News

Douglas drain work won’t come cheap

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 3 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorDouglas is seeking ways to meet costs to repair the Warnock Drain under Ferry Street, closed between West Shore Drive and Campbell Street since Aug. 2, and maintain its remaining four miles that run through town.City manager Lisa…

White out, city council seeks to fill empty seat

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 2 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorFirst-year Saugatuck city councilman Logan White’s Sept. 23 resignation because he had bought a new home in Holland left peers seeking a replacement for the remainder of his two-year term.It comes at an interesting time, with a Nov.…

Plainwell schools asks voters to approve bond

Plainwell schools asks voters to approve bond

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A new preschool building and new gyms for two elementary schools.Those are among the main items included in a bond proposal that Plainwell Community Schools officials hope voters will pass in the November election.This marks the…

Otsego Band Invitational takes center stage

Otsego Band Invitational takes center stage

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The annual Otsego Band Invitational is always a special event for Otsego High School/Middle School band director Mitch Piersma.This year’s edition—which was the 39th and took place on Saturday, Sept. 28—was even more so.That’s because when…

Tech Center students design and build bike racks for downtown Allegan

Tech Center students design and build bike racks for downtown Allegan

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 2 min read

Take a walk around downtown Allegan, and you might notice three unique, eye-catching bike racks designed and fabricated by students at the Allegan Area ESA Tech Center. These custom creations, each tailored to the character of its location, showcase the…

Allegan City Council Ballot reveals five candidates

Allegan City Council Ballot reveals five candidates

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 9 min read

By Gari Voss The Allegan City Council will have a number of new faces after the November 5, 2024, election. As the term of councilmembers comes to an end, three current members will be retiring. Those are the current mayor…

South Haven Skate Park reopens

South Haven Skate Park reopens

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 2 min read

James Windell The newly reconstructed South Haven Skate Park was officially opened on Sunday, September 29 with a ceremony highlighted by South Haven Mayor Annie Brown cutting the red ribbon.The just-completed and refurbished skate park is located at 901 East…

Groundbreaking celebrates beginning of water system improvements

Groundbreaking celebrates beginning of water system improvements

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 4 min read

James Windell The Standpipe on Blue Star Highway, a water storage tank that was built more than 100 years ago, is literally falling apart and must be replaced with a new water storage tower. A new water pump station is…

South Haven Police Department Issues statement on investigation of anti-Semitic fliers

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 2 min read

SOUTH HAVEN – The South Haven Police Department released the following statement on Monday, Sept. 30, regarding the investigation into anti-Semitic fliers that were distributed in several neighborhoods overnight (Sunday, Sept. 29).“The South Haven Police Department condemns in the strongest…

Convicted felon arrest in Geneva Township

Convicted felon arrest in Geneva Township

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 2 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com GENEVA TWP. – A 30-year-old South Haven area felon faces a charge of resisting and obstructing, following his arrest Thursday, Sept. 26, in Geneva Township, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff…

Paw Paw-Lawton Lodge marks 175th Anniversary

Paw Paw-Lawton Lodge marks 175th Anniversary

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 2 min read

On Saturday, Sept. 28, the Paw Paw-Lawton Lodge marked its 175th anniversary, holding a rededication ceremony, followed by a luncheon, and speakers. Members of the Paw Paw-Lawton Lodge 25 are shown. Also taking part in the rededication ceremony were state…

Commissioners approve agreement with MSU for MSU Extension services

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 6 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Van Buren County Commissioners on Sept. 24, reviewed and approved the annual memorandum of agreement between Van Buren County and Michigan State University (MSU) for MSU Extension services to be provided in Van…

South Haven Police Department Issues statement on investigation of anti-Semitic fliers

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 2 min read

SOUTH HAVEN – The South Haven Police Department released the following statement on Monday, Sept. 30, regarding the investigation into anti-Semitic fliers that were distributed in several neighborhoods overnight (Sunday, Sept. 29).“The South Haven Police Department condemns in the strongest…

Chambers County escapes full wrath of Hurricane Helene

Chambers County escapes full wrath of Hurricane Helene

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 4 min read

By John BriceCorrespondent Warnings from the National Weather Service office in Birmingham last week alerting Chambers County to the imminent danger posed by Hurricane Helene resulted in school closings and canceled local events out of an abundance of caution.Fortunately for…

CCSD board holds hearing on proposed employee termination

CCSD board holds hearing on proposed employee termination

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 4 min read

CCSD school members contemplate termination of LHS school counselor. By John BriceCorrespondent During the Chambers County School District Board of Education meeting at their offices in LaFayette on Wednesday, September 25th of 2024 there was a public hearing regarding the…

Seventh sewer force main break since June reported on Gleason Rd.

Robert Tomlinson Sep 30, 2024 2 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director FABIUS TWP. — The seventh reported break in the much-maligned force main between Constantine and Three Rivers on Gleason Road since June has been confirmed by the Village of Constantine. The latest break reportedly occurred at…

Josh Gracin show at Sturges-Young postponed, reschedule date pending

Josh Gracin show at Sturges-Young postponed, reschedule date pending

Dennis Volkert Sep 30, 2024 1 min read

Josh Gracin’s performance, scheduled for Sept. 28 at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts, was postponed, due to illness.  Jamie Eymer, executive director at Sturges-Young, said organizers were notified Sept. 27 that Gracin would be unable to perform. SYCA officials are…

Lee Township man faces 33 felonies for child porn

Lee Township man faces 33 felonies for child porn

Jordan Wilcox Sep 27, 2024 1 min read

Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Casey Allen Letts, a 33-year-old man from Lee Township faces 33 felony charges related to uploading and receiving child sexually explicit material, according to a press release from the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office. On April 16th, the…

Bicyclist killed in drunk hit and run near Pullman

Bicyclist killed in drunk hit and run near Pullman

Jordan Wilcox Sep 27, 2024 2 min read

Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher On Thursday, September 19th, at 10:16 pm, 50-year-old, Tracey Lynn Decker was fatally struck by an SUV while riding her bicycle on 111th Avenue near 55th Street in Lee Township. Luckily, Decker’s teenage daughter was riding with…

Local school districts reiterate student safety commitment following school threats

Robert Tomlinson Sep 27, 2024 4 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Following multiple incidents of threats against local school districts, local school leaders this week addressed how they handle those reports, as well as asked the community to think twice about how they spread…