Invocation

Area motorists are paying an average of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, a 20-cent increase from the average price of $3.16 per gallon last week, according to a Daily News survey of 20 area service stations conducted Friday. The lowest price was $3.25 at Mobil in Stanton; the highest price was $3.39 at numerous service stations. Here is a list of the area gasoline prices surveyed:

IONIA COUNTY $3.39 average BELDING

IONIA

Pilot Travel Center

LAKE ODESSA

$3.37

$3.39

Shell $3.39

PORTLAND Tom’s Fuel Center & Wash $3.39

KENT COUNTY $3.36 average CEDAR SPRINGS

Speedway $3.34

GRAND RAPIDS Meijer (Knapp’s Corner) $3.39 SAND LAKE

Marathon

ROCKFORD

$3.34

$3.38

MONTCALM COUNTY $3.35 average CARSON CITY

Marathon

EDMORE

The Depot

GOWEN

The General Store

GREENVILLE

Meijer Murphy USA Mobil

HOWARD CITY

Marathon

Marathon

LANGSTON

MCBRIDE

SHERIDAN

SIX LAKES

STANTON

$3.38

$3.34

$3.38

$3.35 $3.35 $3.39

$3.37

$3.39

$3.34

$3.26

$3.39

$3.25

POLICE REPORTS

GREENVILLE PUBLIC SAFETY

Officers responded to 7 incidents Thursday, including: • Domestic violence, 12:13 a.m., S. Webster. • Snow removal impound, 2:08 a.m., S. Lafayette. • General non-criminal, 8:39 a.m., W. Washington. • Harassing communications, 3:23 p.m., S. Lafayette.

MONTCALM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Deputies responded to 20 incidents Thursday, including: • Fugitive, 2:29 p.m. State. • Public peace, 5:47 p.m., Douglas. • Domestic disturbance, 6:35 p.m., Lincoln. • Agency assist, 11:44 p.m., Holland Lake.

MONTCALM COUNTY CENTRAL DISPATCH There were no fire calls on Thursday.

THURSDAY’S LOTTERY

MIDDAY 3: 4, 9, 9

MIDDAY 4: 6, 8, 5, 6

EVENING 3: 8, 0, 2

EVENING 4: 7, 7, 33,

FANTASY 5: 8, 15, 17, 29, 38

KENO: 3, 9, 10, 11, 13, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 29, 37, 48, 51, 53, 57, 60, 67, 68, 69, 70, 73

POKER LOTTO: JD, 5S, 9D, 9C, 8D

LUCKY FOR LIFE: 6, 14, 16, 25, 36; 4

MEGA MILLIONS

Estimated jackpot: $22 million

POWERBALL

Estimated jackpot: $137 million

CONTACT US

Customer service hours at 109 N. Lafayette Street in Greenville:

Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To place an advertisement or have a subscription services issue: solutions@thedailynews.cc

DAILY NEWS thedailynews.cc

News from Montcalm and Ionia counties, the Daily News is published daily except Sundays and postal holidays by View Newspaper Group, 109 N. Lafayette St., Greenville, MI 48838 Second class postage paid at: Greenville, MI (UPS 144-220) Monthly Home Delivery Rates Subscription: $16.25 E-edition: $6 (Add e-edition to another package for $3 more) 6 and 12 month subscriptions available Go to thedailynews.cc for more information POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Daily News, PO Box 340 Greenville, MI 48838 The Daily News is delivered Monday through Saturday via United States Postal Service. If you have any questions or suggestions, complaints or praise, please send to: Customer Service, Box 340, Greenville, MI 48838. Member of the Michigan Press Association.

