Greenville-area business leaders enjoyed a night in the limelight Thursday. The annual Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce dinner at Camp Anna Behrens was a celebration of businesses and citizens that have made a positive influence in the community. Among the awards handed out was the Coalition of Greater Greenville (COGG) Spirit of Collaboration Award, the Small Business Person of the Year, the Marian Kemp Outstanding Citizen of the Year and six refurbishing awards.

Valerie Dawdy of Belding has organized a Zumba fitness fundraiser to help banish amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.

A movement that started in November to change zoning across from Klackle Orchards and Pavilion from residential zoning to office service commercial one (OSC1) is going to be put on hold at this time. During Wednesday night’s Eureka Township Planning Commission meeting no new information or requests came forward since the December meeting regarding the rezoning of the parcels.

During Wednesday night’s Eureka Township Planning Commission meeting no new information or requests came forward since the December meeting regarding the rezoning of the parcels.

What ever happened to civility in government? Last week we got treated to yet another display of shouting and poor manners during a public meeting. Last year, Montcalm Township meetings were typified by such behavior. This year, Pierson’s village council has taken the torch.

No one knows how long Ed and Megan have been a part of Clifford Lake Inn. Many people, however, may not believe they exist. But on Jan. 14, many visitors of the 131-year-old inn were talking about them. “Ed” and “Megan” are two apparitions that roam through the lakeside building, according to inn owner Connie McKeown, who confirmed her belief that the inn was haunted through recent paranormal investigations.

Winter will be celebrated in the Panhandle this weekend as Winterfest returns to downtown Howard City.

The third annual event features a variety of old and new family-friendly activities Friday and Saturday. Panhandle Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marianne VanBennekom said one of the new events is a snow treasure dig at 1 p.m. Saturday near the Timothy C. Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library. The event is for three age groups of children and features hidden treasures buried in mounds of snow.

The Mobil gas station’s EZ Mart convenience store in Greenville was broken into and robbed late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. According to lead clerk Mary Mangus, the break-in at 115 E. Washington St. (M-57) occurred between 11 p.m. Tuesday and 4 a.m. Wednesday, when the store was closed.

Read The Daily News Funeral Notices for Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012

Dr. Edward Lepley had a way with animals — and their owners. The longtime Montcalm County veterinarian is being remembered fondly after he died last Thursday at his home in Stanwood. He was 73 years old. As a youth, Lepley excelled academically, as well as on the basketball court and football field.

Gov. Rick Snyder centered his second State of the State address Wednesday night on building on the successes of 2011 and continuing to improve in 2012. Speaking in an upbeat manner, Snyder did not announce any major changes for the upcoming year and kept his topics on issues from 2011, stating he wants to instead focus on finishing “what we started.”