About Cory Smith
The ‘next evolution’ of sustainable farming
A collaboration between a global waste solutions provider and one of the country’s largest energy corporations has resulted in a significant energy-efficient solution at one of Montcalm County’s larger dairy farms.
A partnership between San Francisco-based Brightmark and Chevron U.S.A. Inc. has brought forth an effort by both companies to produce and market dairy biomethane, a renewable natural gas, at dairy farms throughout the county — five of them in West Michigan.
Belding Area Schools bond construction starting soon
While today marks the last day of the school year for students at Belding Area Schools, the grounds around several school buildings will remain busy throughout the summer as construction and renovation projects begin.
On May 17, district administrators, members of the Board of Education, teachers, students and more celebrated a groundbreaking event at Ellis Elementary School, acknowledging the start of the district’s $21.5 million tax-neutral bond proposal with no increase to the current millage rate.
GHS seniors bookend final year of high school with ‘Senior Sunset’
Eight months ago, a handful of Greenville High School seniors started the first day of their last year of high school standing atop the bleachers of Legacy Field, watching the sunrise together over the eastern horizon.
On Wednesday evening — the night prior to their commencement ceremony — those same seniors came together a final time at the school’s practice soccer fields to embrace one another, taking in yet another emotional experience as they watched the sunset over the western horizon.
A community in his corner
Standing before his fellow graduates and a packed gymnasium of spectators at Central Montcalm High School, Connor Pung approached the podium to deliver a speech he never would have conceived of a year ago.
As valedictorian of his class of 2023, the 18-year-old had earned the right to speak on behalf of his fellow graduates; however, he made it clear that if it weren’t for his classmates, teachers and community members, he likely wouldn’t have been celebrating the occasion.
Outman shares support for tax cuts credited with projected decline in state revenues
On the surface, a proposed decrease in future state revenue may not seem like a positive trajectory for the state’s economy, but at the root of such a forecast is a measure Rep. Pat Outman, R-Six Lakes, is more than comfortable accepting.
During Monday’s monthly Legislative Update session hosted by Montcalm Community College, Outman spoke on the subject of the revenue estimating conference that occurred earlier this month.
Flo’s installs new community message board
Harkening to the days of “old-school” advertising, Dan Uccello is hoping a new community message board located on the side of his downtown restaurant will help spread awareness of community events happening throughout the Danish Festival City.
On May 11, Uccello, joined by representatives from the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce and the city of Greenville, unveiled a small but significant form of advertising on the side of Flo’s Pizzeria Ristorante & Sports Bar, located at 107 S Lafayette St. in Greenville’s historic downtown district.
An alternative path to success
Years down the road, when this year’s class of Greenville High School graduates eventually reminisce about the “good old days” of being a Yellow Jacket, Landon Collier’s more notable memories will likely differ significantly from that of his peers.
For Collier, 17, his experiences from first grade through middle school might be remembered better for the amount of time he spent out of school rather than inside a classroom — and not for good reason.
Planners recommend zoning changes for development
A proposal to turn an abandoned gravel pit into a housing complex featuring 83 single-family homes took a step toward fruition last week after two zoning change requests were recommended for approval.
During the May 17 meeting of the Eureka Township Planning Commission, commissioners voted unanimously on two separate requests from Visser Brothers Vice President Heath Baxter, who is aiming to purchase and develop the 63-acre property consisting of the former Rydahl Industries sand and gravel pit at 8116 Ride All Drive and turn it into a housing subdivision.
Eureka Township Planning Commission grants special land use request for proposed solar farm
Plans for a new 27-acre solar farm took another step toward approval last week after members of the Eureka Township Planning Commission approved a special land use request for the proposed “Eureka Green Energy Solar Project.”
During the May 17 meeting of the commission, Chad Arntz, president of Parker-Arntz Plumbing & Heating, joined by his father and company CEO Michael Arntz, presented a preliminary site plan to construct the solar farm using 27 acres of current farmland off of Vining Road on a 63-acre parcel.
