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

Dr. Loomis celebrates 100th Birthday

Dr. Loomis celebrates 100th Birthday

Editorial Staff Dec 31, 2024 1 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 Staff Dec 24, 2024 3 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 Staff Dec 24, 2024 5 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 Staff Dec 24, 2024 1 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 Staff Dec 24, 2024 2 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 Staff Dec 24, 2024 1 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 Staff Dec 24, 2024 3 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 Staff Dec 24, 2024 2 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 Staff Dec 24, 2024 1 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 Staff Dec 24, 2024 2 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…

Paw Paw Lions Club prepares over 600 Christmas baskets

Paw Paw Lions Club prepares over 600 Christmas baskets

Editorial Staff Dec 24, 2024 1 min read

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

Obituary: George D. Bolton

Editorial Staff Dec 18, 2024 3 min read

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

Editorial Staff Dec 18, 2024 2 min read

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

Mike’s Musings: Businesses, citizens come to the aid of disadvantaged families

Editorial Staff Dec 18, 2024 3 min read

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

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Dec 18, 2024 4 min read

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

Editorial Staff Dec 18, 2024 2 min read

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

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director sums up the year

Editorial Staff Dec 18, 2024 4 min read

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

Free holiday concert set for Dec. 22

Editorial Staff Dec 18, 2024 3 min read

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

Kevin Schooley honored with proclamation

Editorial Staff Dec 18, 2024 3 min read

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

Paw Paw Rotary’s Santa Run attracts more than 175

Editorial Staff Dec 18, 2024 1 min read

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…

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.