Sunday, October 1, 2023

The City of Ionia has a slate of events planned over the weekend of Oct. 6-8 to commemorate the town's sesquicentennial, or the 150th anniversary of its founding. The once-in-a-lifetime celebration will include special events around town all weekend, including a presentation at the Ionia High School football game on Friday, a commemorative ceremony at city hall on Saturday morning, an Apple Festival and food truck rally at the Ionia Free Fairgrounds.

Leaves crunch with every footstep. A hunter walks through the trees, sunlight cascading through the branches as the temperature hovers in the mid-60s. The air is crisp, autumn is here.  These are the signs that the hunting season is alive and well in Michigan. While some disciplines of the sport have already been open for weeks, deer hunting season is set to begin for everyone in the state on Sunday. 

Concerns continue to be voiced about the “loose” way that Crystal Township’s government is being run. From a farmland rental agreement to cash handling to wondering who’s really in charge, multiple questions were raised at the township board’s Sept. 13 meeting.

After 28 years in the West Michigan-based Ottawa-Kent Conference, Belding Area Schools will be participating in a new athletic conference next year.  The Board of Education voted unanimously on Monday to approve a resolution to leave the O-K Conference and join the Central State Activities Association (CSAA). 

Erika Thomas is one busy person this school year. She’s a senior at Central Montcalm and leaving no stone unturned. She works a part-time job on weekends, she’s a member of the National Honor Society, the student council at CMHS and the Green Hornet marching band while preparing to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade where she’ll march with one of the bands playing the flute.

Don’t ever say Montcalm Community College athletes aren’t willing to be a team player. … Even if they hate it in the moment. Head coach Kevin Sweeney got to work on the intra-campus recruiting trail to help the Centurions field a minimum roster, beginning with Friday’s Raider Invite hosted by Grand Rapids Community College.

Montcalm County opens fourth set of recycling compactors in Stanton

Montcalm County opens fourth set of recycling compactors in Stanton

Audio Article

The Montcalm County seat joins three other communities that now offer free recycling services to the general public. County officials celebrated the opening of new recycling compactors in Stanton with a ribbon-cutting on Thursday afternoon. The two compactors — one for cardboard and the other for paper, plastic, metal, glass and cartons — are located in the parking lot shared by the Mid-Michigan District Health Department and the Montcalm County Commission on Aging just off M-66 on Stanton’s north side.

‘Good food and good people’

‘Good food and good people’

Audio Article

A national company is spreading the word about something Lakeview-area residents have known for years: Chapz Roadhouse is one of “America’s Best Restaurants.” America’s Best Restaurants, a national media and marketing company focusing on bringing attention to local, independently-owned restaurants, brought its ABR Roadshow to the restaurant at 9950 N. Greenville Road in Lakeview on Thursday.

Children’s musician Laurie Berkner to perform at annual Ash Cultural Event

Children’s musician Laurie Berkner to perform at annual Ash Cultural Event

Audio Article

From Carnegie Hall to the White House lawn, children’s music artist Laurie Berkner has performed on some of the most prominent stages, delighting children across the country.  Come next year, Berkner will bring her “Kindie rock” genre of music, which melds the sensibility of the artist with themes aimed at children 10 and younger, to Greenville as the next artist selected to perform at the annual Ash Cultural Event. 

Rood named general manager of the Daily News

Rood named general manager of the Daily NewsFree Access

Audio Article

From first responding to an advertisement for a part-time position to obtaining a role of leadership as the Daily News’ director of sales and marketing, Amber Rood has walked the halls of the newspaper with traits of integrity and dedication resting upon her shoulders.  As a result of her 12 years of experience, work and dedication, View Newspaper Group, the parent company of the Daily News, announced in August that Rood was promoted as the new general manager of the Daily News.

Stanton City Commission switches phone, internet services

Stanton City Commission switches phone, internet services

Audio Article

Point Broadband is losing one of its main hometown customers. The Stanton City Commission on Tuesday voted unanimously to leave Point Broadband in Stanton and start a new five-year contract with Connecticut-based Charter Spectrum Enterprise for phone and internet service.

