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Allegan, MI 49010
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Otsego city manager looks back on year that was 2022
By Aaron MitchellOtsego City Manager Any year in the life of a City sees a lot of activity. There are a lot of surprises for which you can never plan for in addition to a lot of the regular annual…
Otsego Library hosts ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Come with me and you’ll see a world of pure imagination.Those are among the words in the song “Pure Imagination” sung by Gene Wilder during his portrayal of Willie Wonka as he describes his fantastical chocolate…
OMS students participate in postcard exchange
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Eighth-grade art students from Otsego Middle School recently had a unique opportunity.Not only did these students get to learn a little about what life is like for children their age in Kailua, Hawaii, but they also…
Plainwell wrestling duo shines at all-girls tourney
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor MONTAGUE—On Thursday, Dec. 29, approximately 150 female high school wrestlers from 46 teams descended on Montague High School for the Second Annual West Michigan Girls Showcase.Included in that group of competitors was the Plainwell duo of…
Allegan, Fennville grapplers compete at Comstock Invitational
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorKALAMAZOO—A pair of local wrestling teams was among the 16 squads that competed at the Horseshoe Classic at Comstock High School on Wednesday, Dec. 28.Allegan had the best showing of those two teams, placing eighth with 92…
Obituary: Evelyn Kay Hitchcock, 32
Evelyn Kay Hitchcock, 32. Born Oct. 4, 1990 in Allegan.Passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022.She loved all animals, especially her pet snakes.. Her hobbies were fishing, mudruns, building with leggos,and erector sets.She is survived by her father, Gary Hitchcock.…
Life as Performance Art
Years ago, I discovered there is a sweet spot-on Christmas Eve afternoon. I like to go for a short solitary walk, but not this year. I go out about the time that many stores begin closing their doors, sending their staff and customers…
Mike’s Musings: Free Assange in 2023
It’s a new year, and I’m counting on President Biden to do the right thing in 2023, when it comes to imprisoned journalist, Julian Assange.Assange, founder of Wikileaks, began publishing millions of pages of classified materials critical of the United…
Thousands gather to usher in 2023 at Allegan’s riverfront
In past years, the celebration has rung in the New Year through subzero temperatures, rain, and snow – 2023 began in a dry and balmy 30 degree temperature that drew revelers to the Riverfront before the official 8pm event start…
It’s official, Allegan to get a third circuit judge
By John RaffelCorrespondence ALLEGAN – The long-desired third circuit court judge for Allegan Couny has finally become a reality following an extensive amount of local effort for this to happen.Governor Gretchen Whitmer last week signed the bill introduced by senators…
Enjoying a winter wonderland in Otsego
The Wheeler family in Otsego once again provided the community with a spectacular light show to celebrate the Christmas season. The lights are programmed to “dance” with the music that can be heard on 88.5 FM while in the vicinity…
Local middle schoolers get to ‘Shop With A Hero’
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorSome local first responders took time away from their usual duties to serve the community in another way in the week leading up to Christmas.On Monday, Dec. 19, the Plainwell Department of Public Safety hosted the annual…
Macker committee donates money to OPS groups
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorSince first being held in downtown Otsego in 2015, the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament has become one of biggest events hosted in the city, drawing an average of 8,000 to 10,000 visitors each year.And such a…
Otsego beats Sexton, improves to 5-0
By Jason WesseldykSports EditorKALAMAZOO—A big second half from Sam Bronkema and some clutch free-throw shooting in the fourth quarter helped the Otsego boys basketball team eke out a win over Lansing Sexton on Saturday, Dec. 17.Bronkema scored 17 of his…
Allegan girls, Wayland boys win bowling invitational
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor WYOMING—The Allegan bowling teams co-hosted a post-Christmas tournament with South Haven at Spectrum Lanes in Wyoming on Monday, Dec. 26.And the results couldn’t have been much better for the Allegan girls.After finishing the qualifying round—with consisted…
Obituary: Vernon Chauncey Olcott, 97
Vernon Chauncey Olcott, 97, passed away at home on Dec. 22, 2022. He was born April 4, 1925, in Grand Rapids, Mich., to the late Vernon and Frances Olcott. On June 26, 1948, Vern married Bonnie June Allgeo, who preceded…
Obituary: William David Schmitz, 93
William David Schmitz, 93, of Indianapolis, Indiana, died Thursday, December 15, 2022. He was born March 30, 1929, in Allegan, Michigan to William Emil Schmitz and Dorothy (Blanchard) Schmitz.Bill was a 1947 graduate of Allegan High School and attended Kalamazoo…
Life as Performance Art
No doubt you have seen a televised insurance company commercial where an older fellow is trying to help a group of young people avoid turning into their parents. It is such a clever ad I cannot remember the name of the…
Brink, Zeter honored by Masons
On Dec.14th the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Michigan came to Allegan to install the new officers of Allegan #111. Allegan was proud to announce Nick Brink as the recipient of the Captain John…
Blizzard related accidents close down US-131
By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN – Allegan County Board of Commissioners chairman Jim Storey reported the pre-Christmas blizzard tested the response of public safety agencies throughout the county last week.Blizzard warnings were forecasted for the weekend across the state and it…
