Allegan County News & Union Enterprise

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffFeb 12, 20254 min read

In December I wrote our list of Christmas cards was shrinking each year. Often this was because a friend had passed away. Our card would come back with a yellow USPS sticker saying it was undeliverable and the person’s address…

Mike’s Musings: State mandated minimum wage increases will damage small business

Mike’s Musings: State mandated minimum wage increases will damage small business

Editorial StaffFeb 12, 20253 min read

You gotta feel for small businesses. Not only are their pricing and services under attack by big box stores and internet giants from here and China, they must weave through a ton of regulations placed on them by the government.The…

CMU choir pays unexpected visit to Otsego High School

CMU choir pays unexpected visit to Otsego High School

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20254 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Members of the Otsego High School choir recently played host to some special guests.The Central Michigan University Chamber Singers choir visited OHS to perform and interact with the Otsego choir students.According to OHS choir director Meredith…

Ransom Library hosts annual escape room Feb. 21 to 24

Ransom Library hosts annual escape room Feb. 21 to 24

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Belinda is a lovelorn librarian desperately searching for her soulmate.Are you willing to help her find her one true love out of 10 potential suitors?If so, then all you need to do is sign up for…

Otsego girls pick up pair of victories on the hardwood

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor NILES—With a road win over Niles on Friday, Jan. 31, the Otsego girls basketball team would remain in second place in the Wolverine Conference standings behind Vicksburg.A loss? Well, that would drop the Bulldogs into fourth…

Allegan girls win two

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A balanced scoring attack coupled with a tenacious defensive effort.That was a winning recipe for the Allegan girls basketball team in its SAC showdown with visiting Watervliet on Friday, Jan. 31.Six Tigers scored at least five—and…

Obituary: Adam Hughes

Obituary: Adam Hughes

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20253 min read

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Adam Hughes, age 35, on January 27, 2025. Adam was a beloved spouse, a devoted parent, son, friend and all-around-one-of-a-kind human. His untimely departure leaves a void that will…

Obituary: Gordon Louis Noggles

Obituary: Gordon Louis Noggles

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20251 min read

In Memory ofGORDON L. NOGGLESGordon Louis Noggles, born April 8, 1950 in Covert, Michigan,passed away of a heart condition on December 13, 2024 at the age of 74.A long-time resident of Allegan, Gordon resided at the adult foster care home…

Watson Twp fire devastates family

Watson Twp fire devastates family

Jordan WilcoxFeb 5, 20251 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher On Friday, January 31st, an unfortunate tragedy befell the Mace Family, when their Watson Township home was burnt to the ground.The insurance adjuster has not claimed their house on M-222 as a total loss yet, but…

Genetski withdraws from Laketown manager search

Genetski withdraws from Laketown manager search

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20255 min read

Laketown Township manager candidate Bob Genetski, the current Allegan County Clerk and Register of Deeds, has withdrawn from consideration for the manager position. The board has a special meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, January 30, 2025, at the township…

Cancer vs Wayland coaches raises $22k for research

Cancer vs Wayland coaches raises $22k for research

Jordan WilcoxFeb 5, 20251 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Wayland Union High School held their annual Coaches vs. Cancer games this past Friday, January 31st.Coaches vs. Cancer (CvC) is a nationwide fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, led by the National Association of Basketball Coaches…

Fennville Schools’ mechanic achieves third perfect bus inspection

Fennville Schools’ mechanic achieves third perfect bus inspection

Jordan WilcoxFeb 5, 20252 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher For the third time in five years, Fennville Public Schools lead mechanic, Dave Johnson, has achieved a perfect school bus inspection score.Perfect inspections are rare and very hard to achieve. Less than 5% of Michigan school…

Mike’s Musings: Even county governments spend unwisely: Case study, Allegan County

Mike’s Musings: Even county governments spend unwisely: Case study, Allegan County

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20253 min read

Our government, whether it is at the local, county, state or federal level, makes numerous decisions on how they spend taxpayers’ money. Some we can agree with, some we can’t. I would like to think with the advent of social…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffFeb 5, 20254 min read

Sixty years ago a classmate said something insulting and demeaning. It left me with a choice: I could either turn his nose to 12 or tattle to the teacher. I chose the latter and right after school he turned my…

Otsego Library hosts various Valentine’s Day events

Otsego Library hosts various Valentine’s Day events

Editorial StaffJan 29, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us.And at the Otsego District Library, there are events scheduled for patrons of all ages to help celebrate.The Valentine’s events kick off on Saturday, Feb. 8, when the library is hosting…

Paper Gator contest provides ODL opportunity to win prize money

Paper Gator contest provides ODL opportunity to win prize money

Editorial StaffJan 29, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor When Andrea Estelle took over as director of the Otsego District Library nearly 12 years ago, one of the first projects she tackled was getting involved with the PaperGator Recycling program.The partnership between the library and…

Plainwell seeks participants for upcoming Art Hop

Editorial StaffJan 29, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor On Friday, March 7, the City of Plainwell will host its annual Art Hop, which highlights the work of local artists in downtown boutiques, shops, restaurants and pop-up spaces.And in preparation for the events, organizers are…

Saugatuck trio leads Trailblazers to win over G-A

Editorial StaffJan 29, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor GALESBURG—Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger; Luke Skywalker, Princess Lia and Han Solo; Shrek, Donkey and Fiona; Alvin, Simon and Theodore; the Three Musketeers.That is a list of some pretty terrific trios.And in its SAC…

Obituary: Michael Alfred Melms

Obituary: Michael Alfred Melms

Editorial StaffJan 29, 20252 min read

Michael Alfred Melms, 79, of Allegan, passed away on Wednesday evening, January 22, 2025, after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was born May 19,1945, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Alfred and Edith (Parry) Melms. Mike was a long-time…

Obituary: Scott Arthur Lanxon

Obituary: Scott Arthur Lanxon

Editorial StaffJan 29, 20253 min read

Scott Arthur Lanxon, a man of adventure and the outdoors, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2025, in Ashley, Michigan, at the age of 69. Born on May 20, 1955, in Holland, Michigan to his late parents, Garrett and Evelyn…

PUBLIC NOTICE
2026 ALLEGAN COUNTY PROPOSED FINAL BUDGET

The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allegan will hold a budget hearing on Thursday, October 9, 2025, for all interested citizens to comment and discuss the proposed budget.

The hearing will take place at 7:00 PM in the Board Room, County Services Building, 3283–122nd Avenue, Allegan, Michigan, to discuss the proposed budget. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. The public may also participate in the meeting/public hearing by calling 1-929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 891 6032 7098, and Meeting Password 471420. For other options connecting to the meeting, please visit the meeting calendar website at www.allegancounty.org or contact the County Administrator’s Office.

The proposed budget may be examined online at www.allegancounty.org under News Media Room or on weekdays at the Office of the Allegan County Administrator (address below), between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. All interested citizens will have the opportunity to give written and/or oral comments.

County will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the public hearing upon one (1) week notice. Individuals requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the following in writing or by telephone:

Robert J. Sarro,
County Administrator,
3283 – 122nd Avenue,
Allegan, Michigan, 49010
269-673-0239