Congressman Fred Upton has announced his service academy nominees for the 2013-2014 academic year. According to a media release, the nominees have excelled both academically and athletically at their respective schools and have gone through an extensive selection process. The selection process included an interview with Upton’s Academy Advisory Board, which is comprised of local community leaders. Upon approval by …

Richard W. (Dick) Thomas, 73, of White Pigeon, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born Aug. 17, 1939, in Lansing, a son of the late Gale J. and Norma M. (Nichols) Thomas. On Dec. 14, 1984, he married Connie L. Martin in White Pigeon. Dick served in the Army National Guard for six years …

Edwin Joseph Chobot, age 88, of Mendon, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012 at Heartland Healthcare Center in Three Rivers, following a lengthy illness. He was born July 19, 1924, in Chicago, a son of the late Anton and Anna (Broz) Chobot, and attended Chicago schools. He was a World War II veteran, serving with the U.S. Army at the 61st General …

There are predictions that oil prices could fall sharply to around $50 per barrel, with those coming from analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Grand Rapids-based GasBuddy.com analyst Patrick DeHaan says he thinks they might be right for a few reasons: Domestic oil production is hitting highs unlike any seen in two decades and crude oil inventories are about …

If your TV seems calmer today, you’re right, and its not just because the political ad season is over. Just a month after viewers got a respite from screaming political ads, they’re getting a break from screaming ads of any kind. A new law called CALM went into effect Thursday that mandates no commercial can be louder than the programming itself. …

Maxwell is still waiting for his new home. My new name is Red, I like it! I am a five year old Retriever. I have been neutered and I am house trained! I also like attention and I know to sit, shake and down. They gave me a bath and I even had a pedicure! I am a very good …

Glen Oaks Community College is one of four Kalamazoo-area junior colleges to reach a reverse-transfer agreement with Western Michigan University. Signed earlier this month, the arrangement allows students who obtain credits at Glen Oaks and Western to combine credits from both schools and apply them toward an associate’s degree. In most cases, the agreement will benefit students who attend one …

A St. Joseph County department head was suspended for a day without pay over a hunting-related incident last month. John Pence, parks and recreation director, served the one-day suspension Nov. 21 after it was discovered he gave permission for a party of four to hunt at Cade Lake County Park. The hunters were found on the 52-acre, county-owned parcel after …

A 17-year member of the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education was recognized this week for his longevity to the seven-member board. John Rentfrow was issued a gift card and many thanks from board members. Rentfrow chose to not seek re-election last month and will be replaced by Carl Barth during the board’s January meeting.

Numerous windows in a house in the 100 block of Pleasant Street in Sturgis were shattered around 10 a.m. Wednesday. Officers from the Sturgis Police Department are investigating the matter. The homeowner, meanwhile, is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible for causing the damage.