Artisan Market returns to downtown Otsego

Artisan Market returns to downtown Otsego

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

Artists and lovers of fine art will converge on downtown Otsego once again for the annual Otsego Artisan Market on Saturday, June 22.The market, hosted by Otsego Arts Council (a division of Together Otsego Prospers), runs from 9 a.m. to…

Antkoviak qualifies for U.S. Olympic trials

Antkoviak qualifies for U.S. Olympic trials

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20245 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Have you ever dreamed of donning the red, white and blue and representing the United States in the Olympics?Allegan native Hannah Antkoviak has. And later this month, she’ll head to Eugene, Ore., for the opportunity to…

Obituary: Andy Wilson Branham

Obituary: Andy Wilson Branham

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

Andy Wilson Branham, of Allegan, passed away May 28 at age 89. He is survived by Arlene (Brown) Branham, his wife of 67 years and his daughter, Linda (Tim) Nielsen of Commerce Township, MI. He was a 1953 graduate of…

Obituary: John Wesley Robart

Obituary: John Wesley Robart

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

John Wesley Robart went home to Heaven to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on the morning of June 12, 2024, at the age of 98. John was born October 22, 1925, to Wesley and Viona Robart of Bloomingdale. John…

Obituary: Donald Gibson, 76

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20241 min read

Don passed away, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at his home in Allegan. He was born September 22, 1947, in Bell County, Kentucky, the son of Belvin and Vesta (Collins) Gibson.Don proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He started…

Obituary: Kevin Franklin Kelly, Sr

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20243 min read

8/31/1956 – 5/31/2024He spent his dash well!Please help us celebrate his life:Grump, grandpa, dad, husband, son, friend, and some titles best not put in print, passed away on Friday, May 31, 2024. We lost the best!Kevin F. Kelly was born…

Severe weather sirens fail to activate, fix resolved

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

Severe weather has raised its frightful head several times throughout Spring 2024, and that gives rise to ensuring all warning systems work correctly. The tornadoes that ripped through Portage and other surrounding communities are just one example of the importance…

Tornado does damage in Gobles, Bloomingdale

Tornado does damage in Gobles, Bloomingdale

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20241 min read

By Paul GarrodSome of the severe storms Sunday night included a tornado touching down near GoblesA tornado warning came just minutes after a tornado was spotted in Gobles. The National Weather Service said, “At 9:59 p.m. a confirmed tornado was…

Louis Stoel returns to Normandy for D-Day Anniversary

Louis Stoel returns to Normandy for D-Day Anniversary

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20243 min read

By Donald Talonen On June 6, 2024, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) commemorated the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Approximately 10,000 individuals participated in the ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery. Among them was a local Veteran named Louis…

Story signs with Point University

Story signs with Point University

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20241 min read

LaFayette Bulldog, AHSAA 2A Player of the Year Award nominee Vaderrian Story signed with Point University on Monday to play college basketball.Coaches, family, students and friends came out to LaFayette High School Library to recognize and celebrate with Story.Head Basketball…

Obituary: Candace Still McElvaine

Obituary: Candace Still McElvaine

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20241 min read

Candace Still McElvaine, 70 of Lafayette, AL passed away on May 31, 2024. Candace was born August 5, 1953 to the late Rosser and Hazel Still.Candace was a very loving woman, she loved everyone. She truly loved her family and…

Obituary: Mrs. Nancy Huguley

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

Mrs. Nancy Huguley, 98, of West Point, GA died Friday, June 7, 2024, in Auburn, AL. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at New Zion Baptist Church, Lanett, AL at 12:00 p.m. (EST) with Pastor Willie…

Lanett hosts Juneteenth celebration

Lanett hosts Juneteenth celebration

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20241 min read

By Pamela Holloway A Juneteenth celebration was hosted on Saturday in downtown Lanett. The day started out with presentation of the flag, welcome, prayer, and greetings from surrounding areas mayors, Lanett Mayor Jaime Heard, West Point Mayor Steve Tramell, LaFayette…

Chambers County grant should bolster postsecondary, economic development efforts

Chambers County grant should bolster postsecondary, economic development efforts

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

$2.1 million grant has been awarded to UniteIn its college prep program, Unite Inc. takes high-school students in Chambers County on college tours.Unite Inc., an organization dedicated to increasing college access for Black students in rural Alabama, has been awarded…

Obituary: Norma Jean Whiteman

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

Norma Jean Whiteman, 91, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully surrounded by family during the morning hours of June 3, 2024. She was born Sept. 20, 1932, the daughter of Sherman Austin and Lula (Knapp) Austin.Norma will be remembered for being…

Obituary: Ruth Wilkinson

Obituary: Ruth Wilkinson

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

Ruth Wilkinson, 91, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Thursday, June 13, 2024, at her home in Paw Paw. She was born June 30, 1932, in Chicago, the daughter of Leroy Renwick and Nelle (Lutz) Renwick. Ruth graduated…

Obituary: Philip Lee Preston

Obituary: Philip Lee Preston

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

Philip Lee Preston, 88, of St. Joseph, MI, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Monday, May 27, 2024 in Mattawan, MI. He was born June 26, 1935 in Coshocton, Ohio to Sylvia and William Preston.Philip and his family…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20246 min read

“Maybe it’s in the closet,” Molly would say. “I’ll check.”We all knew what was coming: Fibber would shout to her, “Don’t touch that closet!” too late, and the sound effects man would pour his props into a metal container, much to the…

Mike’s Musings: Make peace with Russia, align against China

Mike’s Musings: Make peace with Russia, align against China

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20243 min read

Don’t condemn me before I lay out my logic. Don’t call me a Putin lover or a Russian agent, I’m neither, but do have an opinion that differs from many in power these days.I’m not concerned with Russia. I don’t…

Mattawan golfers have bright future

Editorial StaffJun 19, 20242 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent For Mattawan golfers and coach Troy Pelak, the future looks very bright.Key returners next year.Griffin McClish – Pelak: “Was a freshman this year and had a tremendous season once he got comfortable playing with upper classmen. Griffin…