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Left to right: Committee members Ron Colborn, Phyllis Jerke, Tabitha Banashak, Sue Krzus, Cheri Shepherd, Steve Shepherd, Alice Paulsen Text and photo courtesy of Sharon Melko    Take a book. Share a book. At Big Fish Lake that is easy to do by visiting the two Little Free Libraries. The Big Fish Lake Property Owners […]

CASS COUNTY, Mich. — With the August Primary Election just over a month away, Cass County Clerk/Register Monica McMichael would like to remind voters of proper procedure for voting in a primary. As with typical primary elections, voters are only permitted to cast votes for candidates in one party. In Cass County, there will be two party sections listed on the ballot: Republican Party and Democratic Party. If a ballot is split (or contains votes in morethan one political party), the ballot will be rejected. “In August, we have more spoiled ballots than any other election,” McMichael said. “The last thing we want is for someone’svote to not count.” When a ballot is spoiled, the voting tabulator rejects it, and the voter may get a new ballot and vote again so their vote willcount. However, when voters submit absentee ballots that are spoiled, the voter does not have an opportunity to vote again. Forthis reason, McMichael encourages those not able to go to the polls on Election Day to take advantage of early in-personvoting. “That way if you make a mistake, you can fix it,” McMichael said. Early in-person voting is a result of Proposal 2, an effort to expand access to voting passed by Michigan voters […]

On Monday, June 17, 2024, Marti Kouder, Auxiliary Treasurer, presented a quilt to 92-year-old veteran Hank Yeomans, pictured above. Kouder made the quilt to thank him for his service and to commemorate his “Talons Out” trip to Washington, DC, last month. Hank is the post’s oldest active member. The quilt is done in red, white […]

Cassopolis, MI.  Helping Hands of Cass County is holding its 1st Annual Hole in One and Putting Contest on Friday July 5, 2024, at Diamond Lake Golf Club in Cassopolis at 6:30 pm.  The organization’s fundraising goal for 2024 is $50,000.  “We know that transportation is an issue for many of our Cass County neighbors.  We […]

Thelda Mathews, seated, was honored recently by the SMC Board of Trustees. With Thelda are, left to right, SMC President Dr. Joe Odenwald, former president Dr. David Mathews, and SMC Board Chairman Tom Jerdon.    Thelda Mathews wasn’t on Southwestern Michigan College’s founding board or any subsequent board, either. But she was instrumental in getting a […]

The South Haven/Van Buren County Convention & Visitors Bureau (SHVB CVB) announced the launch of the Pure Michigan Trail Town Challenge, running through the end of October 2024. Visitors and locals are invited to explore South Haven’s many trails through a gamified experience, tracking their progress to win prizes.  Participants begin by signing up free on the […]

Buonarrotiby John Mooy This is a bit of an unusual name.  Did he grow up in Marcellus?  Perhaps he was from Lawton or Schoolcraft.  Do you recognize the name?  You do know of him.  How about if I help and give you his first name, Michelangelo.  Of course, you recognize him as a famous artist […]

A budget-friendly alarm clock: the knocker-upper by Paula Johnson Questions:1. Who was Billy the Kid?2. When someone sneezes, what does the common German reply, “Gesundheit,” mean?3. What is a kerfuffle?4. What is the name of the mallet a judge uses on the bench?5. Which candy bar is America’s favorite by measure of consumption. 6. Why is […]

Mexico’s president-elect faces longstanding ag problems by Alan Guebertfarmandfoodfile.com While Americans still face a long season of political campaigning, more than 80 other nations this year or are about to go to the polls.    For example, France’s general elections will be held June 30, the United Kingdom’s on July 4 and Venezuela on July […]