Lakeview High School students build computers from scratch
Most school districts purchase factory-made computers as needed for class studies. But students in a Lakeview High School class built their own computers from scratch this semester.
Ionia County working on job description for interim admin
During a special meeting Monday afternoon, the Ionia County Board of Commissioners directed its human resources department to devise a job description for an interim administrator and scheduled another special meeting next week when they'll review that job description. Chairman David Hodges attended remotely from the Florida Keys and participated in discussion, but did not vote. Vice Chairman Terence Frewen led the meeting.
Baker takes a bow
Montcalm County’s second longest-serving commissioner is stepping down. The final motion of Ron Baker’s local political career may have failed, but the Howard City man has been an integral part of county government since the late 1990s.
Judge denies Greenville man’s request to set aside ’95 conviction
A Montcalm County Circuit Court judge denied a Greenville man’s motion to set aside a conviction from nearly 30 years ago, even though the judge’s counterpart granted a similar request in Ionia County. Ray Darling, 50, appeared alongside his attorney Richard Radke before Judge Ronald Schafer on Thursday morning with a motion to side aside. Montcalm County’s Interim Chief Assistant Prosecutor Herb Tanner did not object to the request.
‘There’s no way in a thousand years’
A Montcalm County judge scoffingly denied a motion from a Lakeview man who wanted to take marijuana after having his appendix removed, calling the request “absurd,” “ridiculous” and “malarkey.” Tyler Brecht, 28, appeared alongside his attorney, John Danian, before Montcalm County Circuit Court Judge Ronald Schafer on Thursday morning with a motion to modify the terms of Brecht’s probation.
PHOTO GALLERY: Hark up!
Greenville was once again treated to some holiday magic during the fifth annual Hark Up Hometown Style Christmas Concert on Dec. 18 at the Greenville Performing Arts Center at Greenville High School. All proceeds from the concert went to benefit the Education Foundation of Greenville.
ICSAI leaders reflect on impacting community
Leaders of the Ionia County Substance Abuse Initiative (ICSAI) group hosted their annual holiday party Wednesday to show their appreciation to the coalition's members after another year working to help local residents deal with the harmful effects of excessive substance use. The party was held upstairs at the county Health Department and was catered by local Italian restaurant Olivera's.
Greenville City Council says goodbye to its ‘lucky penny’
GREENVILLE — After more than three decades of drafting city policies, representing Greenville’s constituents and serving as mayor on multiple occasions, Jeanne Cunliffe, 80, has stepped down from public service. An emotional Cunliffe attended her final City Council meeting on Dec. 17, having chosen not to run for another term in office. That decision concludes 32 years of service on the council, […]
Ionia schools receive Special Olympics grants for inclusive sports program
Special Education Coordinator and Behavior Coach Jenn Woodhams informed the Ionia Public Schools Board of Education on Monday that each building in the district will receive “$1,450 worth of unified equipment for our young athletes ages 2 to 7,” with another $1,200 coming later “to use as they see fit.” Superintendent Benjamin Gurk and Board President Danielle Yokom both thanked Woodhams. There was no board discussion or action on the matter, listed on the agenda as “Unified Champion Schools expansion project.”
‘Kick this into next year’
After all the commotion about whether the full board or a committee should determine the results of a wage study and whether that meeting should be private or open to the public, a Montcalm County government employee salary motion deadlocked, failing in a 1-1 tie.
6 members inducted into Greenville Performing Arts Hall of Fame
With talents ranging from a director of civic theater to a vocal prodigy of the early 20th century, a director of music ministry, and three individuals who played key roles in fundraising for the local arts, Greenville Public Schools has welcomed another impressive class into its Performing Arts Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame Committee selected six individuals who were honored prior to and during the Dec. 14 Holiday Collage Concert, held at the Performing Arts Center at Greenville High School.
Belding deals with council, city manager vacancies
The city's three remaining City Council members officially accepted the resignations of former mayor Bruce Meyers and former councilman Jorel Davis on Tuesday and determined the timeline for their replacement. Now that Myers' and Davis' resignations have been accepted, the city charter dictates the council has 30 days to find and name their replacements. The deadline to submit letters of interest to City Clerk Janae Ortego is noon on Monday, Jan. 6.
