Editor

Funeral will be Saturday for Idanne Van Valkenburg, 81

Idanne Van Valkenburg (Peterson), 81, of Wayland, died Wednesday, Feb. 10. Idanne loved spending time with her grandchildren and enjoyed camping and cooking. She is survived by her children, Dale…

Editor February 11, 2021

Sports

All 3 area girls’ basketball teams open with victories

The Wayland High School girls’ varsity basketball team had a hugely successful season opener Wednesday night on its home court with a convincing 65-24 victory over O-K Gold Conference rival…

Editor February 10, 2021

Sports

Lady Wildcats win, boys lose at Westgate Lanes

The Lady Wildcats took another win on the lanes Wednesday, 23-7 vs. Kenowa Hills at Westgate. However, the boys’ squad dropped a 29-1 decision to the Knights. “It was a…

Editor February 10, 2021

Sports

Stephanie Ainsworth to join brother at Cornerstone

Wayland High School basketball star Stephanie Ainsworth has signed on the dotted line to play hoops next season for Cornerstone University. Ainsworth joins her older brother, Cory, who leads the…

Editor February 10, 2021

Features

Bygone Days: A look at the past in NE Allegan County

(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr) 25 Years Ago — Feb. 14, 1996 The first public school academy, also known as a…

Editor February 10, 2021

Obituaries

Longtime Hopkins dairy farmer Ron Layton, 87, dies

Ronald W. Layton, 87, of Hopkins, died Friday, Feb. 5, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Born May 1, 1933, in Hopkins, he was the son of the late Alford…

Editor February 9, 2021

Obituaries

Celebration of life Thursday for Thomas Huizinga, 68

Thomas Dale Huizinga, 68, of Wayland, died Sunday, Feb. 7, at his home. Born April 23, 1952, in Zeeland, he was the son of the late Thomas and Irene (Koster)…

Editor February 9, 2021

Obituaries

Former Green Acres activist Mary Springer dies at 89

Mary Janet Springer of Delton died Monday, Feb. 8, at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo. She was 89. Serena Lewis-Forney of Wayland said of Ms. Springer, “Mary was my ‘Right hand…

Editor February 9, 2021

Obituaries

Local gun counter manager Kris Arnold’s service Feb. 19

Kris Wade Arnold, 57, of Wayland, died Saturday, Feb. 6. He was born to Harold and Sharon (Ostroske) Arnold on March 24, 1963, in Cheboygan. Kris graduated with honors from Cheboygan High…

Editor February 9, 2021

Columns

Ranger Rick: Sports gender equality sometimes unfair

A number of years ago, some mothers of female sports programs at Forest Hills wanted the female sports to mirror the boys programs where basketball was played in the winter…

Editor February 9, 2021