Edmore Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is moving one step closer to developing the Edmore Marketplace as a four-season shopping outlet. Further expansion on the site — located at the Fred Meijer Heartland Trailhead — hinges on the site survey, bid amounts and grant funding.

Three Vestaburg High School graduates — Shelby Recker, Jeremy Keyton and Jason Braman — are entering fields that have become highly technical. They are headed to the University of Northwest Ohio (UNOH) together. Shelby will study diesel technology, while Jason and Jeremy will enter the agricultural equipment technology program.

A patchwork of 13 years of unique and individual memories – ones of personal triumph and lessons learned – unfolded Thursday evening as 48 Montabella High School graduates received their high school diplomas.

A senior class project helped Cora Okkema discover a way to twine her love of farm life into her college studies.
Farming and being part of a small, rural community are important to Cora, who is graduating seventh in her class from Montabella High School.

Melissa Brainard was determined to walk across the Lakeview High School stage wearing a cap and gown, despite the odds. At 15 and just a sophomore in high school, Brainard became a mother. On commencement day, June 3, the 17-year-old will not only receive her high school diploma, she will continue her journey to becoming [...]

Weekly farm and flea markets stimulate local economies by attracting visitors to shop for homegrown products. They offer a place to buy fresh fruit, vegetables, soaps, jellies, baked goods, antiques and crafts from local crafters and family-owned farms.

Community members, parents and caregivers are encouraged to attend an emerging drug trends presentation at 6 p.m. today in the Montabella High School gymnasium. Many neighboring communities are hosting similar events to educate people of the effects of the latest substances being used as drugs. Edmore Police Department and Drug Free Montcalm will offer information on bath salts, synthetic marijuana and other substances that are becoming increasingly popular among youths.

4-H continues to be an important part of Rebecca McCafferty’s life as the new Michigan State University (MSU) Extension 4-H program instructor for youth development in Ionia and Montcalm counties. McCafferty will divide her time between the two counties to recruit, interview and orient new volunteers and leaders, help with the fair and promote 4-H club activities and events.
MSU Montcalm Extension Educator Pat Dignum believes McCafferty is a good fit for the job.
“I am excited about the skills and experiences that Rebecca brings to this position,” Dignum said.

The Montcalm County Business Resource Center (MCBRC) — located in the Home Township Library in Edmore — was created specifically for entrepreneurs who need a place to investigate potential business concepts prior to launching a new business.

Twelve teachers at Vestaburg Community School received Android tablets for training purposes as part of a three-year plan to provide one-to-one technology to the district’s 700 students. About 220 tablets will be purchased during each of the next three years, starting this fall with 220 Asus Transformer TF101s.