BOC to allow retired sheriff personnel to buy firearms
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer PAW PAW – Van Buren County Commissioners on June 28, approved a request from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office that would allow Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office deputies or command officers, upon full retirement, to…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorGreenWhen the Green Giant saw the Green Goddess dressing, the valley grew jollier as he ladled it over cut beans and canned creamed corn. Ho ho ho. Kids could mail 4 bits to Le Seuer, Minn., and get…
Incident forces closure of US-131 for hours
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor On the eve of Independence Day, drivers traveling along US-131 in Allegan County were forced to find an alternative route.A stretch of US-131 near mile marker 50 near Plainwell was closed for approximately four hours on…
Plainwell reminds residents about guidelines for signs
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Sign, sign, everywhere a sign.Those words are as relevant today as they were in 1971 when the Canadian rock group The Five Man Electric Band released their song “Signs.” Be they signs for garage/yard sales, political…
Otsego Library offers Nemo game
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor In the 2003 hit Pixar movie “Finding Nemo,” it’s the little clownfish’s father Marlin and his friend Dory the blue tang who find Nemo.Now, children and families in the Otsego area have the opportunity to try…
OPS urges familes to apply for free/reduced meals
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor For the past two school years, Otsego Public Schools has been able to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all students thanks to the federally funded Universal School Meals Program.That will not be the case for…
Iva B. Sweet, 86
Iva B. Sweet was born November 6, 1935 to the late Russell and Donna Wesseling in Allegan, MI. She graduated from Allegan High School and for a time worked at DeLano Printing and Allegan General Hospital. She married her husband,…
Patrick T. “Pat” McLaughlin, 83
Pat passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at his home in Martin. He was born June 30, 1938, in Lake Odessa, the son of Paul and Mabel (Weber) McLaughlin. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He worked…
Life as Performance Art
For several years I was an adjunct college history instructor. On the first day of class, after the initial introductions and small talk, I would always ask for a show of hands from those who truly liked history. If I was…
We can’t ignore Fentanyl any longer
Made in China, transported by Mexico, fentanyl has risen to the top of the opioid chain as the leading cause of drug deaths in America. Unfortunately our leaders seem to be consumed with other situations, ie Covid and war, so…
Crowds gather on riverfront to enjoy festivities
By Leslie Ballard The July 3 Jubilee was quite a success judging by the crowds swarming the riverfront to enjoy the music, visit the food trucks and vendors, take advantage of the social district, and enjoy the zip line and…
Vigil held as Joseph Nagel’s mom still awaiting news
By Gari Voss The evening of Thursday, June 30, 2022 was beautiful, but the air was somber as family, friends and adamant supporters of Joseph Maverick Nagle gathered in his memory on 26th Street north of 134th Avenue in Monterey…
Who are the Homeless in Allegan County?
By Leslie Ballard Who are the homeless in southwest Michigan? It’s not the man standing on the intersection corner with the sign asking for help.It’s typically a single parent with three children, the oldest of whom is 7 years old.It’s…
Obituary: Robert Harold Beacom
Robert Harold “Bob” Beacom, 92, of Clare, died June 26, 2022, at Pioneer Golden Estates. Bob was born to Harold and Ruth (Clegg) Beacom on October 13, 1929, in Pickford, in the U.P. He was very proud of his hometown…
Obituary: Juanita Irene Wilson
Juanita Irene Wilson, age 91, of Marion and formerly of Marshall, passed away on June 26, 2022 at the home of her daughter in Marshall. Juanita was born on May 28, 1931 to Charles B. and Thelma E. (Willoughby) Emerson…
Obituary: Annette Judy Curns
Annette Judy Curns age 79 of Harrison passed away Sunday, June 27, 2022, at MyMichigan Health, Midland, Michigan. Annette was born January 7, 1943, in Frost Township, Clare County, Michigan, the daughter of Myles R. and Irene (Blain) Henry. Judy…
Obituary: Scott Alan Murton
Scott Alan Murton, 66, of Decatur, Michigan, passed away Sunday June 26, 2022 at his home.He was born September 22, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Curtis Murton and M. Jane (Bicknell) Murton.Scott enjoyed spending his younger years traveling…
Obituary: Ronald Thomas Shilling
Ronald Thomas Shilling passed away June 23, 2022, at his home in Weidman. Born July 30, 1941, he was the son of Thomas & Marguerite (Martin) Shilling. Ron married the love of his life, his partner in crime and best friend Barbara…
Summerfest was a hit in Clare
Clare Chamber Director Dave Coker posted, “We are wrapping up all the detail on an amazing Summerfest! We were able to give away several hundred free ice cream cones, Our Community After Hours at the Doherty House had perfect weather…
