Area village and cities have experienced devastating fires only to rise again
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com Several towns in The Courier-Leader coverage area have experienced downtown fires of one type or another during the past nearly 170 years. The fires destroyed or badly damaged businesses, but following the devastation, the communities rallied,…
City Council approves Overton Development
By James Windell The South Haven City Council approved a proposal for redevelopment of the Overton Property at 229 Elkenburg Street, South Haven.Although plans for developing the property have been mired in controversy because of contamination, the City Council on…
Family takes a frigid dip for Recovery Institute
By Tom Renner There’s nothing more refreshing than taking a dip in Lake Michigan.But in January? When the water temp is 41 degrees and the air 23?For Patrick Kaufmann and his three daughters it was well worth it as they…
Paw Paw wrestlers beat Berrien Springs
By John RaffelCorespondent PAW PAW — Paw Paw’s wrestling team defeated Berrien Springs 63-16 in the Comstock team tournament on Jan. 4.For Paw Paw:Mason Voloenski (106) won by forfeit; Paw Paw (113) forfeited to Berrien Springs; Daniel Hadley (120) pinned…
Mattawan wrestlers edge Wayland
By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN — Mattawan’s wrestling team edged Wayland in a thriller 37-36 in recent action.For Mattawan:Connor Taylor 165) pinned Jake Reeder in 3:13; Gage Love (175), decisioned Ryan Sipkema 7-2; Gil Santos (190) was decisioned 10-8 by Bryton…
Bakery that served South Haven for 86 years closes
After 86 years of serving Southwest Michigan, the Golden Brown Bakery turned off its ovens and served the last customers on Saturday, Dec. 28.It marked the end of an era that made the bakery a landmark staple in downtown South…
Volkers win $1500 as Sparkle Showdown best
By James Windell South Haven has had holiday lights competitions before, but not quite like this year. The South Haven Convention and Visitors Bureau partnered with Mayor Annie Brown and Kathy Rusin of Shooting Star to sponsor the Sparkle Showdown.“This…
Upscale clothing store opens in South Haven
By James Windell Layla Byrd opened Haven, an upscale clothing store in May, 2024. However, her shop, located at 550 Phoenix wasn’t quite the right location for her business.“When my mom sold the building I was in,” Byrd said recently,…
Mike’s Musings: Dose of DOGE needed to curb government spending
Maybe DOGE has a good thing going. DOGE, the acronym for Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has been charged with eliminating waste and inefficiency at the federal government level.I have been a…
Life as Performance Art
‘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…
Obituary: Louis Geresy Jr.
Age 86 of Kalamazoo passed away Saturday morning, December 21, 2024. Louie was born in Kalamazoo, on October 28, 1938, the son of Louis and Viola (Sennyes) Geresy, Sr. On January 31, 1957, he married Barbara Lee Jones who preceded…
Obituary: Charlie Richard Maxwell “Ol’ Paw Paw”
Charlie Richard Maxwell “Ol’ Paw Paw”, 97, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. Born in Lawton, MI, April 8, 1927, the youngest of four children to the late Thomas Maxwell and Isa (Boyce) Maxwell.From a young…
Obituary: Donald Peter Brezinski
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Donald Peter Brezinski, 78, of Paw Paw, MI. Don left us peacefully, in his sleep, Dec. 18, 2024. Don’s life was one of profound curiosity, boundless love, and unrelenting passion…
Paw Paw’s favorite son, Charlie Maxwell passes
Charlie “Paw Paw” Maxwell played 14 years in major league baseball. Eight of those years were with the Detroit Tigers. He played in two All-Star games. He died last Friday at the age of 97. See obituaries on Pg 6.
Dr. Loomis celebrates 100th Birthday
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
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
‘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
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
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 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…
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