A pole barn and items inside, including several tractors and equipment, were destroyed Tuesday afternoon after the barn was consumed and destroyed by fire.

The act of pawning — offering a loan as collateral for personal property — is one of the oldest professions known to mankind. Dating back to Biblical times, the Mosiac Law was anti-pawnbroking as the law forbade taking interest from a poor borrower.

As Belding resident Steve Hunt watched the numbers climb while he filled his truck with gasoline Wednesday afternoon, he had but one thing to say. “It’s ridiculous!” he exclaimed. “I haven’t seen prices this high before, and I drive every day.”

The Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office is saying farewell to one of its finest. Steve Russell worked his last day on the job Friday and then hung up his hat after 31 years. Sgt. Brian Waber will be promoted to lieutenant to fill Russell’s position.

All the sports events scheduled for Monday and even Tuesday were canceled because of rain. With the exception of a few teams, most school teams have yet to take the field or the track to start the season.

One more win and the Grand Rapids Griffins can claim their first championship. The Griffins used a pair of third-period goals to beat the Syracuse Crunch 4-2 Wednesday night at Van Andel Arena and take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Calder Cup Finals.

Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is intent on ridding his sport of performance enhancing drugs. I applaude his determination, but let’s just say it is about time.

The three remaining boys golf teams that were playing in the regional golf tournaments finished 10th or worse Thursday. So golf season is over for Lakeview, Montabella and Tri County after they were eliminated from the boys golf playoffs.