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OHS moves graduation indoors

OHS moves graduation indoors

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor With the weather refusing to cooperate, Otsego Public Schools officials were forced to move the district’s graduation ceremony into the high school gymnasium on Wednesday, May 21.And while Otsego High School principal Thomas Reed wasn’t exactly…

Hoffman claims pair of state championships

Hoffman claims pair of state championships

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20251 min read

Otsego junior Emma Hoffman entered the MHSAA Division 2 Girls Track & Field State Finals as the prohibitive favorite to win state titles in the 1,600 and the 3,200.She didn’t dissapoint, as she did, indeed, secure both of those championships.…

Bridgefest 2025 on the horizon

Bridgefest 2025 on the horizon

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20253 min read

By Gari Voss Summer in Allegan, MI really begins when Bridgefest hits Riverfront Park and the surrounding streets. All are invited to enjoy time with family and friends while exploring the community tents along Locust and Hubbard Streets, dropping into…

Allegan, Van Buren firefighters battle two similar fires on the same day

Allegan, Van Buren firefighters battle two similar fires on the same day

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20253 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher At about 4:45 pm on Sunday, June 1st, emergency services were dispatched to an ablaze residence on the south (Van Buren County) side of Baseline Road near 51 ½ in Columbia Township.Deputies from the Van Buren…

Once excellent St. Basil Catholic School forced to close

Once excellent St. Basil Catholic School forced to close

Editorial StaffJun 4, 202510 min read

By James Windell “When I heard the school was closing, I cried,” says Lois Brigham, the St. Basil School Board President. “There were a lot of factors that went into it, but I wish it were not happening.”Brigham, who was…

St. Basil School Board holds its final meeting

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20254 min read

By James Windell It was supposed to be the St. Basil Catholic School Board’s final meeting.But the May 27, 2025 meeting, at which several parents attended, went from an emotional outpouring from parents and Board members, some of whom no…

PPHS celebrates mural completion with Ice Bucket Challenge

PPHS celebrates mural completion with Ice Bucket Challenge

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20252 min read

What was once a plain brick wall at Paw Paw High School (PPHS) has been transformed into a stunning 1,800 square foot mural by Detroit-based artist Marlo Broughton and students from PPHS. To celebrate the completion of the mural, students recently…

Thumm named new LPS K-12 principal

Thumm named new LPS K-12 principal

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20254 min read

LAWRENCE – Brock Thumm has been selected as the new K-12 principal at Lawrence Public Schools, according to a press release from LPS Superintendent Ryan Williamson.Williamson said of Thumm’s selection, “This decision reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring a strong,…

Cooper is speaker at Paw Paw services

Cooper is speaker at Paw Paw services

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20251 min read

Paw Paw Memorial Day services were held Memorial Day morning at Veterans Park after the parade. The speaker was Airman Bennett Cooper of Paw Paw.This was the first time since WWII that a World War II veteran was not present…

Lawton Village Council hears update on village rental ordinance

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20252 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWTON – At the Lawton Village Council’s Tuesday, May 27, meeting, Lawton Village Council President Josh Appleby brought the village rental ordinance update to the floor for discussion, as the village attorney was present to address…

Sturgis city phone lines out of service temporarily

Sturgis city phone lines out of service temporarily

Dennis VolkertJun 2, 20251 min read

Phone lines to city hall and other offices in Sturgis are out of service temporarily. Officials have contacted the carrier and hope to have the situation corrected as soon as possible. In the meantime, if residents have a non-emergency call…

Councilmember reacts to Jackson shootings

Councilmember reacts to Jackson shootings

Editorial StaffMay 30, 20253 min read

Photo by Elizabeth Ferszt Cash collection for Anthony Owens at Royal Party Store By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Four shootings in Jackson have resulted in three deaths and five wounded in less than a month. John Lusch, age 45, of…

Marshall pre-graduation parade through Albion

Marshall pre-graduation parade through Albion

Editorial StaffMay 30, 20251 min read

Photo by AlbionMich.net Smiles, cheers, and school pride lit up Albion’s Superior Street Wednesday as Marshall High School seniors paraded downtown in their caps and gowns. Friends, families, and community members lined the sidewalks to celebrate the Class of 2025,…

Albion and Marshall Memorial Day parades; somber and reverent

Albion and Marshall Memorial Day parades; somber and reverent

Editorial StaffMay 30, 20252 min read

By SYLVIA BENAVIDEZ Contributing Writer Marching down their respective main streets, May 26, Albion and Marshall residents honored members of the Armed Forces past and present who gave their lives for their country. The Albion parade scheduled for 10 a.m.…

Memorial Day Weekend in Jackson

Memorial Day Weekend in Jackson

Editorial StaffMay 30, 20253 min read

Photo courtesy of the Rose City American Legion Facebook Page Photos by Elizabeth Ferszt By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Memorial Day was observed Monday, May 26 this year. The national holiday is held annually to remember those who gave the…

Marshall man dies after being shot by officer

Marshall man dies after being shot by officer

Editorial StaffMay 30, 20252 min read

Courtesy photo This image of Michael Athony Koch was taken by the officer’s body cam just before he shot him. He is holding the BB gun that appeared to the officer to be a long rifle-style firearm. By KATHRYN PALON…

Out and About: Communicating, walking, and Will Rogers

Out and About: Communicating, walking, and Will Rogers

Editorial StaffMay 30, 20254 min read

Listening to some of the conversations coming out of Washington, D.C., makes me want to share ten more ways of speaking like a confident communicator, rather than like someone with a second grade education. Please give these some serious thought:

Local veterans who’ve passed away, 2024-25

Editorial StaffMay 30, 20252 min read

John Ash, Air Force/ArmyLee Austerman, Air ForceJames Awe, ArmyJames Bailey, ArmyCarl Balk, ArmyRobert Beachey, Air ForceLarry Benton, ArmyRaymond Bolender, NavyCharles Bowers, unknownJames Browne, MarinesDel Buckhold, Air ForceGordon Burkett, Air ForceJerry Burkhead, ArmyLeonard Burnham, ArmyRichard Campbell, NavyPete Cholometes, ArmyPaul Coffman, unknownGeorge…

Memorial Day ceremonies in TR remember those who gave everything

Memorial Day ceremonies in TR remember those who gave everything

Editorial StaffMay 30, 20253 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — More than 600,000 American troops have died while fighting for their country ever since the Revolutionary War ended, according to Military.com, and local areas remembered the sacrifice those Americans made Monday while observing…