Department of Public Works employees in Constantine spent two hours Wednesday repairing a water-main break. The faulty pipe was at the corner of Fifth and Washington streets. Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the pipe had leaked about 250,000 gallons per day over the past week and it was necessary to shut down the entire water system because the hole was …

Gaylord Dean “Gator” Hill, age 65, of Mesa, Ariz., since December of 2012, and a longtime former Sturgis resident, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, in Phoenix. He was born May 26, 1947, in Sturgis, a son of Wayne T. and Opal (Patrick) Hill. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge #1314 and Captain John J. Kelley Post …

Betty Jean Widdel, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday evening, Feb. 12, 2013, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis. Funeral services celebrating the life of Betty Jean Widdel will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at …

I am a black lab/border collie mix and I am about 3 years old. I’ve been at Animal Control since January, so I am really hoping someone will come and take me to their home. I’m very friendly and I like to fetch a tennis ball and bring it back to you. The ladies at A.C. say I am very …

St. Joseph County treasurer Judith Ratering has included the county in a state program designed to assist homeowners who have fallen behind on their property taxes. “Help for Hardest Hit; Step Forward, Michigan” is a state initiative to assist homeowners who have endured a financial hardship and are unable to catch up on their property taxes. Discussing the program last …

About 100 people attended the inaugural Three Rivers Harmony Fest chili cook-off and home-brew beer fundraiser Feb. 2. More than $800 was collected to help fund this year’s Harmony Fest, which marks its 20th anniversary Labor Day weekend. In the chili competition, Fred Pruitt from Three Rivers Health took top honors, with Pub 21 and Paisano’s Bar and Grill coming …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk said narcotics investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed a search warrant on a suspected methamphetamine-production site Tuesday in the 63000 block of McKale Road in Burr Oak Township. Investigators found evidence of methamphetamine and marijuana production inside the residence, investigators said. Two males and one female, whose names and ages …

A fundraiser to help the Constantine Fire Department purchase five Automated External Defibrillators is scheduled to take place later this month. A spaghetti dinner is set for 12:30 to 3 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Constantine American Legion, north of the village on U.S. 131. There is no charge but donations are being requested. Chief Mike Haydon said the department …

Evelyn Ilene Phillips, age 71, of Mendon died Wednesday Feb. 13, 2013 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born in Mendon on Dec. 2, 1941 the daughter of James Edward and Zelma (Halsey) McClish and was a lifetime resident of the Mendon area. After attending Mendon Schools, Evelyn was married to James Leroy Phillips on May 23, 1959. …

St. Joseph County’s search for a new administrator resulted in an unexpected selection Tuesday. J. Patrick Yoder, who held the position from its inception in 1990 until 1994, has accepted the job, which is the highest, non-elected position in county government. A native of Suttons Bay, the 63-year-old Yoder met with commissioners during a work session to discuss his potential …