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.
Police searching for stolen trailer in Pierson TownshipFree Access
The Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a trailer which was stolen from a job site near Big Whitefish Lake in Pierson Township. The trailer was stolen sometime Monday night or early Tuesday morning from a location in the 1000 block of Lake Street. The white, enclosed trailer is described as a 14 foot, “v-nosed” with the letters “TMBR” on either side.
Ice fishing, a township fiasco and FOIA’ing a serial killerFree Access
One of the things I love most about my job is that I never know what the new year is going to feature in local news, and this year was no different. From an international ice fishing contest in the village of Lakeview to a long-running game of musical chairs on the Belvidere Township Board to a random FOIA request leading to the possibility of a serial killer having lived in Crystal Township, here's a look back at just a few of the most memorable stories I covered in 2025.
2025 concludes with intense breaking news coverageFree Access
As 2025 comes to a close, it marks another busy chapter as I prepare to embark on year 15 as a reporter at the Daily News. Trying to put into perspective 12 months of work — covering hundreds of board meetings, dozens of feature stories, numerous breaking-news events and more — it can be difficult to select only a handful of moments that stand out.
‘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.
Upcoming Sports for Jan. 3, 2026
Check out the local high school sports schedule for the upcoming week.
My 2025 bingo card in sportsFree Access
If you thought a 16-hour work trip to Marquette and back for a high school football state championship game would keep me from going to a Jonas Brothers concert in Detroit the next day, you’d be wrong. After seeing just how attractive Nick Jonas is in person, I don’t regret it one little bit.
Belding girls basketball falls to West Ottawa at Cornerstone
Rather than spend their holiday break practicing inside their home gym, the Belding girls basketball team found a new and exciting way to get their reps in. After picking up two wins in the week leading up to break, the Black Knights (3-2) were looking forward to making their debut at the Cornerstone University Holiday Classic on Saturday afternoon, a two-week-long tournament that draws in strong high school basketball programs from all over West Michigan.
