Carson City-Crystal High School has a new principal. The school board voted Tuesday, May 28, to hire Duane Lyons to replace Devin Pringle, who is taking over the district’s alternative and adult education program. Lyons is currently the principal of Ogemaw Heights High School in West Branch. He is expected to start working for CC-C on July 1, pending background checks according to Superintendent Kevin Murphy.

Seniors from Vestaburg High School took the next step on Sunday toward a new path in their lives. For the last four years, each of the 51 graduating seniors have been preparing for this moment in their lives. “It is a new journey for me,” said 17-year-old Tiffany Fishburn. “I have been here my whole life and now it is a new path for me.”

A local adult education program is ending in one school district and beginning in another. Carson City-Crystal Area Schools will expand a new alternative education program to include the adult education program, which was previously administrated by Central Montcalm Public School.

Loud bangs and the smell of sulfur filled the air in Carson City-Crystal Elementary School on Wednesday night, May 15, during a police training exercise. Kolton Kavanagh, 16, and Karagan Kavanagh, 14, were both student volunteers helping out Carson City Police Chief Bruce Partridge during active shooter scenarios. “I don’t think anyone can prepare for a real school shooter,” Kolton Kavanagh said. “But seeing the police train for what could happen is good thing for us.”

A series of community forums has been scheduled for community members in the Carson City-Crystal Area Schools district. According to Superintendent Kevin Murphy, the first forums are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at The Celtic Path in Hubbardston and 6 p.m. the same day at Carson City Public Library. Additional forums are scheduled for 7 a.m. Friday, April 19, at Kozy Inn in Carson City and 5:30 p.m. the same day at Crystal Township Hall.

Spring brings hope and rejuvenation so it is no surprise that many religious observances coincide with springtime renewal and rebirth. This Easter, Carson City United Methodist Church celebrated the resurrection with Pastor Andy Croel inviting those in attendance to live out his new sermon series “Resurrection Ground” by planting trees and beautifying the northwest area of Haradine Park, where the city dumps woodchips.

The plans for a helicopter pad at Carson Health are in the architectural stage as hospital officials move forward toward a spring construction date. In January, the Carson City Council approved the sale of the old water tower property to the hospital at a price of $20,000, which was $12,000 less than the appraised value.

The Carson City-Crystal Area SchoolsBoard of Education is choosing not to participate in an early college program offered by Montcalm Community College. “We decided to hold off on participating in the early college program,” Superintendent Kevin Murphy said. “With less funding coming from the state level and tightening our budget, it just isn’t financially feasible for us to participate.”

The nonprofit electronics recycler Comprenew of Grand Rapids is coming to Carson City-Crystal High School with its recycling trailer. Area residents and businesses will be able to use the electronic recycling (e-recycling) service from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. now through April 2.

More than 70 people attended a standing-room-only community forum on Monday night to hear about the future of Palo Community Schools. Bob Kjolhede, the superintendent of Palo and the Ionia County Intermediate School District (ICISD), opened the meeting on a somber note.