As Belding Area Schools Board of Education members gathered for their monthly board meeting Monday night, they first had to walk past a handful of protesters with signs raised high in the air with a message to stop potential privatization of the school district’s janitorial staff. Board members were greeted by about 10 concerned individuals, dressed in yellow and carrying signs which read slogans such as “This is a people business” and “That’s not right!” at the Belding Administration Building.

Montcalm County has entered into a one-year agreement for Kent County to provide equalization services. The $65,000 contract began March 1 and will end March 1, 2013. Montcalm County paid Kent County $32,500 last week and will pay another $32,500 in October from the county’s general fund. In return, Kent County will provide up to 16 hours per week of equalization services.

There’s a new duo in charge at the Michigan State Police Lakeview Post. Kevin Sweeney, 39, took over as post commander two weeks ago. He succeeds Andrea Nerbonne, who recently became director of the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety. Brody Boucher, 38, took on assistant commander duties Monday.

Read The Daily News Funeral Notices for Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Meeting in brief for the Hubbardston Village Council.

New bar is a place for everyone to go GREENVILLE — Kelly Stapp’s new business – Turn the Page Bar & Burgers – may say “bar,” but since opening the new business March 8, she has been working to make it into a fun place for adults, families and young adults alike. What once was [...]

BELDING — Call it a “Yooper miner’s power bar,” or a Hot Pocket without the heart attack, or even a meaty candy bar. Just don’t call it a “pace • tee” or mistake it for a pastry. Ken Thorbjornsen’s name for his new pasty shop in Belding helps those not familiar with the traditional Upper [...]

The Fellowship Baptist Falcons girls basketball team won its schools second state title with a 49-45 victory over Rochester Hills Christian school on March 3. After losing in the state semifinals the past two years, the Falcons won its first Michigan Association of Christian Schools Division 1 state title since 2006.

An audience of about 40 gathered Tuesday evening at Lakeview High School to hear law enforcement officials and drug-free coalition members from Gratiot and Montcalm counties talk about the dangers of current drug trends. Teens and adults are turning to synthetic drugs when regular marijuana isn’t accessible and to avoid the legal ramifications. These drugs are marketed as everyday products — incense, potpourri, plant food and bath salts.

Read The Daily News Funeral Notices for Saturday, March 19, 2012