Kim Barbara (Schalow) Horvath, age 65, of Belding, passed away on January 31, 2022, at Spectrum Health, Blodgett Campus following a long illness. She was born on December 25, 1956, in Ionia, Michigan, daughter of Merlin Barnabus and Darlene Dora (Marshall) Schalow. Kim graduated from Belding High School with the Class of 1975, and continued her education at Michigan State University, completing job-related coursework. She worked in several administrative capacities throughout her lifetime including over 20 years of service to the central Michigan field offices of the Department of Agriculture. She also took great pride in having volunteered for the Michigan Department of Human Services as transportation services coordinator for clients in need of assistance getting to medical appointments, etc. Kim enjoyed spending time with family and friends, having bowled for more than 25 years in various leagues and would stop by Hillcrest Lanes to socialize with the staff and other bowlers, all of whom she considered friends. She loved to travel, making annual pilgrimages to Mackinaw City for the scenery and other highlights such as the trip across the Mackinac Bridge or a quick stop at the casino. On a trip to New Orleans with friends to celebrate Mardi Gras, she became reacquainted with a former high school classmate, Stephen D. Horvath. They eventually married, and enjoyed 24 years together. While she loved an adventure, she was seldom happier than when she was sitting at home cuddling up for a snuggle and nap in her favorite chair with one of her dogs, including her last pet, “Bing”, whom she loved, or pulling up to the table on a Sunday afternoon to play “Nickels” with her family. After her health began to decline, she still spent time with family and friends whenever possible and looked forward to trying her luck at an occasional scratch-off ticket. Kim will be missed by all who knew her.

Kim leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Stephen D. Horvath; siblings, Merl (Patty) Schalow of Belding and Sue Schalow of Belding; and a special niece, Erin Robach of Saranac; and several other family members and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and a stepfather, Gary L. Livingston.

Private interment services are being planned to take place at a later date at Green Cemetery in Orleans Township. Please contact the funeral home for additional information at (616) 794-1300 or www.verdunfh.com.

Thomas Feuerstein, born December 16, 1943 in Belding, Michigan, passed away at his home in Holt, MIchigan on February 2, 2022.

Tom graduated from Belding High School and was a standout player on their Varsity basketball teams. Shortly after his graduation he began dating the love of his life and future wife Alice Donovan. Tom began a 30 year career in law enforcement with the Belding Police Department then shortly thereafter moved to Ingham County where he spent the majority of his time. He retired from the Ingham County Sheriff’s Department in 1993.

Tom took great pride in the many accomplishments of his daughters and grandchildren. He loved enjoying time with his family and many friends. Tom was predeceased by his cherished wife, Alice Feuerstein; his brother, Donald Feuerstein; and sister-in-law, Marlene Feuerstein. He is survived by his daughters, Traci (Tom) Dudley, and Kismet (Arend) Lock; grandchildren, Lauren (Dylan) Shearer, Katie Dudley, Taylor Lock, Jacob Lock; great-grandson, Jameson Shearer; sister-law, Carol Feuerstein; brother, Joe Feuerstein along with multiple nieces and nephews and of course his many bar friends.

A celebration of life will be planned in the Spring

THOMAS MICHAEL FEUERSTEIN

Deborah Louise Fletcher, age 72, of Greenville, passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2022. She was born on July 23, 1949, the daughter of Robert and Joanne (Peloquin) Bigelow in Lansing. On August 30, 1969, she married the love of her life, Richard Fletcher.

Deborah enjoyed going to the casino, cooking and going out to breakfast with her husband.

She is survived by her husband, Richard, of Greenville; daughter, Jamie Mason of Belding; son, Scott (Judy) Fletcher of Ludington; step-sisters, Pattie Gorman and Sue Kowaske; and grandchildren, Payton Mason, Jackson Mason, Rachel Sweet, Zachary Fletcher and Jacob Fletcher.

Deborah was preceded in death by her sister, Pam Michels; brother, Kelly Gorman and her grandson, Joseph Fletcher.

There will be no services at this time. Arrangements in care of Lake Funeral Home of Ionia. Online Condolences can be made at www.lakefuneralhomes.com.

DEBORAH FLETCHER

UPCOMING AND PENDING SERVICES

TODAY

Jarrad Rose — 1 p.m., W.L. Case and Company Funeral Chapel, Saginaw.

Patricia Buchholz — 11 a.m., Stanton First Congregational Church. (Simpson Family Funeral Homes, Stanton)

SUNDAY

Larry “Joe” Johnson — 6 p.m., Lux and Schnepp Funeral Home, Crystal.

MONDAY

Pamela Anderson — 1 p.m., Simpson Family Funeral Home, Sheridan.

