Allegan Co. wrestlers qualify for individual State Finals

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor When the Individual Wresting State Finals get underway at Ford Field on Friday, Feb. 28, Allegan County will be well-represented.A total of 36 local grapplers punched their tickets to the Finals by virtue of finishing in…

Obituary: Diane Kathline (Evans) Dietrich

Obituary: Diane Kathline (Evans) Dietrich

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20251 min read

Diane Kathline (Evans) Dietrich passed peacefully in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with family by her side. Diane was born in Allegan, Michigan to her late parents Robert and Marcelle (Ruhele) Evans on July 31, 1950. After high school Diane would work many…

Obituary: Earl Lee Gillette Jr.

Obituary: Earl Lee Gillette Jr.

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20253 min read

Earl Lee Gillette Jr. (86) passed away February 9 at 12:15am. He passed away peacefully with his wife by his side. Earl was born and raised in Allegan, Mi. He married Patricia Lodge in 1957 and went on to have…

Swan Lake residents gather to voice water quality concerns

Swan Lake residents gather to voice water quality concerns

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20255 min read

By Gari Voss Concerned residents around Swan Lake gathered on Monday, February 17, 2025, to examine taking the next steps in improving the water quality of their lake. Over the years, blue-green algae had increased, especially during hot weather. Algae…

Calkins Bridge Dam still in limbo

Calkins Bridge Dam still in limbo

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20254 min read

By Gari Voss Conversations and possible fate regarding Consumers Energy’s 13 hydroelectric dams that are spread across Michigan continue. Community meetings began during 2022 when community members came together several times to examine the condition of the dams and alternatives…

Mike’s Musings: Engaging with scammers- don’t follow my son’s lead

Mike’s Musings: Engaging with scammers- don’t follow my son’s lead

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20255 min read

I was talking with my son recently, and somehow we got on the topic of these pre-recorded prank calls he used to get. Unlike most of us he enjoys engaging with these pranksters. He know they are fraudsters but gets…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20254 min read

BY G.C. STOPPELI came to know John Thistle when we played bagpipes in the Fourth Battalion of the West Mosby Volunteers Band. The name came from a tiny village a few miles outside of Mosby, Mont. He was a good…

Obituary: Dennis Eugene

Obituary: Dennis Eugene

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20253 min read

Dennis Eugene was born with the infamous “Carter Scowl” on Feb. 5, 1947, in South Bend, IN, to Pinkney Eugene and Norma Jean (Cook) Carter. In the middle of five other siblings, Butch, as he came to be called, spent…

First new condos in a decade unveiled

First new condos in a decade unveiled

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20252 min read

By James Windell The first new condominiums in a decade were unveiled to the public on February 13, 2025.Located at A1 N. Bailey Ave., the three-story, three-bed, three-bath and three-balcony condos overlook the Black River that provides direct access to…

Rich Greene advocates for short term rentals

Rich Greene advocates for short term rentals

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20254 min read

By James Windell Rich Greene has always found himself in an advocacy position. Whether it was when he was in the Persian Gulf as a Navy Hospital Corpsman, as a special education teacher in Chicago working with the impoverished, or,…

Parks Commission approves donation of beach wheelchairs

Parks Commission approves donation of beach wheelchairs

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20253 min read

By James Windell Over two million people visit South Haven every year. And most of those visitors come to South Haven during the summer months, attracted by the sandy beaches and the blue waters of Lake Michigan.But an estimated 6…

Masonic Lodge makes donation for child safety

Masonic Lodge makes donation for child safety

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20252 min read

On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Paw Paw-Lawton Masonic Lodge No. 25 presented a check for $1,060 to Child Safety of America, Inc. The donation was made during the monthly meeting of the lodge. Funds provided by the organization were made possible…

PPPS welcomes new Later Elementary principal

PPPS welcomes new Later Elementary principal

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20252 min read

Paw Paw Public Schools recently welcomed Carolyn Murray as its new Paw Paw Later Elementary principal. She succeeds former Paw Paw LES Principal Jeremy Davison, who was recently named as the district’s new superintendent.Before joining PPPS, Murray served as principal…

Ceremony held for Lawton Hall of Fame inductees

Ceremony held for Lawton Hall of Fame inductees

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20251 min read

On Feb. 14, Lawton Community Schools held a ceremony for the 2024-25 Lawton BlueDevil Hall of Fame inductees. Named to this year’s Hall of Fame induction class areJanine and Troy Johnson (shown second from left and center) – Outstanding dedication…

Three inducted in to Paw Paw Hall of Fame

Three inducted in to Paw Paw Hall of Fame

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20251 min read

This year’s inductees to the Paw Paw Hall of Fame include from left, Michael Roy, Erik Laskovy (accepted on behalf of his mother, Diane Peter and Roy’s daughter, Kellin Laskovy), and Perry Richardson. The three were inducted in ceremonies held…

Man faces charges after vehicle travels off roadway with two small children inside

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20252 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com KEELER TWP. – A Pullman area man faces charges of OWI and child endangerment after his vehicle, with two small children inside, traveled off the roadway in Keeler Township. He alleg-edly passed out, with the children…

Lawrence girls defeat Bloomingdale

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent It was Lawrence, 39, Bloomingdale 21 in girls basketball action on Monday.Junior Carolina Mancera had 19 points while sophomore Colleen McCaw has 14 points.Lawrence lost on Feb. 14 to Decatur 35-30.Hailey Camp had 13 points for Lawrence.On…

Super Bowl 59 at the Michigan Theatre

Super Bowl 59 at the Michigan Theatre

Editorial StaffFeb 14, 20253 min read

By Elizabeth Ferszt, Contributing Writer A free Super Bowl party was held at the Michigan Theater of Jackson on Sunday Feb. 9, from 6 p.m. to close. The event was attended by over 100 people, including a camera and reporter…

Christopher Simpson becomes new chief of police, City of Jackson

Christopher Simpson becomes new chief of police, City of Jackson

Editorial StaffFeb 14, 20253 min read

By Elizabeth Ferszt Contributing Writer On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the City of Jackson officially announced that Jackson County Under Sheriff, Christopher A. Simpson (56), will become chief of police for the city. Chief Simpson formerly served the Jackson Police Department…

Eight advance from Dundee Girls District Wrestling

Eight advance from Dundee Girls District Wrestling

Editorial StaffFeb 14, 20251 min read

Jackson County female wrestlers competed at the Dundee District for the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s individual districts. The top four in each weight class advanced to the regional tournament next Sunday at Chelsea. Here are the qualifiers: Bella Huston…