South Haven baseball team splits

Editorial Staff May 28, 2025 1 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent SOUTH HAVEN — South Haven’s baseball team is 15-9 after splitting a doubleheader on May 23 with Holland at home.The first game was a 4-1 South Haven win.The Rams opened the scoring the bottom of the first…

Mike’s Musings: Biden’s health problems should have been revealed to public

Mike’s Musings: Biden’s health problems should have been revealed to public

Editorial Staff May 28, 2025 3 min read

So, we are now hearing what many of us have suspected for a long time. President Biden’s term in office was marred with health problems too the point that for much of his presidency his closest advisors were acting as…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff May 28, 2025 4 min read

In 1700 King Louis XIV of France, had 498 people preparing his meals, per historian Matt Ridley. This would have included chefs, sous chefs and their assistants; bakers, butchers and a crew who kept ovens stoked.Add to that the cleanup…

HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 4 min read

By Frank Passic ALBION’S FIRST DECORATION DAY Decoration Day, as it was originally called, was once a major event in our community to decorate the graves of Union Soldiers that had served in the Civil War. The local Post No.…

Teenage girl shot in alleged home invasion in Jackson

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 2 min read

By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writerr Jackson County Sheriff Gary Schuette reported in a press release that on Friday, May 16, at 4:04 p.m., Deputies responded to the area of Page Avenue near Knapp Street for a shooting. This is a…

Man arraigned in shooting death of Emarion Flowers

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 1 min read

By KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writer Joseph Gabriel O’-Rourke, 22, of Jackson was arrested May 19 in relation to the May 16 shooting death of Emarion Flowers. The arrest occurred at about 6 p.m.  on County Farm Road and Springport Road…

Calhoun County Prosecutor’s Office displays survivor artwork in support of sexual assault awareness

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 2 min read

To show support for sexual assault survivors, the Calhoun County Prosecutor’s Office is displaying a powerful piece of artwork in the Victim’s Unit, thanks to a continued partnership with Bronson Sexual Assault Services (SAS). The display of survivor-created artwork underscores…

Two fatal shootings last weekend in Jackson

Two fatal shootings last weekend in Jackson

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 3 min read

By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writerr Two men died of gunshot wounds in Jackson last weekend. Emarion Flowers, 22, was killed Friday afternoon and Anthony Glen Owens Jr., 44, was shot and killed shortly after midnight Saturday morning. According to a…

Memorial Day Events

Memorial Day Events

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 3 min read

Monday, May 26 marks Memorial Day this year. Across the area, veterans, community leaders, and volunteers plan celebrations to honor those from their communities who gave the ultimate to their country – their lives. Here is a list of local…

Track and Field Roundup: 14 Wildcats advance to state meet, crown 5 individual regional champs

Track and Field Roundup: 14 Wildcats advance to state meet, crown 5 individual regional champs

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 6 min read

BERRIEN SPRINGS — Three Rivers’ track and field team will be well-represented at the MHSAA Division 2 state finals meet in Hamilton on May 31. The Wildcats sent 12 athletes to the finals following their performances at Friday, May 16’s…

Out and About: Hospitalization, Memorial Day, and communicating

Out and About: Hospitalization, Memorial Day, and communicating

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 3 min read

On Saturday, May 10, I missed the bottom step coming out of my sister’s house and kissed the concrete driveway. The laundry basket didn’t break my fall, because I had thrown it out of the way. This quick action saved…

Plea offer presented in Sturgis sexual assault case Arguments made on bind-over; lawyer claims lower court erred reopening proofs

Plea offer presented in Sturgis sexual assault case Arguments made on bind-over; lawyer claims lower court erred reopening proofs

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 7 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A possible plea offer is on the table for a man accused of sexually assaulting two girls in Sturgis last year.In a hearing Monday, May 12, Prosecutor Deborah Davis said the offer on the…

Sturgis Memorial Day ceremony set for May 26

Sturgis Memorial Day ceremony set for May 26

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 2 min read

By Dennis Volkert A Memorial Day commemoration takes place May 26 in Sturgis. A parade begins at 10:30 a.m., departing from VFW post on Fawn River Road, then proceeding north on Nottawa Street to Oaklawn Park, where the ceremony begins at…

Car show to benefit local veterans

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 1 min read

“Sturgis Veterans Car Show” will take place 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 24 at Sturgis High School.Registration period is 9 a.m.-noon. Fee is $10. Awards are presented at 1:45 p.m. It is dedicated to local veterans in need of transportation assistance.Music is provided…

‘Jam for JB’ set for June 7

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 1 min read

“A Jam for JB” is scheduled for 4-9 p.m. June 7 at Free Church Park in Sturgis, to honor the late John Borgesen, owner and operator of JB’s Guitars for more than 30 years.Borgeson died April 15 at his home. A co-organizer…

Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 3 min read

ONGOING  Sturgis Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. each Saturday through Sept. 27, Oak Lawn Park.  MAY May 23“Bourbon, Bacon & Blues,” 5:30-10:30 p.m., downtown Sturgis.May 24Sturgis veterans third annual car show, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sturgis High School. Registration 9 a.m.-noon. Awards…

Clare athletes qualify for state meet

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 1 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE —Clare’s track teams competed in the Division 2 regional meet on May 16 in Cadillac in a bid to qualify for the state meet at Hamilton on May 31.Petoskey won both divisions. Clare was fourth for…

May I Walk with You? SIN IS EVERYWHERE

May I Walk with You? SIN IS EVERYWHERE

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 3 min read

As I have been reading about holiness and what it means to live a truly Christian life one fact keep popping up. Even though we are created good by God and strive to live holy lives, we re-main sinners. Even…

Local Barrel Racing Champ Still Competing at Age 85

Local Barrel Racing Champ Still Competing at Age 85

Editorial Staff May 23, 2025 5 min read

By Genine Hopkins “I’m not so fast anymore,” admits Beaverton resident Janet Whitmer, but honestly, that statement could be easily debated as false! Whitmer, who at 85 years young, has shown horses most of her life from racing Thoroughbreds in…

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.