White Pigeon Community Schools Board of Education last week approved a quote for 432 classroom Chromebook devices, at a cost of about $126,000. Money for the purchase will come from bond funds. Associate superintendent Carrie Erlandson said the Chromebooks will be especially useful if the district needs to continue distance learning in the fall. The district already has 150 Chromebooks …

Here’s the weekly update from Michigan Department of Transportation regarding its redevelopment of U.S. 131 in Three Rivers. Stage 5 traffic pattern remains in place and all traffic will continue to travel on the southbound lane. Construction crews plan to continue gravel grading, and work on new curb and gutter on the north side of Michigan Avenue. All Michigan Avenue …

Construction of a roundabout at Farrand and Colon roads in Colon Township is to begin next week. St. Joseph County Road Commission assistant manager Garrett Myland detailed the plan during a work session Wednesday. The goal is to complete the project no later than the first week of August, he noted. The single-lane roundabout will be a 130-foot inscribed diameter. …

Sheriff’s deputies were called last week to investigate separate incidents of destruction of property. Deputies responded Tuesday to the 58000 block of U.S. 131 in Fabius Township, where forced entry into a barn was attempted. The building sustained minor damage. The second incident was an unrelated property-damage complaint in the 300 block of South Second Street in the village of …

I’ve never been much of a bird watcher, but since the current pandemic, and the “Stay at Home” order, we have become quite interested in observing some of the birds that frequent the area. Some friends turned us on to Orioles. I’m not referring to baseball’s Baltimore Orioles, but rather the birds who are noted for their bright orange coloring. …

Robert J. Doe, age 67, of Sturgis,  passed away early Tuesday morning, May 19, 2020, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born Oct. 17, 1952 in Detroit, son of the late Henry and Esther (D’Haene) Doe. In his early years, Bob was a rough and tough guy, fighting to find his place in life. In his late 20s …

Barbara Grace Stevens, age 93, died on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. In accordance with family wishes cremation will be conducted and memorial services will held at a later date. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday extended Michigan’s stay-at-home order by slightly more than two additional weeks, through June 12, while keeping theaters, gyms and other places of public accommodation closed until at least then. A day after a judge ruled in her favor in a lawsuit filed by the Republican-led Legislature, the Democratic governor also extended her coronavirus emergency declaration through June 19. Both …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer prevailed Thursday in a high-stakes challenge by Republican lawmakers who sued over her authority to declare emergencies and order sweeping restrictions during the coronavirus outbreak. A 1945 law cited by Whitmer, a Democrat, is not limited to regional emergencies and can have no end date, said Judge Cynthia Stephens of the Court of Claims. The opinion …

ack D. Beers, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday morning, May 20, 2020 at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Centreville. He was born October 19, 1938 in LaGrange, son of the late Kenneth and Kate Beers. He was a lifelong Sturgis area resident. Jack was a welder by trade retiring from Manchester Tank and Equipment following several years of …