News

Getting there’s half the fun

Getting there’s half the fun

Editorial StaffSep 18, 20241 min read

… and on the lakeshore, we take outdoor trails to do so. This week, let’s take a harvest peek. (Photos by Scott Sullivan)

OHS students improve leadership skills at Rotary camp

OHS students improve leadership skills at Rotary camp

Editorial StaffSep 18, 20242 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Relaxing. Hanging out with friends. Working to make some money.These are among the activities in which high school students traditionally engage during the summer months.For a group of four Otsego High School upperclassmen, part of this…

Elementary XC City Championship

Elementary XC City Championship

Editorial StaffSep 18, 20243 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor When Otsego High School cross country coach Steve Long began the elementary cross country program in the district two years ago, he did so with a certain goal in mind.“I think initially starting this program was…

OPS, PCS comment on safety concerns at schools

OPS, PCS comment on safety concerns at schools

Editorial StaffSep 18, 20243 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor During the past week, officials from Otsego Public Schools and Plainwell Community Schools emailed a letter to parents/guardians of students in their respective districts.Both revolved around issues involving school safety.The letter from Plainwell officials went out…

Scouts remember 9-11 at Veterans Memorial

Scouts remember 9-11 at Veterans Memorial

Editorial StaffSep 18, 20241 min read

Allegan Cub Scout Pack 3026 hosted a Scout Salute in memory of those lost on 9-11-2001. Members of Pack 3026, Scouts BSA Troop 91 and Troop 191, and Girl Scout Troop 80024 participated in the event at the Allegan Veterans…

Judge: Lubbers’ Name Ok to Appear on November 5 Ballot

Judge: Lubbers’ Name Ok to Appear on November 5 Ballot

Editorial StaffSep 18, 20242 min read

By Rita Williams A Kent County Judge has denied a challenger’s attempt to keep an Allegan County Board of Commissioner Candidate from appearing on the ballot.On September 13, 2024, Judge George Quist denied Democratic Challenger Christi Allen’s request to prevent…

Substitute teacher violently threatened students, triggered shelter in place

Editorial StaffSep 18, 20242 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher A shelter in place order was issued at South Haven’s Baseline Middle School on Tuesday, September 10th, following unsettling comments made by a substitute teacher.According to the mother of one of the students in class that…

TR school board president addresses school threats, district response

TR school board president addresses school threats, district response

Robert TomlinsonSep 17, 20247 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Following two days last week where classes were cancelled due to anonymous threats against schools in Three Rivers, the district’s school board president Monday praised the work done by administrators and police to…

Exchange Club mum sale continues in Sturgis

Exchange Club mum sale continues in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertSep 13, 20241 min read

The fall mum sale, presented by Exchange Club of Sturgis, continues through 6 p.m. Sept. 13 and 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 14, or until supply is depleted.  All proceeds benefit local community services.  Site is 306 W. Chicago Road, at southeast…

TR schools close again Friday due to second online threat

Robert TomlinsonSep 13, 20242 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — For the second straight day this week, Three Rivers Community Schools was closed due to anonymous online threats against the district. On Thursday night, just one day after a threat over Snapchat closed…

9/11 Memorial at Cascades Falls

9/11 Memorial at Cascades Falls

Editorial StaffSep 13, 20243 min read

On the evening of Sept. 11, Cascade Falls in Jackson, Michigan, provided a solemn backdrop for a memorial honoring the victims and first responders of the 9/11 attacks. Organized by the Jackson, MI Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the event brought…

County Fair begins this weekend in Centreville

County Fair begins this weekend in Centreville

Editorial StaffSep 13, 20246 min read

CENTREVILLE — The biggest event in St. Joseph County in 2024 will be getting underway this weekend.The 2024 St. Joseph County Grange Fair will take place from Sept. 15-22 this year, one of the first times ever the fair will…

Progress continues for downtown lighting project

Progress continues for downtown lighting project

Editorial StaffSep 13, 20242 min read

By Dennis Volkert Work continued this week for the downtown Sturgis lighting project and related elements. Placement of lights on buildings began shortly after Labor Day, with workers using two lifts, making their way along U.S. 12. Additional features connected…

New tennis courts officially unveiled at Sturgis Middle School

New tennis courts officially unveiled at Sturgis Middle School

Editorial StaffSep 13, 20242 min read

By Dennis Volkert A ribbon-cutting was held Tuesday for the newly resurfaced tennis courts at Sturgis Middle School.The unveiling was followed by a day of matches involving Bethel University, Spring Arbor University, and Trine University, at both SMS and Augspurger.Superintendent…

Harrison commission gets heated over Rustic Owl zoning

Harrison commission gets heated over Rustic Owl zoning

Editorial StaffSep 13, 20246 min read

By Genine Hopkins The Rustic Owl, a newer Harrison small business that opened just a year ago, has been working with City of Harrison council members, planning commission members, and the City Code Enforcement Officer, Mike Freeman, to resolve the…

Clare City Police warn of counterfeit bills in town

Clare City Police warn of counterfeit bills in town

Editorial StaffSep 13, 20242 min read

Chief Dave Saad said that two counterfeit bills recently surfaced at a bank in Clare.Saad said these are difficult to detect because the paper is real. It’s smaller bills that that have been bleached and then reprinted with a higher…

School shooting threat shuts down TR schools Thursday

Robert TomlinsonSep 12, 20242 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A school threat made over a social media service against Three Rivers Community Schools is causing it to close the district Thursday. The school district announced late Wednesday evening the district would be…

Charity Challenge spurs smiles all around

Charity Challenge spurs smiles all around

Editorial StaffSep 11, 20247 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorEvery sinkhole led to a summit, every detour to completion at Saturday’s Mt. Baldhead Challenge.Ferry Street, a key route for this year’s 636 runners to the races’ Oval Beach sunrise starts, was judged late July unsafe to continue…

Otsego Creative Arts Festival slated for Sept. 28

Otsego Creative Arts Festival slated for Sept. 28

Editorial StaffSep 11, 20243 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor If you’re looking for some good family-friendly fun, then downtown Otsego is the place to be on Saturday, Sept. 28.The 37th Annual Otsego Creative Arts Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering…