News

Council approves appointment to planning commission, ZBA

Editorial Staff Apr 15, 2026 3 min read

By James Windell One of the duties of the Mayor of South Haven is to nominate people to serve on boards and commissions.With openings on the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals, Mayor Annie Brown fulfilled her duties…

New county veterans services director named

New county veterans services director named

Editorial Staff Apr 15, 2026 1 min read

Michael Fossitt, shown above, was recently promoted to Van Buren County Veterans Services Director. Fossitt previously served as a Van Buren County Veterans Services Officer. Fossitt is a Paw Paw native and a decorated Army veteran who served with the…

Mattawan Schools non-homestead operating millage on May ballot

Editorial Staff Apr 15, 2026 2 min read

MATTAWAN – On May 5, Mattawan Consolidated School will ask voters to renew its Non-Homestead Operating Millage for another four-year term. The millage rate is currently 19.4227, with the maximum being levied at any point is 18 mills.The district last…

Deputies find suspect hiding in garage, charged with multiple felonies

Editorial Staff Apr 15, 2026 2 min read

ALMENA TWP. – Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported on April 9, at approximately 9:15 p.m., Van Buren County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 25000 block of M-43 in Almena Township for a reported assault.Upon arrival and investigation,…

Former court administrator’s sentencing rescheduled

Editorial Staff Apr 15, 2026 1 min read

The sentencing for a former county court administrator who pleaded guilty to embezzling over $100,000 is being rescheduled.Rachel Celeste Lindley, 42, a former Paw Paw resident, began working for Van Buren County as the Specialty Courts Administrator in 2016 before…

Benefit Concert to Feature Jean Watson

Benefit Concert to Feature Jean Watson

Editorial Staff Apr 15, 2026 4 min read

PAW PAW – A benefit concert featuring recording artist Jean Watson will be held Sunday, April 19, at 3 p.m. at the Paw Paw United Methodist Church. 420 W. Michigan Ave.Watson is a singer, violinist, recording artist, author, and speaker…

Child injured in Three Rivers hit-and-run

Robert Tomlinson Apr 13, 2026 1 min read

THREE RIVERS — A 10-year-old child was injured in a hit-and-run incident in Three Rivers Friday. According to the Three Rivers Police Department, the incident occurred near the intersection of South Grant Avenue and Hill Street. Police say a child…

‘Downtown’ documentary explores history of business, culture in Sturgis

‘Downtown’ documentary explores history of business, culture in Sturgis

Dennis Volkert Apr 10, 2026 7 min read

By Dennis Volkert “Downtown: 200 Years of Doing Business in Sturgis” premieres at 3 p.m. April 26 at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.  Tickets are $10 at sites throughout downtown, or $12 online at sturgesyoung.com.  It is produced by Mike Mort…

Testimony links murders of Anthony Owens Jr. and Emarion Flowers

Testimony links murders of Anthony Owens Jr. and Emarion Flowers

Editorial Staff Apr 10, 2026 7 min read

By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Testimony continued Monday, April 6 in the preliminary exam of three co-defendants accused of open murder in the shooting death of Anthony Owens Jr., age 44; and the assault with intent to murder of Kenneth…

Final suspects apprehended in Hanover Horton area robbery

Final suspects apprehended in Hanover Horton area robbery

Editorial Staff Apr 10, 2026 2 min read

By KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writer The final two suspects in the Hanover Horton armed robbery case, Richie Jimenez, age 24, and James Goodall, age 25, were arrested this week, marking the conclusion of a months-long investigation. The apprehensions bring closure…

Infrastructure Under Pressure

Infrastructure Under Pressure

Editorial Staff Apr 10, 2026 4 min read

Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer A larger-than-usual crowd filled Albion City Council chambers on Monday, April 6, drawn largely by concern over the city’s aggressive tree removal program. They stayed for a conversation that went much deeper — raw sewage backing…

Albion council meeting draws crowd, wraps early despite full agenda

Albion council meeting draws crowd, wraps early despite full agenda

Editorial Staff Apr 10, 2026 4 min read

By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer With Mayor Victoria Garcia Snyder and Mayor Pro Tem Andrew French absent from the April 6 meeting, Council Member Lenn Reid nominated colleague Vivian Davis to serve as temporary chair — a motion that passed…

Centreville-Constantine police arrest man with multiple warrants

Editorial Staff Apr 10, 2026 1 min read

CENTREVILLE — Police in Centreville arrested a man on multiple warrants following two hours of attempts Wednesday morning.According to the Centreville-Constantine Police Department, officers executed a search warrant at an apartment in Centreville for a person with multiple misdemeanor and…

‘Downtown’ explores the history of business and culture in Sturgis

‘Downtown’ explores the history of business and culture in Sturgis

Editorial Staff Apr 10, 2026 2 min read

By Dennis Volkert “Downtown: 200 Years of Doing Business in Sturgis” premieres at 3 p.m. April 26 at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. Tickets are $10 at sites throughout downtown, or $12 online at sturgesyoung.com. It is produced by Mike Mort of Equity…

Coker pre-trial hearing wraps with May 7 ruling date set

Coker pre-trial hearing wraps with May 7 ruling date set

Editorial Staff Apr 10, 2026 5 min read

By Christopher Johnson A second day of preliminary examination testimony in Lansing added sharp new financial detail to the embezzlement case against David Coker Jr., whose attorney is asking a district court judge to dismiss the charges before trial. Judge…

Easter in Clare County: April Valley meets April showers

Easter in Clare County: April Valley meets April showers

Editorial Staff Apr 10, 2026 6 min read

by Christopher Johnson The Easter Bunny may have had to ditch his usual flight plan this year, but he still made the long haul to Clare. This past weekend, while adults were waking up to the wildest tweets ever tweeted,…

Flooded fields shift Otsego Rotary Easter event to drive-up format

Flooded fields shift Otsego Rotary Easter event to drive-up format

Editorial Staff Apr 8, 2026 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Not even heavy rain and flooded fields could stop the Otsego Rotary Club from spreading some Easter cheer.Faced with water-covered infields and walkways at Memorial Park, Rotary members shifted plans for their annual Easter Egg Hunt…

Rain drives Douglas Easter into school halls

Rain drives Douglas Easter into school halls

Editorial Staff Apr 8, 2026 1 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorBummed? Beleaguered and now rained out? Roxanne Potter celebrated Easter with friends indoors instead.Easter Eve Saturday saw kids and families gather instead of a rain-logged Beery Field dryer Douglas Elementary halls.Pink, purple and pastel plastic eggs were scattered…

Will 40-home Enclave spur township growth?

Editorial Staff Apr 8, 2026 10 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorTangram Development Group LLC co-founder Johnny Walker wants to build an Enclave of 40 Scandinavian modern single-family homes and duplexes on 9.13 acres on the northeast corner of Blue Star Highway and Old Allegan Road in Saugatuck Township.The…

Mea culpa on Bagierek bag mistakes

Mea culpa on Bagierek bag mistakes

Editorial Staff Apr 8, 2026 2 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorErrors in last week’s “Should city bag PC vice-chair” bear correcting in the same bottom of Page A1 space.First, and most embarrassing, the photo gleaned from a CJ Bagierek, Saugatuck page is not of CJ but Kevin King,…

Request for Proposal – Roof Replacement

Nottawa Community School is seeking proposals for a Roof Replacement.

Proposals are due no later than 1:00 PM local time on May 12, 2026. For more information on this RFP, please visit our website at www.nottawaschool.org.

Nottawa Community School Board of Education has the right to accept and reject any and all
proposals.