After nearly eight years with Belding Area Schools, Mike Burde, the director of instruction and technology, is leaving for a new position with another district. Burde will be the new director of curriculum at Kenowa Hills Public Schools starting March 1.

The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners voted to eliminate their own health insurance and reduce a salary Monday — but not without internal disagreement. The board voted 5-4 to eliminate their own health insurance or any payment in lieu of health insurance starting in January 2013. Commissioners Ron Baker of Howard City, Roger Caris of Vestaburg, Patrick Q. Carr of Lakeview and Ron Retzloff of Crystal cast the four “no” votes.

The warmer winter season is a concern for local farmers, but it is what the weather will bring for the rest of winter that will affect crops. George Wright, co-owner of H&W Farms in Belding, said the warmer-than-usual winter is a concern for his cherry and apple crops. “It’s been way too mild,” Wright said.

Read The Daily News Funeral Notices for Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

A Six Lakes man was transported to Carson City Hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries Saturday night after he drove off Crystal Road and struck a tree. David Ashbaugh, 62, had been traveling southbound on Crystal Road north of Stanton Road in a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser when, for unknown reasons, he drove off the left side of the road and struck a tree.

A 17-year-old from Stanton is in custody for disorderly conduct and “window peeping” after fleeing from a home in the 2700 block of West Cannonsville Road. Montcalm County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a prowler call at 11:22 p.m. Saturday. The homeowner reported two subjects fleeing from the scene.

A perfect season wasn’t meant to be. The Greenville Yellow Jackets saw its 18-game winning streak come to end on the road Saturday at the hands of O-K White rival Northview. The Wildcats dictated the tempo of the game and kept the high-powered Yellow Jacket offense in check with defense and timely rebounds in their 49-45 victory. The Yellow Jackets defeated the Wildcats 61-56 on Jan. 27 and will meet again next Monday in the first round of district play.

A Howard City woman allegedly on drugs caused multiple car accidents Sunday morning, leaving one man dead and others injured. Montcalm County sheriff’s deputies responded to a three-vehicle crash on Ensley Street south of Walnut Street at 9:23 a.m. After striking the Tahoe, Stapleton’s vehicle continued north and just missed the Dairy Bear ice cream parlor before striking a tree, where the vehicle came to rest.

When students in sixth through eighth grades enroll at Belding Middle School next fall, part of their reproductive health curriculum may include the topic of “sexting.” Sexting — referred to as the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photographs, primarily between mobile phones — can lead to charges as serious as distributing child pornography.

Last week I wrote about personal encounters with U.S. Presidents. I received so many responses that I am writing them in a three part series. This is part two. Marcy Lage, a former Greenville resident who lives in Arizona, was a college student working at a hotel in Des Moines. John Kennedy stayed there. When he left the hotel, the staff stood around in the lobby. He came over to her, shook her hand and said, “You did a very good job.” Marcy says, “He was so darn good looking, sun bleached hair and very tan. He was casual and friendly. I have never seen a photo of him that was able to portray how handsome he was. My whole life, I have pretty much told everyone I have ever met, ‘I shook hands with Kennedy!’”