South Haven Parks Commission accepts life rings donation
By James Windell Ryan and Mandy Servatius appeared before the South Haven Parks Commission on June 10, 2025 and offered a donation of 11 life rings for use at South Haven’s beaches and river.The couple, who are South Haven realtors,…
Paw Paw Fire Department battles structure fire
The Paw Paw Fire Department responded to a structure fire Thursday, June 12, shortly after noon. Paw Paw Fire Chief Kyle Richardson said the fire appears to have started from debris removal on the exterior of the residence where the…
Paw Paw softball falls one win shy of state title
By John RaffelCorrespondent EAST LANSING — Paw Paw’s softball team was hopeful of one more dramatic comeback win when it played Richmond for the Division 3 state championship on June 14 at Michigan State University.But the Wolves were unable to…
State Police investigate shooting, minor injuries to victim, suspect arrested
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Paw Paw post troopers are investigating a shooting where a 33-year-old Paw Paw man was shot and treated at the scene for minor injuries, Tuesday night, June 10, in Antwerp Township, according to…
Fatal crash claims life of Lawton woman
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com ANTWERP TWP. – A 64-year-old Lawton woman was killed Thursday afternoon, June 12, in a two-vehicle traffic crash in Antwerp Township, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s office.Van Buren County Sheriff…
Mroczek named Miss Michigan 4th Runner Up
Lauren Mroczek of Mattawan, Miss Greater Kalamazoo, was named 4th Runner Up to Miss Michigan during the 86th annual Miss Michigan Scholarship Competition on Saturday, June 14, held at the Frauenthal Center in downtown Muskegon. As Miss Greater Kalamazoo, Lauren…
Mike’s Musings: Moving woes, why do I keep doing it?
For some reason I feel the need to move from one house to another, or one office to another, every few years. This time my fiancé and I, decided to move from our condo to a house on an acre…
Red Wolves rally for quarterfinal win
By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — While the state semifinal win for Paw Paw’s softball team was dramatic on June 12 with Elizabeth Vanderburg’s walkoff home run, the quarterfinal victory two days prior didn’t lack for drama either.Vanderburg hit two…
Life as Performance Art
Over the past three decades and a sprinkling of years I have been fortunate to know a now-retired professor of mathematics at a small university here in Michigan. Someone once said, “Math is just numbers,” but the subject is…
Mike’s Musings: My Father My Hero
(I wrote this a few years 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…
HarborFest set for this weekend
HarborFest, South Haven’s first big festival of the summer season, is this coming weekend (June 13-14). A highlight is the Saturday morning Dragon Boat races on the Black River near the Southside marina. One of the Dragon Boat teams is pictured…
South Haven City Council makes more appointments
By James Windell After an initial round of appointments to various boards and commissions on May 19, 2025, the South Haven City Council voted on additional nominations on June 2, 2025.Mayor Annie Brown nominates people for board and commission vacancies…
City Council approves zoning amendments regarding non-permanent signs
James Windell After considerable debate and some acrimony, the South Haven City Council approved an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance that pertains to signs in the yards of residences.Community residents frequently over the past few months expressed concern about the…
Father Bob honored for 50-year career as a priest
James Windell When Father Bob Flickinger saw St. Basil Church overlooking Lake Michigan, he knew he had found his dream parish. He lived that dream for 10 years as pastor of St. Basil.Recently, Fr. Bob was recognized by South Haven…
Graham receives state medal for life-saving effort
Each year, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office submits several incidents to the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association (MSA) for consideration by the voting committee. This year, at the recently held MSA Conference, Sergeant Paul Graham, far left, was awarded the MSA…
Belgium newspaper staff visit county museum, Lawton and Mattawan for upcoming story
Patrick Vincent, a reporter, and Robin Fasseur, a photographer, both employed by the Gazet van Antwerpen, the newspaper of the city and province of Antwerpen, Belgium, traveled to Van Buren County on Sunday and Monday where they visited and took…
Mattawan Man had five uncles serve in World War II
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com MATTAWAN – Longtime Mattawan resident Dave Ballinger knows firsthand the meaning of service to your country as he had five uncles who served during World War II.It was Ballinger’s maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Koole,…
Gobles softball ends with 23-7 record
By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — Gobles softball season came to a close with a 23-7 record with a 13-2 loss to Mendon in the district finals.Erica Barber took the loss for Gobles in the pitcher’s circle, with 10 hits. Riley…
Life as Performance Art
Growing up, we had the usual generational divides in our home. When my parents were born, they were included as part of the Silent Generation who lived through the Spanish Flu, Roaring Twenties, Great Depression, World War Two. Right…
