Classic cars, music to headline Paw Paw Days
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer PAW PAW – The annual Paw Paw Days and Classic Car and Truck Show will be held Saturday, July 23, in downtown Paw Paw, featuring a ribbon cutting to officially mark the completion of the village’s…
BOC to allow retired sheriff personnel to buy firearms
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer PAW PAW – Van Buren County Commissioners on June 28, approved a request from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office that would allow Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office deputies or command officers, upon full retirement, to…
Life as Performance Art
For several years I was an adjunct college history instructor. On the first day of class, after the initial introductions and small talk, I would always ask for a show of hands from those who truly liked history. If I was…
We can’t ignore Fentanyl any longer
Made in China, transported by Mexico, fentanyl has risen to the top of the opioid chain as the leading cause of drug deaths in America. Unfortunately our leaders seem to be consumed with other situations, ie Covid and war, so…
Obituary: Harvey Junior Hop
Harvey Junior Hop, 95, of Paw Paw, formerly of Holland, MI, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2022, at Grand Pines Assisted Living, Grand Haven, MI. He was born March 14, 1927, in Holland, the son of James Hop and Laura…
Lawrence shows off new pavilion
The Lawrence Downtown Development Authority (LDDA) recently funded the construction of a new 30-by-40-foot pavilion in the Village of Lawrence Park. Lawrence DDA Chairperson Dale Griber said original DDA plans called for a new bandstand to be constructed. However, further…
Royalty chosen for Youth Fair
The 2022 Van Buren Youth Fair royalty were named Sunday, June 26, at the Van Buren Youth fairgrounds, Hartford. This year’s royalty includes from left, Duke – Blake Saidla, of Lawton, a member of the Porter Busy Fingers; Duchess –…
Tour new fire department on July 7
Construction on the new Paw Paw Fire Department building on Gremps Street can be seen in photo above. On Thursday, July 7, the fire department will hold a beam signing and tour of the building, 832 S. Gremps St., from…
Lawton Summerfest set for July 9
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer Lawton – Lawton Summerfest 2022 will be held July 9, in downtown Lawton with a full lineup of activities, concluding with a fireworks show at dusk. Main Street will be closed from 6 a.m. to midnight.…
Mike’s Musings: Lincoln never gave up, prevailed
By Mike WilcoxPublisherPerseverance is one of the most important quality traits. Too many of us give up at the slightest resistance and fail to accomplish our goals in life.One of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln, is an example of persevering…
Life as Performance Art
By G.C. StoppelNow and then a painting of three men at a writing table comes across my computer screen. They are working together on a document; more papers are beneath the table. They are John Adams, Ben Franklin and Thomas…
Make every day count
We all need to spend today and the rest of our lives more wisely. With inflation at a 40-year high, we are all having to spend our hard-earned paychecks with care. Life is the same. We have less life today…
Life as Performance Art
By G.C. StoppelEach week I read publisher Mike Wilcox’s editorial, then go for a walk. Sometimes it is to cool down; other times to think over what he wrote and how it can be applied. The June 9 edition when…
Monday winds do extensive damage to museum
The Van Buren County Museum received extensive structural and water damage from Monday night’s double storm punch. Museum President Sandy Merchant was at the museum early Tuesday morning assessing the damage, along with other museum volunteers and Van Buren County…
GoblesFest set for June 25
GOBLES – GoblesFest, scheduled June 25, from noon to 5 p.m. in Gobles City Park, plans to raise funds for a new fence to be placed around new playground equipment in the park.A Rainbow Flyte Aerial Arts performer will be…
12-year-old holds up Hartford gas station
HARTFORD – A boy faced seven criminal charges in Van Buren County Thursday, June 2, accused of robbing a gas station clerk at gunpoint after firing a warning shot.The 12-year-old boy had walked about a mile to get to a…
Ex-con shoots two in Hartford trailer
The Michigan State Police (MSP) Paw Paw Post is investigating a shooting and unlawful imprisonment that occurred early June 8, around 5:30 a.m. in the 62000 block of 63rd St., Hartford Twp. Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect, who was…
My father, my hero
(I wrote this a year ago but wanted share it again. Heck I might share this column over and over for years to come. The man meant so much to me)This week I give pause to reflect on my hero,…
Life as Performance Art
I have been waking up well before dawn this spring, and it is all my wife’s fault. No, she is not pulling the blankets over to her side on cool mornings, or sprawling across the bed, shoving me closer to the…
Life as Performance Art
James Barrie, best remembered as the author of Peter Pan, also wrote a short play he called, “The Old Woman Shows Her Medals.” It is a sad tale of an elderly widow who would periodically go to the local train station,…
