Antkoviak qualifies for U.S. Olympic trials
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Have you ever dreamed of donning the red, white and blue and representing the United States in the Olympics?Allegan native Hannah Antkoviak has. And later this month, she’ll head to Eugene, Ore., for the opportunity to…
Obituary: Andy Wilson Branham
Andy Wilson Branham, of Allegan, passed away May 28 at age 89. He is survived by Arlene (Brown) Branham, his wife of 67 years and his daughter, Linda (Tim) Nielsen of Commerce Township, MI. He was a 1953 graduate of…
Obituary: John Wesley Robart
???????????????????????????????????? John Wesley Robart went home to Heaven to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on the morning of June 12, 2024, at the age of 98. John was born October 22, 1925, to Wesley and Viona Robart of Bloomingdale.…
Obituary: Donald Gibson, 76
Don passed away, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at his home in Allegan. He was born September 22, 1947, in Bell County, Kentucky, the son of Belvin and Vesta (Collins) Gibson.Don proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He started…
Obituary: Kevin Franklin Kelly, Sr
8/31/1956 – 5/31/2024He spent his dash well!Please help us celebrate his life:Grump, grandpa, dad, husband, son, friend, and some titles best not put in print, passed away on Friday, May 31, 2024. We lost the best!Kevin F. Kelly was born…
Severe weather sirens fail to activate, fix resolved
Severe weather has raised its frightful head several times throughout Spring 2024, and that gives rise to ensuring all warning systems work correctly. The tornadoes that ripped through Portage and other surrounding communities are just one example of the importance…
Tornado does damage in Gobles, Bloomingdale
One of two homes in Gobles damaged by storm By Paul GarrodSome of the severe storms Sunday night included a tornado touching down near GoblesA tornado warning came just minutes after a tornado was spotted in Gobles. The National Weather…
Louis Stoel returns to Normandy for D-Day Anniversary
By Donald Talonen On June 6, 2024, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) commemorated the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Approximately 10,000 individuals participated in the ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery. Among them was a local Veteran named Louis…
Life as Performance Art
“Maybe it’s in the closet,” Molly would say. “I’ll check.”We all knew what was coming: Fibber would shout to her, “Don’t touch that closet!” too late, and the sound effects man would pour his props into a metal container, much to the…
Mike’s Musings: Make peace with Russia, align against China
Don’t condemn me before I lay out my logic. Don’t call me a Putin lover or a Russian agent, I’m neither, but do have an opinion that differs from many in power these days.I’m not concerned with Russia. I don’t…
City of Otsego updates speed limits
The speed limit throughout Eley Acres in the City of Otsego has been returned to 25 miles per hour, much to the delight of residents who live in the area. (Photo by Jason Wesseldyk) By Aaron MitchellOtsego City Manager Adhering…
Dix Street Elementary adds StoryWalk
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Near the end of last school year, Otsego Public Schools’ Alamo Elementary School received a StoryWalk on its playground.Now, Dix Street Elementary School in the district has followed suit.Students from the Allegan Area Tech Center recently…
Otsego golf teamcompetesat D2Finals
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor EAST LANSING—As sophomores last year, Spencer Shearer and Landon Eastman represented Otsego in the Division 2 Boys Golf State Finals after qualifying as individuals.The duo returned to the Finals again this season. Only this time, they…
Rain fails to dampen Bridgefest as crowdsenjoy rides, booths, music
Three carnival rides were set up along Riverfront Plaza, including a ferris wheel, a cyclone swing, and the pirate themed “Phantom’s Revenge”. Photo from the Downtown Allegan Facebook page The rain didn’t stop Kitten and the Tonics as they persevered…
Mike’s Musings: My Father, MY Hero
(I wrote this a year ago but wanted share it again. Heck I might share this column over and over for years to come. The man meant so much to me) This week I give pause to reflect on my…
Life as performance Art
About a week ago, on a hot and humid afternoon, I was doing some work on the lawn and gardens. I was close to the sidewalk when a couple of visitors to town paused and commented on the amount of…
Flower Expo Retraction
by Donald Talonen The Flower Expo will not be held at the Allegan County Fairgrounds on August 7 and 8 as previously reported. The request to change the city ordinance to allow for the event to take place was passed…
OPS sets Meet Up & Eat Up, Bookin’ Bus schedules
Members of the Otsego food service staff are seen with some lunch items. (Photo provided) Children enjoy one of the free meals offered through the Meet Up & Eat Up program. (Photo provided) A student picks out a book from…
PHS honors top academic members of Class of ‘24
This year, Plainwell High School honored 22 members of the Class of 2024 for their academic achievements. Elizabeth French was named valedictorian and Isaac Veen was named salutatorian. (Photo provided) By Jason WesseldykSports EditorElizabeth French certainly knew how to stay…
Allegan succumbs to South Christian
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorHOPKINS—It was a battle of state-ranked teams as No. 15 Allegan squared off with No. 4 South Christian in a Division 3 girls soccer district final on Friday, May 31.And while the Tigers were able to come…
