Douglas hires Tien as Treasurer

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR Douglas has hired former Allegan County elections coordinator and Plainwell city payroll administrator Jennifer Tien new city treasurer for $74,000 a year plus benefits. City council approved the move at its Monday meeting. Tien will start…

Brandess marks 30 years Saturday

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20241 min read

Artist James Brandess will celebrate 30 years in his James Brandess Studios & Gallery, 238 Butler St., downtown Saugatuck, this Saturday, June 22, from noon until 5 p.m. On view in his shop — a historic, tin-ceilinged former post office…

Rock named Saugatuck varsity boys basketball coach

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20244 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorDuring his tenure as head coach of the Fennville varsity boys basketball team, Ty Rock had a front-row seat for the rivalry between the Blackhawks and Saugatuck.Now, he’ll experience that rivalry from the other side.Rock is the…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20244 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorKrokodil RockI remember when rock was young. Me and Susie had no clue a Krokodil rock would find us.“Krokodil” I learned too late, is street name for Desomorphine, a synthetic opioid said to turn skin green and scaly…

Space for ‘stuff’ squeezes campground plan

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20243 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorCalifornia-based Autocamp has scaled back plans from 112 total to 76 phase-one campsites on 29.24 acres 34.61 Blue Star Hwy. because “stuff” happens — specifically, need to dispose of sewage.The Saugatuck Township Board June 12 weighed a proposed…

SHS shooter makes swift study

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

Saugatuck High School junior Leilani Schoonmaker’s journey through a lens crescendoed — so far — with a National Scholastic Art Awards Gold Medal.Her black-and-white photo of the 2023 Portage Cross Country Invitational start (below) made Schoonmaker SHS art teacher Daniel…

Otsego hosts family-friendly summer programs

Otsego hosts family-friendly summer programs

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20243 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Fun, family-friendly summer activities are back in Otsego.Summer Fun Nights will take place each Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at the TOP Pavilion through July 30, while Summer Events at Northside Park will take place each…

Artisan Market returns to downtown Otsego

Artisan Market returns to downtown Otsego

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

Artists and lovers of fine art will converge on downtown Otsego once again for the annual Otsego Artisan Market on Saturday, June 22.The market, hosted by Otsego Arts Council (a division of Together Otsego Prospers), runs from 9 a.m. to…

Antkoviak qualifies for U.S. Olympic trials

Antkoviak qualifies for U.S. Olympic trials

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20245 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Have you ever dreamed of donning the red, white and blue and representing the United States in the Olympics?Allegan native Hannah Antkoviak has. And later this month, she’ll head to Eugene, Ore., for the opportunity to…

Obituary: Andy Wilson Branham

Obituary: Andy Wilson Branham

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

Andy Wilson Branham, of Allegan, passed away May 28 at age 89. He is survived by Arlene (Brown) Branham, his wife of 67 years and his daughter, Linda (Tim) Nielsen of Commerce Township, MI. He was a 1953 graduate of…

Obituary: John Wesley Robart

Obituary: John Wesley Robart

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

John Wesley Robart went home to Heaven to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on the morning of June 12, 2024, at the age of 98. John was born October 22, 1925, to Wesley and Viona Robart of Bloomingdale. John…

Obituary: Donald Gibson, 76

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20241 min read

Don passed away, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at his home in Allegan. He was born September 22, 1947, in Bell County, Kentucky, the son of Belvin and Vesta (Collins) Gibson.Don proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He started…

Obituary: Kevin Franklin Kelly, Sr

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20243 min read

8/31/1956 – 5/31/2024He spent his dash well!Please help us celebrate his life:Grump, grandpa, dad, husband, son, friend, and some titles best not put in print, passed away on Friday, May 31, 2024. We lost the best!Kevin F. Kelly was born…

Severe weather sirens fail to activate, fix resolved

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

Severe weather has raised its frightful head several times throughout Spring 2024, and that gives rise to ensuring all warning systems work correctly. The tornadoes that ripped through Portage and other surrounding communities are just one example of the importance…

Tornado does damage in Gobles, Bloomingdale

Tornado does damage in Gobles, Bloomingdale

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20241 min read

By Paul GarrodSome of the severe storms Sunday night included a tornado touching down near GoblesA tornado warning came just minutes after a tornado was spotted in Gobles. The National Weather Service said, “At 9:59 p.m. a confirmed tornado was…

Louis Stoel returns to Normandy for D-Day Anniversary

Louis Stoel returns to Normandy for D-Day Anniversary

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20243 min read

By Donald Talonen On June 6, 2024, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) commemorated the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Approximately 10,000 individuals participated in the ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery. Among them was a local Veteran named Louis…

Story signs with Point University

Story signs with Point University

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20241 min read

LaFayette Bulldog, AHSAA 2A Player of the Year Award nominee Vaderrian Story signed with Point University on Monday to play college basketball.Coaches, family, students and friends came out to LaFayette High School Library to recognize and celebrate with Story.Head Basketball…

Obituary: Candace Still McElvaine

Obituary: Candace Still McElvaine

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20241 min read

Candace Still McElvaine, 70 of Lafayette, AL passed away on May 31, 2024. Candace was born August 5, 1953 to the late Rosser and Hazel Still.Candace was a very loving woman, she loved everyone. She truly loved her family and…

Obituary: Mrs. Nancy Huguley

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

Mrs. Nancy Huguley, 98, of West Point, GA died Friday, June 7, 2024, in Auburn, AL. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at New Zion Baptist Church, Lanett, AL at 12:00 p.m. (EST) with Pastor Willie…

Lanett hosts Juneteenth celebration

Lanett hosts Juneteenth celebration

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20241 min read

By Pamela Holloway A Juneteenth celebration was hosted on Saturday in downtown Lanett. The day started out with presentation of the flag, welcome, prayer, and greetings from surrounding areas mayors, Lanett Mayor Jaime Heard, West Point Mayor Steve Tramell, LaFayette…