Nine Belding Area Schools (BAS) administrators voluntarily opened their employee contracts for renegotiation this past fall, resulting in new contracts that will save the district approximately $129,000 over two years. Superintendent Leslie Mount said the new contracts will save about $45,000 during the 2011-2012 school year and $84,000 the following school year.

Read a report from the Jan. 9, 2012, Eureka Charter Township Board meeting

More than 100 people were without power Monday afternoon in Belding after a high voltage power line fell into the Flat River. The primary line fell into the river around 3 p.m. near York and Morton streets at East Riverside Park. Consumers spokesman Terry Dedoes said 134 customers were affected.

Read The Daily News Funeral Notices for Funeral Notices for Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2011

Belding’s bowling teams continued a march toward the postseason conference tournament next month with a strong performance Monday night.
The Redskin boys knocked off Coopersville 24-6 while the girls defeated the Broncos 23-7.

There are plenty of games still to be played this season, but the Greenville Yellow Jackets have jumped out to a sterling 9-0 record and the league lead in the OK White conference. After a decisive win against a tough Grand Rapids Christian team, they’re back on the road this week.

Fifth graders from Baldwin Heights and Lincoln Heights elementary schools got to cut open chest cavities, remove gallbladders and give patients stitches Thursday. Greenville Public Schools and Spectrum Health United Hospital collaborated on the second mini medical school event at Baldwin Heights Elementary School. Fifth-grade students learned about professions in the health care field. “It’s important for (the hospital) to be involved with schools,” said Jennifer DenOuden, the hospital’s director of marketing and communications. “There is a value in partnering schools with hospitals.”

Read The Daily News Funeral Notices for Monday, Jan. 16, 2011

Thus far, winter has been mild and it is a good thing due to the number of Montcalm County children lacking warm winter wear. Evi Petersen of Great Start Collaborative and a group of parents recognized the need and joined forces with Terry King of the Ionia/Montcalm County Department of Human Services with the goal in mind to provide local youths in need with proper winter wear.

Gov. Rick Snyder did a lot of things right during his first year in office. His proposal to require drug tests for all welfare recipients isn’t one of them. Snyder argues the drug tests will determine whether welfare benefits are being spent in the right way — feeding, clothing and housing the neediest among us. That’s true, the drug tests would find anyone spending the public’s hard-earned money on a quick high.