Cops & Doughnuts voted tenth most beloved business in the U.S.

Cops & Doughnuts voted tenth most beloved business in the U.S.

Editorial Staff Aug 22, 2025 6 min read

By Christopher Johnson This month, Cops & Doughnuts earned a spot at number ten in MarketBeat’s survey of the “Top 220 Most Beloved Local Businesses Across the U.S.” The ranking, drawn from a poll of 3,004 businesses—many of them iconic…

Mass resignations hit Redding Township Board

Mass resignations hit Redding Township Board

Editorial Staff Aug 22, 2025 3 min read

By Genine Hopkins Redding Township’s Board of Trustees has experienced numerous hurdles since just before the recall election several years ago, something that has continued and at times, gotten worse, since that recall purged many members. At the regular Redding…

Clare volleyball team fans to Ludington

Editorial Staff Aug 22, 2025 4 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Ludington handed Clare a close 26-24, 25-23 nonleague setback to open the volleyball season on Wednesday at Clare.In 2024, Clare varsity volleyball won the Jack PineConference (10-1) for the first time since 2002. Clare also…

Douglas explores housing on ex- Miro site

Douglas explores housing on ex- Miro site

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 2 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorDouglas City Council Monday approved a nonbinding 6-month memorandum of understanding with Mosaic Development to create attainable housing on 17 acres at 6825 Wiley Road once home of the Miro Golf Course.The parcel is zoned R-5 Multi-Family Residential…

Saugatuck football hopes for another strong season

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorThe 2024 season saw Saugatuck qualify for the playoffs—and win a playoff game—for the second straight season.If the Trailblazers are to make it three postseason berths in a row, then they’ll need to get some solid production…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 3 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorFinding JesusLast time we checked on Florida Man, he was had moved on from building Alligator Alcatraz and trying to cross the Atlantic in a hamster wheel.Recent headlines:

Council sets sale restrictions on city hall

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 2 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe historic Douglas City Hall at 86 W. Center St. is back on the market with new restrictive covenant stipulations after an investment group backed down from its sales agreement July 21.City council, concerned about the 1875-built former…

Nearly 700 children take part in Ransom summer program

Nearly 700 children take part in Ransom summer program

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Ransom District Library assistant director Erin Marsh knows how busy the summer months are for children and their families.That’s why she was beyond excited that nearly 700 children signed up to participate in this year’s Summer…

Otsego Library summer program sees record participation

Otsego Library summer program sees record participation

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 2 min read

The Otsego District Library’s Summer Reading Program was deemed a huge success by ODL assistant director/program coordinator Diane DeVries.“Patrons embraced the theme–Color Our World—which showcased the creativity and artistic spirit of the Otsego community,” DeVries said. “All summer long, the…

Football Season Preview:

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 18 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANSullivan Garvin stands out on a football field … and just about everywhere else.It’s hard not to when you check in at 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds.A senior lineman for Allegan, Garvin will continue his gridiron career…

Otsego girls golf opens season with record-setting effort

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor GOBLES—Talk about starting the season on a high note.Hosting the Shamrock Invitational at Shamrock Hills Golf Club on Friday, Aug. 15, the Otsego girls golf team posted a team score of 357 to tie Harper Creek…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 6 min read

Life as Performance Art: Joan AndersonG C Stoppel     Joan Anderson died on the 14th of July this year at the age of 101.  I suspect her name is hardly familiar anymore, but she was perhaps the greatest social influencer in…

Mike’s Musings: Why So Many Michiganders Under 30 Can’t Afford a House

Mike’s Musings: Why So Many Michiganders Under 30 Can’t Afford a House

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 3 min read

The dream of homeownership, once a clear stepping stone into adulthood, now feels like a mirage for many Michiganders under 30. Despite living in a state often touted for its affordability, structural barriers have erased much of the margin that…

Local teen ready for Allegan County Fair Rodeo

Local teen ready for Allegan County Fair Rodeo

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 3 min read

By Gari Voss The Flying Star Rodeo will be at the Grandstand of the Allegan County Fair on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, beginning at 7pm. Waiting for his time to enter the bull riding chute will be Ashton Prolo, a…

Paw Paw tennis team stops West Catholic

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 3 min read

By John Raffel PAW PAW — Paw Paw’s boys tennis team defeated Grand Rapids West Catholic 5-3 in recent action.SinglesNo. 1 – Kyle Carpenter, Grand Rapids West Catholic def. Terrance Fisher, Paw Paw, 6-0, 6-0.No. 2 – Eric Fitchpatrick, Paw…

South Haven salutes veterans with flotilla, band, large crowd

South Haven salutes veterans with flotilla, band, large crowd

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 1 min read

by Jim Windell, The South Haven fishing community took Veterans out on Lake Michigan for the morning. Returning with their catch, they were greeted at noon by a flotilla of boats led by the SHAES fireboat. A large American flag floated…

Community Recreation Director hired for South Haven

Community Recreation Director hired for South Haven

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 3 min read

By James Windell Although the South Haven City Council approved hiring a Community Recreation Director, it wasn’t until June, 2025 that the council approved making it a fulltime position with benefits.Scott Reinert, South Haven Area Recreational Authority (SHARA) Administrator, thought…

South Haven Planning Commission approves Master Plan

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 3 min read

By James Windell When the South Haven City Hall City Council Chambers are packed for a Planning Commission meeting, you can assume two things: One, this will not be a brief meeting; two, there will be controversy.This was the case…

National Night Out/Public Safety Professional Night Out attracts many to Paw Paw

National Night Out/Public Safety Professional Night Out attracts many to Paw Paw

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 4 min read

“It was a good turnout for National Night Out/Public Safety Professional Night Out in South Haven and Paw Paw. A huge thank you to the community for coming out and all the continued support, it’s appreciated more than you know,”…

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.