News

By James Windell On February 18, 2025, Scott Reinert, South Haven Area Recreation Authority (SHARA) Recreation Administrator, updated the SHARA Board on the Riverwoods site purchase.Riverwoods is a site owned by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Located adjacent to…

By James Windell The South Haven City Council voted to send a revised Short-Term Rental (STR) ordinance to the Planning Commission.While this was welcome news to some factions, it was met with something less than enthusiasm by others.The revised STR…

Voices Made Visual, Middle and High School Art Exhibition held its opening reception at the South Haven Center for the Arts on Friday, February 28, from 5-7pm. Artists, family, friends, and com-munity members were all invited to celebrate with refreshments,…

The third annual Paw Paw Chili Walk was held Saturday, Feb. 22, in downtown Paw Paw. Nearly 30 businesses and organizations took part in the event that attracted large crowds during the event, held from noon to 4 p.m. The…

MATTAWAN – Mattawan Consolidated School has announced the first groundbreaking ceremony for the district’s inaugural construction project under the $110 million School Construction Bond. The event will take place March 10, at 6 p.m. at the stadium and will officially…

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWTON – Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives are investigating a fatal house fire that occurred Friday, February 21, at approximately 7:08 a.m., in the 29000…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — As winter goes into its final weeks and spring starts to bloom with higher temperatures, annual weight restrictions on St. Joseph County roads will go into effect as well. The St. Joseph County Road…

By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Are we in an egg crisis? Recent news stories online have made it seem like we may be having an egg shortage, egg price inflation, and/or egg supply chain issues. The Morning Star looked into…

By KARA DECHALK Contributing Writer At Monday’s council meeting council approved Ordinance # 2025-02 providing for the issuance and sale of revenue bonds. These bonds will pay for the improvements and extensions to the water supply system of the city.…

By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Jackson County Sheriff, Gary Schuette said in an interview earlier this week that Lt. Jeremy Barnett will replace outgoing Undersheriff, Christopher A. Simpson, who left the office to become Chief of Police for the City…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LANSING — The State of Michigan gave a victory to Lockport Township Wednesday in a land debate that has lasted for nearly two years.In a 4-1 vote, the State Boundary Commission voted to deny a petition…

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education on Feb. 17 approved a purchase of a new bus, at cost of just over $142,700, from Hoekstra Transportation. Funding will come from the 2025-26 budget. Delivery of the vehicle is expected…

By Dennis Volkert At its meeting Feb. 12, Sturgis City Commission chose an “opt-in” for Michigan Energy Assistance Program, a law passed in December 2024.That statewide measure is an updated version of the 2013 Public Act 95, which created an…

Foam recycling schedule set for ’25Foam recycling is offered in the city of Sturgis on three dates in 2025: April 12, July 12 and Oct. 11, at the compost site, 27751 E. Fawn River Road. Accepted items include clean polystyrene foam,…

Coming EventsRecurringChildren’s story time, 10 a.m. each Tuesday and Friday, Sturgis District Library. Additional events at library available at www.sturgis-library.org/events.Sturgis Area Model Railroaders winter hours at Sturgis Historical Museum, 6-9 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Online: sturgismuseum.org. Feb. 21“Date With…

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A 12-year-old was injured Tuesday in a Michigan State Police Standoff that began Monday and lasted 16 hours with gunfire between a suspect and police officers at the man’s home near Coleman.Troopers dispatched to the scene reported…

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A Harrison man, Nathanael Coats is facing multiple felony charges after he threatened a family member with a handgun and fired it inside his home.Tuesday, February 11, at 5:22 pm, Clare County Central Dispatch received a call…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LANSING — The State of Michigan gave a victory to Lockport Township Wednesday in a land debate that has lasted for nearly two years. In a 4-1 vote, the State Boundary Commission voted to deny a…

Saugatuck’s new Singapore Room restaurant won first place for its Dan Dan Noodles at the 2025 Great Rotary Asian Noodle Cookoff Feb. 1. Seven Asian restaurants ranging also from Holland to Grand Rapids took part in the competition, which raised…

RiverWood Council, a group dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of natural areas, has presented its inaugural Environmental Action Award to Helen Baldwin. The seventh-year group cited Baldwin’s dedication towards those ends while serving on Saugatuck City Council. As chair…