News

LAWTON – Max Gilbert began volunteering at White Oaks Assisted Living and Memory Care, Lawton, in October 2024. In addition to volunteering at White Oaks, Gilbert finds time to at-tend Van Buren Intermediate School District, (VBSISD) powerlifting and running six…

The recently held Van Buren County 4-H Leaders’ Association Auction and Breakfast was well attended by 90 guests, and 40 4-H youth. The breakfast brought in $680. The in-person auction, by Shane Harris, Harris Auction Services, Cassopolis, brought in $1,302,…

Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that Sheriff’s deputies are asking for help from the public to identify the suspect in a hit and run crash that occurred in the 32000 block of County Road 669 in Porter Township.…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A comprehensive action plan for improving roads in St. Joseph County for the future was unveiled for the first time last week. On Friday, the St. Joseph County Road Commission revealed the first draft…

Updated 11:41 p.m. March 4, 2025 By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A Three Rivers cold case that was solved a couple of years ago will be highlighted as part of an upcoming episode of the ABC newsmagazine “20/20.”…

The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual IceBreaker fundraising event Saturday, Feb. 22 at the recreation hall of Armstrong International in Three Rivers. The event featured a silent auction, live auctions, and a taco bar that was…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — With just 31 days to go before their current library services contract with Fabius Township officially expires, the Three Rivers Public Library will be getting legal representation to help negotiate a new contract…

At its meeting Feb. 17, Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education approved a partnership with consulting firm Wightman to “re-imagine” physical spaces throughout the district. An initial meeting with representatives from Wightman was set for Feb. 27, to begin the planning process. Wightman…

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday held public hearings to consider approval of special assessment rolls related to an East Jerolene Street sidewalk project, and for a second resolution to vacate a portion of North Fourth Street. For the…

By Rachael Humphrey The budget friendly breakfast staple continues to rise in price. According to the latest consumer price index (CPI) the national average for a dozen eggs is $4.95. Compared to the average low of $2.04 in 2023 that…

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis Wind Symphony presents its winter concert at 3 p.m. March 2 at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.Theme for the show is “Musicals Galore.” Fittingly, selections come from popular musicals, with one exception.Anticipated set list:

By Rachael Humphrey This year Clare Area Chamber of Commerce anticipates a big celebration for St. Patrick’s Day, as it marks 50 years since the celebration began.The earliest mentions of the celebrations began on March 10th, 1975 when it was…

By Scott SullivanEditorFrom Chicago to Me., Chicago to Me. to here. So’s the road gone for Missy Corey, who, with help from Pennyroyal Café and Provisions partner Ryan Beck, has won a James Beard Award semifinalist designation.While growing up in…

By Scott SullivanEditorThere will be no tying yellow ribbons around Cook Park’s old willow tree now that all but its stump is gone.Saugatuck Department of Public Works Supervisor Scott Herbert told city council Monday leveling of the 150-year-old icon, partially…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor All three Otsego High School choirs—Chamber Singers, Bella Voce and Concert Choir—participated in a district choral festival on Wednesday, Feb. 19.And for the first time in at least four years, all three received 1 ratings, which…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Allegan County Community Foundation’s Third Annual Day of Giving—known as Allegan County Gives—is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19.And the Otsego District Library is one of the organizations that stands to benefit from the generosity of…

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Members of the Hopkins, Martin, Shelbyville, Allegan, and Wayland United Methodist Churches gathered together on Sunday, February 23rd to assemble buckets of supplies for the UMCOR disaster relief program.The UMCOR program aims to enable those affected…

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher After several years of fabricating raw steel into products and a few painful surgeries, Todd Bursma decided he needed a career change.He and his family sold their home, farm, and twenty acres of land, and moved…

Tom and Rosie Hunter met with Allegan Councilmembers Will Walker and Melanie Hooker at Mugshots on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. The council members are in their first terms on the city council and want to hear from the residents of…

By James Windell The South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce will have a new Executive Director after Kathy Wagaman has led the agency for the past 13 years.Beginning March 1, 2025, Brandy Key, who has been the Community Liaison for…