News
New Condos planned for downtown South Haven
By James Windell Plans for three new condominiums in downtown South Haven are gaining momentum.A proposed project by local developers Locker & Locker Properties LLC to construct three condominiums on the upper floor of the building that houses The Shoe…
Finally, STR ordinance approved by City Council
By James Windell The City of South Haven has its first revised Short-term Rental ordinance since 2018. The South Haven City Council approved a much-debated ordinance at its meeting on Monday, March 17, 2025.But getting there wasn’t easy.In 2018, the…
BOC to seek $3 million grant for 9-1-1 center
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Van Buren County Commissioners on Tuesday, March 11, approved a re-quest, on an expedited basis, the submission of an application for Congressionally Di-rected Spending (CDS) for $3 million to construct a new 911…
Stolen vehicle recovered, felon found in possession of firearms
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW TWP. – A stolen vehicle was recovered, in addition to several guns and ammunition, while a felon was found to be in possession of firearms, following an incident that occurred Friday, March 14, in…
Groundbreaking held for bond initiative at Mattawan Consolidated Schools
MATTAWAN – Monday, March 10, marked a historic milestone for Mattawan Consolidated Schools as the district broke ground on the first phase of a comprehensive, multi-year school construction project. This initiative follows the approval of a $110 million dollar school…
BOC hopes to get $3 million grant for dispatch/emergency center
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Van Buren County Commissioners on Tuesday, March 11, approved a re-quest, on an expedited basis, the submission of an application for Congressionally Di-rected Spending (CDS) for $3 million to construct a new 911…
County Prosecutor to go before Attorney Discipline Board
Scheduled hearing related to Davis’ 2024 firing for allegedly lying to judge By Robert TomlinsonNews Director DETROIT — St. Joseph County’s prosecuting attorney could face formal action from the state regarding an alleged incident from prior to her election. In…
TR DDA to apply for vibrancy grant for Historical Society project
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority will be seeking funding from the state for a proposed project headed by the St. Joseph County Historical Society.At its meeting Thursday, March 6, the DDA unanimously…
Former secretary who embezzled nearly 30K from Clark Logic, charged with embezzling again from Paw Paw Public Schools
By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher In March 2024, 33-year-old Danielle Taylor was convicted of embezzling nearly $30,000 from Clark Logic, a multi-faceted company with a significant presence and origins in Three Rivers.Taylor would take in customers’ credit cards and instead of paying…
City of Sturgis to assess options for curbside recycling program
By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday had a preliminary discussion regarding curbside recycling.City manager Andrew Kuk provided an overview for the board.In 2008, the city first entered into a five-year contract for curbside recycling with Borden Waste-Away .Borden…
High attendance for ‘Dr. Seuss’ party at library
By Dennis Volkert “Dr. Seuss Birthday Party” was held March 7 at Sturgis District Library.The event, an annual feature at the library for about the past 20 years, featured a “Cat in the Hat” backpack giveaway and a free book…
‘Art Around Town’ auction, ‘Winter Wine Down’ featured March 21
By Dennis Volkert “Art Around Town” auction and “Winter Wine Down” takes place 5:30-9 p.m. March 21 in downtown Sturgis.It’s the second festival of the 2025 season, presented by Sturgis Downtown Development Authority.Seventeen works are part of the silent auction,…
Pastor sentenced on aggravated assault charge
On March 5th, 2025 Judge Joshua Ferrell met back in the courtroom with Harold Norman Cole, Jr. for sentencing on a charge from November of 2024. Cole is a former pastor of Farwell Trinity Baptist Church.The original charge was second…
Irish Festival
By Rachael Humphrey The 50th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival is now underway, and with a new title! It was recently voted the Favorite Festival in the 989!So far, festival goers in Clare have listened to the Chelsea House Orchestra…
Farwell businessman found guilty of employment tax crimes
A federal jury convicted Dale Thrush for not paying employment taxes and not filing his own individual income tax returns this week. Earlier in December, Thrush was convicted of fraudulently obtaining a PPP loan.According to court documents and evidence presented…
Birders flock to barnacle goose seen here
By Scott SullivanEditorBirders were abuzz about a barnacle goose seen and photographed in a Saugatuck Township field and along the Kalamazoo River last week..If it can be documented as a wild bird, likely having migrated here from Greenland or northeast…
Pier Cove Park improvements set
By Scott SullivanEditorWork to improve Pier Cove Park will start March 24 thanks to state grants and local matching funds.Ganges Township — with help from a $266,000 Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant, its own $65,500 match plus…
Douglas beefs up Beery Field charge
You’ll get twice the charge — but at a charge — from the Beery Field electric vehicle charging stations soon.The City of Douglas, which for five years has offered the service free east of the park’s restroom/storage building, will implement…
Otsego High School to present “Seussical”
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Oh, the sights you will see and the songs you will hear—Otsego High School’s production of the “Seussical” is almost here!The musical, inspired by the works of the one and only Dr. Seuss, will take the…
High school student helps raise money for Parkinson’s
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor As a member of the Van Andel Institute’s Student Ambassador Program, Otsego senior Landon Eastman volunteers for events that raise money for Parkinson’s research.It’s a cause that hits close to home for Eastman, whose father is…
