Glen Oaks Community College officials have announced the school is providing employee training to Sturgis Molded Products in order to advance employee-processing skills. Sturgis Molded Products is one of two recipients in St. Joseph County of an Incumbent Worker Training Grant designed to upgrade the skills of its employees. The $36,000, fully funded grant was awarded through Michigan Works and …

Here’s a reminder from organizers of the White Pigeon snowman-making contest. Above-freezing temperatures have helped turn snow into a texture conducive to packing and snowman-building. Shireen Cline, event organizer, said anyone who builds a snowman is urged to send her a photo if they wish for it to be included in judging. The last day for entries is Feb. 23, …

With the weather we’ve been experiencing lately, it’s difficult to even think about this year’s Water Festival. It’s still about five months away, so don’t get out your lawn chairs quite yet. Deb Herring and the Water Festival committee have already scheduled their first meeting. We’ll meet at the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce office in Three Rivers February …

Betty Louise Bickle, age 91, of Centreville, passed away Tuesday, February 12th, 2013 at Sturgis Hospital. She was born in Battle Creek, on May 23, 1921, a daughter of the Harl J. and Fern (Burgett) Moore. Betty graduated from Athens High School in 1940. On June 2, 1940 Betty married Dan Bickle in Athens. He preceded her in death on …

Three Rivers, Mendon, Nottawa and Centreville school districts had the greatest number of proficient third-through eighth-grade students in the county on the reading portion of the Michigan Educational Assessment Program. All four finished above the state average in the reading category, according to MEAP results released by the state Monday. Meanwhile, students in Nottawa and Sturgis scored the highest number …

A 43-year-old Sturgis woman was charged with drunken driving and open intoxicant following a traffic stop last week in Sturgis. A Michigan State Police trooper noticed her vehicle being driven without its headlights illuminated on South Centerville Road. In addition, a 42-year-old passenger was charged with open intoxicants and a probation violation for possession and consumption of alcohol. They were …

A loud exhaust prompted a trooper from the Michigan State Police to stop a vehicle last Wednesday on U.S. 12 in Burr Oak Township. The driver, a 22-year-old Bronson resident, was driving on a suspended license and also was found to be wanted on a warrant for failure to appear on an unspecified charge, police said. He posted a cash …

Members of the Centreville Village Council are debating whether to purchase a police vehicle to replace the current car. The council is mulling the idea of a Chevy Tahoe. Council member Jeff Johnson said the vehicle – fitted with standard law-enforcement equipment – would cost about $ 35,000. St. Joseph County Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite has been involved in the process …

Paul N. Woods, 58, of Sturgis, died unexpectedly of a 24-hour rapidly progressing lung infection at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 and 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 at Sturgis Missionary Church, 67080 N. M-66, Sturgis. A service celebrating the life of …

Charles Martin, 87, of Lawton, passed away Friday morning, Feb. 8, 2013 at the Battle Creek VA Hospital. He was born July 19, 1925 in Three Rivers the son of the late Harold and Lola (Abshire) Martin. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Charlie was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Lawton, the American …