Mike’s Musings: Health costs soar, some hospitals benefit
I just read a report from the Michigan Health Purchasers Coalition (MIHPC) that essentially concluded that larger hospitals have had profits increased dramatically.Now we all know, if we have spent any time in a hospital, we are charged exorbitant amounts…
Allegan County towns spotlight music, fun and food
By Gari Voss Following the entertainment around Allegan County can be a bit overwhelming. There are numerous choices of location, music genres, comedy, theater and food. Just follow the sounds. Just one example was the weekend of June 27-29, 2025,…
County woman who crashed into hayride, injuring 5, sentenced for driving drunk
A woman who was driving intoxicated when she crashed into a tractor taking nine people on a hayride last fall, was sentenced Monday.Angelina Marie Hamberg had been driving 55 mph when she crashed into the tractor — which had been…
Veteran, off-duty police officer pull driver from burning car
A driver suffered serious injuries after being pulled from a burning car by an Army veteran and an off-duty police officer.According to the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened at approximately 3:52 p.m. Friday along SB I-196, near M-40…
Two seriously injured in UTV accident
On 6-28-2025 at approximately 10:22 pm, Allegan County Central Dispatch received a 911 call stating that a vehicle had crashed into the trees on 122nd Ave near 52nd St in Clyde Twp. The preliminary investigation shows that a UTV was traveling EB…
Free expungement clinic offered at Christian Neighbors
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor On Friday, Aug. 15, Christian Neighbors will host a free Expungement Fair & Resource Clinic.The clinic, scheduled to run from 12 to 4:30 p.m., will help eligible individuals clear their criminal record and is open to…
Otsego senior builds tennis storage shed for Eagle Scout project
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Equipment for the Otsego High School tennis teams—such ball carts, ball machines, nets and scorecards—has been stored in a shared locker room in the high school.Simon Pobocik, a member of the boys tennis team, knows first-hand…
County communities gear up for 4th of July
By Gari Voss The 4th of July is at hand, and the fireworks tents have popped up like dandelions on a spring lawn. Backyard celebrations are being planned, and multiple levels of explosives are being purchased. In addition, small and…
Pullman sergeant dies in non-combat accident
The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Wednesday that U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Saul Fabian Gonzalez, 26, died this week in Iraq.Gonzalez was from Pullman.According to the DOD’s news release, Sergeant Gonzalez died on Tuesday, June 17, in Erbil, Iraq.…
One injured when truck strikes two vehicles and pedestrian
On 06/22/25 around 01:53am, Allegan Central Dispatch received multiple phone calls about a serious accident involving a pick-up truck striking a pedestrian on Blue Star Highway near 63rd St in Laketown Township in Allegan County. Preliminary investigation shows a victim was…
Dirt bikes crash, two injured
On 6-21-25 around 3:17pm first responders were dispatched to report a crash involving two dirt bikes on 146th Avenue near 17th Street in Dorr Township, Allegan County. One dirt bike operator was a juvenile and is in critical but stable…
Life as Performance Art
The most popular male vocal duet in 1930s England was Flanagan and Allen. Their songs were light, filled with a bit of syncopation, close harmony and left audiences smiling with a renewed sense of hope.Among their big hits was “Underneath…
Mike’s Musings: Okay with bunker busters if they don’t lead us to war
Dropping bunker buster bombs in Iran last week will go down in history as one of the best military operations ever. Our planes went to and left undetected after dropping the world’s biggest bombs in an effort to destroy Iran’s…
Otsego announces schedule for summer events
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Fun, family-friendly summer activities are back in Otsego.Summer Fun Nights will take place each Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at the TOP Pavilion through July 29, while Summer Events at Northside Park will take place each…
Color Our World Color Run brings smiles to Plainwell
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Plainwell was a colorful place to be on Saturday, June 7.That’s because the Ransom District Library hosted the Color Our World Color Run to celebrate the start of its summer reading program.A free event, the Color…
Terms ending for several members of Plainwell City Council
By John RaffelCorrespondent PLAINWELL — It was pointed out at the recent Plainwell city meeting several board members’ terms end on June 30, 2025.Clerk Leonard has confirmed with each candidate their willingness to serve for another term. It was noted…
Wedge shined on soccer field and on wrestling mat
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Recent Allegan graduate Luke Wedge was a member of the boys soccer program all four years of high school and wrestled for the last two years.For his efforts in those sports, Wedge was named as the…
Thompson didn’t shy away from challenging herself in athletics
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor During her athletic career, Shyonna Thompson displayed a willingness to try new things, particularly when it came to her spring sports.After playing softball as a freshman and sophomore, Thompson participated in track & field before moving…
Life as Performance Art
Earlier this month a longtime friend sent me one of his favorite quotes from Ecclesiastes: “Whoever increases knowledge increases sorrow.” He added a modern refrain: “And spikes our anxiety.” I thought about it the next morning when I went…
Bridgefest 2025 welcomes thousands to Downtown and the Riverfront
By Gari Voss The day could not have been more beautiful as Bridgefest 2025 rang in summer for Allegan, MI on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Locust Street offered the Art Market and community tents. Brady Street above Mahan Park and…
