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

Woman facing multiple charges of sexual abuse

Woman facing multiple charges of sexual abuse

Editorial StaffAug 28, 20242 min read

By Donald Talonen Stephanie Davis, a 30-year-old woman from South Haven was arrested on August 22, in connection to multiple child sexual abuse offenses, according to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office arrested Davis after their…

Navigating Short-Term Rentals

Editorial StaffAug 28, 20243 min read

By Donald Talonen On August 19, 2024, the moratorium that began on February 19, 2024, came to an end, and a new moratorium began. The recently implemented moratorium set to end on February 19, 2025. The South Haven City Council unanimously…

48th Annual All Crafts Fair celebrating creativity and community

Editorial StaffAug 28, 20242 min read

By Donald Talonen Get ready for the 48th Annual All Crafts Fair in South Haven, Michigan! The event will take place on Saturday, August 31st from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, September 1st, 2024, from 10 am to 4…

Downtown Lawton Road construction completion date delayed

Downtown Lawton Road construction completion date delayed

Editorial StaffAug 28, 20246 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer LAWTON – The downtown Lawton road construction project, which was scheduled to be completed on Friday, Aug. 23, has been extended to Friday, Sept. 20, due to Amtrak work and weather delays, according to Lawton Village…

Lawrence Ox Roast & Homecoming festival set for weekend

Editorial StaffAug 28, 20243 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer LAWRENCE – The Lawrence Ox Roast & Homecoming festival on Labor Day weekend, Aug. 30- Sept. 2, will see the return of fireworks to celebrate a century-plus tradition, while marking the annual event.The event began on…

Paw Paw soccer expects around 30 players

Editorial StaffAug 21, 20241 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW – The practice season for coach Mike Lounsbury and his Paw Paw boys soccer team started on Aug. 12 and it’s going to be a very busy time.“The first week of practice will be tryouts…

Mike’s Musings: Political conventions no longer serve a purpose

Mike’s Musings: Political conventions no longer serve a purpose

Editorial StaffAug 21, 20243 min read

Dominating the airwaves this week is the Democratic National Convention. Three weeks it was the Republican National Convention. Despite a lot of pomp and circumstance, very little gets done at these four-day lovefests. In my opinion, they should no longer…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffAug 21, 20244 min read

I just read in my old hometown newspaper that my elementary school principal died. Mr. Were was 95 and his passing brought back memories. This time of year our minds probably slip back to ready-for-a-new-year-of-school days. The whole cast old and new characters post-summer…

Three sister musical group to appear at Michigan State Fair

Three sister musical group to appear at Michigan State Fair

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20244 min read

LAWRENCE – A Lawrence-based, three sister musical group, Vineyard Chicks, will be one of 10 bands from throughout the state who will compete in the Michigan State Fair Superstar contest Labor Day weekend. The top winner will win an artistic…

County-wide road millage renewal successful

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20244 min read

LAWRENCE – The county-wide Road Millage renewal was successfully passed by voters in Van Buren County at Tuesday’s Aug. 6 Primary Election. The vote represented a renewal of a previous millage, not a request for additional revenue. The renewal will…

25% vote in county primary election

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20241 min read

PAW PAW – Just over 25 percent of the registered voters in Van Buren County went to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 6, to cast their ballots on many local millage renewals as well as candidates seeking political offices.With unofficial results,…

MDARD confirms first case of EEE in state, in county horse

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20242 min read

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reporting Michigan’s first case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a domestic animal for 2024. The disease was detected in a Standardbred filly from Van Buren County; the horse was…

Obituary: James Paul Dietz Sr.

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20242 min read

James Paul Dietz, Sr., 78, of Lawton, passed away peacefully in his home with his family at his side, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. He was born Oct. 8, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Thaddeus and Ann Dietz.For the…

Obituary: Katherine L. Alderman

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20242 min read

Katherine L. Alderman, Age 93 Of Bangor Passed away Monday, July 29, 2024 at Bronson Lakeview Hospital, Paw Paw.Katherine was born July 7, 1931 in South Haven the daughter of Edward and Thelma (Brouse) Brant, and has lived all of…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20244 min read

Many of our parents cautioned us to “Be nice” when playing with other children,  talking with adults or any other social interaction. From the 1940s until May 1985, the Ivy Room was Durham, N.C.’s foremost and only kosher Jewish deli. It also served…

Mike’s Musings: I’m disgusting and stupid- so readers say

Mike’s Musings: I’m disgusting and stupid- so readers say

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20244 min read

I take a lot of flack for my opinion column, Mike’s Musings, from time to time. Readers (and I’m so happy you read the paper) often disagree with what I have to say. That’s all right- everyone is entitled to…

Paw Paw football team focusing on opener

Editorial StaffAug 14, 20241 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW – Paw Paw head football coach Dennis Strey had his agenda set on Aug. 12 as he was starting practices.“We will be working on fundamentals and focusing on Big Rapids,” he said, referring to the…

Gobles football players complete busy summer

Editorial StaffAug 7, 20242 min read

By John Raffel GOBES – Coach Greg Eichler is coming off a busy summer program for his Gobles 8-player team and is anxious to get going on Aug. 12 when practices start.The season opens at Colon on Aug. 29.“We’re having…

Obituary: John Charles Bonter

Obituary: John Charles Bonter

Editorial StaffAug 7, 20242 min read

John Charles Bonter, 77, of Paw Paw, passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Kairos Dwelling, Kalamazoo. He was born June 18, 1947, in Battle Creek, MI, the son of Clarence Bonter and Marie (Dumas) Bonter. John spent a total…

Obituary: Leonard Wayne Strefling

Obituary: Leonard Wayne Strefling

Editorial StaffAug 7, 20242 min read

Leonard Wayne Strefling, 73, of Lawrence, passed away surrounded by family, Monday, July 29, 2024, at his home in Lawrence. He was born Dec. 13, 1950, in Watervliet, Michigan, the son of William Strefling and Lena (Geik) Strefling. Leonard worked…