By Jason WesseldykSports Editor For members of the Otsego High School band program, a recent trip to Florida provided far more than just sunshine and sightseeing.It was a chance to grow as musicians, perform on a national stage and create…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor With a new date and a wide variety of artists and activities, the Plainwell Art Hop is set to return next week with something for just about everyone.The annual event will take place from 5 to…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANAs the spring season gets underway, the Allegan boys golf team is focused on building consistency, strengthening team chemistry and competing with any opponent it faces.The Tigers return a mix of experienced players and developing talent…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—The Otsego girls tennis team turned in a strong performance Monday, April 13, sweeping Three Rivers 7-0 in Wolverine Conference action.The Bulldogs took control early by winning all four singles flights in straight sets.At No. 1…

The recent decision by Allegan County Commissioners to change home delivered meal providers for The Olds caught my attention.My first thought came from a line from the film “The Godfather” when one of the mobsters ordered a hit on a…

By Joseph Schultz The crowd that packed the boardroom for the Wayland Union School Board meeting Monday night experienced a rare bittersweet meeting. Bitter, from the passing of freshman Dallyce Parm, who took her own life on April 2.Parm’s death…

By Gari Voss The Calkins Bridge Dam that forms Lake Allegan is one of the 13 dams whose sale is being examined by state and federal regulators. Members of the Lake Allegan Association have been involved in multiple discussions, first…

Robert Tomlinson, our news director in Three Rivers, gave a terrific speech to the local Rotary Club about the importance of your local newspaper. I thought I would share a portion with you.“With our twelve weekly newspapers the mission is…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Not even heavy rain and flooded fields could stop the Otsego Rotary Club from spreading some Easter cheer.Faced with water-covered infields and walkways at Memorial Park, Rotary members shifted plans for their annual Easter Egg Hunt…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor FENNVILLECoach: Josh SliterReturning letter winners: Atticus Boeve, jr. (distance—800, 1,600, 3,200); Jaciel Ruiz, sr. (distance—800, 1,600, 3,200); Ashton Halcomb, sr. (sprints—100, 200, 400); Carter Thompson, sr. (sprints—100, 200, 400); Calvin Giles, jr. (throws); Uly Estrada, sr.…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANA new era begins for Allegan girls soccer.But the expectations remain the same.Following a run to the MHSAA Division 3 state semifinals last season, the Tigers enter the 2026 campaign under new leadership, as Stu McLean…

I spent most of last Thursday afternoon March 27 listening to the radio, taking in the opening day of the baseball season. The Chicago Cubs were playing the Washington Nationals, and if you can’t remember the score, “Wait ‘til next…

By Scott SullivanWriter Chickens Sunshine, Sugar, Cinnamon, Butter, Butter, Piper and Isabella still have Douglas homes thanks to owner Kathy Sarkisian’s lawsuit, then settlement with agreement from the city.The Douglas chicken movement took wing May 18, 2017 when 18 petitioners…

By Gari Voss The leadership of Cheshire Township in Allegan County has been extremely stable for years, but during the past year, the replacement of Donna Hetzel, an experienced clerk, brought a new clerk, Jodi Pinnell, and the expected uphill…

There are moments when a nation is reminded, in the clearest possible terms, who it is and who it chooses to be. The rescue of two American airmen from enemy territory is one of those moments. Not just because it…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…