Allegan track starts season strong
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor HAMILTON—It was a promising start to the outdoor season for the Allegan track and field teams at the Hamilton Early Season Invitational on Monday, March 30.The Allegan girls placed fourth overall with 64 points, while the…
House fire in Plainwell results in one fatality
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PLAINWELL—A residential fire in Plainwell on Saturday evening resulted in one fatality, according to officials with the Plainwell Department of Public Safety.The victim was later identified as 58-year-old Ted Ray Hughes, Jr.The fire was reported at…
Life as Performance Art
The other day I opened my accordion case for the first time in far too long. Under it were a couple song books published by the War Department at the beginning of World War II.The USO, chaplains and division morale…
High-Speed internet Is finally reaching Allegan County’s rural corners
By Art NicholasFor years, many residents across Allegan County faced a frustrating reality: living in modern Michigan but unable to stream a video, attend a virtual doctor’s appointment, or complete homework reliably. A sweeping broadband initiative — now essentially complete…
Lawton’s softball depth excites coach Ludwig
By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWTON — Lawton softball coach Madison Ludwig was impressed with how her tam performed in 2025 and is looking forward tot he results from cc“The 2025 season was a true testament to the hard work, resilience, and…
Mike’s Musings: Shame on Congress, sexual harassment, misconduct claims will remain secret
There are few things more corrosive to public trust than the appearance that those in power play by a different set of rules. Congress’s long-standing practice of shielding the identities of lawmakers who used taxpayer-funded settlements to resolve sexual harassment…
Carlotto lawsuit against South Haven assigned to mediator
By James Windell Phillip J. Green, the U.S. Magistrate Judge assigned to the Pat Carlotto case, has signed an order appointing a mediator in the case.Carlotto, a 25-year veteran of the South Haven Police Department, was passed over for police…
SHHS geometry students create rafts from recycled materials
By Tom Renner South Haven high school students in a geometry class took a recent assignment quite literally.The assignment was created by Amy Cockburn, the high school principal who is also teaching the geometry class.Students were tasked to apply circle…
Planners approve Victoria Resort rezoning
By James Windell A special meeting was called by the South Haven Planning Commission on March 23, 2026 in order to hold four public hearings. Three of the public hearings related to special land use applications. The other had to…
Indivisible Paw Paw marks one-year of protests with third No Kings rally
On Saturday, March 28, in Paw Paw, the local Indivisible group marked its one-year anniversary of hosting peaceful protests at the same time joining millions of Americans in an organized day of action for the third No Kings event. The…
Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office honors citizen for heroic actions
On March 24, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office formally recognized Ricky Holly for his courageous and selfless actions during a residential structure fire that occurred on Feb. 28, in Pine Grove Township.Holly was presented with a Letter of Commendation…
Submerged Stolen Vehicle Recovered from Wolf Lake
Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott reported on March 25, a detective sergeant with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a citizen who was fishing on Wolf Lake in Almena Township. The individual reported observing a suspicious…
Fire engulfs Columbia Twp mobile home
Firefighters from five departments responded to a fire that engulfed a Columbia Township mobile home early Sunday morning.The departments were dispatched to 18th Avenue near 53rd Street, west of Breedsville in Van Buren County, at 3:12 a.m.Responding was the Columbia…
Saugauck baseball hopes to compete
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorA new era of Saugatuck baseball is underway this spring.With Jaden Grigg taking over as head coach, the Trailblazers enter the 2026 season with a mix of experience, youth and a clearly defined identity.“We decided as a…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorIntersections ofAnglesWhat a gloomy dirge this has been! Who would turn light to dark? Dark-sky advocates, who claim we can use that inversion, conversion, diversion … Sun and stars, that’s it.All light we know emerges from fires fueled…
Senior meal switch brings fallout
By Scott SullivanEditorArms are up in the precincts after the Allegan County Commission dumped 20-year senior meal provider Community Action for Allegan County in favor of Grandville-based Meals on Wheels for $8.50 per meal, compared to CAAC’s $12.27). CAAC’s 3-year…
Arts Competition returns to Otsego District Library
The Otsego Arts Council will host its annual Arts Competition May 1-9 at the Otsego District Public Library, continuing a community event that celebrates artists of all ages.Now in its third year at the library, the competition will feature a…
Plainwell High School set to present ‘Hadestown’
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A powerful blend of myth, music and storytelling is coming to the Plainwell stage.Plainwell High School will present “Hadestown: Teen Edition” for a three-show run beginning Friday, March 27, and continuing through Sunday, March 29.Showtimes are…
Otsego tennis plays well
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PORTLAND—Otsego turned in a strong showing Saturday at the Portland Invitational, competing against Ludington, DeWitt and Portland.The Bulldogs came away with multiple individual flight wins against a competitive field.Senior Ellie Koringa led the way, winning her…
Allegan tennis wins three at Early Bird
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Depth was the difference for the Allegan girls tennis team over the weekend.Hosting its annual Early Bird Invitational on Saturday, March 21, the Tigers turned in a dominant performance, going unbeaten against Grand Haven, Coopersville and…
