Allegan County News & Union Enterprise

Hoffman claims pair of state championships

Hoffman claims pair of state championships

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20251 min read

Otsego junior Emma Hoffman entered the MHSAA Division 2 Girls Track & Field State Finals as the prohibitive favorite to win state titles in the 1,600 and the 3,200.She didn’t dissapoint, as she did, indeed, secure both of those championships.…

Otsego’s Hoffman sets record in 3,200 at D2 State Finals

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor HAMILTON—Otsego junior Emma Hoffman made some history at the Division 2 Girls Track State Finals on Saturday, May 31.With a win in the 1,600 (personal-best 4:52.86) already under her belt, Hoffman won the 3,200 with a…

Allegan beats Hopkins in shootout

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor SOUTH HAVEN—For the second year in a row, a district girls soccer contest between Allegan and Hopkins came down to a shootout.And for the second year in a row, it was the Tigers who came out…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20256 min read

   Growing up, we had the usual generational divides in our home.  When my parents were born, they were included as part of the Silent Generation who lived through the Spanish Flu, Roaring Twenties, Great Depression, World War Two.  Right…

Bridgefest 2025 on the horizon

Bridgefest 2025 on the horizon

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20253 min read

By Gari Voss Summer in Allegan, MI really begins when Bridgefest hits Riverfront Park and the surrounding streets. All are invited to enjoy time with family and friends while exploring the community tents along Locust and Hubbard Streets, dropping into…

Allegan, Van Buren firefighters battle two similar fires on the same day

Allegan, Van Buren firefighters battle two similar fires on the same day

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20253 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher At about 4:45 pm on Sunday, June 1st, emergency services were dispatched to an ablaze residence on the south (Van Buren County) side of Baseline Road near 51 ½ in Columbia Township.Deputies from the Van Buren…

Mike’s Musings: Emphasis on education in 2026 election

Mike’s Musings: Emphasis on education in 2026 election

Editorial StaffJun 4, 20255 min read

Rick Snyder’s Vision for Education: A Bold Step for the 2026 ElectionChampioning the Future of LearningIn the rapidly shifting landscapes of politics and policy, it is rare to encounter a leader who prioritizes the foundational pillars of society—education being chief…

PHS musical program to host ‘Encore’ benefit concert

PHS musical program to host ‘Encore’ benefit concert

Editorial StaffMay 28, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Are you or someone you know an alumni of Plainwell High School musical program?If so, PHS choir director Abby Ernst would like to invite you to “reprise” one or your roles from a musical in which…

OPS releases summer meal, Bookin’ Bus schedule

OPS releases summer meal, Bookin’ Bus schedule

Editorial StaffMay 28, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The end of the school year is rapidly approaching for area districts.But after classes end for students who attend Otsego Public Schools on Thursday, June 12, the district will continue to provide services during the summer…

Otsego cruises past B.C. Central to open district play

Editorial StaffMay 28, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—The Otsego girls soccer team opened postseason play by hosting Battle Creek Central in a Division 2 district quarterfinal on Friday, May 23.The game couldn’t have gone much better for the Bulldogs.Otsego scored eight goals in…

Celebrating K-12 journey, AHS style

Celebrating K-12 journey, AHS style

Editorial StaffMay 28, 20251 min read

Allegan High School held their annual Color War, last Friday, May 23rd, celebrating the end of the Class of 2025’s K-12 schooling journey. The students had a terrific time coating each other with color and enjoyed complimentary breakfast burritos, courtesy…

Boss arraigned on 2nd degree murder charges

Boss arraigned on 2nd degree murder charges

Editorial StaffMay 28, 20252 min read

 A driver accused of causing an April crash that killed 8-month-old Lucia Seifried has been charged, according to the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office.Terry Lee Boss, 56, was arraigned Thursday on charges of second-degree murder, operating while intoxicated causing death and…

2 tornadoes leave estimated $2.2M in damage across county

Editorial StaffMay 28, 20251 min read

Two confirmed tornadoes have left $2.2 million in damage in Allegan County.Both Allegan County tornadoes spent less than 10 minutes on the ground and ranked at an EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. The twisters had wind speeds of 90…

Mike’s Musings: Biden’s health problems should have been revealed to public

Mike’s Musings: Biden’s health problems should have been revealed to public

Editorial StaffMay 28, 20253 min read

So, we are now hearing what many of us have suspected for a long time. President Biden’s term in office was marred with health problems too the point that for much of his presidency his closest advisors were acting as…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffMay 28, 20254 min read

In 1700 King Louis XIV of France, had 498 people preparing his meals, per historian Matt Ridley. This would have included chefs, sous chefs and their assistants; bakers, butchers and a crew who kept ovens stoked.Add to that the cleanup…

Otsego installs new electronic sign at Brookside Park

Otsego installs new electronic sign at Brookside Park

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The City of Otsego has a new way to disseminate information to its residents.On Monday, May 19, a sign was installed in front of Brookside Park on M-89 that has the ability to display electronic messages…

Two tornadoes touched down in Allegan County

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A strong storm system that ripped through the area on Thursday, May 15, caused extensive damage in Allegan County and left many residents with no power for an extended period of time.In response to the devastation—which…

Crews search for man who went missing in Kalamazoo River

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PLAINWELL—A man went missing in the Kalamazoo River in Plainwell on Saturday, May 17.According to Plainwell Department of Public Safety director Kevin Callahan, the Allegan County Central Dispatch received a 911 call at 12:49 p.m. reporting…

Otsego’s Hoffman, Allegan’s VandenAkker win two regional titles

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor BERRIEN SPRINGS—Otsego’s Emma Hoffman entered the Division 2 regional meet at Berrien Springs undefeated in the 1,600-meter-run and the 3,200-meter run.She left the meet with that unblemished record intact.Posting a time of 4:45.72 in the 1,600…

Allegan claims Division 4 regional championship

Editorial StaffMay 21, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor At the Division 4 girls tennis regional hosted by Allegan on Thursday, May 15, four of the nine teams scored at least 18 points.But none scored more than the Tigers.With each of the eight flights contributing…