‘We’re here to help’
As her 10-year-old son, Alex Nelson, moved up and down the aisles of Walmart, walking side by side with a local police officer, Ashley Hawkins did her best not to peek at the items being placed in the shopping cart. Participating in the Greenville Department of Public Safety’s “Shop with the Hero” event on Thursday at the Greenville Walmart — held annually since 2007 — Alex was one of 28 local children selected to be partnered with an officer, firefighter or member of the military to shop for Christmas gifts for their respective families.
‘A gift to the community’
Hark Up, the Grand Rapids ensemble known for soulful vocals and a powerful big-band sound, is back in Greenville for another holiday celebration. The sixth annual “Hark Up Christmas: Hometown Style” show will return at 7 p.m. on Dec. 18 at the Greenville Performing Arts Center at Greenville High School.
Consumers Energy work to reduce local outages
Presenting at the monthly meeting of the Coalition of Greater Greenville last month, Nate Henschel put a spotlight on local energy. The Consumers Energy community affairs manager for Kent and Montcalm counties was the guest speaker on the day, providing information on how the company has been working to better serve customers locally.
Central Montcalm school board honors support staff
The Central Montcalm Public School Board of Education recognized their student support staff workers with a special reception before and during their Nov. 17 meeting. Present were President Bill Simpson, Vice President Brennan Bowen, Secretary Jamie Hansen-Hopkins, Treasurer Lisa Lund and trustees Jim Lingeman and Betty Wakefield, while Trustee Rob Train was absent.
Lake Odessa man injured in car/train crashFree Access
A 20-year-old Lake Odessa man is in Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids with life-threatening injuries after his car struck a train in Odessa Township on Thursday.
Kellenberger Trails
From having city park paths named after her to being honored in an upcoming Christmas parade, Betty Kellenberger is having a year to remember. In September, the 80-year-old Carson City resident became the oldest woman to complete a thru-hike on the 2,197-mile Appalachian Trail, which passes through Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
‘It’s not just about farming’
Speaking before members of the Belding Area Schools Board of Education, sophomore Blake Jeffrey had every reason to be nervous. Not yet halfway through his tenure at Belding High School, the student would have been forgiven if he stumbled over his words or fumbled facts and figures as he spoke before trustees, principals and the district’s superintendent.
Ionia sells property to local business
During a quick, 33-minute meeting on a frigid, snowy Tuesday evening, the Ionia City Council voted to sell a parcel of city-owned property at 705 W. Main St. to a private individual for $4,000. The parcel in question is directly next door to 661-663 W. Main St., adjoining parcels that are owned by Parker Sawdy of Lyons.
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.”
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW: CM boys basketball ready to build off of last year’s competitive season
The Central Montcalm boys basketball program has been on the rise for the last couple of years. Since the 2022-2023 season, the Hornets have progressively improved each year, with a steady increase in their win total. A considerable group of returning talent, paired with determined attitudes, have the Hornets in a position to have another successful season for the program.
Upcoming sports (Dec. 8-9)
Upcoming sports (Dec. 8-9)
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.
