News
Local parks get Jurassic with lifelike dinosaurs
By Christopher Johnson Communities in Clare and Gladwin counties enjoyed some dino-mite tremors this past week with the arrival of realistic dinosaurs of the likes of something you’d see on the big screen.Kids of all ages came out to the…
Pride reigns
Days of the Rainbow lit up the lakeshore June 1-7 as Community Pride MI rang in Pride Month celebrating theLGBTQ+ community with activities and events including:• A Tea Dance at the Dunes Resort in Douglas, Sunday, June 1;• A Rainbow…
Record number of OHS seniors graduate with distinction
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor It was a record-setting year for the Otsego High School Class of 2025 when it came to academic achievement.Each year, OHS bestows special recognition on seniors who are graduating with a grade point average of 4.0…
PHS honors top graduating seniors for 2025
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor For each of its graduating classes, Plainwell High School honors students who compiled a grand point average of 4.0 or higher.This year, 21 members of the PHS Class of 2025 fit that criteria and graduated with…
Man sentenced for deadly car accident
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The driver who caused a deadly drunk-driving crash on US-131 near Plainwell last August received his sentence on Monday, June 2.Mattawan resident Joshua William Bommerscheim, 20, was sentenced to 48 months to 15 years in prison…
Bridgefest set for this weekend
Summer in Allegan, MI really begins when Bridgefest hits Riverfront Park and the surrounding streets. All are invited to enjoy time with family and friends while exploring the community tents along Locust and Hubbard Streets, dropping into the many shops…
Confirmed case of measles identified in Allegan County
Allegan County Health Department (ACHD) has confirmed a measles case in Allegan County. ACHD is working closely with the Kent County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to investigate the situation in an effort…
Governor declares state of emergency for Allegan County
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency in Allegan County after storms and two tornadoes whipped through the area on May 15.The declaration frees up state resources for the county to help local response and recovery efforts. It may…
HarborFest set for this weekend
HarborFest, South Haven’s first big festival of the summer season, is this coming weekend (June 13-14). A highlight is the Saturday morning Dragon Boat races on the Black River near the Southside marina. One of the Dragon Boat teams is pictured…
South Haven City Council makes more appointments
By James Windell After an initial round of appointments to various boards and commissions on May 19, 2025, the South Haven City Council voted on additional nominations on June 2, 2025.Mayor Annie Brown nominates people for board and commission vacancies…
City Council approves zoning amendments regarding non-permanent signs
James Windell After considerable debate and some acrimony, the South Haven City Council approved an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance that pertains to signs in the yards of residences.Community residents frequently over the past few months expressed concern about the…
Father Bob honored for 50-year career as a priest
James Windell When Father Bob Flickinger saw St. Basil Church overlooking Lake Michigan, he knew he had found his dream parish. He lived that dream for 10 years as pastor of St. Basil.Recently, Fr. Bob was recognized by South Haven…
Graham receives state medal for life-saving effort
Each year, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office submits several incidents to the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association (MSA) for consideration by the voting committee. This year, at the recently held MSA Conference, Sergeant Paul Graham, far left, was awarded the MSA…
Belgium newspaper staff visit county museum, Lawton and Mattawan for upcoming story
Patrick Vincent, a reporter, and Robin Fasseur, a photographer, both employed by the Gazet van Antwerpen, the newspaper of the city and province of Antwerpen, Belgium, traveled to Van Buren County on Sunday and Monday where they visited and took…
Mattawan Man had five uncles serve in World War II
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com MATTAWAN – Longtime Mattawan resident Dave Ballinger knows firsthand the meaning of service to your country as he had five uncles who served during World War II.It was Ballinger’s maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Koole,…
Sewer spill reported on Gleason Road
First spill on Gleason since October installation of bypass; bypass not involved By Robert TomlinsonNews Director FABIUS TWP. — Approximately 50,000 to 75,000 gallons of sewage were spilled from a force main in the 15000 block of Gleason Road in…
Bridge maintenance begins today in St. Joseph County
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — A number of bridge maintenance projects around St. Joseph County commence today, June 9, 2025. Beginning June 9 and lasting until approximately Aug. 29, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and contractor…
Ribbon cutting held for new housing in Albion
Photo by albionmich.net A ribbon cutting was held Thursday morning at 312 Fitch Street in Albion to celebrate the completion of a new modular home built through a partnership between the City of Albion, MSHDA, and Norfolk Homes. About 20…
Teenager in critical condition after gunshot wound to the head
A 16-year-old male is in critical condition after a gunshot wound to the head early Wednesday morning. According to a press release from the Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety, officers were dispatched at approximately 1:28 a.m. June 4 to the…
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