Mike’s Musings: Congress works parttime, but receives fulltime pay
Every year, the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate release their official calendars, and every year the same disbelief follows: this is how many days our elected lawmakers plan to work?I saw the House of Representatives schedule for next…
DeBoer named South Haven Police Chief
By James Windell Following seven months as interim police chief of South Haven, Adama DeBoer was promoted to Police Chief. This was announced by the City on November 24, 2025.“Adam is a dedicated and experienced leader who knows and cares…
Mitten Children’s Museum closing doors
By James Windell One of South Haven’s museums has just announced it will be closing. The Mitten Children’s Museum, which was established in Fennville but came to downtown South Haven in April 2022, had – ironically – one of its…
City Council approves plan to begin lifeguard program
By James Windell Double Haul Solutions (DHS), the consulting firm hired by the City of South Haven to advise how the City could best implement a lifeguard program, presented its report to the City Council.Three staff members from DHS made…
First draft of County Facilities Master Plan unveiled
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com HARTFORD – The first draft of the Van Buren County Facilities Master Plan was unveiled Friday afternoon, Nov. 21, during an initial meeting for Van Buren County Board of Commissioners/administration, Van Buren County Courts, County Elected Officials and community partners. The…
Redmond honored for 50 years of service through emergency medical care
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Paw Paw Quick Response Leader John Redmond was honored Sunday, Nov. 23, during a retirement ceremony marking his 50 years of service through emergency medical care.During a ceremony held at the Paw Paw…
St. Joseph County approves 2026 and 2027 budgets
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — St. Joseph County officially has new initial budgets for the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years.On Tuesday, the county Board of Commissioners approved the new budgets for the next two years by a 5-2 vote.…
Mike’s Musings: Thanksgiving us your time to express thanks
Thanksgiving has a way of arriving right when we need it most. After another year filled with the usual mix of noise—politics, inflation, crises abroad, and the ever-present rush of everyday life—this holiday stands as a rare invitation to stop,…
Life as Performance Art
Mother had a copy of a painting she kept in her Thanksgiving dinner file folder. Right after Halloween she took down our elementary school finger-painted masterpieces and used four magnets to hold the print on the refrigerator door. With it…
Huron Street reconstruction completed in South Haven
The reconstruction of Huron Street in downtown South Haven has been completed ahead of the winter months. The project between Broadway Avenue to Kalamazoo Street underwent a $1 million reconstruction that included resurfacing, handicap accessible sidewalk improvements, curb, gutter and…
Copping awarded state Lifetime Achievement Award
Governor Gretchen Whitmer honored South Haven’s Bob Copping by presenting him the Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award on Wednesday night during the Governor’s Service Awards celebration in East Lansing. Family and friends joined in the celebration.Sponsored by the Michigan Community Service Commission, the…
Opposition grows to 120 Baseline manufactured housing
By James Windell If it wasn’t evident before, now there is no doubt about it. This was made clear at the last South Haven Planning Commission meeting. There is a groundswell of opposition to the proposed manufactured housing community at…
Rothner hopes to set record straight about 120 Baseline
By James Windell When Eric Rothner was just a child, his parents brought him to South Haven every summer.“As a boy, my brothers and I practically lived on the beach and along Lake Michigan,” Eric Rothner says. “We’d fish off…
New Lawrence Township Fire Chief named
William “Bill” Firestone was recently named the new Lawrence Township Fire Chief, following his selection by the Lawrence Township Board. Firestone will receive a base salary of $48,000 plus benefits for 32 hours. Department member James Fine will be paid…
Area Food Pantry receives $1,000 grant
The Gobles-Kendall Area Ministerial Association Food Pantry was a recipient of a $1,000 grant from the Ben Crooks Agency and the Agent Charitable Fund – Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan. Shown in photo, at left, is Ben Crooks, and Sheila…
Paul DeYoung to be honored by Paw Paw DDA
PAW PAW – Van Buren County Register of Deeds Paul De Young has been announced by the Paw Paw Downtown Development Authority (DDA) as the inaugural recipient of the Community Ambassador Award. DeYoung will be honored Friday, Dec. 12, during…
Veterans Day services held in area towns
Despite snow and temperatures in the 20s, area towns held Veterans Day ceremonies on Nov. 11. At Paw Paw, the Paw Paw American Legion McGowan-Johnson Post 68, held a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. At Lawrence, the Lawrence High School…
