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.

A child abuse case has been resolved after a husband and wife were charged with allegedly “hog-tying and beating” their 10-year-old son. EriErik Kulkoski, 35, and Michelle Kulkoski, 39, of Stanton, were each charged with first- and second-degree child abuse.

A house sustained major water and smoke damage, but is not being considered a total loss after a Saturday morning fire. The Sheridan Community Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 8:08 a.m. on Wendy Drive in Fairplain Township.

Semesters that started with dual enrollment at Montcalm Community College (MCC) during Alexis Brayton’s high school career, and continued for another three-and-half years of classes during her college career, ended Friday night as she was able to walk across the stage and receive her college diploma.

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.

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.

A 37-year-old Carson City man and recently terminated employee of Wrights Plastic Products was arrested Sunday after breaking into the business of his former employer in Sheridan.