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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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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Earth Day celebrated at Health Center

ByEditorial StaffApr 24, 20243 min read

AU Students hold a ribbon cutting for new food pantries. Volunteers build a community garden to celebrate Earth Day. By John BriceCorrespondent Volunteers from a variety of local organizations gathered at the Chambers County Health and Wellness Center to celebrate…

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Mattawan School District voters will go to the polls May 7

ByEditorial StaffMay 1, 20243 min read

MATTAWAN – On Tuesday, May 7, residents who live within the Mattawan Consolidated School boundaries will have the opportunity to vote on a comprehensive school bond.In a press release from the Mattawan Board of Education and District Superintendent Randy Fleenor,…

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Sports

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Groups observe Earth Day

ByEditorial StaffApr 24, 20243 min read

John Pigeon coached participants as they stripped the ring growth from a log. He then assisted them in making pliable fiber to make small baskets. As the growth ring stripping is completed, John Pidgeon prepares lengths of bass wood that…

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Labor trafficking charges levied against three former TR business owners

ByRobert TomlinsonApr 30, 20245 min read

Pictured is the former location of Broadway Market Tuesday. Three former owners of the business, Ikbahl Singh Machhal, Kartar Chand, and Shila Devi were charged with labor trafficking by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, accused of labor trafficking a now…

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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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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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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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Columns

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Earth Day celebrated at Health Center

ByEditorial StaffApr 24, 20243 min read

AU Students hold a ribbon cutting for new food pantries. Volunteers build a community garden to celebrate Earth Day. By John BriceCorrespondent Volunteers from a variety of local organizations gathered at the Chambers County Health and Wellness Center to celebrate…

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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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LaFayette Piggly Wiggly under new ownership

ByEditorial StaffMay 1, 20241 min read

Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Last week, Nikki and Tushar Patel announced that they were the new owners of the LaFayette Piggly Wiggly. “We are so excited to be here and have big plans for LaFayette Piggly Wiggly,” said Nikki Patel to…

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Hall, Nesbitt witness border crisis firsthand in visit to southern border

ByEditorial StaffApr 24, 20243 min read

House Republican Leader Matt Hall and Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt recently visited the United States’ southern border with Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas, where they observed National Guard units from Texas and other states combat the border crisis that…

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Clare Bond request extends present millage for 15 years

ByEditorial StaffApr 27, 20243 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Information received last weekend about the coming bond request is NOT a new millage.Superintendent Jim Walter notified me (Pat Maurer) that the $12.1 million request is actuallyan extension of the current debt millage assessment (2.8 mills) for a…

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Obituaries

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Labor trafficking charges levied against three former TR business owners

ByRobert TomlinsonApr 30, 20245 min read

Pictured is the former location of Broadway Market Tuesday. Three former owners of the business, Ikbahl Singh Machhal, Kartar Chand, and Shila Devi were charged with labor trafficking by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, accused of labor trafficking a now…

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LaFayette Piggly Wiggly under new ownership

ByEditorial StaffMay 1, 20241 min read

Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Last week, Nikki and Tushar Patel announced that they were the new owners of the LaFayette Piggly Wiggly. “We are so excited to be here and have big plans for LaFayette Piggly Wiggly,” said Nikki Patel to…

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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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Seven pass HOSA certification

ByEditorial StaffMay 1, 20241 min read

Seven Valley High School HOSA students passed the National Patient Care Technician certification exam ast week.They are Kendalyn Burton, Lily Smith, Kaydence Allen, Nevaeh Crane, Nykira Jackson, Meylin Romero, and KieAsia Smith

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New med center slates open house May 8

ByEditorial StaffMay 1, 20242 min read

Come see the new Holland Hospital medical center at 6490 Blue Star Hwy., Saugatuck, May 8. 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…

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