Hot Air Jubilee and U.S. Women’s National Hot Air Balloon Championships take to Jackson skies
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer The annual Hot Air Jubilee balloon festival lands in Jackson at Ella Sharp Park on July 18-20. An added feature to this year’s event is the U.S. Women’s National Hot Air Balloon Championship, which began…
Horton man dies in single vehicle crash
A 52-year-old Horton man died on Saturday, July 12 after hitting a tree head-on. MSP troopers were dispatched at approximately 7:10 a.m. to a residence in the 8200 block of Thorne Road in Liberty Township for a single vehicle crash.…
Dedeaux appears in court; his attorney claims case is not what it appears to be
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Roe-Darrel Dedeaux, age 33, appeared via Zoom in 12th District Court on Friday July 11, in the courtroom of Judge Robert Gaecke, for a Probable Cause Conference Dedeaux had been held without bond in the…
Albion Church receives new electric van
Bethel Missionary Baptist Church is the recipient of a new all-electric van made possible through a program by Consumers Energy. Consumers Energy provided the van as part of its rebate program for fleets serving income-qualified communities, to provide affordable electric…
Group transforms Albion’s treasured waterways
Michigan Waterway Stewards has been working in Albion to clean the Kalamazoo River of litter, trash, and other debris. The greatest achievement will be the clearing of woody debris to create navigable lanes, enhancing passive recreation on and along the…
Out and About: Women, cardio, and walking
There is not a book that explains everything a man must know in order to better understand women. We must continue to learn from experience, or listen to a person who has dealt with the fairer sex longer than you…
Graber, Nash to share leadership at Norton Elementary
District to continue ‘conversation’ about Norton’s future as initial elementary enrollment decreases By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Two Three Rivers Community Schools administrators will be sharing leadership duties at Norton Elementary in what the school board says is…
Allen a key future player for Clare
By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Only six players will be returning for Clare’s softball team next year from this season’s roster including sophomore first baseman Pamela Allen, who enjoyed a state runner-up finish in Division 3.“I’m really excited,: Allen said…
Heritage Festival takes center stage in Burr Oak
By Steve Eldridge “A More Perfect Union” is the theme for the 2025 Burr Oak Heritage Festival, which is scheduled to kick off next Thursday July 24. The festival, which has always proved to be a big draw for the…
White Pigeon celebrates annual festival
On Friday, July 11, the White Pigeon Days festival held its annual street parade on U.S. 12 in the village. At left, Citizens of the Year Kelly (left) and Brian Bailey (right) ride by in a golf cart during the…
‘Color Run’ draws about 150 participants
By Dennis Volkert The third “Color Run” took place July 11 in downtown Sturgis, organized by Doyle Community Center. The event included 1-mile and 3-mile routes. Participants could run or walk. At several sites along each route was a “color station,”…
May I Walk with You? MORE TAKE AND RECEIVE
According to the book, The Soul Also Keep the Score, the author quotes a prayer by St. Ignatius of Loyola called the Suscipe. Many people, not just the Jesuits, pray this prayer daily in their attempt to become the people…
Former NFL players teach youngsters at Legends Camp
By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Youngsters who love football beat the heat this week at Clare’s football field for the Legends Football Camp, featuring Jeff Chadwick and other Detroit Lions alums.Kristen Blackburn, a co-founder of the camp along with Chadwick,…
Clare County Fair kicks off Sunday with gospel concert
By Genine Hopkins Clare County Fair 2025 is set to be a humdinger of a fair with the regular fan favorites of a demolition derby, a mud bog, rodeo, of course the 4-H animal exhibition for animals big and small,…
Farwell’s Lumberjack Festival is here
By Christopher Johnson Farwell’s long-running Lumberjack Festival returns this weekend, promising a packed celebration with something for everyone.This has been a reoccurring festivity in our community for decades and promises to hit hard, fast and furiously. Clare County has been…
Holley takes reins of Saugatuck boys soccer program
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorNathan Holley is no stranger when it comes to coaching soccer at Saugatuck.In addition to coaching both the boys and girls middle school teams, Holley has served as an assistant coach for the Saugatuck boys varsity team…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorTinted LoveThe Taj Mahal, that shining white monument to love, is turning green, black and yellow. And India’s Supreme Court isn’t happy.Pollution and insect dung are discoloring Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan’s 17th-century temple built for his favorite wife.“You…
Improved Pier Cove Park beach reopens
By Scott SullivanEditorA renovated Pier Cove Park reopened to the public in time for July 4 weekend.Ganges Township — with help from a $266,000 Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant, its own $65,500 match plus $15,000 from Friend…
‘Wild Heart of Saugatuck’ suits wind on
By Scott SullivanEditorThe battle for the “Wild Heart of Saugatuck” rages into its 18th year with an Allegan County Circuit Court judge narrowing the scope of a developer’s lawsuit against a group trying to block its plans.Judge Matthew Antkoviak June…
Robinson begins tenure as superintendent at OPS
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Shortly after entering the field of education in the mid-1990s, Christie Robinson developed what she called her “10-10-10 plan.”“I was going to spend 10 years as a teacher, 10 years as a principal and ten years…

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.
























