Daily News

12/05/2025

TODAY: Carson City's Betty Kellenberger recognized by city officials, will be honored in Saturday’s Hometown Holiday parade
* Belding FFA students highlight leadership growth, career pathways to school board
* City of Ionia sells property to local asphalt business, which plans to use multiple parcels for storage building
* Ionia Public Schools educator found dead in school building
* plus our weekly Faith page with a column from Belding's Ashley Baptist Church Pastor David Oliver and more inside

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12/04/2025

The Belding City Council interviewed three candidates for interim city manager on Tuesday and then selected a candidate who has been fired from four government jobs and been accused of lying several times.

The City Council voted 4-1 to offer the interim city manager job to Troy Bell, who was most recently fired from his job as Muskegon Heights city manager in 2023.

The City Council also interviewed John Niemela (who has been Belding’s manager twice and was fired twice) as well as Howard Fink.

The Belding City Council interviewed three candidates for interim city manager on Tuesday and then selected a candidate who has been fired from four government jobs and been accused of lying several times. The City Council voted 4-1 to offer the interim city manager job to Troy Bell, who was fired f...

12/04/2025

The first varsity season is always an exciting one for any high school athlete, no matter the sport.

Maybe it’s because of new experiences or the team’s dynamic, but in Ethan King’s case, it’s because of his outstanding performances.

The Belding junior running back played a critical role in the Black Knights’ run game this season as he led his team to their fourth-straight OK Silver conference title and sixth-consecutive playoff appearance with 148 carries for 1,564 yards — averaging 10.57 yards per carry — and 16 touchdowns.

OFFENSIVE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Belding’s Ethan King spearheads Black Knight offense in first varsity season

The first varsity season is always an exciting one for any high school athlete, no matter the sport. Maybe it’s because of new experiences or the team’s dynamic, but in Ethan King’s case, it’s because of his outstanding performances. The Belding junior running back played a critical role in ...

12/04/2025

Three Ionia Public Schools buildings are closed today after an employee was found dead in a school building late Wednesday night.

Welch High School, Ionia High School, and the Bulldog Beginnings Preschool located inside of IHS are closed on Thursday, Dec. 4. All other IPS buildings remain open.

hree Ionia Public Schools (IPS) buildings are closed today after an employee was found dead in a school building late Wednesday night. Welch High School, Ionia High School (IHS), and the Bulldog Beginnings Preschool located inside of IHS are closed on Thursday, Dec. 4. All other IPS buildings remain...

12/04/2025

TODAY: From a garage startup to a regional furniture force: Greenville City Council approves tax abatement for $1.4M Crandall Office Furniture expansion
* Belding City Council offers interim city manager job to former Muskegon Heights manager who has a history of being fired
* Montcalm County board reinstates clerk admin aide position; discussion reveals tensions between clerk and controller-admin
* SPORTS: Belding varsity winter sports preview: Black Knights wrestling to put youthful talent to the test this season

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12/03/2025

The Michigan 21st Regiment’s Civil War battle flag is more than just a piece of fabric, it’s a symbol of Ionia County history.

After spending several months with textile experts in West Virginia, the battle flag has been fully restored and, after a special ceremony at the Ionia Theatre on Saturday, was returned to permanent display at the Ionia County Courthouse.

The Michigan 21st Regiment’s Civil War battle flag is more than just a piece of fabric, it’s a symbol of Ionia County history. After spending several months with textile experts in West Virginia, the battle flag has been fully restored and, after a special ceremony at the Ionia Theatre on Saturd...

12/03/2025

TODAY: MCC Board dreams big with new master plan, envisions
transformative campus upgrades
* Greenville student builds birdhouses along Fred Meijer Flat River Trail for Eagle Scout project
* Montcalm County board gives go-ahead to Crystal Twp. construction project
* plus Sandy Main's Once Upon a Daily local history column, the Greenville High School Newspaper Club's Jacket Buzz page and more inside

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12/02/2025

A Montcalm County employee is switching from a job at the Clerk’s Office for a job in the Treasurer’s Office, even as the Treasurer’s Office is about to undergo some major personnel changes.

Treasurer JoAnne Vukin is stepping down mid-term effective Dec. 31 after being elected to her fourth term in last year’s elections.

Only one person has applied so far as a candidate for the soon-to-be-vacant treasurer position. The Montcalm County Appointment Committee is accepting applications from individuals interested in filling the treasurer’s position now through this Friday.

A Montcalm County employee is switching from a job at the Clerk’s Office for a job in the Treasurer’s Office, even as the Treasurer’s Office is about to undergo some major personnel changes. The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved allowing Laura Delamater, who currently w...

12/02/2025

TODAY: 'Symbol of our shared history': Ionia County’s restored Civil War battle flag unveiled at Ionia Theatre
* Montcalm County drain commissioner gets go-ahead for Lake Stanton dam replacement to be funded by assessments
* SPORTS: Tri County varsity winter sports preview: Vikings competitive cheer looks to expand on last season’s success

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12/01/2025

The portico of the Ionia County Courthouse, a historic building completed in 1886, was recently renovated, and the construction came in almost $30,000 under budget.

The three-and-a-half-story, 120-feet-tall, 80-feet-wide courthouse is where local residents find their county clerk, treasurer, register of deeds, prosecutor’s office and courts.

The portico of the Ionia County Courthouse, a historic building completed in 1886, was recently renovated, and the construction came in almost $30,000 under budget. The three-and-a-half-story, 120-feet-tall, 80-feet-wide courthouse is where local residents find their county clerk, treasurer, registe...

12/01/2025

TODAY: A grand entry restored: Renovations of Ionia County Courthouse portico complete and under budget
* Stanton man’s murder conviction appeal denied
* plus our weekly roundup of Support Groups, the Club Calendar, Area Locals and more inside

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11/30/2025

Local addiction recovery services and programs will receive $469,145 in funding from Montcalm County government in the coming year, including $267,000 in opioid settlement funding plus another $202,145 in county ma*****na funds.

The Board of Commissioners on Monday voted 6-0 to approve the annual list of recommendations from the county’s Opioid Task Force Committee.

The opioid funding stems back to 2018 when county commissioners voted to adopt a resolution approving three law firms representing dozens of Michigan counties in a multi-district lawsuit settlement against opioid manufacturers. In 2021, commissioners approved a resolution outlining the terms of the settlement, which is being distributed over multiple years.

Montcalm County has now awarded a total of $865,457 in opioid funding over the last three years at the task force’s recommendation, plus another $368,392 in ma*****na tax revenue.

Local addiction recovery services and programs will receive $469,145 in funding from Montcalm County government in the coming year, including $267,000 in opioid settlement funding plus another $202,145 in county ma*****na funds. The Board of Commissioners on Monday voted 6-0, with Commissioner Nate....