Golf Roundup: TR’s Oestrike qualifies for state finals; TR 11th at regional

Editorial StaffOct 10, 20252 min read

CHARLOTTE — Three Rivers’ Elizabeth Oestrike qualified for the MHSAA Division 3 girls’ golf finals following her shooting a 94 at the Division 3 Region 15 tournament at Forest Akers East Golf Club Wednesday.Oestrike’s 94 placed her 11th overall individually.…

TR-Sturgis soccer match abandoned in second half due to player, fan conduct

Editorial StaffOct 10, 20254 min read

‘Safety concerns’ cited by referee By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A boys’ soccer game last week between Three Rivers and Sturgis was abandoned in the second half due to behavior of players and fans in attendance. In an…

Battery storage rules advance in Lockport after begrudging vote by Planning Comm.

Battery storage rules advance in Lockport after begrudging vote by Planning Comm.

Editorial StaffOct 10, 20256 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LOCKPORT TWP. — A proposed amendment that would allow for battery energy storage systems (BESS) to be included in a solar energy ordinance in Lockport Township cleared its first hurdle last week despite numerous objections by…

Ceremony marks 100th year for Congress School

Ceremony marks 100th year for Congress School

Editorial StaffOct 10, 20253 min read

By Dennis Volkert “This isn’t about a building.”Versions of that phrase were uttered more than once on Oct. 3, as community members, current and former teachers and administrators attended a ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of Congress Elementary School…

Pivotal breaks ground on new Centreville addition

Pivotal breaks ground on new Centreville addition

Editorial StaffOct 10, 20254 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — St. Joseph County’s mental health and substance use treatment facility will be expanding over the next year.On Tuesday, Pivotal broke ground on its new 10,000 square-foot, two-story addition to its building on 677 E.…

May I Walk with You? Older Person’s Concerns

May I Walk with You? Older Person’s Concerns

Editorial StaffOct 10, 20252 min read

I’ve noticed two major concerns of older people that I talk with. One is that as they get older, they feel less worthy and the second is that they feel more and more restless, and not at ease with God.…

Clare’s 5th annual Family Night Out enjoys a smashing success

Clare’s 5th annual Family Night Out enjoys a smashing success

Editorial StaffOct 10, 20256 min read

by Christopher Johnson This past Tuesday, Woods Household Furniture and Appliances was the place to be. The Clare Chamber of Commerce organized yet another Family Night Out on a day that couldn’t have been blessed with better fall weather. At…

Controversial property purchased by Budd Lake resident

Editorial StaffOct 10, 20252 min read

By Genine Hopkins After learning that the City of Harrison returned its lease on two parcels on Budd Lake near Saginaw & Hillcrest and that the properties were placed for sale by Harrison Community School’s Board of Education, a Special…

Clare furthers airport wildlife discussion

Editorial StaffOct 10, 20253 min read

By Lindsey Ashley This Monday, the board of commissioners held another open discussion regarding airport wildlife concerns.As many may recall, the city of Clare previously held an open discussion back in early September. During this discussion, the city spoke with…

Clare football picks up fourth win

Editorial StaffOct 10, 20252 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent Clare (4-2) fired out to a 21-9 halftime lead and defeated Standish-Sterling 48-22 in Jack Pine Conference football action on Friday.It was 7-3 after the first quarter and 42-15 after three periods in Clare’s favor.Standish-Sterling kicked a…

SPS funders raise $160+ K … and fun

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20252 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck Public Schools-sponsored fall Walk-a-thon and Serve-a-thon fall fundraisers last week raised a combined $160,605. The Friends of Saugatuck Middle & High School-organized Serve-a-Thon Sept. 18 involved middle school students, with support from parent and business…

Douglas OKs sign at ex-golf cluhouse

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20252 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Douglas City Council Monday granted Vincent Beckman IV a 6-month sign ordinance exemption for a marker erected at his home at 14 and 16 Ferry St., the former West Shore Golf Course clubhouse. City planning and…

History Center cites Ashley, Thau

History Center cites Ashley, Thau

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20252 min read

The Saugatuck-Douglas History Center presented Arthur Ashley the Charles J. Lorenz Award of Achievement, its top honor, and cited Christopher Thau as Volunteer of the Year at its annual membership meeting Oct. 2. Ashley, a US Army veteran, musician and…

Douglas seeks playground build volunteers

Douglas seeks playground build volunteers

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20251 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor The City of Douglas seeks volunteers to help erect the final phase of its park project started in 2019: the children grades 5-12 area at the Schultz Park playground. What started in 2019 as a group…

Heat on Sunday for Chili Cook Off 

Heat on Sunday for Chili Cook Off 

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20252 min read

Three things just go together to make a perfect fall day — crisp temperatures, color touring and enjoying a steaming bowl of chili. You can get this package deal at the annual Cow Hill Yacht Club Chili Cook Off Sunday…

Saugatuck volleyball falls to visiting Martin

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20251 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorThe Saugatuck volleyball team played host to Martin on Tuesday, Sept. 30, with the Clippers prevailing 25-19, 25-22, 25-15.Martin’s serving played a big role in determining the outcome. The Clippers served up 20 aces, led by Mackenzie…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20253 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorSalvationLeonard Michaels’ 1982 short-story collection “I Would Have Saved Them If I Could” explored how a writer/creator gives birth to characters, then watches almost helplessly as they develop and follow their own free wills towards whatever fates awaits…

Nothing but sincerity

Nothing but sincerity

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20251 min read

… for as far as the eye can see met families coming Saturday to grab among 300 pumpkins set out by the Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt Douglas office. There were free cider and donuts too. Many kids and even some…

‘Is chalk art free speech?’ cities ask

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20254 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorIs chalk art in public places free speech or vandalism? Douglas City Council Monday weighed a measure banning it on heels of neighbor Saugatuck removing a sidewalk message many found offensive.Saugatuck City Council was slated to discuss its…

Otsego Library benefits from Eagle Scout Project

Otsego Library benefits from Eagle Scout Project

Editorial StaffOct 8, 20253 min read

The Otsego District Public Library saw significant improvements to its outdoor spaces thanks to the leadership and service of Eagle Scout candidate Amelia Helen Tuttle of Troop 191, Lakeshore District, Michigan Crossroads Council.Amelia’s project, titled Library Landscaping, focused on enhancing both the safety…

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