Monthly movies third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at White Pine District Library in Stanton Read more...
Stanton City Commission revisits Sheridan Fire Authority proposal
A proposal to merge the Stanton Community Fire Department with the Sheridan Fire Authority appeared to be an extinguished idea earlier this year, but was resurrected at Tuesday’s Stanton City Commission meeting. At January’s meeting, Stanton City Manager Rachel Coffey said the Stanton fire department was not prepared to move forward with the proposed merger as firefighters wanted more information.
‘Fatal error’
This past week’s election filings had more plot twists than an Alfred Hitchcock film. The Montcalm County prosecutor race saw the chief assistant prosecutor being disqualified from the August primary election ballot and his colleague making a last-minute filing instead. Meanwhile, local township election filings saw either multiple contested races or the absence of anyone filing altogether
Ousted Douglass Township officials working on a comeback
Tuesday’s election filing deadline resulted in a host of contested races for local townships as well as the absence of anyone filing altogether for multiple township seats.
Art-barn style business proposed for Eureka Township
For years, Heidi Funk has taken joy in the hobby of baking, selling her goods to friends and anyone else who might be interested in a sweet treat. Funk is hoping she can turn that hobby into a small business, to operate alongside a proposed “art barn” in Eureka Township.
MAISD reduces bond proposal by $7 million
Pending a vote next month from its Board of Education, the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District will be attempting to pass a reduced version of its bond proposal that failed in February.
Montcalm County Road Commission manager shares how ARPA dollars improved local roads
Two years ago, the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners decided to give $2.5 million of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to the county Road Commission. On Monday, Road Commission Manager-Superintendent Mark Christensen updated commissioners about how those funds were spent.
Ionia County Brownfield Authority discusses affordable housing with ‘cautious developer’
Sable Homes President John Bitely introduced himself to the Ionia County Economic Development Corporations's Brownfield Redevelopment Authority at its quarterly meeting Tuesday morning. Bitely said he was there hoping to take advantage of any incentives the authority might offer that could be used to pay for infrastructure preparation, site preparation and environmental cleanup costs if he were to pursue construction of a housing development project somewhere within the county's borders.
Rep. Outman expresses frustration over ‘frivolous’ spending in proposed 2025 state budget
With the Michigan House of Representatives having been deadlocked at a 50-50 split since November, recent updates from Rep. Pat Outman, R-Six Lakes, to his constituents have more or less … lacked any significant updates. During Monday's monthly Legislative Update session at Montcalm Community College's Greenville Campus, Pat once again shared the current lack of legislative progress.
‘I couldn’t afford to lose my third son’
Sitting in the audience of last week’s Greenville City Council meeting, Lowell resident Fawnlee Shepard could hardly get out a word as she approached three of the city’s police officers. The 84-year-old can easily be forgiven for being unable to find the words in the moment to thank the three men standing before her — Greenville Department of Public Safety officers Jess Dear, Zach Earles and Sgt. Brandon Allen — as she looked into the eyes of the men who saved her son’s life in January.
Ionia County leaders talk fraud, mail and China
A group of Ionia County’s top leaders appeared at Ionia’s Michigan Works office early Monday morning for the monthly legislative update meeting hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.
Greenville city planners deny driveway request
After permitting a “minor” amendment in March for a housing development, changing the configuration of the development from condos to single-family homes, the Greenville Planning Commission decided not to set a precedent when reviewing another proposed minor amendment earlier this month — over a request for a three-stall garage. During the April 11 meeting of the Commission, City Manager George Bosanic brought before the commissioners a proposed minor amendment that, per the city’s ordinances about Planned Unit Developments (PUD), does not require approval of the commission.
Firefighters respond to 4 structure fires in Montcalm County on Sunday
Firefighters were kept busy on Sunday battling four different structure fires in Crystal Township, Montcalm Township, Stanton and the Vestaburg area.
