Employee of towing company killed in accident at Greenville Steel SalesFree Access
An employee of a towing company was killed in an accident that occurred at Greenville Steel Sales Saturday morning. According to Michigan State Police Lt. Pat Agema, emergency personnel were called to the scene of the local steel supplier and recycling center after a 26-year-old male, whose name is being withheld at this time, became trapped when the flatbed portion of a tow truck was being lowered.
Historic and modern voices recognized with induction into GPS Performing Arts Hall of Fame
From a professor of music who conducted choirs collegiately for four decades to a prima donna who entertained audiences throughout the early 20th century, Greenville Public Schools has inducted another talented class into its Performing Arts Hall of Fame. During the annual Greenville High School collage concert in December, five individuals were celebrated as they were inducted into the Hall of Fame’s 2026 class.
Ionia County Connect: Chamber and Economic Alliance team up for new monthly gathering
Starting this month, a local legislative update gathering will take on a new identity: Ionia County Connect. Formerly hosted solely by the Ionia Area Chamber of Commerce, it will now be a joint venture between the Chamber and the Ionia County Economic Alliance (ICEA). That means the focus will also change. Instead of concentrating on the activities of legislators in Lansing and Washington, D.C., the meetings will now start with a guest speaker and then transition to a round-table discussion.
1 plea, 1 pending in separate PTO embezzlement cases in Montcalm County
The former president of the Central Montcalm Public School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) entered a plea related to an embezzlement charge on Thursday, while the former treasurer of the Vestaburg Elementary School PTO also appeared in court and is expected to enter a plea soon.
City of Greenville replaces IT provider, upgrades phone system
A new provider will be handling technology services for city government in this community following frustrations with a previously contracted company. During Tuesday’s meeting of the Greenville City Council, members voted unanimously to award a three-year contract for information technology services to Dewpoint LLC in Lansing, beginning for $87,044.61 in year one, $88,879.81 in year two and $90,770 in year three.
Free Narcan vending machine now available at UM Health-Sparrow CarsonFree Access
There are now free Narcan (naloxone) vending machines available for public use at University of Michigan Health Sparrow hospitals in both Carson City and St. Johns, with more likely to be installed, expanding access to a critical tool to combat the opioid epidemic.
‘What’s going on with the fire?’
Whether in providing conflicting information or a lack of response altogether, the Sand Lake Village Council continues to mystify in its handling of fire contracts and financials. A special meeting of the Village Council on Tuesday evening attracted dozens of residents who packed into the council’s tiny meeting room across from Salisbury Park.
Improper use of pellet heater causes Belding fire
Firefighters used a fire extinguisher to douse flames at a Belding home that caught fire Tuesday morning after improper use of a pellet heater. The incident took place at 9:36 a.m. at 6059 Flat River Trail.
‘A little wiggle room’
The Ionia City Council voted unanimously at Wednesday evening's meeting to implement a deficit elimination plan for the Ionia Theatre fund in the city's budget, which was found to be $2,704 in the red at the close of the 2025 fiscal year.
Lake Odessa Village Council tables manager vote until Jan. 21
The Lake Odessa Village Council is delaying a vote on choosing a new village manager until its regular monthly meeting on Jan. 21. The council hosted second interviews with two candidates – former village council and Odessa Township board member Patricia Caudill, and current Edmore Village Manager Mark Borden – for the vacant, full-time manager’s post at a special meeting Tuesday at the Page Memorial Building.
City of Ionia shares details for street reconstruction project
Ionia City Manager Precia Garland announced details of the city's major downtown 2026 street reconstruction project at Wednesday's City Council meeting.
‘Pure excitement’
For a fourth consecutive year, Jeff Scoby has been unanimously selected by his peers on the Greenville City Council to continue serving as mayor of the Danish Festival City. During Tuesday’s annual organizational meeting, held before the council's regular meeting, all seven members felt compelled to write in Scoby’s name to lead the group in 2026. Since the city adopted its charter form of government in 1956, the position of mayor has been mostly ceremonial, with responsibilities including running City Council meetings and representing the city at community events and public functions.
