News
SPS funders raise $160+ K … and fun
By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck Public Schools-sponsored fall Walk-a-thon and Serve-a-thon fall fundraisers last week raised a combined $160,605. The Friends of Saugatuck Middle & High School-organized Serve-a-Thon Sept. 18 involved middle school students, with support from parent and business…
Douglas OKs sign at ex-golf cluhouse
By Scott Sullivan Editor Douglas City Council Monday granted Vincent Beckman IV a 6-month sign ordinance exemption for a marker erected at his home at 14 and 16 Ferry St., the former West Shore Golf Course clubhouse. City planning and…
History Center cites Ashley, Thau
The Saugatuck-Douglas History Center presented Arthur Ashley the Charles J. Lorenz Award of Achievement, its top honor, and cited Christopher Thau as Volunteer of the Year at its annual membership meeting Oct. 2. Ashley, a US Army veteran, musician and…
Douglas seeks playground build volunteers
By Scott Sullivan Editor The City of Douglas seeks volunteers to help erect the final phase of its park project started in 2019: the children grades 5-12 area at the Schultz Park playground. What started in 2019 as a group…
Heat on Sunday for Chili Cook Off
Three things just go together to make a perfect fall day — crisp temperatures, color touring and enjoying a steaming bowl of chili. You can get this package deal at the annual Cow Hill Yacht Club Chili Cook Off Sunday…
Nothing but sincerity
… for as far as the eye can see met families coming Saturday to grab among 300 pumpkins set out by the Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt Douglas office. There were free cider and donuts too. Many kids and even some…
‘Is chalk art free speech?’ cities ask
By Scott SullivanEditorIs chalk art in public places free speech or vandalism? Douglas City Council Monday weighed a measure banning it on heels of neighbor Saugatuck removing a sidewalk message many found offensive.Saugatuck City Council was slated to discuss its…
Otsego Library benefits from Eagle Scout Project
The Otsego District Public Library saw significant improvements to its outdoor spaces thanks to the leadership and service of Eagle Scout candidate Amelia Helen Tuttle of Troop 191, Lakeshore District, Michigan Crossroads Council.Amelia’s project, titled Library Landscaping, focused on enhancing both the safety…
Plainwell royalty
Plainwell Community Schools held its annual homecoming festivities the week of Monday, Sept. 29. And as always, the week culminated with the crowning of this year’s royalty.Alyssa Weldon (left) was named this year’s queen, while Andrew Hampton was named this…
Plainwell hosts informational meeting for Battle of the Books
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Battle of the Books has become an annual tradition for area elementary school students.A quiz-bowl-style competition designed for students in grades three through five, Battle of the Books features three rounds of seven questions based on…
Iconic Fennville hotel begins makeover, will house restaurant, speakeasy, event center
By Gari Voss The hotel in Fennville, MI that has stood next to the railroad tracks for almost a century is in the midst of having a facelift. The DuPree family from Holland, MI purchased the grand structure four years…
SHARK founder says cockfighting ring shared with police several weeks earlier
By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer In a shocking discovery, 36 fighting birds — roosters, were found dead in a Hopkins Twp. property on Oct. 3.Local law enforcement received tips about a cockfighting and betting ring from an animal rights organization called…
Barron’s PCC hearing adjourned until Oct. 30
By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer Mya Nicole Barron, the 15-year-old former AHS student who is facing weapons charges after allegedly threatening to attack Allegan High School in September, was in 57th District Court today for a PCC.Judge Christopher Burnett conducted the…
Former SHHS athlete now Hope College’s baseball coach
By James Windell When Ryan Dorow was a senior at South Haven High School and played three sports, there was only one thought in his mind: Play, play, play!Playing baseball and other sports was all he could think about. He…
Friends Good Will put to rest for winter
A very familiar scene along the South Haven coastline during the summer months, the Michigan Maritime Museum’s Friends Good Will, was put to rest for the winter months this past weekend.During the downrigging process, volunteers dropped her lines, spars and…
STR owners pack South Haven City Hall council chambers
By James Windell The City Hall Council Chambers was just not spacious enough to accommodate all of the Short-Term Rental owners who showed up for an STR Informational meeting.Billed on the City of South Haven’s website as an opportunity to…
South Haven High School has a new principal
By James Windell South Haven High School started the year without a principal. A search for a replacement for Joe Allen, the 2024-2025 high school principal, has been going on since he resigned this past summer to accept the position…
Paw Paw High School senior named 2026 commended student by National Merit Scholarship
PAW PAW – Paw Paw High School Principal Tammy Southworth recently announced that Leah Graves has been named a Commended Student in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation…
Rally to be held Oct. 14, in Paw Paw to remember Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk’s 32nd birthday
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – A rally, what would have been the 32nd birthday of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Maple Lake Amphitheatre, Paw…
Hartford man arrested, faces a variety of charges
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com DECATUR – A 33-year-old Hartford area man faces a variety of charges, including flee and elude, possession of methamphetamine, following his recent arrest, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.The man,…

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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.






















