Car show to benefit local veterans
“Sturgis Veterans Car Show” will take place 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 24 at Sturgis High School.Registration period is 9 a.m.-noon. Fee is $10. Awards are presented at 1:45 p.m. It is dedicated to local veterans in need of transportation assistance.Music is provided…
‘Jam for JB’ set for June 7
“A Jam for JB” is scheduled for 4-9 p.m. June 7 at Free Church Park in Sturgis, to honor the late John Borgesen, owner and operator of JB’s Guitars for more than 30 years.Borgeson died April 15 at his home. A co-organizer…
Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area
ONGOING Sturgis Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. each Saturday through Sept. 27, Oak Lawn Park. MAY May 23“Bourbon, Bacon & Blues,” 5:30-10:30 p.m., downtown Sturgis.May 24Sturgis veterans third annual car show, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sturgis High School. Registration 9 a.m.-noon. Awards…
Clare athletes qualify for state meet
By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE —Clare’s track teams competed in the Division 2 regional meet on May 16 in Cadillac in a bid to qualify for the state meet at Hamilton on May 31.Petoskey won both divisions. Clare was fourth for…
May I Walk with You? SIN IS EVERYWHERE
As I have been reading about holiness and what it means to live a truly Christian life one fact keep popping up. Even though we are created good by God and strive to live holy lives, we re-main sinners. Even…
Local Barrel Racing Champ Still Competing at Age 85
By Genine Hopkins “I’m not so fast anymore,” admits Beaverton resident Janet Whitmer, but honestly, that statement could be easily debated as false! Whitmer, who at 85 years young, has shown horses most of her life from racing Thoroughbreds in…
Here’s how Clare communities will observe Memorial Day
In observance of Memorial Day, Clare County is all about making sure our veterans have the recognition they deserve. There is a lot taking place in the next couple days so let’s unpack what you can expect.. HarrisonIf you’re local…
Saugatuck girls place second at Division 3 regional
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorFor the second year in a row, Saugatuck played host to a track & field regional.The difference was that last year it was a Division 4 regional, while this year it was a Division 3 regional.Despite that…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorJournalism Redeemed“The mind is a terrible thing to lose,” said Dan Quayle as vice president. Preach it!Page B1 of last week’s Commercial Record said the Jim Cooper Quintet’s “Mallets in Wonderland” jazz concert would be Saturday, March 25,…
Rosies galore fete Armed Forces Day
By Scott SullivanEditorRed kerchiefs wrapped heads of tribute and real “Rosie the Riveters” at the 13th annual Saugatuck-Douglas Armed Forces Day luncheon Saturday.Sylvia Tanis, 100, of Holland was among women who worked in factories during World War II when U.S.…
Otsego installs new electronic sign at Brookside Park
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The City of Otsego has a new way to disseminate information to its residents.On Monday, May 19, a sign was installed in front of Brookside Park on M-89 that has the ability to display electronic messages…
Two tornadoes touched down in Allegan County
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A strong storm system that ripped through the area on Thursday, May 15, caused extensive damage in Allegan County and left many residents with no power for an extended period of time.In response to the devastation—which…
Crews search for man who went missing in Kalamazoo River
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PLAINWELL—A man went missing in the Kalamazoo River in Plainwell on Saturday, May 17.According to Plainwell Department of Public Safety director Kevin Callahan, the Allegan County Central Dispatch received a 911 call at 12:49 p.m. reporting…
Otsego’s Hoffman, Allegan’s VandenAkker win two regional titles
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor BERRIEN SPRINGS—Otsego’s Emma Hoffman entered the Division 2 regional meet at Berrien Springs undefeated in the 1,600-meter-run and the 3,200-meter run.She left the meet with that unblemished record intact.Posting a time of 4:45.72 in the 1,600…
Allegan claims Division 4 regional championship
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor At the Division 4 girls tennis regional hosted by Allegan on Thursday, May 15, four of the nine teams scored at least 18 points.But none scored more than the Tigers.With each of the eight flights contributing…
Allegan County devastated by storms
By Gari Voss Meteorologists across Michigan forecasted that intense storms would reach Lake Michigan’s shores by Thursday, May 15, 2025. Their words rang true as the skies darkened and the winds increased into Thursday evening and thunderstorm warnings were issued.As…
Memorial Day Celebrations around Allegan County
By Gari Voss Monday, May 26th marks Memorial Day 2025, a day to remember all those who have given their lives to preserve the freedom of the United States. Across Allegan County, veterans, community leaders, and volunteers plan celebrations to…
Man reported missing in Kalamazoo River
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PLAINWELL—A man went missing in the Kalamazoo River in Plainwell on Saturday, May 17.According to Plainwell Department of Public Safety director Kevin Callahan, the Allegan County Central Dispatch received a 911 call at 12:49 p.m. reporting…
Paw Paw girls beat Mattawan
By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — Paw Paw’s softball team is 28-2 after two wins on Saturday including a 6-5 edging of Mattawan.Paw Paw also beat Wayland 11-4. Paw Paw lost to Unity Christian 12-0.For Paw Paw against Mattawan, it…
Life as Performance Art
One of my favorite short stories is “The Verger” by Somerset Maugham. Hero Albert Foreman has held his parish post for decades before a new clergyman replaces the old and learns he’s illiterate.He doesn’t need to know how to read…












