Life as Performance Art
By G.C. StoppelMy parents had a “kitchen garden” where we grew fruits and vegetables. We ate some of the bounty in a style later called “farm to table.” Some we gave away to people who didn’t have gardens. Everything else…
School resource officers could return to Allegan
By Gari VossCorrespondent City of Allegan Police Chief Jay Gibson has had a dream that School Resource Officers (SROs) would again be assigned to the Allegan Public Schools to assist teachers and school staff in creating a safer and welcoming…
Work to begin on Allegan bridge, streetscape
By Gari VossCorrespondent Allegan’s City Council balanced requests from the public with normal business during their March 28, 2022 meeting. As summer approaches, music is scheduled to return to the Riverfront, and the Griswold will be filled with a benefit…
Obituary-John Dee Danes “Captain John”
John Dee Danes “Captain John” of Allegan, passed away on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, surrounded by family at home. John was born on February 3, 1944 in Big Rapids, MI. The son of the late Cecil ‘Jack’ Danes and Frances…
Obituary-Jason Roger Herpst
Jason Roger Herpst, born January 16, 1970, died March 13, 2022. He was the son of Roger and June Herpst; brother to Marjori Cantwell (Joe); husband to Kirsten Herpst; and father to Ethan and William Herpst. Jason grew up in…
Obituary-John A. Johnston
John A. Johnston was born to Jack and Ginny Johnston on October 19, 1951. He was the middle child and only boy, with Pammie being the oldest and Bethany, the youngest. John began his K-12 education by walking across the street…
Obituary-Robert “Bob” Charles Wright
Robert “Bob” Charles Wright, age 65, passed away unexpectedly on March 20, 2022, at his home. He was born July 3, 1956, in Allegan, MI the son of Thomas Roxbury. Siblings Robin (Ken Firlik) Lyles, Kolleen (John) Livingston and Ryan…
Otsego mayor passes away following brief illness
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Otsego mayor Cyndi Trobeck passed away on Monday, March 14, following a “brief and abrupt battle” with a neurodegenerative disease.Trobeck began suffering from health issues in early December and was recently diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. A…
OHS’s ‘Wizard of Oz’ prepares for second weekend
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The first weekend of Otsego High School’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” is done. And it couldn’t have gone any better, according to choir teacher Meredith Lincoln.“These students have worked so hard these past three…
Gilkey’s Funk named a ‘Cool Teacher’
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Courtney Funk’s kindergarten classroom at Gilkey Elementary School in Plainwell recently had some special visitors.Representatives from WGVU—the PBS affiliate based in Grand Rapids—stopped by to present Funk with the station’s Cool Teacher Award.The parent of one…
Otsego mayor passes away following brief illness
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Otsego mayor Cyndi Trobeck passed away on Monday, March 14, following a “brief and abrupt battle” with a neurodegenerative disease.Trobeck began suffering from health issues in early December and was recently diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. A…
OPS board honors superintendent
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor From National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day to National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, there seems to be a day in honor of just about everything.So, Otsego Public Schools Board of Education member Amy Stender reasoned, there…
Inflation, Ukraine situations hurt
By Mike WilcoxPublisherMost of us simply want peace in our lives, nation and world. We enjoy resting in a warm or cool house with something to eat, free from worry and stress.Peace is not always easy. This winter, chances are…
Life as Performance Art
By G.C. StoppelMid-March’s warm, sunny weather was a tonic we needed. This winter was a character builder; we had more cold, snow gray skies and bleak news than we wanted.With a few hours of sunshine, melting snow and migratory birds…
Regent Arcade finds a new home in Allegan
By Gari Voss Matt Adams shared, “We knew that someday we would need to move, but finding a new location was not easy. There is some sentimental value to our location at the back of the Regent Theater.”When the Allegan…
Opportunities abound locally for spring breakers
By Gari Voss As April 1, 2022 approaches, families are preparing for a week of Spring Break. Most school districts in Allegan County will be on vacation from Friday, April 1st through April 8th. With the price of gas and…
Watson Twp incident illustrates dangers deputies face
By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN – Allegan County Board of Commissioner chairman Jim Storey points out the challenges and risks encountered by local law enforcement officials no matter where they are serving.“While the dangers faced by Allegan sheriff’s deputies in performing…
OPS receives Gold Medallion Award
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Michigan School Public Relations Association recently presented Otsego Public Schools with its Gold Medallion Award.The award, which recognizes outstanding programs or projects that advance education through responsible communication, was in response to OPS’s successful Propelling…
Obituary: Donald B. Lucas, 89
Donald B. Lucas, 89 of Allegan, passed away in Ascension Allegan Hospital on March 11, 2022. Don was born in Cadillac, Michigan on August 3, 1932 to Abram and Lena (Westmaas) Lucas. The family moved to Grand Rapids when don…
Obituary: Constance Virginia Miller, 87
Constance Virginia (Gerard) Miller, 87, of Hopkins, MI passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at Ascension Allegan General Hospital. Born December 17, 1934 and raised in Grand Rapids, she was the daughter of the late Carl and Lorraine Gerard. Mrs.…
