Allegan County News & Union Enterprise

Merson Store engulfed by fire

Merson Store engulfed by fire

Editorial Staff Nov 6, 2025 4 min read

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

PHS presents ‘Back to the ‘80s’ this weekend

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 3 min read

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

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 3 min read

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

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 3 min read

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…

Allegan volleyball partners with Gobles for Wings Home

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor High school sports, when done right, are about much more than wins and losses. They’re about teaching life lessons that the athletes can carry with them into adulthood.Such was the case for the volleyball programs from…

Mike’s Musings: Government shutdown can be averted- takes politicians to act instead of grandstand

Mike’s Musings: Government shutdown can be averted- takes politicians to act instead of grandstand

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 4 min read

Another week has passed, and much of our federal government remains shuttered. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are either furloughed or working without pay. National parks are closed, small business loans are on hold, and millions of Americans are…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 6 min read

On Tuesday, Nov. 11, we observe Veterans Day. It is a “fixed” holiday, like Independence Day on July 4. These days do not move to the nearest Monday so we can have a long weekend; they are too important to…

Several events scheduled to remember veterans

Several events scheduled to remember veterans

Editorial Staff Nov 5, 2025 4 min read

By Gari Voss Fall provides several opportunities to remember veterans who served from the Revolutionary War to the present. Organizations across the county are working to make these holidays special. Veterans Day, November 11thGlenn Public School, 1394 Adams Rd, Glenn,…

Plainwell Christmas Project opens enrollment

Plainwell Christmas Project opens enrollment

Editorial Staff Oct 29, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project (PVCP) has been a staple in the community for more than 50 years, with the program helping to make the holiday season a little merrier for families in need who reside…

Otsego cross country teams win regional titles

Editorial Staff Oct 29, 2025 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PORTAGE—Throughout the season, the Otsego girls cross country team—led by senior Emma Hoffman—has been ranked first or second in the Division 2 poll.So the Bulldogs entered the Division 2 regional at Portage West Middle School on…

Allegan football ends season with win over visiting Coloma

Editorial Staff Oct 29, 2025 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The 2025 season ended on a high note for the Allegan football team.Led by a ground attack that amassed 376 yards, the Tigers racked up more than 400 yards of total offense to post the 44-37…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Oct 29, 2025 7 min read

I have a niche genre of movies that make me happy. The basic plot is the main character sees others around him or her living in the shadowlands, takes action, faces challenges and drama, then the magic happens.One of the…

Halloween offers events around the county and beyond

Halloween offers events around the county and beyond

Editorial Staff Oct 29, 2025 5 min read

By Gari Voss As Halloween arrives, families plan their evening of Trick-or-Treat excursions. In addition to corn mazes and walks through the woods, communities and organizations are planning for Trick-or-Treat or Trunk-n-Treat.Halloween is on Friday this year, so there may…

Northside Park Arsonist sentenced to 57 months to 10 years

Northside Park Arsonist sentenced to 57 months to 10 years

Jordan Wilcox Oct 29, 2025 4 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, September 2nd, firefighters were dispatched to Otsego’s Northside Park to battle a horrific blaze. While the flames remained contained to a small 20-by-40-foot area, the park’s beloved wooden play structure, known…

Mike’s Musings: Lawmakers shouldn’t receive pay during shutdown

Mike’s Musings: Lawmakers shouldn’t receive pay during shutdown

Editorial Staff Oct 29, 2025 4 min read

One of the consequences of a government shutdown should be that those legislators responsible for the shutdown should not receive their regular pay. In my mind they are just as much part of the government as the hundreds of thousand…

Do you need help? Write Us!

Do you need help? Write Us!

Editorial Staff Oct 28, 2025 3 min read

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.…

OHS drumline participates in W. Michigan Drum Bash

OHS drumline participates in W. Michigan Drum Bash

Editorial Staff Oct 22, 2025 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor BYRON CENTER—Earlier this month, the Annual West Michigan Drum Bash took place at Byron Center High School.Among eight high school drumlines invited to participate in this prestigious event? None other than Otsego High School.“It was an…

OPS elementary students receive special performance

OPS elementary students receive special performance

Editorial Staff Oct 22, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Students from Otsego Public Schools’ three elementary buildings—Alamo, Dix Street and Washington Street—recently took a field trip to Bulldog Stadium.The reason? To watch the high school marching band perform its halftime show along with teaching the…

PHS students use VR to learn about Holocaust

PHS students use VR to learn about Holocaust

Editorial Staff Oct 22, 2025 1 min read

Students in Mrs. Trahan’s Holocaust class at PHS were granted a remarkable opportunity to enhance their studies through virtual reality. Thanks to a scholarship from the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, the museum loaned VR headsets to the class.…

Otsego cross country teams claim Wolverine Conference titles

Editorial Staff Oct 22, 2025 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PAW PAW—It was a double win for the Otsego cross country teams at the Wolverine Conference Championship Meet on Tuesday, Oct. 14.The Otsego girls dominated, winning with 18 points to finish just three points away from…

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.