Saugatuck boys come up short against Black River
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorAs far as second-year Saugatuck boys basketball coach Ty Rock was concerned, effort was not an issue in his team’s SAC Central contest with host Holland Black River on Friday, Jan. 9.“The guys played hard,” Rock said.Rather,…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorAge of InnocenceI can’t tell you how many women mistake me for Tom Brady. Is it my movie star looks? Seven Superbowl rings? Status as football’s GOAT? Untold millions?“No,” said Madge at the Pullman Tavern. “It’s your personality.…
Winter seeds flourish at SCA
By Scott SullivanEditorThe hand-sewn “seeds” shown above, part of Kayla Powers’ exhibit “Interwoven: The Art of Flourishing Together,” can be shared and sown at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts through May 8.Michigan-rooted textile artist Kayla Powers, 37, notes they…
New Baldy restrooms now near-complete
By Scott SullivanEditorSaugatuck City Council Monday approved Fleis & Vandenbrink Engineering-recommended change orders for its now substantially-completed new restrooms at Mt. Baldhead Park.This city last spring contracted low bidder Midwest Construction to do the work for $298,000, budgeting contingency costs…
A new reading companion arrives at Otsego Library
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Young readers at the Otsego District Library have a new reading partner—one who never tires of holding a book.The library recently received “Come Read With Me,” a life-size bronze sculpture by internationally recognized sculptor Tuck Langland.The…
PCS Highlights Free Webinars on Michigan Achievement Scholarship
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Families in the Plainwell district looking for financial aid guidance may want to mark their calendars. Michigan Student Aid is hosting several upcoming webinars on the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.In a recent message to families, Plainwell Community…
Plainwell starts quick and holds off Otsego at end
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—Would the Otsego boys basketball team extend its winning streak, or would Plainwell bounce back from a tough loss to Mattawan three days earlier.That was the question when the Bulldogs hosted the archrival Trojans on Friday,…
Allegan cheer takes first at league jamboree
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor SCHOOLCRAFT—So far, so good for the Allegan competitive cheer team when it comes to its pursuit of a third straight SAC championship.The Tigers opened the conference schedule at the Schoolcraft Jamboree on Thursday, Jan. 8, placing…
Life as Performance Art
The year that my late wife Pat turned 95, MENSA sent a reporter to interview her about her nine decades as a professional artist and writer.The writer first asked who or what inspired her to become an artist. Pat explained…
Fennville Elementary earns dual honors as district kicks off 2026
By Art Nicholas Fennville Public Schools is celebrating a strong start to 2026 following two prestigious recognitions for Fennville Elementary School and continued community programming for the semester ahead.National Academic RecognitionIn November, Fennville Elementary School was recognized by U.S. News…
Commissioners elect Beltman as Chair
By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN — At its annual organizational meeting last Thursday, the Board of Commissioners unanimously elected Commissioner Scott Beltman of Monterey Township to chair the body. Beltman succeeds Gale Dugan ofOtsego Township who chaired the body in 2025.“It’s…
Wayland students, coaches fight cancer
By Elizabeth Stein & Gari Voss Wayland Union Public Schools are out to beat cancer, and the entire school district is determined to assist the American Cancer Society in the fight. Wayland Union students scheduled their annual Coaches vs Cancer…
Mike’s Musings: It’s 2026. Why Is the IRS Still Stuck in the Past?
Not long ago, I set aside part of my workday to ask the Internal Revenue Service a simple question. This wasn’t a complicated audit issue or a dispute over taxes owed. It was a basic inquiry that should have taken…
Paw Paw wrestlers are fourth
By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — The Paw Paw wrestling team took to Olivet for the John Burton boys and girls tournament on Saturday. After a grueling 10-hour tournament the boys team ended up taking fourth place out of 20…
City Council tackles new business with revamped membership
By James Windell After three new council members were sworn in, the South Haven City Council got down to business in taking on issues necessary at the first city council meeting of the new year on January 5, 2026.One of…
Airport agrees to stop cutting down trees on private property
By James Windell At a meeting last week between residents whose property abuts the South Haven Regional Airport and Airport authorities, it was agreed that trees that were obstructing the landing at the airport could be trimmed – rather than…
MSP Fire Marshal investigates fatal Paw Paw Twp. structure fire
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW TWP. – Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported that on Jan. 8, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Van Buren County Sheriff’s deputies, along with the Paw Paw Fire Department, were dispatched to an active…
Paw Paw Village Council approves Strand Theater’s request to seek final approval with MLCC
By Paul GarrodStaff Writernews4garrod@gmail.com PAW PAW – The Paw Paw Village Council Monday night, Jan. 12, adopted the Local Government Approval Resolution for the Strand Theater to apply for a Redevelopment Liquor License for the theater.With preliminary approval by the…
Indivisible holds candlelight vigil for ICE shooting victim
PAW PAW – Indivisible Paw Paw joined more than 1,000 demonstrations last weekend as part of the “ICE Out for Good” weekend (Jan. 10-11), that took place across the United States to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demand…
