Mike’s Musings: Erika Kirk’s Greatest Act of Courage-Forgiving the Unforgivable
When tragedy strikes, our instincts often turn toward anger, resentment, and the pursuit of vengeance. That is human nature. Yet, every so often, someone rises above those instincts and shows us a higher way — a path of grace that…
Liquid Note, Maude’s Taphouse set to close this weekend
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A pair of downtown Otsego businesses are closing their doors for good, the owners announced via social media on Wednesday, Sept. 17.Liquid Note—a brewery and live-music venue located at 119 E. Allegan St.—and Maude’s Taphouse (117…
Oktoberfest featured car show and live music
Oktoberfest, held in Bloomingdale’s Augustus Haven Park, Sept. 19-21, saw many people attend the Friday night through Sunday morning event. Some of the many activities and events on Saturday included the Galvan Industries Car Show, which saw Chris Serdel capture…
Steele and Sadie Evans to continue the “incredibly orange tradition,” as Evans Acres Family Farm
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com. In a recent social media post, a great-nephew of Gene (The Pumpkin Man) Rhodes, who passed away last December, announced that he and his wife had purchased the family farm that Gene operated from 1957 to…
Gobles volleyball team win
By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — The Gobles varsity volleyball team won a hard-fought five-set battle against Saugatuck, with scores of 17-25, 25-12, 17-25, 25-22, and 18-16. Kylee led the team with 18 digs and seven aces, while Ellie Wood added…
Judge Thomas Wilson under judicial review
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer 4th Circuit Court Judge, Thomas Wilson, is now formally under judicial tenure review by the Judicial Tenure Commission of the State of Michigan. On Sept. 11, the JTC filed a formal complaint against Wilson, including…
Two dead after Wednesday morning fire
By KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writer Two people perished in a Tompkins Township house fire Wednesday morning. According to the Michigan State Police, troopers from the Jackson post were dispatched at around 10:20 a.m. to a residential fire in the 6800…
Downtown Rental Rehab Grants raise questions and opportunities
by Maggie LaNoue At its Sept. 2 meeting, the Albion City Council approved applications for Community Development Block Grant funding to rehabilitate three downtown buildings. The requests total more than $618,000. The properties include 217 S. Superior Street, home of…
Volunteers make Binder Park Zoo’s Corks & Kegs a success
By SYLVIA BENAVIDEZ Contributing Writer Binder Parks biggest fundraiser Corks and Kegs at the Zoo, held Sept. 6, brought out 60 volunteers from all over Calhoun County and even some from Jackson County to raise money for the care of…
AUSTIN BLAIR: Michigan’s radical Civil War governor
By Ken Wyatt Generations have come and gone since Austin Blair served as Michigan’s great Civil War governor from 1861-65. He once was a towering figure in Michigan history. But even great historic figures wane in the knowledge of successive…
Tiny Tails Birthing Barn brings fresh look to old County Fair tradition
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A familiar sight at the St. Joseph County Grange Fair got a bit of an expansion and rebrand for this year’s edition, but its mission is still the same as ever. The Tiny Tails…
Soccer Roundup: Three Rivers shut out by Plainwell
PLAINWELL — Three Rivers’ boys’ soccer team had a tough time at Plainwell Thursday, Sept. 11, getting shut out by the Trojans 7-0.No stats were reported for the match.With the loss, Three Rivers goes to 1-4-1. Constantine earns first win…
Tennis Roundup Three Rivers loses to Vicksburg, narrowly beat Niles
VICKSBURG — Three Rivers’ boys’ tennis team traveled to Vicksburg Thursday, Sept. 11, and came away with a 6-2 loss to the host Bulldogs.Winning for the Wildcats were the No. 1 doubles duo of Parker Bingaman/Todd Wadsworth, who defeated Mason…
Out and About: Saving money, roads, and Iceland
“A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.” -John A. Shedd As promised, here are some ways to save money on your home utilities:
County superintendents urge Lansing to ‘act quickly’ to pass state budget
Superintendents: ‘Our students deserve a stable, fully funded school year’ By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — Leaders of every school district in St. Joseph County are urging action by state lawmakers as a deadline to pass a state budget looms…
Clare golfers first at Shepherd
By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Clare’s golf team was first at Shepherd on Monday at Pleasant Hills Golf Course.Itwas a nine-hole tournament with Clare at 210, Shepherd at 224, Saginaw Heritage 232 and Clare No. 2 team at 238.For the…
May I Walk with You? Blessed
Recently, I had the opportunity to loan my daughter my pretty blue truck, because hers would not start. I got the call at 6:30 am. I had just got dressed, and my instant reaction was not positive. I was soon…
Residents shaken as fire ignites in Gateway apartments Later determined just a kitchen fire
By Christopher Johnson This past Sunday at roughly 5 PM, emergency crews rushed to the Gateway Village high-rise after reports of a fire. According to residents, the incident began in a third-floor apartment when a kitchen burner was left on…
Surrey Board unhappy with GFL, BS&A contracts Clerk says BS&A contract is a nightmare
By David Hutchinson The Regular Meeting was held in the Surrey Township Hall on September 9 at 6 p.m. All five board members were present—Mike Coon, Mindy Campbell, Glenna Bradbury, Dixie Adams, and Paul Ghinelli. More than 20 people attended.The…
Saugatuck cross country teams place second at Holly
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorHOLLY—Under the leadership of the husband/wife team of Rick and Angelina Bauer, the Saugatuck cross country team has never shied away from tough competition.Case in point: the Trailblazers moved up a Division at the Holly Duane Raffin…

Do you need help? Write Us!
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.





















