Courier-Leader, Paw Paw Flashes, & South Haven Beacon

Paw Paw girls beat Mattawan

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — Paw Paw’s softball team is 28-2 after two wins on Saturday including a 6-5 edging of Mattawan.Paw Paw also beat Wayland 11-4. Paw Paw lost to Unity Christian 12-0.For Paw Paw against Mattawan, it…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20255 min read

One of my favorite short stories is “The Verger” by Somerset Maugham. Hero Albert Foreman has held his parish post for decades before a new clergyman replaces the old and learns he’s illiterate.He doesn’t need to know how to read…

Mike’s Musings: State needs to have more control over spending

Mike’s Musings: State needs to have more control over spending

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20253 min read

I shake my head at some of the shenanigans pulled by leaders we place in public office. Very few of them understand that the money that pays their salaries and funds the programs that run the government come out of…

South Haven ball teams clinch conference championships with an hour of each other

South Haven ball teams clinch conference championships with an hour of each other

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20251 min read

By Tom Renner South Haven High School athletics had a unique historic moment last Tuesday as the baseball and softball teams clinched within an hour of each other conference championships on their respective home fields.First, the baseball Rams defeated Allegan…

St. Basil Catholic School will close after 75 years

St. Basil Catholic School will close after 75 years

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20253 min read

By James Windell After 75 years of educating children in South Haven, St. Basil Catholic School will close on June 5, 2025.Principal Jennifer Marcheschi confirmed that the school, which has students from pre-kindergarten through the eighth grade, will permanently close…

South Haven City Council supports city manager at special meeting

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20254 min read

By James Windell The South Haven City Council called a special meeting for Friday, May 16, 2025 at 8:00 am. However, the agenda for this surprise meeting had only one item listed: Discussion, deliberation and potential action regarding personnel matters.Prior…

Stermer sentenced to life without parole

Stermer sentenced to life without parole

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20252 min read

Linda Stermer, a Van Buren County woman convicted of murdering her husband back in 2007, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, a judge ruled Monday.Stermer also received credit for 3,367 days already served.“I came…

Area towns to hold Memorial Day parades

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20252 min read

GOBLES – Gobles will hold a Memorial Day Parade at 9 a.m., Monday, May 26, that will travel down State Street (M-40). Lineup will begin at the Gobles High School parking lot at 8:30 a.m.LAWRENCE – Lawrence will hold a…

Paw Paw to hold Memorial Day parade

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20251 min read

PAW PAW – Paw Paw’s 104rd annual Memorial Day services will be held Monday, May 27, with the annual parade starting at 10 a.m. from the Bistro 120 parking lot, via Michigan Avenue to the Veterans Memorial Park for services.Following…

South Haven falls to Brandywine

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20253 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent SOUTH HAVEN — Even though South Haven Rams collected 10 hits to Brandywine’s five, they still fell 8-7 on Thursday.Wyatt Dotson, Jonathan Bevevino, and Jacob Bosma each collected two hits for South Haven Varsity Rams.South Haven was…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20254 min read

I caught the warning in a rural newspaper that now we are moving into planting season, watch out for slow-moving farm vehicles as they go from field to field or barn to field.Good point to keep in mind now through…

Mike’s Musings: Release the Epstein files now

Mike’s Musings: Release the Epstein files now

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20253 min read

For some reason, the Trump administration, i.e. Attorney General Pam Bondi is slow walking the release of the Epstein files. If I remember correctly, it was a campaign promise to release them asap, and it’s now been 130 days, and…

Flags placed in Lakeview Cemetery to honor veterans

Flags placed in Lakeview Cemetery to honor veterans

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20252 min read

By James Windell On May 6, 2025, members from the South Haven Public Works office, Corwell Health, Baird Financial Services, and the American Legion Post # 49 met at Lakeview Cemetery in South Haven.Their mission was to place flags and…

South Haven City Council approves prosecuting attorney

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20253 min read

By James Windell On the agenda for the last South Haven City Council meeting on Monday, May 5, 2025, was the selection of a Prosecuting Attorney for the City.Mark A. Manning has been South Haven’s prosecuting attorney for many years,…

Students help plant salmon fingerlings in Black River

Students help plant salmon fingerlings in Black River

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20251 min read

South Haven Rotarians joined fourth and fifth graders from North Shore elementary school in planting salmon fingerlings in the Black River on Wednesday, May 7.The planting was the culmination of an annual project. The life of the fish started as spawned…

City Council approves public hearing budget

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20252 min read

James Windell A public hearing on the proposed budget for the City of South Haven for the 2025-2026 fiscal year will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025.The South Haven City Council approved the public hearing at its regular meeting…

Upgrades made at Paw Paw Waste and Recycling Center

Upgrades made at Paw Paw Waste and Recycling Center

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20253 min read

PAW PAW – Paw Paw Township, along with the Van Buren Conservation District (VBCD) made some big changes with upgrades over the last year at the Paw Paw Waste and Recycling Center, 38016 W. Red Arrow Highway, Paw Paw.Paw Paw…

Paz is Mattawan’s first ever to win award

Paz is Mattawan’s first ever to win award

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20251 min read

Alejandra Tienda Paz, a senior at Mattawan High School, became the district’s first ever recipient of the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy. She earned the prestigious recognition for her proficiency in both English and Spanish and will receive a special seal…

Paw Paw High School mural sparks mental health conversations

Paw Paw High School mural sparks mental health conversations

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20252 min read

PAW PAW – At Paw Paw High School, Art Teacher Sarah Bentley and English Teacher Sean Kubik, along with their students, are collaborating with visiting artist, Marlo Broughton, to create an artistic outdoor mural that celebrates the community and encourages…