A woman from southwestern Michigan’s St. Joseph County has been identified as one of 13 state residents killed in a national outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to contaminated steroids. MLive DOT com says 87-year-old Viola Copsey of Constantine got a steroid injection in September at a clinic in Elkhart, Indiana as treatment for a back problem. It says she died last …

Emily (Ash-Hart) Killian passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012 at the Traverse Manor Assisted Living Home. Emily was born in Three Rivers on May 13, 1919 to Edward and Anna Sholtey. After her mother died in 1922, Emily was adopted by Edgar and Mary Alice Ash of Three Rivers. Emily graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1937 …

Michigan’s two-year old Recreation Passport is getting its first price increase. The Department of Natural Resources says that effective January 2, 2013 the purchase price will change from $10 to $11. The Passport is required for vehicles entering Michigan’s state parks, recreation areas and forest campgrounds. The increase is based on a requirement built into the 2010 legislation that created the Recreation …

Nancy C. Fisher, age 87, of Livonia, and a former longtime resident of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday morning, Nov. 21, 2012, at Heartland Health Care Center Dorvin in Livonia. She was born Aug. 3, 1925, in Port au Prince, Haiti, a daughter of the late Oscar Ray and Margaret McFarland (Brown) Cauldwell. Nancy resided in Sturgis from 1950 until 2005, …

Jane Wagner, age 64, of Leonidas, passed away Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, at her home, after an extended illness. Jane was born Dec. 31, 1947, in Battle Creek, a daughter of the late Harold C. and Iola (Stewart) Bower. Jane had lived in Colon all her life, graduating from Colon High School with the class of 1966. On June 14, …

KALAMAZOO-A goal by Phil Rauch late in the third period broke a 2-2 tie and gave the Toledo Walleye the win over the Kalamazoo Wings and sole possession of first place in the ECHL’s North Division on Sunday evening at Wings Stadium. The Walleye (11-7-0-1) have a one point lead over the second place Cincinnati Cyclones and a five point …

Twenty years ago I graduated from Constantine High School. It does not nearly seem possible that 20 years have gone by. But at the same time, it feels like a lifetime ago and in many respects it was. When I walked across that stage to receive my diploma, I had no idea what was ahead for me. I could not …

Nelvina K. Weiderman, age 79, of Mendon, died Friday, Nov. 23, 2012 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born in Chicago, IL on Aug. 25, 1933 the daughter of Kermit and Sybella (Vander Veen) Parsons, and was a 1951 graduate of Three Rivers High School. Nelvina was married to Donald R. Weiderman on April 14, 1956, and they …

Inez M. Ultz, age 84, of Burr Oak, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She is now celebrating a full life with her Savior Jesus Christ. Inez was born June 3, 1928, in Sturgis, a daughter to the late William and Emma (Wittenberg) Studeman. Inez had lived most all of her life in Burr …

Flowerfield Township officials have agreed to renew the township’s contract with the Fabius-Park Townships Fire Department. During action last week, township officials agreed to the fixed-rate payment of $18,000 for service to the eastern half of the township through 2013. The township has a separate agreement with Marcellus for coverage on the western half of Flowerfield Township’s jurisdiction.