JUST IN: Ionia Public School buildings closed after educator found deadFree Access
Three Ionia Public Schools (IPS) buildings are closed today after an employee was found dead in a school building late Wednesday night. Welch High School, Ionia High School (IHS), and the Bulldog Beginnings Preschool located inside of IHS are closed on Thursday, Dec. 4. All other IPS buildings remain open.
From a garage startup to a regional force, Crandall Office Furniture expands again
From a small operation that began in his garage to a growing business that now employs more than 30 people, Steve Crandall has made his mark in the community with Crandall Office Furniture. Based in Greenville’s industrial park since 2015, Crandall moved his operations to 608 Callaghan St. 10 years ago. He began out of his own home in Ada before acquiring a facility in Lowell Township. However, when it was not feasible to expand his operations in that community, he found the company’s new home in Greenville.
Belding picks interim manager
The Belding City Council interviewed three candidates for interim city manager on Tuesday and then selected a candidate who has been fired from four government jobs and been accused of lying several times. The City Council voted 4-1 to offer the interim city manager job to Troy Bell, who was fired from his job as Muskegon Heights city manager in 2023. The City Council also interviewed John Niemela (who has been Belding’s manager twice and was fired twice) as well as Howard Fink.
Montcalm County board reinstates clerk admin aide position
A request to restore an eliminated position has revealed ongoing tensions between the Montcalm County clerk and the controller-administrator. Just a few months after eliminating an administrative aide position in the Clerk’s Office, the Board of Commissioners reinstated the position, albeit at a part-time level. Board Vice Chairman Adam Petersen at the Nov. 24 meeting presented a request on behalf of AFSCME Union President Chalice O’Green to reinstate the position, which was eliminated as part of the 2025-2026 fiscal year, which began on Oct. 1.
Ionia planners won’t meet this month
The city's Planning Commission meeting that was scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 10 has been canceled. The city's cancellation notice, sent on Dec. 3, cited “a lack of agenda items” as the reason for the cancellation.
MCC dreams big with new master plan
Six years after completing its last facilities master plan, Montcalm Community College is moving forward with an updated vision for its campuses, outlining a series of bold, long-term improvement projects. During the Nov. 11 meeting of the MCC Board, trustees received a presentation on the college’s proposed Campus Facilities Master Plan, developed by Mathison | Mathison Architects of Grand Rapids.
Montcalm Co. board gives go-ahead to Crystal Twp. construction project
In the wake of recently amending the Montcalm County construction ordinance, county commissioners, without taking a vote, simply told the owners of a Crystal Township property to move forward with a building project as long as they comply with state and fire safety requirements. The county construction ordinance previously stated, “No single parcel of property shall be allowed to have more than one dwelling on that parcel, whether or not the dwellings are occupied.”
From bluebirds to an eagle
Quinn Trechter is a 17-year-old junior at Greenville High School and an Eagle Scout candidate who recently completed the installation of 20 bluebird houses along the Fred Meijer Flat River Trail as his final project.
‘Symbol of our shared history’
The Michigan 21st Regiment’s Civil War battle flag is more than just a piece of fabric, it’s a symbol of Ionia County history. After spending several months with textile experts in West Virginia, the battle flag has been fully restored and, after a special ceremony at the Ionia Theatre on Saturday, was returned to permanent display at the Ionia County Courthouse.
‘Kickstart this process’
The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners, in a split vote, gave the drain commissioner the go-ahead to begin the process of replacing a 55-year-old dam. Lake Stanton in Douglass Township, just outside the city of Stanton, was created in 1970 when Montcalm County built a dam there; before then, the area was just a drain located in swampy woods. The resulting lake is now a private association with 226 properties on it, including front lots and back lots.
A grand entry restored
The portico of the Ionia County Courthouse, a historic building completed in 1886, was recently renovated, and the construction came in almost $30,000 under budget. The three-and-a-half-story, 120-feet-tall, 80-feet-wide courthouse is where local residents find their county clerk, treasurer, register of deeds, prosecutor’s office and courts.
Stanton man’s murder conviction appeal denied
The Michigan Court of Appeals this week denied a motion to overturn the convictions of a Stanton man who was found guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of a Greenville teen. Nicholas Bauer, 19, was also found guilty of three counts of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm and four counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The jury verdict came in May 2022 after the January 2021 death of Destini Cunliffe, 18, of Greenville, as well as the shooting of a 15-year-old Greenville girl who sustained a leg injury in...
