News

Lockport to explore possibility of considering new solar ordinance

Editorial Staff Feb 13, 2026 7 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LOCKPORT TWP. — One month removed from unanimously voting to get rid of its solar ordinance, there are now calls in Lockport Township for considering a revised and revamped version of it.At their meeting Monday, the…

Woman dies in Lockport Twp. fire

Editorial Staff Feb 13, 2026 1 min read

LOCKPORT TWP. — A Three Rivers woman died in a camper fire that occurred Saturday.According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office, the fire occurred in the 57000 block of Mitchell Road, located next to the Three Rivers Dr. Haines…

Strategies considered for Doyle roof replacement

Editorial Staff Feb 13, 2026 4 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Jan. 28 considered options for replacement of the roof at Doyle Community Center, and will assess funding options for the project.At the commission’s meeting, Daniel Root, manager of facilities, outlined two proposals, and…

Bids under review for renovation projects at Sturgis Public Schools

Editorial Staff Feb 13, 2026 3 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education on Feb. 10 was presented with bid details for several renovation projects that are in the planning phase. Here is a roundup of targeted projects, with bid detail. Three bids were submitted…

Hot chili for chilly weather: Downtown TR hosts chili cookoff

Editorial Staff Feb 13, 2026 5 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Chili lovers from around the area and beyond came to downtown Three Rivers Saturday to try a wide variety of chilis during the 2026 Three Rivers Chili Cook-off.Ten participating businesses in the downtown…

Birchwood Restaurant destroyed by electrical fire

Birchwood Restaurant destroyed by electrical fire

Editorial Staff Feb 13, 2026 4 min read

By Christopher Johnson On February 5th of this month, Farwell’s Birchwood Restaurant caught fire from what investigators determined to be electrical wiring issues. According to the Surrey Fire Department, it started in the kitchen area and billowed smoke throughout the…

Farwell Schools investigating gun threat; parent raises concerns about communication

Editorial Staff Feb 13, 2026 6 min read

By Christopher Johnson Farwell Area Schools officials are continuing an investigation into a reported gun threat that circulated among students earlier this winter, prompting concern from families. It has also renewed discussion about communication and safety procedures within the district.This…

New owners share LakeVista vision

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorBuying LakeVista Supervalu, the Saugatuck-Douglas area’s only full-service grocery store, seemed like Kismet for Pete Heinz and Darlene Bond.“We’d been dating for about a year and loved visiting here,” Darlene recalls. “On July 23, 2003 — my 40th…

Plainwell Middle School gymnasium dedicated in memory of Ryan Meert

Plainwell Middle School gymnasium dedicated in memory of Ryan Meert

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A beloved teacher, coach and community member was honored on Tuesday, Feb. 3, as Plainwell Community Schools formally dedicated the gymnasium at Plainwell Middle School in memory of Ryan Meert.Surrounded by family, friends, former students, colleagues…

Otsego residents, your water rates are going up

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 5 min read

By Aaron MitchellOtsego City Manager Telling customers that their water rates are going to increase is never a popular thing to do in a small town. Many will pull out their torches and pitchforks and head down to City Hall.However,…

Child support clinic offered for county residents

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Individuals in Allegan County who are behind on child support payments or have a bench warrant related to arrearages will have an opportunity later this month to seek help without fear of arrest.Christian Neighbors and the…

Stolen taxidermy bear found, still no suspects

Stolen taxidermy bear found, still no suspects

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 1 min read

A six-foot taxidermy bear that was stolen off of an Allegan County (Fennville) porch last month has been found, Michigan State Police (MSP) announced Monday. Wearing a fake sheriff’s badge, a holstered toy gun, necklace and ring, troopers said the…

Full speed ahead for low-cost new housing on Lowe Street

Full speed ahead for low-cost new housing on Lowe Street

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 7 min read

By Gari Voss A full compliment of Allegan City Council Members gathered on Monday, February 9, 2026, to address the business of the municipality. Much of the meeting was spent learning more about the financing process for the anticipated construction…

Boss convicted of murder after hitting 8-month-old baby with his truck

Boss convicted of murder after hitting 8-month-old baby with his truck

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 1 min read

A 56-year-old man will learn his sentence next month after pleading no contest to second-degree murder of an 8-month-old baby, after hitting and killing her with his truck.Terry Lee Boss had two charges dropped following his no contest plea on…

Take precautions to avoid a trip to the ER – stay off ice

Take precautions to avoid a trip to the ER – stay off ice

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 4 min read

By James Windell The extreme winter conditions we have experienced in South Haven this winter has made walking outside dicey – to say the least.However, with popular beaches in South Haven ice shelves have formed which attract people to take…

Former Mattawan School bus driver sues school district

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 2 min read

MATTAWAN – A former Mattawan school bus driver is suing the Mattawan Consolidated School District, alleging that she was wrongfully terminated after passing out holiday candy bags to students on her school bus, some of which contained religious messages.A 12-page complaint was filed…

Paw Paw Village Council approves Culver’s site plan

Paw Paw Village Council approves Culver’s site plan

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 3 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – The Paw Paw Village Planning Commission met Thursday, Feb. 5, for two public hearings – a site plan review for Culver’s restaurant, which has proposed building on County Road 665, near the Shell…

Doroh elected BOC chairman

Doroh elected BOC chairman

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 1 min read

Kurt Doroh, left, was recently elected the new Van Buren County Commissioner chairman, while Paul Schincariol, was elected vice chair.

Chief of Police gives praise to his officers following area’s recent harsh weather conditions

Editorial Staff Feb 11, 2026 2 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff writernew4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – In a memo to the Paw Paw Village Council at its Monday night Feb. 9 village council meeting, Paw Paw Chief of Police Eric Rottman conveyed to the council “the excellent work your…

Protestors show support of Steve Tucker at Super Bowl 60 at Michigan Theater

Protestors show support of Steve Tucker at Super Bowl 60 at Michigan Theater

Editorial Staff Feb 10, 2026 4 min read

By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer Protestors braved the freezing temperatures with hand-made signs to show their supportfor Steve Tucker, former executive director of the Michigan Theater of Jackson, Sunday, Feb. 8,from 5:30-6:30 p.m., as the theater was hosting a free Super…