Tim McAllister

Blossom Time Park sits on land formerly occupied by the Cvetnich family, who farmed during the 20th Century. The name “Blossom Time” is the word “Cvetnich” translated from Croatian into English.

Members of the public who attended the May 12 special meeting of the Orange Township Board seemed satisfied once they heard the reasoning behind the proposed tripling of the local fire millage from 1 to 3 mills. “Basically, the operating cost of the fire department has gone up drastically since 2014, when the 1 mill assessment was created,” explained Supervisor Jeff Cody. “Nobody wants any higher taxes, but in order to provide the services that this is providing the community, we have to pay for it somehow, so right now what we're proposing is getting rid of the one mill special assessment we have and putting in a three mill.”

Luke Large is graduating on Thursday and he already has a job lined up after he excelled in Lakeview High School's work-based learning program through the Montcalm Area Career Center. Large, 17, has been hired as an electrical apprentice by Lakeview-based Amble Electric.

Douglas R. Welch High School has a new principal and teacher after the Ionia Public Schools Board of Education voted to hire Chad Rhynard for those roles on Monday evening. Rhynard was appointed interim principal in January, when he stepped in after the unexpected death of his predecessor, Jason Little.

Thanks to a state grant to Ionia County Hope and Recovery, 100 locking marijuana storage bags are currently available to the public at no charge. “Locking marijuana storage bags help protect children and teens from accidental exposure or access to marijuana,” said Hope and Recovery Coalition Coordinator Charlean Hemminger. “They reduce the risk of accidental ingestion and accidental poisoning, and reinforce community education around safe storage practices. These bags play a key role in promoting safety for families throughout Ionia County.”

Instead of the probable cause hearing that was scheduled for Casey Wagner in Ionia County District Court on Thursday, the county's charges were dismissed in favor of a federal case against the Ionia Township resident. Wagner, 34, was arrested Feb. 20 on charges of possession of methamphetamine and felony possession of firearms after instigating a years-long noise dispute with a neighbor who reported him for blight.

An American soldier's historic grave was remarked and rededicated during a special ceremony at Snows Cemetery. William Pangbourn fought under Gen. George Washington in the Revolutionary War and was captured and held prisoner. He was in his late 30s; decades later he later re-enlisted in his 70s to fight in the War of 1812.

The Ionia County Board of Commissioners learned about a state clean energy program and reluctantly voted 4-2 on Tuesday to approve a resolution of intent that could open the program to local companies. PACE, an acronym for “property assessed clean energy,” was created in 2023 as a financing tool to aid businesses with energy efficiency, water efficiency and renewable energy projects.

During nearly three hours of interviews and discussion on Wednesday evening, the Montabella Community Schools Board of Education met with two superintendent candidates and scheduled a second round of interviews for Tuesday.

This year's Ionia High School valedictorian set the all-time record for the highest grade point average at graduation in the school's 155-year history. Kaylee Schmid, 18, also leaves Ionia High School with an associate degree from Montcalm Community College and a full ride scholarship to the University of Michigan, where she will attend pre-med honors college.