By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — At its organizational meeting earlier this month, thenewly-seated Board of Commissioners (BOC) elected Gale Dugan of Otsego TownshipC to chair the body and Scott Beltman, as vice chair.Both were elected to one-year terms in their…

ALLEGAN — In a ‘robing” ceremony earlier this month, Emily Jippwas presented with the black robe symbolic of the authority of a circuit court judge. Jipp was elected last November to become the county’s third circuit court judge, joining incumbent…

By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — At its organizational meeting earlier this month, thenewly-seated Board of Commissioners (BOC) elected Gale Dugan of Otsego TownshipC to chair the body and Scott Beltman, as vice chair.Both were elected to one-year terms in their…

Peggy Lynn Shamblin, 70, passed away January 16, 2025, after an extended period of illness.  She was born November 24, 1954, to Paul & Lillian (Scott) Knapp of Pullman, Michigan.  She was the youngest child, having two older siblings, Patrick…

Only the Olds will remember the chart above the blackboard in every fourth-grade classroom across the nation. It was the alphabet, both capitals and lower-case letters, in cursive.It was bad enough having to learn how to print; now that we…

Welcome to the greatest political comeback ever recorded. America has gotten the president they wanted, and Trump has chosen the cabinet he wanted, and now it’s time to get down to business and make sure the promise that were made…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Otsego Public Schools superintendent Jeff Haase recently announced his plans to retire following the conclusion of the current school year, thereby bringing to an end his 11-year tenure with the district.And while Haase will remain on…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor It was an event that was more than five years in the making.After voters passed a bond in 2019 for its funding, Plainwell Community Schools’ new athletic field house made its debut on Friday, Jan. 10.Featuring…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor For one day, Otsego will be the color guard capital of Michigan.Winter Guard Field Day—featuring 15 color guard teams from throughout the state—will take place on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Otsego High School.The event starts at…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PLAINWELL—The first game in its new home was a rousing success for the Plainwell boys basketball team.Not only was a standing-room-only crowd on hand for the game the Plainwell Field House, but the Trojans also secured…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor When the Allegan boys basketball team hosted Fennville on Friday, Jan. 10, in marked the first game action for the Tigers in three weeks due to Christmas break.And Allegan showed a little rust early, scoring just…

Paz Omega West, affectionately known as Ms. West or Heidi, was a beacon of light and joy to everyone she encountered. Born on June 25, 1955, in Calbayog City, Philippines, Paz lived a life characterized by her selfless nature, spirited…

“Devoted” is the word that best describes Joy Elaine Masek (Miner) who went to be with the Lord on January 12, 2025. She gave her time and resources to her faith in God and family—-both immediate and extended.Surviving is her…

Harold “Gene” Marr, age 87, of Allegan, passed away Saturday, January 11th, 2025 at Ascension Borgess, Kalamazoo. Gene was born December 22nd, 1937 in Dickenson County, IA, son of the late Elmer and Pauline Marr and lived in the Allegan…

Sandra Dee Brainerd, 64, of Plainwell/Otsego, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10th, surrounded by her family. Sandra spent much of her career at Specialty Minerals in Plainwell, where she was known for her tenacity and strong work ethic. In…

By Gari Voss The Arc of Allegan County Board has announced that its all-natural dog treat business and the storefront known as Beyond Bones will close by February 28, 2025. The business was created in July 2021 to provide employment…

Faculty, students, and the community gathered to celebrate the official opening of the new Allegan Area ESA Tech Center Auto Tech Building on Thursday, January 9, 2025. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of a $7 million state-of-the-art facility designed…

According to physicians, therapists, pollsters and others, we are sadder than in the past. We smile less and feel gloomier, leaving many without much hope or enthusiasm for the future.In fact, about one in four, or some two billion people,…

In the midst of all the drama many of us experience I thought I’d write about an unusual story, actually better words would be strange and bizarre, that comes from the Ozarks in Missouri.Here’s the setup:A man wanted to cash…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor  The annual Winter Concert Series at Ransom Library has become a favorite for library staff members and patrons alike.This year’s event kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 16, with the band The Rebel Eves. MexiCuba and Kanola…