Triple crown winner
Peyton Zander is no stranger to the Miss Belding Scholarship pageant world. She was crowned Little Miss Belding in 2019 and Junior Miss Belding in 2022.
Free speech and right to bear arms
After years of requesting a retirement certificate to obtain an exempt concealed pistol license, a former Montcalm County sheriff’s deputy is suing Montcalm County and its sheriff and clerk in federal court.
Winfield Township Board cancels projects due to budget situation
The Winfield Township Board has canceled planned projects for a parking lot expansion and a veterans memorial due to a less-than-ideal budget situation.
Ionia schools honor Eagle Scout candidate
An Eagle Scout candidate was recognized by the Ionia Public Schools Board of Education on Monday with a Student Achievement Commendation award for his community service project at the Palmer Lodge in Bertha Brock Park.
Ionia planners designate former prison site for high-tech biz park
The city's Planning Commission held a public hearing and then voted on Aug. 13 to assign “Technology Innovation Business District” (aka “T”) zoning to 80 acres of city-owned land to accommodate a high-tech business park in the former site of the Deerfield/Riverside prison complex at 1755 Harwood Road.
Family traditions
In its 61st year, the Danish Festival has become a tradition for the community, with families knowing they can plan on the three-day festival that celebrates Danish history. On Saturday, folks gathered along Cass, Clay and Montcalm streets to watch the Grande Dansk parade.
Scorching heat doesn’t melt Danish Fest spirit
For all its Danish charm and tradition, the 61st annual Danish Festival delivered something much hotter than fresh aebleskivers or Danish hot dogs: Weather that was more suited to the American South than Scandinavia. With a high of 86 degrees on Thursday and humidity eclipsing 50%, the Danish Festival City seemed to resemble southern Florida more than Copenhagen, Denmark.
Ice skating in August?
Bringing a little Copenhagen-style winter fun to a humid, sweltering Michigan summer day, a new feature at the 61st annual Danish Festival was a synthetic ice skating rink set up on East Cass Street, right in the middle of the downtown vendors. Brought to the festival by ACP Entertainment in Byron Center, participants could borrow special ice skates and spend 15 minutes or so on the synthetic squares that snapped together like puzzle pieces.
Danish Fest icons bid farewell to Greenville
Having just settled into their dining room to enjoy dinner, Bob and Ruth Hansen were prepared to reflect upon spending some of their last days in the Luray Street home they have known for more than five decades. The longtime Greenville residents are responsible for two of the signature elements of the annual Danish Festival — the Danish Festival Band, which Bob, 92, co-founded in 1972, and the Hans Christian Andersen Theater (HCAT), which Ruth, 89, helped bring to fruition in 1990.
Montcalm County EMS employee dies in motorcycle crashFree Access
A longtime employee of Montcalm County Emergency Medical Services died from a motorcycle accident on Saturday morning in Sheridan. Michigan State Police Lakeview Post troopers responded to Condensery Road and S. Sheridan Road (M-66) around 11:25 a.m. Amber Barnes, 44, of Sheridan was turning eastbound onto Condensery Road from M-66 when she lost control and crashed, according to police. She was not wearing a helmet.
Greenville man seriously injured in hit and run, police ask for public’s helpFree Access
Police are asking for the public’s help after a Greenville man was seriously injured in a hit and run on Sunday night. Troopers from the Michigan State Police Lakeview Post were dispatched to a car versus pedestrian hit and run on W. Carson City Road (M-57) west of South Miller Road near Greenville around 9:35 p.m.
Ionia Twp. mulls update of private road ordinance
Trustees discussed an update to the township’s private road ordinance during Tuesday evening’s meeting with township Assessor Heather Hoffman. “There have been a handful of land division applications where parcels are being split and there will be a private road required based on the language from the ‘2019-2’ ordinance,” Hoffman explained. “Right now we have a split where we have been back and forth with the property owner multiple times trying to make sure what he’s providing the township is compliant with this ordinance. With that being said, it’s still not compliant. There is a lot involved in this, and...
