Monday, June 27, 2022
Since 1854 — News from Montcalm County and Ionia County, Michigan
The new deputy administrator/magistrate and chief probation officer of Montcalm County District Court brings with him a background in pastoral counseling, foster care and working with at-risk youth.
Brandon Olejnik began his new job last week after Kelsey Hillard resigned as District Court administrator to return to her previous court job in Gratiot County.
To the juniors who missed out on a spring sports season last year, the ability to sign with a college team has been a blessing for many.
Colleges often target a player’s junior season as when to begin recruiting talks and extend offers to players. As such, last year’s juniors who sought out to play their spring sports in college were at a disadvantage, including Central Montcalm senior Brynn McKay.
The Ionia Public Schools Board of Education at a special meeting Monday turned down a request by Superintendent Ron Wilson — who was absent — to close Emerson Elementary School in two separate motions.
Monday’s meeting was held in part via Zoom and drew 168 participants. The Daily News attempted to attend the meeting in person, but was told by Wilson’s secretary Cindy McKee that only school board members and school staff would be allowed to attend in person and that the newspaper was not allowed to attend in person.
33 area wrestlers qualify for individual regionals
Doug and Cori Anderson were walking down the Fred Meijer Flat River Trail in Belding on Monday afternoon when they noticed smoke coming from nearby trees.
Upon some further investigation, they realized not only was smoke covering a portion of the trail, but so too were flames in various areas.
A man who was allegedly found passed out from heroin while in a car parked at the Dollar General in Vestaburg saw his preliminary examination adjourned last week for testimony to be obtained from “Uncle Paul” — a Michigan State Police trooper who was working to arrange a drugs for gun swap.
Benjamin Jon Damhof, 30, of Cadillac is charged with delivery or manufacturing of heroin and possession of heroin — both charged as second offenses.
Voters will decide whether to pay for the renovation of a local historical landmark to house their library after the Ionia Community Library board voted on March 17 to place a millage on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.
Library board members voted 4-0 in favor of the ballot initiative. President Gale Yeomans, Treasurer Stephanie Batista, and members Ashley Reisbig and Amy Fuller voted “yes,” while Vice President Patricia Eppler abstained.
In utilizing state grant funds to provide mental health services to students, officials with the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) are holding their head high for “doing things right.”
During Thursday’s meeting of the MAISD Board of Education, Associate Superintendent for Instruction Stephenie O’Dea said in receiving annual grant funds aimed at providing student mental heath services for general education students, a recent review from the state showed the MAISD stood out this past year in allocating its funds.
An Ionia man convicted of child abuse will not get a new trial or have his sentence reduced after a judge denied his motions for both.
Brandon Jerome Fogarty, 35, appeared from the Ionia County Jail via Polycom before Ionia County Circuit Court Judge Suzanne Kreeger on March 16. His appeals attorney, Erin Van Campen, appeared by Zoom.
150 years ago
“Montcalm statistics” — Vitality statistics for 1869, published by the State, give Montcalm County — Marriages, 88. Births, males 142; females 177. Deaths, males 48; females 37.
