Southwest Michigan needs more housing, and local leaders say increasing the supply of homes will require communities to rethink how they regulate new development. That was the central message at a recent regional housing forum hosted by State Representative Joey Andrews (D-38), where business, housing and economic development leaders discussed the shortage of homes across the region and possible solutions. The panel featured Dawn Crandall, executive vice president of governme

Parks and Recreation committee members Debbie Weaver (l) and Kelly Hecker (r) install an informational sign The Casco Township Parks and Recreation Committee, together with the Casco Township Fundraising sub-committee, held a ribbon cutting and informational event on Saturday June 27 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Casco Township Nature Preserve. Under sunny skies and with a slight breeze, Casco residents and interested Nature Preserve visitors gathered under pop-up tents to revi

Allegan County Administrator Robert Sarro released his first administrative digest for 2026. Dated June 12, 2026, it includes general news about the County. The Administrator's Digest also includes statistics on the number of people served by the Allegan County senior millage program by municipality, data that has been requested by the Casco Senior Advisory Committee chaired by Linda Teeter. See page 14 of the Digest for this information. The Allegan County Senior Services t

The Casco Township Board of Trustees June meeting, held on June 15, was dominated by updates from service providers and committees. Deputy Hoyt warned against financial scams and asked residents to report them. South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) Chief Brandon Hinz reported that the department responded to 29 calls in Casco Township during the month of May, including 19 emergency medical calls and 10 fire-related incidents. The SHAES annual pancake breakfast generated

The Casco Township Parks & Recreation Committee is holding a ribbon cutting to celebrate new amenities completed late last year at the Casco Township Nature Preserve. A $291,000 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund development grant awarded in 2021, together with Township Parks millage money, funded new infrastructure at the Nature Preserve. Amenities include a two-unit unisex restroom with flushing toilets, drinking fountains, electricity, expanded parking, and a turnaroun

The May 18 Casco Township Board of Trustees meeting was dominated by regular reports and updates with little new decision-making by the five-member board. Linda Teeter provided an update on the Allegan County Legal Assistance Center. She reported that the Center has operated under contract since 2019 and has served approximately 35,500 residents since opening in 2012. Services include free legal assistance in civil matters such as Friend of the Court issues, custody, garnishm

Elected official salaries are addressed by resolution each year prior to the budget meeting At their first board meeting in the renovated Township Hall, Casco Township elected officials passed resolutions updating the salary levels for all elected officials. The salary amounts were increased for the next fiscal year (July 1 2026 - June 30 2027) by 2.7%, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for property taxes. If the budget is passed, the salary rates beginning July 1, 2026 will be

A renovation project at the Casco Township Hall was recently completed and celebrated with an open house, drawing a crowd of more than 80 people on Monday April 20 at 5:00 pm. The former fire station garage at the Hall, located at 7104 107th Avenue, has been transformed into a large, open meeting area with new ADA accessible restrooms and doors, storage, a large tv screen for senior programs and board meetings, tables and chairs, a carpeted floor and offices. Images of the b

Casco Township is pursuing grant funding to restore public access to the beach at the Nature Preserve Upon recommendation of the Casco Township Parks and Recreation Committee, the Casco Township Board of Trustees voted to pursue grant funding and contribute Township funds to restore beach access at the Nature Preserve. The decision occurred at the March 16 Board meeting after a brief presentation on the project by Michael Morphey, PE, LEED AP of Edgewater Resources LLC. The

Casco Fundraising Committee members meet Judy Graff, President of the Lakeshore Women who Care-Allegan Co. (l to r: Julie Cowie, Debbie Weaver, Kelly Hecker, Judy Graff, Allan Overhiser, Rachel Ridley and Lucky the dog) Representatives from the board of Lakeshore Women Who Care--Allegan County convened at the Casco Township Nature Preserve in Casco Township on Wednesday April 8 to present a check to support the “Back to the Beach” project in Casco Township. President Judy Gra

The Casco Township Hall renovation is complete and features a new south side entryway Renovation of the former fire station garage located at the Casco Township Hall is complete. The six-bay garage that housed fire trucks has been converted into a large room used as a Senior Activity Center. New restrooms and entry doors, all ADA accessible, are also part of the renovation. Hall Builders of Paw Paw, Michigan was the contractor selected through a competitive bid process. S

Casco residents age 60 and up can participate in programs offered by Senior Services of Van Buren County The February 16 meeting of the Casco Township Board of Trustees was "business as usual" with the return of Supervisor Allan Overhiser following an absence in January due to illness. At the January Board meeting, action on the senior millage renewal language was delayed on a motion from Trustee Dan Fleming who described the proposed wording as "too vague." Supervisor Overh

The South Haven American Association of University Women (AAUW) Public Policy Committee presents "A Community Conversation on the effects of HR1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act)" on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Dialogue presenters: left: Christine Vanlandingham (Area Agency on Aging) and Nicole Hudson, MDHHS, right The educational event is to open a dialogue about the effects of HR 1 on the South Haven area. Two guest speakers will participate in the dialogue. Christine Vanlanding

The Casco Township Board of Review meets on Wednesday and Thursday, March 11 and 12, 2026. The Board is a three-member, independent panel of community residents whose task is to ensure fair property assessments, hear taxpayer appeals on property values/exemptions, and correct clerical errors on the assessment roll. Casco residents serving on the Board of Review include Matt Hamlin (Chair); Mary Tobin; and David Campbell. The Casco Township Board of Review meets on Wednesday

Allegan County produces a robust Parks and Recreation newsletter each quarter. County Commissioner Brad Lubbers announced some changes to park reservation policies at a recent Casco Township Board of Trustees meeting, and the details are listed on page 7 of the newsletter. Tourism and recreation are also featured in the newsletter. The Casco Township Nature Preserve is mentioned on page 12. Residents who wish to subscribe to the newsletter may do so on the Allegan County Pa

A clear blue sky and a bright sun encouraged more than 100 locals who answered the call to protest led by South Haven Indivisible , a local community group working to protect democracy. The mission of South Haven Indivisible includes organizing peaceful protests, engaging in activism, and leading community activities. The non-partisan chapter of the national organization Indivisible also demands "of ourselves and our political leaders the ideals of truth, honesty, and inclu

Casco Township trustees meet generally the third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm Note: Linda Teeter, Casco resident, provided the meeting notes for this report. The Casco Township Board of Trustees held its January meeting on Tuesday January 20 due to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Day Federal Holiday on 1/19. Brian Talsma, Executive Director of the Allegan Conservation District (ACD), addressed the board. The Allegan Conservation District assists Allegan County residents wi

The Casco Township Nature Preserve stairs were destroyed by erosion in 2020 The Casco Township Parks & Recreation Committee held a special meeting on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 6:00 pm to receive presentations from three different engineering firms. The firms proposed a plan to restore public access to Lake Michigan at the Casco Township Nature Preserve. The three firms included Prein & Newhof , with Matt Levandoski, PLA, presenting; Fleis & Vandenbrink , Matt Biolette,

The Board of Trustees meets monthly The Casco Township Board of Trustees' monthly meeting was dominated by public comment and discussion focused on putting the senior millage on the ballot, a topic treated in a separate news report. Public comment also included complaints from several residents about open burning at 107 72nd St, locally known as the former deBest landscaping services. Cheryl Overholser, 7169 103rd Ave, said commercial burning was taking place at 107 72nd St.