
Mike’s Musings: Congress should not ban TikTok
There has been a new push in Congress to out right ban or heavily regulate TikTok. I’m neither a user nor am I fan of social media in general. However, to ban or heavily regulate the most popular social media…
Life as Performance Art
What was once known as suicide has been renamed by some “Assisted dying.” Both terms make me uncomfortable.Western culture has long abhorred suicide. The ancient Romans considered it a serious offense against the person, their family and the empire. If…
Guitar workshop offered at Ransom Library
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Is learning how to play a musical instrument on your list of New Year’s resolutions?If so, then the Ransom District Library just might be the place for you on Mondays beginning Jan. 6.Library director and former…
Otsego XC alumni compete at the collegiate level
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Alex Comerford wrapped up his collegiate cross country career in November at the NCAA Division 1 Championship in Madison, Wis.And a strong finish it was, as the 2019 Otsego High School graduate finished the 10k with…
Allegan wrestling competes at Comstock Invite
The Allegan wrestling team took a break from its Christmas break to compete in the Comstock Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 28.The Tigers had a good showing, winning the tournament from a team standpoint, while seven Allegan grapplers claimed weight-class titles.Allegan…
Obituary: Katherine Harrison
Katherine passed away, Saturday, December 21, 2024, at her home in Allegan. She was born on August 12, 1965, in Plainwell, the daughter of Carl and Marie (Opperman) Petersen. Over the years Katherine worked at many area factories. In her…
Obituary: Sidney Leroy Carns
Sidney Leroy Carns passed away peacefully on December 26, 2024, at the age of 89, in Portage, Michigan. Born on August 13, 1935, in Allegan, Michigan, he was a cherished son to the late James and Bertha Carns. Sidney’s formative…
Obituary: Neil Girke
Neil Girke, age 83 of Gobles, passed away Friday, December 27, 2024 at the Wings Home in Allegan with very loving care and has gone on to be with our Lord.He loved fishing, hunting, golf and singing hymns and songs…
Obituary: Kevin Gene Krotz
Kevin Gene Krotz, 64, of Hopkins, MI passed away Saturday, December 21, 2024 at University of Michigan Health West. Born April 20, 1960 in Allegan, he was the son of the late Robert and Geraldine Louise (Grauman) Krotz. Kevin had…
Obituary: Donald Huff
Donald Huff passed peacefully on December 21, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was born in Kalamazoo, MI to Louise (Jones) and Claude Huff.Don’s elementary years were spent at the Foster and Clifford Schools before graduating at 16 from Allegan…
Goodbye 2024… Hello 2025!
By Cindy Sasser When I think about moving forward into 2025, that old 1968 song by Tommy James & The Shondells plays in my mind…“Look over yonder… what do you seeThe sun is a risin’… most definitelyA new day is comin’……
Man who robbed Plainwell bank pleads guilty
A man who threatened to blow up an Allegan County bank pleaded guilty to armed robbery las week.Police said Paul Donnelly robbed the Plainwell PNC Bank in June by claiming to have a bomb in his bag.The response caused several…
Otsego Library hosts ‘Garfield Glow Games’ event
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Since being created by Jim Davis in the mid-1970s, Garfield the cat has become a household name.Not only did the comic strip that bore his name become the most syndicated strip in the world, but the…
Mike’s Musings: Dose of DOGE needed to curb government spending
Maybe DOGE has a good thing going. DOGE, the acronym for Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has been charged with eliminating waste and inefficiency at the federal government level.I have been a…
Life as Performance Art
‘Twas a week before Christmas and all the preparations were done. Well, almost.The Nativity creche Pat received as a child is in place on the fireplace mantle. It is always the first decoration to go up and the last to…
Shop with a Hero celebrates 12th year in Plainwell
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor If you drove past the Plainwell Meijer on the evening of Thursday, Dec. 19, you might have noticed several police vehicles in the parking lot.There was no cause for concern, however, as the first responders were…
OHS toy drive serves 172 children in the area
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The four pillars of the National Honor Society are scholarship, service, leadership and character.One of the ways the Otsego High School chapter of the NHS demonstrates service is through its annual toy drive that supports the…
Plainwell, Otsego wrestling each goes 1-1 at league quad
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—On Wednesday, Dec. 18, the Otsego wrestling team hosted a Wolverine Conference quad that also featured Plainwell.The Bulldog and the Trojans each finished the evening with a 1-1 record, as both bested Sturgis but fell to…
Obituary: Toni Thompson
Toni Thompson, passed away on December 15, 2024, at the age of 79. Born on January 28, 1945, to the late Lawrence and Lois ThompsonToni was a cherished sister to the late Sandra Martinez, and she leaves behind an enduring…
Obituary: Maxine “Mickey” (Matthews) (Cowdery) Frymire
Maxine “Mickey” (Matthews) (Cowdery) Frymire passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 5, 2024. The daughter of Donald C. Matthews and Edith Crouch Matthews. Mickey grew up and started school in Fountain and later in Ludington, Michigan. Her first…





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