Thursday, March 28, 2024

As Katie Dewey celebrated the dedication of her new home at 420 E. State St. on Saturday, none may have been more excited than her 1-and-a-half-year-old son, Silas Barton. 

Only one Boy Scout troop remains in existence in Montcalm County, so perhaps it’s not surprising that two of the most recent Boy Scouts to achieve Eagle Scout status are also brothers. Nathan Johansen of Montcalm Township became a Boy Scout in 2016. He dropped out of the organization for two years, but was convinced by his older brother JD Johansen to finish what he started.

Early on a recent Saturday morning, 37 band students from Carson City-Crystal High School boarded a charter bus to live out a dream six years in the making — to perform in Orlando, Florida.  After years of fundraising efforts, accompanied by growing desires to touch a palm tree, shake hands with Mickey Mouse and march through the concourse of Universal Studios, the students departed March 16 on a 1,200-mile trip from Carson City, embracing the opportunity...

Some may not know of Montcalm County’s namesake, a French soldier, Louis-Joseph de Montcalm-Grozon who boasted the impressive-sounding title of the marquis de Saint-Veran. Lt. Gen. Montcalm was the commander of forces during the French and Indian War in North America. An accomplished soldier who had fought in many battles, he decided against waiting for backup troops while defending Quebec in 1759 and instead used what forces he had ready to attack the British in...

When in the band room at Belding High School, freshman Marhley Milligan, 15, can be spotted daily practicing with the rest of her peers, rehearsing music and performing on the tuba.  When in her bedroom at home, however, Milligan’s tuba is placed to the side, and what emerges instead is a pencil, paper and guitar. 

When René Korsky and her husband picked up her parents, Bernadine and Dennis Trudell, the foursome were anticipating a nice evening out at Turk Lake Restaurant and Bar on Saturday. What they received upon arrival, however, turned out to make the dinner one they won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Greenville’s Lafayette Street to be closed March 31-April 5 for road work

Greenville’s Lafayette Street to be closed March 31-April 5 for road workFree Access

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Lafayette Street (M-91) in downtown Greenville is scheduled to close periodically beginning Sunday, March 31, through Friday, April 5. 

“Hope has been realized here today”

“Hope has been realized here today”

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As Katie Dewey celebrated the dedication of her new home at 420 E. State St. on Saturday, none may have been more excited than her 1-and-a-half-year-old son, Silas Barton. 

‘The water is clean’

‘The water is clean’

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The Ionia County Board of Commissioners approved a variety of expenses related to the Road Department on Tuesday and learned about some soil contamination from underground fuel storage tanks. Road Department Managing Director Linda Pigue presented the requests to the county board, all of which were approved 6-0 with Chairman David Hodges absent.

Pierson Township woman gets less than 2 years prison for machete attack

Pierson Township woman gets less than 2 years prison for machete attack

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A Pierson Township woman was sentenced to a minimum of less than two years in prison for using a machete to attack and severely injure her boyfriend while apparently hallucinating on mushrooms.

Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office investigating multiple breaking and entering incidentsFree Access

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The Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office is investigating multiple breaking and entering incidents in Montcalm, Pierson and Richland townships and arrested two men in relation to one.

Greenville man arrested for allegedly holding girlfriend hostage in homeFree Access

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A Greenville man was arrested for unlawful imprisonment for allegedly holding his girlfriend hostage. Montcalm County sheriff’s deputies were sent to check the well-being of a 20-year-old Greenville woman around noon on Monday in the 1000 block of W. Harlow Road in Eureka Township.

Scout’s honor

Scout’s honor

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Only one Boy Scout troop remains in existence in Montcalm County, so perhaps it’s not surprising that two of the most recent Boy Scouts to achieve Eagle Scout status are also brothers. Nathan Johansen of Montcalm Township became a Boy Scout in 2016. He dropped out of the organization for two years, but was convinced by his older brother JD Johansen to finish what he started.

‘We still have needs’

‘We still have needs’

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After a $38.6 million bond proposal from the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District failed in February, district leaders are preparing to take another shot, hopeful for a different outcome. During the March 21 meeting of the MAISD Board of Education, Superintendent Kyle Hamlin presented two options regarding another bond request: Do nothing or try again in August. 

Ionia library director: $2.1 million appropriation ‘a great start’

Ionia library director: $2.1 million appropriation ‘a great start’

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Although there were no actual legislators in attendance at Monday morning's legislative update, a small group of Ionia-area leaders gathered and shared details of their recent accomplishments and upcoming projects with each other. Ionia Community Library Director Dale Parus said the recent $2.1 million appropriation passed by the U.S. Senate for the renovation of the former Mercantile Bank in downtown Ionia into the library's new home was only “the beginning of a long process.”

Marching Eagles persevere

Marching Eagles persevere

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Early on a recent Saturday morning, 37 band students from Carson City-Crystal High School boarded a charter bus to live out a dream six years in the making — to perform in Orlando, Florida.  After years of fundraising efforts, accompanied by growing desires to touch a palm tree, shake hands with Mickey Mouse and march through the concourse of Universal Studios, the students departed March 16 on a 1,200-mile trip from Carson City, embracing the opportunity that being a “Marching Eagle” had provided them. 

Day Township solar project eyes 2027 start

Day Township solar project eyes 2027 start

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A long-pending commercial solar energy project planned for east-central Montcalm County continues to move forward but is not expected to be operational until 2027. The Michigan Public Services Commission this month approved Consumers Energy’s application for approval of a power purchase agreement between the utility company and the Freshwater Solar project, a 300 MW solar facility in Day Township. According to the application, the total lifetime cost of the power purchase agreement is approximately $715.7 million, with an expected levelized cost of electricity of $63.29 per megawatt-hour.