Montcalm County commissioners discuss park rules
After repealing the Montcalm County park ordinance, commissioners are continuing to debate whether to create a new ordinance or simply to update park rules. Controller-Administrator Brenda Taeter handed out copies of current county park rules to commissioners at Monday’s meeting, noting it’s been about four years since the county has updated the rules.
Montcalm County controller-admin receives overall positive evaluation
Montcalm County’s controller-administrator received an overall positive annual job performance evaluation, with the results being made public at Monday’s Board of Commissioners meeting. Brenda Taeter, who has been controller-admin since 2020, received a score of 3.6 out of 5 (with 1 being the lowest rating and 5 being the highest), meaning she meets or exceeds expectations.
Ionia County Board of Commissioners approves balanced budget
The Ionia County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing and then voted 6-1 in favor of adopting the county's 2026 budget during Tuesday afternoon's meeting. The budget, which can be found on the county's website (ioniacounty.org) contains a total of $19,163,866 in estimated revenues and financing sources, balanced by $19,163,866 in estimated expenditures and financing uses. The county carries a fund balance of $3,491,369.
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW: ‘Get better every day’
The Belding wrestling team has spent the better part of the last decade building a reputable tradition of success. From multiple team district titles to an high number of individual state qualifiers and a few state champions, the Black Knights have seen it all. As the new season commences, they expect this season to be no different in terms of finding multiple ways to achieve greatness.
Upcoming sports (Dec. 5-6)
Upcoming sports (Dec. 5-6).
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW: Tri County competitive cheer looks to expand on last season’s success
For the past two decades, the Tri County competitive cheer team has prided itself on three core values: Dedication, sisterhood and no excuses. Not only have those values paid off in building a positive and uplifting culture over the years, but they’ve also created a longstanding tradition of overwhelming success for the program.
Upcoming sports (Dec. 2-4)
Upcoming sports (Dec. 2-4)
OFFENSIVE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Rising to the occasion
The first varsity season is always an exciting one for any high school athlete, no matter the sport. Maybe it’s because of new experiences or the team’s dynamic, but in Ethan King’s case, it’s because of his outstanding performances. The Belding junior running back played a critical role in the Black Knights’ run game this season as he led his team to their fourth-straight OK Silver conference title and sixth-consecutive playoff appearance with 148 carries for 1,564 yards — averaging 10.57 yards per carry — and 16 touchdowns.
VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: A record-setter
The setter is believed to be the most important position in a volleyball match and for the Ionia volleyball team, theirs was no exception to this claim. For four years, Grace Droste has proven herself to be one of the best volleyball players to go through the Bulldogs’ program, leading her team to earn some of the best overall season records in the area. This year alone, she broke four individual school records while recording an impressive 877 assists, 47 aces, 86 kills, 285 digs and 20 blocks as the Bulldogs won their first district title since 2022, their first...
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR: A ‘constant piece’
Gage Hoffman is a name that will inspire the future of Central Montcalm cross country for years to come. Owning the top of the school record board and claiming multiple accolades, the senior has been crucial in the Hornets’ wild success the last handful of years. He put the exclamation point on a renowned high school cross country career this season with an individual runner-up finish in Division 3 where he set a new personal record — and school record — time of 15:33.8.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR: ‘A positive force’
This cross country season was an open door of uncertainty for Gracelin Martin, but one that ended in the best way possible. Staring at the face of adversity due to health issues, the Greenville senior wasn’t sure what to expect for her last high school season. Thanks to her determination and willingness to trust the process, she was able to earn a new personal record of 18:21.6 this season and compete on some of the biggest stages in high school cross country.
DEFENSIVE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: ‘Everybody loves McCoy’
Playing on both sides of the ball isn’t entirely uncommon when it comes to high school football. Being able to excel at both at a high level has helped McCoy Wernholm become a huge asset for the Central Montcalm football team. The senior linebacker has successfully led the Hornets’ defense the last two years in a row while also acting as a primary running back for their offense. This season, he led with 102 tackles, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Seeing ‘the vision’
As the Montabella football team left the field Saturday afternoon, they were applauded by an appreciative and ample Mustang crowd. Not just because of how they played, but in thanks to the pride and joy they brought to their community all season long.
Memorable Mustangs
A monumental season for the Montabella football program met its end just short of the ultimate prize. The Mustangs have spent the better part of the last three weeks working their way to the biggest stage in high school football: The state championship game.
