
Damick receives Educator of the Year honors for Plainwell Schools
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Evan at a young age, Heather Damick felt like she had a calling.“Early on, I knew I wanted a career teaching and supporting children in some capacity,” she said. “My first job was a lifeguard for…
McLaren honored as Otsego Educator of the Year
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Shannon McLaren has been a fixture for Otsego Public Schools for nearly three decades.And in recognition of her unwavering dedication to the district’s students during that time, McLaren was named Otsego’s Educator of the Year for…
Boys Basketball Season Preview
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANBrian Baker may be new to the role of head coach at Allegan, but he is definitely not new to coaching hoops.Baker has 25 years of coaching experience.And he’s been encouraged by what he’s seen so…
Mike’s Musings: Thanksgiving us your time to express thanks
Thanksgiving has a way of arriving right when we need it most. After another year filled with the usual mix of noise—politics, inflation, crises abroad, and the ever-present rush of everyday life—this holiday stands as a rare invitation to stop,…
Life as Performance Art
Mother had a copy of a painting she kept in her Thanksgiving dinner file folder. Right after Halloween she took down our elementary school finger-painted masterpieces and used four magnets to hold the print on the refrigerator door. With it…
Wayland Union Schools cut ribbon on new admin building
By Gari Voss Wayland Union School District has a new Administration Building that is far more than office space for central office staff. The official ribbon cutting on Monday, November 10, 2025, gathered representatives from TowerPinkster (the design team), Triangle…
Citizens, City discuss strategic plan
Residents and business owners around Allegan gathered at the Allegan City Hall to examine a variety of pictures and renderings of Downtown Allegan. Each photo asked questions regarding what residents felt would improve that section of the city. Envisioning addressed…
Human remains found in Otsego Twp. ‘Welfare Check’
By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer Allegan County authorities encountered a grisly discovery at the 600 block of Lincoln Ave. (Hwy 89), heading east into the village of Otsego last week. During a routine welfare check, possibly for a missing person, human…
Mitchell honors Jepkemawith Veterans Day speech
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, major hostilities of World War 1 were formally ended.Since then, Nov. 11 has been set aside to honor military veterans, first known…
Residents reminded about winter parking rules
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor With the calendar having turned from October to November, the City of Plainwell issued a reminder to its residents regarding the ordinance regulating overnight parking.Per the ordinance, parking a motor vehicle or trailer overnight, within the…
Plainwell swim & dive finishes second at league finals
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor BATTLE CREEK—Host Harper Creek ran away—or, more accurately, swam away—with the SCC title on Saturday, Nov. 8, racking up 527 points.But the three local girls swim & dive teams—Plainwell, Otsego and Allegan—had plenty to celebrate as…
Life as Performance Art
For someone who is not a certified member of the Handyman’s Union and a complete all-thumbs fiasco in most do-it-yourself projects, I find myself having to make a stop at a hardware store a couple times a week. Especially in…
Merson community mourns loss of store destroyed by fire
By Gari Voss The call came to Gobles Pine Grove Fire Chief Brian Cronk at 5:58am that smoke was pouring from the northwest section of Merson Store at M-40 and 102nd Avenue. By the time Gobles Pine Grove and Allegan…
City Council re-elects Perrigo as mayor, schedules open houses
By Gari Voss The Allegan City Council reelected Traci Perrigo as Mayor and Peter Hanse as Mayor Pro Tem then handled some previous business. Police Chief Jay Gibson reviewed statistics for 2025 and updated the council on several situations that…
Do you need help? Write Us!
By Mike WilcoxOwner/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…
Mike’s Musings: The True Spirit of Christmas Lives in Helping Others
As the Christmas season approaches, the lights, music, and festive cheer remind us of joy, family, and tradition. But amid the celebration, it’s also a time to remember what this season truly represents — compassion, generosity, and community. For many…
Merson Store engulfed by fire
By Gari Voss The call came to Gobles Pine Grove Fire Chief Brian Cronk at 5:58am that smoke waspouring from the northwest section of Merson Store at M-40 and 102 nd Avenue. By the timeGobles Pine Grove and Allegan Fire…
PHS presents ‘Back to the ‘80s’ this weekend
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Great music, iconic fashion statements and iconic dance moves brought to life.That, according to Hannah Sheikh, is what audiences members can expect when they come out to see Plainwell High School’s production of “Back to the…
Plainwell band places second at state finals
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor DETROIT—Refined.That’s the one word Plainwell High School band director David Hepinstall used to describe the PHS marching band’s performance at the Michigan Competing Band Association Flight IV State Championship on Saturday, Nov. 1.The judges on hand…
Otsego’s Dennany selected for US Youth Soccer roster
Otsego junior Peyton Dennany is pretty good at soccer.How good, you ask? Well, she’s ranked 10th in the nation as a midfielder.And that earned her a coveted spot on the US Youth Soccer roster, giving her the opportunity to train…

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.






















