Farwell pastor charged with sexually assaulting youth

Farwell pastor charged with sexually assaulting youth

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20241 min read

By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A months long investigation led to the arrest of a 57-year-old pastor of the Trinity Baptist Church in Farwell, Harold Norman Cole, Jr.The Clare County Sheriff’s Office got the report of Criminal Sexual Conduct second degree on…

Holiday Happenings around the area

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20245 min read

Elvis at the VFWElvis Tribute Artist, Jake Slater, will be performing at the Clare VFW, 145 Wilcox Pkwy, on November 8th from 7-9pm! (call 989-386-7221 to purchase tickets). Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. Ideal Theatre to provide…

Clare volleyball advances to district finals

Clare volleyball advances to district finals

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20242 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent BIG RAPIDS — Clare (17-15-2) extended its season by at least one more match on Wednesday.The Pioneers advanced to Thursday’s title match against Reed City with a 25-16, 25-17, 25-10 win over the Warriors (5-20) at Big…

Do you Need Help?

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20243 min read

By Mike WilcoxPublisher We know that the holidays, “the most wonderful time of the year,” can actually be a bummer for some.We know that lack of essential food and clothing, not being able to buy meaningful Christmas gifts for your…

Familiar faces return to local offices

Familiar faces return to local offices

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20242 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVANEDITOR Saugatuck voters returned three incumbents and added a former mayor to four open two-year city council seats in the Tuesday Nov. 5 election In Douglas, all four incumbents withstood two challengers, also for four available two-year seats.…

Saugatuck football gets past White Pigeon

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20243 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorWHITE PIGEON—Entering the fourth quarter of its Division 8 opening-round playoff game against White Pigeon on Friday, Nov. 2, coach Bill Dunn’s Saugatuck football team seemed to have the game well in hand.After all, the Trailblazers had…

Obituary: Lucy Kuipers

Obituary: Lucy Kuipers

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20242 min read

Lucy Kuipers of Holland died peacefully in the early morning hours of Monday, Oct. 28 in the company of her sister and granddaughter. She is preceded by her husband Glen, daughter Laura and mother Wilhelmina.“Grama Kuipers” was adored by 4…

Obituary: Robert Miller

Obituary: Robert Miller

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20242 min read

Robert Miller, 49, of Oak Park, Ill. passed away on Oct. 15, 2024.Rob was born July 23, 1975 and grew up in Lapeer and Saugatuck. He was a band member from junior high through high school, graduating from Saugatuck in…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20244 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorAll Things PassAh, joys of being a weekly print paper. We go to press on election Tuesdays long before polls close, so our Thursday-dated issues come out sans outcomes.Of course, readers who care can learn them on our…

Campaign finance complaint clouds city vote

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20243 min read

Tuesday’s general election vote fell under late-breaking Michigan Board of Elections confirmation it was investigating the entity EPIC — which funded ads, signs and mailings for three Saugatuck City Council incumbents — based on a complaint about campaign-financing violations.The vote…

Saugatuck, Douglas to fete Veterans Day

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20241 min read

Saugatuck will celebrate Veterans Day Monday, Nov. 11, in traditional fashion while Douglas will do something new.Members of Saugatuck American Legion Post 137 will parade from their 248 Mason St. hall down Butler Street to the Village Square Park Veterans…

Bulldogs for Bronson provides blankets for children

Bulldogs for Bronson provides blankets for children

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20244 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Kids helping kids.That’s the basic concept behind Bulldogs for Bronson, a new after-school club at Otsego’s Washington Street Elementary School.Members of the club make fleece tie blankets and cards of encouragement to be donated to Bronson…

PHS woodshop students partner with Public Safety

PHS woodshop students partner with Public Safety

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20244 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor As the school resource officer for Plainwell Community Schools, Bob Farris acts as a liaison between the school district and the Plainwell Department of Public Safety.Being in this position allowed Farris to help facilitate a unique…

Saugatuck girls place 13th at Finals

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20243 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor BROOKLYN—Saugatuck girls cross country coach Angelina Bauer entered the Division 3 State Finals hoping her team could secure a top-10 finish.And while the Trailblazers fell a little short of that—they finished 13th with 353 points—Bauer was…

Hopkins football falls to Catholic Central

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20242 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor GRAND RAPIDS—In Hopkins’ Division 5 football playoff opener against Grand Rapids Catholic Central on Friday, Nov. 1, Viking running back Justin VanWagner rushed for 102 yards on 19 carries.The was the good news for Hopkins.The bad…

Obituary: Lyle Jay Barringer

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20241 min read

Lyle Jay Barringer, age 92, passed away on Friday, October 25, 2024 in Allegan MI, where he lived since 1973. Lyle was born on February 19,1932 in Muskegon Heights, MI to Jay and Dorothy (Slinger) Barringer. Lyle worked in Maintenance…

Obituary: James C. Lohrberg

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20241 min read

James C. Lohrberg went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 27, 2024. Per Jim’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held. Jim loved vintage cars, owning several over the years. He was also…

Obituary: Patricia L. Thomas

Obituary: Patricia L. Thomas

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20243 min read

Patricia L. Thomas, affectionately known as Pat, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2024, in Kalamazoo, MI, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma. Born on August 18, 1942, in Plainwell, MI, to Seamer (Scotty) Dalrymple and Helen (Cam) Randall, both…

Rededication of union soldier to take place on Veterans Day

Rededication of union soldier to take place on Veterans Day

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20242 min read

Rededication of union soldier to take place on Veterans DayOn Monday, November 11, 2024, Allegan County, Allegan American Legion Post 89, and Allegan County Historical Society invite public to participate in celebratory ceremonies commencing at the 11th hour on the 11th day…

Fundraiser planned for 19-year-old with multiple health issues

Fundraiser planned for 19-year-old with multiple health issues

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20243 min read

Dakota “Kota” Poling of Allegan is, in most ways, your average 19-year-old. He’s goofy, quick-witted, and majorly sarcastic. He will have even the grumpiest of people laughing within minutes. He’s also kind and loving (as long as you aren’t one…