2020-08-19

After an unsuccessful run with adult recovery court in Montcalm County, an Orleans woman is headed to prison.

Christine Main, 49, of Orleans pleaded guilty Tuesday in Ionia County Circuit Court to a probation violation — that she failed to successfully complete recovery court and was unsuccessfully discharged by the team on July 27.

The prison sentence for a Lyons man who admitted to speeding away from police officers on two occasions will stand after an Ionia County judge declined to amend the sentence Tuesday.

Terry Franks, 59, did not appear in Ionia County Circuit Court as he is currently incarcerated at the Cooper Street Facility in Jackson, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections.

A defense attorney has requested psychiatric exams for a man accused of murdering a Lake Odessa woman.

Jesse James Thompson, 29, of Lake Odessa (and the Livingston County area) is charged with the murder of Tina Salas, 47, at a residence at Lakewood Mobile Home Estates.

A defense attorney has requested psychiatric exams for a woman accused of drunk driving which resulted in the death of a Michigan State Police trooper.

Thomasina Shani Jones, 28, from North Dakota and Utah, is charged with second-degree homicide, operating with a high blood alcohol content with a prior conviction causing death, operating while license suspended, revoked or denied causing death and operating while intoxicated.

An Ionia County judge bound a man over for trial for an alleged shooting, even as the victim failed to show up to testify at Monday’s preliminary examination.

Robert Conley, 32, of Ionia is charged with assault with intent to commit murder, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, felony firearm and being a habitual offender with a fourth offense notice. He faces life in prison if convicted.

Montcalm County Controller-Administrator Brenda Taeter attended a virtual county meeting hosted by the Michigan Municipal League last week.

However, no updates were provided regarding the most pressing question on the mind of every county official these days — will the state of Michigan cut county revenue sharing, and by how much?

As teachers, principals and school administrators scramble to secure personal protection equipment (PPE) to better protect themselves and students from the coronavirus, one local organization is stepping up to help provide additional aid.

In any non-pandemic year, United Way Montcalm-Ionia would be utilizing its Sponsor a Classroom program to supply teachers with standard items for their classroom — pencils, books, markers, rulers, tape, storage bins and more.

As Belding Area Schools gets ready to run with a hybrid learning plan this fall, one need recently made itself known to the district.

During Monday’s meeting, the Board of Education unanimously approved the purchase of 300 new Chromebooks in an amount not to exceed $60,000.