South Haven sophomore has bright future
By John RaffelCorrespondent SOUTH HAVEN — Lyne Badenhorst enjoyed a strong sophomore season for South Haven golf and is looking forward to two more years with the Rams.She shot a 107 in the regionals for 35th place, This was her…
Storms deliver a one-two punch to Van Buren County
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com With Mother Nature delivering a one-two knockout punch of rain, ice and snow late Sunday night and Monday morning, Van Buren County Road Commission (VBCRC) crews began an early start Monday to their work week. The…
All female road patrol first for county
The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office recently experienced an historic milestone, its first all-female general road patrol shift. Though other deputies are assigned to township-specific cars, this shift handles the countywide general road patrol Shown in photo from left, Deputy…
PP Fire Department escorts Santa through the community
The Paw Paw Fire Department served as Santa’s personal escort as the Jolly Old Elf made his way on a fire truck through the community on Wednesday, Dec. 24. The fire department has served as Santa’s escort for several years,…
Life as Performance Art
In the 1950 movie “Harvey” Jimmy Stewart plays Elwood P. Dowd, a certifiable eccentric befriended by 6-foot invisible rabbit named Harvey.It’s a light comedy, but at one point Dowd says something meaningful: that in order to be liked, one had…
Mike’s Musings: When Silence Walks Louder Than Shouting
In a world addicted to outrage, the most radical protest I’ve seen lately involved no slogans, no megaphones, and no demands shouted into the air. It was a line of Buddhist monks walking.I first noticed this on Facebook. The monks…
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,…
