News

Out and About: Comebacks, Mother’s Day and grandparents

Out and About: Comebacks, Mother’s Day and grandparents

Editorial StaffMay 16, 20253 min read

I’ve never been very good with quick comebacks, when someone says something rude. There isn’t an overabundance of kindness in our world these days. Being nice to one another is something we can all improve on. Here are some comebacks…

Constantine’s new K9 introduced to council

Constantine’s new K9 introduced to council

Editorial StaffMay 16, 20253 min read

By Angie Birdsall CONSTANTINE — School resource officer Matt Stark introduced K-9 “Riggs” at a May 5 Constantine Village Council meeting.Riggs, a year and a half old Brittany Spaniel is new to the school system. Stark said Riggs is a…

Park Elementary opens new kickball field ‘for the students, by the students’

Park Elementary opens new kickball field ‘for the students, by the students’

Editorial StaffMay 16, 20254 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director PARK TWP. — A new activity area on the playground of Park Elementary near Three Rivers is giving students a place where they can say it happened mainly because of them. On Wednesday, May 7, Park…

Wickey appointed to Sturgis City Commission

Wickey appointed to Sturgis City Commission

Editorial StaffMay 16, 20253 min read

By Dennis Volkert Justin Wickey was appointed Wednesday to the 2nd Precinct seat for Sturgis City Commission, effective May 28.He assumes the position left vacant after Rodger Moyer announced his resignation, due to relocation.The other 2nd Precinct seat is occupied…

SHS departmental winners honored by Kiwanis Club

Editorial StaffMay 16, 20251 min read

The Sturgis Noon Kiwanis Club recently honored the 2025 Sturgis High School Senior Departmental Award Winners. The winners received a special certificate recognizing them for their classroom achievements during a special luncheon at the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. This…

‘Cruise-In’ and ‘Art Around Town’ highlight latest downtown festival

‘Cruise-In’ and ‘Art Around Town’ highlight latest downtown festival

Editorial StaffMay 16, 20251 min read

“Spring Car Cruise-In & Eats” on May 9 in Sturgis drew steady attendance.About 125 classic vehicles were featured, according to Ryan Conrod, downtown events coordinator.It also included live music and unveiling of “Art Around Town” for 2025-26. The display features…

Police raid leads to the arrest of a former aide to an ex-House speaker

Police raid leads to the arrest of a former aide to an ex-House speaker

Editorial StaffMay 15, 20252 min read

By Christopher Johnson A two-year investigation has resulted in felony charges against David Coker, 51, of Clare, who has been accused of swindling the state and lining his own pockets. Coker, a former legislative aide and head of the Clare…

Former Clare Chamber Director, County Republican Party Chair charged with defrauding the State

Former Clare Chamber Director, County Republican Party Chair charged with defrauding the State

JordanMay 15, 20255 min read

Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Former Clare Area Chamber Director, Clare County Republican Party Chair, and Michigan Legislative Aide, 51-year-old David Wayne Coker Jr. of Clare, has been charged with multiple counts of embezzlement and running a criminal enterprise. The state alleges…

ALEgan toasts Craft Beers

ALEgan toasts Craft Beers

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20251 min read

Saturday, May 10, 2025, the 4th Annual ALEgan Craft Beer Fest drew a crowd of 21+ year old ale lovers to the Allegan County Fairgrounds. They relaxed, socialized, and sampled brews from 16 Michigan breweries! Food, Fun, Music and Ale…

Plainwell robotics competes at World Championship

Plainwell robotics competes at World Championship

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor DALLAS—Approximately 830 high school robotics teams from around the globe gathered at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas earlier this month for the VEX Robotics World Championship.One of those teams was from Plainwell High…

Fales named valedictorian of Northwood University

Fales named valedictorian of Northwood University

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20251 min read

Regan Fales, was named the Northwood University Valedictorian for the entire 2025 graduating class.  Regan is a 2022 Allegan Public graduate.She graduated this past Saturday with a degree in International Business and Management.  She graduated with her BA in three…

Flags placed in Lakeview Cemetery to honor veterans

Flags placed in Lakeview Cemetery to honor veterans

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20252 min read

By James Windell On May 6, 2025, members from the South Haven Public Works office, Corwell Health, Baird Financial Services, and the American Legion Post # 49 met at Lakeview Cemetery in South Haven.Their mission was to place flags and…

South Haven City Council approves prosecuting attorney

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20253 min read

By James Windell On the agenda for the last South Haven City Council meeting on Monday, May 5, 2025, was the selection of a Prosecuting Attorney for the City.Mark A. Manning has been South Haven’s prosecuting attorney for many years,…

Students help plant salmon fingerlings in Black River

Students help plant salmon fingerlings in Black River

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20251 min read

South Haven Rotarians joined fourth and fifth graders from North Shore elementary school in planting salmon fingerlings in the Black River on Wednesday, May 7.The planting was the culmination of an annual project. The life of the fish started as spawned…

City Council approves public hearing budget

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20252 min read

James Windell A public hearing on the proposed budget for the City of South Haven for the 2025-2026 fiscal year will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025.The South Haven City Council approved the public hearing at its regular meeting…

Upgrades made at Paw Paw Waste and Recycling Center

Upgrades made at Paw Paw Waste and Recycling Center

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20253 min read

PAW PAW – Paw Paw Township, along with the Van Buren Conservation District (VBCD) made some big changes with upgrades over the last year at the Paw Paw Waste and Recycling Center, 38016 W. Red Arrow Highway, Paw Paw.Paw Paw…

Paz is Mattawan’s first ever to win award

Paz is Mattawan’s first ever to win award

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20251 min read

Alejandra Tienda Paz, a senior at Mattawan High School, became the district’s first ever recipient of the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy. She earned the prestigious recognition for her proficiency in both English and Spanish and will receive a special seal…

Paw Paw High School mural sparks mental health conversations

Paw Paw High School mural sparks mental health conversations

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20252 min read

PAW PAW – At Paw Paw High School, Art Teacher Sarah Bentley and English Teacher Sean Kubik, along with their students, are collaborating with visiting artist, Marlo Broughton, to create an artistic outdoor mural that celebrates the community and encourages…

Gold Star Mothers to host military suicide awareness walk-a-thon

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20252 min read

PAW PAW – American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. (AGSM) will host its third Military Suicide Awareness Walk-A-Thon, Sunday, May 18. Registration begins at noon with the walk at 1 p.m. The walk starts and ends in the Maple City Veterans…

TR City Commission meetings return to 6 p.m.

TR City Commission meetings return to 6 p.m.

Robert TomlinsonMay 11, 20256 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers City Manager Joe Bippus said previously that changing the start time for Three Rivers City Commission meetings from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m. was a “trial” for the summer. That trial…