Pastor Eliezer Melendez, age 80, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, father of Dr. Eliezer Melendez of Sturgis, passed away early Wednesday morning January 18, 2012 at the home of his youngest son, Alvin. He was born July 2, 1931 in Puerto Rico, a son of the late Juan and Josefa (Vazquez) Melendez. Pastor Melendez early life was lived in Puerto Rico until …

KALAMAZOO — Bob Hoffmeyer knows a thing or two about hockey. Now a pro scout for the New Jersey Devils of the NHL, Hoffmeyer is a former player and coach whose path always seems to lead him back to Kalamazoo and K-Wings hockey in one way or another. Before Hoffmeyer’s playing days took him up the ladder to the NHL, …

Dominating from the opening period, the Kalamazoo Wings used a 60-minute effort to conclude a three-game road swing by defeating the Trenton Titans 6-2. Veteran wisdom paved the way for the K-Wings in the first period. Deflecting a John Kivisto slap shot 5:37 into the contest; Kory Karlander (9th) put Kalamazoo on the board. Also assisting on the tally was …

In their first meeting since last year’s postseason encounter won by the Kalamazoo Wings, the Reading Royals used a solid effort in the second period to defeated the K-Wings 4-1 Friday night at the Sovereign Center. Dictating the action in the opening 20 minutes by outshooting Reading 15-4, Kalamazoo not only generated many scoring chances, but the lone goal of …

A 59-year-old woman was forced from her SUV late Wednesday night outside the Sturgis Walmart. Police said the woman told them a black man, in his late 20s or early 30s, dragged her from her vehicle as she was entering the gray 2004 Chevy Trailblazer. The vehicle was last seen heading north on South Centerville Road. The vehicle has a …

State Rep. Matt Lori announced this week that legislation he introduced, regarding a change to the legal blood-alcohol content for which boaters are considered legally drunk, has passed a vote by the State House Judiciary Committee. The two bills set the legal blood-alcohol content for watercraft operators from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent. They also modify sentencing guidelines to make …

Members of the Tri-Township Fire Department welcomed the addition of its new truck Tuesday. Chief Max Kulpinski said the 2009 International was purchased by Fawn River, Sturgis and Sherman townships for $200,000. Another $15,000 was spent to detail, customize and letter the rig. Because the vehicle had been a lifelong demonstration truck, all of its 2,200 miles were recorded to …

Walter Henry Bauman, age 92, of Three Rivers, died Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, at the Three Rivers Health emergency room. He was born near Burr Oak on Aug. 14, 1919, a son of Henry C. and Elsie F. (Frohriep) Bauman and was a lifetime resident of St. Joseph County. He attended the Jones Country School and he worked alongside his …

I am Sam, I am! I am only seven months old, I am a little boy that needs a lot of affection and I love to play. It is just so lonely in this cage with no people to play with. Please stop by to visit with me, if you do you will fall in love. You can find me …

Members of the White Pigeon Community Schools Board of Education were presented a list of priorities to address if an impending millage renewal is approved. Eric Hackman, from Kalamazoo-based engineering and architecture firm Tower Pinkster Titus Associates Inc., told board members Wednesday that infrastructure-related work at Central Elementary School should take place first. The potential work is contingent on a …