Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department last week arrested a man driving a stolen vehicle in Sherman Township. According to a department media release, deputies were called Thursday to a report of a man driving a stolen vehicle. They responded to an area near Banker Street and Shimmel Road and eventually found the vehicle in question. John Fox …

Here’s this week’s Michigan Department of Transportation update regarding the US-131 redevelopment project in Three Rivers. Crews on Monday are expected to begin top-course paving and a shoulder-gravel process on the northbound stretch toward the north end of the project. Also Monday, crews will begin base-course and leveling-course paving on M-60. MDOT officials said workers will finish winter paving markings …

The remaining two St. Joseph County high schools in the Michigan High School Athletic Association football playoffs went 1-and-1 over the weekend. In Division 6, Constantine fell to Hillsdale on Friday, 20-to-14. The Falcons finish the season 8-and-3 while Hillsdale maintained its perfect record. In 8-man action, Colon is one win away from playing for a state championship after it …

A Michigan man whose hobbies include ritualized combat with replica weapons from the Middle Ages says he wielded a battle ax he calls “my baby” to fend off an intruder. Thirty-six-year-old Ben Ball tells WOOD-TV he was playing video games at his apartment in Oshtemo Township late Wednesday when someone who once dated his ex-roommate kicked in his door. He …

Quick-thinking hunters in central Michigan have rescued two deer who literally became locked in battle. WOOD-TV reports that insurance agent Mark Johnson spotted the rutting bucks in a field with their antlers entangled. He figured the eight-point bucks would die from exhaustion or starvation if they stayed stuck. Video of Wednesday’s rescue on WOOD-TV’s website shows Johnson’s friend, Brad Lyons, …

Albert “AJ” Smith, age 73, of Constantine, passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at his home. He was born in Sturgis on July 11, 1946, a son of Theodore and Hulda (Besser) Smith.   AJ graduated from Constantine High School in 1966. On August 12, 1966, he married Sandra Smitley in Constantine. AJ owned AJ’s Mapleland Auto Parts of Three …

Zoo officials say a 17-year-old lion that was a longtime fixture at a northern Indiana zoo has been euthanized due to chronic age-related conditions. The male lion, named Tango, was humanely euthanized this past week at the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend after his condition suddenly worsened. The South Bend Tribune reports that Tango and his lion brother, Onyo, arrived …

Indiana officials say more baby boxes are coming to the state’s hospitals and firehouses. The Post-Tribune reports that Crown Point added one box last week at a firehouse, making a total of six boxes in Northwest Indiana. Baby boxes are padded, climate-controlled boxes where people can leave newborns safely and anonymously at hospitals or firehouses. Hospital officials say the boxes …

Erick “Rick” Jelderks, age 68, passed away on Thursday at his home in Jones. Erick was born June 4, 1951 in South Bend to David Jelderks and Beryl (Bartell) Guzowski. He was preceded in death by his father, David; step-father, Arthur Guzowski; and brother Kim Guzowski. Erick is survived by his mother, Beryl Guzowski; brother, David (Patti) Guzowski; sister-in-law, Leslie …

Todd Lee Reed, age 57, of Colon, passed away Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, at his home on Palmer Lake. Todd was born Jan. 13, 1962, in Sturgis, a son of Jack Reed and Judith (James) Fountain. Todd attended Colon High School and lived his entire life in Colon. Todd is survived by his mother, Judith Fountain of Florida; a sister, …