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Drainage Ditch

This is one of the old drainage ditches in Mentha, Michigan
January 15, 2024

#photography #reflections #blueskyartshow #snow #winter #michigan #vanburencounty #mentha
February 9, 2025 at 2:37 PM
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Mentha, Van Buren County, Michigan.
Infrared photo; 720nm.

#photography #blueskyartshow #thejourney
#countryroad #dirtroad #sky #clouds #michigan #vanburencounty #infrared #blackandwhite
A black and white photo. A dirt road divides two corn fields. There are trees on the horizon. There are massive clouds in the sky.
March 22, 2025 at 12:34 PM
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Prospect Hill Cemetery in Paw Paw, Michigan, features two well-preserved, full-size dog monuments.

#photography #cemetery #pawpaw #vanburencounty #michigan #dog
November 21, 2025 at 2:37 AM
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DeHaven's Store, Lawrence, Michigan

Built in 1874.
Style: Italianate.
Designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1979
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshal...

#photography #architecture #vanburencounty #nationalregisterofhistoricplaces
August 24, 2025 at 2:08 PM
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Just barely awake

Round Lobed Hepatica, Portman Nature Preserve, Paw Paw, Michigan (an SWMLC preserve).
April 4, 2025

iPhone 15 Pro Max with Moment 75mm macro lens.

#photography #spring #michigan #vanburencounty #hepatica #wildflower #forestfloor
April 5, 2025 at 2:39 PM
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Downtown Lawrence, Michigan.
#photography #pickuptruck #vanburencounty #smalltown #michigan
Two small brick storefronts with large front windows, one with a red door and the other with a black door, stand side by side on a sunny day. The building on the right has dark shingle siding on the upper floor with two windows. A green and white Ford pickup truck is parked in front along the street.
August 24, 2025 at 2:20 PM
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Final year of I-196 culvert replacement project in #VanBurenCounty starts Monday www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-ou...
Orange barrels along a highway.
February 25, 2025 at 8:51 PM
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Lacota Cemetery, Lacota, Van Buren County, Michigan.
Lacota was a stop on the Kalamazoo & South Haven Railroad, which operated under different names between 1869 and 1970.
#photography #cemetery #michigan #vanburencounty
Several rows of old headstones in an old cemetery. Overcast weather. there is a field on the other side of the bare trees. It is the time between winter and spring; nothing is growing yet, and the last fall's leaves still litter the grounds. A wide view of the Lacota cemetery's burying field. Overcast weather. Bare trees mark the cemetery's boundaries. It is the time between winter and spring; nothing is growing yet, and the last fall's leaves still litter the grounds.
March 16, 2025 at 2:36 PM
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Westbound I-94 lane closure in #VanBurenCounty starts Sunday, Nov. 2 www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-ou...
Orange cones along a freeway.
October 30, 2025 at 7:42 PM
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Eastbound I-94 pavement repairs in #VanBurenCounty start April 28 www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-ou...
Orange cones along a freeway.
April 22, 2025 at 6:57 PM
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Bridge maintenance along I-196, M-140 starts Monday, July 7, in #VanBurenCounty www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-ou...
Orange barrels along a highway.
July 3, 2025 at 7:29 PM
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Van Buren County is taking bold steps to address critical public behavioral health funding shortfalls, with a resolution set for approval that could reshape support for veterans and communities.

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#VanBurenCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #PublicBehavioralHealth #CommunitySupport
County Board passes resolution to address behavioral health funding shortfall
Board approves resolution to tackle public behavioral health funding issues at June 10 meeting.
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May 27, 2025 at 7:29 PM
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Van Buren County is making waves as they appoint David Garape to lead the Remonumentation program while considering the controversial elimination of the elected county surveyor position.

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#VanBurenCounty #MI #GovernmentEfficiency #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety
County Board Appoints David Garepi as Remonumentation Program Representative
The board appoints David Garepi to represent the county in the remonumentation program.
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August 13, 2025 at 4:45 PM
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Concerns about privacy and data retention are heating up in Van Buren County as residents question the planned installation of Flock Safety surveillance cameras.

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#VanBurenCounty #TN #SurveillanceEthics #CitizenPortal #VanBurenCountyPrivacy #PublicSafety #DataPrivacy
Privacy concerns raised over Flock Safety cameras; sheriff's office says devices help investigations
A resident urged Van Buren County commissioners to pause plans for Flock Safety surveillance cameras, citing the company's terms, data retention and possible feature changes; the chief deputy sheriff said the county's planned devices do not, to his knowledge, include facial recognition or audio and recommended inviting a Flock representative to the next meeting.
citizenportal.ai
July 22, 2026 at 1:40 AM
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Van Buren County just secured $25,000 to launch the "Healthy Varian Asset Inventory" project, paving the way for vital regional planning efforts!

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#VanBurenCounty #MI #CommunityDevelopment #RegionalPlanning #TechnicalAssistance #CitizenPortal #VanBurenCountyAssets
Commission approves $25,000 service agreement with Southwest Michigan Planning to support regional asset inventory
The board approved a $25,000 service agreement with Southwest Michigan Planning to support the 'Healthy Varian Asset Inventory' project; an external partner asked the board to expedite approval due to a project deadline and the board amended the motion to allow approval by voice vote today.
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December 18, 2025 at 9:48 PM
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Van Buren County's death statistics are back to pre-COVID levels, with notable declines in suicides and opioid-related deaths, but what does this mean for the community's health?

