Round two: Rowland out of retirement

Back in the ring July 11

By Sarah Read

Cedar Springs boxing champion Troy Rowland’s retirement was short-lived. After three-years out of the ring, the 33-year-old fighter has slipped his gloves back on and plans to punch his way to the top.

Bobcat spotted in Solon Twp.

By Judy Reed

Jan Johnson of Solon Township is used to seeing wildlife in her yard. But when she glanced out her window about 8 p.m. June 23, she saw something she’d never seen before—a bobcat. “He wandered around for a little while and then made himself comfortable, sitting in the cool backyard grass for about two hours,” said Jan. “He wasn’t intimidated a bit when I went out on the deck to snap the pictures.”

Man arrested for Internet sex crimes

A 10-month long investigation into the activities of Leonard Glen Overmyer III, 44, of Solon Township, led to his arrest last Thursday on charges of child sexually abusive activity.

Members of the Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) conducted the investigation after receiving several tips about his activity.

Celebrate our independence

By Judy Reed

It was 233 years ago that our country’s founding fathers created and signed our Declaration of Independence. And Sand Lake has been throwing a huge party to celebrate that independence for 140 of them.

Man TASERed in bar fight

The Cedar Springs Police Department used their TASER earlier this month to break up a fight in front of the Round-Up Tavern on Main Street.

According to Cedar Springs Police Chief Roger Parent, on Saturday, June 13, at 1:50 a.m., Officer Jason Schaefer was in the rear alley behind the Round-Up, when he heard a commotion out front. He walked between the buildings, and when he arrived out front he saw one man pushing another, and a third man hitting one of the others in the head. The third man was about to strike the other one again, so Officer Shaefer deployed his TASER, incapacitating the suspect before he could deliver another blow.

Couple sentenced in home invasion

By Judy Reed

A Cedar Springs couple will spend the next seven to 15 years for a home invasion in Montcalm County in April.