News

Returnables at crux of Redding mess, not enough board members for quorum

Editorial StaffSep 12, 20255 min read

By Genine Hopkins Clare County’s Redding Township continues to have issues this time stemming from accusations of misappropriation of bottle return funds for the generator along with some missing papers from the Township Treasurer, James Kaminski, who resigned at the…

St. Joseph County Grange Fair ‘Growing the Future’ with 2025 Fair

St. Joseph County Grange Fair ‘Growing the Future’ with 2025 Fair

Robert TomlinsonSep 12, 202512 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — The biggest event on the calendar in St. Joseph County will be, according to the theme this year, “Growing the Future” for this year’s edition. The 2025 St. Joseph County Grange Fair will take…

Father-son argument devolves into vicious stabbing

Jordan WilcoxSep 11, 20252 min read

Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher On the night of Wednesday, September 3rd, Kalamazoo County Dispatchers were alerted to a stabbing in Schoolcraft Township. Around 8:50 pm, Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers arrived at the Hall home on West VW Avenue between South…

Wings West and Wings Event Center to close, hockey parents worried

Wings West and Wings Event Center to close, hockey parents worried

Jordan WilcoxSep 11, 20254 min read

Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher For many years, Wings West has been more than a building. It has been a gathering place, a training ground, and a second home for athletes, families, and fans. The beloved Texas Township hockey arena opened in…

Township to hand off harbor reins

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20251 min read

After two years hosting and coordinating Kalamazoo Lake Harbor Authority meetings, Saugatuck Township is ready to hand off duties to either KLHA partners Douglas or Saugatuck cities. “With that service period complete,” wrote township manager Daniel DeFranco for the Tuesday,…

Laketown offers Fox revised contract

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20252 min read

By Jim Hayden Correspondent The Laketown Township Board agreed at a Sept. 2 special meeting offer a revised contract to Stephanie Fox to become the township’s next manager.  It comes with an amendment that the board evaluates her performance after…

Drain assessment takes city by surprise

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20253 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor It’s better late than never for Saugatuck city property owners whose parcels will be assessed for Warnock Drain work under Ferry Street in Douglas. The Allegan County Drain Commission, acknowledging it failed to give Saugatuck city…

Car blaze makes Crossfire toast

Car blaze makes Crossfire toast

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20251 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorA Kia Crossfire was toast after catching fire on the corner of Blue Star Highway and 64th Street Thursday, Aug. 31 just afternoon.Saugatuck Township Fire answered a 12:01 call to find the Crossfire engulfed in front of the…

25th Mt. Baldhead Challenge is a hit

25th Mt. Baldhead Challenge is a hit

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20253 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorFrom wind-whipped lakeshore to sand dune’s summit to post-race party in Coghlin Park, the 25th annual Mt. Baldhead Challenge Saturday engaged 759 registered runners and countless more volunteers in a dual quest:

Everybody loves a parade!

Everybody loves a parade!

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20251 min read

The Allegan County Fair hosted its annual parade on Monday, Sept. 8, with hundreds of spectators lining the route from downtown Allegan to the grand stand on the fairgrounds.As usual, the Otsego High School marching band and the Otsego Middle…

Learn ‘n Grow Learning Center adds community garden

Learn ‘n Grow Learning Center adds community garden

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20253 min read

Preschool students at Learn ‘n Grow Early Childhood Education Center in Otsego are used to getting their hands dirty outside, as they are explore and play in all kinds of weather conditions.But their newest outdoor adventure is yielding some delicious…

LG Energy suffers second major accident in two months

LG Energy suffers second major accident in two months

Jordan WilcoxSep 10, 20254 min read

By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher For the second time in less than two months, there’s been another major accident at LG Energy Solution. On Saturday, September 6th, there was a massive chemical spill at the Fillmore Township plant responsible for producing electric vehicle…

SHAES to commemorate Patriot Day

SHAES to commemorate Patriot Day

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20251 min read

To commemorate Patriot Day and in honor of the 343 members of FDNY who perished on September 11, 2001, the South Haven Area Emergency Services Honor Guard will stand guard at the downtown South Haven Firefighters Memorial on Thursday, Sept.…

DDA approves South Haven Pavilion improvements

DDA approves South Haven Pavilion improvements

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20253 min read

By James Windell At the Downtown Development Authority Meeting on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the DDA approved plans to move forward with proposed improvements to the pavilion in the downtown area.In introducing the project at the meeting, Suzanne Brock, DDA…

South Haven police officer honored

South Haven police officer honored

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20252 min read

By James Windell South Haven Police Officer Cooper Carns was honored at the South Haven City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.Interim Police Chief Adam DeBoer said that Carns was being honored with a Lifesaving Award because of his…

South Haven City Council discusses housing

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20254 min read

James Windell The ambiance at Elkenburg Park in South Haven Ward One was more like a picnic than a formal City Council meeting on Thursday, September 2, 2025.Holding their regular meeting on a sunny, pleasantly warm summer evening, the South…

Wine and Harvest Festival does Paw Paw proud

Wine and Harvest Festival does Paw Paw proud

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20252 min read

From grape stomping to sipping wine, a great weekend was “uncorked” Courier Leader photos/ Paul Garrod

Cass County BOC votes to terminate Administrator

Cass County BOC votes to terminate Administrator

Editorial StaffSep 6, 20252 min read

CASS COUNTY, Mich. — The Cass County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to part ways with Patrick Jordan following an investigation into allegations of derogatory comments made in the workplace. Jordan was placed on paid administrative leave on Friday, Aug. 15,…

Search warrant yields two arrests in Mendon

Robert TomlinsonSep 5, 20252 min read

UPDATED 5:40 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 By Robert TomlinsonNews Director MENDON — Two people were arrested in Mendon after a search warrant was executed at two locations Friday. According to the Mendon Police Department, officers executed search warrants in…

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