Free nitrate/nitrite water testing will be offered at the Montcalm Conservation District’s spring tree sale on Friday, April 26, at the Road Commission for Montcalm County in Stanton.

A program being brought to the area through a collaboration has hopes of inspiring middle-school students to stay engaged in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) has worked with the Ionia County Intermediate School District (ICISD) to host a STEM camp for local sixth-graders.

Because of program and budget cuts, the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) Board of Education made the decision to eliminate a staff position. During Wednesday’s meeting, MAISD Superintendent Scott Koenigsknecht told the board that because of the economy, the reduction has to take place.

West Michigan authorities say a man killed his wife and adult son before fatally shooting himself. The Newaygo County sheriff’s department says the body of 59-year-old Charles Mark Hoover was found Wednesday night inside the family’s home in Lilley Township, about 55 miles north of Grand Rapids. Investigators say he shot to death his wife Marcia and their son, who also was named Charles.

Montcalm County Emergency Services is in the process of selling its old Rescue 21 vehicle. According to Emergency Services Deputy Director Eric Smith, two bids were received for the 1999 Ford F350.

When students attend Montcalm Community College this fall, they’ll now be doing so at a higher cost than what has been paid in previous years. On Tuesday evening, the MCC Board of Trustees voted unanimously to increase tuition rates at the college by approximately 4 percent, beginning in the 2013-2014 school year, an effort that President Robert Ferrentino says will help keep tuition at the school near the statewide average.

A local woman is dead and her son is behind bars after a disturbing accident over the weekend in Muskegon County.

A Comprenew trailer is now available at Montcalm Community College in Sidney for electronic recycling (e-recycling) throughout the month of April. The trailer will be available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. through April 24 and is available to all Montcalm County residents.

The founder of a now-defunct marijuana club in Montcalm County was arrested Friday on drug charges in Kent County. David Overholt, 55, of Sidney, is charged with delivery or manufacturing narcotics/cocaine less than 50 grams, delivery or manufacturing marijuana and maintaining or frequenting a drug house. He is out of jail on bond.

Both Montcalm and Ionia counties received improved rankings this year through the annual County Health Rankings results, which were recently released. The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation published the annual rankings.