News

City reviews inspection requirements for city-owned housing

City reviews inspection requirements for city-owned housing

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 5 min read

By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer During the Jan. 5 Albion City Council meeting, council members discussed how the city’s rental certification and inspection requirements apply to city-owned housing, raising questions about potential overlap with existing federal inspections and the impact…

Jackson man arrested after alleged arson injures two roommates

Jackson man arrested after alleged arson injures two roommates

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 3 min read

By Kathryn Palon Contributing Writer JACKSON, Mich. — A Jackson man was arrested after police say he admitted to setting fire to a residence at 324 Clinton St., injuring his two roommates. The incident occurred at approximately 10:07 p.m. on…

From sewer lines to city leadership, Albion finds unexpected answers

From sewer lines to city leadership, Albion finds unexpected answers

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 5 min read

By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer Albion officials used a lightly attended Jan. 20 meeting to advance several significant initiatives, moving forward on infrastructure planning, economic development and a pivotal leadership decision, while also pausing to recognize community contributions during a…

Al the Albion Squirrel’s creator Aiden Wade celebrates five years

Al the Albion Squirrel’s creator Aiden Wade celebrates five years

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 6 min read

By SYLVIA BENAVIDEZ Contributing Writer The comic strip Al the Albion Squirrel made its debut twice a month in The Recorder five years ago and a hundred strips later, is still being read in both The Recorder and the Morning…

Out and About: Dogs, Icebreaker, and winning at life

Out and About: Dogs, Icebreaker, and winning at life

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 2 min read

“Where liberty is, there is my country.” ~ Benjamin FranklinStrange but true facts about dogs:

Remanded Lowry annexation on agenda for Boundary Commission

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 4 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LANSING — An annexation request that was remanded to the State Boundary Commission via court order last month is now officially on the agency’s agenda.On Feb. 11 at 10 a.m., Michigan’s State Boundary Commission will take…

Proposed revision to zoning district structure reviewed by city commission

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 3 min read

At its Jan. 14 meeting, Sturgis City Commission reviewed proposed zoning district changes that could affect 32 properties. The proposal is organized into three groups. Group 1 involves two properties that were purchased by Economic Development Corporation several years ago, with the…

Longtime Doyle director Mike Liston retires

Longtime Doyle director Mike Liston retires

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 5 min read

By Steve Eldridge STURGIS — After almost 28 years of working for the City of Sturgis, the last 18 as the director of the Doyle Center, Mike Liston has retired. His last official day on the job was Thursday, Jan.…

City offers tips to prevent water-line freezing

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 2 min read

Forecast for the coming days shows temperature will hover near single digits, especially overnight. Sturgis Department of Public Services is asking residents to be conscious of the potential for frozen water lines.To help prevent freezing, officials recommend that residents allow a…

White Pigeon schools close for day due to ‘potential threat’

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 2 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director WHITE PIGEON — White Pigeon Community Schools were closed Friday, Jan. 16 due to what district officials called a “potential threat.”In a Facebook post Friday morning, the district stated they are working with local law enforcement…

Sturgis woman killed, another injured, in Sherman Twp. crash

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 1 min read

SHERMAN TWP. — A 55-year-old Sturgis woman was killed, while another woman was hospitalized, following a two-vehicle crash in Sherman Township last week.According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 6:39 p.m.…

Woman killed in Fabius Twp. crash

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 1 min read

FABIUS TWP. — A 20-year-old woman was killed in a traffic crash that occurred in Fabius Township last week.According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred Wednesday, Jan. 14 in the area of Constantine Road and Shorewood…

Two die in US-127 two-vehicle crash

Two die in US-127 two-vehicle crash

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 2 min read

On Sunday, January 18, 2026 at approximately 12:19 p.m. the Clare County Central Dispatch received a report of a two-vehicle crash on southbound US-127 near Colonville Rd in Grant Township. Initial reports indicated a vehicle traveling on northbound US-127 had…

City of Clare announces north + south passenger rail project

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 3 min read

By Lindsey Ashley At this Monday’s meeting, City Manager Jeremy Howard announced the North + South Passenger Rail Project.The North + South Rail Project is a proposed new transportation service that would connect cities in Southwest Michigan to mid-Michigan and…

BOC hears from Pirnstill who hopes to convert church to comfort home, Sentz announces candidacy for Sheriff

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 5 min read

By Patricia Ferrell Wednesday’s Clare County Board of Commissioners meeting started off with Vice Chairman Rick Fancon being re-elected to this position in the Board of Commissioners Room at the courthouse in Harrison.Steven Sentz, of Grant Township, was then up…

Guest chef at Sturgis schools prepares Lebanese-based meal for students

Guest chef at Sturgis schools prepares Lebanese-based meal for students

Dennis Volkert Jan 22, 2026 2 min read

Danny Saghir, regional corporate chef at Taher, was guest chef recently at Sturgis Public Schools.  On Jan. 13, he prepared chicken shawarma for students at Sturgis Middle School.  Taher, based in Minnetonka, Minn., is the district’s partner to provide food…

Proposed Enclave would add 36 township homes

Proposed Enclave would add 36 township homes

Editorial Staff Jan 21, 2026 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe Saugatuck Township Planning Commission was scheduled Tuesday, Jan. 20 to weigh a proposed 36-unit The Enclave condominium development on 9.718 acres at 6549 Old Allegan Road, adjacent to Blue Star Highway.Johnny Walker, with Exxel Engineering, on Dec.…

Otsego food service staff earn ServSafe certification

Otsego food service staff earn ServSafe certification

Editorial Staff Jan 21, 2026 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Otsego Public Schools’ food service staff set a new standard this year.Every member of the department earning a Managerial ServSafe Certification—a nationally recognized credential in food safety and handling.According to district officials, this marks the first…

Plainwell seeks public feedback on proposed Papermill site development

Plainwell seeks public feedback on proposed Papermill site development

Editorial Staff Jan 21, 2026 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The City of Plainwell is asking residents to share their thoughts on a proposed commercial development at the former Plainwell Papermill property.Public feedback will be collected during the Plainwell City Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 26,…

Mother/Son Game Night coming to OHS Jan. 30

Editorial Staff Jan 21, 2026 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Meet the team, play some games, grab a snack and stick around for tipoff—that’s the playbook for this year’s Mother/Son Game Night at Otsego High School.The event is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30, and will run…