Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Yea! It’s summer here!
It is hard to wrap your mind around the immediate change of seasons we just experienced, plus the summer temperatures and “coatless” living here in the south, especially when the love of your life keeps reminding you of past and…
May I Walk with You? KIDS IN CHURCH
Ever notice how when children are in church with their parents, how much better it is?I have! Some one said that the church that is not crying is dying. Even if there are times when they don’t behave and get…
Coleman youngster injured during standoff Tuesday
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A 12-year-old was injured Tuesday in a Michigan State Police Standoff that began Monday and lasted 16 hours with gunfire between a suspect and police officers at the man’s home near Coleman.Troopers dispatched to the scene reported…
Harrison man locks himself inside house, fires shots
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A Harrison man, Nathanael Coats is facing multiple felony charges after he threatened a family member with a handgun and fired it inside his home.Tuesday, February 11, at 5:22 pm, Clare County Central Dispatch received a call…
Clare wrestling team sending five to state finals
By John RaffelCorrrespondent CLARE — Clare’s wrestling team has qualified five individuals to the Division 3 state individual wrestling finals on Feb. 28 and March 1 at Detroit’s Ford Field.The five placed in the top four of their individual weight…
Noodles dish wins prize
Saugatuck’s new Singapore Room restaurant won first place for its Dan Dan Noodles at the 2025 Great Rotary Asian Noodle Cookoff Feb. 1. Seven Asian restaurants ranging also from Holland to Grand Rapids took part in the competition, which raised…
Conservation group cites Baldwin
RiverWood Council, a group dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of natural areas, has presented its inaugural Environmental Action Award to Helen Baldwin. The seventh-year group cited Baldwin’s dedication towards those ends while serving on Saugatuck City Council. As chair…
Saugatuck girls post three victories in four days
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorHOLLAND—In 2010, DJ Khaled released the song “All I Do is Win,” with a little help from T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg and Rick Ross.Given the way the Saugatuck girls basketball team has been playing this season, that…
Douglas seeks $ selling surplus sites
By Scott SullivanEditorDouglas efforts to prop up coffers for a new city hall/police station were set to take steps Tuesday with city council hearing the first reading of an ordinance to list 16.4 acres at 6825 Wiley Road as surplus…
Tribute Rosie to speak here for Armed Forces Day
By Scott SullivanEditorMichigan woman Clair Kitchin Dahl will offer her “Rosie, the Riveter” synopsis as keynote speaker during the 13th annual Saugatuck-Douglas Armed Forces Day Luncheon Saturday, May 17, at Community Church of Douglas.“Rosie” was literal poster girl for United…
OHS senior helps Christian Neighbors with Share Table
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Well-known author and speaker Stephen Covey once said, “Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”Otsego High School senior Lexi Gross is doing just that.When she noticed a large amount of fresh fruit being…
Bulldog Esports Club starts at Otsego High School
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A group of 11 students recently made history at Otsego High School.They are part of the school’s inaugural Bulldog Esports Club, which held its first competition on Wednesday, Feb. 12.The Otsego team took on the team…
Plainwell hosts ribbon cutting at new field house
The new Plainwell Field House hosted its first even about a month ago when the high school basketball team’s welcomed archrival Otsego. And on Monday, Feb. 17, the district held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the facility. Plainwell superintendent Matthew Montange…
Plainwell falls to Three Rivers in regional finals after beating Hamilton in semis
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor THREE RIVERS—After finishing second to Three Rivers in the Wolverine Conference standings, the Plainwell boys wrestling team got another crack at the Wildcats in a Division 2 regional final.Unfortunately for the Trojans, Three Rivers came out…
Allegan Co. wrestlers qualify for individual State Finals
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor When the Individual Wresting State Finals get underway at Ford Field on Friday, Feb. 28, Allegan County will be well-represented.A total of 36 local grapplers punched their tickets to the Finals by virtue of finishing in…
Obituary: Diane Kathline (Evans) Dietrich
Diane Kathline (Evans) Dietrich passed peacefully in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with family by her side. Diane was born in Allegan, Michigan to her late parents Robert and Marcelle (Ruhele) Evans on July 31, 1950. After high school Diane would work many…
Obituary: Earl Lee Gillette Jr.
Earl Lee Gillette Jr. (86) passed away February 9 at 12:15am. He passed away peacefully with his wife by his side. Earl was born and raised in Allegan, Mi. He married Patricia Lodge in 1957 and went on to have…
Swan Lake residents gather to voice water quality concerns
By Gari Voss Concerned residents around Swan Lake gathered on Monday, February 17, 2025, to examine taking the next steps in improving the water quality of their lake. Over the years, blue-green algae had increased, especially during hot weather. Algae…
Calkins Bridge Dam still in limbo
By Gari Voss Conversations and possible fate regarding Consumers Energy’s 13 hydroelectric dams that are spread across Michigan continue. Community meetings began during 2022 when community members came together several times to examine the condition of the dams and alternatives…
Mike’s Musings: Engaging with scammers- don’t follow my son’s lead
I was talking with my son recently, and somehow we got on the topic of these pre-recorded prank calls he used to get. Unlike most of us he enjoys engaging with these pranksters. He know they are fraudsters but gets…

Do you need help? Write Us!
By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher
Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.
It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.

















