Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorDerby DayWhat’s worse than a man without a home? In Douglas, a land without a zone. The planning commission May 9 will weigh saving 16.77 acres — bought in 2013 and annexed from Saugatuck Township two years later…
Kilpatrick back to help Douglas plan
By Scott SullivanEditorRyan Kilpatrick, Douglas community and economic development director from 2009 to 2014, will consult with city again about meeting affordable housing goals.City council Monday hired Kilpatrick’s Flywheel Community Development Services for $3,500 to conduct a housing workshop and…
Farmers’ markets open in Plainwell, Otsego this month
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The calendar has turned from April to May.And that means, among other things, it’s time for the local farmers’ markets to open for the 2024 season.The Plainwell Famers’ Market—located this year off of M-89 on the…
Otsego High School holds prom at Warner Vineyards
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor May 4 has come to be known as Star Wars Day.You know, “May the Fourth be with you.”It seemed only fitting, then, that the students who organized this year’s Otsego High School prom decided to go…
Otsego girls, Plainwell boys win in conference dual meet
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PLAINWELL—The track teams from Otsego and Plainwell met for a Wolverine Conference dual on Tuesday, April 30, with the result being a split decision.The Plainwell boys won by an 81-56 margin, while the Otsego girls prevailed…
Allegan tennis places secondat TigerDuals
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Allegan girls tennis team served as host of the Tiger Duals on Saturday, May 4, welcoming Battle Creek Lakeview, Ludington and St. John’s to town.The Tigers finished with a 1-2 record for the day, besting…
Obituary: Charles Edward Payne
Charles Edward Payne, 95, of St. Joseph went to meet his Lord on Monday, April 29, 2024. “Ed” was born on May 27, 1928, in Allegan, MI, to Charles E. Payne, Sr. and Henrietta Louisa (Wesseldyk) Payne. He graduated from…
Obituary: Dorothy Ann (Opperman) Wilson
Dorothy Ann (Opperman) Wilson passed away peacefully on April 30th, 2024, at the age of 92, in Kalamazoo, Michigan at Rose Arbor, Centrica. Dorothy was born on March 3rd, 1932, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the late Edward and Jennie…
Obituary: Darlene Kay Joostberns
Darlene Kay Joostberns was born on September 7, 1944, in Allegan, Michigan, to Albert Kizer and Coral (Meyer) Kizer. She was the second of three children and the only girl. Darlene grew up in Allegan and attended Allegan Public Schools.Darlene…
Obituary: Maryanne “Mimi” Gabriel
Maryanne “Mimi” Gabriel exited this world like she lived: in her own way and on her own schedule. On April 4th, 2024, Mimi passed beyond the veil after a long battle with lupus and a short fight with cardiac, G.I.,…
Life as Performance Art
Someone figured out a better idea. No more hose drinking or palm lapping. We had to have our water in a sanitary container – a thin, one-time-use bottle – so we would be safe from all those evil germs. We…
What’s the Storey Jim, in or out?
By Donald Talonen Recently, Jim Storey has found himself in the middle of a controversial situation regarding the Allegan County elections. It was reported that Storey might have been disqualified due to unresolved issues with campaign finance report filings from…
Fallen firefighter Gail VanAuken honored firetruck 1511
By Donald Talonen The rain didn’t stop the celebration dedicated to Gail VanAuken. The firehouse was packed with friends, family, and even strangers for the unveiling of fire engine 1511 in honor of the fallen firefighter, just in time for…
Mike’s Musings: Taxes just keep piling up
Like many of us I struggle with having to pay taxes each year. I often wonder why I put aside more and more each year to pay the government yet get lesser and lesser services.For instance, I’m drawing social security.…
Chambers softball and baseball seasons come to end
By Katie McElvy Chambers SoftballThe Lady Rebels entered the AISA AA State Softball Tournament last week. First, the Rebels faced Patrician Academy. After the Saints took an 0-3 lead, Chambers battled back in the second inning when Ansley Carter hit…
Memorial bench dedicated in remembrance of LaFayette resident
By John BriceCorrespondent Local residents gathered for the dedication of a memorial bench in remembrance of dearly departed LaFayette resident Richard Rowland at the corner of Alabama Avenue East and 1st Street Southeast during the morning hours of Monday, May…
Auburn students design plan for LaFayette
The Auburn University Urban Design Class made their way back to LaFayette last Tuesday.The class toured LaFayette downtown in January to decide different ideas for the revitalization for the downtown.The students went back to their drawing boards and came up…
25 retire from CCSD, honored at meeting
The Chambers County School District recognized the 2023-2024 retirees at the Chamber County School District board meeting last week.LaKeyda Davis 10 yearsDeanna Fuller 27 yearsConnie Guice 24 yearsMarshon Harper 25 yearsMitchell Harte 3 yearsLisa Hughes 20 yearsEricka Jenkins 25 yearsBeverly…
