The year of 1853 is at least two lifetimes in the past. Franklin Pierce was the 14th president of the United States. Troops under the direction of American attorney/journalist William Walker captured La Paz in Baja, Calif., and declared the Republic of California, which proved to be short-lived. Future painter Vincent van Gogh was born and past U.S. Vice President William King died. And a church parish came into existence in the small village of Hubbardston.

A Carson City woman died Wednesday after sustaining injuries from a four-vehicle crash Tuesday in Oakfield Township.

The act of pawning — offering a loan as collateral for personal property — is one of the oldest professions known to mankind. Dating back to Biblical times, the Mosiac Law was anti-pawnbroking as the law forbade taking interest from a poor borrower.

A second fire has been ruled an arson on Boyer Road in Fairplain Township about two months after another arson. Det. Sgt. Trever Slator, a state fire marshal, ruled a second house fire as arson on Friday.

A Crystal-area home is a complete loss after an early morning blaze burned for hours before 911 was called. The Crystal Township Fire Department was dispatched at 3:31 a.m. Wednesday to 11859 E. Spencer Road, Sumner, located in Crystal Township.

As Belding resident Steve Hunt watched the numbers climb while he filled his truck with gasoline Wednesday afternoon, he had but one thing to say. “It’s ridiculous!” he exclaimed. “I haven’t seen prices this high before, and I drive every day.”

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.

As graduate Andre Collins accepted his diploma and walked across the stage in the gymnasium of Carson City-Crystal High School, he paused for a brief moment, smiled, and raised his diploma high into the air. “Dad, I did it!” he shouted with satisfaction.

The Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office is saying farewell to one of its finest. Steve Russell worked his last day on the job Friday and then hung up his hat after 31 years. Sgt. Brian Waber will be promoted to lieutenant to fill Russell’s position.

The Montcalm County Republican Party will be welcoming U.S. Congressman Dave Camp to the Annual Lincoln Day Event, to be held Saturday, June 15. Camp is the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee in Washington D.C. He is the representative for the 4th Congressional District of Michigan, which is headquartered in Midland.