News
OHS moves graduation indoors
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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…