News
Thrift Shop pays tribute to two volunteers
Charlene Bare and Richard Szotek, volunteers at Community Thrift Shop, Paw Paw, recently celebrated their 90th birthdays with a birthday cake given in honor to the pair by the thrift shop. Bare has been a Community Thrift Shop volunteer for…
Mattawan has big plans for auditorium improvements
Following the successful passage of the 2024 bond, Mattawan Consolidated School is currently undergoing changes and improvements throughout the district. The high school’s James A. Weeldreyer Auditorium is currently seeing microphone upgrades, industry standard LED lighting and a new AV…
Women Who Care donate $9k to Paw Paw robotics
Paw Paw High School’s 2PawRobotics female team members gave a successful presentation to the 100+ Women Who Care of Van Buren County on Wednesday, Jan. 15, and were the recipients of $9,000. The 100+ Women Who Care of Van Buren…
Lawton names inductees for Hall of Fame
Lawton Community Schools have announced the 2024-25 Lawton Blue Devil Hall of Fame inductees. Named to this year’s Hall of Fame induction class are Troy and Janine Johnson (shown at far left) – Outstanding dedication in coaching, volunteerism, and supporting…
Sturgis DPS warns of potential for frozen water lines
With recent extreme cold, Sturgis Department of Public Services is asking residents to be aware of frozen water lines. To help prevent water lines from freezing, city officials recommend that residents allow a slow stream of water, around the size…
Jackson Public School Board elects officers; discusses budget
The Jackson Public School Board convened its first meeting of 2025 Tuesday evening to elect new officers and discuss budgeting strategies. The motion for candidate selection of board president drew immediate appraisal from Board Trustee Kesha Hamilton in response to…
Jackson cold snap
With seasonal temperatures approaching single digits and below this week, the importance of local partners in the community challenged with the task of intervening on extreme temperatures and those most vulnerable became apparent. The week began with frigid temperatures and…
City approves contracts, discusses plans for Stoffer Plaza and hears the importance of the PIT Count Project
At Tuesday’s Albion City Council meeting, Maurice Barry gave a presentation on the annual Point-in-Time count. The project is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. Albion participates in this annual count…
Jackson celebrates MLK with Diversity Celebration
Dr. Tonya Bailey told those in attendance at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Diversity Celebration that “change starts with us.” The annual Diversity Celebration took place last Friday morning at the American 1 Event Center. A sold-out center featured…
Despite bone-chilling temperatures 8th Annual MLK Community Celebration brings in pre-pandemic numbers and a poignant message by the keynote
By Sylvia Benavidez Monday night temperatures were quickly dropping throughout the evening to the eventual zero degrees at midnight, but that did not dissuade attendance at the 8th Annual MLK Celebration & Resource Fair. Cressie Vargo, one of the organizers,…
Three Rivers honors MLK with march, service, activities
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — The legacy and beliefs of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. were recognized and celebrated in Three Rivers this week, with a number of events, celebrations and reflections.Called “Becoming the Beloved Community,”…
Battery storage requirements recommended for Fabius solar ordinance
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director FABIUS TWP. — A proposed amendment to Fabius Township’s solar ordinance could help open the door for an in-the-works solar energy project in the township. On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Fabius Township Planning Commission recommended for…
‘Winter Blues’ breaks the chill with music variety
By Dennis Volkert “Winter Blues” took place Jan. 17 in downtown Sturgis. It was the first segment of the 2025 festival season presented by Sturgis DDA. Almost a dozen music performers, in a variety of styles, were featured at participating businesses. Also featured…
Pay increase approved for Sturgis mayor, city commissioners
Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday approved a recommendation by Elected Officials Compensation Commission to increase the pay rate for commissioners and Mayor Frank Perez.In accordance with Home Rule City Act 279 of 1909, EOCC met Jan. 16 to review the…
Board makes appointments, approves new faculty members
By Dennis Volkert At its Jan. 13 meeting, Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education approved appointments for president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. Emily Halling, Lynn Brand and Gwen Donmyer retained their seats for president, VP and secretary, respectively. Ben Myers…
Farwell cheerleaders place second
By John RaffelCorrespondent FARWELL — Farwell’s competitive cheer team finished second in Division 4 at the Chippewa Hills Invitational on Monday, Jan 20.Marion won the competition with a three-round score of 688.48 followed by Farwell at 589.6 and Lake City…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Whiling away the days until spring
Another week, another column…With January winding down – there’s only one more week – now there’s only a couple more months (maybe) to get through before spring arrives again.That seems like a long time, but the way the days have…
Lake George man’s threats close down Clare VA clinic
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent The Clare VA Clinic was placed into lockdown last Friday while threats made by a Lake George man were being investigated, a release from the Clare County Sheriff’s Office said.Clare County Central Dispatch received a call at…
Truck stop/convenience store planned for Clare’s north end
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent During his City Manager’s Report at the Clare Commission meeting Monday evening, Jeremy Howard reported on the January 8 Planning Commission meeting which included the Public Hearing and Site Plan Review, and approval of a new fueling…
Garfield Township FD Winterfest coming February 1st
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent February 1st will be a special day in Lake – the annual Winterfest, sponsored by and benefiting the Garfied Township Fire Department, is set to wake up the sleepy little village to get out and have some…
