The Tri County Area Schools Board of Education has voted to privatize another service. The school board voted Monday to contract custodial and related services with Grand Rapids Building Supply. The school board previously voted in August 2011 to privatize transportation.

Retirements in the Montcalm County Clerk’s Office and Sheriff’s Office are likely leading to promotions and new hires.

Todd Wells of Stanton makes a living as a local disc jockey, playing music at numerous parties and weddings throughout the year. One might wonder then, why his favorite gig year after year is one where he blasts his music at full volume for an audience of students who can’t hear a single note or lyric. Enter Friday’s annual Deaf Pride Games at Montcalm Community College, where Wells set up his equipment and cranked the volume to levels that shook the college.

Really? Earn a tuition-free college degree while in high school? This tagline has been used in advertisements for the new Early College at Montcalm Community College that have been sent around the county, but what is an early college? This unique educational program is designed to fully immerse high school-aged students into the post-secondary learning environment. The institution expects high achievement and realistic planning from all students. It is designed so that students cannot finish the program without completing the coursework of their Educational Development Plan.

Heavier than average rainfall probably won’t have too great an influence on most crops grown in the area, according to Montcalm County Extension Field Crops Educator Fred Springborn, though it is likely to be responsible for some crops getting in the ground later than they would during a warmer, drier spring.

Drug Free Montcalm has seen an increase in success during yearly tobacco checks throughout the county. During the month of April, 71 stores that sell tobacco in Montcalm County received compliance check to determine if the store would sell tobacco to minors.

When Tabitha Schaub put on her backpack for the very first time, she did so like everyone else, full of wonder, excitement, fear and every other emotion that goes through a young child’s mind as they take their first steps into the world of education. The 16-year-old junior from Lakeview High School made friends, learned from teachers, played on the playground and eventually made her way to where she is now as she prepares to enter the world of adulthood.

Howard City residents have less than one week to get rid of junk vehicles. On Monday and Tuesday, Howard City police officers will begin checking every property in the village for enforcement of the village’s junk car and general trash/debris ordinance.

Montcalm County sheriff’s detectives are investigating an embezzlement of funds from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) union, Montcalm County Chapter, by one of their own.

Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing James Young of country group The Eli Young Band, who returned to Grand Rapids on Thursday night as part of Kenny Chesney’s “No Shoes Nation” tour.