News
Commission OK’s first review of zoning ordinance revision
By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday approved a first review of zoning ordinance amendments. A second reading and pending approval is expected at the next board meeting, scheduled for Feb. 26.Staff members and the planning commission have been working on…
Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area
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.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. 15Water Street Dance,…
Witbeck’s still thrives amidst the concerns of price of eggs
By Christopher Johnson In the wake of natural disasters, strange weather patterns and a new president, many American small-towners are wondering what’s next for their pocketbook and the economy in 2025. Clare is no different, as its shoppers are looking…
Frostbite events draw crowds to Harrison
By Genine Hopkins Frostbite Winter Festival 2025 is now on the books AND had snow this year, with more piling on as the festivities began to wrap up, with nearly six inches falling from the afternoon on Saturday, February 9,…
Post-election audit shows counts were clean
Allegan County officials are praising the work of local clerks and election inspectors following the results of state-mandated post-election audits that ended Feb. 6.The audits included hand counts of votes on paper ballots to measure the accuracy of the totals…
Otsego Hall of Fame welcomes three newest members
The Otsego Athletic Boosters welcomed the three newest members into its Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Feb., between the girls and boys varsity basketball games.The Class of 2025 included Jesse Blanchard, Charity (Knight) Newby and Jessica (Sheen) Strickler.A ceremony…
Plainwell MS Honors Choir performs at state conference
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor GRAND RAPIDS—When Plainwell Middle School choir director Rachel Quillian applied to have her Honors Choir perform at the Michigan Music Conference, she wasn’t sure what to expect.“It’s usually high school choirs that perform at the conference,…
Mills charged with mother’s death
A murder charge has been filed against a man in the death of his mother, who he lived with near Pullman, Allegan County Sheriff deputies say.Craig Michael Mills, 23, faces a charge of open murder in the death of 43-year-old…
City prepares for multiple improvement projects including parking lot, Mahan Park
By Gari Voss At their February 11, 2025, meeting, the Allegan City Council approved numerous purchase orders for the Department of Public Works that would assist in the implementation of the Mahan Park project, Ely Street and Airway Drive improvements,…
The Honorable Michael Buck receives Award of Excellence
By Lauren Miller& Gari Voss Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) plays a vital role in supporting children involved in the child welfare and family court systems because of abuse or neglect. CASA of the Harbor, a program under the auspice…
Tom Renner honored by South Haven council
By James Windell A decades-long resident of South Haven was presented with a proclamation from Mayor Annie Brown at the South Haven City Council meeting on Monday, February 3, 2025.The proclamation read at the council meeting noted that Tom Renner…
South Haven City Council approves extension of STR moratorium
By James Windell Despite threats of a lawsuit and other consequences, the South Haven City Council at their regular meeting on Monday, February 3, 2025, passed a resolution pertaining to Short Term Rentals (STR).Resolution 2025—09 proposed an additional six-month extension…
Alcohol use resolutions approved by council
By James Windell A resolution to permit the serving and consumption of alcohol at events at the South Haven Center for the Arts was approved by the South Haven City Council at their regular bimonthly meeting on February 3, 2025.In…
Paw Paw cemetery damaged by vandals
The Paw Paw Police Department took report Jan. 31 of destruction that had occurred at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Paw Paw. Paw Paw Chief of Police Eric Rottman said it is unknown when the damage occurred and there are currently no…
Lawton council continues discussion on special police millage or assessment
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWTON – At the Jan. 28, Lawton Village Council meeting, council members continued discussion on whether to pursue a special police millage or police special assessment.Lawton Village Council President Josh Appleby brought up discussion about a…
Three to be inducted into Paw Paw Hall Of Fame
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.comil.com PAW PAW – This year’s inductees to the Paw Paw Hall of Fame include Eric Laskovy, Perry Richardson, and Michael Roy. The trio will be inducted in ceremonies to be held Feb. 14, at ap-proximately 7:15…
Leisure Hour closes its doors after 130th party last Sundayby Sylvia Benavidez
The Leisure Hour Club located next to the Kalamazoo River at 211 Market Place, in Albion, opened its doors at 4 p.m. Sunday for a final send off. Michigan’s oldest member only club could no longer afford to operate in…
Leader of Jackson gang admits to conspiracy to traffic unique form of fentanyl
DETROIT – A Houston, Texas resident and leader of the violent Jackson street gang the “Thorough Bread Family,” Tamarious “Poogi” Faulkner, pleaded guilty last week to conspiracy to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl, Acting United States Attorney Julie A.…
A new public safety officer and official titles for interim staff
Funding for Albion’s water improvement project main focus of Monday’s council meeting New ADPS officer introduced. Funding for water improvement project discussed Monday’s city council meeting began with the introduction of a new public safety officer. Robert Haas was introduced…
Jackson County Sheriff’s Department hands out awards to youth in their Explorer Program
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department recently held their Explorer Program Awards Banquet. At the event, several awards were presented. Tim Soto-Steiner received the Most Improved award, the Community Service Award went to Matt Kestner, while the Physical Fitness award went…
