Allegan County News & Union Enterprise

Three people I consider heroes

Three people I consider heroes

Editorial StaffMay 18, 20223 min read

Elon Musk, Robert Kennedy Junior and Franklin Graham are three people I admire the most. Each is of a different political persuasion. Each has a different mission in life. But all three are doing the best they can to make…

Bulldogs claim first league title

Editorial StaffMay 18, 20225 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—Otsego girls tennis coach Jen Aldrich isn’t a big fan of having competitions on the same day as prom.So when she found out the Wolverine Conference Championship was on the same day as Otsego’s prom—Saturday, May…

Otsego students enjoy prom at Air Zoo in Portage

Otsego students enjoy prom at Air Zoo in Portage

Editorial StaffMay 18, 20222 min read

Nearly 300 students attended the Otsego High School prom at the Air Zoo in Portage on Saturday, May 14. (Photos provided) By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PORTAGE—For the second straight weekend, the Air Zoo in Portage played host to hundreds of…

Fennville mother sues hospital over vaccine requirement

Editorial StaffMay 18, 20224 min read

A Fennville mother of a teen who needs a kidney transplant is suing Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital over its policy that transplant patients be vaccinated against COVID-19.The lawsuit asks a judge to issue permanent injunction barring Spectrum Health from requiring…

Narrow drive hinders barn fire fight

Narrow drive hinders barn fire fight

Editorial StaffMay 18, 20221 min read

A narrow driveway made firetruck access impossible to this 130th Avenue Manlius Township barn fire Sunday, forcing Hamilton first responders to cut down trees with chain saws for about 20 minutes before they could fully fight it. The Saugatuck Township…

Unfair Labor Practices cited in Hopkins Public Schools

Editorial StaffMay 18, 20225 min read

By Gari VossThe ruling on an Unfair Labor Practice complaint filed by the Hopkins Education Association (HEA) against the Hopkins Public Schools District was released on April 12, 2022. Michigan Employment Relations Commission Administrative Law Judge David M. Peltz deemed…

Safe Harbor of Allegan begins building phase

Safe Harbor of Allegan begins building phase

Editorial StaffMay 18, 20222 min read

Safe Harbor Children Advocacy Center held the official groundbreaking for their new facility on Sherman Street, Monday, May 9, 2022. The new Center will provide the staff with additional space to work with children affected by abuse and neglect. Pictured…

Streak Breakers

Streak Breakers

Editorial StaffMay 11, 20221 min read

It’s been said that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. For the past 18 years, however, you could have added a third item to that list: the Allegan girls tennis team winning Wolverine Conference dual meets.The Tigers…

Four OPS schools named National Showcase Schools

Four OPS schools named National Showcase Schools

Editorial StaffMay 11, 20225 min read

Staff members at Alamo Elementary School receive the news that their school was named a National Showcase School. (Photo provided) Dix Street Elementary staff and students react to being named a Showcase School for the third straight year. OMS principal…

Local districts celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week

Local districts celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week

Editorial StaffMay 11, 20223 min read

Plainwell Community Schools superintendent Matthew Montange (far right) and others at the Plainwell administration building hold up signs in honor of teachers and staff. Plainwell elementary students created chalk art to show their appreciation for teachers. (Photo provided) This sign…

Obituary: Gwendolyn Louise West, 90

Obituary: Gwendolyn Louise West, 90

Editorial StaffMay 11, 20222 min read

GWENDOLYN LOUISE WEST entered her eternal home on April 21, 2022 at the age of 90. She was born to Robert H. Henry and Amelia Agusta Henry on Easter Sunday March 27, 1932 in Garden City, Kansas. She married Harold…

Obituary: Joyce Geresy, 96

Obituary: Joyce Geresy, 96

Editorial StaffMay 11, 20222 min read

Joyce passed away Thursday, May 5, 2022 at her home in Plainwell. She was born August 30, 1925 in Augusta, the daughter of Harry and Della (Cosgrove) Rowlson. Joyce graduated from Galesburg High School in 1943. She met John Geresy…

Obituary: Wayne C. Branch, 76

Obituary: Wayne C. Branch, 76

Editorial StaffMay 11, 20222 min read

Clinton Township, Michigan – Wayne C. Branch of Clinton Twp., Michigan, passed away Saturday, February 19, 2022.Wayne was born August 13, 1945, in Plainwell, Michigan, to Wilbur and Maxine Branch.After graduating from Otsego High School, he received his bachelor’s degree…

Obituary: Eugene A Terrell, 80

Obituary: Eugene A Terrell, 80

Editorial StaffMay 11, 20221 min read

Eugene Terrell was born on the Meconi farm in Kalamazoo Michigan on June 8, 1941 to Esther and Frank Terrell. He grew up on a farm in Paw Paw and raised horses and other animals. In childhood he attended a…

Obituary: Mary Elizabeth Johnson, 69

Obituary: Mary Elizabeth Johnson, 69

Editorial StaffMay 11, 20221 min read

Mary Elizabeth Johnson, 69, of Allegan, MI passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at her home. Born August 18, 1952 in Allegan, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Robenia (Burson) Johnson. Mary was a talented artist. She…

Obituary: Blanche Marie Wilkinson (Peet) nee’ Evans, 92

Obituary: Blanche Marie Wilkinson (Peet) nee’ Evans, 92

Editorial StaffMay 11, 20224 min read

Blanche Marie Wilkinson (Peet) nee’ Evans, 92 of Allegan, passed away suddenly at her home, on May 1, 2022. She was born on July 30, 1929 in Allegan, Michigan to Homer and Pearl (King) Evans, as the tenth of their…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffMay 11, 20227 min read

    Groucho Marx would famously flick his cigar, raise his eyebrows, and ask contestants on his television quiz show,  You Bet Your Life, “Who’s buried in Grant’s Tomb?”  It’s a quick question, and the answer is a bit further down in this column.    Grant was…

Disinformation board needs to be scrapped

Disinformation board needs to be scrapped

Editorial StaffMay 11, 20223 min read

Say what?I was aghast when I heard President Biden had created the “Disinformation Government Board” in an effort to combat what he and his minions think is “disinformation.”Like most Americans, I believe free speech is a God-given right protected by…

Otsego baseball drops close game to Vicksburg

Editorial StaffMay 11, 20221 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorVICKSBURG—The Otsego baseball team found itself on the short end of a pitcher’ duel on Thursday, May 6.Otsego dropped the game to Vicksburg 2-1 in a contest that featured just seven combined hits between the two teams.The…

Council gives thumbs up to ORV’s on city streets

Council gives thumbs up to ORV’s on city streets

Editorial StaffMay 11, 20226 min read

After public comments and member discussion, the final decision of the Allegan City Council turned many “red” streets to “green”, which made all but one small section of city streets accessible to ORVs. By Gari Voss Monday, May 9, 2022,…