The $100K plunge
Wearing a set of fairy wings and a pink wig loaned to him by his daughter, Jason Christensen brought smiles and laughs to those who watched as he stepped up to make a plunge into the icy waters of Turk Lake Saturday afternoon. However, as the Greenville resident prepared to partake in the annual Turk Lake Polar Plunge, he did so not with a goofy smile or comedic demeanor, but with tears welling up in his eyes.
Belvidere Township appoints new clerk, again
This township has its third clerk in the span of less than a month. Ashley Gonzalez was appointed clerk on Jan. 24 after former longtime clerk Sheila Smith resigned on Jan. 11. However, Gonzalez submitted her resignation this past Thursday after Montcalm County Clerk Kristen Millard expressed concerns about a possible violation of the Hatch Act, as Gonzalez works as a postal clerk for the Six Lakes Post Office.
Ionia’s Zion United Methodist cleans up, rebuilds after fire
The approximately 60-member congregation of Zion United Methodist Church are continuing to pick up the pieces after their 138-year-old church was extensively damaged in a fire. Six fire departments responded to the blaze that started on the southeast side of the building at 423 W. Washington St. around 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 5, during the church’s weekly soup kitchen event.
‘It’s time for us to opt in’
In 2008, Reynolds Township voters approved a statewide medical marijuana proposal by nearly 65% to 35%. In 2018, Reynolds Township voters approved a statewide recreational marijuana proposal by 55% to 44%. However, the township has opted out of any and all marijuana establishments ever since — although that will likely be changing very soon.
Ionia residents share winter parking concerns
The Ionia City Council heard concerns from two residents about odd/even parking and abandoned vehicles during Wednesday’s meeting. George Fox, a resident of Hackett Street, and John Thomasson, a resident of Cyrus Street, both complained during public comment that their vehicles parked on their streets were ticketed or slapped with “abandoned” stickers by city police when the streets changed from odd/even parking to only allowing parking on one side.
Montcalm County Jail benefits from use of new body inspection system
Drugs, knives, cell phones, colored pencils … These are a few of the items that Montcalm County Jail staff recently found while running criminal suspects through a new X-ray body inspection system. The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners one year ago voted to buy the touchless scanner made by Secure Technology Value Solutions (STVS) for $172,150 paid for out of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Sparrow hosts sneak peek at Ionia Rehabilitation Center before construction starts
The Sparrow Foundation hosted a first look on Wednesday at the location of the new Sparrow Rehabilitation Center Ionia at 205 S. Dexter St., formerly the Sears appliance warehouse. Construction on the facility will start later this month, but the interior was empty enough on Wednesday to accommodate the approximately 80 people who showed up to check out the spacious new facility.
Belvidere Township clerk resigns after one week
The newly appointed Belvidere Township clerk has resigned after just one week on the job. Ashley Gonzalez was appointed township clerk on Jan. 24 after former longtime clerk Sheila Smith resigned on Jan. 11.
H&H Plumbing & Heating’s new owner is settling in
Brett Higby had two goals in life: Own his own plumbing and heating business and — what he will admit was more of a dream — own his own classic car garage. He’s been able to accomplish both, purchasing H&H Plumbing and Heating and Classic Car Garage, both based in Greenville, from previous owner Mike Kamps.
28 more spaces
After more than five years of sitting vacant, a former drive-thru banking building has been targeted for demolition and is envisioned as a new public parking lot in this city’s historic downtown district. During a special meeting of the Greenville City Council on Tuesday evening, the council entered into an executive session for the second consecutive meeting for the purpose of “acquisition of real property.” The council then voted unanimously to approve a purchase agreement, allowing the city to move forward on behalf of the Greenville Downtown Development Authority to acquire the former Huntington Bank drive-thru bank property at a price...
JUST IN: Martens pleads no contest to causing double fatal drunken driving driving collision
A Gowen woman, who was allegedly nearly three times over the legal limit for alcohol when she struck and killed two pedestrians in Greenville last summer, pleaded no contest on Wednesday morning to the two primary felony charges against her. Amber Martens, 34, was charged with two counts of operating while intoxicated causing death, two counts of leaving the scene of accident causing death, four counts of felony firearms and one count of carrying concealed while being under the influence of alcohol.
Ionia students holding ‘Soup-er Bowl’ food drive
When the 137-year-old Zion United Methodist Church in Ionia caught fire on Jan. 5, more than a historic worship building was lost. Nobody was injured in the blaze, but the Zion Community Food Pantry — an essential source of groceries for many families and individuals — was destroyed.
