News

Two Clare women crowned pageant winners

Two Clare women crowned pageant winners

Editorial StaffAug 15, 20251 min read

Clare has recently been represented by two exceptional young women in the Miss Michigan Teen and the Miss Michigan USA, leaving a lasting impression and making outstanding contributions.Eliy Simmer of Clare was crowned Miss Michigan Teen USA 2025. Her success…

Incident involving unresponsive person being investigated in Lockport Twp.

Robert TomlinsonAug 13, 20252 min read

LOCKPORT TWP. — The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help after finding an unresponsive individual in Lockport Township Tuesday. According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched Tuesday to the 17000 block of South River…

Township hall site improvements planned

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20254 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor The Saugatuck Township Board was scheduled Wednesday, Aug. 13, to review and perhaps approve a $1.575-million township hall redesign. If so, contractor Progressive AE will prepare construction documents for public bidding in September and work could…

Township bus ridership stays strong

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20253 min read

By Jim Hayden Correspondent Bus ridership in Laketown Township continues to be strong with the Interurban Transit Authority picking up or dropping off 832 people township-wide in June. It was the second month of the trial service in Laketown. In…

Laketown wants third interview with Fox

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20253 min read

By Jim Hayden Correspondent The Laketown Township Board Aug. 6 agreed to ask manager finalist Stephanie Fox to return for a third interview after citing new questions about her time as an Ionia County Administrator. No date or time has…

On the beach

On the beach

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20251 min read

It’s a colorful family affair visiting Lake Michigan beaches with water temperatures running into the 70’s since July. This shot was captured last weekend at Saugatuck’s Oval Beach. (Photo by Scott Sullivan)

Bank eyes former Douglas restaurant site

Bank eyes former Douglas restaurant site

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20253 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe Douglas Planning Commission Thursday, Aug. 14 will weigh a Consumers Credit Union special land use request to create a drive-though/drive-in 1,185-square-foot commercial bank office at the former Kalico Kitchen site, 312 Ferry St.A public hearing is scheduled…

Moore named new city planning/zoning head

Moore named new city planning/zoning head

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20252 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe City of Saugatuck has appointed Grayson Moore new planning and zoning director succeeding Luke Thompson, who left that post effective July 31 to take a similar job nearer his family in South Haven.Moore will start here in…

Otsego prepares for 10th year of Gus Macker tourney

Otsego prepares for 10th year of Gus Macker tourney

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Otsego Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament has reached double digits.That’s right. The Otsego Macker is turning 10 years old this year, as the first tournament was held in 2015.No event took place in 2020 due…

Fowl Play! Illegal cockfighting ring discovered

Fowl Play! Illegal cockfighting ring discovered

Jordan WilcoxAug 13, 20253 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Anyone who’s ever been to Hopkins knows that the sounds of barnyard animals are not an auditory anomaly. Due to the area’s strong dairy farming industry, cows can be heard all day long.However, on Saturday, July…

High school gymnasium plans temporarily under water

High school gymnasium plans temporarily under water

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20252 min read

Summer at Allegan Senior High School has been busy with renovations related to the Allegan Public Schools bond passed by Allegan voters in 2021. The $87.5 million bond has three phases that stretch from school year 2021-22 to Fall 2026…

Fennville voters approve bond referendum for facility Improvements

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20252 min read

Fennville Voters Approve Bond Referendum for Facility ImprovementsOn August 5, 2025, voters in the Fennville Public Schools district approved a bond referendum to reinvest in the district’s facilities, focusing on improving air quality, safety, and learning environments for all students,…

Man drowns in Fennville pool

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20251 min read

A 78-year-old man drowned in a pool at a home in Fennville on Saturday afternoon, firefighters say.It happened around 1 p.m. at a home on 124th Avenue. Fennville Fire Department Chief Paul Hapke says firefighters received a call about the…

Lawrence cheer continues to have success

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20252 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent Melissa Pyle is head coach for sideline cheer at Lauren and recalls major highlights from a year ago.“Tripling the number of cheerleaders was a highlight/record/top moment of the season.” Pyle said. “Senior captain Kennedi Klock and junior…

Walker recognized for lasting impact on South Haven

Walker recognized for lasting impact on South Haven

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20252 min read

By Tom Renner A long standing tradition of the Bobby Walker Basketball Tournament in South Haven is to begin the summer weekend event with the presentation of Leadership Awards to civic leaders, organizations and sponsors. This year the ceremony had a…

Hundreds attend National Night Out

Hundreds attend National Night Out

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20251 min read

By Tom Renner Haven marked National Night Out with an event that attracted hundreds to the downtown the downtown pavilion. Law enforcement and fire/EMS agencies were joined by several community organizations. The Van Buren Sheriff horse unit joined in the…

Brown, Hosley to face off for mayor in November

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20252 min read

By James Windell The South Haven primary election was held for mayor and city council candidates on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. The top two candidates for mayor and for city council in each ward will face each other in the…

Lawrence Township Fire Department holds a Centennial celebration

Lawrence Township Fire Department holds a Centennial celebration

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20251 min read

A centennial celebration was held Saturday, Aug. 9, in Lawrence for the Lawrence Township Fire Department. The event featured fire truck demos, food trucks, games, raffles, music and family fun. Shown in photo from left, Lawrence Township Supervisor, Donna Spenner,…

Gobles man faces several charges including strangulation

Editorial StaffAug 13, 20252 min read

A 31-year-old Gobles man faces several charges following an incident Wednesday, Aug. 6, according to a press release from eh Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.The incident took place at approximately 10 p.m. in the 25000 block of 36th Street.Deputies responded…

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