Crystal Township Board approves budget, hires leaf pick-up service
The Crystal Township Board approved an annual budget, split on a vote to hire a leaf pick-up service and discussed a blight ordinance at Wednesday evening’s meeting. Supervisor Curt McCracken, Clerk Patty Baker-Marek, Treasurer Alisha Little and trustees Vera Bogart and David Wight were all present.
‘Slow down’
For those who traverse the rural one-mile stretch of S. Vining Road between W. Colby and W. Pakes roads, they may have noticed a message from residents, with road signs dotting the right-of-way: “Slow down.”
CC-C students shine with reading skills, math still needs work
Students at Carson City-Crystal Area Schools are doing well in reading but need to work more on math, according to a progress report presented by two administrators at Monday’s school board meeting. CC-C Lower Elementary School Principal Sara Manzullo gave a reading and math growth report for her third-grade students.
Greenville Department of Public Safety hosting annual Junior Safety Academy
Once again placing a focus on fire and bicycle safety, firefighters and officers with the Greenville Department of Public Safety are inviting local youth to participate in the second annual Junior Safety Academy on June 28. According to GDPS Executive Administrative Assistant Sue Powell, the Academy event is being held for children in kindergarten and up, where they will learn about fire safety as well as bike safety.
Vestaburg school board renews contracts, makes purchases
The Vestaburg Community Schools Board of Education learned about resignations, renewed contracts and made some major purchases at their May 12 meeting. Board President Lynn Van Sickler, Vice President JoAnn Spry-Virgo, Secretary Renau Caudill, Treasurer Brian Zinn and trustees Daryl DeVerney, Carol Herman and Larry Koutz were all present, according to meeting minutes.
Crystal Township Board offers $1,000 reward for arrest, conviction of vandals
At the start of Wednesday evening’s Crystal Township Board meeting, Supervisor Curt McCracken added an unfortunate item to the agenda: “Vandalism.” Crystal Township Park on Crystal Lake was vandalized and the neighboring Crystal Community Center, where the township board meets, was broken into in the early morning hours of Wednesday, around 2 a.m. The incidents were reported to the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office at 6:40 a.m.
MCC observes 9.4% jump in summer enrollment
If summer enrollment serves as an indicator for enrollment going forward, Montcalm Community College is in good shape come the start of the next school year. During Tuesday’s meeting of the MCC Board, Dean of Student and Enrollment Services Francisco Ramirez reported that enrollment for the smaller summer semester was once again trending in a positive direction.
Power line fire ‘puts itself out’
When Kim Beckman pulled into the driveway of her home at 307 W. South St. on Wednesday, she couldn’t put into words the sight she found before her. With neighbors rushing to greet her, Kim quickly discovered that just moments before she arrived home, a tree had fallen, snapping a power pole and draping a live power line across the roof of her garage and home. With flames igniting on parts of the line, over both the garage and home, she immediately thought the worst as firefighters were called to the scene.
‘We are getting smaller’
Two years removed from implementing nearly $3 million in budget cuts due primarily to exhausted pandemic relief dollars, Greenville Public Schools is once again facing a budget shortfall, resulting in additional cuts. The reason this time around has Superintendent Wayne Roedel describing the proposed cuts as a “restructuring” of the district’s staffing due to a trend in declining student enrollment. During Monday’s meeting of the school board, Roedel and Director of Finance Matt Andres presented the proposed 2025-2026 fiscal year budget during a public hearing, which accounts for a budget reduction of approximately $2.1 million.
Maple Valley Twp. supervisor reduces public comment options
A new supervisor oversaw his first township board meeting on Monday, which included votes to amend a purchasing policy, to create a board vacancy policy, the appointment of a new Planning Commission member and the removal from the agenda of a second chance for public comment. Bruce Deur was appointed interim supervisor after Dan Boes abruptly resigned mid-term in April. Deur presided over his first meeting on Monday, which featured the typical opportunity for public comment at the start of the meeting. However, the typical second opportunity at the end of the meeting had been removed from the agenda, surprising...
After crash, Greenville schools purchase replacement bus
Following a crash in May that resulted in a Greenville Public Schools bus being totaled, the district has moved forward in acquiring a used school bus to bring its fleet back to capacity. During Monday’s meeting, the Board of Education voted unanimously — with Vice President Brian Gardner absent — to purchase a used 2020 International bus from Midwest Transit Equipment Marshall for $82,919.
Pride and prejudice?
The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners typically spend their meetings quizzing department heads about budget requests, paying bills and hearing routine updates from local officials. However, Monday’s meeting featured drag performers in full makeup, finger-snapping (instead of applause), Bible verses being read aloud, exhortations about going to heaven or hell and standing room only on the third floor of the county Administrative Building in downtown Stanton.
