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

Protest raises $863 for Eleanor’s Food Pantry

Protest raises $863 for Eleanor’s Food Pantry

Editorial StaffApr 23, 20252 min read

PAW PAW – More than 150 people demonstrated in Paw Paw as part of the Take America Back protests held around the country on Saturday, April 19. The protests are in opposition to the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s DOGE.Protest…

Paw Paw softball sweeps Three Rivers

Editorial StaffApr 23, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — Paw Paw is 8-1 in girls softball after sweeping Three Rivers 13-9 and 11-9 on April 18.Paw Paw had 18 hits in the first game. Elizabeth Vanderburg had a home run. Bella Clemons was…

Paw Paw baseball is now 4-4

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20252 min read

By John Raffel Varsity baseball traveled to Three Rivers Friday to open conference play. The DH ended in a split for two tightly contested games. In Game No. 1 the Red Wolves outhit the Wildcats but just couldn’t get the…

Mike’s Musings: Give tariffs a chance, they may work

Mike’s Musings: Give tariffs a chance, they may work

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20253 min read

Let’s give the tariffs time to work. If they don’t work I will be the first to admit I was wrong. President Trump seems to be backing off his hardline positions with a 90-day reprieve for most, and taking tariffs…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20255 min read

Sometimes we learn more about ourselves and our fu-ture by looking back in histo-ry.Today, we go back about a century to the Roaring ‘20s. Babe Ruth is slamming home runs, the Four Horse-men are playing for Knute Rockne at Notre…

South Haven fails to act on lifeguard recommendations

South Haven fails to act on lifeguard recommendations

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20254 min read

By James Windell When TV camera crews showed up at the South Haven City Council meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025, it was clear that there was a hot-button issue on the agenda. But it was not short-term rentals this…

South Haven couple will cycle in all 50 states

South Haven couple will cycle in all 50 states

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20254 min read

By James Windell When Deanne and Roger Fridley began dating, Roger bought a bicycle because Deanne was an avid cyclist. Not only did he take up the sport, but now the couple are one state away from accomplishing a cycling…

City Council tables community recreation director agreement

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20254 min read

By James Windell When South Haven resident Jack Sitzer addressed the South Haven City Council on Monday, April 7, 2025, he stated he was opposed to the council approving an agreement that would result in a new position of Community…

Stermer found guilty of killing husband a second time

Stermer found guilty of killing husband a second time

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20252 min read

A woman accused of killing her husband by setting him on fire and then running him over has been found guilty by a jury in a retrial.Linda Stermer has been found guilty of two counts of murder, including first-degree murder.…

53 inducted into PPHS National Honor Society

53 inducted into PPHS National Honor Society

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20251 min read

A total of 53 new members were recently inducted into Paw Paw High School National Honor Society. They include: Jacob Ameling, Victor Armijo, Chase Boff, Liliana Brausch, Bella Clemons, Kami Crandall, Kassidy Derhammer, Emma Deuel, Gracie Eagle, Anderson Farnquist, Eric…

Consumers upgrades in Oshtemo may affect traffic

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20252 min read

Consumers Energy is upgrading and installing new natural gas distribution pipelines along key corridors in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties. These improvements are part of ongoing efforts to enhance the safety, reliability and capacity of the natural gas system in…

Lawton Village Council approves lighting update to baseball/softball complex

Editorial StaffApr 16, 20252 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWTON – The Lawton Village Council at its Tuesday, April 8, council meeting, approved lighting updates at the Lawton Youth Baseball and Softball complex.During Citizen’s Comments, Doug Lawrence, representing Lawton Youth Baseball and Softball, provided Lawton…

Mike’s Musings: Measles comeback? Stop the hysteria

Mike’s Musings: Measles comeback? Stop the hysteria

Editorial StaffApr 9, 20253 min read

I keep receiving emails from public health officials about the threat of measles. Just like a week ago, I read a release that announced two cases of measles had been diagnosed in Michigan. I had thought measles were a thing…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffApr 9, 20255 min read

I keep hearing rumors about the Administration selling off the U.S. Post Of-fice as another cost-cutting measure. Maybe it is true; maybe not; maybe the idea is being floated to see what our reaction will be.I think it is goofy…

Mattawan baseball team splits

Editorial StaffApr 9, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN —- Mattawan’s varsity baseball team played this past Saturday at Novi vs Walled Lake Central and Novi. Mattawan tied WLC 7-7 and lost to Novi 2-0.In Game 1 vs WLC:Jake Vrba led the offense with two…

Nationwide “Hands Off” protest held April 5 in Paw Paw

Nationwide “Hands Off” protest held April 5 in Paw Paw

Editorial StaffApr 9, 20253 min read

PAW PAW – More than 250 people joined in the nationwide mass mobilization protest Saturday morning at the Maple Lake Amphitheatre, Paw Paw. The event included speakers, music, food, and a protest march through the downtown.The guest speaker was Justin…

Illinois man drowns in Paw Paw River, Lawrence

Illinois man drowns in Paw Paw River, Lawrence

Editorial StaffApr 9, 20251 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWRENCE – A 48-year-old Illinois man drowned Thursday afternoon, April 3, in the Paw Paw River, in the Village of Lawrence, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.Van Buren County Sheriff…

Mattawan Lions Club and Mattawan MBA to host Easter events

Editorial StaffApr 9, 20251 min read

MATTAWAN – The Mattawan Lions Club and Mattawan Business Association will host a Community Carnival and Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday April 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Antwerp Activity Center, 24821 Front Ave., Mattawan.The all-ages community carnival…

Paw Paw to hold Community Easter Egg Hunt

Editorial StaffApr 9, 20251 min read

PAW PAW – The Paw Paw Community Easter Egg Hunt will be held Saturday, April 19, at 10:30 a.m., at Kid’s Paradise Playground 200 S. Liberty St., Paw Paw. The free event is for children up to 12 years old.…