Three fire departments fight Paw Paw Tuesday morning blaze
The Paw Paw Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire, Tuesday morning, July 2, at KPEP, 38266 West Red Arrow Highway, Paw Paw. Arriving at the scene at approximately 9 a.m., fire department members found heavy smoke coming from…
Man stabbed in alcohol-fueled fight
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer ALMENA TWP. – An alcohol-fueled fight between two men in Almena Township late Friday night, June 28, resulted in one man being stabbed and the other charged with assault with intent to commit murder, according to…
Five arrested in Sheriff’s Office “Clean Streets”
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer PAW PAW – Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported the arrest of five individuals with outstanding felony warrants by detectives from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations and Narcotics Division.During the execution of…
Life as Performance Art
Growing up, I had no need for an alarm clock ringing in my ears. I was awakened by the hideous stench after The Olds plugged in the percolator for their first cups of coffee. I don’t know the name…
Mike’s Musings: Assange finally freed, but more accountability needed
One could not escape all the clutter on the airwaves and internet concerning the debate between Biden and Trump this past week. The subject was pontificated on at length, everywhere. How badly did Biden, lose, everyone asked. Will he pull…
Paw Paw players stay active
By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW – It’s the middle of summer and typically high school sport teams stay active with open gyms, camps and many other activities.Paw Paw baseball coach Derek Vanderburg is coming off a very successful spring season…
Obituary: Gerald W Michels
Gerald W Michels, the only child of Lester William and Sena Edith (McGrew) Michels, born September 6, 1942 passed into every lasting life on Monday June 17, 2024.As a member of the McGrew Family who still reside in the area,…
Life as Performance Art
On late cold nights when I was growing up, I would listen to my father’s shortwave radio receiver. I could not make sense of the amateurs sending Morse Code but delighted in finding an English-speaking commercial station. There were many, but the…
Van Buren County Poorhouse Museum reopens following June 2022 storm that damaged building
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer HARTFORD – Following a June 2022 wind and rainstorm that damaged the Van Buren County Poorhouse Museum, a grand re-opening of the museum, the 140th anniversary of the poorhouse building and the 50th anniversary of the…
Mike’s Musings: Lawmakers misbehavior goes unpunished
Nobody knows who, nobody knows why, but $17 million of our money (taxpayers) has been paid out to federal lawmakers accused of sexual (as well as other types of discrimination) misdeeds from 1997 to 2017.Personally, I think this is despicable.…
Obituary: Norma Jean Whiteman
Norma Jean Whiteman, 91, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully surrounded by family during the morning hours of June 3, 2024. She was born Sept. 20, 1932, the daughter of Sherman Austin and Lula (Knapp) Austin.Norma will be remembered for being…
Obituary: Ruth Wilkinson
Ruth Wilkinson, 91, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Thursday, June 13, 2024, at her home in Paw Paw. She was born June 30, 1932, in Chicago, the daughter of Leroy Renwick and Nelle (Lutz) Renwick. Ruth graduated…
Obituary: Philip Lee Preston
Philip Lee Preston, 88, of St. Joseph, MI, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Monday, May 27, 2024 in Mattawan, MI. He was born June 26, 1935 in Coshocton, Ohio to Sylvia and William Preston.Philip and his family…
Life as Performance Art
“Maybe it’s in the closet,” Molly would say. “I’ll check.”We all knew what was coming: Fibber would shout to her, “Don’t touch that closet!” too late, and the sound effects man would pour his props into a metal container, much to the…
Mike’s Musings: Make peace with Russia, align against China
Don’t condemn me before I lay out my logic. Don’t call me a Putin lover or a Russian agent, I’m neither, but do have an opinion that differs from many in power these days.I’m not concerned with Russia. I don’t…
Mattawan golfers have bright future
By John RaffelCorrespondent For Mattawan golfers and coach Troy Pelak, the future looks very bright.Key returners next year.Griffin McClish – Pelak: “Was a freshman this year and had a tremendous season once he got comfortable playing with upper classmen. Griffin…
Nearly 1,700 MEC Customers still without power from Sunday night’s storm
Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC) reports that about 1,672 customers are still out of power late Monday afternoon, June 17, following Sunday night’s storm in southwest Michigan. The largest outages are currently in the townships of Porter (Van Buren County),…
Judge denies injunction request from Arlington Township
ARLINGTON TWP. – On Wednesday, June 12, a show cause hearing in Courtroom 3 at the Van Buren County Courthouse, before Judge Susan Metzger, saw Arlington Township ask the court to issue an injunction stopping Stoneco from engaging in gravel…
Alumnus receives Silver Star medal nearly six decades after Vietnam War
A 1963 graduate of Paw Paw High School was recently honored for his gallantry in action while serving in the United States Marine Corps during the first offensive battle during the Vietnam War in 1965.On May 29, Lance Cpl. Milo…
Lawton track athletes shine at state meet
By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWTON – At the recent Division 3 state finals 12 of our Lawton’s athletes competed very well in several events. Here is a summary of their efforts:Mason Mayne 1st in discus with 166-9; 2nd in shot with…
