2024

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director WHITE PIGEON — A woman is dead and a man has life-threatening injuries following a shooting incident at the White Pigeon McDonald’s restaurant Friday, Aug. 16.According to Michigan State Police, the incident occurred at 4:30 p.m.…

By John RaffelCorrespondent The new members into the Clare Athletic Hall of Fame are being inducted this fall.Even organizer Doug Haggart said the inductees will be introduced on Sept. 13 at halftime of the varsity football game.The induction will take…

We bid farewell to Thomas James Benchley age 77 of Evart. Born September 14,1946 and departed from this world on August 10, 2024. A pillar of strength and a beacon of love, his absence leaves a void in our hearts.…

George L. Hercliff, age 68 of Clare, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at his home with family by his side.  George was born the youngest of five children to Howard and Margaret (Cromie) Hercliff on August 26, 1955…

This place is a mess.Although I am lucky enough to have a “house husband,” who keeps up with most of the chores around our (almost) tiny home these days, we still manage to collect a lot of clutter!.I am banned…

It is no secret! The Diocese of Saginaw is in great need of more priests. We are also in great need for vocations to marriage as well. It is rare that anyone gets married, let alone in church. Baptisms seem…

By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck Township will pursue buying the now-vacant 22.25-acre Pine Trails Camp at 3525 Dugout Road via a $3.6-million bond request put before voters Nov. 5. Meanwhile, community members are invited to view and discuss project site…

By Scott Sullivan Editor The greater life’s call, the greater life’s response. Witness Thursday, Aug. 15, 12:40 p.m. when a South Haven man, 55, northbound on Blue Star Highway approaching the Kalamazoo River bridge, suffered what police believe was a…

By Scott Sullivan Editor Kerr Real Estate’s Centre Collective proposal for 19 single-family home sites won Douglas City Council final site plan approval Monday. The firm’s 10+-acre site spans 600 feet along West Center Street. It borders St. Peter’s Drive…

Douglas has installed steel plates over its under-repair Ferry Street bridge culvert to allow emergency vehicle only across it for public safety reasons until restoration for everyday traffic there is complete. That may be awhile. Engineers Monday told city council…

Susan M. Powers Balks, age 71, of Holland, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, surrounded by her family.  Susan was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. on March 16, 1953. When she was three years old, the family moved…

By Scott SullivanEditorHeroesThursday, Aug. 15, 12:44 p.m., southbound on Blue Star Highway from I-196 Exit 41 towards Saugatuck, an Allegan County Sheriff’s cruiser raced by, siren on, lights flashing, around stopped traffic through the 64th Street light beyond where, bottlenecked,…

By Scott SullivanEditorThe greater life’s call, the greater life’s response. Witness Thursday, Aug. 15, 12:40 p.m. when a South Haven man, 55, northbound on Blue Star Highway approaching the Kalamazoo River bridge, suffered what police believe was a medical condition.His…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Joining the Trojan family.That’s how Marvin Taylor describes his hire as the new Plainwell High School principal.“I was looking for a position that would allow me to prioritize students, challenge me professionally and allow me to…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Welcome back.That’s what teachers and staff members throughout the Otsego Public School District were saying to students on Monday, Aug. 19.That was the first day of the 2024-25 school year for the district, with Otsego High…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor NILES—The 2024 season started on a high note for the Plainwell cross country teams.Competing at the Niles Viking Stampede on Friday, Aug. 16, the Plainwell girls team dominated with 19 total points to outdistance runner-up Niles…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANThe year was 2010.The original “Avatar” ruled the box office. Barack Obama was in his first term as president of the United States. And Apple released the iPad.Also that year? The Allegan football team posted a…

LaVerne “Vern” Dale Kraft went to be with his loving Savior Jesus Christ on August 13, 2024. Vern was born to his late parents Clifford and Daun (Curtis) Kraft on June 11, 1945, in Allegan, Michigan. Vern married the apple…

By Gari Voss The Old Jail Museum in Allegan has been celebrating the Allegan County Historical Society’s 70th anniversary. To take a step back into Allegan County’s history, Dave Thompson convinced local artist Pat Broadhurst to compile some of her…

The Walkabout of the Roundabout in Allegan where M89 from the east and M40 from the south meet Hubbard, Ely and Cedar Streets will be Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 5:30-7:30pm. The MI Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the City…