Bicyclist killed in July 4 hit-and-run accident

Bicyclist killed in July 4 hit-and-run accident

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A hit-and-run accident in Cooper Township on Thursday, July 4, claimed the life of a bicyclist.The accident happened at approximately 11 p.m. at North Riverview Drive and East B Avenue in Cooper Township. The victim, a…

Wright leaves Plainwell High School

Wright leaves Plainwell High School

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor After serving nearly a decade-and-a-half as principal at Plainwell High School, Jeremy Wright is ready for his next challenge.Wright was recently named as the new superintendent of Delton Kellogg Public Schools. He officially began his tenure…

Antkoviak reflects on Olympic Trial experience: Allegan grad competed in 400-meter hurdles

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 5 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor EUGENE, Oreg.—Be bold. Be strong. For the Lord your God is with you.Those lyrics are from the the worship song “Be Bold, Be Strong.” And those are the words that were playing in Hannah Antkoviak’s mind…

Obituary: Wilma Halstead

Obituary: Wilma Halstead

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 2 min read

Wilma Halstead, age 97, passed away on July 7.Wilma worked for several local companies in Holland. Her specialty was sewing canvas. She retired full time from West Michigan Canvas in 2011, at the age of 84.Although she never had children…

Obituary: Vivian Ileath Arnsman

Obituary: Vivian Ileath Arnsman

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 2 min read

Vivian Ileath Arnsman, 95, of Hopkins, MI was called home to our Lord on Friday, July 5, 2024.  She was always a loving caretaker for many people and was always willing to help someone in need.  Vivian was raised in…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 8 min read

   In many ways, Jimmy Carter was a good President.  He was decent, honest, free from personal scandals, and along with his wife, Rosalind, set the example of a good long-term marriage.  A good man, but it turned out he…

July 3rd Jubilee brings thousands to Allegan Riverfront

July 3rd Jubilee brings thousands to Allegan Riverfront

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 2 min read

By Gari Voss The 2024 July 3rd Jubilee in Allegan was definitely a successful extravaganza as it drew thousands for an evening of fun and excitement. The 5:30pm Parade began the celebration with the majority of the crowd staying to…

Storey will launch write-in campaign for re-election

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 4 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN –Jim Storey, chairman of the county Board of Commissioners, is seeking re-election but will have to do it as a write-in candidate.“Due to a paperwork snafu, my name was excluded from the pre-printed ballots the voters…

Teen’s organ donation saves at least four lives

Teen’s organ donation saves at least four lives

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 3 min read

By Donald Talonen On Sunday, June 30, at approximately 1 p.m., the Savage family from Kalamazoo was involved in a car accident at 136th Avenue and 58th Street in Allegan County’s Fillmore Township. Tragically, lives were lost. It’s important to…

Inpatient services discontinued at Valley hospital

Inpatient services discontinued at Valley hospital

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 3 min read

By John BriceCorrespondent Unwelcome news for residents of Chambers County was delivered in a public statement from East Alabama Health Care which announced that inpatient medical services would no longer be available at EAMC-Lanier Hospital in Valley. According to the…

Resident highlights issues with cemetery, sidewalk

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 3 min read

By John BriceCorrespondent The LaFayette City Council met on Monday, July 8th of 2024 at the Chambers County Farmers Federation Agricultural Center at the ALFA building in LaFayette. In attendance were Mayor Kenneth Vines, Councilman Terry G. Mangram, Councilman David…

Obituary: Kirk David Schonwald

Obituary: Kirk David Schonwald

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 2 min read

Kirk David Schonwald of Paw Paw, Michigan, a beloved father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle, died on Friday, June 21, 2024, in Sarasota, Florida. He was 65 years old.  Throughout his life, Kirk was a spontaneous explorer who was not…

Obituary: Amerigo Marcelletti Jr.

Obituary: Amerigo Marcelletti Jr.

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 2 min read

Amerigo Marcelletti Jr. of Lawton Died on Friday, June 28, 2024, following complications from surgery. Born July 1, 1957, Amerigo graduated from Lawrence High School in 1975, and briefly worked in real estate before pursuing a career in law enforcement.…

Obituary: Patricia Iris (Bauer) Terry

Obituary: Patricia Iris (Bauer) Terry

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 2 min read

Patricia Iris (Bauer) Terry, 68, of Lawton, passed away Monday, July 1, 2024, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. She was born May 23, 1956, in Paw Paw, Michigan, the daughter of Walter Bauer and Maxine (Abbott) Bauer. Patty was a…

Obituary: David Paul DeCou

Obituary: David Paul DeCou

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 3 min read

David Paul DeCou, of Paw Paw, Michigan, devout husband, father, educator, and coach, passed away peacefully at his home, July 2, 2024.  Born on Dec. 29, 1947, to Glen and Leota DeCou in Saginaw, MI, David grew up in Vassar,…

Mike’s Musings: STR’s Are They good or bad?

Mike’s Musings: STR’s Are They good or bad?

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 3 min read

STR’s, or in layman’s terms, Short Term Rentals are a hot topic all over the United States, and even abroad, but nowhere are they a heated topic of discussion than in resort communities.In the areas, some of my newspapers cover,…

Mattawan athlete to play college golf

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN – Matt Novak enjoyed his senior golf season for Mattawan High School.“It went great,” he said. “It was a good season, a fun golf season. Fortunately the team didn’t qualify for state but it was fun.…

Free grandstand with paid admission to be offered at 69th annual Youth Fair

Editorial Staff Jul 10, 2024 3 min read

HARTFORD – A free grandstand with paid gate admission will be offered at the 69th annual Van Buren Youth Fair, which will get underway July 15-20, for its weeklong run.Nightly grandstand features include:Monday, July 15, 6 p.m. – Farm Stock…

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.