Former State Rep. John Proos was sworn in as senator after winning the seat left by longtime state senator Ron Jelinek, in November elections. “We all have an interest and a stake in the success of southwest Michigan,” Proos said of himself as a senator and his 300,000 constituents. “The challenge ahead is great.”

Cassopolis’ Wyant picked to aid Snyder

Gov.-elect Rick Snyder gave the first glimpse of how his vision to reinvent Michigan will take shape as he announced Dan Wyant of Cassopolis as his group executive for Quality of Life, a new role that will bring a more streamlined business management model to state government for the departments of Environmental Quality, Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development.

Miss Edwardsburg

For many young women in the Edwardsburg area, the Miss Edwardsburg Pageant is one of the most anticipated events of the year. This year, for the first time, the pageant was separated into two performances and Julia Myers took home the crown and the title of Miss Edwardsburg, calling the honor a “complete and total joy.”

Cassopolis stunned by state of schools

The Cassopolis school district scrambled for answers after being informed earlier this year by the Michigan Department of Education that Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School was included on the list of the state’s 92 persistently lowest-achieving schools. “There was no warning,” Superintendent Greg Witherspoon said in response. “And that was the hard part to swallow.”

Under new management in 2011

The Village of Cassopolis set off on a search for someone new to call the shots around the village after the council voted not to renew Village Manager Kevin Gillette’s contract at a meeting in October.

Chamber hosts first expo

The Edwardsburg Chamber of Commerce held its first expo, highlighting area entrepreneurs and businesses. “As a chamber we’ve decided that we’ve got to do something to promote and support the businesses in our local area,” chamber treasurer Barbara Wright said. Chamber officials reported a good turnout at the event and hope to hold an expo annually.

Cassopolis man goes missing

The Cassopolis community breathed a sigh of relief after resident Charles Edward Wagner, who went missing in July, was found. Police executed a search for Wagner who was found alive nearly two weeks later, dehydrated but in stable condition.

Storm damage in June

Severe weather made an appearance in 2010, when storms knocked out power to an estimated 80,000 customers in southwest Michigan and northwest Indiana.

Legends comes down

The case remains somewhat unsolved in the matter of a fire that destroyed Legends Bar & Grill. But six months after the fire ravaged the popular Edwardsburg restaurant —  the charred remains of the structure were torn down.

The Tea Party comes to Cassopolis

Cass County residents began their own chapter of the Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots this February. Since its first meeting, the group has grown to more than 30 members, representing many of the townships in the county.

Sam Adams Elementary groundbreaking

Ground broke on the Sam Adams Elementary School expansion project. Two new wings are planned for the school as part of the project which, by November, had gotten behind schedule by three weeks.