
Life as Performance Art
For the most part, I don’t give President Trump and his executive orders much attention. For one thing, these epistles are often challenged in court and sometimes overturned. The exception is when it touches on something important to me.…
City Council approves electric utility ordinance change
By James Windell Dawn Lund, vice-president of Utility Financial Solutions, LLC, a company that has been studying South Haven’s electric utility, gave a presentation at the regular meeting of the South Haven City Council on Monday, August 18, 2025.In her…
Two arrested, guns and drugs seized at SH Township home
Two people were arrested and guns and drugs were seized after a bust in South Haven Township last Thursday.On Aug. 21, multiple law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant at Lake Shore Mobile Park in South Haven Township, including the…
A second Strategic Economic Development listening session held
By James Windell The second Strategic Economic Development listening session was held in the South Haven City Hall on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.The goal of the second session, according to economic development consultant Jim Hettinger, was to hear more from…
Zoning Board of Appeals elects new officers, approves zoning
By James Windell When the South Haven Zoning Board of Appeals met on Monday, August 25, 2025, there were three new members present.Newly appointed members included Don Bemis, Amy Nichols, Brandi Coulombe, and alternate Lisa Krupiarz.With regular meetings in the…
Wine & Harvest Festival features grape stomping, arts and crafts, free music and more
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Paw Paw Wine & Harvest Festival’s three-day event, Friday, Sept. 5, through Sunday, Sept. 7, offers something for everyone, from grape stomping to arts and crafts, free music and more. Friday, Sept. 59…
Paw Paw Schools bans cellphones in classrooms
PAW PAW – The Paw Paw Public Schools’ “Disconnect to Reconnect” initiative was launched at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year in response to the Surgeon General’s report that warned of the dangers of social media.Concerned about the negative…
Weapon found in vehicle during routine sweep of parking lot at VB Tech
LAWRENCE – A weapon was found Thursday, August 28, in a vehicle during a routine sweep of the parking lot at the Van Buren Tech, Lawrence, according to Van Buren Intermediate School District Superintendent David Manson.In a release to Van…
Mike’s Musings: Michigan’s School Funding Stalemate Is a Disservice to Every Student
Here we go again. Another budget cycle, another bitter fight in Lansing over how to fund our schools. This year’s stalemate feels particularly sharp, with both sides dug in and unwilling to budge. Meanwhile, the people who bear the brunt…
Gobles football has outstanding opening-game win
By John RaffelCorrespondent Gobles opened with a tough week one matchup vs. Climax-Scotts for the Tiger Tribute game and Gobles won 54-32.This was only the second time in program history that the two teams have met, with the first time…
Life as Performance Art
Over the past few years, we have heard the phrases “sanctuary city” and “sanctuary state”many times. In the US, it has become politically divisive because sanctuary cities and states have traditionally been labeled liberal or “blue states” where the…
Mike’s Musings: Is Cracker Barrel’s new strategy, doomed?
With Congress on vacation for the entire month of August (how dare they) and very little else happening, the Cracker Barrel rebranding hit center stage in last week’s news cycle. The CEO and Marketing Manager rolled out a new contemporary…
Paw Paw soccer team ties Kalamazoo HomeSchool
By John RaffelCorrespondent The Paw Paw boys soccer Red Wolves recently played the Kalamazoo Home School Cougars at home and played to a 0-0 tie on Monday, Aug. 25. Spencer Peruski had the shut out in goal. The back line…
Maryanne Ruby receives proclamation from the Governor
By James Windell When Maryanne Ruby received a standing ovation from colleagues, family and students at the South Haven Area Recreational Authority (SHARA) meeting recently, it was in recognition of her more than 25 years as a swim coach.But the…
Chamber of Commerce hosts 49th annual All Crafts Fair Labor Day weekend
By James Windell More than 150 vendors and 13 food trucks will take up residence in Stanley Johnson Park August 30 and 31, 2025 for the 49th Annual All Crafts Fair.Organized by the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce, the…
Deputies rescued jet skiers who spilled in Lake Michigan
Deputies from the Marine Division of the Van Buren County Sheriff Department assigned to South Haven rescued jet ski boaters who were spilled in the high waves of Lake Michigan on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred approximately two miles southwest of…
Lawrence Ox Roast & Homecoming festival set for Labor Day weekend
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWRENCE – The Lawrence Ox Roast & Homecoming festival on Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29 – Sept. 1, will see fireworks and more to celebrate a century-plus tradition, while marking the annual event.The event began on…
Mattawan Stadium ribbon cutting to be held September 5
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Friday, Sept. 5, celebrating the completion of Phase One of Mattawan Stadium, a new turf and track, at Mattawan Consolidated School. It will be held at 6:45 p.m., just prior to the…
Village of Paw Paw begins work on Briggs Dam
PAW PAW – Following the partial failure and subsequent repair of Briggs Dam in 2017, the State of Michigan’s Dam Safety Division recommended the complete replacement of the spillway as a long-term solution.The Village of Paw Paw has been working…

Do you need help? Write Us!
By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher
Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.
It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.




















