News
Iconic Fennville hotel begins makeover, will house restaurant, speakeasy, event center
By Gari Voss The hotel in Fennville, MI that has stood next to the railroad tracks for almost a century is in the midst of having a facelift. The DuPree family from Holland, MI purchased the grand structure four years…
SHARK founder says cockfighting ring shared with police several weeks earlier
By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer In a shocking discovery, 36 fighting birds — roosters, were found dead in a Hopkins Twp. property on Oct. 3.Local law enforcement received tips about a cockfighting and betting ring from an animal rights organization called…
Barron’s PCC hearing adjourned until Oct. 30
By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer Mya Nicole Barron, the 15-year-old former AHS student who is facing weapons charges after allegedly threatening to attack Allegan High School in September, was in 57th District Court today for a PCC.Judge Christopher Burnett conducted the…
Former SHHS athlete now Hope College’s baseball coach
By James Windell When Ryan Dorow was a senior at South Haven High School and played three sports, there was only one thought in his mind: Play, play, play!Playing baseball and other sports was all he could think about. He…
Friends Good Will put to rest for winter
A very familiar scene along the South Haven coastline during the summer months, the Michigan Maritime Museum’s Friends Good Will, was put to rest for the winter months this past weekend.During the downrigging process, volunteers dropped her lines, spars and…
STR owners pack South Haven City Hall council chambers
By James Windell The City Hall Council Chambers was just not spacious enough to accommodate all of the Short-Term Rental owners who showed up for an STR Informational meeting.Billed on the City of South Haven’s website as an opportunity to…
South Haven High School has a new principal
By James Windell South Haven High School started the year without a principal. A search for a replacement for Joe Allen, the 2024-2025 high school principal, has been going on since he resigned this past summer to accept the position…
Paw Paw High School senior named 2026 commended student by National Merit Scholarship
PAW PAW – Paw Paw High School Principal Tammy Southworth recently announced that Leah Graves has been named a Commended Student in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation…
Rally to be held Oct. 14, in Paw Paw to remember Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk’s 32nd birthday
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – A rally, what would have been the 32nd birthday of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Maple Lake Amphitheatre, Paw…
Hartford man arrested, faces a variety of charges
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com DECATUR – A 33-year-old Hartford area man faces a variety of charges, including flee and elude, possession of methamphetamine, following his recent arrest, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.The man,…
Paw Paw Fire Department’s annual appreciation dinner honors many
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – The Paw Paw Fire Department’s Annual Appreciation Dinner was held Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Paw Paw Fire Department.Following the dinner, the introduction of officers and awards were presented.Department member Brandon Hall, who…
Three Rivers man killed in two-vehicle crash on U.S. 131
CONSTANTINE TWP. — A 34-year-old Three Rivers man was killed in a crash that occurred in the early morning hours Sunday on U.S. 131 in Constantine Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred just before…
Roe Dedeaux back in court for Bond Modification 9/26
By Elizabeth Ferszt Contributing Writer Defendant Roe Dedeaux was in 12th District Court Sept. 26 via video link in front of Hon. Robert Gaecke to discuss bond modification. At his previous hearing, his attorney George Lyons motioned the court to…
Judge Thomas Wilson granted an extension from JTC review
By Elizabeth Ferszt Contributing Writer Judge Thomas Wilson received an extension to respond to a complaint issued against him by the Judicial Tenure Commission of the State of Michigan. He originally had until Sept. 25 to file an answer. The…
Jackson music community pays tribute to an icon
Last week the Jackson musical community came together twice for one of their own. First to honor Craig Playford with a musical tribute on Sunday, Sept. 21 at the Michigan Theatre of Jackson. Then, to remember him at his funeral…
Local groups raise suicide awareness, Calhoun County numbers still high
By Sylvia Benavidez Calhoun County suicide rates continue to be higher than both the Michigan and U.S. averages according to the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Calhoun County. Local groups raised suicide awareness through education and personal contact in downtown Marshall…
Marshall’s SkeletonFest adds more spooky fun
SkeletonFest organizers added two new activities to keep the fun going all month long. Saturday younger kids were seen scurrying in and out of stores playing the Bone Voyage Scavenger Hunt. Kimber Thompson, director of tourism at Choose Marshall said…
School food service employee charged with sexual assault of minors
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director MENDON — A woman who worked as a contractor in the food service department of a St. Joseph County school district was charged Monday on multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct involving minors.Kaitlyn Lee Sand, 28…
Chamber of Commerce dinner honors local businesses for accomplishments
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — An annual celebration of business and community in the Three Rivers area was held last week.The annual Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce dinner took place at the gymnasium of Immaculate Conception Catholic…
Sturgis couple purchases Kalamazoo State Theatre
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director KALAMAZOO — A historic theatre in Kalamazoo will soon get new life, thanks to a couple from Sturgis.In a press conference Tuesday, Sturgis natives Dan and Holly Carmichael announced that their company, Lead Balloon Productions, purchased…
