‘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.
Montcalm Prevention Collaborative hopes to continue despite loss of federal funding
The Montcalm Prevention Collaborative (MPC) is continuing for as long as possible amid losing its federal funding. The MPC has been funded through the Drug-Free Communities Grant administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at a rate of $125,000 per year for five years. Funding had also been approved for years six through 10, however, that continuing funding was withdrawn due to budget cuts made by President Donald Trump’s administration.
‘This makes their family complete’
Ionia County Probate Court Judge Robert Sykes presided over an Adoption Day ceremony for an unusually young child on Tuesday morning. The finalization of the adoption of 7-month-old Mateo Hull officially completes the family unit of Nate and Liz Hull of Belding, whose three older children Remington, 10, Elijah, 8, and Sydney, 6, all attend Belding Area Schools.
Montcalm County awards $469,000+ toward addiction recovery services
Local addiction recovery services and programs will receive $469,145 in funding from Montcalm County government in the coming year, including $267,000 in opioid settlement funding plus another $202,145 in county marijuana funds. The Board of Commissioners on Monday voted 6-0, with Commissioner Nate Alexander absent, to approve the annual list of recommendations from the county’s Opioid Task Force Committee.
Montcalm County clerk’s employee takes job with treasurer’s office
A Montcalm County employee is switching from a job at the Clerk’s Office for a job in the Treasurer’s Office, even as the Treasurer’s Office is about to undergo some major personnel changes. The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved allowing Laura Delamater, who currently works as an administrative aide for the Clerk’s Office, to be hired in at the Treasure’s Office on Dec. 8 so Delamater can undergo training before Vicki Dyer retires on Dec. 31.
Great Lakes Chorus to perform free show at Ionia church on Dec. 7
First United Methodist Church will once again this December host a special holiday-themed concert by the Grand Rapids-based Great Lakes Chorus. “It's going to be a 'free will offering' community Christmas concert with refreshments, and everyone is welcome,” explained Linda Ciangi, a dedicated church volunteer. “Our feeling was that we need to get people together in the same room just to sing and celebrate and put everything else aside."
‘The process is broken’
After the Belvidere Township supervisor resigned, a vote to appoint a new clerk failed in a tie and multiple financial issues continued to come to light during Monday’s special meeting, township resident Eric VanHouten said the quiet part out loud: “Maybe we don’t need to be a township anymore.” VanHouten was surely speaking for many residents who continue to be alarmed at the state of their local government.
‘Revolving door’
The supervisor of a township board in chaos became the latest official to resign during a special meeting Monday evening. Leigh Murray, who was appointed supervisor in May 2024, announced he was resigning effective Nov. 30, just 20 days after the township’s latest clerk resigned.
Montcalm County Veterans Affairs to purchase emergency food cards for veterans
A total of 100 food cards will once again be available for Montcalm County veterans facing emergency situations. The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners on Monday voted 6-0, with Commissioner Nate Alexander absent, to approve an annual request from Veterans Affairs Director Trevor Wright to purchase 100 food cards (for $200 each) from Leppink’s and Meijer grocery stores at a total cost not to exceed $20,000.
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.
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW: Greenville boys basketball eyes back-to-back RCA league titles
Last season was one for the record books for the Greenville boys basketball team, and this year’s squad is picking things up right where they left off. From winning the first-ever River Cities Alliance (RCA) conference championship outright to becoming the winningest team in program history and everything in between, the Jackets climbed mountains last season with a 22-2 overall record. With a handful of players from last year’s varsity roster making a return to the court, they have high hopes to repeat as league champions, but know it won’t be an easy climb back to the top.
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW: ‘Take care of business’
It’s only been a week since boys basketball practices began and Ty Warczinsky is already optimistic about his team’s chemistry. “I think we’re going to be super connected,” he said. “We’ve stacked some really good practices together so far.” The Wolverines saw a positive uptick in their overall team success last year in that it was their first winning record (12-9) since the 2021-2022 season, finishing fourth in a very competitive Mid-State Activities Conference (MSAC) league with an 11-6 record.
Magical Mustangs
For the first three quarters of Saturday’s state semifinal game, things were looking questionable for the Montabella football team. In the 8-player Division 1 state semifinals, the Mustangs were trailing by 20 points heading into the fourth quarter, knowing they’d need to play the best football of their lives if they were going to keep their season alive one more week.
