About South County News
A Steady Voice in a Noisy World
South County News is a monthly nonprofit newspaper dedicated to covering the people, stories, and local matters of southern Kalamazoo County. We serve the towns of Vicksburg, Schoolcraft, and the rural communities that surround them with the kind of small-town journalism you can hold, share, and save.
Our mission is simple: to publish news with care, tell the stories of home, and keep our communities connected.
We publish what matters. With purpose and poise.
Our Story: Built by the Community, for the Community
In 2011, southern Kalamazoo County lost its hometown newspaper, but our community wasn’t willing to lose its voice.
Within a year of losing our hometown weekly paper, The Commercial-Express (which had served the southern communities of Kalamazoo County for 133 years) a group of residents came together to do something extraordinary: create a new newspaper from scratch. Led by Sue Moore, Bill Adams, Steve Ellis, Wes Schmitt, and several other committed locals, with no corporate backing, no paid staff, and zero dollars to start, South County News launched in June 2013.
The first issue had just enough advertising to cover printing costs.
With no money left for delivery, volunteers took to the roads—by car and on foot—to get 11,000 copies into the hands of local residents. That spirit of neighborly determination has defined us ever since.
Today, we continue to operate on a mix of heart, hustle, and hometown pride.
South County News is a nonprofit, which helps us reduce costs and pay a small team of writers and sales staff. Thanks to community donations, a loyal advertising base, and an army of contributors, South County News has not only endured, but grown—and that growth is something quite special. In a time when everything is digital, print publications are fading fast, and major newspapers are downsizing or closing, we’ve quietly continued to thrive. At industry gatherings, we’re asked, “How do you do it?” The answer is simple: our roots run deep, our readers care, and our mission hasn’t wavered.
What We Stand For
We don’t just cover the news—we care for and connect our community.
Stewardship
Every issue is a time capsule, a gift to the present and a record for the future. We take seriously our role as keepers of South County’s living history.
Pride of Place
We are deeply rooted in the beauty, quirks, and traditions of rural and small-town life—from the prairies and lakes to the school gyms and village halls.
Community First
We exist to serve the people of South County—from honoring the lives of neighbors passed to spotlighting local students, small businesses, and volunteers.
Purposeful Publishing
On paper or online, we publish with intention. Every edition is made with care—something to hold, share, and return to.
Trust & Fairness
We are duty bound to share news that informs, connects, and serves our readers (without chasing clicks or fanning flames) and to shine an equal spotlight on all the people and places we serve.
The People Behind the Paper
In Memory of Sue Moore (1938-2020)
Our editorial roots run deep—Sue Moore, one of our founders came from a family of local journalists who once published the Vicksburg Commercial-Express. Perhaps South County’s greatest cheerleader, Sue was a driving force behind our homegrown journalism. She championed this town and dedicated her career to sharing the stories of the good people of South County.
Meet the SCN Team
Today, we continue in Sue’s spirit, producing the finest small-town newspaper we can with a mix of professional skill, volunteer energy, and reader support. Here are just a few of the people who make the paper possible:
Board of Trustees
Kathy Oswalt-Forsythe
Editor, Publisher, Writer & Trustee
Kathy Oswalt-Forsythe started as a columnist for SCN in the summer of 2019. A year later, she stepped up to steer the ship after the passing of co-founder Sue Moore. Without missing a beat (or an issue), she leads the paper and its contributors to bold new horizons.
- Writes It’s a Fine Life, On the Corner, and many articles.
- Is a retired Vickburg Community Schools teacher.
Wes Schmitt
Board Secretary & Treasurer
Wes Schmitt was among the co-founders of the South County News and has been its board secretary/treasurer since the beginning. He has over 32 years of work experience in accounting and finance.
- Handles SCN donations, invoicing, payments, and subscriptions.
- Was Schoolcraft’s village president from 1982-93.
- Has served on several community boards and committees.
Bob Ball
Copy Editor, Writer & Board President
With great attention to detail and a wealth of Michigan newpaper experience, Bob Ball joined up with SCN a few years into its run and turned out to be the perfect person to serve as its copy editor. In addition, he serves as board president.
- Is also an occasional writer for the paper.
- Works diligently to obtain election candidate profiles.
- Is a choir member and part-time Arizonan.
Sheri Freeland
Advertising Sales & Trustee
Sheri Freeland joined the team within the first year of SCN to sell ads. She has used her strong, friendly rapport with area business owners to help promote them in every issue of the paper since.
- Also helps drop off stacks of papers to local pickup spots.
- Is plugged in to upcoming events and other South County happenings.
Justin Gibson
Graphic Designer & Trustee
Justin Gibson joined the paper in 2014 as its graphic designer and website manager, taking all the content produced by SCN each month and arranging it into an eye-catching layout.
- Is also a writer, illustrator, and college instructor.
- The only team member not based in South County, he resides in downtown Kalamazoo.
Steve Ellis
Ad Consultant, Writer & Trustee
Originally from Pontiac, Steve Ellis spent 23 years working for the Kalamazoo Gazette, leaving in 2012 to start the local Spark Magazine. He is also a co-founder of South County News, and was the first one to strongly advocate for it to be a print publication.
- Writes a regular column, On the Road Again.
- Travels Michigan and nearby states looking for hidden gems.
- Regularly gives lectures on local history.
Regular Contributors
Danna Downing
Writer, A Senior Moment
Jeanne Church
Writer & Photographer, Picture Walks
Jonny Hawkins
Cartoonist, Country Chuckles
Travis Smola
Writer & Photographer
Mark blentlinger
Writer
Alex Lee
Writer
Marilyn Jones
Poet
Kathy DeMott
Writer
Dr. David Schriemer
Writer
Drew Johnson
Writer, Community Corner
Leeanne Seaver
Writer & Photographer
Audrey Seilheimer
Writer
phyllis rose
Writer
Jake DeMink
Photographer
Alyssa McMillan
Writer
Jef Rietsma
Writer
Steve Waldron
Writer
Stephanie Blentlinger
Photographer
Mike Phillips
Writer
You Can Help Write the Next Chapter
Love what we do? You can be part of it! Whether you’re a writer, photographer, editor, or simply someone who cares deeply about small-town storytelling, we’d love to have you on board.