Allegan County News & Union Enterprise

Obituary: Donn Matthew Wiley

Obituary: Donn Matthew Wiley

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2024 1 min read

Donn Matthew Wiley passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on October 8, 2024 at his home in Allegan, MI.  Born June 21, 1939 in Allegan, he was the son of the late William and Earline (Counterman) Wiley.  Donn…

Obituary: Joyce Arlene Miles (Pittner)

Obituary: Joyce Arlene Miles (Pittner)

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2024 3 min read

Joyce Arlene Miles (Pittner), a beacon of love and friendship, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2024, in Allegan, Michigan, at the age of 90. Born on June 18, 1934, in Plainwell, MI, Joyce lived a life marked by devotion…

Obituary: Margaret Jean Vander Vere

Obituary: Margaret Jean Vander Vere

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2024 3 min read

AUGUST 4, 1934 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 Margaret Jean Vander Vere,  left this world at the remarkable age of ninety. Diagnosed with dementia and pre-Alzheimer’s in 1999, Margaret approached her diagnosis like she approached life — with determination, humor, and…

County Building Open House uncovers aspacious work environment

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2024 3 min read

By Gari Voss The Allegan County building on 122nd Avenue northwest of Allegan unveiled the spacious working quarters of the Allegan County administrative staff, vital county services, and the newly renovated areas for the County Treasurer, Register of Deeds and…

SUV strikes tractor pulling a wagon for hayride, several injured

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2024 2 min read

By Gari Voss The call came to Allegan County Central Dispatch at 7:24pm on Saturday, October 12, 2024, reporting “a serious traffic crash” on M-40 near 110th Avenue in Trowbridge Township. When responders reached the location, they found an overturned…

Former SH substitute teacher, who violently threatened students, also charged with destruction of Allegan building

Jordan Wilcox Oct 17, 2024 5 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher More information has been released about the substitute teacher whose unsettling comments led to a shelter in place order at South Haven’s Baseline Middle School on Tuesday, September 10th. He was involved in more altercations, been…

Mike’s Musings: My fear of “Bambi” makes me a nervous Driver

Mike’s Musings: My fear of “Bambi” makes me a nervous Driver

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2024 3 min read

The social media memes showing vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz fumbling with loading his shotgun at a pheasant hunt reminded that this is the time of year when my mind sometimes wanders to “Bambi” and the confrontations I have had with…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2024 4 min read

I read an online religious news service article saying hunting was a form of conservation fulfilling God’s instructions to Adam and Eve to take dominion over the earth. That is an interesting perspective.For many years The Commercial Record printed a…

Safety week returns to Otsego Schools

Safety week returns to Otsego Schools

Editorial Staff Oct 9, 2024 3 min read

The safety of students and staff members is a top priority for Otsego Public Schools officials.That’s why, for the fifth year, OPS is recognizing School Safety Week beginning Monday, Oct. 14, and running through Friday, Oct. 18.This year, along with…

Otsego honors Guthrie with Cyndi Trobeck Award

Otsego honors Guthrie with Cyndi Trobeck Award

Editorial Staff Oct 9, 2024 4 min read

Otsego Public Schools food service coordinator Julie Guthrie (middle) received the Cyndi Trobeck Community Service Award. (Photo provided) By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Serving others in the community—particularly the children and families of Otsego—is one of Julie Guthrie’s favorite pastimes.“I love…

Otsego tennis posts victory over Harper Creek

Editorial Staff Oct 9, 2024 1 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor BATTLE CREEK—In a tune-up for regional play, the Otsego boys tennis team traveled to Battle Creek for a non-league match against Harper Creek on Monday, Oct. 7.And a successful trip it was.The Bulldogs cruised to the…

Allegan swim upends host Hastings

Editorial Staff Oct 9, 2024 2 min read

HASTINGS—The Allegan girls swim & dive team secured a commanding victory over Hastings on Tuesday, Oct. 1, by a final score of 105-73.This win continues the Tigers’ undefeated streak, bringing their conference record to 4-0.The Tigers’ individual event winners included…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Oct 9, 2024 7 min read

    An online religious news service recently featured an article that hunting was really a form of conservation, and the fulfillment of God’s instructions to Adam and Eve to take dominion over the earth.  That is an interesting perspective.    For…

40th Annual Fennville Goose Festival this weekend

40th Annual Fennville Goose Festival this weekend

Editorial Staff Oct 9, 2024 5 min read

By Gari Voss Goose Festival Weekend has arrived. Fennville, Mi will open its streets from Thursday, October 10 through Sunday, October 13, 2024, to residents and visitors in celebration of the migration of geese through the fields around Fennville. This…

6th annual Melonhead Games explore Allegan Forest

Editorial Staff Oct 9, 2024 6 min read

By Gari Voss &Scott Hageman On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the Allegan Game Forest will be alive with lights wielded by participants of the Melonhead Games. This is the sixth year that Scott Hageman will unveil five campfire stories that…

Mike’s Musings: Donate if you can, Helene a monster

Mike’s Musings: Donate if you can, Helene a monster

Editorial Staff Oct 9, 2024 3 min read

We all are too familiar with it now. I am writing about the devastation that we witnessed in western North Carolina last week. Hurricane Helene, which swept through Florida quickly and then motored up to the Carolina’s within a blink…

Plainwell schools asks voters to approve bond

Plainwell schools asks voters to approve bond

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A new preschool building and new gyms for two elementary schools.Those are among the main items included in a bond proposal that Plainwell Community Schools officials hope voters will pass in the November election.This marks the…

Otsego Band Invitational takes center stage

Otsego Band Invitational takes center stage

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The annual Otsego Band Invitational is always a special event for Otsego High School/Middle School band director Mitch Piersma.This year’s edition—which was the 39th and took place on Saturday, Sept. 28—was even more so.That’s because when…

Allegan tennis places third at league tourney

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 2 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor With three teams ranked in the top 10 among Division 4 boys tennis teams, you’d probably think the SAC/Lakeland Conference Finals on Friday, Sept. 27, was a highly contested battle.And you’d be right.In the end, it…

Otsego tennis splits matches

Editorial Staff Oct 2, 2024 1 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Otsego boys tennis team took on a pair of Wolverine Conference rivals on back-to-back days and came away with split results.The Bulldogs beat Three Rivers 7-1 on Thursday, Sept. 26, after falling 6-2 to Three…

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.