Downtown Allegan’s Bridgefest set for this weekend
The City of Allegan will host the annual Bridgefest celebration, a vibrant and fun-filled event taking place on Saturday, June 8, 2024. From 11 AM to 10 PM, Downtown Allegan will come alive with a day packed with activities, entertainment,…
Mike’s Musings: No fun being trapped in an elevator
Have you ever been trapped in an elevator?Until last week, I could unequivocally say “no.” Now having been around for a while, I have ridden up and down on my share of elevators and never gave it a second thought…
Otsego claims Wolverine Conference championship
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorTHREE RIVERS—Otsego’s Spencer Shearer and Vicksburg’s Luke Malocha finished atop the leader board at the Wolverine Conference Championship at Pine View in Three Rivers on Wednesday, May 22.Shearer and Malocha each carded a three-under-par 69, finishing four…
Obituary: Hermina “Betty” VanDenBrink
Proverbs 31 says of a virtuous woman “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her…
Obituary: Roger J. Rininger
Roger J. Rininger was unconventional, a masterful storyteller, and an intrepid traveler. He was a connoisseur of the unique and different. Throughout his life, he wove tales of adventure and wonder, captivating all who had the privilege of listening. Whether recounting his…
Obituary: Donna Hazel (Schanz) Robart
On the evening of May 21, 2024, Donna Hazel (Schanz) Robart of Plainwell went to be with Jesus in Heaven, at the age of 94. Donna was born July 30, 1929, to William and Ada Schanz of Allegan. Donna and…
Life as Performance Art
For the past few summers, a small group of fellow journalists, all writers for the British magazine The Chap, have banded together, along with some other friends, wives and sweet-hearts for their Annual Grand Flaneur. Last year there were some sixty “Chaps”…
Cities, townships observe Memorial Day
Flag raising in Allegan Memorial Day parade goes through downtown Pullman The Otsego Laying of the wreath The Fennville VFW Post 7911 gathered the community for a Memorial Service at the Fennville Cemetery. By Gari Voss Rainy weather across Allegan…
A big dream of tiny houses
By Donald Talonen Pingree Park, formerly the property of Mr. T.M. Russell, is historically significant for being the location of the original courthouse in Allegan. While no official buildings have been present on the property since around 1865, in the…
Mike’s Musings: Ukraine-Russia war must be stopped
Here I go again. One of my favorite rants is “Why do we send so much money and weapons to Ukraine to further a war they will never win?As a country we are nearly $34 trillion in debt and have…
Island City Festival offers more, bigger carnival rides
Carnival goers enjoy the activities at last year’s Island City Festival. The festival begins on Friday, May 31. (File photo) By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The people spoke. And the organizers of the Island City Festival in Plainwell listened.“Based on feedback…
Three Plainwell students honored in poetry contest
Plainwell students (from left) Audra Huberty, Josie Longcore and Julia Bitely are seen at the awards ceremony for the Pestka Art & Poetry Contest. (Photo provided) By Jason WesseldykSports Editor On Monday, May 6, organizers of the Henry Pestka Art…
Helen Ave. reconstruction project underway in Otsego
By Aaron MitchellOtsego City Manager The northside of the City of Otsego will be looking a little different this summer. Actually, it will be looking very different.It’s hard to miss the infrastructure project that has already commenced and will likely…
Plainwell wins three events at regionals, Otsego claims two events
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor RICHLAND—The Plainwell quartet of Hiro Nguyen, Donovan Ryan, Henry Cox and Isaac Veen entered the Division 2 boys track regional at Gull Lake High School ranked first in the 4×800 relay.And they didn’t disappoint, shaving four…
Obituary: Mary K. Bastian
Mary K. Bastian, age 71, of Gladstone, MI passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the UP Health System in Marquette, MI.Mary was born July 18, 1952 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of Frank and Marilyn (Stigers) Bastian.…
Obituary: June A. Smith
June A. Smith passed away peacefully at Resthaven Care Center in Holland, Michigan on May 14th, 2024. June was born in Berwyn, Illinois on August 10, 1931 to her doting parents Edward “Ted” A. Reed and Helen Kientop Reed.As a…
Obituary: William Don Howard
William Don Howard, 73, of Allegan, MI passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Meadow Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Bloomingdale. Born January 9, 1951 in Greely, CO, he was the son of the late Don and Elizabeth (Vivian)…
Obituary: Albert John Radspieler II
Albert John Radspieler II, a resident of Allegan, Michigan, age 83 bid farewell to this world on April 30, 2024. Born on January 19, 1941, to the late Albert John Radspieler Sr. and Antoinette “Ann” (Wapienik) Radspieler, he was also…
Life as Performance Art
When I was growing up, some of The Olds still called it Decoration Day. They were participating in a tradition that dated back to the 1860s, just after the Civil War. Late each May they went to the local cemetery to clean…
Election Commission keeps Storey off of ballot
By Donald Talonen On Thursday May 17, 2024, the Allegan County Election Commission, in a unanimous 3-0 decision, determined that it lacks the authority to consider or act upon a request made by the current County Board Chair, Jim Storey.…
