Mildred Baker turns 100 years old, Lutheran Church to celebrate
Mildred Baker, a lifelong Belleville resident who now resides in Sumpter Township, turned 100 years old on April 2 with a quiet party at her residence. The Belleville City Council[…]
Supt.: BHS Cosmetology class CTE designation ‘a feather in our cap’
At the March 9 meeting of the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education director of instruction Jill Marvaso reported the Michigan Department of Education has designated the Cosmetology class[…]
Lionel Lamont Vincent serving 75 years to life for two VBT murders
On Oct. 31, 2025, a Wayne County Circuit Court jury found Lionel Lamont Vincent, 52, guilty of one count of first-degree, premeditated murder and not guilty of a second count[…]
Editorial: What a great time of year — Sunshine, flowers, Easter
The bright-yellow daffodils are in bloom along the side of the Smith house next door to where we park at the newspaper office in Belleville. Richard Smith’s late mother planted[…]
Planning consultant Vidya Krishnan retires after 27 years at VBT
“I gave it my everything,” said Vidya Krishnan in her final farewells to the Van Buren Township Planning Commission on March 25 after 27 years of service. “After 27 years,[…]
Country living at its finest: ‘That’s bull crap’ says Sumpter supervisor
“Country living at its finest? That’s bull crap,” said Sumpter Township supervisor Tim Bowman referring to the township’s motto at the March 24 board meeting. He said the dirt roads[…]
VBT DDA approves $72,407.50 more for new pathway along Tyler Rd.
At its March 24 meeting, the Van Buren Township Downtown Development Authority approved spending $72,407.50 more for the Tyler Road Non-Motorized Pathway Design from Quirk Road to east of Morton[…]
Belleville DDA agrees to spend $3,500, plus, for Civic Duty Education Day
Trische Duckworth, director of Survivors Speak, presented her proposal for a Civic Duty Education Day in Belleville sometime this spring. This was at the regular meeting of the Belleville Downtown[…]
‘Belleville Three’ to make special appearance at Diamondback in VBT
“The Belleville Three,” a group of three Belleville High School students who are credited with inventing Detroit Techno music, will return to town for a May 22 performance at the[…]
Sumpter public safety director Luke corrects information in story
Sumpter public safety director and police chief Eric Luke sent the following email message on March 26. “I’m reaching out to correct information reported in the Independent’s March 26 story[…]
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