THIS WEBSITE IS A WORK IN PROGRESS

Two weeks ago, we had a major technical issue, requiring us to rebuild our website from scratch. Please excuse the mess while we rebuild. New news posting should restart this week.

In the meantime, you can reach us at wilcoxnewspapers@gmail.com or 269-657-5080. Thanks!

Latest News

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Former Allegan Aquatics Director sentenced to 7-15 years

ByEditorial StaffApr 24, 20243 min read

Scott Simmons By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Scott Simmons, the former Aquatics Director for Allegan Public Schools, will live the next 7-15 years behind bars, after pleading guilty to criminal sexual conduct with a student.On Monday, Judge Matt Antkoviak of the…

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Celebrity chef Jet Tila visits Constantine schools

ByRobert TomlinsonApr 26, 20247 min read

Celebrity chef and Food Network personality Jet Tila (right) serves up some of his Hawaiian fried rice with teriyaki chicken to Aleeah Northrop (second from left) and Addison Townsend (left) during a lunch period cooking demonstration at Constantine Middle School…

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Ransom Library hosts Kids’ Day Event on Friday, May 3

ByEditorial StaffApr 24, 20243 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Calling parents and guardians of children from zero to five years old.On Friday, May 3, the organization Help Me Grow Allegan is hosting a Kids’ Day Event specifically for pre-school-age children at Ransom District Library in…

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Allegan Rotary celebrates its 100th anniversary

ByEditorial StaffMay 1, 20244 min read

Allegan Rotarians past and present gathered at The Silo on Fri., Apr. 26, 2024, to celebrate 100 years of service to the Allegan area and to begin looking forward. Allegan Rotary Club, No. 1709, March 29, 1965. The businessmen and…

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Fire Chief: Electrical short caused barn fire at fairgrounds

ByRobert TomlinsonApr 30, 20243 min read

An aerial view of the aftermath of a barn fire at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds Saturday. Centreville’s fire chief said Tuesday the cause of the fire was an electrical short on a power pole. (Photo courtesy Todd Haifley) By…

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Sports

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Fire engulfs, destroys barn at St. Joseph County fairgrounds

ByRobert TomlinsonApr 27, 20243 min read

Firefighters work to put out a fire that occurred at Barn 42 on the St. Joseph County fairgrounds Saturday afternoon. (COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON) By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A fire erupted at a barn on the St. Joseph…

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Benefit banquet raises funds for Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry

ByEditorial StaffApr 24, 20242 min read

A fundraiser banquet for Reach the Forgotten was held Thursday, April 18, at Freshwater Community Church, here. Reach the Forgotten jail ministry assists inmates in finding their faith. Funds are derived solely by donors and volunteers.Courier-Leader photos/Paul Garrod By Paul…

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Police seeking surveillance footage in Mendon break-ins

ByRobert TomlinsonApr 29, 20242 min read

MENDON — The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone for security camera footage to help catch a suspect in a recent rash of break-ins in the Mendon area over the weekend. There were three incidents reported between Sunday…

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District: Online threat closed White Pigeon schools Friday

ByRobert TomlinsonApr 26, 20242 min read

White Pigeon Junior/Senior High School, as well as Central Elementary, were closed Friday due to an online threat against White Pigeon Community Schools. (Photo via Google Maps) By Robert TomlinsonNews Director WHITE PIGEON — White Pigeon Community Schools was closed…

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Rare Cicadas emerge in Chambers County

ByEditorial StaffMay 1, 20243 min read

A cicada attaches itself to a porch screen. By John BriceCorrespondent Springtime is that season every year when the unusual insects known as cicadas hatch in droves, however, this year will be especially notable due to an occurrence that hasn’t…

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Columns

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Mexican national charged with home invasion, sexual assault in Sturgis incident

ByRobert TomlinsonApr 26, 20243 min read

Miguel Hernandez-Ruiz was arraigned last week on one count of home invasion and two counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct in an alleged incident that occurred on March 20 at the Sweet Lake Mobile Home Park near Sturgis. (Photo…

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Benefit banquet raises funds for Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry

ByEditorial StaffApr 24, 20242 min read

A fundraiser banquet for Reach the Forgotten was held Thursday, April 18, at Freshwater Community Church, here. Reach the Forgotten jail ministry assists inmates in finding their faith. Funds are derived solely by donors and volunteers.Courier-Leader photos/Paul Garrod By Paul…

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Marion Village Market closure stuns residents

ByEditorial StaffApr 19, 20244 min read

By Genine Hopkins The sudden closure of the Marion Village Market this past Sunday, April 14, at 9 p.m. stunned residents who for months, had heard rumors of the grocery store being purchased by Roger’s in Lake. Rumors floated since…

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New med center slates open house May 8

ByEditorial StaffMay 1, 20242 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorIt’s here! Holland Hospital will herald opening of its new 16,940-square-foot medical building at 6490 Blue Star Hwy., Saugatuck Township, with a community open house Wednesday, May 8, from 3 to 6 p.m.The facility, which officially opens May…

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Wolverine Conference honors local scholar-athletes

ByEditorial StaffMay 1, 20243 min read

Issac Veen (left) and Olivia Perrin were the 2024 Wolverine Conference Scholar-Athletes from Plainwell. (Photo provided) Ben Ernstes (left) and Chad Goodrich were Otsego’s Wolverine Conference Scholar-Athlete honorees. (Photo provided) By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Each year, the Wolverine Conference honors…

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Obituaries

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Neighbors object to Hutchins Lake marina plans

ByEditorial StaffMay 1, 20243 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorFifty-seven Hutchins Lake residents have sued to stop a developer from building what they call an illegally-permitted marina on the lake’s northeast side.David DeGroot, whose DeGroot Family Trust owns 79 acres, subdivided into 11 lots, with 500 feet…

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Benefit banquet raises funds for Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry

ByEditorial StaffApr 24, 20242 min read

A fundraiser banquet for Reach the Forgotten was held Thursday, April 18, at Freshwater Community Church, here. Reach the Forgotten jail ministry assists inmates in finding their faith. Funds are derived solely by donors and volunteers.Courier-Leader photos/Paul Garrod By Paul…

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Council agrees to repair 2nd St. bridge

ByEditorial StaffApr 24, 20243 min read

By John BriceCorrespondent The LaFayette City Council met on Monday, April 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 Toney…

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May I Walk With You? CAFETERIA CHRISTIANS

ByEditorial StaffApr 19, 20243 min read

Recently the in the news I heard the term “cafeteria Catholic” used in reference to a politician who while claiming to be a good Catholic man, supports abortion, which the Catholic Church is overwhelmingly against. The person making the comment…

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Former Allegan Aquatics Director sentenced to 7-15 years

ByEditorial StaffApr 24, 20243 min read

Scott Simmons By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Scott Simmons, the former Aquatics Director for Allegan Public Schools, will live the next 7-15 years behind bars, after pleading guilty to criminal sexual conduct with a student.On Monday, Judge Matt Antkoviak of the…

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