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#VanBurenCounty #MI #VanBurenCounty #DataTransparency #CrisisIntervention #PublicHealth
Medical examiner: Van Buren deaths returned to pre‑COVID levels; suicides and opioid deaths trended down in 2024
John Storer presented an excerpt of the 2024 medical examiner report covering 14 counties, saying Van Buren recorded about 503 reported deaths in 2024, 382 cremation permits (76%), nine suicides (down from 16), 13 drug‑related deaths (five involving opioids) and three pediatric infection‑related deaths; COVID‑listed deaths are now rare.
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December 18, 2025 at 9:46 PM
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Van Buren County's veterans services director warns that new Michigan grant changes could jeopardize critical support programs for local veterans.

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#VanBurenCounty #MI #VeteranSupport #CitizenPortal #GrantFundingIssues #CivicAccountability #VanBurenCountyVeterans
Veterans services director says state MVAA grant changes and delays could limit locally run programs
Van Buren County's veterans services director told commissioners that recent Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) guidance changes and pending awards are constraining grant funding for programs such as dental and relief, though the county's local millage provides operating flexibility.
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October 15, 2025 at 10:27 AM
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Van Buren County is taking a giant leap in agricultural education with the addition of a new consumer horticulturist and expanded staffing for innovative programs!

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#VanBurenCounty #MI #VeteranSupport #CitizenPortal #AgriculturalEducation #VanBurenCountyAgriculture
Van Buren County Agribusiness Educators Welcome New Horticulturist Doctor Leslie Judd
Van Buren County announces hiring of Doctor Leslie Judd as new consumer horticulturist.
citizenportal.ai
September 9, 2025 at 6:30 AM
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Van Buren County is taking bold steps towards financial efficiency with a new choice waiver and major changes in labor practices that could reshape public services for years to come.

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#VanBurenCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #HealthServices #PublicTransit #VanBurenCountyTaxpayers
State Mandates In-Person Office Days for Health Department Starting October 1
State requires health department to return to office three days a week from October 1.
citizenportal.ai
September 9, 2025 at 6:29 AM
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Van Buren County's vital victim services are facing drastic funding cuts, jeopardizing support for those in need at a time when demand has never been higher.

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#VanBurenCounty #MI #CommunityEducation #CitizenPortal #VanBurenCountyVictimServices #FundingChallenges
Michigan Domestic Violence Services Faces Funding Cuts and Staff Reductions
Funding cuts threaten Michigan victim services as staff positions are eliminated and grants end.
citizenportal.ai
September 9, 2025 at 6:28 AM
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Van Buren County is grappling with the urgent need for elder care funding as lobbying pressures threaten vital home-based services for an aging population.

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#VanBurenCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #VanBurenCountyElderCare #AgingPopulation #HomeCareFunding #MedicaidChallenges
Speaker Addresses Medicaid Funding Challenges for Home Care and Nursing Homes in Southwest Michigan
Discussion highlights concerns over Medicaid funding disparities affecting aging population care.
citizenportal.ai
September 9, 2025 at 6:23 AM
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Van Buren County's transit services are set to soar with innovative solutions and a robust financial outlook, ensuring a bright future for public transportation despite budget uncertainties.

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#VanBurenCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #PublicTransportation #CommunityEngagement
MPTA Conference Highlights Transit Innovations and Financial Stability Amid State Budget Uncertainty
MPTA conference showcased transit advancements while state budget delays pose funding concerns.
citizenportal.ai
September 9, 2025 at 6:22 AM
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Exciting developments in Van Buren County promise to elevate local services, including a new recycling facility and equipment satellite location that aims to significantly improve community satisfaction!

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#VanBurenCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #VanBurenCountyInfrastructure
Township Develops New Recycling Facility and Equipment Location to Enhance Services
Township invests in new recycling building and satellite location to improve county infrastructure.
citizenportal.ai
August 28, 2025 at 4:18 AM
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Van Buren County law enforcement officers showcased unparalleled bravery during a July 4th parade when they faced a dangerous bomb threat, leading to heroic commendations for their swift and professional response.

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#VanBurenCounty #MI #CommunityBravery #CitizenPortal
Van Buren County SWAT Commended for Bravery During Fourth of July Bomb Incident
Under sheriff Casey Davis and his team receive commendations for their response to a bomb threat.
citizenportal.ai
August 13, 2025 at 4:52 PM
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Van Buren County officials are ramping up pressure on Mercury to respond about crucial broadband funding, risking vital services for residents if they remain uncooperative.

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#VanBurenCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #DigitalInclusion #CommunityEngagement #CivicAccountability
Geneva Township officials push for response from Mercury on ARPA federal grant
Officials seek assistance from senators to prompt Mercury's response regarding Geneva Township grant.
citizenportal.ai
August 13, 2025 at 4:50 PM