News

TR schools close again Friday due to second online threat

Robert Tomlinson Sep 13, 2024 2 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — For the second straight day this week, Three Rivers Community Schools was closed due to anonymous online threats against the district. On Thursday night, just one day after a threat over Snapchat closed…

9/11 Memorial at Cascades Falls

9/11 Memorial at Cascades Falls

Editorial Staff Sep 13, 2024 3 min read

On the evening of Sept. 11, Cascade Falls in Jackson, Michigan, provided a solemn backdrop for a memorial honoring the victims and first responders of the 9/11 attacks. Organized by the Jackson, MI Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the event brought…

County Fair begins this weekend in Centreville

County Fair begins this weekend in Centreville

Editorial Staff Sep 13, 2024 6 min read

CENTREVILLE — The biggest event in St. Joseph County in 2024 will be getting underway this weekend.The 2024 St. Joseph County Grange Fair will take place from Sept. 15-22 this year, one of the first times ever the fair will…

Progress continues for downtown lighting project

Progress continues for downtown lighting project

Editorial Staff Sep 13, 2024 2 min read

By Dennis Volkert Work continued this week for the downtown Sturgis lighting project and related elements. Placement of lights on buildings began shortly after Labor Day, with workers using two lifts, making their way along U.S. 12. Additional features connected…

New tennis courts officially unveiled at Sturgis Middle School

New tennis courts officially unveiled at Sturgis Middle School

Editorial Staff Sep 13, 2024 2 min read

By Dennis Volkert A ribbon-cutting was held Tuesday for the newly resurfaced tennis courts at Sturgis Middle School.The unveiling was followed by a day of matches involving Bethel University, Spring Arbor University, and Trine University, at both SMS and Augspurger.Superintendent…

Harrison commission gets heated over Rustic Owl zoning

Harrison commission gets heated over Rustic Owl zoning

Editorial Staff Sep 13, 2024 6 min read

By Genine Hopkins The Rustic Owl, a newer Harrison small business that opened just a year ago, has been working with City of Harrison council members, planning commission members, and the City Code Enforcement Officer, Mike Freeman, to resolve the…

Clare City Police warn of counterfeit bills in town

Clare City Police warn of counterfeit bills in town

Editorial Staff Sep 13, 2024 2 min read

Chief Dave Saad said that two counterfeit bills recently surfaced at a bank in Clare.Saad said these are difficult to detect because the paper is real. It’s smaller bills that that have been bleached and then reprinted with a higher…

School shooting threat shuts down TR schools Thursday

Robert Tomlinson Sep 12, 2024 2 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A school threat made over a social media service against Three Rivers Community Schools is causing it to close the district Thursday. The school district announced late Wednesday evening the district would be…

Charity Challenge spurs smiles all around

Charity Challenge spurs smiles all around

Editorial Staff Sep 11, 2024 7 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorEvery sinkhole led to a summit, every detour to completion at Saturday’s Mt. Baldhead Challenge.Ferry Street, a key route for this year’s 636 runners to the races’ Oval Beach sunrise starts, was judged late July unsafe to continue…

Otsego Creative Arts Festival slated for Sept. 28

Otsego Creative Arts Festival slated for Sept. 28

Editorial Staff Sep 11, 2024 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor If you’re looking for some good family-friendly fun, then downtown Otsego is the place to be on Saturday, Sept. 28.The 37th Annual Otsego Creative Arts Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering…

Greens establish art scholarship for Plainwell students

Greens establish art scholarship for Plainwell students

Editorial Staff Sep 11, 2024 5 min read

In its monthly newsletter, the Allegan County Community Foundation includes a “Humans of ACCF” section that features a person or people who have made a positive impact on the foundation.Cathy and Bob Green of Plainwell are the subjects of this…

Ludicrous performs to full house at fair

Ludicrous performs to full house at fair

Editorial Staff Sep 11, 2024 1 min read

Rapper and movie star Ludicrous opened the Allegan County Fair, singing his favorite tunes on Friday night to a capacity crowd. Photos by Mark Ashley.

Domestic Dispute Leads to Gun Lake Casino Crash

Domestic Dispute Leads to Gun Lake Casino Crash

Editorial Staff Sep 11, 2024 2 min read

By Rita Williams A Gun Lake Casino entrance now requires costly repairs after an early morning SUV crash on September 4, 2024.A domestic dispute between the female driver and her male companion spawned the 2:30 AM crash into the southern…

Youth football begins

Youth football begins

Editorial Staff Sep 11, 2024 1 min read

The LaFayette Parks and Recreation football season starts with first game on Saturday on the road to Beauregard.The league has 4 age groups with great coaching support this year. The 12U team and The 8U team both brought back home…

One person injured in 3-vehicle crash in Sturgis

One person injured in 3-vehicle crash in Sturgis

Dennis Volkert Sep 11, 2024 1 min read

A multi-vehicle crash resulted in injury Tuesday in Sturgis. Sturgis Department of Public Safety was dispatched to Chicago Road and Michigan Avenue.  Rescue personnel determined a 19-year-old man had fallen asleep at the wheel. That vehicle crossed the center line,…

Council names Trice new chief, explains absences

Council names Trice new chief, explains absences

Editorial Staff Sep 11, 2024 7 min read

By John BriceCorrespondent The LaFayette City Council met on Monday, September 9th 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…

Fire Districts served by Almena Township receive ARPA funds

Fire Districts served by Almena Township receive ARPA funds

Editorial Staff Sep 11, 2024 3 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer ALMENA TWP. – A total of $48,250 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds recently received by Almena Township will be used for different projects by the three different fire districts, Paw Paw Firefighters Association, Mattawan…

New library services contract offer with TRPL accepted by Lockport Township

New library services contract offer with TRPL accepted by Lockport Township

Robert Tomlinson Sep 10, 2024 5 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LOCKPORT TWP. — There is now officially a deal between Lockport Township and the Three Rivers Public Library. On Monday, the township’s board voted unanimously to officially accept the library’s latest library services contract offer, and…

By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher

Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.

It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.