Columns
“Out and About”: Appliances, car washes, and physicals
“Ah!! There is nothing like staying home for real comfort.” -Jane AustenLast week I offered suggestions on how to save money when shopping for groceries. I hope you found at least one of the suggestions helpful.We recently purchased a new…
May I Walk with You? SEEING THE INVISIBLE
As a child I memorized the definition of a sacrament, my memory tells me, “A sacrament is an outward sign, instituted by Christ, to give grace.” I learned that there are seven sacraments: Baptism, Penance (Reconciliation), Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy…
The Assassination of Charlie Kirk and Civil Discourse
By Otsego City Manager Aaron Mitchell We at the City of Otsego condemn the assassination of Charlie Kirk yesterday with the strongest of emotions. It was a sad day for so many reasons. It makes many uneasy about the future…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorCall of the WildGreat news from Lansing, where the same state government that gave us the Flint water crisis has banned using chocolate as bait for bears.We can poison poor people but pack M&M’s in a picnic basket…
Life as Performance Art
As the story goes, a grandfather was trying to help his young grandson with some history homework for school. The boy was frustrated and asked gramps if he had to study it when he was in school. When the…
Mike’s Musings: How to decrease buggy accidents in our communities
It happens over and over, an Amish buggy is hit by a car or truck and severe injuries happen to thos in the buggy. Just last week the scene was Clare County, which by the way has had a half…
Out and About: End of summer, saving money, and strange but true facts
Welcome to September! Labor Day 2025 is now in the history books, which means it is time for the gentlemen out there to put away the white shoes and white shorts for the summer. You’ll be seeing fewer Illinois and…
May I Walk with You? Satisfaction
Remember the song, “I can’t get no satisfaction. I can’t get no satisfaction. I tried and I tried, and I tried.“ It is sad, but not uncommon that in our world of abundance that many people have everything they want…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorIn the NavyPolice seek a suspect who smashed a car with a baseball bat last week near the Wyandotte Big Boy. The restaurant sculpture was too busy hoisting a burger to give a positive ID on him.FOX 2…
Life as Performance Art
For the most part, I don’t give President Trump and his executive orders much attention. For one thing, these epistles are often challenged in court and sometimes overturned. The exception is when it touches on something important to me.…
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…
HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK
By Frank Passic As we approach the upcoming Labor Day holiday on September 1, we are reminded of the contributions union labor has made here in Albion through the years. During World War II, our local factory unions banded together…
Out and About: Rehab, safe exercising, and a break from the heat
“One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” ~ Hans Christian AndersonThis is the last week of my second session of “Heart Healthy” at the Beacon Wellness Pavilion. We will have the week of Labor Day off before we…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorPsychoGreat news on the crazy front. A new website aims to share knowledge and lead discussions about psychopathy, a disorder characterized by fearlessness, difficulty inhibiting behaviors plus severe lack of empathy and remorse.We all know psychopaths. Charles Manson,…
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…
Historical Notebook: PAVING THE WAY FOR A SUPERIOR FUTURE
By Frank Passic, Albion Historian One of Albion’s community assets is its downtown brick Superior Street on M-99. It has existed since the beginning of the 20th century. This summer, the Michigan Department of Transportation is doing some maintenance…
Out and About: Open house, restoring your gut, and Labor Day
“Every act of love is a work of peace, no matter how small.” -Mother TeresaA brief reminder about the upcoming open house at the American Legion this Saturday, August 23. The open house will run from noon until 4 p.m.…
May I Walk with You? HARVEST TIME
It is that time of year again when anyone engaged in agriculture, whether farming, gardening or visiting fruit and vegetable markets, begins to harvest the fruit of their work. Already, the peaches are about ready to pick. Beats, beans, tomatoes,…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorFinding JesusLast time we checked on Florida Man, he was had moved on from building Alligator Alcatraz and trying to cross the Atlantic in a hamster wheel.Recent headlines:





PUBLIC NOTICE
2026 ALLEGAN COUNTY PROPOSED FINAL BUDGET
The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allegan will hold a budget hearing on Thursday, October 9, 2025, for all interested citizens to comment and discuss the proposed budget.
The hearing will take place at 7:00 PM in the Board Room, County Services Building, 3283–122nd Avenue, Allegan, Michigan, to discuss the proposed budget. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. The public may also participate in the meeting/public hearing by calling 1-929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 891 6032 7098, and Meeting Password 471420. For other options connecting to the meeting, please visit the meeting calendar website at www.allegancounty.org or contact the County Administrator’s Office.
The proposed budget may be examined online at www.allegancounty.org under News Media Room or on weekdays at the Office of the Allegan County Administrator (address below), between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. All interested citizens will have the opportunity to give written and/or oral comments.
County will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the public hearing upon one (1) week notice. Individuals requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the following in writing or by telephone:
Robert J. Sarro,
County Administrator,
3283 – 122nd Avenue,
Allegan, Michigan, 49010
269-673-0239