News
A parade of joy
Saugatuck’s annual Whootville Chrismas Parade bought out a large and fittingly festive crowd o marchers, including local Girl Scout Troop 80469, and spectators to downtown Saturday. See more photos by Scott Sullivan on Page .
Schools buy 50acres from church
By Scott SullivanEditorThe Saugatuck Public Schools district has bought 50 acres 50west of Community Church of Douglas on Wiley Road for $1.25 million and invites the community to take part in envisioning its uses.SPS superintendent Mark Neidlinger announced Monday the…
City eyes $1.5 million Elizabeth Street repairs
By Scott SullivanEditorSaugatuck City Council Monday approved paying engineers Fleis & Vandenbrink $32,000 to assist with an estimated $1.5 million in Elizabeth Street improvement project over the next two years.Work, as shown in the city’s capital improvements plan, will include…
Creviston, Zupko join OHS band for holiday concert
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor As Otsego High School band director Mitch Piersma was eating breakfast in the early morning hours on Thursday, Dec. 4, his phone rang.He was hesitant to answer.“I immediately starting saying, ‘No, no, no,’ before I answered…
Plainwell High School Student Senate hosts PCS Holiday Night
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Want to have fun while making a positive impact on the community?If so, then the Plainwell High School Student Senate has just the thing for you.On Monday, Dec. 15, the PHS Student Senate will host PCS…
OMS robotics teams wrap up successful season
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor “How am I going to use this in real life?” or “When will I need this?”Those are questions many teachers have heard from students over the years.Members of the two Otsego Middle School robotics teams learned…
Pedestrian struck by vehicle in Wayland, dies at hospital
Wayland police identified Dwayne Goodman, 59, of Wayland, as the pedestrian who was struck and killed by a vehicle on Monday, Dec. 8.The crash happened around 7:20 a.m. in the 1100 block of West Superior Street, just east of U.S.…
Downtown Allegan kicks off Festive Friday celebrations
By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Downtown Allegan welcomed the season of lights and cheer last Friday, December 5th, as it kicked off its annual Festive Fridays, a series of holiday-themed evenings designed to bring the community together through shopping, strolling, and…
Wiley jet skis across Lake Michigan to Chicago
By James Windell You never know what someone of a certain age and a little bit of both time and money will think of next.Take Kirk Wiley for instance. He had a brainstorm. Which had to do with his jet…
Sgt. Pat Carlotto sues South Haven, claims discrimination
By James Windell Sgt. Pat Carlotto, who had served as interim police chief for the South Haven Police Department in both 2024 and 2025, has sued the City of South Haven because he was not selected for the position of…
Jazz Festival creator receives proclamation from South Haven
By James Windell Larry Brown, who created and ran the South Haven Jazz Festival for the past eight years, was honored by Mayor Annie Brown with a Proclamation.The proclamation was awarded to Brown at the South Haven City Council meeting…
Four friends create lighted trees for South Haven
By James Windell When four Indiana Avenue neighbors who are buddies get together, you never know what they will come up with.But Jeremy Buckingham, who goes by the nickname of Sparky – because, he thinks, he has a sparkling personality,…
Working smoke alarm is credited with saving Mattawan resident in structure fire
At approximately 8:50 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, Mattawan Fire, Mattawan Rescue, and Van Buren Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were dispatched to a reported residential structure fire.Upon arrival, crews found a single-wide trailer that was approximately 50 percent involved with heavy…
Paw Paw Launches New “Christmas in the Village” Celebration
Paw Paw will sparkle with holiday cheer this season as the community debuts its new Christmas in the Village celebration – two days of festivities, local spirit, and small-town magic.The event kicks off Friday, Dec. 12, with the Lighted Holiday…
Sand pleads no contest to third-degree CSC charges; other charges dropped
Sentencing scheduled for Jan. 23 By Robert TomlinsonNews Director This article has been updated to reflect the actual age of Sand as 34. The Commercial-News apologizes for the error. CENTREVILLE — A former contracted food service employee at Mendon Junior/Senior…
Santa’s arrival marks midway highlight of ‘Dashing Through Downtown’
Santa Claus arrived Friday for “Dashing Through Downtown” in Sturgis. He arrived with escort from city of Sturgis fire engine, preceded by Sturgis High School’s marching band, proceeding from the depot to Free Church Park, where revelers could meet him…
New ornament features historic lighthouse
The Saugatuck-Douglas History Center’s annual collectable holiday ornament this year commemorates Saugatuck’s historic pre-Civil War era lighthouse. It will have its first public offering at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts’ Outdoor Holiday Market Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m.…
‘Christmas Carol’ to benefit Christian Neighbors
From the first “Bah! Humbug!” to the last “God Bless Us, Every One!,” the 39th annual production of Saugatuck’s “A Christmas Carol” opening Dec. 12 will be linked as closely as it ever has been to the true meaning of…
