Daily News

08/08/2025

The Belrockton Historical Museum was the site of the “Our Own Backyards” flower show in late July, a two-day event hosted by the Belding Gardeneers where local horticulturists showed off the best examples of their craft, eventually winning ribbons for “best in show.”

It was the first time the club has held an official flower show since 1995.

The Belrockton Historical Museum was the site of the “Our Own Backyards” flower show in late July, a two-day event hosted by the Belding Gardeneers where local horticulturists showed off the best examples of their craft, eventually winning ribbons for “best in show.” It was the first time th...

08/08/2025

TODAY: Belding High School Band marches forward with new director
* Grattan Twp. voters deny Bush Lake rezoning and farmland preservation millages, approve fire millage
* Ionia City Council approves site plan for Homes of Heritage Row Condominiums planned for old Ionia Sparrow Hospital site
* plus the weekly Faith page with a column from Pastor Mike McAlvey and more

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08/08/2025

A Greenville man was bound over for trial on attempted murder charges, despite the absence of the victim and the lack of any medical records or photographs at Thursday’s preliminary examination.

Christopher Lee Worthing, 47, is charged with assault with intent to murder, a possible life felony, and fleeing the scene of an accident resulting in impairment or death, also a felony. The charges stem from an incident in the early morning hours of June 21 in downtown Greenville, which left Ryan Paul severely injured.

According to testimony at Thursday’s nearly five-hour prelim in Montcalm County District Court, Paul was just as problematic as Worthing the night of the incident. Witnesses said they believed Paul was “playing chicken” with Worthing as the vehicle allegedly sped toward the man before striking him.

A Greenville man was bound over for trial on attempted murder charges, despite the absence of the victim and the lack of any medical records or photographs at Thursday’s preliminary examination. Christopher Lee Worthing, 47, is charged with assault with intent to murder, a possible life felony, an...

08/07/2025

Elvis Presley tribute artist Jake Slater will return to the Ionia Theatre on Sunday for a special live performance with the Josh Ramses Band, a benefit concert for the Ionia County Commission on Aging.

Slater’s uncannily accurate Elvis voice, costumes and mannerisms in front of a live band will take older Presley fans right back to the King’s heyday (as well as their own).

Elvis Presley tribute artist Jake Slater will return to the Ionia Theatre on Sunday for a special live performance with the Josh Ramses Band, a benefit concert for the Ionia County Commission on Aging. Slater’s uncannily accurate Elvis voice, costumes and mannerisms in front of a live band will ta...

08/07/2025

Over the past few seasons, the Central Montcalm girls running programs have produced some of the best runners in the state.

Among those esteemed runners is recent graduate Ashley Choponis, who leaves a legacy that will inspire others for years to come.

In a matter of four years, Choponis managed to accrue a handful of All-State honors, as well as a number of monumental times in both cross country and track and field.

Her work is nowhere near finished yet as she’ll continue to thrive at the Division 2 collegiate level at Northern Michigan University in the fall.

Over the past few seasons, the Central Montcalm girls running programs have produced some of the best runners in the state. Among those esteemed runners is recent graduate Ashley Choponis, who leaves a legacy that will inspire others for years to come. In a matter of four years, Choponis managed to....

08/07/2025

TODAY: Greenville Public Schools explores more incorporation of Portrait of a Jacket, stronger communication
* Belding seeks HVAC quotes for City Hall project
* Greenville Municipal Airport adds courtesy vehicle for visiting pilots
* Elvis returns to Ionia Theatre on Sunday as fundraiser for the Ionia County Commission on Aging
* SPORTS: Greenville athletics ponder possible future expansion of River Cities Alliance league
* Greenville tennis player among state’s 'Most Positive’ athletes in ’25
* Crystal Township's Run the Lake winners and more inside

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08/07/2025

In the wake of a British newspaper’s investigative article into a Coral man’s YouTube channel, the Maple Valley Township Board issued a statement on Monday saying they “strongly condemn any statements or behaviors intended to marginalize or discriminate against any group of people.”

The Guardian published an article on Saturday titled “Unmasked: The Man Behind one of the Fastest Growing Far-Right YouTube Channels” profiling Johnathan Christopher “Chris” Booth, 37, who is married to Maple Valley Township Treasurer Meg Booth.

In the wake of a British newspaper’s investigative article into a Coral man’s YouTube channel, the Maple Valley Township Board issued a statement saying they “strongly condemn any statements or behaviors intended to marginalize or discriminate against any group of people.”

08/06/2025

Steve Lott has become a familiar face on the sidelines when it comes to coaching high school football around the area.

After a brief four-year hiatus in coaching, he soon discovered an itch to get back to doing what he enjoys most.

For the past 12 seasons, the Lakeview football team found a fearless leader in head coach Sean Rinehart, who coached the Wildcats to a 50-60 record since 2013.

Now, they’ll learn to put their trust into a new head coach for this upcoming season as Lott takes over in his first varsity head coaching position.

Steve Lott has become a familiar face on the sidelines when it comes to coaching high school football around the area. After a brief four-year hiatus in coaching, he soon discovered an itch to get back to doing what he enjoys most. For the past 12 seasons, the Lakeview football team found a fearless...

08/06/2025

Ionia Township Treasurer Marilyn Harp resigned abruptly via email on July 15 and was replaced five days later by Deputy Clerk Mackenzie Waters at a special meeting held on a Sunday morning.

08/06/2025

For the Ionia football program, finding long-term success comes from having a solid foundation of experience, no matter the age or skill level.

The Bulldogs kicked off their annual youth camp for interested seventh and eighth graders and did so in a unique fashion by making it a combined camp, allowing varsity players to practice alongside them for the full-fledged camp experience.

“My biggest thing is I want the seventh and eighth graders to see how we operate,” head coach Chad Rhynard said. “I want their coaches to see it, too. We work at a fast pace and we want it to be kind of pretty high intensity.”

For the Ionia football program, finding long-term success comes from having a solid foundation of experience, no matter the age or skill level. A few weeks ago, the Bulldogs kicked off their annual youth camp for interested seventh and eighth graders and did so in a unique fashion by making it a com...

08/06/2025

TODAY: Oakfield Twp. developer pivots to commercial, rezoning request for corner of Lincoln Lake Road and M-57 heads to township board
* Maple Valley Twp. Board distances itself from treasurer’s husband after YouTube controversy
* Ionia Twp. treasurer abruptly resigns, deputy clerk appointed new treasurer
* plus Miss Stanton Scholarship Pageant contestants and more inside

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08/06/2025

As the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners held its second round of budget talks last Monday, they declined to reconsider wage increase requests from the register of deeds and declined requests from the sheriff because he won’t use his law enforcement millage to fund them.

Questions were also raised about why the prosecutor’s pending budget numbers didn’t match the numbers presented to commissioners, which led the Daily News to clarify that the prosecutor’s budget numbers were missing a digit and were off by $126,000.

As the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners held its second round of budget talks Monday, they declined to reconsider wage increase requests from the register of deeds and declined requests from the sheriff because he won’t use his law enforcement millage to fund them.