Local

Ken and Deb Lund’s flock of 28 sheep was attacked by a neighbor’s dog last November. — Courtesy photo

Man asks Montcalm County for help after neighbor’s dogs kill sheep

A Montcalm County man is hoping a century-old law will provide him and his wife with financial restitution after a vicious dog attack resulted in the deaths of eight of their sheep. On Monday, the Montcalm County Law Enforcement & Courts Committee considered a request from Kenneth Lund of Sheridan. Lund wrote commissioners a March 22 letter detailing a Nov. 20, 2012, incident in which a flock of 28 sheep owned by Lund’s wife Deb were attacked by two neighborhood dogs. Six ewes were killed by the dogs and two more ewes had to be euthanized due to the severity of their wounds. The remaining sheep were all injured in some form or another.

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Montcalm County Drain Commission office may change hours

The Road Commission for Montcalm County works four 10-hour days per week during the summer construction season. The Montcalm County drain commissioner is looking at doing the same in her office.

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Free water testing offered by Montcalm Conservation District

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.

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STEM camp designed to intrigue middle school students

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.

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MAISD eliminates special education supervisor position

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.

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Montcalm County Emergency Services to sell rescue vehicle

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.

loc 0410 mt Sheridan Village Council Meeting 02

Wages back on the table for Sheridan village employees

The issue of possible pay raises for some village employees was an unexpected entry under the “new business” portion of Sheridan’s village council meeting Tuesday evening. Although some employees received 2 percent raises earlier this year, Councilman Pete Gehoski contends those raises — when considered in tandem with increased insurance premiums — actually constituted a pay cut. Gehoski said he has contacted several other area municipalities and all of them pay their Department of Public Works employees significantly higher wages than does the village of Sheridan.

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MCC tuition rates increase by 4 percent

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.

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E-recycling offered at MCC throughout April

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.

David Overholt.

Montcalm County marijuana advocate arrested in Kent County

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.