Laketown offers Genetski post again

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20252 min read

By Jim Hayden Correspondent The Laketown Township Board Jan. 15 to once more offer Allegan County Clerk Bob Genetski the township manager position. The 5-0 decision showed a board agreeing to put behind past disagreements. Members voted Nov. 13 to…

Library hosts free jazz Sunday

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20251 min read

Jazz vibraphonist and teacher Jim Cooper will perform with trumpeter Kenny Cooper and John Webber on bass in a free concert Sunday, Jan. 26, at the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library, 174 Center St., Douglas, from 2 to 3 p.m. The trio…

Township weighs 35-condo ask

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20252 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor The Saugatuck Township Planning Commission was slated to weigh in Tuesday, Jan. 21 on a proposed 35-unit condominium development on 9.33 acres south of 135th Avenue. Koetje Builders LLC and Exxel Engineering seek preliminary site plan…

Obituary: Albert (Al) John Shaheen

Obituary: Albert (Al) John Shaheen

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20253 min read

Albert (Al) John Shaheen, of Douglas passed away on Jan. 11 at the age of 73, after a courageous five-month battle with glioblastoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Hannah (Corey) Shaheen; his brother, Michael Shaheen (Karen);…

Saugatuck surges past Gobles in divisional battle

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorGOBLES—It was a battle of two of the top girls basketball teams in the SAC Central Division when Saugatuck traveled to Gobles on Friday, Jan. 17.And for the first quarter, it appeared as though the game would…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20254 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorRealI like anything that starts with “real.” So real estate, Realtor, realize … the four-letter prefix gives me substance. At this stage, when so much amounts to vapor, firmament like the earth I’ll be buried in soon feels…

City Hall for sale?

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20252 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorYou can’t beat city hall, but in Douglas you might buy it. The police station too.City council was slated Tuesday, Jan. 21 to hold a groundbreaking for its soon-to-be new city hall/police station at 415 Wiley Road, then…

Unified Champion Schools program expands in Otsego

Unified Champion Schools program expands in Otsego

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20256 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Unified Champion Schools program is expanding at Otsego Public Schools.The program, which started at Otsego High School two years ago, is now also being offered at Dix Street Elementary and Otsego Middle School.A Special Olympics…

OHS National Honor Society sponsors Share the Warmth event

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20251 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The recent arctic blast sent temperatures in the area crashing to or below zero degrees.Times like that serve as a reminder of how important it is to have the proper outdoor clothing during the harsh Michigan…

Allegan falls to South Haven

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor SOUTH HAVEN—Too much Ly’Nique Cunningham.Yep. That pretty much sums it up when it comes to the Allegan girls basketball team’s game against host South Haven on Friday, Jan. 17.Cunningham scored 27 points to account for nearly…

Otsego’s Lane Blanchard joins dad in 100-win club

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Like father, like son.That age-old adage certainly holds true for the Otsego father-son duo of Jesse and Lane Blanchard when it comes to the wrestling mats.During the Three Rivers Super Duals earlier this month, Lane Blanchard—a…

Obituary: JoAnne Dolhay

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20252 min read

JoAnne Dolhay of Kalamazoo, died on Monday, January 13, 2025 in her home. Born November 5th, 1946 in Allegan, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Dorothy Herpst. JoAnne’s life was defined by her determination, quick wit,…

Brrrrrrr…now that’s cold!

Brrrrrrr…now that’s cold!

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20251 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Allegan turned into a winter wonderland overnight as snow blanketed the city and temperatures slipped into the negatives.On Sunday, Allegan saw its warmest temperature of the month, 40 degrees. However, overnight, temperatures sharply dropped down by…

Obituary: Robert Blake (Bob) Perrigo

Obituary: Robert Blake (Bob) Perrigo

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20253 min read

Robert Blake (Bob) Perrigo age 86, passed away peacefully with family at his side in Midland, MI on January 18, 2025.Bob was born and raised in Allegan, Michigan, where he attended high school before pursuing higher education at Michigan State…

Hospital Foundation recipient of Eva Martin Project

Hospital Foundation recipient of Eva Martin Project

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20252 min read

By Gari Voss On January 16, 2025, Chief Development Officer Kim Loftus of the Borgess Allegan Foundation announced that Borgess Ascension Allegan, Borgess Lee and Borgess Pipp Hospitals were recipients of a donation of 355 stuffed animals and 130 blankets…

Fennville board, superintendent part ways

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20253 min read

The Fennville Board of Education and Dr. Doug Greer have mutually agreed that a different approach is needed to align with the district’s evolving priorities. The Board would like to make clear that this decision is not related to any…

Dugan to lead commissioners

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — At its organizational meeting earlier this month, thenewly-seated Board of Commissioners (BOC) elected Gale Dugan of Otsego TownshipC to chair the body and Scott Beltman, as vice chair.Both were elected to one-year terms in their…

Jipp takes circuit court bench

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20251 min read

ALLEGAN — In a ‘robing” ceremony earlier this month, Emily Jippwas presented with the black robe symbolic of the authority of a circuit court judge. Jipp was elected last November to become the county’s third circuit court judge, joining incumbent…

Dugan to lead commissioners

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — At its organizational meeting earlier this month, thenewly-seated Board of Commissioners (BOC) elected Gale Dugan of Otsego TownshipC to chair the body and Scott Beltman, as vice chair.Both were elected to one-year terms in their…

Obituary: Peggy Lynn Shamblin

Obituary: Peggy Lynn Shamblin

Editorial StaffJan 22, 20252 min read

Peggy Lynn Shamblin, 70, passed away January 16, 2025, after an extended period of illness.  She was born November 24, 1954, to Paul & Lillian (Scott) Knapp of Pullman, Michigan.  She was the youngest child, having two older siblings, Patrick…