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.

Imagine a school that operates almost entirely without tuition or tax dollars, one that is self sufficient. That’s a scenario likely to remain imaginary, unfortunately, but Dave Albert’s Lakeview High School shop class comes close.

It’s not yet official that Lakeview High School’s ACT scores are the best in the county, but it’s looking likely. According to High School Principal Gary Jensen, recent test results are more than encouraging. The ACT test — a college readiness exam administered to high school students nationwide — showed impressive improvement for Lakeview’s junior class, which will be graduating in 2014. Test scores for current students graduating in 2015, 2016 and 2017 also have gone up since 2010.

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.

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.”

Hailey Olger wants to be a doctor when she grows up. The aspirations of this 12-year-old are due in part to watching her little sister Kelly struggle with heart defects. Kelly is 5 years old and has already had three open heart surgeries.

Construction work and how a majority of projects are funded were popular topics during the Greater Greenville Transportation meeting Wednesday evening. The committee met at Courtland Township Hall during its quarterly meeting just in time to talk about the upcoming construction season.

Employees of the Montcalm County Drain Commission office will continue to work eight hours per day, five days per week. The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners voted 8-1 on Monday not to begin the process of granting Drain Commissioner Sandy Raines’ request to change her office hours to four days per week, 10 hours per day.