Allegan County News & Union Enterprise Columns Courier-Leader, Paw Paw Flashes, & South Haven Beacon Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Life as Performance Art

The year that my late wife Pat turned 95, MENSA sent a reporter to interview her about her nine decades as a professional artist and writer.The writer first asked who or what inspired her to become an artist. Pat explained that at age 4 she accompanied her mother to the School of the Art Institute Read More…

Allegan County News & Union Enterprise News

Fennville Elementary earns dual honors as district kicks off 2026

By Art Nicholas Fennville Public Schools is celebrating a strong start to 2026 following two prestigious recognitions for Fennville Elementary School and continued community programming for the semester ahead.National Academic RecognitionIn November, Fennville Elementary School was recognized by U.S. News & World Report in their 2026 Best Elementary and Middle Schools rankings, placing the school Read More…

Allegan County News & Union Enterprise News

Commissioners elect Beltman as Chair

By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN — At its annual organizational meeting last Thursday, the Board of Commissioners unanimously elected Commissioner Scott Beltman of Monterey Township to chair the body. Beltman succeeds Gale Dugan ofOtsego Township who chaired the body in 2025.“It’s an honor to have the respect from my colleagues to have this opportunity,” Beltman said Read More…

Allegan County News & Union Enterprise News

Wayland students, coaches fight cancer

By Elizabeth Stein & Gari Voss Wayland Union Public Schools are out to beat cancer, and the entire school district is determined to assist the American Cancer Society in the fight. Wayland Union students scheduled their annual Coaches vs Cancer fundraising activities for January 12 – 16, 2026. During the week, events will highlight competition Read More…

Albion Recorder & Morning Star Allegan County News & Union Enterprise Clare County Review Columns Commercial-News, Penny Saver, & Sturgis Sentinel Courier-Leader, Paw Paw Flashes, & South Haven Beacon Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Mike’s Musings: It’s 2026. Why Is the IRS Still Stuck in the Past?

Not long ago, I set aside part of my workday to ask the Internal Revenue Service a simple question. This wasn’t a complicated audit issue or a dispute over taxes owed. It was a basic inquiry that should have taken only a few minutes to answer.Instead, I spent nearly an hour and a half on Read More…

Courier-Leader, Paw Paw Flashes, & South Haven Beacon News

City Council tackles new business with revamped membership

By James Windell After three new council members were sworn in, the South Haven City Council got down to business in taking on issues necessary at the first city council meeting of the new year on January 5, 2026.One of the first items of business was to appoint a new mayor pro-tem. Councilmember Jeff Arnold, Read More…

Courier-Leader, Paw Paw Flashes, & South Haven Beacon News

Airport agrees to stop cutting down trees on private property

By James Windell At a meeting last week between residents whose property abuts the South Haven Regional Airport and Airport authorities, it was agreed that trees that were obstructing the landing at the airport could be trimmed – rather than chopped down.That outcome pleased Lee and Linda Goldner as well as their neighbors. “Our meeting Read More…

Courier-Leader, Paw Paw Flashes, & South Haven Beacon News

Grain bin temperature evacuates portion of Decatur

Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher Life is relatively quiet and peaceful in the small village of Decatur, and it rarely makes any headlines. However, on Saturday, January 10th, it was quite the opposite.The Cargill grain bins are among the village’s most recognizable landmarks. Located at the corner of East Beers and South Phelps streets, they are visible Read More…