Arson suspected in Ionia’s ‘Hotel California’ fire

Arson suspected in Ionia’s ‘Hotel California’ fire

Audio Article

A Michigan State Police laboratory has determined the fire that burned Ionia's 663 W. Main St. “Hotel California” boarding house to the ground in June was the work of an arsonist. An Aug. 8 report prepared by forensic scientist Eric Cervenak of the MSP's Forensic Science Division lab revealed that a sample collected at the scene contained traces of “a heavy petroleum distillate.” This could be fuel oil, kerosene, charcoal starter, lamp oil, aviation fuel or a type of substance like that.

LARA suspends Portland family child care home licenseFree Access

Audio Article

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Child Care Licensing Bureau (CCLB), has summarily suspended and issued a notice of intent to revoke the family child care home license of Christial and Dale Stairs, located at 7204 East Grand River Avenue, Lot 2, in Portland, Ionia County.

Passport to nowhere

Passport to nowhere

Audio Article

The third floor of the Montcalm County Administrative Building echoed with the sounds of verbal sparring on Monday night. Controller-Administrator Brenda Taeter asked that a discussion be added to the meeting agenda regarding whether the county’s passport service will continue in light of the two county clerk offices being combined into one office at the court complex.

Rep. Outman expresses concerns over renewable energy bill packages 

Rep. Outman expresses concerns over renewable energy bill packages 

Audio Article

As the subject of renewable energy continues to gain steam in Lansing, with the potential introduction of new policies and laws on the subject being debated daily, the topic has risen as a top priority for Rep. Pat Outman, R-Six Lakes.  Speaking at Monday’s Legislative Update session hosted by the Montcalm Human Services Coalition at Montcalm Community College’s Greenville campus, Outman spoke at length on the subject of numerous renewable energy bills that have been introduced in both the House and Senate. 

Ionia Co. resolution would limit Health Dept.

Ionia Co. resolution would limit Health Dept.

Audio Article

The Ionia County Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 on Tuesday to approve a resolution that would limit the county Health Department’s ability to enforce state mandates when reacting to future health emergencies. The document, titled “Resolution Establishing Limitations to State and/or Local Government Emergency Measures Emanating from the Ionia County Health Department Regarding a Pandemic,” would “strongly recommend” that “state or local government emergency measures regarding a pandemic or epidemic” expire after 28 days and only be continued with a 2/3 majority vote of the Board of Commissioners.

2 Montcalm County farms receive renewable energy grants

Audio Article

Two farms in Montcalm County recently received renewable energy grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Carlson Arbogast Farm in Howard City will receive $75,628 for a solar power system, and Robert Peterson in Edmore will receive $123,924 for a grain dryer.

Blue ribbon building

Blue ribbon building

Audio Article

Montcalm County’s newest facility, the Pandemic Readiness Building, is open and operational. The building’s moniker is a mouthful, but you probably won’t hear it much on the lips of county employees. When some of the construction materials arrived for the new building, the items were marked with an abbreviated “PBR” (instead of PRB) — and the name stuck.

Sen. Outman shares clean energy doubts

Sen. Outman shares clean energy doubts

Audio Article

A group of Ionia County’s leaders shared a few details of their recent activities during a legislative update early Monday morning. The gathering took place at the Ionia Michigan Works location and was facilitated by Kat Hansen of the Ionia Area Chamber of Commerce.

Renovations continue at Danish Cultural Center 

Renovations continue at Danish Cultural Center 

Audio Article

For Susan Hoppough, the reality of the Danish Cultural Center being a museum and venue that most people are unfamiliar with is not a foreign concept.  Speaking as the guest presenter at the Sept. 21 meeting of the Coalition of Greater Greenville presented by the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce, Hoppough didn’t back on the perceived mystery of the brick building on the corner of Franklin and Grove streets in Greenville. 

NUVU Fuels proposes RV and boat storage

NUVU Fuels proposes RV and boat storage

Audio Article

Upon purchasing two gas stations in the Greenville area this past year, a West Michigan-based company is looking to expand its business — albeit not at the pump.  In June, NUVU Fuels Michigan purchased two businesses — the former Petersen Oil service station at 6360 Greenville Road (M-91) in Eureka Township and the former Mr. T’s party store and service station at 1122 W. Washington St. (M-57) in Greenville — and rebranded the two locations NUVU Fuels Greenville North and NUVU Fuels Greenville South. 

