News

Two Allegan Tech Center students honored for life-saving actions

Two Allegan Tech Center students honored for life-saving actions

Editorial Staff Feb 25, 2026 2 min read

Two students connected to the Allegan Tech Center were formally recognized at a recent Allegan Area ESA Board of Education meeting for their heroic, life-saving actions that demonstrate the real-world impact of career and technical education.Christian Nichols and Tessa Dyer,…

Major water main break leaves Allegan citizens without drinking water

Major water main break leaves Allegan citizens without drinking water

Editorial Staff Feb 25, 2026 5 min read

By Gari Voss The Drinking Water Warning came from Allegan’s City Hall on Thursday morning, February 19, 2026. The problems began on Wednesday evening at about 8:30pm when the city water team became aware of a water main break. Water…

Boy taken into custody after splatter gun incident at Plainwell Middle School

Editorial Staff Feb 25, 2026 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A 13-year-old boy was taken into custody after allegedly shooting two female students with a splatter gun inside Plainwell Middle School on Thursday, Feb. 19, according to the Plainwell Department of Public Safety.Officials say the incident…

South Haven Rotary marks 70 years of service

South Haven Rotary marks 70 years of service

Editorial Staff Feb 25, 2026 1 min read

Members of the Rotary Club of South Haven recently marked their 70th year of service to the community. The club was chartered on February 7, 1956. Today the club has 63 active members. Supporting projects locally and internationally, the club…

Scholarships awarded by South Haven’s Black History Leadership Society

Scholarships awarded by South Haven’s Black History Leadership Society

Editorial Staff Feb 25, 2026 2 min read

By James Windell Two scholarships were awarded to graduates of local high schools at the 48th Annual Black History Program at Lily of the Valley Church on Sunday, February 15, 2026.The Black History Leadership Society’s Youth on the Rise Scholarship…

City Council approves lifeguard stations

City Council approves lifeguard stations

Editorial Staff Feb 25, 2026 4 min read

By James Windell The South Haven City Council approved the purchase of lifeguard towers at its February 16, 2026, regular meeting.Although the request to approve the purchase of lifeguard towers and stands were among a number of consent items on…

Holtec explains clearing trees along Blue Star Highway

Holtec explains clearing trees along Blue Star Highway

Editorial Staff Feb 25, 2026 3 min read

By James Windell If you noticed that trees have been cut down near the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant along Blue Star Highway, there is an explanation.Some area residents have raised concerns about number of trees that have been cut down.Holtec…

Warner Vineyards captures top honors at Chili Walk

Warner Vineyards captures top honors at Chili Walk

Editorial Staff Feb 25, 2026 1 min read

The fourth Annual Paw Paw Chili Walk was held Saturday Feb. 21 in Paw Paw. Taking top honors was Warner Vineyards, with runner-up honors going to GG Sweets.The Paw Paw Fire Department captured People’s Choice.A large turnout didn’t let the…

Travel trailer destroyed in fire

Travel trailer destroyed in fire

Editorial Staff Feb 25, 2026 1 min read

On Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 7:12 a.m., the Paw Paw Fire Department was dispatched to the 42000 block of M-43 Highway for a report of a fully involved garage fire. Units arrived on scene at 7:19 a.m. and reported a…

Gobles man faces charges for selling mislabeled, unprescribed GLP1s

Editorial Staff Feb 25, 2026 1 min read

GOBLES – A Gobles man is facing charges for allegedly selling mislabeled and foreign-made GLP1 drugs without prescriptions.Brandon Piper was charged in federal court Friday, Feb. 20, with one count of conspiracy to introduce misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with…

Former Plainwell orthodontist sentenced to 60 years for child exploitation

Former Plainwell orthodontist sentenced to 60 years for child exploitation

Jordan Wilcox Feb 24, 2026 6 min read

Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Thomas Patrick Shannon, the former owner of Shannon Orthodontics in Plainwell and Grandville, has been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison on child exploitation charges — the maximum allowed under the law. On Monday, U.S. District…

Sturgis City Commission to review South Lakeview Avenue project, EV charging station proposal

Sturgis City Commission to review South Lakeview Avenue project, EV charging station proposal

Dennis Volkert Feb 24, 2026 2 min read

Sturgis City Commission will consider several proposals at its Feb. 25 meeting. Here is a roundup. South Lakeview Avenue design plan. Commissioners will assess approval of a service agreement amendment for Fleis and VandenBrink for reconstruction on South Lake Avenue. The…

SNP launches new ‘Neighbor2Neighbor’ program

SNP launches new ‘Neighbor2Neighbor’ program

Dennis Volkert Feb 23, 2026 1 min read

Sturgis Neighborhood Program has announced the launch of a new Neighbor2Neighbor home improvement program, with help of a grant from Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The initiative is intended provide crucial home repair and rehabilitation services to up to three…

Council Advances Development Projects as Public Weighs in on City Manager

Council Advances Development Projects as Public Weighs in on City Manager

Editorial Staff Feb 20, 2026 4 min read

By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer The Albion City Council meeting on Tuesday evening drew a higher level of public engagement than in recent months, with about 20 residents attending to offer respectful yet pointed comments on the proposed city manager…

Swains Lake sewer update: Is a whole-lake solution in the works?

Swains Lake sewer update: Is a whole-lake solution in the works?

Editorial Staff Feb 20, 2026 4 min read

By KEN WYATT Contributing Writer Pulaski Township took a step forward in the Swains Lake Sewer Project at this month’s board meeting. After a report from Alan Smaka, project engineer, the board voted to authorize application to the U.S. Agriculture…

Albion Scouts celebrate 110 years with packed anniversary dinner by the river

Albion Scouts celebrate 110 years with packed anniversary dinner by the river

Editorial Staff Feb 20, 2026 4 min read

By Maggie LaNoue, contributing writer A full house filled the American Legion hall overlooking the Kalamazoo River Monday night as Scouts BSA Troop 158 marked its 110th birthday with a community celebration, Court of Honor, and recognition of youth and…

Albion City Council Approves Contract With Returning City Manager Sheryl Theriot

Albion City Council Approves Contract With Returning City Manager Sheryl Theriot

Editorial Staff Feb 20, 2026 4 min read

By Maggie LaNoue Contributing writer The Albion City Council voted Tuesday, Feb. 17, to approve a contract with Dr. Sheryl L. Theriot as city manager, bringing back a familiar leader as the city faces major redevelopment projects and ongoing challenges…

Boys’ basketball district brackets confirmed

Editorial Staff Feb 20, 2026 4 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Tournament season is rapidly approaching – or is already here – for winter sports, with the basketball tournaments getting underway beginning next week.Boys’ basketball will come first, with every local team participating…

Bowling Roundup Three Rivers boys, girls win Wolverine Conference championships

Editorial Staff Feb 20, 2026 4 min read

BRONSON — Three Rivers’ bowling teams were dominant at the Wolverine Conference Tournament in Bronson last weekend, wrapping up conference titles for both teams with their performances.The boys’ team won their first conference title since 2021 by taking home the…

Reel life: Strand owner reflects on theater’s history, trends in the movie industry

Reel life: Strand owner reflects on theater’s history, trends in the movie industry

Dennis Volkert Feb 20, 2026 6 min read

By Dennis Volkert Strand Theater in Sturgis ceased operation on Dec. 31, 2025, and is on the market.  It brings the end of an era, and an uncertain transition for Eriz Saitz, third-generation owner.  For now, one immediate project is…