Graduating seniors from Tri County High School have said goodbye to a way of life they’ve come to know well over the past four years. Some will move on to college, others to careers and families; but whatever the destination, Thursday night’s commencement ceremony represented a turning point none of them will forget. The class of 162 seniors marched into the school’s packed-to-the-walls gymnasium to the traditional strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” played by the school band.

A rainy Wednesday gave way to a clear and pleasant evening, just in time to honor a longtime Montcalm County commissioner and emergency rescue advocate. Montcalm County Emergency Services employees gathered at the Stanton base for a dedication ceremony for the late Carl Paepke, along with Paepke’s two daughters, Priscilla Heimbecker and Jeanne Poulsen, both of Trufant.

Road crews in Montcalm County have been working diligently last night and again early this morning, plowing and salting roads in attempt to open them up after heavy snow landed overnight throughout the area.

A twenty-four-year-old Howard City man has been charged with the death of Scott Michael Gregory, a 25-year-old Howard City man who was killed when struck by a vehicle in July.

A Vestaburg man is in custody after officials with the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office discovered “a large amount” of marijuana in the basement of his home Thursday.

Megan Wolowicz was inspired to join the Navy after watching “Top Gun.” Last month, the 2008 Tri County High School graduate followed in the footsteps of that movie’s larger-than-life characters by graduating from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. In return for her bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering, she will now serve the Navy.

Julie Lynn Danielson’s family and friends packed a small courtroom Monday afternoon to witness the video arraignment of her alleged murderer. Robert Michael Munsell, 29, of Grand Rapids and Ionia, is charged with the open murder of Danielson, 31, of Pierson Township. Munsell was arraigned before Magistrate Richard Palmer in 64B District Court.

Golfers, club members, family and friends gathered Sunday for a thank you buffet from the owners of Birchwood Golf Course. “This post is to make it official that the rumors that have been floating around that Birchwood Golf Course is being sold are indeed true,” stated Birchwood’s Facebook page on Oct. 3. “The agreement with Sandyland Farms was completed today. Members only until the last Sunday of October.” For the last 31 years, Mark and Debbie Heath have owned and operated the course at 6900 Masters Road just outside of Howard City.

The competition was fierce, but even when the race came down to a tie, Nicole Newell pulled ahead for the win. Newell, 18, was crowed the 2012 Howard City Harvest Festival queen Tuesday night at Tri County High School. She is the daughter of Dawn and the late John Edward Newell.

Six fire departments responded to a fully involved fire at a barn that housed dairy cattle late Friday morning. The Maple Valley Township Fire Department was called to 477 Marble Road at 11:25 a.m. with a report that the roof of the barn was on fire.