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

Can you identify this Vehicle?

Can you identify this Vehicle?

Editorial StaffMar 5, 20251 min read

Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that Sheriff’s deputies are asking for help from the public to identify the suspect in a hit and run crash that occurred in the 32000 block of County Road 669 in Porter Township.…

South Haven wrestlers have strong season

Editorial StaffMar 5, 20253 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent Coach Brad Adamson had several talented wrestlers this season as South Haven and provides various comments on each one.Senior- Jocelyn Saucedo “wrapped up her high school wrestling career this weekend as a three time state qualifier, two…

City Commission approves sidewalk assessment, street-vacation request Board also receives details regarding public safety department projects

Editorial StaffFeb 28, 20253 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday held public hearings to consider approval of special assessment rolls related to an East Jerolene Street sidewalk project, and for a second resolution to vacate a portion of North Fourth Street. For the…

Bowling teams compete in regionals

Editorial StaffFeb 26, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — Paw Paw girls were ninth in the Division 2, Regional 12 bowling tournament last week at Kalamazoo.Kendall Flowers Schade led Paw Paw with a 636 for 51st place.The Paw Paw boys were 12th in…

Mike’s Musings: How do our public servants amass their huge new worths?

Mike’s Musings: How do our public servants amass their huge new worths?

Editorial StaffFeb 26, 20253 min read

I often wonder if I chose the wrong profession. Don’t get me wrong I love my work, but sometimes toiling 60 hours a week becomes kind of a drag at my age.I should have run for election and become a…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffFeb 26, 20255 min read

I find it hard to keep up with all the executive orders being signed by our President, then trying to understand how they might impact my life.One of Trump’s orders that caught my attention directed the people in charge of…

Obituary: Glennie Collins Wilson

Obituary: Glennie Collins Wilson

Editorial StaffFeb 26, 20252 min read

Glennie Collins Wilson, 105, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at Rose Arbor Hospice, Kalamazoo.She was born Oct. 9, 1919, in Dowagiac, MI, the daughter of Frank Lyle Brookfield and Nettie Eldora (Pecher) Brookfield.Glennie worked for…

Obituary: Lois (Carnell) Jewell

Obituary: Lois (Carnell) Jewell

Editorial StaffFeb 26, 20256 min read

Lois (Carnell) Jewell, affectionately known as “Mother Jewell”, 103 years old, was called home and transitioned to be with the Lord on Friday December 20, 2024, at South Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in South Haven, Michigan. Lois was born…

Chamber of Commerce announces new Executive Director

Chamber of Commerce announces new Executive Director

Editorial StaffFeb 26, 20252 min read

By James Windell The South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce will have a new Executive Director after Kathy Wagaman has led the agency for the past 13 years.Beginning March 1, 2025, Brandy Key, who has been the Community Liaison for…

Riverwoods Project close to being purchased

Editorial StaffFeb 26, 20253 min read

By James Windell On February 18, 2025, Scott Reinert, South Haven Area Recreation Authority (SHARA) Recreation Administrator, updated the SHARA Board on the Riverwoods site purchase.Riverwoods is a site owned by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Located adjacent to…

City Council sends new STR ordinance to Planning Commission

Editorial StaffFeb 26, 20254 min read

By James Windell The South Haven City Council voted to send a revised Short-Term Rental (STR) ordinance to the Planning Commission.While this was welcome news to some factions, it was met with something less than enthusiasm by others.The revised STR…

Student art displayed at South Haven Center for Arts

Student art displayed at South Haven Center for Arts

Editorial StaffFeb 26, 20252 min read

Voices Made Visual, Middle and High School Art Exhibition held its opening reception at the South Haven Center for the Arts on Friday, February 28, from 5-7pm. Artists, family, friends, and com-munity members were all invited to celebrate with refreshments,…

Chili Walk brings crowd to downtown Paw Paw

Chili Walk brings crowd to downtown Paw Paw

Editorial StaffFeb 26, 20251 min read

The third annual Paw Paw Chili Walk was held Saturday, Feb. 22, in downtown Paw Paw. Nearly 30 businesses and organizations took part in the event that attracted large crowds during the event, held from noon to 4 p.m. The…

Groundbreaking set for first Mattawan Consolidated School Construction Bond Project Stadium Work, Phase 1

Groundbreaking set for first Mattawan Consolidated School Construction Bond Project Stadium Work, Phase 1

Editorial StaffFeb 26, 20256 min read

MATTAWAN – Mattawan Consolidated School has announced the first groundbreaking ceremony for the district’s inaugural construction project under the $110 million School Construction Bond. The event will take place March 10, at 6 p.m. at the stadium and will officially…

Occupant found dead in Lawton house fire

Editorial StaffFeb 26, 20251 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWTON – Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives are investigating a fatal house fire that occurred Friday, February 21, at approximately 7:08 a.m., in the 29000…

Mike’s Musings: Engaging with scammers- don’t follow my son’s lead

Mike’s Musings: Engaging with scammers- don’t follow my son’s lead

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20255 min read

I was talking with my son recently, and somehow we got on the topic of these pre-recorded prank calls he used to get. Unlike most of us he enjoys engaging with these pranksters. He know they are fraudsters but gets…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20254 min read

BY G.C. STOPPELI came to know John Thistle when we played bagpipes in the Fourth Battalion of the West Mosby Volunteers Band. The name came from a tiny village a few miles outside of Mosby, Mont. He was a good…

Obituary: Dennis Eugene

Obituary: Dennis Eugene

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20253 min read

Dennis Eugene was born with the infamous “Carter Scowl” on Feb. 5, 1947, in South Bend, IN, to Pinkney Eugene and Norma Jean (Cook) Carter. In the middle of five other siblings, Butch, as he came to be called, spent…

First new condos in a decade unveiled

First new condos in a decade unveiled

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20252 min read

By James Windell The first new condominiums in a decade were unveiled to the public on February 13, 2025.Located at A1 N. Bailey Ave., the three-story, three-bed, three-bath and three-balcony condos overlook the Black River that provides direct access to…

Rich Greene advocates for short term rentals

Rich Greene advocates for short term rentals

Editorial StaffFeb 19, 20254 min read

By James Windell Rich Greene has always found himself in an advocacy position. Whether it was when he was in the Persian Gulf as a Navy Hospital Corpsman, as a special education teacher in Chicago working with the impoverished, or,…