News

City Council approves new fee schedule for STRs

Editorial Staff Jul 30, 2025 3 min read

By James Windell What the public talks about in the public comments portion of the South Haven City Council meetings is always a foreshadowing of later events in that meeting. So it happened on Monday, July 21, 2025.The second person…

Missing child at South Beach quickly found

Missing child at South Beach quickly found

Editorial Staff Jul 30, 2025 1 min read

By Tom Renner South Haven beaches have been packed during the current sweltering heat wave. A response to a report of a missing child at the South Beach on Wednesday brought a quick response from city beach safety, police and…

Ward 3 candidate is running unopposed

Editorial Staff Jul 30, 2025 2 min read

By James Windell David Flack is the only person who filed to run for the soon-to-be open position in Ward 3 in South Haven’s City Council elections. That position is available because George Sleeper has served two terms and is…

Meet Dave Flack: Candidate for City Council Ward 3

Meet Dave Flack: Candidate for City Council Ward 3

Editorial Staff Jul 30, 2025 3 min read

By James Windell Although Dave Flack is running unopposed for the Ward 3 South Haven City Council seat, he isn’t going to take his campaign lightly. He is out talking to people and getting to know the issues in Ward…

Work on Maple Island Pedestrian Bridge underway

Work on Maple Island Pedestrian Bridge underway

Editorial Staff Jul 30, 2025 1 min read

The Maple Island Pedestrian Bridge is currently being removed and replaced with a new bridge this summer. Work began earlier this month. Maple Island Park will be closed for the duration of the project, which is anticipated to run through…

Foul weather fails to dampen spirits at Paw Paw Days

Foul weather fails to dampen spirits at Paw Paw Days

Editorial Staff Jul 30, 2025 1 min read

Despite cloudy skies and some rain, it didn’t dampen the spirits of those who participated and attended the 2025 Paw Paw Days, held Saturday, July 26, in downtown Paw Paw.Photos courtesy/Paul DeYoung

Body discovered near Mattawan Creek

Editorial Staff Jul 30, 2025 2 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com MATTAWAN – The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office reported on Friday, July 25, the discovery of a deceased man in the Village of Mattawan, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.Based…

Dumpsters vandalized at Paw Paw Schools construction sites

Editorial Staff Jul 30, 2025 2 min read

PAW PAW – It was recently brought to the attention of Paw Paw Public Schools and reported to local law enforcement that several dumpsters around PPPS bond project construction sites have been the target of missing materials, equipment or other…

Road Commission begins work on Red Arrow Highway

Editorial Staff Jul 30, 2025 1 min read

LAWRENCE – The Van Buren County Road Commission began work Monday, July 28, along Red Arrow Highway from County Road 681 west to the Hartford city limits. The project will be accomplished by Michigan Paving and Materials Company and involves…

Albion Council to Vote on Washington Gardner Redevelopment July 28

Albion Council to Vote on Washington Gardner Redevelopment July 28

Editorial Staff Jul 25, 2025 5 min read

By MAGGIE LANOUE Contributing Writer Albion City Council will vote on a redevelopment proposal for Washington Gardner School at their next meeting on Monday, July 28, at 7 p.m. Meetings are being held at Marshall Opportunity High School, located at…

Rock the Block in Marshall powers on through the rain

Rock the Block in Marshall powers on through the rain

Editorial Staff Jul 25, 2025 3 min read

By KARA DECHALK Contributing Writer Saturday’s rain showers didn’t dampen the spirit of those who came out to enjoy Marshall’s annual Market on Main block party. The event, hosted by Choose Marshall and Copper Athletic Club kicked off at 11…

Teen admits to setting fire to contaminated building

Teen admits to setting fire to contaminated building

Editorial Staff Jul 25, 2025 4 min read

By KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writer A 15-year-old male has been detained after admitting to setting a fire at the former Michner Plating facility in Jackson. According to a press release from Jackson Fire Chief Tim Gonzales, the Jackson Fire Department…

Suspects arraigned in Easter Sunday murder of John Lusch

Suspects arraigned in Easter Sunday murder of John Lusch

Editorial Staff Jul 25, 2025 2 min read

By Elizabeth Ferszt Contributing Writer Three persons are being held in the April 20 murder of John Lusch, 45, of Marshall, who was killed by gunshot in a house on the 900 block of Orchard Place in Jackson. Defendants Bryan…

Sass in the City returns to downtown Three Rivers next week

Sass in the City returns to downtown Three Rivers next week

Editorial Staff Jul 25, 2025 3 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — The annual “ladies’ night out” in downtown Three Rivers will take place once again next week.On Friday, Aug. 1, the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority will hold the annual Sass in the City…

Coleman resigns from Road Commission board

Coleman resigns from Road Commission board

Editorial Staff Jul 25, 2025 6 min read

Resignation comes amid allegations of ‘bashing’ county commissioners in online comments By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — St. Joseph County Road Commission board member Jack Coleman resigned from his position Friday following a Wednesday, July 16 agency meeting in which…

‘Toy Run’ gets rebrand, but primary charitable focus remains intact

‘Toy Run’ gets rebrand, but primary charitable focus remains intact

Editorial Staff Jul 25, 2025 3 min read

By Dennis Volkert After a gap of several years, a longtime tradition resurfaced July 19 with “Route 12 Toy Run.”The 2025 run began at Route 12 Harley-Davidson on U.S. 12 and White School Road. The parade of riders continued into…

Man arrested in Sturgis after barricading in home

Editorial Staff Jul 25, 2025 1 min read

STURGIS — A domestic violence call in Sturgis turned into a situation involving a barricaded man Tuesday night.According to the Sturgis Department of Public Safety, officers were called to the 300 block of West Jerolene Street for a domestic assault…

Routine stop leads to major drug and weapons bust

Routine stop leads to major drug and weapons bust

Editorial Staff Jul 25, 2025 4 min read

By Christopher Johnson It was a challenging weekend for local authorities, who found themselves dealing with a homebrewed Bonnie and Clyde scenario.What started as a standard traffic stop quickly escalated into a major arrest involving drugs, a loaded handgun, and…

Lost Ring Found: Clare man answers stranger’s call for help

Lost Ring Found: Clare man answers stranger’s call for help

Editorial Staff Jul 25, 2025 4 min read

By Christopher Johnson This week’s human-interest story is a fascinating one.While camping with her husband at Sleeper State Park in Caseville, Andrea Mandich-Ross’s vacation took a heartbreaking turn when her wedding ring slipped from her finger after being overwhelmed by…

Rev. Terlouw receives Bautman Award

Rev. Terlouw receives Bautman Award

Editorial Staff Jul 23, 2025 2 min read

Saugatuck First Congretational church pastor Rev. Sarah Terlouw received the Harry R. Butman Award from the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches at their annual meeting and conference in St. Louis June 21-24. Butman, a Congregational minister and ardent proponent…

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.