News

School Boys & Girls Club is on the grow

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20252 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorKids come in rambunctious. It’s 3 p.m., school’s out, mom or dad can’t pick them up until they get out of work. Where to go?At Douglas Elementary, they have a place. The school’s Boys and Girls Club, an…

Ferry Street could reopen by next week

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20252 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorFerry Street — a key link to homes and tourist attractions including Mt. Baldhead and Oval Beach and Ox-Bow art school — may reopen as soon as next week, Douglas City Manager Lisa Nocerini says.It’s been seven months…

OPS named National Showcase District again

OPS named National Showcase District again

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Otsego Public Schools has once again been recognized for its commitment to cultivating a safe, supportive learning environment for its students.For the second straight year, OPS has been named a National Showcase District by the organization…

Island City Fest returns as one-day event for 2025

Island City Fest returns as one-day event for 2025

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Island City Festival is returning to Plainwell this summer … albeit with some changes compared to last year’s event.Organizers announced on Sunday, April 27, that this year’s Island City Festival will be a single day…

Adjacent tenant makes own door to restaurant

Adjacent tenant makes own door to restaurant

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20252 min read

On Thursday April 24, 2025 at 11:10 p.m. the Clare County Central Dispatch received a call from the owner of the Jack Pine Restaurant located at 231 E. Main St in Harrison, reporting seeing a subject inside the restaurant on…

Allegan ends consideration of contracting out police services

Allegan ends consideration of contracting out police services

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20253 min read

The City of Allegan has ended its consideration of contracting out police services. After community input sessions and a review of a potential agreement with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office, the City decided to end further discussion of a budget option…

Baseline Road crash ends with truck in lake, one dead, several injured

JordanApr 30, 20252 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Around 7:30pm on Saturday, April 26th, Allegan County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene of a tragic vehicle crash on Baseline Road, near Hillside Drive and Baseline Lake, in-between Allegan and Gobles.According to the Sheriff’s…

Sheriff Department shuts down illegal marijuana grow

Sheriff Department shuts down illegal marijuana grow

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20253 min read

Blackman School By Gari Voss Trowbridge Township announced that the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department shut down illegal marijuana grow operations at the old Blackman School and in a pole barn behind it. Trowbridge established a marijuana ordinance, but there are…

South Haven Area Emergency Services honors members

South Haven Area Emergency Services honors members

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20253 min read

SOUTH HAVEN – When Ron Wise retired as Executive Director (Chief) of South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) in 2020 he didn’t put away his helmet and boots.Instead, he changed from wearing the traditional white helmet of Chief to the…

South Haven police chief quits after he failed to resign previous job

South Haven police chief quits after he failed to resign previous job

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20254 min read

By James Windell After new revelations came to light, the South Haven Police Chief resigned on April 23, 2025.The second police chief to resign this year, Dennis Honholt began his duties on April 1, 2025. Just 23 days later, Honholt…

Ship grounded due to low river / lake level

Ship grounded due to low river / lake level

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20251 min read

Friends Goodwill was unable to leave port in South Haven for a Holland Tulip Time visit next week due to the low river/lake water level.

Two to oppose Brown for South Haven mayor

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20252 min read

James Windell Several candidates in the races for South Haven’s Mayor and for open City Council positions met the filing requirements and will appear on the August Primary ballot.Incumbent Mayor Annie Brown will be opposed by present City Council member…

City Council approves Community Recreation Director agreement

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20253 min read

By James Windell After the South Haven Area Recreation Authority presented the South Haven City Council with an amended Community Recreation Director agreement, the City Council unanimously approved the agreement on Monday, April 21, 2025.Scott Reinert, SHARA Recreation Administrator director,…

Seventy walk to overcome poverty

Seventy walk to overcome poverty

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20251 min read

With temperatures in the mid-60s, the 43rd annual Van Buren County CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk was held Sunday afternoon, April 27. Stepping off at the Paw Paw United Methodist Church, the walk made its way through Downtown…

Paw Paw winery demolishes building for expanded parking

Paw Paw winery demolishes building for expanded parking

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20251 min read

The demolition of a former auto dealership, then converted to several small shops, took place last week in Paw Paw on Kalamazoo Street. The building, owned by St. Julian Winery, located adjacent to the site, was razed to make way…

Volunteers honored for longtime service

Volunteers honored for longtime service

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20251 min read

Retired Paw Paw business owners, Mike and Marlene Lake, who operated M & M Sweet Shop in downtown Paw Paw for 21 years, retiring in 1993, retired last week from their volunteer jobs at Lakeview Foundation Community Thrift Shop. Mike,…

Destination Paw Paw builds momentum at community recap event

Destination Paw Paw builds momentum at community recap event

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20252 min read

PAW PAW – Destination Paw Paw, a division of the Van Buren County CVB, gathered community members and partners at St. Julian Winery, here, on April 24 to celebrate the early successes of its newly launched brand. Destination Paw Paw officially…

One arrested, another suspect sought in ongoing assault investigation; multiple firearms seized

One arrested, another suspect sought in ongoing assault investigation; multiple firearms seized

Robert TomlinsonApr 29, 20252 min read

SHERMAN TWP. — A suspect was arrested Sunday for an alleged assault in Sherman Township, with deputies searching for a second suspect. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the emergency room at Sturgis Hospital…

U.S. 12 resurfacing begins May 5 in Sturgis

Robert TomlinsonApr 29, 20251 min read

STURGIS — A road resurfacing project in Sturgis begins next week, which will include detours and lane closures for some parts of a major thoroughfare in the city. On May 5, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) workers along with Lakeland…

Three Rivers spring trash collection to use dump passes, dumpsters instead of curbside pickup

Robert TomlinsonApr 28, 20254 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers residents will have a much different process for city-wide trash collection this spring. Three Rivers City Hall announced on their Facebook page Saturday, April 19, that there will be two options…