Tim McAllister is a Staff Writer at various esteemed publications, including Interlochen Public Radio and The Daily News (Greenville, Mich.). He focuses on themes such as education, real estate, and transportation, exploring topics like public education, urban development, and transportation policy. Tim's work has been featured in notable outlets like Canadian Cattlemen and IoT Insider.
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Ionia, United States (Local)
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Tim’s coverage is heavily focused on local news, including government and politics, education, and community events in Ionia County. He tends to cover a wide range of local topics such as city council meetings, educational initiatives, and community events.
Given this focus, Tim would likely be most responsive to pitches related to significant local developments or impactful community events within Ionia County. Pitches featuring human-interest stories about residents making a difference in the community may also resonate with his coverage style.
As he focuses primarily on the local area of Ionia County and Michigan at large, outreach should highlight how the pitch relates specifically to these geographic areas. Offering unique access or insights into local government processes or notable individuals within the county could increase the likelihood of engagement with him.
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By: Tim McAllister
City of Ionia leaders continued to discuss details of Billy Strings' two-day “Ionia Freak Fair” event at the fairgrounds this August and scheduled a public hearing, when they will either approve or deny updated regulations related to camping. The sold-out concerts are estimated to bring up to 28,000 visitors into downtown Ionia each day, most of whom are going to need a place to spend the night. A busy day during the Ionia Free Fair would involve about 15,000 visitors.
By: Tim Mcallister
Ionia County voters will weigh three countywide millage proposals in the Aug. 4 election, including requests to renew funding for public libraries, continue support for special education services and establish a new property tax to fund Michigan State University Extension and 4-H programs. If all three proposals pass, the owner of a home with a taxable value of $200,000 would pay about $384 annually.
By: Tim McAllister
Two appointed township officials will defend their seats in the Aug. 4 primary election as voters choose a supervisor and trustee for the next term. Supervisor Sandra Smiley is being challenged by Charles Prins, while Trustee William Pflugradt is being challenged by Walt Stevens II. All four candidates are Republicans. The election comes after several years of debate over renewable energy projects and township governance.
By: Tim McAllister
The Belding City Council on Tuesday voted 4-1 to approve the $742,105 purchase of a new pumper/tanker truck for the Belding Fire Department, including the vehicle's chassis and manufacture, despite reservations about the process being rushed. The truck will take about two years to build by Spencer Manufacturing, a company based in South Haven, and will replace a 33-year-old vehicle that is still in service
By: Tim McAllister
The District 3 seat on the Ionia County Board of Commissioners has been vacant since February. On Aug. 4, voters will choose between two candidates seeking to fill the seat permanently.
By: Tim Mcallister
With the “10 best days of summer” nearly upon us (July 16-25), it is once again time to start planning your trip to the 111th edition of Ionia County's biggest annual event. “Not a ton has changed this year,” Free Fair Manager Mike Clark acknowledged. “We had a lot of success last year, and we're trying to keep building on that success, so we didn't change a lot.”
A community food charity has been approved for a $500,000 appropriation in the 2027-2028 state of Michigan budget. IM Kids 3rd Meal will use the funds to move into a new facility in Belding, as it has outgrown the current headquarters at 409 S. Bridge St.
This summer, the Ronald Township Fire Department celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding with both an open house celebration and the announcement of state funding for a new $1.2 million firehouse/township hall facility. The Fire Department originated in 1976 when a group of community members saw a need for better fire coverage after a massive conflagration terrified them into taking action.
By: Tim Mcallister
The Grattan Township Board considered but took no action Monday on doing a sewer feasibility study for Grattan Center, the most heavily-traveled area of the township. For a proposed $14,800 fee, Grand Rapids-based engineering and architecture firm Fleis & VandenBrink would evaluate the possibility of extending sanitary sewer service to Old Belding Road between its two intersections with M-44. Grattan Center is the site of most of the businesses in the township, and installing the new infrastructure could potentially cost millions of dollars and may attract a data center to the area, according to township officials.
By: Tim Mcallister
A standing-room-only crowd peppered Ionia Township township officials Tuesday with questions about the alleged theft of more than $747,000 in taxpayer money, but the board offered few new details, saying the matter remains before the courts. Marilyn Harp, the former township treasurer, is alleged to have withdrawn hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money and used it to build herself a vacation home and pay personal bills. She has been charged in federal court.
