Winning ticket sold in Pierson

Do you ever buy your Mega Millions lottery tickets at the Pierson Trading Post? If so, you better check any old tickets you have—a $1 million Mega Millions prize remains unclaimed eight months after the drawing. 

A lucky player matched the five white balls drawn – 01-02-11-52-64 – in the Sept. 21, 2018 drawing to win a $1 million prize. The winning ticket was bought at the Pierson Trading Post, located at 138 South 4th Street in Pierson. Pierson is about 30 miles north of Grand Rapids.

The $1 million winner should contact the Michigan Lottery Public Relations Division at (517) 373-1237 to schedule an appointment to collect the big prize. The prize must be claimed at the Lottery’s headquarters in Lansing. Tickets for Mega Millions are valid for one year from the drawing date. Since Sept. 21 falls on a Saturday, the ticket must be claimed by 4:45 p.m. on Sept. 23.

The last Michigan player to win the Mega Millions jackpot was Kevin Blake, of Waterford. Blake won half of the game’s $42 million jackpot in October 2017. The other winning ticket was purchased in Rhode Island.

Winner of the 8-10 yrs. age group: Grace Fittro, 8 yrs., of Cedar Springs

Winner of the 6-7 yrs. age group: Trent Staal, 6 yrs., of Cedar Springs

Winner of the 4-5 yrs. age group: Hazelle Mosher, 5 yrs., of Comstock Park

Congratulations to the winners of the annual Cedar Springs Post Easter Coloring Contest sponsored by Northwest Kent Mechanical.

Entries came from as far away as Las Vegas, Nevada! Others came from areas including Sand Lake, Howard City, Pierson, Comstock Park, and even Horton, Michigan.

Congrats go to Trent Staal, of Cedar Springs who won in the 6-7 yrs. age group. Hazelle Mosher, of Comstock Park took first place in the 4-5 yrs. division. And first place for 8-10 yrs. competitors goes to artist Grace Fittro, of Cedar Springs for her creative flair. Good job Grace!

Prizes may be picked up at The Post Newspaper Office located at 36 E. Maple Street in Cedar Springs on Friday, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. or next week during regular business hours.

PAT & TONI BUSH

“May the next 50 years be as good as your first 50 years

bringing you health, happiness, and your continuing love.”

Celebrate with Pat and Toni Bush on Sunday, January 15^th at the Village Inn Bar/Restaurant in Pierson from 2 to 6 pm. Cash bar.

“Yes Dear.” is the secret of their success.

The Hoosiermama family, of Solon Township, has been looking forward to taking a short vacation from the busyness of their fast-paced life here in Cedar Springs. So it was a great relief to Dolly Madison and Hermando Hoosiermama, and their daughter, Indiana, when they took a short break from the madness to visit somewhere they always wanted to go—Pierson, Michigan.  And they took a Post with them!

The family visited the U.S. Post office, The Trading Post, the Pierson Village Offices, and other landmarks.

“We rocked it,” exclaimed Dolly, who spends most of the day looking for a job, and moonlights evenings making cupcakes for her family.

“It was a riot,” remarked Hermando, who took a break from his international body building competitions to go on vacation. “I mean it was literally a riot. I don’t think we can ever go in that bar again.”

“It was awesome,” commented Indiana, who goes to school and does some modeling on the side. “It was great not to have my photo taken 20 times a day.” The selfies she takes can be seen frequently on her Facebook page.

They hope to return for another visit on next Wednesday, April Fools Day.

Thanks to the Hoosiermama family for taking us with you!

Are you going on vacation? Take the Post with you and snap some photos. Then send them to us with some info to news@cedarspringspost.com or mail them to Post travels, PO Box 370, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. We will be looking for yours!

A Howard City teenager was reported to be in critical condition after an accident Friday, September 19.

According to the Montcalm County Sheriff Department, the accident occurred about 5:37 p.m. They reported that a 16 year-old female from Howard City was driving west on Washburn Street just East of Sycamore Street in her 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup, when she entered the dirt section of Washburn and attempted to fish tail her truck and lost control.

The vehicle ran off the north edge of the roadway and, upon re-entering the roadway, rolled over 1-1/4 times. The driver was transported to Spectrum Butterworth Campus by Aero Med and was reported to be in critical condition.

The two passengers in her vehicle—a 16-year-old girl from Pierson and a 16-year-old girl from Howard City—were transported to the hospital by private vehicle. Both were treated and released.

They were all wearing seatbelts. Police said neither alcohol or drugs are believed to be a factor in the crash.

The Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report of a hit and run crash in Pierson involving a car and a bicycle that occurred Sunday, October 6, 2013 at approximately 1:55 p.m.

It was reported that a 32-year-old Pierson man was travelling south on Bass Lake Road near Cannonsville Road, in Pierson Township, on his bicycle, when he was struck from behind. The vehicle that struck the bicyclist was reported to be an older Toyota Camry and had fled the scene. The bicyclist was able to continue to his home and then called Central Dispatch. Montcalm County Emergency Medical Services responded to the home and transported the bicyclist to Kelsey Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office at 989-831-5253 or the tip line at 989-831-7593.

Jheramyah Fridline

A Pierson teen has been arrested and charges are being sought against another for the break-in at the Pierson Trading Post on August 13.

According to the Montcalm County Sheriff Office, investigators worked with the Michigan State Police and followed up on tips that came in from the community. On Monday, August 26, they arrested Jheramyah Harold Fridline, 17, of Pierson.

