Latest News
Mike Wilcox takes over as editor
By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher A new era is underway at the Commercial Record. After serving as its owner and publisher for nearly 11 years, Mike Wilcox is now also its editor.Wilcox has more than 50 years of experience in the…
Fielbrandt, Ernstes lead Otsego’s 36 Graduates with Distinction
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Whether it was through robotics, advanced coursework or leadership opportunities, Ally Fielbrandt and Sean Ernstes spent their high school careers challenging themselves academically.Those efforts paid off, as Fielbrandt was named valedictorian and Ernstes salutatorian for the…
Drivers should expect delays as M-89 project gets underway
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Motorists traveling through Otsego should prepare for delays this summer as a major resurfacing project along M-89 is scheduled to begin June 8.The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) plans to resurface 3.6 miles of M-89 (Allegan…
Bridgefest 2026 fills Allegan’s Saturday
By Gari Voss Bridgefest celebrates Allegan, its residents, friends and visitors on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Activities will be found on each street, behind the library and on the Riverfront. Everyone is welcome to stop at the Expo booths, tour…
Wayland Summerfest returns June 13
By Jordan WilcoxAssistant PublisherDowntown Wayland will once again serve as the center of community activity when Summerfest returns Saturday, June 13, bringing a full day of family entertainment, classic cars, live music, food, vendors and children’s activities.Organized by Wayland Main…
Sports
Otsego drops pitchers’ dual in D2 regional semifinals
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor COLDWATER—Otsego senior Kaleb Hildebrand turned in arguably the best pitching performance of his career in arguably the biggest game of his career.Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Coldwater starter Owen Tappenden was just a little bit better.Despite a…
Mattawan baseball in state semifinals
By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN— Mattawan’s baseball team will be playing this weekend at Michigan State University’s McLane Stadium after winning three games last week.The Wildcats are 32-9-2 overall. They beat Lowell 2-1 in eight innings on June 3 in a…
Mendon softball on to state quarters after comebacks to win regionals
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director MENDON — Call it a flair for the dramatic, call it being cool under pressure, but at the end of the day, for Mendon softball, Saturday’s regional action was full of twists and turns. Luckily for…
Saugatuck girls place fourth at Division 3 State Finals
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorKENT CITY—Novella DeGraaf spent much of Saturday, May 30, racing from one event to another.By the end of the day, the Saugatuck junior had collected three All-State finishes, broken three school records and helped lead the Trailblazers…
Allegan tennis places third at finals to cap historic season
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor MIDLAND—An historic season ended with another historic accomplishment for the Allegan girls tennis team.The Tigers finished third at the Division 4 state finals in Midland on May 27-28, completing a 22-0 season that included conference, regional…
Columns
Mike’s Musings: Mental Health: A Crisis We Can No Longer Ignore
I used to think alcoholism was the biggest problem facing Americans. Along with drugs it certainly is a disease that affects many of us. However, mental health is a much bigger problem and when you combine it with alcohol. you…
Life as Performance Art
I always find it a bit amusing when someone, especially one of the talking heads from almost any news station has a hissy fit about what they call ‘revisionist history.’ They change their tone of voice to make it…
Mike’s Musings: Time to Abolish MEDC
For decades, politicians from both parties have defended the Michigan Economic Development Corporation with the same promise: targeted incentives and subsidies will attract jobs, revive communities, and create prosperity. It sounds appealing. If government can selectively help businesses expand, why…
Out and About: Joint Venture, aging, and things to know
“You can not push anyone up the ladder unless he is willing to climb a little.” -Andrew CarnegieThis June I’ll be starting a new adventure at Beacon Health Care. I mentioned several weeks ago about the “Heart Healthy” program I…
May I Walk with You? HEAVEN WITHOUT YOU
I was recently talking with the daughter of a good friend who has passed and she indicated that she was looking forward to seeing her dad again in heaven when she got there. It reminded me of the belief that…
