Otsego’s Northside Park playground damaged in blaze
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—The large wooden playground structure at Northside Park in Otsego was engulfed in flames during the early-morning hours on Tuesday, Sept. 2.According to Otsego City Manager Aaron Mitchell, the fire is estimated to have started at…
Mike’s Musings: Michigan’s School Funding Stalemate Is a Disservice to Every Student
Here we go again. Another budget cycle, another bitter fight in Lansing over how to fund our schools. This year’s stalemate feels particularly sharp, with both sides dug in and unwilling to budge. Meanwhile, the people who bear the brunt…
Suspected arson at Otsego’s Northside Park; playscape burnt
BY JASON WESSELDYKSPORTS EDITOR OTSEGO—The large wooden playground structure at Northside Park in Otsego was engulfed in flames during the early-morning hours on Tuesday, Sept. 2.According to Otsego City Manager Aaron Mitchell, the fire is estimated to have started at…
Plainwell Schools share transportation information
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The 2005-26 school year official began for Plainwell Community Schools on Monday, Aug. 25, with a half day of classes.And with the resumption of school, district officials wanted to share some reminders from the transportation department…
Gus Macker Tournament proves successful once again
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament returned for its 10th appearance in the City of Otsego on Saturday, Aug. 23, and Friday, Aug. 24.And the event shows no signs of waning in popularity.To the contrary, the…
Otsego golf edges Plainwell
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PAW PAW—The Wolverine Conference portion of the girls golf season began for Otsego and Plainwell on Monday, Aug. 25, as Paw Paw hosted the first league jamboree at Lake Cora Golf Course.And it was the Bulldogs…
Allegan tennis wins home tournament
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Hosting the Tiger Duals on Saturday, Aug. 23, the Allegan boys tennis team won four flight championships to secure top honors.The Tigers, ranked eighth in Division 4, finished with 16 points, followed by Notre Dame Prep…
Life as Performance Art
Over the past few years, we have heard the phrases “sanctuary city” and “sanctuary state”many times. In the US, it has become politically divisive because sanctuary cities and states have traditionally been labeled liberal or “blue states” where the…
Mike’s Musings: Is Cracker Barrel’s new strategy, doomed?
With Congress on vacation for the entire month of August (how dare they) and very little else happening, the Cracker Barrel rebranding hit center stage in last week’s news cycle. The CEO and Marketing Manager rolled out a new contemporary…
Allegan Ladder Truck returns to firehouse
By Gari Voss The buzz around the firehouse on Saturday, August 23, 2025, was not just about a wonderful pancake breakfast complete with eggs, hashbrowns, and sausage or the delicious spaghetti supper that followed, but about the 1951 Ladder Truck…
Council approves downtown apartments, water bill possible increase
By Gari Voss During their August 25, 2025, meeting, the Allegan City Council accepted a Block Grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to create 10 new second story apartments in Downtown Allegan, approved a budget alignment to complete…
Nearly 700 children take part in Ransom summer program
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Ransom District Library assistant director Erin Marsh knows how busy the summer months are for children and their families.That’s why she was beyond excited that nearly 700 children signed up to participate in this year’s Summer…
Otsego Library summer program sees record participation
The Otsego District Library’s Summer Reading Program was deemed a huge success by ODL assistant director/program coordinator Diane DeVries.“Patrons embraced the theme–Color Our World—which showcased the creativity and artistic spirit of the Otsego community,” DeVries said. “All summer long, the…
Football Season Preview:
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor ALLEGANSullivan Garvin stands out on a football field … and just about everywhere else.It’s hard not to when you check in at 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds.A senior lineman for Allegan, Garvin will continue his gridiron career…
Otsego girls golf opens season with record-setting effort
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor GOBLES—Talk about starting the season on a high note.Hosting the Shamrock Invitational at Shamrock Hills Golf Club on Friday, Aug. 15, the Otsego girls golf team posted a team score of 357 to tie Harper Creek…
Life as Performance Art
Life as Performance Art: Joan AndersonG C Stoppel Joan Anderson died on the 14th of July this year at the age of 101. I suspect her name is hardly familiar anymore, but she was perhaps the greatest social influencer in…
Mike’s Musings: Why So Many Michiganders Under 30 Can’t Afford a House
The dream of homeownership, once a clear stepping stone into adulthood, now feels like a mirage for many Michiganders under 30. Despite living in a state often touted for its affordability, structural barriers have erased much of the margin that…
Local teen ready for Allegan County Fair Rodeo
By Gari Voss The Flying Star Rodeo will be at the Grandstand of the Allegan County Fair on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, beginning at 7pm. Waiting for his time to enter the bull riding chute will be Ashton Prolo, a…
Village Market Food Centers to be acquired by Harding’s Friendly Markets
All four will soon be sold to Harding’s Friendly Markets. Photos from Google Maps. By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher In late June, major news broke when SpartanNash announced their sale to a New Hampshire grocery conglomerate. As a Byron Center-based wholesaler…
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