By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES – Coach Greg Barber’s Gobles Lady Tigers started the season off with a 52-39 road win at Watervliet last weekThe Tigers were led by Charlotte Zantello with 19 points and seven rebounds. Kenadi Killeen added 12…

A long time ago, I was in a convenience story buying a soft drink and candy bar, when I noticed a guy stuffing several items inside his coat. He then proceeded to walk out paying for nothing. I froze and…

For several years I had a five-church parish, roughly the size of Rhode Island, in northern Alberta, Canada.  This time of the year sunrise came about eleven in the morning; dusk a little after two in the afternoon.  On Sundays, by the…

With temperatures nearing the low 50s on Saturday, Dec. 9, the Village of Lawrence welcomed the holiday season with a variety of events. Santa paid an afternoon visit to the Lawrence Branch of the Van Buren District Library, where he…

The unseasonably warm weather experienced Friday, Dec. 8, didn’t bother those who attended Lawton’s Christmas in the Village. A parade, sponsored by the Lawton Lions Club, saw the arrival of Santa Claus, a variety of floats, the Lawton High School…

    A good friend once said that contentment was an act of radical defiance.  That was interesting, and she went on to explain, “No one wants to be content.  It’s like settling, like saying something is good enough or almost good.  Worse, they’ve got…

By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWTON – Coach Matt Smith’s Lawton boys basketball team opened is season Monday with a 38-23 win over Marcellus. Lawton plays in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and last year finished the season at 14-11. “We completed the…

John Adriance passed away Sunday, December 3rd, 2023 at Rose Arbor Hospice, Kalamazoo. John was born March 6, 1937 in Kalamazoo, son of the late John and Lillian Adriance. John was a lifelong member of Covey Hill Baptist Church as well…

My progressive friends may “go bananas” over this thought, but I believe the U.S. should contemplate withdrawing from the United Nations.Yes, it is “radical” but what does this once very useful organization do for the U.S? I would argue it…

Inclement weather forced the Paw Paw Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to cancel Friday night’s Dec. 1, “A Cozy Christmas in the Village,” with the community tree lighting. However, the village Christmas tree located in front of the Carnegie Center, 129…

    Don, whose last name I have forgotten, had been a career, a Drill Instructor on Paris Island, and finally hung up his hat after thirty years. Too young to sit around at home or drink too much at the VFW…

Helen Cecilia Hemenway, 95, of Decatur, MI, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on November, 21, 2023 . She was born in Paw Paw, MI on May 13, 1928 to Maurice and Marie White. She was one of 12 children.Helen…

All I want for Christmas is the return of free speech to America and the rest of the world. Free speech, long a credo of Democracy, has been hijacked by those that can’t stand others having a differing opinion. Thus,…

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer PAW PAW – The Paw Paw Area Rotary Club will host its 12th Annual 5K Santa Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk, Saturday, Dec. 9, at Freshwater Community Church, 600 East Michigan Ave., Paw Paw.Proceeds from…

On Wednesday night, Nov. 22, at the Van Buren County Courthouse, family, friends, and members of the Mattawan Fire District gathered on the north lawn of the courthouse to remember Mattawan Fire District fallen firefighter Nathan Fruin. Fruin passed away…

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer LAWRENCE The eighth annual Lawrence Hometown Christmas Celebration will be held Saturday, Dec. 9, with a full day of events, culminating with a Light Up Christmas Parade at 6 p.m.The day begins with a breakfast from…

Do you need help? Write Us!It’s time again for this newspaper’s annual Christmas Wish program. In the next few weeks we are asking readers that find themselves or their family in a dire situation to write us and in detail,…

By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — Gobles varsity boys basketball John Curtis will be seeking plenty of improvement for this season.Curtis previously coached the Goble girls varsity for 18 years and have a 304-107 career record.Gobles competes in the SAC Valley…

    “They don’t make Thanksgivings like they used to,” Ol’ Curdlepuss moaned the other day. “Back when I was growing up it was pretty good, but not so much anymore. It isn’t the way it used to be.”      He didn’t wait for…

Marietta Victoria (Schmidt) Bailey, of Paw Paw, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. She was born Dec. 11, 1946, in Saarbrucken, Germany, the daughter of the late Robert Schmidt and Irmgard Appel.Marietta’s childhood was lived…