The St. Joseph County Child Trauma Assessment Group was provided $50,000 to help it meet a projected budget shortfall. The request was pitched last week to members of the county board of commissioners by Probate Court Judge David Tomlinson and probate court director Thomas Robertson. Tomlinson said the state might refund St. Joseph County half of the $50,000, but the …

Robert Eugene Edson, age 56, of Jones, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015 at his home. He was born on May 6, 1959 the son of the late Harold Thomas and Marian Elizabeth (Still) Edson. Bob has been a long time resident of the Jones area. He loved riding his motorcycle, hunting, fishing, …

Florence L. Murray, age 94, of Marcellus, MI passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2015. She was born August 31, 1921 in Danville, IL the daughter of James Frank and Agnes (Ambrose) and stepmother Anna (Ambrose) Bailey. On May 5, 1940 in Detroit, MI, she married Lloyd W. Murray who survives. An avid, life-long learner, Florence studied French, Italian and Chinese …

A pair of local dignitaries led a Veteran’s Day ceremony in Centreville Wednesday morning. Former state legislator Cameron Brown and current State Rep. Aaron Miller took part in a program along East Main Street for the dedication of the village’s Military Freedom Walk. Banners indicating the Military Freedom Walk were unveiled prior to the start of the ceremony. One hangs …

A Jackson-based company was selected last week to replace the existing wireless connection at the county’s Animal Control facility. County commission members have accepted a $6,100 bid from Challenger Technologies LLC to install fiber-optic cable from Animal Control to the sheriff’s department. Teresa Doehring, county human resources director, said the replacement will significantly improve the quality and reliability of data …

The Michigan Department of Transportation is awarding a transportation economic development grant that will support 750 new jobs in Branch County. MDOT officials said the Transportation Economic Development Fund grant totaling nearly $2.6 million will leverage $255 million in private investment. Pennsylvania-based Clemens Food Group is partnering with a number of family-owned farms in Michigan and Ohio to process pork …

Two area attorneys were added to St. Joseph County’s Contract Defender System. Following action Tuesday last week by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, Luke Nofsinger and Kevin Kane were included to the roster of contract defenders. The change was necessary following Kevin Kleidon’s passing earlier this year. For housekeeping reasons, Kleidon’s name was removed from the roster.

Susan Kay Ransbottom Witty, 54, humble servant of God, went to her heavenly Father’s arms on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015 while in the presence of her loving husband, Paul Witty. Susie was born in Three Rivers. She was baptized and confirmed at First United Methodist Church in Three Rivers, and most recently, attended Webster and Cullowhee United Methodist Churches in …

The Manchester Monarchs (4-4-0-0) made the most of their first-ever visit to Wings Event Center on Tuesday night. The Kalamazoo Wings (4-6-1-0) got off on the right foot as Alex Mallet scored just sixteen seconds into the opening period. Just over two minutes later, the Monarchs jumped on the scoreboard as Troy Power knotted the game at one goal each. …

A clerk at the Admiral gas station at 1207 E. Chicago Road in Sturgis was robbed early Monday. Sturgis police were informed that a man had robbed the station at gunpoint shortly after midnight, taking an undisclosed amount of money. No additional details are available, as police are working with store officials to investigate the incident.