Life as Performance Art
As the late Yogi Berra once observed on several occasions, “Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be.” He is right, and perhaps nothing makes that quite as clear as when we celebrate a significant date or event. Right now,…
Paw Paw District Library holds grand opening for outdoor space
By Paul GarrodStaff writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – The Paw Paw District Library held a grand opening on Wednesday, July 8, for its new outdoor space.Brian Wiersma, Paw Paw District Library Board President, thanked those who gathered to celebrate the grand…
Thorpe places in qualifier
By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — Paw Paw senior Taylor Thorpe, who was a junior during the track and field season this past spriing, placed at the AAU Track and Field regional qualifier in two events at Flint Carmen Ainsworth.Thorpe…
Mike’s Musings: America’s Debt Addiction Is the Greatest Threat We Choose to Ignore
Americans worry about inflation. They worry about the cost of groceries, gasoline, mortgages, and whether Social Security will be there when they retire. Yet the greatest financial threat facing our nation is one that receives surprisingly little attention: the staggering…
Death investigation following traffic stop in Van Buren County
On Wednesday, July 8, at approximately 9:54 a.m., members of the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and Uniform Response Division observed a Ford pickup truck commit multiple traffic violations. Detectives also recognized the driver as an individual they…
A full slate of activities on tap for Paw Paw Days next weekend
PAW PAW – Classic cars and trucks, arts and crafts, food vendors, Kids Zone and Touch-A-Truck, paired with other summertime activities around town will fill up Paw Paw Days weekend, July 24 and 25, with loads of family-friendly fun.The Paw…
M-40 reconstruction and bridge replacement rescheduled again
By Paul GarrodStaff writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – In a memorandum presented to the Paw Paw Village Council Monday night, July 13, Paw Paw Village Manager Bryan Myrkle said the village was recently notified by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)…
Life as Performance Art
The headline caught my attention: “Mike Rowe says there is a lack of hunger in America.” I am sure I was not the only person who thought he was writing about a lack of food and physical hunger. He…
Mattawan wrestler has bright future
By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN — Remi Schoonbeck had quite a wrestling freshman season for Mattawan at 138 pounds and cannot wait for what the future might bring him and to Mattawan’s sports program.As of in late the season, he had…
Monument unveiled to honor Lawrence area Vietnam veterans
A dedication ceremony for a Vietnam War monument was held Sunday afternoon at Hill Cemetery, Lawence, to honor Lawrence area Vietnam veterans. As a light, steady rain fell during the 45-minute ceremony, it didn’t dampen the spirits of those who…
Storms clear beaches twice but fireworks still find window to go off
Thousands of people swarmed South Haven beaches this past Friday in anticipation of the community’s Light Up the Lake fireworks show. Photo taken two hours before the scheduled show. For the second time that day, the crowd was encouraged to leave the…
Ayres seriously injured in accident in South Haven
By James Windell On June 11, 2026, Kristin Ayres rode her bike to handbell choir practice at the First Congregational Church in South Haven.When the practice was over, Kris put on her helmet and biked down to the Shell Gas…
Nine passengers rescued from disabled vehicle
Nine boaters were safely rescued from a disabled vessel during a severe thunderstorm warning in Lake Michigan. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, whose marine patrol led the rescue, said the rescue effort about 3:30 p.m. Friday happened amid a severe…
Parasailer rescued by SHAES
A parasailer who became entangled in the canopy’s ropes and was unable to return to the Lake Michigan shore was rescued by SHAES responders Tuesday afternoon.SHAES was dispatched to the incident off the North Beach at 2:35 p.m. Another nearby…
Rain and high winds wreak havoc in area
The roof of the Maple Lake Amphitheater was damaged during a Friday afternoon July 3, storm that slammed the area. The damage forced the cancellation of Sunday night’s July 5, concert featuring the Out of Favor Boys. The stage will…
Fatal head-on crash closes M-43 in Waverly Township
WAVERLY TWP. – On the night of July 3, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a two-vehicle head-on crash on M-43 at 46th Street in Waverly Township, according to a press release from the…
Mike’s Musings: America at 250: From a Distant Shore to the Greatest Experiment in Freedom
One could argue, America is much more than 250 years ago. In fact America’s beginnings began over 500 years ago.In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed west across an ocean that many Europeans still viewed as the edge of the known world.…
Life as Performance Art
I walked into a local shop to see a long-time friend; I walked out carrying a century old Arts and Crafts era table lamp. I was not on a quest for a lamp. In fact, I did not really…
Football teams getting ready
By John RaffelCórrespondent The start of football practice is less than three weeks away but coaches and teams are already getting ready.This includes Ryan Casey, coach of the Van Buren co-op which includes Bangor, Lawrence and Covert.“We have been strength…
