Life as Performance Art
Since the Great Covid Shut Down, Christmas has become very “the past.” I don’t blame it on the virus nor closures used to slow its progress.Some has come from our penchant for online shopping, ordering food and delivery services, plus…
Mattawan girls defeat Paw Paw
By John Raffel MATTAWAN — Mattawan tipped off the 2025-26 girls basketball campaign at home with a 61-44 win over Paw Paw on Dec. 8.Mattawan jumped out to a 20-9 first quarter lead led by Caitlin Ryan’s six points.Stella Shaefer…
Mike’s Musings: We Need The Good News of Christmas
I was searching for words that would express an uplifting spirit this Christmas season. Too many of us, my self-included, consider the holiday season to be a distraction rather than a time to rejoice. Well my friend, Glenn Mollette happened…
Carlotto lawsuit against city said to expose other problems
By James Windell Why did Sgt. Pat Carlotto file a lawsuit against the City of South Haven?Was it just sour grapes because he was passed over for the position of Chief of the South Haven Police Department? Is he looking…
Tallship MJ is holding lonely vigil in Northside Marina
By James Windell Gently rocking in the calm water in Black River on a mild wintery day, the Tallship MJ is holding vigil in boat Slip 22 near South Haven’s Northside Marina.MJ is covered with white canvas except for its…
SHAWSA holds meeting to explain water and sewer rates
By James Windell Dana Burd, Public Works Director, thought South Haven area residents just might have questions about their water and sewer rates. So, he held a public meeting at South Haven High School on Monday December 8, 2025.Not only…
Life as Performance Art
When I was younger five or six deacades ago, Christmas did not seem to come so early. We followed a stately procession of months, holidays and family celebrations.All came in an orderly fashion. Christmas did not begin right after Labor…
Paw Paw boys beat Sturgis, Mattawan wins
By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — It was Paw Paw 55, Sturgis 44 in boys basketball action.Paw Paw had quarter leads of 12-6, 27-25, and 40-25.For Paw Paw, Truman Brennan: 18 pts, 3 Reb, 7 Steals, 3 AssistsKaelin Tate: 14…
Wiley jet skis across Lake Michigan to Chicago
By James Windell You never know what someone of a certain age and a little bit of both time and money will think of next.Take Kirk Wiley for instance. He had a brainstorm. Which had to do with his jet…
Sgt. Pat Carlotto sues South Haven, claims discrimination
By James Windell Sgt. Pat Carlotto, who had served as interim police chief for the South Haven Police Department in both 2024 and 2025, has sued the City of South Haven because he was not selected for the position of…
Jazz Festival creator receives proclamation from South Haven
By James Windell Larry Brown, who created and ran the South Haven Jazz Festival for the past eight years, was honored by Mayor Annie Brown with a Proclamation.The proclamation was awarded to Brown at the South Haven City Council meeting…
Four friends create lighted trees for South Haven
By James Windell When four Indiana Avenue neighbors who are buddies get together, you never know what they will come up with.But Jeremy Buckingham, who goes by the nickname of Sparky – because, he thinks, he has a sparkling personality,…
Working smoke alarm is credited with saving Mattawan resident in structure fire
At approximately 8:50 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, Mattawan Fire, Mattawan Rescue, and Van Buren Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were dispatched to a reported residential structure fire.Upon arrival, crews found a single-wide trailer that was approximately 50 percent involved with heavy…
Paw Paw Launches New “Christmas in the Village” Celebration
Paw Paw will sparkle with holiday cheer this season as the community debuts its new Christmas in the Village celebration – two days of festivities, local spirit, and small-town magic.The event kicks off Friday, Dec. 12, with the Lighted Holiday…
Life as Performance Art
The other day I ran into a longtime friend I haven’t seen for the better part of the year, even though we live less than a mile apart.We quickly caught up, exchanged news and realized we are both appalled by…
Lawrence basketball bids for fun season
By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWRENCE — Noah Wiswary will be coaching a Lawrence boys basketball team which he is confident can have a lot of success this season.“Last year we did not win many games on paper. However we were able…
Mike’s Musings: Why America Needs Controlled Borders, Not Open Ones
The debate over America’s border policies often gets tangled in national politics, angry cable-news segments, and social-media shouting. But beneath all that noise, the issue comes down to something our readers in Allegan, Clare, Van Buren, St. Joseph, Calhoun, Jackson…
Holiday spirit shines bright in South Haven over weekend
By James Windell It couldn’t have been a more fitting holiday kickoff than the Holiday in the Park event on Friday, November 28, 2025.The event, organized by Visit South Haven, brought people to downtown South Haven where everybody was having…
