News

Beginning Jan. 13, the city of Sturgis will begin accepting permit applications for the keeping of chickens on residential property.  Applications are available at city hall, 130 N. Nottawa St., in the community development department.  Submitting an application does not…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A local Three Rivers business owner was officially hired to be the new executive director of the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority. Angie Metty, who owns Reflections Hair Studio on South Main Street…

By Jeff Steers Contributing Writer New Jackson County Lead Prosecutor Kelsey Guernsey did something interesting before Circuit Court Judge John McBain officially signed her to the position. Guernsey asked people in the audience to stand up if they were part…

The Michigan Department of Transportation is closing the Cooper Street bridge over the Grand River in Downtown Jackson starting Monday, Jan. 13. MDOT is fully replacing the street’s deteriorating bridge and outdated water main. According to an MDOT press release,…

At Monday’s meeting, Albion City Council again tabled the discussion on the request of the Albion Economic Development Corporation to transfer $150,000 from the TIFA (tax increment finance authority) fund into the EDC budget. The reason for this request is…

The Community Table of Albion had their last food pantry distribution of 2024 on Friday, Dec. 20. Operated by the Albion Health Care Alliance, CTA is the largest food distribution program in Eastern Calhoun County. In 2024 CTA held 35…

By Dennis Volkert “Get Fit Challenge” opens Jan. 11 at Doyle Community Center in Sturgis, and continues through March 22.Time frame for registration and initial weigh-in is 8 a.m.-noon Jan. 11 at Doyle.Prizes are awarded for overall first- and second-place…

RECURRINGChildren’s story time, 10 a.m. each Tuesday and Friday, Sturgis District Library.Sturgis Area Model Railroaders winter hours at Sturgis Historical Museum, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.  JANUARYJan. 10Jon Reep, 7:30 p.m., Sturges-Young Center for the Arts, part of…

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent In his report to the City Commission Monday, City Manager Jeremy Howard reported that the dredging project at Lake Shamrock is still continuing “on a limited and weather permitted basis.”He explained, “We are continuing work at the…

A decade ago, voters in Clare and Gladwin Counties approved a ten-year millage request that proved to be an enormous game-changer for high schoolers in those communities. Now, following unprecedented growth and student success, ClareGladwin CTE is asking voters to…

By Jim HaydenCorrespondentWith Al Meshkin retired as of Jan. 3, Laketown Township is without a manager. The board at a special meeting Dec. 30 put contract negotiations for a new one on hold until Jan. 8.In the absence of a…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor  The annual Winter Concert Series at Ransom Library has become a favorite for library staff members and patrons alike.This year’s event kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 16, with the band The Rebel Eves. MexiCuba and Kanola…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor February is synonymous with Valentine’s Day, and Valentine’s Day is synonymous with chocolate.That’s what makes the Chocolate Stroll in downtown Plainwell such a fitting event.Scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the…

By Gari Voss The air was crisp, and the precipitation magically stopped for the 8pm opening of New Year’s Eve 2025. Revelers began arriving early in anticipation of good food, music, and ice skating. Yup, the ice skating rink had…

By Sgt. Blair Kacos & G. Voss The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office announced the donation of body armor for two of Allegan County’s finest – K9s Zadok and Kyro.“Kyro and Zadok will receive bullet and stab protective vests thanks to…

By John BriceCorrespondent Multiple Facebook posts this past week from employees at Piggly Wiggly in Lanett reporting that the supermarket will be closing at the end of January caused an outpouring of grief and frustration among local residents.One employee at…

Sixty arrested on 145 chargesFrom 10/1/2024 – 12/31/2024 Agents of the Chambers County Drug Task Force/ Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force, Chambers County Multi-Jurisdictional SWAT Team, Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, Valley Police Department, Lafayette Police Department, and the Lanett Police…

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PORTER TWP. – A 64-year-old Lawton man, involved in a traffic crash Friday night, Jan. 3, in Porter Township, left the scene of the crash on foot, sought out help, then became lost while walking in…

On Dec. 30, shortly before noon, the Paw Paw Fire Department responded to a structure fire in Almena Township on County Road 653. Paw Paw Fire Chief Kyle Richardson said the fire began in the attached garage, then quickly began…

By Tom Renner Figuratively speaking, the new year arrived two hours early in South Haven last Tuesday night.A South Haven tradition in recent years has been that at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve 1,000 beach balls that…