Montcalm County board grants incoming prosecutor requests
As Tom Ginster appeared in the Montcalm County boardroom on Monday, he recalled a courtroom memory from decades past. “This room has special meaning for me,” Ginster told commissioners. Ginster, the current city of Greenville prosecutor and the incoming county prosecutor-elect, said he tried a case in that same boardroom about 30 years ago, when the third-floor room of the current Montcalm County Administrative Building was a courtroom. Ginster remembered being a young prosecutor and arguing a drug conspiracy case with a multi-jurisdictional team before the late Circuit Court Judge Charles “Chuck” Simon.
Ginster to continue as Greenville city prosecutor on interim basis
When the city of Greenville was forced to look for additional options for prosecutorial services at the start of the year, the law office of Tom Ginster stepped in on an interim basis. What was originally believed to be a three-to-four-month arrangement turned into 10 months, with Ginster potentially prepared to become the city’s official prosecuting attorney. However, halfway through that process, Ginster changed the playing field by winning the November election to become the Montcalm County prosecutor.
‘I don’t feel it’s an appropriate thing right now’
Following requests from multiple school groups to hold gun raffles to raise funds for school activities, the Belding Area Schools Board of Education voted against allowing such events. During Monday’s meeting, Superintendent Brent Noskey informed the board that several school groups had asked for permission to hold gun raffles to raise funds for conferences, trips, athletics and other school activities.
‘Full potential’
Running at the collegiate level has been a goal for Kyah Hoffman ever since she discovered her remarkable ability for the sport. Now, her goal becomes a reality as she gets to follow in her family’s footsteps at her mom’s alma mater.
‘Rewriting the record board’
This year’s Central Montcalm High School cross country team was one for the history books. Senior Kyah Hoffman led the way with an individual conference, regional and state championship title and a third-place team finish at the state meet (the best in school history). She holds the school record for the fastest time with a personal record of 17:25.
True grit
Friday night’s road game was an accurate display of just how much grit and determination this year’s Central Montcalm boys basketball team has. Despite falling to a 17-point deficit early in the third quarter, the Hornets didn’t let the packed stands of Kent City fans get the best of them as they worked diligently to close the gap to two heading into the final seconds of the game.
Sticking to the game plan
It was a battle of defenses Friday night for the Central Montcalm girls basketball team in a low-scoring affair for both them and their opponent. The Hornets (3-3 overall, 1-2 CSAA White) have been eyeballing a league title since the beginning of the season. Following two comfortable wins over Lakeview and Chippewa Hills last week, they traveled to Kent City (4-1 overall, 2-0 CSAA White) for a conference showdown.
Making the most of it
It’s well known the Greenville wrestling program has a long history of success that dates back to 1987. However, the way they go about achieving that success is something like no other. The Yellow Jackets (13-3), who are currently ranked No. 6 in Division 2, have been off to a tremendous start this season, tackling powerful and other state-ranked teams by considerable margins left and right.
Defending the castle
Defense is the name of the game for Belding girls basketball this season and they’re executing it well. The Black Knights (3-1) entered a new week in their season with a lot to prove following Friday night’s road loss to Greenville, 51-31. Hoping to snag one more win before the holiday break, they hosted Sparta (0-5) in a former OK Silver conference matchup.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Central Montcalm’s Karlie BaconFree Access
Karlie Bacon, a senior on the Central Montcalm girls basketball team, was this week’s Daily News Athlete of the Week.
Taking care of business
Chants of triumph and excitement flooded the hallways and the locker room following the varsity boys basketball game at Greenville High School on Tuesday night. The Yellow Jackets (6-0) have been hard at work creating magic this season to keep their undefeated streak alive. Following a convincing win over Belding last Friday, the Jackets hosted Hastings (1-3) with the hope of keeping that momentum rolling into another victory.
Greenville girls basketball moving forward after first loss
A compelling bid at an undefeated season has come to an end for Greenville’s girls basketball team. The Jackets (4-1) are only two wins away from matching last year’s win column, courtesy of an explosive four-game winning start to the season.
Sports roundup for Dec. 19
Sports roundup for Dec. 19.
