Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Dec 10, 2025 6 min read

When I was younger five or six deacades ago, Christmas did not seem to come so early. We followed a stately procession of months, holidays and family celebrations.All came in an orderly fashion. Christmas did not begin right after Labor…

Pedestrian struck by vehicle in Wayland, dies at hospital

Editorial Staff Dec 10, 2025 1 min read

Wayland police identified Dwayne Goodman, 59, of Wayland, as the pedestrian who was struck and killed by a vehicle on Monday, Dec. 8.The crash happened around 7:20 a.m. in the 1100 block of West Superior Street, just east of U.S.…

Downtown Allegan kicks off Festive Friday celebrations

Downtown Allegan kicks off Festive Friday celebrations

Editorial Staff Dec 10, 2025 3 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Downtown Allegan welcomed the season of lights and cheer last Friday, December 5th, as it kicked off its annual Festive Fridays, a series of holiday-themed evenings designed to bring the community together through shopping, strolling, and…

Paw Paw boys beat Sturgis, Mattawan wins

Editorial Staff Dec 10, 2025 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — It was Paw Paw 55, Sturgis 44 in boys basketball action.Paw Paw had quarter leads of 12-6, 27-25, and 40-25.For Paw Paw, Truman Brennan: 18 pts, 3 Reb, 7 Steals, 3 AssistsKaelin Tate: 14…

Wiley jet skis across Lake Michigan to Chicago

Wiley jet skis across Lake Michigan to Chicago

Editorial Staff Dec 10, 2025 4 min read

By James Windell You never know what someone of a certain age and a little bit of both time and money will think of next.Take Kirk Wiley for instance. He had a brainstorm. Which had to do with his jet…

Sgt. Pat Carlotto sues South Haven, claims discrimination

Sgt. Pat Carlotto sues South Haven, claims discrimination

Editorial Staff Dec 10, 2025 3 min read

By James Windell Sgt. Pat Carlotto, who had served as interim police chief for the South Haven Police Department in both 2024 and 2025, has sued the City of South Haven because he was not selected for the position of…

Jazz Festival creator receives proclamation from South Haven

Jazz Festival creator receives proclamation from South Haven

Editorial Staff Dec 10, 2025 3 min read

By James Windell Larry Brown, who created and ran the South Haven Jazz Festival for the past eight years, was honored by Mayor Annie Brown with a Proclamation.The proclamation was awarded to Brown at the South Haven City Council meeting…

Four friends create lighted trees for South Haven

Four friends create lighted trees for South Haven

Editorial Staff Dec 10, 2025 4 min read

By James Windell When four Indiana Avenue neighbors who are buddies get together, you never know what they will come up with.But Jeremy Buckingham, who goes by the nickname of Sparky – because, he thinks, he has a sparkling personality,…

Working smoke alarm is credited with saving Mattawan resident in structure fire

Working smoke alarm is credited with saving Mattawan resident in structure fire

Editorial Staff Dec 10, 2025 2 min read

At approximately 8:50 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, Mattawan Fire, Mattawan Rescue, and Van Buren Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were dispatched to a reported residential structure fire.Upon arrival, crews found a single-wide trailer that was approximately 50 percent involved with heavy…

Paw Paw Launches New “Christmas in the Village” Celebration

Editorial Staff Dec 10, 2025 1 min read

Paw Paw will sparkle with holiday cheer this season as the community debuts its new Christmas in the Village celebration – two days of festivities, local spirit, and small-town magic.The event kicks off Friday, Dec. 12, with the Lighted Holiday…

New ornament features historic lighthouse

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 2 min read

The Saugatuck-Douglas History Center’s annual collectable holiday ornament this year commemorates Saugatuck’s historic pre-Civil War era lighthouse.  It will have its first public offering at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts’ Outdoor Holiday Market Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m.…

‘Christmas Carol’ to benefit Christian Neighbors

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 2 min read

From the first “Bah! Humbug!” to the last “God Bless Us, Every One!,” the 39th annual production of Saugatuck’s “A Christmas Carol” opening Dec. 12 will be linked as closely as it ever has been to the true meaning of…

Douglas agrees to sell former hall

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 4 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Douglas City Council, newly ensconced its 415 Wiley Road municipal complex, voted Monday to sell its old city hall at 86 W. Center St. to David Isljamovski and Joseph Wise for $515,000 cash. “Joseph will be…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorCut-UpsJennifer Hayes, 30, of Clinton Township faces up to life in prison after a jury six days before Thanksgiving convicted her of stabbing her boyfriend 14 times.That might seem like overkill, except that her now-ex beau survived. Hayes…

Glenn rallies to save former post office

Glenn rallies to save former post office

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 2 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorGlenn efforts to save the community’s old post office continue after lifting and moving the structure from its original foundation to near the Community Center at 6953 114th Ave.Center members hope to raise $25,000 through sponsorship of bricks…

Douglas agrees to sell historic city hall

Douglas agrees to sell historic city hall

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorDouglas City Council, newly ensconced its 415 Wiley Road municipal complex, voted Monday to sell its old city hall at 86 W. Center St. to David Isljamovski and Joseph Wise for $515,000 cash.“Joseph will be a silent partner,”…

Plainwell HS band wins ‘favorite band’ contest, OHS places second

Plainwell HS band wins ‘favorite band’ contest, OHS places second

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Which high school marching band in West Michigan is the favorite?That’s the question Kalamazoo-based radio station 103.3 WKFR wanted to answer through its aptly titled Favorite High School Marching Band in Southwest Michigan contest.And it was…

Otsego receives MDOT grant for two bridges

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The two bridges in the City of Otsego—one at Farmer Street and one at North Street—are inspected every two years by the Michigan Department of Transportation.“All of our inspections have been in compliance and show no…