Kirk David Schonwald of Paw Paw, Michigan, a beloved father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle, died on Friday, June 21, 2024, in Sarasota, Florida. He was 65 years old.  Throughout his life, Kirk was a spontaneous explorer who was not…

Amerigo Marcelletti Jr. of Lawton Died on Friday, June 28, 2024, following complications from surgery. Born July 1, 1957, Amerigo graduated from Lawrence High School in 1975, and briefly worked in real estate before pursuing a career in law enforcement.…

Patricia Iris (Bauer) Terry, 68, of Lawton, passed away Monday, July 1, 2024, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. She was born May 23, 1956, in Paw Paw, Michigan, the daughter of Walter Bauer and Maxine (Abbott) Bauer. Patty was a…

David Paul DeCou, of Paw Paw, Michigan, devout husband, father, educator, and coach, passed away peacefully at his home, July 2, 2024.  Born on Dec. 29, 1947, to Glen and Leota DeCou in Saginaw, MI, David grew up in Vassar,…

STR’s, or in layman’s terms, Short Term Rentals are a hot topic all over the United States, and even abroad, but nowhere are they a heated topic of discussion than in resort communities.In the areas, some of my newspapers cover,…

By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN – Matt Novak enjoyed his senior golf season for Mattawan High School.“It went great,” he said. “It was a good season, a fun golf season. Fortunately the team didn’t qualify for state but it was fun.…

HARTFORD – A free grandstand with paid gate admission will be offered at the 69th annual Van Buren Youth Fair, which will get underway July 15-20, for its weeklong run.Nightly grandstand features include:Monday, July 15, 6 p.m. – Farm Stock…

GOBLES – Two Gobles area residents face charges of criminal sexual conduct, child abuse, and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, following their arrest June 29, according to a press release from the Van Buren County…

By John RaffelCorrespondent Finn Carlin was among the four Gobles freshmen who placed at their sports respective state championships.The others were Libby Smith, Daisy Estrada, and Lauren Shaffer.Carlin placed a school best third place at the MHSAA Wrestling State Finals.1-…

Peggy “Peg” Nicholas, 87, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, June 26, 2024, with her son and daughter-in-law at her bedside following a courageous battle with cancer. Peggy was born in her family’s home on June 21, 1937, in…

The Paw Paw Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire, Tuesday morning, July 2, at KPEP, 38266 West Red Arrow Highway, Paw Paw. Arriving at the scene at approximately 9 a.m., fire department members found heavy smoke coming from…

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer ALMENA TWP. – An alcohol-fueled fight between two men in Almena Township late Friday night, June 28, resulted in one man being stabbed and the other charged with assault with intent to commit murder, according to…

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer PAW PAW – Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported the arrest of five individuals with outstanding felony warrants by detectives from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations and Narcotics Division.During the execution of…

    Growing up, I had no need for an alarm clock ringing in my ears.  I was awakened by the hideous stench after The Olds plugged in the percolator for their first cups of coffee.  I don’t know the name…

One could not escape all the clutter on the airwaves and internet concerning the debate between Biden and Trump this past week. The subject was pontificated on at length, everywhere. How badly did Biden, lose, everyone asked. Will he pull…

By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW – It’s the middle of summer and typically high school sport teams stay active with open gyms, camps and many other activities.Paw Paw baseball coach Derek Vanderburg is coming off a very successful spring season…

Gerald W Michels, the only child of Lester William and Sena Edith (McGrew) Michels, born September 6, 1942 passed into every lasting life on Monday June 17, 2024.As a member of the McGrew Family who still reside in the area,…

On late cold nights when I was growing up, I would listen to my father’s shortwave radio receiver.  I could not make sense of the amateurs sending Morse Code but delighted in finding an English-speaking commercial station. There were many, but the…

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer HARTFORD – Following a June 2022 wind and rainstorm that damaged the Van Buren County Poorhouse Museum, a grand re-opening of the museum, the 140th anniversary of the poorhouse building and the 50th anniversary of the…