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

South Haven athlete set for national triathlon

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent SOUTH HAVEN — Zander Duncan is coming off a unique sophomore season as a South Haven athlete.He was a state qualifier in swim last year as a sophomore, Duncan was a running back for the JVs with…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20255 min read

The optics don’t look regarding how our nation is handling the immigration situation.My ancestors came to the U.S. in the 1840s seeking a better life, more freedom from overreaching clergy and government, and a chance to own their own land.…

Mike’s Musings: It’s Time for the Fed to Lower Interest Rates – Before It’s Too Late

Mike’s Musings: It’s Time for the Fed to Lower Interest Rates – Before It’s Too Late

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20254 min read

The Federal Reserve has done its job. Inflation, which recently reached its highest point in forty years, has gradually moderated. The labor market, while still resilient, shows signs of softening. Consumer confidence is shaky, small businesses are tightening their belts,…

City Council considers beach concession surcharge

City Council considers beach concession surcharge

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20253 min read

By James Windell It promised to be a South Haven City Council meeting devoid of controversy and contention on Monday, July 7, 2025, in the City Hall Chambers.The first several items on the agenda lived up to that promise. And…

South Haven riverfront concerts every Thursday

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20251 min read

The popular South Haven Community Riverfront Concert Series is underway attracting hundreds. The concerts take place Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. through Labor Day. South Haven’s Riverfront Park hosts a variety of musical performances, including jazz, classical, folk and contemporary. The performances…

Samantha Kellum: Ward 1 City Council Candidate

Samantha Kellum: Ward 1 City Council Candidate

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20253 min read

By James Windell As a life-long resident of South Haven and growing up in Ward 1, Samantha Kellum thinks she could effectively represent the people in her ward.“I think that a lot of things that are important to Ward One…

Eddie Polk: Candidate for Ward 1 City Council Position

Eddie Polk: Candidate for Ward 1 City Council Position

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20253 min read

By James Windell Eddie Polk remembers what Elkenburg Park was like when he was a kid.“I have beautiful memories growing up around the Elkenburg Park area,” he says. “Historically, Elkenburg Park has been a family gathering place. We used to…

Lisa Krupiarz: Ward 1 City Council Candidate

Lisa Krupiarz: Ward 1 City Council Candidate

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20253 min read

By James Windell Lisa Krupiarz may not be a life-long South Haven resident, but there’s one thing that she has to her credit. At nearly every South Haven City Council meeting, Krupiarz will not only show up, but she will…

Three vye for Ward 1 council position

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20252 min read

By James Windell Registered voters in South Haven’s Ward 1 will be selecting a new representative to the city council this fall.In Ward 1, the current city council members are Letitia Wilkins and Joe Reeser. Council Member Reeser, however, has…

2-vehicle crash sends one to hospital with serious injuries

2-vehicle crash sends one to hospital with serious injuries

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20251 min read

Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbot reported that on July 10, Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched at 3:38 p.m., to the area of County Road 388 and 68th Street in Geneva Township for a two-vehicle crash. Initial…

Police Chief praised for lifesaving efforts in Ludington possible drowning

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20252 min read

The Village of Paw Paw on Monday, July 14, praised the efforts of Village of Paw Paw Police Chief Eric Rottman for his life saving actions in a report of a possible drowning that occurred that day in Ludington, Mich.On…

Mattawan police officer killed in line of duty to be remembered

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20251 min read

MATTAWAN – Village of Mattawan Police Officer Scot Beyerstedt, who was killed in the line of duty on July 26, 2005, will be remembered during a 20th anniversary memorial service, Saturday, July 26, at 11 a.m. at Mattawan Memorial Park,…

Mattawan boys track team looks ahead

Editorial StaffJul 9, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN — Among the top performers for Mattawan boys track and field in regional action this season was junior sprinter Connor O’Rourke, who was fifth in the 100-meter dash in 11.33 seconds. O’Rourke was fifth in the…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffJul 9, 20255 min read

My sister Beverly is the family genealogist. She started some 60 years and has stayed with it ever since.It is not exactly an obsession, but she has converted a bedroom into her office, complete with walls lined with shelves, and…

Mike’s Musings: Legislators, lobbyists married to one another is a conflict of interest

Mike’s Musings: Legislators, lobbyists married to one another is a conflict of interest

Editorial StaffJul 9, 20253 min read

I was sent an article from the Lansing City Pulse written by Kyle Melinn, that claims there are four state legislators that are married to lobbyists.As Melinn says “that means in four households, one person works for the state to…

Mayor and city council candidates will appear at forum

Editorial StaffJul 9, 20254 min read

James Windell One thing is certain about South Haven Mayor Annie Brown, who was elected in 2023. She loves her job as mayor.“I love being mayor,” she says. “I love the people. And I like politics – because politics means…

Garden Walk scheduled for July 12

Garden Walk scheduled for July 12

Editorial StaffJul 9, 20253 min read

By James Windell The South Haven Garden Club wants to lead you down the garden path. But that’s a good thing.You can walk down the garden path on July 12, 2025 for the 27th Annual Garden Walk. The themed trip…

Wanted fugitive taken into custody after pipe bomb standoff

Wanted fugitive taken into custody after pipe bomb standoff

Editorial StaffJul 9, 20253 min read

On Monday, July 7, Morgan Scott Parish, 58, was arraigned in 7th District Court, Paw Paw, before Honorable Judge McKay. Parish was formally charged with 18 criminal counts, including terrorism, multiple counts of assault with intent to murder, explosive-related offenses, and assaulting/resisting…

Lawton’s Summerfest to make return July 12

Lawton’s Summerfest to make return July 12

Editorial StaffJul 9, 20253 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWTON – Following a year’s absence due to downtown road construction and improvements, the Lawton Summerfest will return July 12, according to event organizers.Highlights of the day will include a parade and fireworks at dusk.From 2…

70th annual Van Buren Youth Fair set for July 14-19

Editorial StaffJul 9, 20253 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com HARTFORD – A free grandstand with paid gate admission returns for a second year at the 70th annual Van Buren Youth Fair, which will get underway July 14-19, for its weeklong run.Nightly grandstand features include:Monday, July…