News
Douglas buys old hospital as new city service site
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
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…
Lynx Golf Course set to host Patriot Golf Day
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorThe Lynx Golf Course—located at 900 Lincoln Rd. in Otsego—will host its Fourth Annual Patriot Golf Day on Friday, Sept. 1.The event raises funds for the Folds of Honor Scholarship Fund for military families throughout Michigan, with…
Nominations open for Chris Hass Volunteer Award
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Do you know someone who has volunteered his or her time to help make the City of Plainwell a better place to live?If so, that person could be the 2023 Chris Haas Volunteer of the Year.The…
Allegan Out Loud brightens Allegan’s Riverfront Plaza
By Gari Voss Allegan, Speak Up hosted their 2nd Annual Allegan Out Loud: Pride – The Celebration of the Freedom to Love, on August 4-5, 2023.The Friday evening, August 4th, So You Think You Can Drag competition went into the…
Feds charge local woman with posing as a nurse
On August 1, 2023, a criminal complaint against Leticia Gallarzo of Plainwell from FBI Special Agent Tiffany Eagles was filed with U.S. Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens with information regarding identity theft which included possessing, transferring, and using the means…
Graffiti frustrates Wayland leaders
By Gari Voss Wayland has been encouraging the designing of colorful murals around the city. In that frame, alleys have been brought to life using colorful designs and images. What has been termed the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) alley or…
Area Briefs
Girl Scouts will Host S’mores Day Celebration Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan will host a National S’mores Day celebration, Aug. 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. at their Kalamazoo Regional Center. The event is free and open to the community.The…
Employee walks away with $700k from Four Winds Casino
HARTFORD TOWNSHIP – An employee at a Hartford Township casino is accused of stealing $700,000 from the facility, according to authorities.Danika Nicole Young, 38, was arrested Aug. 2, and charged with embezzlement by an employee of $100,000 or more.According to…
Night Out honors first responders
Marking the 40th year of National Night Out, many area first responders, police, fire personnel and others gathered in South Haven to take part in the event, held at the Huron Street Pavilion, 546 Phoenix St., on Aug. 1, from…
Attorney General attends memorial for fallen deputy in LaFayette
By John BriceCorrespondent Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall attended a memorial service at the Chambers County Courthouse on Monday, August 7th of 2023 paying tribute to the life of Chambers County Sheriff Deputy J’Mar Colin Abel who had lost his…
Broadband expansion efforts underway in Chambers County
By John BriceCorrespondent Expansion of broadband internet services in rural areas of Chambers County is being supported by a virtual online teleconference sponsored by the Alabama Community Broadband Technical Assistance Program scheduled for Wednesday, August 9th of 2023 at 12pm…
Lowry, Mims move on to November in mayoral race
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Voters in Three Rivers have selected their top two candidates to square off for the mayor’s seat in November. On Tuesday, incumbent Mayor Tom Lowry and challenger Vernis Mims took the top two…
More details released on Sturgis double homicide, suspect’s death
Sturgis Director of Public Safety Ryan Banaszak (right) and St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman (left) address media on a double homicide in Sturgis in a press conference at the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department Monday. (COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON)…
Suspect in two Sturgis homicides shot, killed by officer
STURGIS — The search for a man suspected in two homicides Saturday night ended in the suspect being killed by police. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, 30-year-old David Keith Algarin, Jr., was shot and killed by police…
Parade highlights Burr Oak Heritage Days
Burr Oak Heritage Days Festival was held July 27-30. Among numerous attractions, the annual parade was held July 29. Burr Oak Township Fire Department received the Outstanding Organization Award. Old-Fashioned farm machinery demonstrations were held at Railroad Park. Credit for all photos:Misty Ledyard…
A look at what’s on the ballot on Aug. 8
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Residents in Three Rivers and the Colon area will have a say in the future of their communities in the Tuesday, Aug. 8 election. A primary election will be held in the…
‘Tiny home’ community concept presented to Sturgis City Commission
By Dennis Volkert A unique housing concept is under consideration in Sturgis. Sturgis City Commission on July 26 heard a presentation regarding a proposed clustered single-family housing project at 208 N. Prospect St. That property is a vacant parcel owned by Sturgis Housing…
‘Urban chickens’ proposal could go to Sturgis voters in 2024
By Dennis Volkert It’s possible Sturgis voters will decide in 2024 if city residents are allowed to have chickens on their property. In March, city commissioners referred a recommendation to Sturgis Planning Commission for development of an “urban chicken” ordinance. Since then,…
Fire destroys Clare pole barn
The Clare Fire Dept responded to a report of a pole barn fire at 11706 E. Clarbella Rd. in the S. W. corner of Clare County. On arrival they found a fully involved 30’ x 50’ pole barn. The structure…