Tri County football gets clutch 8-point victory over Central Montcalm to remain undefeated

Tri County football gets clutch 8-point victory over Central Montcalm to remain undefeated

Audio Article

In a game that featured two onside kicks, five turnovers, a muffed punt return and a partial punt block, the Tri County Vikings’ football team somehow emerged through the calamity of chaos to remain undefeated. Whether it was the ominous fog that stood on the grass at Goodin-Parker Field, the full moon beaming bright in the distance or just the Central Montcalm vs. Tri County rivalry at its apex, there was plenty of unexpected adversity for the Vikings, who got the best shot imaginable from the Green Hornets. Tri County got the win on Friday, 22-14, to remain undefeated.

Greenville football left ‘frustrated’ after heartbreaking overtime loss to Forest Hills Northern

Greenville football left ‘frustrated’ after heartbreaking overtime loss to Forest Hills Northern

Audio Article

Shock, disbelief, disappointment. All of these emotions hit the Greenville football team as it watched the Forest Hills Northern Huskies celebrate on Legacy Field. Just one play away, and it may have been different. Greenville lost, 23-20, in overtime, to end Friday’s classic O-K White showdown.

Athlete of the Week winner: Owen Behrenwald

Athlete of the Week winner: Owen BehrenwaldFree Access

Audio Article

Tri County senior quarterback Owen Behrenwald was named Athlete of the Week after a tight race decided by readers' votes.

Sports roundup for Sept. 30, 2023

Sports roundup for Sept. 30, 2023

Audio Article

Sports roundup for Sept. 30, 2023, including football results for three local games.

Lakeview football falls to Chippewa Hills, 40-15, in second home game at Top Taggart Field

Lakeview football falls to Chippewa Hills, 40-15, in second home game at Top Taggart Field

Audio Article

Sean Rinehart gathered up his Lakeview Wildcats, the sting of Thursday’s game heavy among the team’s kneeled huddle. Rinehart followed an impassioned speech from offensive coordinator Grant Kortman. There was talk of the playoffs, how special it is to play postseason football. Rinehart has brought Lakeview’s program a total of five times since his arrival in 2013. He knows what it means to play games when they matter the most.

Greenville boys soccer loses spirited battle with Cedar Springs on senior night, 2-1

Greenville boys soccer loses spirited battle with Cedar Springs on senior night, 2-1

Audio Article

The fans in attendance for Thursday night’s varsity boys soccer game at Yellow Jacket Stadium were treated to a start that is quite unconventional, in soccer terms. About 30 minutes before kickoff, Greenville head coach Joe Reisner walked up to the three game officials and asked if he could start all 13 of his seniors to begin the game. His shot in the dark worked, the officials agreed and allowed all of the Greenville seniors to start the game on the field for senior night.

Belding’s Codey Manley cuts up big game in win over Kelloggsville

Belding’s Codey Manley cuts up big game in win over Kelloggsville

Audio Article

Codey Manley was trying to figure out a way to boost his rushing performances for the Belding football team. In the 49-21 win over Comstock Park two weeks ago, he saw something. In the 58-6 win over Kelloggsville last week at Rudness Field, Manley made good on what he saw.

‘Shocking’ sudden loss

‘Shocking’ sudden loss

Audio Article

A shock wave of emotion is still reverberating around the Vestaburg community this week after losing a valued member of the Vestaburg Athletic Department. Phil Block, who was the head coach of the Vestaburg softball team for the past two seasons, died on Friday night at McLaren Central Michigan Hospital in Mount Pleasant, per his obituary.

Ionia’s Amelia McGee builds off All-State finish, grows as leader

Ionia’s Amelia McGee builds off All-State finish, grows as leader

Audio Article

Ionia sophomore Amelia McGee has quickly established herself as the top swimmer on the varsity girls swimming team. Coming into her sophomore season with hardware from the state finals doesn’t hurt that reputation, either.

Sports roundup for Sept. 28, 2023

Sports roundup for Sept. 28, 2023

Audio Article

Sports roundup for Sept. 28, 2023

Football standings for Sept. 28 2023

Audio Article

Football standings for Sept. 28 2023

Tri County volleyball celebrates teammate’s sister, but falls to Grant in four sets

Tri County volleyball celebrates teammate’s sister, but falls to Grant in four sets

Audio Article

Tri County’s volleyball team had an emotional night on Tuesday, especially for one of its outside hitters. Sydney Dehart played a strong match on Tuesday, both in terms of volleyball and heart. She was playing for more than herself, and that mindset collected in the hearts of the Vikings roster — they were playing for Dehart’s sister, Savanah.

ARCHIVED STORIES