Latest News
Township will cover treasurer in suit
By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck Township’s attorney will represent treasurer and planning commission member Jon Helmrich in a developer’s lawsuit filed against him and Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance president David Swan. The board Oct. 18 agreed 4-0 to do so,…
Lakeshore Drive washout-Township backs seeking new connection
By Scott Sullivan Editor “Only connect,” E.M. Forster’s advice in the novel, later made a movie “Howard’s End,” has nothing on Saugatuck Township’s Lakeshore Drive washout. The township board Nov. 13 voted to seek national designation to design and build…
Saugatuck taps Anderson as new mayor
By Scott SullivanEditorSaugatuck City Council elected Holly Anderson mayor at its post-election organizational meeting Nov. 12.Her predecessor, Lauren Stanton, was chosen mayor pro-tem for the coming year.By city charter, the outgoing council picks rotating members for one one-year term, sometimes…
County clerk Genetski is Laketown pick
By Jim HaydenCorrespondentLaketown Township agreed Nov. 13 to offer its township manager position to Allegan County Clerk and Saugatuck resident Bob Genetski.The manager search committee instructed supervisor Linda Howell to enter contract negotiations with him.The new township board made up…
Sincler named OPS Teacher of the Year
Bonnie Sincler knew from an early age the career path she wanted to follow.“Teachers have been a very influential part of what makes me who I am today,” Sincler said. “I always wanted to make that difference to someone else.”Sincler…
Sports
Rock prepares to lead young Saugatuck boys team
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorDuring his three-year stint as head coach in Fennville from 2019-2022, Ty Rock amassed an overall record of 44-18.Rock hopes to replicate that level of success with Saugatuck.Rock takes over the head coaching duties in Saugatuck from…
Boys Basketball Preview:
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANYouth can be a double-edged sword.Just ask Allegan coach Quentin Edwards.“Our strength as a team is our youth,” said Edwards, who enters his fourth season at the helm in Allegan after leading the Tigers to a…
Bulldogs manage one win, but lose three
By Pamela WhitlowThe LaFayette Bulldogs varsity basketball team kicked off the basketball season last week with a very busy schedule.The Bulldogs hosted Lee-Scott Academy during school hours, falling short 75-63.Jordan Johnson lead the Dawgs with 18 points and Jr Robinson…
Lawton football finishes at 8-3
By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWTON — Lawton football coach AJ High was in his sixth year of coach and second as head coach. It was his first full season. The team was 8-3 overall and 4-1 in the league.“We always expect…
Constantine football bows out in regional finals to Jackson Lumen Christi
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director JACKSON — Getting to the regional finals in the MHSAA football tournament is a special thing for a lot of teams. For Constantine, who made it to the playoffs with a 6-3 record ranked 21st in…
Columns
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorBird PlayI knew it would be a long night when my wife’s parrot hit a bus.It started when she and our daughter asked if I wanted to take them to get the birds’ beaks and nails trimmed.No.“Then you…
Mike’s Musings: Thanksgiving a time for family, not politics
As we approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season I would like to make a few observations.First, I don’t think we need to get upset over politics. I’ve read on social media, where if you voted for Trump you will not…
Life as Performance Art
Many of us are making plans for Thanksgiving Day Nov. 28 this year. We might be traveling or others traveling to see us. Maybe the great feast will be at home or somewhere else. Turkey and all the trimmings could…
Looking Out: Preserves
by Jim Whitehouse “So what happened then?” I ask Hilly, who’s been telling a story about painting a huge old house one summer when he was in college. He got to the part about lugging a 40’ ladder up to…
HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK
By Frank Passic FRANK E. DEAN With the recent sale/return of the nearly 100-year-old Bellemont Manor by Albion College in October back to members of the Dean family, we are reminded of the heritage this family-clan has had in…
Obituaries
Obituary: Francis “Fran” John Pickett
Fran passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at Kauhale Assisted Living & Memory Care. He was 89 years old. Born April 8, 1935 in Kalamazoo, MI to John & Lucille (Shearer) Pickett.Fran married June Vote on July 3,…
Obituary: Joan Arlene Jerome (Johnson)
Joan Arlene Jerome (Johnson), a beacon of love and faith, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2024, at the age of 88 in Zeeland, Michigan. Born on July 9, 1936, in Douglas, Michigan, Joan’s life was a tapestry woven with…
Obituary: Dennis Martin
Dennis Martin of Fennville passed away peacefully at home on November 17, 2024, at the age of 74. Dennis was born on September 30, 1950, in Lansing, Michigan. He graduated from Fennville High School in 1968, Central Michigan University in 1973…
Obituary: Carol Ann Brown
Carol Ann Brown June 30, 1945 – November 3, 2024 Carol Ann Brown, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2024, at her home in Fennville, Michigan, surrounded by the love of…
Obituary: Lois Ann McLemore
Lois Ann McLemore, 64, passed away Nov. 9, 2024, in Lawton, Michigan. Born May 13, 1960, Lois was a lifelong resident of Lawton and a cherished figure in her community.Lois dedicated many years to nurturing young minds as an aide…
