Obituary: Paz Omega West
Paz Omega West, affectionately known as Ms. West or Heidi, was a beacon of light and joy to everyone she encountered. Born on June 25, 1955, in Calbayog City, Philippines, Paz lived a life characterized by her selfless nature, spirited…
Obituary: Joy Elaine Masek (Miner)
“Devoted” is the word that best describes Joy Elaine Masek (Miner) who went to be with the Lord on January 12, 2025. She gave her time and resources to her faith in God and family—-both immediate and extended.Surviving is her…
Obituary: Harold “Gene” Marr
Harold “Gene” Marr, age 87, of Allegan, passed away Saturday, January 11th, 2025 at Ascension Borgess, Kalamazoo. Gene was born December 22nd, 1937 in Dickenson County, IA, son of the late Elmer and Pauline Marr and lived in the Allegan…
Obituary: Sandra Dee Brainerd
Sandra Dee Brainerd, 64, of Plainwell/Otsego, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10th, surrounded by her family. Sandra spent much of her career at Specialty Minerals in Plainwell, where she was known for her tenacity and strong work ethic. In…
Beyond Bones closes its Allegan store
By Gari Voss The Arc of Allegan County Board has announced that its all-natural dog treat business and the storefront known as Beyond Bones will close by February 28, 2025. The business was created in July 2021 to provide employment…
Tech Center celebrates new auto tech building with ribbon cutting ceremony
Faculty, students, and the community gathered to celebrate the official opening of the new Allegan Area ESA Tech Center Auto Tech Building on Thursday, January 9, 2025. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of a $7 million state-of-the-art facility designed…
Life as Performance Art
According to physicians, therapists, pollsters and others, we are sadder than in the past. We smile less and feel gloomier, leaving many without much hope or enthusiasm for the future.In fact, about one in four, or some two billion people,…
Mike’s Musings: Is insurance claim worth chopping your feet off?
In the midst of all the drama many of us experience I thought I’d write about an unusual story, actually better words would be strange and bizarre, that comes from the Ozarks in Missouri.Here’s the setup:A man wanted to cash…
South Haven cheerleader set for strong season
By John RaffelCorrespondent SOUTH HAVEN — Jada A. Lewis-Suggs is a key member of South Haven’s competitive cheer team this season.“We have performed really well together and connect really good,” Lewis-Suggs said. “I would say I performed well so early…
South Haven Board of Education selects new officers
By James Windell With the resignation of long-time School Board President Laura Bos, the South Haven Board of Education selected Shawn Olney as their new President.Other officers chosen by the Board were Claire Bodtke as Vice-President, Doug Ransom as Treasurer…
Lakefront Roofing to buy property from the City
By James Windell The South Haven City Council on January 6, 2025 approved Resolution 2025-04 authorizing a purchase development agreement with Lakefront Roofing, LLC.Lakefront Roofing company, now located in Covert, will buy three acres of land from the city in…
Sheriff’s Office investigates series of scams
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that a series of scams are still being at-tempted and occurring in Van Buren County. On Friday, Jan. 10, a victim was contacted at approx-imately 1:48 p.m. by an…
Sheriff’s Office investigates series of scams
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that a series of scams are still being at-tempted and occurring in Van Buren County. On Friday, Jan. 10, a victim was contacted at approximately 1:48 p.m. by an…
Senate Republican Leader Nesbitt launches campaign for governor
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt of Porter Township announced he is running to become Michigan’s 50th governor, becoming the first announced Republican candidate in the 2026 gubernatorial election.Nesbitt grew up on a sixth-generation family farm and earned…
Sheriff’s Office investigates contractor fraud
An area builder is facing criminal charges following an investigation by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office. Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott said Gordon Leighton, 58, of the Lawton area, faces one count of contractor – fraud, a felony,…
Paw Paw Public School receives MEC grants
Officials from Midwest Energy & Communications, (MEC) Cassopolis, visited Paw Paw Later Elementary and Paw Paw Middle School on Thursday, Jan. 9, to present surprise grant award checks to Paw Paw Middle School teacher Kaylah Laurian and Paw Paw Public…
PPPS notified of cybersecurity incident involving third party vendor
Paw Paw Public Schools issued a statement about a recent unauthorized ac-cess of information that occurred involving PowerSchool, the district’s third-party student information system.Paw Paw Public Schools Superintendent Jeremy Davison said, “We were recently informed that an incident took place…
Guernsey becomes first female lead prosecutor in Jackson County
By Jeff Steers Contributing Writer New Jackson County Lead Prosecutor Kelsey Guernsey did something interesting before Circuit Court Judge John McBain officially signed her to the position. Guernsey asked people in the audience to stand up if they were part…
Columbia Central has solid week in girls basketball
by Jeff Steers Contributing Writer The Columbia Central High School girls basketball team won three games last week. The Golden Eagles defeated Ann Arbor Pioneer, Concord, and Napoleon. Here are scores from area teams. Columbia Central 56, Ann Arbor Pioneer…