Let the light shine in
Since she was a young girl, Fran Gibbs has been able to reflect upon memories of old, leaning heavily on a faith in God that was established “on the corner of Cass and Clay.” As a fourth-generation member of First Congregational Church of Greenville, the 145-year-old structure holds a special place not only in Gibbs’ heart, but in the hearts of many in the Greenville community and beyond as they describe the house of worship as “more than a church.”
‘Moving forward’ on marijuana
More than three years after asking its Planning Commission to draft rules to permit medical marijuana provisioning centers, the Greenville City Council has now voted to pave the way for adult use (recreational) marijuana dispensaries. Members of the council voted 6-1 Tuesday, with Councilperson Mark Lehman opposed, to direct City Manager George Bosanic to pursue an ordinance allowing recreational marijuana dispensaries.
$100,000 ‘oops’?
The Montcalm County Drain Commission Office going $613 over budget has resulted in the county having to file a deficit elimination plan with the state, which the state has since rejected. The issue is bringing to light a lack of communication between the Drain Office and the Controller-Administrator’s Office, as well as concerns from county officials that Drain Commissioner Todd Sattler doesn’t follow the county’s expenditure policy — he has spent nearly $340,000 on large equipment since 2020 without going out for bids or obtaining permission from the Board of Commissioners, saying he’s in charge of drain funds per state...
Greenville Jacket baseball splits conference doubleheader with Lowell
The Greenville baseball team is making big plays this spring with two tough conference wins in back-to-back weeks. The Yellow Jackets (4-10-1 overall) were looking to add more games to their win column after splitting last week’s series with East Grand Rapids. They traveled to Lowell on Monday afternoon to take on the Red Arrows for an OK White showdown.
Finding their stride
The Belding baseball team is looking to make a strong comeback for the rest of the season after a slower-than-normal start.
Sports roundup for April 25, 2024
Sports roundup for April 25
‘Made him proud’
It was a powerful and emotional Saturday for Vestaburg softball. The Wolverines (11-3 overall) hosted their annual home softball tournament this past weekend.
CC-Crystal baseball hopes to keep winning culture alive
The Carson City-Crystal baseball team is looking to take flight this season and secure yet another winning season. The Eagles brought a winning culture to the baseball program at the end of last season, finishing 22-17-1 overall, 14-4 in the Mid-State Activities Conference (MSAC). This season brings promise as they return a lot of talented upperclassmen and hope to be contenders for a league title.
Upcoming sports (April 24-April 26)
Upcoming sports (April 24-April 26)
Athlete of the week nominees for April 23, 2024Free Access
Athlete of the week nominees for April 23, 2024
Sports roundup for April 23, 2024
Sports roundup for April 23, 2024
MCC golf team places second at GRCC Invite
The Montcalm Community College golf team placed second in the Grand Rapids Community College Invitational at Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada on April 15. They competed against Schoolcraft College, Kirtland Community College, Oakland Community College, Marian Ancilla Community College, Mott Community College, St. Clair County Community College, Delta College, Jackson College, Muskegon Community College, Glen Oaks Community College and Grand Rapids Community College.
Lakeview girls soccer take down Ionia, 4-1
The Lakeview girls soccer team is hitting their stride by treating every game like it’s their game. The Wildcats (4-2-0 overall) have been on a roll so far this season, winning their last two games with shutouts. They traveled to Ionia on Thursday night to take on a young Bulldogs team (2-3-1 overall) in a non-conference matchup, hoping to extend that win streak to three.
Tri County soccer blanks defending conference champs Newaygo, 4-0
Redemption is the name of the game for Tri County girls soccer in 2024. It was a rainy day in Howard City on Wednesday as the Vikings (5-3 overall) hosted the Lions of Newaygo (0-3-1 overall) in a CSAA conference rivalry matchup. The Vikings went 0-2 against the Lions last year, the latter defeat being in the conference championship where they fell short, 3-0.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Logan MannFree Access
Greenville baseball player Logan Mann is this week’s Daily News Athlete of the Week with 55 votes.
