News

A new popcorn stand in Three Rivers? City allows for brand-new stand; evaluating options for historic stand

A new popcorn stand in Three Rivers? City allows for brand-new stand; evaluating options for historic stand

Robert TomlinsonAug 31, 20248 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A historic landmark in Three Rivers may soon no longer be in commission, with the city evaluating options for what to do with it moving forward. On Monday, Aug. 5, the Three Rivers…

HarmonyFest returns to downtown Three Rivers this weekend

HarmonyFest returns to downtown Three Rivers this weekend

Robert TomlinsonAug 31, 20245 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — An annual celebration of music and more returns to Three Rivers this weekend. The 31st Three Rivers HarmonyFest music festival will take place this Sunday, Sept. 1, in downtown Three Rivers from 1-10…

Portion of North Nottawa Street in Sturgis to close for utilities projects

Portion of North Nottawa Street in Sturgis to close for utilities projects

Dennis VolkertAug 30, 20241 min read

Contractors for the city of Sturgis are scheduled to begin sewer work on North Nottawa Street, beginning Sept. 3.  The project will require closure of Nottawa from Main Street to Hatch Street for a duration of about three weeks.  During…

Walking the Beat in Albion

Walking the Beat in Albion

Editorial StaffAug 30, 20241 min read

Festival raises money for instruments and lessons for children By KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writer Walk The Beat Albion 2024 was held on Saturday Aug. 24. The event featured 18 bands at nine different locations competing to win a professional recording…

Albion Farmer’s Market ends a little early this season, public notices a little too late

Albion Farmer’s Market ends a little early this season, public notices a little too late

Editorial StaffAug 30, 20245 min read

By Sylvia Benavidez From May to September on Wednesdays, Albion’s Farmer’s Market vendors in Stoffer Plaza offer the local community fresh produce and an opportunity to mingle with neighbors or visitors, but this year season will be cut a little…

A JSO ‘Salute to America’ … and small towns

A JSO ‘Salute to America’ … and small towns

Editorial StaffAug 30, 20245 min read

(or Jackson Symphony’s ‘Salute to America’ and small-town delights) By Ken Wyatt Jackson Symphony Orchestra has officially launched its 75th concert season. It took place, however, not in its traditional Potter Center venue in Summit Township, but last weekend on…

Jackson Superintendent Pressured to Resign

Jackson Superintendent Pressured to Resign

Editorial StaffAug 30, 20244 min read

Jackson, MI — After mistakenly sending a text message to the wrong recipient, Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Beal is facing significant pressure to resign. The controversy has reignited longstanding tensions within the district and began when Beal mistakenly sent a…

Report: City still exceeding action level for lead in water

Editorial StaffAug 30, 20246 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — One year after its first notice to residents about the issue, the City of Three Rivers is still dealing with an action level exceedance of lead in its drinking water system.On Aug. 8,…

Sturges-Young ‘Performance Series’ set for 2024-25

Sturges-Young ‘Performance Series’ set for 2024-25

Editorial StaffAug 30, 20244 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturges-Young Center for the Arts Performance Series has been announced for 2024-25.It features a variety of entertainment, including music, comedy and dance.Season tickets are available through Sept. 27.A new feature this year: Patrons may select a package…

Sturgis City Commission approves increase in utilities rates, purchase of ambulance

Editorial StaffAug 30, 20243 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday approved an increase in rates for electric, water and wastewater, in a multi-year plan.It involves electric rates for 2024-27 billing periods, beginning Oct. 1 of each year.Water and wastewater is for 2024-26,…

Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area

Editorial StaffAug 30, 20243 min read

Coming events Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area. Sept. 3“Two-Wheel Tuesdays,” 5-9 p.m., North Nottawa and East West streets.Sept. 6“First Fridays Karaoke,” 8 p.m., Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.Sept. 7History walking tour, 4-5:30 p.m., Oak Lawn Cemetery, tour groups…

Old 27 Car Tour makes pit stop in Clare

Old 27 Car Tour makes pit stop in Clare

Editorial StaffAug 30, 20242 min read

By David Hutchinson The Old US 27 Motor Tour arrived in Clare on August 22. Automotive showpieces filled the streets of downtown Clare for the public’s viewing pleasure from 6-8 p.m.The tour was started by the late Craig Parrish in…

Severe Tuesday storms hit area, Thousands without power

Severe Tuesday storms hit area, Thousands without power

Editorial StaffAug 30, 20243 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Clare Emergency Management Director Jerry Becker posted on Facebook Wednesday morning that 10,436 Customers were still without power in Clare County, according to Consumers Energy. His post said, “Crews are out working to clear roads and restore…

Blue Star Labor Day Bridge Walk scrubbed

Editorial StaffAug 28, 20242 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorAfter 25 years, the Labor Day Blue Star Bridge Walk has been canceled. In a joint press release, Douglas and Saugatuck cities with the Saugatuck Public Schools Community Recreation Department announced the 26th annual community walk, which would…

Saugatuck council candidates to square off

Editorial StaffAug 28, 20241 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorAll seven candidates for four two-year Saugatuck City Council seats available in Nov. 5 elections have been invited to a Holland Area League of Women Voters-sponsored forum Tuesday, Sept. 17, in the Saugatuck High School auditorium, 401 Elizabeth…

Saying sayonara

Editorial StaffAug 28, 20241 min read

… to summer jobs as Saugatuck Oval Beach patrol members are members such as these, shown this spring get oriented to high dune views of Lake Michigan that come along as perks. After Labor Day, the city-owned beach will no…

Otsego Schools prepares for Purple Week

Otsego Schools prepares for Purple Week

Editorial StaffAug 28, 20246 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor One Cause, One Community.That’s the theme of Otsego Public Schools’ 8th Purple Community Week to support medical research at Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids.What exactly is Purple Week?It’s a week-long event that brings the district’s…

Plainwell Schools welcomes students back to class

Plainwell Schools welcomes students back to class

Editorial StaffAug 28, 20243 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The 2024-25 school year is officially underway in PlainwellPlainwell Community Schools held its first day on Monday, Aug. 26, with students coming back for a half day.Full days of class were scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 27,…

Resident stake walk on roundabout

Resident stake walk on roundabout

Editorial StaffAug 28, 20241 min read

Thursday, August 22, 2024, the new Roundabout was opened for a Walkabout. City Manager Joel Dye welcomed walkers and those with non-motorized vehicles who explored the entrances and exits of the new Roundabout. The public walked or rode bikes, skateboards,…

County names Jessup new local rep

County names Jessup new local rep

Editorial StaffAug 28, 20244 min read

By Scott SullivanWriter Former 16-year Allegan County Commissioner Tom Jessup was named by that all-Republican board to replace the man who defeated him, the late Dean Kapenga, as commissioner for District 3.The one-time Casco Township supervisor emerged from a 5-hour…