
Mike’s Musings: Flying and masks- time to move on
As a frequent flyer the last two years have been trying with the mask mandate put in place by our federal government. Flying this past Sunday only exacerbated the situation.Flying out of Orlando is always a challenge but Sunday “takes…
Life as Performance Art
By G.C. StoppelSince I started writing murder mysteries, I have developed a new appreciation for flower and vegetable gardening.There are so many wonderful and deadly chemicals on the garage shelf or garden shed — herbicides, insecticides, cleaning products and more.…
Obituary: Thomas John Gaborik
Thomas John Gaborik of Hartford passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at the young age of 47, at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, after a hard-fought battle with pneumonia. Thomas was born in St. Joseph, MI, to John…
Obituary: Raymond “Ray” Arndt
Raymond “Ray” Charles Arndt, 86, of Kalamazoo, began eternal life on March 27, 2022, in Hobe Sound, FL. Ray was born Dec. 15, 1935, in Madison, WI, the son of Frank Arndt and Helen (Feeney) Arndt.Ray attended St. Raphael’s Catholic…
Colleges should focus on more practical, less theory
By Mike WilcoxPublisherI read a report a few days ago that lamented the decline in college enrollment in the state of Michigan, and the United States for that matter.Here, Central Michigan University was down nearly 50 percent over the past…
Life as Performance Art
By G. Corwin StoppelRobert “Bob” Ingersoll died just before the 20th century started and his name soon slipped into obscurity. Like his father, Congregationalist Rev. Robert Ingersoll, he was a target and magnet because of his outspoken and frequently unpopular…
Rush receives “Citizens Lifesaving Award”
Members of the Paw Paw Police Department, shown with Rush, secondfrom right, include, from left, Chief Eric Marshall, Officer Matt Johnson, and at far right,Lt. Eric Rottman. The Paw Paw Police Department recently recognized Corey Rush with a Citizen Life…
Obituary: Primo Alberto Flores Jr.
Primo Alberto Flores, Jr., 60, of Paw Paw, passed away Sunday, March 6, 2022, at his home in Paw Paw. He was born April 30, 1961, in Paw Paw, the son of the late Primo Flores and Maria E. (Garcia)…
Obituary: Suzanne (Ryan) French
Suzanne (Ryan) French completed her earthly journey, March 31, 2022. Born Aug. 11, 1935, the daughter of the late Frank and Irene (Calkins) Ryan.Suzanne was also preceded in death by a half-brother, Paul; her best friend and husband of 49…
Obituary: Betty A. Austin
Betty A. Austin, 84, of Lawrence, also of Paw Paw from 1961 to 1995, passed away Thursday evening March 24, 2022, at White Oaks Retirement Residence, Lawton, with family at her bedside following a 20-plus years’ battle with Alzheimer’s. Betty…
Small retires after 33 years at DPW
A retirement party was held at the Carnegie Center for John Small, Village of Paw Paw Director of Public Works, who retired Thursday, March 31. Small served 33 years with the village. His retirement was short-lived as he began new…
Van Buren begins first steps in broadband expansion
PAW PAW, Mich.- Efforts to map broadband availability in Van Buren County at the parcel level are slated to begin April 4; this effort is the culmination of many months of work and an essential first step in ensuring broadband…
Mike’s Musings: U.S. Congress needs term limits
By Mike WilcoxPublisherI’ve been a proponent of term limits for a long time. I believe at too many federal level lawmakers make politics a lifelong career, which was not the intention of our Founding Fathers.Don Young, Alaska’s congressman for 50…
Life as Performance Art
By G.C. StoppelIf your vacation plans this year include Washington, D.C., be careful. Folks at the National Archives Museum are making sure you will not be traumatized, outraged or otherwise disgruntled by displays of historic documents.Next to an original copy…
Bangor names Weber new police chief
The City of Bangor has appointed a local police officer to serve as the new Chief of Police. Justin Weber has been appointed to Chief of Police for the Bangor Police Department and will oversee the day-to-day operations of the…
County Commissioners approve purchase of two properties
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer PAW PAW – Van Buren County Commissioners on Tuesday, March 22, approved the purchase of two properties located on Kalamazoo Street, Paw Paw.As part of the county’s long term facility plan, commissioners allowed county administration to…
Paw Paw, Mattawan robotics teams take honors
Two area high school robotics teams were in competition in events held across the state this past weekend. 2PawR (Robotics) 5462 traveled to Saline High School where they competed in First Robotics Competition (FRC), while the Mattawan WiredCats, FRC Team…
Mike’s Musings: Michigan’s beauties evident during tour
Michigan really is a winter wonderland. I came to that conclusion after my girlfriend and I took a state mini-tour two weekends ago.It began and ended at Metro Airport, but the hundreds of miles we traveled in between providing breathtaking…