Man arrested at St. Joseph County courthouse for making ‘terrorist threats’

Editorial Staff Oct 3, 2025 2 min read

CENTREVILLE — A 64-year-old man from White Pigeon was arrested Friday after reportedly threatening government staff and employees at the St. Joseph County courthouse in Centreville.According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, the suspect was taken into custody without…

Jodie Scheid Honored with 2025 John E. Oster Award for Excellence in Teaching

Jodie Scheid Honored with 2025 John E. Oster Award for Excellence in Teaching

Editorial Staff Oct 3, 2025 3 min read

Sturgis, MI—Sturgis Middle School teacher Jodie Scheid has been selected to receive the 2025 John E. Oster Award for Excellence in Teaching. Scheid’s nomination was submitted by her peers and then reviewed by an independent award committee made up of…

Clare runners are second

Editorial Staff Oct 3, 2025 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Clare’s boys and girls cross country teams wee both second on Wednesday in Jack Pine Conference action at Ogemaw HeightsShepherd won both meets.For the Clare boys:Clayton Peacock was ninth (17:17.42). Connor Schmidt 10th (17:29.18) Sutton…

May I Walk with You? IMITATION VIRTUES

May I Walk with You? IMITATION VIRTUES

Editorial Staff Oct 3, 2025 3 min read

One of the reasons that sin is so appealing is that it can masquerade as virtue.  The most obvious of these is romantic and sexual love, aka lust.  I am not saying that romantic and sexual love is evil, yet…

Farwell BOE suspends superintendent, begins investigation

Farwell BOE suspends superintendent, begins investigation

Editorial Staff Oct 3, 2025 2 min read

By David Hutchinson The Farwell Board of Education held a special meeting in the high school media center room on October 1 at 7 p.m. Four out of seven board members were present—Nathan Yarhouse, Jade Campbell, John Pakledinaz, and Kellee…

Budd Lake residents angry over sale of lots by HCS

Budd Lake residents angry over sale of lots by HCS

Editorial Staff Oct 3, 2025 3 min read

By Genine Hopkins At Saginaw and Hillcrest in Harrison around Budd Lake, there is a small easement that, after researching, was under a 99-year lease from the Harrison Community Schools to the City of Harrison. The City had been maintaining…

Buggy collides with Kia on Hamburger Hill, occupants rushed to hospital

Buggy collides with Kia on Hamburger Hill, occupants rushed to hospital

Editorial Staff Oct 3, 2025 3 min read

By Christopher Johnson Clare’s Hamburger Hill at the north end of town has always been a hotbed for car accidents. As vehicles accelerate toward the expressway ramp and exit driveways, it only takes one absent minded driver to ruin somebody’s…

‘Christmas Carol’ auditions coming

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 1 min read

Open auditions for Saugatuck’s 39th annual a production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will be held Wednesday, Oct. 15 and Thursday, Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. both days.  Organizers are looking for children and adults to fill the various roles of…

‘Flower World’ to bloom in Cook Park

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 3 min read

By Lisa Mize CVB Executive Director A new piece of public art is set to bring fresh color, light and creativity to downtown Saugatuck. On Saturday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. in Cook Park, we’ll cut the ribbon on “Flower…

Odor investigations continue around Republic site

Odor investigations continue around Republic site

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 4 min read

By Jim Hayden Correspondent The state continues to investigate ongoing complaints about odors from the area of Republic Services, 4368 60th St. The owner of the composting company at the site is preparing to move his operation to Berrien County and…

Douglas Oktoberfest on tap Oct. 11

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 2 min read

All are welcome to raise their steins and toast the spirit of Bavaria as Saugatuck-Douglas Community Pride hosts its annual Oktoberfest Saturday, Oct. 11 in Beery Field from noon to 5 p.m. This event brings a diverse community together for…

Interurban head sited as state rising star

Interurban head sited as state rising star

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 2 min read

Interurban Transit Authority executive director Becky Carten-Crandell was honored as Rising Star at the Michigan at the annual Michigan Public Transportation Conference Aug. 18-20 at Crystal Mountain Resort in northern Michigan. “Becky,” said presenters, “has served as Executive Director since…

Saugatuck soccer falls on road to Black River

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 1 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorHOLLAND—In its showdown with host Holland Black River on Wednesday, Sept. 24, the Saugatuck boys soccer team surrendered a pair of first-half goals to fall behind 2-0 at halftime.And that turned out to be the final score,…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorDead in the WaterOur Physics Made Simple series has been on hold due to popular demand. Not that physics is so complex it’s incomprehensible, just my writing. Are physicists geniuses or the rest of us so dumb we…

Harvest hues

Harvest hues

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 1 min read

At produce stands and u-picks, such as Crane Orchards (shown here) cornucopias await. (Photo by Scott Sullivan)

Council candidates air views at forum

Council candidates air views at forum

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 7 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorFive candidates for three open two-year seats on the Saugatuck City Council in this year’s Nov. 4 election agreed to disagree but also found common grounds at a Holland League of Women Voters-led forum Thursday, Sept. 25 in…

Man and his nephew charged in playground arson

Man and his nephew charged in playground arson

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Otsego man facing arson charges in connection to the fire that damaged the wooden playground structure at Northside Park has been identified as Michael Kilbourn.Kilbourn, 37, appeared in an Allegan courtroom via video on Tuesday,…

Otsego Band Invitational celebrates its 40th year

Otsego Band Invitational celebrates its 40th year

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Otsego Band Invitational celebrated its 40th anniversary with this year’s edition, which took place Saturday, Sept. 27, at Bulldog Stadium.The fact that the event continues to thrive is a testament to Otsego High School band…

Fennville football falls to New Buffalo

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 1 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor FENNVILLE—Trinity Solis scored a rushing touchdown and Carter Thompson threw for a TD for the Fennville football team in the third quarter of the game with New Buffalo on Friday, Sept. 26.That was the good news…

Allegan swim & dive plays host to Otsego and Wayland

Editorial Staff Oct 1, 2025 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Allegan girls swim & dive team hosted Wayland and Otsego on Tuesday, Sept. 23, and it was the Wildcats who had the best showing.Wayland won 10 of the 12 events to post victories over 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.