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

Charlie Kirk remembered by area residents on what would have been his 32nd birthday

Charlie Kirk remembered by area residents on what would have been his 32nd birthday

Editorial Staff Oct 22, 2025 2 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Tuesday, Oct. 14, was designated by Congress as the National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk, recognizing his lasting contributions to civic education and public service. To mark what would have been his 32nd birthday,…

Lawrence grad named LMC’s Distinguished Alumni

Lawrence grad named LMC’s Distinguished Alumni

Editorial Staff Oct 22, 2025 3 min read

Lake Michigan College has announced  that 2025 Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award has been awarded to Dr. John Marcelletti.  This award is given to an LMC alumnus who has accomplished significant success in his/ her personal or professional endeavors. John will be honored…

Paw Paw man faces drug and firearm charges

Editorial Staff Oct 22, 2025 2 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – A 43-year-old Paw Paw man faces several drug and firearm charges, following his by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that the Van Buren County Narcotics Unit…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Oct 15, 2025 5 min read

I put on a DVD of George Clooney’s film “Good Night and Good Luck” the other evening. Although 20 years old, it is just as relevant, if not more so, today.It’’s the story of U.S. news reporter (radio, journalism and television), Edward…

Mike’s Musings: A time to celebrate, hostages have been released

Mike’s Musings: A time to celebrate, hostages have been released

Editorial Staff Oct 15, 2025 4 min read

I don’t care how bad your Trump Derangement Syndrome might be, you have to give the man credit for orchestrating a deal that released the 20 living Israeli hostages from the grips of Hamas on Monday.On Monday, the world witnessed…

City Council approves statement about master plan objections

Editorial Staff Oct 15, 2025 5 min read

By James Windell The public comments at the City Council Meeting on Monday, October 6, 2025, hinted at dark forces that had changed wording in the 2025 Master Plan update.Some residents again, as in previous City Council meetings, expressed concerns…

Bunde’s Bakery owner clarifies position on 89 North Shore Drive

Bunde’s Bakery owner clarifies position on 89 North Shore Drive

Editorial Staff Oct 15, 2025 2 min read

By James Windell Although Jim Sankofski, owner of Bunde’s Bakery at 89 North Shore Drive, South Haven, made a brief statement at the October 6, 2025 South Haven City Council meeting, he had more to say.Speaking to the Beacon a…

Is Palisades stripper incident real?

Editorial Staff Oct 15, 2025 3 min read

By James Windell Everybody loves a good mystery – especially if it involves a little bit of naughtiness.That’s what we have with a story that has been circulating for the past week in Covert Township and South Haven.The South Haven…

Decatur VFW sponsors veterans stand down

Decatur VFW sponsors veterans stand down

Editorial Staff Oct 15, 2025 1 min read

A Van Buren Veteran Stand Down was held Friday, Oct. 10, at the Decatur VFW, 560 N Phelps St., Decatur. The event gave service veterans an opportunity to connect with local resources, support services, and fellow veterans. The Van Buren/Cass…

Paw Paw Council approves new outdoor space next to library

Paw Paw Council approves new outdoor space next to library

Editorial Staff Oct 15, 2025 2 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – A new outdoor space will be developed in an empty lot owned by the Paw Paw District Library, according to Paw Paw District Librarian Gretchen Evans.On Monday, Oct. 13, the Paw Paw Village…

Van Buren District Library Millage renewal to be on Nov. 4, ballot

Editorial Staff Oct 15, 2025 2 min read

According to an information sheet provided by the Van Buren District Library, the 2015 supplemental millage allowed Van Buren District Library (VBDL) to open all seven locations six days per week and significantly expand community programming. Renewing this millage ensures…

Paw Paw runners take fourth

Editorial Staff Oct 15, 2025 1 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — The Paw Paw cross country boys team was third and the girls fourth on October, 9 in the Rock-N-Run invitational at Dowagiac.St. Joseph was first for the boys at 48 while Buchanan was second…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 6 min read

By G.C. StoppelAbout the time Pat and I married, new neighbors moved next to our home, and in no time Pat and Sylvia became close friends.Pat had worked in the fur department at Marshall Field’s in Chicago. Sylvia was across the street…

Mike’s Musings: I dare you to put down that cellphone and pay a visit

Mike’s Musings: I dare you to put down that cellphone and pay a visit

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 3 min read

Interaction with other people is critical to our mental health. The texting, phone calling crowd must put down their cellphones occasionally and actually visit friends and families. Unfortunately, this is not happening enough and so many problems are caused because…

Former SHHS athlete now Hope College’s baseball coach

Former SHHS athlete now Hope College’s baseball coach

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 5 min read

By James Windell When Ryan Dorow was a senior at South Haven High School and played three sports, there was only one thought in his mind: Play, play, play!Playing baseball and other sports was all he could think about. He…

Friends Good Will put to rest for winter

Friends Good Will put to rest for winter

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 1 min read

A very familiar scene along the South Haven coastline during the summer months, the Michigan Maritime Museum’s Friends Good Will, was put to rest for the winter months this past weekend.During the downrigging process, volunteers dropped her lines, spars and…

STR owners pack South Haven City Hall council chambers

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 4 min read

By James Windell The City Hall Council Chambers was just not spacious enough to accommodate all of the Short-Term Rental owners who showed up for an STR Informational meeting.Billed on the City of South Haven’s website as an opportunity to…

South Haven High School has a new principal

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 2 min read

By James Windell South Haven High School started the year without a principal. A search for a replacement for Joe Allen, the 2024-2025 high school principal, has been going on since he resigned this past summer to accept the position…

Paw Paw High School senior named 2026 commended student by National Merit Scholarship

Paw Paw High School senior named 2026 commended student by National Merit Scholarship

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 2 min read

PAW PAW – Paw Paw High School Principal Tammy Southworth recently announced that Leah Graves has been named a Commended Student in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation…

By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher

Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.

It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.