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,”…

Police seek Antonio Green as suspect in death of Mia Sims

Police seek Antonio Green as suspect in death of Mia Sims

Editorial Staff Aug 15, 2025 3 min read

By Elizabeth Ferszt Contributing Writer Antonio Treyvonne Green has been identified but is still at large regarding the death of 18-year-old Mia Sims on July 27 in Jackson. City of Jackson Chief of Police, Christopher Simpson, and Jackson County Prosecuting…

Albion debates future of Washington Gardner: Attainable housing or tax revenue priority?

Albion debates future of Washington Gardner: Attainable housing or tax revenue priority?

Editorial Staff Aug 15, 2025 10 min read

By MAGGIE LANOUE Contributing Writer Taxes were on the minds of some property owners at Albion’s City Council study session about Washington Gardner School on Monday, Aug. 11. For others, housing concerns took priority. Mayor Victoria Garcia-Snyder called the meeting…

HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK

HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK

Editorial Staff Aug 15, 2025 3 min read

By Frank Passic SHELDON BLOCK IS DOWNTOWN ALBION LANDMARK             Recently you may have observed the building that presently houses Parks Pharmacy in downtown Albion at 318 S. Superior St. is being repainted along with some necessary repairs. This is…

More PCE testing approved at county jail

More PCE testing approved at county jail

Editorial Staff Aug 15, 2025 6 min read

Updated 12:02 p.m. Aug. 19, 2025 By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — Following initial environmental tests at the St. Joseph County Jail, there will soon be more tests conducted there for a harmful contaminant.During their Executive Committee meeting Monday, St.…

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.