News

Meet Amy Cockburn: South Haven High School’s new principal

Meet Amy Cockburn: South Haven High School’s new principal

Editorial Staff Oct 22, 2025 5 min read

By James Windell Five days into the job as principal of South Haven High School, Amy Cockburn is convinced that South Haven is where she should be.Having grown up in Indiana and coming off of a stint as assistant principal…

Albert Anthony service recognized by local quilt maker

Albert Anthony service recognized by local quilt maker

Editorial Staff Oct 22, 2025 2 min read

By James Windell It was a Beacon profile of Vietnam War veteran Albert Anthony that set the wheels – or, more accurately – the fingers of Chri Brenner in motion.An article that commemorated the war experiences of South Havern’s Albert…

State AG Nessel makes special appearance at Paw Paw No Kings 2 rally

State AG Nessel makes special appearance at Paw Paw No Kings 2 rally

Editorial Staff Oct 22, 2025 3 min read

By Ann Burch PAW PAW – “We are not going to bend. We will not bow. We will not break. We will not capitulate to this lawless, reckless, chaotic, criminal want-to-be dictator of a president,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel…

Charlie Kirk remembered by area residents on what would have been his 32nd birthday

Charlie Kirk remembered by area residents on what would have been his 32nd birthday

Editorial Staff Oct 22, 2025 2 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Tuesday, Oct. 14, was designated by Congress as the National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk, recognizing his lasting contributions to civic education and public service. To mark what would have been his 32nd birthday,…

Lawrence grad named LMC’s Distinguished Alumni

Lawrence grad named LMC’s Distinguished Alumni

Editorial Staff Oct 22, 2025 3 min read

Lake Michigan College has announced  that 2025 Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award has been awarded to Dr. John Marcelletti.  This award is given to an LMC alumnus who has accomplished significant success in his/ her personal or professional endeavors. John will be honored…

Paw Paw man faces drug and firearm charges

Editorial Staff Oct 22, 2025 2 min read

By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – A 43-year-old Paw Paw man faces several drug and firearm charges, following his by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that the Van Buren County Narcotics Unit…

Trailblazing Women, Aviation Heros, and Tuskegee Airmen subject of Albion Historical Society talk

Trailblazing Women, Aviation Heros, and Tuskegee Airmen subject of Albion Historical Society talk

Editorial Staff Oct 20, 2025 2 min read

ALBION, MI The Albion Historical Society will welcome Wendy Zielen on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 6:30 p.m. when she gives her talk, “Bravery and Innovation: Early Aviation Heroes,” at Stirling Books and Brew, 119 N. Superior St., in Albion. This…

Concord and Pulaski to cooperate on Swains Lake sewers

Concord and Pulaski to cooperate on Swains Lake sewers

Editorial Staff Oct 20, 2025 4 min read

By KEN WYATT Contributing Writer The Swains Lake Sewer Project advanced another step at the Pulaski Township Board meeting this week. In a unanimous vote, the board supported a proposed Memo of Understanding between Pulaski and the Village of Concord.…

Choose Marshall welcomes Viking Warrior Axe Throwing

Choose Marshall welcomes Viking Warrior Axe Throwing

Editorial Staff Oct 20, 2025 2 min read

Choose Marshall recently welcomed Viking Warrior Axe Throwing as a new Chamber Member. A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official welcome of this unique new entertainment venue to downtown Marshall. Co-owners Amanda Bieskie, Bruce Hamilton and Tommie Fagan moved their business…

Antonio Green charged with open murder in death of Mia Sims

Editorial Staff Oct 20, 2025 7 min read

By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer At a preliminary exam on Thursday, Antonio Treyvonne Green, age 19, was ordered to stand trial on upgraded charges for the murder of 18-year-old Mia Sims, who was gunned down on July 27 in front…

Albion District Library hosts Mark Twain performance

Albion District Library hosts Mark Twain performance

Editorial Staff Oct 20, 2025 2 min read

ALBION – Mark Twain visited the Albion District Library on Tuesday. Actually, it was John L. Daly performing as Mark Twain in an entertaining and educational presentation. In character as the beloved American author, Daly regaled the audiences with amusing…

Fall Festival brings autumnal fun to downtown Three Rivers

Fall Festival brings autumnal fun to downtown Three Rivers

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 4 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Downtown Three Rivers was bustling with activity last weekend, as a new festival brought the autumn season to Main Street and Portage Avenue.Saturday, Oct. 11 was the first-ever Fall Festival in downtown Three…

Deep Blue Something embraces a return to recording, touring, with new LP: Texas-based alt-rock group to open Sturges-Young season series

Deep Blue Something embraces a return to recording, touring, with new LP: Texas-based alt-rock group to open Sturges-Young season series

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 6 min read

By Dennis Volkert Deep Blue Something opens the 2025-26 performance series at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.The show is at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25. Ticket price starts at $35. Season tickets are available through that date as well.Deep Blue Something…

Sturgis commissioners OK property transfer, facility upgrades

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 3 min read

Sturgis City Commission approved several measures or requests at its Oct. 8 meeting. Commissioners adopted a resolution of property transfer from Sturgis Township into the city, at the request of Metalloid Corporation. According to city engineer Barry Cox, on Aug. 4, 2000, the…

Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 4 min read

OCTOBERThroughout OctoberSturgis Historical Museum hours: 10 am..-2 p.m. Saturday, and by appointment, sturgismueseum@gmail.com, 269-503-7440.Oct. 18“Boo Bash 5K,” 9 a.m., fundraiser for Thurston Woods Village benevolent fund; registration fee $25.Oct. 20Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education meeting, 5:30 p.m., Sturgis Central…

Police arrest wanted suspect day after hours-long police presence in Three Rivers

Police arrest wanted suspect day after hours-long police presence in Three Rivers

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 3 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers police on Wednesday arrested a suspect that was wanted on a felony warrant following an hours-long police presence in Three Rivers Tuesday.According to Three Rivers police, officers from the Three Rivers…

Clare Equestrian Team Crowned State Champions

Clare Equestrian Team Crowned State Champions

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 1 min read

The Clare equestrian team competed last week in Midland for 4 days against the best teams in the state of Michigan. The team consisted of Natalie Malson, Kerrigan Koch, Brooklyn Zemko, Grace Russell, and Heidy Schunk dug deep and came…

Food pantry closed, searching for new home

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 2 min read

By Genine Hopkins The Gathering Church will no longer be in Hayes Township and the Food Pantry associated with the Gathering Church is searching for a new home. Both are results of the land owner of the current location, next…

Clare’s Art Alley is set to unveil a new mural this weekend

Clare’s Art Alley is set to unveil a new mural this weekend

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 2 min read

By Christopher Johnson Clare’s art alley is getting its own splash of fall colors.Over the course of this week, the Clare County Arts Council has been busy with a new addition to the gallery space winding behind Cops & Doughnuts.Over…

Chili Cook Off fun raises funds

Editorial Staff Oct 15, 2025 2 min read

A perfect fall day brought more than 1,000 guests to enjoy the annual Cow Hill Yacht Club Chili Cook Off Sunday in Saugatuck’s Wicks Park. The Cook Off was a competition between 14 top area restaurants. They served chilis competing…

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.