News

New Mt. Baldhead restrooms, deck plans set

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20242 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck City Council took steps towards big-ticket Mt. Baldhead Park improvements Monday, hiring Fleis & Vandenbrink engineers for $26,800 towards building new restrooms at the foot of the dune and $24,600 towards replacing the deck on…

Volunteers work so kids can play

Volunteers work so kids can play

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20241 min read

A planned community playground build, delayed three weeks by legal skirmishes, finally took place May 6-8 with enthused volunteers such as these installing new children’s gear at Village Square Park in downtown Saugatuck. The $336,000 equipment replaces old apparatus, deemed…

City flies with Old Airport plan

City flies with Old Airport plan

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20243 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorA mixed Saugatuck City Council Monday accepted a $130,000 donation to convert its Old Airport land into public recreation trails.The 169.1-acre parcel lies in Saugatuck Township east of I-196, near 63rd Street and 134th Avenue. The city bought…

WMU honors VanWyk as Outstanding Mentor Teacher

WMU honors VanWyk as Outstanding Mentor Teacher

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20243 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Since starting her teaching career at Dix Street Elementary in Otsego 25 years ago, Kristin VanWyk has provided mentorship to more than 25 aspiring teachers.For her efforts, VanWyk was the recipient of the Outstanding Mentor Teacher…

Plainwell council handles various items

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20241 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondence PLAINWELL – At its meeting earlier this week, the Plainwell Council was to consider approving Special Event Permit 24‐13 for Island City Festival to be held Friday, May 31st through June 2nd.The council also was to consider…

Firemen contain fire while owners are away

Firemen contain fire while owners are away

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20242 min read

By Gari Voss &Nick Brink On May 8th, 2024, at approximately 9:37am, the Allegan Fire District was dispatched to a possible structure fire at 319 Russell St. The original Dispatch was to 319 Grant St. as the structure is situated…

Otsego woman charged in stabbing death

Otsego woman charged in stabbing death

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20242 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorA fatal stabbing at an apartment complex in Otsego on Friday, May 10, left a 51-year-old man dead and a 24-year-old woman facing murder charges.At approximately 5:40 p.m., Allegan County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a…

Jim’s Storey, to be continued

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20246 min read

By Donald Talonen On Wednesday morning of May 8th, the Allegan County Election Commission met to determine the fate of Jim Storey on the upcoming August 6th Republican Primary Election ballot. Jim Storey currently serves as the chairman of the…

City flag gets new look

City flag gets new look

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20241 min read

The City of LaFayette revamped the design of the city flag. The new flag was presented and revealed at the LaFayette City Council Meeting on Monday night by Fire Chief James Doody.

LaFayette installs electric vehicle charging station

LaFayette installs electric vehicle charging station

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20241 min read

The City of LaFayette through an (AMEA) Alabama Municipal Electrical Authority Grant installed an electric vehicle charging station last week. The LaFayette Light Department Supervisor Chris Sanders stated “he’s excited about the station and hopes it gets visitors to get…

City traffic light being updated, officials urge caution

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20242 min read

The Alabama Department of Transportation will begin a project to upgrade the traffic signal equipment at the intersection of US-431 and 2ndAvenue in the City of LaFayette on Monday, May 13th at 7 PM, weather permitting. This project will provide…

Northern Lights make rare appearance in Chambers County

Northern Lights make rare appearance in Chambers County

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20243 min read

By John BriceCorrespondent Residents of Chambers County and all across the south enjoyed the rare opportunity to witness Aurora Borealis, commonly known as the “Northern Lights”, during the late evening hours of Friday, May 10th of 2024. Due to what…

County Sergeant credited with saving man from burning residence

County Sergeant credited with saving man from burning residence

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20242 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer ANTWERP TWP. – A Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office sergeant is being credited with saving the life of a man who was unable to get himself off his burning bed early Tuesday morning May 7, according…

Modified “live hand grenade” found in Columbia Township

Modified “live hand grenade” found in Columbia Township

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20241 min read

COLUMBIA TWP. – On Friday, May 10, Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that Van Buren County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 50000 block of County Road 388 in Columbia Township at approximately 6:34 p.m. for a report…

Mattawan school voters approve two bond issues

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20244 min read

MATTAWAN – Voters in the Mattawan Consolidated School District said “yes” to two bond proposals, resulting in a total investment of $110 million toward the betterment of the district’s students and community. “This momentous achievement marks a significant milestone in…

Van Buren District Library millage proposal passes

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20242 min read

DECATUR – On May 7, Van Buren County residents showed their support for the Van Buren District Library by voting to approve a millage increase. This decision will provide vital funding for library services.Dan Hutchins, Van Buren District Library director,…

Area News Briefs

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20242 min read

Adventure begins at the Van Buren District Library DECATUR – Starting Saturday, June 8, the Van Buren District Library extends an invitation to everyone to pick up a reading log and begin a great summer adventure. This year’s summer reading…

Storms pass through St. Joseph County with widespread damage State of emergency declared by governor; storm assessment ongoing

Storms pass through St. Joseph County with widespread damage State of emergency declared by governor; storm assessment ongoing

Editorial StaffMay 10, 20245 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director COLON — Strong storms that were possibly tornadic in nature passed through St. Joseph County Tuesday night.The storms caused widespread damage to businesses and homes in the central and northeast parts of the county, particularly in…

$15 million left of Health Park grant put back in state general fund

$15 million left of Health Park grant put back in state general fund

Editorial StaffMay 10, 20247 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent The remainder of grant funding earmarked for Clare’s Complete Health Park project – originally a $25 million grant awarded in 2022 and now down to $15 million unused in grant funding — has been put back into…

Closure of Marion Village Market still dominates conversation in the area

Closure of Marion Village Market still dominates conversation in the area

Editorial StaffMay 10, 20242 min read

By Genine Hopkins Marion and surrounding townships are still numb from the closure of their only supermarket, Marion Village Market, a couple of weeks ago, and conversations are still buzzing about the fate of the empty store.As reported last in…