News

By Scott SullivanEditorSaugatuck City Council last Thursday OK’d three short-term rental measures but nixed a proposed 6-month moratorium on new licenses in residential areas.The latter measure, which drew many public and council comments during a 3-plus-hour meeting, failed by a…

Mid- to late March 2024 the $7.2 million M-89 highway improvement project from 28th St. to the beginning of M-222 (Monroe St.) will include the intersection of M-89 and M-40 in the City of Allegan. The Michigan Department of Transportation…

Washington Street Elementary held an award ceremony in recognition of its Literacy Leader Award on Tuesday, Feb. 27. (Photo provided) Staff and students at Otsego’s Washington Street Elementary School received a Literacy Leader Award from the organization TalentFirst on Tuesday,…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Congratulations are in order for a pair of businesses in downtown Plainwell.Bushel & A Peck and Passiflora were among the small businesses selected to participate in the Optimize Main Street program.Sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development…

Members of the Otsego school board presented OPS superintendent Jeff Haase with boxes of “favorite things” in honor of Superintendent Appreciation Day. (Photo provided) By Jason WesseldykSports Editor January is School Board Appreciation Month. The first full week of May…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor MONROE—After VEX Robotics held its state championships for middle school and high school teams the previous two weeks, it was time for the elementary teams to take center stage.The VEX IQ State Championship took place at…

By John BriceCorrespondent During his comments at the Lanett City Council meeting on March 4th of 2024, Councilman for District One Tony Malone strongly criticized the executive performance of Mayor Jamie Heard since he took office.Speaking candidly throughout his extended…

By John BriceCorrespondent Following the recent retirement of LaFayette Police Department Chief George Rampey, a luncheon was held to celebrate the notable occasion at The Venue on Alabama Avenue East in downtown LaFayette during the midday hours of Thursday, February…

PAW PAW – The 2024 Presidential Primary election cycle was historical in more ways than one, according to Van Buren County Clerk Suzie Roehm, commenting on the election held Tuesday, Feb. 27.“First, we implemented Early Voting for the first time…

HARTFORD – The City of Hartford has announced that Nicol Brown has been named the new city manager for Hartford. Brown will begin her new role on Wednesday, March 6.Brown previously served as the executive director for the St. Joseph…

By Genine Hopkins Harrison has lost a few restaurants over the years, more recently with the closing of theBudd Lake Bar. But a Grand Blanc restaurant group – Great Lakes Taco Bell LLC – has a goalof bringing Taco Bell…

In one of the opening scenes from the Three Rivers High School production of “Freaky Friday,” Katherine Blake (left, played by Arwen Burkey) and Ellie Blake (right, played by Natalie Moore) get in an argument and break a magical hourglass,…

St. Joseph County 45th Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman issues his ruling on a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit by Tom Lowry against Lockport Township and Park Township during a hearing Wednesday. (COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON) By Robert TomlinsonNews Director…

By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck short-term rental discussions may come to a head Thursday, Feb. 29, when city council weighs placing a 6-month moratorium on new rental licenses in the R-1 Residential district. Council’s workshop last Wednesday brought a spirited…

By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck City Manager Ryan Heise has resigned for “personal reasons and opportunities for professional development” on heels of an unexplained three-week absence. “It became widely known six months ago,” said Mayor Lauren Stanton, “that Ryan had…

The City of Otsego is accepting development proposals for the old Elks Lodge at 113 S. Farmer St. By Aaron MitchellOtsego City Manager The City of Otsego recently has taken possession of the former Elks Lodge located at 113 S.…

A total of 26 teams representing elementary schools in Plainwell, Otsego, Hopkins and Martin participated in the annual Battle of the Books competition at the Plainwell Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 24.And it was the Bookshelf Bandits from Plainwell’s…

The Lifelong Learners, a group for senior citizens sponsored by the community education departments from Otsego and Plainwell, held its most recent event on Thursday, Feb. 15. Attendees played bingo in addition to enjoying refreshments and prizes. (Photos provided)

Plainwell students who competed at the VEX State Championship were (back from left) Blaine Rensi, Aiden Mallory, JD Fritz, Ayden Young, Clay Rankin, (middle) Blayne Withrow, Luca Cassada, Aiden Glass, Kolton Johnson, and Kevin Vicenzi, (front) Owen Ferris, Isaiah Looney-McPhillips,…

By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN – Voting in the presidential primary during the state’s first venture into early voting yielded sparse participation in the county.“The low turnout set off alarm bells for the budgets of local governments that must staff polls…