News

TR Library board to present written contract offer to Lockport

TR Library board to present written contract offer to Lockport

Editorial StaffJul 26, 20247 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — The board of the Three Rivers Public Library will officially put a new offer before Lockport Township for a library services contract. On Tuesday, the board voted to extend to the township a…

No injuries reported in Three Rivers house fire

Editorial StaffJul 26, 20241 min read

THREE RIVERS — Firefighters were able to quickly put out a fire that occurred in Three Rivers Monday.According to the Three Rivers Fire Department, firefighters were dispatched early Monday morning to a two-story building in the 500 block of North…

Britt Gross named assistant superintendentat Sturgis Public Schools

Britt Gross named assistant superintendentat Sturgis Public Schools

Editorial StaffJul 26, 20243 min read

By Dennis Volkert 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,…

Pay increase approved for Sturgis city manager Kuk

Editorial StaffJul 26, 20242 min read

By Dennis Volkert A salary increase for Sturgis city manager Andrew Kuk was approved Wednesday by city commissioners.The new wage $132,612, effective retroactively to April 13, 2024.The contract approved in 2023 set Kuk’s annualized salary at $125,000. That agreement allowed…

Burr Oak Heritage Days Festival continues this weekend 

Burr Oak Heritage Days Festival continues this weekend 

Editorial StaffJul 26, 20243 min read

Partial roundup of remaining events.  Today, July 26 10 a.m.: Antique tractor country cruise, begins at Railroad Park. Noon-1 p.m.: Bike-a-thon, Church Park; registration 11:30 a.m.-noon. 1:30-3:30 p.m.: Kids Day, Burr Oak School.4-4:30 p.m.: Kiddie Duck Derby, behind the school. 4-7 p.m.: Antique…

Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area

Editorial StaffJul 26, 20243 min read

Coming events Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area. Through July 29Adult summer reading, Sturgis District Library.Through July 31“Meet Up and Eat Up,” Sturgis District Library book give-away, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Congress, Wall and Wenzel.Burr Oak Heritage Days Festival.July…

Clare Superintendent Walter on administrative leave

Clare Superintendent Walter on administrative leave

Editorial StaffJul 26, 20243 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Following a second closed session at the end of the regular board meeting July 15, Clare Board of Education President Loren Cole released a statement, citing an “employment issue” as the reason for an ongoing investigation using…

Two seriously injured in hit-and-run in downtown Clare

Two seriously injured in hit-and-run in downtown Clare

Editorial StaffJul 26, 20242 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A late evening motorcycle ride through Clare last Thursday, July 18, turned into a tragic crash when they were hit by a speeding driver on McEwan Street.Clare Police Chief David Saad said in a press release, “A…

Jury finds Ketner guilty of meth charges

Jury finds Ketner guilty of meth charges

Editorial StaffJul 26, 20242 min read

William August Ketner, of Harrison, was charged with three counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine, 2nd or subsequent offense; one count of Delivery of (Cocaine, Heroin, or another narcotic) under 50 grams, 2nd or subsequent offense; and one count of Maintaining…

Marion District Library millage is on August Primary ballot

Marion District Library millage is on August Primary ballot

Editorial StaffJul 26, 20242 min read

By Genine Hopkins As parents, we all know the strain summer vacations can have on our nerves with the kids home and often complaining of being bored, despite not really missing school yet. It is wonderful to know that there…

McBain Heritage Days brings community together

McBain Heritage Days brings community together

Editorial StaffJul 26, 20242 min read

By Genine Hopkins McBain Heritage Days took place this past Friday and Saturday, July 19th and 20th, under sunny skies and perfect summer days. While the event has had a few hiccups in the past couple of years, from being…

Mecosta-Osceola Transit Authority offers new service for non-emergency care

Mecosta-Osceola Transit Authority offers new service for non-emergency care

Editorial StaffJul 26, 20242 min read

By Genine Hopkins The Mecosta-Osceola County Transit Authority (MOTA) is pleased to offer a new service for residents within the two-county region they serve, with non-emergency medical transport. Mobility Director Marsha Cornelius believes this is a great program that will…

Festival of light, life here!

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20246 min read

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…

Audit shows Laktown in solid shape

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20243 min read

By Jim Hayden Correspondent Laketown Township is in solid financial shape, per its recently-completed audit. Siegfried Crandall principal accountant Joshua Gabrielse presented the 2023-24 fiscal year audit to the township board Wednesday, July 10. Highlights: • Laketown’s total net position…

‘Million Dollar Quartet heat up at SCA

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20243 min read

The Million Dollar Quartet — rock’n’roll legends Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins — met in Memphis Dec. 4, 1956 for an epochal 1-day gig you can see re-created starting Aug. 10 at the Saugatuck Center…

City taps Thompson as new planning/zoning head

City taps Thompson as new planning/zoning head

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20242 min read

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

Blue Star

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20243 min read

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!

Venetian Fest brings back boom!

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20246 min read

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

Alps and Mediterranean Tour Provides Hands-On Learning

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20244 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor School is currently out of the summer.But that didn’t stop a group of Plainwell High School students from adding to their knowledge base through some first-hand experience.A contingent of 42 individuals from PHS participated in an…

Suspect burglarizes Smoke Shop in Plainwell

Suspect burglarizes Smoke Shop in Plainwell

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20242 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Officials with the Plainwell Department Safety are trying to identify the suspect in a burglary that took place in the early hours of Thursday, July 18.At approximately 4:07 a.m., officers were dispatched to Smoke City Smoke…