News

Two seriously injured in hit-and-run in downtown Clare

Two seriously injured in hit-and-run in downtown Clare

Editorial Staff Jul 26, 2024 2 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A late evening motorcycle ride through Clare last Thursday, July 18, turned into a tragic crash when they were hit by a speeding driver on McEwan Street.Clare Police Chief David Saad said in a press release, “A…

Jury finds Ketner guilty of meth charges

Jury finds Ketner guilty of meth charges

Editorial Staff Jul 26, 2024 2 min read

William August Ketner, of Harrison, was charged with three counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine, 2nd or subsequent offense; one count of Delivery of (Cocaine, Heroin, or another narcotic) under 50 grams, 2nd or subsequent offense; and one count of Maintaining…

Marion District Library millage is on August Primary ballot

Marion District Library millage is on August Primary ballot

Editorial Staff Jul 26, 2024 2 min read

By Genine Hopkins As parents, we all know the strain summer vacations can have on our nerves with the kids home and often complaining of being bored, despite not really missing school yet. It is wonderful to know that there…

McBain Heritage Days brings community together

McBain Heritage Days brings community together

Editorial Staff Jul 26, 2024 2 min read

By Genine Hopkins McBain Heritage Days took place this past Friday and Saturday, July 19th and 20th, under sunny skies and perfect summer days. While the event has had a few hiccups in the past couple of years, from being…

Mecosta-Osceola Transit Authority offers new service for non-emergency care

Mecosta-Osceola Transit Authority offers new service for non-emergency care

Editorial Staff Jul 26, 2024 2 min read

By Genine Hopkins The Mecosta-Osceola County Transit Authority (MOTA) is pleased to offer a new service for residents within the two-county region they serve, with non-emergency medical transport. Mobility Director Marsha Cornelius believes this is a great program that will…

Festival of light, life here!

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 6 min read

To arms, legs and hearts: The Venetian Fest is coming! The community’s annual celebration of life on our waterways arrives this weekend starting with a dance party Friday, July 26 in Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park; continues Saturday with an afternoon dinghy…

Audit shows Laktown in solid shape

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 3 min read

By Jim Hayden Correspondent Laketown Township is in solid financial shape, per its recently-completed audit. Siegfried Crandall principal accountant Joshua Gabrielse presented the 2023-24 fiscal year audit to the township board Wednesday, July 10. Highlights: • Laketown’s total net position…

‘Million Dollar Quartet heat up at SCA

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 3 min read

The Million Dollar Quartet — rock’n’roll legends Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins — met in Memphis Dec. 4, 1956 for an epochal 1-day gig you can see re-created starting Aug. 10 at the Saugatuck Center…

City taps Thompson as new planning/zoning head

City taps Thompson as new planning/zoning head

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 2 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVANEDITOR Saugatuck has appointed South Haven planning and zoning assistant Luke Thompson as its new cityhead of both. As planning and zoning director, Thompson fills a post city manager Ryan Cummins has doubled in since replacing former manager…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 3 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe Big Wave“One in five Michiganders,” says the Vertical Cherry website, “turn to alcohol for making big financial decisions.” Well, that explains things.“Do I dare to eat a peach?” I’d say in the day, overlooking the produce aisle.…

Venetian Fest brings back boom!

Venetian Fest brings back boom!

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 6 min read

To arms, legs and hearts: The Venetian Fest is coming!The community’s annual celebration of life on our waterways arrives this weekend starting with a dance party Friday, July 26 in Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park; continues Saturday with an afternoon dinghy poker…

Alps and Mediterranean Tour Provides Hands-On Learning

Alps and Mediterranean Tour Provides Hands-On Learning

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor School is currently out of the summer.But that didn’t stop a group of Plainwell High School students from adding to their knowledge base through some first-hand experience.A contingent of 42 individuals from PHS participated in an…

Suspect burglarizes Smoke Shop in Plainwell

Suspect burglarizes Smoke Shop in Plainwell

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Officials with the Plainwell Department Safety are trying to identify the suspect in a burglary that took place in the early hours of Thursday, July 18.At approximately 4:07 a.m., officers were dispatched to Smoke City Smoke…

Surviving members of the Savage family released from hospital, time to heal

Surviving members of the Savage family released from hospital, time to heal

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 3 min read

By Donald Talonen The three surviving members of the Savage family from Kalamazoo, involved in a fatal car accident, have been discharged from the hospital.The accident occurred on Sunday, June 30, at the intersection of 136th Avenue and 58th Street…

Allegan City receives $100k grant for Mahan Park

Allegan City receives $100k grant for Mahan Park

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 7 min read

By Gari Voss The City of Allegan’s Council meeting began with the resignation of Dave Redding. Redding had come on the council to fill a vacant seat then was voted into a second term. After making a statement of gratitude…

Beyond the Call of Duty honors Abel

Beyond the Call of Duty honors Abel

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 1 min read

On Saturday, July 20th, The Chambers County Sheriff’s Department was visited in downtown LaFayette by the Beyond the Call of Duty organization from the state of Washington to honor Deputy J’Mar Abel, who was killed in the line of duty…

Korean War veterans honored at luncheon

Korean War veterans honored at luncheon

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 1 min read

The 12th annual Chambers County Korean War Veterans Appreciation Luncheon was held last week at the Coca-Cola Event Center In Opelika. AJIN USA and Wooshin USA hosted this amazing event honoring veterans from the Korean War who were from Chambers…

City agrees to move forward with new city hall

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 4 min read

By John BriceCorrespondent The LaFayette City Council met on Monday, July 22nd of 2024 at the Chambers County Farmers Federation Agricultural Center at the ALFA building in LaFayette. In attendance were Mayor Kenneth Vines, Councilman Terry G. Mangram, Councilman David…

Fireworks end busy day at Youth Fair

Fireworks end busy day at Youth Fair

Editorial Staff Jul 24, 2024 1 min read

Fireworks were held Friday night, July 19, at the Van Buren Youth Fair in Hartford Friday night. In the photo above, an inflatable alien staged at a vendor’s tent is shown in the foreground, while fireworks burst in the background.Courier-Leader…

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.