A resurrected commission
For the first time in more than 11 years, a local government commission has reconvened with a new agenda and direction for Greenville’s Historic Downtown District. On Jan. 25, the Greenville Historic District Commission met for the first time since Nov. 30, 2011, back when the commission’s meetings were run by former Assistant City Manager Cameron Van Wyngarden.
City of Stanton files witness list, evidence exhibits for ex-police chief’s lawsuit
A list of potential witnesses and evidence exhibits for the city of Stanton have been filed in U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan in response to a lawsuit filed by the city’s former police chief. Destinee Bryce filed a lawsuit in August 2022 against Stanton and City Manager Jacob VanBoxel alleging gender and height discrimination in violation of 42 USC 1983, the Fourteenth Amendment and the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The lawsuit alleges that Bryce is a member of a protected class based on her gender and height (she is 4-foot-7-inches tall).
A century of stories
With many friends and family members gathered around her on Saturday afternoon, Sadie Walker was perhaps the only person unwilling to outright celebrate a grand milestone reached by so few who walk this earth. Having turned 100 years old on Jan. 26, and with many gifts and cards showered before her to celebrate the occasion, a spritely Sadie remained adamant that she had yet to reach a century in age.
Redemption battle
Maddie Frisbie remembers the sting walking off the state championship mat against Eliana Bommarito. Frisbie was a freshman for Belding and Bommarito was a senior for Hartland with four years of a heralded wrestling career culminating in four state titles, the first girl to ever accomplish the feat.
Upcoming sporting events (Feb. 6-11)
Upcoming sporting events (Feb. 6-11)
Wrestling postseason begins this week
Eight area wrestling teams are beginning their path toward postseason glory this week, first with the team district tournament on Wednesday. Belding, Ionia and Lakeview are all hosting their districts while the other five are on the road for their respective tournaments — including Central Montcalm heading to Belding and Montabella heading to Lakeview.
CC-C girls basketball rides solid defensive effort, improved communication to secure 18-point home win over Fulton
Most opponents who step into Community Fieldhouse to play the Eagles’ girls basketball team know the objective — score at least 30 points. In games this season where the Carson City-Crystal Eagles give up at least 30 points on defense, the Eagles are 1-3, with their only win coming against Tri County. It doesn’t sound too difficult on paper, but through 16 games, only four opponents have completed the feat against the solid 2-3 zone defense of the Eagles.
Central Montcalm boys basketball earns celebratory first conference win, drops Lakeview in rivalry matchup
Shea Ingles emerged from the Central Montcalm locker room on Friday drenched, from head to toe. The celebration in the Green Hornet locker room was both joyous and sneaky. Ingles said he walked into the room, waiting to scream and celebrate with his guys after a 55-32 win over Central State Activities Association, and cross-county, rival Lakeview — but no one was in the room. The Hornets had done this to their head coach already once before.
Three Hornets sign with MCC volleyball
Central Montcalm seniors, from left, Lily Bohen, Maia Sexton and Tiana Whitacre all signed their letter of intent to join the Montcalm Community College volleyball team on Friday afternoon.
A club of two
Kennedi Stout’s life has revolved around basketball for many years. As she entered middle school, she’d watch the girls basketball team at Carson City-Crystal and had her eyes on a player who could light up the scoreboard on any given night. That player would become the program’s all-time leading scorer — 2015 graduate Mikayla Duflo.
Jack Cribb to coach women’s basketball at Montcalm Community College
Jack Cribb has joined Montcalm Community College’s coaching staff and will lead the women’s basketball team as the college works to bring back athletics after a 40-year hiatus. Cribb has been coaching girl’s or women’s basketball for 15 years, starting with youth leagues, travel/UAA, middle school, and high school teams.
Sports Roundups for Feb. 3, 2023
Read the sports roundup for Friday, Feb. 3, 2023.
Montabella gets first win over CC-C in 11 years, uses big second-half run to defeat Eagles, 43-28
JT Smith has had a prolific basketball career at Montabella High School. The senior will be the first to tell you about some of the best wins and achievements he’s had in his basketball career. But he had a chance to do one thing he’d never done in his basketball career on Wednesday — beat Carson City-Crystal.
Smith brothers guide multiple generations of CC-C boys basketball
Mason Smith has evolved as a floor general for the Carson City-Crystal boys basketball team in his senior season. He directs traffic throughout the Eagles’ offensive sets and can make the timely passes with power and precision. Smith has also stepped up as a leader for the Eagles, and he’s a dual threat on either side of the floor. CC-C had a steadfast leader in Mitchell Wing last year who could score the ball with ease. Smith was the secondary punch in that combination last year, but he’s that first hit — the shock to the system in the backcourt...
