BOC approvcs construction firm for medical facility improvements
By John RaffelCorrespondent Acting on a late addition to the Board of Commissioners (BOC) agenda at last Thursday’s nighttime annual meeting, former commissioner James Storey said the body approvedan agreement with Beckering Construction to manage the improvements to the county’smedical…
Mike’s Musings: Why Michigan Should Say “No” to Ranked-Choice Voting
As Michigan stands at a crossroad on whether to adopt Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) statewide, voters and policymakers ought to pause and ask: what problem is RCV truly solving — and at what cost? The case against this change is stronger…
Allegan swim & dive team picks up victory over Hastings
The Allegan girls swim & dive team earned an 85-75 victory over Hastings on Tuesday, Oct. 7.With such a small roster, the Tigers knew every swim would matter—and they rose to the challenge, according to head coach Carol Gephart.“The girls…
Otsego captures second consecutive regional crown
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor EAST LANSING—Prior to last season, the Otsego girls golf team had never won a regional championship.Now the Bulldogs have captured back-to-back regional titlesParticipating in the Division 3 regional at Michigan State University’s Forest Akers East on…
Life as Performance Art
I put on a DVD of George Clooney’s film “Good Night and Good Luck” the other evening. Although 20 years old, it is just as relevant, if not more so, today.It’’s the story of U.S. news reporter (radio, journalism and television), Edward…
Mike’s Musings: A time to celebrate, hostages have been released
I don’t care how bad your Trump Derangement Syndrome might be, you have to give the man credit for orchestrating a deal that released the 20 living Israeli hostages from the grips of Hamas on Monday.On Monday, the world witnessed…
Sylvia’s Place a champion of domestic violence victims for many years
By Gari Voss October is domestic violence awareness month. The color is purple and is associated with the fight to end domestic violence. The Allegan City Hall staff including the City Police have joined a county-wide effort to bring awareness…
SHARK founder names names of other alleged cockfighters in area
By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer In another twist in the cockfighting story that has been developing since July of this year, SHARK founder Steve Hindi now says that he has the names and addresses of nine (9) other alleged cockfighters who…
Otsego Library benefits from Eagle Scout Project
The Otsego District Public Library saw significant improvements to its outdoor spaces thanks to the leadership and service of Eagle Scout candidate Amelia Helen Tuttle of Troop 191, Lakeshore District, Michigan Crossroads Council.Amelia’s project, titled Library Landscaping, focused on enhancing both the safety…
Plainwell royalty
Plainwell Community Schools held its annual homecoming festivities the week of Monday, Sept. 29. And as always, the week culminated with the crowning of this year’s royalty.Alyssa Weldon (left) was named this year’s queen, while Andrew Hampton was named this…
Plainwell hosts informational meeting for Battle of the Books
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Battle of the Books has become an annual tradition for area elementary school students.A quiz-bowl-style competition designed for students in grades three through five, Battle of the Books features three rounds of seven questions based on…
Hamilton, Otsego, Allegan compete at D3 invitational
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor HOLLAND—The annual Holland Christian D3 Midseason Invitational took place on Saturday, Oct. 4, and three local teams were among included in the 12-team field.Hamilton had the best showing of that trio, placing fifth with 212 points.…
Otsego girls win at Portage
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PORTAGE—Domination.No, check that. Total, complete and utter domination.Yep. That pretty much sums up Otsego senior cross country standout Emma Hoffman’s performance in the Division 2 race at the Portage Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 4.Crossing the finish…
Life as Performance Art
By G.C. StoppelAbout the time Pat and I married, new neighbors moved next to our home, and in no time Pat and Sylvia became close friends.Pat had worked in the fur department at Marshall Field’s in Chicago. Sylvia was across the street…
Mike’s Musings: I dare you to put down that cellphone and pay a visit
Interaction with other people is critical to our mental health. The texting, phone calling crowd must put down their cellphones occasionally and actually visit friends and families. Unfortunately, this is not happening enough and so many problems are caused because…
Iconic Fennville hotel begins makeover, will house restaurant, speakeasy, event center
By Gari Voss The hotel in Fennville, MI that has stood next to the railroad tracks for almost a century is in the midst of having a facelift. The DuPree family from Holland, MI purchased the grand structure four years…
SHARK founder says cockfighting ring shared with police several weeks earlier
By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer In a shocking discovery, 36 fighting birds — roosters, were found dead in a Hopkins Twp. property on Oct. 3.Local law enforcement received tips about a cockfighting and betting ring from an animal rights organization called…
Barron’s PCC hearing adjourned until Oct. 30
By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer Mya Nicole Barron, the 15-year-old former AHS student who is facing weapons charges after allegedly threatening to attack Allegan High School in September, was in 57th District Court today for a PCC.Judge Christopher Burnett conducted the…
Man and his nephew charged in playground arson
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Otsego man facing arson charges in connection to the fire that damaged the wooden playground structure at Northside Park has been identified as Michael Kilbourn.Kilbourn, 37, appeared in an Allegan courtroom via video on Tuesday,…
Otsego Band Invitational celebrates its 40th year
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Otsego Band Invitational celebrated its 40th anniversary with this year’s edition, which took place Saturday, Sept. 27, at Bulldog Stadium.The fact that the event continues to thrive is a testament to Otsego High School band…
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