News
Galloping into fall
Douglas Elementary students celebrated Halloween on Halloween proper Friday, parading throughout the building and gym in front of appreciatively terrified parents, many of whom would later take the kids trick-or-treating through neighborhoods. Teachers dressed up to get in on the…
PHS presents ‘Back to the ‘80s’ this weekend
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Great music, iconic fashion statements and iconic dance moves brought to life.That, according to Hannah Sheikh, is what audiences members can expect when they come out to see Plainwell High School’s production of “Back to the…
Plainwell band places second at state finals
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor DETROIT—Refined.That’s the one word Plainwell High School band director David Hepinstall used to describe the PHS marching band’s performance at the Michigan Competing Band Association Flight IV State Championship on Saturday, Nov. 1.The judges on hand…
City weighs input on master plan
By Scott SullivanEditorResults of a Saugatuck city master plan survey conducted this August through Oct. 6 showed 386 respondents agree overwhelmingly that preserving existing neighborhood character should be a city priority.Other popular goals include maintaining:1) A vibrant, strong and attractive…
Saugatuck voters return incumbents
BY SCOTT SULLIVANEDITOR Saugatuck voters returned all three incumbents in a five-way race Tuesday, Nov. 4, to three available two-year seats on the city council. Current mayor Holly Anderson and councilman Joe Clark topped all comers with 240 votes each.…
Several events scheduled to remember veterans
By Gari Voss Fall provides several opportunities to remember veterans who served from the Revolutionary War to the present. Organizations across the county are working to make these holidays special. Veterans Day, November 11thGlenn Public School, 1394 Adams Rd, Glenn,…
Soccer team state runnerup, loses to Country Day in finals
By John RaffelCorrespondent SOUTH HAVEN — It was a dream season for the South Haven Rams boys soccer team but ended up one win short.The Rams played at Grand Ledge’s Boyne Mountain complex on Saturday in the Division 3 title…
Copping to receive Governor’s Service Award
By James Windell South Haven has long recognized that Bob Copping is a gem of a citizen. Soon the rest of the state of Michigan will understand why he is regarded as a truly outstanding individual.On November 12, 2025, at…
Lake Arvesta to hold national championships in 2026
By James Windell Dawn Hinz says it didn’t take much persuading to convince Lake Arvesta Farms owner Brian DeBest to agree to host a triathlon last summer.However, the unqualified success of the triathlon, which attracted more than 300 athletes to…
“Fall in the Courthouse Celebration” brings community together
The third annual “Fall in the Courthouse Celebration” was held Friday, Oct. 31, at the Van Buren County Courthouse, 212 E. Paw Paw St., Paw Paw. It featured an afternoon filled with seasonal fun, community connection, and fall spirit. The…
Lawton Village Council honors Norm and Karen Carlson
The Village of Lawton recently approved a resolution declaring Oct. 12 as Norm and Karen Carlson Day in the Village of Lawton. The two were honored for all that they do for the local community, and for being consistent supporters…
Area Veterans Day services planned
The Lawton American Legion Waters-Hackenberg Post 220, will hold a Veterans Day service, Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Lawton American Legion building, 404 N. Main St., Lawton.The Lawrence American Legion Hess Eastman Post 174 will hold a…
Do you need help? Write Us!
Mike WilcoxOwner/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…
Lawton woman accused of embezzling over $50k from school
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com LAWTON – A Lawton woman, a former employee of Lawton Community School, was arraigned Oct. 24, in 7th District Court, Paw Paw, on a charge of embezzlement over $50,000, but less than $100,000, according to a…
Three Rivers 2025 Mayoral Candidate Profile: Nathan Walden
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director This story originally ran in the October 24 edition of the Three Rivers Commercial-News. THREE RIVERS — Nathan Walden has faced a lot of adversity in his 43 years of life. At age 16, he was…
Three Rivers 2025 Mayoral Candidate Profile: Angel Johnston
This story originally appeared in the Oct. 10 edition of the Three Rivers Commercial-News. By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Growing up in Kalamazoo, Angel Johnston said she enjoyed coming to Three Rivers on vacation during her early years,…
Three Rivers 2025 Mayoral Candidate Profile: Tom Lowry
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director This story originally appeared in the Oct. 10 edition of the Three Rivers Commercial-News. THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry has seen “a little bit of everything” in his 26 non-consecutive years as mayor…
HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK: CARL LEWIS ZAPPA
By Frank Passic There are only a small handful of persons who lived in Albion that have appeared in national motion pictures. One of them was Donna Montran (1893-1976), an Albion native who appeared in the 1915 silent film…
Judge Thomas Wilson files answer to JTC review
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer 4th Circuit Court Judge, Thomas Wilson, who is under review by the Judicial Tenure Commission of the State of Michigan, filed an answer to the complaint, FC 110, on Oct. 22. The complaint, filed on…
More than candy given out during Sweets on Superior; hugs, tons of creativity and unique giveaway
By Sylvia Benavidez From intricate handmade costumes to inflatables, an estimated 1,000 kids and adults walked up and down Superior Street Sunday gathering treats at this year’s Sweets on Superior. One of the over 30 vendors at the event, Nick…

Do you need help? Write Us!
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.
























