Douglas opens hall with flower bed debate

Douglas opens hall with flower bed debate

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 2 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorDouglas City Council’s first meeting Monday in the new city hall saw members set a 6-month deadline for a homeowner to get rid of a wooden flower bed.Planning and zoning administrator Sean Homyen told council staff this fall…

Christmas events planned in Otsego, Plainwell

Christmas events planned in Otsego, Plainwell

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The song “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” was originally recorded by Perry Como in 1951.Nearly three-quarters of a century later, that classic holiday tune could be the theme for Plainwell and Otsego beginning…

Creviston returns to OHS to perform with band Dec. 4

Creviston returns to OHS to perform with band Dec. 4

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Music lovers, mark you calendars for Thursday, Dec. 4.That’s when professional soprano saxophonist Dr. Chris Creviston will join the Otsego High School band—under the direction of band director Mitch Piersma—for a very special performance.Creviston and the…

Girls Basketball Season Preview:

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 13 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANNew.That just might be the word of the season for Allegan under the guidance of first-year coach Ernie Ramirez.“We lost six seniors out of eight varsity players from last year, so the majority of the players…

Wayland’s Wolf, Hamilton’s Popma win titles at Division 3 State Finals

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor HOLLAND—Wayland senior Laney Wolf ended her high school swimming career the same way she started it.As a state champion.Wolf, who won two individual Division 3 state titles as a freshman and another as a sophomore, took…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 6 min read

Even those closest to me don’ know that I am a time traveler and world adventurer. I don’t talk much about it because some of them would never understand.It began the Saturday afternoon Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary…

Two firms plan housing developments in Fennville

Two firms plan housing developments in Fennville

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 4 min read

By Gari Voss The process began four years ago when the Fennville Downtown Development Authority (DDA) engaged with nonprofit development group, Housing Next. Housing Next did pro bono work to assist the city in envisioning how best to utilize vacant…

Residents pack room to hear about Confluence’s dam plans

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 5 min read

By Gari Voss The Allegan High School Conference Center filled on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, with residents eager to hear from representatives of Consumers Energy and Confluence Hydro regarding the transition of ownership of the Calkins Bridge Dam and twelve…

Bloomingdale girls eye winning season

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 3 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent BLOOMINDALE — Bloomingdale girls basketball coach Tod Kubiszak said his staff has some work to do this season.“Looking towards the 2025-2026 season we have some big holes to fill from last year’s team,” he said. “We are…

Mike’s Musings: Congress works parttime, but receives fulltime pay

Mike’s Musings: Congress works parttime, but receives fulltime pay

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 4 min read

Every year, the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate release their official calendars, and every year the same disbelief follows: this is how many days our elected lawmakers plan to work?I saw the House of Representatives schedule for next…

DeBoer named South Haven Police Chief

DeBoer named South Haven Police Chief

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 3 min read

By James Windell Following seven months as interim police chief of South Haven, Adama DeBoer was promoted to Police Chief. This was announced by the City on November 24, 2025.“Adam is a dedicated and experienced leader who knows and cares…

Mitten Children’s Museum closing doors

Mitten Children’s Museum closing doors

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 4 min read

By James Windell One of South Haven’s museums has just announced it will be closing. The Mitten Children’s Museum, which was established in Fennville but came to downtown South Haven in April 2022, had – ironically – one of its…

City Council approves plan to begin lifeguard program

City Council approves plan to begin lifeguard program

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 3 min read

By James Windell Double Haul Solutions (DHS), the consulting firm hired by the City of South Haven to advise how the City could best implement a lifeguard program, presented its report to the City Council.Three staff members from DHS made…

First draft of County Facilities Master Plan unveiled

First draft of County Facilities Master Plan unveiled

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 2 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com HARTFORD – The first draft of the Van Buren County Facilities Master Plan was unveiled Friday afternoon, Nov. 21, during an initial meeting for Van Buren County Board of Commissioners/administration, Van Buren County Courts, County Elected Officials and community partners. The…

Redmond honored for 50 years of service through emergency medical care

Redmond honored for 50 years of service through emergency medical care

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 3 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Paw Paw Quick Response Leader John Redmond was honored Sunday, Nov. 23, during a retirement ceremony marking his 50 years of service through emergency medical care.During a ceremony held at the Paw Paw…

Marshall’s Eastend Studio & Gallery’s holiday market attracts artists and buyers.

Marshall’s Eastend Studio & Gallery’s holiday market attracts artists and buyers.

Editorial Staff Nov 21, 2025 5 min read

by Sylvia Benavidez Despite online shopping, Eastend Studio & Gallery Holiday Market continues to have success. Having a holiday market that introduces more than traditional art at Marshall’s Eastend Studio & Gallery may seem counter-intuitive to some, but for Executive…

Taylor Wilcher receives bond modification in Lusch murder case

Editorial Staff Nov 21, 2025 4 min read

By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Taylor Wilcher, who allegedly was involved in the death of John Lusch on April 20, appeared Nov. 18 before Judge John McBain in the 4th Circuit Court, Jackson to ask for a bond modification. Her…

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.