Allegan County News & Union Enterprise

City of Otsego benefits from Eagle Scout project

City of Otsego benefits from Eagle Scout project

Editorial Staff Jul 16, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Otsego’s Riverfront TOP Pavilion has three new picnic tables thanks to the efforts of Otsego High School junior Zachary Knapp.The tables—which were constructed as part of Knapp’s Eagle Scout project —are all Americans With Disabilities Act…

Top Senior Athletes: Otsego

Editorial Staff Jul 16, 2025 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—Caleb Wesseldyk started his athletic career at Otsego High School by winning a team state championship in boys cross country. He finished it by earning All-State in diving.For those achievements, among others, Wesseldyk was named the…

Ganges Twp residents object to proposed campsite

Ganges Twp residents object to proposed campsite

Editorial Staff Jul 16, 2025 6 min read

By Gari Voss What happens when a campground that has been a questionable neighbor appears to be in partnership with a group requesting a special permit to build another campground across the road from the existing business? Residents in Ganges…

29-year-old man drowns in river near Allegan Dam

Editorial Staff Jul 16, 2025 1 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent Allegan County Central Dispatch received a 911 call on July 11 at approximately 8:06 p.m., staying that someone had fallen into the Kalamazoo River at the Allegan Dam and had not resurfaced.Another subject had also fallen in,…

Pick-up crashes in to semi, driver dies

Editorial Staff Jul 16, 2025 1 min read

On July 14th 2025 at 0619 hours Allegan County Central Dispatch received a call regarding a serious traffic crash that occurred on M-40 Ave near 141st Ave, in Fillmore Township.  Preliminary investigation indicates that a pickup truck was traveling north on M-40 and went into the south…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Jul 16, 2025 5 min read

The optics don’t look regarding how our nation is handling the immigration situation.My ancestors came to the U.S. in the 1840s seeking a better life, more freedom from overreaching clergy and government, and a chance to own their own land.…

Mike’s Musings: It’s Time for the Fed to Lower Interest Rates – Before It’s Too Late

Mike’s Musings: It’s Time for the Fed to Lower Interest Rates – Before It’s Too Late

Editorial Staff Jul 16, 2025 4 min read

The Federal Reserve has done its job. Inflation, which recently reached its highest point in forty years, has gradually moderated. The labor market, while still resilient, shows signs of softening. Consumer confidence is shaky, small businesses are tightening their belts,…

Lyrics on the Lawn returns to Otsego Library in August

Lyrics on the Lawn returns to Otsego Library in August

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Since making its debut more than a decade ago, the Lyrics on the Lawn concert series has become a summer tradition at Otsego District Public Library.And this year is no different.Lyrics on the Lawn is back…

City of Otsego adds another internet option

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor City of Otsego residents will soon have another option when it comes to internet service.On Monday, July 14, Surf Internet will begin install fiber internet throughout the majority of the City.A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to…

Otsego updates chicken ordinance

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 3 min read

By Aaron MitchellOtsego City Manager Since last March, the City of Otsego has been discussing the possibility of allowing residential property owners to own chickens for the provision of eggs.To kick things off, we had a few residents come to…

Goddard takes reins of Martin varsity volleyball

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 3 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Shannon Goddard and her family are deeply entrenched in the Martin community.Just how entrenched, you ask?Consider this: she’s a fourth-generation Martin High School graduate, making her children—Demetrius (class of 2020), Makala (class of 2024) and Kendra…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 5 min read

My sister Beverly is the family genealogist. She started some 60 years and has stayed with it ever since.It is not exactly an obsession, but she has converted a bedroom into her office, complete with walls lined with shelves, and…

Mike’s Musings: Legislators, lobbyists married to one another is a conflict of interest

Mike’s Musings: Legislators, lobbyists married to one another is a conflict of interest

Editorial Staff Jul 9, 2025 3 min read

I was sent an article from the Lansing City Pulse written by Kyle Melinn, that claims there are four state legislators that are married to lobbyists.As Melinn says “that means in four households, one person works for the state to…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial Staff Jul 3, 2025 4 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorAlligator AlcatrazGreat news! Florida is building an “Alligator Alcatraz” for illegal immigrants in the Everglades ringed by gators, pythons and mosquitoes.Send me your tired, your poor and ICE will detain them in trailers, tents and tropical heat for…

Huberty named assistant principal at Plainwell HS

Huberty named assistant principal at Plainwell HS

Editorial Staff Jul 3, 2025 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor A familiar face will be taking on a new role at Plainwell High School.Longtime PHS teacher/instructional coach Brian Huberty was recently named the schools’ new assistant principal.According to Huberty, who began his teaching career at PHS…

Women Who Care of Allegan County make big impact

Women Who Care of Allegan County make big impact

Editorial Staff Jul 3, 2025 5 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The most recent Otsego City Commission meeting featured a visit by a special guest.Holly McCaw, representing the organization Women Who Care of Allegan County (WWCAC), gave a presentation outlining the group’s impact both locally and throughout…

Allegan Summer Open draws rave reviews

Editorial Staff Jul 3, 2025 4 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor On Friday, June 20, and Saturday, June 21, the inaugural Allegan Summer Open took place at Gary Ellis Courts near L.E. White Middle School.Allegan High School tennis coach Damien Arthur—who organized the event—said the tournament was…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial Staff Jul 3, 2025 8 min read

     This coming Friday, July 4th, is our nation’s 249th anniversary since the delegates to the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence.  Two hundred forty-nine is not considered a major milestone event.  We’ll wait until next year for a…

Mike’s Musings: Health costs soar, some hospitals benefit

Mike’s Musings: Health costs soar, some hospitals benefit

Editorial Staff Jul 3, 2025 3 min read

I just read a report from the Michigan Health Purchasers Coalition (MIHPC) that essentially concluded that larger hospitals have had profits increased dramatically.Now we all know, if we have spent any time in a hospital, we are charged exorbitant amounts…

Allegan County towns spotlight music, fun and food

Allegan County towns spotlight music, fun and food

Editorial Staff Jul 3, 2025 3 min read

By Gari Voss Following the entertainment around Allegan County can be a bit overwhelming. There are numerous choices of location, music genres, comedy, theater and food. Just follow the sounds. Just one example was the weekend of June 27-29, 2025,…

By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher

Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.

It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.