Karen Bota


Latest Articles:

Former Ionia Idol Caitlin Cusack to perform tonight at Ionia Free Fair

After releasing her first single on May 13 — her 30th birthday — Caitlin Cusack is excited to be coming home to entertain at the Ionia Free Fair tonight. The 2010 Ionia High School grad will perform “I’ll Be Okay” and other original music, as well as some of her favorite cover songs, at the Antique Village in the Floral Building from 7 to 9 p.m.... READ MORE >

800 cyclists to ride in Ionia’s Cow Pie Classic

The fourth annual Cow Pie Classic, Ionia’s premier gravel grinder, will draw cyclists from around the country to enjoy the area’s scenery and challenging hills on June 11. The first wave of the race starts at 9 a.m.... READ MORE >

Ionia library’s Summer Reading Challenge makes reading fun

Summer is for fun, and that includes reading — and the chance to win prizes for reading even a few minutes a day.  That’s the idea behind the Ionia Community Library’s Summer Reading Challenge, “Oceans of Possibilities,” which kicks off Monday.... READ MORE >

Ionia to remember ‘those who gave all’ with Memorial Day parade, ceremony 

Main Street will be awash with red, white and blue when a Memorial Day tradition returns to downtown Ionia on Monday. The VFW David A. Huhn Post 12082 will host the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony, which pays tribute to the fallen men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.... READ MORE >

Committee works to raise $250K for Floral Building at the Ionia Free Fair grounds

A treasured community landmark on the Ionia Free Fair grounds needs expensive renovations, and a local woman has stepped up to lead efforts to raise the necessary funds.... READ MORE >

Ionia County judge denies PPO against former Ionia principal

An Ionia County judge denied a request for a personal protection order filed by an Ionia High School parent on behalf of his daughter against former principal Jonathan Duley. Duley resigned as principal on May 5, two days after an internal school district investigation cleared him of allegations of misconduct related to his monitoring and supervision of students in the high school parking lot.... READ MORE >

Six Lakes resident named ‘Woman of Achievement’ at GFWC state convention

One local woman was recognized for the difference she makes in her club and her community, and another was seated as a state officer at the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Michigan state convention on April 21-24.... READ MORE >

Lyons 4-H leader celebrated for more than 50 years of volunteering

Virginia Ferris of Lyons in Ionia County was one of 24 volunteers recently recognized by the Michigan State University Extension for a half-century or more of service to Michigan 4-H. Ferris and the others were honored during National Volunteer Week April 17-23.... READ MORE >

Lakeview Village Council talks water and sewer projects, rates

Water and sewer infrastructure continues to be a topic of concern for the Lakeview Village Council and village staff. The conversation came up again during Tuesday’s meeting. Municipalities across the state are wrestling with how to fund required upgrades to drinking water and wastewater systems.... READ MORE >

Ionia County commissioners to hire firm to handle administrator search

As the Ionia County Board of Commissioners continue to rethink the administrator and finance director positions following the March resignations of both, commissioners agreed the best course of action was to seek assistance with the search process. At their Tuesday meeting, commissions asked interim Administrator Jason Eppler to solicit a proposal and prices from the Michigan Municipal League to conduct a search for a county administrator, rather than ask the board’s personnel committee to develop a framework for the process. Commissioners Karen Banks and Scott Wirtz were both absent from Tuesday’s meeting.... READ MORE >