News
First new condos in a decade unveiled
By James Windell The first new condominiums in a decade were unveiled to the public on February 13, 2025.Located at A1 N. Bailey Ave., the three-story, three-bed, three-bath and three-balcony condos overlook the Black River that provides direct access to…
Rich Greene advocates for short term rentals
By James Windell Rich Greene has always found himself in an advocacy position. Whether it was when he was in the Persian Gulf as a Navy Hospital Corpsman, as a special education teacher in Chicago working with the impoverished, or,…
Parks Commission approves donation of beach wheelchairs
By James Windell Over two million people visit South Haven every year. And most of those visitors come to South Haven during the summer months, attracted by the sandy beaches and the blue waters of Lake Michigan.But an estimated 6…
Masonic Lodge makes donation for child safety
On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Paw Paw-Lawton Masonic Lodge No. 25 presented a check for $1,060 to Child Safety of America, Inc. The donation was made during the monthly meeting of the lodge. Funds provided by the organization were made possible…
PPPS welcomes new Later Elementary principal
Paw Paw Public Schools recently welcomed Carolyn Murray as its new Paw Paw Later Elementary principal. She succeeds former Paw Paw LES Principal Jeremy Davison, who was recently named as the district’s new superintendent.Before joining PPPS, Murray served as principal…
Ceremony held for Lawton Hall of Fame inductees
On Feb. 14, Lawton Community Schools held a ceremony for the 2024-25 Lawton BlueDevil Hall of Fame inductees. Named to this year’s Hall of Fame induction class areJanine and Troy Johnson (shown second from left and center) – Outstanding dedication…
Three inducted in to Paw Paw Hall of Fame
This year’s inductees to the Paw Paw Hall of Fame include from left, Michael Roy, Erik Laskovy (accepted on behalf of his mother, Diane Peter and Roy’s daughter, Kellin Laskovy), and Perry Richardson. The three were inducted in ceremonies held…
Man faces charges after vehicle travels off roadway with two small children inside
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com KEELER TWP. – A Pullman area man faces charges of OWI and child endangerment after his vehicle, with two small children inside, traveled off the roadway in Keeler Township. He alleg-edly passed out, with the children…
Super Bowl 59 at the Michigan Theatre
By Elizabeth Ferszt, Contributing Writer A free Super Bowl party was held at the Michigan Theater of Jackson on Sunday Feb. 9, from 6 p.m. to close. The event was attended by over 100 people, including a camera and reporter…
Christopher Simpson becomes new chief of police, City of Jackson
By Elizabeth Ferszt Contributing Writer On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the City of Jackson officially announced that Jackson County Under Sheriff, Christopher A. Simpson (56), will become chief of police for the city. Chief Simpson formerly served the Jackson Police Department…
Men Who Cook dazzles with more unique dishes and volunteer devotion
by Sylvia Benavidez Men Who Cook brought 41 cooks to the serving table and a unique variety of flavors including crowd favorites like macaroni and cheese. Citizens to Beautify Albion sponsored the event at the First Baptist Church in Albion…
Anna’s House of Flowers 40th Anniversary marking so much more than a chronological number
by Sylvia Benavidez Anna’s House of Flowers has been in business in Albion for 40 years and the shop has managed to survive in hard economic times and good. Owner Anna Merritt shared her perspective on her flower shop’s longevity.…
Centreville/Constantine police merger going ‘better than imagined’ early on
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CONSTANTINE — Five months after a historic merger between two local municipalities for policing, things appear to be going smoothly so far for the Centreville-Constantine Police Department.The department was merged on Sept. 1 of last year,…
Commission OK’s first review of zoning ordinance revision
By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday approved a first review of zoning ordinance amendments. A second reading and pending approval is expected at the next board meeting, scheduled for Feb. 26.Staff members and the planning commission have been working on…
Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area
RecurringChildren’s story time, 10 a.m. each Tuesday and Friday, Sturgis District Library. Additional events at library available at www.sturgis-library.org/events.Sturgis Area Model Railroaders winter hours at Sturgis Historical Museum, 6-9 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Online: sturgismuseum.org. Feb. 15Water Street Dance,…
Witbeck’s still thrives amidst the concerns of price of eggs
By Christopher Johnson In the wake of natural disasters, strange weather patterns and a new president, many American small-towners are wondering what’s next for their pocketbook and the economy in 2025. Clare is no different, as its shoppers are looking…
Frostbite events draw crowds to Harrison
By Genine Hopkins Frostbite Winter Festival 2025 is now on the books AND had snow this year, with more piling on as the festivities began to wrap up, with nearly six inches falling from the afternoon on Saturday, February 9,…
Post-election audit shows counts were clean
Allegan County officials are praising the work of local clerks and election inspectors following the results of state-mandated post-election audits that ended Feb. 6.The audits included hand counts of votes on paper ballots to measure the accuracy of the totals…
Otsego Hall of Fame welcomes three newest members
The Otsego Athletic Boosters welcomed the three newest members into its Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Feb., between the girls and boys varsity basketball games.The Class of 2025 included Jesse Blanchard, Charity (Knight) Newby and Jessica (Sheen) Strickler.A ceremony…
Plainwell MS Honors Choir performs at state conference
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor GRAND RAPIDS—When Plainwell Middle School choir director Rachel Quillian applied to have her Honors Choir perform at the Michigan Music Conference, she wasn’t sure what to expect.“It’s usually high school choirs that perform at the conference,…
