News

Farwell BOE selects Pakledinaz to fill Buccilli seat

Editorial Staff Dec 13, 2024 2 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent John Pakledinaz was the Farwell Board of Education’s top choice to fill the remainder of Shari Buccilli’s seat on the board. Buccilli was honored for her many years of service to the BOE, com-munity and children of…

Countdown to Christmas – more holiday events around the area

Editorial Staff Dec 13, 2024 5 min read

Gift Ideas at the Clare Union Depot! A little shopping reminder: Christmas Eve is only 11 Days away and if you are looking for unique gifts, check out the local artists’ work at the Clare Union Depot. The Depot is…

Parade, Santa Claus ring in Christmas season

Parade, Santa Claus ring in Christmas season

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 1 min read

The LaFayette Christmas Committee hosted its Annual Christmas on the Square/ Parade last Saturday.The day consisted of food trucks, cookies, the parade and of course a visit from Santa Claus.

Cookie Crawl brings participants to visit businesses

Cookie Crawl brings participants to visit businesses

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 1 min read

The LaFayette Main Street hosted its Annual Cookie Crawl event on Saturday morning from 9 am to 2 pm.The object of this event was not only to receive delicious cookies from all the participating small businesses but too get foot…

Two dead when Valley Haven bus collides with truck

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 1 min read

A crash on U.S. Highway 29 North near Sellers Drive on Monday, December 9, around 6:54 A.M. involved a Valley Haven bus carrying special needs students, and two other vehicles, including a Ford F150.Agencies from Lee County, including Alabama Law…

Raising canes

Raising canes

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 1 min read

Saugatuck’s annual Whootville Christmas Parade Saturday brought sunshine plus Peppermint Stick Brigadiers downtown to spray silly string at their rival men’s “Precision” Snow Shovel Drill Team. More marchers, mirth and merriment filled holiday streets as well. (Photos by Scott Sullivan)

Festive Friday ushers Downtown Allegan into the Christmas season

Festive Friday ushers Downtown Allegan into the Christmas season

Jordan Wilcox Dec 11, 2024 2 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Last Friday, December 6th, was the first of Downtown Allegan’s Festive Fridays, and the Christmas Spirit was in full swing.Local businesses were decorated with lights, garlands, ornaments, and trees. Free hot chocolate was available, courtesy of…

Canvassers seek pay increase

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 1 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN — Citing increased duties related to changes in stateelection law, specifically early voting and expanded absentee voting, the Allegan County Board of Canvassers last week passed a resolution asking the Board of Commissioners to increase its…

Former parent club member faces charges

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A former member of the Gilkey Elementary School Parent Club in Plainwell had her first day in court.Tara Lynn Drewyor, 44, was arraigned in district court on Monday, Dec. 9. She was charged with embezzlement—$50,000 or…

Casco fire destroys barn, farm implements

Casco fire destroys barn, farm implements

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 1 min read

Fire destroyed a barn on a Casco Township (Allegan County) property on Sunday night.South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) responded at 10:15 p.m. to 68th Street near 103rd Avenue when a neighbor reported seeing a barn on fire.The barn was…

South Haven hires a new police chief

South Haven hires a new police chief

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 3 min read

By James Windell The City of South Haven announced on Monday, December 9, 2024, that a new police chief has been hired.South Haven City Manager Kate Hosier, in a press release, said that the city was hiring Kevin Swope to…

City Council approves short term rental moratorium

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 3 min read

By James Windell Amidst an inability to pass a revised short term rental ordinance, something that has been in discussion for at least two years, the South Haven City Council approved a six-month morato-rium on the issue.Both residents speaking at…

Paw Paw kicked off holiday season with tree lighting and children’s parade

Paw Paw kicked off holiday season with tree lighting and children’s parade

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 1 min read

The Paw Paw Children’s Christmas Parade saw a wide variety of participation, from the Paw Paw High School Marching band, to costumed characters, The Island of Misfit Toys draped over a school bus, a horse drawn sleigh and wagon, members…

Casey Davis appointed as Van Buren County Undersheriff

Casey Davis appointed as Van Buren County Undersheriff

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 3 min read

PAW PAW – The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday, Dec. 9, that Lt. Casey Davis has been appointed as undersheriff at the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.Undersheriff Casey Davis brings a wealth of experience to this position,…

Area communities usher in holiday season

Editorial Staff Dec 11, 2024 3 min read

Lawton to hold “Christmas in the Village” Friday, Dec. 13LAWTON – The Lawton Lions Club will hold a “Christmas in the Village” Parade, Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m., followed by Buster’s Hayrides. The Lions Club will use the Lawton…

Langley Covered Bridge closed until further notice after height limiters hit

Langley Covered Bridge closed until further notice after height limiters hit

Robert Tomlinson Dec 9, 2024 3 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — The Langley Covered Bridge outside of Centreville is closed to traffic for at least the next two weeks after both height limiters in the area were hit last week. Road Commission Manager John Lindsey…

Santa arrives at ‘Dashing Through Downtown’ in Sturgis

Santa arrives at ‘Dashing Through Downtown’ in Sturgis

Dennis Volkert Dec 6, 2024 1 min read

Santa Claus got a fire truck ride to Free Church Park in Sturgis, on day two of “Dashing Through Downtown.” Sturgis High School marching band led the parade.  It came on day two of “Dashing Through Downtown,” presented by Sturgis…

Feed Jackson Initiative Gives Away 1,000 Thanksgiving Meals

Feed Jackson Initiative Gives Away 1,000 Thanksgiving Meals

Editorial Staff Dec 6, 2024 2 min read

A group of restaurant owners, friends, and volunteers got together last Wednesday to help Jackson residents. In the end more than 1,000 Thanksgiving dinners were issued to local residents. Baby Bear Burger owner Marshawn Goodloe and a host of local…

Local resident and ADPS officer team up Thanksgiving save elderly couple from drowning by Sylvia Benavidez

Local resident and ADPS officer team up Thanksgiving save elderly couple from drowning by Sylvia Benavidez

Editorial Staff Dec 6, 2024 8 min read

Albion Department of Public Safety Chief Aaron Phipps shared at Monday’s City Council meeting how proud he was of his officers and the civilian who worked together to save an elderly couple from drowning on Thanksgiving. What started off as…

Christmas Around Town welcomes in holiday season in chilly conditions

Christmas Around Town welcomes in holiday season in chilly conditions

Editorial Staff Dec 6, 2024 5 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — It certainly felt like the holiday season in downtown Three Rivers last weekend, not just with the festivities, but also with the weather conditions.The annual Christmas Around Town, held in downtown Friday and…

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.