Out and About: UCAP, spam calls, and facts

Out and About: UCAP, spam calls, and facts

Editorial Staff Aug 30, 2024 3 min read

A couple of weeks ago, I shared information about the Stone Cottage Free Store in Three Rivers. Rumor has it that we have a homeless problem here in St. Joe County, and I wanted to let everyone know how much…

Report: City still exceeding action level for lead in water

Editorial Staff Aug 30, 2024 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — One year after its first notice to residents about the issue, the City of Three Rivers is still dealing with an action level exceedance of lead in its drinking water system.On Aug. 8,…

Sturges-Young ‘Performance Series’ set for 2024-25

Sturges-Young ‘Performance Series’ set for 2024-25

Editorial Staff Aug 30, 2024 4 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturges-Young Center for the Arts Performance Series has been announced for 2024-25.It features a variety of entertainment, including music, comedy and dance.Season tickets are available through Sept. 27.A new feature this year: Patrons may select a package…

Sturgis City Commission approves increase in utilities rates, purchase of ambulance

Editorial Staff Aug 30, 2024 3 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday approved an increase in rates for electric, water and wastewater, in a multi-year plan.It involves electric rates for 2024-27 billing periods, beginning Oct. 1 of each year.Water and wastewater is for 2024-26,…

Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area

Editorial Staff Aug 30, 2024 3 min read

Coming events Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area. Sept. 3“Two-Wheel Tuesdays,” 5-9 p.m., North Nottawa and East West streets.Sept. 6“First Fridays Karaoke,” 8 p.m., Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.Sept. 7History walking tour, 4-5:30 p.m., Oak Lawn Cemetery, tour groups…

Old 27 Car Tour makes pit stop in Clare

Old 27 Car Tour makes pit stop in Clare

Editorial Staff Aug 30, 2024 2 min read

By David Hutchinson The Old US 27 Motor Tour arrived in Clare on August 22. Automotive showpieces filled the streets of downtown Clare for the public’s viewing pleasure from 6-8 p.m.The tour was started by the late Craig Parrish in…

Severe Tuesday storms hit area, Thousands without power

Severe Tuesday storms hit area, Thousands without power

Editorial Staff Aug 30, 2024 3 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Clare Emergency Management Director Jerry Becker posted on Facebook Wednesday morning that 10,436 Customers were still without power in Clare County, according to Consumers Energy. His post said, “Crews are out working to clear roads and restore…

Obituary: Richard S. Sherman

Obituary: Richard S. Sherman

Editorial Staff Aug 30, 2024 2 min read

Richard S. Sherman, age 82 of Lake, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 23, 2024 at his home, surrounded by family. On November 16, 1941, Richard was born one of two children to Albert and Beulah (Peterman) Sherman in Detroit,…

Farwell senior optimistic with football prospects

Editorial Staff Aug 30, 2024 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent FARWELL – Brent Ellul is set for be a key senior for Farwell’s football team this season.It’s his second year of varsity football. He’s a quarterback and strong safety.Ellul played quarterback last year.“It was good,” he said.…

Obituary: Carol Ann (Hendershot) Watson

Obituary: Carol Ann (Hendershot) Watson

Editorial Staff Aug 30, 2024 2 min read

Carol Ann (Hendershot) Watson, age 75, of Traverse City, MI passed away peacefully on August 21, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. Born on November 26, 1948, in Mt. Pleasant, MI to Earl “Blackie” and Lila (Bowman) Hendershot. She graduated from…

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Bits – Labor Day – that means fall!

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Bits – Labor Day – that means fall!

Editorial Staff Aug 30, 2024 4 min read

The weatherman may not be saying it, and these sunny warm (hot) days we have been having aren’t showing it, but you know that fall is in the air again.Labor Day is Monday and August is over already.I just don’t…

May I Walk with You? HOW DO I DO IT?

May I Walk with You? HOW DO I DO IT?

Editorial Staff Aug 30, 2024 3 min read

Recently I was asked by a patient about how I manage to listen to so much negativity? After all, people who are not depressed, anxious, don’t have substance abuse issues, legal issues, or relationship issues do not usually seek counseling.…

Saugatuck boys cross takes first place

Editorial Staff Aug 28, 2024 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorBYRON CENTER—The 2024 cross country season started on a high note for the Saugatuck boys squad.Taking part in Under the Nights Invitational hosted by South Christian on Friday, Aug. 23, the Trailblazers took top honors in the…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Aug 28, 2024 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorTruckin’At an Oval Beach press conference Aug. 21 I was introduced to Lakota Hobia, who in 2019 became Gun Lake Tribal Historic Preservation Officer.I took her picture with others that day, but the Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance-called event…

Blue Star Labor Day Bridge Walk scrubbed

Editorial Staff Aug 28, 2024 2 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorAfter 25 years, the Labor Day Blue Star Bridge Walk has been canceled. In a joint press release, Douglas and Saugatuck cities with the Saugatuck Public Schools Community Recreation Department announced the 26th annual community walk, which would…

Saugatuck council candidates to square off

Editorial Staff Aug 28, 2024 1 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorAll seven candidates for four two-year Saugatuck City Council seats available in Nov. 5 elections have been invited to a Holland Area League of Women Voters-sponsored forum Tuesday, Sept. 17, in the Saugatuck High School auditorium, 401 Elizabeth…

Saying sayonara

Editorial Staff Aug 28, 2024 1 min read

… to summer jobs as Saugatuck Oval Beach patrol members are members such as these, shown this spring get oriented to high dune views of Lake Michigan that come along as perks. After Labor Day, the city-owned beach will no…

Otsego Schools prepares for Purple Week

Otsego Schools prepares for Purple Week

Editorial Staff Aug 28, 2024 6 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor One Cause, One Community.That’s the theme of Otsego Public Schools’ 8th Purple Community Week to support medical research at Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids.What exactly is Purple Week?It’s a week-long event that brings the district’s…

Plainwell Schools welcomes students back to class

Plainwell Schools welcomes students back to class

Editorial Staff Aug 28, 2024 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The 2024-25 school year is officially underway in PlainwellPlainwell Community Schools held its first day on Monday, Aug. 26, with students coming back for a half day.Full days of class were scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 27,…

Boys Tennis Preview:

Editorial Staff Aug 28, 2024 7 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANNew season. Same goals.“Our goals are usually the same year in and year out, including this year,” Allegan coach Damien Arthur said. “We want to win our conference and our regional and finish top 10 at the…

By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher

Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.

It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.