Coach notches 200 wins and counting

Coach notches 200 wins and counting

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20251 min read

Saugatuck High School recognized girls varsity basketball coach Kevin Tringali, shown flanked by assistants Marlene Capotosto and Brian Graves, for reaching 200 wins in his 14 seasons here Friday, Jan. 10. His Trailblazers raised their record to 7-1 this season…

City walks on eggshells re: chicken ask

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorIf Douglas allows backyard chickens, why not Saugatuck? Resident Sevryn Nowicki is lobbying city council to create a new ordinance to do just that.Keeping a small flock of yardbirds offers benefits, said Nowicki, including:

SPS thespians slate sweet treats

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20251 min read

The Saugatuck Middle School/High School Drama Club will present “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in the school auditorium Friday and Saturday, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 2 at 5 p.m.Tickets may be bought for…

Church hires pastoral pair

Church hires pastoral pair

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ has offered interim pastors Rev. Jody Betten and Rev. Daniel Plasman joint fulltime pastor duties. Betten has served DUCC since April 2024, taking the congregation through exercises of historic research, present circumstances and future planning…

OPS asks for input in search for new superintendent

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Otsego Public Schools superintendent Jeff Haase recently announced his plans to retire following the conclusion of the current school year, thereby bringing to an end his 11-year tenure with the district.And while Haase will remain on…

Plainwell Community Schools opens new field house

Plainwell Community Schools opens new field house

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor It was an event that was more than five years in the making.After voters passed a bond in 2019 for its funding, Plainwell Community Schools’ new athletic field house made its debut on Friday, Jan. 10.Featuring…

Otsego High School hosts Winter Guard Field Day

Otsego High School hosts Winter Guard Field Day

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor For one day, Otsego will be the color guard capital of Michigan.Winter Guard Field Day—featuring 15 color guard teams from throughout the state—will take place on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Otsego High School.The event starts at…

Plainwell boys open field house with win over Otsego

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PLAINWELL—The first game in its new home was a rousing success for the Plainwell boys basketball team.Not only was a standing-room-only crowd on hand for the game the Plainwell Field House, but the Trojans also secured…

Allegan shakes off slow start to beat Fennville

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor When the Allegan boys basketball team hosted Fennville on Friday, Jan. 10, in marked the first game action for the Tigers in three weeks due to Christmas break.And Allegan showed a little rust early, scoring just…

Obituary: Paz Omega West

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20253 min read

Paz Omega West, affectionately known as Ms. West or Heidi, was a beacon of light and joy to everyone she encountered. Born on June 25, 1955, in Calbayog City, Philippines, Paz lived a life characterized by her selfless nature, spirited…

Obituary: Joy Elaine Masek (Miner)

Obituary: Joy Elaine Masek (Miner)

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

“Devoted” is the word that best describes Joy Elaine Masek (Miner) who went to be with the Lord on January 12, 2025. She gave her time and resources to her faith in God and family—-both immediate and extended.Surviving is her…

Obituary: Harold “Gene” Marr

Obituary: Harold “Gene” Marr

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

Harold “Gene” Marr, age 87, of Allegan, passed away Saturday, January 11th, 2025 at Ascension Borgess, Kalamazoo. Gene was born December 22nd, 1937 in Dickenson County, IA, son of the late Elmer and Pauline Marr and lived in the Allegan…

Obituary: Sandra Dee Brainerd

Obituary: Sandra Dee Brainerd

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

Sandra Dee Brainerd, 64, of Plainwell/Otsego, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10th, surrounded by her family. Sandra spent much of her career at Specialty Minerals in Plainwell, where she was known for her tenacity and strong work ethic. In…

Beyond Bones closes its Allegan store

Beyond Bones closes its Allegan store

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20255 min read

By Gari Voss The Arc of Allegan County Board has announced that its all-natural dog treat business and the storefront known as Beyond Bones will close by February 28, 2025. The business was created in July 2021 to provide employment…

Tech Center celebrates new auto tech building with ribbon cutting ceremony

Tech Center celebrates new auto tech building with ribbon cutting ceremony

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20253 min read

Faculty, students, and the community gathered to celebrate the official opening of the new Allegan Area ESA Tech Center Auto Tech Building on Thursday, January 9, 2025. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of a $7 million state-of-the-art facility designed…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20255 min read

According to physicians, therapists, pollsters and others, we are sadder than in the past. We smile less and feel gloomier, leaving many without much hope or enthusiasm for the future.In fact, about one in four, or some two billion people,…

Mike’s Musings: Is insurance claim worth chopping your feet off?

Mike’s Musings: Is insurance claim worth chopping your feet off?

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20253 min read

In the midst of all the drama many of us experience I thought I’d write about an unusual story, actually better words would be strange and bizarre, that comes from the Ozarks in Missouri.Here’s the setup:A man wanted to cash…

South Haven cheerleader set for strong season

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent SOUTH HAVEN — Jada A. Lewis-Suggs is a key member of South Haven’s competitive cheer team this season.“We have performed really well together and connect really good,” Lewis-Suggs said. “I would say I performed well so early…

South Haven Board of Education selects new officers

Editorial StaffJan 15, 20252 min read

By James Windell With the resignation of long-time School Board President Laura Bos, the South Haven Board of Education selected Shawn Olney as their new President.Other officers chosen by the Board were Claire Bodtke as Vice-President, Doug Ransom as Treasurer…