News
High attendance for ‘Dr. Seuss’ party at library
By Dennis Volkert “Dr. Seuss Birthday Party” was held March 7 at Sturgis District Library.The event, an annual feature at the library for about the past 20 years, featured a “Cat in the Hat” backpack giveaway and a free book…
‘Art Around Town’ auction, ‘Winter Wine Down’ featured March 21
By Dennis Volkert “Art Around Town” auction and “Winter Wine Down” takes place 5:30-9 p.m. March 21 in downtown Sturgis.It’s the second festival of the 2025 season, presented by Sturgis Downtown Development Authority.Seventeen works are part of the silent auction,…
Pastor sentenced on aggravated assault charge
On March 5th, 2025 Judge Joshua Ferrell met back in the courtroom with Harold Norman Cole, Jr. for sentencing on a charge from November of 2024. Cole is a former pastor of Farwell Trinity Baptist Church.The original charge was second…
Irish Festival
By Rachael Humphrey The 50th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival is now underway, and with a new title! It was recently voted the Favorite Festival in the 989!So far, festival goers in Clare have listened to the Chelsea House Orchestra…
Farwell businessman found guilty of employment tax crimes
A federal jury convicted Dale Thrush for not paying employment taxes and not filing his own individual income tax returns this week. Earlier in December, Thrush was convicted of fraudulently obtaining a PPP loan.According to court documents and evidence presented…
Birders flock to barnacle goose seen here
By Scott SullivanEditorBirders were abuzz about a barnacle goose seen and photographed in a Saugatuck Township field and along the Kalamazoo River last week..If it can be documented as a wild bird, likely having migrated here from Greenland or northeast…
Pier Cove Park improvements set
By Scott SullivanEditorWork to improve Pier Cove Park will start March 24 thanks to state grants and local matching funds.Ganges Township — with help from a $266,000 Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant, its own $65,500 match plus…
Douglas beefs up Beery Field charge
You’ll get twice the charge — but at a charge — from the Beery Field electric vehicle charging stations soon.The City of Douglas, which for five years has offered the service free east of the park’s restroom/storage building, will implement…
Otsego High School to present “Seussical”
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Oh, the sights you will see and the songs you will hear—Otsego High School’s production of the “Seussical” is almost here!The musical, inspired by the works of the one and only Dr. Seuss, will take the…
High school student helps raise money for Parkinson’s
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor As a member of the Van Andel Institute’s Student Ambassador Program, Otsego senior Landon Eastman volunteers for events that raise money for Parkinson’s research.It’s a cause that hits close to home for Eastman, whose father is…
City Council discusses ballfield improvements, selling city property
By Gari Voss The Allegan City Council addressed a variety of issues during their Monday, March 10, 2025, meeting. The Village Market and Juan Linn Restaurant moved officially to the C-2 General Commercial District Zone. The adjustments to Ordinance 528…
Gun Lake Casino hotel opens its doors
The Gun Lake Tribe has unveiled its long-awaited hotel addition to the Gun Lake Casino, marking a significant expansion for the property that opened in 2011.The 16-story hotel boasts 252 luxury rooms and suites, offering panoramic views of the surrounding…
Ice shelf blocks Black River channel entrance
Spring might be here but fishing on the Big Lake can’t happen yet because of an ice shelf blocking the Black River channel entrance.By Tom Renner
SH Council debates merits of energy assistance program
By James Windell A new Michigan law went into effect this year which requires the City of South Haven to decide whether to be part of the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP).At a Special Meeting of the Board of Public…
Most speakers at SH Council meeting opposed to possible STR ordinance
By James Windell It was a packed Council Chambers at the South Haven City Council meeting on Monday night, March 3, 2025. This was not unexpected because a public hearing on the latest draft Short-Term Rental ordinance was on the…
Austell returns home to perform at Scott Club
James Windell Connor Austell grew up in South Haven – not far from the Scott Club where he will perform on March 16, 2025, at 3:00 pm.Austell, a concert pianist who attended college at Grand Valey State University and the…
Former Paw Paw Public Schools employee faces charges of wire fraud
PAW PAW – A former Paw Paw Public Schools employee faces charges of wire fraud in ex-cess of $20,000, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott said that in November…
Business owner offers community events to build a deaf space
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – After their young son experienced a slight hearing loss, the owner of The Lucky Wolf, Paw Paw, has recently started a free community event to build a deaf space for the Paw Paw…
Driver faces charges following arrest in Decatur Twp.
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com A Lawton area man faces charges of driving while intoxicated and flee and elude, following his arrest early Friday morning, March 7, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.Van Buren County…
Lawton Village continues discussion on Lawton youth softball baseball program
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWTON -The Lawton Village Council at the Feb. 25 village council meeting continued discussion on the Lawton Youth Softball Baseball program. During Citizen’s Comments, Pam Stermer, a resident of E. Third Street, addressed the Lawton Village…
