News
City Council holds capital improvements workshop
By James Windell In a special workshop meeting on Monday, April 14, 2025, the South Haven City Council received a capital improvement plan.Presenting a 90-minute slide presentation on capital improvement for the years 2026 to 2032 was Department of Public…
Harbors may be affected by EGLE mandate
By James Windell Earlier this month Michigan Congressman Bill Huizenga released a statement regarding the Whitmer Administration’s “ill-defined” EGLE requirements for PFAS testing as a condition for harbor dredging.EGLE is the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. It…
County man wins $1 million playing Michigan Lottery’s Cashword
A lucky mistake led to a big payday and a treasure hunt for a Van Buren County man who won $1 million playing the Michigan Lottery’s Major Cashword instant game.“I play Cashword tickets occasionally, but purchasing this ticket was a…
Hartford teenagers honored by Sheriff for putting out fire
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com HARTFORD – Two Hartford teenagers, students at Hartford High School, were recently honored by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office for their quick actions in putting out a construction trailer fire.Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott…
Protest raises $863 for Eleanor’s Food Pantry
PAW PAW – More than 150 people demonstrated in Paw Paw as part of the Take America Back protests held around the country on Saturday, April 19. The protests are in opposition to the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s DOGE.Protest…
Sturgis city notes: West Street closure, brush collection and hydrant-flushing
West West Street in Sturgis is closed to traffic April 21-25 at various intersections from North Centreville Road to North Street, for contractor utility work, officials announced. Travelers are asked to seek an alternate route and use caution in those…
‘Cross Walk’ held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis
Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis held its traditional Good Friday “Cross Walk” on April 18. It began with a brief service at the chapel, then the group walked along Lakeview Avenue and other nearby streets, singing hymns along the way,…
Local production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ does not disappoint
A Review By Aaron Riddle Special to the Morning Star Attending Jesus Christ Superstar was my first experience with the recently renovated Michigan Theater of Jackson. It did not disappoint. This historic structure once again shines as the beacon of…
Public helps ID hit and run suspect; Albion man arraigned on felony charges
By KARA DECHALK Contributing Writer Chad Blair, a 39-year-old Albion man has been arraigned on one count of failure to stop at a scene of a serious personal injury accident and one count of lying to a peace officer. Both…
Albion development project funded through state program
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced in a press release two redevelopment projects have received support from the bipartisan Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program, which will see the rehabilitation of vacant buildings in Albion and Hillsdale to create…
Norton Elementary slated to lose 4th, 5th grade as part of TR schools ‘restructure’
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Fourth and fifth grade classes at Norton Elementary are slated to be eliminated and moved to a different school as part of a “restructure” of Three Rivers Community Schools’ elementary placements that were…
Tornado confirmed near Sturgis during March 30 storm
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director STURGIS — The National Weather Service last week confirmed that an EF-0 tornado touched down near Sturgis during the severe storms that occurred on Sunday, March 30.The tornado, according to NWS data, had estimated peak winds…
Contingency OK’d for Franks Avenue project
At its meeting March 26, Sturgis City Commission approved a supplemental contingency bridge of $20,00 for the North Franks Avenue reconstruction project.Commissioner Marvin Smith cast the lone “no” vote.During approval of the N. Franks Avenue Reconstruction project on Feb. 14,…
New budget for courthouse renovation approved in close vote
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A new budget for the renovation of the St. Joseph County courts building in Centreville was narrowly approved 4-3 by county commissioners Tuesday.The new budget, referred to as the design development budget for the…
Surrey fire truck t-boned by vehicle, one severely injured
On Sunday, April 13th, a Surrey Township Fire Truck, with two firemen on board, was involved in an accident on 115 while looking for a reported grass fire. As the truck was turning into a driveway, they were t-boned by…
Harrison man arrested, held rifle to girl’s head
On Friday, April 11, 2025 at 8:24 p.m., Deputies with the Clare County Sheriff Office were dispatched to an address on North Athey Rd in Hamilton Township, Clare County for an assault involving a firearm that had occurred. During the…
By Christopher Johnson
One of Clare’s latest metalworks, “Joe Galaxy” by Roger King (Midland)As the temperature heats up finally, the city of Clare is poised for a busy and exciting month ahead. With high school and college graduations on the calendar, as well…
Hydrant flushing starts next week
It’s spring hydrant flushing time for Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority customers. Work will start Monday, April 21 and continue weekdays from noon to 10 p.m. till complete. Additional flushing may take place the week of April 28 if…
Work brings more water to Riverside
By Scott Sullivan Editor Bringing water to Saugatuck Township’s Riverside Drive isn’t like taking coals to Newcastle. Homes along it and connecting Dugout Road have relied for nearly 100 years on a 2-inch water line patched together out of galvanized…
Old airport land has new name
By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck’s old airport land has a new name: Saugatuck Wilds Nature Preserve. City council Monday agreed to its Parks & Public Works Committee top recommendation, chosen from recommendations made by 98 respondents to a March 11-25…
