Plainwell Middle School gymnasium dedicated in memory of Ryan Meert
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A beloved teacher, coach and community member was honored on Tuesday, Feb. 3, as Plainwell Community Schools formally dedicated the gymnasium at Plainwell Middle School in memory of Ryan Meert.Surrounded by family, friends, former students, colleagues…
Otsego residents, your water rates are going up
By Aaron MitchellOtsego City Manager Telling customers that their water rates are going to increase is never a popular thing to do in a small town. Many will pull out their torches and pitchforks and head down to City Hall.However,…
Child support clinic offered for county residents
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Individuals in Allegan County who are behind on child support payments or have a bench warrant related to arrearages will have an opportunity later this month to seek help without fear of arrest.Christian Neighbors and the…
Stolen taxidermy bear found, still no suspects
A six-foot taxidermy bear that was stolen off of an Allegan County (Fennville) porch last month has been found, Michigan State Police (MSP) announced Monday. Wearing a fake sheriff’s badge, a holstered toy gun, necklace and ring, troopers said the…
Full speed ahead for low-cost new housing on Lowe Street
By Gari Voss A full compliment of Allegan City Council Members gathered on Monday, February 9, 2026, to address the business of the municipality. Much of the meeting was spent learning more about the financing process for the anticipated construction…
Boss convicted of murder after hitting 8-month-old baby with his truck
A 56-year-old man will learn his sentence next month after pleading no contest to second-degree murder of an 8-month-old baby, after hitting and killing her with his truck.Terry Lee Boss had two charges dropped following his no contest plea on…
Mike’s Musings: Why the U.S. Needs Voter ID
Few issues in American politics spark as much debate as election integrity. Yet beneath all the noise, there lies a straightforward truth: in a system built on trust, legitimacy, and the belief that every eligible vote counts, we should embrace…
Otsego turns to wing blades as snowbanks continue to grow
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor With snowbanks continuing to rise along city streets, the City of Otsego has begun using wing blades on its plow trucks in an effort to keep roads passable during a winter that shows little sign of…
Christian Neighbors food pantry director departs to work with children
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor After nearly four years of service, Christian Neighbors has announced that Food Pantry Director Amy Van Putten is stepping away from the role.In a statement, Christian Neighbors said Van Putten “has been so much more than…
Allegan swim upends Hastings
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Allegan boys swim team continued its strong season Tuesday night, rolling past Hastings 91–51 to remain unbeaten as the regular season enters its final two weeks.Allegan showed its depth throughout the meet, picking up wins…
Otsego bowling teams beat Plainwell
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Monday, Feb. 2, was a special night at the lanes as Otsego and Plainwell honored a combined 15 seniors during a Wolverine Conference bowling matchup.Because both teams practice at the same bowling alley and compete together…
Life as Performance Art
The other morning my favorite online news service reported that medicos have more or less concluded that drinking coffee is good for one’s health. It’s all the enzymes and nutrients that made a favorable impression on the researchers.For coffee drinkers,…
Data center opposition continues in Dorr Township
By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Pushback against proposed data centers continued in Dorr Township this weekend, as the local Facebook group “Dorr Township MI – We the People” hosted a Saturday meeting with lawmakers, residents, and industrial experts who believe Microsoft’s…
M-89 Cinema to host West Michigan’s first dementia-friendly movie program
By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Dementia is a tragic, progressive decline in mental ability that causes memory loss, cognitive deterioration, and functional impairment. It affects more than 55 million people worldwide and is the seventh-leading cause of death. Its most well-known…
Mike’s Musings: Messing with your brain to fix tremors, my week in a fog
It’s been a week.Struggling with the cold and snow has been one thing, but last Tuesday I had an appointment for focus ultrasound on the brain and since then I have literally been in a fog.Now some readers might point…
Otsego to host Anne Frank exhibit starting Feb. 2
Otsego will host Anne Frank: A History for Today, a traveling, museum-quality exhibit that presents the history of the Holocaust through the life and perspective of Anne Frank and her family.The 32-panel exhibit opens Feb. 2 and will be on…
City of Otsego advises residents not to run water for freeze concerns
Officials from the City of Otsego say they are not advising residents not to run their water at this time in response to cold weather and freezing concerns related to the city’s water system.According to the City, staff have been…
Winter weather leads to weeklong school closures in Otsego, Plainwell
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Snow days are often the stuff of student (and some teacher) daydreams—a hopeful glance out the window, a phone refresh before sunrise, and the quiet thrill of seeing school canceled.Last week, those hopes became reality in…
Otsego girls stay atop conference standings with victory over Sturgis
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—It’s been said that good things come to those who wait.That proved to be true for Otsego girls basketball coach Tony Koshar and his team as it related to the showdown with Sturgis.The game, which featured…
Otsego bowling teams show improvement against Sturgis
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor BRONSON—Otsego’s boys and girls bowling teams continue to show improvement and resilience as the regular season continues, turning in several strong individual and team performances despite facing tough competition.The most recent action came Monday, Jan. 26,…
