News

SHHS geometry students create rafts from recycled materials

SHHS geometry students create rafts from recycled materials

Editorial Staff Apr 1, 2026 1 min read

By Tom Renner South Haven high school students in a geometry class took a recent assignment quite literally.The assignment was created by Amy Cockburn, the high school principal who is also teaching the geometry class.Students were tasked to apply circle…

Planners approve Victoria Resort rezoning

Editorial Staff Apr 1, 2026 7 min read

By James Windell A special meeting was called by the South Haven Planning Commission on March 23, 2026 in order to hold four public hearings. Three of the public hearings related to special land use applications. The other had to…

Indivisible Paw Paw marks one-year of protests with third No Kings rally

Indivisible Paw Paw marks one-year of protests with third No Kings rally

Editorial Staff Apr 1, 2026 1 min read

On Saturday, March 28, in Paw Paw, the local Indivisible group marked its one-year anniversary of hosting peaceful protests at the same time joining millions of Americans in an organized day of action for the third No Kings event. The…

Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office honors citizen for heroic actions

Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office honors citizen for heroic actions

Editorial Staff Apr 1, 2026 2 min read

On March 24, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office formally recognized Ricky Holly for his courageous and selfless actions during a residential structure fire that occurred on Feb. 28, in Pine Grove Township.Holly was presented with a Letter of Commendation…

Submerged Stolen Vehicle Recovered from Wolf Lake

Submerged Stolen Vehicle Recovered from Wolf Lake

Editorial Staff Apr 1, 2026 2 min read

Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported on March 25, a detective sergeant with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a citizen who was fishing on Wolf Lake in Almena Township. The individual reported observing a suspicious…

Fire engulfs Columbia Twp mobile home

Fire engulfs Columbia Twp mobile home

Editorial Staff Apr 1, 2026 1 min read

Firefighters from five departments responded to a fire that engulfed a Columbia Township mobile home early Sunday morning.The departments were dispatched to 18th Avenue near 53rd Street, west of Breedsville in Van Buren County, at 3:12 a.m.Responding was the Columbia…

Sheriff’s Office investigating death of 5-year-old in Colon

Robert Tomlinson Mar 31, 2026 1 min read

COLON — The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of a child in the Colon area that was reported Tuesday. According to police, deputies were called in the early morning hours Tuesday to the 400 block of…

Senior meal switch brings fallout

Editorial Staff Mar 27, 2026 16 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorArms are up in the precincts after the Allegan County Commission dumped 20-year senior meal provider Community Action for Allegan County in favor of Grandville-based Meals on Wheels for $8.50 per meal, compared to CAAC’s $12.27). CAAC’s 3-year…

Arts Competition returns to Otsego District Library

Arts Competition returns to Otsego District Library

Editorial Staff Mar 27, 2026 4 min read

The Otsego Arts Council will host its annual Arts Competition May 1-9 at the Otsego District Public Library, continuing a community event that celebrates artists of all ages.Now in its third year at the library, the competition will feature a…

Plainwell High School set to present ‘Hadestown’

Plainwell High School set to present ‘Hadestown’

Editorial Staff Mar 27, 2026 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A powerful blend of myth, music and storytelling is coming to the Plainwell stage.Plainwell High School will present “Hadestown: Teen Edition” for a three-show run beginning Friday, March 27, and continuing through Sunday, March 29.Showtimes are…

Centreville special education teacher nominated for Detroit Red Wings’ ‘Best in Class’ award

Centreville special education teacher nominated for Detroit Red Wings’ ‘Best in Class’ award

Robert Tomlinson Mar 27, 2026 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A local teacher is in the running for a special award from a major sports team in the state for her commitment to her students. Alyssa Henneman, a special education teacher at Centreville Elementary…

Senior meal switch has fallout

Senior meal switch has fallout

Editorial Staff Mar 27, 2026 16 min read

By Scott SullivanWriter Arms are up in the precincts after the Allegan County Commission dumped 20-year senior meal provider Community Action for Allegan County in favor of Grandville-based Meals on Wheels for $8.50 per meal, compared to CAAC’s $12.27). CAAC’s…

9-year-old honored for lifesaving CPR

9-year-old honored for lifesaving CPR

Editorial Staff Mar 27, 2026 3 min read

By Gari Voss Logan Vangemert made his way onto the stage at Brandon Elementary School on Friday morning, March 20, 2026, to receive the Heart Saver Award from the American Heart Association. Though this was the regular monthly school-wide assembly,…

Memorial garden and fountain proposed to City Council

Memorial garden and fountain proposed to City Council

Editorial Staff Mar 27, 2026 4 min read

By James Windell A conceptual plan for a memorial garden and fountain in front of the City Hall was proposed to the South Haven City Hall.According to Tom Renner, the idea originated with SHOUT for South Haven as a downtown…

South Haven City Clerk resigns

South Haven City Clerk resigns

Editorial Staff Mar 27, 2026 3 min read

By James Windell In December, 2024, Mayor Annie honored South Haven’s City Clerk, Megan Kiker, with a proclamation for her “exceptional dedication and tireless work during the 2024 election season, ensuring the integrity and success of the electoral process.”Throughout her…

Committee of the Whole discusses funding for lifeguard program

Editorial Staff Mar 27, 2026 3 min read

By James Windell Who starts a program without figuring out how to pay for it?That was a question raised by more than one South Haven resident after the City Council approved starting a lifeguard program and the announcement that a…

Paw Paw Schools receive $2500 donation from Family Fare

Paw Paw Schools receive $2500 donation from Family Fare

Editorial Staff Mar 27, 2026 1 min read

To help celebrate the Grand Reopening of the Paw Paw Family Fare on Saturday, students from Paw Paw Early Elementary designed a beautiful banner and participated in the ribbon-cutting. On behalf of PPPS, Superintendent Jeremy Davison also accepted a generous…

PPMS principal retiring

Editorial Staff Mar 27, 2026 1 min read

After serving 16 years as principal at Paw Paw Middle School, Jerry McDaniel will be retiring later this year.“I am leaving Paw Paw after 16 years as principal at the middle school,” said McDaniel. “This will be my last year as…

Paw Paw Township Board approves tools for new fire truck

Editorial Staff Mar 27, 2026 2 min read

PAW PAW – At the Monday, March 9, Paw Paw Township Board meeting, board members approved a request from the Paw Paw fire chief for needed tools for a new fire truck.Paw Paw Fire Department Fire Chief Kyle Richardson submitted…

Eagle Court of Honor for 3 Held at Lawrence

Eagle Court of Honor for 3 Held at Lawrence

Editorial Staff Mar 27, 2026 4 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWRENCE – Marking the 100th anniversary year of Lawrence Boy Scout Troop 197, an Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held for three of its members at the Lawrence United Methodist Church on Sunday, March 22.The…