News

3126 residences hooked up to county broadband so far

3126 residences hooked up to county broadband so far

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20242 min read

ALLEGAN — The $65 million project to bring broadband, hi-speed internet access to unserved areas of Allegan County, continues to connect residents to the world wide web. The county organized the project using $17 million in federal ARPA funds to…

Small Business Saturday brings wonderful surprises and a sad goodbye

Small Business Saturday brings wonderful surprises and a sad goodbye

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20244 min read

By Gari Voss Even with solid Black Friday sales and specials, the streets of Allegan were lined with vehicles belonging to shoppers taking advantage of Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30, 2024. Full parking spaces may have meant walking a…

Christmas Committee kicks off holiday season

Christmas Committee kicks off holiday season

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20243 min read

By John BriceCorrespondent Seasons greetings were in full swing with a tree lighting event outside the courthouse entrance in downtown LaFayette hosted by the Christmas Committee during the evening hours of Sunday, December 1st of 2024.LaFayette Christmas Committee Chair Adrian…

Marion Gains a Grocery Store and Pharmacy

Marion Gains a Grocery Store and Pharmacy

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20246 min read

By Genine Hopkins The Village of Marion lost its pharmacy over a decade ago. This year, the village lostboth its grocery store and newspaper. Many people have been very disheartened about losing somuch in their hometown. Residents of the Village…

Firefighters from six departments battle apartment fire

Firefighters from six departments battle apartment fire

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20241 min read

Firefighters from six departments responded to a blaze in a two-story residential structure at the Picture Lake Apartments, 62nd Street south of County Road 388, Geneva Township at 6:05 p.m. Monday.The occupants safely evacuated the building. The fire was reported…

Executive Director of Chamber announces her retirement

Executive Director of Chamber announces her retirement

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20243 min read

James Windell Kathy Wagaman, who has been Executive Director of the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce since 2011, announced her plans to retire on February 28, 2025.“I am proud of the consistent growth that we have enjoyed as a…

Area Communities to usher in holiday season this weekend

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20243 min read

PAW PAW – Downtown Paw Paw’s “Christmas in the Village begins Dec. 6.Community Tree Lighting – Festivities begin at 6 p.m. in front of the Carnegie Center, 129 S. Kalamazoo St. Come together for cookies, hot cocoa, entertainment and caroling…

Major pileup closes I-94 on Monday

Major pileup closes I-94 on Monday

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20241 min read

I-94 was shut down at Mile Marker 46 near Hartford in both directions Monday afternoon, due to a multi-vehicle crash. State Police said one person was injured. Drivers were asked to seek an alternate route until the crash scene was…

80-year-old admits to trafficking drugs

80-year-old admits to trafficking drugs

Editorial StaffDec 4, 20242 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmailcom ALMENA – Charges are pending for an 80-year-old Paw Paw man who was allegedly trafficking narcotics from his Almena Township residence, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office. Van Buren County…

10-year-old child killed in Sherman Twp. crash; driver arrested

Robert TomlinsonDec 3, 20243 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director SHERMAN TWP. — A 10-year-old was killed after a driver allegedly failed to stop in Sherman Township Monday. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, the incident occurred in the area of Banker Road and…

Calhoun County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit members do more than parades

Calhoun County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit members do more than parades

Editorial StaffNov 29, 20246 min read

by Sylvia Benavidez Members of the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit come from all over the county to become an important part of Calhoun County’s law enforcement team, and they choose to do it without garnering a salary. Although the…

Hundreds Attend Jackson Downtown Parade Nov. 22

Hundreds Attend Jackson Downtown Parade Nov. 22

Editorial StaffNov 29, 20242 min read

Hundreds of local residents attended the Jackson Downtown Parade in Jackson last Friday. Local bands, service groups, and businesses highlighted the 75-minute parade on Michigan Avenue. Santa Claus brought up the rear of the parade – much to the chagrin…

Albion City Manager headhunting firm chosen, possible spring hiring, DDA reports new signage coming to city

Albion City Manager headhunting firm chosen, possible spring hiring, DDA reports new signage coming to city

Editorial StaffNov 29, 20247 min read

By Sylvia Benavidez At Monday’s Albion City Council meeting Interim City Manager Doug Terry produced a list of firms to choose from to conduct the search for a new city manager. “Winter is a notoriously bad time of year for…

Positive review, contract extension given to Road Comm. manager

Positive review, contract extension given to Road Comm. manager

Editorial StaffNov 29, 20243 min read

By Jef Rietsma CENTREVILLE – St. Joseph County Road Commission Manager John Lindsey received a positive review and contract extension in the wake of his annual job-performance evaluation last week.Following a closed session at the conclusion of their twice-a-month meeting…

Two DDA director finalists interviewed

Two DDA director finalists interviewed

Editorial StaffNov 29, 20245 min read

By Rick CordesC-N Correspondent THREE RIVERS — The two finalists for the position of Three Rivers DDA executive director met with teams of interviewers Monday morning, Nov. 25, as the process of hiring the next DDA leader moves forward.Meeting with…

Staffing addition approved for city’s fire division, website upgrade plan outlined

Editorial StaffNov 29, 20243 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Monday approved a request to add an additional staff member to the public safety fire division, and an upgrade plan for the city’s website. Ryan Banaszak, public safety director, told the board the division…

Longtime local Lions lovers attend Thanksgiving game

Longtime local Lions lovers attend Thanksgiving game

Editorial StaffNov 29, 20245 min read

By Jef Rietsma St. Joseph County was represented as part of the sellout crowd Thursday at Ford Field for the Detroit Lions’ annual Thanksgiving matinee game.The Sturgis trio of season-ticket holders said considering the feel-good season the Lions have put…

More Holiday events coming up!

Editorial StaffNov 29, 20245 min read

By Pat Maurer Small Business Saturday is TomorrowTomorrow, November 30th is Small Business Saturday! Come and support your local businesses in the Clare, Farwell, and Lake Areas!There’s truly something for everyone!See a list of participating businesses on the Clare Area…