TUESDAY

Luella Coleman — 11 a.m., Dodge Funeral Home, Middleton.

THURSDAY

Donna M. Robinson — 11 a.m., Shiloh Community Church, Orleans. (Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home, Belding)

RICHARD “RICK” BACON JR.

Richard “Rick” Bacon Jr., 72, of Punta Gorda, Florida, formerly of Greenville, died Jan. 25, 2022, in Florida. Arrangements are pending at Hurst Funeral Home.

DONNA M. ROBINSON

Donna M. Robinson, 83, of Orleans died on Friday Feb. 4, 2022, in Greenville. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Thursday at Shiloh Community Church. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral at church. A complete obituary will be published on Monday by Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home, Belding.

Marshall

FUNERAL HOME

284706

Our family serving your family... for over 50 years 420 W. Grove St., Greenville 616.754.5691

www.marshallfuneralhomeinc.com marshall@pathwaynet.com

Libraries see rise in book challenges, fueled by social controversies

JADA PENN | Capital News Service

Michigan has seen an increase in public library and school library books challenged by parents and patrons, especially titles related to the LGBTQ+ community, according to library officials.

The American Library Association says the critics argue that their intent is to protect children from exposure to explicit content and inappropriate language.

“George,” a LGBTQ+ novel by Alex Gino, is frequently the most-challenged book, according to the association. It’s a children’s novel about a young, transgender girl.

The American Library Association reported 156 book challenges in 2020, but officials have said the number for 2021 could be double or triple that. The 2021 report is expected to be completed in April.

Deborah Mikula, the executive director of the Michigan Library Association, said the state’s 396 public library systems create and follow their own policies in consultation with their attorneys.

Most libraries have policies in place for handling such challenges, Mikula said.

“We all have a right to go to our library that is tax-supported, and if we pick up something or children bring something home that they find offensive, they can challenge that book,” she said.

Mikula said the increase in challenges stems from political reasons and that efforts to improve diversity are not accepted in all households.

“If I don’t believe in diversity based on gender, where do I go first?” Mikula said, referring to some parents “who are upset by the presence of certain books in their libraries.”

If a complaint concerns school libraries, which have experienced the largest increase in complaints, “you would go to your school board,” she said.

Reasons for challenges includecontent with sexual abuse, conflict with religious viewpoints, profanity, drug use, alcoholism, “divisive language,” racial slurs, racist stereotypes and “anti-police messages,” according to the national association.

The state association is seeing conservative viewpoints that are well-funded through organizations that are political in nature and that assert conservative family values, according to Mikula.

The 2021 Traverse Area District Library’s Pride Week display in the children’s department spurred complaints, according to youth coordinator Andy Schuck.

“Over the course of two weeks, we had five different calls from community members about the display,” Schuck said. “They didn’t think it was appropriate for the kid’s department, but we kept the display.”

Despite last year’s grumblings, the library plans to have another LGBTQ+-related display in June, he said, adding, “I’m sure we will hear more complaints this year.”

Michigan is far from the only state with book challenge woes. Last month, for example, a Virginia legislative committee killed a proposal requiring parental consent before their children could check out sexually explicit books at school libraries.

Also last month, a Tennessee school board banned “Maus,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel about the Holocaust, from its eighth-grade curriculum.

Thomas Morgan, a communications consultant for the Michigan Education Association, said students need to hear all viewpoints and have a broad-based education to fully prepare for college and the workplace. The MEA is the state’s largest union of teachers and other school personnel.

“As an organization, we strongly support the First Amendment, and we believe that having a diverse education with a wide variety of sources is the best course for Michigan students. We strongly oppose politicians trying to ban books — that’s wholly un-American,” Morgan said.

Thais Rousseau, the collection development director at Capital Area District Library in Lansing, said she is seeing informal complaints from parents.

“Oftentimes it’s about items that they see on the news or that they’ve heard things about,” Rousseau said.

“They’re asking questions about their appropriateness for that part of the collection, and we explain that the library has items for everyone in our communities,” she said. If a family isn’t interested in those items, “we have plenty of other titles that we can help them find.”