Monday, March 18, 2024

If you drive through Saranac during daylight hours recently, it would be difficult to miss the buckets, hoses and other equipment affixed to dozens of trees in front of homes and businesses in the downtown area. This was primarily the work of Jake Smith, who manages about 1,500 taps on downtown Saranac sugar maple trees and on more trees surrounding his family's Dusty Lane Farm on Patrick Road outside of Ionia.

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...

As the final note played by the Central Montcalm High School Band resonated throughout the Performing Arts Center at Greenville High School, Director Matthew Reed could only look upon his students with a great sense of pride. Performing at the annual Michigan State Band and Orchestra District 7 Band Festival on March 6, Reed didn’t have to wait for the judges to award their scores to know that an elite, high-quality performance had just emanated...

The Daily News was named Newspaper of the Year in its class for the eighth time since 2015 in Thursday’s Michigan Press Association Better Newspaper Contest. The Greenville-based newspaper took home a total of 38 awards for editorial and advertising excellence, including two open class public service awards, 12 first place awards, nine second place awards, 10 third place awards and five honorable mentions. Along with being named Newspaper of the Year, the Daily News...

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. 

Having just taken in a performance of children’s artist Laurie Berkner Saturday morning, 2-year-old Sutton Bringardner and her siblings had long forgotten the arduous two-and-a-half hour drive from Berkner to Greenville that it took to see her perform. “I love Laurie!” Sutton exclaimed as she waited along with her brothers, Jack, 4, and Connor, 2, to meet Berkner in person backstage. 

“Not one person was hurt”

“Not one person was hurt”Free Access

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Members of the Carson City-Crystal High School Marching Band are hugging each other a little tighter after safely escaping a bus fire 1,200 miles from home Sunday evening. Currently visiting Orlando, Florida for the band’s three-day trip to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, Band Director Chad Parameter told the Daily News that all 53 people on the trip were able to safely evacuate the bus that transported the students from Michigan to Florida after it caught fire following the band’s visit to Disney’s Magic Kingdom. 

Saranac’s ‘liquid gold’

Saranac’s ‘liquid gold’

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If you drive through Saranac during daylight hours recently, it would be difficult to miss the buckets, hoses and other equipment affixed to dozens of trees in front of homes and businesses in the downtown area. This was primarily the work of Jake Smith, who manages about 1,500 taps on downtown Saranac sugar maple trees and on more trees surrounding his family's Dusty Lane Farm on Patrick Road outside of Ionia.

Playing at a ‘higher level’

Playing at a ‘higher level’

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As the final note played by the Central Montcalm High School Band resonated throughout the Performing Arts Center at Greenville High School, Director Matthew Reed could only look upon his students with a great sense of pride. Performing at the annual Michigan State Band and Orchestra District 7 Band Festival on March 6, Reed didn’t have to wait for the judges to award their scores to know that an elite, high-quality performance had just emanated from his musicians. 

Montcalm County commissioner suggests lowering county’s operating millage

Montcalm County commissioner suggests lowering county’s operating millage

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Everyone is feeling the pinch in their pocketbook. All food prices in 2023 increased by nearly 6% from 2022 and are expected to continue to increase by 3% this year, according to the USDA (food prices increased by nearly 10% in 2022, faster than any year since 1979). Gas prices are currently around $3.50 per gallon or higher and people think twice before going out to eat. Filling up a few bags of groceries is an eyebrow-raising experience.

Daily News wins Newspaper of the Year award

Daily News wins Newspaper of the Year awardFree Access

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The Daily News was named Newspaper of the Year in its class for the eighth time since 2015 in Thursday’s Michigan Press Association Better Newspaper Contest. The Greenville-based newspaper took home a total of 38 awards for editorial and advertising excellence, including two open class public service awards, 12 first place awards, nine second place awards, 10 third place awards and five honorable mentions. Along with being named Newspaper of the Year, the Daily News was a top three finalist for the Daily Advertising contest.

Denied partnerships with surrounding counties, Ionia County goes it alone on recycling

Denied partnerships with surrounding counties, Ionia County goes it alone on recycling

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The Ionia County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved the creation of an 11-member Materials Management Planning Committee to replace the existing Solid Waste Planning Committee after a request from Conservation District Manager Melissa Eldridge. The new committee's membership is “pretty spelled out” by state law, Eldridge said, and must include township officials, city managers, waste haulers and citizens.

JUST IN: Sen. Peters announces $2.1 million in funding for Ionia Community Library relocation

JUST IN: Sen. Peters announces $2.1 million in funding for Ionia Community Library relocationFree Access

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U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced on Friday that the Senate has passed a bipartisan package of six bills to partially fund the government through Fiscal Year 2024, including $2.1 million in funding for the renovation of the former Mercantile Bank in downtown Ionia to be the new home of the Ionia Community Library.

MCC evaluating potential addition of $10 million housing complex for Sidney campus 

MCC evaluating potential addition of $10 million housing complex for Sidney campus 

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A proposed $10 million, three-story, 84-unit student housing complex could be making its way to Montcalm Community College, providing a new element not currently found at the college: on-campus living.  During Tuesday’s MCC Board meeting, the board welcomed a presentation from Mathison I Mathison Architects of Grand Rapids, which has spent more than a year’s time working with the college and Progressive AE | Architectural Design and Engineering to draft a concept and site plan for a student housing building for the college’s Sidney campus.

