News
Commissioners elect Beltman as Chair
By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN — At its annual organizational meeting last Thursday, the Board of Commissioners unanimously elected Commissioner Scott Beltman of Monterey Township to chair the body. Beltman succeeds Gale Dugan ofOtsego Township who chaired the body in 2025.“It’s…
Wayland students, coaches fight cancer
By Elizabeth Stein & Gari Voss Wayland Union Public Schools are out to beat cancer, and the entire school district is determined to assist the American Cancer Society in the fight. Wayland Union students scheduled their annual Coaches vs Cancer…
Paw Paw wrestlers are fourth
By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — The Paw Paw wrestling team took to Olivet for the John Burton boys and girls tournament on Saturday. After a grueling 10-hour tournament the boys team ended up taking fourth place out of 20…
City Council tackles new business with revamped membership
By James Windell After three new council members were sworn in, the South Haven City Council got down to business in taking on issues necessary at the first city council meeting of the new year on January 5, 2026.One of…
Airport agrees to stop cutting down trees on private property
By James Windell At a meeting last week between residents whose property abuts the South Haven Regional Airport and Airport authorities, it was agreed that trees that were obstructing the landing at the airport could be trimmed – rather than…
Grain bin temperature evacuates portion of Decatur
Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Life is relatively quiet and peaceful in the small village of Decatur, and it rarely makes any headlines. However, on Saturday, January 10th, it was quite the opposite.The Cargill grain bins are among the village’s most recognizable…
MSP Fire Marshal investigates fatal Paw Paw Twp. structure fire
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW TWP. – Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that on Jan. 8, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Van Buren County Sheriff’s deputies, along with the Paw Paw Fire Department, were dispatched to an active…
Paw Paw Village Council approves Strand Theater’s request to seek final approval with MLCC
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – The Paw Paw Village Council Monday night, Jan. 12, adopted the Local Government Approval Resolution for the Strand Theater to apply for a Redevelopment Liquor License for the theater.With preliminary approval by the…
Indivisible holds candlelight vigil for ICE shooting victim
PAW PAW – Indivisible Paw Paw joined more than 1,000 demonstrations last weekend as part of the “ICE Out for Good” weekend (Jan. 10-11), that took place across the United States to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demand…
Albion Elks Lodge Donates $6,000 to Local Food Access
By Maggie LaNoue The Albion Elks Lodge #1798 recently presented a $6,000 donation to the Community Table of Albion, marking the largest single contribution the lodge has made to the local food assistance program and bringing its three-year total support…
Flower power Constantine grad, former Sturgis flower shop owner leads floral design for award-winning Rose Parade float
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director PASADENA, Calif. — One of the great American traditions on New Year’s Day has been the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., which has been held on New Year’s Day nearly every year since 1890.The parade features…
Dog rescued from icy water south of Colon
COLON — A dog was rescued by from an icy channel by local firefighters Sunday near Colon.According to a post on Facebook from the Colon Community Fire and Rescue, at 10:19 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to Long Lake Road south…
TR celebrates New Year’s Eve with Riviera’s ‘Midnight on Main’
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A group of revelers rung in 2026 with an annual celebration at the Riviera Theatre in downtown Three Rivers last week.The Riviera hosted its 17th “Midnight on Main” event on New Year’s Eve,…
Clare welcomes new officer James Chinavare
By: Lindsey Ashley At this Monday’s meeting of the City of Clare Commissioners, City Clerk Diane Lyon formally introduced the city’s new hire, Officer James Chinavare.Recently, the city identified a vacancy for a patrol officer job with the Clare Police…
Clare High School team wins Titan Challenge
Junior Achievement of North Central Michigan (JANCM) announces the winners of the 2025 JA Titan Business Challenge. This immersive business simulation tests high school students’ strategic and critical decision-making skills by placing them in the role of CEO of a…
Tommy House and Friends: Still packing the house with debut album
by Christopher Johnson Every community has their guy when it comes to music. That local celebrity everybody knows by name and nickname. That can shred a guitar, dispense knowledge like an encyclopedia, and recount some fascinating lore from a rich…
Douglas man is pickleball champion
Peter Colvin of Douglas and doubles partner Mark Mark Kenworthy of Grand Rapids, who qualified for the U.S. Senior Pickleball Nationals Dec. 5-9 in Daytona Beach by winning the Northern Regionals Doubles Tournament. But they placed just ninth. “It wasn’t…
Douglas OKs Wildwood entry sign
By Scott Sullivan Editor The Wildwood Lane Association can place a new monument sign at its entrance after Douglas City Council Monday a planned unit development amendment allowing it. The site condominium development, city planning and zoning administrator Sean Homyen…
Eder joins Trail Friends board
Bob Eder of Saugatuck Township has joined the Friends of the Blue Star Trail board of directors. Eder and his wife Janet relocated here from Chicago in 2020, moving into a vacation home they have owned since 2008. He is…
