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

Alcohol use resolutions approved by council

Editorial StaffFeb 12, 20252 min read

By James Windell A resolution to permit the serving and consumption of alcohol at events at the South Haven Center for the Arts was approved by the South Haven City Council at their regular bimonthly meeting on February 3, 2025.In…

Paw Paw cemetery damaged by vandals

Paw Paw cemetery damaged by vandals

Editorial StaffFeb 12, 20251 min read

The Paw Paw Police Department took report Jan. 31 of destruction that had occurred at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Paw Paw. Paw Paw Chief of Police Eric Rottman said it is unknown when the damage occurred and there are currently no…

Lawton council continues discussion on special police millage or assessment

Editorial StaffFeb 12, 20258 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWTON – At the Jan. 28, Lawton Village Council meeting, council members continued discussion on whether to pursue a special police millage or police special assessment.Lawton Village Council President Josh Appleby brought up discussion about a…

Three to be inducted into Paw Paw Hall Of Fame

Editorial StaffFeb 12, 20255 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.comil.com PAW PAW – This year’s inductees to the Paw Paw Hall of Fame include Eric Laskovy, Perry Richardson, and Michael Roy. The trio will be inducted in ceremonies to be held Feb. 14, at ap-proximately 7:15…

Lawrence girls defeat Eau Claire

Editorial StaffFeb 12, 20252 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWRENCE — Lawrence enjoyed a 60-14 win over Eau Claire on Monday.Senior Hailey Camp had 21 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks for Lawrence.Senior Brooklyn Remelts had 12 points while sophomore Colleen McCaw had 11 points.On Feb.…

Vicksburg girls’ undefeated season comes to end in close loss to Paw Paw

Editorial StaffFeb 7, 20255 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director VICKSBURG — When the two consensus best girls’ basketball teams in the Wolverine Conference, Vicksburg and Paw Paw, square off, fans expect it to be a tight game that goes right down to the wire.Like the…

Girls’ Basketball Roundup Three Rivers sweeps week

Editorial StaffFeb 7, 20257 min read

THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers’ girls’ basketball team got two key wins this past week, defeating Edwardsburg Friday at home 55-49, and winning Tuesday against Dowagiac 52-36.Against Edwardsburg, Dani Glass dropped 29 points along with six rebounds and five steals…

Obituary: Sandra K. Harding

Editorial StaffFeb 7, 20252 min read

Sandra K. Harding age 69 of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away Thursday, January 30, 2025, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan.She was born July 27, 1955, in Three Rivers, Michigan, daughter of the late George and Blossom (Proctor) Williams.Sandra resided…

Bangor, Lawrence post wins

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent BANGOR — On Friday, it was Bangor 39 Decator 33at Bangor.Stat Leaders:Jaelynn Little 16 points; Lexi Wisniewski 12 points; K’liyana O’Steen 8 points; O’Steen 4 rebounds; Little 9 stealsCoach Bret Witkowski: :Vikings played great Decatur team at…

Obituary: Dr. David Millard

Obituary: Dr. David Millard

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20253 min read

Dr. David Millard passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Jan. 30, 2025. David was born Feb. 9, 1928, in Three Rivers, Mich., the son of Carl E. Millard and Bernice (Allen) Millard.David graduated from Three Rivers High School…

Obituary: John Albert Parker

Obituary: John Albert Parker

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20252 min read

John Albert Parker, 67, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully with his daughter and son at his side, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at Medilodge of Kalamazoo, after a courageously fought battle with Huntington’s Disease. He was born Dec. 20, 1957,…

Obituary: Arthur John Arens

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20251 min read

Arthur John Arens, 96, of Lawton, passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in Mattawan. He was born June 24, 1928, in Hancock, Michigan, the son of William Arens and Margaret (Pelkofer) Arens.Arthur and his late wife, Dorothy, founded the Paw…

Mike’s Musings: Even county governments spend unwisely: Case study, Allegan County

Mike’s Musings: Even county governments spend unwisely: Case study, Allegan County

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20253 min read

Our government, whether it is at the local, county, state or federal level, makes numerous decisions on how they spend taxpayers’ money. Some we can agree with, some we can’t. I would like to think with the advent of social…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20254 min read

Sixty years ago a classmate said something insulting and demeaning. It left me with a choice: I could either turn his nose to 12 or tattle to the teacher. I chose the latter and right after school he turned my…

Ice Breaker Festival brings thousands to South Haven

Ice Breaker Festival brings thousands to South Haven

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20251 min read

The 31st Annual Ice Breaker Festival was held in South Haven, January 31 through Feb. 2. It featured ice sculptures, friendly competitions, including Cardboard Sleds on display, (the race was not held), Chili Cook-Off, and the Frozen Fish Fling. Horse…

Explosion, fire destroy three buildings in Geneva Township

Explosion, fire destroy three buildings in Geneva Township

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20251 min read

Fire destroyed three buildings on a property on County Road 687 near 63rd Street, Geneva Township of Van Buren County, early Wednesday morning, according to South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES).SHAES responded at 6:05 a.m. after neighbors reported hearing a…

Paw Paw High School students receive top honors at choir festival

Paw Paw High School students receive top honors at choir festival

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20251 min read

Paw Paw choir students had a great day at the District Solo & Ensemble Festival at Southwestern Michigan College, Dowagiac. The students prepared two pieces to sing in front of experienced adjudicators, and they received excellent feedback on their performances.…

Paw Paw High School students names to state honors choirs

Paw Paw High School students names to state honors choirs

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20251 min read

This past weekend, several Paw Paw Public Schools choir students participated in the State Honors Choirs. These students went through multiple rounds of auditions, and they learned some very challenging pieces of music. They had the opportunity to perform this…

Mattawan man to be sentenced in March for 2023 death

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20252 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – On Monday, Jan. 27, Gregory Campos, 34, of Mattawan, was found guilty following a jury trial in 36th Circuit Court, Paw Paw, on four charges stemming from a 2023 incident in Waverly Township…

Investigation leads to arrest in connection with multiple thefts

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20253 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com A 40-year-old Kalamazoo County man, who was arrested Thursday morning, January 30, in Kalamazoo County on two outstanding warrants, now faces additional charges stemming from thefts throughout Van Buren and Kalamazoo counties, according to a press…

PUBLIC NOTICE
2026 ALLEGAN COUNTY PROPOSED FINAL BUDGET

The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allegan will hold a budget hearing on Thursday, October 9, 2025, for all interested citizens to comment and discuss the proposed budget.

The hearing will take place at 7:00 PM in the Board Room, County Services Building, 3283–122nd Avenue, Allegan, Michigan, to discuss the proposed budget. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. The public may also participate in the meeting/public hearing by calling 1-929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 891 6032 7098, and Meeting Password 471420. For other options connecting to the meeting, please visit the meeting calendar website at www.allegancounty.org or contact the County Administrator’s Office.

The proposed budget may be examined online at www.allegancounty.org under News Media Room or on weekdays at the Office of the Allegan County Administrator (address below), between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. All interested citizens will have the opportunity to give written and/or oral comments.

County will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the public hearing upon one (1) week notice. Individuals requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the following in writing or by telephone:

Robert J. Sarro,
County Administrator,
3283 – 122nd Avenue,
Allegan, Michigan, 49010
269-673-0239