Saugatuck earns first regional win in program history
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorFENNVILLE—The Saugatuck girls soccer team added another chapter to its historic season Tuesday, June 4.With a 5-1 victory over St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran in a Division 4 regional semifinal, the Trailblazers earned the first regional soccer victory…
Gallery Stroll in Douglas on June 13
ART is the word of the day on Saturday, June 13th for the 2nd Saturday Art in Douglas Gallery Stroll. This will be fun! There will be music in the streets, delicious snacks, exciting and stimulating artwork and adult beverages available…
Mike Wilcox takes over as editor
By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher A new era is underway at the Commercial Record. After serving as its owner and publisher for nearly 11 years, Mike Wilcox is now also its editor.Wilcox has more than 50 years of experience in the…
Fielbrandt, Ernstes lead Otsego’s 36 Graduates with Distinction
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Whether it was through robotics, advanced coursework or leadership opportunities, Ally Fielbrandt and Sean Ernstes spent their high school careers challenging themselves academically.Those efforts paid off, as Fielbrandt was named valedictorian and Ernstes salutatorian for the…
Drivers should expect delays as M-89 project gets underway
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Motorists traveling through Otsego should prepare for delays this summer as a major resurfacing project along M-89 is scheduled to begin June 8.The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) plans to resurface 3.6 miles of M-89 (Allegan…
Otsego drops pitchers’ dual in D2 regional semifinals
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor COLDWATER—Otsego senior Kaleb Hildebrand turned in arguably the best pitching performance of his career in arguably the biggest game of his career.Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Coldwater starter Owen Tappenden was just a little bit better.Despite a…
Bridgefest 2026 fills Allegan’s Saturday
By Gari Voss Bridgefest celebrates Allegan, its residents, friends and visitors on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Activities will be found on each street, behind the library and on the Riverfront. Everyone is welcome to stop at the Expo booths, tour…
Wayland Summerfest returns June 13
By Jordan WilcoxAssistant PublisherDowntown Wayland will once again serve as the center of community activity when Summerfest returns Saturday, June 13, bringing a full day of family entertainment, classic cars, live music, food, vendors and children’s activities.Organized by Wayland Main…
Property owners file lawsuit challenging Leighton Township RV Ordinance
Jason and Shannon Steinebach, owners of lakefront property at 4552 East Shore Drive on Green Lake, have filed a civil lawsuit in Allegan County Circuit Court against Leighton Township. The complaint, filed on May 22, 2026 (Case No. 26-72096-CZ), challenges…
Sheriff’s office investigates semi truck accident
On June 8th, 2026 , Allegan County Dispatch received a 911 call stating that there was an accident on 106th Ave and 11th St in Gun Plain Twp. During the preliminary investigation, it appears that a vehicle that was southbound on 11th St…
Mattawan baseball in state semifinals
By John RaffelCorrespondent MATTAWAN— Mattawan’s baseball team will be playing this weekend at Michigan State University’s McLane Stadium after winning three games last week.The Wildcats are 32-9-2 overall. They beat Lowell 2-1 in eight innings on June 3 in a…
Mike’s Musings: Mental Health: A Crisis We Can No Longer Ignore
I used to think alcoholism was the biggest problem facing Americans. Along with drugs it certainly is a disease that affects many of us. However, mental health is a much bigger problem and when you combine it with alcohol. you…
Plane crashes on South Haven runway, pilot not injured
The pilot in a single engine aircraft escaped injury when her plane crashed while taking off from South Haven Regional Airport on Monday morning.South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) and South Haven Police Department (SHPD) responded at 9:30 a.m. to…
Twelve ducklings rescued from storm drain
Neighbors in the vicinity of Indiana Ave. and Cable Ave. in South Haven were alarmed by the actions of an adult female duck who was making quite a fuss next to a storm water drain on Thursday afternoon.Upon investigation they…
Elkenburg Park summer recreation program receives needed funds
By James Windell The Elkenburg Park Summer Recreation Program, which has provided a summer enrichment experience for the past 20 years, seemed doomed recently when expected funding disappeared.But thanks to the generosity of the Carol and Don Hodgman Fund, the…
Diane and Lisa honored by Mayor Annie Brown
By James Windell More than five years ago, Diane and Lisa Van Deurzen-Otey left their home in Tucson, Arizona to come to South Haven to help out a friend. They had no intention of staying in this area because they…
Two Van Buren County Sheriff’s deputies each receive Distinguished Service Awards
PAW PAW – Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott has announced that Deputy Eric Calhoun and Deputy Randy Whitmore were both awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association on June 7.Undersheriff Casey Davis spoke at the awards…
Antwerp Board responds to District Library Board’s motion to decline mediation
The following letter, dated May 29, was sent to the Antwerp Township Board in response to Antwerp Township Supervisor Dan Ruzick’s request for mediation with the Van Buren District Library Board.Antwerp Township Board of Trustees: At its May 19 meeting at…
Paw Paw District Library celebrates America 250
As America prepares to mark its 250th anniversary on July 4, the Paw Paw District Library presented the first of several events scheduled over the coming months as part of America 250. On Wednesday, June 3, the library’s Local History…
Saugatuck girls place fourth at Division 3 State Finals
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorKENT CITY—Novella DeGraaf spent much of Saturday, May 30, racing from one event to another.By the end of the day, the Saugatuck junior had collected three All-State finishes, broken three school records and helped lead the Trailblazers…