Belding’s Smash Park set to be home for big disc golf tournament
A disc golf tournament is expected to attract players and spectators from around the state beginning in 2027. The Belding City Council on Tuesday listened to a presentation by Mike McCarty of Michigan Disc Golf Empire about a three-day disc golf tournament that will be held at the city's Smash Park during Labor Day weekend for five years starting in 2027. McCarty explained that the state's amateur championship disc golf tournament would be leaving Ludington, where he said it has been held for “25, 30 years or something like that.”
Home Twp. considering joint fire dept. with Richland Twp.
The Home Township Board is considering creating a joint fire department with Richland Township and recently sent out a letter to firefighters seeking their input. However, the board never voted to send out the letter and at least one board member says he wasn’t made aware of plans for the letter; he also happens to be the township’s assistant fire chief. Correspondence bearing Home Township’s official letterhead was sent to Home Township firefighters on Dec. 31, 2025.
Greenville public safety adding new drone equipment, rescue gear
Since taking to the skies in 2024, the Greenville Department of Public Safety has continued to maintain, update and utilize its drone, with numerous pilots now certified to perform search-and-rescue operations. As a result of that continued utilization, the Greenville City Council recently approved a few additional purchases that will make flying the drone easier for pilots behind the controls.
Tri County girls basketball falls short against Chippewa Hills
Though it may not have been the result they wanted, the Tri County girls basketball team continued to build on their newfound rhythm Friday night. The Vikings (3-4) had an exciting end to their holiday break last week as they not only snapped a three-game losing streak, but they were also crowned the Lakeview Holiday Hoops tournament champions with wins against Holton and Ithaca.
Scoring machines
Lily Johnston has become a scoring machine for the Vestaburg girls basketball team this season, especially in the new year. Johnston’s leading performance Monday lifted the Wolverines (3-2) to an 80-41 victory over Baldwin, for their second win of the season and second 60-plus point game of the season. This gave them plenty of positive momentum as they returned to Mid-State Activities Conference (MSAC) action Wednesday night on the road at Carson City-Crystal (1-4). A commanding presence on both sides of the ball paired with Johnston’s game-leading 30 points, enabled them to pick up their second-straight win by at least...
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Selina StalkerFree Access
Selina Stalker of Ionia girls basketball was voted this week’s Daily News Athlete of the Week. Stalker, a freshman, led the Bulldogs with 21 points, 12 rebounds and three steals in their 58-25 win at Hastings.
Upcoming sports for Jan. 10, 2026
Check out the local high school sports schedule for the upcoming week!
Making a statement
If there’s one thing that Zayne Cooper is an expert in, it’s coming in clutch for the Central Montcalm boys basketball team. Nine seconds remained on the clock during their game against Alma on Tuesday night, and the Hornets (8-0) were trailing by two when a questionable foul on what would’ve been their game-tying basket turned the ball over to the Panthers (6-3). A critical steal from senior Jamison Johns gave the Hornets a fighting chance as Cooper secured the offensive rebound from Johns’ shot to score with 1.2 seconds left in regulation play to tie things up and send...
Lakeview boys basketball falls short against Ithaca in first post-break contest
It’s the start of a new year and the Lakeview boys basketball team is looking to turn the page. Though the record may not show it, the Wildcats have been working diligently so far this season to find their groove and improvement in every game they play. Their first game back from the holiday break found them going head-to-head against Ithaca Monday night, both teams eager to pick up their first win of the season.
Upcoming sports (Jan. 9-10)
Upcoming sports (Jan. 9-10).
Sports roundup for Jan. 8
Sports roundup for Jan. 8.
‘Back to the drawing board’
Four different lead changes and a great deal of free throws were had for the Ionia boys basketball team Saturday night. Though their season has gotten off to a slower-than-normal start, the Bulldogs (2-6) have been working to find forms of improvement in each game they play. In their first game of the new year, they hosted Hastings (3-4) for an evening of nonconference action.
Belding girls ready for league play after tough Cornerstone games
A valiant defensive effort in the first quarter wasn’t enough to lift the Belding girls basketball team over its opponent. The Black Knights (3-3) have had their fair share of tough opponents this season, as three of their six opponents have been Division 1 schools, their most recent challenge being Jenison (2-4) at the Cornerstone University Holiday Classic on Friday afternoon.
