The National Weather Service says a slow-moving storm that damaged more than 100 homes in a rural southeastern Michigan community when a tornado touched down included at least one other tornado that caused damage.  No  serious injuries were reported and crews are expected to survey the damage Friday following Thursday’s storms.  Meteorologist Steven Freitag says Friday that the tornado that …

Scientists say the gray wolves of Isle Royale National Park are dangerously close to extinction.  Biologists with Michigan Tech University say they counted only nine wolves on the Lake Superior island this winter, down from 16 a year ago.  It’s the lowest number since scientists began monitoring the park’s wolves and moose a half-century ago. Biologists Rolf Peterson and John …

Chase Jeffrey Allen, age four months, son of Charles Allen, III and Cynthia Carlson of Burr Oak, Mich., passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at his home. He is survived by his loving parents; one brother, Charles Allen IV at home; grandparents, Charles and Renee Allen Jr. of Colon and Jeff and Elvia Carlson of Indianapolis, Ind.; great-grandparents, Charles …

Donald G. Bogen, age 84, of Centreville, Mich., passed away early Thursday morning, March 15, 2012, at his home. He was born May 19, 1927, in Sturgis, Mich., a son of the late Louis and Helen (Harris) Bogen. Mr. Bogen was a lifelong Sturgis and Centreville area resident. On Jan. 26, 1952, he married Alberta J. Ritter in Angola, Ind. …

Douglas Lynn Hall, 57, of Union, Mich., died at 2:22 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at his residence after a battle with cancer. He was born on Jan. 19, 1955, in Elkhart, Ind., to Chester and Ruby (Blough) Hall. Surviving are a daughter , Shalee Hall of Union; three sons, Douglas Chester Hall, Ryan (Amber) Hall and Eric Scott Hall, …

The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority has announced it was awarded a $750,000 grant for making handicap-accessible upgrades, and lighting and sidewalk improvements. Bestowed by Michigan Strategic Fund, the grant will cover a large portion of expenses related to making the Downtown Mural Mall ADA-compliant to ensure easy access between Railroad Drive and Main Street. Steps currently in place will …

The field of candidates expected to run for St. Joseph County Probate Court judge grew more crowded Thursday. Colon attorney David Tomlinson said he plans to seek the position currently occupied by Tom Shumaker, who plans to retire at the end of the year after serving for 24 years as judge. To date, the other potential candidates for the position …

St. Joseph County treasurer Judie Ratering announced Thursday she plans to seek the treasurer’s position for its full, four-year term in the November election. Ratering earlier this year was appointed to the post after Phyllis Bainbridge retired Jan. 31. The unexpired term left by Bainbridge concludes Dec. 31. Ratering, a 52-year-old Park Township resident, said she plans to file her …

Two weeks after announcing the closing of its Sturgis supermarket, officials from the Miller’s Super Valu grocery store chain said the store’s last day in business is Sunday. LaGrange, Ind.-based Miller’s said a shrinking customer base contributed to the end of its 30-plus years in business in Sturgis. A gas station and convenience store in an outlot outside the east …

Veda Alane Conner, precious daughter of Nicholas and Mallory (Buscher) Conner of Sturgis, Michigan was stillborn, Tuesday afternoon March 13, 2012 at the Sturgis Hospital. She is survived by her parents, one brother, Oliver Conner at home, grandparents, Bev and Mike Yunker of Nottawa, Dale and Deb Peters of Sturgis and Dennis and Dawn Conner of Sturgis, great grandparents, Al …