News

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director STURGIS — A new chapter was written in the history of the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department Thursday evening. Chad Spence was sworn in as the new St. Joseph County sheriff during a first-of-its-kind public ceremony…

Marshall Opportunity High School hosted their annual holiday celebration Wednesday, Dec. 18. Students and guests were treated to a soulful holiday meal prepared by MOHS staff. The cafeteria was decorated by members of the MOHS student council who also helped…

By Octavia Crawford Turner Special to The Recorder Mary Kurtz is a successful recording artist and an Internet Influencer. In November, Kurtz came from Georgia where she currently resides to Michigan to introduce and drop her new single called “OKAY.”…

By Ken Wyatt It isn’t every town that would close down Main Street traffic in mid-day to please local librarians. Count Hanover among that municipal fraternity. For about half an hour on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 18, students of the Hanover-Horton…

The number of choices in Albion for New Year’s Eve celebrations shows that businesses are ready to grow with the city. There were over a half dozen places open to greet the new year. Many business owners and guests shared…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — 2024, like any other year, had its highs and its lows when it came to the top news stories of the year.As we wrap up 2024 and look ahead to 2025, we take…

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Matthew Joseph Burton, 52, a coin dealer and business owner in Isabella, Clare and Bay Coun-ties, is facing a “settlement conference” January 24 and a trial beginning February 10 in Isabella County for “false pretenses.”The owner of…

Another year is behind us. They seem to go by so fast and we are now beginning 2025. Time for a look back at the year just past. Here are some highlights from the front pages of the Clare County…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Is learning how to play a musical instrument on your list of New Year’s resolutions?If so, then the Ransom District Library just might be the place for you on Mondays beginning Jan. 6.Library director and former…

By Cindy Sasser When I think about moving forward into 2025, that old 1968 song by Tommy James & The Shondells plays in my mind…“Look over yonder… what do you seeThe sun is a risin’… most definitelyA new day is comin’……

A man who threatened to blow up an Allegan County bank pleaded guilty to armed robbery las week.Police said Paul Donnelly robbed the Plainwell PNC Bank in June by claiming to have a bomb in his bag.The response caused several…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Since being created by Jim Davis in the mid-1970s, Garfield the cat has become a household name.Not only did the comic strip that bore his name become the most syndicated strip in the world, but the…

By Pamela WhitlowLaFayette Police Department Sergeant Jacob Williams tells a magical Christmas story of how a Christmas Miracle came to LaFayette to serve and bless many kids in the community.One of the many goals of the LaFayette Police Department since…

After 86 years of serving Southwest Michigan, the Golden Brown Bakery turned off its ovens and served the last customers on Saturday, Dec. 28.It marked the end of an era that made the bakery a landmark staple in downtown South…

By James Windell South Haven has had holiday lights competitions before, but not quite like this year. The South Haven Convention and Visitors Bureau partnered with Mayor Annie Brown and Kathy Rusin of Shooting Star to sponsor the Sparkle Showdown.“This…

By James Windell Layla Byrd opened Haven, an upscale clothing store in May, 2024. However, her shop, located at 550 Phoenix wasn’t quite the right location for her business.“When my mom sold the building I was in,” Byrd said recently,…

Charlie “Paw Paw” Maxwell played 14 years in major league baseball. Eight of those years were with the Detroit Tigers. He played in two All-Star games. He died last Friday at the age of 97. See obituaries on Pg 6.

F. J. Loomis, MD celebrated his 100th birthday on December 28, 2024. In 1952 he and his wife Priscilla moved to Paw Paw upon completion of his service in the US Navy. He opened a medical practice which served newborns…

BURR OAK TWP. — A Sturgis man was killed in a car crash that occurred late Friday in Burr Oak Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were called at 11:42 p.m. Dec. 27 to the area…

Over 150 families helped for Christmas season By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — For the first hour or so of Saturday’s food box and toy distribution at the Three Rivers Lions Club, the line of vehicles in need of…