News

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

By Donald Talonen The three surviving members of the Savage family from Kalamazoo, involved in a fatal car accident, have been discharged from the hospital.The accident occurred on Sunday, June 30, at the intersection of 136th Avenue and 58th Street…

By Gari Voss The City of Allegan’s Council meeting began with the resignation of Dave Redding. Redding had come on the council to fill a vacant seat then was voted into a second term. After making a statement of gratitude…

On Saturday, July 20th, The Chambers County Sheriff’s Department was visited in downtown LaFayette by the Beyond the Call of Duty organization from the state of Washington to honor Deputy J’Mar Abel, who was killed in the line of duty…