Otsego mayor battles mysterious medical condition

Otsego mayor battles mysterious medical condition

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 5 min read

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…

Petrie family opens Great Gains Fitness in Otsego

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Petrie family dreamed about opening a gym near their hometown of Martin. But after several opportunities failed to pan out, they thought it might be time to move on from that dream.That’s when the Petries…

Neighbors question Wicks Park plan

Neighbors question Wicks Park plan

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 5 min read

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…

On ice

On ice

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 1 min read

Saugatuck boys avenge earlier loss to Clippers on hardwood

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 2 min read

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

Allegan, Hopkins cheer teams advance to regionals

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 3 min read

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

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 2 min read

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

Otsego mayor battles mysterious medical condition

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 5 min read

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

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 6 min read

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

Lawrence recognizes emergency service employees

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 1 min read

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

Paw Paw man wins lottery

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 2 min read

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

Mike’s Musings: High cost of energy fuels inflation

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 3 min read

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

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 5 min read

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

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 4 min read

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

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 4 min read

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

Editorial Staff Feb 23, 2022 2 min read

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

Postcard from the Pines: Free Fish and Chrome Fins

Editorial Staff Feb 18, 2022 4 min read

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

Obituary: Eldon “Huck” Berryhill

Editorial Staff Feb 18, 2022 2 min read

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

Obituary: Phyllis Ann Whitehead

Editorial Staff Feb 18, 2022 2 min read

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,…

By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher

Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.

It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.