Greenville City Council requests share of funds allocated for underfunded municipal pensions
The Michigan Department of Treasury this spring launched the Protecting Michigan Pension Grant Program, which will provide millions in funding throughout the state to eligible local governments that operate with weak pension funding ratios. Included in the state’s 2022-2023 fiscal year budget, the $750 million grant program was created to help Michigan’s underfunded municipal pension systems in communities where qualified retirement systems are funded below 60%.
Sidney Township Board approves Sheridan fire contract for one year
After voting to disband from the former Sheridan Community Fire Department, the Sidney Township Board is now signing on for one year, “so we can maybe work some stuff out,” according to Supervisor Terry Peterman. However, confusion remains. The township board signed the contract under the impression that they would have a seat on the Fire Authority Board, but new Fire Authority President Andy Ross told the Daily News that the township will not have a seat on the board.
Belding City Council discuss clerk’s ‘nightmare’
The Belding City Council only had two items on the agenda at Tuesday’s City Council meeting: An appointment to the Planning Commission and the first half of a 2023-2024 budget workshop. During the budget workshop, the council looked at a one-page report with details on each fund in the city’s budget. These reports were prepared by Finance Director Becky Schlienz. The council got about halfway through this process and will complete it at their next regular meeting. During the workshop, most funds were simple and garnered little discussion, but the city clerk’s budget was more complicated.
Howard City man dies after one-vehicle crash in Sidney TownshipFree Access
A Howard City man died after his vehicle crashed in a ditch on Tuesday night. At approximately 11:33 p.m., the Montcalm County Sheriff's Office received a report of a crashed vehicle in a ditch along County Farm Road near Huck Drive.
Farming accident claims life of Trufant manFree Access
A Trufant man died in a farming accident late Tuesday afternoon. Montcalm County Sheriff deputies responded to a report of a man trapped under a tractor at approximately 5:25 p.m.
Sidney Township Board to remove Planning Commission chairman
The Sidney Township Board voted to reappoint four members to its Planning Commission on Monday evening and will hold a public hearing to begin the process of removing the Planning Commission chairman from office. “I got about 25 calls this week about what was put in the paper,” Supervisor Terry Peterman told residents during Monday’s meeting, referring to a March 28 article in the Daily News.
Sidney Township Hall project underway
An addition is being built onto the front of Sidney Township Hall using some of the township’s share of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money. John Horn of Horn Construction in Sidney was the lone bidder for the project, submitting a bid of $162,500 to construct a 12-foot by 40-foot addition at the township hall at 3019 S. Grow Road, just off Sidney Road. The township board approved the bid in February and work began in March.
‘It’s OK to not be OK’
As a 911 dispatcher, Shae Brophy has fielded his fair share of urgent calls that range across a wide spectrum of emergency situations. What he’s noticed, however, is that in the last few years, following in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been an increase of people reaching out regarding mental health issues.
Greenville man gets one year in jail for sex crimes
A Greenville was sentenced to one year in jail on Tuesday for sex crimes against a minor in Ionia County. Joseph Lupe Morin, 43, previously pleaded no contest in January to two counts of criminal sexual contact (CSC) with a victim between the ages of 13 and 16. A third count of CSC and one count of third-degree force were dismissed in exchange for his plea. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing purposes.
Pierson Township approves $300,000+ worth of road fixes
The Pierson Township Board has approved $319,708 worth of local road improvements this year, but will only pay $253,883 thanks to some funds from the Road Commission for Montcalm County. The township board also voted to spend the last remaining dollars of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds on a new electronic sign at their March 20 meeting.
Parents voice concerns, but no books are being banned at Belding Area Schools
Upon hearing that an individual may be attempting to ban certain books from the libraries of Belding Area Schools, several parents vocalized their opposition directly to the Board of Education. However, no books are being banned within the school district.
After-school programs flourishing at Belding’s Woodview Elementary School
From the start of the first ring of the school bell to well after the day has concluded, students at Woodview Elementary School have been eager to learn. During the March 20 meeting of the Belding Area Schools Board of Education, Woodview Principal Bruce Cook reported on the recent happenings of the elementary school.
Winfield Township planners continue working on solar ordinance
The Winfield Township Planning Commission during a nearly three-hour meeting last Monday worked on fine-tuning a new solar energy ordinance to replace the one that failed in a voter referendum last summer. The five-member Planning Commission made multiple changes in multiple split votes to the draft ordinance which was created by the township’s law firm Bloom Sluggett.
