The Road Commission for Montcalm County works four 10-hour days per week during the summer construction season. The Montcalm County drain commissioner is looking at doing the same in her office.

Free nitrate/nitrite water testing will be offered at the Montcalm Conservation District’s spring tree sale on Friday, April 26, at the Road Commission for Montcalm County in Stanton.

The Masons are the oldest fraternal organization in the world. The first Grand Lodge was established in London in 1717, but its history goes back much further. In recent years, however, membership has not only fallen off for the Masons — as well as its sister organization, the Order of the Eastern Star — it has grown progressively older. According to Carolyn Kane, who is helping spearhead a membership drive for both organizations in Edmore, neither group is seeing the “new blood” they once did.

A program being brought to the area through a collaboration has hopes of inspiring middle-school students to stay engaged in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) has worked with the Ionia County Intermediate School District (ICISD) to host a STEM camp for local sixth-graders.

Because of program and budget cuts, the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) Board of Education made the decision to eliminate a staff position. During Wednesday’s meeting, MAISD Superintendent Scott Koenigsknecht told the board that because of the economy, the reduction has to take place.

Residents of Edmore will soon see a slight jump in their water and sewer rates, adding about $2.59 per quarter to their water bill. The increase was set to go up automatically to keep pace with the consumer price index, which rose 1.7 percent during the past year. According to Village Manager Karl Kluwe, the incremental increases are designed to prevent sudden, larger spikes in Edmore water bills.

Montcalm County Emergency Services is in the process of selling its old Rescue 21 vehicle. According to Emergency Services Deputy Director Eric Smith, two bids were received for the 1999 Ford F350.

When students attend Montcalm Community College this fall, they’ll now be doing so at a higher cost than what has been paid in previous years. On Tuesday evening, the MCC Board of Trustees voted unanimously to increase tuition rates at the college by approximately 4 percent, beginning in the 2013-2014 school year, an effort that President Robert Ferrentino says will help keep tuition at the school near the statewide average.

Outgoing Edmore village manager and chief of police Karl Kluwe has announced his choice for his replacement on the Edmore Police Department. When Kluwe retires at the end of April, Luke Sawyer — a two-year veteran of the department — will step into the chief’s shoes.

A condemned farm that has Richland Township neighbors up in arms is in the process of being referred from the county back to the township … again. The Montcalm County Law Enforcement & Courts Committee voted unanimously Monday to recommend the full board refer the issue back to township officials. The full board will vote on the recommendation at the next regular meeting on April 22.