Allegan County News & Union Enterprise

Farmers’ markets open in Plainwell, Otsego this month

Farmers’ markets open in Plainwell, Otsego this month

Editorial StaffMay 8, 20243 min read

This photo from last year shows produce that was available at the Otsego Farmers’ Market. (Photo provided) Fresh baked good were among the products available at opening day of the Plainwell Farmers’ Market. By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The calendar has…

Otsego High School holds prom at Warner Vineyards

Otsego High School holds prom at Warner Vineyards

Editorial StaffMay 8, 20243 min read

A group of friends enjoy the Otsego prom at Warner Vineyards. (Photo by Tina Maxwell) The Otsego prom took place outside at the Warner Vineyards in Paw Paw. (Photo by Tina Maxwell) Students dance and mingle at the Otsego prom.…

Otsego girls, Plainwell boys win in conference dual meet

Editorial StaffMay 8, 20243 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PLAINWELL—The track teams from Otsego and Plainwell met for a Wolverine Conference dual on Tuesday, April 30, with the result being a split decision.The Plainwell boys won by an 81-56 margin, while the Otsego girls prevailed…

Allegan tennis places secondat TigerDuals

Editorial StaffMay 8, 20242 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Allegan girls tennis team served as host of the Tiger Duals on Saturday, May 4, welcoming Battle Creek Lakeview, Ludington and St. John’s to town.The Tigers finished with a 1-2 record for the day, besting…

Obituary: Charles Edward Payne

Obituary: Charles Edward Payne

Editorial StaffMay 8, 20242 min read

Charles Edward Payne, 95, of St. Joseph went to meet his Lord on Monday, April 29, 2024.”Ed” was born on May 27, 1928, in Allegan, MI, to Charles E. Payne, Sr. and Henrietta Louisa (Wesseldyk) Payne. He graduated from Allegan…

Obituary: Dorothy Ann (Opperman) Wilson

Obituary: Dorothy Ann (Opperman) Wilson

Editorial StaffMay 8, 20243 min read

Dorothy Ann (Opperman) Wilson passed away peacefully on April 30th, 2024, at the age of 92, in Kalamazoo, Michigan at Rose Arbor, Centrica. Dorothy was born on March 3rd, 1932, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the late Edward and Jennie…

Obituary: Darlene Kay Joostberns

Obituary: Darlene Kay Joostberns

Editorial StaffMay 8, 20245 min read

Darlene Kay Joostberns was born on September 7, 1944, in Allegan, Michigan, to Albert Kizer and Coral (Meyer) Kizer. She was the second of three children and the only girl. Darlene grew up in Allegan and attended Allegan Public Schools.Darlene…

Obituary: Maryanne “Mimi” Gabriel

Obituary: Maryanne “Mimi” Gabriel

Editorial StaffMay 8, 20244 min read

Maryanne “Mimi” Gabriel exited this world like she lived: in her own way and on her own schedule. On April 4th, 2024, Mimi passed beyond the veil after a long battle with lupus and a short fight with cardiac, G.I.,…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffMay 8, 20245 min read

Life some of you, during long hot summer days when we played or worked outside, if we were thirsty we’d open up the spigot of a garden hose, run it until the hot water was gone, and then start drinking…

What’s the Storey Jim, in or out?

What’s the Storey Jim, in or out?

Editorial StaffMay 8, 20242 min read

By Donald Talonen Recently, Jim Storey has found himself in the middle of a controversial situation regarding the Allegan County elections. It was reported that Storey might have been disqualified due to unresolved issues with campaign finance report filings from…

Fallen firefighter Gail VanAuken honored firetruck 1511

Fallen firefighter Gail VanAuken honored firetruck 1511

Editorial StaffMay 8, 20243 min read

By Donald Talonen The rain didn’t stop the celebration dedicated to Gail VanAuken. The firehouse was packed with friends, family, and even strangers for the unveiling of fire engine 1511 in honor of the fallen firefighter, just in time for…

Mike’s Musings: Taxes just keep piling up

Mike’s Musings: Taxes just keep piling up

Editorial StaffMay 8, 20243 min read

Like many of us I struggle with having to pay taxes each year. I often wonder why I put aside more and more each year to pay the government yet get lesser and lesser services.For instance, I’m drawing social security.…

OHS robotics team competes at FIRST World Finals

OHS robotics team competes at FIRST World Finals

Editorial StaffMay 1, 20243 min read

Members of the Alotobots are seen at the FIRST World Finals. (Photo provided) The FIRST World Finals included more than 600 teams from around the country and the world. (Photo provided) By Jason WesseldykSports Editor HOUSTON—FIRST Robotics held its 2024…

Wolverine Conference honors local scholar-athletes

Wolverine Conference honors local scholar-athletes

Editorial StaffMay 1, 20243 min read

Issac Veen (left) and Olivia Perrin were the 2024 Wolverine Conference Scholar-Athletes from Plainwell. (Photo provided) Ben Ernstes (left) and Chad Goodrich were Otsego’s Wolverine Conference Scholar-Athlete honorees. (Photo provided) By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Each year, the Wolverine Conference honors…

Allegan tennis beats South Haven

Editorial StaffMay 1, 20241 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor SOUTH HAVEN—The Allegan girls tennis team turned in a dominant performance in a SAC showdown against host South Haven on Thursday, April 25.Not only did the Tigers win all eight flights, but they did so without…

Otsego tennis sweeps past Plainwell

Editorial StaffMay 1, 20242 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PLAINWELL—When the girls tennis teams from Otsego and Plainwell squared off on Wednesday, April 23, the match at No. 3 singles provided the most excitement.In the end, Bulldog Lydia Griffith prevailed 6-7 (2), 7-5, 6-2 over…

Obituary: Wayne John Kooy

Obituary: Wayne John Kooy

Editorial StaffMay 1, 20242 min read

Wayne John Kooy, known affectionately as Wayne to his friends and family, passed away peacefully of natural causes on April 28, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Born on April 26, 1932, in Lansing, Illinois, Wayne’s life was marked by a…

Neighbors object to Hutchins Lake marina plans

Neighbors object to Hutchins Lake marina plans

Editorial StaffMay 1, 20243 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorFifty-seven Hutchins Lake residents have sued to stop a developer from building what they call an illegally-permitted marina on the lake’s northeast side.David DeGroot, whose DeGroot Family Trust owns 79 acres, subdivided into 11 lots, with 500 feet…

Allegan Rotary celebrates its 100th anniversary

Allegan Rotary celebrates its 100th anniversary

Editorial StaffMay 1, 20244 min read

Allegan Rotarians past and present gathered at The Silo on Fri., Apr. 26, 2024, to celebrate 100 years of service to the Allegan area and to begin looking forward. Allegan Rotary Club, No. 1709, March 29, 1965. The businessmen and…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffMay 1, 20245 min read

Democrats and Republicans will hold national conventions this summer in Chicago and Milwaukee, respectively.I advise you avoid traffic snarls at these mutual admiration society meetings. Prices are apt to inflate then and there as well.Protesters are sure to turn out…