News
Battery storage requirements recommended for Fabius solar ordinance
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director FABIUS TWP. — A proposed amendment to Fabius Township’s solar ordinance could help open the door for an in-the-works solar energy project in the township. On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Fabius Township Planning Commission recommended for…
‘Winter Blues’ breaks the chill with music variety
By Dennis Volkert “Winter Blues” took place Jan. 17 in downtown Sturgis. It was the first segment of the 2025 festival season presented by Sturgis DDA. Almost a dozen music performers, in a variety of styles, were featured at participating businesses. Also featured…
Pay increase approved for Sturgis mayor, city commissioners
Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday approved a recommendation by Elected Officials Compensation Commission to increase the pay rate for commissioners and Mayor Frank Perez.In accordance with Home Rule City Act 279 of 1909, EOCC met Jan. 16 to review the…
Board makes appointments, approves new faculty members
By Dennis Volkert At its Jan. 13 meeting, Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education approved appointments for president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. Emily Halling, Lynn Brand and Gwen Donmyer retained their seats for president, VP and secretary, respectively. Ben Myers…
Farwell cheerleaders place second
By John RaffelCorrespondent FARWELL — Farwell’s competitive cheer team finished second in Division 4 at the Chippewa Hills Invitational on Monday, Jan 20.Marion won the competition with a three-round score of 688.48 followed by Farwell at 589.6 and Lake City…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Whiling away the days until spring
Another week, another column…With January winding down – there’s only one more week – now there’s only a couple more months (maybe) to get through before spring arrives again.That seems like a long time, but the way the days have…
Lake George man’s threats close down Clare VA clinic
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent The Clare VA Clinic was placed into lockdown last Friday while threats made by a Lake George man were being investigated, a release from the Clare County Sheriff’s Office said.Clare County Central Dispatch received a call at…
Truck stop/convenience store planned for Clare’s north end
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent During his City Manager’s Report at the Clare Commission meeting Monday evening, Jeremy Howard reported on the January 8 Planning Commission meeting which included the Public Hearing and Site Plan Review, and approval of a new fueling…
Garfield Township FD Winterfest coming February 1st
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent February 1st will be a special day in Lake – the annual Winterfest, sponsored by and benefiting the Garfied Township Fire Department, is set to wake up the sleepy little village to get out and have some…
Laketown offers Genetski post again
By Jim Hayden Correspondent The Laketown Township Board Jan. 15 to once more offer Allegan County Clerk Bob Genetski the township manager position. The 5-0 decision showed a board agreeing to put behind past disagreements. Members voted Nov. 13 to…
Library hosts free jazz Sunday
Jazz vibraphonist and teacher Jim Cooper will perform with trumpeter Kenny Cooper and John Webber on bass in a free concert Sunday, Jan. 26, at the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library, 174 Center St., Douglas, from 2 to 3 p.m. The trio…
Township weighs 35-condo ask
By Scott Sullivan Editor The Saugatuck Township Planning Commission was slated to weigh in Tuesday, Jan. 21 on a proposed 35-unit condominium development on 9.33 acres south of 135th Avenue. Koetje Builders LLC and Exxel Engineering seek preliminary site plan…
City Hall for sale?
By Scott SullivanEditorYou can’t beat city hall, but in Douglas you might buy it. The police station too.City council was slated Tuesday, Jan. 21 to hold a groundbreaking for its soon-to-be new city hall/police station at 415 Wiley Road, then…
Unified Champion Schools program expands in Otsego
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Unified Champion Schools program is expanding at Otsego Public Schools.The program, which started at Otsego High School two years ago, is now also being offered at Dix Street Elementary and Otsego Middle School.A Special Olympics…
OHS National Honor Society sponsors Share the Warmth event
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The recent arctic blast sent temperatures in the area crashing to or below zero degrees.Times like that serve as a reminder of how important it is to have the proper outdoor clothing during the harsh Michigan…
Brrrrrrr…now that’s cold!
By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Allegan turned into a winter wonderland overnight as snow blanketed the city and temperatures slipped into the negatives.On Sunday, Allegan saw its warmest temperature of the month, 40 degrees. However, overnight, temperatures sharply dropped down by…
Hospital Foundation recipient of Eva Martin Project
By Gari Voss On January 16, 2025, Chief Development Officer Kim Loftus of the Borgess Allegan Foundation announced that Borgess Ascension Allegan, Borgess Lee and Borgess Pipp Hospitals were recipients of a donation of 355 stuffed animals and 130 blankets…
Fennville board, superintendent part ways
The Fennville Board of Education and Dr. Doug Greer have mutually agreed that a different approach is needed to align with the district’s evolving priorities. The Board would like to make clear that this decision is not related to any…
Dugan to lead commissioners
By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — At its organizational meeting earlier this month, thenewly-seated Board of Commissioners (BOC) elected Gale Dugan of Otsego TownshipC to chair the body and Scott Beltman, as vice chair.Both were elected to one-year terms in their…
Jipp takes circuit court bench
ALLEGAN — In a ‘robing” ceremony earlier this month, Emily Jippwas presented with the black robe symbolic of the authority of a circuit court judge. Jipp was elected last November to become the county’s third circuit court judge, joining incumbent…
