News

South Haven Writer Experiences a Renaissance

South Haven Writer Experiences a Renaissance

Editorial StaffOct 31, 20244 min read

By James Windell Johanna Nauraine is enjoying her writing success lately. “This period of my life is my personal renaissance,” she commented recently during an interview in her South Haven apartment. “I was just notified that my short fiction horror…

Neidlinger is SPS super- pick

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20242 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Mark Neidlinger will succeed Tim Travis seven years ago stepping from Middle/High School principal to superintendent of Saugatuck Public Schools. The school board picked Neidlinger Oct. 22, on heels of a public interview, to succeed Travis,…

Bond ask won’t mean new taxes, mayor says

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20244 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Douglas Mayor Cathy North issued a statement Oct. 24 emphasizing city council’s proposed $4-million bond request to renovate 415 Wiley Road into a city hall/police station will not require new taxes for residents and businesses. The…

Bulldogs treated to new locker room

Bulldogs treated to new locker room

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20241 min read

The LaFayette Bulldogs were treated to a surprise a few weeks ago.The players were brought out to the fieldhouse with their eyes closed and Head Coach Juan Williams revealed a totally new renovated locker room with flashing lights and music…

Plans for new quarry in Cusseta spark outrage

Plans for new quarry in Cusseta spark outrage

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20243 min read

By John BriceCorrespondentNews of plans to construct a new rock quarry in the portion of Cusseta located in Chambers County spread on social media this past week, leaving many local residents shocked and upset. According to the description on a…

LaFayette City Council approves smoke alarm program, other contracts

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20245 min read

By John BriceCorrespondent The LaFayette City Council met on Monday, October 28th of 2024 at the Chambers County Farmers Federation Agricultural Center at the ALFA building in LaFayette. In attendance were Mayor Kenneth Vines, Councilman Terry G. Mangram, Councilman David…

Face of America

Face of America

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20241 min read

… as seen in Rado Kirov’s reflective sculpture “Pyramid” outside the Douglas Police Station on Center Street. The predominant yellow of fall leaves and silver of the sculpture surface have been color-inverted here. (Photo by Scott Sullivan)

Transformed

Transformed

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20241 min read

Downtown Douglas’s Center Street was transformed Sautrday night for Hystopolis Productions’s annual Adult Walking Halloween Parade. The event yearly draws more than 10,000 viewers and costumed participants, and follows afternoon fun including a downtown Saugatuck Family Parade. This photo is…

City council races are highlights here

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20245 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorSaugatuck and Douglas voters have choices for city councils Tuesday, Nov. 5.In Saugatuck, incumbents Helen Baldwin, Scott Dean, Gregory Muncey and Lauren Stanton face challenges from Joe Leonatti, Chris Peterson and Sherry Tedaldi for four open two-year seatsIn…

Regional Champions!

Regional Champions!

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20241 min read

The Otsego girls cross country team has established itself as one of the premier programs in the state of Michigan, as evidenced by the Division 2 state championships the Bulldogs earned in 2015, 2016 and 2022.This year has been no…

Plainwell marching band heads to MCBA State Finals

Plainwell marching band heads to MCBA State Finals

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20244 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Michigan Competing Band Association will host its State Finals at Ford Field in Detroit.And for the fourth straight year, the Plainwell High School marching band will be included in the festivities.PHS…

Hodge named FSU Distinguished Alumnus

Hodge named FSU Distinguished Alumnus

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20242 min read

The Ferris State University Distinguished Alumni Award is bestowed on individuals who demonstrate leadership and service to their profession, community, service organizations and alma mater. One of four chosen for this honor this year is Allegan’s own, Dr. Paul Hodge.Dr.…

Johnson one of ten outstanding Young Americans

Johnson one of ten outstanding Young Americans

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20242 min read

On Sept 14th, at the JCI USA Annual Meeting in Cleveland Ohio, Landria Johnson was the recipient of a Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award. This is a highly prestigious award given to ten individuals between the ages of 18-40 by…

Microsoft purchases over 600 acres in Allegan, Kent Counties

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20242 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Over the past few months, the Microsoft Corporation has been engaging in some major real estate transactions in West Michigan.This first began when the company purchased a 316-acre parcel, located at 4450 76th Street, Byron Center…

Municipalities announce Trick or Treat hours, stress safety

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20242 min read

By Gari Voss As Halloween is upon us, families plan their evening of Trick-or-Treat excursions. In addition to corn mazes and walks through the woods, communities and organizations are planning for Trick-or-Treat or Trunk-n-Treat.The optimum words are BE SAFE. Some…

Camper destroyed by fire

Camper destroyed by fire

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20241 min read

South Haven Area Emergency Services responded (Sunday) to a fire that destroyed a camper trailer parked on property at 60th Street and 2nd Avenue, Geneva Township.The unoccupied camper was totally engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived shortly before 2:30 a.m.Responders…

SHOUT honors volunteers for community service

SHOUT honors volunteers for community service

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20242 min read

Three South Haven residents whose volunteer efforts for more than a decade have made for a better community were honored recently at a City Council meeting.Robert Copping, president of the civic group called SHOUT, honored LaRae and Mark Odland and…

South Haven police chief search controversial

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20245 min read

James Windell During the public comments portion of the South Haven City Council meeting last Monday night Bishop Joe Wilkins, of Resurrection Life Ministries, raised questions about the search for a new chief of police.“Other people who did not want…

VB Stand Down attended by over 100 veterans and families

VB Stand Down attended by over 100 veterans and families

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20241 min read

Marking the tenth year for the Van Buren County Stand Down, more than 100 veterans and their families attended the event held Friday Oct. 25, at the Decatur Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Hall. A wide variety of vendors, offering…

Here’s a look at local candidates on November 5th ballot

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20243 min read

James Windell When South Haven voters go to the polls on November 5, they will mark their ballots for the next President of the U.S. and for a new Senator from Michigan. But they will also be voting for candidates…