Mike’s Musings: A Father’s Painful Choice Shows True Honor
Many of us are grieving the assassination of TPUSA founder, 31-year-old Charlie Kirk. Its unimaginable to me that in this day and age, a person debating students at an outdoor rally in Utah would be murdered.The assassin has been named…
Planning Commission approves variance to allow new STR
By James Windell When Melissa Schlinger appeared before the South Haven Planning Commission on Thursday, September 4, 2025, she requested that the Planning Commission approve her property at 307 Spruce Street for a variance. The reason for the request was…
SH Food Pantry has been serving needy for over 50 years
By James Windell By 9:45 am on a recent Wednesday morning, the cars were lined up in the parking lot of the First Congregational Church on Phoenix Street.That’s the way it has been every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning for…
Beacon to Feature a Series of Stories on Housing in South Haven
In a series of stories starting in this issue of the South Haven Beacon, we will be exploring the problem of a shortage of affordable houses and apartments in South Haven. In this series, we will feature the personal stories of…
Housing shortage in South Haven affects real people
By James Windell Trenton Bulat isn’t looking to buy a house in South Haven. He merely wants an apartment that he and his boyfriend can live in for a long time.But just as there is a shortage of houses in…
Paw Paw’s Briggs Dam receiving makeover
Following the partial failure and subsequent repair of Briggs Dam in 2017, the State of Michigan’s Dam Safety Division recommended the complete replacement of the spillway as a long-term solution.The Village of Paw Paw has been working with a team…
Bloomingdale’s Oktoberfest opens Friday, September 19th
Bloomingdale’s Oktoberfest 2025 will kick off on Friday, Sept. 19, at Augustus Haven Park, here, for a three-day run, and will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 21. The festival will feature a wide variety of events and activities for all ages.On…
State Police investigate fatal crash
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com ANTWERP TWP. A 41-year-old Paw Paw man was killed Saturday afternoon, Sept. 13, in a head-on crash in Antwerp Township, according to a press release from the Michigan State Police Paw Paw Post.Troopers said the crash…
Young girl allegedly steals truck, vehicle pursuit by authorities follows
GENEVA TWP. – An adolescent girl faces several charges after she was arrested after allegedly taking a stolen truck on a vehicle pursuit Thursday, Sept. 11, in Geneva Township, according to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.At approximately 10:20 a.m.,…
Gobles improves to 3-0
By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — The Gobles Tigers put together a complete performance on both sides of the ball Friday night, rolling to a 44-0 victory over Marcellus, coach Greg Eichler said.The Tigers racked up 396 total yards of offense…
Wings West and Wings Event Center to close, hockey parents worried
Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher For many years, Wings West has been more than a building. It has been a gathering place, a training ground, and a second home for athletes, families, and fans. The beloved Texas Township hockey arena opened in…
Life as Performance Art
As the story goes, a grandfather was trying to help his young grandson with some history homework for school. The boy was frustrated and asked gramps if he had to study it when he was in school. When the…
Mike’s Musings: How to decrease buggy accidents in our communities
It happens over and over, an Amish buggy is hit by a car or truck and severe injuries happen to thos in the buggy. Just last week the scene was Clare County, which by the way has had a half…
SHAES to commemorate Patriot Day
To commemorate Patriot Day and in honor of the 343 members of FDNY who perished on September 11, 2001, the South Haven Area Emergency Services Honor Guard will stand guard at the downtown South Haven Firefighters Memorial on Thursday, Sept.…
DDA approves South Haven Pavilion improvements
By James Windell At the Downtown Development Authority Meeting on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the DDA approved plans to move forward with proposed improvements to the pavilion in the downtown area.In introducing the project at the meeting, Suzanne Brock, DDA…
South Haven police officer honored
By James Windell South Haven Police Officer Cooper Carns was honored at the South Haven City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.Interim Police Chief Adam DeBoer said that Carns was being honored with a Lifesaving Award because of his…
South Haven City Council discusses housing
James Windell The ambiance at Elkenburg Park in South Haven Ward One was more like a picnic than a formal City Council meeting on Thursday, September 2, 2025.Holding their regular meeting on a sunny, pleasantly warm summer evening, the South…
Wine and Harvest Festival does Paw Paw proud
From grape stomping to sipping wine, a great weekend was “uncorked” Courier Leader photos/ Paul Garrod
Paw Paw soccer wins 2-1
By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — The boys soccer team faced off Monday night vs. No. 8 ranked Potter’s House. JV started the night out strong with a 1-0 win. Ethan Leaser scored assisted by Colby Barnett. Nate Klein and…
Michigan Flywheelers to hold antique engine and tractor show
By James Windell It’s a show that is in part a living history museum, part community festival, and part flea market. But the Michigan Flywheelers Antique Engine and Tractor Show will be a place to relive the past with hundreds…
