News
Small, rural grocers face huge barriers to stay open
By Genine Hopkins Over the past several years, Marion has faced what many other rural areas in America has faced: the closing of their independent, local grocery store. Carrow’s in Farwell, Witbeck’s in Clare, and M&J Market in Marion, all…
Amazon distribution center, bowling alley preparations expected for Clare south end
By Christopher Johnson You may have noticed some major construction on the south end of town in recent months. With Dollar Daze now sadly shuttered, the husk that remains is now the placeholder for the new Gateway Lanes entertainment center–confirmed…
Water break closes Douglas street
Douglas has closed Westshore Street betweenSt. Peters Drive and Hamilton Street on heels a watermain break there Friday. The break has been repaired, city officials said, but water over the roadway has created potential safety concerns due to erosion. City…
Venetian Fest ‘25
… was a blast. See more photographs inside.
Christian Neighbors hosts Back to School Celebration
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor With July drawing to a close, the start of a new school year is creeping ever closer.Otsego Public School’s first day of classes is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 19, while Plainwell Community Schools will welcome students…
Weather alters plans for Island City Festival
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The potential for some rainy weather led to changes for this year’s Island City Festival.Most of the festival—originally scheduled to take place in and around downtown Plainwell on Saturday, July 26—was moved inside Plainwell High School’s…
Burnett appointed to 57th District bench
By Gari Voss Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced on July 21, 2025, the appointment of Christopher Burnett to complete the Honorable William A. Baillargeon’s term on the Allegan County 57th District Court bench.Burnett is a resident of Allegan and has worked…
Several municipalities, schools have contested elections Tuesday
By Gari Voss Summer months are packed with outdoor activities, special events, family memories, and more. With the busy family schedules, many residents forget that there is often a “primary” election in August. On August 5, 2025, from 7am to…
Missing Kayakers Located in Kalamazoo River – All Individuals Safe
The Plainwell Department of Public Safety is pleased to announce that several kayakers reported missing earlier Saturday have been successfully located and removed in the Kalamazoo River. All individuals are safe and accounted for. At approximately 7 pm on Saturday, a…
Burnett appointed to 57th District bench
By Gari Voss Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced on July 21, 2025, the appointment of Christopher Burnett to complete the Honorable William A. Baillargeon’s term on the Allegan County 57th District Court bench.Burnett is a resident of Allegan and has worked…
Local market raises money for family in auto accident
By Gari VossThe news could not have been worse. Village Market employee Jordan Otto and her husband Michael had been in an automobile accident as they were headed home from a shower. Jordan was pregnant and near delivery, but a…
National Blueberry Festival set for next weekend
By James Windell West Michigan is the leader of the blueberry industry because of the ideal acidic soil and the lakeshore climate that promotes a thriving crop. Although blueberries are now grown all over the U.S., West Michigan is still…
City Council approves new fee schedule for STRs
By James Windell What the public talks about in the public comments portion of the South Haven City Council meetings is always a foreshadowing of later events in that meeting. So it happened on Monday, July 21, 2025.The second person…
Missing child at South Beach quickly found
By Tom Renner South Haven beaches have been packed during the current sweltering heat wave. A response to a report of a missing child at the South Beach on Wednesday brought a quick response from city beach safety, police and…
Ward 3 candidate is running unopposed
By James Windell David Flack is the only person who filed to run for the soon-to-be open position in Ward 3 in South Haven’s City Council elections. That position is available because George Sleeper has served two terms and is…
Meet Dave Flack: Candidate for City Council Ward 3
By James Windell Although Dave Flack is running unopposed for the Ward 3 South Haven City Council seat, he isn’t going to take his campaign lightly. He is out talking to people and getting to know the issues in Ward…
Work on Maple Island Pedestrian Bridge underway
The Maple Island Pedestrian Bridge is currently being removed and replaced with a new bridge this summer. Work began earlier this month. Maple Island Park will be closed for the duration of the project, which is anticipated to run through…
Foul weather fails to dampen spirits at Paw Paw Days
Despite cloudy skies and some rain, it didn’t dampen the spirits of those who participated and attended the 2025 Paw Paw Days, held Saturday, July 26, in downtown Paw Paw.Photos courtesy/Paul DeYoung
Body discovered near Mattawan Creek
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com MATTAWAN – The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office reported on Friday, July 25, the discovery of a deceased man in the Village of Mattawan, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.Based…
Dumpsters vandalized at Paw Paw Schools construction sites
PAW PAW – It was recently brought to the attention of Paw Paw Public Schools and reported to local law enforcement that several dumpsters around PPPS bond project construction sites have been the target of missing materials, equipment or other…
