News

Ferry watermain work begins

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20252 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor The early arrival of springlike weather continues to aid Douglas efforts to reopen Ferry Street by Memorial Day weekend. The city shut down north-south Ferry between West Shore Drive and Campbell Road Aug. 2 last year…

OPS sets interviews for superintendent candidates

OPS sets interviews for superintendent candidates

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The search for the next superintendent of Otsego Public Schools continues to move forward.On Thursday, March 13, members of the Otsego School Board met to review the 22 individuals who had applied for the position. Deeming…

PHS presents ‘Tuck Everlasting: The Musical’

PHS presents ‘Tuck Everlasting: The Musical’

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20254 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor If you had the opportunity to live forever, would you take it?That’s the question at the heart of “Tuck Everlasting: The Musical,” which Plainwell High School will perform from Friday, March 28, through Sunday, March 30.The…

State Champs

State Champs

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20251 min read

It was a good day for area swimmers and divers at the Division 3 State Finals on Saturday, March 15.Otsego’s Liam Smith (left) won titles in the 200 IM and the 100 butterfly, while Plainwell’s Sam Harper claimed the 500…

Pub Crawl spreads green through downtown streets

Pub Crawl spreads green through downtown streets

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20251 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorSaturday passed for St. Paddy’s during Saugatuck’s downtown pub crawl March 15. Throngs o’ leprechauns — clad in shamrock shades, green sequined hats and Guinness beads — Irish jigged, jogged and staggered down early-sprouting streets.T’was windy out. “Aye,…

Steelhead Fishing

Steelhead Fishing

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20251 min read

Every March, large numbers of steelhead fish spawn in the Kalamazoo river, and fishermen flock to the area. Couple that with last week’s bout of 50, 60 degree temperatures, and it produces this picture – Fisherman packed in like sardines…

Allegan County Sheriff’s Office 2025 Annual Awards

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20254 min read

By Piper Raab On the evening of Monday, March 3rd, the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office hosted their Annual Awards Ceremony for 2024, at the Martin High School Auditorium.  There were 35 Deputies, in all, that received special recognition and honor…

Sheriff’s office investigates fatality in Leighton Twp

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent On Monday, March 17, around 7:30 p.mm, Allegan County Central Dispatch received a call for a serious traffic crash in the 4700 Block of 7th St in Leighton Township. Preliminary investigation shows a south bound SUV left the roadway…

Hoekstra nominated to be Canada ambassador

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20252 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN — Former U.S. Congressman Pete Hoekstra, who lives in AlleganCounty, is the President’s nominee to be Ambassador to Canada. Hoekstra appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations committee last week for a confirmation hearing.“In his opening statement,…

South Haven gets new water storage tank

South Haven gets new water storage tank

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20251 min read

South Haven’s new million gallon concrete water storage tank is rising out of the ground.When completed in 2026, it will replace a crumbling century–old tank located on Blue State Memorial Highway.The new tank is located near the City of South…

New Condos planned for downtown South Haven

New Condos planned for downtown South Haven

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20253 min read

By James Windell Plans for three new condominiums in downtown South Haven are gaining momentum.A proposed project by local developers Locker & Locker Properties LLC to construct three condominiums on the upper floor of the building that houses The Shoe…

Finally, STR ordinance approved by City Council

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20254 min read

By James Windell The City of South Haven has its first revised Short-term Rental ordinance since 2018. The South Haven City Council approved a much-debated ordinance at its meeting on Monday, March 17, 2025.But getting there wasn’t easy.In 2018, the…

BOC to seek $3 million grant for 9-1-1 center

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20254 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Van Buren County Commissioners on Tuesday, March 11, approved a re-quest, on an expedited basis, the submission of an application for Congressionally Di-rected Spending (CDS) for $3 million to construct a new 911…

Stolen vehicle recovered, felon found in possession of firearms

Stolen vehicle recovered, felon found in possession of firearms

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20252 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW TWP. – A stolen vehicle was recovered, in addition to several guns and ammunition, while a felon was found to be in possession of firearms, following an incident that occurred Friday, March 14, in…

Groundbreaking held for bond initiative at Mattawan Consolidated Schools

Groundbreaking held for bond initiative at Mattawan Consolidated Schools

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20254 min read

MATTAWAN – Monday, March 10, marked a historic milestone for Mattawan Consolidated Schools as the district broke ground on the first phase of a comprehensive, multi-year school construction project. This initiative follows the approval of a $110 million dollar school…

BOC hopes to get $3 million grant for dispatch/emergency center

Editorial StaffMar 19, 20254 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Van Buren County Commissioners on Tuesday, March 11, approved a re-quest, on an expedited basis, the submission of an application for Congressionally Di-rected Spending (CDS) for $3 million to construct a new 911…

County Prosecutor to go before Attorney Discipline Board

County Prosecutor to go before Attorney Discipline Board

Robert TomlinsonMar 18, 20258 min read

Scheduled hearing related to Davis’ 2024 firing for allegedly lying to judge By Robert TomlinsonNews Director DETROIT — St. Joseph County’s prosecuting attorney could face formal action from the state regarding an alleged incident from prior to her election. In…

TR DDA to apply for vibrancy grant for Historical Society project

TR DDA to apply for vibrancy grant for Historical Society project

Editorial StaffMar 14, 20254 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority will be seeking funding from the state for a proposed project headed by the St. Joseph County Historical Society.At its meeting Thursday, March 6, the DDA unanimously…

Former secretary who embezzled nearly 30K from Clark Logic, charged with embezzling again from Paw Paw Public Schools

Former secretary who embezzled nearly 30K from Clark Logic, charged with embezzling again from Paw Paw Public Schools

JordanMar 14, 20253 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher In March 2024, 33-year-old Danielle Taylor was convicted of embezzling nearly $30,000 from Clark Logic, a multi-faceted company with a significant presence and origins in Three Rivers.Taylor would take in customers’ credit cards and instead of paying…

City of Sturgis to assess options for curbside recycling program

City of Sturgis to assess options for curbside recycling program

Editorial StaffMar 14, 20252 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday had a preliminary discussion regarding curbside recycling.City manager Andrew Kuk provided an overview for the board.In 2008, the city first entered into a five-year contract for curbside recycling with Borden Waste-Away .Borden…