Goodbye 2024… Hello 2025!

Goodbye 2024… Hello 2025!

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20245 min read

By Cindy Sasser When I think about moving forward into 2025, that old 1968 song by Tommy James & The Shondells plays in my mind…“Look over yonder… what do you seeThe sun is a risin’… most definitelyA new day is comin’……

Man who robbed Plainwell bank pleads guilty

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20241 min read

A man who threatened to blow up an Allegan County bank pleaded guilty to armed robbery las week.Police said Paul Donnelly robbed the Plainwell PNC Bank in June by claiming to have a bomb in his bag.The response caused several…

Otsego Library hosts ‘Garfield Glow Games’ event

Otsego Library hosts ‘Garfield Glow Games’ event

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20244 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Since being created by Jim Davis in the mid-1970s, Garfield the cat has become a household name.Not only did the comic strip that bore his name become the most syndicated strip in the world, but the…

Bulldog basketball includes four seniors

Bulldog basketball includes four seniors

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20241 min read

Introducing the 2024-25 LaFayette High School Bulldog Varsity Boys Basketball Team. Seniors Bulldogs include:

LaFayette police coordinate toy drive to provide gifts for families

LaFayette police coordinate toy drive to provide gifts for families

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20243 min read

By Pamela WhitlowLaFayette Police Department Sergeant Jacob Williams tells a magical Christmas story of how a Christmas Miracle came to LaFayette to serve and bless many kids in the community.One of the many goals of the LaFayette Police Department since…

Mattawan wrestlers edge Wayland

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20242 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN — Mattawan’s wrestling team edged Wayland in a thriller 37-36 in recent action.For Mattawan:Connor Taylor 165) pinned Jake Reeder in 3:13; Gage Love (175), decisioned Ryan Sipkema 7-2; Gil Santos (190) was decisioned 10-8 by Bryton…

Bakery that served South Haven for 86 years closes

Bakery that served South Haven for 86 years closes

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20242 min read

After 86 years of serving Southwest Michigan, the Golden Brown Bakery turned off its ovens and served the last customers on Saturday, Dec. 28.It marked the end of an era that made the bakery a landmark staple in downtown South…

Volkers win $1500 as Sparkle Showdown best

Volkers win $1500 as Sparkle Showdown best

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20242 min read

By James Windell South Haven has had holiday lights competitions before, but not quite like this year. The South Haven Convention and Visitors Bureau partnered with Mayor Annie Brown and Kathy Rusin of Shooting Star to sponsor the Sparkle Showdown.“This…

Upscale clothing store opens in South Haven

Upscale clothing store opens in South Haven

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20243 min read

By James Windell Layla Byrd opened Haven, an upscale clothing store in May, 2024. However, her shop, located at 550 Phoenix wasn’t quite the right location for her business.“When my mom sold the building I was in,” Byrd said recently,…

Mike’s Musings: Dose of DOGE needed to curb government spending

Mike’s Musings: Dose of DOGE needed to curb government spending

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20243 min read

Maybe DOGE has a good thing going. DOGE, the acronym for Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has been charged with eliminating waste and inefficiency at the federal government level.I have been a…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20245 min read

‘Twas a week before Christmas and all the preparations were done. Well, almost.The Nativity creche Pat received as a child is in place on the fireplace mantle. It is always the first decoration to go up and the last to…

Obituary: Louis Geresy Jr.

Obituary: Louis Geresy Jr.

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20242 min read

Age 86 of Kalamazoo passed away Saturday morning, December 21, 2024. Louie was born in Kalamazoo, on October 28, 1938, the son of Louis and Viola (Sennyes) Geresy, Sr. On January 31, 1957, he married Barbara Lee Jones who preceded…

Obituary: Charlie Richard Maxwell “Ol’ Paw Paw”

Obituary: Charlie Richard Maxwell “Ol’ Paw Paw”

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20242 min read

Charlie Richard Maxwell “Ol’ Paw Paw”, 97, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. Born in Lawton, MI, April 8, 1927, the youngest of four children to the late Thomas Maxwell and Isa (Boyce) Maxwell.From a young…

Obituary: Donald Peter Brezinski

Obituary: Donald Peter Brezinski

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20242 min read

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Donald Peter Brezinski, 78, of Paw Paw, MI. Don left us peacefully, in his sleep, Dec. 18, 2024.  Don’s life was one of profound curiosity, boundless love, and unrelenting passion…

Paw Paw’s favorite son, Charlie Maxwell passes

Paw Paw’s favorite son, Charlie Maxwell passes

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20242 min read

Charlie “Paw Paw” Maxwell played 14 years in major league baseball. Eight of those years were with the Detroit Tigers. He played in two All-Star games. He died last Friday at the age of 97. See obituaries on Pg 6.

Dr. Loomis celebrates 100th Birthday

Dr. Loomis celebrates 100th Birthday

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20241 min read

F. J. Loomis, MD celebrated his 100th birthday on December 28, 2024. In 1952 he and his wife Priscilla moved to Paw Paw upon completion of his service in the US Navy. He opened a medical practice which served newborns…

Albion resident Orlando Billingsley sentenced to 40-60 years for murder of Battle Creek resident Stanley Wilson

Albion resident Orlando Billingsley sentenced to 40-60 years for murder of Battle Creek resident Stanley Wilson

Editorial StaffDec 27, 20243 min read

By Sylvia Benavidez A murder that rocked the Albion Community last spring and the resulting police investigation concluded Friday, Dec. 20. Judge Sarah Lincoln of the 37th Judicial Circuit Court sentenced 46-year-old Orlando Capado Billingsley, Albion, to 40-60 years in…

Michigan Center, Hanover-Horton earn conference wrestling victories

Michigan Center, Hanover-Horton earn conference wrestling victories

Editorial StaffDec 27, 20243 min read

Michigan Center and Hanover-Horton high schools made short work of Vandercook Lake and Grass Lake last week in a Cascades Conference quad at GLHS. The Cardinals and Comets earned wins over the two teams last week. Here are wrestling results…

Teen injured in Christmas Eve shooting in Jackson

Teen injured in Christmas Eve shooting in Jackson

Editorial StaffDec 27, 20241 min read

The Jackson Police Department has released information about a shooting on Christmas Eve that injured a teenage boy.A 14-year-old boy was shot shortly after 5 p.m. on Tuesday near the intersection of Seymore Ave and E North Street in the…

Looking Out: Wrapping up

Editorial StaffDec 27, 20243 min read

by Jim Whitehouse “Everyone is good at something,” says Lyle Pratt as we finish lunch at the cafe. “Except me—I’m good at everything.” “Right,” I say. “Except for all the stuff you mess up.” “Mm-hmm,” says Lyle. “Name one.” “Wallpapering,”…