Thursday, August 22, 2024, the new Roundabout was opened for a Walkabout. City Manager Joel Dye welcomed walkers and those with non-motorized vehicles who explored the entrances and exits of the new Roundabout. The public walked or rode bikes, skateboards,…

By Scott SullivanWriter Former 16-year Allegan County Commissioner Tom Jessup was named by that all-Republican board to replace the man who defeated him, the late Dean Kapenga, as commissioner for District 3.The one-time Casco Township supervisor emerged from a 5-hour…

Dr. Glenn Mollette In 1975, I bought a four-cylinder Chevrolet Monza. In my opinion in was a terrible buy and a lousy car. There was one episode after another of maintenance issues and the four-cylinder engine was just a piece of…

Every Christmas Eve, Humphrey Bogart would slip away from family and friends to watch the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” When she knew it was over, his wife Lauren Bacall would join him as he told her, “I’ll never accomplish…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Joining the Trojan family.That’s how Marvin Taylor describes his hire as the new Plainwell High School principal.“I was looking for a position that would allow me to prioritize students, challenge me professionally and allow me to…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Welcome back.That’s what teachers and staff members throughout the Otsego Public School District were saying to students on Monday, Aug. 19.That was the first day of the 2024-25 school year for the district, with Otsego High…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor NILES—The 2024 season started on a high note for the Plainwell cross country teams.Competing at the Niles Viking Stampede on Friday, Aug. 16, the Plainwell girls team dominated with 19 total points to outdistance runner-up Niles…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANThe year was 2010.The original “Avatar” ruled the box office. Barack Obama was in his first term as president of the United States. And Apple released the iPad.Also that year? The Allegan football team posted a…

LaVerne “Vern” Dale Kraft went to be with his loving Savior Jesus Christ on August 13, 2024. Vern was born to his late parents Clifford and Daun (Curtis) Kraft on June 11, 1945, in Allegan, Michigan. Vern married the apple…

By Gari Voss The Old Jail Museum in Allegan has been celebrating the Allegan County Historical Society’s 70th anniversary. To take a step back into Allegan County’s history, Dave Thompson convinced local artist Pat Broadhurst to compile some of her…

The Walkabout of the Roundabout in Allegan where M89 from the east and M40 from the south meet Hubbard, Ely and Cedar Streets will be Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 5:30-7:30pm. The MI Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the City…

Dominating the airwaves this week is the Democratic National Convention. Three weeks it was the Republican National Convention. Despite a lot of pomp and circumstance, very little gets done at these four-day lovefests. In my opinion, they should no longer…

I just read in my old hometown newspaper that my elementary school principal died. Mr. Were was 95 and his passing brought back memories. This time of year our minds probably slip back to ready-for-a-new-year-of-school days. The whole cast old and new characters post-summer…

Bulldog Stadium in Otsego and Streidl Field in Plainwell were busy on Monday, Aug. 12.That’s because that was the first official day of football practice as allowed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association and players from both schools were…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor During his first nine years at Plainwell Community Schools, Cody Gregory has served as a third-grade teacher and a behavior support specialist.Now, he’s adding a third job title to that list: principal.Gregory was recently named the…

By Gari Voss The August 6, 2024, Primary Election promised to unveil winners, and in a number of instances those winners have no Republican or Democrat opponent on the November 5, 2024, election ballot. Included on the Primary Election ballots…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor School hasn’t started up for local students just yet. (Although it’s getting close, as Otsego’s first day of classes is Monday, Aug. 19.)But for high school student-athletes who participate in fall sports, the 2024-25 school year…

Howley Bolen, Age 81, passed away Monday morning, August 5, 2024. Howley was born in Corydon, IN, on December 21, 1942, the son of Enoch and May (Smith) Bolen. On December 11, 1976, he married Sharon Lee Kelly who survives.…

Many of our parents cautioned us to “Be nice” when playing with other children,  talking with adults or any other social interaction. From the 1940s until May 1985, the Ivy Room was Durham, N.C.’s foremost and only kosher Jewish deli. It also served…

I take a lot of flack for my opinion column, Mike’s Musings, from time to time. Readers (and I’m so happy you read the paper) often disagree with what I have to say. That’s all right- everyone is entitled to…