Putting the green in Greenville
As the clock steadily turns spring into summer this month, a little bit of green has returned to downtown Greenville in the form of new trees, plants and flowers. During Monday’s meeting of the Greenville Downtown Development Authority, Greenville Assistant City Manager Heather Feazel informed members that the 28 hanging baskets that decorate the downtown district every summer had been installed.
Poppy Girl raises funds for veterans with a smile
From thank-you cards to gift bags, 5-year-old Mila Rumsey of Greenville has been involved in helping her mom find ways to support area veterans. This year, Mila took things a step further as the Poppy Girl for Greenville American Legion Post 101, as she aimed to raise as much as she could to support Greenville-area veterans.
Recent Montabella grad, and former Miss Edmore, crowned Miss Lakeview
Ashlynn Davis had the honor of serving as Miss Edmore in 2023. She loved doing the parades and attending all the festivals and meeting new people. When the opportunity came up to do another pageant, she didn’t want to pass it up.
Driving towards success
In a year full of new opportunities and positive challenges, the Greenville boys golf team had plenty of success in all areas of the game. From competing against some of the best teams in the state in their conference season alone, the Jackets entered a new conference this season, hoping to be even more competitive in a new environment.
Lee and Kim lead after day one of Meijer LPGA Classic
Another year of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give is well underway at Blythefield Country Club and the competition is as close-knit as ever. At the end of Thursday’s round, Mi Hyang Lee of South Korea leads the charge with an impressive performance of eight-under par for a total 64 through 18 holes.
Giving back on the mat
All Jack Ward has ever wanted to do during his wrestling career is find a way to give back to the program that has given him so much over the years. After some thought, he found a way to accomplish his goal with the help of both new and familiar faces. “The sport of wrestling is all about giving back,” Ward said. “It’s a really small community, so it’s just kind of a thing you do.”
‘A great community’
Last year’s Meijer LPGA Classic win was something completely unexpected for California native Lilia Vu. “I think winning here meant everything to me,” Vu said at a press conference on Tuesday. “It was after my two-month break from my back injury, and I remember I wanted to come to this event, felt like I was finally ready, and I didn't really have a goal for myself. I think I made it really easy: just make contact with the golf ball.” She was able to accomplish this and so much more in her first tournament in three months as she beat...
East Kentwood, Gull Lake’s, East Lansing ADs selected for 2025 MHSAA Bush Awards
East Kentwood athletic director Blaine Brumels, Richland Gull Lake athletic director Karyn Furlong and East Lansing athletic director Nikki Norris are widely regarded as exemplary event hosts after decades of managing countless Michigan High School Athletic Association tournament competitions at their respective schools — and also thriving in leadership positions at the Finals championship level. Their expertise in fulfilling this essential role in MHSAA postseason play is among several reasons Brumels, Furlong and Norris have been honored as the 2025 recipients of the MHSAA’s Allen W. Bush Award.
Playing free
Sutton Schroeder had one goal for himself entering the weekend’s Division 2 boys golf state finals: To play his game freely. And he did.
Taking a step
The Central Montcalm softball team faced their toughest challenge of the season on Saturday, but one they handled with grace and determination. The Hornets (22-14) added another week to their season after an exciting district championship win over Morley Stanwood last Saturday, 9-5.
Central Montcalm baseball’s historic season ends in regional semifinal against WMC
Attracting attention in the postseason tournament is not at all unfamiliar territory for the Central Montcalm baseball team in recent years. The Hornets (27-7) set out to do two things this year at the beginning of the season: win both a conference title and another district title.
Belding’s Alison Rockburn to further basketball career at GRCC
As one of the most decorated players to ever go through the Belding girls basketball program, Alison Rockburn still has a lot of her story left to write. The recent Belding High School graduate has played a vital role in the Black Knights’ success over the last four years, leading them to four straight winning seasons with 15 wins or more.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Sutton SchroederFree Access
Sutton Schroeder of Greenville boys golf is this week’s Daily News Athlete of the Week. Schroeder, a senior, finished third at regionals at The Mines on Wednesday with a 75 to be the only golfer in the area to qualify for the MHSAA Division 2 state finals.
The lucky 13
In a field of some of the best athletes in the state of Michigan, several local track and field athletes made their mark over the weekend. Whether it be a first-time appearance or a closing chapter on a four-year-long career, 13 out of the 37 local qualifying athletes for the varying Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) track and field state finals meets acquired All State honors in at least 21 different events. To obtain the recognition, athletes must place within the top-eight finishers of the finals of their respective events.
GRCC men’s golf coach Forton announces retirement
Grand Rapids Community College men's golf coach John Forton has announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2025 season, capping a remarkable 10-year run at the helm of one of the most consistently dominant programs in the region. Forton's leadership has helped shape GRCC into a powerhouse in collegiate golf. Under his guidance, the Raiders recently clinched their 16th consecutive conference championship and 12th MCCAA title — milestones that speak to both sustained excellence and a culture of winning.
