Latest News

Coach notches 200 wins and counting

Coach notches 200 wins and counting

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20251 min read

Saugatuck High School recognized girls varsity basketball coach Kevin Tringali, shown flanked by assistants Marlene Capotosto and Brian Graves, for reaching 200 wins in his 14 seasons here Friday, Jan. 10. His Trailblazers raised their record to 7-1 this season…

City walks on eggshells re: chicken ask

City walks on eggshells re: chicken ask

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorIf Douglas allows backyard chickens, why not Saugatuck? Resident Sevryn Nowicki is lobbying city council to create a new ordinance to do just that.Keeping a small flock of yardbirds offers benefits, said Nowicki, including:

SPS thespians slate sweet treats

SPS thespians slate sweet treats

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20251 min read

The Saugatuck Middle School/High School Drama Club will present “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in the school auditorium Friday and Saturday, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 2 at 5 p.m.Tickets may be bought for…

Church hires pastoral pair

Church hires pastoral pair

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ has offered interim pastors Rev. Jody Betten and Rev. Daniel Plasman joint fulltime pastor duties. Betten has served DUCC since April 2024, taking the congregation through exercises of historic research, present circumstances and future planning…

OPS asks for input in search for new superintendent

OPS asks for input in search for new superintendent

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Otsego Public Schools superintendent Jeff Haase recently announced his plans to retire following the conclusion of the current school year, thereby bringing to an end his 11-year tenure with the district.And while Haase will remain on…

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Sports

Saugatuck soars past Black River

Saugatuck soars past Black River

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorA balanced scoring attack.That was one of the keys to success for the Saugatuck boys basketball team in its home showdown with Black River on Friday, Jan. 10.Six Trailblazers scored at least eight points—led by 14 from…

Plainwell boys open field house with win over Otsego

Plainwell boys open field house with win over Otsego

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PLAINWELL—The first game in its new home was a rousing success for the Plainwell boys basketball team.Not only was a standing-room-only crowd on hand for the game the Plainwell Field House, but the Trojans also secured…

Allegan shakes off slow start to beat Fennville

Allegan shakes off slow start to beat Fennville

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor When the Allegan boys basketball team hosted Fennville on Friday, Jan. 10, in marked the first game action for the Tigers in three weeks due to Christmas break.And Allegan showed a little rust early, scoring just…

South Haven cheerleader set for strong season

South Haven cheerleader set for strong season

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent SOUTH HAVEN — Jada A. Lewis-Suggs is a key member of South Haven’s competitive cheer team this season.“We have performed really well together and connect really good,” Lewis-Suggs said. “I would say I performed well so early…

Columbia Central has solid week in girls basketball

Columbia Central has solid week in girls basketball

ByEditorial StaffJan 10, 20254 min read

by Jeff Steers Contributing Writer The Columbia Central High School girls basketball team won three games last week. The Golden Eagles defeated Ann Arbor Pioneer, Concord, and Napoleon. Here are scores from area teams. Columbia Central 56, Ann Arbor Pioneer…

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Columns

Blue Star

Blue Star

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20254 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorStarlight by ProxyHow many photons have there been in the history of the universe? 4,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, say astrophysicists. More or less.Since we don’t know when — or even if — time started, nor where/if the universe ends, this could…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20255 min read

According to physicians, therapists, pollsters and others, we are sadder than in the past. We smile less and feel gloomier, leaving many without much hope or enthusiasm for the future.In fact, about one in four, or some two billion people,…

Mike’s Musings: Is insurance claim worth chopping your feet off?

Mike’s Musings: Is insurance claim worth chopping your feet off?

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20253 min read

In the midst of all the drama many of us experience I thought I’d write about an unusual story, actually better words would be strange and bizarre, that comes from the Ozarks in Missouri.Here’s the setup:A man wanted to cash…

Out and About: Clever comments, quotes, and roadkill

Out and About: Clever comments, quotes, and roadkill

ByEditorial StaffJan 10, 20253 min read

A very Happy New Year to all! I’m finally scheduled for my open-heart surgery on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 a.m. This means that for the rest of this month, my columns will include more items from my files of…

May I Walk with You? ACTION ITEMS

May I Walk with You? ACTION ITEMS

ByEditorial StaffJan 10, 20253 min read

Those of us who are Christian have an obligation to share the Christian way of living with others. Easier said than done, or is it? Let me make some suggestions. The first is to faithfully live the Christian faith yourself.…

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Obituaries

Obituary: Kathryn McLeod Tripp

Obituary: Kathryn McLeod Tripp

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20253 min read

Kathryn McLeod Tripp, R.N., N.P., age 84, of Macatawa passed away peacefully on Jan. 6 at her home on South Shore Drive after a brief illness.“Kathy” was born on July 10, 1940, in Duluth, Minn., the eldest of two children.…

Obituary: Paz Omega West

Obituary: Paz Omega West

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20253 min read

Paz Omega West, affectionately known as Ms. West or Heidi, was a beacon of light and joy to everyone she encountered. Born on June 25, 1955, in Calbayog City, Philippines, Paz lived a life characterized by her selfless nature, spirited…

Obituary: Joy Elaine Masek (Miner)

Obituary: Joy Elaine Masek (Miner)

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

“Devoted” is the word that best describes Joy Elaine Masek (Miner) who went to be with the Lord on January 12, 2025. She gave her time and resources to her faith in God and family—-both immediate and extended.Surviving is her…

Obituary: Harold “Gene” Marr

Obituary: Harold “Gene” Marr

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

Harold “Gene” Marr, age 87, of Allegan, passed away Saturday, January 11th, 2025 at Ascension Borgess, Kalamazoo. Gene was born December 22nd, 1937 in Dickenson County, IA, son of the late Elmer and Pauline Marr and lived in the Allegan…

Obituary: Sandra Dee Brainerd

Obituary: Sandra Dee Brainerd

ByEditorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

Sandra Dee Brainerd, 64, of Plainwell/Otsego, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10th, surrounded by her family. Sandra spent much of her career at Specialty Minerals in Plainwell, where she was known for her tenacity and strong work ethic. In…

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