Saugatuck girls place fourth at Division 3 State Finals
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorKENT CITY—Novella DeGraaf spent much of Saturday, May 30, racing from one event to another.By the end of the day, the Saugatuck junior had collected three All-State finishes, broken three school records and helped lead the Trailblazers…
Saugatuck sidewalk chalk campaign sparks debate
By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher A series of political messages written in chalk on downtown sidewalks has sparked an ongoing debate in Saugatuck over free speech, public property, and the community’s image as a tourist destination.The controversy centers around a recurring…
Baty, Matteson named Persons of the Year
This year, CommUnity PRIDE recognizes two extraordinary individuals who have helped shape and strengthen that spirit for more than five decades through their generosity, leadership, volunteerism, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to the community. In many ways, it would be impossible…
Life as Performance Art
I always find it a bit amusing when someone, especially one of the talking heads from almost any news station has a hissy fit about what they call ‘revisionist history.’ They change their tone of voice to make it…
Mike’s Musings: Time to Abolish MEDC
For decades, politicians from both parties have defended the Michigan Economic Development Corporation with the same promise: targeted incentives and subsidies will attract jobs, revive communities, and create prosperity. It sounds appealing. If government can selectively help businesses expand, why…
Life as Performance Art
I recall straight news; newscasters survived only if they were deemed trustworthy and reliable es. That’s why we loved Walter Cronkite plus the pair Chet Huntley and David Brinkley.Even Paul Harvey billed his daily radio show as news and commentary.“All…
Mike’s Musings: Rules to live by
I often seek out thought provoking words of wisdom on the internet. Just last week I came across this (by anonymous) and thought I would share it with you. It might not mean much to those that are in their…
Days to not forget
On hand for this year’s Saturday, May 16 Armed Forces Day Luncheon at Community Church of Douglas were (clockwise from top right: keynote speaker Winnie Fritz, post-centenarian real Rosy the Riveter andand event founder/organizer Chris Yoder. (Photos by Erin K.…
Blue Star
By Scott Sullivan,EditorWater MusicLast week’s Part 3 of our tentatively-titled “Tangram/Canary” series left off with developers Johnny Walker, of Tangram LLC, and his Enclave project near-neighbor Joe Novakowski, COO of Elzinga & Volkers builders, sharing differences near the end of…
Life as Performance Art
Memorial Day Monday, May 25 this year, is nigh upon us. Don’t mistake it for the Fourth of July, when our nation’s 250th birthday will deservedly be feted later in 2026, or Veterans Day Nov. 11 each year.Memorial Day began…
Mike’s Musings: On this Memorial Day
Editor’s Note: I thought I would use my space to sometimes contributor, Jeffrey Brasie. As a Vietnam veteran, he offers a movie, book and TV show that honor best those that served. By: Jeffrey D. Brasie, M.A,This coming Monday, May…
Saugatuck girls place third at SAC Championship Meet
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorGOBLES—Novella DeGraaf helped lead the Saugatuck girls track and field team to a third-place finish Tuesday at the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship meet at Gobles High School.Saugatuck totaled 75 points to place third in the 18-team field,…
Blue + gold = green?
By Scott SullivanEditorSaugatuck long has been primed for growth. Think blue skies reflecting on water, sun glinting off sand dunes and beaches, the two primary hues combining to feed green trees, inland orchards and money as consequence, good or bad.…
City moves Water Street watermain work till fall
By Scott SullivanEditorSaugatuck City Council Monday, May 4 changed scheduled Water Street watermain valve work to dates and times less impactful to residents and businesses, with appropriate advance notice.Based on assessment by engineers, the contractor and staff, completing this work…
Life as Performance Art
Conspiracy theorists have taken time off from party, gender and the usual run of politics to resummon and oldie-but-goodie, UFOs.Given the rancor and stridency such said-hot-buttonConsidering some of the other hot-button topics of sure to generate ranting and rancor, flying…
Mike’s Musings: One Vote Can Change Everything – remember the tie vote in Hopkins
If anyone still doubts whether one vote matters, they need only look to what happened last Tuesday in Hopkins, a school district in Allegan County. In what some say was a record turnout, a bond issue did not pass because…
Trailblazers split twill bill against host Martin
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorMARTIN—After letting a late lead slip away in a tough extra-inning loss, Saugatuck responded in a big way.The Trailblazers dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker to Martin in eight innings in the opener of a SAC doubleheader Tuesday, but…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorCracking CodesThe mugger who demanded “What’s the frequency, Kenneth?” while assaulting CBS News Anchor Dan Rather Oct. 4, 1986, was only identified eight years later as William Tager.Rather, having wrapped up another broadcast, was walking to his Manhattan…
Saugatuck names Ondersma new DPW head
By Scott SullivanEditorThe City of Saugatuck is pleased appointed Mark Ondersma its new Director of Public Works, with a start date of May 26.Ondersma, who replaces 9-year DPW head Scott Herbert, brings nearly two decades of municipal and military public…
Douglas manager seeks clearer contract terms
By Scott SullivanEditorDouglas City Manager Lisa Nocerini asked council Monday to review and perhaps revise her contract re:
