News

Deputy found not guilty of causing death 

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20231 min read

A former Allegan County deputy accused of hitting and killing a woman in a 2022 high-speed crash was found not guilty last ThursdayThomas Goggins, 43, was previously charged with moving violation causing death and moving violation causing serious impairment, according…

Pedestrian killed inaccident

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20231 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN – Allegan County Central Dispatch picked up a call on Aug. 13 on a car-pedestrian crash on 26th St near 108th Ave in Trowbridge Township.Sgt. Bernard Austhof of the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department said the preliminary investigation shows…

VIBSD gives away hundreds of backpacks

VIBSD gives away hundreds of backpacks

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20231 min read

LAWRENCE – The Van Buren Intermediate School District held its annual Van Buren County Backpack Giveaway Thursday, Aug. 10, at the Van Buren Tech, 250 South St., here, as part of their Back-to-School Bonanza 2023. Backpacks were handed out free…

South Haven’s Salute to Veterans Weekend pays tribute to heroes

South Haven’s Salute to Veterans Weekend pays tribute to heroes

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20233 min read

South Haven, 18-19 August 2023 – South Haven is gearing up for a weekend of heartfelt gratitude and patriotism as it prepares to host the annual Salute to Veterans Weekend on August 18th and 19th. With a range of meaningful…

Food Truck Festival enjoyed by many

Food Truck Festival enjoyed by many

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20231 min read

By Pamela Whitlow LaFayette Mainstreet kicked off its second Summer Food Truck Festival last Friday. What started out as severe thunderstorm warnings with floods of rain all week literally up until the 4:00pm starting hour ended up being a night…

Homeowner tells council home is safe, repairs being made

Editorial StaffAug 16, 20235 min read

By John BriceCorrespondent The LaFayette City Council met on Monday, August 14th of 2023 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…

County commission seeks removal of sheriff

County commission seeks removal of sheriff

Robert TomlinsonAug 15, 202311 min read

St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite (center) makes a brief presentation on the state of the sheriff’s department during Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. Commissioners approved drafting a complaint letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to possibly remove…

“Out and About” Golden years, protecting records, and food tips

“Out and About” Golden years, protecting records, and food tips

Editorial StaffAug 11, 20233 min read

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore RooseveltI was raised in Michigan and in 1996, after spending over thirty years living in several other parts of the United States, returned home to live out the rest of my…

City: Lead levels in tap water above state ‘action level’

City: Lead levels in tap water above state ‘action level’

Editorial StaffAug 11, 20237 min read

COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSONPictured is the Three Rivers water tower. On Aug. 3, the city informed residents about lead levels in the city’s water being above an “action level” from the state, based on six homes out of 47 tested…

Sturgis Hospital receives designation as ‘Rural Emergency Hospital’

Sturgis Hospital receives designation as ‘Rural Emergency Hospital’

Editorial StaffAug 11, 20233 min read

Sturgis Hospital has received designation as a “Rural Emergency Hospital,” a step that may alleviate some pressure as officials seek a buyer.  (Dennis Volkert photo)  By Dennis Volkert Sturgis Hospital has received designation as a “Rural Emergency Hospital.” The designation was…

Bobalik announces retirement as clerk in Sturgis Township

Bobalik announces retirement as clerk in Sturgis Township

Editorial StaffAug 11, 20232 min read

Mike Bobalik formally announced his retirement as clerk for Sturgis Township, effective Sept. 1. (Dennis Volkert photo) Mike Bobalik has announced his retirement as clerk for Sturgis Township, effective Sept. 1. He made the formal proclamation Monday at the monthly meeting of…

Two killed in Sturgis homicides, suspect killed by police following chase

Two killed in Sturgis homicides, suspect killed by police following chase

Editorial StaffAug 11, 20235 min read

Dashcam footage shows officers with their guns drawn following the vehicle pursuit of David Algarin Jr. Sunday morning. (Screenshot via St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department) By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — Two people were killed in a double homicide in…

A closer look at Marion’s Old-Fashion Day celebration

A closer look at Marion’s Old-Fashion Day celebration

Editorial StaffAug 11, 20232 min read

By Aaron Michell Old Fashioned Days is always a big deal around Marion, but this year’s celebration was perhaps the biggest and best in quite some time. Perfect weather, combined with an increase in events, vendors, and visitors, and the…

Old U.S. 27 Motor Tour to drive through Clare, Harrison

Old U.S. 27 Motor Tour to drive through Clare, Harrison

Editorial StaffAug 11, 20234 min read

By Kaitlyn Campbell The Old U.S. 27 Motor Tour is coming back for its 17th year, and it’s going to be making stops in Clare and Harrison.The motor tour is going to be starting in Coldwater and ending in Cheboygan,…

Sen. Debbie Stabenow visits Dairy Phil in Clare for its 70th birthday

Sen. Debbie Stabenow visits Dairy Phil in Clare for its 70th birthday

Editorial StaffAug 11, 20232 min read

The iconic Dairy Phil in Clare had its 70th birthday last Friday, and a former employee and special guest joined in on the celebration.United States Senator Debbie Stabenow took a visit to Clare and Dairy Phil, allowing her to think…

Charges filed in GOP lawmaker altercations at Doherty Hotel

Charges filed in GOP lawmaker altercations at Doherty Hotel

Editorial StaffAug 11, 20232 min read

Kelly Sackett Melissa Pehlis James Chapman By Kaitlyn Campbell In April and July of this year, Clare County made national news when two different altercations between Michigan Republican Party lawmakers occurred at the Doherty Hotel. Now, on August 9, Prosecutor…

Marion school millage passes

Editorial StaffAug 11, 20232 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION –The Marion Village Council had a meeting on Monday night and president Flora Grundy said the village is in the process of hiring an ordinance enforcement officer, and several tickets have been issued for blight in…

Marion hiring ordinance enforcement officer

Editorial StaffAug 11, 20232 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – At last week’s Board of Commissioners meeting, the board approved the Prosecutor’srequest for an Intern Assistant Prosecutor.Commissioners approved the EMT Class at Pine River High School for the 2023/2024 school year. The board approved the…

Douglas buys old hospital as new city service site

Editorial StaffAug 9, 20233 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorDouglas City Council Monday OK’d buying the now largely-empty “old hospital” property at 415 Wiley Road east of Blue Star Highway for $1.5 million eyeing in the next 2 to 5 years consolidating municipal services on that site.The…

City manager interviews begin

Editorial StaffAug 9, 20231 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorDouglas City Council, apprised July 24 fourth-year city manager Rich Labombard would resign effective Aug. 25, has wasted little time seeking at least an interim successor.Members Aug. 3 interviewed interim candidate Susan Montenegro (shown at left) and learned…