Lawrence DDA to hold open house
LAWRENCE – The Village of Lawrence Downtown Development Association (DDA) will hold an open house, Tuesday, Jan. 11, beginning at 6 p.m. at Conquer Nutrition 106 W. St. Joseph St. The event will serve as an official greeting from the…
Road Commission issues snow plowing policy
LAWRENCE – Michigan’s first snowflakes have fallen, and before the state is feet-deep in snow, the Van Buren County Road Commission explains how it responds to winter storms, according to a press release from the road commission. There are over…
MDHHS to update quarantine guidelines
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will update its quarantine guidance for the general public to reflect the recent recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Notably, the CDC recommends a shortening…
Trip Advisor ranks Kal-Haven Trail the best – is it time to utilize it?
By Leslie Ballard Probably every person making their New Year’s resolutions last week listed exercise, weight loss or healthier living as one of their priorities, especially after packing on some Covid pounds. However, while getting on a treadmill and staring…
Omicron Variant identified in Van Buren County resident
LAWRENCE – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) notified Van Buren/Cass District Health Department that the Omicron variant has been identified in a Van Buren County resident.“It was only a matter of time until the Omicron variant…
Mike’s Musings: Politicians Should Spend Time in Private Sector
Here’s a novel suggestion. Can we make it a requirement for those running for Congressional seats to spend a few years in the private sector?This idea was presented to me a few weeks ago, and the more I thought about…
Viewpoints: Life as Performance Art
I read with sheer delight Mr. Wilcox’s editorial of the 30th of December about the joys and benefits of living in a small town. I couldn’t agree more. I grew up in a city of about 30,000. After ordination I moved…
Letter to the Editor: Got a laugh out of picture
Dear Editor:I have to say I laughed and was very surprised that you used the picture of the fair againon 12-16-21. My 90 year old mother realized it was a photoshopped picture the first time you printed it. The man…
Letter to the Editor: Jordan is no Swift
Editor,It didn’t take long for publisher Mike Wilcox’s son, Jordan, to catch blow back from his essay advocating universal gun ownership as a solution to gun violence.Of course, it’s a silly idea but I wonder if that might have been…
Dean Perry “Gooch” Balgoyen
Dean Perry “Gooch” Balgoyen, 56, of Allegan, MI passed away Saturday,December 25, 2021. Born May 18, 1965 in Plainwell, he was the son of the lateDean Peter Balgoyen and Ruthie (Harrington) Balgoyen and was the husband ofBarbara (Smith) Balgoyen. Perry…
Gary W. Emmons
Gary W. EmmonsSeptember 24, 1948 – December 25, 2021 Gary W. Emmons, 73 of Allegan, Michigan, passed away Saturday, December 25, 2021at his home. Born September 24, 1948 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he was the son of thelate Glen and Marjorie…
Alice M. Johnson
Alice M. Johnson passed away Thursday, December 30, 2021 at her home. Shewas born May 24, 1956 in Allegan; the daughter of the late Robert and Robenia(Burson) Johnson. The youngest of nine children, Alice was often referred to asthe “Baby”.…
Mary J. Knapp, 78
Mary J. Knapp passed away on December 27, 2021, at the age of 78. She was bornon November 24, 1943, to Orville and Beverly (Dewey) Hockett. Mary is survivedby her daughter Susan Knapp; her daughter-in-law Kelli Knapp; stepsons, AndyHitchcock, and…
Carol Ann Wiley, 71
Carol Ann Wiley, 71 of Allegan, Michigan, passed away on Friday, December 31, 2021 at the Allegan County Medical Care Community. Born May 2, 1950 in Plainwell, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Irvin and Ethel (Fletcher) Fuller…
William Carl Stuenkel, 74
William Carl (Bill) Stuenkel, age 74, of Hollywood FL, passed away on November 25, 2021.Bill Stuenkel was born on December 10th, 1946, in Allegan, Michigan. He graduated from Michigan State University as a Civil Engineer. He worked for American Bridge…
COVID cases, deaths continue to mount in county
By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN — The number of COVID-19 cases in Allegan County posted by health department officials coming into this week was up to 20,764. Deaths rose by eight from a week ago to 280.Governor Whitmer announced in June…
Congregational Kitchen addresses hunger in five counties
By Gari VossCorrespondent The food ministry began as a desire to extend a hand to those in need, and has grown from a church kitchen to a distribution center that not only supplies food for the Congregation Kitchen dinners each…
Faces in the Crowd: What are your resolutions for the coming year?
By G C Stoppel Do people still make New Year’s Resolutions, or is it a now dead tradition? For those of us who are still doing it, the question of the week: What are your resolutions for the coming year?-Man at a gas…
Comic book store latest business to open in downtown
By Leslie Ballard “Awesome! Can’t wait for it to open up!” and “Yes!!! Yes!! Yes!!!” are just some of the enthusiastic reactions to the Facebook announcement about Tardy’s Underground Comics & Collectibles opening its doors at 228 1/2 Trowbridge Street…
Commission chair critical of redistricting map
By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN – Allegan County Board of Commissioners chairman Jim Storey isn’t a big fan of the new congressional map.“The so-called Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission completed its apparent goal to obliterate county lines when it adopted state…
