
Modified “live hand grenade” found in Columbia Township
COLUMBIA TWP. – On Friday, May 10, Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that Van Buren County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 50000 block of County Road 388 in Columbia Township at approximately 6:34 p.m. for a report…
Mattawan school voters approve two bond issues
MATTAWAN – Voters in the Mattawan Consolidated School District said “yes” to two bond proposals, resulting in a total investment of $110 million toward the betterment of the district’s students and community. “This momentous achievement marks a significant milestone in…
Van Buren District Library millage proposal passes
DECATUR – On May 7, Van Buren County residents showed their support for the Van Buren District Library by voting to approve a millage increase. This decision will provide vital funding for library services.Dan Hutchins, Van Buren District Library director,…
Area News Briefs
Adventure begins at the Van Buren District Library DECATUR – Starting Saturday, June 8, the Van Buren District Library extends an invitation to everyone to pick up a reading log and begin a great summer adventure. This year’s summer reading…
Life as Performance Art
Someone figured out a better idea. No more hose drinking or palm lapping. We had to have our water in a sanitary container – a thin, one-time-use bottle – so we would be safe from all those evil germs. We…
Mike’s Musings: Taxes just keep piling up
Like many of us I struggle with having to pay taxes each year. I often wonder why I put aside more and more each year to pay the government yet get lesser and lesser services.For instance, I’m drawing social security.…
Obituary: Betty Turner
Betty Turner, 84, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully, April 28, 2024, at White Oaks Nursing Assisted Living, Lawton. Betty was born in Danville, Alabama, Oct. 3, 1939, to Adell and Arley Weaver.She married Bobby Turner Oct. 10, 1955, in…
Obituary: Mary F. Sutherland
Mary F. Sutherland, 91, of Almena, passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at her home. She was born Nov. 18, 1932, in Scotts, Michigan, the first child of Lee Phillip Schau and Gertrude Carrie Brooks.She attended McCain’s Corners Primary School…
Arnold honored by Mattawan Fire Department
Phil Arnold, a member of the Mattawan Fire District since 1983, was recently named as an Honorary Lifetime Mattawan Fire District member.Photos courtesy/Mattawan Fire District
National Day of Prayer observed in Paw Paw
Two Paw Paw schools took part in a local National Day of Prayer service on the steps of the Van Buren County Courthouse here, Thursday, May 2. Trinity Lutheran School and St. Mary Catholic School students took part in the…
Paw Paw ties Edwardsburg
By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW – Paw Paw’s girls soccer team continues to improve.Last week at home the team tied Edwardsburg 2-2Megan Cox and Victoria Lopez scored for Paw Paw.“We played a great possession game with 15 missed shots on…
Life as Performance Art
Democrats and Republicans will hold national conventions this summer in Chicago and Milwaukee, respectively.I advise you avoid traffic snarls at these mutual admiration society meetings. Prices are apt to inflate then and there as well.Protesters are sure to turn out…
Mattawan senior shortstop eyeing huge season
By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN – Mattawan baseball has several talented players this season including Connor Walsh.He’s a senior for Mattawan and plays shortstop. He was moved up at the end of his freshman season. It’s the third year he’ll be…
Mattawan School District voters will go to the polls May 7
MATTAWAN – On Tuesday, May 7, residents who live within the Mattawan Consolidated School boundaries will have the opportunity to vote on a comprehensive school bond.In a press release from the Mattawan Board of Education and District Superintendent Randy Fleenor,…
Paw Paw High School names Academic Elite students for Class of 2024
Paw Paw High School has announced its Academic Elite students for the Class of 2024. These 21 students are graduating with a weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 or higher. From a class of 152 students, this represents just…
Mike’s Musings: Wanna make millions, become a politician
Like most of you, I chose the wrong profession if my goal was to make a lot of money. It seems the best way to achieve financial success is to run for elected office, in particular a federal office.It would…
Obituary: Patricia Ann Price
Patricia Ann Price, passed away peacefully at her home in Lawton, MI, on April 7, 2024, at the age of 86. Pat, as she was affectionately known, was born on January 13, 1938, in Battle Creek, Michigan.Patricia’s life was marked…
Obituary: Jeanne Grevelding
Jeanne Grevelding, 95, of Paw Paw, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Maple Lake Assisted Living, Paw Paw. She was born Sept. 1, 1928, in Bath, New York, the daughter of Henry Kleckler and Blanche (Ray) Kleckler.Jeanne met her…
Life as Performance Art
Fifty years NBC television began broadcasting “Little House on the Prairie” based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s series of young reader novels of the same name.Some of us of a certain age practically grew up reading her stories of growing up in the…