Pine Twp. Board talks options for cemetery records
There are two cemeteries in Pine Township, one in Langston and the other near Coral. Several different items concerning the cemeteries were, in a nearly 2 1/2 hour meeting on Aug. 11, discussed by the Pine Township Board members.
Danish Cultural Center features music, tastes of Hygge lager, Scandinavian aquavit
The newly remodeled Danish Cultural Center hosted a tasting event Thursday with locally-brewed beer and spirits, along with free live music and brisk sales of Danish kringle pastries fresh from Lehmann's Bakery in Racine, Wisconsin. It was a rare opportunity to sample the hometown brewery's Hygge Lager, brewed once a year by Flat River Brewing Co. in Greenville.
Oakfield Township greenlights rezoning request at corner of M-57 and Lincoln Lake Avenue
A series of multiple votes — and some potential confusion within the voting language — resulted in a winding road to approval Tuesday for a rezoning request aimed at future commercial development. During Tuesday’s meeting of the Oakfield Township Board, members considered a recommendation from the Planning Commission to rezone two adjacent parcels, approximately 13 acres in size, on the northeast corner of 14 Mile Road (M-57) and Lincoln Lake Avenue NE from rural residential to commercial.
FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: Ionia boys soccer’s senior class to spearhead turnaround
The Ionia boys soccer team plans to utilize their new season as an opportunity to rebuild, but on a much deeper level than just wins and losses.
Danish Dash sees most runners since 2019
This year’s Danish Dash 5K saw two experienced runners end up as the overall top male and overall top female finishers. Ryan Hardy of Stanton crossed the line first among all runners with a time of 17:57, while Gracelin Martin of Greenville was the first female.
FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: Belding volleyball to put returning varsity experience to good use
If there’s one thing the Belding volleyball team is focusing on the most this season, it’s embracing their roots. For years, the program has built and maintained a rich history of success that’s measured not only by the number of wins and trophies, but individual successes as well.
Upcoming sports for Aug. 19, 2025
Upcoming sports for Aug. 19, 2025
Sports roundup for Aug. 19, 2025
Sports roundup for Aug. 19, 2025
Tri County football ready to bounce back after adversity-filled season last year
The Tri County football team experienced what felt like three seasons in one last year. The trajectory of their season was promising through their first few games until the injury bug swept its way through, forcing them to work their way through varying levels of adversity.
Lakeview football eager for turnaround year with new head coach in place
This season looks to be one centered around new experiences and invigorating perspectives for the Lakeview football team. It’s been eight years since the Wildcats have been on the plus side of a .500 record and they’re not giving up any opportunity to turn the tides in their favor this season.
Upcoming Sports Schedule for Aug. 16, 2025
Check out the local upcoming high school sports schedule for this coming week.
An unselfish mindset
Last year was one of firsts for the Greenville football team. From having a new head coach to playing in a new and highly competitive conference, the Jackets managed to find success in their own personalized way, not necessarily determined by how many wins they got or how many points they scored.
‘It starts with them’
If there’s one thing the Central Montcalm football team figured out how to do best last season, it was knowing how to bounce back in a thundering manner. After a mentally tough loss in week two, the passionate work ethic they exhibited helped them win their first conference championship in the Central State Activities Association (CSAA) since 2019.
‘Big steps’ for Bulldogs
The Ionia football team is dedicated to building upon its recent success this season, which for them is measured in more ways than one. Since the 2022 season, they’ve steadily improved their win records and achieved their first six-win season above .500 since 2013 last year, thanks to the leadership of a large senior class. With a much younger team makeup than what they’re used to, they expect to keep driving that success forward this upcoming season.
Embracing ‘the grind’
The last three years have been nothing but consistent for the Belding football team. Three consecutive conference titles and top-10 regular season rankings in Division 5, the Black Knights have set a standard for themselves they have no intention of forfeiting anytime soon. With the novelty of the upcoming season, they’re hungry to chase after the high levels of success they’ve grown accustomed to with a lot of familiar faces.
