‘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.
‘A kind and gentle man’
An Edmore legend has left town, gone to share his many stories with a more celestial audience. Carmon Drain, better known as Carm or “the Old Fence Rider,” died at MyMichigan Hospital in Alma on Dec. 29, 2025. He was 95 years old.
FOIA request provides some insight to CC-C school admin changes
The superintendent of Carson City-Crystal Area Schools made multiple changes to administrative and direct supervisor roles at the start of this school year without a vote by the school board, according to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made by the Daily News. During October’s regular CC-C school board meeting, the Daily News noticed that Kaleb Farnham presented the high school student of the month award, instead of Alexis Shaver.
Baby Jesus stolen from Ionia church’s Nativity scene
In what local police describe as a “strange, random incident,” a baby Jesus was stolen this weekend from the Nativity scene outside of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 434 High St. in Ionia.
New county official known for ‘meticulous’ approach
Ashley Wakeley is a known planner. Her family jokes that she has a color-coded planner for everything. “She has a planner for every occasion,” declared her mother, Kelly.
Pay structures, budget cuts fuel morale concerns among teachers at Greenville schools
Concerns over district culture, classroom support and perceived disparities in compensation have bubbled to the surface at Greenville Public Schools. Over the past few months, there has been growing discontent expressed by teachers and staff, which was on full display at the Dec. 8 meeting of the Board of Education.
Greenville City Council approves $1.38 million street project
A short but significant stretch of residential roadway will be reconstructed later this year, while also addressing water and sewer issues beneath the ground. During the Dec. 16 meeting of the Greenville City Council, members voted unanimously to award a bid for a $1.38 million reconstruction project that will include a 2,000-foot section of Dodge, James and Grove streets.
Montcalm County commissioners organize for new year
The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners’ organizational meeting was short and sweet on Friday morning with no changes made to meeting dates/times, committee appointments or the vice chair position. The annual meeting clocked in at just 7 minutes with very little discussion for the routine business. All commissioners were present.
Edmore village manager a finalist for Lake Odessa job
The Edmore village manager is a finalist for the top post in Lake Odessa. The Lake Odessa Village Council voted 7-0 at their Dec. 15 meeting to bring back two candidates for the open full-time manager’s position for a second round of interviews at 5 p.m. on Jan. 6.
‘Community fire department’?
In the wake of the village of Sand Lake notifying three townships in three counties of the village’s intention to cease fire services, the trio of townships are looking into possibly creating their own community fire department. The Pierson Township Board, at a special meeting on Tuesday evening, voted unanimously to create a joint fire board with Ensley and Nelson townships and to gather information and evaluate options for developing a community fire and emergency services department.
Maple Valley Twp. hires new assessor
The Maple Valley Township Board has hired a new assessor, who also happens to be the assessor and supervisor of another nearby township. The Maple Valley Township Board voted 5-0 at their Dec. 9 meeting to hire Andrea Roberts as the new assessor after assessor Amanda Toomey gave her notice, according to Supervisor Bruce Deur.
Central Montcalm superintendent rated ‘effective’ in first evaluation
The superintendent of Central Montcalm Public School received an “effective” rating in her first evaluation since being named the district’s new leader last summer. Mandy McLaughlin received an overall score of 2.83 out of 3 at the school board’s Dec. 15 meeting.
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.
Athlete of the Week nominees for Jan. 6, 2026Free Access
Athlete of the Week nominees for Jan. 6, 2026
Upcoming sports for Jan. 7-8
Upcoming sports for Jan. 7-8
Clevenger breaks Greenville girls record for points in a game
Tuesday was another high-scoring affair for the Greenville girls basketball team, but mostly from a single record-breaking effort. Of the nearly 60 points the team scored, sophomore Sophie Clevenger was responsible for 40 of them as she broke the school record for most points scored in a single game. The record was previously held by both Jessica Ingles and Adele Kemp with 38 points.
Fourth-quarter comeback lifts Belding boys hoops over Forest Hills Eastern
High energy and determination paid off for the Belding boys basketball team in an exciting way Tuesday afternoon. Trailing by only one point at the end of the third quarter, the Black Knights (4-4) remained level-headed and reclaimed the lead late in the fourth to best Forest Hills Eastern in their second game of the Cornerstone University Holiday Classic.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Taevin RobertsFree Access
Taevin Roberts of Greenville wrestling is this week’s Daily News Athlete of the week. Down 10-1 in his match against Allegan, Roberts, a sophomore, came back with a pin to win the Jackets the Thornapple-Kellogg Tournament.
