News

Sturgis mother accused of killing child pleads no contest to child abuse, assault charges; murder charge dropped

Sturgis mother accused of killing child pleads no contest to child abuse, assault charges; murder charge dropped

Editorial Staff Aug 15, 2025 2 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A murder charge has been dropped in the case of a Sturgis mother accused of killing her 2-year-old child. According to court records, a plea deal in the case against Paige Nichole Bohne was…

Old US 27 Motor Tour hits City of Clare August 21st

Old US 27 Motor Tour hits City of Clare August 21st

Editorial Staff Aug 15, 2025 3 min read

By Genine Hopkins Before heading to Harrison Street Fair on Friday, August 22, the Old US 27 Motor Tour heads to the City of Clare on Thursday, August 21, from 6 to 8 p.m., allowing car enthusiasts to view hundreds…

Harrison Street Fair August 22nd and 23rd

Harrison Street Fair August 22nd and 23rd

Editorial Staff Aug 15, 2025 3 min read

By Genine Hopkins It’s coming! The 19th Annual Harrison Street Fair is almost upon us and this year looks to be even bigger and better than ever!The ever popular Kid’s Carnival will be returning this year, on Saturday, from 11…

Two Clare women crowned pageant winners

Two Clare women crowned pageant winners

Editorial Staff Aug 15, 2025 1 min read

Clare has recently been represented by two exceptional young women in the Miss Michigan Teen and the Miss Michigan USA, leaving a lasting impression and making outstanding contributions.Eliy Simmer of Clare was crowned Miss Michigan Teen USA 2025. Her success…

Incident involving unresponsive person being investigated in Lockport Twp.

Robert Tomlinson Aug 13, 2025 2 min read

LOCKPORT TWP. — The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help after finding an unresponsive individual in Lockport Township Tuesday. According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched Tuesday to the 17000 block of South River…

Township hall site improvements planned

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 4 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor The Saugatuck Township Board was scheduled Wednesday, Aug. 13, to review and perhaps approve a $1.575-million township hall redesign. If so, contractor Progressive AE will prepare construction documents for public bidding in September and work could…

Township bus ridership stays strong

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 3 min read

By Jim Hayden Correspondent Bus ridership in Laketown Township continues to be strong with the Interurban Transit Authority picking up or dropping off 832 people township-wide in June. It was the second month of the trial service in Laketown. In…

Laketown wants third interview with Fox

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 3 min read

By Jim Hayden Correspondent The Laketown Township Board Aug. 6 agreed to ask manager finalist Stephanie Fox to return for a third interview after citing new questions about her time as an Ionia County Administrator. No date or time has…

On the beach

On the beach

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 1 min read

It’s a colorful family affair visiting Lake Michigan beaches with water temperatures running into the 70’s since July. This shot was captured last weekend at Saugatuck’s Oval Beach. (Photo by Scott Sullivan)

Bank eyes former Douglas restaurant site

Bank eyes former Douglas restaurant site

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 3 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe Douglas Planning Commission Thursday, Aug. 14 will weigh a Consumers Credit Union special land use request to create a drive-though/drive-in 1,185-square-foot commercial bank office at the former Kalico Kitchen site, 312 Ferry St.A public hearing is scheduled…

Moore named new city planning/zoning head

Moore named new city planning/zoning head

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 2 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe City of Saugatuck has appointed Grayson Moore new planning and zoning director succeeding Luke Thompson, who left that post effective July 31 to take a similar job nearer his family in South Haven.Moore will start here in…

Otsego prepares for 10th year of Gus Macker tourney

Otsego prepares for 10th year of Gus Macker tourney

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Otsego Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament has reached double digits.That’s right. The Otsego Macker is turning 10 years old this year, as the first tournament was held in 2015.No event took place in 2020 due…

Fowl Play! Illegal cockfighting ring discovered

Fowl Play! Illegal cockfighting ring discovered

Jordan Wilcox Aug 13, 2025 3 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Anyone who’s ever been to Hopkins knows that the sounds of barnyard animals are not an auditory anomaly. Due to the area’s strong dairy farming industry, cows can be heard all day long.However, on Saturday, July…

High school gymnasium plans temporarily under water

High school gymnasium plans temporarily under water

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 2 min read

Summer at Allegan Senior High School has been busy with renovations related to the Allegan Public Schools bond passed by Allegan voters in 2021. The $87.5 million bond has three phases that stretch from school year 2021-22 to Fall 2026…

Fennville voters approve bond referendum for facility Improvements

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 2 min read

Fennville Voters Approve Bond Referendum for Facility ImprovementsOn August 5, 2025, voters in the Fennville Public Schools district approved a bond referendum to reinvest in the district’s facilities, focusing on improving air quality, safety, and learning environments for all students,…

Man drowns in Fennville pool

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 1 min read

A 78-year-old man drowned in a pool at a home in Fennville on Saturday afternoon, firefighters say.It happened around 1 p.m. at a home on 124th Avenue. Fennville Fire Department Chief Paul Hapke says firefighters received a call about the…

Lawrence cheer continues to have success

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 2 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent Melissa Pyle is head coach for sideline cheer at Lauren and recalls major highlights from a year ago.“Tripling the number of cheerleaders was a highlight/record/top moment of the season.” Pyle said. “Senior captain Kennedi Klock and junior…

Walker recognized for lasting impact on South Haven

Walker recognized for lasting impact on South Haven

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 2 min read

By Tom Renner A long standing tradition of the Bobby Walker Basketball Tournament in South Haven is to begin the summer weekend event with the presentation of Leadership Awards to civic leaders, organizations and sponsors. This year the ceremony had a…

Hundreds attend National Night Out

Hundreds attend National Night Out

Editorial Staff Aug 13, 2025 1 min read

By Tom Renner Haven marked National Night Out with an event that attracted hundreds to the downtown the downtown pavilion. Law enforcement and fire/EMS agencies were joined by several community organizations. The Van Buren Sheriff horse unit joined in the…

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.