
National Blueberry Festival set for next weekend
By James Windell West Michigan is the leader of the blueberry industry because of the ideal acidic soil and the lakeshore climate that promotes a thriving crop. Although blueberries are now grown all over the U.S., West Michigan is still…
City Council approves new fee schedule for STRs
By James Windell What the public talks about in the public comments portion of the South Haven City Council meetings is always a foreshadowing of later events in that meeting. So it happened on Monday, July 21, 2025.The second person…
Missing child at South Beach quickly found
By Tom Renner South Haven beaches have been packed during the current sweltering heat wave. A response to a report of a missing child at the South Beach on Wednesday brought a quick response from city beach safety, police and…
Ward 3 candidate is running unopposed
By James Windell David Flack is the only person who filed to run for the soon-to-be open position in Ward 3 in South Haven’s City Council elections. That position is available because George Sleeper has served two terms and is…
Meet Dave Flack: Candidate for City Council Ward 3
By James Windell Although Dave Flack is running unopposed for the Ward 3 South Haven City Council seat, he isn’t going to take his campaign lightly. He is out talking to people and getting to know the issues in Ward…
Work on Maple Island Pedestrian Bridge underway
The Maple Island Pedestrian Bridge is currently being removed and replaced with a new bridge this summer. Work began earlier this month. Maple Island Park will be closed for the duration of the project, which is anticipated to run through…
Foul weather fails to dampen spirits at Paw Paw Days
Despite cloudy skies and some rain, it didn’t dampen the spirits of those who participated and attended the 2025 Paw Paw Days, held Saturday, July 26, in downtown Paw Paw.Photos courtesy/Paul DeYoung
Body discovered near Mattawan Creek
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com MATTAWAN – The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office reported on Friday, July 25, the discovery of a deceased man in the Village of Mattawan, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.Based…
Dumpsters vandalized at Paw Paw Schools construction sites
PAW PAW – It was recently brought to the attention of Paw Paw Public Schools and reported to local law enforcement that several dumpsters around PPPS bond project construction sites have been the target of missing materials, equipment or other…
Road Commission begins work on Red Arrow Highway
LAWRENCE – The Van Buren County Road Commission began work Monday, July 28, along Red Arrow Highway from County Road 681 west to the Hartford city limits. The project will be accomplished by Michigan Paving and Materials Company and involves…
Lawrence high jumper has strong year
By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWRENCE — Lawrence senior Dillon Simpson ended his Lawrence track and field career in impressive fashion.Simpson came into the season as a high jumper, sprinter and discus thrower, hurdler and sprinter, and especially had success in the…
Thrower leads Bloomingdale girls
By John RaffelCorrespondent BLOOMINDALE — Rowan Hegelmann had a strong throwing season for Bloomingdale’s girls track and field team.Hegelmann threw the shot put 33-01.00 in the regionals for third place and narrowly missed qualifying for the state meet.Hegelmann was a…
Paw Paw youth is multi fair award winner
Wyatt Buskirk, 12, of Paw Paw, took several awards last week at the Van Buren Yoth Fair. The awards included, Grand Champion Dairy Heifer, Grand Champion Dairy Cow, Reserve Grand Champion Heavyweight Feeder, Reserve Grand Champion Crossbred Feeder, Grand Champion…
Dinghy poker run benefited humane society, SHHS
South Haven’s Dinghy Poker Run was a soaking success as dozens of boaters plied the Black River on Saturday afternoon. Many were “armed” with water soakers engaging in frequent engagements with other boaters. Proceeds benefited the Al Van Humane Society and…
South Haven Planning Commission selects new chair
By James Windell For the first time in seven years, the South Haven Planning Commission has a new Chairman.Tim Stegemen, who has been the Planning Commission Chair since 2018, nominated Planning Commission member Bob Sherman as his replacement at the…
Three vye for Ward Two position
By James Windell South Haven’s Ward 2 will be selecting a new representative to the city council this fall.In Ward 2, the current city council members are Jeff Arnold and Wendy Onuki. Arnold is not up for re-election, however, Onuki…
Meet Kent Brindley: Ward 2 City Council Candidate
By James Windell Kent Brindley wants to bring both transparency and civil discourse to the South Haven City Council. But he also loves South Haven. And he believes he can help keep South Haven great.“I’m running for city council because…
Meet Tom Capps: Ward 2 City Council Candidate
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
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
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…