OPS asks for input in search for new superintendent
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Otsego Public Schools superintendent Jeff Haase recently announced his plans to retire following the conclusion of the current school year, thereby bringing to an end his 11-year tenure with the district.And while Haase will remain on…
Plainwell Community Schools opens new field house
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor It was an event that was more than five years in the making.After voters passed a bond in 2019 for its funding, Plainwell Community Schools’ new athletic field house made its debut on Friday, Jan. 10.Featuring…
Otsego High School hosts Winter Guard Field Day
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor For one day, Otsego will be the color guard capital of Michigan.Winter Guard Field Day—featuring 15 color guard teams from throughout the state—will take place on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Otsego High School.The event starts at…
Plainwell boys open field house with win over Otsego
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PLAINWELL—The first game in its new home was a rousing success for the Plainwell boys basketball team.Not only was a standing-room-only crowd on hand for the game the Plainwell Field House, but the Trojans also secured…
Allegan shakes off slow start to beat Fennville
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor When the Allegan boys basketball team hosted Fennville on Friday, Jan. 10, in marked the first game action for the Tigers in three weeks due to Christmas break.And Allegan showed a little rust early, scoring just…
Obituary: Paz Omega West
Paz Omega West, affectionately known as Ms. West or Heidi, was a beacon of light and joy to everyone she encountered. Born on June 25, 1955, in Calbayog City, Philippines, Paz lived a life characterized by her selfless nature, spirited…
Obituary: Joy Elaine Masek (Miner)
“Devoted” is the word that best describes Joy Elaine Masek (Miner) who went to be with the Lord on January 12, 2025. She gave her time and resources to her faith in God and family—-both immediate and extended.Surviving is her…
Obituary: Harold “Gene” Marr
Harold “Gene” Marr, age 87, of Allegan, passed away Saturday, January 11th, 2025 at Ascension Borgess, Kalamazoo. Gene was born December 22nd, 1937 in Dickenson County, IA, son of the late Elmer and Pauline Marr and lived in the Allegan…
Obituary: Sandra Dee Brainerd
Sandra Dee Brainerd, 64, of Plainwell/Otsego, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10th, surrounded by her family. Sandra spent much of her career at Specialty Minerals in Plainwell, where she was known for her tenacity and strong work ethic. In…
Beyond Bones closes its Allegan store
By Gari Voss The Arc of Allegan County Board has announced that its all-natural dog treat business and the storefront known as Beyond Bones will close by February 28, 2025. The business was created in July 2021 to provide employment…
Tech Center celebrates new auto tech building with ribbon cutting ceremony
Faculty, students, and the community gathered to celebrate the official opening of the new Allegan Area ESA Tech Center Auto Tech Building on Thursday, January 9, 2025. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of a $7 million state-of-the-art facility designed…
Life as Performance Art
According to physicians, therapists, pollsters and others, we are sadder than in the past. We smile less and feel gloomier, leaving many without much hope or enthusiasm for the future.In fact, about one in four, or some two billion people,…
Mike’s Musings: Is insurance claim worth chopping your feet off?
In the midst of all the drama many of us experience I thought I’d write about an unusual story, actually better words would be strange and bizarre, that comes from the Ozarks in Missouri.Here’s the setup:A man wanted to cash…
Ransom Library announces acts for Winter Concerts
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The annual Winter Concert Series at Ransom Library has become a favorite for library staff members and patrons alike.This year’s event kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 16, with the band The Rebel Eves. MexiCuba and Kanola…
Chocolate Stroll scheduled in downtown Plainwell
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor February is synonymous with Valentine’s Day, and Valentine’s Day is synonymous with chocolate.That’s what makes the Chocolate Stroll in downtown Plainwell such a fitting event.Scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the…
Plainwell boys swim & dive team breaks in new pool
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Christmas was over, but members of the Plainwell boys swim & dive team got one more gift on Monday, Dec. 30.That’s when the team took its first plunge into the district’s new pool, which is one…
Obituary: Jeffrey Mark Webb
Jeffrey Mark Webb, 67, of Allegan, MI passed away Monday, December 30, 2024. Born October 17, 1957 in Allegan, he was the son of the late Noel and Julia (Rockwell) Webb and on June 22, 1979 he married Julie Brosz.…
New Year’s Eve brought thousands for Ball Drop
By Gari Voss The air was crisp, and the precipitation magically stopped for the 8pm opening of New Year’s Eve 2025. Revelers began arriving early in anticipation of good food, music, and ice skating. Yup, the ice skating rink had…
Allegan wrestling wins tourney
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor GRAND RAPIDS—Another weekend, another tournament championship for the Allegan boys wrestling team.One week after earning the top spot in the Comstock Invitational, the Tigers finished first at the West Catholic Dunneback Memorial Tournament on Saturday, Jan.…
Allegan County Sheriff’s Office K9s receive body armor
By Sgt. Blair Kacos & G. Voss The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office announced the donation of body armor for two of Allegan County’s finest – K9s Zadok and Kyro.“Kyro and Zadok will receive bullet and stab protective vests thanks to…
