News
Commissioners approve ARPA funds for county youth center in conjunction with VBISD
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer PAW PAW – The Van Buren County Board of Commissioners approved a request Sept. 26, to authorize the use of $950,000 in ARPA funds for a Van Buren County Youth Center in conjunction with the Van…
HOPE looks to bring resources, dignity and respect for city’s homeless population
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Casey Tobias has had a caring heart for almost all of her life. She recalled, as a child in the 1970s, loading brown paper bags full of food and supplies and taking them…
Permit approvals recommended to city for two new marijuana retailers
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Two new recreational marijuana retailers could be making their way onto U.S. 131 in the coming months. On Monday, the Three Rivers Planning Commission sent special exception permit approval recommendations to the Three…
2023 St. Joseph County Grange Fair deemed a ‘successful’ event
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — The 172nd St. Joseph County Grange Fair is now in the books, and organizers say this year’s event was fairly well-received by the community. Compared to previous years, Fair Board Member Mindy Timm said…
Task order approved for continuation of downtown parking lot improvements in Sturgis
For the past several years, the city of Sturgis has worked to complete improvement to downtown parking lots.Sturgis City Commission has approved a task order with Fleis and Vandenbrink Engineering in the amount of $171,600 for preliminary design, final design…
Library receives approval from city for permanent posts for ‘story walk’ at Thurston Woods Park
By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Sept. 13 approved a request from Sturgis District Library to replace temporary posts with permanent posts for its “story walk/poetry walk” feature at Thurston Woods Park. In August, the Parks, Recreation, and Doyle Community…
2023 St. Joseph County Grange Fairdeemed a ‘successful’ event
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — The 172nd St. Joseph County Grange Fair is now in the books, and organizers say this year’s event was fairly well-received by the community.Compared to previous years, Fair Board Member Mindy Timm said this…
Parts of Clare health park lawsuit dismissed by judge
By Kaitlyn Campbell An Isabella County judge has dismissed some parts of a civil lawsuit that involves two would-be developers of a stalled healthcare park in Clare.On Sept. 26, Judge Mark Duthie’s opinion and order dropped civil fraud, conspiracy and…
Clare Old Fashion Day set for September 30th
On Sept. 30, the Clare County Historical Society Hosts Annual ‘Old Fashion Day,’ with the Sunshine String Band; Vera Wiltse from Michigan Barn Preservation Network; special displays; old vehicles and more. Visitors to the Clare County History Park on Old…
Clare bond project discussions continue
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent The Clare Board of Education discussed the current bond project at their regular meeting September 18. Superintendent Jim Walter reported that 45-50 people attended the last community forum and nearly two-dozen question were answered. The discussion continued,…
Faces in the Crowd: In Memory of Ken Richardson
Marion’s own Ken Richardson passed away September 18th, 2023. He was 94 years old. We were fortunate enough to speak with him a couple of years back and learn a little bit about his story. His story carries with it…
Board hears comments on cost of boat slips
By John RaffelCorrespondent MCBAIN – At last week’s Missaukee County Board of Commissioners meeting, Tom Detloff, county park user, addressed rising costs of the county boat slips and the lack of the depth of the channel to get to the…
Eymer hired as director at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts
Jamie Eymer, of LaGrange, Ind., was hired by the city of Sturgis as director at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts, effective Sept. 25. In June, Eymer joined SYCA as event coordinator. She brings experience in marketing, sales, hospitality and event…
GVACC honors several LaFayette businesses
The Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2023 Annual Membership Meeting last week at the Burrow Warehouse. The Chamber was celebrating it’s 60 years. The following businesses received awards: Emerging Business of the YearBlue Button Quilts & Embroidery…
CCSD receives judge’s approval to build new high school in Valley
By John BriceCorrespondent In the case of Lee v. Chambers County Board of Education which was presided over and ultimately ruled upon by U.S. District Court Judge W. Keith Watkins this past June, a detailed ruling was released on Friday,…
The Art Thing voting runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 7
Last year’s The Art Thing reception took place at Mezzo Coffee House. Due to growth of the event, this year’s reception is taking place at the Otsego District Library, where the artwork will be displayed. (Photos provided) By Jason WesseldykSports…
Will historic tug Reiss be scrapped?
By Scott SullivanEditorLast rites may loom for the historic Reiss tugboat when, per a classified listing last week, current owner Steve Horn hopes to sell it for scrap, cash only, Oct. 3Built in 1913 the tug, then named the Q.A.…
Otsego cross country hosts second City Championship elementary race
Students from Dix Street Elementary School prepare for the start of the City Championship cross country race. (Photo by Jason Wesseldyk) By Jason WesseldykSports Editor For the second year in a row, Otsego Public Schools hosted the City Championship cross…
Gilkey Elementary adds new book vending machine
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor On Friday, Sept. 22, Gilkey Elementary School in Plainwell held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newest addition to the building.With Gilkey reading specialist Chad Boender acting as master of ceremonies, Gilkey students, staff members and special…
