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

South Haven hires a new police chief

South Haven hires a new police chief

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 3 min read

By James Windell The City of South Haven announced on Monday, December 9, 2024, that a new police chief has been hired.South Haven City Manager Kate Hosier, in a press release, said that the city was hiring Kevin Swope to…

City Council approves short term rental moratorium

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 3 min read

By James Windell Amidst an inability to pass a revised short term rental ordinance, something that has been in discussion for at least two years, the South Haven City Council approved a six-month morato-rium on the issue.Both residents speaking at…

Paw Paw kicked off holiday season with tree lighting and children’s parade

Paw Paw kicked off holiday season with tree lighting and children’s parade

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 1 min read

The Paw Paw Children’s Christmas Parade saw a wide variety of participation, from the Paw Paw High School Marching band, to costumed characters, The Island of Misfit Toys draped over a school bus, a horse drawn sleigh and wagon, members…

Casey Davis appointed as Van Buren County Undersheriff

Casey Davis appointed as Van Buren County Undersheriff

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 3 min read

PAW PAW – The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday, Dec. 9, that Lt. Casey Davis has been appointed as undersheriff at the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.Undersheriff Casey Davis brings a wealth of experience to this position,…

Area communities usher in holiday season

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 3 min read

Lawton to hold “Christmas in the Village” Friday, Dec. 13LAWTON – The Lawton Lions Club will hold a “Christmas in the Village” Parade, Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m., followed by Buster’s Hayrides. The Lions Club will use the Lawton…

Saugatuck drops opener to Tri-Unity

Editorial Staff Dec 4, 2024 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorThe first quarter of the Saugatuck boys basketball team’s season-opening game against Tri-Unity Christian on Tuesday, Nov. 26, showcased a strong defensive effort from the Trailblazers.How good was the Trailblazers’ defense in the opening stanza? Well, Tri-Unity…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Dec 4, 2024 5 min read

 When it started getting cold this year and snow was in the air, someone spotted me walking and wanted to know why my coat was unbuttoned. “Don’t you know it’s cold?” she asked. If I don’t happen to have on my…

Mike’s Musings: Words to live by

Mike’s Musings: Words to live by

Editorial Staff Dec 4, 2024 3 min read

I found this post on Facebook. I unfortunately don’t know who the author is, but I haven’t read anything lately, that expresses best, how to live our life. Follow these basic tenets and you will be a great person. Personally,…

Firefighters from six departments battle apartment fire

Firefighters from six departments battle apartment fire

Editorial Staff Dec 4, 2024 1 min read

Firefighters from six departments responded to a blaze in a two-story residential structure at the Picture Lake Apartments, 62nd Street south of County Road 388, Geneva Township at 6:05 p.m. Monday.The occupants safely evacuated the building. The fire was reported…

Executive Director of Chamber announces her retirement

Executive Director of Chamber announces her retirement

Editorial Staff Dec 4, 2024 3 min read

James Windell Kathy Wagaman, who has been Executive Director of the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce since 2011, announced her plans to retire on February 28, 2025.“I am proud of the consistent growth that we have enjoyed as a…

Area Communities to usher in holiday season this weekend

Editorial Staff Dec 4, 2024 3 min read

PAW PAW – Downtown Paw Paw’s “Christmas in the Village begins Dec. 6.Community Tree Lighting – Festivities begin at 6 p.m. in front of the Carnegie Center, 129 S. Kalamazoo St. Come together for cookies, hot cocoa, entertainment and caroling…

Major pileup closes I-94 on Monday

Major pileup closes I-94 on Monday

Editorial Staff Dec 4, 2024 1 min read

I-94 was shut down at Mile Marker 46 near Hartford in both directions Monday afternoon, due to a multi-vehicle crash. State Police said one person was injured. Drivers were asked to seek an alternate route until the crash scene was…

80-year-old admits to trafficking drugs

80-year-old admits to trafficking drugs

Editorial Staff Dec 4, 2024 2 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmailcom ALMENA – Charges are pending for an 80-year-old Paw Paw man who was allegedly trafficking narcotics from his Almena Township residence, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office. Van Buren County…

Mattawan girls have new coach

Editorial Staff Dec 4, 2024 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN — Rob Kuhtz ready to have a strong season with Mattawan’s girls basketball team as the new coach.Last year the team was 11-10, 3rd in SMAC West. The season featured the retirement of varsity coach Chad…

Gobles ends strong volleyball season

Editorial Staff Nov 27, 2024 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — The Gobles Varsity Volleyball team ended their season play just short of winning districts, hosted at Bloomingdale High School.The Lady Tigers played on Monday Nov. 4., beating Bloomingdale in the first round (25-21, 25-20, 25-21)…

Delaney Riddle named Miss Mattawan 2024

Delaney Riddle named Miss Mattawan 2024

Editorial Staff Nov 27, 2024 3 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com MATTAWAN – The 2024 Miss Mattawan Scholarship Pageant held recently saw Delaney Riddle named Miss Mattawan 2024.Her court includes: First Runner-up and Miss Entrepreneur McKenzie Schoonbeck, Second Runner-up Jessica Jasensky, and Miss Congeniality Nariah Walsh.The new…

Obituary: Yvonne Elaine Becker

Obituary: Yvonne Elaine Becker

Editorial Staff Nov 27, 2024 2 min read

Yvonne Elaine Becker, 83, of Lawrence, passed away Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at her home.She was born Sept. 29, 1941, in Otsego, the daughter of the late Clifford Parsons Bennett and Lillie Rose (Harvey) Bennett.Family was most near and dear…

Volunteers pack Thanksgiving food bags for area veterans

Volunteers pack Thanksgiving food bags for area veterans

Editorial Staff Nov 27, 2024 1 min read

On Saturday, Nov. 23, Van Buren County Veterans Services and other volunteers packed Thanksgiving food bags that were then picked up by area veterans. It marked the second year for the Thanksgiving food bag distribution.Photos courtesy/Paul DeYoung

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.