News

Specifics outlined for city’s energy-assistance program

Editorial Staff Feb 21, 2025 4 min read

By Dennis Volkert At its meeting Feb. 12, Sturgis City Commission chose an “opt-in” for Michigan Energy Assistance Program, a law passed in December 2024.That statewide measure is an updated version of the 2013 Public Act 95, which created an…

News Briefs

Editorial Staff Feb 21, 2025 1 min read

Foam recycling schedule set for ’25Foam recycling is offered in the city of Sturgis on three dates in 2025: April 12, July 12 and Oct. 11, at the compost site, 27751 E. Fawn River Road. Accepted items include clean polystyrene foam,…

Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area

Editorial Staff Feb 21, 2025 4 min read

Coming EventsRecurringChildren’s story time, 10 a.m. each Tuesday and Friday, Sturgis District Library. Additional events at library available at www.sturgis-library.org/events.Sturgis Area Model Railroaders winter hours at Sturgis Historical Museum, 6-9 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Online: sturgismuseum.org. Feb. 21“Date With…

Coleman youngster injured during standoff Tuesday

Coleman youngster injured during standoff Tuesday

Editorial Staff Feb 21, 2025 2 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A 12-year-old was injured Tuesday in a Michigan State Police Standoff that began Monday and lasted 16 hours with gunfire between a suspect and police officers at the man’s home near Coleman.Troopers dispatched to the scene reported…

Harrison man locks himself inside house, fires shots

Harrison man locks himself inside house, fires shots

Editorial Staff Feb 21, 2025 2 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A Harrison man, Nathanael Coats is facing multiple felony charges after he threatened a family member with a handgun and fired it inside his home.Tuesday, February 11, at 5:22 pm, Clare County Central Dispatch received a call…

Boundary Commission denies Lowry petition for land annexation

Boundary Commission denies Lowry petition for land annexation

Robert Tomlinson Feb 20, 2025 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LANSING — The State of Michigan gave a victory to Lockport Township Wednesday in a land debate that has lasted for nearly two years. In a 4-1 vote, the State Boundary Commission voted to deny a…

Noodles dish wins prize

Editorial Staff Feb 19, 2025 2 min read

Saugatuck’s new Singapore Room restaurant won first place for its Dan Dan Noodles at the 2025 Great Rotary Asian Noodle Cookoff Feb. 1. Seven Asian restaurants ranging also from Holland to Grand Rapids took part in the competition, which raised…

Conservation group cites Baldwin

Editorial Staff Feb 19, 2025 1 min read

RiverWood Council, a group dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of natural areas, has presented its inaugural Environmental Action Award to Helen Baldwin. The seventh-year group cited Baldwin’s dedication towards those ends while serving on Saugatuck City Council. As chair…

Douglas seeks $ selling surplus sites

Editorial Staff Feb 19, 2025 2 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorDouglas efforts to prop up coffers for a new city hall/police station were set to take steps Tuesday with city council hearing the first reading of an ordinance to list 16.4 acres at 6825 Wiley Road as surplus…

Tribute Rosie to speak here for Armed Forces Day

Editorial Staff Feb 19, 2025 2 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorMichigan woman Clair Kitchin Dahl will offer her “Rosie, the Riveter” synopsis as keynote speaker during the 13th annual Saugatuck-Douglas Armed Forces Day Luncheon Saturday, May 17, at Community Church of Douglas.“Rosie” was literal poster girl for United…

OHS senior helps Christian Neighbors with Share Table

OHS senior helps Christian Neighbors with Share Table

Editorial Staff Feb 19, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Well-known author and speaker Stephen Covey once said, “Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”Otsego High School senior Lexi Gross is doing just that.When she noticed a large amount of fresh fruit being…

Bulldog Esports Club starts at Otsego High School

Bulldog Esports Club starts at Otsego High School

Editorial Staff Feb 19, 2025 6 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A group of 11 students recently made history at Otsego High School.They are part of the school’s inaugural Bulldog Esports Club, which held its first competition on Wednesday, Feb. 12.The Otsego team took on the team…

Plainwell hosts ribbon cutting at new field house

Plainwell hosts ribbon cutting at new field house

Editorial Staff Feb 19, 2025 1 min read

The new Plainwell Field House hosted its first even about a month ago when the high school basketball team’s welcomed archrival Otsego. And on Monday, Feb. 17, the district held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the facility. Plainwell superintendent Matthew Montange…

Swan Lake residents gather to voice water quality concerns

Swan Lake residents gather to voice water quality concerns

Editorial Staff Feb 19, 2025 5 min read

By Gari Voss Concerned residents around Swan Lake gathered on Monday, February 17, 2025, to examine taking the next steps in improving the water quality of their lake. Over the years, blue-green algae had increased, especially during hot weather. Algae…

Calkins Bridge Dam still in limbo

Calkins Bridge Dam still in limbo

Editorial Staff Feb 19, 2025 4 min read

By Gari Voss Conversations and possible fate regarding Consumers Energy’s 13 hydroelectric dams that are spread across Michigan continue. Community meetings began during 2022 when community members came together several times to examine the condition of the dams and alternatives…

First new condos in a decade unveiled

First new condos in a decade unveiled

Editorial Staff Feb 19, 2025 2 min read

By James Windell The first new condominiums in a decade were unveiled to the public on February 13, 2025.Located at A1 N. Bailey Ave., the three-story, three-bed, three-bath and three-balcony condos overlook the Black River that provides direct access to…

Rich Greene advocates for short term rentals

Rich Greene advocates for short term rentals

Editorial Staff Feb 19, 2025 4 min read

By James Windell Rich Greene has always found himself in an advocacy position. Whether it was when he was in the Persian Gulf as a Navy Hospital Corpsman, as a special education teacher in Chicago working with the impoverished, or,…

Parks Commission approves donation of beach wheelchairs

Parks Commission approves donation of beach wheelchairs

Editorial Staff Feb 19, 2025 3 min read

By James Windell Over two million people visit South Haven every year. And most of those visitors come to South Haven during the summer months, attracted by the sandy beaches and the blue waters of Lake Michigan.But an estimated 6…

Masonic Lodge makes donation for child safety

Masonic Lodge makes donation for child safety

Editorial Staff Feb 19, 2025 2 min read

On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Paw Paw-Lawton Masonic Lodge No. 25 presented a check for $1,060 to Child Safety of America, Inc. The donation was made during the monthly meeting of the lodge. Funds provided by the organization were made possible…

PPPS welcomes new Later Elementary principal

PPPS welcomes new Later Elementary principal

Editorial Staff Feb 19, 2025 2 min read

Paw Paw Public Schools recently welcomed Carolyn Murray as its new Paw Paw Later Elementary principal. She succeeds former Paw Paw LES Principal Jeremy Davison, who was recently named as the district’s new superintendent.Before joining PPPS, Murray served as principal…