Charles Richard Craddock Charles Richard Craddock, 81, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was born Feb. 27, 1942, in Kalamazoo, the son of Richard Craddock and Carla (Emmick) Craddock.…

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer LAWRENCE – The Lawrence community is mourning the loss of a beloved deer that was euthanized Friday, Oct. 20, in Lawrence Township while the Pokagon Band Tribal Police was assisting Van Buren County law enforcement in…

PAW PAW – Several area churches will sponsor trunk or treating events throughout the area, as well as area towns, where regular trick-or-treating hours have been set.Tapper Auto Group and Paw Paw District Library will hold a 2023 Halloween Spooktacular,…

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer GOBLES – A 40-year-old Gobles area man is facing several charges, including home invasion, after an incident that occurred Oct. 22, in Gobles, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.Van Buren…

By John RaffelCorrespondence LAWRENCE – Lawrence’s volleyball team lost Eau Claire on Thursday 21-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-22, 11-15.“The game against Eau Claire was a great game to watch,” Lawrence coach Anita Robles said. “Both teams did amazing and kept you…

War is never pretty, but I certainly cannot fault Israel for engaging with Hamas after that terrorist organization slaughtered 1300 Jews and 32 Americans in a surprise attack September 14.I make the following observations:Do not equate Palestinians with Hamas. Hamas…

Since the dawn of civilization humans have wondered what happens after our heart stops and we quit breathing.What’s on the other side? The ancient Jewish Sadducees believed death was the end, i.e. dead is dead. Most people worldwide hold out…

By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN – Mattawan’s volleyball team defeated Portage Central in three sets (25-15, 25-15, 25-17) last week to capture the SMAC West Championship title. Stat leaders were:Aces: Macey Brown (3); Kills: Kendall Coon (9); Blocks: Amelia Kuiper (2);…

I been on this train for several years, but I refuse to get off. My elected representatives particularly in the U.S. Senate, are generally too old, and need to retire. In fact, I believe we should have a maximum age,…

Telephones have perplexed me since I had to put my pointer finger into the rotary dial seven times instead of four as before. I had just learned to count to five; two more were a challenge.Since then it’s just gotten…

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer PAW PAW – A Paw Paw volunteer firefighter, whose life was tragically cut short Feb. 22, while responding to a fire call, was posthumously awarded the 2023 Firefighter of the Year, during the Paw Paw Volunteer…

By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN – Matt Boven’s Mattawan boys tennis team brought home the South Michgian Athletic Conference title this weekend.“The boy’s tennis team peaked at the right time and brought home another SMAC championship,” Bovens said. “Every single flight…

Blair Gill Rice, 60, of Lawton, passed away suddenly, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at his home. Blair was born Feb. 16, 1963, in Three Rivers, the son of the late Freeland Rice Jr., and Winifred Mae (Lewis) Rice. He was…

            David Ross Lesman, 68, of Lawton, passed away Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at his home in Lawton. He was born July 27, 1955, in Kalamazoo, the son of Dale Lesman and Eleanor (Voltz) Lesman.             He is survived by…

I’ve always had a healthy distrust of government. From the time as a college student working in the U.S. Capitol and state legislature, I have felt that many of our politicians are there to enhance themselves and not the public…

“Don’t forget where you came from,” Father used to admonish my sister and me going out the door. In time I figured out it meant more than the house number where we lived, just remember to bring honor, shame to…

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer ALMENA TWP. – A 58-year-old Almena Township man is currently being held on a felony assault charge at the Van Buren County Jail with a bond set at $1 million, after he assaulted another man Friday,…

By Paul GarrodStaff Writer PAW PAW – The Van Buren County Board of Commissioners approved a request Sept. 26, to authorize the use of $950,000 in ARPA funds for a Van Buren County Youth Center in conjunction with the Van…

Theresa Lynn Walters, 53, of Paw Paw, passed away Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. She was born Oct. 12, 1969, in Groton, Connecticut, the daughter of Thomas Drake and Jeanne (Buck) Drake.Theresa was known for the…