‘A moveable feast’

‘A moveable feast’

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Some may not know of Montcalm County’s namesake, a French soldier, Louis-Joseph de Montcalm-Grozon who boasted the impressive-sounding title of the marquis de Saint-Veran. Lt. Gen. Montcalm was the commander of forces during the French and Indian War in North America. An accomplished soldier who had fought in many battles, he decided against waiting for backup troops while defending Quebec in 1759 and instead used what forces he had ready to attack the British in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.

Montcalm Township Board tables road services agreement with Holiday Beach Association

Montcalm Township Board tables road services agreement with Holiday Beach Association

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After months of negotiations, the Montcalm Township Board seemed prepared to adopt a new road services agreement with a local lake association — the Holiday Beach Association on Perch Lake. 

External candidate recommended as director of Montcalm County Commission on Aging

External candidate recommended as director of Montcalm County Commission on Aging

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An interview committee is recommending a social worker be hired as the new director of the Montcalm County Commission on Aging over two internal candidates and a managed healthcare professional. A committee comprised of Montcalm County Controller-Administrator Brenda Taeter, Human Resources Specialist Rechelle Porter, Commission on Aging Board Chairman Aaron Hadley, county commissioners Chris Johnston and Adam Petersen and county Maintenance Director Doug Gietzen interviewed four candidates on Thursday for the job vacated by Ryan Dreyer.

Greenville City Council eyes grants to fund infrastructure projects

Greenville City Council eyes grants to fund infrastructure projects

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Looking to fund some significant infrastructure improvement projects in the city, the Greenville City Council is crossing its fingers that funding through federal grant opportunities may provide needed fixes within the community.  During Tuesday’s meeting, council members voted unanimously on three resolutions to apply for federal funding for three projects. 

LAKEVIEW SPRING SPORTS: Wildcats girls soccer return 10 to starting lineup

LAKEVIEW SPRING SPORTS: Wildcats girls soccer return 10 to starting lineup

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The Lakeview girls soccer team has plenty of familiar faces returning to the field this season. The Wildcats featured a young roster last season that finished 8-9-1 overall and 5-5 in the CSAA conference. With 10 players returning to their starting lineup, the Wildcats look forward to sticking to what they know while adding more players to the mix this upcoming season.

GREENVILLE SPRING SPORTS: A transition year

GREENVILLE SPRING SPORTS: A transition year

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Things are looking a little different for Greenville’s softball team this year, both on the field and behind the scenes.

Greenville’s Caleb Clements joins MCC’s first men’s basketball team

Greenville’s Caleb Clements joins MCC’s first men’s basketball team

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Caleb Clements is a name Greenville basketball fans have come to know over the last three years. Now, he’s sticking around for a couple more.

Greenville boys bowling finishes fifth at first team state finals

Greenville boys bowling finishes fifth at first team state finals

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The Greenville boys bowling team scored themselves a season for the record books this year.

Belding’s Emma Springer to pursue love for pole vaulting at Aquinas


Belding’s Emma Springer to pursue love for pole vaulting at Aquinas


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Pole vaulting has been Belding’s Emma Springer’s one true love since she was in the fourth grade.

Belding’s Anthony Szubinski to join Calvin’s first football team

Belding’s Anthony Szubinski to join Calvin’s first football team

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Playing college football has always been a dream for Belding’s Anthony Szubinski. Now, it’s finally happening.

Butternut Homeschoolers basketball wrap up season with national tourney

Butternut Homeschoolers basketball wrap up season with national tourney

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The Butternut Homeschoolers recently wrapped up its season with five game in the Homeschool National Tournament. Before the nationals, Butternut entered their last regular season game with a disappointing 6-13 record, but had a nice win over Algoma Christian (16-2) 69-59.

Strong examples

Strong examples

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The Montabella boys basketball team have found their rhythm and they’re sticking to it.  The Mustangs (16-8 overall) had plenty to look forward to this year after winning their second consecutive conference title with a perfect 18-0 record and taking home a district title last season. Graduating four seniors, two who went on to play college basketball, head coach Jared Simon said they had quite a few things to figure out to be successful this year.

Mustang Youth Wrestling Club sends 18 to MyWay State Finals

Mustang Youth Wrestling Club sends 18 to MyWay State Finals

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The Montabella Youth Wrestling Club has had a busy and successful season.  The youth wrestlers have attended 10 MyWay wrestling meets this season. The Montabella wrestlers are coached by David Peterson, Hunter Myers, Duane Peterson, Steve Sweet, Dalton Kuklewski and Jay Nadeau. All wrestling coaches are screened by a strict Code of Conduct monitored by the MyWay Association with police checks and pages of good conduct rules which are monitored.

Athlete of the week: Hope Kanouse

Athlete of the week: Hope KanouseFree Access

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Athlete of the week: Hope Kanouse

‘Anything is possible’

‘Anything is possible’

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Trevor Zamarron’s senior season with the Greenville boys basketball team looked a little different than most. The four-year varsity athlete had to experience his final season as a Yellow Jacket from the sidelines this year after suffering an ACL injury at the beginning of the season. Fighting through such adversity, Zamarron looks forward to coming back better than ever at the college level as he takes his basketball talents to Spring Arbor next fall. 

A new Centurion force

A new Centurion force

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As anyone that knows her, there are two kinds of Katelyn Bignalls. The Katelyn Bignall off the volleyball court is gentle, kind and caring and loves animals. But when the Belding senior is on the court, the tall happy-go-lucky girl turns into a beast-mode force

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