He was arraigned the following day on charges of breaking and entering, alcohol possession, and tobacco possession. At press time, Fridline was in custody and held on a $1,000.00 bond.

The second suspect is a 15-year-old Pierson youth. Reports are being forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office requesting charges for the youth through Probate Court.

Investigators found a small amount of property and evidence tying the two teens to the crime. The case remains under investigation.

Kent County voters sent Grand Rapids Community College the same message Tuesday that they’ve sent three times since 2007: NO NEW TAXES.

The college had asked for a $98 million bond proposal to upgrade facilities, and it was soundly defeated by a vote of 26,417 (no) to 19,856 (yes). While Grandville, Northview and Lowell also had millages on the ballot, most communities had nothing else on the ballot, which led to low voter turn out.

Voters in Grandville nixed a $22.85 million bond proposal by a narrow margin—only 38 votes. There were 2,508 no votes, to 2,470 yes votes.

Lowell renewed their operating millage, and Northview passed an $11.9 million bond proposal.

In Montcalm County, Pierson Village President Karl VanHaren survived a recall election by three votes—24 to 21. He has filed a recall petition against three of the trustees involved in the recall against him: Rebecca Starr, Duane Grifes, and Verna Smigiel. That vote will take place in August.

A Sand Lake man ran a stop sign in Pierson last Saturday, causing an accident that sent a 4-year-old to the hospital with serious injuries.

According to the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office, a Chrysler Town and Country minivan driven by 35-year-old Michael Hallman, of Sand Lake, was northbound on West County Line Rd (Newcosta) about 10:11 a.m. Saturday, February 4, when he failed to stop at the stop sign at 104th (Kendaville Rd) in Pierson Townhip. He struck a Volvo semi truck, driven by Billie Roebuck, of Sand Lake, who was traveling east on Kendaville Rd.

A four-year-old child seated in the left rear seat of the minivan in a child restraint seat was seriously injured and transported to Butterworth Hospital via AeroMed. The driver of the minivan suffered minor injuries, but did not require hospitalization. The driver was of the truck was not injured. All occupants were wearing seatbelts, and there was no sign of alcohol or drugs. Hallman was cited for running the stop sign.

Montcalm County Emergency Services and the Howard City Fire Department assisted at the scene.

By Judy Reed
Last Friday, October 28, marked the one-year anniversary of the murders of Michael and Kathleen Greene, of Pierson. One year, and still no answers.
The bodies of Michael Thomas Greene, 59, and his wife, Kathleen Marie Greene, 56, were found in the basement of their smoldering residence Thursday evening, October 28, 2010 at 3063 Shore Crest Drive, on Big Whitefish Lake, in Pierson Township. The Howard City fire department and Montcalm County Ems responded to the scene about 11:18 p.m. on a fire call and reported finding the two bodies inside the house. The couple had been stabbed to death.
According to Montcalm County Sheriff Bill Barnwell, there are some items that are unaccounted for from within the home (including cash and prescription pain killers) that may have been taken by the suspects.
Barnwell said that officers and investigators with the Montcalm Sheriff Office and the Michigan state police have spent countless hours investigating the deaths. Numerous search warrants have been issued and large amounts of evidence gathered. They discussed the case with both the FBI and ATF. Calls and tips are still coming in, and are being followed up on.
Police are still searching for a larger white vehicle, possibly a SUV-style vehicle, and an individual seen in the area prior to the homicides (see sketch).
To throw another monkey wrench into the mix, another man named Michael Greene and his wife were murdered in Eaton County in September 2011. In that case, Michael Greene, 62, was found inside the home, and his wife, Terry, 46, was found in a pond behind the house. Police don’t know if the murders are connected, or a case of mistaken identity, but plan to check on the case with Eaton police.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Sgt. Tom Goerge of the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office at 989-831-7516, the Sheriff tip line at 989-831-7593, or Silent Observer at 866-774-2345.

A Cedar Springs man suffered severe injuries after the car he was driving was hit head on by another vehicle early Sunday morning.

Montcalm County Sheriffs deputies were called to the scene of the accident at Federal (Northland Drive) and Cannonsville Road in Pierson shortly after 2 a.m. August 7. They found that a 2002 Dodge Dakota, driven by Michael James McGarry, 49, of Rockford, had been traveling south on Federal when it crossed the centerline and struck a northbound vehicle, a 2002 Buick, driven by Cory Glen Brown, 23, of Cedar Springs.

Brown suffered severe injuries and was taken to Butterworth Hospital by ambulance. AeroMed had been requested but was unable to fly due to dense fog. McGarry was also taken to Butterworth for treatment of minor injuries.

Police said alcohol may have been a factor in the accident. The accident is still under investigation.

Deputies were assisted by Montcalm County Emergency Medical Services and the Howard City Fire Department.

Police are seeking this man as a person of interest in the murders of Michael and Kathleen Greene, of Pierson.

The Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office has released a composite drawing of a man who may have been in the area the day Michael and Kathleen Greene were murdered in their home at Whitefish Lake in Pierson. The couple was found in their burned out home on October 29, but did not die from the fire. Police are not yet releasing how they died. The man was seen in the area in the early evening driving a light-colored passenger vehicle.

Anyone with information should call Detective Sergeant Tom George with the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office at 989-831-7516 or 989-831-7590.