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

Mattawan wrestlers edge Wayland

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20242 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN — Mattawan’s wrestling team edged Wayland in a thriller 37-36 in recent action.For Mattawan:Connor Taylor 165) pinned Jake Reeder in 3:13; Gage Love (175), decisioned Ryan Sipkema 7-2; Gil Santos (190) was decisioned 10-8 by Bryton…

Bakery that served South Haven for 86 years closes

Bakery that served South Haven for 86 years closes

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20242 min read

After 86 years of serving Southwest Michigan, the Golden Brown Bakery turned off its ovens and served the last customers on Saturday, Dec. 28.It marked the end of an era that made the bakery a landmark staple in downtown South…

Volkers win $1500 as Sparkle Showdown best

Volkers win $1500 as Sparkle Showdown best

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20242 min read

By James Windell South Haven has had holiday lights competitions before, but not quite like this year. The South Haven Convention and Visitors Bureau partnered with Mayor Annie Brown and Kathy Rusin of Shooting Star to sponsor the Sparkle Showdown.“This…

Upscale clothing store opens in South Haven

Upscale clothing store opens in South Haven

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20243 min read

By James Windell Layla Byrd opened Haven, an upscale clothing store in May, 2024. However, her shop, located at 550 Phoenix wasn’t quite the right location for her business.“When my mom sold the building I was in,” Byrd said recently,…

Mike’s Musings: Dose of DOGE needed to curb government spending

Mike’s Musings: Dose of DOGE needed to curb government spending

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20243 min read

Maybe DOGE has a good thing going. DOGE, the acronym for Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has been charged with eliminating waste and inefficiency at the federal government level.I have been a…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20245 min read

‘Twas a week before Christmas and all the preparations were done. Well, almost.The Nativity creche Pat received as a child is in place on the fireplace mantle. It is always the first decoration to go up and the last to…

Obituary: Louis Geresy Jr.

Obituary: Louis Geresy Jr.

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20242 min read

Age 86 of Kalamazoo passed away Saturday morning, December 21, 2024. Louie was born in Kalamazoo, on October 28, 1938, the son of Louis and Viola (Sennyes) Geresy, Sr. On January 31, 1957, he married Barbara Lee Jones who preceded…

Obituary: Charlie Richard Maxwell “Ol’ Paw Paw”

Obituary: Charlie Richard Maxwell “Ol’ Paw Paw”

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20242 min read

Charlie Richard Maxwell “Ol’ Paw Paw”, 97, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. Born in Lawton, MI, April 8, 1927, the youngest of four children to the late Thomas Maxwell and Isa (Boyce) Maxwell.From a young…

Obituary: Donald Peter Brezinski

Obituary: Donald Peter Brezinski

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20242 min read

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Donald Peter Brezinski, 78, of Paw Paw, MI. Don left us peacefully, in his sleep, Dec. 18, 2024.  Don’s life was one of profound curiosity, boundless love, and unrelenting passion…

Paw Paw’s favorite son, Charlie Maxwell passes

Paw Paw’s favorite son, Charlie Maxwell passes

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20242 min read

Charlie “Paw Paw” Maxwell played 14 years in major league baseball. Eight of those years were with the Detroit Tigers. He played in two All-Star games. He died last Friday at the age of 97. See obituaries on Pg 6.

Dr. Loomis celebrates 100th Birthday

Dr. Loomis celebrates 100th Birthday

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20241 min read

F. J. Loomis, MD celebrated his 100th birthday on December 28, 2024. In 1952 he and his wife Priscilla moved to Paw Paw upon completion of his service in the US Navy. He opened a medical practice which served newborns…

Mike’s Musings: Those that gave deserve praise and accolades

Mike’s Musings: Those that gave deserve praise and accolades

Editorial StaffDec 24, 20243 min read

Don’t tell me people are inherently stingy and rude. Because what I witnessed this holiday season was just the opposite. As many of you know we had our Christmas Wish Fund in December, like we have done for many years…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffDec 24, 20245 min read

‘Twas a week before Christmas and all the preparations were done. Well, almost.The Nativity creche Pat received as a child is in place on the fireplace mantle. It is always the first decoration to go up and the last to…

Gobles tops Black River

Editorial StaffDec 24, 20241 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — Gobles boys basketball team defeated Black River 46-35 in girls basketball action on Friday.Gobles is 4-1 overall (3-0 in league).Aden Newberry had 19 points, 10 rebounds, and steals. Jayden Otis had 14 points 10 rebounds.“Tigers…

South Haven City Council raises city manager’s salary

Editorial StaffDec 24, 20242 min read

James Windell Agreeing that City Manager Kate Hosier’s salary needed to be boosted, the South Haven City Council unanimously approved giving her a raise.Kate Hosier became city manager in September, 2020 after serving as South Haven’s as-sistant city manager, harbormaster…

South Haven Meijer, police host Shop with a Cop

South Haven Meijer, police host Shop with a Cop

Editorial StaffDec 24, 20241 min read

South Haven Police officers, with help from some SHAES “elves”, sponsored their annual Shop With A Cop adventure on Friday. The South Haven Meijer has sponsored this opportunity for selected kids from Lincoln, Maple and North Shore elementary, to pick…

Jennifer Sistrunk receives mayor’s service award

Jennifer Sistrunk receives mayor’s service award

Editorial StaffDec 24, 20243 min read

By James Windell Jennifer Sistrunk, Executive Director of the South Haven/Van Buren County Convention & Visitors Bureau was awarded the Mayor’s Service Award at the South Haven City Council Meeting on December 16, 2024.Presented to Sistrunk by Mayor Annie Brown,…

South Haven city clerk honored

South Haven city clerk honored

Editorial StaffDec 24, 20242 min read

James Windell South Haven’s City Clerk, Megan Kiker, was honored with a proclamation at the City Council Meeting on December 16, 2024.The proclamation from Mayor Annie Brown was given to Kiker, who has been City Clerk since March, 2021, for…

Community excitement builds for PPHS addition and renovation

Community excitement builds for PPHS addition and renovation

Editorial StaffDec 24, 20241 min read

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, Paw Paw Public Schools Superintendent Jeremy Davison, along with representatives from TowerPinkster and Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., delivered a community presentation at Paw Paw High School. The purpose of the presentation was to provide project updates and allow…

MSP Investigating homicide in Hartford, South Bend man arrested

Editorial StaffDec 24, 20242 min read

Michigan State Police (MSP) Paw Paw Post troopers are investigating a homicide that occurred Saturday, Dec. 14, around 6:49 a.m. in the 66000 block of 70th Street, in Hartford Township. Units were initially dispatched to the venue to investigate a…