Sunday, November 8, 2020

MAIN ART

Tri County football advances to district final

The Tri County Vikings advanced to the district final after defeating Grant, 40-21.

CC-C defeats Saranac in district semis

The Carson City-Crystal Eagles once again took care of business on their home turf on Friday to win their second playoff game in as many weeks. CC-C defeated Saranac, 52-13, giving the team its first season with multiple playoff victories since 1999 when the team’s first and only district title in school history occurred. With this being the first year at the helm of the Eagles for head coach Tim Swore, he was happy to...

Eggleston is new judge for Montcalm County

Adam Eggleston was the top vote-getter in round one of the race for Montcalm County District Court judge in the August primary election. On Tuesday, he came out on top again.

Outman soars to win in 70th District

Looking to follow in the footsteps of his father straight into the Michigan Legislature, Pat Outman, the Republican candidate for Michigan’s 70th District state representative was all smiles as vote totals continued to trickle in from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

‘Knee-deep in ballots and residents’

Moving larger-than-average volumes of in-person voters and absentee ballots through the polls, hand-delivering an emergency ballot to a voter with COVID-19, dealing with an angry constituent who allegedly swore at and spit on a precinct worker … just another election day for the many clerks in Montcalm and Ionia counties.

‘Put your voice out there’

Standing in line at the Belrockton Historical Museum in Belding to vote Tuesday for the first time, Obec Sosa and Joseph Hall hoped their voices would make a difference. The two 18-year-olds from Belding acknowledged the coronavirus pandemic put a few hurdles in place when voting in-person for the first time, but they also felt it was a necessary action.

Face mask friction

Until recently, employees at the Winter Inn were wearing partial shields for face masks. Barry Thornton, owner of the Greenville restaurant, said the face shields, which attach under your chin and angle up toward underneath your eyes, are more comfortable than most face masks and — he believes — safer.

NEWS

‘You’re perpetuating the cycle,’ defendant and judge tell one another 

A Grand Rapids man who told a judge that he needs help — not incarceration — for his methamphetamine addiction and homelessness was sentenced to more prison time.  Allen Duane Parsons, 39, appeared via Polycom from the Michigan Department of Corrections Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center in Jackson before Ionia County Circuit Court Judge Suzanne Kreeger on Oct. 27.

Edmore residents to revote in special ‘mail election’

Less than an hour after voting got underway Tuesday, Home Township Clerk Cindy Stratton realized something was very wrong. Eleven village of Edmore residents had been given and voted on Home Township ballots, while four township residents had been given and voted on village ballots.

Back of ballot drop-off, voters with same names among Election Day observations

Ionia County Clerk Greg Geiger was anticipating a 60% to 75% voter turnout Tuesday, while Montcalm County Clerk Kristen Millard was anticipating up to 72%. They were close.

4 candidates apply for Ionia County Road Department director job

Four new candidates have applied for the job of Ionia County Road Department managing director — a position which has been vacant since this past summer. Ionia County Administrator Stephanie Fox and Finance Director Linda Pigue reported the news during a county Personnel Committee meeting Thursday morning after Commissioner Georgia Sharp asked for an update. The deadline to apply for the job was Oct. 21.

Upcoming and pending services for Nov. 7, 2020

Upcoming and pending services for Nov. 7, 2020

JUST IN: Greenville high school and middle school moving to virtual learning through Thanksgiving break 

Due to rising COVID-19 positive cases in the area, and an inability to fill teacher vacancies, Greenville Public Schools (GPS) high school and middle school will return to virtual learning Monday. 

Ionia City Council hears audit report, starts manager search

This was a busy week for Ionia City Council members.  On Tuesday, Election Day, council members met via Zoom for their regular meeting. They followed up with another meeting Wednesday, this time in person, with their consultant, Jerry Richards, from the Michigan Municipal League, to launch a search for a new city manager.

