Elisabeth Waldon

Most people don’t like to think about dying and, by default, planning their own funeral. However, the owner of Simpson Family Funeral Homes in Sheridan and Stanton, would like to remind people that funeral pre-planning will not only save you money but will also reduce stress for your family members.

More than 200 “rare and pristine” collectible dirt bikes, motorcycles, ATVs, three-wheelers, snowmobiles, outboard boat motors, gas pumps, and vintage signs will be auctioned off as part of an ongoing debt repayment process by the owner of Lakeside Motor Sports in Mecosta and Nelson’s Speed Shop in Greenville. Orbitbid.com via the Miedema Asset Management Group is hosting the online auction of “an exceptional and unique collection of Ed Richter’s extraordinary private powersports collection.”

The Pierson Township Planning Commission on Thursday approved a special land use request for a seven-year gravel pit project, which may one day become a housing development just west of the U.S. 131 Expressway. The Planning Commission voted 5-0 (with Paul “Chip” Dunneback absent and Caleb Sower abstaining as he lives next to the property in question) to approve a request from Tri-County Gravel LLC for the removal and processing of sand, gravel and other mineral resources in an R-1 single family residential district involving nearly 65 acres at 21898 W. Kendaville Road (on the north side of the road).

The Montabella Community Schools Board of Education organized for the new year and swore in two new members on Monday. Jeramee Gilman of Blanchard and Steve Sweet of Edmore are the two newest members of the board after receiving 1,473 votes and 1,400 votes, respectively, to be elected to six-year terms, along with incumbent Eylie Foster, who received 1,422 votes. Incumbent Sherri Miel received 1,384 votes and was ousted from her seat.

The Carson City-Crystal Area Schools Board of Education held its annual organizational meeting on Monday and welcomed three new members who aren’t afraid to speak up. Matthew Barker, Ryan Lankford and Melissa Staff participated in their first school board meeting as newly elected officials.

The search is underway for a new director to lead Montcalm County Central Dispatch/911. The Central Dispatch Authority held its annual organizational meeting on Tuesday, followed by its regular meeting at which they appointed an interim director and began the process of searching for a new director.

A total of 14 fire departments responded to a major Ionia County barn blaze on Friday afternoon at a Saranac-area property owned by an office furniture company, with firefighters not clearing the scene until early Saturday morning. The Saranac Fire Department was dispatched to a semi trailer on fire in a barn at 533 Pinckney Road at the corner of Potters Road around 4:40 p.m. at property owned by Dynamic Wood Products.

From researching a singing cowboy to controversy over high school sports to the meaning of a little-used legal term amid a hotly contested election, plus lots of FOIA and OMA debates …  it’s been another interesting and colorful year as a small-town news reporter. Here’s a look back at some of the more noteworthy stories I covered in 2024.

A Montcalm County judge adjourned the sentencing of a Howard City man due to confusion over whether he was the victim of identity theft. Allan Loveland, 58, appeared before Montcalm County Circuit Court Judge Suzanne Kreeger on Thursday morning with his attorney, Randy Norton, appearing via Zoom.

A legendary basketball tournament which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year is coming to a new town in Montcalm County next spring. The Gus Macker Tournament will kick off the 2025 season in the village of Lakeview the weekend of May 17-18. Lakeview will host the tourney thanks to the efforts of Ben Perez.