The road map for St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department’s next half-decade was approved by county commissioners last week. The agency’s five-year plan includes one major development and a variety of minor tasks. With a portfolio of nine parks, however, the highest priority going forward will center on adhering to a consistent maintenance plan, according to department director Jaymes …

Members of the board that oversees the St. Joseph County Grange Fair appear confident that operations can continue indefinitely without a fair manager. Tom Miller, president of the 14-member board, said there was talk shortly after former manager Bill Johnson was relieved of his duties in mid-October about finding a successor. Since then, however, Miller said several committee members and …

Police say two people have died but their 5-month-old son survived after carbon monoxide apparently filled a house from a generator and portable heater. Det. Sgt. Todd Elliott says it appears to be a “terrible accident” in Battle Creek. The victims were a 20-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman. Elliott tells the Battle Creek Enquirer that they were helping a …

Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said the department has fielded an extraordinary number of burglaries in the past month. He advises the public to be especially vigilant in locking their homes and vehicles in order to prevent from being a theft victim. From December 25 through January 15, 20 burglaries and 23 larcenies were reported to the agency. There was …

Seats for the St. Joseph County Animal Control Advisory Board were appointed last week. Kristina Eaton, a Burr Oak-area resident, was elected chair while Tracy Parker, from Sturgis Bank and Trust, will serve as co-chair for the year. Parker will also serve as interim secretary. Eaton said the board has two seats open: one citizen-at-large and one marketing coordinator. She …

A Colon firefighter was injured Thursday battling a blaze at Kountry Corner Discount Store. Authorities said the owner of the Colon Township business believes a wood-burning stove caused the fire, which destroyed the building and its contents. The fire was reported just after 9 a.m. Flames were coming from the structure as first firefighters arrived, according to authorities. The business …

State Rep. Aaron Miller of Sturgis will host district office hours next week in order to meet with residents of the 59th District. Miller said next Monday’s events are a great opportunity to directly hear thoughts and questions about state government. As the district’s voice in Lansing, Miller said it is a top priority to be accessible and accountable to …

Maxine Irma Ropp, age 100, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday evening January 19, 2019 at her home at Thurston Woods Villa in Sturgis. She was born February 26, 1918 daughter of the late Elmer C. and Neva (Nelson) Clark in the same house her father was born in west of Constantine. She was the last surviving member of the Constantine …

“I don’t snore.” A common phrase heard by many. You have to look hard to find someone who will admit to snoring. Just about everyone snores at one time or another. If you sleep best by sleeping on your back, the chances are you snore. Snoring is not a problem if you sleep alone. This is one reason that some …

A man in charge of transportation at a southwestern Michigan school district has died while shoveling snow. Portage district officials say Mike Westbrook died Saturday from a heart attack. Superintendent Mark Bielang told families that Westbrook’s “work impacted every student who rides a bus.” He says Westbrook was “masterful” at bus logistics in the Kalamazoo-area district. More than 5,000 Portage …