Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20253 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorSalvationLeonard Michaels’ 1982 short-story collection “I Would Have Saved Them If I Could” explored how a writer/creator gives birth to characters, then watches almost helplessly as they develop and follow their own free wills towards whatever fates awaits…

Nothing but sincerity

Nothing but sincerity

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20251 min read

… for as far as the eye can see met families coming Saturday to grab among 300 pumpkins set out by the Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt Douglas office. There were free cider and donuts too. Many kids and even some…

‘Is chalk art free speech?’ cities ask

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20254 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorIs chalk art in public places free speech or vandalism? Douglas City Council Monday weighed a measure banning it on heels of neighbor Saugatuck removing a sidewalk message many found offensive.Saugatuck City Council was slated to discuss its…

Otsego Library benefits from Eagle Scout Project

Otsego Library benefits from Eagle Scout Project

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20253 min read

The Otsego District Public Library saw significant improvements to its outdoor spaces thanks to the leadership and service of Eagle Scout candidate Amelia Helen Tuttle of Troop 191, Lakeshore District, Michigan Crossroads Council.Amelia’s project, titled Library Landscaping, focused on enhancing both the safety…

Plainwell royalty

Plainwell royalty

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20251 min read

Plainwell Community Schools held its annual homecoming festivities the week of Monday, Sept. 29. And as always, the week culminated with the crowning of this year’s royalty.Alyssa Weldon (left) was named this year’s queen, while Andrew Hampton was named this…

Plainwell hosts informational meeting for Battle of the Books

Plainwell hosts informational meeting for Battle of the Books

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Battle of the Books has become an annual tradition for area elementary school students.A quiz-bowl-style competition designed for students in grades three through five, Battle of the Books features three rounds of seven questions based on…

Hamilton, Otsego, Allegan compete at D3 invitational

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor HOLLAND—The annual Holland Christian D3 Midseason Invitational took place on Saturday, Oct. 4, and three local teams were among included in the 12-team field.Hamilton had the best showing of that trio, placing fifth with 212 points.…

Otsego girls win at Portage

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20251 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PORTAGE—Domination.No, check that. Total, complete and utter domination.Yep. That pretty much sums up Otsego senior cross country standout Emma Hoffman’s performance in the Division 2 race at the Portage Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 4.Crossing the finish…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20256 min read

By G.C. StoppelAbout the time Pat and I married, new neighbors moved next to our home, and in no time Pat and Sylvia became close friends.Pat had worked in the fur department at Marshall Field’s in Chicago. Sylvia was across the street…

Mike’s Musings: I dare you to put down that cellphone and pay a visit

Mike’s Musings: I dare you to put down that cellphone and pay a visit

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20253 min read

Interaction with other people is critical to our mental health. The texting, phone calling crowd must put down their cellphones occasionally and actually visit friends and families. Unfortunately, this is not happening enough and so many problems are caused because…

Iconic Fennville hotel begins makeover, will house restaurant, speakeasy, event center

Iconic Fennville hotel begins makeover, will house restaurant, speakeasy, event center

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20255 min read

By Gari Voss The hotel in Fennville, MI that has stood next to the railroad tracks for almost a century is in the midst of having a facelift. The DuPree family from Holland, MI purchased the grand structure four years…

SHARK founder says cockfighting ring shared with police several weeks earlier

SHARK founder says cockfighting ring shared with police several weeks earlier

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20255 min read

By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer In a shocking discovery, 36 fighting birds — roosters, were found dead in a Hopkins Twp. property on Oct. 3.Local law enforcement received tips about a cockfighting and betting ring from an animal rights organization called…

Barron’s PCC hearing adjourned until Oct. 30

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20252 min read

By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer Mya Nicole Barron, the 15-year-old former AHS student who is facing weapons charges after allegedly threatening to attack Allegan High School in September, was in 57th District Court today for a PCC.Judge Christopher Burnett conducted the…

Former SHHS athlete now Hope College’s baseball coach

Former SHHS athlete now Hope College’s baseball coach

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20255 min read

By James Windell When Ryan Dorow was a senior at South Haven High School and played three sports, there was only one thought in his mind: Play, play, play!Playing baseball and other sports was all he could think about. He…

Friends Good Will put to rest for winter

Friends Good Will put to rest for winter

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20251 min read

A very familiar scene along the South Haven coastline during the summer months, the Michigan Maritime Museum’s Friends Good Will, was put to rest for the winter months this past weekend.During the downrigging process, volunteers dropped her lines, spars and…

STR owners pack South Haven City Hall council chambers

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20254 min read

By James Windell The City Hall Council Chambers was just not spacious enough to accommodate all of the Short-Term Rental owners who showed up for an STR Informational meeting.Billed on the City of South Haven’s website as an opportunity to…

South Haven High School has a new principal

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20252 min read

By James Windell South Haven High School started the year without a principal. A search for a replacement for Joe Allen, the 2024-2025 high school principal, has been going on since he resigned this past summer to accept the position…

Paw Paw High School senior named 2026 commended student by National Merit Scholarship

Paw Paw High School senior named 2026 commended student by National Merit Scholarship

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20252 min read

PAW PAW – Paw Paw High School Principal Tammy Southworth recently announced that Leah Graves has been named a Commended Student in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation…

Rally to be held Oct. 14, in Paw Paw to remember Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk’s 32nd birthday

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20252 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – A rally, what would have been the 32nd birthday of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Maple Lake Amphitheatre, Paw…

Hartford man arrested, faces a variety of charges

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20253 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com DECATUR – A 33-year-old Hartford area man faces a variety of charges, including flee and elude, possession of methamphetamine, following his recent arrest, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.The man,…

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.