Spring is a busy time for Lakeview’s Brian and Sheri Taylor, who own and operate three businesses that all revolve around farming.

Heavier than average rainfall probably won’t have too great an influence on most crops grown in the area, according to Montcalm County Extension Field Crops Educator Fred Springborn, though it is likely to be responsible for some crops getting in the ground later than they would during a warmer, drier spring.

For three generations, Lincoln Insurance Agency in Lakeview has catered to the insurance needs of area residents.

In an era of bag-your-own, robo-teller grocery shopping, where customer service is little more than a quaint memory, there are still locally owned stores that serve old-fashioned, in-person customer service, like Leppink’s. With locations in Belding, Lakeview, Stanton, Howard City and Ferrysburg, Leppink’s represents a throwback to a better time, when service was king and the customer’s needs came first.

Is this heaven? For some local bowlers, Lakeview’s reopened and remodeled bowling center, renamed Alley Cat Bar & Grill, just might be. Since its soft opening Dec. 1, it has the community buzzing with excitement about having a new recreational facility and another place to enjoy a dinner and drinks with family and friends.

Sandy and Aaron Sedine of Morley have taken their wine-making hobby to the next level, opening a new small wine-making business called Heavenly Vineyards.

A pair of Daily News staff members are receiving promotions on Monday.

Elisabeth Waldon has accepted the position of news editor. In her new role, she will manage the reporting staff, scheduling and story assignments. Waldon also has been named editor of the Carson City Gazette — her second stint in that role. Ryan Schlehuber has accepted the new position of features editor, which will include supervising a features writer and providing more support in the production of The Daily News beyond the special section content he currently produces.

LAKEVIEW — Larry Cole of Lakeview opened a new towing business called WildCat Towing LLC Dec. 14, 2011. The new company covers the counties of Mecosta, Macomb, Isabella and Gratiot and offerings towing, fluid delivery, winching, tire changing, locksmithing, tire changing and battery service, to name a few. WildCat Towing is available 24 hours a [...]

In honor of her business achievements, Shelly Smith of Lakeview has earned the use of the exclusive Mary Kay pink Cadillac, an iconic symbol of success and, the most coveted incentive awarded by Mary Kay.