County-wide road millage renewal successful
LAWRENCE – The county-wide Road Millage renewal was successfully passed by voters in Van Buren County at Tuesday’s Aug. 6 Primary Election. The vote represented a renewal of a previous millage, not a request for additional revenue. The renewal will…
25% vote in county primary election
PAW PAW – Just over 25 percent of the registered voters in Van Buren County went to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 6, to cast their ballots on many local millage renewals as well as candidates seeking political offices.With unofficial results,…
MDARD confirms first case of EEE in state, in county horse
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reporting Michigan’s first case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a domestic animal for 2024. The disease was detected in a Standardbred filly from Van Buren County; the horse was…
Obituary: James Paul Dietz Sr.
James Paul Dietz, Sr., 78, of Lawton, passed away peacefully in his home with his family at his side, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. He was born Oct. 8, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Thaddeus and Ann Dietz.For the…
Obituary: Katherine L. Alderman
Katherine L. Alderman, Age 93 Of Bangor Passed away Monday, July 29, 2024 at Bronson Lakeview Hospital, Paw Paw.Katherine was born July 7, 1931 in South Haven the daughter of Edward and Thelma (Brouse) Brant, and has lived all of…
Life as Performance Art
Many of our parents cautioned us to “Be nice” when playing with other children, talking with adults or any other social interaction. From the 1940s until May 1985, the Ivy Room was Durham, N.C.’s foremost and only kosher Jewish deli. It also served…
Mike’s Musings: I’m disgusting and stupid- so readers say
I take a lot of flack for my opinion column, Mike’s Musings, from time to time. Readers (and I’m so happy you read the paper) often disagree with what I have to say. That’s all right- everyone is entitled to…
Paw Paw football team focusing on opener
By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW – Paw Paw head football coach Dennis Strey had his agenda set on Aug. 12 as he was starting practices.“We will be working on fundamentals and focusing on Big Rapids,” he said, referring to the…
Gobles football players complete busy summer
By John Raffel GOBES – Coach Greg Eichler is coming off a busy summer program for his Gobles 8-player team and is anxious to get going on Aug. 12 when practices start.The season opens at Colon on Aug. 29.“We’re having…
Obituary: John Charles Bonter
John Charles Bonter, 77, of Paw Paw, passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Kairos Dwelling, Kalamazoo. He was born June 18, 1947, in Battle Creek, MI, the son of Clarence Bonter and Marie (Dumas) Bonter. John spent a total…
Obituary: Leonard Wayne Strefling
Leonard Wayne Strefling, 73, of Lawrence, passed away surrounded by family, Monday, July 29, 2024, at his home in Lawrence. He was born Dec. 13, 1950, in Watervliet, Michigan, the son of William Strefling and Lena (Geik) Strefling. Leonard worked…
Obituary: Cloyd Dean Wells
Cloyd Dean Wells, 90, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family on Monday, July 22, 2024, at his home. He was born July 12, 1934, in Chester, West Virginia, to Cloyd and Mamie Wells.…
Obituary: Cynthia Mae Smitko
Cynthia Mae Smitko, 82, of Paw Paw, Michigan passed away peacefully July 30, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She had battled diabetes her entire life and finally succumbed to complications from the disease. Born in Chicago March 18, 1942,…
Obituary: Katherine L. Alderman
Katherine L. AldermanAge 93Of BangorPassed away Monday, July 29, 2024 at Bronson Lakeview Hospital, Paw Paw. Katherine was born July 7, 1931 in South Haven the daughter of Edward and Thelma (Brouse) Brant, and has lived all of her life…
Mike’s Musings: USPS keeps raising prices while providing poorer service
Trouble might come with this rant, but I’ve about had it with United States Postal Service.They just recently raised the price of a postage stamp to 71 cents. It seems every year the price goes up another 5 cents. I’m…
Life as Performance Art
Pat and I have been to Paris several times, so we were eager to watch the opening of the Summer Olympics there. We knew we would see familiar haunts, which excited us. The creativity and style of Parisians appealed to…
Brown settles in as South Haven’s mayor
By Donald Talonen The city mayor stands as a central figure in local governance. As the elected head of a city, the mayor’s responsibilities are vast and varied, shaping the daily lives of the community they serve.At the helm of…
51st annual Fly-In set for August 11
By Donald Talonen Get ready for a delightful morning on August 11, 2024, in South Haven. The South Haven Rotary’s 51st Annual Pancake Breakfast will kick off the day at the South Haven Area Regional Airport, filling the air with…
South Haven’s National Blueberry Festival begins this week
By Donald Talonen The National Blueberry Festival has been a beloved tradition in the community since 1963. Taking place annually on the second weekend of August, it holds the distinction of being one of the nation’s longest-running fruit festivals. This…
Lawton pole vaulter now focuses on volleyball
By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWTON – Alyssa McNally is a senior volleyball player at Lawton who has had a productive summerIn the Division 3 state finals, McNally was 28th in pole vault at 7-feet-9 inches.Right now, McNally has been going to…
