Latest News
Gov. Whitmer requests federal disaster declaration for March 6 tornados
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LANSING — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday she has requested a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump in response to the tornados that came down in southwest Michigan, including Three Rivers, on March 6.…
Saturday NOT in the park
By Scott SullivanEditorSaturday’s planned No Kings rally planned for Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park didn’t happen.“We learned late insurance would cost $8,300 to use the park for public political event,” said Saugatuck-Douglas Indivisibles spokesperson Erin Wilkinson. “It was $250 for our past…
Should city bag PC vice chair?
By Scott SullivanEditorShould Saugatuck bag CJ Bagierek as planning commission chair after a 40-page probe led by city manager Ryan Cummins with town attorneys showed he and wife Kimberly likely ran an illegal short-term rental at 610 Lake St. throughout…
Author visit brings stories to life at Starr Elementary
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Students at Starr Elementary School had a special opportunity to meet a local author and learn about the creative process behind their favorite books.Denise Brennan-Nelson visited the school recently, sharing her experiences as a writer and…
House fire in Plainwell results in one fatality
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PLAINWELL—A residential fire in Plainwell on Saturday evening resulted in one fatality, according to officials with the Plainwell Department of Public Safety.The victim was later identified as 58-year-old Ted Ray Hughes, Jr.The fire was reported at…
Sports
Saugatuck soccer splits games
The Saugatuck girls soccer team was in action on back-to-back days last week, hosted Covenant Christian on Friday, March 27, after welcoming Bloomingdale to town on Thursday, March 26.The result was a split decision, as the Trailblazers fell by a…
Otsego tennis posts wins over Wayland, Marshall
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO — The Otsego girls tennis team picked up a pair of strong wins over the past week, highlighted by a decisive victory over Wayland.The Bulldogs defeated Wayland 7-1 on Monday, March 30, using a balanced…
Allegan track starts season strong
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor HAMILTON—It was a promising start to the outdoor season for the Allegan track and field teams at the Hamilton Early Season Invitational on Monday, March 30.The Allegan girls placed fourth overall with 64 points, while the…
Lawton’s softball depth excites coach Ludwig
By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWTON — Lawton softball coach Madison Ludwig was impressed with how her tam performed in 2025 and is looking forward tot he results from cc“The 2025 season was a true testament to the hard work, resilience, and…
Saugauck baseball hopes to compete
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorA new era of Saugatuck baseball is underway this spring.With Jaden Grigg taking over as head coach, the Trailblazers enter the 2026 season with a mix of experience, youth and a clearly defined identity.“We decided as a…
Columns
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorCornhole KingIn a world where quadruple amputees can become pro cornhole players, wrestlers, marksmen and murderers, I agree with C.G. Stoppel: now we need a sing-along.Saturday’s latest No Kings rally, relegated late to sidewalks around Coghlin Park in…
Life as Performance Art
The other day I opened my accordion case for the first time in far too long. Under it were a couple song books published by the War Department at the beginning of World War II.The USO, chaplains and division morale…
Mike’s Musings: Shame on Congress, sexual harassment, misconduct claims will remain secret
There are few things more corrosive to public trust than the appearance that those in power play by a different set of rules. Congress’s long-standing practice of shielding the identities of lawmakers who used taxpayer-funded settlements to resolve sexual harassment…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorIntersections ofAnglesWhat a gloomy dirge this has been! Who would turn light to dark? Dark-sky advocates, who claim we can use that inversion, conversion, diversion … Sun and stars, that’s it.All light we know emerges from fires fueled…
Life as Performance Art
During that brief splat of warm weather earlier this month, I noticed a neighbor had accessorized several trees with small metal buckets, covered with a piece of metal, just underneath a metal tube attached to the tree.I knew from experience…
