News
City taps Thompson as new planning/zoning head
BY SCOTT SULLIVANEDITOR Saugatuck has appointed South Haven planning and zoning assistant Luke Thompson as its new cityhead of both. As planning and zoning director, Thompson fills a post city manager Ryan Cummins has doubled in since replacing former manager…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorThe Big Wave“One in five Michiganders,” says the Vertical Cherry website, “turn to alcohol for making big financial decisions.” Well, that explains things.“Do I dare to eat a peach?” I’d say in the day, overlooking the produce aisle.…
Venetian Fest brings back boom!
To arms, legs and hearts: The Venetian Fest is coming!The community’s annual celebration of life on our waterways arrives this weekend starting with a dance party Friday, July 26 in Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park; continues Saturday with an afternoon dinghy poker…
Alps and Mediterranean Tour Provides Hands-On Learning
A total of 42 people, including 29 Plainwell High School students, participated in the Alps and Mediterranean tour. (Photo provided) This is one of the towns that was visiting during the Plainwell High School tour of the Alps and the…
Suspect burglarizes Smoke Shop in Plainwell
Adidas backpack—Video surveillance shows that the man who robbed Smoke City Smoke Shop had an Adidas backpack like the one shown. (Photo provided) :This pair of Air Jordan 1 Mochas looks like the pair worn by the suspect in the…
Surviving members of the Savage family released from hospital, time to heal
By Donald Talonen The three surviving members of the Savage family from Kalamazoo, involved in a fatal car accident, have been discharged from the hospital.The accident occurred on Sunday, June 30, at the intersection of 136th Avenue and 58th Street…
Allegan City receives $100k grant for Mahan Park
The City of Allegan’s Council accepted a $100,000 check from Consumers Energy Foundation Community Affairs Manager Derek Nofz during their July 22, 2024, meeting. The donation will assist in making the planned improvements to Mahan Park. Photo: P. Johnson By…
Beyond the Call of Duty honors Abel
This group rides to each state to recognize and honor all fallen 1st responders. On Saturday, July 20th, The Chambers County Sheriff’s Department was visited in downtown LaFayette by the Beyond the Call of Duty organization from the state of…
Korean War veterans honored at luncheon
Pictured are Chambers County Korean War vets, John Emfinger, Charles Pigg, Leon Davis, Lanny Bledsoe, and Edward Ray Anderson. The 12th annual Chambers County Korean War Veterans Appreciation Luncheon was held last week at the Coca-Cola Event Center In Opelika.…
City agrees to move forward with new city hall
By John BriceCorrespondent The LaFayette City Council met on Monday, July 22nd of 2024 at the Chambers County Farmers Federation Agricultural Center at the ALFA building in LaFayette. In attendance were Mayor Kenneth Vines, Councilman Terry G. Mangram, Councilman David…
Fireworks end busy day at Youth Fair
Fireworks were held Friday night, July 19, at the Van Buren Youth Fair in Hartford Friday night. In the photo above, an inflatable alien staged at a vendor’s tent is shown in the foreground, while fireworks burst in the background.Courier-Leader…
Demolition Derby highlights grandstand events at fair
TNT Demolition Derby attracted a large crowd as part of Thursday night’s free grandstand entertainment at the Van Buren Youth Fair.Photo courtesy/John Garrod
Butler sets new auction record price for sheep in Youth Fair’s livestock auction
HARTFORD – A new auction price for sheep was set at this year’s Van Buren Youth Fair Large Livestock Auction. Anya Butler shattered the record with the sale of her 130-pound ewe lamb when she received $60 per pound from…
Paw Paw Village Planning Commission addresses concert issues at Warner Vineyards
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer PAW PAW – A standing room only crowd voiced compliments and concerns Thursday, July 18, about recent concerts at Warner Vineyards during the Paw Paw Village Planning Commission meeting held at the Paw Paw Township Hall.…
Britt Gross named assistant superintendent at Sturgis Public Schools
Britt Gross has been named assistant superintendent at Sturgis Public Schools. The board of education approved the decision Monday at a special meeting, where she was introduced. Gross served in several capacities at Polk County Public Schools in Florida, most…
Three Rivers police identify body as missing woman’s
Police investigate a home in the 200 block of Middle Street Friday, July 12 following a dead body found there. Police identified the body Wednesday as 41-year-old Nicole Wood, who had been missing since July 7. (COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON)…
Deer, deer, they’re everywhere!
By Scott Sullivan Editor Douglas deer complaints keep rolling in. May Street resident Debbi Larsen wrote city council July 8: “Hello, I live in Douglas and have for the last 25 years. The deer population in the last 5 years…
Locals guide to Venetian Fest fun
The Saugatuck Venetian Festival, a perennial summertime celebration of life on our waterways, returns to town next weekend July 26-28. Fun will begin Friday with a dance party in Coghlin Park featuring ‘80s cover band Star Farm. The festival continues…
SPS Superintendent Travis to retire
Tim Travis is retiring as Superintendent of Saugatuck Public School effective Dec. 31. The school board accepted his retirement at Monday’s meeting. Travis has been an educator for 40 years, the last 20 here, including as middle/high school principal before…
You can get there from here!
By Scott SullivanEditorThe new roundabout at Blue Star Highway and Allegan Road opened formally Monday, but more than one motorist jumped the gun.“Look at them,” said Woodland Nursery owner Joe Migas, who for 39 years has kept alive John Mann’s…
