Working smoke alarm is credited with saving Mattawan resident in structure fire

Working smoke alarm is credited with saving Mattawan resident in structure fire

Editorial Staff Dec 10, 2025 2 min read

At approximately 8:50 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, Mattawan Fire, Mattawan Rescue, and Van Buren Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were dispatched to a reported residential structure fire.Upon arrival, crews found a single-wide trailer that was approximately 50 percent involved with heavy…

Paw Paw Launches New “Christmas in the Village” Celebration

Editorial Staff Dec 10, 2025 1 min read

Paw Paw will sparkle with holiday cheer this season as the community debuts its new Christmas in the Village celebration – two days of festivities, local spirit, and small-town magic.The event kicks off Friday, Dec. 12, with the Lighted Holiday…

New ornament features historic lighthouse

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 2 min read

The Saugatuck-Douglas History Center’s annual collectable holiday ornament this year commemorates Saugatuck’s historic pre-Civil War era lighthouse.  It will have its first public offering at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts’ Outdoor Holiday Market Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m.…

‘Christmas Carol’ to benefit Christian Neighbors

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 2 min read

From the first “Bah! Humbug!” to the last “God Bless Us, Every One!,” the 39th annual production of Saugatuck’s “A Christmas Carol” opening Dec. 12 will be linked as closely as it ever has been to the true meaning of…

Douglas agrees to sell former hall

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 4 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Douglas City Council, newly ensconced its 415 Wiley Road municipal complex, voted Monday to sell its old city hall at 86 W. Center St. to David Isljamovski and Joseph Wise for $515,000 cash. “Joseph will be…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorCut-UpsJennifer Hayes, 30, of Clinton Township faces up to life in prison after a jury six days before Thanksgiving convicted her of stabbing her boyfriend 14 times.That might seem like overkill, except that her now-ex beau survived. Hayes…

Glenn rallies to save former post office

Glenn rallies to save former post office

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 2 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorGlenn efforts to save the community’s old post office continue after lifting and moving the structure from its original foundation to near the Community Center at 6953 114th Ave.Center members hope to raise $25,000 through sponsorship of bricks…

Douglas agrees to sell historic city hall

Douglas agrees to sell historic city hall

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorDouglas City Council, newly ensconced its 415 Wiley Road municipal complex, voted Monday to sell its old city hall at 86 W. Center St. to David Isljamovski and Joseph Wise for $515,000 cash.“Joseph will be a silent partner,”…

Plainwell HS band wins ‘favorite band’ contest, OHS places second

Plainwell HS band wins ‘favorite band’ contest, OHS places second

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Which high school marching band in West Michigan is the favorite?That’s the question Kalamazoo-based radio station 103.3 WKFR wanted to answer through its aptly titled Favorite High School Marching Band in Southwest Michigan contest.And it was…

Otsego receives MDOT grant for two bridges

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The two bridges in the City of Otsego—one at Farmer Street and one at North Street—are inspected every two years by the Michigan Department of Transportation.“All of our inspections have been in compliance and show no…

Human remains are those of Allegan County woman

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 2 min read

On November 13, troopers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) responded to a welfare check and missing-person complaint at a property on the 600 block of Lincoln Road — near M-89 and 106th Avenue — after a 48-year-old Allegan County…

Boys Wrestling Season Preview:

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 12 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANThe 2024-25 season was a special one for Allegan.Under the guidance of former Tiger standout Chase Beard, Allegan won a state quarterfinal match for the first time in more than a decade before falling in the…

Allegan boys basketball opens with win

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 1 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Brian Baker era of Allegan boys basketball has officially started.And a good start it was.Baker, in his first season as coach for the Tigers, led Allegan to a 54-41 victory in the season opener against…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 6 min read

The other day I ran into a longtime friend I haven’t seen for the better part of the year, even though we live less than a mile apart.We quickly caught up, exchanged news and realized we are both appalled by…

European-type castle goes up for sale in county

European-type castle goes up for sale in county

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 4 min read

By Gari Voss The news hit the realty pages and social media on November 15, 2025. Castle Van Kula in Allegan County was listed for $1.2 million. The 7,527 sq. foot residence designed and built by Charles VanKula was completed…

Human remains are those of Allegan County woman

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 2 min read

On November 13, troopers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) responded to a welfare check and missing-person complaint at a property on the 600 block of Lincoln Road — near M-89 and 106th Avenue — after a 48-year-old Allegan County…

Lawrence basketball bids for fun season

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 3 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWRENCE — Noah Wiswary will be coaching a Lawrence boys basketball team which he is confident can have a lot of success this season.“Last year we did not win many games on paper. However we were able…

Mike’s Musings: Why America Needs Controlled Borders, Not Open Ones

Mike’s Musings: Why America Needs Controlled Borders, Not Open Ones

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 4 min read

The debate over America’s border policies often gets tangled in national politics, angry cable-news segments, and social-media shouting. But beneath all that noise, the issue comes down to something our readers in Allegan, Clare, Van Buren, St. Joseph, Calhoun, Jackson…

Holiday spirit shines bright in South Haven over weekend

Holiday spirit shines bright in South Haven over weekend

Editorial Staff Dec 3, 2025 2 min read

By James Windell It couldn’t have been a more fitting holiday kickoff than the Holiday in the Park event on Friday, November 28, 2025.The event, organized by Visit South Haven, brought people to downtown South Haven where everybody was having…