Albion Church receives new electric van

Albion Church receives new electric van

Editorial StaffJul 18, 20253 min read

Bethel Missionary Baptist Church is the recipient of a new all-electric van made possible through a program by Consumers Energy. Consumers Energy provided the van as part of its rebate program for fleets serving income-qualified communities, to provide affordable electric…

Group transforms Albion’s treasured waterways

Group transforms Albion’s treasured waterways

Editorial StaffJul 18, 20253 min read

Michigan Waterway Stewards has been working in Albion to clean the Kalamazoo River of litter, trash, and other debris. The greatest achievement will be the clearing of woody debris to create navigable lanes, enhancing passive recreation on and along the…

Out and About: Women, cardio, and walking

Out and About: Women, cardio, and walking

Editorial StaffJul 18, 20253 min read

There is not a book that explains everything a man must know in order to better understand women. We must continue to learn from experience, or listen to a person who has dealt with the fairer sex longer than you…

Graber, Nash to share leadership at Norton Elementary

Graber, Nash to share leadership at Norton Elementary

Editorial StaffJul 18, 20256 min read

District to continue ‘conversation’ about Norton’s future as initial elementary enrollment decreases By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Two Three Rivers Community Schools administrators will be sharing leadership duties at Norton Elementary in what the school board says is…

Allen a key future player for Clare

Allen a key future player for Clare

Editorial StaffJul 18, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Only six players will be returning for Clare’s softball team next year from this season’s roster including sophomore first baseman Pamela Allen, who enjoyed a state runner-up finish in Division 3.“I’m really excited,: Allen said…

Heritage Festival takes center stage in Burr Oak

Editorial StaffJul 18, 20253 min read

By Steve Eldridge “A More Perfect Union” is the theme for the 2025 Burr Oak Heritage Festival, which is scheduled to kick off next Thursday July 24. The festival, which has always proved to be a big draw for the…

White Pigeon celebrates annual festival

White Pigeon celebrates annual festival

Editorial StaffJul 18, 20251 min read

On Friday, July 11, the White Pigeon Days festival held its annual street parade on U.S. 12 in the village. At left, Citizens of the Year Kelly (left) and Brian Bailey (right) ride by in a golf cart during the…

‘Color Run’ draws about 150 participants

‘Color Run’ draws about 150 participants

Editorial StaffJul 18, 20252 min read

By Dennis Volkert The third “Color Run” took place July 11 in downtown Sturgis, organized by Doyle Community Center. The event included 1-mile and 3-mile routes. Participants could run or walk. At several sites along each route was a “color station,”…

May I Walk with You? MORE TAKE AND RECEIVE

May I Walk with You? MORE TAKE AND RECEIVE

Editorial StaffJul 18, 20252 min read

According to the book, The Soul Also Keep the Score, the author quotes a prayer by St. Ignatius of Loyola called the Suscipe. Many people, not just the Jesuits, pray this prayer daily in their attempt to become the people…

Former NFL players teach youngsters at Legends Camp

Former NFL players teach youngsters at Legends Camp

Editorial StaffJul 18, 20253 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Youngsters who love football beat the heat this week at Clare’s football field for the Legends Football Camp, featuring Jeff Chadwick and other Detroit Lions alums.Kristen Blackburn, a co-founder of the camp along with Chadwick,…

Clare County Fair kicks off Sunday with gospel concert

Editorial StaffJul 18, 20254 min read

By Genine Hopkins Clare County Fair 2025 is set to be a humdinger of a fair with the regular fan favorites of a demolition derby, a mud bog, rodeo, of course the 4-H animal exhibition for animals big and small,…

Farwell’s Lumberjack Festival is here

Editorial StaffJul 18, 20254 min read

By Christopher Johnson Farwell’s long-running Lumberjack Festival returns this weekend, promising a packed celebration with something for everyone.This has been a reoccurring festivity in our community for decades and promises to hit hard, fast and furiously. Clare County has been…

Holley takes reins of Saugatuck boys soccer program

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20254 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorNathan Holley is no stranger when it comes to coaching soccer at Saugatuck.In addition to coaching both the boys and girls middle school teams, Holley has served as an assistant coach for the Saugatuck boys varsity team…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20253 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorTinted LoveThe Taj Mahal, that shining white monument to love, is turning green, black and yellow. And India’s Supreme Court isn’t happy.Pollution and insect dung are discoloring Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan’s 17th-century temple built for his favorite wife.“You…

Improved Pier Cove Park beach reopens

Improved Pier Cove Park beach reopens

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20252 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorA renovated Pier Cove Park reopened to the public in time for July 4 weekend.Ganges Township — with help from a $266,000 Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant, its own $65,500 match plus $15,000 from Friend…

‘Wild Heart of Saugatuck’ suits wind on

‘Wild Heart of Saugatuck’ suits wind on

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20254 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe battle for the “Wild Heart of Saugatuck” rages into its 18th year with an Allegan County Circuit Court judge narrowing the scope of a developer’s lawsuit against a group trying to block its plans.Judge Matthew Antkoviak June…

Robinson begins tenure as superintendent at OPS

Robinson begins tenure as superintendent at OPS

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20255 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Shortly after entering the field of education in the mid-1990s, Christie Robinson developed what she called her “10-10-10 plan.”“I was going to spend 10 years as a teacher, 10 years as a principal and ten years…

City of Otsego benefits from Eagle Scout project

City of Otsego benefits from Eagle Scout project

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Otsego’s Riverfront TOP Pavilion has three new picnic tables thanks to the efforts of Otsego High School junior Zachary Knapp.The tables—which were constructed as part of Knapp’s Eagle Scout project —are all Americans With Disabilities Act…

Top Senior Athletes: Otsego

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20254 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—Caleb Wesseldyk started his athletic career at Otsego High School by winning a team state championship in boys cross country. He finished it by earning All-State in diving.For those achievements, among others, Wesseldyk was named the…

Ganges Twp residents object to proposed campsite

Ganges Twp residents object to proposed campsite

Editorial StaffJul 16, 20256 min read

By Gari Voss What happens when a campground that has been a questionable neighbor appears to be in partnership with a group requesting a special permit to build another campground across the road from the existing business? Residents in Ganges…

PUBLIC NOTICE
2026 ALLEGAN COUNTY PROPOSED FINAL BUDGET

The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allegan will hold a budget hearing on Thursday, October 9, 2025, for all interested citizens to comment and discuss the proposed budget.

The hearing will take place at 7:00 PM in the Board Room, County Services Building, 3283–122nd Avenue, Allegan, Michigan, to discuss the proposed budget. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. The public may also participate in the meeting/public hearing by calling 1-929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 891 6032 7098, and Meeting Password 471420. For other options connecting to the meeting, please visit the meeting calendar website at www.allegancounty.org or contact the County Administrator’s Office.

The proposed budget may be examined online at www.allegancounty.org under News Media Room or on weekdays at the Office of the Allegan County Administrator (address below), between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. All interested citizens will have the opportunity to give written and/or oral comments.

County will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the public hearing upon one (1) week notice. Individuals requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the following in writing or by telephone:

Robert J. Sarro,
County Administrator,
3283 – 122nd Avenue,
Allegan, Michigan, 49010
269-673-0239