Neighbors question Wicks Park plan
By Scott SullivanEditorA Wicks Park Bar & Grill request to expand operations behind its downtown Saugatuck restaurant into a speakeasy with backyard patio ran into neighbor objections during a Saugatuck City Planning Commission public hearing Feb. 17.Christine Murphy Pierce wants…
Saugatuck boys avenge earlier loss to Clippers on hardwood
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor SAUGATUCK—A win over visiting Martin on Tuesday, Feb. 15, would not only give the Saugatuck boys basketball team a measure of revenge for an earlier loss to the Clippers, but it was also mark the Trailblazers’…
Allegan, Hopkins cheer teams advance to regionals
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Of the 14 teams competing at the Division 3 competitive cheer district in Allegan on Saturday, Feb. 19, only four would advance to regional action.And two of those four are from Allegan County, as the host…
Plainwell, Lee Township hope to expand broadband
By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN – Progress continues to be made in getting broadband in the area.Broadband Action Workgroup (BAW), created by the Allegan County Board of Commissioners to spearhead the expansion and availability of higher speed internet to county residents,…
Otsego mayor battles mysterious medical condition
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Kind. Joyful. Giving. Selfless. Compassionate.Those are just a few of the words that come to mind when Anthony Trobeck thinks about his mom Cyndi, a longtime realtor in the area and the current mayor of Otsego.“Oh…
Data breach affects 567 county employees
By Leslie Ballard A confirmed data breach occurring on February 11 could potentially affect 567 Allegan County employees.In a February 15 e-mail, Vickie Herzberg, Executive Director of Human Resources for Allegan County, informed employees that “one of our employees fell…
Lawrence recognizes emergency service employees
The Lawrence Township Emergency Services (LTES) recently paid tribute to several of its members for their years of service. At left, LTES Fire Chief Michael Anchor presented plaques to William Gaborik, second from left, five years of service; Morgane Curtis,…
Paw Paw man wins lottery
A Van Buren County man describes winning a $282,589 Fantasy 5 jackpot prize as “life-changing”.David Flory, of Paw Paw, matched the Fantasy 5 numbers in the Feb. 13 drawing to win the big prize: 06-07-13-29-38. He bought his winning ticket…
Mike’s Musings: High cost of energy fuels inflation
Inflation is at a 40-year high in the United States. Prices that were stable a year have taken a 7.5% jump. Going to the grocery store has put a strain on most of our pocketbooks. Used cars are 41 percent…
Life as Performance Art
Marinell Barretta of north-ern Italy died at age 70. That part, with the mortality rate holding steady at 100 per-cent, was not surprising. What followed was.Local authorities found her mummified remains Feb. 4 some two and a half years after…
Area teams fared well at wrestling regionals
by Ben MurphySports Writer The Lawrence wrestling team sent two grapplers to the girls regional on Howell on Sunday. Both will move on to the state finals thanks to their top eight finishes.Kennedy Edson is a regional champ in the…
Mattawan lifts mandate, but strongly recommends masks
MATTAWAN – This week, the Mattawan Consolidated School District updated its mask status to strongly recommend for staff, students, and visitors in all grades, in all buildings, and at all events.The move went into effect on Monday, Feb. 21, the…
Former Lawton community center director facesembezzlement charges
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer LAWTON – The former director/coordinator of the Lawton Community Center faces felony embezzlement charges following her arrest last October by the Lawton Police Department.Ryan Kay Caldwell, 43, of Lawton, is accused of embezzling approximately $14,725 from…
Postcard from the Pines: Free Fish and Chrome Fins
Yup. Free fish this weekend, or at least the chance to catch some. All you have to do is go out there on the hard water and catch them, no fishing license required for those old enough to need one.…
Obituary: Eldon “Huck” Berryhill
Eldon “Huck” Berryhill, 86 of Marion, died on Saturday, February 12, 2022, from complications due to COVID-19. Eldon was born on November 4. 1935 in Genesee County, Michigan. He grew up in the Evart and Marion areas. He met Ann…
Obituary: Phyllis Ann Whitehead
Phyllis Ann Whitehead – Age 84 of Clare, MI passed away on Sunday, February 13, 2022, at Woodland Hospice House of Mt. Pleasant. Phyllis was born to parents Ivan and Violet (Middleton) Conely on November 24, 1937, in Marine City,…
Frostbite a hit with young and old patrons alike
Following are the winners in the exciting Frostbite Festival events last weekend.Button raffle – Judy Carlton; Button raffle winning ticket sold at Save A Lot Food StoreWheel Barrow Raffle – Mary WallenFishing adult1st place for largest sack – Kyle Pohl…
Marion girls win 3, now 9-4 in West Michigan ‘D’ League
by Ben MurphySports Writer The Marion girls basketball team was able to win their third game in a row on Tuesday, taking down host Mason County Eastern 54-27 in a West Michigan ‘D’ League contest.“We were able to get off…
