Clare Equestrian Team Crowned State Champions

Clare Equestrian Team Crowned State Champions

Editorial StaffOct 17, 20251 min read

The Clare equestrian team competed last week in Midland for 4 days against the best teams in the state of Michigan. The team consisted of Natalie Malson, Kerrigan Koch, Brooklyn Zemko, Grace Russell, and Heidy Schunk dug deep and came…

Food pantry closed, searching for new home

Editorial StaffOct 17, 20252 min read

By Genine Hopkins The Gathering Church will no longer be in Hayes Township and the Food Pantry associated with the Gathering Church is searching for a new home. Both are results of the land owner of the current location, next…

Clare’s Art Alley is set to unveil a new mural this weekend

Clare’s Art Alley is set to unveil a new mural this weekend

Editorial StaffOct 17, 20252 min read

By Christopher Johnson Clare’s art alley is getting its own splash of fall colors.Over the course of this week, the Clare County Arts Council has been busy with a new addition to the gallery space winding behind Cops & Doughnuts.Over…

Chili Cook Off fun raises funds

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20252 min read

A perfect fall day brought more than 1,000 guests to enjoy the annual Cow Hill Yacht Club Chili Cook Off Sunday in Saugatuck’s Wicks Park. The Cook Off was a competition between 14 top area restaurants. They served chilis competing…

Douglas road to close

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20251 min read

Douglas has notified motorists that St. Peter’s Drive will close Tuesday, Oct. 14 and remain so for two to three weeks, dependent on weather, to allow infrastructure to be brought to the new Centre Street Collective. The 10+-acre development, to…

Saugatuck brushes off sidewalk chalk

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20254 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck City Council decided at its Oct. 8 workshop to let well enough alone when it comes to chalk art on public sidewalks. The question of whether it constitutes free speech or violates a city ordinance…

‘Lights Out at Oval Beach’ set Oct. 21

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20252 min read

The community is invited to experience the beauty of the night sky at a free “Lights Out at Oval Beach” event Tuesday, Oct. 21 from 8 to 10 p.m. Sponsored by the Douglas United Church of Christ, the event aims…

Oval Beach revenues rose this year

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20252 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck’s Lake Michigan Oval Beach Park brought in $874,114 in motor vehicle parking fees during the just-completed summer season, more than enough to offset the $800,908 spent to maintain it and all other city parks. City…

Saugatuck volleyball beats visiting Parchment

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20251 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorThe Saugatuck volleyball team hosted SAC rival Parchment on Thursday, Oct. 9, and the match went down to the wire.After the teams split the first two sets—Saugatuck took sets two (25-20) and three (25-19), while Parchment won…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20254 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorOctopus EthicsPETA is on a roll. People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, having taken credit for closing the Ringling Brothers-Barnum & Bailey Circus, now wants Detroit Red Wings fans to stop throwing dead octopi onto the hockey arena…

The heat was on

The heat was on

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20252 min read

A perfect fall day brought more than 1,000 guests to enjoy the annual Cow Hill Yacht Club Chili Cook Off Sunday in Saugatuck’s Wicks Park.The Cook Off was a competition between 14 top area restaurants. They served chilis competing in…

Easy come, easy go for city gateway sign

Easy come, easy go for city gateway sign

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20251 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorSo much for the latest “Saugatuck” sign at the corner of Holland Street and Blue Star Highway.The wood-frame marker, moved in August from Mt. Baldhead Park to replace a past sign damaged by cars, was itself mowed down…

Allegan swim & dive team picks up victory over Hastings

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20252 min read

The Allegan girls swim & dive team earned an 85-75 victory over Hastings on Tuesday, Oct. 7.With such a small roster, the Tigers knew every swim would matter—and they rose to the challenge, according to head coach Carol Gephart.“The girls…

Otsego captures second consecutive regional crown

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor EAST LANSING—Prior to last season, the Otsego girls golf team had never won a regional championship.Now the Bulldogs have captured back-to-back regional titlesParticipating in the Division 3 regional at Michigan State University’s Forest Akers East on…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20255 min read

I put on a DVD of George Clooney’s film “Good Night and Good Luck” the other evening. Although 20 years old, it is just as relevant, if not more so, today.It’’s the story of U.S. news reporter (radio, journalism and television), Edward…

Mike’s Musings: A time to celebrate, hostages have been released

Mike’s Musings: A time to celebrate, hostages have been released

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20254 min read

I don’t care how bad your Trump Derangement Syndrome might be, you have to give the man credit for orchestrating a deal that released the 20 living Israeli hostages from the grips of Hamas on Monday.On Monday, the world witnessed…

Sylvia’s Place a champion of domestic violence victims for many years

Sylvia’s Place a champion of domestic violence victims for many years

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20258 min read

By Gari Voss October is domestic violence awareness month. The color is purple and is associated with the fight to end domestic violence. The Allegan City Hall staff including the City Police have joined a county-wide effort to bring awareness…

SHARK founder names names of other alleged cockfighters in area

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20252 min read

By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer In another twist in the cockfighting story that has been developing since July of this year, SHARK founder Steve Hindi now says that he has the names and addresses of nine (9) other alleged cockfighters who…

City Council approves statement about master plan objections

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20255 min read

By James Windell The public comments at the City Council Meeting on Monday, October 6, 2025, hinted at dark forces that had changed wording in the 2025 Master Plan update.Some residents again, as in previous City Council meetings, expressed concerns…

Bunde’s Bakery owner clarifies position on 89 North Shore Drive

Bunde’s Bakery owner clarifies position on 89 North Shore Drive

Editorial StaffOct 15, 20252 min read

By James Windell Although Jim Sankofski, owner of Bunde’s Bakery at 89 North Shore Drive, South Haven, made a brief statement at the October 6, 2025 South Haven City Council meeting, he had more to say.Speaking to the Beacon a…

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.