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Editorial Staff Nov 7, 2025 2 min read

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…

Merson Store engulfed by fire

Merson Store engulfed by fire

Editorial Staff Nov 6, 2025 4 min read

By Gari Voss The call came to Gobles Pine Grove Fire Chief Brian Cronk at 5:58am that smoke waspouring from the northwest section of Merson Store at M-40 and 102 nd Avenue. By the timeGobles Pine Grove and Allegan Fire…

Johnston elected mayor of Three Rivers

Johnston elected mayor of Three Rivers

Robert Tomlinson Nov 5, 2025 5 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — For the first time in over a decade, Tom Lowry will not be the mayor of Three Rivers. On Tuesday, voters in the City of Three Rivers elected Angel Johnston to be the…

Friends auction offers gifts to back library 

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 1 min read

The annual Friends of the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library Silent Auction returns Thursday, Nov. 6 through Nov. 20, offering donated gifts to help fund library programming. Among this year’s prizes is a carved wooden bowl by local artist Jim DeVries, made…

Master plan responses being weighed

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 4 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Results 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…

Park potty work near completion

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 1 min read

Fall work continues at Saugatuck’s Mt. Baldhead Park, with new restroom concrete masonry unit almost complete while survey work continues on the upper platform and retaining walls. City manager Ryan Cummins updated his reports last week noting once Midwest Construction…

Galloping into fall

Galloping into fall

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 1 min read

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

PHS presents ‘Back to the ‘80s’ this weekend

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 3 min read

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

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 3 min read

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

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 4 min read

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

Saugatuck voters return incumbents

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 1 min read

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

Several events scheduled to remember veterans

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 4 min read

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

Soccer team state runnerup, loses to Country Day in finals

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 3 min read

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

Copping to receive Governor’s Service Award

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 5 min read

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

Lake Arvesta to hold national championships in 2026

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 3 min read

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

“Fall in the Courthouse Celebration” brings community together

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 1 min read

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

Lawton Village Council honors Norm and Karen Carlson

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 1 min read

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

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 1 min read

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!

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 2 min read

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

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 1 min read

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…

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.