News
Schultz, VanMeter honored as Citizens of the YearKeynote speaker Tremblay gives overview of the life and career of Walt Disney
By Dennis Volkert Sturgis Fest kick-off dinner was held Tuesday at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.Mary Kay Schultz and Doug VanMeter received their plaque and statuette as 2024 Citizens of the Year. Each gave a brief thank-you speech. State Sen.…
Family Night a huge success at Sturgis Fest
Story and photos byDennis Volkert Scenes from “Family Night” at Sturgis Fest, held Wednesday at Sturgis High School.The popular annual attraction featured carnival rides, train rides, tricycle races, bounce-house and water games.A signature feature is the vintage baseball game, Sturgis…
Grant Township Hall and parking lot projects are completed
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent At the regular meeting June 11, the Grant Township Board approved the close out payment of $192,783.44 to MDL Construction of Bay City for the parking lot project at the township hall. The total parking lot project…
Windover Lake vacationers donate AED for emergencies
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A family from Salt Lake City, Utah that has vacationed at a family cabin on Windover Lake for many generations, are giving back to others around the lake.The Rob Benda family has donated an AED (Automatic External…
Another successful year for Marion Fair
Story and Photosby Steve Landon All the key elements needed to have a perfect hometown fair, great weather, a nice midway, grandstand entertainment and the all important livestock shows and competitions came together last week for the 2024 edition of…
Sturgis superintendent Ebert rated ‘highly effective’
Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education on Monday presented superintendent Art Ebert with a “highly effective” rating on his year-end performance appraisal, during a closed session. The board used School ADvance Administrator Evaluation System, a research-based tool that measures 31…
Township eyes phased-in campground plan
BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR California-based Autocamp has scaled back plans from 112 total to 76 phase-one campsites on 29.24 acres 34.61 Blue Star Hwy. because “stuff” happens — specifically, need to dispose of sewage. The Saugatuck Township Board June 12…
Township hires Viridis for park design
BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR The Saugatuck Township Board June 12 hired Viridis Design Group for $10,500 to prepare a final landscape design for now-undeveloped 7.5-acre Amalanchier Park next to Riverside Cemetery at 3461 Clearbrook Drive. It will be incorporated into…
SHS junior is swift photo Study
Saugatuck High School junior Leilani Schoonmaker’s journey through a lens crescendoed — so far, at least — with National Scholastic Art Awards Gold Medal recognition. Her black-and-white photo of the 2023 Portage Cross Country Invitational start made Schoonmaker SHS art…
Douglas hires Tien as Treasurer
BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Douglas has hired former Allegan County elections coordinator and Plainwell city payroll administrator Jennifer Tien new city treasurer for $74,000 a year plus benefits. City council approved the move at its Monday meeting. Tien will start…
Brandess marks 30 years Saturday
Artist James Brandess will celebrate 30 years in his James Brandess Studios & Gallery, 238 Butler St., downtown Saugatuck, this Saturday, June 22, from noon until 5 p.m. On view in his shop — a historic, tin-ceilinged former post office…
Space for ‘stuff’ squeezes campground plan
By Scott SullivanEditorCalifornia-based Autocamp has scaled back plans from 112 total to 76 phase-one campsites on 29.24 acres 34.61 Blue Star Hwy. because “stuff” happens — specifically, need to dispose of sewage.The Saugatuck Township Board June 12 weighed a proposed…
SHS shooter makes swift study
Saugatuck High School junior Leilani Schoonmaker’s journey through a lens crescendoed — so far — with a National Scholastic Art Awards Gold Medal.Her black-and-white photo of the 2023 Portage Cross Country Invitational start (below) made Schoonmaker SHS art teacher Daniel…
Otsego hosts family-friendly summer programs
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Fun, family-friendly summer activities are back in Otsego.Summer Fun Nights will take place each Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at the TOP Pavilion through July 30, while Summer Events at Northside Park will take place each…
Artisan Market returns to downtown Otsego
Artists and lovers of fine art will converge on downtown Otsego once again for the annual Otsego Artisan Market on Saturday, June 22.The market, hosted by Otsego Arts Council (a division of Together Otsego Prospers), runs from 9 a.m. to…
Severe weather sirens fail to activate, fix resolved
Severe weather has raised its frightful head several times throughout Spring 2024, and that gives rise to ensuring all warning systems work correctly. The tornadoes that ripped through Portage and other surrounding communities are just one example of the importance…
Tornado does damage in Gobles, Bloomingdale
By Paul GarrodSome of the severe storms Sunday night included a tornado touching down near GoblesA tornado warning came just minutes after a tornado was spotted in Gobles. The National Weather Service said, “At 9:59 p.m. a confirmed tornado was…
Louis Stoel returns to Normandy for D-Day Anniversary
By Donald Talonen On June 6, 2024, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) commemorated the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Approximately 10,000 individuals participated in the ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery. Among them was a local Veteran named Louis…
Lanett hosts Juneteenth celebration
By Pamela Holloway A Juneteenth celebration was hosted on Saturday in downtown Lanett. The day started out with presentation of the flag, welcome, prayer, and greetings from surrounding areas mayors, Lanett Mayor Jaime Heard, West Point Mayor Steve Tramell, LaFayette…
Chambers County grant should bolster postsecondary, economic development efforts
$2.1 million grant has been awarded to UniteIn its college prep program, Unite Inc. takes high-school students in Chambers County on college tours.Unite Inc., an organization dedicated to increasing college access for Black students in rural Alabama, has been awarded…
