New county veterans services director named
Michael Fossitt, shown above, was recently promoted to Van Buren County Veterans Services Director. Fossitt previously served as a Van Buren County Veterans Services Officer. Fossitt is a Paw Paw native and a decorated Army veteran who served with the…
Mattawan Schools non-homestead operating millage on May ballot
MATTAWAN – On May 5, Mattawan Consolidated School will ask voters to renew its Non-Homestead Operating Millage for another four-year term. The millage rate is currently 19.4227, with the maximum being levied at any point is 18 mills.The district last…
Deputies find suspect hiding in garage, charged with multiple felonies
ALMENA TWP. – Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported on April 9, at approximately 9:15 p.m., Van Buren County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 25000 block of M-43 in Almena Township for a reported assault.Upon arrival and investigation,…
Former court administrator’s sentencing rescheduled
The sentencing for a former county court administrator who pleaded guilty to embezzling over $100,000 is being rescheduled.Rachel Celeste Lindley, 42, a former Paw Paw resident, began working for Van Buren County as the Specialty Courts Administrator in 2016 before…
Benefit Concert to Feature Jean Watson
PAW PAW – A benefit concert featuring recording artist Jean Watson will be held Sunday, April 19, at 3 p.m. at the Paw Paw United Methodist Church. 420 W. Michigan Ave.Watson is a singer, violinist, recording artist, author, and speaker…
Life as Performance Art
I spent most of last Thursday afternoon March 27 listening to the radio, taking in the opening day of the baseball season. The Chicago Cubs were playing the Washington Nationals, and if you can’t remember the score, “Wait ‘til next…
Mattawan splits Saturday games
By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN — Mattawan’s baseball team split with two teams on the road on April 4 in a doubleheader.Mattawan is 2-2.Novi won the first game 7-2 against Mattawan which won its second game against the Rochester Falcons 7-0.Mattawan’s…
Mike’s Musings: Rescues are an Easter weekend miracle
There are moments when a nation is reminded, in the clearest possible terms, who it is and who it chooses to be. The rescue of two American airmen from enemy territory is one of those moments. Not just because it…
South Haven Performance Series announces 2026 season
By James Windell The South Haven Performance Series is genuinely excited about the strength of this year’s concert schedule and the expansion to a six-concert series. Th 2026 season, the 16th for the South Haven Performance Series, ranges from award-winning pianist Elliot Wuu to the…
Rain, rain and more rain: Saturday, April 4, brings rain, rain, and more rain
Standing water is shown on Sunday, April 5, near LTW Ergonomic Solutions, Lawrence, located on South Paw Paw Street, following Saturday’s daylong rain. Nearby, a grassy area south of the Lawrence Post Office was underwater on Sunday as Saturday’s rainstorm…
Area students to display art
SOUTH HAVEN – Perspective: Middle and High School Art Exhibition will celebrate with an opening reception at the South Haven Center for the Arts on Friday, April 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. Artists, teachers, family, friends, and community members all invited…
Life as Performance Art
The other day I opened my accordion case for the first time in far too long. Under it were a couple song books published by the War Department at the beginning of World War II.The USO, chaplains and division morale…
Lawton’s softball depth excites coach Ludwig
By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWTON — Lawton softball coach Madison Ludwig was impressed with how her tam performed in 2025 and is looking forward tot he results from cc“The 2025 season was a true testament to the hard work, resilience, and…
Mike’s Musings: Shame on Congress, sexual harassment, misconduct claims will remain secret
There are few things more corrosive to public trust than the appearance that those in power play by a different set of rules. Congress’s long-standing practice of shielding the identities of lawmakers who used taxpayer-funded settlements to resolve sexual harassment…
Carlotto lawsuit against South Haven assigned to mediator
By James Windell Phillip J. Green, the U.S. Magistrate Judge assigned to the Pat Carlotto case, has signed an order appointing a mediator in the case.Carlotto, a 25-year veteran of the South Haven Police Department, was passed over for police…
SHHS geometry students create rafts from recycled materials
By Tom Renner South Haven high school students in a geometry class took a recent assignment quite literally.The assignment was created by Amy Cockburn, the high school principal who is also teaching the geometry class.Students were tasked to apply circle…
Planners approve Victoria Resort rezoning
By James Windell A special meeting was called by the South Haven Planning Commission on March 23, 2026 in order to hold four public hearings. Three of the public hearings related to special land use applications. The other had to…
Indivisible Paw Paw marks one-year of protests with third No Kings rally
On Saturday, March 28, in Paw Paw, the local Indivisible group marked its one-year anniversary of hosting peaceful protests at the same time joining millions of Americans in an organized day of action for the third No Kings event. The…
Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office honors citizen for heroic actions
On March 24, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office formally recognized Ricky Holly for his courageous and selfless actions during a residential structure fire that occurred on Feb. 28, in Pine Grove Township.Holly was presented with a Letter of Commendation…
