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

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…

Gold Star Mothers to host military suicide awareness walk-a-thon

Editorial StaffMay 14, 20252 min read

PAW PAW – American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. (AGSM) will host its third Military Suicide Awareness Walk-A-Thon, Sunday, May 18. Registration begins at noon with the walk at 1 p.m. The walk starts and ends in the Maple City Veterans…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffMay 7, 20256 min read

   Growing up, each year our family went to the “Great Minnesota Get Together,” better known as the State Fair.  We toured the buildings, looked at the agriculture displays and livestock, and usually ate lunch at the Hamline United Methodist…

Mike’s Musings: Absent-minded journalist strikes again

Mike’s Musings: Absent-minded journalist strikes again

Editorial StaffMay 7, 20253 min read

Some people call me absent-minded, others call me addle-headed. Me, I just blame it on being left-handed.Last week, I left my briefcase in a rental car. Its contents were my valuable laptop, scads of paperwork and files and some cash.Let…

South Haven tennis falls

Editorial StaffMay 7, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrerspondent South Haven fell to Kalamazoo Christian 8-0 in girls tennis last week. Singles:No. 1 – Kennedy Price, Kalamazoo Christian def. Olivia Emenhiser, South Haven, 6-0 , 6-0No. 2 – Katie Meints, Kalamazoo Christian def. Harley Nail, South…

Grand Opening held for Decatur Area Waste and Recycling Center

Grand Opening held for Decatur Area Waste and Recycling Center

Editorial StaffMay 7, 20253 min read

The Van Buren Conservation District (VBCD), along with its partners at Hamilton and Decatur townships, and the Village of Decatur jointly announced that on Sat-urday April 26, the Decatur Area Waste and Recycling Center, 300 West Beers St., Decatur, officially…

Lawrence Senior High Band takes straight 1s in state competition

Lawrence Senior High Band takes straight 1s in state competition

Editorial StaffMay 7, 20251 min read

Lawrence Senior High Band takes straight 1s in state competition

Paw Paw names Class of 2025 Academic Elite

Paw Paw names Class of 2025 Academic Elite

Editorial StaffMay 7, 20251 min read

Members of Paw Paw High School’s Class of 2025 Academic Elite include in the back row, from left, Levi Vestrand, Phillip Staffen, Kaetlyn Muir, Darrin Strey, Arin Rickli, Barron Marinich, and Collin Campbell; in the middle row, from left, Taya…

Gronda named MSBOA District 6 Band Teacher of the Year

Gronda named MSBOA District 6 Band Teacher of the Year

Editorial StaffMay 7, 20251 min read

Paw Paw High School Band Director Amy Gronda was recently named MSBOA District 6 Band Teacher of the Year for 2024/2025. “A well-deserved award and an amazing way to end a distinguished career in Paw Paw. Thank you for creating…

National Day of Prayer event held in Paw Paw

National Day of Prayer event held in Paw Paw

Editorial StaffMay 7, 20251 min read

The greater Paw Paw area’s National Day of Prayer was held Thursday, May 1, at noon at St. Mary Catholic Church, Paw Paw. The theme for the 2025 National Day of Prayer, was “Pour Out to the God of Hope…

South Haven Area Emergency Services honors members

South Haven Area Emergency Services honors members

Editorial StaffApr 30, 20253 min read

SOUTH HAVEN – When Ron Wise retired as Executive Director (Chief) of South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) in 2020 he didn’t put away his helmet and boots.Instead, he changed from wearing the traditional white helmet of Chief to the…