Belton named State Boys Swimming & Diving Coach of the Year
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Darryl Belton thought he had put a pretty nice finishing touch on his career as Otsego’s boys swimming and diving coach when he announced his retirement in April.Then came one more honor.And it was a big…
Grant brings new manufacturing, engineering lab to Otsego Middle School
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Students at Otsego Middle School will soon have the opportunity to get hands-on experience in everything from engineering and robotics to CNC machining and 3D printing.And some of those students will be just beginning their middle-school…
Motorcyclist dies following crash in downtown Plainwell
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A motorcyclist died from injuries sustained in a crash involving a motorcycle and an SUV in downtown Plainwell on Tuesday, Sept. 1.The crash occurred at approximately 2 p.m., according to the Plainwell Department of Public Safety.Public…
Plainwell pulls away from Wyoming to improve to 2-0
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor WYOMING—Once the Plainwell football team stopped hurting itself, there wasn’t much Wyoming could do to stop the Trojans.After being held scoreless in the opening quarter, Plainwell erupted for 20 points in the second and 21 more…
Allegan swim performs well in loss to Sturgis
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor STURGIS—With a roster of only eight athletes, the Allegan girls swimming & diving team might not have the numbers of many of its opponents.But that hasn’t stopped the Tigers from turning in some strong performances.That was…
Life as Performance Art
It has been a few years since I have last been on an airplane, and the way things are going, I suspect it might be a long time before I do it again. Part of it is the money.…
Allegan County Fair kicks off
By Gari Voss The 174th Allegan County Fair opens its gates to guests on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 1pm and will continue to open at 8am each day through Saturday, September 19, 2026. The barns have been mucked, the…
A busy week for first responders
US-131 reopens following truck and travel-trailer crashALLEGAN COUNTY — Northbound US-131 reopened shortly before 10 p.m. Friday after a pickup truck hauling a travel trailer crashed near the Gun Lake Casino exit.The crash occurred at approximately 7 p.m. According to…
Mike’s Musings: When Michigan’s big newspapers abandon print, local weeklies matter more
Another chapter in Michigan newspaper history is about to close.MLive Media Group recently announced that it will stop printing and delivering eight newspapers after Dec. 6. The affected publications are The Grand Rapids Press, Kalamazoo Gazette, Jackson Citizen Patriot, Flint…
$41,000 USTA grant helps give Otsego tennis courts new look
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor When members of the Otsego boys tennis team took the court for their season opener last month, they weren’t just beginning a new season.They were also getting the first opportunity to compete on newly resurfaced and…
Allegan swim opens season at SCC Relays
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor With five freshmen among the eight athletes on its roster, the Allegan girls swimming & diving team entered the season knowing there would be plenty of learning along the way.The Tigers got that process started at…
Plainwell football hands loss to visiting Dowagiac
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PLAINWELL—A combination of senior leadership and some big plays on offense helped the Plainwell football team get its season started on the right foot.The Trojans knocked off Dowagiac 32-18 in their season opener, giving coach Brian…
Life as Performance Art
I have been engaged in a considerable amount of disdain inspired eyerolling and amusement whenever I see yet another article about our President attempt to re-write American history to match his doctrinal image of our past. I realize he…
Council, residents tour Allegan city facilities
By Gari Voss Monday, August 31, 2026, found the Allegan City Council on the road learning about the facilities that keep their city healthy and safe. Matter of fact, all city residents had been invited to tour the Water Treatment…
Data center opponents rally outside Dorr Twp seminar
DORR TOWNSHIP — More than 50 people gathered outside Dorr Township Hall Monday as municipal officials from across West Michigan attended an invitation-only seminar concerning large-scale data centers.Protesters stood near the corner of Leisure Street and 142nd Avenue and outside…
Mike’s Musings: The Dolly Parton Example: A Life That Brought People Together
The death of Dolly Parton on Aug. 25 brought something increasingly rare to America: a moment of genuine national unity.For a few days, political divisions faded into the background. Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals, country fans and rock stars…
Otsego Public Schools welcomes students back to the classroom
Summer break officially came to an end on Tuesday, Aug. 18, for children who attend Otsego Public Schools.That was the first day of classes at OPS, with students making their way back to the classroom for the start of the…
Simonelli brings varied experience to principal role at Starr
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Theodore Simonelli’s career in education has taken him a long way from where it began.From West Michigan to Hawai‘i, Oklahoma and Chicago, Simonelli has worked with students in a variety of roles and settings.Now, that journey…
Otsego VFW members take part in The Wall That Heals visit
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor BATTLE CREEK— For members of Otsego VFW Post 3030 and its Auxiliary, the recent visit of The Wall That Heals to Battle Creek provided several opportunities to honor those who served during the Vietnam War.And to…
Life as Performance Art
The other night I “returned to those thrilling days of yesteryear” as I wasted a few hours watching some truly campy black and white westerns. I confess, I went straight for the B- grade programs: Bat Masterson, Tombstone Territory,…
