SUV strikes tractor pulling a wagon for hayride, several injured
By Gari Voss The call came to Allegan County Central Dispatch at 7:24pm on Saturday, October 12, 2024, reporting “a serious traffic crash” on M-40 near 110th Avenue in Trowbridge Township. When responders reached the location, they found an overturned…
Former SH substitute teacher, who violently threatened students, also charged with destruction of Allegan building
By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher More information has been released about the substitute teacher whose unsettling comments led to a shelter in place order at South Haven’s Baseline Middle School on Tuesday, September 10th. He was involved in more altercations, been…
Mike’s Musings: My fear of “Bambi” makes me a nervous Driver
The social media memes showing vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz fumbling with loading his shotgun at a pheasant hunt reminded that this is the time of year when my mind sometimes wanders to “Bambi” and the confrontations I have had with…
Life as Performance Art
I read an online religious news service article saying hunting was a form of conservation fulfilling God’s instructions to Adam and Eve to take dominion over the earth. That is an interesting perspective.For many years The Commercial Record printed a…
Safety week returns to Otsego Schools
The safety of students and staff members is a top priority for Otsego Public Schools officials.That’s why, for the fifth year, OPS is recognizing School Safety Week beginning Monday, Oct. 14, and running through Friday, Oct. 18.This year, along with…
Otsego honors Guthrie with Cyndi Trobeck Award
Otsego Public Schools food service coordinator Julie Guthrie (middle) received the Cyndi Trobeck Community Service Award. (Photo provided) By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Serving others in the community—particularly the children and families of Otsego—is one of Julie Guthrie’s favorite pastimes.“I love…
Otsego tennis posts victory over Harper Creek
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor BATTLE CREEK—In a tune-up for regional play, the Otsego boys tennis team traveled to Battle Creek for a non-league match against Harper Creek on Monday, Oct. 7.And a successful trip it was.The Bulldogs cruised to the…
Allegan swim upends host Hastings
HASTINGS—The Allegan girls swim & dive team secured a commanding victory over Hastings on Tuesday, Oct. 1, by a final score of 105-73.This win continues the Tigers’ undefeated streak, bringing their conference record to 4-0.The Tigers’ individual event winners included…
Life as Performance Art
An online religious news service recently featured an article that hunting was really a form of conservation, and the fulfillment of God’s instructions to Adam and Eve to take dominion over the earth. That is an interesting perspective. For…
40th Annual Fennville Goose Festival this weekend
By Gari Voss Goose Festival Weekend has arrived. Fennville, Mi will open its streets from Thursday, October 10 through Sunday, October 13, 2024, to residents and visitors in celebration of the migration of geese through the fields around Fennville. This…
6th annual Melonhead Games explore Allegan Forest
By Gari Voss &Scott Hageman On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the Allegan Game Forest will be alive with lights wielded by participants of the Melonhead Games. This is the sixth year that Scott Hageman will unveil five campfire stories that…
Mike’s Musings: Donate if you can, Helene a monster
We all are too familiar with it now. I am writing about the devastation that we witnessed in western North Carolina last week. Hurricane Helene, which swept through Florida quickly and then motored up to the Carolina’s within a blink…
Plainwell schools asks voters to approve bond
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A new preschool building and new gyms for two elementary schools.Those are among the main items included in a bond proposal that Plainwell Community Schools officials hope voters will pass in the November election.This marks the…
Otsego Band Invitational takes center stage
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The annual Otsego Band Invitational is always a special event for Otsego High School/Middle School band director Mitch Piersma.This year’s edition—which was the 39th and took place on Saturday, Sept. 28—was even more so.That’s because when…
Allegan tennis places third at league tourney
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor With three teams ranked in the top 10 among Division 4 boys tennis teams, you’d probably think the SAC/Lakeland Conference Finals on Friday, Sept. 27, was a highly contested battle.And you’d be right.In the end, it…
Otsego tennis splits matches
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Otsego boys tennis team took on a pair of Wolverine Conference rivals on back-to-back days and came away with split results.The Bulldogs beat Three Rivers 7-1 on Thursday, Sept. 26, after falling 6-2 to Three…
Obituary: Marella Jean (Clawson) Norman
Marella Jean (Clawson) Norman, of Plainwell, MI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, in Allegan, MI, at the age of 91. Born on August 8, 1933, in Hopkins, MI, to Grover and Florence Clawson, Marella was raised with…
Life as Performance Art
At one time or another, almost every child born in the United States has given at least a passing thought to the idea of being the President. It is a noble idea, and more than anything else, it indicates…
Tech Center students design and build bike racks for downtown Allegan
Take a walk around downtown Allegan, and you might notice three unique, eye-catching bike racks designed and fabricated by students at the Allegan Area ESA Tech Center. These custom creations, each tailored to the character of its location, showcase the…
Allegan City Council Ballot reveals five candidates
By Gari Voss The Allegan City Council will have a number of new faces after the November 5, 2024, election. As the term of councilmembers comes to an end, three current members will be retiring. Those are the current mayor…
