Allegan County News & Union Enterprise

Hodge named FSU Distinguished Alumnus

Hodge named FSU Distinguished Alumnus

Editorial Staff Oct 30, 2024 2 min read

The Ferris State University Distinguished Alumni Award is bestowed on individuals who demonstrate leadership and service to their profession, community, service organizations and alma mater. One of four chosen for this honor this year is Allegan’s own, Dr. Paul Hodge.Dr.…

Johnson one of ten outstanding Young Americans

Johnson one of ten outstanding Young Americans

Editorial Staff Oct 30, 2024 2 min read

On Sept 14th, at the JCI USA Annual Meeting in Cleveland Ohio, Landria Johnson was the recipient of a Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award. This is a highly prestigious award given to ten individuals between the ages of 18-40 by…

Microsoft purchases over 600 acres in Allegan, Kent Counties

Jordan Wilcox Oct 30, 2024 2 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Over the past few months, the Microsoft Corporation has been engaging in some major real estate transactions in West Michigan.This first began when the company purchased a 316-acre parcel, located at 4450 76th Street, Byron Center…

Municipalities announce Trick or Treat hours, stress safety

Editorial Staff Oct 30, 2024 2 min read

By Gari Voss As Halloween is upon us, families plan their evening of Trick-or-Treat excursions. In addition to corn mazes and walks through the woods, communities and organizations are planning for Trick-or-Treat or Trunk-n-Treat.The optimum words are BE SAFE. Some…

Mike’s Musings: Warning: Negative Political Ads Can be bad for your Health

Mike’s Musings: Warning: Negative Political Ads Can be bad for your Health

Editorial Staff Oct 30, 2024 3 min read

I don’t know about you, but I have a headache from negative advertising. I rarely watch regular network television but last Sunday I had to turn on FOX to watch the Detroit Lions dismantle the Tennessee Titans.The Lions took care…

Four candidates on ballot for Plainwell school board

Four candidates on ballot for Plainwell school board

Editorial Staff Oct 23, 2024 12 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Three of the seven seats on the Plainwell Community Schools Board of Education are up for grabs.Four candidates are on ballot for the Tuesday, Nov. 5, election to fill those spots.Of those candidates, three are incumbents:…

Mitchells complete half marathon to raise money for a good cause

Mitchells complete half marathon to raise money for a good cause

Editorial Staff Oct 23, 2024 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor GRAND RAPIDS—As a member of the Otsego High School boys cross country team, sophomore Jackson Mitchell is no stranger when it comes to running 5Ks.A half marathon, though? That was a bit of a different story.“He…

Otsego marching band wraps up successful season

Editorial Staff Oct 23, 2024 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Otsego High School band program has a reputation for excellence.This year is no different.Otsego wrapped up its marching season on Saturday, Oct. 19, by taking first place in not one, but two competitions.At Grandville, Otsego…

Allegan swim posts victory over Plainwell

Editorial Staff Oct 23, 2024 2 min read

The winning ways continued for the Allegan girls swim & dive team thanks to a 109-63 victory over Plainwell on Tuesday, Oct. 15, to cap Senior Night for the Tigers.The win kept Allegan perfect in the SCC with a 6-0…

Otsego girls win league crown

Editorial Staff Oct 23, 2024 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—With a 7-0 record during the dual-meet portion of the season, the Otsego girls cross country team entered the Wolverine Conference Championship Meet as the prohibitive favorite.The Bulldogs didn’t disappoint.Otsego had three of the top five…

Obituary: Susan Elaine (Saunders) Goodwin

Obituary: Susan Elaine (Saunders) Goodwin

Editorial Staff Oct 23, 2024 2 min read

Susan Elaine (Saunders) Goodwin of Spring Lake, Michigan passed away peacefully on October 19, 2024, at the age of 84. Beloved wife of Frank I Goodwin and daughter of Margaret (Curry) and Stanley Saunders, all of whom have preceded her…

Obituary: Margaret Ann VanderVeen

Obituary: Margaret Ann VanderVeen

Editorial Staff Oct 23, 2024 2 min read

Margaret Ann VanderVeen, age 78, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2024. Margaret was born on April 2, 1946, in Hopkins to Leon and Edna (Cooley) Arnsman, Margaret’s life was a testament to her strength, her passion for music, and…

Life as Performance Art: Life as Conspiracy theories

Life as Performance Art: Life as Conspiracy theories

Editorial Staff Oct 23, 2024 6 min read

     Just before he left the White House for the last time, President Eisenhower warned the nation about the dangers and threats of the Military Industrial Complex.  To simplify it, the military was always looking for new and better weapons,…

Scary Halloween display at Fennville house

Scary Halloween display at Fennville house

Editorial Staff Oct 23, 2024 1 min read

This Halloween display, put together by Michael Kempker & Erin Fisher along with four of the scariest little helpers is one of the better yard displays you will find in the area. You can see it at 2568 56th St.…

Many choices on local ballots

Editorial Staff Oct 23, 2024 7 min read

By Gari Voss “Absentee” ballots have been requested and are being returned. On October 26, 2024, Early Voting at polling places begins and goes through Sunday, November 3, 2024. The last in-person voting day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.The most…

Lee Twp stabbing suspect taken in to custody

Editorial Staff Oct 23, 2024 3 min read

A man accused in a stabbing earlier this month has been taken into custody and arraigned, according to the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office.Anthony Steven Vincent, 43, was arrested on Monday by the Michigan State Police Fugitive Team. He was arraigned on an…

Percival charge with10 counts

Editorial Staff Oct 23, 2024 2 min read

Dylan Michael Percival, 23, from the Pullman area, was charged with 10 counts, including assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, aggravated assault, reckless discharge of a firearm, being a habitual offender and other weapons charges…

Mike’s Musings: Move made me realize how important one vote is

Mike’s Musings: Move made me realize how important one vote is

Editorial Staff Oct 23, 2024 3 min read

I had the opportunity to watch SWING VOTE, a 2008 film starring Kevin Costner, that was about a down on his luck, fired from his job, alcoholic in New Mexico, that had the voter machine eat his ballot as he…

Candidates vie for spot on Otsego Board of Education

Candidates vie for spot on Otsego Board of Education

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2024 11 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Four candidates are on Nov. 5 ballot for three open positions on the Otsego Public Schools Board of Education.Current school board president Amy Stender and Jason Davis—who was appointed to the board in August to fill…

1871 Taproom opens for business in downtown Plainwell

1871 Taproom opens for business in downtown Plainwell

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2024 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The newest eating establishment in downtown Plainwell is officially open for business.Located at 107 S. Main St., 1871 Taproom welcomed patrons for the first time on Thursday, Oct. 10, and is now open daily.Brothers John and…

By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher

Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.

It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.