FREE Volume 66, Issue 24 · www.wilcoxnewspapers.com Extra Edition • Thursday, November 12, 2020 Little Library program provides books and mittens By Jason Wesseldyk and longtime community Sports Editor member Nancy Boettcher, who enlisted the help of an For the past few years, “army of volunteers.” children have been able to “More than 100 visit one of the six Little individuals have been Library locations in the involved in knitting the hats Otsego area to pick out and mittens, with many of books to borrow for free. them continuing to help, With winter—and the including several from the colder weather that comes Otsego Congregational with it—drawer ever closer, Church,” Watson said. there is now another reason “The yarn is donated and to make the trip to one of they often donate the hats the Little Libraries. and mittens to the schools. Otsego elementary But we thought placing literacy coach Gina Watson them in the Little Libraries has partnered with Brenda’s would be another avenue to Mitten Mission to provide take in getting them into the knitted hats and mittens in hands and onto the hands of addition to books. children.” Brenda Powers started Powers’ great-grandson Brenda’s Mitten Mission Navene Town—a three decades ago as a sixth grader at Otsego service to children in the Elementary School—is Otsego area and throughout among those who have Allegan County. Since her continued Powers’ legacy. passing, dozens of people “Thirty years ago my have continued her mission. great-grandmother started Watson was one of the giving away the hats and many people who have mittens and this year we been inspired by Powers’ have a free scoopie token generosity and giving spirit. (from Culver’s) with the “Brenda and I served hats and mittens,” Town together with mission work said. “The sizes are on the through the Otsego United back of the bag.” Methodist Church for many The Little Libraries— Otsego literacy coach Gina Watson (right) and Otsego Middle School student Navene Town show off the books and hats/ years,” Watson said. “She which are out-of-use mittens available at the Little Libraries around the community. (Photo provided) had a servant’s heart and newspaper boxes that always stepped up to help have been fashioned to around Otsego: Alamo Lombardini Mobile Home Watson first heard about transitioning from her those in need.” look like such things as Elementary, Art Garden Park, Northside Park Little Libraries through position as a first-grade Powers passed the mission robots or little houses— (downtown Otsego), and Washington Street the Allegan County teacher at Dix Street work on to her good friend are located in six places Dix Street Elementary, Elementary. United Way. And upon n see Libraries, Page A12 Plainwell City Council to consider ordinance By John Raffel associated with the van- The council was also the council was told, which council recently voted to costs for a new loader. The Correspondent dalism. The board voted told there’s a small price equates to approximately enter into a contract with city uses 1998 John Deere to confirm the emergency increase for the annual $27,160 per year. Evoqua Water Technolo- loader to remove loose PLAINWELL — The purchases for water tower chemical purchase of Cal- The costs are includ- gies for chemical purchas- leaves and snow from city Plainwell City Council cleaning with H2O Towers cium Nitrate, which is nec- ed in the budget and the es for the water revenue streets and parking lots. was scheduled at a meeting LLC for $17,500 and for essary to reduce odors at city invoices an outside process estimated at The current load may need this week to consider an an intrusion alarm from the Wastewater Treatment customer for their share $27,160. large repairs, causing ma- ordinance modifying the Perceptive Controls for Plant. The current year of this chemical as part of Wilson reported the jor service interruptions, city’s delineation of the $1,679. price is $3.10 per gallon, the plant’s operation. The city’s work in investigating Wilson indicated. flood hazard overlay zone and the excavation removal and filling of land. Otsego boys place third at cross state finals, girls place fifth The Council was also to consider bids received for The Otsego cross country a lift station and plant tank teams continued their cleaning. tradition of success at the In a previous meeting, Division 2 state finals. City Manager Erik Wilson Competing at Michigan reported about vandalism at International Speedway on the Mill demolition site and Friday, Nov. 6, the Otsego at the Kenyon Park Water boys’ team secured a third- Tower. place finish behind state Wilson said he authorized champion Fremont and St. emergency purchases for John’s. The Otsego girls power washing the water (seen below, photo by Gary towers to remove graffiti, Shook) placed fifth. security system upgrades This marks the second and intrusion alarms. The straight season in which council should consider both teams have placed in confirming those emergen- the top five at the state finals. cy purchases, he added. The boys were runner-up to Wilson also brought Fremont last season, while up possible insurance or the girls placed third. restitution from other costs Colin Mulder (at left) repeated as an All-State performer on the boys’ side, crossing the finish line in INDEX fourth place. Nick Cockerel ............ B11 (at right) joined him in Classifieds earning All-State honors Crossword ............ B10 with a 20th-place showing. .... B10 And while Plainwell For The Record didn’t qualify for the state Obituaries .............. A5 finals as a team, the Trojans ............. A6 were represented as Eli Viewpoints Veen and Ethan Johnson on Community Events A8 the boys’ side joined Grace Pettit and Mackenzie Hill on Public Notices ...... A8, the girls’ side in qualifying ............. A11, A12, B11 as individuals based on their performances a week earlier Religion ................ B12 at the regional meet. Sports .......... A9 - A11 Veen earned All-State by placing 19th, while Pettit Sudoku ................. B10 was 26th to earn All-State for the second straight year. For full story, see Page A9. Visit us Online! Same Quality NEWS... Not Just Paper Anymore! theunionenterprise.com A2 n November 12, 2020 The Allegan County News & The Union Enterprise Andrus elected new Undersheriff comments on Allegan City mayor rash of missing persons By Gari Voss By John Raffel if they are ‘voluntarily’ is believed to have left Correspondent missing. “Spreading on foot and was last seen During the November the info by any means is wearing a grey hooded 9, 2020 meeting, the Al- ALLEGAN – Allegan definitely helpful.” sweatshirt, denim jeans, legan City Council were County has had its share In the most recent black shoes and a black apprised of the financial of missing person reports incident reported by the hat with lime green state of the City, and in recent weeks, but each sheriff’s department, in lettering. Mr. Adkins has began filling the advisory time the person has been late October, the Allegan several tattoos including boards and commissions found. County Sheriff’s office one on the right side of with councilmembers for “On most missing responded to a report of his neck, right forearm, 2021. persons, we put out press a missing person from a and the names of his two Dan Veldhuizen of Sieg- releases,” Undersheriff residential neighborhood children on each of his fried Crandall walked the Mike Larsen said. “Any in Dorr. The missing per- wrists.” councilmembers through exposure (the media) can son John Ashley Adkins But two days later, Sgt. the auditor’s report for the provide is helpful. We’ve (46) was last seen on Sat- Ken DeVries issued this City’s Fiscal Year 2020. had many occasions urday Oct. 25th around statement: John Ashley After specifics related where tips came in that 9:30 a.m. at his residence Adkins was located this to internal control, audit led to closure. The only in Dorr.” afternoon. Thank you to adjustments and other ones where we do not put According to the sher- all those who assisted in sections, Veldhuizen com- out a release are the ones iff’s report, “Mr. Adkins the search for him.” plimented the Council for that are found quickly, having a strong sinking fund, which is not true of all cities. Overall, the City is fiscally solid. Need a news format to fit your busy lifestyle? The Council voted Delora Andrus as the next mayor and Teresa Gallo- Delora Andrus WE’RE ON THE way as Mayor Pro-Tem. DPW Director as the In closing, Mayor City Council appoint- Streets Administrator for Andrus wanted to thank ments to the different the City of Allegan to re- the Allegan City Police SAME PAGE boards and commissions place Aaron Haskin who Department and the City were discussed. Each was the previous director. Clerk Chris Tapper and Whether it’s print, online councilmember will Alex Wilkening and John his team. The last week inform Mayor Andrus Cook were appointed to has posed several stress- or the e-edition! of their preferences for 3-years terms on the Zon- ful situations that these 2021. ing Board of Appeals as teams handled with the wilcoxnewspapers.com Resolution 20.30 ap- the Planning Commission highest level of profes- pointed Doug Kadzban, representatives. sionalism. Road commission making NOTICE transition to winter Due to COVID-19 and the health and safety By John Raffel few of the paving proj- sion worked on. of our staff, there will be Correspondent ects have some gravel SALEM TOWNSHIP shoulders and pavement – Ottogan Street, 30th NO DEER PROCESSING at Earl’s Meats ALLEGAN — Craig markings to do yet but Street to 26th Street.