Local wildfires rampant amid low-humidity weather conditions

Local wildfires rampant amid low-humidity weather conditions

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Fire chiefs are reminding people to call their local fire departments for permission to burn and to use extreme caution during low-humidity weather, as local fire departments responded to at least 12 wildfires from Tuesday through Thursday.

Ionia County begins 18-year process of distributing federal opioid settlement funds

Ionia County begins 18-year process of distributing federal opioid settlement funds

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Starting in April, organizations or groups in Ionia County dealing with opioid addiction can begin applying for grant money from a $18.5 billion court settlement, after the Board of Commissioners approved a request for proposal on Tuesday. Over the next 18 years, Michigan will receive about $1.5 billion from a federal court settlement, with $833.8 million going to the state and counties, townships and cities splitting about $725 million.

‘A wild slope we’re going down’

‘A wild slope we’re going down’

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The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners deadlocked on Monday over whether to place a letter of concern in the county clerk’s personnel file regarding how she handled an alleged sexual harassment incident that occurred more than a year ago. The Daily News reported last summer that according to a complaint made by Montcalm County Deputy Clerk Candis Thomas, local attorney Ronald Finegood while visiting the county clerk’s office complimented Thomas on her attire and high heels before saying, “Hey, if I lay down on the floor, will you walk over me with those shoes on?”

‘Fraud’: $30,000 situation being investigated in Otisco Township

‘Fraud’: $30,000 situation being investigated in Otisco Township

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Citing an open investigation, Ionia County law enforcement and Otisco Township leaders refused to elaborate about an investigation into approximately $30,000 of township funds that apparently recently went missing. During Tuesday's township board meeting, Ionia County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Tefft briefly explained the situation to a full room of meeting attendees.

JUST IN: Police searching for hit and run driver after 3 juveniles injured in truck vs buggy crashFree Access

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Michigan State Police Lakeview Post troopers are investigating a truck vs buggy hit and run crash that occurred at 3:40 p.m. Wednesday. A buggy, which was occupied with three female juveniles, was traveling south on Senator Road, southwest of Carson City, when they were struck by a white Chevy pickup truck. The truck is believed to be a 2014 to 2016, driven by a white male, approximately 60 years old with reddish blonde hair who left the scene.

Greenville Public Schools to offer alternative high school diploma through Satterlee School 

Greenville Public Schools to offer alternative high school diploma through Satterlee School 

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Greenville Public Schools is taking a step to promote optimism among its struggling high school students, paving a new path toward a high school diploma with a focus on creating hope.  During Monday’s Board of Education meeting, board members voted unanimously to approve a new alternative high school diploma to be administered through the district’s alternative education school, Satterlee School. 

Greenville officials differ in opinions on state of downtown

Greenville officials differ in opinions on state of downtown

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Depending on what lens someone views this community’s historic downtown district through, opinions on its current condition and future vary across the spectrum.  That much was evident following recent governmental meetings in which city officials expressed their thoughts over the current state of the downtown. 

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

MCC to host student-athlete visit day on March 20

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Want to play college sports? Learn how you can become a Montcalm Centurion during our Student-Athlete Open House on Wednesday, March 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Activities Building on Montcalm Community College’s Sidney campus.

Central Montcalm’s Kaitlyn Minikey to continue softball career at Rose-Hulman


Central Montcalm’s Kaitlyn Minikey to continue softball career at Rose-Hulman


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Kaitlyn Minikey will get an opportunity to play college softball, but first she’ll have one more season to leave a legacy for the Central Montcalm softball team.  The four-year varsity player is excited to make the most out of her senior season after missing most of last year due to a knee injury. As the final chapter of her high school softball career begins, she is looking forward to taking her athletic and academic talents to the next level at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Ionia swimmer competes at finals

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Ionia’s Carl Goeckel competed at the 2024 MHSAA Division 3 Swimming State Preliminaries at the Holland Aquatic Center last weekend.  

Athlete of the week nominees for March 12, 2024

Athlete of the week nominees for March 12, 2024Free Access

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Athlete of the week nominees for March 12 ,2024

JUST IN: Greenville hires Scott McDougall as new varsity football coach

JUST IN: Greenville hires Scott McDougall as new varsity football coachFree Access

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Greenville High School announced Monday the appointment of Scott McDougall as the new head varsity football coach for the Yellow Jackets.  McDougall, a native of Grandville, has more than a decade of coaching experience at both the high school and college levels. 

Central Montcalm, Lakeview wrestling celebrate state placers at Ford Field

Central Montcalm, Lakeview wrestling celebrate state placers at Ford Field

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Two local wrestling teams ended their seasons on the biggest stage possible in high school wrestling. The Central Montcalm wrestling team qualified a small but mighty group of three wrestlers for the Division 3 individual state tournament at Ford Field in Detroit. With two of the three placing in the top eight, head coach Nate Jones thought things went well for the Hornets.

Season’s final tip

Season’s final tip

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After a difficult first quarter, Belding’s girls basketball team showed its mental toughness for the next three quarters but it wasn’t enough to survive Alma on Friday. The Black Knights (18-6 overall) were looking to claim yet another Division 2 district title, after winning back-to-back titles the two previous seasons.

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