Greenville City Council accepts $20K in GACF grants for recreation and safety

Be it providing resources for community theater or ensuring pedestrians are protected for downtown events, city officials are thankful the Greenville Area Community Foundation (GACF) has stepped up to the plate once again. During Tuesday’s meeting of the Greenville City Council, Council members voted unanimously to accept three separate grants from the GACF, totaling $20,659.30.

Stanton planners hear from public on marijuana

Whether advocating for or against allowing marijuana facilities within this city, several community members are making their voices heard. Last week, the Stanton Planning Commission released copies of the draft adult-use and medical marijuana ordinances they’ve been working on since the start of 2020.

Upcoming and pending services for Nov. 6, 2020

Upcoming and pending services for Nov. 6, 2020

SPORTS

Tri County football advances to district final

The Tri County Vikings advanced to the district final after defeating Grant, 40-21.

Belding’s football season ends at Catholic Central, 41-6

Belding’s football team (6-2) saw their season come to an end on the road against Grand Rapids Catholic Central on Friday.

CC-C defeats Saranac in district semis

The Carson City-Crystal Eagles once again took care of business on their home turf on Friday to win their second playoff game in as many weeks. CC-C defeated Saranac, 52-13, giving the team its first season with multiple playoff victories since 1999 when the team’s first and only district title in school history occurred. With this being the first year at the helm of the Eagles for head coach Tim Swore, he was happy to get the win but more relieved that they were able to play the game.

Making the most of fall’s last call

As the frigid rains and howling winds of November tear away the remaining frail leaves struggling to hold on to the baring branches of Michigan’s foliage, the sense of urgency is in the air. It may be just one of those things that everything that lives in a colder climate feels but there is no doubt that by the time there is a chance of snow in the forecast, the critters of all varieties are in serious preparation for the upcoming winter.

Central Montcalm volleyball gets revenge over Ionia in rematch of 2019 district title game, Hornets win 3-2 for second district title in three years

In 2019, the Green Hornets were left in tears watching as the Ionia Bulldogs celebrated a district title on their home court in Stanton. After seeing the draw for Thursday’s district final match in Belding, Central Montcalm had one thing on their mind as they saw Ionia on the other side — revenge.

Carson City-Crystal volleyball’s effort leads them to 3-1 victory over Lakeview

While this is her first season at the helm of the Carson City-Crystal varsity volleyball program, Kali Jo Donahue has been involved in volleyball at the school for many years. Her first year as the junior varsity coach came in 2017 when the current seniors were freshmen and she’s had a hand in coaching all of the current varsity players before this year. She strongly identifies with this being her group, her team, and that made it all the more special when the Eagles rallied past Lakeview and advanced to the Morley-Stanwood district finals on Wednesday after a 3-1 victory.

‘The biggest play I’ve made in my life’

Greenville native Justin Zimmer, currently playing as a defensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL, made what he called the biggest play of his life during Sunday’s home game against the New England Patriots. Ahead 24-21 over the Patriots with 37 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Patriots were just 19 yards away from the end zone, well within field goal range, looking to tie the game or take the lead over the Bills.

Central Montcalm volleyball ends Belding’s season with 3-0 sweep in districts

Entering Monday’s district-opening game at Belding against the host team, Jenna Smith had reasons for nerves. The Central Montcalm volleyball head coach was without one of her senior captains, London Eldridge, for the contest and she didn’t know much about Belding or how they played as they’d yet to encounter the Black Knights on their schedule this season.

Ionia’s hot serving propels them to sweep of Ovid-Elsie in district-opener

Jessa Swinehart wasn’t having the best night at the net on Monday against Ovid-Elsie. The junior’s normally solid attacks, according to Ionia head coach Lisa Gettys, were a bit off in the district opener in Belding. However, Swinehart made up for it with her serving game, which helped propel the Bulldogs to victory.

Sports roundup for Nov. 3, 2020

Sports roundup for Nov. 3, 2020

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