Erin-Go-Brrr …

Erin-Go-Brrr …

Editorial StaffMar 16, 20221 min read

During some years Saugatuck’s St. Patrick’s Day Erin-Go-Bark Parade is a precursor to spring warmth and fun. Last Saturday’ event was, well fun, with costumed pooches and their pet humans braving snow squalls to strut downtown streets. Warmth is coming,…

SCA rowboats to ply Coghlin Park

SCA rowboats to ply Coghlin Park

Editorial StaffMar 16, 20224 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThis time it’s official. A Saugatuck Center for the Arts “wave” of rowboats planned this summer for Coghlin Park — wrongly reported here Jan. 27 winning Saugatuck City Council approval — Monday did, in adjusted form.The proposal, one…

OPS receives Gold Medallion Award

OPS receives Gold Medallion Award

Editorial StaffMar 16, 20224 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Michigan School Public Relations Association recently presented Otsego Public Schools with its Gold Medallion Award.The award, which recognizes outstanding programs or projects that advance education through responsible communication, was in response to OPS’s successful Propelling…

Obituary: Donald B. Lucas, 89

Obituary: Donald B. Lucas, 89

Editorial StaffMar 16, 20223 min read

Donald B. Lucas, 89 of Allegan, passed away in Ascension Allegan Hospital on March 11, 2022. Don was born in Cadillac, Michigan on August 3, 1932 to Abram and Lena (Westmaas) Lucas.  The family moved to Grand Rapids when don…

Obituary: Constance Virginia Miller, 87

Obituary: Constance Virginia Miller, 87

Editorial StaffMar 16, 20222 min read

Constance Virginia (Gerard) Miller, 87, of Hopkins, MI passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at Ascension Allegan General Hospital. Born December 17, 1934 and raised in Grand Rapids, she was the daughter of the late Carl and Lorraine Gerard. Mrs.…

Obituary: Robert Dale Truax, 74

Obituary: Robert Dale Truax, 74

Editorial StaffMar 16, 20222 min read

Robert Dale Truax of Hopkins, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2022. He was born in Allegan to his loving parents, Russell and Maxine (Mudgett) Truax. Robert married the love of his life Diana (Kelly) Truax whom he shared 42…

Ukrainian and American Pain – We must unplug from Russia and China

Ukrainian and American Pain – We must unplug from Russia and China

Editorial StaffMar 16, 20223 min read

I’m turning over my column space to my friend, Dr. Glenn Mollette this week. Mollett a doctor and a writer, is of the opinion we need to disconnect ourselves from a reliance on both Russian and Chinese goods. I couldn’t…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffMar 16, 20226 min read

   Growing up, my favorite television cartoon program was Rocky and Bullwinkle. There were several different segments such as Fractured Fairy Tales, Dudley Doright, Mr. Know It All, and of course, the cartoon of Rocky the flying squirrel and his non-candidate for membership…

Plainwell students bring ‘Cinderella’ to life on stage

Plainwell students bring ‘Cinderella’ to life on stage

Editorial StaffMar 16, 20224 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Bibbidi bobbidi boo, Plainwell High School presents the Rodgers and Hammerstein version of the musical “Cinderella” just for you.The production opens on Friday, March 25, at 7 p.m., at the Plainwell Performing Arts Center. Performances are…

Ransom District Library hosts Dr. Seuss Night

Ransom District Library hosts Dr. Seuss Night

Editorial StaffMar 16, 20222 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor For more than two decades, The Friends of Ransom Library have sponsored Dr. Seuss Night in honor of the beloved author’s birthday.And this year’s event—which took place on Tuesday, March 8—was the largest to date with…

Pileup closes northbound U.S. 131

Pileup closes northbound U.S. 131

Editorial StaffMar 16, 20221 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorA weather-related pileup involving nearly two dozen vehicles forced authorities to shut down a portion of U.S. 131 in Allegan County on Saturday, March 12.Police closed the northbound lanes of U.S. 131 at mile marker 49 near…

Chamber names Steinmann as Executive Director

Chamber names Steinmann as Executive Director

Editorial StaffMar 16, 20224 min read

By Leslie Ballard “I’m excited – he’s got the right skill set for the role of Executive Director” is how Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce President Amy Buzzell described her impression of Aaron Steinmann, who assumed those duties on March…

Local Irish dancer heads to world championships in Belfast

Local Irish dancer heads to world championships in Belfast

Editorial StaffMar 16, 20225 min read

By Leslie Ballard Sabrina Mills, an Allegan High School junior, is counting the days until she leaves for Belfast later this month to compete in the 50th Irish Dancing World Championships. Only 1% of the Irish dancers worldwide quality for…

Man arrested after attempting to run over officer, hijack car

Editorial StaffMar 16, 20222 min read

At approximately 10:15 a.m. on Saturday March 12, 2022 a Deputy with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation on M-222 in Watson Township.  While trying to stop the vehicle, the vehicle fled…

Faces in the Crowd: Jayson Lafever

Faces in the Crowd: Jayson Lafever

Editorial StaffMar 11, 20224 min read

Jayson Lafever, an ’01 Port Huron graduate, became familiar with the Marion area over the years by venturing north to stay at the family property. He lived here for a bit in 2014, and since September he’s come to call…

Osceola appoints Andrews to transit board

Editorial StaffMar 11, 20222 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – The Osceola County Board of Commissioners, at its meeting last week, voted to appoint Sally Andrews to the Mecosta-Osceola Transit Board for a 3-year term ending Dec. 31, 2024.Commissioners also approved a 911 surcharge of…

Man accused of sending inappropriate photos

Editorial StaffMar 11, 20221 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MCBAIN – A Cadillac man has been lodged in Missaukee County jail on charges of sending inappropriate photos to a minor.The arrest, made by the Michigan State Police post in Cadillac, was the result of a lengthy…

Leroy man arrested for home invasion, CSC

Editorial StaffMar 11, 20222 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – An Osceola County man was arrested earlier this month for home invasion and several counts of criminal sexual conduct.Joshua Thomas Lutzke, 23 of LeRoy, was arraigned in the 84th District Court in Missaukee County on…

Clare police chief retires, Saad takes helm

Clare police chief retires, Saad takes helm

Editorial StaffMar 11, 20222 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Clare Police Chief Brian Gregory is retiring April 1st, and will be replaced with Captain David Saad, City Manager Jeremy Howard said Wednesday.Gregory began his law enforcement career in 1980 serving both as a City Police officer…

Irish Festival kicks into high gear this week!

Irish Festival kicks into high gear this week!

Editorial StaffMar 11, 20223 min read

After the annual event was downsized due to the pandemic last year, the 47th Clare Irish Festival is back this year with most of the traditional events plus some brand-new ones!The four-day event will include entertainment, food and drink specials,…