News
Fourth of July celebrations in and near Clare County
By Genine Hopkins This year marks the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. Yep, that is a long time. While the actual date of the colonial vote to approve the document itself and the resolution declaring the thirteen…
Summerfest brings community together for a day of family fun
By Christopher Johnson This past Saturday was as lively as it was warm. With temperatures now climbing toward 100 degrees, residents embraced the summer heat trend as they gathered at Shamrock Park for Clare’s annual Summerfest celebration.Kickstarting the day was…
Sturgis dam drawdown project delayed until September
City of Sturgis electric department received a formal extension of time for the drawdown of its dam on the St. Joseph River near Covered Bridge in Centreville. The drawdown of the reservoir area of the river upstream of the dam…
Road resurfacing to begin in White Pigeon
WHITE PIGEON — Two major highways in St. Joseph County will be getting resurfaced beginning next week. The Michigan Department of Transportation announced Thursday that beginning July 6, they will be resurfacing 3.75 miles of U.S. 131 from the Indiana…
School supply drive aims to help area students start year prepared
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor As another school year approaches, local residents have an opportunity to help make sure area children head back to the classroom with the supplies they need to succeed.Together Otsego Prospers (TOP) and Otsego Public Schools have…
Ride Along with the Douglas Department of Public Works
By Wendy Colsen Ever wonder who keeps the City of Douglas looking as good as it does? Like a well-oiled machine, the Douglas Department of Public Works (DPW) tirelessly works to keep the city in tip-top shape.Responsible for approximately 1.75…
Construction project on M-89 to be paused for Fourth of July weekend
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Motorists traveling through Otsego during the Fourth of July holiday weekend should encounter fewer construction-related delays along M-89, as the Michigan Department of Transportation is temporarily suspending work on the highway resurfacing project to accommodate the…
Plainwell council deals with rates
By John RaffelCorrespondent The Plainwell City council was slated to deal with rates at a recent meeting.It was noted water and wastewater rates have been adjusted by CPI and updated as part of the budget process. Recommended action was to…
County communities set to celebrate Independence Day
By Gari Voss The United States is dedicating July 4, 2026, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The 4th of July 2026 falls on a Saturday. Several communities are celebrating Independence Day with…
In Ganges, the fight over short-term rentals turns on data nobody seems to have
By Art NicholasGANGES TOWNSHIP — For all the friction over short-term rentals in this rural Allegan County township, the two sides most often cast as opponents agree on a surprising amount. They agree the rentals should be regulated. They agree…
Parents, students laud laid off SHHS success coach
By James Windell It wasn’t on the agenda for the South Haven Board of Education meeting on June 24, 2026, but praise for Coach Gary Guthrie seemed to take centerstage as a high school student and several parents used the…
Casco Township celebrates completion of nature preserve
By James Windell The Casco Township Parks and Recreation Committee hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Casco Township Nature Preserve, which has been called one of the most unique spots on the Lake Michigan…
Ground broken for residential development in South Haven
By James Windell A new residential development in South Haven broke ground on Thursday, June 18, 2026.The new development, according to Jaqua Realtors, is for homeowners looking for upscale living space paired with substantial room for recreational vehicles, boats, classic…
Market One recognizes outstanding leadership at sixth annual awards event
PAW PAW – On June 24, Market One hosted its Sixth Annual Awards Event at Marion Magnolia Farms, bringing together local business owners, civic leaders, and community partners from Van Buren and Cass counties. The evening served as a celebration…
2026 Van Buren Youth Fair royalty named
The Van Buren Youth Fair 2026 Royalty Contest was held Sunday, June 28. Winners include – Queen Karleigh Stamp, and Runner-up – Karlie Zerbe. Named as King was Warren Bailey. Princess – Leah Ostlund, Runner-up – Taylor Zantello, and Second…
Declaration of Independence to be read on courthouse steps
PAW PAW – Roger Henderson will read the Declaration of Independence on the Van Buren County Courthouse steps on Wednesday, July 8, at 6 p.m.The reading is part of an event planned by The National America 250 Committee and the…
Lawton Summerfest 2026 to be held July 11
By Paul GarrodStaff writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWTON – Lawton’s Summerfest 2026 will get underway Saturday, July 11, with a car show, craft show and fireworks among the many events to be held throughout the day.Main Street will close along with Second and…
Daughter remembers firefighter dad who was “an example of loyalty, service, and showing up for others”
By Paul GarrodStaff writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWRENCE – A memorial service for a longtime Lawrence Township Emergency Services fireman, a longtime Lawrence Township employee, as well as a longtime Van Buren Intermediate School District bus driver, was held Sunday afternoon, June 28,…
Citywide brush collection in Sturgis begins July 6
Three weeks after a storm socked St. Joseph County, work continues to clear trees and limbs in Sturgis. Beginning July 6, city crews will begin an organized brush pickup throughout the city. Collection will take place in quadrants, roughly in…
Cooling centers available this week in St. Joseph County
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — With extreme heat expected this week, and temperatures in the low to mid 90s with humidity, there will be cooling centers available across the county for those who need to beat the…
