News

Natural Gas Leak affects thousands from Fennville to Saugatuck

Natural Gas Leak affects thousands from Fennville to Saugatuck

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20255 min read

By Gari Voss News came on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 2:40pm that a natural gas leak had occurred in the Allegan County Game Area in the area of 57th Street and 122nd Avenue. Approximately 5,200 residents and business lost…

South Haven fails to act on lifeguard recommendations

South Haven fails to act on lifeguard recommendations

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20254 min read

By James Windell When TV camera crews showed up at the South Haven City Council meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025, it was clear that there was a hot-button issue on the agenda. But it was not short-term rentals this…

South Haven couple will cycle in all 50 states

South Haven couple will cycle in all 50 states

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20254 min read

By James Windell When Deanne and Roger Fridley began dating, Roger bought a bicycle because Deanne was an avid cyclist. Not only did he take up the sport, but now the couple are one state away from accomplishing a cycling…

City Council tables community recreation director agreement

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20254 min read

By James Windell When South Haven resident Jack Sitzer addressed the South Haven City Council on Monday, April 7, 2025, he stated he was opposed to the council approving an agreement that would result in a new position of Community…

Stermer found guilty of killing husband a second time

Stermer found guilty of killing husband a second time

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20252 min read

A woman accused of killing her husband by setting him on fire and then running him over has been found guilty by a jury in a retrial.Linda Stermer has been found guilty of two counts of murder, including first-degree murder.…

53 inducted into PPHS National Honor Society

53 inducted into PPHS National Honor Society

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20251 min read

A total of 53 new members were recently inducted into Paw Paw High School National Honor Society. They include: Jacob Ameling, Victor Armijo, Chase Boff, Liliana Brausch, Bella Clemons, Kami Crandall, Kassidy Derhammer, Emma Deuel, Gracie Eagle, Anderson Farnquist, Eric…

Consumers upgrades in Oshtemo may affect traffic

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20252 min read

Consumers Energy is upgrading and installing new natural gas distribution pipelines along key corridors in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties. These improvements are part of ongoing efforts to enhance the safety, reliability and capacity of the natural gas system in…

Lawton Village Council approves lighting update to baseball/softball complex

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20252 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWTON – The Lawton Village Council at its Tuesday, April 8, council meeting, approved lighting updates at the Lawton Youth Baseball and Softball complex.During Citizen’s Comments, Doug Lawrence, representing Lawton Youth Baseball and Softball, provided Lawton…

Pipeline leak shuts down gas to 5K+ homes

Pipeline leak shuts down gas to 5K+ homes

Editorial StaffApr 11, 20252 min read

A natural gas transmission pipeline damaged near Fennville Wednesday cut off service to some 5,200 customers in the Saugatuck/Douglas/Fennville area. More than 200 Michigan Gas Utilities and other crews from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois and continued working to restore service…

Jackson County Jail may cooperate with ICE

Editorial StaffApr 11, 20253 min read

By Elizabeth Ferszt Contributing Writer The Jackson County Jail may soon cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in assessing the immigration status of any person in its custody at the 1995 Chanter Road facility. However, this does not mean that…

Planned Parenthood of Jackson closing end of month

Editorial StaffApr 11, 20254 min read

By Elizabeth Ferszt Contributing Writer Planned Parenthood of Jackson will be closing its clinic at 2009 W. Michigan Ave. on April 25, due to an expected loss in funding due to Medicaid and Title X reductions. The facility offered birth…

Michigan’s major railway project is back on track, with Clare at its core

Michigan’s major railway project is back on track, with Clare at its core

Editorial StaffApr 11, 20258 min read

By Christopher Johnson To some, the idea of a passenger railway connecting across Lower and Upper Michigan may not be unfamiliar. It’s an idea that’s been around for a hot minute but until recent years has been only that: A…

Local ‘Hands Off!’ protest rallies against Trump, Musk policies

Local ‘Hands Off!’ protest rallies against Trump, Musk policies

Editorial StaffApr 11, 20254 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — An estimated 175 people from the local area gathered at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Main Street in Three Rivers to join a national protest movement this past Saturday.The protest was part…

TR City Commission meeting time to change to 5 p.m.

Editorial StaffApr 11, 20253 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — For the first time in years, the Three Rivers City Commission will now be meeting at an earlier time.The city announced on social media Tuesday night that starting with their next meeting on…

Moyer announces resignation from Sturgis City Commission Third turnover in the 2nd Precinct seat since 2023

Moyer announces resignation from Sturgis City Commission Third turnover in the 2nd Precinct seat since 2023

Editorial StaffApr 11, 20251 min read

A seat on Sturgis City Commission’s 2nd Precinct is open again.Rodger Moyer on Wednesday announced will resign at the end of April, due to moving away from the district.In November, Moyer was elected to the seat vacated by Alan Albarran,…

Special assessment district approved for sidewalk projects

Editorial StaffApr 11, 20252 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday held public hearings regarding new sidewalks and sidewalk repair on St. Joseph Street. The city of Sturgis engineering department is initiating the district in accordance with the public sidewalk construction policy, approved by…

U.S. 12 resurfacing project gets underway soon St. Joseph Street upgrade has begun

U.S. 12 resurfacing project gets underway soon St. Joseph Street upgrade has begun

Editorial StaffApr 11, 20252 min read

By Dennis Volkert Setup for Michigan Department of Transportation to resurface U.S. 12 in Sturgis is expected in mid-April, with work commencing May 1, city engineer Barry Cox said.Target completion date is July 31.The project involves a roughly two-mile segment…

Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area

Editorial StaffApr 11, 20254 min read

RECURRINGChildren’s story time, 10 a.m. each Tuesday and Friday, Sturgis District Library. Additional events at library available at www.sturgis-library.org/events. APRIL April 11“Spring & Food Expo,” 5:30-9 p.m, Sturges-Young Center of the Arts, features cooking show, “Tastings of Sturgis,” hosted by Laura Kurella,…

Four arrested on drug charges

Four arrested on drug charges

Editorial StaffApr 11, 20253 min read

On Thursday April 03, 2025 at 10:07 p.m. a Deputy with the Clare County Sheriff Office observed a vehicle stopped on the shoulder of M-115 near Maple Grove Rd in the Township of Surrey, in Clare County. This vehicle, which…