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

Meet Tom Capps: Ward 2 City Council Candidate

Meet Tom Capps: Ward 2 City Council Candidate

Editorial Staff Jul 23, 2025 3 min read

By James Windell Sitting on the patio behind Tom Capps’s house, he hesitates before responding to the question, “Why did you decide to run for City Council?”After deliberating he says: “I think I can have a calming effect on the…

Meet Todd Heinrich: Ward 2 City Council Candidate

Meet Todd Heinrich: Ward 2 City Council Candidate

Editorial Staff Jul 23, 2025 3 min read

By James Windell Todd Heinrich says he’s been accused of being anti-tourism. But that ‘s not true he says.“I very much like tourism,” said in a recent interview. “I like to talk to tourists and find out where they’re from.…

Paw Paw Days to be held this weekend

Editorial Staff Jul 23, 2025 2 min read

PAW PAW – The Paw Paw Area Chamber of Commerce will present its annual Paw Paw Days Classic Car & Truck Show, Arts & Crafts marketplace, Kids Zone, Touch-A-Truck, music, food, and more, Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26.The…

Good Trouble Rally draws over 300 to march and sing-along

Good Trouble Rally draws over 300 to march and sing-along

Editorial Staff Jul 23, 2025 4 min read

By Ann Burch PAW PAW – Reminiscent of the 1950s and 1960s era, folk music streamed from the Maple Lake Amphitheatre stage last Thursday evening, July 17, during the Good Trouble Lives On Rally in Paw Paw.Conducted by Fred Sang,…

Paw Paw man arrested for possession of child sexually abusive material

Paw Paw man arrested for possession of child sexually abusive material

Editorial Staff Jul 23, 2025 2 min read

PAW PAW – Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that on July 9, at approximately 7 a.m., the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, assisted by the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit/Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce,…

Mike’s Musings: “Pay It Forward” Is a Powerful Idea Worth Embracing

Mike’s Musings: “Pay It Forward” Is a Powerful Idea Worth Embracing

Editorial Staff Jul 23, 2025 3 min read

In a world often overshadowed by cynicism, economic struggle, and divisive headlines, the simple idea of “paying it forward” offers a powerful counterbalance. It’s a concept built on selflessness—doing something kind for someone else without expecting anything in return, trusting…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Jul 23, 2025 6 min read

“History doesn’t always repeat itself but it often rhymes,” said Mark Twain. As I write this in mid-July, it looks like there will be a change. For better or worse, I’m not sure.A wonderful thing about a firmly-established republic or…

South Haven athlete set for national triathlon

Editorial Staff Jul 16, 2025 1 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 Staff Jul 16, 2025 5 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 Staff Jul 16, 2025 4 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 Staff Jul 16, 2025 3 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 Staff Jul 16, 2025 1 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 Staff Jul 16, 2025 3 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 Staff Jul 16, 2025 3 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 Staff Jul 16, 2025 3 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 Staff Jul 16, 2025 2 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 Staff Jul 16, 2025 1 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 Staff Jul 16, 2025 2 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 Staff Jul 16, 2025 1 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 Staff Jul 9, 2025 1 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…