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

St. Basil School Board holds its final meeting

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20254 min read

By James Windell It was supposed to be the St. Basil Catholic School Board’s final meeting.But the May 27, 2025 meeting, at which several parents attended, went from an emotional outpouring from parents and Board members, some of whom no…

PPHS celebrates mural completion with Ice Bucket Challenge

PPHS celebrates mural completion with Ice Bucket Challenge

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20252 min read

What was once a plain brick wall at Paw Paw High School (PPHS) has been transformed into a stunning 1,800 square foot mural by Detroit-based artist Marlo Broughton and students from PPHS. To celebrate the completion of the mural, students recently…

Thumm named new LPS K-12 principal

Thumm named new LPS K-12 principal

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20254 min read

LAWRENCE – Brock Thumm has been selected as the new K-12 principal at Lawrence Public Schools, according to a press release from LPS Superintendent Ryan Williamson.Williamson said of Thumm’s selection, “This decision reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring a strong,…

Cooper is speaker at Paw Paw services

Cooper is speaker at Paw Paw services

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20251 min read

Paw Paw Memorial Day services were held Memorial Day morning at Veterans Park after the parade. The speaker was Airman Bennett Cooper of Paw Paw.This was the first time since WWII that a World War II veteran was not present…

Lawton Village Council hears update on village rental ordinance

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20252 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWTON – At the Lawton Village Council’s Tuesday, May 27, meeting, Lawton Village Council President Josh Appleby brought the village rental ordinance update to the floor for discussion, as the village attorney was present to address…

High Winds knock down Carnegie Center Christmas Tree

High Winds knock down Carnegie Center Christmas Tree

Editorial StaffMay 28, 20251 min read

Following a late Thursday night and early Friday morning storm, May 15 and 16, that knocked out power to many Van Buren County residents, Paw Paw Department of Public Works employees are shown early May 16, trimming away branches from…

Paw Paw parade, ceremony pay tribute to fallen

Paw Paw parade, ceremony pay tribute to fallen

Editorial StaffMay 28, 20251 min read

Paw Paw’s 104th annual Memorial Day services were held Monday morning, May 26, with the annual parade starting from the Bistro 120 parking lot, via Michigan Avenue to the Veterans Memorial Park for services. Following the services, a luncheon was…

Lawrence names 2025 honor graduates

Lawrence names 2025 honor graduates

Editorial StaffMay 28, 20251 min read

The Lawrence High School Class of 2025 Honor graduates include Brooklyn Remelts, Leslie Reed, Alyssa Coombs, Kelsey Harroun, Cheyenne Villanueva-Estrada, Angel Naranjo, Gabe Zapata, and Cash Litchfield. Missing from the photo is Brennan Randall.Photo courtesy/Lawrence Public Schools

Freedoms we enjoy came with a great price says speaker- Mattawan

Freedoms we enjoy came with a great price says speaker- Mattawan

Editorial StaffMay 28, 20252 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com MATTAWAN – Dan Brooks, who spoke at the Mattawan Memorial Day service in Mattawan Memorial Park on Monday, May 26, told those gathered that the many freedoms that we have today, came at a great price.Brooks…

South Haven baseball team splits

Editorial StaffMay 28, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent SOUTH HAVEN — South Haven’s baseball team is 15-9 after splitting a doubleheader on May 23 with Holland at home.The first game was a 4-1 South Haven win.The Rams opened the scoring the bottom of the first…

Mike’s Musings: Biden’s health problems should have been revealed to public

Mike’s Musings: Biden’s health problems should have been revealed to public

Editorial StaffMay 28, 20253 min read

So, we are now hearing what many of us have suspected for a long time. President Biden’s term in office was marred with health problems too the point that for much of his presidency his closest advisors were acting as…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffMay 28, 20254 min read

In 1700 King Louis XIV of France, had 498 people preparing his meals, per historian Matt Ridley. This would have included chefs, sous chefs and their assistants; bakers, butchers and a crew who kept ovens stoked.Add to that the cleanup…

Paw Paw girls beat Mattawan

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — Paw Paw’s softball team is 28-2 after two wins on Saturday including a 6-5 edging of Mattawan.Paw Paw also beat Wayland 11-4. Paw Paw lost to Unity Christian 12-0.For Paw Paw against Mattawan, it…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20255 min read

One of my favorite short stories is “The Verger” by Somerset Maugham. Hero Albert Foreman has held his parish post for decades before a new clergyman replaces the old and learns he’s illiterate.He doesn’t need to know how to read…

Mike’s Musings: State needs to have more control over spending

Mike’s Musings: State needs to have more control over spending

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20253 min read

I shake my head at some of the shenanigans pulled by leaders we place in public office. Very few of them understand that the money that pays their salaries and funds the programs that run the government come out of…

South Haven ball teams clinch conference championships with an hour of each other

South Haven ball teams clinch conference championships with an hour of each other

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20251 min read

By Tom Renner South Haven High School athletics had a unique historic moment last Tuesday as the baseball and softball teams clinched within an hour of each other conference championships on their respective home fields.First, the baseball Rams defeated Allegan…

St. Basil Catholic School will close after 75 years

St. Basil Catholic School will close after 75 years

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20253 min read

By James Windell After 75 years of educating children in South Haven, St. Basil Catholic School will close on June 5, 2025.Principal Jennifer Marcheschi confirmed that the school, which has students from pre-kindergarten through the eighth grade, will permanently close…

South Haven City Council supports city manager at special meeting

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20254 min read

By James Windell The South Haven City Council called a special meeting for Friday, May 16, 2025 at 8:00 am. However, the agenda for this surprise meeting had only one item listed: Discussion, deliberation and potential action regarding personnel matters.Prior…