Looking back at the year 2025 might produce a headline summary as “Urban Sprawl 2.0.” The process of nearby urban areas beginning to encroach on what used to be northeast Allegan County’s rural farming territory was the top story for 2024, and it appears this year shows more of the same.
There are more than a few examples.
Holdovers from bygone days include the Gun Lake Tribe’s effort to build a residential complex at the very busy corner of Reno Drive and West Superior Street, the continued effort to create business or industrial land along the west side of the U.S.-131 expressway, GRI’s rebuffed attempts to construct a residential development just north of the Rock’N Bowl in Leighton Township and the Gun Lake Casino’s opening of a hotel and resort.
But that’s not all.
The latest and most controversial example of city slickers wanting to move in and take over land is technological giant Microsoft’s plans to park a data center inside Dorr Township, much to the consternation of local residents, who insist such a development would result in negative environmental impacts, most importantly the increase in use of water.
And right now the most visible evidence of urban sprawl is a massive truck plaza being constructed on the southwest corner of 142nd Avenue and Division in Leighton Township.
Some other indications that this area is a prime target for residential and commercial development are:
- The community of Wayland had a 14% increase in visitors from 2023 to 2024, according to data provided by National Main Street for all Michigan Main Street communities.
- The River to River Interurban recreational trail idea has been brought back for discussion by the Dorr Township Recreation Commission.
- The Gun Lake Tribe of Potawatomis, associated with the casino, has brought back the iconic Hot ’N Now restaurant franchise, with a facility placed nearby in Wayland Township.
- Wayland Ford has intentions to move its car dealership from the City of Wayland to the west across the expressway in Hopkins Township.
- The Martin Motorsports Park is bringing back some national competitions that should attract more weekend visitors.
- A McDonald’s restaurant will join the plaza anchored by Leppink’s Grocery along 142nd Avenue in Dorr Township.
- The new Seven Generations Park had a ribbon cutting in Watson Township, with the blessing of the Gun Lake Tribe.
• The Dorr Township Board moved its offices from the corner of 142nd Avenue and 18th Street to the former CrossWinds Church further east on 142nd Avenue.
- Wayland Union Schools personnel moved west along East Superior to take up residence in the old University of Michigan Health Systems West, which now occupies land on West Superior between Burger King and United Bank.
- Construction begins on a new swim pool at the Wayland High School complex, thanks to passage of a bond issue by voters in May 2023.
But there were a few indications against the growth patterns. For example, two of the four new marijuana dispensary businesses went belly up, Yankee Springs Township pulled out of its membership in Wayland Area Emergency Services, and it has been noted more than a few times in public meetings that the Wayland, Dorr and Leighton areas’ biggest crises are lack of housing. And a proposal to build a small park with a splash pad just south of Clippers Cafe in Martin fell through.
Monterey Township residents have banded together to try to stop the arrival of a Dollar General store, but it remains to be seen what eventually will happen.
• Martin is victim of confirmed tornado in May, a rarity in Allegan County. It was more serious than a funnel cloud that also visited Dorr.
- Two good examples of youthful resourcefulness were Brady Perrin starting his own “pooper scooper” service for dogs and former Mayor Burrell Stein’s grandson Luke Stein inventing a trivia game for Upper Peninsula and “trolls under the bridge enthusiasts.
- Athletics highlights dominated by champions
- The year 2025 was one of the best in memory for local teams and individuals to capture state championships.
The roll call of individual champions includes Wayland wrestler Lane Button, Wildcat pole vaulter Evie Mathis, Martin QB Haylen Buell as eight-man player of the year, Martin wrestling coach Logan Curry and Division 4 wrestling coach of the year, the Wayland robotics team at state and the Hopkins Tech Vikes winning the right to compete in the worlds in Houston and the Hopkins High School equestrian team won the state Division B crown.
• The Hopkins and Wayland JV football teams both posted undefeated seasons.
• Kennedy Helderop returned to her alma mater, Hopkins, to coach the Lady Vikings’ basketball team, after completing her four-year career at Cornerstone University.
• Perhaps the biggest honors of all went to Martin going undefeated and taking its third state title in four years playing eight-man football and coach Brad Blauvelt chosen coach of the year.
Then there are local athletes who have moved on and found successes at the collegiate level, including pitcher Emma Ludema at Calvin University, Hopkins tight end Colin Weber at Rutgers, Harmony Laker, basketball, at Cedarville University, Brianna Hyde at Northwood University, and Kami Morse at Aquinas College.
There were a number of other developments that came out of 2025 that were interesting, including:
- Jon Timmers was chosen first full-time fire chief for Wayland Township and Wayland City.
• WHS bans student cell phones; Martin reports that a cell phone Tik Tok application bullied middle school students and attempted to ban it.
• City to plow sidewalks after all. City officials recently insisted local residents shovel or remove snow from sidewalks in front of their homes and businesses, but relented starting in 2025 to permit city workers to do the job.
- Acquitted attempted Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapper William Null of Shelbyville now is running for governor.
• A variety of traffic snags plague north of the Wayland exit on U.S.-131; wrong-way driver causes quadruple fatality on expressway, and semi-trucks continue to crash at the overpass at 146th Avenue.
- Cheri Ritz joins Jessie Merchant on GR Hall of Fame.
• The aging Wayland High School pool was razed in September and construction on the new facility. began afterward.
• Hopkins Public Schools announced a school bond election will be held in May, proposing elimination of the middle school and installation of a new and larger building.
• Joseph Schultz joins the Townbroadcast staff as a writer. Columnists Army Bob and Phyllis McCrossin both decide to retire.
• The Wayland cross-country, bowling and track and field programs undergo a shakeup with coaching personnel. Coaches Jennifer Antel and Sherry Miklusicak both resigned.
• Wayland softball season ends in regional finals with a loss to Paw Paw to finish with an overall record of 32-7. The Wildcats marked their 50th year and honored first coach Sharon Nelson. However, the ‘Cats suffered a rare loss in the O-K Gold Conference, to MIddleville TK.
• Martin music teacher Noah MIller wins Allegan County Outstanding People in Education award.
• Riley Homrich breaks Hopkins school record in the 100-meter dash.
• Amy Bishop Funk resigns Hopkins softball coaching post after seven years as bridesmaid to Wayland, but takes on the volleyball job.
• Former Wayland Globe reporter Jean Gallup died at age 91. She covered Middleville and Yankee Springs Township.
- Perhaps the biggest surprise was produced by the Hopkins Board of Education. Though former State Rep. Steve Johnson won election to a seat on the board, he failed to provide proper paperwork to certify his election. The board appointed his opponent, incumbent Ian Gibson instead.
