Plainwell HS band wins ‘favorite band’ contest, OHS places second
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Which high school marching band in West Michigan is the favorite?That’s the question Kalamazoo-based radio station 103.3 WKFR wanted to answer through its aptly titled Favorite High School Marching Band in Southwest Michigan contest.And it was…
Otsego receives MDOT grant for two bridges
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The two bridges in the City of Otsego—one at Farmer Street and one at North Street—are inspected every two years by the Michigan Department of Transportation.“All of our inspections have been in compliance and show no…
Human remains are those of Allegan County woman
On November 13, troopers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) responded to a welfare check and missing-person complaint at a property on the 600 block of Lincoln Road — near M-89 and 106th Avenue — after a 48-year-old Allegan County…
Boys Wrestling Season Preview:
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANThe 2024-25 season was a special one for Allegan.Under the guidance of former Tiger standout Chase Beard, Allegan won a state quarterfinal match for the first time in more than a decade before falling in the…
Allegan boys basketball opens with win
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Brian Baker era of Allegan boys basketball has officially started.And a good start it was.Baker, in his first season as coach for the Tigers, led Allegan to a 54-41 victory in the season opener against…
Life as Performance Art
The other day I ran into a longtime friend I haven’t seen for the better part of the year, even though we live less than a mile apart.We quickly caught up, exchanged news and realized we are both appalled by…
European-type castle goes up for sale in county
By Gari Voss The news hit the realty pages and social media on November 15, 2025. Castle Van Kula in Allegan County was listed for $1.2 million. The 7,527 sq. foot residence designed and built by Charles VanKula was completed…
Human remains are those of Allegan County woman
On November 13, troopers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) responded to a welfare check and missing-person complaint at a property on the 600 block of Lincoln Road — near M-89 and 106th Avenue — after a 48-year-old Allegan County…
Mike’s Musings: Why America Needs Controlled Borders, Not Open Ones
The debate over America’s border policies often gets tangled in national politics, angry cable-news segments, and social-media shouting. But beneath all that noise, the issue comes down to something our readers in Allegan, Clare, Van Buren, St. Joseph, Calhoun, Jackson…
Christmas events planned in Otsego, Plainwell
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The song “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” was originally recorded by Perry Como in 1951.Nearly three-quarters of a century later, that classic holiday tune could be the theme for Plainwell and Otsego beginning…
Creviston returns to OHS to perform with band Dec. 4
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Music lovers, mark you calendars for Thursday, Dec. 4.That’s when professional soprano saxophonist Dr. Chris Creviston will join the Otsego High School band—under the direction of band director Mitch Piersma—for a very special performance.Creviston and the…
Girls Basketball Season Preview:
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANNew.That just might be the word of the season for Allegan under the guidance of first-year coach Ernie Ramirez.“We lost six seniors out of eight varsity players from last year, so the majority of the players…
Wayland’s Wolf, Hamilton’s Popma win titles at Division 3 State Finals
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor HOLLAND—Wayland senior Laney Wolf ended her high school swimming career the same way she started it.As a state champion.Wolf, who won two individual Division 3 state titles as a freshman and another as a sophomore, took…
Life as Performance Art
Even those closest to me don’ know that I am a time traveler and world adventurer. I don’t talk much about it because some of them would never understand.It began the Saturday afternoon Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary…
Two firms plan housing developments in Fennville
By Gari Voss The process began four years ago when the Fennville Downtown Development Authority (DDA) engaged with nonprofit development group, Housing Next. Housing Next did pro bono work to assist the city in envisioning how best to utilize vacant…
Residents pack room to hear about Confluence’s dam plans
By Gari Voss The Allegan High School Conference Center filled on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, with residents eager to hear from representatives of Consumers Energy and Confluence Hydro regarding the transition of ownership of the Calkins Bridge Dam and twelve…
Mike’s Musings: Congress works parttime, but receives fulltime pay
Every year, the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate release their official calendars, and every year the same disbelief follows: this is how many days our elected lawmakers plan to work?I saw the House of Representatives schedule for next…
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…
