Author visit brings stories to life at Starr Elementary
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Students at Starr Elementary School had a special opportunity to meet a local author and learn about the creative process behind their favorite books.Denise Brennan-Nelson visited the school recently, sharing her experiences as a writer and…
Otsego tennis posts wins over Wayland, Marshall
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO — The Otsego girls tennis team picked up a pair of strong wins over the past week, highlighted by a decisive victory over Wayland.The Bulldogs defeated Wayland 7-1 on Monday, March 30, using a balanced…
Allegan track starts season strong
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor HAMILTON—It was a promising start to the outdoor season for the Allegan track and field teams at the Hamilton Early Season Invitational on Monday, March 30.The Allegan girls placed fourth overall with 64 points, while the…
House fire in Plainwell results in one fatality
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PLAINWELL—A residential fire in Plainwell on Saturday evening resulted in one fatality, according to officials with the Plainwell Department of Public Safety.The victim was later identified as 58-year-old Ted Ray Hughes, Jr.The fire was reported at…
Life as Performance Art
The other day I opened my accordion case for the first time in far too long. Under it were a couple song books published by the War Department at the beginning of World War II.The USO, chaplains and division morale…
High-Speed internet Is finally reaching Allegan County’s rural corners
By Art NicholasFor years, many residents across Allegan County faced a frustrating reality: living in modern Michigan but unable to stream a video, attend a virtual doctor’s appointment, or complete homework reliably. A sweeping broadband initiative — now essentially complete…
Mike’s Musings: Shame on Congress, sexual harassment, misconduct claims will remain secret
There are few things more corrosive to public trust than the appearance that those in power play by a different set of rules. Congress’s long-standing practice of shielding the identities of lawmakers who used taxpayer-funded settlements to resolve sexual harassment…
Arts Competition returns to Otsego District Library
The Otsego Arts Council will host its annual Arts Competition May 1-9 at the Otsego District Public Library, continuing a community event that celebrates artists of all ages.Now in its third year at the library, the competition will feature a…
Plainwell High School set to present ‘Hadestown’
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A powerful blend of myth, music and storytelling is coming to the Plainwell stage.Plainwell High School will present “Hadestown: Teen Edition” for a three-show run beginning Friday, March 27, and continuing through Sunday, March 29.Showtimes are…
Otsego tennis plays well
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PORTLAND—Otsego turned in a strong showing Saturday at the Portland Invitational, competing against Ludington, DeWitt and Portland.The Bulldogs came away with multiple individual flight wins against a competitive field.Senior Ellie Koringa led the way, winning her…
Allegan tennis wins three at Early Bird
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Depth was the difference for the Allegan girls tennis team over the weekend.Hosting its annual Early Bird Invitational on Saturday, March 21, the Tigers turned in a dominant performance, going unbeaten against Grand Haven, Coopersville and…
Life as Performance Art
During that brief splat of warm weather earlier this month, I noticed a neighbor had accessorized several trees with small metal buckets, covered with a piece of metal, just underneath a metal tube attached to the tree.I knew from experience…
Senior meal switch has fallout
By Scott SullivanWriter Arms are up in the precincts after the Allegan County Commission dumped 20-year senior meal provider Community Action for Allegan County in favor of Grandville-based Meals on Wheels for $8.50 per meal, compared to CAAC’s $12.27). CAAC’s…
9-year-old honored for lifesaving CPR
By Gari Voss Logan Vangemert made his way onto the stage at Brandon Elementary School on Friday morning, March 20, 2026, to receive the Heart Saver Award from the American Heart Association. Though this was the regular monthly school-wide assembly,…
Mike’s Musings: Scrap Current System if we can’t figure out how to pay TSA agents
This logjam that has TSA agents not being paid is absurd. We are now going on week 5 and those providing security at the nation’s airports- our TSA agents haven’t been paid. That’s because they are beholden on Congress to…
Champions!
A pair of local swimmers came home with championships from the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 State Finals at the Holland Aquatic Center on Saturday, March 14.Otsego senior Liam Smith (left) won in both the 200-yard IM and…
Otsego, Plainwell set for big weekend of high school musicals
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor For musical theater fans, the Otsego-Plainwell area will be the place to be next week.Both Otsego High School and Plainwell High School will take the stage with their annual spring musicals, offering audiences two distinct productions…
Allegan tennis faces Portage Central, Otsego
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PORTAGE—The Allegan girls tennis team got an early look at its 2026 lineup with preseason action at the Maple Street YMCA.The Tigers faced Division 1-ranked Portage Central as well as former Wolverine Conference rival Otsego in…
Softball Preview:
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANAs she enters her first season as head coach at Allegan, Danielle Brodhagen said the team has one primary focus.“We’re focusing on being women of integrity,” she said.Because if the players on the team approach everything…
Life as Performance Art
Sometime in the 1970s my late wife Pat was hired to run an elder artists program for the City of Chicago. Her job was to recruit senior citizens to design and make art to be sold in places like Carson…
