News

South Haven’s lighthouse shrouded in ice

South Haven’s lighthouse shrouded in ice

Editorial Staff Jan 21, 2026 1 min read

South Haven’s lighthouse shrouded in ice on Monday.Old Man Winter hit South Haven and surrounding areas hard on Monday and Tuesday. Lots of snow and ice and freezing temperatures provided a picturesque scene looking out at the iconic lighthouse.Photo by…

South Haven teachers ratify new salary agreement

Editorial Staff Jan 21, 2026 2 min read

By James Windell South Haven teachers voted on January 13, 2026 to ratify a new salary agreement. And Jessica Fiedorowicz, President of the South Haven Education Association, is pleased with the agreement.“This is a step in the right direction toward…

Kirby honored with lifesaving award

Kirby honored with lifesaving award

Editorial Staff Jan 21, 2026 2 min read

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office and Central Dispatch recently recognized Dispatch Supervisor Chad Kirby with a Life Saving Award for his outstanding actions while on duty. On Oct. 15, 2025, Supervisor Kirby was working at the Van Buren County…

Chapman honored with Stork award

Chapman honored with Stork award

Editorial Staff Jan 21, 2026 2 min read

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office and Central Dispatch recently recognized Dispatcher Deb Chapman with a Stork Award for her outstanding professionalism and calm response during a critical emergency call. On Dec. 9, 2025, at approximately 6:36 a.m., Dispatcher Chapman…

13-year-old suspect held in the shooting death of a 16-year-old

Editorial Staff Jan 19, 2026 2 min read

By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer A late breaking press release from the City of Jackson Police Department confirms the first murder of the year has occurred: on Jan. 15, at approximately 1 a.m., in the 500 block of Harris Street,…

Winter Storms Highlight Albion’s Public Works Challenges and Changes

Winter Storms Highlight Albion’s Public Works Challenges and Changes

Editorial Staff Jan 19, 2026 4 min read

By Maggie LaNoue The snowstorm that hit Albion around New Year’s brought more than icy roads and cold temperatures — it also put the city’s winter operations and aging snowplow fleet under a public spotlight. At the Jan. 5 Albion…

Montez White arraigned in Anthony Owens murder case

Montez White arraigned in Anthony Owens murder case

Editorial Staff Jan 19, 2026 4 min read

By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer After being apprehended in Ohio, Montez Martees White was arraigned Jan. 14 by District Court Magistrate Jake Dickerson on charges of open murder, three counts of assault with intent to murder, and felony firearm. According…

Hayes Block Reopens, Linking Albion’s Past and Future

Hayes Block Reopens, Linking Albion’s Past and Future

Editorial Staff Jan 19, 2026 7 min read

On Monday, December 30, 2025, Albion residents were invited inside one of downtown’s most recognizable historic buildings during a public tour of the newly completed Hayes Block Apartments at 106–108 E. Erie Street. The open house offered a first look…

Spring Arbor Police and Fire Departments rescue dog from pond

Spring Arbor Police and Fire Departments rescue dog from pond

Editorial Staff Jan 19, 2026 1 min read

Quick thinking and inter-agency coordination between the Spring Arbor Township Police Department and Spring Arbor Township Fire Department led to the successful rescue of a dog that fell through ice on a private pond earlier this week. According to a…

Lockport Twp. repeals solar ordinance

Lockport Twp. repeals solar ordinance

Robert Tomlinson Jan 17, 2026 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LOCKPORT TWP. — The sun set Monday on a solar ordinance in Lockport Township. By a unanimous 5-0 vote, the Lockport Township Board approved a repeal of their 2023 solar ordinance, which governed large-scale and small-scale…

TR mayor pledges ‘cooperation’ between city, townships; says library Qs ‘on shortlist’

TR mayor pledges ‘cooperation’ between city, townships; says library Qs ‘on shortlist’

Robert Tomlinson Jan 17, 2026 6 min read

Some details revealed of committee meeting between Johnston, township officials By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LOCKPORT TWP. — In a sight that would have been unfathomable just last year, a sitting Three Rivers mayor was greeted with applause by Lockport Township…

White Pigeon schools closed due to possible threat

White Pigeon schools closed due to possible threat

Robert Tomlinson Jan 16, 2026 2 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director UPDATED 12:39 p.m. Jan. 16, 2026 WHITE PIGEON — White Pigeon Community Schools are closed Friday, Jan. 16 due to what district officials called a “potential threat.” In a Facebook post Friday morning, the district stated…

British TikTok duo visit South Haven, Saugatuck

British TikTok duo visit South Haven, Saugatuck

Jordan Wilcox Jan 15, 2026 4 min read

Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher The United States often fascinates those from other countries. From food, sports, and politics to nearly everything in between, American life can feel markedly different from the typical European experience. One of its greatest marvels is the…

Winter seeds flourish at SCA

Winter seeds flourish at SCA

Editorial Staff Jan 14, 2026 1 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe hand-sewn “seeds” shown above, part of Kayla Powers’ exhibit “Interwoven: The Art of Flourishing Together,” can be shared and sown at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts through May 8.Michigan-rooted textile artist Kayla Powers, 37, notes they…

New Baldy restrooms now near-complete

New Baldy restrooms now near-complete

Editorial Staff Jan 14, 2026 2 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorSaugatuck City Council Monday approved Fleis & Vandenbrink Engineering-recommended change orders for its now substantially-completed new restrooms at Mt. Baldhead Park.This city last spring contracted low bidder Midwest Construction to do the work for $298,000, budgeting contingency costs…

A new reading companion arrives at Otsego Library

A new reading companion arrives at Otsego Library

Editorial Staff Jan 14, 2026 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Young readers at the Otsego District Library have a new reading partner—one who never tires of holding a book.The library recently received “Come Read With Me,” a life-size bronze sculpture by internationally recognized sculptor Tuck Langland.The…

PCS Highlights Free Webinars on Michigan Achievement Scholarship

Editorial Staff Jan 14, 2026 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Families in the Plainwell district looking for financial aid guidance may want to mark their calendars. Michigan Student Aid is hosting several upcoming webinars on the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.In a recent message to families, Plainwell Community…

Fennville Elementary earns dual honors as district kicks off 2026

Fennville Elementary earns dual honors as district kicks off 2026

Editorial Staff Jan 14, 2026 3 min read

By Art Nicholas Fennville Public Schools is celebrating a strong start to 2026 following two prestigious recognitions for Fennville Elementary School and continued community programming for the semester ahead.National Academic RecognitionIn November, Fennville Elementary School was recognized by U.S. News…