Life as Performance Art
Sometime in the 1970s my late wife Pat was hired to run an elder artists program for the City of Chicago. Her job was to recruit senior citizens to design and make art to be sold in places like Carson…
Mattawan cheerleaders issue team awards
By John Raffel Mattawan cheer coach Nicole Plumb has announced her 2025-26 team awards.Positive Mental Attitude: Marissa Rutledge,Best Energy: Teagan Cassada.Most Inspiring: Annie Headaphol.True Loyalty: Makena Watson and Ashley Smith.Most Valuable Player Round 1: Ashley Smith.Most Valuable Player Round 2:…
United Christian Services (UCS) fundraiser surpasses $45,000
PAW PAW – United Christian Services held its fifth annual themed “Cups of Compassion” Thursday, March 12, at 600 E. Michigan Ave. The sold-out event gave those who attended an opportunity to choose a hand painted cup, enjoy a catered…
Maritime Museum looking for sailors
By James Windell Ever wonder what it would be like to be part of the crew on a tall ship?Could you see yourself sailing out on Lake Michigan every day this summer? Using terms like braces, sheets, and halyards and…
Waves sweep 57-year-old off of South Haven pier
A 57-year-old man reported to be from out-of-state escaped with his life when waves swept him off the Lake Michigan south pier in South Haven on Friday evening.South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) and South Haven Police Department responded to…
South Haven hires Beach Safety Manager and Chief Lifeguard
By James Windell When the South Haven City Council voted to move forward to create a lifeguard program that would begin by Memorial Day, 2026, it was clear that in order to actually have lifeguards on duty this summer a…
Stein retires from South Haven Memorial Library Board
By James Windell When Jean Stein thinks about her 33 years on the South Haven Memorial Library Board, she can’t help but reminisce about how the library has been through rough times.“We’re in really good shape now,” Stein says as…
Village of Paw Paw pays tribute to its volunteers
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – A Volunteer Recognition Night was held Tuesday, March 10, at St. Julian Winery’s Apollo Banquet Hall, where the Village of Paw Paw paid tribute to volunteers who had served on boards, commissions or…
Congressional Medal of Honor recipient visits Paw Paw Middle School
In an all-school assembly on Tuesday, March 10, students at Paw Paw Middle School had the rare opportunity to hear a message from Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, James C. McCloughan. Born and raised in Van Buren County, Specialist Five…
Multiple crashes reported late Monday along stretch of I-94, causing westbound shutdown
VAN BUREN COUNTY – On Monday, March 16, at approximately 5:45 p.m., Van Buren County Dispatch began receiving multiple 911 calls reporting numerous traffic crashes along westbound Interstate-94 near the 56-mile marker, according to a press release from the Van…
Mike’s Musings: Speculators, not war are driving gas prices higher
Every time Americans pull up to the pump, they’re told the same story: gas prices are high because of global supply problems, geopolitical tensions, or refinery issues. Those factors certainly play a role. For instance the war with Iran has…
Life as Performance Art
I love laughter within boundaries of good taste. We laugh when we see a pompous, self-important individual slipping on the sidewalk; it is not funny when it happens to one of The Olds or someone who is disabled. Rule #1:…
SH swimmers to compete in eight state championship events
By Tom Renner South Haven High School swimmers will compete in eight events at the MHSAA Division 3 State Championships to be held March 13-14 at the Holland Aquatic Center.Zander Duncan has qualified in the 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly…
SHAES constructs historical table
By Tom Renner The firehouse is “home” to first responders whose 24-hour shifts include eating meals together. A growing staff at South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) created a challenge of getting everyone around the table at mealtime.Some imaginative thinking…
Committee of the Whole considers STR renewals
By James Windell In 2025 the South Haven City Council passed a Short-Term Rental ordinance requiring all STR owners to register and have their STR approved in order to rent to visitors.Sounds like a reasonable requirement, right?But not so fast.…
Women who Care raise money for non-profits
By James Windell In 2015, four South Haven women decided to come together to make a greater impact on the community.Having heard about an organization called Women Who Care in Jackson, Michigan, the quartet of women adopted the model of…
Six departments battle Lawrence Township structure fire
Five area fire departments assisted the Lawrene Township Fire Department in battling a structure fire Monday, shortly before noon, at 54890 West Red Arrow Highway, Lawrence. The house, which was vacant, was reported on fire by a passerby. Other fire…
Lake Cora golf club property damaged
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW TOWNSHIP – A portion of a Paw Paw Township golf course was damaged early Sunday morning, March 8, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel…
Lawrence community launches effort to rebuild playground
LAWRENCE – The Lawrence community is launching a fundraising effort to rebuild the playground at Lawrence Village Park, a two-acre park that has served families for decades and draws visitors from across Van Buren County.The original wooden playground was built in 1995 during…
Gobles man arrested, faces charges of possession of counterfeit bills
GOBLES – An 18-year-old Gobles man was recently arrested after Michigan State Police reported that he used counterfeit money during a Facebook marketplace transaction in Van Buren County, according to a press release from the Michigan State Police Paw Paw post.Troopers from…