Greenville DECA bound for international competition
When it comes to placing a focus on the subjects of business and marketing, students at Greenville High School continue to demonstrate knowledge and expertise at an elite level. This year, 11 students in the DECA program have qualified for the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida, on April 22-25.
SCAO ‘backpedaling’ on court holiday
Last summer, Montcalm County commissioners and court employees clashed over who had to report to work on Juneteenth, a new federal holiday. This year, it won’t be an issue as the Ionia-Montcalm Circuit Court chief judge has rescinded the holiday as a day off for court employees in those two counties.
Young baseball squad readies for season behind new coach
There’s no secret in Vestaburg that the last senior class to graduate was one of the best athletic group of to go through the school. Many would argue the best, with as much success as they had on the basketball court, track and baseball field last school year. Gone are the guys like Hayden Palmer, Levi Halliwill, Cole Dailey, the lifeblood of the Vestaburg baseball team from a season ago — which had lots of success in the form of an 18-13 final record.
Vestaburg Spring Sports Teams Previews
Vestaburg Spring Sports Teams Previews
Ionia’s Carl Goeckel relishes his opportunity at state finals
Carl Goeckel remembered walking into the state final pool in the aquatic center at Oakland University on March 10. The chlorine hit with a familiar sting that it does at Goeckel’s home pool in Ionia, where he just wrapped up his sophomore season for the Bulldogs. The sound, though, was way different as there were hundreds of other swimmers at the Division 3 MHSAA state swimming finals.
AUSTIN CHASTAIN: Husky coronation lackluster end to memorable dance
Let’s make two things clear right away: First, my headline is not to disrespect Connecticut for its national championship; second, the men’s national championship game starts way too late. I mean, 9:20 p.m. on a Monday night? That’s pretty ridiculous, in my honest opinion. I understand we have our friends on the West Coast to think about, but my goodness. I was nodding off in the second half on Monday night, but the game was already well in the Huskies’ hands at that point. I did go back and watch it in full on Tuesday morning, though.
Tri County track teams gear up for promising campaign with plenty of firepower
At first glance, the Tri County track and field program looks like a successful bunch. A lot of kids, running hard, running together, cheering each other on, working independently under the general direction of their coaches. On a deeper examination, the Vikings don’t just have the look of a successful team — they walk the walk, too. That success was quantified in a few different ways last June when Stuart Gould ended his junior season with a memorable 49-second sprint around the track at Forest Hills Eastern’s Hawk Stadium when he won a state championship in the 400-meter dash.
Black Knight softball team revitalized after brief hiatus
With as strong of a softball player Grace Cooper is, it’s difficult to comprehend that she’ll only have two high school softball seasons with Belding. Cooper, who recently signed to hit the diamond at Emory University next season, lost her freshman year to the COVID-19 pandemic and lost her junior season, last season, was lost when the lack of players left the Black Knights forced to cancel the season. Cooper is just happy to be back on the field at Belding with a full team.
Belding Spring Sports Team Previews
Belding Spring Sports Team Previews
Ionia girls soccer focused on changing narrative, building a contender
As a sophomore playing her first season of high school soccer, Avery Haney remembers the sinking feeling as the Bulldogs struggled through a two-win season. The 2021 Ionia varsity girls soccer team scored just 14 goals in 16 games, with 10 of them coming in its two wins.
Ionia Spring Sports Team Previews
Baseball Head coach: Jason Lundstrom Years as head coach: 18 Last season’s overall record: 14-14-3 Last season’s conference record: 4-6 Key players lost: AJ Castillo Starters returning this year: Eight Number of seniors: Seven Frosh/sophs: None Captains: Kane Lundstrom, Ethan Bowen and Danny McCoy Key players: Ethan Bowen, Kane Lundstrom, Danny McCoy and Carter Castillo — “All four players are […]
New-look Eagles excited to show off new track this season
Gone are the days of the battered black track that surrounded Carson City-Crystal’s Community Field, which was perhaps most notable for its glaring potholes in the outside lane. A gorgeous red clay track now surrounds the new Community Field and the Eagles will have an opportunity to showcase it for the entire Mid State Activities Conference when they host a league jamboree meet on May 10.
Carson City-Crystal spring sports teams preview
Check out our spring sports teams preview for Carson City-Crystal High School.
