings for the 21st season of Swingin’ at the Shell. The series promises a diverse lineup featuring rock classics, Gaelic…
Mia Sims, age 18, fatally shot on Sunday after church
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Mia Sims, age 18, joins John Lusch, age 35; Emarion Flowers, age 22; and Anthony Owens, Jr. age 41 – as yet another victim of fatal gun violence this year in Jackson. Sims was shot…
Dam Removal Open House draws questions and curiosity
By MAGGIE LANOUE Contributing Writer Even though the invitation featured a photo of the Victory Park waterfall, the July 24 open house at Victory Park wasn’t about that landmark, at least not for now. About 50 people gathered at the…
City Council meeting covers two development projects
By MAGGIE LANOUE Contributing Writer Albion residents packed the library at Marshall Opportunity School on July 28 for a City Council meeting. About 50 people attended the midsummer session held offsite while City Hall’s 65-year-old elevator awaits replacement. Rod Auton…
Colon schools seeking $14m bond proposal in August election
Proposed new gymnasium complex, school tech and infrastructure upgrades highlight proposal By Robert TomlinsonNews Director COLON — Voters in Colon will be deciding Tuesday whether or not to approve a school bond proposal that district administrators say will not raise…
Music, magic, comedy highlight Sturges-Young Performance Series
Sturges-Young Center for the Arts in Sturgis has announced its Performance Series for 2025-26. Dates and featured shows: Oct. 25: Deep Blue Something. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Anniversary Tour. Dec. 3: Dance Alive National Ballet. “The Nutcracker.” Feb. 7: Krendl Magic.…
TR man helps Elkhart man reunite with racecar thought lost for 60 years
THREE RIVERS — An Elkhart, Ind. man who thought he would never again see the car he and his father built got an amazing surprise nearly 60 years later, thanks to the power of the Internet and the curiosity of…
‘Dog days’ features canine competition, live music
As one might expect, a canine show was the focus of “Dog Days,” held Aug. 1 in downtown Sturgis.Participants competed for ribbons in five categories: Best Pooch Costume, Best Talent/Trick, Musical Chairs, “Waggiest” Tail and Judges Choice for Favorite Dog.Sweet…
Rainy weather no bother at Burr Oak Heritage Festival
By Steve Eldridge BURR OAK — There’s an old saying that goes “Don’t rain on my parade.”During last weekend’s 16th Annual Burr Oak Heritage Festival, that’s exactly what the thought was, as inclement weather was predicted well before the four-day…
Local school districts seeking operating millage renewal on August ballot
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director MENDON — Three local school districts will have renewals of their operating millage on the ballot for their communities next week.On Tuesday, Aug. 5, voters in the Mendon, Nottawa and Marcellus school districts will decide whether…
Small, rural grocers face huge barriers to stay open
By Genine Hopkins Over the past several years, Marion has faced what many other rural areas in America has faced: the closing of their independent, local grocery store. Carrow’s in Farwell, Witbeck’s in Clare, and M&J Market in Marion, all…
Amazon distribution center, bowling alley preparations expected for Clare south end
By Christopher Johnson You may have noticed some major construction on the south end of town in recent months. With Dollar Daze now sadly shuttered, the husk that remains is now the placeholder for the new Gateway Lanes entertainment center–confirmed…
Water break closes Douglas street
Douglas has closed Westshore Street betweenSt. Peters Drive and Hamilton Street on heels a watermain break there Friday. The break has been repaired, city officials said, but water over the roadway has created potential safety concerns due to erosion. City…
Venetian Fest ‘25
… was a blast. See more photographs inside.
Christian Neighbors hosts Back to School Celebration
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor With July drawing to a close, the start of a new school year is creeping ever closer.Otsego Public School’s first day of classes is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 19, while Plainwell Community Schools will welcome students…
Weather alters plans for Island City Festival
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The potential for some rainy weather led to changes for this year’s Island City Festival.Most of the festival—originally scheduled to take place in and around downtown Plainwell on Saturday, July 26—was moved inside Plainwell High School’s…
