Retirements in the Montcalm County Clerk’s Office and Sheriff’s Office are likely leading to promotions and new hires.

Todd Wells of Stanton makes a living as a local disc jockey, playing music at numerous parties and weddings throughout the year. One might wonder then, why his favorite gig year after year is one where he blasts his music at full volume for an audience of students who can’t hear a single note or lyric. Enter Friday’s annual Deaf Pride Games at Montcalm Community College, where Wells set up his equipment and cranked the volume to levels that shook the college.

Really? Earn a tuition-free college degree while in high school? This tagline has been used in advertisements for the new Early College at Montcalm Community College that have been sent around the county, but what is an early college? This unique educational program is designed to fully immerse high school-aged students into the post-secondary learning environment. The institution expects high achievement and realistic planning from all students. It is designed so that students cannot finish the program without completing the coursework of their Educational Development Plan.

Drug Free Montcalm has seen an increase in success during yearly tobacco checks throughout the county. During the month of April, 71 stores that sell tobacco in Montcalm County received compliance check to determine if the store would sell tobacco to minors.

Community policing in Carson City has been a win-win since the very first day. A collaboration between the city of Carson City, the police department and Carson Health has been a substantial safety and security benefit for patients, hospital staff and the small mid-Michigan community.

When Tabitha Schaub put on her backpack for the very first time, she did so like everyone else, full of wonder, excitement, fear and every other emotion that goes through a young child’s mind as they take their first steps into the world of education. The 16-year-old junior from Lakeview High School made friends, learned from teachers, played on the playground and eventually made her way to where she is now as she prepares to enter the world of adulthood.

A pickup truck driver was ticketed after an accident which resulted in three women being thrown from a Mennonite buggy, as well as the death of a horse. Troopers responded to the accident at 2:25 p.m. Sunday, April 19, on M-57 near Sloan Road in the Carson City area.

Montcalm County sheriff’s detectives are investigating an embezzlement of funds from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) union, Montcalm County Chapter, by one of their own.

Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing James Young of country group The Eli Young Band, who returned to Grand Rapids on Thursday night as part of Kenny Chesney’s “No Shoes Nation” tour.

A week after massive flooding throughout Montcalm County, things are starting to get back to normal and roads are being reopened. “We are in pretty good shape,” said Mark Christensen, managing director of the Road Commission for Montcalm County. “It was a challenging week.”