
Jennifer Sistrunk receives mayor’s service award
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
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
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
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…
Paw Paw Lions Club prepares over 600 Christmas baskets
Marking the 47th year, Christmas baskets for 82 families were prepared by members of the Paw Paw Lions Club and others, as part of the club’s Community Christmas Baskets program. The baskets, located at the Paw Paw Lions Club building,…
Obituary: George D. Bolton
George D. Bolton, 99, of Lawton, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, Dec. 8,2024. He was a beloved father, devoted grandfather and great-grandfather, and cherished uncle. His presence and long life were a gift that we will carry with us…
Obituary: Maria Elizabeth DiPrima
Maria Elizabeth DiPrima, 74, of Lawrence, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. She was born March 30, 1950, in San Francisco, California, the daughter of John Modica and Anne (Sovish) Modica.Maria had many talents and…
Mike’s Musings: Businesses, citizens come to the aid of disadvantaged families
People say times are tough, and if you sat down next to me while we were reading about all the horrible situations families had endured this past year, you could do nothing but agree.Our annual Christmas Wish Program was conducted…
Life as Performance Art
I thought my father was a bubble or two off center because he was obsessed about never being late. He believed the only way to be on time was to arrive somewhere 10 minutes early. The bank opens at 9 a.m.,…
Paw Paw defeats Plainwell
By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — It was Paw Paw 51, Plainwell 41 in boys basketball action last week. Paw Paw had quarter leads of 19-12 32-16 and 45-29.“The Red Wolves came out fast in the first quarter,” coach Aaron…
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director sums up the year
James Windell If you ask Kathy Wagaman about the business climate in South Haven, be prepared for an enthusiastic and ebullient assessment of the health of the area.“We saw excellent growth in the number of businesses,” Wagaman, Executive Director of…
Free holiday concert set for Dec. 22
James Windell Vox GR, a nationally recognized choral ensemble, will perform a Christmas concert at Peace Lutheran Church in South Haven on Sunday December 22, 2024.Presented by the South Haven Performance Series, the free concert will bring together an award-winning…
Kevin Schooley honored with proclamation
James Windell Kevin Schooley, who will soon retire as South Haven School Superintendent, was hon-ored with a Proclamation at the December 11, 2024, Board of Education Meeting.The Proclamation from the Michigan Legislature was signed by Aric Nesbitt, who repre-sents Michigan’s…
Paw Paw Rotary’s Santa Run attracts more than 175
More than 175 runners took part in the Santa Run held Saturday morning, Dec. 14 in Paw Paw. The untimed race began at Freshwater Community Church and made its way through downtown Paw Paw, before returning to the church. The…
Fleenor receives positive marks from Mattawan BOE
MATTAWAN – The Mattawan Board of Education conducted its annual evaluation of Super-intendent Randy Fleenor during its December meeting and issued a rating of “effective”. The board extends its sincere gratitude to Mr. Fleenor for his dedication to the staff,…
Godfrey honored by fellow commissioners
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Van Buren County Commissioner Richard Godfrey was honored by his fellow commissioners, Tuesday Dec. 10, for his lifelong commitment to education, community service, and leadership.Godfrey, who did not seek reelection to another term…
Lawton area churches, schools and businesses provide Christmas baskets to area residents
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, through the support of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Lawton, Lawton Community Schools, New Community Church, Lawton, Lawton area businesses, family and friends, the groups were able to provide for 67 families and 148 Angels. In…
Mattawan Consolidated School receives grant money through Filter First program
MATTAWAN – The Mattawan Consolidated Scholl District has been awarded approximate-ly $180,000 in grant monies through the Filter First program. The FFP in Michigan is designed to ensure clean and safe drinking water for children in schools and childcare centers.…
Lawrence defeats Michigan Lutheran
By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWRENCE — The Lawrence Tigers defeated Michigan Lutheran 46-19 The Lawrence Tigers picked up a big victory over Michigan Lutheran, securing a 46-19 win, their first against Michigan Lutheran since 2016.Carolina Mancera led the Tigers with 18…
Obituary: Janet Louise Hamay
Janet Louise Hamay, 80, of Paw Paw, passed away Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at Maple Lake Assisted Living, Paw Paw. She was born April 6, 1944, in Coloma, MI, the daughter of Carl and Emma (Behnke) Skibbe.Janet retired from the…





PUBLIC NOTICE
2026 ALLEGAN COUNTY PROPOSED FINAL BUDGET
The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allegan will hold a budget hearing on Thursday, October 9, 2025, for all interested citizens to comment and discuss the proposed budget.
The hearing will take place at 7:00 PM in the Board Room, County Services Building, 3283–122nd Avenue, Allegan, Michigan, to discuss the proposed budget. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. The public may also participate in the meeting/public hearing by calling 1-929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 891 6032 7098, and Meeting Password 471420. For other options connecting to the meeting, please visit the meeting calendar website at www.allegancounty.org or contact the County Administrator’s Office.
The proposed budget may be examined online at www.allegancounty.org under News Media Room or on weekdays at the Office of the Allegan County Administrator (address below), between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. All interested citizens will have the opportunity to give written and/or oral comments.
County will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the public hearing upon one (1) week notice. Individuals requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the following in writing or by telephone:
Robert J. Sarro,
County Administrator,
3283 – 122nd Avenue,
Allegan, Michigan, 49010
269-673-0239