News

Iconic Fennville hotel begins makeover, will house restaurant, speakeasy, event center

Iconic Fennville hotel begins makeover, will house restaurant, speakeasy, event center

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20255 min read

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

SHARK founder says cockfighting ring shared with police several weeks earlier

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20255 min read

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

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20252 min read

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

Former SHHS athlete now Hope College’s baseball coach

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20255 min read

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

Friends Good Will put to rest for winter

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20251 min read

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

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20254 min read

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

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20252 min read

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 High School senior named 2026 commended student by National Merit Scholarship

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20252 min read

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

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20252 min read

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

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20253 min read

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

Paw Paw Fire Department’s annual appreciation dinner honors many

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20252 min read

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

Robert TomlinsonOct 5, 20252 min read

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

Editorial StaffOct 3, 20252 min read

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

Editorial StaffOct 3, 20252 min read

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

Jackson music community pays tribute to an icon

Editorial StaffOct 3, 20258 min read

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

Local groups raise suicide awareness, Calhoun County numbers still high

Editorial StaffOct 3, 20256 min read

 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

Marshall’s SkeletonFest adds more spooky fun

Editorial StaffOct 3, 20252 min read

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

School food service employee charged with sexual assault of minors

Editorial StaffOct 3, 20254 min read

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

Chamber of Commerce dinner honors local businesses for accomplishments

Editorial StaffOct 3, 20257 min read

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

Sturgis couple purchases Kalamazoo State Theatre

Editorial StaffOct 3, 20254 min read

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…

PUBLIC NOTICE
2026 ALLEGAN COUNTY PROPOSED FINAL BUDGET

The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allegan will hold a budget hearing on Thursday, October 9, 2025, for all interested citizens to comment and discuss the proposed budget.

The hearing will take place at 7:00 PM in the Board Room, County Services Building, 3283–122nd Avenue, Allegan, Michigan, to discuss the proposed budget. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. The public may also participate in the meeting/public hearing by calling 1-929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 891 6032 7098, and Meeting Password 471420. For other options connecting to the meeting, please visit the meeting calendar website at www.allegancounty.org or contact the County Administrator’s Office.

The proposed budget may be examined online at www.allegancounty.org under News Media Room or on weekdays at the Office of the Allegan County Administrator (address below), between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. All interested citizens will have the opportunity to give written and/or oral comments.

County will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the public hearing upon one (1) week notice. Individuals requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the following in writing or by telephone:

Robert J. Sarro,
County Administrator,
3283 – 122nd Avenue,
Allegan, Michigan, 49010
269-673-0239