By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN — Former U.S. Congressman Pete Hoekstra, who lives in AlleganCounty, is the President’s nominee to be Ambassador to Canada. Hoekstra appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations committee last week for a confirmation hearing.“In his opening statement, he noted the many ties between Michigan and Canada,including our soon to be five, physical Read More…
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Three Gobles players receive honors
By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — Three Gobles players received all-conference honors this season.Picking up first-team honors were junior Jayden Otis who averaged 14 points and 8.5 rebounds a game and Aden Newberry who was at 11 points and nine boards a game.Honorable mention honors for all-conference went to Carter Crippin won averaged 11 points and Read More…
Mike’s Musings: Let’s not spoil special relationship with Canada
President Trump likes to say his favorite word is “tariff.” He hopes to use the word to force corporations to locate in the United States, instead of other countries where they have tax and trade advantages. More corporations mean more factories which in turn, Trump believes, will provide more jobs, cut the cost of consumer Read More…
Life as Performance Art
BY G.C. STOPPELFew hold party politics and politicians in high esteem. Campaigns grow longer and more expensive and polarization fiercer. Consensus and compromise are no longer goals; they are dirty words.The last presidential election was packed with negative ads and brutal. Worse, we know that the cycle will start long before the 2026 elections. I Read More…
South Haven gets new water storage tank
South Haven’s new million gallon concrete water storage tank is rising out of the ground.When completed in 2026, it will replace a crumbling century–old tank located on Blue State Memorial Highway.The new tank is located near the City of South Haven Public Works building on 8th Avenue. It is visible from Blue Star Memorial Highway.It Read More…
New Condos planned for downtown South Haven
By James Windell Plans for three new condominiums in downtown South Haven are gaining momentum.A proposed project by local developers Locker & Locker Properties LLC to construct three condominiums on the upper floor of the building that houses The Shoe Connection at 432 Phoenix Street received approval from the South Haven Brownfield Redevelopment Authority at Read More…
Finally, STR ordinance approved by City Council
By James Windell The City of South Haven has its first revised Short-term Rental ordinance since 2018. The South Haven City Council approved a much-debated ordinance at its meeting on Monday, March 17, 2025.But getting there wasn’t easy.In 2018, the city enacted an ordinance that required STRs to be registered and undergo annual inspections. The Read More…
BOC to seek $3 million grant for 9-1-1 center
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – Van Buren County Commissioners on Tuesday, March 11, approved a re-quest, on an expedited basis, the submission of an application for Congressionally Di-rected Spending (CDS) for $3 million to construct a new 911 Dispatch/Emergency Operations Center (911/EOC). The CDS program, sponsored by Senator Gary Peters under the Homeland Read More…
Stolen vehicle recovered, felon found in possession of firearms
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW TWP. – A stolen vehicle was recovered, in addition to several guns and ammunition, while a felon was found to be in possession of firearms, following an incident that occurred Friday, March 14, in Paw Paw Township, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.Van Read More…
Groundbreaking held for bond initiative at Mattawan Consolidated Schools
MATTAWAN – Monday, March 10, marked a historic milestone for Mattawan Consolidated Schools as the district broke ground on the first phase of a comprehensive, multi-year school construction project. This initiative follows the approval of a $110 million dollar school construction bond by voters in May 2024.Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony kicks off a series of significant Read More…